The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-10-30
THE STATE FAIR.
Opcnsne.Day.f
A GOOD EXHIBITION, BUT SMALL At
TENDANCB-THE WEATHER UNPRopI-
TIoUs-A GLANCE AT TIE SEVERAL DE-
PARTMENTs-THE RACES, &C.

l ri syylfS II g +,tts.fGf
The State Fair opened yesterday. The
. attendance was small. That was not the
fault Of the exhibition, but Of the weather.
/ There were thousands OF people ready and
anxious to visit the grounds, but that de.
tered them. The Winds, cold and sharp,
swept across the fields reckIessly, carrying
neuralgia and toothache in their wake. At
one time there was a slight fall OF rain.
Most Of the visitors gathered In the exhibi-
ton halls and huddled around the few fires
that were to be found.
| The fact is that there was no great de-
gree OF comfort anywhere. 1t would haVe
been ito some) great consolation to have
been permitted to blame the Agricultural
Society for ali this. But as it was recog-
nized that Colonel Knight couldn't control
the weather, criticism was disnrmed and the
critics Giscomforted.
All that is wanted to make this Fair the
most enjoyable and successful one that we
ever. had is fine weather. ~. ~
The horses are numerous, valuable, and
admirable. The cattle are as good and as
great in numbers as before. The hog de-
partment is triumph indeed. A Judge
(no relative of the Maiors) declares that
| it is equal to the great st. Louis swine
!
sheep fair, agricultural machinery and i'm
plements grand. Our floriculturalists make
better exhibition than for years before.
The needlework is magnificent" That
we feel authorized to say-and we say it bold
| iy-as it is the language Of Il well-posted
matron, who gave It. thorough and critical
examination yesterday. .a
Machinery Hall did not present a credita-
BILE appearance yesterday. II will look bet-
ter to-day. There are eight steam-engines
on the grounds. The building devoted to
stoves, leather, &C., is but poorly filled.
] The display of carriages and buggies is not
large, but is in other respects good. The
Art Department does not show great i'm
provement, but yet there are several pic
lures there Of real merit.
| Generally speaking. the Fair may be set
down as considerably above the average.
Some of the departments are far superior
to what they were in former years; few
others inferior. The exhibition ought to
send pleasurable thrill through our peo-
pIe. It isn't near so good as we might make
it; but it is nevertheless very encouraging
for "these hard times"
| Kessnich's band has been employed by
the Society for the week. Before 2 O'Clock
it takes its place at the main building (the
big house Of many coIors); after that hour
it goes to the Grand Stand aud tries to keep
the people in good humor while prepara-
tions are being made to start the racers.
A number OF side-shows" have tents
on the grounds.
| MAIN BUILDING-LoWER FLOOR.
There is a fair display Of goods in this
room.
On one side are number OF elegant suits
OF furniture, made by John A. Belvln, John
b. Welsh, and w. w. Vaughan. Several
kinds of sewing-machines are exhibited
here, too, and the "whirr" Of the wheels and
the cheerful clatter OF the agents tongues
give activity to the scene. The Richmond
| Poper Manufacturing Company show nu-
merous products OF their mills. Their ex-
bibit is highly creditable to the company,
and explains the character OF their great
enterprise to advantage.
By far the most attractive feature In this
room is the display of flowers, which is this
year much better than usual. Morton has
cut and pot-flowers which, for beauty and
elegance, at once fix the attention OF the be-
holder. The anchor, cross, crown, anu
pillow are especially notable.
Toler & Hooper and Harvey also have
splendid specimens Of the products OF their
gardens, and exhibit their taste and talent
in the arrangement OF various floral designs.
| Other exhibits worthy of notice from the
visitor are those Of Randolph Il English,
books, papers, &C.. Salamone, cigars; New
York Auction.Hous cloaks, &c.; Saks,
fine clothing and robes; Norton d Caring
ton, chemical apparatus and drugs; Fry,
hats: w. G.. Smith, baby-carriages; Tlgnor,
guns: Wingo, Elicit s. Crump, shoes, &c. ;
Gunst & Binswanger, oils, brushes, &c.
Eagle Brewry, beers, ales, porter; CHRIS
i tian & White, wines; B. I. Archer, peer
native wines by several parties; w: b.
Hersman & Co., cofecs, spices, and hom.
my; S. Harwood, cotiees and teas; Burial
Case Company, collins and furniture;
lD'Armstadt drops;' and W. o. Hurt, Bed:
i ford, apples, peaches, and wines.
Some shoes from penitentiary are eXhib-
tied in the showcase of Wingo. Elicit L
Crump.
The baby-house exhibited by W. c. Smith
is something for the children to see.
1 There are other exhibits in the room
| A complete list OF them is not attempted
Those noticed are such as appear most
prominent, and about which information
could be obtained. Compared with former
years the room presents, good appearance
Our merchants, however, could and should
} have done better. = 4 :
MAIN BUlLDING--yPPER FLOOR.
This room is devoted to the display o
woollen goods, needlework. sc.
The Charlottesville Mills this year, a
II usual, exhibit large number of specimen
, pieces of their goods cassimeres, suttings
kerseys, &C., all OF which are OF pure WOO
j and modern patterns The company hay
established reputation in the markets o
the country for reliable goods, and are main
, tanning it we'll. -l.sfz aa -,
One OF the oldest dry.goods eIchants o
this city said yesterday, pointing to th
: Conpany,s exhibit: 2s'These. goods are
credit to Virginia. They are equal to an.
in the world, think" =. -, -
This upper room is crowded with th
handiwork OF the ladies'. The trouble !
that there is not half enough space Tor pro
per display. Yesterday the Judges were
work preparing their awards, and the eX
/ bibits had not been labelled with names
The reporters sources OF information Wer'
therefore meagre, but he knows that ther'
were any quantity OF lovely things-bed
quilts, shawls. worsted mats, baby-clothes
robes, laces, &c. :.
I, The display OF handmade lace.Work i
an important feature, excelling all forme
wears. Each piece represents an lmmens'
j amount OF labor and patience. Among tE'
exhibitors in lace-Work are Mrs: W. l.
Walker, Mrs. e. @. Roper, Miss Lille Gum
Miss Esteile Lee, Miss Blanche Hall, ant