The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1893-12-29
THE MID-WINTER FAIR.

CALIFORNIA MIDw1NTER INTERNA- J
TIoNAL Observation-Disclosures
OF PUBLICITY AND PROMOTION.
Weekly Circular Letter-No. ~
The work of preparation for the El.
position has now reached point where
the aesthetic ideas of the management
are beginning to bear fruit. All the
main buildings are practically finished,
SO far as the details of construction are
concerned, and now comes the matter
Of decoration. Charles Graham, the
well-known artist-better known. per-
haps, in the East than in California on
account of his extensive experience with
the Harpers, and more recently with
the Columbian Exposition-has been ap-
pointed as director of color for the Mid
winter Exposition, and to him falls the
duty Of experimenting the decoration
of the Exposition buildings. There has
been made no effort in this connection
to pattern after the Columbian Exposi-
ton. The term white City" will
never be appropriately applied to this
Exposition. Mr.. Graham's idea has
been to let delicate tints predominant,
and to so distribute and arrange these
that the peculiar atmospheric effects Of
the California climate shall be utilized
to enhance their harmony and increase
their beauty. Warm tones are not par
ticularly necessary in the decoration Of
any group of buildings in this glorious
climate of California, and the darkness
of background afforded by the almost
black foliage is magnificent setting
for the delicate tints which are to pre-
vail.
Some excellent effects have already
been partially produced on the main
buildings, although none of them are
yet to be seen in the fullness of perfec-
tion. There will be great deal of gold
In the scheme of color, although not
enough of it to give the architectural
group the name of the "Golden City.
The domes of the Administration build
ing will be heavily gilded, and thewest-
ern sun, striking full upon them, will
undoubtedly play very important part
In the picturesqueness of the pano-
rama. Mr.. Graham says that several
Of the buildings of this Exposition SUR
pass In perfection of detail and architec-
tlral development the buildings of the
Columbian Exposition, and that in the
line Of opportunity offered for pictur-
esque and landscape effects, the like has
never been seen in any exposition.
The ornamentation of the grand
central court is also receiving great
deal Of attention just now. The cleo
trical fountain is being installed in one
end, the basin for the allegorical fount-
ain is in place at the other, and the
sculpture will soon be ready to be put
In position. The electric tower has
reached third of its height, and two
more weeks will see it completed.
Eight or ten inches of rich loan has
BEEN spread over the entire surface Of
the grand plaza, and on it will be sown
the seed of the flowers and foliage
which are to make this the mcst beau.
Efu1 spot in all the beautiful Golden
Gate Park. There has already been
transplanted to this grand parallelo-
gram large number of bamboo plants
and date palms that have been artisti-
cally distributed, and have made a
favorable impression on the public,
which warrants the assertion that the
picture to be presented within the lines
of the court, around which the main
buildings are situated, will be one of
SURPRISING loveliness. The Venetian
masts, several hundred in number,
which are to stand like a line of SOL
diery around this court, are already in
position. These are to bear the flags of
all nations by day, and electric arc lights
at night; and between them the sun will
shine upon long lines of parti-colored
streamers, while the darkness of each
succeeding night will be relieved by !
long lines Of incandescent lights and
fancy lanterns in the development Of
the carnival effects which have been
in this connection.
The work on the confessional build
ings is proceeding satisfactorily. The
ing day than has been the case of any
large exposition in the history of the
world. The management of the Expo
sition are to be particularly congratu-
lated on the fact that in the erection Of |
the 20 odd structures within the Expo |
sition grounds, on which there has been
an aggregate expenditure of nearly |
81 ,0O0, 900, there has, thus far, occurred |
no labor trouble, no accidents, and not |
even an alarm of fire.
The programme for opening day has |
not yet been completed, but the cere-
monies will be of character to war
rant the unbottling of all the enthusi-,
asm which San Francisco and the ad- |
joining cities and towns have been get
ing up for this occasion. It took the
business men of San Francisco long !
while to wake up to the Importance of |
this Exposition, but there is no longer
any room for criticism on this score,
and it is safe to say that when opening
day shall arrive the city will be more
gaily decorated and its inhabitants will
turn out more universally than on any
other occasion that has marked the his
tory of California.
A feature of the Exposition which has
now been fully developed is that which
Is to include the display Of citrus fruit
c,o,,, A;Acora,,f ,ooy-fo off fI,o ofofo