New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-04-15

IFRoa STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNEI
PHILADELPHIA. April 1871 have devoted to-day,
for the first time, to a general inspection of the
buildings Of our coming International Exhibition OF
Industry and Aft, with view toward ascertalnng
the character of the display which we shall make TO
the world IN this memorable year or months past,
have seen the distant spires and un-antque towers
GROWING the watery glade of the SchuySill from a
passing train was familiar with the rare adyant-
ages of the situation; but have had opportunity
of taking a nearer look at the great work. and COM
pairing it with what has been dOno by other nations,
until now.
No day could have been fortunate The
warm showers and constant electric discharges OF
last night killed the wind, land the dust, anu gave
the vegetation start which seems hardly cie'noie'
Since yesterday the beds of hyacinths IN TN" falH
have burst into full bloom; magnoias have opehee
their ems the rods of the foysykGs golden, ana
the llacs are almost in leaf. The grass on southern
slopes is thick enough to ripple in the breeze hau
there been any. The sky was full of soft, hay
light without sunshine yet with no threat OF ran :
there were everywhere the signs that The season has
turned. and that Nature bencefOrth will keep pace
with Man in Fastening to prepare herself ior me
opening of the first truly genuine ana compete III
ferpatonal exhibition ever held on American SOIL
The broad avenue which forms the southern
boundary Of the Park the western side OF the
Schuylkill and upon which the main nan OF the
Exhibition fronts, presents singular scene. III
tie city has been improvised there, within the last
few months. Where all the people come from, and
what they do l cannot well imagine; but number
Of small hotels seem to be in full operation great
ones with accommodations for 1000 or 1900
ruests. loom up behind them; and all these btTuc-
tures have an air of permanence, If they expected
10 remain there after this years specuauons have
rome to an end. The first thing which struck me,
Is tho remarkable facility of approach for all the
ruter world The Reading Railroad has station
within furlong of the eastern front OF the man
hall the Pennsylvania Railroad is building another
within stones throw of both nall and Machinery
building and visitors from north, west, and south
there is not much east of Phiiadeipmal VIII TINS
be brought to the very doors. These facilities VIII
prevent an immense deal OF expense and confusion
In no previous exhibition of the kind have they been
furnished.
THE MAIN BUILDING.
The Main Hall is intermediate in character be-
tween the Hyde Park structure of 1901 ana tho
Vienna structure of 1873. 1t is larger and more
ornate than the former less ostentatious and more
practical than the latter IL front, the view is too
close for its great extent, and from Georges ILL.,
where its vast Dimensions and general symmetry
IRE most apparent, it can only be seen from al
oblioue angle Alphabetically, il properly requires
transept its four towers of 100 feet disporaged
by its great length of $50 feet. The true proper
ton. however, would have neoesstated a needless
expAnditure since an increased elevation could
not have been practically used. But tsc IN
terror SURPRISES in general effect, not only
the Vienna building, but all lis preHe-
cessors. In the former the central rotunda
efectually cut of from one wing the vista
of the other while the multitude OF small trsnseptS
like so many cul-desGcs existed for themselves ana
not for the spectacle a whole. Here the sweep OF
vision Is unobstructed from end to end, not only
through the central nave Of 100 feet. but also
through both side-naves Of 100 feet span. The iron
network of the supports is just what Is required for
tho roof and no more. The colOrs are subdued, yet
sufficiently harmonious; there is red enough in the
paneng between the pillars to relieve the bue-gray
of the rafers but not so much TO interfere with
the gay tints Of the fabrics TO be displayed below
The interior space has been yeTy fairly allotted
OF the 20 nclosed acres IL given to foreign ma
tons and the remainder is for our own ciilzeus 10
fill The latter, as usual have been quite reiiSS Ill
their Work: we Americans are emphat.cally al
eleyeDtb-hour people. When L compared the taste
ful pavil0ns of the Netherlands the incosod court
Of Spain. the pylon and temple-ike inclosuro Of
Egypt the exquisite wooden iiiigree of Norway
even the crowded boxes and showcases of Germany.
England and France, with the vacant and bewii-
dered aspect of our American domain. felt slight
sinking of tho heart. But there camo
q consolation in remembering that If we
nostpope we are capable of rapid
work. and Gen. Hawley-tO whom, as to Mr.
Goshoru, am indebted for all the facilities OF see
ing what now describe-as5urod that the late
activity of the American exhibitors will no doubt
atone for their seeming negligence hitherto. The
French and English Departments are advancing
rapidly, and although Germany claims TO be ahead
OF BOTH could not that she is more than abreast
of her rivals. From present indications should
Judge that the foreign dsplay-wth the possible
exception of the Oriental nations-wiil be fully
equal 10 that at Paris in 1867 and at Vienna in
1873.
MEMORIAL HALL
The Memorial Hall, situated about 100 yards to
the north of the main Exhibition Building was an
agreeable surprise. 1t is far lighter and more grace
fn IN appearance than the engTaylngs represent.
The clustered columns of the portal and the arcades
connecting the front with the thanking pavllons are
really charming; but, oh! the bronze monstrosiles
Oh the granite pedestas at the foot of the paved a
proschl Such Pegasuscs, or Pegasi what is the
proper plural n, with wiad-5wOllep bodies and fly
blown lers--for what bards are they httingi NUS
American Art and Song ride upon these foundereo
beasts. which were never capable of flight, ana ar
now douby absurd with their worn and stunpy
wingsf
Isuppose the interior OF the hall will be finished
and filed with Art by the opening day. 1t Is hardly
lust to doubt it yet there seems great deal 10 dc
vet. Both the hall and the amaze viii be hled; th'
latter Is on an ingenious and admirable plan, D.
which the doors open obliquey into the corners Of
the rooms leaving the entire wal-space for picture'
Herein. again, We shall surpass all former exhib-
Z :. it- Hror tlartf