THE FAIR GROUNDS Have been judiciously selected. The superficial area enclosed by high and substantial fences, embraces a surface of thirty-eight acres. The southern portion consists of an elevated plateau, commanding a fine view of the level turfed plain which comprises the remainder of the enclosure, as well as a pleasing prospect of the beautiful valley of Millcreek, hedged in by lofty ranges of forest clad hills, diversified by elegant residences and rich gardens of fruit and flowers. The elevated portion of the grounds are protected by some fine shade trees, and carpeted by a heavy green sward, and the base of the bench is the brink of a perenial rivulet, which supplies a limpid current of cool water to quench the thirst of multitudes. Here and there are distributed prettily designed fountains, from which fantastic jets of water leap twenty feet high, into a pure and pleasant atmosphere, diffusing coolness and agreeable odors. No site in the vicinity of Cincinnati could, perhaps, have been selected, so well calculated to exhibit the extent of the city. Nor could any other so easy of access have been chosen. The Hamilton pike flanks the eastern bundary-a broad, level avenue, which will accommodate countless vehicular conveyances. The Miami canal, on the upper side of the pike, furnishes another, and perhaps more pleasant, rout of transit. On the western side is the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad, which will accommodate thousands, and drop them within a few rods of the sunset gate. On the same side is the famous "dirt" road, which is entered by diverging to the left at the Brighton House, and turning thence to the right, a few hundred yards beyond-or a more convenient route may be found by following Freeman street to its intersection with the "dirt" road. EXHIBITING DEPARTMENTS. The chief gate of entrance and the ticket offices are situated midway of the Fair grounds, on the Hamilton pike. At your right as you enter the stabling for live stock begins, makes a circuit of two-thirds of the area, and embraces six hundred stalls. Towards the northwest corner of the grounds you discover the live stock ring, precisely a third of a mile in circumference. On the southern verge of this, and situated so that the sun shall not dazzle the eyes of spectators, are tiers of seats for the accommodation of 8,000 visitors. A hundred feet or so to the southeast is Agricultural Implement hall, a frame structure 160 feet long by 28 in width, divided by a broad table. To the left of the main entree are three spacious halls for the Mechanical department, being altogether 400 feet long by 25 wide. About six hundred feet west you find a spacious round tent devoted to the display of Diary products. Not far off is a tent devoted to the uses of the Executive committee. Midway between the centre and the southern boundary of the grounds, about three hundred feet from the western limits, we encounter Power Hall, where will be heard the clash and clangor of multitudinous pieces of machinery, driven by the strong arm and hot breath of the Newark engine and boiler. FLORAL HALL. We now repair to the upper plateau. Here we find Floral Hall flanked on the western side by Pomological Hall, the Dining Hall of the Executive committee, the Board of Agriculture, and their guests, and lastly Burnett's bijou, where confections will be liberally dealt to the million for a reasonable compensation. The Temple of Flora will be the cynosure of the fair grounds, and will doubtless shake the laurels from the crown of our pet Horticultural Society. It occupies a central position upon the highest point of the fair grounds, on the south side nearly midway between the eastern and western limits. We obtain a glimpse of it through a vista of unbrageous forest trees from the centre of the main level of fair grounds, and approach it in front; as we draw near an artificial pool and sparkling fountain, constructed artistically, in a pretty alcove shaded by old elms and weeping willows which incline from the table-land, starts up abruptly with turfy banks towards the south. We pause for an instant to admire the up-leaping jet and hear its musical pell mell in the limpid pool beneath, and then surmounting the ridge before us, we command a view of the lofty arched portal of Flora's Temple. The vision then mounts upward and beholds a homely but apt symbol of the great exhibition. The dome of the portal is crowned with a huge wagon, piled up, like a mountain, with golden sheaves of wheat, and the mind is pleased with conceptions which arise from its sources when thus roused into action by such suggestive and illustrative types. And in triumph still waves the star spangled banner, floating with graceful dignity from an aspiring staff, as if rejoicing over a land "where the fruits and the flowers chase each other in unbroken circles through the year." We now enter the Hall. A delicious aroma permeates the atmosphere and seduces the senses. Flora has assumed her most witching sceptre Flowers, annuals, perennials, exotics, evergreens, boughs and blossoms, green sward, living waters, all combine to impart a complicity of charms, and to dazzle sense and fancy. The woodwork of