The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1893-02-10
CORRESPONDENCE.
From the "Garden City."

To the Editor OF me Bdnnef.-DEAR
SIR: | don't know what kind of win
ter you have been experiencing in
Vermont, but l have to say that the
cold weather here had such grip"
upon me, | have not been able to give
the readers of the BANNER any news
from jackson Park, recently, the lOca
ton of the Worlds Fair. But the mana
gers are still at work. The great snow
we have had for the last two weeks has
done thousands of dollars damage. The
Manufactures building in particular had
a wonderful snow slide, which on an
estimate did some eight or ten thousand
dollars damage, also quite number OF
buildings which were completed and
about to be occupied with articles of
exhibit. In this letter | will give you
something that will be interesting to
everybody. 'Glass Work, West of
the japanese Bazaar is large domed af-
fair Just beginning to assume the proper
tions of handsome building. Its cen
ter is pierced by massive brick stack
which gracefully tapers TO a distance of
100 feet to the ground. The base of the
stack rests on concrete foundation III
feet deep and contains an immense glass
furnace. The structure is being erected
by the Libby CLASS Company of Toledo,
Ohio. 1t is proposed to show the full
process of converting sand, oxide of lead,
salt petre and divers other things thrown
into the melting pot into cut-glass vases,
cake dishes, card receivers, anu other
ornamental affairs designed to attract
the artistic eye of the modern housewife.
The big furnace in the center of the
building will contain the great crucibles
in which the slicien mixture is melted.
The molten mass will glow with the lus-
tire of 5000 degrees Fahrenheit. The
furnace is so arranged that no discOm-
fort will be experienced by occupants of
the building. 1t receives its supply of
air through a tunnel six feet in diameter.
Arranged around the crucibles will be a
number of blowers and assistants. An
assistant will poke what they call a pom
til or hollow iron pipes into melt.
ing pot and with skillful twist bring it
out laden with the glowing metal. The
mass is quickly passed to a blower, who
deity rolls the mass into the semblance
of the article he is tn make and then APP
plying his lips to the tube and putting
out his cheeks until the folds almost
hide his glistening eyes, continues the
manipulation until there comes out
handsome flagon, a pretty wine bottle, a
delicately outlined vase, or some other
vitecous wonder. As soon as it is COM
pleted the ware is passed to another as
sistant, who places the article in one of
the trays of the 1.-The to cool. The 1.-The is
asiXty-foot brick tunnel system in which
the ware is annea'ed. 1t is kept from
cooling rapidly to preserve the proper
temper and prevent the ware becoming
priahle. On the second floor of this
building are found the workmen, who
put on the frills, lettering and cOloring.
Fifty men in one section are busy cut
tin, polishing and furnishing. Close to
them are number of girls handling the
delicate tools used in etching glass
Further on may be seen the painters and
again the engravers. The most interest
ing portion of the exhibit however will
be the process of spinning and weaving
glass. The spinningwheel in this work
is nine feet in diameter. 1t is kept re-
volving while workman stands close
by with rod OF glass in a ductile state,
while the wheel draws it out to the fine |
ness of hair. After certain length |
has been wound on the wheel the spun
fabric is cut in several places and trans !
ferred to loom. At the loom it is |
woven in tapestries, cloths, table-mats, |
etc. Deft fingers take the cloth and |
make III lulO lleCk-JlGS, DdSk6IS, Illus ana |
bonuets. In The cut-glass display room |
the decorations will all be in glass tapes |
try, as plant as mohair The ceilings |
and walls are to be festooned and roseat- |
ed, and will simmer and sparkle in the |
light of hundreds of half-concealed in
candescents. The appearance will sug-
gest beieweled dens of fairy land. This |
part of the great exhibition will be one |
of the most interesting features of the |
exhibition, so little is seen by the people
generally.
The work on the Chinese village is |
near completion. The main building is
100 by $50 feet in extent and so feet high. |
The cOloring will be unique. Beginning |
from below the successive panels will be |
painted the prismatic colors in regular |
order, starting with the violet edge of |
the rainbow. Within the building will |
be an extensive exhibit perfectly repre-
sentative of China and the life of the |
people. We know something about this
in Chicago, more than we have use for.
in the center of this building will be a
fine garden, filled with rare shrubbery
from the flowery kingdom. Lanterns
galore will decorate the surrounding gal
leries and with large panels of black
characters on gilt will make the space
blaze with giaring contrasts of color.
just beyond will be a tea garden in
which will be shown the methods of rails
ing, drying and packing this wonderful
article. Adjoining the tea display will
the Chinese theatre, where troup of the
celestals will CITRATE and howl through
an alleged classic drama for the edifica-
ton of the crowds who wish to be able
to tell the folks when they get home,
that they have experienced the pleasure
of an unintelliglble Chinese show. In
one gallery will be shown samples of
Chinese literature of different epocbs.
different works of art, pottery and bronze
pieces. Another gallery will be devoted
to a display of idols, and brass and ivory
gods, Joss occupying the post of honor
on a high pedestal.
The Government building was closed
to visitors last Saturday The work of
preparing for the reception of exhibits
has begun in earnest and visitors, il is
thought, would interfere with the work
as the work has to be pushed-as the
time is drawing nigh. People from the
New England States need not be in too
great rush to be here the first of Nav.
unless they have plenty of money and
time, for it will take all of the month of
May before the fair will all be finished.
Come prepared TO stay the six months.
If possible, for it will take all that time
to see that Elephant | hope | will be