Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-07-02


other materials that go to make up fisher
les exhibits. The exhibit of Japan is ad-
joining that of the United States. While
it is small IL contains many points of in
terest. Among these may be mentioned a
schooner rugged boat, which is a decided
novelty in the fisheries of the land of the
rising sun. The collections from Russian
Finland are interesting, but much of the
Russian exhibit mas not yet arrived, as
the ice in the Black Sea region has made
it impracticable to transport exhibits early
enough to- reach here in time for installa-
ton before the opening. Nor are the ex-
E1bit5 from France and England yet in
stalled. Much delay has necessarily been
caused by the succession of holidays dur
ing this week. but now that these are over,
no doubt rapid progress will be made, and
the Bergen exhibition will soon take on
an air OF attractiveness that will be all
that can reasonably be expected.
The American Exhibit.
A large consignment of material arrived
here from the United States on Saturday
evening. but 1t has not been possible to
move it before today. The large collection
of models of fishing boats and vessels
already installed in the American section
has Attracted much attention, and IL is
not difficult to anticipate that when all the
collections from across the Atlantic have
been installed no part of the exhibition
will excite more interest than the United
States section.
When II is remarked that the appropria-
ton authorizing the participation of the
United States in this exhibition did not
become law until the latter part of Feb
rUdry, and the work of assembling the col
1ections did not begin before March, 1t Is
not surprising that all OF the material did
not arrive in time to be placed in position
before the opening. The wonder is that
any of ii got here especially in view of
the fact that it had to be transported 1000
miles across the ocean. and part of 1t from
the Pacific coast, several thousand miles
farther.
The opening of the exhibition was fol-
lowed by a ball that evening. at which
were gathered the elite of Bergen and the
people from other countries. The crown
prince opened the ball by dancing with
Mrs. Nicholson. the wife of the chief Of
fetal of the city. The ladies Were taste
fully and stylishly gowned. and the fair
haired, blue-eyed maids and matrons of
Norway did credit to themselves. as we'll
as to the occasion. and could not have
suffered by comparison with any gathering
of beautiful women elsewhere.
The nth day of May is the anniversary of
the adoption of the national constitution
by Norway, in 1914 an event which Is cele-
trated with the utmost enthusiasm by the
people. On this annual holiday young Nor
way rivals the zeal and fire of young Amer
lea on the 4th of July. Except for the
length of the day-which begins between
and o'clock in the morning and fades
differences in temperature and language
there is perhaps no place on earth where
an American could feel so fully that he was
witnessing a good old-fashioned 4th of
July celebration as in Norway on the nth
of May.
The morning of the day succeeding the
opening of the exhibition began with the
booming of guns. and the falling rain of
the early day failed to dampen the ardor of
any, whether they were to engage in the
procession that constituted the principal
feature of the occasion or We're merely to
minSle with the immense throng of spec
tators who gathered on the large square in
front of the club house to witness the
marching and the review by the crown
prince.
Characteristic Features.
most characteristic feature of the occa-
sion was the grand stand, which had been
erected few days previously in the GEN.
ter of the square, and whereon' stood the
crown prince and large group of distin
guished guests to review the parade and
TO watch the ceremony of trooping the
flags and banners in front of his royal
highness. The front and ends of this
stand were built to resemble a great vi
king ship. with stem and stern post pro-
jecting high above the gunwale, while on
its side hung warriors shields, like those
used in war by the fearless Norsemen long
centuries ago. On the deck of this i'm
provised ancient warship the prospective
King of Sweden and Norway stood with
his officers and the chief men of Bergen
about him. watching the long procession of
tradeSmen, sporting clubs school children
and maidens in national costume file by.
As each section passed and came to a halt
in front of the grand stand its standard
bearers brought forward the flag or ban
ner close In front of the position where
the crown prince stood. and then dipped 1t
in salutation, the action being acknowl
edged by the prince giving military sa-
lutte by touching his cap.
Some time before this ceremony we had
viewed the parade from the upper win
dows of the house of a friend. We were
struck with the large number of boys from
twelve to nineteen years of age who car
ried wooden guns and marched to the
music of fife and drums with all the pride
and Hrmness OF step of old veterans. An
other interesting spectacle that appeared
in the procession was the bands of young
girls, dressed in black skirts with white
bodices and bright red peasant waists elab-
orately beaded. They presented striking
ly pretty pictures as they marched stead
lily in line. singing the national anthems.
A dinner given by Mr.. Chr Nicholson to
the crown prince. the foreign commission
ers and the principal men of Bergen, and
a reception at the Logon Club attended by
the people of the city, wound up the events
of the day.
be made in moving the American collec-
lions to the exhibition buildings during
Wednesday. but all anticipatiQns of this
nature were doomed to disappointment.
Repeated efforts along this line were met
with the stereotyped phrase 1T Is i'm
possible" And as yesterday was Assem-
sion day, upon which both public opinion
and law would be violated by teaming in
the streets. work was at q standstill The
delays to which reference has been made,
while unavoidable. have nevertheless taxed
the patience of those feeling the RESPONSE
bility Of official obligation. The Stars cor
respondent is very sure that the expiration
of this enforced period of waiting has met
with hearty welcome. for now something
may be accomplished. and 1t Is to be hoped
and expected the exposition will soon be no.
tceably improved In consequence. so that
those who see 1t will urge their friends to
visit Norway and the Bergen fish fair this
summer
rs Mr.. Swelchest a man of much inn
portance?"
Importance, I should say So"
But how has he proved it?"