New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-05-21
A FRENCHMAN ON THE FAIR.
OCTAVE UZANNE GIVES A SKETCH OF THE
BUILDINGS

BUILDINGS.
As the standard one pound weight and the standard
one-yard measure jealousy guarded by
todans Of the royal appointment In the city OF
London so Is the standard Of criticism In the matter
OF Mord's Fairs still held in the capital Of France
Not so securely held, perhaps. Perhaps the cur
rent achievements that have transformed 50 many
Americans into COlumbians may make Chicago the
record breaker Paris has hitherto been both
maker and record In the long series OF
peaceful contests for supremacy that have most re-
Gently been held " fields Of clOthof-g0ld' at
Philadelphia In 1876, and both sides Of the Seine
In 1880.
Well. at any rate the last great world show Mt
Paris brought to Paris so much money, so much
merrment and so much pestllence called la
Grippcr) that Paris wants to have another try at
Il ana them-all and singular. distinction. money
merriment and pcstIlence-in 1000. and in the mean
time the competent Partisan critics estimate OF the
Chicago show Is really valuable. lie has the night
to say though he will be too polite to say, Weighing
and measuring your Worlds Fair by our Standards
1t Is so and sO.'
Octave Tzanne, who selected by "LIllistra
tom instruct Partisan readers In regard to the
Columbian Exhibition, is the first whose opinions
reach in exact and authentic form. He sailed
for New-Yor on the steamship La Gascogne, and con-
fcsscs that grave doubts suggested by MS ieow
passengers who represented to him that Jackson farK
would offer poor spectacle on May j, but he re-
membered thai similar fears had been entertained when
all the world was invited to meet at the CHAMP nc
Mars, and with outspoken admiration he writes from
Chicago addressing Pnrsians let 1t be remembered.
and with no design to say the thing agreeable 10
an American audlence follows
"The fact Is that the new city, built upon the old
marshes. which formerly adjoned the shores OF Lake
Michigan. will be dazzling In beauty. The whole
world will applaud the most marvellous fairy-land
which has yet perhaps, been created by the eHor,s
OF CIVILIZED man. II can assert That the oid "o'iu
has never seen q splendid spectacle, ana tia'
our constructive genius must bestr itself without
DELAY II IL wishes to s,rpass In 1900, the almost
incredible achievement which Is about to add largely
and for years to 10 the prosperity OF the superb
commercial metropolis OF the State OF Illinois. Inc
superficial area OF the Columbian Exposition Is fve
times as large that OF our Paris Exposition IN 1881
which, including the Trocadero Ton the other size
OF the Seine the American visitor Will remember
and somewhat remote). the 1nvaldes ana the quays'
comprised less than 100 hectares
And vet the writer OF these paragraphs, who
heartily enjoyed the Paris Exposition In 1889, begs
permission TO add that the French authorities. with
their admirable OF order, received .0oo guests
In single day within their gates without mishap or
discomfort. "ChIcago people, cur critic continues
assert that the Palace OF Manufactures and Arts Is
twice as large St. Peters at Rome and three times
spectators whereas 100 900 visitors far from being
packed could move at through the entire length
OF this Corinthan building And then NJ. Uzanne
refers 10 "lght-heared Statistics or com
PARSONS upon which Americans. In the pure Joy OF
success. dwell with more than the due emphasis. as
when for example. they call attention to the fact
that this building coud contain all the stones In the
largest OF the Egyptian pyramids.
or special value the French critics words con-
corning the women's Palace. 1t seems a pity that
he has not written fully that theme. for 1t
Is subject which elegant French writer does not
touch without adjoining. After giving the architect
ura STYLE and dimensions Of this building, NJ Uzanne
continues Everything that In past or the pres
cnt time has been regarded as In woman's province
and within her jurisdiction will be represented here
In the dress. adornment and employment Of women
and In the affairs OF the household: working womens
clubs and charity organizations; social clubs and
Libraries for women: nothing that can add TO the
charm. the grace. the selfsacrfcing effort or the
practical temperament Of women has been forgotten
there. The American woman so free, so inde-
pendent so superior 10 the preiudces that In France
md among the Latin races. deprive her OF her ndi-
,idual, social and suggestive power. will be In her
element and at her best there. at home as 1t were,
10 open a kind OF congress that may be very useful
10 many Of those persons who are Interested In the
humanitarian improvements
The Fisheries Building Is dismissed In brief para
graph, vet this paragraph includes the statement:
There viii be the most astonishing Rquarums In the
world In this structure
lie has a commendatory phrase touching the bold
ness Of the archi,ect ural style OF the Agricultural
Building: then a not very positive reference 10 the
Horticultural Building; and then he gives hearty
praise 10 the Fine Arts Bnildry In which the critic
lnds that Mr.. Atwood has been able 10 express, or,
ah-r. upon which he has been able TO Impress,
rare quality OF originality, without detrlmcnt 10 the
lonlan style In which II corc,ivcd. The Palace
Of Mines" imIreSscs our critic with IT, great size only
but the Palace OF Elec ricy' Is "a marvel h. says
The Government building offers to him "a curious
dea of the strange and r"w architecture Of this
Exhibit I'm ih, "Pniais d"s Transports Impressed VI
rnnne ar.i 81 the Administration building he says
II covers but small space, but It's exterior Is 80
distinguished by the elceanc" Of us decoration INA.
mo may regard II as one " the most remarkable or
the modern masterpieces Inspired 10y the ff'heh
Renaissance. a.,
Crystal Palace Of our Exposition OF I,r0. III
presents To the eye striking and luxurious effects
The opera has never produced in lis scenery richer
Dr more olIlin decorations.
" These twelve palaces" he concludes. which /
have lust characterized In few lines. constitute the
principal cdlhccs Of the Chicago Exposition bnt
mind, Of all visitors. raise visions 81 Bahylonic
-plesors. OF the mammoth and fantastic cities oi
trca inland. Jackson Park will show moro than twenty
colossal monuments. which In th.mselvcs Womb
exhaust admiration in exhibitions less phenomenal
than this one. cannot now express my views
upon the future Of this Exposition. which ca'no be
failure unless 1t fi through the very excess OF It's
Visitors must meet there. II It is to exhibit that stir
md active HE that needed TO complete the
picture ,, .
Aoihcr competent Judge. Henry Ia Lgbern" In
that Chicago may Dc regarded rs the site OF the
~ Il