Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-10-02
GETTING IN SHAPE.
THE EXHIBITS BEING PUT IN ORDER
At re EXPOSITION.
Arrangements for Pains Paris snd the
Bxssls Of the crnser--osher Iafor-
nation About the SHOW.

iuttIlDI "a ftt 3uAtEtA HtfNAt Eo@ttt-tt VIZ y
with people. Dozens Of mcn were actively
st work preparing the booths which Will
contain tho products Of virninia's indus-
trial and mechanical skin. while another
large force were busy cleaning up the
floors and getting the big structure ready
for the opening day.
Every foot OF space in the ball has been
engaged by exhibitcfs. and IN many IN
stances their stands have already been
erected. while many more booths are now
in course OF construction. This in itself
tells the story OF the Expositiop'a success
ana OF sho interest taken in the great
show. bat tho grounds give additional
proof OF the mang interesting sights that
viii delight the spectator.
LOOKS LIKE REAL CITY.
Immediately upon leaving tho large
building and entering the grounds tho
visitor sees not many hundred yards
away huge pile Of benches with seats
arranged very much after the fashion OF
tho "blcacheries" at baseball park. A
closer view will reveal a still more interest
ing sight-a city situated upon o rver'
But for the appearance OF work,
man now and then, one would
never euess that this metropolis was
q painted city--a city upon canvas
II is tho scenery to be used IN the prcsen-
tatiou OF the magnificent spectacular
show Paris--from Empire TO Com
mune.p To say that it is realistic would
but half express il. The effect is complete.
and the arrangement of the various sldes
SO perfect that one who has seen tne
French capital can hardly realize that
Paris Is not before hig. Tho scenery GOV.
ers an area Of several hundred yards, and
in its arrangement special care has been
taken to regard the laws OF perspective.
Where the canvas stops--and IL carries the
caze of the beholder over what appears 10
10 miles of countryside real blue sky OF
heaven meets the eve. and this renders the
picture still more natural. Stage-settlngs
are generally ruined by their lack OF SKY.
bat this complaint cannot be urged against
the painted Paris at the Exposition
Grounds.
HARD TO FILL THE LAKE.
inst in front of the city there is large
lake. which is three feet deep and
lone enough TO be used for boats.
Great difficulty has been experienced IN
filing mn the basin, and although large
stream of water has been running INTO IL
for several days. the requisite amount OF
the liquid has not yet been obtalneu. me
trouble is owing TO the fact that the SOL
where the lake was dug IS very dry ana
absorbs the water almost as last as IL runs
in. The pond" notwithstanding these
difficulties. will be ready to do its part by
the time the Exposition commences. Inc
lake will be illuminated by sixarc electric
lights.
1000 on the benches facing the city. and
all the seats will afford good view OF the
spectacle, which requires 800 people tor It's
production, All the actors WIN De Iieniy
attired, and magnificent pyrotechnic
display will give additional effect to the
picture.
"Paris-from Empire to Commune F" will
be rendered October 6, 8. 10, II, IA. II, -.
81, and 25th, at S:15 p. NJ.
BATTLE OF THE CRATTB.
Extensive arrangements have already
been made for the production OF the
great military spectacle The Battle OF
the Crater,n but they are arrangements
that do not show es yet. In fact. the be-
holder on seeing the battle-ground as 1t
now stands would almost believe that he
was in the country. There is nothing of
aR urban nature in the scene. On the
contrary, the surroundings represent
rural district. Pine trees have been
planted everywhere and behind these the
troops will do their firing and fighting:
Through a cluster of shrubbery an old
VIRGINIA" worm-fence winds its way and
adds to the rusticity of the picture. The
whole scene is too natural to be appre-
ciated until the great melee occurs. Inc
First Regiment of Infantry, the Richmond
Howitzers, and several cavalry organiza-
lions will participate in the battle" and
its rendition will be excellent. The COM
panies who will take part in the show have
had several reheRrsals, and they viii know
their parts well when the opening gun is
fired.
THE BOOSTERS AND THE CATS.
The "Iive Rooster Orchestra" who will
appear at the Exposition from the 9Th to
the 18th. will be an exceedingly interesting
feature of the programme. The boosters "
inauestion are musicians dressed like cocks,
who understand their business well and
discourse the sweetest harmonies. They
crow, they sing, they dance, and their per-
Torrance is novelty which cannot fail to
please.
Following the departure of the ROSTERS,
and from October 18th to 26th inclusive,
will come the minstrel troupe composed or
ten large, black tomcats. These animals
plav all sorts of musical instruments, and
will perform feats which will keep the
audience In a roar of laughter.
Doc" the celebrated trotting dog,
will show his skill from October 18th to
the 2gd. BE is canine king of the turf.
and has already earned over $i7 900 for his
master, so there must be heap IN him. "
His driver, Willie Ketchum. son OF the
owner is one and q half tunes the weight
of the dog, and vet the animal moves like
lightning, and on pro rata weight-pulling
he can out-trot any horse IN the world.
Among other attractions at the Exposi.
ton will be the De Coma brothers. the
aerial bicy clists, and the st. Belmos, the
well-known acrobats.
The Music Hall has been thoroughly
renovated and beautifully decorated with
bunting, flags, and streamers. 1t presents
splendid appearance. The First Regi-
ment Band (under the direction of their
leader, Mr.. a. j. Liess.) will give daily
performances at the Exposition.
ALL DEPARTMENTS WELL FILLED.
The entries in all Of the departments
have been especially large--particularly is
this the case regarding woman's work.
Already there have been 900 entries for
fancy work, as against 400 in 1888.
The display of poultry and pigeons will
be exceptionally good, and as all the birds
will be exhibited in Spratt's patented
coops, the spectator can easily see them.
THIS department will open on October
18th, and oil breeders are expected 10 have
their birds on hand ut or before 10 o'clock
of that day.
There have been Observation-Disclosures for
the tro.ting trials that will take place
during the Exposition, and many cele.
brated horses will enter into the contest.
The exhibits OF livestock will be excellent.
Many of the booths, asiGe from being
very handsomely furnished and unique in
design, will offer special attractions to the
public.
The stand of Mrs. johnson, the pickle
manufacturer, will be finished in oak, and
she will have Quartette of singers, who
will furnish music at all times.
PLxNTy OF FUN.
The switchback is now being repaired,
and. as usual, will be one of the best of
the amusement features. Applications
for space are already pouring in from
fakirs, and there will be dozens of these
irrepressible citizens on hand. With them
will come the peanut and sausage mong-
ers. the balloon men. and other peddlers,
who. after all. are part and parcel of every
exposition.
GROUNDS 10 BE WELL LIGHTED.
Tho grounds and buildings of the Expo
sition will be lighted with electricity gene
rated by O plant. which will DO erected
upon the grounds. In order 10 accommo-
date the vast crowds who will visit the
great industrial show, fifteen or twenty
gate-keepers will be employed, while there
will be half dozen night watchmen. The
city, in order to preserve law and order,
viii lend eighteen OF her blue-coafed
guardians as conservators of the peace.
The policemen VIII be under the direction
of sergeant.
Are alarr, hrx bo . ,,anr ,>to al ....:s. A. !.