Year: 1872

IHE VIENNA EXHlBlTlONs


Preparations for Next Years Show.


VIENNA, Nov. Is, 1872.


In the northwestern extremity Of the "Pra.
ter or central park of Vienna, enormous
buildings are now in progress Of erection for
the worlds exhibition to be held here in 1873.
Work was commenced on them last February
and they are to be finished in time for the
opening, May /, 1873. The work at presen.
goes on rapidly, over 5000 worknen being
employed on the building and dgrounds. Those
at work on the grounds are principally Italians
and the poorer class of Hungarians called
Checks, while the better class Of mechanics
employed on the buildings are Austrians. OF
course, where such a number Of workmen are
employed many accidents occur, and the au-
thorities have erected a temporary hospital on
the grounds, where men that are slightly hurt
may be cared for until they are able to resume
work again. About $50 acres have been
given up exclusively for the exhibition build
ngs and grounds, over which large trees,
many centuries old, are everywhere growing.
In one part Of the enclosure where some four
or five hundred OF these trees are together.
paths have been laid out and rustic houses
built to be used as promenades and restau-
rants by the people attending the exhibition,
so that on hot, sultry day those who are
tired and thirsty can retire to the quiet shade
of this handsome park and spend u pleasant
hour or so drinking the excellent Vienna beer.
the exhibition grounds, besides the western
and southern gates, which are the two main
entrances.


Leaving Prater Stern, a circular space at
the eastern extremity of the city, and taking
the avenue to our right, we enter the Prater
by the "Haupt Alice" or principal drive of
the park, which is over three miles long and
lined on either side with double rows Of hand.
some elms. After proceeding about half
mile we arrive at the southern gate. On en-
tering and walking up the spacious and shady
avenue leading to the main buildings, we have
on both sides three large fountains, situated in
the midst of green lawns and bright flower
beds, in the rear of which are long buildings
in the Swiss style Of one story high for the
use of the postal telegraph and custom house
departments. Further on we come to the i'm
perial pavilion on our right, and the Offices Of
| the chief manager on our left. These build
ings are two-stories high, very elaborately
decorated, and built at an oblique angle to
the main building. In front Of each hand
some circular fountain has been built. Con.
tinuing our course in direct line, we come
to the great rotunda, which is the center Of
the main building or industry palace. This
rotunda, which is said to be the largest ever
built, is nearly 400 feet high, with span of
$50 feet. The whole structure is built of riv-
eted iron plates, and the pillars that support
the dome are over three feet square. Around
the rotunda, and about fifteen feet from it,
heavy brick wall has been built, and from this
wall iron braces extend to the sides of the 70.
tunda, thereby preventing all possibility Of
the walls falling out. Under the dome are
five large trees, which will give a person
very good idea of its height, and add to the
beauty of the interior. The roof will be COW
cred with plate glass. The brick wall which
supports the iron work is pierced every twen-
ty feet with arches, in order to give as light
an appearance as possible to the whole struc-
ture. The sides of the wall are everywhere
ornamented with statuary and carvings in
bas-relief.


To the right and left, or east and west of
the rotunda, two enormous galleries extend,
each 100 feet long by so feet in width, and
from each of these main galleries 1G smaller
galleries are built, eight on the north side and
eight on the south. These galleries are 200
feet long by go feet wide, and are intended
for the exhibition of goods from different ma
tions, Austria occupying some six or eight in
the eastern extremity of the whole building,
and then each country coming in order to its
position on the globe, so that America has the
three last galleries in the western end. On
the outside of these galleries will be the coat
of arms OF the country to which it is assigned.
Austria has hers already decorated, and work
| on the others will soon commence. Four
hundred feet back, and to the north of the
main building, is another building, 2l00 feet
| long by l50 wide, for the exhibition of ma
chinery. Back of this building again will be
the railroad station for the exhibition. The
space between these buildings will be occu.
pied by pavilions, gardens, fountains, etc. To
the east of the main building handsome ed
| ifice has ust been completed, two stories
| high, which will be devoted to the exhibi
ton of the fine arts, and still further to the
east, are two buildings for the exhibition OF
amatuars. These last six buildings will all
be connected with each other, and with the
imperial pavilion, by covered galleries, SO
| that in wet weather one may pass from one to
the other without incurring any inconvenience
from the rain and mud. Further on we find
the building for the hot house and horticul-
tural departments. A large park has been
laid out for the agricultural department, and
by the by, America is expected to contribute
largely to this. A fine stable and yard have
just been completed for the exhibition of
horses. A full regiment of the imperial
guards and a regiment of Hungarian cavalry
will be stationed on the grounds during the
summer. Guard houses, barracks, and sta
bles are now being built for them. At the
far eastern extremity of the grounds large
bathing establishments have been erected and
supplied with water brought from the Dam
ube This will he great luxury, as Viena
a. present is very poorly supplied with bath
ing conveniences. All the spare room in the
buildings has been taken, and there is some
talk of new building being commenced.
Small plots of ground have been reserved
here and there for the erection of payilions
and for the exhibition of the architecture OF
different countries.


The khedive of Egypt is building very
handsome house for himself, in which he in-
tends to exhibit many articles from the East
| and part of it has been fitted up for the exhi-
bition of eastern life. Neither money nor
pains has been spared upon it, and it is ex-
pected that this will be one of the chief at
tractions on the grounds. All the main
buildings are bpiit OF brick, with corrugated
iron roofs branch of the Northern rail-
road runs into the grounds, and then divides
up and runs everywhere, so that there Is no
use for horses and carts, as nearly everything
! is run in and out of the grounds by little