The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-12-03
A CASTLE In THE AIR.
Extraordinary Feature Of the Paris
Exposition.

An aluminium Structure Suspended by a
Balloon Two Hundred and Eighty Feet
from the Ground.
New York Journal
A castle in the air Is no longer a
mere saying. 1t is an accomplished
fact, or will be within three years. P ar
is is preparing to electrify the world
during her great Exposition of 1900 with
something far more wonderful than her
Eiffel Tower Of the past or Chicago Is
Ferris Wheel Of 1898, and even more won
derful than the great sphere representing
this earth, of which SO much ms been
written lately, and which is also to be
exhibited in Paris in 1900.
The greatest feature of this greatest
exposition will be this aerial castle, the
first of its kind in the world. 1t has just
been designed, and the manufacture OF
some Of the parts has already been be.
gun. A conception SO unique and, from
an architectural standpoint, so daring,
could not have originated anywhere save
Al VIZ ASAsAtO NJ aiu VI u L al lnAhu
tcet. The architect is M. Herr Gaillard.
of the Rue do Rivoli, young fellow
whose daring conception has startled
the older and less original members of
his profession more than any design
which has been attempted in years.
This air castle is new in every partic-
ular, in material rs well as design.
Aluminium, the youngest metal - as it
has been aptly termed, will be the chief
metal used in the construction of the
castle itself, as we'll as in that of the
bands holding the balloon to the earth.
Ono Of the extraordinary features will
be the balloon from which the aluminium
castle is to be suspended. 1t will be the
largest in the world, having capacity
OF !, 800 gallons. 1t will be inflated with
hydrogen gas, which latter will be man.
uractured in building especially con-
ssructed for the purpose.
The bottom of the castle will be 25O
feet from the earth, and the top of the
in height, $50 feet from the ground, thus
making the entire structure 81 feet short
er than the sky scraping st. Paul Build
ing in New York city. The balloon will
float more than 100 feet above the alum
mum castle.
The material of the balloon itself will
be OF the strongest oiled silk, covered
with oatgut net. The aluminium band 6
encircling the upper half If the balloon,
bands attached to the earth below, will
prevent Its rising above the desired
height. while the hydrogen with which
1t is to be inflated will prevent it from
liking below that point.
Everything in connection with the
castle will be solely of aluminium, the
floors, the partition walls. the doors, the
furniture, window castings, brio-a-
brao, aud, in short, everything in the
entire chateau, whether for use or orna-
ment, will be of this new metal, and es-
peciaily designed and manufactured for
the occasion.
The castle will be used chiefly as a
plesure resort, and will be divided into
several apartments for that purpose.
There will be a music hall, where there
will ne singing, dancing and music,
Champs Elysees. The concert hall, how
ever, will be only one feature of this
unique air CASTLE. The feature that
Will doubtless attract most attention
will lie the wonderful bicycle room,
where only the newest and most I'm
proved makes of bicycles will be admit
ted in competition for the 5000 fran G
prize to be awarded the one that is
judged the most perfect in every detail
In connection with the bioycls exhibit
ton will be bicycle race tack Of alum
mum, as smooth us glass and as glitter
ing as silver. Here there will be daily
and nightly races by the most expert pro-
fessional bicyclists of thu world, for
prizes of various kinds and values.
There will be other races in which only
members of the IN ost exclusive circle OF
Partisan elegantes will be allowed to
take part. There will be races hetw sen
men and women, and other races in
which women only will compets with
each other. A prize of 1900 francs is to
be awarded to the designer of the most
perfect bicycle costume for women, the
three points to be taken into considera-
ton being originality, utility and
beauty.
There will also he an aluminium skat-
ing rink far those addicted to the re-
GENTLY revived sport of roller skating.
1t is expected that an international ex-
hihition of plain and fancy roller skat-
ing will be carried on here.
In addition to the features already
mentioned, there will be a gymnasium.
where the gymnastic apparatus will be
eral sets of prizes will be offered, some
rate prizes for professionals and ANA.
teurs.
There will be several restaurants and
cafes in this unique building, which the
French have aptly termed the "Chateau
an Gfal -