Los Angeles herald., 1891-10-23

Attendance CONTINUES TO BE 6ood.
There's a go about the fair at the
chamber OF commerce this year that it
has never had before. The main reason
is, of course, the excellent display of
Southern California products. People
are not only beginning to understand,
but are long way on the road to realiz-
ing that there is something in the rooms
worth seeing. Then there has never
been such large number of individual
and section exhibits from all over South
ern California. The thought occurs the
more one examines the display, that
somebody has done a tremendous
amount of work to awaken such general
interest all over this part of the state.
There is such crush of exhibits that
some of them donot really show how ex-
cellent they are, and emphasize the fact
that if the chamber of commerce goes
on bettering it's part of the fair like this
every year, it will soon outgrow the &C.
commodations in the chambers rooms.
The attendance yesterday was larger
than on any previous day, and at night
the hall and annexes were crowded with
people. 1t was somewhat difficult to
move around and see the sights on
account of the large attendance. Super
intendent Frank Virgins had a very
happy countenance as he appeared in
about twenty places at the same time,
and was evidently gratifed at the grow
ing popularity of the fair.
The special stage features last night
were much enjoyed, and were very
meritorious, arousing the spectators to
enthusiasm. They consisted of an ex-
hibition by class of young men from
the normal school in balancing, build
ing pyramids and various athletic feats,
which they performed with grace and
skill.
They were followed by a class of hand
some young women from the normal
school, first in a wand-drill and then
with Indian clubs. They were dressed
simply in cream-colored gowns, and
made an exceedingly pretty picture as
they went through the drill with pre-
cision.
After an interesting fencing bout be-
tween two members of the Athletic as
sociation, several members of that or
ganization gave an admirable exhibition
Of tumbling and difficult pyramid fig
ures, receiving hearty applause. The
boys went through the exercises like
professionals, and more than one of the
spectators was heard to inquire if they
were not from circus.
The most agonizing special feature of
the fair--to some persons-will take
place this afternoon, when sixty-six
babies from Los Angeles and all the
way to Santa Barbara and Ventura, will
be put on exhibition. Sixty-six babies |
And each mother will have such an un-
dying hatred of the judges, if her par
ticular treasure fails to get the coveted
premium, that it is expected they will
wear masks to prevent retribution
thereafter. There probably never was
such lively interest in baby show, and
the hall will no doubt be jammed with
spectators.
NOTES.
The exhibition of oil paintings by J.
Bond Francisco and water colors by
Elmer Wachtel is attracting great at
tention at the fair. The little room
where they are exhibited is thronged
all the time. The pictures are arranged
very well for light, and the light at
night is particularly good. The master
piece of the collection is conceded to be
Mr.. Francisco's study from life of a
young lad lying sick in a plain, little
room, his mother sitting near the foot Of.
the bed, anxiously watching her boy
over her spectaclee and knitting me-
chanically. On a small table at the
head of the bed are medicines. The
picture ia powerful one. The concep-
tion is an original one, and the exc
cution is wonderful in the coloring and
the minute attention to details.
There is pathos about the scene
which appeals strongly to all who see it.
An old lady yesterday afternoon,
stood in front of the picture for long
time, and silently wept, as it brought
up recollections of some loved one.
Another admirable study by Mr.. Fran
CISCO is that Of a head. It is that of
hard-looking old reprobate, and is
model of his in Munich. There are num-
erous other pictures by the artist, which
cannot be enumerated in this place.
The water colors by Mr.. Wachtel are
finished productions, and are being
greatly admiredby artists and those who
understand the rare skill of the artist.
The Turn Verein will send class of
members to the fair tonight who win
present number of athletic features.
The committees on awards was busily
at work yesterday, and have their hands
full to decide upon the merits of many
of the exhibits, so nearly alike are they
in their completeness. ~
Some apples are exhibited by Charles
Barnes, of Ventura county, which have
singular history. They are the second
crop Of this year, and are as different as
night from day from the first crop. The
first crop was larger than the second.
They were fiat and striped like the Ben
Davis; the second crop are small, oval
shaped, Of deep red color and like the
red June apple.
This afternoon at o'clock, the baby
show.