Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-10-08
THE PAN-AMERlcAN.
CONFEDERATION OF A NUMBER OF GEN
ERAL AND SPECIAL FEATURES.

II
Then again, the mass and variety o
exhibits tends to confuse and bewilde
almost any one, and one is apt to pas
by without noticing an exhibit or . lin'
of exhibits which, If they were the Onl.
thing to be seen, he would examine will
more or less pleasure and profit. JUS
before we left the city, lady in oul
party declared that she had seen every
thing she cared about seeing. A few
minutes later friend asked her if sht
saw the colored pond lilies, and sht
regretfully acknowledged that she wish
ed she had, but she didn't.
Again, it is somewhat difficult describ
ing what is on exhibition, and unless ONE
carries and uses voluminous note book
in hurried visit few things will impress
themselves distinctly upon the mind.
know that a cotton mogul looks like q
big locomotive, but in the railway ex'
hibit I saw a number of monsters weigh.
ing from 120 to 146 tons. That fact
can put my finger on, but few such
definite facts can be picked out from the
undigested recollections of three days
visit.
No one department is of such general
interest as that which is contained in the
United States government building and
adjacent grounds. Here one may see
illustrated the workings of the post Office
department, and observe the curiously
varied methods of transporting mail in
different sections of the country; study
models of lighthouses, or of the differ
ent forms of river and harbOr improve
ment work; examine models of all the
principal vessels of the navy, or the
multiplicity of machine guns now in use;
trace out the evolution of the soldiers
uniform into its present neat and sensi-
BILE form; and see host of other things
which are of interest to every one living
under this government. On the grounds
just outside the building field hospital
is set up, and a detachment of the hos
pital corps give daily demonstrations of
the method of caring for the sick and
wounded. On the shore of the lake q
life-saving crew are quartered, and give
daily drills exemplifying the work of the
service.
The government building contains a
valuable natural history exhibit loaned
from the Smithsonian Institution, which
will repay careful study. There are two
wings to the main building, in one of
which the department of agriculture
shows something of the work it is doing
for the benefit of the farmers. The
other is occupied by the fish commits
sion, and among other matter contains
two long rows of aquaria which are by
no means the least interesting feature of
the fair.
This is only a suggestion of some
things that are to be seen In one depart
ment. There is plenty to be seen, to
your pleasure and profit, if you are will
ing to take time to absorb and digest it..
I was particularly interested in the ex-
hibit of the Grand Trunk Railway. 1t is
quite largely made up of the large photo
graphs of natural scenery and attractions
along the line of the road, taken by j..
W. Swan, formerly of Norway, now the
official photographer of the road. And
what makes them of peculiar interest is
that more of them are taken in Oxford
County than in any other one section of
the country through which the Grand
Trunk runs. Not that that fact is sur
prising-quite the reverse; but it is
nevertheless worthy of note.
Knowing that the only exhibit of con-
sequence from Maine in the exposition
was an assortment of Maine apples sent
by the State Pathological Society, two or
three of US took some pains to be sure to
see this exhibit while in the agricultural
building. We found it all right. Then
we took hasty glance, looked around
to see if anybody was watching, and got
out of sight as soon as possible. Not
that the exhibit was originally anything
but creditable, and we'll representative
of one of the most valuable of Names
products. But it was made up of apples
of the crop of 1900, and with the utmost
care that can be taken, they can not be
exposed to the hot air of the next sum-
mer from May till September without
going to pieces. If the funds available
are not sufficient to replace them with
specimens of this years crop, it is to be
hoped that they have been removed from
sight before this time. l was strongly
tempted to risk arrest by carrying off
some of the decayed fruit myself.
This leads me to speak of the New
England building. 1t has fairly central
and slightly location, and is good look
ing building of colonial architecture, as
most of the readers know. Although
only temporary structure, it is finished
in such good imitation of brick that
only close inspection dispels the IL
lusion that it is brick building. The
Maine room is directly at the head of
the stairs, and is now we'll and COM
fortably furnished. Several portraits
hang upon the walls, but though I was
able to read the names, could judge
little as to how the portraits looked, as
heavy draperies shut out all but little
patch of light at each window, making a
dim twilight in the room. am not
finding fault about this; / am simply
out of joint with the twentieth century
fashion which prefers darkness rather
than light. Miss Bickford of Biddeford,
who is in charge of the room, received
US very cordially, and opened for our
benefit from her private supply bottle
of Poland Spring water-the only water
that we felt absolutely safe in drinking
throughout the trip.
If any testimony were needed as to the
wide distribution of Maine-born people,
it would be furnished by the register in
the Maine room, where are recorded
people from all over the Union; and
every day during our visit, from three to
five pages of the register were filled with
new names, some of them present resi-
dents of Maine, but the larger portion
from other states.
THE GENERAL HOLIDAY AIR.
The managers of the exposition have
not only made it an educational institu.
ton in its way, but have also made 1t,
as every such exposition should be, q
place Of entertainment and pleasant
diversion. In the light and color, the
waving of flags and banners, and the
plashing of many fountains, as well as
in the indescribable general effect of the
grounds, there is holiday air which
catches and holds you from the first, Il
you are not too deeply bent on the fast
and furious business of sightseeing tG
pay attention to 1t.
Then there is an almost constant series
Of entertainments In one form or another
Band concerts are given in the open ali
morning, afternoon and evening; there
| Ii free recital on the magnificent orgar
In the Temple Of Music at least ones
each day; daily drills by the life-savinl
crew, the hospital corps, and .othel
branches Of the United States service arr
given; there are frequent athletic sportl
in the stadium; and displays Of fire
works are given on two or three even
ings . week, 20 that one would be pret
A.. s,.,o ke, aaa AZ lnanf ona aunh dianlay