Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-11-15

Two of the more peculiar features of
the Paris Exposition are thus described
by a writer in st. Nicholas:
The wreck of ship is so arlnnge6
that it extends from before our feet
into the ocean depths which are separ
ated from us by sheets of glass. This
wreck is one which was raised from
the harbor of Cherbourg and recon
structed here. Fish swan contentedly
in and out among the cordage anC
broken spars; crabs patiently craw
up the sides of the sunken hull and ex
plore the mysteries of portfolios. Buf
these inhabitants of the ocean do moi
constitute the chief attractions. Far ir
dim, shadowed recesses may be seen
diSporting themselves, those water
sirens or sea-fairies whose undulatine
dances below the waves, legend tells us
cause the disturbances of the surface
so menacing to mariners. Gliding,
twisting, and bending, they rise and
fall while weird music fills the air.
as of ripping waves swelling to surg
ing tempests and resounding through
deep-sea caverns. In another compart
ment, the tranquil fish are startled by
the swift appearance of two pearl
divers or fishers for coral and sponges.
who, holding heir breath, or letting
it slowly escape in silver bubbles
which rise upward. tread the sea-bot
tom in search of treasures
There are times whsn we long fol-
nature pure and simple, and then it is
that the Exposition visitor hastens JOY
fully toward the Swiss village. Out
from the hurry and hustle. the glitter
and confusion of brilliant Paris and the
dazzling splendors of the Exposition.
in moments time we may step into
the peace and quiet of Il pastoral VII.
lage set in the hollow of an Alpine
valley. Mountains tower above us
Part way up their sides stretch grassy
pasture-slopes. On a high, distant
rocky ledge clusters group of rude
homes of band of mountaineers, With
tiny chapel in the midst. From an
other lofty height a mountain stream
leaps over the crags, and after paus'
ing Il bit to lend its aid to the water.
wheel of mill below, gurgles and
prattles over the stones beyond, and
finally goes whispering between grassy
banks bordered with wild flowers till
it reaches placid lake on whose FUR
ther bank protected by an overhanging
crag, stands the chapel of William Tell.
ghn
iecting caves. carved balconies and
doorways. and curiously shingled roofs,
are wonderfully executed copies of real
ones. In another part of the village
is group of mountain huts, brought
from Switzerland and reconstructed
timber by timber. some with thickly
matched roofs, others covered with
overlapping stone slabs. while there
are still others whose shingled roofs
weighted down by timbers and stones
suggest to lis something of the violence
of the mountain storms.
Not detail of the village has been
neglected nor of the natural scenery
All along the side of the brook grow
the flowers and plants of Switzerland
the blue and white Alpine violets
the mountain pink. clothing In bright
dress rough patches of rock, the edel
weiss. low purple asters. and masses
of the Alpine rose The wild poppy
brightens the landscape with Its orange
and gold. and In sheltered spots below
the dripping waterfall ferns speep forth
An opening In the side of the noun
tain invites us to explore within. Ad
vancing through rocky passage. We
seem to come out upon some upper
height. with "a view of the majestic
Alps spread before us. sunllt valley
wooded mountain side. distant. spark
ling lake. and towering. SNOW clad
peaks are there. II Is only u panorama
but so well aud artistIeally painted
that we eome away with the sense al
having been for brief haif-hour all,
among the mountains.
u al. la 81