The oasis., 1894-05-10
THE MIDWINTRR FAIR.
RAILROAD RATES GREATLY REDUCED SAN FRANCISCO and RETURN ATABoUT ONE HALF THE
 USUAL COST.

OASIS that there Is now in progress in San
 Francisco an international Midwinter Ex- position. But much that concerns that tre- mendous enterprise. what may be seen there It's daily doings. and why 1t Is to the interest of all to see it, will be news of q character eagerly sought by everyone who reads.
 In the first place, what may be seen there. Since August 2I last there has grown up in Golden City park the most beautiful group of industrial places that the western sun ever shone upon. and 1t will be the wonder of the world for years to come how these five main exposition buildings and their three-score and ten architectural adjuncts sprang into being in so short time.
 There is d palace of Manufactures and Lib- eral Arts, palace of Mechanical Arts a pal ace of Fine Arts. .and a palatial Administra- tion Building; and these are finished and filled with exhibits from every quarter of tho globe material evidences of every ind try and art.
 To these main buildings have been added special state and county buildings in which the products Of different sections are enphat- ically particularized. Many of California's neighboring states have erected exposition structures of their own, and not few of her own counties have added county buildings to the group. The area of the California Mid
 winter Exposition Is nearly two hundred acres, and it includes more than seventy structures.
 Some of these buildings, as works of arch itecturai art, are superior to the buildings of the Columbian Exposition. and competent critics have said that for picturasqueness and nprfacfipp .tf fa nfsca no fF.,f. tIfs display in Golden Gate park surpasses all ef- forts ever made in that direction This is largely due to tho generosity of nature and the happy selection ofa site by the promoters. The park has worldwide fame for its great natural beauty, independent of its recent &C., quisition. Combine with this the artistic arr ngement of these splendid architectural masterpieces and the effect must be simply incomparable.
 The grandest engineering feature of the Exposition Is the ROnet Steel Tower. which rises to an elevation of 272 feet from the cen ter Of the quadrangle described by the four great palaces. Elevators ascend almost to the top. and at stated intervals are three con- venient balconies, the highest 250 feet above ground level: aifording magnificent views of the grounds, park and dsurroundings for miles in all directions. From the top are operated two powerful flashlights, and the sides arc s succession of dazzling and variegated incsn- descent bulbs, which at night time light up with intermittent splendor the whole superb setting.
 It has been the endeavor of the manage ment to make the bolder features of the Mid winter Fair distinctly typical of western life. though individual enterprise has not been lacking to make many foreign features ex- ceedingly prominent and interesting. Among the latter may be mentioned as meriting special attention, the reproduction of Heid- elberg Castle, which represents an eXpendi- ture of S5O000. For the average European this splendid feature needs no description The mere sound of tho name brings a rush of joyful memories of "das Naterland." Then there Is the Public Prater of Vienna, whers arc accompanied by grand or chestral and vocal concerts. Bits of old Paris. Il Turkish theatre. Street in Cairo. a Cafe Alaskan Village. Japanese Village Japanese tea garden, Chinese Village, a Cy- rorama of the famous Hawaiian Volcano and umerous mother attractions may be found among the Oriental concessions.
 To delight the heart of the old argonaut isa genuine mining camp in full operation. old adobe huts with tiled roofs. typical of the days of 49; Indians, Cowboys, and bucking 
 Special days have been set apart through put the fair season for the individual observ- ance and celebration by the various interxsts represented. For Instance, EnIland. France Germany, Italy, Austria, Russia, etc., the sev sral American states, Pacific Cost states aud counties, societies and industries. each have their special day of jubilee, and these jubilees will be memorable events.
 But the question of most serious moment In with the Mldwinter Fair Is, how can we all get theres
 Answered in a twinkle The SOUTHERN PACIFIC COMPANY has made for this special occasion the most liberal rates ever offered for the benefit of the public. and placed with In easy reach of every person on the Pacific Coast not only visit to San Francisco anc ,he Fair huf fhe chance of a life time tO visit