“Rebecca,” re-appeared at tlie “well,” to
find her task unnecessary, as she was in a land
where a stream passed by every man’s door.
The Court scenes of “Good Queen Bess” gave
place to the simple parlor and family circle of
the man, not crowned by the Archbishops of
Canterbury, but by the hand of the Almighty,
our own Washington.
As Mercy’s Bream was presented to the view,
the circumstances of the times recalled another
dream of Mercy, beautifully realized in the
ministries of the Sanitary Commission, the
good Samaritan of the Nineteenth century.
By this means these young ladies obtained a
fund with which to commence operations for
the Fair. Without interference with school
duties, or school hours, but by the diligent im
provement of every leisure moment, early and
late, they presented for sale on the opening
day, goods which, with the aid of several valu
able donations from kind friends, amounted
to almost $7OO. Among other things, we
would notice a worked rug, the most beautiful
article of the kind in the Fair, also an Afghan
of large size and superior workmanship.
The efforts of these young ladies are com
mendable, and worthy of their motto, “Amor
Patrim.”
miss brown’s school.
On entering the School Bepartment from
Union Avenue, the first table on the right
greets us with an abundance of handsome,
useful and fancy articles, made by the pupils
of Miss Brown’s Academy, 1003 Spring Gar
den street. The wax fruit on this table is
most, tempting, and any one desiring such an
ornament for his parlor need go no further, as
it has been pronounced a perfect imitation of
nature.
We also observed, some days ago, an in
fant’s Afghan, which we are surprised to
see hanging there still. Its workmanship
is unique and exquisite. Some one of supe
rior taste will, no doubt, become its pur
chaser. The price is quite reasonable, only
twenty dollars. Last week they were pre
sented with some childrens’ aprons, most
beautifully made by a lady seventy-two years
of age, whose sight, however, needs no glasses.
There are so many beautiful articles here,
that we advise our friends to visit this table
before making purchases in the other depart
ments.
This school has been active in the work of
providing for our sick and wounded soldiers,
from the commencement of the rebellion. As
soon, as the Army of the Potomac were in the
field, the pupils sent three hundred well-filled
“housewives,” besides a quantity of reading
matter. They have also sent large boxes of
clothing and other goods to Nashville, and also
to our well-known friend, Mrs. Harris, of the
Ladies’ Aid, whose name has become a house
hold word in many a soldier’s home.
Last October a year, they held a Fair at
OITK LY FAKE.
their Academy, which although lasting but
two days, netted the handsome sum of two
hundred and fifty-seven dollars. This they
handed over to the hospitals and Refresh
ment Saloons. May it not truly be said, they
have “ done what they could?”
THE TURKISH BIVAN
The announcement that smoking is allowed
in the Bivan has attracted the eye of every
visitor to the Fair. Even the ladies have had
their curiosity excited, and scores have peeped
into this palace and have had their pretty
noses regaled with the fragrant, smoke from a
hundred segars, to which as many youths were
devoting their entire attention, to the total
exclusion of their fair neighbors. These in
veterate lovers of the weed should remember
that it is to a lady that they owe the creation
of this Bivan, and while puffing their fragrant
Havana should waft a silent prayer for her
success in this world, and her happiness in the
next. We regret our inability to give the
name of the philanthropic lady. It deserves
to be embalmed among the most precious relics
of the Great Central Fair. The lady submit
ted her proposition to a gentleman who, in
turn, laid the subject before a Committee of
the Tobacco and Segar Trade of Philadelphia.
The committee at once saw the eminent wisdom
of the proposal, and by men of energy at once
proceeded to carry into execution the design.
The Turkish Bivan is the result.
Mr. IVm. M. Abbey was directed to have
erected a suitable building for the purpose,
and was clothed with unlimited power. Ac
cording to instruction he proceeded, and at
once procured the services of Mr. Smith,
scenic artist of the Chesnut street Theatre, and
that gentleman, with the aid of his brother
artists, carried out their instructions to the
letter, and were ready to place the Bivan in
position at the appointed time, —the day pre
ceding the opening of the Fair. Too much
credit cannot be awarded to these artists for
the faithful manner which they h ive executed
the design of the committee. The result of
these labors is a Smoking Paradise, where,
upon luxurious cushions and within the sound
of the murmuring fountain, a choice segar can
be disposed of before you are scarcely aware
of it. The architecture of the builing and
its decorations are decidedly oriental, andcon
vey a very good idea of the Turks’ lounging
place.
The retail cigar department of the Bivan is
under the immediate superintendence of the
Messrs. Beck, who attend faithfully to their
duties. The floral decorations of the Divan
are iu the hands of T. 11. Vetteri.ein, through
whose liberality must be attributed, to a great
extent, the success of the institution. The
embellishment of the department with singing
birds, &c., is in charge of A. J. Bucknor, Jr.,
but owing to the non-arrival of foreign birds,
at present, at this port, he is unable to procure
other than a pair of birds, marked “ Turkish
Nightingales,” which are very attractive, owing
to their powerful notes, especiallyin the evening.
Since the above was written, the birds have
died, owing, it is supposed, to the bad flavor of
the many cigars brought into the hall by
those who preferred bringing in their own to
purchasing in the Bivan. The retail prices
here are lower than those outside the Fair.
The most favorite imported Havana cigars are
always on hand, and the proceeds of all tho
goods go to the Sanitary Commission.
TIIE CHILDREN S DEPARTMENT.
The visitor to the Fair, who enters at. the
southeast corner of tlie enclosure, has only to
turn to the left, and he or she will find him or
herself in the Bepartment set apart for the
juveniles. Upon entering this portion of the
Fair the objects which appear most prominent
are baby-houses. These specimens of infantile
architecture are multitudinous and varied,
from the colossal affair where Mr. and Mrs.
General Tom Thumb could set up house-keep
ing and have room enough to take in several
Lilliputian boarders, to cottage affairs suitable
for small dolls of limited means. Most of the
houses are elegantly furnished, some arc pro
vided with all the “ modern conveniences,”
and it would be a very hard child to please
that could not find among all this portable
real estate a mansion to suit his or her tastes.
The Old Woman who lived in a Shoo, and
had so many children she didn’t know what to
do, figures as large as life in this department.
The shoe is of sufficient capacity for a Gargantua
or a Titan, or some other large-footed gentle
man, and a little girl in grandmother’s cap
and spectacles sits comfortably in her mam
moth brogan, and ret ails her doll-baby brood
to whomsoever is disposed to make an invest
ment in that line. The “Old Woman” has
children of varied fortunes among her house
hold, for patrician silks, velvets and laces lie
cheek-by-jowl with plebian calicoes. But she
makes no distinctions when a purchaser comes
along, and she sells her vclveted pet with as
much satisfaction as she parts with a sixpenny
doll. Upon the wall, over the shoe-mansion,
the following excellent lines will be found:
“ I hope yon all know mo, my little clears,
I bring you some liumlrecls of volunteers;
For our country they come, not to die but be sold,
I’m willing to turn all my children to gold.
A mother most tender, a patriot true,
I sacrifice all for tho red, whito and blue.”
The “ old woman” does not enjoy a monop
oly in the baby line, in the Children’s Bepart
ment. Babies of all sorts, sizes and condi
tions are to be found there, and toys and vari
eties sufficient to set up a dozen regiments of
little folks, are among the wares offered for
sale by the earnest and indefatigable ladies
who preside at the tables.
At the western end of the room is the fol
lowing inscription, which is formed of Floral
“ Every child that buys a toy,
Heals the wounds of sonic brave boy/’