People's Pilot, Volume 2, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 April 1893 — WORLD’S FAIR GOSSIP. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WORLD’S FAIR GOSSIP.

Fresh No tee of Interest from the Wonderful White City. An Event of Great Importance Amonf the Japanese Dedication of the Ho-o-den Temple The Opening Day. (Special Chicago Correspondence.] An impressive ceremony was witnessed at Jackson park on lhe first day of the present month. It was the dedication by the Japanese and world’s fair officials of the 80-o-den temple on the wooded island which lies in the lagoon in the center of the fair grounds. The event was celebrated in the true Oriental fashion, the exercises being conducted by the Japanese commissioners in the full regimentals of their native land. It was in truth a curious sight that was presented to the American guests of the occasion, and one that will doubtless be remembered by them long years after the great fair has passed away and many of its features have passed from mind. The Japanese workmen were ranged in line before the temple and during the exercises sang their native song, a very weird, and it must be confessed, unmusical refrain, yet peculiarly suited to the occasion. The whole affair betokened the spirit of international fraternity, for which it may be said these peopie are noted, and in their speeches the Japanese officials alluded to the friendly

relations existing between their country and ours in the warmest terms. As hosts they showed themselves to be most considerate . and courteous, and in their expressions of thankfulness for the kindness shown them since their arrival in this country they were profuse and earnest This wonderful temple is the counterpart of the great Ho-o-den palace at Nji, near Kioto, Japan, one pi the groups of the Bidodins. It is built of wood, with tiled roof, the cross trees being logs whose ends are beautifully carved in the form of lions’ heads. The temple, it is said, is intended to represent the Hoo, a fabled bird of the Japanese; the two-storied central part being the body of the bird, the colonnades on the sides the wings and the corridor at the back the tail. On the top of the original structure are two phoenixes, three and a half feet high, made of bronze and so flexible that the wings and heads are moved by the wind. In all it is a wonderful and picturesque structure, and w’hen completed throughout will be one of the most valuable buildings on the fair grounds. The original Ho-o-den or Phoenix hall dates back to the year 1052, but it was built twelve hundred years ago. It was at first the home of a celebrated Japanese nobleman, at whose death it was converted into a monastery and afterward became the shrine of "Amedia,” the buddha of Japan. The decorations of the temple are all by famous artists, and consist of works in gold lacquer, bronze and mother of pearl. The interior decorations of the tem-

pie on the wooded island at the fair are said to be far handsomer and more valuable than those of the original structure, and many additions in the way of ornamentation have been made. All the art work on the building has been done by picked artists, and no expense has been spared to make the temple a feature of great beauty. It is to become the property of the city of Chicago after the fair is over, being a present from the emperor of Japan. ' r here are several buildings erected by these people in different parts of the grounds, and there will doubtless be much attraction in them for the visitors from rural districts, who have never seen anything of the kind. The beholder will be struck at a glance with their extreme neatness and airiness and the spicy aroma which seems to hang about everything that comes

from Japan There is a sort of booth to the northeast of the Ho-o-den temple which is a marvel of neatness in every detail. It is buiit entirely of bamboo poles, as are most of their structures, which are split and spread out so as to form a sort of ornamental clapboarding. The roof is made of large canes rent in twain and arranged in an in-and-out fashion so as to form gutters to shed rain. Japan may well feel proud of her showing among the nations at our great fair, for she is ably and fully represented, and while their cousins, the Chinese, will, on account of national differences, be missing at Jackson park, the Japanese will amply fill the breach, and will, no doubt, prove as interesting and entertaining as any race represented. The report has been circulated that Alfonso XIII.. the infant king of Spain, is to take part in the opening exercises of the fair, but this is authentically contradicted, and it is furthermore ascertained that neither the young king nor his mother will be present. Infanta Isabella Vill, according to the latest intelligence, come to the opening of the exposition and will remain for some time thereafter a guest of the United States. In regard to the exeralses on the opening day there is at present considerable dissatisfaction not only in Chicago but throughout the country, as it has been announced that only a select few would be allowed to witness the ceremonies. What the outcome will be it is impossible to state, as sufficient time still remains for a change

in the programme. It was thought up to a late moment that the exercises would be held in the open air on the green at the east front of the Government building, but the committee on ceremonies has, it seems, decided to hold the opening exercises in Festival hall, which faces the lagoon between the Horticultural and Transportation buildings. From an elevated platfonfl in this hall President Cleveland will address the people and press the button which will set the machinery in motion. It is said that not more than two thousand privileged persons will be permitted to witness the opening ceremonies, and-the masses must be content with enjoying it by proxy. This, however, may not be final, although it is authentic.

The programme, as at present arranged, is as follows: Music, Columbian March and Hymn, John K. Payne. Prayer. Presentation of chiefs of departments and foreign commissioners by the director general. Music: “In Praise of God,” Beethoven. Address and opening of the World’s Columbian exposition by the president of the United States. Starting of machinery, during which time will be, performed “Hallelujah Chorus,” Handel. Official visit from the president of the United States and officials of the World’s Columbian exposition, and the World’s Columbian commission, to the various departments, arrangements

having been made previously with each chief to receive them. Notwithstanding the general impression that the fair will not be ready for the opening on the first day of May, we are positively assured by the officials that everything will be in order for that auspicious occasion. We are quite willing to accept the assurance, but from present indications we can hardly expect to see every portion of the exposition fully completed. But we can rely upon the officials to do everything in their power to hasten matters, and it is safe to say that when the moment arrives for setting in motion the great wheels of Machinery hall Jackson park will be sufficiently presentable to welcome the nations to the greatest of all great world’s fairs. The knife grinder ought not to be outof work in dull times.— N. O. Picayune

DEDICATION OF THE HO-O DEN.

INTERIOR OF THE HO-O-DEN.