The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1878-06-01
Our Letter from Europe.
Broadbrim at the Great Exposition.

BrOadbrim at the Great Exposition.
III,
As / intend that these letters shal
be an epitoase and reference for aftel
time of the magnificent Exposition
whose wonders l now attempt to de.
scribe, those who read them will ds
we'll to follew me carefully, and
will do my best to make them set
through my eyes its marvellous collec-
tiens of genius and art, which they
have been unable to visit themselves
and even to those who have been for
tunate enough to see Paris during
this holiday season, but whose op-
portunities of observation have been
more limited than my own, | hope
they may not be an unpleasing SOU
yenir, serving to remind them OF
events and scenes not often witnessed
in the life of any one, and which hav-
ing been once seen are to be remem-
bered with pleasure forever. With this
brief Introduction | now proceed to
the fulfillment of my task.
On gentle slope which rises from
the east bank of the Seine, stands a
magnificent building whose mighty
wings stretch away upon either hand
many hundreds of feet. Seen from
the distance the effect is not particu-
larly striking but as you approach
1t, it seems to rise to colossal prOpor-
tions and the grand entrance facing
the Trocadero is worthy of the mag
nlfieent structure. Giant figures guard
the portal rs if they stood there SEN
tlnel over the wonderous treasures
which the people of every land had
entrusted to their keeping. Gin one
side of the gateway stands q figure
representing Australia, and on the
other side the Goddess of Liberty
with her shield, emblematic of the
United States of America. And along
the entire line are grand figures
representing the nations of the earth.
AS ynu enter the door you find your
self III lofty hall one thousand feet
IN length and over sixty in height,
frescoed in crimson and gold.
On n costly pedestal, immediately
before you, is splendid equestrian
statue of the Prince of Wales and
around the base, in dazzling
slonpe, are the presents received by
his Royal Higllneas during his recent
tour of India. These costly Gifts by
the Princes permission were exhib-
lted ut the South kensington Museum.
but even in the most popular resort
IN England, they could he seen but
by comparatively few aud it is o.
matter of sincere congratulation that
His Royal Highness has not only Civ
ell bis personal supervision and care
To aid the success of the great Expo
sition, but has contributed such n
rare and costly collection of valuable
and curious things, as it has Sc lClom
been the good fortune OF any one in-
dlvidual ON tllis earth to call his own.
One case is filled with massive piteh-
ers, salvers and goblets of rare work
manship and of the finest gold quaint
figures and curious designs are en-
bossed ON them, some of them per- |
ilaps containing the secret history of |
the dynasties to whose glory they
once contributed. Looking into this
costly collection and shutting out for
u moment Your immediate sllrround-
ings you realize in its fnlness all the
gllded glamour that haloes the Ara
bian knights The tale of the bepgar
boy Of Bagtlad finds here it's realiza-
tiOn, aud the miracles of the Genii of
The Lamp are before you in NIL their
reality. But do not pause
too long for this case costly as it is,
is but small portion of this marvel
Dus treasure house. Near by is an
IVORY palace engraved with the most
beautiful scroll work, the interior g0r-
seons with oriental luxury of which
eyes profane are seldom permitted to
zee. Close ut hand is u collection
'ich with the trophies of the chase, Z
,he spells of those oriental Nimrotls
whose prey is the king of the forest
lere are the tusks of the elephant, the
ierce claws aud teeth of the kingly
ion and the royal tiger, all tipped
With silver and gold. Rich in golden 4
network arc scattered around soft
housings for the elephant and camel,
md saddles for the proud Arabian
'ourseIs whose native home is the
lesert sand. Two cases are filled with
harp and shining swords, the scab-
,ardS, of velvet and silver and gold,
,cing marvels of curious workman 4
hip. On the lIilts are jewels of price
ess value, the gifts of oriental des-
'ots who pay tribute to the Empress
Il India, and who, in these beautiful
'tferings, have testified their love and
eyerence for her son, who will some
lay he their ruler and their Lord. /
Another case eontains robes of the
nest silk and garments fabricated /
rom the soft aud golden fleeces of
cashmere, light and airy as the
Loudly robes that envelope the limbs
+ fNt, Ga. o..,.. / !