Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1885-04-02
THE LAND OF sun.
The Mexican Exhibit--MinnesOta Day
The Liberty Bell-Bankers'
Pavilion.
New ORLEANS. March 25. 1ss5.

7
buildings and the products and resources
of her country. exceeds in extent, and
the pains taken to manifest her interest
that of any other nation here represent
ed. l have foTborne speaking of her ex-
hibit in former letters, for the reason
that not until about a week ago wert
all their buildings .entirely completed
an all the exhibits set up. ready for in
spection-desEing to wait till every
thing was put in good shape, and ready
before making a thorough examination
or undertaking to give brief descrip-
tion of the work, interest and enterprise
our sister Republic has done and mani
Tested in the buildings constructed anG
the exhibits displayed.
1st. What is called the Mexican Build
ing, is located in the southeast corner OF
the grounds; it is about 200 feet front
with wings, extending back 800 feet
with coDrt yard $50 feet square in the
center between the wings, there being
one also in the rear, joining the two side
wings. The front of the building is quite
handsomely finished, and is divided into
rooms to be used as offices, reception
rooms. committee rooms, etc. The wings
are divided irto rooms, Zone for each
State,) fer the accommodation of the
officers and visitors from the various
States of the Republic. These rooms
are provided with cots for sleeping pur+
poses. The celebrated Mexican band
has room set apart specially for the
members, where they sleep. rehearse
chat and sing, and seem to have good
time generally.
In the center of the court yard is a
little building labeled, "SoconuscO Mex
ican," which simply means Mexican choc.
late, which is partaken of very freely
The use of chocolate by The MeXicaBs
seems to be as general and as extensive
as the use of beer by the Germans; il
might be said to be the National bever
age, having the advantage of being
harmless.
There is another building of the same
sort, only larger, built (also by the Mex.
icans) not far off, on which is painted
in conspicuous letters, "Soconusco Mex
lean, chocolate served in true Mexican
style" This is for the public. and all
lovers of the (to them,) delicious bever>
age can, for dime, obtain a cup.
THE MEXICAN IRON BUILDING,
for the exhibit of mineral products OF
the country, stands short distance
southeast of the main building, is built
wholly of iron, octagOn in shape, 20 feet
in diameter. surmounted by dome GOV.
cred with glass. The building is beauti-
fully designed and decorated, with wins
dows-three in each side of octagon-
made of costly, variegated and brilliant
lr ha io toH
by eight columns, describing circle of
25 feet in diameter, in the center OF
which stands a pyramid 20 feet high,
around the sides of which are placed
various specimens of rock, marble, quartz,
sc. There are three rows of glass cases
placed around the inside of the building,
so as to conform to the shape of the
building, having aisles between. In
these cases are shown all manner of
minerals and curiosities. So much foI
the buildings outside.
THE EXHIBIT OF MEXICO,
in the main building. is simply immense
The whole space occupied is about 40O
feet long by 120 wide; on this space are
placed glass cases elaborately trimmed
and finished in polished ebony-the size
of each case is about feet wide, feet
long and high. They are placed so as
TO describe hollow squares open or
hollow square being about 90 feet across,
There are six of these squares, with
abe ut % cases in each, occupying One-
half the width of the space, and runs
nisg along its entire length. In the
center of each square is pyramid,
around which are placed specimens of
grain, coffee, beans, berries, &c, in glass
jars, tastefully arranged. The cases
forming the first square, beginning at
the east end, are filled principally with
all kinds of native birds. and great va
riety of the smaller animdls-squirrels,
minks, weasels, rabbits, and many others,
curious little animals l never saw be-
fore, and whose names 1 don't recollect.
The py, amid in the center has on it the
various grains.
The second square of cases contains
specimens of the wooden and cotton pro-
ductions, and the manufactured articles
made from them, in the peculiar style
of the country, such as shawls, blankets
and other wOelen goods. muslins, &c.
On the center piece are jars of shelled
corn and also beans in more variety
than l supposed existed.
The third square has firearms aud
ordnance in miniature, military suits
and soldiers equipage of the peculiar
style used, harness, &c. On the center
piece jars containing coffee of the vari>
Gus kinds grown in the country. Ore
would scarcely believe there were as
many kinds of coffee as are here exhib>
tied.
The fourth has specimens of all the
woods, marble, and also curious work in
clay. Of the marble it is said there is
being developed vast quarries of very
superior marble, admitting of very high
polish and very durable.
The fifth contains books. maps, pictures,
still greater variety of beans-they must
go in for beans.
The sixth and last square in the row,
exhibits the bottled goods Of the coun
try; couldn't undertake to tell all the
kids of liquids the multitude of bottles,
in the cases, contained sufficient to say,
however, they contained the various
liquors usually put up in bottles, per-
haps patent medicines excepted. There
were also sugars made upin cone-shaped
loaves. In the center Of the square is
arranged the various grains-corn and
rye included d-hulled and in the ear and
stalk, sugar cane, grapes, &c, out of
which l suppose the contents of the bot
ties were manufactured. Then, stand
ing in The corners were clusters of kegs,
that looked somewhat like wine or
brandy kegs; what they contained L
don't know; everything is labeled in the
language of Mexico, and therefore have
to guess at many things of which don't
care to inquire.
The other half of the space is occupied
in part by glass cases also, but arranged
differently, in which are mixture of
articles in wonderful variety wax work,
dolls in wax. miniature animals. birds,
snakes, lizards, alligators, etc. The typ
ical broad-brim Mexican hat, some very
:. .aN 1. I a - -