The St. Johns herald., 1900-06-30
-OUR EXPOSITION
 LETTER.
(From our Regular Correspondent
PARIS, FRANCE, 45-Rue de Clichy, June 14, 1900.

SCdnOiuiuSJ iuIO oUSVS machinery and other varieties of uncleanness. It will not be ready for visitors for at least five weeks. This is the plain truth about the case no matter how much the Par is papers may try to disguise the fact of it's unreadiness or how loud they may proclaim their invitation to come now. The Exposition management, the Paris Hotels and thousands of landlords with rooms to rent-to say nothing of a quar- ter million of shopkeepers- are anxious to have a crowd at once and all the time, but those who wish to see the Exposition itself. and not the process of preparation, will do we'll to wait till after July 4th. I have talked with many A mericans here. some of them are seeing Paris, others finding it i'm possible to see the Exposition with cleanliness and comfort, have scat tered over Europe, intending to re- turn here later. This IS the best course for those who can control their time and who are not restricted by an itinerary made be fore leaving home.
 confined my visit 70 the Expo sition today to the Art Gallery which is one of the permanent buildings, massive and handsome. It has quite as much floor and wall space as had the Art building at Chicago. Of course the major ity of paintings were in the French Section, but 1 do not think France has come up to her art displays ot former years when the walls were covered by canvases Ot Miessoner, Jerome, Dore, Bonnat and Corot. There are many imitators of these III the present art exhibit and ot course large number of paintings of high merit. It would not be a French exhibit if it did not abound in female nudities in various poses and postures. There appears to be some change in the treatment oi these, owing perhaps, to the deca- dence of ideaIism and the preva- lence of impressionists or realism in art. If the model had more an- glee than curves, prominent shoul- der blades and big, tigbt shoe de formed feet. the artist has felt that it was his duty in some instances to reproduce them.
 One gets the impression that the artists of France feel very profound ly the friendship of Russia. No' only is the splendid new bridge O. yer the Seine, named after the Czar's father, monument to thaI friendship, but many incidents oI the Czars visit to Paris Of three years ago are displayed on large canvases in the French section. The best of these is the introduce ton of the Czar and the -Czarina to the Immortals, as the French Acad' emy is called. The subject is ad' mirably handled. The Czar and his consort occupy seats Ill iron' while the members of the Academy sit at tables in the room m attl' tudes of attention and member lS reading m address of welcome Every face is a portrait, there Is nc stiffness. but grace, dignity, hlgi bred seriousness and composure turnout, making very pleasing picture and embalming the features of some distinguished men and q most humane sovereign and hi: wife. Another picture in this sec ton is that of the French Minister Cambon, signing the treaty o peace between SpaIn and the Unit ed States in the presence of PIesi' dent Mckinley and all his Cabi' net. Here also the portraiture Is good and the French artist has ac' centuated the resemblance of Pres ident Mckinley to the first Napo' leon in way that is almost start ling.
 In paintings, the German, Ital- ian, aud English sections are very good. The English. 1 think, is better than at any previous Expo sition.. Of the United States Art Exhibit, not much can be . Id in praise. Ii it coukf be taken by i;- self, it would he worth seeing, but in comparison with others It Is painfully weak. IL has some good portraits and landscapes and Tn