Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-08-29
Result of Five Days Spent at the
Worlds Fair.
Correspondence Alexandria Gazettc.l

Correspondence Alexandria Gazette
We entered first on the Midway
Plaisance, which is on the order OF a
side-show. This is not particularly
eleyating, neither is it degrading as
some think, but is really instructive
and certainly entertaining. Here we
can see how different nations live in
their own countries, their manners and
customs. Strange sights and sounds
greet us on. both sides, for i'll front OF
each place some performance is going
on to attract people. About half way
up Midway is located the Ferris wheel.
This is a wonderful looking structure.
1t is 25S feet high: has 3G cars, each
carrying 40 people, making its total c.
pacity ,440. Cost of trip, which is two
revolutions, 80 cents but it is well
worth it, for one is able 10 see all over
Chicago and on clear days across lake
| Michigan.
OF all the buildings we think the
manufactures and liberal arts the mos!
interesting, for here are gathered the
best productions o. the industries and
arts Of all countries. This building
covers Al acres Of ground. iou gel
very tired but there is always some
thing attractive ust ahead so that you
can walk miles before you know it.
Fine concerts are given there every af-
ternoon, which can be heard IL any
part of the building. The schools and
colleges make very fine and large ex-
hibit showing what advancement has
been made in the education Of the peo-
pie.
What really imprcsscs one most forci-
bly, in the whole fair is the foreign de-
partmenta, especially what we call the
heathen countries. We find that we
might learn Of them, Tor some of theii
exhibits are remarkable, particularly il
carved wood and needlc-work, which
are so delicate and beautiful. For in
stance in The IAda and Ceylon exhibits.
We purchased cup of Ceylon tea
, wh!ch is considered the finest
in ti.e world, but the tea tastes
somewhat Ike medicine, and valued At
one hundred and GeVenty-tive dollars Il
hound. Here we saw collection OF
the products OF the CoCOa-nut tree. |
think there was everything necessary
| for kecping house. We admired the
Ceyloa people who are quite beautiful.
! though black, have straight silky hair,
and look so gentle and refined.
In The Transportation building We saw
models OF every means OF transporta-
ton from Il wheel barrow TO = big
ocean steamer and train of ears, old
and new styles. showing the advan-
tagc of the new over the old.
The railway exhibits very inter-
estilig feature There are engines from
the first ever made which is a
laughabIe object up to the awe-inspir-
ing, magnificent engines of to-day. So
with the cars originally built like stage
coaches and very uncomfortable look
ing, too. standing by the side of the
Pullman palace cars. England has Il
fine railway exhibit, but certainly our
own cars are much nicer and more
convenient. So with the ships. The
three little boats in which Columbus
braved the ocean to discover a new
land look very insignificant by the side
Of our big ocean steamers.
We saw a carriage that belonged TO
President Polk and gig that belonged
10 Daniel Webster They were fine in
their time, no doubt, bnt looked oddly
the side OF plain, simple and easy run
ming carriages of the present time.
In the Agricultural building some Of
the exhibits are beautifully arranged
Much of that which is here can be
seen in the separate buildings, but still
il is ali interesting.
We saw tower of chocolate weigh
ing fifty tons and worth fifty thousand
dollars, ell made in one day. Can
ada showed cheese weighing twenty
two hundred pounds; New Hamp-
shire curious plow made and used
by Daniel Webster. So could 60 on
and name hundreds OF interest
ing things if space would permit.
living near it is not necessary to spend
much time in these departments, for
there is much in other parts of the fair
that is new and that we might never
have another chance to see.
In the south end of the grounds are
the forestry, chronological, shoe and
leather departments, various tribes oI
Indians. the cliff dwellers and other
small exhibits.
In the forestry building are all kinds
of wooG; some of that which is polished
is as beautiful as onyx and marble.
The Indians were making lovely
, baskets which they sold to visitors.
The children were not forgotten il
this great exhibition, for there is a sep
, arate building for them, where the
mothers can leave them in charge o
d trained nurses while they visit othel
parts of the fair.
y Besides the main buildings all of th'
States and many of the foreign coun
: tries have separate buildings.
y For lack of time we could not visi
them all. New York S and Pennsylva
!. MAS are furnished handsomely, aut
look very inviting when one is tired.
The old Liberty bell hangs in TIL
hall of Pennsl lvania's building ant
attracts many people.
The western State buildings are dec
: : grated with grain and grasses.
> Iowa'.; especially is elaborately deco
rated with coin.
Iilinois's is the largest and is quite a
imposing structure. In this was dis