The National tribune., 1886-08-12

side are shields bearing the names of Grant and
Sherman.
The grand picture Of the display is fixed over
the center of the second floor. Ii is finely
executed colossal picture representing Wash
ington and Lafayette standing together with
extended hands, while behind them in the dis
tanGe are the patriotic armies of 70. Over the
painting, in gold letters upon 4 blue sign, are
the words: First Grand Army Of the Repub-
lic." On each side of the big picture are eircu-
lar tri-eolored signs with the names Of Wash
iugtOn and Lafayette.
At the lower south side of the Generals
picture is arranged on a small platform striped
tent with stack of arms drums, swords and
cannon before it. This represents the Army.
At the lower north side of the painting is
agriculture" group Of wheat, with seythe,
plow and other implements tastefully ar
ranged upon a support over the store sign.
Flags on poles flank each of these typical dis
plays At the extreme north corner of the see
ond floor is the Navy-a front of war ship,
with cannon muzzles at the ports, the bowsprit
decorated with National cOiOrs and the fOremast
with strings of signals. At the angle of Post
street is placed Commerce." This consists Of
tho front and smokestack of a locomotive,
adorned with flags, and is ! very unique ex-
hibt. Shields bearing Il" Hooker" and Rose
Grams are placed between these allegOrical
tablcaux.
Over the store floor on the Kearny-street
side, on which side alone all the decorating is
done, are shields bearing the names of Porter
Sheridan, Hancock, Mcpherson, Mcclellan and
Farragut. 10 complete the description of this
house mast 10 mentioned two gold d-lettered
signs on blue grouuds Just above the store signs,
bearing the names Bunker Hill " and york
town" Garlands of evergreen entwined all
along the business sign aud the above battle
names add further beauty 20 the sum total.
The White House must be seen TO be appreei-
ated.
A MYRIAD OF FLAGS.
The whole city seems to have suddenly sprung
into fancy costume, SO numerous are the decora-
tOns and so prOfuse are the emblems displayed
of army corps and various patriotic Insignia in
every direction the eye looks. Up and down
all the principal streets futter an ocean Of sig
nal colors and National flags in the fresh after
noon breeze, and red, white and blue reign su-
pTeme in every direction. From the Oakland
ferry to the Mission and from Montgomery av-
enue to the railroad station at Fourth and
Townsend is the same magnificent holiday ap-
pearanee over everything. Never has San Fran
cisco been so gOrgeOusly decorated, not even for
the Knights Tempar parade two years ago.
Since yesterday several magnificent displays
have developed on the principal streets which
well deserve to attract the crowds that they do
in their respective vieinites.
As to the grand arch, the last Of the base of
the north tower was painted and finished by
dusk last evening. So far only the tops of the
mammoth badges for the center have been
placed in position. These constitute the i'm
mense wooden, gilded eagle and crossed cannon
under its claws. The figure is said to measure
at least 80 feet from tip to tip of wings, and to
stand at least half as high. The heads are
rather large for the size of the birds, and the
corpulent appearance of the region of the crop
suggests that the National birds have had
good dinner before being elevated to their COM
manding situation. The arch will probably not
be finished before Monday night.
PARADE VIEWS IN DEMAND.
The magnitude of Tuesdays parades creates
demand for viewing places that is unprece-
dented in the history of the city, eclipsing even
that for the Knights Templar COnclave three
years ago. On Kearny, Market and Montgom-
cry streets first and second-floor windows are
commanding prices that would pay a months
rent at any other time. As high as $50 has
been paid for one room with two windows dur
ing the passage of the morning and afternoon
parades, and single seats on the large stands
that are being erected at various favorable points
OF view find ready sale at from 81 TO $3.50, ac-
cording to location. The most extensive of
these stands is being erected on the site of the
recently burned Bancroft building ON Market
street, between Third and Fourth. Chief Sean
nell and Architect O'Connor, of the Fire De-
paTtmeut, paid close attention to the founda-
tions Of this structure, which is built for $500
people. The substantial manner of its construc-
tiOn satisfied them that it was perfectly safe,
and the work was allowed to go on to compile
tion. Other stands are on Market street, be-
tween Seventh and Eighth, on Market and
Eighth, and on Van Ness avenue aud Post
street, the average capacity being about 500
each.
THE PORTRAIT STATUES.
1t is hard to conceive a more difficult task
than that which has fallen to the lot of Mr.. ].
Marion Wells. 1t is one that not only requires
the utmost perseverance and untiring patience,
but it is task which only . first-clasS sculptor
would undertake. Night and day Mr.. Wells
and his assistants have tOiled, and now the
fruits of their labors are visible in the grand
and inspiring statues and representations that
are nearing completion.
The anatomies of the portrait statues are
composed of rough two by three-inch timbers,
forming the backbones, legs and arms of the
images. Laths answer the purpose of ribs,
while the joints are nailed solid and immova-
bic. The interior of the frame is tightly stuffed
with fine mattress shavings to give the figure
solidity. The outer garments are composed of
burlap wrapped tightly around the frame, and
the hanging cOat-tails are but sheets Of droop-
ing burlap. Over all is smeaTed coat of pas-
ter of Paris, which is smoothed of, worked
presents the appearance of polished marble.
Casts are made only for the heads of the statues
and of the eagles. About the floor lie numer-
Gus outer parts of the images-arms, hands,
shoes, swords and d-glaSses-all of SEEM
ingly enormous proportions. The eagles still
stand in the machinery hail Of the pavilion,
with outstretched wings and mouths agape,
and their outer appearance would almost make
one believe that they were monsters from
another sphere. Their internal construction is
exactly like that of the statues, only the sur
face is left unpublished TO represent feathers
and the images are gilded from tip to tip, and
from beak to claw. The two likenesses of
crossed cannons, as we'll rs the immense 10
foot stars, are made entirely of wood, and are
all brOnzed in an admirable manner. In addi-
tiOn TO the larger statues for the inches in the
sides of the towers in the arch, four smaller
images Of soldiers and sailors will be placed on
pedestals raised eight feet over and above the
sidewalk.
GEN. BURDETT's RECEPTION.
OF all the pleasant events connected with
the Goth National Encampment which have a.
yet transpired or are liable to occur, none viii
| leave more agreeable memories in the minds of
the participants than the reception which was
! yesterday accorded Commander-in- Chief S. s.
Burdett. Late Saturday afternoon the Recep-
tion Committee decided to 20 up the road yes
terday morning. leaving this city on the 7:3O
train. The Special Committee delegated to
meet the Commander-in-C Chief was accordingly
| turned over to Colonel and Comrade II. III.
Goodman, General Ticket and Passenger Agent
| of the Southern Pacific Co. When the party
reached Oakland pier special car was in readi-
ness, attached to the regular Reno daylight" !"
train. At the rear of the train some OF the