200 Transactions of the 



artisans unpatronized, our merchants destitute of custom, and multi- 

 tudes of our people leaving us for scenes of richer promise, the work of 

 getting up an annual Fair, though presenting many forbidding aspects, 

 was entered upon, a few months since, with an unusual fullness of deter- 

 mination to make it a success — and for my associates I can truly say, 

 men never wrought with better will, nor more firmly faced a foe. 



AVith no moneA r in our hands, and the whole people groaning under 

 misfortune, we increased both the size and number of purses and pre- 

 miums for every class of industry and production within the legitimate 

 sphere of our organization. We enlarged the accommodations of the 

 Park tor all classes of stock, and the conveniences for exhibitors and 

 spectators. We largely improved both halls of the Pavilion and added 

 several new and important features. All this was done under the 

 impression that our people are at all times equal to any legitimate emer- 

 gency. How this impression was justified is evinced by the results 

 already manifest. Let us look, for a moment, at some of them. 



To pass by, with only a glance, the show of native woods, and the 

 furniture made therefrom, either of which would endure favorable com- 

 parison with any other, in any part of the world; and the native 

 products of the grape, in their sparkling beauty and varied forms of 

 excellence, and the display of fruits, which most necessarily suffer 

 largely from the year of drought, I beg to call especial attention to the 

 most numerous exhibition this Society has ever seen of that great inven- 

 tion — 



The joy of every wife and mother, 



Her pride, and glory, too; 

 A greater balm than any other, 



For woman's weary woe, 



The seAving machine. Well knowing that the final triumph of industry 

 in California depends largely upon the multiplication and general use 

 of labor saving machinery, we ventured The expense of preparation for 

 an unusual display in this department, which waves so much labor 

 where time and strength are most precious, and toil most exhausting and 

 costly. And even the large preparations we made have proved insuffi- 

 cient for the ready and hearty response to our invitation. We have 

 found it utterly impossible to furnish the required space. 



Nor has utility absorbed all, or even taken the lead. It is only a few 

 years since a small upper room, on the rear of the corridor, was ample 

 for the display of all art work offered for exhibition. Last year the 

 entire north wall of the main building was thus appropriated, and the 

 department of fine arts became, and continued to the closing hour of the 

 Fair, a marked feature. And as one direct result of that exhibition, a 

 young artist, with skill, but no fame, who for years had wrought, with 

 unrequited diligence, often hearing "the wolf at the door," tremblingly 

 hung his work upon yonder wall, and before the close of the Fair 

 received orders for important work, which have continued to flow in from 

 that day to this, giving him constant and remunerative employment and 

 establishing for him a reputation, paving with gold all his future 

 path of life. This department — much larger last year than ever before — 

 has been so largely patronized, that instead of one hundred feet of wall 

 space, there Avas asked for, ten days ago, one hundred and seA r enty-tiA-e 

 feet, and Ave now have filled a gallery two hundred and eighty feet long, 

 and that, too, Avith works many of which would be coveted by and 

 richly grace the finest palace in an European home of art. 



