Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-08-16
A VISIT TO THE COTTON EXPO
SITION GROUNDS
Oglethorpe Park Reing Converted
Into a Lovely Champ Elysees for
the World 10 wander Through.



Atlanta Correpondessce Of the Nesc Orleans
Under the imperial-hoating International
Cotton Exposition flag that swsys proudly
across Marietta street, in front OF Mr.. Il. l.
Kimball's office, unfurling to the world
what wonders can be wrought of energy
and enterprise, with bounding heart, eager
to EXPLORE the grounds, we took the outward
car, and after thirty minutes ride, entered
the park. Sending In our letter INTRODUCED
nv, and q rose-leaf card, we were greeted by
the genial and cultivated Mr.. Hirst, Super
intendent of Departments, under whose
courteous escort we were shown the
buildings and grounds. Standing on the
brow of the hill zoned by green girdling
terraces few PAGES from the entrance, we
looked down on the mammoth main Expo
sition building springing up like magic. to
shelter the proud exhibits that shall ere
long be brought from the four quarters OF
the globe, to be clustered into magnificent
consultations of agricultural, manufactur-
ing and art acmes of supremacy, whose
splendid triumphs will futter from myriad
parti-colored flags, and crowned with such
rare rewards as await them, will herald to
the world such fair as never yet was held
on patriotic American soil.
This main building is IN the shape OF
huge cross, and is 40 by 400 feet long, each
arm or wing being SO feet wide; the centre.
where the wings intercept, Is lOO ieet square
and is to be crowned with q beautiful tower
or dome, from which will float the imperial
fac Of the grand exposition this centre
soilare is to be furnished with elevators, and
I'm Il are to be located four large engines,
which are to propel all that intricate world
Of wonderful machinery, the steam coming
from the boiler house near by, while large
u hNT
viii furnish ample supply of water for run
ming the machinery, extinguishing fire, and
other purposes This boiler and pump
house are already in place, and the main
building is rapidly nearing completion !,
hundreds of windows will panel the sides
of these outspreading wings, and glitter
thickly along the erowning monitors that
span the roof. making the whole quite
another Crystal Palace; while all these win
dows will be cornieed and fringed with
bright futtering fsgs that will signal
Atlanta's proudest gals-day, The building,
when painted and decorated, will present a
brilliant and attractive aspect. The decora-
tions, we are told, are to be very beautiful
and elaborate. An extension track, that
runs parallel with the rear of the building,
will convey the freights to the very plat
form, thus rendering ample convenience for
exhibitors At the extremity of the east
end is the 'Public Comfort" pretty build
ing where refreshments are to be served; and
the winding walks leading thereto
will usher visitors into elegant
ladies' and gentlemen's parlors.
Near the west end--forty feet detached-is
to be Department Of Railroads, where our
railroad magDates are to exhibit the miner
ais found, and the various woods growing
along their lines, thereby showing the rich
resources of the sections through which
they pass. Farther on, beyond the old
amphitheatre, a saw mill is TO be erected,
those many rare woods may be converted
into buildiDgand cabinet material. And then
a vast department for exhibiting fertilizers
looms up with rich promise OF production,
Just outside the broad promenade that en-
circles these mighty departments, and on
the southwest OF the Exposition building, is
spread the mammoth restaurant, where the
hungry multitude may feast on the choicest
viands that ever tempted the palate OF cpl
eureaH.
At the main entrance Of the park will be
found the Departments of Admission, Medi
cine and Protection; and fronting these,
occupying the space of honor, VIII rear
their proud crests, the august Judges Hall,
and the imperial Press Building, where our
gallant Knights OF the Quill will herald to
the world the doiugs of the mighty Exposi-
ton. Teegraphic conveniences VIII also
be completed.
