The Evening critic., 1884-12-15

There was dazzling combination OF gor-
geous fabrics, brilliant flowers, gay decora-
lions and enhancing female charms pervad.
Ing Marini's Hall to-day that totally overcamc
bashful scribe, who invaded tho busy pro-
cincts during the forenoon In search OF In
formation concerning the Homeopathic Fair
TO open this evening.
The scene displayed has certainly never
been surpassed In this cit Y In attractiveness
and brilliance.
The spacious hall, with the important auxll.
iaties OF the lower hall and overhanglng gal
, leries, was crowded with interesting and strik.
ing novelties.
lovely dark.eyed Rebeoca was demurely
putting the finishing touches upon well OF
broken marble pieces, presumably from the
Monument, overehadowed by spreading
palm, frightened by little ferns and leaves
peeping out OF Its crevices and conceallng
within It's walls an immense lemonade bowl
from which the brunette maiden rs TO ladle
out the generous draught 10 all who yield up
the necessary coin.
Reluctantly CHANGING from the well and It's
attendant, the reporters eye turned to the
symmetrical, golden cupola OF a Russian
Kiosk constructed on the stage In the lower
end OF the hall and reaching the ceiling, while
Its graceful walls and pillars, draped with
Russlan rugs and tapestries, surround bevy
OF Waehinpton's most queenly beauties I'm
Russian garb and engaged In preparations for
serving Russian tea in tiny cups OF rare por-
celain.
The cups and saucers, after being drained
OF their novel beverage, are TO BIO retained by
the buyers as relics OF the fair. In tho centre
Of the hall the floral arbor, rustic woodwork
covered with vines and plants, presents very
pretty sight, overlooking with towering
plants, bouquets and floral decorations and
equally conspicuous for tho beauty OF its at
tendants. Surrounding the central features
are the large booths, devoted respectively to
the Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western
States, and each crowded by an Infinite variety
of attractive articles and handsomely deco.
rated and draped.
At the New York table Messrs. Kaiser and
Paul were exhausting their ingenuity In the
arrangement OF Turkish rugs, tapestries, etc.,
direct from Constantinople, portleres aud en-.
broideries from Babylon and Jerusalem and
q variety OF other oriental treasures.
on the southern platform adjoining the Rus
Sian booth the art and bric-a-brac museum Is
Ftasfefully arranged. Bright and gay curtains
festooned around corner OF the stage sur
round the collections OF statuettes, painted
plaques, brass work and wood carvings, in
which many OF the fairs fair patrons have
displayed their artistic abilities to excellent
effect.
In the upper galleries on the E.street front
Mr.. Samuel Hodgkins, the genial and popular
art virtuoso and connoieseur, presides over an
art loan exhibition of rare merit, where the
owners Of public and private collections have
contributed the choicest gems OF their gal
leries, and tho artists residing In Washington
have submitted the choicest products of their
eaeles in oil, crayon and water colors.
The collection is one OF great interest, large
DIODOlIlODb anu UNUSUAL CACtllbuCBs Near IL
and overlooking the main hall is the orchestra
gallery, neatly decorated and provided with. a
grand piano.
Mrs. Spencer's educational booth cannot be ig-
nored, as 1t ranks high In order OF merit ana
interest.
with commemorate enterprise and success
the exhibit aims to present an attractive pic
ture OF practical education, and amid the
most picturesque surroundings, fascinating
young ladies' in betwitching caps and aprons,
nNfd nd ct VtNnV m n lfNfr
examples ofthe business colleges products In
tho shape OF enhcicnt bookkeepers, arith-
the Industrial continuity is completed by a
typewriter and q draughfsman engaged In
their respective occupations.
Amid the attractions for tho connoisseur,
the susceptible youth, the critic aud the stu
dent, provision for the epicure has been by no
l'means neglected.
tea merchants and the lemonade distributor are
the only intruders OF this class allowed on tho
main floor, but the lower story is devoted en-
choice viands.
The long banquet tables do not take up too
much room to allow OF good old-time New
cabin, and containing the mysterious utensils
from which Boston baked beans, pies, pud.
dings and other conventional New England
dainties viii lind their way to hungry and APP
| preciative consumers.
Among other prominent features n most 70 =
mantle gypsy fortune-telling tent and much
more romhullC anu CDHrlulHg gypsy fortune
teller are attractive and conspicuous, while the
| District OF Columbia booths marshal some OF
| tho city's rairest maidens behind their heavily
| laden tables, and the toy and doll tables carry
| blss to the hearts OF juvenile beholders.
| The entire display is most complete
| artistic success. The hall is exquisitely
| decorated with bright steamers, curtains anc
drapery, every portion of available space be
| ing used to the beat possible advantage, while
tho fair has been peculiarly fortunate in SO
curing the services and enlistlng tho sympa
thies OF so large number OF popular ant
| charming ladies'.