The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-10-18

calls thing, it is generally because it re-
minds him of something else he has read
about, and when he makes "cafe" rhyme
with safe" it shows that he Is more used
to print than to pronunciation.
Some OF them wander about in an aim
less, desultory sort of way, their open eyed
establishment plainly showing that their
fondest expectations are more than real
lied. Others go through the different
buildings in systematic fashion that in
dicates their intention to see all they can.
But the great majority combine systematic
inspection of what they are most interest
ed in with incidental general tours about
the rest Of the exposition. All of them
must go home with enlarged ideas of the
dignity of art, the potency of science and
the pre-eminence of human labor.
1t would be interesting and amusing to
calculate, If it were possible. the number
of pairs of shoes that have been worn out
by people promenading about the exposi-
tion. Enough probably to keep an ordi-
nary team of crispins busy for long
time. But the two model shoe factories
in the Leather building might reasonably
be expected to keep up with the demand
for they turn out an average of 500 pairs of
shoes day. One of them is run by east
ern men and the other by westerners, and
footwear is cheap.
"There is nothing like leather" saws an
old apothegm, and the person who dis
putes the truth of it ought to be compelled
TO enumerate the variety Of articles made
of it on exhibition here. Life is too short
for the ordinary person to attempt it. That
saying, by the way, will probably soon be
amended to read, There is nothing like
American leather" for our tanners are fast
achieving superiority III fields where for
elgners were supposed to be unapproach-
able. There used to be n superstition that
what is called Russia leather could not be
made here, but it is now a fact accom-
plished, smell and all. There are kids and
calls, too, in the American section that cx-
perts say cannot be told from the best
French specimens, and American leather
men are already entitled to seats on the
front benches.
The Catholic educational exhibit in the
Liberal Arts building, properly studied, is
as good us liberal course in pedagogy.
Its comprehensiveness is amazing. its ar
rangement we'll nigh perfect, though there
is II lack of sufficient space. The results
will stand the test of critical comparison
with any system of public education, and
the intention of having them so compared
is evident. Kindergartens, manual train
ing schools and schools for the deaf, dumb
and blind are all represented and show
that American Catholics, while determined
to have their own schools, are also deter
mined they shall not be of an inferior kind.
Mexico has in the Mines building some
remarkable specimens of n new mineral
rose garnet, which experts pronounce the
best ornamental stone of modern times. It
is gray marble, containing garnet masses
that look like inlaid mosaic work, embrace
ing all varieties of color, deep red, delicate
yellow and milky white, in seemingly in
Vulnerable tints 1t is harder than granite
and more durable, but can be worked as
easily as any of the best stones. There is
but one known deposit of it, in the state of
Morelos, but there is sufficient there to
make it commercially available for such
purposes as onyx is now devoted to- Cut
into slabs, columns, spheres and geometric
designs, as the specimens shown are, the
material takes a beautiful polish, while
some of the garnet cut into gem shape
shows its usefulness for jewelry.
One of the curious things in the Mines
building is in the japanese exhibit. 1t is a
large model illustrating the old method Of
mining in the land of the mikados Whei
closed, the model shows the outside of Z
hill, and the miners are represented as 90.
ing to and from shrine dedicated TO the
god of the mountain. When the model il
opened, the men are to be seen engaged in
the performance OF their duties in the old
fashion. which they no longer follow.
Japan is very rich in minerals, and her
mines seem to have felt the stimulus OF
her sociologic revolution as much as any
of her institutions. All the most modern
methods OF mining are in vogue there now,
and under the system of private Instead Of
governmental ownership a mining epidemic
Is said TO prevail. c. T. BANTER