EXHIBITION, CENTENNIAL. 



271 



tlon, or are bnilt op by the application of nuo- 

 > layers of the varnish, which is the 

 viscid sap of the tree Khu vernictfera. The 

 culler! ion of screens was large and highly in- 

 t< -noting, containing paintings on silk, some- 

 tiiu. s coinliiiicil with embroidery, in the best 

 style <>t' Japanese art, affording an opportunity 

 of studying their peculiar manner of art-treat- 

 ment, and, in the subjects, giving glimpses of 

 the inner social life of that remarkable peo- 

 ple. The display of carved wood, inlaid, and 

 upholstered furniture was remarkable, embrac- 

 ing some articles in the European style, which, 

 for taste and fine workmanship, were not sur- 

 passed. Of the special products of Japanese 

 industry the ivory carvings, the buckskins 

 printed with colored patterns, the stamped 

 bronzed leather, the peculiar sorts of paper, 

 and the elegant silk patterns, were worthy of 

 attention. There was also a fine government 

 exhibit of ores, minerals, grains, medicinal 

 plants, stuffed animals, etc. ; and a group of 

 plaster images showing the costumes worn by 

 the different classes. 



The Chinese exhibition was handsomely in- 

 cased in a showy structure carpentered by 

 their own workmen. Though not so large as 

 the Japanese exhibit, it was well selected, and 

 more representative, including the more or- 

 dinary products and manufactures of the Ce- 

 lestials. The porcelain was worthy of their 

 high reputation in the art. In lacquer-work 

 they must yield the palm to the Japanese. The 

 silks and embroideries were beautiful in colors 

 and design. Handsomely-embroidered screens 

 were framed with wood elaborately carved. 

 The ivory carvings were wonderfully delicate 

 and finished. The carved and inlaid furniture, 

 particularly the former, was marvelous in its 

 elaborateness and detail of ornament. Among 

 the fine collection of bronzes were some of 

 great age and rarity. The model of a joss- 

 house was a conspicuous object. Among the 

 products exhibited were cotton and hempen 

 fabrics, calico prints, shoes, hats, and clothing, 

 fancy-leather articles, paper, musical instru- 

 ments, woods, wine, grain, wax, cotton, wool, 

 and hair. To judge from their different dis- 

 plays one would say that, although the Chinese 

 may be behind the Japanese somewhat in 

 artistic invention and the appreciation of form, 

 they are fully their equals in the understand- 

 ing of colors and in technical skill. 



The Brazilian people and their Emperor took 

 great pains to set off the products and re- 

 sources of that vast tropical empire to the best 

 advantage, and the presence of the latter at 

 the Exhibition gave additional eclat to the dis- 

 play. The most noticeable of the contents of 

 their showy Moresque colonnade, besides the 

 educational exhibit and the large collections 

 of minerals, entomology, and natural products, 

 were the Paraguayan tea or mate, an herb 

 which yields a decoction similar to tea, but 

 less injurious, which was described in a special 

 pamphlet; the artificial Sowers made from 



bright-colored plumage, the jewelry set with 

 green and blue beetles, the excellent work in 

 leather, including some saddles of embossed 

 leather, the light furniture from native woods, 

 an ingenious combination bed, table, wash- 

 stand, and chairs, for travelers* use, and the 

 crockery-ware. 



From the Argentine Republic was sent a 

 mineral collection of great variety. The textile 

 fabrics embraced cotton, woolen, silk, and 

 some unusual materials. There was a fine dis- 

 play of skins and manufactured leather. The 

 weapons and clothing of the natives were an 

 attractive feature. 



Chili also sent silks, leather, etc., with stuffed 

 animals and specimens of antiquities and native 

 handiwork. 



Antiquities and the weapons and dress of 

 the natives formed part of the Peruvian ex- 

 hibit also, which included manufactures of 

 leather, soap, and sugar, valuable metals and 

 minerals, and a considerable range of tropical 

 products. 



The Mexican Republic made a large exhibit 

 of minerals and native woods, besides some 

 creditable manufactures leather, silks, cloth- 

 ing, etc. a collection of medicinal plants and 

 of textile fibres, some richly-embroidered deer- 

 skin garments, and a considerable collection of 

 Aztec antiquities. The Mexican exhibit, though 

 interesting, was not nearly so full as was ex- 

 pected. 



In the carriage annex were exhibited a large 

 variety of carriages, parts of carriages, chil- 

 dren's carriages, etc., and a Pullman-car in the 

 American department; a luxurious railway- 

 coach from Brazil ; drags, coupe's, barouches, 

 broughams, etc., from England, of substantial 

 make and elegant finish ; and some handsome 

 sleighs from Canada. The French exhibit of 

 carriages in the Machinery Building was also 

 fine. 



The educational exhibits of several different 

 countries were very complete and instructive, 

 and illustrated fairly the present stage of edu- 

 cation, particularly of primary education, in 

 those lands where the most attention is paid 

 to it, and also gave a comparative view of 

 different systems. The American system of 

 popular education was adequately exhibited 

 by several of the States. The Belgian schools 

 have been a bone of contention between the 

 liberal and clerical parties in that country, and 

 this rivalry has given an impetus to education. 

 The model of a juvenile school-house exhibited 

 was exceedingly complete and commodious i 

 its appointments, containing a lavatory, gym- 

 nasium, and a school-room with graduated 

 desks and seats, well lighted, and warmed by 

 the fresh-air system, by which the air is en- 

 tirely renewed every half-hour: the desks 

 when opened in one way present a writing- 

 table; another turn discloses a slate affixed to 

 the stand ; and when turned another way a 

 lace cushion is exposed ; when opened wide 

 they form a lunch-table. The teachers pro- 



