New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-05-15
THE COMING EXHIBITION.
AIOOK Az TIE SIZE.

A trip to the site selected for the NeW-l"Ik
Worlds Fair is pleasant excursion this delightful
MAY weather. Arriving in Harlem by boat or
elevated railroad. the person bent on getting an
early view Of the spot soon TO become famous
crosses the bridge and proceeds to the right along
the broad well-macadamized thorouGhfare called
South Boulevard. The struggling suburbs OF Morris
ania are soon left behind, and fifteen minutes brisk
walking past orchards of apple and cherry trees
covered with blossoms and meadows of lush grass
starred with dandelious, brings one to the summit
of little elevation from which the whole OF the
Exhibition tract can be taken IN at glance.
Ii stretches from the Boulevard TO the East
River aud is of an irregular shape, resem-
bling a ragged circle rather than any other FORM
Its boundaries, besides the street and the nVcr are
on one side the little village of Port Norris half
obscured from view by the buildings and tanks OF
gas factory and the other the marshes along the
Bronx Kills-the shallow charnel separating Ran
dalPs Island from the main land. The tract con-
tains I2j acres and in the speculative era was lad
ont in streets and lots by company, but there are
no buildings on it, save two frame houses and
little cottage with lighthouses and stables at
tached belonging 10 the knickerbocker Yacht Club.
Considerable money has been expended in grading
streets. The Harlem River Branch of the New
York and New-Haven Railroad 1uns across the
centre of the tract along a depression from which
the ground slopes up in gentle deciviies IN both
directions This line of road is used for local bust
ness and also for through freight and sleepngcars
between Philadelphia and Boston. which arc trans
ferred to and from steamboats, at the termination
OF the branch near Harlem Bridge.
The whole tract is covered with turf, save a small
wet strip on the southern side which could easily
Do filed and lies in such shape as 70 afford solid
foundations for buildings, with little expense for
grading. The shore line on the East River is free
from marshes the ground sloping down to deep
water, and the main channel passes near the
bank that the construction of piers will be very
simple matter Steamers and sailing vessels OF
heavy draft will discharge their cargoes within
stones throw Of the Exhibition buildings-an adj
vantage which no Worlds Fair has yet presented
From the high bank which skirts the water side
the view andward is quite pretty embracing
good deal OF quiet suburban scenery composed OF n
sprnklng of cottages and villas in the midst OF
orchards, fields and patches of woodland. But II Is
toward the river that one turns for beautiful scenic
effects Here the narrow channel widens out to-
ward the Sound and al,ng its placid surface goes
an endless procession of silent whtewinged vessels
slipping along as though IN a-dreamy unconscious
ness Of motion. Beyond are the lovely green shores
Of Long Island; far 70 the eastward on jutting
point there is the dim suggestion OF a town. aud
southwark, close at hand, rise the stately public
buildings on Randalps aud Wards Islands
The only serious defect Of the site for Exhibition
purpose, /, the absence of shade. With the eXceP-
ton Of one little clump of half dozen naples the
whole tract is bare of everything but grass and
stones There viii be no cool shady hooks, there
were at the Philadelphia aud Vienna Exhibitions,
where visitors can escape the crowd and the heat
al the same time. The whole eXpauSe viii DO open
to the assaults of the sun. The heat WILL however,
be tempered by the sea-breeze, for the East
-. oh, I.~o i
always suction of wind and water one way or the
other. and the lack of natural shade can be rcme-
died in "a measure by the erection of payihons
in the midst of shrubbery and paTteTTes of flowers.
Id would be difficult to tud any spot outside the
city proper better situated in respect to faculties
for the transportation Of visitors than the site
chosen for the Exhibition Before 1883. both the
elevated railway companies will have crossed the
Harlem River aud will, of course, extend Their
lines 10 the gates of the Exhibition. These compa-
MES can be depended upon to make whatever ef-
forts are requisite to obtain the immense business OF
carving the bulk of the traffic to and from the Fair.
The running time between the City Hall station OF
the New-Ycrk Road and the grounds will not be
over forty minutes. Another line of rail transpor-
tatiou which will accommodate itself TO visitors is
the Nev-Haven Railroad, running from the Grand
Central Depot to the grounds. The time by this
route will De about thirty minutes. The special ad-
vantage If the SITE has before been remarked, Is
its accessibility by water. Steamers from Peek
Slip New-Yorl,, and from the foot of Euton-st.,
Brooklyn can run TO the Exhibition grounds in less
than three-guarteTs of an hour The sail on the
river viii be or the most enjoyable features OF
trip to the Far Boats of large capacity, and run
ming at short intervals Will ply between the
grounds and the East River piers in the lower part
of the city and there will no doubt be line from
fup
starring from point as high up as FOrty-second-st
and q tbi.d from the Erie and Pennsylvania Rail-
road dCuOts i'm Jersey CITY
So much Tor the facilities for city and suburban
travel. Considering the fact that OWING TO me sit
uation of the grounds street cars ana oihniDuseS
will PLAY a very iucOnsideranle part IN the convey
ance OF visitors, these facilities are remarkably
GOOD l. is believed they viii be equal 10 the task
of conyc,iag daily 10000 people 10 the Exhibition
before II O'Clock III the morning, ana away ion II
after IN The evening, without danger OF over
cro,ytlpp The methods of conveyance for visitors
from distance who desire 20 20 directly to the EX-
hibitiou can be made almost perfect. FassEhstIs
cunning DIV the Central. Harlem and NeW-Haven
Railroads viii be carried directly TO the grounds
without change Of ears and passengers arriving Oy
the Prnnsv lvania, Erie and other roads terminating
on the jersey side will be taken rom the dePois IN
large steamers to the waterfront OF the Exhibition
incOsure. Tie Sound steamers ana all EXCURSION
boats VIII land at the same place $500. $50,
II is believed that the New-NOrk Exhibition VIII
cost two OF three millions less than aid the Gen,
feuuial at Philadelphia. As the Far ~ to be hyld
politau population, there will be no demand Tor a
Demaucn; structure to be presented TO the city lOr
II museum. The granite Art Hall IN Paramount
Parl. cost nearly million and three-quarters. For
5000 900 a binding Of temporary character Tar
better adapted for the display OF pictures eau 3c
erected In this one item there Will. therefore, he
- saving of a million and a half. If the suggestion
az purchasing the Main Centennial Building be
adopted nearly million more can be saved. Inc
bUiil.ag IS ln good condition, having been used
since the Centennial closed for sd-cGlled
Pe~fg.r .ut Exhibition ana kept IN good
re2a!r. II could be taken down, TRANSPORTED. set
M altered archItecUra,lE 80 as 20 make ~ itLe
less baia-Ike ~ its appearance, ana handsomely
llnrn-l.rl ~ q cost including the puTchase-nOnCY,