The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1894-02-17
THE MIDWINTER EXPOSITION.

Nearly 10000 people have passed the
turnstiles Of the California Midwinter
Exposition during the first two weeks
OF Its existence. This fact establishes
the sure success Of the Exposition from
the standpoint Of attendance, and tho
verdict OF the thousands who make up
this grand total has been unanim ~ in
favor OF the success of the Exposition
from every point Of view.
since the opening day, Jan. q, no
special effort hss been made to draw the
crowds. 1t has been the aim of the Ex-
position management TO let the many
features OF the Exposition speak for
themselves, and EXPLANATIONS Of sur
prise and satisfaction have been heard
On every hand The exhibits are now
practically all in position. There are no
holes In the floor, 30 to speak, and it is
noticeable by those who visited the
great Columbian Exposition that even
the exhibits which were seen there an
pear TO have taken on new form here ia
ban Francisco, and the exhibitors have
undoubtedly prohted by the experience
gained on the shore OF Lake Michigan.
The largest spaces in the center of the
great floor Of tine Manufactures and
Liberal Arts building are occupied by
France. Germany. Russia and Italy.
Each OF these countries is represented
by display Of artistic and useful man
ufactures which has never before been
seen outside Of the great Columbian e.
position, and in most instances the dis
plays brought from there have been
augmented by new supplies brought
across the Atlantic and across the CONT
nent especially for this display.
But IN the midst Of all this that Is
not new 10 everybody. there is 50 much
IN the Midwinter Exposition that is uni
versally unique and novel that there is
nothing of the odd story" about it.
The American section is particularly
pfoiific IN novelty, and it occupies the
largest space assigned 10 any one coun-
try. So that the international character
OF the Exposition by no means shuts out
the glorifcsiion Of home industries in
this beautiful industrial fair.
The Palace of Fine Arts has already
proved 20 be a revelation Such a dis
play Of pictures has never before been
s"era in this part OF the world This de-
Iartment did not depend on Chicago for
iis pictures. though il 10. great MANY
OF the test that were shown there. On
the walls OF this building are HING later
pictures by well-known American,
French and German artists. and pronri-
nenf among them are something like a
hundred Of the works Of the best artists
al the Pacific Coast. Connoisseurx say
that the Midvinter Art Palace is tin
BEST arranged picture gallery that the
world has ever seen. and il certainly is
well adapted for the purpose to which it
is put.
ia the eyes OF Eastern visitors the cit
rus display naturally attracts the most
attention l, seems 10 be good for East
ern eyes TO encounter pear as big as a
habys head and peaches almost a. large,
90 say nothing of 80 many oranges in
heaps and piles and buildings tina, there
Is great gleam OF yellow before them
al the while. The rivalry between the
Northern and the Southern Citrus Fairs,
both of which are held in the Exposi-
sion grounds, has been happily produc-
tive OF the hest displays in this line that
have ever been made. even in Califar-
mia The Northern Citrus Fair awarded
Its premiums during the past week.
The Southern Citrus Fair does not open
until Feb, -. The buildings devoted TO
this class OF displays are proving quite
~ popular rs some Of the main EXPOSE
tion buildings. and California citrus
fruits are getting the BEST advertise
meni they have ever had.
One feature of the Exposition which
has emphasized itself since the opening
day is the excellence of the electric illu-
limitations. The system OF arc lighting
Ia ~ complete a. anyone could wish, and
the incAndescent system is well cslcu-
lated 10 arouse the enthusiasm of the
most latent soul. In these beautiful
midwin,er evenings, whether the moon
shines or not, the entire Exposition
grounds are rs light rs day. Long lines
Of incsndeecent lights stretch the entire
length of each Of the msin hui a n IS and
outline all their architectural points.
The dome of the Administration build
ing is outlined against the deep
blue sky, the straight lines of the
Mechanic Arts building are clear
cut against the background Of
the night, the classic outlines of the
Fine Arts palace enhance the effect that
structure always has, and the peculiarly
effective architecture of the great palace
of Manufacturers and Liberal Arts
seems never to he seen at better advant-
age than when its thousands of incaa.
descent electric lights are lighted
The Horticulture and Agriculture
building. however. is the one tina, seems
to attract most attention in this partic-
ular, This is perhaps due to the fact
that its lines contain more curves and
more architectural eccentricities than
any other, but it u undoubtedly due in
larger degree to the great food of light
which pours through the big glass
dome that surmounts the building. Wis
itors seem n loss to decide whether
the pret'ier picture is presented by day,
when the deep green of CALIFORNIA; mil.
winter foliage lends Its aid, or at night
when artificial light plays SO prominent
part. All are agreed, however. that
the California Midwinter International
Exposition is the prettiest Worlds Fair
that has ever been held upon Gods foot
stool, and the concessionsires. many of
whom have staked their all 10 cross the
continent aud share the success Of this
Industrial venture, and who may be con.
coded TO he good judges of the promise
Of such an exposition, are united in the
opinion that this fair will be an immense
success. and that that success will be
resdily recognized without cavil and