the wide portal, fretted with garlands of evergreens, is forgotten. A broad path leads you direct to a pelucid pool in the center of the hall. You step softly upon the turfy fringe, and the bright spray from a fanciful fountain dashes upwards a thousand diamond sparkles in incessent showers. You wander around the circular path, your back towards the portal, and you inspect closely a fantastic rustic grotto of roots and fern, rocks and stumps, moss and tangled brushwood. Luxuriant flowers, fresh, green shrubbery, watered by a fountain cunningly concealed in the secrets of the grotto, excites your imagination. At your feet is a reservoir for the secret spring, and a fountain in its center spouts its jets twenty feet and more upward to fall back with musical patter to swell the mirror like pool into which you long to plunge. Reader, it is very pretty; it is more, it is a fine work of art, such work as our Mr. G.. M. Kern can do skillfully. It exceeds the Horticultural grotto in dimensions, and surpasses it in beauty. You will think so, and you will say, too, that our artists are not without taste. When you see the circular fountain with grassy fringe, the rustic grotto and its beauty, the grass plots and oases of flowers and shrubbery in Floral Hall, you will admire it. We had almost forgot to mention that Pomological Hall is one of the right bowers of the Temple of Flora. It is a spacious apartment, being 140 feet long by 90 wide. Fine Arts Hall is 125 feet long by 40, and has a square, glass dome which reflects a beautiful photographic light upon the treasures of art displayed within. The public will not fail to observe and appreciate the extensive and excellent preparations that have been made to acquit the people of Cincinnati gracefully of their responsibility. Yesterday a hundred hands were driving nails, and the musical clink of hammers kept time to the busy manipulations of a swarm of damsels who were weaving wreaths, and twining garlands for decorative purposes. PROGRAMME OF THE EXHIBITION. Order of exhibition for Wednesday, September 16, 1857: EXHIBITION OF HORSES. 1. The exhibition of horses will commence at 10 o'clock, A. M., in the large ring, by the examination of Thorough Bred Horses. 2. The examination of Horses of all Work will commence at 2 o'clock, P. M., in the large ring. 3. Jacks and Mules will be examined in the small horse ring, in the northeast corner of the grounds, commencing at 11 o'clock, A. M. EXHIBITION OF CATTLE. The examination of Herefords will commence at 10 o'clock, A. M., in the cattle ring in the southwest corner of the grounds. The examination of Devons will follow that of the Herefords. The examination of Durham Cattle will commence in the same ring at 3 o'clock, P. M. Committees will commence the examination of articles in all the departments, excepting the first department, at 9 o'clock. Committees on the several classes are expected to organize, and in connection with exhibitors, to be prompt in their attendance at the time indicated. Seats around the main ring are reserved for the exclusive use of ladies. ORDER FOR THURSDAY. The gates will be opened at 8 o'clock, A. M., and close at 6 P. M. Committees that have not finished their labors will resume duty at 8 o'clock. Carriages may enter the ground and pass through, but in no case will they be permitted to remain on the grounds. No person will be allowed to make exit from the main gate, unless with a vehicle or horse. The exhibition of horses of all work will be resumed at 9 o'clock, A. M. Draught horses will be examined in the small ring at 10 A. M. After horses of all work are concluded, the following will be the order, viz: 1st, Roadsters; 2d, Geldings and Mares; 3d, Sweepstakes for colts; 4th, Matched Horses and Mares; 5th, Sweepstakes for Horses and Mares. The examination of cattle will be resumed at 9 A. M. SHORT HORN ENTRIES. 1. James M. Trimble, Hillsboro, Highland county, white bull, Victor, 20 months old. 5. David Wilson, Cincinnati, bull, Lord Eglinton, 4 years old. 6. Wm. Palmer, Bloomington, Clinton county, bull, Allen (roan), 6 mos. and 8 days old. 13. Alfred Coulter, Bloomington, Clinton county, bull, Bellville (white), 25 months old. 22. Alex Waddle, South Charleston, Clark Co., bull, Lord Stanwick, 41⁄2 years old. 26. E. Hankins, Sabina, Clinton county, bull calf, Wellington II. (roan), 1 year old. 27. Walter A. Dun, Wahoo, Madison county, cow, Lavender III., 6 years old. 31. Geo. W. Gregg, Plainsview, Pickaway county, cow, Raspberry, 8 years old. 35. Jas. H. Perrine, Lebanon, Warren county, bull, Young America, 15 months old. 36. do do do heifer, Jane Trimble, 17 months old. 37. Jas. Rankin, Jr., London, Madison county, do Sun Beam, 1 year old. 38. Charles M. Clark, Springfield, bull, New Year's Day, 4 years old. 42. Stephen Easton, Union Village, Warren county, bull, Hearts of Oak, 4 years old. 43. Harness Renick, Circleville. 48. do do do 49. do do do 50. 47. H. H. Hankins, Bloomington, Clinton county, bull, Locomotive, 4 years old. do Perfection, 8 months old. 53. James R. Mills, Sabina, Clinton county, heifer, Lady Bon Berry, 11 months old. 54. Josiah Burnham (Agent for Whitewater Village Shakers), Preston, Hamilton county, |