Omaha daily bee., 1898-01-23
DOES NOT sUFFER by COMPARISON
Exposition Ahead of
Those of Europe.


Those of Europe.
Cass Gilbert architect of the Agriculture
| building of the Transmississippi Exposition
! is now travelling in Europe. He has re-
Gently visited Brussels Lepsic and other
! important points. In writing to Walker &
Kimball OF this city he says:
During the last six weeks I have had a
chance TO visit the grounds of several of the
European eXpositions which have recently
closed. particularly al Brussels and Lepsic,
and to look over the designs for the grounds
and buildings of the recent eXposltons at
Antwerp and Nuremburg
The Brussels exposition appeared the
most important In its grounds and buildings
and the main vista, terminating in great
nades, was very effective, but the placing
Of lesser buildings of varying styles and for
minor uses upon either side of the central
standpoint and detracted from the general
effect In other words, leaving aside the
great building mentioned; the scheme was
and symmetry. The same criticism would
apply also to the Lelpsc exposition Neither
In Brussels nor in Lepsic Is there any ex-
tensive use of lagoonS or canals, though in
the latter there is a small lake or pond op-
poslte the main entrance and cutting across
the vista at Its farther extremity there Is a
canal that might well have been brought
into the scheme with good effect
After my inspection of these exposltions
want to tell you that / think your scheme
ter from every point of view and I am sat
iSiied that not only the general effect, but
the practical working of the exposition will
be much more satisfactory than any of
them
l notice in all of the European expositions
extensive accommodations at each side of
the main entrances TO the grounds for pub
llc comfort and particularly for 'garde
robes or coat rooms where overshoes,
cloalSs, parcels. etc may be left. a small
fee being charged "A fee also being charged
at these places for use of the toilet ap-
plratus, though free apparatus of less sat
lsfactory kind is extensively provided in the
grounds at other points l also notice the
tiee use OF sculpture IN the grounds in con-
junction with the landscape gardening and
l take the liberty. of urging it upon your
consideration. If 1t is impossible to get
funds for original works of this kind the
example Of the Leipslc exposition might be
followed where well known antique groups
such effect of scale TO the buildings, moth
ing Is more effective in minor vistas at the
entrance TO bridges, on the ramps 'of the
terrace steps, on aNial lines of the entrances
or embedded in the shrubbery, as sculpture
and If you could get copies of one or two
of Baryes lions. a few figures of Ceres,
Diana and that sort of thing, 1t would give
am appearance Of elegance and finish to the
grounds as nothing else would do.
At the Leipsic exposition there was a
Bavaran beer cellar In the style of a con-
vent of the 18th century. In the second
story a large yaulted amusement hall and
dining room below a low crypt vaulted and
dlmly lighted was used the beer cellar
and was very popular. 1t was an interest
ing building looked well and was profitable.
| trust you VIII permit me to suggest
these things to you, as ] am much inter
ested in your work al the Omaha exposition
although you no doubt have already con-
sidereQ them