The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-05-11
A TOUR Of THE World.
An international Exhibition In Pacl
as Well as Name.
FIFTY COUNTRIES REPRESENTED
How tho Nations of the Earth are Ar
rsyed Along Columbus Avenue-sev-
entcen Countries Have Erected Their
Own y HuildiDgs-The Foreign villages

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A visit to the exposition is like tour of
the world. Not only are the nations Of
the earth here, but they are here with
their best foot foremost. They show the
best they have, and to the best advantage.
Not content with the products of their soil
and forests, their workshops and fisheries,
their mines and Studios, they show native
life and architecture in whole villages
caught up on the other side Of the water
and dropped down here at jackson park.
They display not only the houses, temples
and goods of all nations, but their men
and women as we'll. Hence it is that
week at the fair IL as good as six months
spent In voyage round the world. In
fact, the odds both in point of interest and
education are in favor of the fair.
1t Is perhaps too early to say which OF
the foreign countries has made the best
showing here. One excels here and an
other takes the lead elsewhere In the
huge main building the Germans are clear
ly in the superiority In the beauty of their
display IL not in its solid worth. Such an
imposing and artistic front. as that pre-
sented by the German pavilion, with its
marble columns, its iron gates, its bronze
warriors, its magnificent tapestry and,
hangings for the exterior, and the gor-
geous interior ablaze with paintings, stat
uary and mural decorations of all ages,
was perhaps never before seen in an expo
sition. Good judges say that this German
pavilion beats all records, and that even
the French, who are near by and who have
a beautiful structure now just finished,
admit that for once they have been out
done by their rivals from the other side of
the Rhine.
In considering what the nations of the
earth have done at this exposition one
naturally turns first to the displays made
in the main building Here he finds the
foreigners occupying the principal posts of
honor, as becomeV their station as guests
OF America. The center Of the huge build
ing, whose vastness grows upon the visitor
day by day, Is clock tower as high as a
tall building even in Chicago. The great
central aisle, called Columbus avenue,
runs under the spreading foundations Of
this tower, and along one side or other of
the avenue may be seen the structures and
the exhibits of the principal foreign coun-
tries. Germany, already spoken of as hav-
ing the most notable exhibit, occupies the
northwest corner, and its pair of monu-
mental towers, almost as high as the clock
structure itself, and surmounted by the
golden eagles, attract attention from a
great distance. In the background, but
still higher, stands the bronze German
warrior, like sentinel on the mountain
top guarding the valley beneath, in which
industry and art are showing their perfec-
tions and accomplishments
Just across the intersecting aisle, and
occupying the southwestern corner, is
Great Britain. The display at first sight
Is not impressive, because there is no great
towering structure, no characteristic save
that OF quiet, conservative solidity and ele-
gance in the modest pavilions erected prin-
cipally by firms. There are many beauti-
full wares within the English section, and
the whole will well repay days inspec-
tion. The most noteworthy structure here
is the reproduction Of the splendid BAN
quoting room of famous Hatfield hall.
Beyond great Britain are the displays of
Canada, Denmark, Italy, Brazil and Spain.
Facing Great Britain next to the central
clock tower, and on the opposite side of
Columbus avenue, stands the white, mar
ble-like structure of France. 1t is a copy
Of one of the famous facades at Versailles,
and has a splendid arch 100 feet across
Within are wares and fabrics for which
the French are famous, with profusion
OF tapestry, Of decorative work, of paint
ings'and statuary. Beyond France is the
tasteful and light colonnade erected by
Belgium, one OF the prettiest structures in
the building. Here are about the finest
specimens OF the potter's glorious art to
be found In the whole exposition. Beyond
Belgium are Russia and Norway, who are
late in getting their works on the ground.
IL one takes up position in the great
clock tower, where the building Is divided
into quarters, he will see spread out before
him the nations of the earth. In addition
to those already mentioned, the colors OF
Austria, japan, Jamaica, India, New
South Wales, Switzerland, Mexico, Persia
and others are within plain view. Not
only the goods and wares of these coun-
tries, but their officials, merchants, and
artisans are at hand to lend color and hu-
man interest TO the fascinating scene. The
foreign displays occupy the frontage on
avenue and the open space at
the clock tower throughout three quarters
of the building. The remaining quarter,
the northeast, is occupied by the exhibits
of the United States. Here there is no ma
tional tower or pavilion, no characteristic
device, and by the side of the spectacular
German display, which it faces, our show
ing seems rather simple and plain. But
this is only the impression at first glance.
Careful scrutiny demonstrates that though
two or three private firms were left to pre-
sent the facode which should in manner
with the more costly structures
Of Germany on the west and France on the
south, we are not so far behind. Prettier
displays than those made by the New
York firms who occupy the post of honor
for the United States, Tiffany and the Cor
ham company, 1t is impossible to fad
Rmong the efforts Of firms or individuals.
As rule, however, the American exhibits
bre not so well installed as those of foreign
exhibitors. While there are notable ex-
ceptions, the average Of taste and impress
siveness in the manner of display Is below
hat OF our friends from across the sea.
One Of the handsomest displays among
the foreign section Is that of Switzerland,
where the products Of the little mountain
BUS republic are screened on the three
sides by q panorama OF the Alps, striking
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