The San Francisco call., 1898-08-23
REMINDERS OF
 OLD IRELAND
 AT THE FAIR Treading the Soil of the Emerald Isle. VERY ATTRACTIVE FEATURE FISHING IN THE LAKES OF
 KILLARNEY. A Visit to Blarney Castle and Tara Hall-Dewey Cup to Be Voted
 to the Most Popoular
 Young Lady.
VERY ATTRACTIVE FEATURE
FISHING IN THE LAKES OF
 KILLARNEY.

The attractions at the Irish Fair are. to use a stereotyped expression, '.too numer- ouS to mention.' To thoroughly appreci- ate the extent and variety of the enter tainment afforded at the Mechanics Pa vilion, hours and hours must be spent there In addition to the numerous booths and displays illustrative of scenes, incidents, customs and industries of the Emerald Isle, many of the prominent merchants and manufacturers of San Francisco have made some very attrac- tive trade exhibits which in themselves form quite an industrial exposition.
 There is no end of amusement at the fair. The beautiful lakes of Killarney are faithfully reproduced, and every one catching a fish, sufficiently magnetized to cling to the hook is rewarded with a prize. In a small theater performances are given every twenty minutes, and this evening an art collection containing quite a number of famous pictures will be on exhibition, under the supervision of Mrs. Ann McClosky.
 The map of Ireland, correctly laid out in counties, and constructed of soil brought from the "dear old country" especially for this purpose, affords an opportunity to every IriShman to visit his native land in a few minutes and at small expense. This map is proving very popular fea- ture not only to IriShmen, but to every one else visiting the fair. Another tender reminder of the old country is a faithful fac-simile of Blarney Castle. Tara Hall, correctly reproduced, is also grand at traction.
 America booth, a beautiful pavilion in the center of the great hall, is handsome ly decorated and electrically illuminated in red, white and blue, the effect being most brilliant At the souvenir spoon booth, presided over by Mrs. Laidlaw, a vote is being taken to decide who is the most popular young lady. everybody buy ing a spoon is entitled to vote. Of course, the shamrock spoon is the favor ite. The winner will be presented with the Dewey Cup, an artistic piece of silver.
 Ih the booth of the Knights of the Red Branch Is the picture of the Catalpa, the ship that rescued the Irish eXiles from Western Australia in 1S76 In the same booth there is a fac-simile of the heart of Brian Boru reproduced from the original in the Dublin Museum by c. J. Here ssreH are displayed u three ir ct cee s9He. t,4da 6y Miss Gayn 9f this hi city Thsy are are land'' and Sailors Farewell" There is also in this booth a copy in silk of the flag of the Sixty-ninth New York, known as the Irish regiment, together with pie lures of the Irish generals, Jackson, Sul- livan, Barry. Fitzgerald and Montgomery; sword that was captured at the battle of Ridgway, in Canada. by Major Canty; two bikes used in the war of '9S; a pie ture of Blarney Castle painted by Volney, and a celebrated painting by Terence Bel lew McManus, who died in San Fran cisco.
 To many people one or the most inter esting things to be seen at the fair is a silk mill weaving various artistic de- signs. This evening there will be pre- sented a scene in an Irish house, the fur niture being loaned by c. r. Wilcomb, curator of the Golden Gate Park museum. The Japanese booth attracts great deal of attention. Then there are the refresh ment stands, the music, the. various games and amusements of all kinds, which, taken with the other features, make up an evening of the most pleasing variety.
 The attendance is large and every one seems to enjoy the fair, which evidently is bound to prove a success in every way. Special days are arranged for, on which occasions the immense hall is sure to be crowded to it's utmost capacity. EXcur- sion trains from the interior towns will bring to the city many thousands of wis itors, who will be rewarded with a day of rare enjoyment.