Northwsrd, over few circliag terraces,
rises majestically the Art Gallery, on whose
consecrated affairs will CLEAN and burn the
sculptures and paintings of EArth's gifted,
and Genius will assert her supremacy. There
are many other buildings in course OF con-
struction, whose dimensions and purposes
It would require much space beyond our
limit to describe, but which, when complet-
ed will add incompatible beauty and use
fulness to the place, especially the large
building where hundreds of bales OF cotton
are to be exhibited.
But we should not forget the large hotel
being erected Just outside the park, on the
city side, with a capacity to accommodate
five or six hundred guests. Nor the system
of admission which is being so perfectly
completed that every possible convenience
for admission, and even rail car tickets, is
offered, leaving no possible cause Tor deten-
ton, confusion, or inconvenience, either at
the gates of admission or exit. This system
is faultless, being projected by the efficient
Mr., Jos. Hirst Zone of the superintendent
of the Centennial), and the entire manage
ment being in the hands OF such able Off
| GERS as Messrs. Chas. 7. Sabin and j. G..
Peck and others, which Mr.. Kimball mar
shsls around him, will insure us grand
success. Thus, brain, brush; hammer and
trowel and spade are busy ia hundreds Of
willing hands, driving the great work to
completion, reminding one Of the quaint
aphorism, "Blessed are they that push, for
their place shall be first"
Among the most interesting and attractive
features are the many dourisbing cotton
plsts. beautiful and luxuriaut since the
| late showers, that look already ambitious of
showing their power, 10 the prineelY plants
that will in due time grow into the royal
| Victoria Regia of staples, whose boil
| wrought koh-i-Aoors will expand into the
| proud, white imperiality of a crown and
ieecy sceptre that swsys the world. Verify,
our "COtton Is King!" In these pretty
plsts is growing cotton from all chimes
where It is grown-from the rare Casa and
Adm Smyrna, Egyptian, Brazil aud Japs-
nese long staple, to common country. What
a grand triumph will it be, this bringing
together the Northern and Eastern manu-
facturer and the Southern planter, to clasp
| hands in one common interest, and go forth
to a proud future pregnant with wealth and
power.
Having made ample provisions for the
comfort and convenience of product and
progress, matter of fact manufacture, and
THE rivals, agriculture and art, be sure our
wise and efficient directors have not forgot
ten the wants of those whose tastes are
aesthetic, and delight In the picturesque,
and enjoy choice bits OF landscape. Within
the four angles of the main building, the
ground space is to be wrought into lovely
parterres, grass plots and messy banks
shaded with rare shrubberY and evergreens,
where the FLASHING and purliEg Of foun-
tains will murmur with the Whir of busy
machinery. The entire grounds are under
going remodeling and ornamental culture
that is charming to contem-
plate. Terraces-that are begin
ming to glow with the tender
young tufting Of grasses-wind you into the
loveliest Dromenades, and along magnificent
drives, then fall down gentle slopes that
sweep you deep into the sweet, cool shad-
oWs of groves, and leafY grottoes embower-
ed of water oaks, relieved against the ten
der penciliDg Of the pines that gloom out
side the walls. These groves are to be filed
with rustic seats, ample and inviting; while
there is no lack of bonny banks, rustic Al
plne-like bridges where perchance meetings
and trystings may be pliguted; while the
willows dip their flexile fingers in the linn
pid lakes, and winding bridle-paths lead off
into the dreamful darkness OF green ferny
grottoes where weary Age may rest,
happy Childhood gambol, and Young Love
whisper its troth-plight. The two
lakes (Which are soon to be poeti-
cally named) are the gems Of the
park. Bronze fountains are to throw
out jets Of spray from the centre Of these
lakes, to CLINT in the soft autumn sunshine,
while lovely little steam yachts are to shoot
from shore to shore, and perhaps a gay
gondola now and then glide by with its
freight OF youth and beauty. All over the
grounds are numerous pumps here and there,
yielding waters pure as gush from mountain
rocks to fill crystal chaliees for the multi
tude to quaft Sweeping around the grand
drive, half hidden IN leafy dell wild with
fern, and brier, and glance of brooklet, is to
he the ouaint clog cabin ~ contrasting its