Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-01-05
New ORLEANS, Dec.

Any one at all versed In the ways OF ex'
hibitors will not be surprised to know that
the Worlds Fair opened last Tuesday to the
public, is not yet the complete and perfec!
Exposition it will become a month hence.
For weeks before the opening every foot of
space within the walls of the colossal build
ings was engaged; tardy people who waited
plications were met by courteous 'sorry,
but we've no room" In spite of this fact,
there is still some empty space; and every
where carpenters are hammering, painters
are coloring, upholsterers are decorating,
and exhibitors are arranging their wares.
The flag of imperial Russia now waves over
LITTLE BUT BARE BOARDS,
and yet that astoundingly progressive nation
has shipped from her snowy shores a great
quantity and variety of uncommon and valua-
BILE things. The red cross of ST. George
droops modestly over the large space soon to
be covered by the myriad manufactures of
England, as if ashamed of British slowness.
Our own eagle looks rather crestfallen in
the presence of his double-headed kinsman
from Austria, who has already a beautiful
exhibit spread out beneath his crooked claws.
The red sun of Japan beams bright on his
snowy ground, and sheds complacent rays
upon the varied productions already in place !;
upon the precious porcelsins, the exquisite
enamels, the famous fabrics of that island
kingdom of which there are still so many
interesting things to be learned. The great
clock of Connecticut lacks its pendulum
The largest organ in the world is minus it's
pipes. The exhibits IN the gallery are just
CLIMBING FROM CHAOS,
the pictures are hiding their light under COW
er of wood and paste board; the machinery is
not yet in constant motion. But for all that,
the exhibit is even now of absorbing interest.
81 much has been already done that no one
can realize in gazing upon the main building.
with its almost incredible size of ,656. 030
feet; the government building. with it's
lofty towers and graceful front; the horticul-
tural hall, with its tropical trees, brilliant
flowers, its equally brilliant fruits and mag-
cal lights; the artistic Art Gallery, with its
Grecian porch and Ionic columns; the mill
and machinery buildings that contain the
wonders of American invention; the Mexi-
can Building, with its national architecture
and coloring, the grounds, with their YER
dure and beauty-that all these marvels have
been wrought in less than two years from the
day when the first idea of this enterprise was
seriously entertained. The most salient
point of
The WoNDRoUs PICTURE,
the one that would profoundly impress a
stranger as he arrives by the river, or de-
scends from the street cars, is the avenue of
live oaks that extends from the river front in
continuous line to the government build
ing. No words could convey an idea of these
forest kings. with their robes of glossy green,
their gray drapery of Spanish moss, of their
contrast with the bright grass which their
long limbs overshadow, and with the blue
sky their ''tOwery tops" aspire to reach
The home of thousand mocking-birds. the
shelter of gay beauties and gallant cavaliers,
the outdoor nursery of gambolling children
the guardian sentinels of the Exposition,
they are as worthy of poets praise and paint
er's ecstacy as the famous Charter Oak" as
Tennyson's garrulous old tree, or the Eng
lish oak in which the Merry Monarch con-
cealed himself from Roundhead rage.
THIS ANCIENT AVENUE
is best seen when approached from the river,
which is itself one of the greatest natural
wonders of the world the river that losses
great fleets upon its waves. and plays with
the merchant ship that lie at its wharves, as
if they were feathers fallen from the gulls
that hover above its tawny, shining surface.
The spice of danger that enters into every
nervous persons enjoyment of the Mississippi
ri, when viewed from Que of its own boats.
makes the trip from city TO Exposition still
more exciting. If the tourist is timid soul
and afraid of the great river lion that roars
and shakes his yellow name. that lashes hi.
tail and threatens to fall upon the Crescent
town trembling beneath him, why then, the
tmorous tourist can gaze upon him from the
shore, and gain the Exposition buildings BY
means of the street car running ceaselesslv
to and fro, discharging from its doors crowd
large enough to fill country Westinghouse.
The New ORLEANS MAN
is not. apparently, 'merciful to his beast.
Certainly not to the beast that draws the car
over the level streets that run parallel with
the river. The Prytania line will convey the
stranger through a very sristocratc street,
with aristocratic mansions, built of wood and
painted too often, a white that glares and
glitters under the burning sun aud that makes
fortune for the occulsts of the town The
ST. Charles line conveys passengers through
one OF tne most DeautlIul streetS OF the
world past gardens that keep their bloom
throughout the winter, past houses, white,
too, alas but yelled by vines and half hid
den by golden globes that hang upon their
branches until they are displaced by
The Blossom BELOVED OF BRIDES,
until they are removed to make way for next
years oranges, which are injured, like other
younger children, if "the older set hangs on
too long" Another means of conveyance,
the "Snake Line" so-called because it curves
and winds about like serpent in motion, is
usually full of workmen and market women,
and yet by means of its curves it approaches
so many places that ladies and gentlemen
sometimes patronize this line in preference
to the patrician Prytania or charming St.
Charles. OF course, there are people who
90 in carriages. Strangers these. New
Orleans people are not accustomed to car
riages. Our carriage roads are as few as
they are bad. But there is broad asphalt
pavement that will soon be ready, and the
beauties of st. Charles avenue can be enjoyed
without twisting ones neck to look out of
crowded car windows.
Whatever the approach, the first view of
the Exposition is enchanting. From the
pavilion in the center float in loving trinity
the stars and stripes of the United States,
more closely than ever united, the flag of
England, whom we still revere as mother.
and the tri-color of that dear France who il
never too perplexed with her own affairs to
bold out