Daily Los Angeles herald., 1884-03-29

bition at Central Bchool-Thou-
sands OF Interested Visitors :
What Children Can do. and what
they Did do A Proud Day for
Los Angeles.
Yesterday was Q most notable day for
Los Angeles. There was no herald of
trumpets or drums, or any adventitious
attractions to call the people out in mass
meeting, but there was something
quieter but stronger that drew throng
Of thousands Of individuals to the Cen.
trail School, on tho hill on Temple street,
to see the handiwork Of the rising gen.
GRAFTON.
Heretofore we have had fairs and ex-
positions Of the adult portion Of the peo.
pie, but yesterday the children had their
own exposition, and made most msri.
torious display Of their young and as.
piring thought. 1t was known . few
weeks ago that the pupils Of the public
schools would have an opportunity to
display their genius before the people at
an early day, and each child was al.
lowed to consult the bent Of his or her
own desire in preparing specimens Of
what he or she could do.
The result was surprise aud mar.
vel. More than thousand little hands
were set to work in preparing all manner
of products for the exhibition, which
was the most unique ever held in this or
any other city. No person could have
had an idea Of the result. Four greLt
rooms and capacious hall were used to
make display of cbildrens' art, and
thousands of children and their friends
and parents were in attendance to see
the novel display which was of most
interesting character.
The people Of Los Angeles have reason
to be proud Of the talent and attainment
Of their children as shown in this the
children exposition.
A reporter Of the HERALD was shown
through the exposition BY Prof. J. G.
Oliver, Of the Eighth street school, and
by City Superintendent l.. D. Smith and
his wife and Mrs. C. P. Bradfield, the
teacher Of drawing and painting in the
public scools. The sight was most in.
tensely interesting and embraced vari
ETY. Of articles that would fill side Of
the HERALD.
OF Prof. divers classes the exhibition
consisted of free hand drawing and
penmanship with some very excellent
specimens of map making The dis.
play was made by pupils Of the age Of
10 to Is years, and showed remarkable
evidences of talent most gratifying to
Prof. Oliver and to the parents and |
friends Of the children.
The specimens from Mrs. Bradfeld's
classes were very meritorious, and show
that among the children Of Los Angeles
there is o large amount Of artistic ability |
Of which the public had no knowledge
before this unique display. Not only
were there beautiful drawings of designs
for brackets. paintings on satin, but
models for houses, floor cloths. mats and
room ornaments of every kind, embroi-
deries. lamp mats, crayons, and flower
pieces Of brilliant design and workman
ship.
In the large hall were placed a series
Of tables, on which articles more useful
than ornamental were placed in the
richest profusion. Such an exhibition
should be seen to be appreciated. One
of the first things seen was . large and |
comfortable looking door mat Of bril-.
liant hues made by girl ten years old, |
out of the ravelings Of old stockings. |
Her name is Pattie Leplat. Close by |
was plate Of biscuit. light, white and
wholesome. made by little boy about
three feet high, and eight years old.
Near by was nice roasted chicken,
dressed and cooked by little girl. and
all around it were pies and cakes Of
every kind, and robust rolls of excellent
bread.
Mingled with these toothsoms things
were delicate specimens Of scroll
saving of artistic design and
excellent finish, that would have
done credit to person Of mature years.
There were windmills, watsrwheels,
wheelbarrows, carts, wagons, bedsteads,
chairs, napkin rings, sofa beds. schooners
with all sails set, cabinets, wardrobes,
and violins; all we'll made models that
revealed good mechanical genius and
showed long and patient labor. Some Of
these mechanical works were made by /
little girls and some by boys, and wcre
all deserving of respectful notice.
In the dress and needlework depart
ment there was bewildering amount of
almost everything that is needed for per-
sonal convenience and adornment. No
person can have any accurate idea Of what
little folks can do till they see such an
exhibit as that which was opened yes
terday in the Central School building,
which was all too small to accommodate
the vast number of articles displayed
and the great crowd that attended the
exhibition.
Not only were there fine laces and en-
broideries most meritoriously made, but
good plain practical work. A dress, cut
and made by girl l2 years old, button
holes wrought in good style by o girl 7
years old; beautiful lambrequins, old
fashioned patchwork quilts, embroidered
satin tides, crazy cushions, samplers,
napkins, lamp mats. and specimens of
insects and flowers. A wreath of arti-
fetal flowers made by girl 10 years
old, excited especial praise.
A very practical exhibit was a cabinet
of articles cut from the soft rock and in.
durated clay of the hills about the school
house. These were shaped into houses,
statuettes, pitchers, vases. basins and
other articles of domestic convenience.
So great was the rush Of articles that
many were not put up for exhibition on
account Of the lack Of time, and the
great crowd that thronged the rooms Of
the building.
The HERALD would have presented q
list of the names of the leading exhibit
ors, but lack tf space alone prevented
its publication. The children are en-