Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-04

in fashion that in no wise suggests the
idea of being overcrowded for space Four
of these buildings are exclusively devoted
to the exhibits of the Chinese government
Six others are used to illustrate various
phases of the commercial industrial and
social life of the empire.
In the official buildings are shown superb
collections of Chinese art works, embra cling
objects de Vertu in metal wood and prec-
ious stuffs. Exquisite paintings represent
ing Chinese landscapes, some Of which
were the handiwork of the greatest artists
whom China has ever produced. are shown
1t would require volumes to give even an
imperfect description of many of the su-
perb pieces, but one may imagine their
character and priceless value from the
lesser collections one sees in the great mu-
seums throughout the world.
Nice WAX Cinnamon.
An interesting feature of the official ex-
hibit Is the wax figures, standing, in the
most lifelike positions, here and there
about the building In general appear
ance, in facial traits, in the shapes of mus
taches and boards, in the various fashions
of wearing the queue and, particularly, in
the costumes, these interesting mannIkins
illustrate the many social grades in China
and the infinite provincial races of which
the vast empire is composed.
To the average visitor it is by no means
an easy thing to distinguish living Chi
nese from one of these imitation men. In
complexion and in the paSsivity of his ex-
preston, the living Chinaman whom you
may see standing about often looks more
like a wax figure than the wax figures
themselves. About the only way to tell
them apart is the label that is hung from
the front of the inanimate men, 1t reads
in French: please do not touch"
If you see a silk robed Chinaman with
out this sign, you may assume he is alive
Ali visitors, however, do not know this
rule, and consequently the living attendants
who stand guard in the buildings in close
juxtaposition with their wax countrymca
are daily subjected to funny mistakes.
Shops of Pekin.
row of Chinese shops, attended by
merchants from Pekin, Tien Tsin and
Shanghai, add another attractive feature
to the section, and further heighten the
Illusion that the stranger has really been
carried into the heart of the land of
flowers
Far and away the most conspicuous ele-
ment in the Chinese exposition is a hu.c
pagoda-shaped building modelled after one
OF the country palaces of the cmperor
On the ground floor is a general mart
where all sorts of native curiosities are
exposed. An exterior stairway, with the
banisters brilliant with flowers leads 10
me second hoor, where a big hall beauti-
iuiiy decorated In the Chinese fashion with
wall paintings. curtains. mattings. chairs
etc, Is devoted to the purposes OF a thea,
ter Here prestidigitateurs and miracle
workers give four exhibitions each dav
Overhead is the restaurant not only the
gem place of the section, but one of the
most popular and fashionable spots in ali
the exhibition grounds. The interior deco
| ration is sumptuous in the extreme and M
silver dragon, employed profusely in ali the
decorations, shows that the building is a
literal reproduction of an imperial abode.
Dine n la Chinese
wide, pagoda peaked balcony is spread
with tables, and from that spot one realizes
| an additional reason for the exceptiona,
popularity of the Chinese restaurant
Stretching away Off in the distance Is an
exquisite vista. You see the infinite variety