The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-16

mile Point is the old Zeringue place, the scene
of Cables picturesque story of Bellies De
moiselles Plantation Here the giant river
pours down on the land with such force and
fury that it looks if it would sweep every
thing before it, and you wonder why the feeble
dyke on which you stand is not carried by the
boiling eddying torrent before you. On the
opposite side miles of cane, still green and
luxuriant, the finest orange and banana groves
in the State the sugar-houses, with their tall
begasse chimneys, looking like some feudal cas-
ties, especially with the little village of white
washed cabins clustered around them
In the park just by the river bank, is the
Mexican national building Mexico, by the by,
is going to carry OFF all the foreign honors OF
the exposition. 1t has gone into it with great
zeal and energy. The streets of New
Orleans are thronged with Mexican soldiers.
There is regiment of Infantry here already,
while the Mexican band discourscs soft Spanish
airs to the New Orleans public in Music Hall
But wait, say los MeXicanos until their cavalry
regiment comes, every man Of which is mounted
on a steed of the purest white Then you will
see what the Mexican army is
The great bulk of the Mexican exhibit will be
in the main building. Several dozen carloads
of articles have already arrived and are in posi-
ton. In addition to this, however, Mexico has
constructed two additional buildings one for
the display of ITS minerals, the other for speci-
mems of its flora and fauna, and as quarters for
its troops. These buildings as far as architect
ural grace and elegance are concerned, far eX-
| coed any thing or the grounds. The national
building is of the purest Saracenic architecture,
| and is intended to represent, on a grand
scale. the residence of rich Mexican gentleman.
| There are four interior courts in terraces, and
| here displayed handsome natural history
! collection of rare birds, plants and animals.
The exterior of the building is aoridly ornament
| ed and colored in the richest of hues
The Mexican mineral tower is of the most
| graceful buildings ever erected. 1t is transport
| able, and will be taken hence to the City of
Mexico for use in the great exposition our sister
republic hopes to hold at some early day-for
| Mexico is determined to follow with one, which
! probably explains the great interestltls showing
! here, and the handsome display it is making
The Mexican headquarters, as it is called, stands
| Immediately In front of the main building. 1t
| will consist of hall, capped by tall octagonal
! tower composed wholly OF glass and iron. The
iron work is intended to represent the flora of
Mexico-its vines and plants and howers-and
will be painted in brilliant green's Colds. ret.s,
| and similar bright colors. The glass Will be
colored, giving the whole building an oriental
| appearance
The other edifces cannot compare with those
| of Mckee in architectural beauty The main
building presents very pretty facade, whether
seen from the river or the city. 1t is of nearly a
quarter of mile frout-relieved from any bar
renness or stiffness by tall, graceful towers,
| which give it some resemblance to the Louvre.
The government building is very similar i'll its
general appearance. The most striking feature
| in each is its size The main building claims
the Notwithstanding in American eyes
| of being the largest ever erected, covering about
| thirty-three acres. The whole interior is free
| from distinctions except the music hall, in the
center. Long avenues stretch in every direc-
| ton, and the visitor who wants to see every
thing within will have a promenade of over
tweRty miles Of aises and avenues before him.
The government building is devoted to the
United States exhibit, which is here already; to
the collective State exhibits, to those made by
the railroads, and finally, to those known as the
"Colored Department" A great effort has been
| do m hat will
display she progress made by the negroes since
emancipation handsome sum was subscribed
from the eXchequer of the exposition for the
purpose, and every encouragement held out A
great deal Of interest has been aroused, but as
yet the promise is not very good. The Louisi-
ana negroes will make fine display, but from
many of the States there will come little if any
credit to the coored race, and nothing to show
much progress on their part during the past two
decades
The horticultural building the largest con
servatory in the world. is. next to the Mexican
structures the handsomest in the park. 1t is,
of course nearly all of glass, with tall tower
rising in the center to height OF over 100 feet.
A large pond is situated just below this, and in
its center very handsome fountain Like the
grounds, the floral and horticultural display in
this building will be largely tropical, the plants
being mainly those which need protection from
| the weather
The other buidings-the art gallery, machin-
cry annex, saw-mill building and the stock
| stables aud arena are ordinary structures Of eX-
ira size, but of no special architectural attrac
ton The art hall is plain iron building
| lighted from above.
The electrical display of the exposition will
be one of its strongest and best features. In
this respect it will be very nearly, if not quite,
as full and complete as the electrical ex-
hibition lately held in Philadelphia. Every
company engaged in the manufacture of electric
| lights has been given an opportunity of making
display. different building has been assigned
to each company. Thus tho Edison company
will illuminate one, the Brush company another,
and SO on throughout the list. The plant needed
to illuminate the main building is Sufficient for
a city of $1,000 people On the grounds will be
ten electric towers of %, 900 candle power each,
| and innumerable smaller lights If the center
of Lake Rubio, so named in honor of the wife of
President Diaz, of Mexico, standing above 100
foot fountain, will be the largest electric
| light in the world, one of 100 900 candle power
! An electric railway will traverse the grounds
crossing the lake, and connecting the main and
! government buildings. II addition to these are
all the recent inventions and discoveries in cleo
| trIcty.