The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-25
THE PHILADELPHIA FAIR.
Notes on the Main Buiidina-The British
Colonial Exhibition.

toiouit ENuiDittons
PHILADELPHIA, May pa popularity of
tho British colonial department is that II is the
most Systematically arranged OF all. The rea-
son Of this is that 1t is to great extent a Gov
eminent exhibition. Private individuals send
ing their goods from the distant countries had
for their own convenience to intrust them to
their respective Commissioners. The goods were
properly selected, classified, and exhibited, not
with view to advertise this or that individual
hrm or article, hut to give az true and complete
a picture az possible Of the natural and indus
trial resources Of tho country.
Canada, though much less distant, and much
more at home with us than any other British
colony, seems to have preferred tho same plan.
The exhibitors OF the Dominion do not appear
in their individual capacity. They are all under
the control " the Government Commissioners,
OF whom there are three from the Dominion
and one from each province. Hence n systom-
atical, most orderly display, facilitating the
inspection to degree which the visitor can
fully appreciate only when he hss experienced
to what trouble the confused and disorderly
state OF affairs throughout all the American de-
partments puts any man who visits the Exhibit
ton not as mere bewildernR show, but as a
museum for practical instruction.
An hours stroll through any of these British
colonial departments gives you almost perfect
an idea Of tho country as II you had visited II.
You see everything, from the geographical and
geological formation of the land, a. exhibited
In admirable maps, to the best products OF In
dustry; while exquisite photographs make you
familiar with the types OF the Inhabitants, the
aspect Of the leading public buildings, and the
character ~ the scenery.
Az an Industrial display, however, only the
DEPARTMENTS OF Canada and India are deserving
OF notice. The Australian colonies are too
young vet to be able to compete with the rest OF
tho world, and they very reasonably forbear
sending things which they know cannot rival
the products OF either American or European
industry. Their exhibits consist. therefore,
almost exclusively Of specimens OF natural prod
ucta. All kinds OF me; ais, including gold Immense
collections OF minerals, admirable varieties Of
timbers and woods, botanical specimens, woods,
grains, wines, an assortment OF preserved articles
OF food, canned roast beef, boiled mutton. and
Kangaroo SOUP form the blk Of the exhibition.
You at a glance the fabulous natural wealth
Of the stlll virginia. Australasia, and have one OF
the best opportunities for thoroughly appreciat-
ing the surprising genius of colonization in the
| Anelo-S xon race.
| Tho departments OF India and Canada make
| quite different kind OF show. The natural re-
| sources Of these countries are not nearly so
richly represented as the Industrial ones, and
| the Indian department is poorer than the Cana
| dian. 1t looks as II India itself had not sont
anything to this Exhibition, and as:if the Indian
department had been made up In London.
Nevertheless, 1t Ia highly interesting from the
exquisite specimens q costly shawls, carpets,
silks. and Jewelry, and OF curious NIPPLES OF the
Hindoo skill In all branches OF hand work. The
| three immense carpets forming al kind Of back
| ground curtain Of the Indian department are