Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1881-09-20
For the Oxford Democrat.
THE INSTITUTE FAIR.
RosroS. Sent. lsih 1,


Nation. went along. In some mysterious
way lie succeeded in getting aboard q
horse-car, which was vainly striving to
accommodate hundred people. AFTER a
ride Of twenty minutes under very com
pact circumstances, the conductor called
ont. Institute Fair-end of the route .
The living freight poured out of the car,
and was soon merged in the stream OF
people steadily flowing through the gates
of the New England Manufacturers and
Mechanics Institute. Once within the
walls Of the great building, there was no
more danger OF crowding. A regiment or
the inhabitants of q township might be
lost in the spacious halls and galleries.
over 100000 people II Is said, can loco
mote and inspect the exhibits without in-
convenience. 100000 bricks, 200, 200
feet Of lumber, aud 10000 square feet OF
Glass went into the structure. IL is with
out doubt the largest permanent exhibition
building in this country. The plan Of con
structlon i exceedingly simple. There j.
front hall and an enormous msiu hall,
with galleries above the former and round
about the latter. The exhibits are tho
roughly syStematiLcd. so that even with
out the comprehensive catalogue, which
Ia, been issued, any particular one can be
found with ease.
The textile machinery-the cunning met
allie fingers that weave our Clothing-the
machines that turn out our boots aud
shoes with marvellous facility, the wood
and ron working machines that supply all
sorts OF necessities and Injuries OF life
al varieties OF these. aud the engines that
Furnish the motive power, may be seen in
practical operation in the main hall. The
galleries are devoted To another class OF
exhibits. ranging, however. from furni-
turc and pianos, heljoiyPeS and chromOS, 20
crocsery aud canned gods
Bat Your correspondent didn't attempt
% investigate and comprehend all these
things on the first visit. With supreme
Indifference 10 the sage iujunc.ionS Of that
terrible race Of people, the methOdical
>sat-Ster>, ne Sauntered about the acres OF
machinery, Up aud down the spacious
ai,lcs. into the unique and artistic sections
Of the galleries, anywhere and everywhere
s. his own sweet will. He did not hold
himself above partskius OF the chocolate,
ma,c-berry coffee. aud sriddle-cakes, that
are dispensed free OF charge in the rear
gallery. Nor was he proof against the
glass blowers, nor even the card mania,
which, Judging from the miscellaneous col
lections the ladies carry out OF the build
ing, has taken a new lease OF life.
Among the exhibits Of peculiar and
practical interest, i that OF the Hampton
and Carlisle Institutes. \ day or two sgo
4 prominent Bostouian, standing on the
-oor OF the main hall, pointed to this sec
ton, and said, There, gentlemen, is the
S1.utiOu-the only SolutiOn-Ot the Indian
problem. II Is through education that
the wards OF the nation must DC prote
AMI made into law-abiding citizens, and
period put 10 the generations OF diShOnOr.
The noble work that these institutions
have done and are doing for the iutcllecta-
a and Industrial development Of the In
dian and negro is well illustrated by the
exhibit.
Striking and suggestive contrasts are
continually forcing themselves upon the
attention OF the obSeryant visitors at the
fair. For example in this Hampton ex-
L.1it sits 4 somewhat taci;urn but very in
dgs,rious Apache, not more than ten weeks
from his native wildS. With ordinary
shoemaker'S tools, but in method pecul-
Jar % himself he puts together pair Of
rough shoes IN two days. Almost direct
ly below. on 4 raised bench over the spur
% the Providence Railroad, Is 20 be seen
ye ancient cob5ler, who consumes the same
amount OF time with much the same re-
suit Round about the latter. aud reaching
the ears OF the Indian As he beudS quietly
over his work. comes the incesSant whirl
an buzz OF the numerous intricate ma
chimes % the model shoe-factory, where
;ae leather may be cut, dozen processes
gone through and tnely-dniShed pair OF
boot, placed upon the feet in precisely
est. minutes There is something pitia-
DIE 10 this contrast. II makes the unciv-
lied look almost helpless. and the ways and
c5utrivances Of the past almost ludierouS
In ;le light Of the present.
The shOemaking exhibit Is the largest in
the fair. and is arranged 10 give the visitor
8, comprehensive an idea of the manufac-
tUre Is could be obtained by spending =
DAY OF two in the numerous departments
% s. .arge factory. In the latter novice
i lp, be confused by the roar OF machin-
cry, and the >warmS of wOrkmen, while
here q logical insight may be obtained into
q. The processes, from the uncut leather TO
Tie finished boot The factory is run full
tine, does regular work, and employs q
large number OF the company's best men.
Il may be Of interest TO note that on one
day lately Gly-Oue cases OF boots were
turned out and shipped by order TO Cuba
an 10 different States.
To attempt 70 make further mention OF
particular exhibits would intrude too much
upon your space. Suffice it 20 say, that
The opportunities at the New Eugland Man
UAc,urers' and Mechanics Institute Fair,
FOR Instruction and amusement, for hear
Ing excellent music, and enjoying ones
SELF in a general way, are such that no Wis