PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR. AN ELABORATE COLLECTION OF COLORED VIEWS
Page 44 – INTERIOR VIEW IN THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING
INTERIOR VIEW IN THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING.—While the building erected by the government of the United States was hardly counted among the architectural masterpieces of the Fair, it was at least to be expected that the vast resources available would make its exhibits of special interest, and in this respect public opinion was not wrong. From the possessions of the Smithsonian Institution, the National Museum and the various departments were drawn such objects as made the display not only one of great magnitude, but of a remarkable character. The view above given is of but a limited space inside, and includes a portion of the exhibit made by the War Department. This exhibit alone had wide scope, including a historical collection of small arms, with present devices of fabrication, ordnance, ancient and modern, machine guns used and devices and supplies of a thousand kinds, all arranged to give an idea of the equipment and means of movement and maintenance of an army. The view shows some of the colors, standards and guidons in use by the United States or other nations, while the pillars bristle with small arms and below appears a glimpse of ordnance. The mules shown are among the lay figures which were a constant source of wonder to the uninitiated. The wax figures of soldiers, illustrative of the uniforms worn at different periods, were especially deceiving, being often mistaken for sentrys on guard over the exhibits. The governmental display, as a whole, was creditable, even for so great a country.
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