The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-27
THE SWISS FAIR.
IrviaE Hall Made brilliant and Picturesque
ON the Opening Night.

The Swiss Benevolent Soclety's fair opened
las. evening in Irving Hall with every attrac-
tion common to such enterprises. and some in
addition that were as novel as thoy were credit
able to the taste and liberslity Of the promoters
OF this charitable undertaking. The decoration
Of the hall. designed and directed by Messrs.
Mathey and Dimier. elected many compli-
ments. Upon the vust panel of the western
wall, facing the entrance. Mr.. A. Ertle has
painted for this occasion. Swiss landscape
which charms as we'll by the excellence Of its
execution rs the magnificent beauty OF the
scenery It portrays. In its foreground Is pretty
Swiss chalet; lordly pines. rugged rocks. and
a mountain torrent hll up the middle distance {:
far beyond. and towering to the azure skies
are snow-capped mountain peaks. Lorenzo
Delmonico stood before 1t and rubbed his
hands In mild ccstacy. The Swiss Consul Mr.
Bertschmann. contemplating IT, exclaimed.
Does mot look like homer" Fronting this
picture over the eastern gallery. is a fine por-
trait OF Con. Dufour. fanked by painted
trophies OF shields and flags. Over the centre
OF the northern gallery is a very large picture
OF William Tell. as he might have appeared
when leapng to the shore from Gesslers boat
The Swiss have no sympathy with the wick sd
people who wish to put William back among
S9s ncx Tyisb the a2ng nS Kh B9SDesFa the
looking William, on the southern gallery. is
another huge picture OF the statuesque trio,
Arnold Winkeriod. Walter Furscht. and Wer-
ner Stnufach. not invoking the moon, rs the
casual observer might suppose. but taking the
famous Oath OF Grnui"
All around the galleries ara handsome BAN
nerets bearing the names and conts Of arms Of
the twenty-five Swiss cantons; But not al the
ones neck must be twisted TO look at them. The
hall below IL full of charming things. Near the
door is erected tai and tasteful floral kiosk,
Tous Pour Un." within which a bevy OF hand
some girls attred in tasteful Swiss peasant
sh se SSpquss a MEs NJ MSSh9y S de
Charming asSscss at snq the Well iR0 Miss hs k
Between tho kiosk and Rebeccas well are the
two great tables. piled with the donations of
New fork's swiss citi5ens and their friends.
Mrs. Burgy. and Mrs. Grosjean.
The French citizens. who have very warm.
colored liable on the southern side OF the hall.
under the general direction OF Mines +. Char
her. c. La Sale. and L. Menner. In addition
already described by THE SUN. two objects here.
especially worthy OF mention. are Il miniature
given by Nj. Pailard. and a costly silver service
given by the Cercle L'Hnrmonic Brooklyn has
two long tables. one near the southern wall and
the other opposite II. IN the body OF the hail.
m instead 81 The 0GS eSst9%ary prces Rsia1T To-
Dt lOuIu ON lue oNltT thl@fh. one
finds here tinware. kitchen utensils and
house-iurnlshing appliances generally; in
brooklyn display are Mrs. Keller. Mrs. Abbegg.
Mrs Escher, Mrs. Perry. and Mrs. Twyeflort.
HobQken makes a large aud attractive display
In which very line neeuework and lace goods
constitute a prominent feature. Mines. Robert
and Mathey are responsible for the conduct Of
the Hoboken branch. A host OF handsome
girls. some richly dressed in shlonahle cos
tune and others In Swiss peasants picturesque
holiday garb. but all wearing the crimson bras.
sard with the gold Greek cross are the aids of
the ladies who have been mentioned. Each
evening during the continuance Of the fair a
concert is 10 be given. That OF last night was
provided by the Mozart Musical Union Orches-
ira OF forty performers under direction OF MIR.
Wm. Biele and the Helvetia Maennerchor. Ii.
Of course. commenced with the overture to
William Tell" and the MaennerchOr incl
dentally sang the Schweizer psalm and quar-
tet in glorihcation Of Schweizerland." On
other evenings number OF other vocal socie-
ties and orchestras will lend their aid This
fair is the first that has ever been held under
the auspices Of the Swiss Benevolent society.
and II the opening last night may be deemed
indicative OF It's prospects, will undoubtedly be
a thorough success. The hall was thronged
with beauty, fashion and-best OF all on such
occasions-liberal wealth.