The Portland daily press., 1879-09-17

A GENERAL VIEW OF THE HALL AMI
A Splendid Display Of Cattle and Manu-
features and Description Of the
Races
The seventeenth exhibition of the Maine
State Agricultural Society opened in Portland
at City Hall, and at Presumpscot Park, Deer
ing, yesterday. This year the society com
bined with the Maine Dairymen's, the State
Agricultural Societies, and the result is
highly creditable display in all departments
Last year the Society was favored with superb
weather. Yesterday was lowery, and, at times
there were spits of rain. We shall devote our
selves to-day to general view of the fair, and
afterwards we shall go more into details
There was very good attendance for the first
day.
Al CITY HALL.
The City Hall is under the direction of Mr..
B. NJ Hight with Mr. w. j. Shaw as assistant,
Mr.. j. II. Bradley secretary, and Mr.. s. Chad
wick assistant secretary. Why Tuesday
should be called the opening day we fail to
see, unless it is because on that day the most
of the boxes are opened containing the goods
to be displayed. 1t is always Wednesday be-
fore all the exhibitors are represented New
ertheless the hall presented very striking
appearance yesterday in its incomplete condl-
TIa &c cta on was
with flags, in curtain style, over the sign OF
Messrs. w. NJ. Furbush & Son, who made an
admirable display of cabinet organs and pianos;
very sweet toned and at the same time bril-
liant, Kranich & Bach occupying the front OF
the platform.
From the stage the coup d'ded was very at
tractive. Beautiful carriage robes of every
description and design from the Sanford Mills,
with their harmonious blending of color,
draped the front of the galleries. The rear
and side galleries shone with their tier on tier
of ruddy apples, purple grapes, great yellow
pears, and other rich fruit, displayed by the
members of the Pathological Society, while
terraces of many colored asters and dahlias,
pots of Towering plants, great cactl, and other
tropical foliage formed q background to the
fruit. The centre of the main floor was taken
up with the exhibit of the Portland Stone
Ware Company. A huge vase, ornamented
in bas relief with fauns, satyrs, dancing Bac-
chantes, wreaths of fruit and leaves, and
female heads, the carved handles OF the vase
presenting the head of Jupiter Iondns, the
whole surmounted with figure of Bacchus
bearing the infant Cupid in his arms, dis
played delicacy of taste and execution that
was highly creditable. Some OF the little an
tique vases were marvels of beauty. We cannot
at this time elaborate, but are certain this ex-
hibit will prove one Of the most attractive OF
the fair.
The various tables, twelve in number, run
ming the whole width of the hall, were, or will
be, filled with silver-ware, woolens, cottons,
croekery ware, books, cake. clothing, hats,
caps, boots and Shoes, dress goods, organs
carriage blankets, canes, ladies scarves, ties
and gloves, gentlemen's furnishing goods;
case Of beautifully colored Shetland woods,
charming little baskets exquisitely trimmed,
and feather fans from the Shaker colony at
Alfred; refrserators, furnaces; and very
funny alligator bearing in one claw Japanese
parasol serving as a taking advertise
ment for a a case of Florida shell jewelry; guns
and pistols beautiful shawls from the
Hartland company; shoes and boots from the
Soldiers Home at Togus; beautiful Rogers
groups; spices, perfumeries. great furnaces,
houseA old ware, paints and oils, ranges, etc.
The side tables showed up Robinson Williams
superb exhibit of fancy soaps and perfumery.
Moses Bigclows, (of Newark, n J.,) great dis
play of varnishes; backing (Woolf's Acme)
from Philadelphia; organs hats, dress goods,
&c. Kendall & Whitney made noble dis
play of all kinds of wooden ware, bird cages,
and everything that pertainst to their bust
ness.
THE DAVIS GALLERY.
We can only refer in brief terms to the beau
tiful little art exhibit arranged by Mr.. c. f.
Davis in one of the small ante-rooms. The
room is draped in olive brown. Here may be
found lovely photograph of girl, a little
daughter of Col. Hamiltons of Fort
Preble, taken by Lamson, and col
ored by Leman. AS a picture the like
ness is admirable, as a work of art, = in which
the framing by Davis is embraced-the execu-
ton by photographer, colorist and Trainer is
worthy of high praise. There are flower pam
els by Hewes, water-colors by Bellows and
Hudson, pictures by Fred Kimball and Hewes,
rare Satsuma ware and Majolica, with some
exquisite tiles, all surmounted by an artists
palette and brushes. Here also may be found
most extensive display of artists materials.
and some beautiful panellings for the exhibit
ton of paper hangings and window shades; the
latter contributed by Bosworth.
RECEPTION HALL.
Two sides of this hall are devoted to the va
rious sewing machine companies, who have
drapedlthe windows very prettily and given
the room an exceedingly home-like appear
ance. The other two sides are devoted to the
art collection of the fair which is really quite
extensive, There are some very striking PEN
Gil sketches by G. M. Porter of Providence, a
splendid photograph exhibit by Lamson, a cap
ital painting of the horse Telephone" by d.
d, Coombs of Lewiston, the drawing and col
orng of the animal not only calling for atten-
ton, but also the landscape features of the pic
ture Stubs Brothers show some artistic
frames and there are many beautiful engrav-
ings, and a remarkably carved Chinese frame
by Larrabee.
The two tables in the centre of the hall will
probably please the ladies. All kinds of ele-
CANT embroidery, tidies baskets for odds and
ends, wool-baskets. rugs dress patterns, under
wear, hair-work, ETC.
IN GENERAL.
The corridors are rather empty at present.
There are piles of splendid cordage from Ryan
& Kelsey's, some ranges, and a refreshment
stand.
In the evening about four or five hundred
people bray ed the inclement weather and at
tended the City Hall to inspect the goods and
listen to the Portland Band.
AT THE PARK.
There was of course but a slight gathering
at the Park yesterday, except those who were
employees of the Fair. The rain in the after
noon also materially affected the attendance
at the races. To-day, however, there will be
large crowd present, for the hotels are full of
and the late trains were bringing in
more last night. A fine day will prove great
advantage. The horse cars run frequently to
the grounds, and there are plenty of omnibuses