, 1886-02-25
Exposition Notes.
LIST DAYS OF PoMPEIl

PAINE's LIST DAYS OF P0MPEII.
At the exposition grounds, he
tween the two great buildings which
are about one-eight of mile apart
is a semi circular artificial lake Dor
dered on the outer circle at night by
beautiful colored lights resting upon
the ground, near the waters edge.
Back Of these. about three rods, are
several rows of seats conforming to
the shape of the lake, each rising
above the other; the whole seating
about three thousand people. On
the opposite side of the tiny lake,
which is no more than 100 feet across,
and 800 feet long, is a semi circular
framework forty feet high, with its
inner circle facing the lake, covered
by canvas, representing IN the far
ther background magnificent
rugged mountain range, the fore
ground merging into comparative
level stretches, upon which are repre-
sented fields, gardens, villas, and
other suburban residences, combining
in the view with yeritable structures,
OF temples, public buildings. the
amphitheatre, forum and other rep
resentative features of an ancient
city; the whole representing the
famous doomed city of Pompeii.
Between the lake and the structures
is an open lawn of irregular shape of
so yards or more across. Here on
certain evenings of each week is en-
acted Paino's spectacle of the Last
| days of Pompeii," spectacle worth
ones while to travel long distance
to see.
In the mountain range stands o
prominent peak towering above the
others, representing old Vesuvius,
and which reminds me Of Mt. Hood,
and resembles that mountain so
much, that feel sometimes as if /
was in reality looking ct our great
Cascade range, and one of the grand
peaks rising up into the clouds.
Before the representation of the
destruction takes place, and while
the pantomime play, performed by
15G actors. is going on. a reddish
mantle like heavy cloud creeps up
and trembles upon the mountain.
The gladiator dies, the sacrifice is
made, the brilliant lights become
dimmed, The mountain shows signs
of eruption and finally fiercly bursts
forth upon tho city, scattering fire
and ruin everywhere Buildings
totter and fall before our eyes; fire
breaks out in numberless places in
the city; the mountain yomits forth
fire and smoke. the former falling
promiscuously over the inhabitants.
the latter settling upon the city and
obscuring the view. CONSERVATION
reigns supreme among the people,
and TO add terror to the. scene the
lake is fairly covered with Kissing
Greek fire, and rockets whizzinG in
their zig-zag course. sometimes in
mid-air, sometimes in the water and
sometimes skimming the surface
in their fiery course. Meantime,
rockets burst overhead III quick sue
cession, scattering fire OF various
colors that always draws from all
parts of the audience that word of won
der and admiration, '-Oh Ow," that has
from its universal use now become u
by-word and stale joke.
l have heard no dissenting voice
but that this is one of the grandest
spectacies to be seen in America. l
declare, each time | see it leads me
on to see it again; each time there is
feeling of reality about it that
makes it hard for one to believe that
he does not actually see the verita
be tottering city, the confused pop
ulare, the awful sacrifice of life as
told by the silent three thousand
witnesses already unaarthed from the
ruins of the fated city.
[ have just come from the encamp
ment of this scene; the air was
warm and balmy, although it was 8
o'clock at night. A brilliant throng
crowded the seats and open space
back of them; not breath of wind |
stirred to flicker q light or disturb |
the waters of the lake; hundred |
yards away band of music dis |
coursed splendid music in the open |
air, their leader guided by an cleo
trio bell, changing the strain as
directed by the mind that governed |!
the actors; the echoes of the music |
resounded against the great exposi-
eiOH cuttings, giving Us III eltaiH
positions the benefit of two bands, |
the whole pl lesenting a scene never to
be forgotten.
This fairy-like panorama of ancient |
times is enacted twice or thrice q |
week and when the weather is pro.
pitious always draws crowds of peo-
pie; always draws unstinted praise,
with never dissenting voice. The
study of ancient history is here com
bined with that of pleasure and pas
time as that OF tie present day and
time Is the great Exposition build
lngs. Those who have not seen
these cannot realize how great the
as is here presented in
tins truly great national exposition
E. NJ.