Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-12-13
IMPRESSIONS OF THE PARIS Ex-
POSITION.
Editor Of the virginian-Pilot:

count It's magnificent ensemble by sun
ury comparisons with the Worlds Fair
or 1899 Truly are there times when
comparisons are odious. and in this in
stance may be singularly unfair to
either of these grand International
events, each of which enjoys a uniques-
ness peculiarly its own. The White
lily. sublime In outline and perfect In
detail, pretended to be only an ephe-
neral erection. springing forth like an
exhalation, howbett. revealing the won
urous night of the western hills, the
breath and light and grandeur Of the
western sky.
oh the contrary. many of tho struc-
lures OF the present exposition have
peen seven years in course of erection,
and, like the Eiffel tower, have come
10 stay, to gladden. other generations
with their enduring sublimity without
and resplend, treasures within.
After all the French exposition of 1900
was not conceived in q spirit of rival
ry. An invitation was not only issued
by the republic of France to her sister
republic over the sea. but to all the ma
lions of the earth. to unite In an event
that should be landmark in history,
fitting chronicle to mark the division
between the expiring century and the
yet more alluring century to come. and
IL the complete realization of q given
object Is success. then the Paris EX-
position Is a success. The genius of
no nation is better fitted for such an
entertainments that that of the French.
and no place better fitted than Paris,
the omphalos of the world, and capital
of civilization.
In the midst of such q wilderness of
wonders one hardly knows. in the linn
it's of single letter. where ito begin
or end in order to give an adequate
idea. The exhibition may be said TO be
formed of two general quadrilateralS
of such mammoth proportions as to
each span the river Seine; the one
containing the grand and petit palaces.
the Alexander bridge and the superb
industrial palaces of the Espanade
des Invalides; the other extending
from the Palace Trocadero to the grand
series of pavilions bordering the
Champ de Mars, onward to the Cha
teau D'Eau. the great Sale DIES Fetes
and Military School.
Always liking that which is in a. pro-
gressive series, 1 have thought myself
fortunate in having first approached
the fair from the Place de Trocadero.
The palace of this name, built of solid
masonry. is one of the substantial
structures referred 10, an imposing cir
cular pile, with two lofty towers and
semi-circular wings on either side. the
one devoted to antique and Oriental
art, the other to ecclesiastical sculp-
thedrals of France and Belgium. The
palace is fronted by an enhancing cas-
cade. surrounded by colossal groups of
sculpture and gardens of roses.
Looking from It's elevated balconies
toward the Pont D'Jena. the avenue
Trocadero Is lined on either side with
the picturesque pavilions of the French
colonies. and the smaller States of the
Orient; the buildings of Madagascar.
Algeria, Tunis and the grotcsque tenn
pies of China and the French Indies
being especially conspicuous.
Ascending the famous Eiffei tower
the panoramic view of the exposition
grounds. and of oil Paris. is bewilder-
ingly magnificent. Immediately be-
meath is the Jardin de la Tour Elffel.
Stretching beyond to the Chateau
D'Eau, with It's sublime porte and
frontage of fountains. lies the promen-
ade and gardens of the Champ de
Mars. lined on either side by the most
spaclou. buildings of the fair united
at the farther end of the Grand Hall
OF Nations. Here upon the right is the
Palace of Forestry. the Palace L'Op-
tique and the Palace of Letters.
Sciences and Arts. each with its i'm
posing porte monumentale. Upon the
left, touching the waters Of the Seine,
the Palace of Navigation and Com
merce. with its curious models OF
every known craft since time began:
the Palace of Metallurgy and Mines,
with its marvellous modern machines,
containing with the Palace des Fills.
devoted to the grandest display of It's
sues. textiles and vestments the world
has ever before seen.
Traversing the Seine from the Pont
D'Jena to the Pont des Invalides we
have on the left bank panorama of
old Paris, followed by the extensive
exhibits of horticulture and arboricul-
ture, and on the right bank the army
and navy group. followed by the va
red and beautiful pavilions OF foreign
nations. prominent among which is
that of the United States.
But we have not yet reached the
chef d'aeuvc, the browning glory of the
exposition. 1t was reserved for Mr..
Alfred Picard, chief commissioner OF
the fair for France. and the supreme
genius of it ALL to associate a group of
structures perhaps never surpassed for
architectural harmony and beauty.
Starting from the Place de la Concorde,
itself one of earth's historic spots, we
first approach the memorial entrance,
a lofty. striking pile, so designed that
10000 persons may pass through It's
portals in one hour. Moving through
enthralling gardens of flowers, shrubs,
monuments and statuary we suddenly
come upon two palaces. the Grand and
the Petit, as superb as though sum-
moned by the cnchanter's wand, built
OF white marble, each facing the other
on the avenue Nicolas. and bounded
by the fine avenues and gardens of
La Refine, D'Antin and Des Champs
Elysees. The facade of the Grand Pa
lace is In the Roman style, with sug-
gestions of the magnificent Versailles.
Both structures are devoted to the fine
arts. including tapestries. portrature,
antique wood carving and jewels of the
monarchy and empire. and the price
less collections were fascinating be-
You'd description.
Continuing we stand before the SUI