Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-07-19

| system everywhere, and the institution
| would be impossible without II.
On the evening of our arrival. after
we had removed the dust of travel and
had a substantial meal, | proposed to
some of the members of the party that
we take the Intramural Railroad and
ride around the grounds into the heart
of the exposition, to get first view OF
it; accordingly we got on car and start
ed on a Journey of some i've miles
around the long way. Now the Ultra
| mural. in that portion of its course,
runs around the rear of the main eXhi-
bition ground, between that and sec
ton of undisturbed forest which has
been left within the enclosure. In this
way it manages to get through the most
unattractive portion OF the GROUNDS,
following q sort of moraine OF rnDDish
which has been swept back by the
polishing process in front. Then after
a long curve it swings around by the
acknowledged exhibit, where interest
ing but not fastidious red men are living
! in their natural way, in all stages OF
primitiveness and standardization; and
the ramshackle bamboo huts of the
| Philippine Moros, built over the water,
make a succeeding feature OF the Iic'
ture. In the fading daylight there was
not much that was fascinating about the
view: and my companions, like men
estimating seaport town by the first
SIGHT of the wharves at low tide in early
morning, thought and loudly asseverat,
ed that they had come fourteen hundred
miles to see "bum show" Even when
we stood in the Plaza of st. Louis, in
the yery middle of the picture, the dusk
was deepening, no lights were on, and
thew refused to be deeply impressed
But soon glow began to appear along
the cornices and towers of the immense
buildings, which gradually frightened
until they all stood outlined in light,
and the grounds became almost as bright
as day. The water began to pour down
over the Cascades, and the fountains
splashed in the basin. Then admiration
took the place of disappointment; and
when we had spent an hour taking u
the beauties of the scene, and another
hour on the Pike, observing the super
abundance of life and the flood OF hui
manity which surged back and forth
and had wound up the evening by seeing
a scared rider fall of camel i'll Mys
FERROUS Asia, my companions were ready
TO declare that it was big show afte
ala conviction which deepened as our
ing the next few days they attempted u
'do" its main features.
Perhaphs this is good time for som'
general comment on the
LOUISIANA PURCHASE EXPOSITION
That is its technical and official name
though it is more often known as the st
Louis fair, or the worlds fair. A
everybody knows, it commentaries TIT
centennial of the purchase of the Louis
lana territory, the largest single addition
70 orr domain, out of which fourteen
states have been made, in 1903. That i
why it is held in 1904. These fairs al
ways have to be postponed year, to &c
them ready to open. AS Tor gettint
them finished, that is another matter
There is all that one can possibly car
70 see at st. Louis, but the fair is no
finished, and will not be when the gate
are closed for the last time on the mrs
OF December.
with a whole-heartedness and en-
thusiasm rarely equaled by any munie
ipality. St. Louis plunged into the game
resolved to eclipse everything ever be
fore held in the line of great exposition
has succeeded. In any literatur
regarding the fair which you may hav
seen. YOU have undoubtedly noticed
| little table of comparisons which begin
thus:
ou,s,ana Purchase Exposition. .l2tO Acres
Columbian Exposition, Chicago. ..---6ss Acres
And so on down through the diminish
ing list of great expositions. Ihat tell
the story in a nutshell. The st. Loui
exposition covers almost twice as muc
territory as its largest predecessor an
in all departments and features the sam
ratio holds good. 1t is indeed to b
questioned whether it is not too big
The average individual, even with plent
8 of time at his command, can see an
= take in only about certain amount
0 After a week or so of sightseeing tn
0 ewes grow weary and full of sand, an
q the brain Tags, and things that Nigh
5 have been of great interest and prof
9 when one was fresh are passed listlessl
by with half glance. 1t is of no use
S lament the things that were missed ate
: returning home. After travelling throug
3 miles and miles of exhibits the fai
i roer becomes stated, and wouldn't sta
= longer IL he had the chance.
y By improving somewhat upon I'll
IS natural conditions, st. Louis secured a
g almost ideal combination OF levels, tel
s races and hills, for the site OF the exp
IS sition, in Forest Park, a public groun
% on the west side of the city. In order
10 prepare it for the fair, there was Is,
o Wholesale cutting down of trees. III
% game may have been worth the cost b.
y Il is to be hoped that the city will new
s have cause to regret the destruction