Evening star., 1893-09-09

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side Of the immense
structure.
This Is a landmark all over the big build
ing. the center both geographically and in
point OF interest, for at the four corners
meeting here are the four important ex-
hibits OF this department, the German,
French. English and American. In the
broad aisles many chairs are placed and
here at all hours are sightseers, tired out
ior the time and resting their feet II not
their eyes. which constantly rove from the
passing throng to the features Of the place
itself. If you pause on the north aisle you
may sit and look at the low buff and white
pavilion which contains the Tiffany collec-
tons and attracts crowd all the time.
Or you may choose to face the other way
and look at the imposing wrought iron
gates which open to the wonders Of the
royal Berlin porcelainS. II you choose a
seat on the south aisle looking east you
have France before you and cases of finery
from Paris modistes displayed to the best
advantage, or II caring not for these, you
can take your rest gazing the opposite
way SO that the attractive china Of Eng
land may be spread out before you. a sue
cession of beautiful shapes Of Doulton,
Cauldon and Coalport catching your eyes in
turn. You may face the French section
again with fine furniture instead Of fine
clothes to amuse you. Only one more
place is left open to you-the aisle leading
to the west entrance-and there again are
the china Of Coalport and Royal worces-
ter on one side and Germany opposite. the
architecture Of this pavilion being sixteenth
century renaissance and the sections d.
vided into bits Of royalty. one showing
forth the reception room Of the imperial
palace at Berlin and another reproducing
a Munich apartment of King Ludwig Of
Bavaria. With all this to be seen in the
immediate neighborhood Of the clock tower
one may imagine that 1t Is difficult to keep
even the feet from rowing and that eyes
must wait for rest until sleep overtakes
them at night.
The English Collections.
From contemplating at a distance the
china collections Of England look
very attractive. and once refeshed
by short rest, closer inspec-
ton Of them Is apt to follow. Every
thing is well and tastefully arranged and
some time will probably be spent in looking
at and comparing the different productions
OF the most famous of three old potteries
whose names for years have been synony-
nous with good and artistic work.
Fashion rules in faiance as in everything
else. and now English china Is in favor
and has superseded to great extent the
thinner French porcelain so long the first
choice. Certainly the fine display Of English
potteries at the Columbian exposition will
Increase rather than diminish this already
discernible taste In Americans as to their
table ware. Durability is one Of the first
characteristics Of English porce,ains: we all
know the proneness to chipped edges our
delicate French china exhibits and one of
the recommendations Of irregular edges on
plates and platters has been that hicks are
less noticeable them than 1xy
even ones. Therefore the heavier weight
and thicker edges of English china are well
coined as promising longer life of unim-
paired beauty, while the shapes and decora-
tfons are everything that could be desired
for use or ornament. To my individual
taste the Coalport has perhaps the best
showing at the fair, though IL may be In
vidious to choose between thatw display and
several others grouped around it, The gold
ground studded with turquoises is a famil-
lar decoration Of this pottery, but MANY
rarer designs are shown here. all so well
arranged as to be seen to the best advan-
tage and exquisite to behold.
One of the Oldest in England,
The Cauldon china is another porcelain
which is becoming well known here The
pottery Is one of the oldest in England and
It's shapes are particularly pretty Flaring
cups and other open dishes, irregular edges
ana gay decorations are some of It's char
acteristics and one of the favorite colors
is bright green.
Royal Worcester has been so ponular
here for some years past that the country
has been overrun with II, and the delica te
cream ground and designs in pale coloring
scription. 1t has had its lay for the pres
ent and comparatively little Is bought now.
though some time ago 1t was the leading
porcelain in ornamental Shapes and brides
were deluged with II in the form Of we'd
ding presents. To see much OF it in a bono
now proves that it is about time for heads
or the family to celebrate their wooden
wedding. as the craze dates about dive Years
PACK; rms section In the English exhibit
is large one. but the least inter ,stin- 10
most china lovers-the result perhaps of
surfeit. Quite similar in coloring is much
OF the Burslem Dculton, and there are
some beautiful pieces displayed. Far sur
passing this is the Lambeth DouI.ou, whose
little pavilion is delightful with the dark
r1ch colortng and fine ornamental forms of
Its faiance. The centennial at Ihjladel-
phia first made this pottery known 10 the
majority or Americans and IL has grown
In favor ever since. though it will probably
not become as common as ROYAL Worcester
as IL does not appeal so much to the gem
eral taste. The collection Is a beautiful
one, though 1t does not represent anv one
pottery like most of the othars. II rani.s
with the Coalport as one of the best dis
plays at the fair.
Selecting Old Designs.
Copeland. the modern name for Snode
ware, Is well known to Americans. and
well liked, in both its coarser and finer
grades. l was talking with a member of
the firm Of a china house the other day,
and he was showing me some interesting
specimens Of his importations, and telling
OF his way of selecting when he visits the
potteries abroad. He looks at the pa tterns
Of all their china, dating back for years
and years. and selecting some of the ex-
celent old designs not in their modern
stock at all, he has certain things decor
ated to order. He showed cups and
saucers Of good size and shape and with
the delicate passion flower design, which
was in popular use long ago. There is an
old lady living near me-" he said, who has
cups of this pattern, which were given her
when she was married in old England
seventy years ago"
King George" and Queen Charlotte
are the names of another decoration in
favor in their time gorgeous with much
gold, and quite large roses Of very deep
pink; the handles of the cups are of the
old swan bill'' pattern. Another cup
little festoons of flowers, with quaint little
bows Of ribbon holding them up, and there
are several designs besides in this inter-
esting little collection.
White and Gold.
Much Of the English china at the fair is
in white and gold which has lost none of its
recent prestige the decoration being main
ly on the edges or as borders just within,
leaving the center of the plate the shining
glaze of the porcelain alone, which some