The record-union., 1893-08-07

Auu Hapal QlguitieS. These treasures are
displayed in glass cases, which are
guarded by soldiers who are none too
slow in prOdding people with their bayo-
nets when the sightseers show the faint
est inclination to point toward docu-
ment with the end of a guide book.
There are dug-out canoes and headless
drumsi and savage weapons, and fabrics
and relics of all sorts, from the anchors
OF the Santa Maria, standing at the con-
vent door, to the cannon ball OF Column
Dus' ordinance in the relic rooms below.
mere is also worm eaten whitewashed
door from the house in which Columbus
lived. Pictures innumerable hang on
the walls, in which saints of the church
and sinners of the state hang side by side
in companionship enforced by history.
The little square court in the center,
with its tiled paved corridor, is thronged
with curious visitors all the day. Its
walls are hung with pictures Of Column
bus and his history, of maps of drawings
OF the old geographers.
1t becomes tiresome after time, view
ing these old relics, and the casual sight
seer, who has but limited time at his dis
posal, cannot afford TO stay too long over
articles that require close inspection.
There is so much TO see that can be seen
in passing that it is foolish to stay too
long in place like La Rabida.
Not far from the convent is the Krupp
exhibit, which is chiefly interesting from
the fact that it contains the largest gun in
the world. AT the same time l might say
that 1t also represents the most discour-
teous attitude toward the Worlds Fair
visitors. 1t is not opened until 10 A. NJ,
and IN number of instances people have
stood for more than half-hour after the
advertised hour before the inhOspitaDle
doors were opened. Why these tardy
people should keep those waiting who
honor the hrupp exhibit with their de-
sire to see it passes understanding for,
as there is no place to sit and wait, one
must stand till those in charge are ready
to open the building.
The Indian school building is opposite
the krupp exhibit, and is well worth the
time 1t takes to visit the place. The work
OF the Indians is displayed, and is proof
OF the capacity OF both the Indian boys
and girls when brought under the intlu-
ences of education. Some of the trades
are illustrated by boys at work. The
whole exhibit reminds a Pacific Coaster
OF the Indian school at Chemawa, Or.
The next building i'll this locality is the
leather and shoe exhibit. This presents
very beautiful display OF boots and
shoes Of all sorts and kinds, and OF every
article that is made OF leather, besides the
leather itself. The German firms have
made magnificent exhibit, and in the
arrangement of their goods have attained
most artistic results.
To a student of history the colored
pictures illustrating all the known STYLES
OF footgear in all ages, past and present,
will extend attractions not to be passed
lightly. Each picture is the exact size of
the object, colored, TO be in accord
with the facts, and is accompanied
by short explanatory note. These
pictures line the walls of the leather ex-
hiblt building in one corner. OF addi-
tlonal interest along this line is the dis
play OF actual footgear, collected from
every point OF the compass, and repre-
senting every style of covering, from the
wooden shoon of the peasant to the richly
embroidered leather boot Of the Russian
noble. Such a collection as this is Why.
one could spend day before these cases
on the walls, and weave many a romance
over the dancing slippers, the war boots
and the savage sandals. The collection
was loaned for the occasion. 1t must be
worth great deal Of money.
What arouses feeling of wonder in
my mind is that so many priceless treas
ures-priceless because they never could
be replaced-should have been exhibited
III buildings that are absolutely nothing
but food tor flames; for should a fire once
get started nothing could be saved. This
holds true of every building in the
Worlds Fair.
The entire process of shoe-making can
be seen on the second floor of the leather
exhibit building.
Next is the forestry building, which to
me is a charming place. 1t fronts on
Lake Michigan. Its architecture has EN-
braced the rustic features to such an ex-
tent that II looks like gigantic summer
house, with wide-spreading porches, and
seems to extend an invitation to enjoy the
cool shade. 1t is plentifully supplied
with seats on the porches, and it is cooler
IN the forestry building than in MANY of
the other buildings. There is no restau-
rant or cafe there to heat the air. or to
load the atmosphere with odors of friz-
zling steak OF burned milk.
The exterior OF the forestry building is
rustic work, the roof is covered with sec
tlons of logs, the porches supported on
tall trunks of trees, the doors and WIN
dows surrounded by arbor work. The
tree trunks have come from all sections
of the Union, and are plainly labeled
tor the editcation OF the unlearned but
inquiring visitor.
Within, each country and each State,
prldlng itself upon its woods. have made
extensive displays. The British possess
sions in the tropics are we'll represented.
OF all the exhibits my unframed eye was
best pleased with that of Brazil The
logs are massive, the wood firm and
dense, and the polish resplendent. The
wood has been cut at several angles so as
to show the different grainings. The
is also fine showing of native basket
work. Of course Japan has made
beautiful exhibit, and have not ceased
wondering yet how the big, tall, tower
ing bamboos were brought to this coun-
try. l heard two workmen disputing
about 1t. One maintained that they had
been severed at the joints into portable
sections, and then readjusted. The other
did not think so, but had no solution to
offer.
In the center of the Forestry Building
are massed in a picturesque heap speci-
mems of all the woods, or rather each
country that has an exhibit is represented
in this huge pile by several specimens of
her characteristic woods; in the rough or
finished. As might be expected. Califor-
mia challenges the admiration and the
wonder Of all by her massive semi-circle
cut from a "big tree" The other woods
are ranged round it like the sheaves in
Josephs dream, that rose and did obeis-
ance to his sheaf
Speaking of Calitornia's woods. let me
wander moment to the great rotunda of
the Government building, where a mighty
tree from California stands like a giant
sentinel, dwarhng all human beings into
petty insigniticance.
Pooh ~ exclaimed a woman, break
in upon the feeling of awe that SO grand
sight inspires, you needn't tell me that
tnat 5 real tree. It's jest been made up
for a show. You can see the cracks where
they put il together"
Perhaps the woman couldn't read the
placard which told how the tree had been
cut in California forest. sawed in sec
tious weighing something like four tons
each, and transported across the continent
to the Worid's S talr as little bit of Cali
n-a.Nu nFWn,l= I