Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1893-08-16
re,c worlds Fair Notes.


,o, and prsise OF the Worlds Columbian
Exposition that il seems hardly worth while
far a late and hurried visitor, who, having
been limited as to time and capacity, can
not claim b have taken in" the Fair, TO
attempt to give recollectious or impressions
Of wha, he was permitted to see and enjoy
unless for the purpose Of heartily advising
those who may hesitate whether to go OF
no, 10 decide in the affirmative
The West virginian at the Fair, who
wants a glimpse Of the natural resources OF
his State and of her industrial and com
mercial futures future spawned by ~
bright rainbow as can sustain the hope OF
any commonwealth-will not fail TO visit
the Forestry Building and the one devoted
to Mines and Mining The formeri'unique
in structure. built entirely Of wood, no iron
being used. notably different from the white
walled buildings in its outer display Of un-
dressed lumber and its coating OF bark ana
surrounded by a shade.suppOrting colon
made Of tree trunks 10 their natural stale
three from each Of the United States,-all
srrev-straight and each labeled with It's
name and the place Of its growth. In this
building the West Virginia exhibit has a
larger area than any other except that OF
Michigan. which occupies an equal space
The liberal display Of the products OF our
forests, handsomely prepared for exhibition
and arranged TO good advantage, ministers
largely 10 the State pride of the "semPer
Hberi." Other States have attractive ex
hibits here. In the collections Of some OF
the extreme Western States, especially Cal
ifornia, the giant sequoia predomina'es'
sections of trunks and huge slabs showing
its enormous growth, and smaller specimens
displaying the richness Of the dressed ana
polished wood. As in other buildings, the
corners Of the earth are represented the
lofty and slender growihs Of Japan attract
attention, and India sends large pieces OF
woodwork deliberately carved. CsnsiderS
Die space is devoted 10 manufactured wood
A comfortable exhibition of an underly-
ing element Of the Mountain States mate
rial prosperity is to be found in the Mines
Building-of coal and coke. sandstone,
limestone and lime. The average visitor
probably. is more interested IN The varied
mineral specimens displayed in this depart
ment than in the exhibit Of machinery per
tanning 10 mining and 10 the working Of
metals. 10 which a large area is apPropria-
ted The famous Montana solid silver statue
Of Justice. of which Ada Rehan was the
model, is here-standing on a pedestal OF
gold. and decidedly handsome. Here also,
and necessarily conspicuous, is an obelisk
Of anthracite coal from Pennsylyania-hi'y
feet high snd said 70 be the depth Of the
vein.
The glow of selfcongratulation that has
filed the West Virginian's heart thus tar
Is likely 10 flicker a little when he explores
the Agricultural Building-unless, indeed,
he happens to be from Jefferson county aud
observes that contributions OF wheat and
corn from his own county, accompanied by
ststsmen,s as TO the yield per acre that
would parslyze the discoverer Of the Park
srsburg ssa-serpent. form considerable aud
creditable part Of the States somewhat
meaQre. though tastefully displayed, exhibit
OF course this building, which Is immense
in size and contains exhibits Of infinite va
rie,y aud expressing interest, affords an oP
portunity 70 the great agricultural States OF
the west that they have improved with ey''
dent enthusiasm.
After wandering for hours among the
paintings and statuary, various in theme
and style and no doubt, in merit, in the
Fine Ar,s Building. the visitor will leave
with less regret ior the works of ART he has
not had time 70 see at all than for those be-
fore which he would gladly have fingered
longer. ,,,,
The Manufactures and Liberal Arts build
Ing demands all the time that can be given
20 IT, The scope Of its contents is almost
soual 10 that Of the whole Exposition Day
afer day might be spent not only with Proht
but With the keenest pleasure among the
things Of beauty representing the most skill
full and ingenious workmanship Of all the
nations of the world. And the visitor IT
circumstances permit, may we'll be tempted
% buy in such a market, where are the most
delicate Of Swiss carvings, the loveliest OF
French porcela:ns snd Dresden chinas, "a
por-Hke shapes Of Bohemian glass, exqui-
site and fragile creations Of jade and crystal
and ivory. 6ne Italian carved and inlaid
work-to become possessed (which requires
considerable outlay, splendid workmanship
in malachite and onyx and lapis lazull,
Russisn bronzes repaying the most minute
examination. II there is anything worthy
Of nots about the Russian brou1es, aside
from their perfect workmanship, II Is the
realistic appreciation with which the
bear Is represented, in every attitude and
occupation that he affects. The bear Of the
bronzes is not the conventional bear, not
even the scientific bear, but the natural
besr. untamed snd un-ideallzsd; lying IN
the rrotesque abandon peculiar 70 Bruiu,
catching his seal or fish with life like eager
ress or hearing his human antagonist % the