Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-03-31


than the half year usually devoted tc
worlds fairs. The building in which it
is held is known as the Palace of Arts,
Manufactures and Dependencies and is
stately editice of magnificent proper.
tions, well adapted to the purpose and
worthy of a place among the grand archi.
tectural piles of the historic city, with
which its more modern style of construc,
ton forms pleasing contrast.
The exposition of course is not so ex.
tensive in its scope as many of the
worlds fairs of the past decade or two,
nor as an exposition does it appeal sc
powerfully to people of distant countries
and different speech. But within its
limitations it is abundantly illustrative
of the worlds progress and certainly sets
forth in unprecedented array the history,
wealth and material prosperity of the
Iberian peninsula and its various depend,
encies. Upon Spaniards its influence
must be broadening and entirely beneti-
cial and while by visitors from else.
where it may be considered as merely in,
cidental to general survey of the scenic,
antiquarian and artistic riches of old
Spain even for them it must contain epit-
ONES of rare knowledge not otherwise
to be obtained.
In accordance with the usual custom
in monarchical countries, her majesty
the queen regent is the patron of the
exposition, and his excellency Field
Marshal Jovellar has been named first
honorary president. The presidents are
his excellency Alexandra Pidal, presi-
dent of the chamber of deputies, Ma
drid, and his excellency Juan Navarro
Reverter, member of the cortes and COM
missioner of Spain to the Paris Universal
exposition of 1889.
These officers are assisted by 40 men,
bers and honorary members of commit
tees representing Spain and the rest of
Europe. To these have been added the
lord mayor of London and the mayors of
Edinburgh, Glasgow, Vienna, Rome,
Christiania, Turin, Bordeaux, Venice,
Geneva, Genoa Cologne, Dresden, Zurich
and Rotterdam. Why New York and
Chicago were not included in this list is
past finding out. 1t looks as if our very
cordial friends the Princess Eulalie and
the Duke of Veragua had already for
gotten their vows of undying constancy,
for they surely might have had the list
amended in our favor.
The Madrid exposition is Spain's third
large exhibition within period of seven
years. In 1887 the old Phenician city
of Cadiz had one that was honored by
the attendance of royalty and represent
atives of royalty from abroad, includ-
ing his royal highness the Duke of Ed
inburgh and his staff. The second ex-
hold Of
the most modern spirited, enterprising
and progressive cities in Spain and one
of her largest manufacturing centers.
Spain has peculiar attractiveness for
Americans, the majority of whom are
better acquainted with her romantic his
tory than with that of any other foreign
nation except England. Madrid par
ticularly has been the terminating point
of many sentimental journey in the
day dreams of American youths who
have surrendered themselves to the
witchery of Washington Irving's magic
pen, and it is likely that great many of
them may now be encouraged to under
take in fact the trip they have so often
made in fancy.
The journeyis not near SO arduous and
expensive as it was in Irving's time, and
even in those days American visitors al
ways felt themselves amply repaid for
the toll and privations of primitive
methods of travelling. Nowadays the
traveller can go by an express train from
Paris to Madrid by way of Irun in %
hours. If he should happen to be in
London, his journey will be only 10 hours
longer, for that is now the recognized
time between the English and French
capitals. 1t need not be very costly
journey either, as the expenditures can
easily be suited to the modest purse by
purchasing a second or third class rail
way ticket. An English traveller of ex-
perience once remarked that only lords
and fools travelled first class, and shrewd
Americans will certainly forego the
honor of being classed with either sort OF
nobility if economy is necessary.