The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1893-07-07
WORLDS FAIR BEAUTY SHOW.
FORTY HANDSOME YOUNG WOMEN ALL
IN NATIONAL COSTUMES.

More than 5000 people visit the
Beauty Show" at the Worlds Fair
every day when the weather is fine. If
this ratio is kept up, and there seems
to be no reason to expect that it will
not be, the number Of visitors will sure
ly reach 10000 to $1,000 a day when
the crowds that are confidently count
ed on put in their appearance at the
Fair.
The "Beauty Show" as 1t is almost
universally called, is certainly one of
the most novel and attractive OF the
special features at the Exposition.
These special attractions-about thirty
in number, and of as many different
descrlptions-are situated on both
sides Of Midway Plaisance, a portion
Of the Exposition grounds, 600 feet
wide and extending from the Womans
building westward for nearly mile.
In this strip of territory visitors may
see gathered together greater mum.
Der of different nationalities and more
variety of strange things than can be
found assembled anywhere else on
earth. Everyone who goes to the
Fair takes in the sights on Midway. l,
is the chance of lifetime, and almos,
as instructive and entertaining as a
couple Of years Of foreign travel.
But to return to the Beauty Show"
That, by the way, is not its technical
name. 1t is catalogued as the "Inter.
national Dress and Costume Exhibit"
and 10 this name its managers have
added "Wor Ids Congress Of Beauty"
AS beauty show, it far transcends
anything ever before attempted in that
direction, and, it is believed, is the
first exhibition Of the sort possessing
genuineness in the claim of being in.
ternational.
But it is much more than beauty
show. The exhibit comprises between
forty and fifty representatives of diff
ferent nationalities, races and types,
and each one is clad in distinctive
national or racial dress or costume.
Agents were sent abroad to get these
representatives and their costumes in
their own countries, and to bring them
to the Fair, and all who visit the ex-
hibit will readily agree that the work
was well done.
1t took faith on the part of the
financial hackers of the enterprise to
carry it out, for the exhibit, as It stands
to day, represents an expenditure of
over $4,000. But the result shows
that they knew what they were about.
Thus lar no other Midway attraction
has drawn as well as this. 1t catches
the crowd, both of men and women,
and all who see it commend it to their
friends.
Nearly all of the representatives are
young women, and beautiful women at
that. The reader need not conclude
that this was wholly accidental. Wo
men, rather than men, were selected
because, as rule, their costumes are
more distinctive and attractive and,
IN collecting lot of young women
from different countries for Lubiic
exhibition, who would not select beau
tlful ones rather than plain or homely
specimens. Beautiful women, each
one typical of her race or country, and
striking costumes, true to the nation
ality OF those who wear them, the re-
suit is very instructive and popular
exhibit.
The "Beauty Show" occupies a
whole building by itself, and has pleas
ant surroundings. The building is
4SxI4s feet, two stories high, and is
covered with stuff like all the other
Exposition buildings, thus having the
appearance of being built of white
marble. In front are lawns and gravel
ed walks. From numerous fag-poles
on the building float the colors OF
as many nations. The interior of the
building truly presents scene ofsplen-
dor. One enters a great hall gaily
decorated with multi-colored bunting
and the flags of different nations. The
windows are all darkened, and electric
light illumines the hall by day as well
as night. Around three sides of the
room is a dais, carpeted and divided
by polished brass railing into booths
for the beauties. Each booth is nice
ly furnished, and in CONSPICUOUS
place is satin banner bearing the
name of the country which the oc
cupant represents.
What do the beauties do2 Well,
the principal thing they do is to be
looked at. Some do fancy work of
one sort or another, some read, some
spin, make embroidery, or engage in
other light occupation, such as they
are accustomed to at home. Nearly
all chat freely with visitors, and answer
the many questions which are pro
pounded. They are paid l great many
compliments, of course, and these they
receive graCiously il they are offered