0 
STATE FAIR OF 1858. 
The Eighth Annual Fair of the Society was held at Madison 
on the 4th to the 8th of October, inclusive, and, considering 
all the circumstances of hard times and bad weather, was ex¬ 
tremely well attended; it having been estimated that nearly or 
quite fifty thousand persons entered the gates during the 
continuance of the Exhibition. 
The aggregate receipts from all sources were between six 
and seven thousand dollars, and the entries numbered some two 
thousand, embracing many choice things in the way of animal 
and vegetable products, as well as numerous articles demon¬ 
strative of mechanical ingenuity and skill. Indeed it was 
justly deemed a most creditable display, both to the exhibitors 
and to the State. 
The Grounds were admirably adapted to the purpose, being 
within the city limits, directly on the Milwaukee & Mississippi 
Railroad, and affording from their elevated and beautifully un¬ 
dulating surface, a most delightful view of the city, the Four 
Lakes, and a vast area of handsome farming lands. 
The Fittings, in view of the fact that they were temporary, 
were more than usually neat and imposing. The Hall of Fine 
Arts—though quite too small for the purpose intended—was 
particularly so, being an octagon, with a wing in the rear occu¬ 
pied as a ladies sitting room, and crowned with an observatory, 
from which floated the stars and stripes of our country. 
The Opening Address by the President, was delivered from 
the Committee Stand at 10 o’clock, A. M., of Wednesday, and 
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