Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1893-07-07
SEEN ON MIDWAY PLAISANCE
Streets Of Foreign Cities Reproduced at
the Exposition.
MOORISH PALACE COSTING $4oo,ooo
From the Mosques Tall hlnaret The Nue.
zln's Voice Is Heard Calling Faithful
Nohammedans 10 Prayer

WORLDS FAIR GRoUDs, June 28.-Prob
ably as interesting portion Of this great
exposition, and that which will rivet the
attention of the visitor more than any.
thing else, are the various attractions on
Midway plaisance. Here one will meet
with representatives of nearly every
nation under the sun, dressed in the
costumes characteristic OF their people.
You elbow your way through crowds Of
Algerians, Egyptians, Moors, Nubiane,
South Sea Islanders, Esquimaux and
people of all other nations except the
Chinese. Here you see no Cinnamon.
In the Algerian village there is q con-
cert hall capable of seating 1000 persons.
In this hall the native concerts are given.
Moorish dancing girls in pretty costumes
dance to the music of native orchestra of
tambourines, 'cellos and guitars. The
music is execrable and ear-splitting and
the dancing is even worse. Still the
girls are good looking and they do their
best to entertain their audiences. Three
bazaars for jewelry, embroidery and
brio a. brac are in charge of native Alger-
ians. Their jewelry is cheap and shoddy,
while such high prices are placed Oh
their embroideries and bric-a- brac that
only those with we'll. filed pocket books
can afford to purchase. A native Kaby 10
house, All Arab tent and desert camp
may also be seen. Life in an Alger-
ian village is shown by the daily life OF
fifty natives, among them being Arabian,
Moorish and negro musicians, dancing
girls, merchants, peddlers, etc. Arabian
and Kabyle jewelers. make pretty orna-
ments OF gold and silver in their work.
shops, spinners produce cloths, and
other laborers follow their daily work as
they do at home. The houses are con-
structed of Algerian material and are
sumptuously furnished with embroidered
bangings and upholstery, designed to
illustrate the silk work and embroidery
OF the country.
A space 300x600 feet is occupied by the
reproduction Of q street in old Cairo.
Buildings Of all descriptions line the
sides OF the street, each being q faithful
representation of some Egyptian original.
The natives are OF all classes and avoca-
tons, and one is transported into the bus.
lest bazaars of ancient Cairo. Mosques,
donkey boys, Mousharabeye work, the
lattice bay windows, the water carrier,
the sweetmeat seller, all are pictures to
be seen in this miniature Egypt. Here
are real Caireen bazaars with native
tradesmen, weavers, jewelers., brass
workers, embroiderers, etc. There are
several hundred Egyptians in the quar-
ter and it is perhaps as attractive a spot
as can be found in the fair grounds. In
the cafes oriental concerts and dances
may be seen and they are certainly Gu
rious If not beautiful. AS an experience
they should be visited.
A very pretty thing in Midway plat
sance is Libbys glass factory. 1t is GER
tainly curious and interesting. Repre-
sensations Of the finest fabrics of silks,
satins, ribbons, ETC., of all shades and
colors, are here made in full view Of tho
beholder. l saw one operator make q
handsome dress, complete with trim
mings, ETC., of different colors. 1t WAS
something that would certainly delight
the eye Of any lady visitor.
A Moorish palace is one of the most
beautiful structures on the grounds 1t is
grand beyond all description Twas told
by one Of the attendants that it cost
$500 900. 1t is filed with many different
kinds OF exhibits, principal among which
10 pile of gold coin amounting to ST.
600, 900.
Another attraction on the plaisance is
Old Vienna. 1t occupies space of about
600x200 feet and the streets are repre-
scented as they were $50 years ago, in
original dimensions, showing houses in
classical renaissance. An old-style
Vienna restaurant, dining-room, a
large Vienna cafe, a cake bakery, a
Vienna roll bakery, a museum of ethno-
graphic specimens and several shops for
Vienna art manufactures and photograph
galleries can be seen. Vienna fetes and
other characteristic entertainments are
daily given.
The Esquimaux village is disappoint-
ment. Here but very little is to be seen.
A half-dozen men, some hat resem bling
our western half-breeds, about as many
ill-clad women, three or four half.starved
dogs and two reindeer, with dozen or 30
ragged children scampering around the
grounds, is all that greets the.eye. There
are two or three booths, presided over by
American girls, who importure the visi-
tors to buy the upinteresting- looking
relics they have on sale. Altogether the
Esquinaux village is not worth the two
bits they charge for admission.
OF all the foreigners at the fair the
Turks. in my opinion, are the most in.
teresting and have the best exhibit. The
Turkish building is a beautiful structure
OF oriental architecture, reproduction of
the Bagdad kiosk, which has been for
many years one of the beautiful sights OF
Constantinople. A street of CONSTANT
nople is built on plan similar to that OF
the Cairo street and an opportunity is
given to compare life in the two cities.
To me they seemed much the same, al
though both are attractive and interest
ing. The mosque used by the Moham-
medans cost about $4,000, and 1000 square
feet have been assigned to the merchants
of Smyrna for an exhibit of rugs and car
pets. The combinations OF beautiful
colors in the rich old rugs on which for
centuries generations of pious Moham-
medans have knelt to say their prayers
are unsurpassed. They are silken soft,
and Mohammedans say they grow
richer and better year by year. Many
things are offered for eale in the bazaars,
all OF which are curious and interesting.
Sweetmeat peddlers importune the visi.
tors to buy of their wares, and | was IN
duced to try some Turkish delight" 1t
looks unholy, and the man who sells it
had dirty appearance, but it tastes good
when you get it in your mouth. It. sort
OF fig paste and is worth trying-for ex-
perience sake If for no other reason.
Five times day, from the minsret OF the
mosque, you will hear the muezziH 8
call to prayer. At noon or at sunset lie
the best time to hear him. and prasentlv