The San Francisco call., 1905-04-01

The long looked for exhibition of the
Pacific Coast Forest, Fish and Game
Association began last night with
citation to its many friends throughout
the city. and to-day the exhibition will
be thrown open to the public. Many
handsomely gowned women and fault
lessly dressed men were present. A
large orchestra, led by Theodore Vogt,
added gayety to the evening.
The dingy interior of the Mechanics
Pavilion is completely transformed by
the artists in woodcraft, who have
made the building a bower in Eden.
The only accurate idea one can have
of the wonders that are set forth in
everchanging array is to make several
visits to the exposition. To the lovers
of nature and outdoor life the place
will be a Mecca during the two weeks
the exhibition will run.
After passing the shield of cedar
trees at the door the visitor is con-
fronted by a panoramic view OF the
Sierras at the end of the Pavilion.
Rocks, trees and shrubbery lead in per-
spective from this background so as to
form a narrow gorge, through which
runs a miniature mountain torrent. The
I
waterfall into pretty lake that is bor-
dered by rushes and stretches of beach.
The surface of the lake is broken in
places by rocks, and many varieties of
wild game glide on its waters. Fronting
the lake is a grove of pines, with vel
vet paths running through and plenty
of resting places scattered about.
THE EXHIBITS.
Around the sides of the Pavilion are
ranged the various exhibits of the as
sociation. Trappers outfits, camping
implements. booths of the Olympic and
Bohemian clubs, encampments of naval
jackies from the Yerba Buena training
station. artillerymen from the Presidio
and Government surveyors tents and
outfits mingle with the tepees of the
Navajos, whose gaudy blankets add
color to the scene.
Wire corrals are scattered through
cut the floor. They contain many va
rieties of game, also beasts of prey
Trout and black bass flash back and
forth in glass tanks, while tree trunks
form the eyries of eagles and vultures.
Upstairs ia the galleries is a magnifi-
| cent art collection, and one side of the
building is given over to a handsome
exhibition of polished and curious
woods.
On the platform near the entrance
ing and the officers of the association.
William Greer Harrison, president of
| the association, introduced the first
| speaker. James y. Phelan, vice presi-
dent. Mr. Phelan said:
STRONG HOLD OF NATURE.
With advancing civilization man is weaned
away from Nature, but the strong hold which
Nature has upon man constantly draws him
back Here in this exhibition an attempt is
made TO illustrate animal and vegetable life.
forest and stream but every attempt 10 reduce
Nature a small scale or to initiate il in its
/ beauty and variety must necessarily be mad
ture, here displayed. leads in the right direc-
/ tion.
The men and women who live in cities in
stinctively feel that they have been despoiled
| OF something; they miss. perhaps, the compan-
| ionship OF birds and beasts. OF flowers and
trees; they have been cut of from the good
green earth by the hard paved streets and the
cheerless houses; and hence there is that fr-
repressible idea, always present of bringing
| the country 20 the town by making small plan
tations here and there, called parks. like
oases in a great desert of brick and mortar.
No matter what may be the allurements of
| civilization. exemplifed In great cities. no son
| of the soil. sprung from the earth and destined
to return to the earth, can ever be wholly
surroundings Warped ideas. shattered health
and luxurious vices are the protests which go
l out from hospital and jail and iyceum against
| the perversion Of Natures plan.
Emerson. in his beautiful essay on Nature,
says that cities do not give the senses room
enough HE who knows the forests; he who
| knows what sweets and virtues are in the
ground. the waters. the plants, the heavens,
rich and royal man" How 10 come at these
enchantmentsH That is the question. II has
been said that may be too close to oh
ject 10 see and appreciate it's values and pro-