Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1894-01-03
WOMAN'S BUILDING.
How the Herald and Tribune Cores.
pondent Viewed the HandiwOrk
Of the Fair.er Sex.
From a Tennessee Boy now Resident
of the Lone Star State.
THE following letter, though a little
late, will be found interesting.

lIhe following letter, though little
late, will be found interesting.
The location of the Woman's Build.
ing is pre-eminent. 1t fronts the north
end of the lagoon, where the water
spreads out into bay of moulted sill
yer four hundred feet in width. A
grand landing rises from the center of
this liquid sheet, from which the build
ing is reached by a succession of ter
races, ranging in length from one hun.
dred to four hundred feet, and beauti-
fully designed in rich flower beds and
decorative shrubery.
The building proper stands about
one hundred feet from the water s edge,
the intervening space forming a de-
lghtful promenade. The length of
the structure measures the entire
width of this bay, and seems to smile
upon its beauty mirrored in the sleep.
ing waters. To approach this gor.
geous edliice from the east, in the spor-
tive gondola, one seems to more than
realize Bunyan's Vision of Beulah
land In reviewing this grand achieve
ment of woman the idea of man must
not be associated with it. 1t is woman
from base to spire. True, man erected
it but was paid as in ordinary labor.
1t was woman's design entirely. The
architect being woman, Miss Sophia
u. Hyden, who received for her plans
and design first prize of $1,000. Quite a
number of other distinguished lady
architects submitted worthy designs
that showed consummate ability. We
should not hurry over this great &C.
complishment of unfettered female
pioneers. The world has been studying
the works of man in this boasted su-
premacy through all the ages, looking
upon the mothers and daughters as
mere passive instruments upon which
to hang the cares of life and to admire
for beauty's sake. To make amends
could 1t be amiss to forget the very ex-
istence of man for one short chapter,
and deal exclusively with woman and
her works? Though this structure is
nearly four hundred feet long and half
that length in width, being arranged
so as to accommodate the most space pos.
sible, yet we would not have you i'm.
agine that to this building alone wo-
man S work is confined. In all the
State buildings, as well as those erected
by foreign Governments, together with
the chief edifices, such as the Govern
ment, liberal arts, fine arts, mining.
transportation and machinery. Wo-
wan has department where her handi.
work vies with that of the sterner SEX
And be it SAID in honor of the Colum-
bian Exposition that the privilege here
extended to woman will do more to-
ward the emancipation of the female
intellect and the proving of her active
mental energy than anything recorded
in the past. 1t is here only that we
learn what woman has been doing.
She has been plodding,a las it were in the
dark valley of ostracism, fearful lest
the world should scorn her efforts, but
on being assured to the contrary, see
how quickly she tears from her idol
the sable STOLE" bequeathing to the
world its brightests legacy. This ad-
vantage was recognized in all climes
and centuries, and the worlds best
women contributed freely. Fair flow
trs from the royal aristocratic, artistic
and literary gardens of Europe, form
fragrant posies in this mighty conserva-
tory. England's Queen and her daugh-
ters are represented by paintings and
drawings from their own hands. There
is lace from flax spun by the Queen,
also lady's hat from straw plated by
her. Ladies clubs and associations
from all countries are representa- I'D by
wonderful contributions. And it is
especially gratifying to see the women
of our country leading in these exhibits.
1t was with greater reverence that |
gazed upon the sacred relics handed
down by Martha Washington, Mother
of our great Republic. How long to
touch the faded vest of her own cut
ting and hemming. Spain sends as a
trophy the sword of Isabella. Before
entering this building registerd a 81
lent VOW to see everything in it, and to
make note thereof, therefore l sup
piled myself with a fresh note book
and pencil and rations for day. With
due Difference to the occasion on reach.
ing the spacious threshold, l very COM
placently lifted my hat, which action
on my part was perfectly in keeping
with good taste as it seemed to excite
no comment whatever. l soon dis
covered that l was not alone, but all
the aisles, transepts, galleries, hang
ing gardens and lobbies were a-work
with human beings. Seventy five per
cent. being women md girls, but l
paid little heed to the living and at
once begun to pay my vow. | was
soon attracted to the rotunda by the
splash of water, where ! discovered
marble fountain with numerous jets
from which assembled many streams,
making music all day. Encircling
this fountain are marble busts of noted
women, on pedestals by the chisel of
Adelaide johnson, ofWashington, DC.
and Vennie Reame Hoxie among