relief was placed and constituted a striking addition to the decorative part of the work. The building cost $20,000.*

THE COSTA RICAN COMMISSION.

When the products to be exhibited were ready, and all the necessary preparations in Chicago had been completed, the Government issued the following decree:†

No. 112.]

SAN JOSÉ, March 29, 1893.

The President of the Republic has resolved to organize the Commission that is to represent Costa Rica in the approaching International Exposition of Chicago in the following form:

President, Señor Don Manuel M. Peralta, E. E. and M. P., from Costa Rica at Washington.

Secretary, Señor Don Joaquín Bernardo Calvo, Chargé d'Affaires of Costa Rica at Washington.

Vice-President and Commissioner-General for Agriculture and Industry, Señor Don David J. Guzmán.

Vice-Secretary and Commissioner for Archæology, Señor Don Anastasio

Alfaro.

Signed by the President.

(Countersigned)

VARGAS, M.

The Commission did not meet in Chicago until about the middle of May, and during that period, Messrs. Calvo and Alfaro were in charge of the work; co-operating with them, was Dr. Francisco J. Rucavado, who afterward was also appointed commissioner.

INSTALLATION.

As to the interior of the pavilion, the plan generally adopted in the arrangement of museums was followed: A large hall surrounded by a gallery accessible by two staircases, placed one on each side of the eastern entrance of the pavilion, as has been said; han some glass cases, containing natural and agricultural products, arranged in classified groups beneath the gallery on the main floor, in the center of which rose a high graceful pyramid, formed of minerals, having two others, composed of specimens of wood, placed on its sides.

*The foregoing description of the building appeared in the General Catalogue of the World's Columbian Exposition.

+ La Gaceta, Diario Oficial, No. 74. March 30, 1893.

Each one of the corners of the main floor was occupied by glass cases containing samples of beautiful silk fabrics in the favorite colors of the people of Costa Rica, in the shape of scarfs, mantillas and wraps, all of which gave due credit to the industry of the country on account of their fine workmanship.

A precious collection of gold and silver jewels, and of gold and tortoise shell combined, very carefully worked throughout, alongside of a complete collection of the national coins, and two of foreign coins, a complete collection of bank notes, and of the national postage stamps, presented one of the attractions of the exhibition.

Fishing implements and tools used in the country were exhibited, and a collection of fish, preserved in alcohol, showed the varieties. of this product, both in salt and fresh waters.

At the northern extremity of the same floor, the aromatic and delicious Costa Rican coffee was served. The space inside not being large enough to accommodate the always increasing number of persons drawn by the celebrity of this peerless product of Costa Rica, an addition was made on the outside of the building with a capacious awning covering.

At the southern extremity of the gallery was a drawing-room, decorated with elegant curtains. Here were the portraits of the President of the Republic, Señor Rodriguez; of the four Secretaries of the Executive, and a handsome view of the city of San José, the capital of Costa Rica.

At the other extremity, there was a panoramic view of the steep heights of the volcano of Irazu, the only place in the world from which the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans can be seen simultaneously. On the principal sides of the gallery, and in glass cases arranged as those on the first floor, the magnificent school exhibits of which. Costa Rica can be proud, were placed; sundry articles made by women-among these two needle-embroidered pictures on silk; pita hats (generally known as Panama hats), and different kinds of implements, such as brushes, harnesses, saddles and other like articles, as likewise sundry articles of wrought and cast iron, etc., and an extensive collection of photographic views of interesting places, buildings, coffee patios, machinery, railways, roads, villages and types of the natives, etc. At one side of the hall, were a considerable number of literary works, written by Costa Rican authors; maps, drawings,

reports, and other official publications, which give honor to their country. In this section of the exhibition, special mention is due to the National Museum of Costa Rica, for the very rich and extensive collection of stuffed animals, the ornithological part being very remarkable and attractive.

Coffee plants, palm trees and Costa Rica orchids and flowers were blended together with the national colors, forming the decoration and ornamentation of the large hall. If the appearance of the unpretentious but elegant building of Costa Rica caused a very pleasing impression when seen from the outside, the view of the interior produced a real surprise on account of the magnificent tout ensemble it presented to the spectator.

LIST OF THE EXHIBITS.

The exhibit of Costa Rica was characteristically a display of the products of the land. Classified according to the regulations issued by the Chicago Exposition, it was comprised in the following groups:

DEPARTMENT A.-AGRICULTURE.

GROUP NO. 1-Wheat of various kinds, Indian corn of all varieties, barley, rice, wheat flour, yucca flour, corn meal, bran.

GROUP NO. 2-Biscuits and crackers, vermicelli and maccaroni. GROUP NO. 3-Cane sugar, native honey of five varieties, exotic honey, confectionery.

GROUP NO. 4-Potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams, radishes, turnips, beets, onions, peanuts, roots for starch.

GROUP NO. 5-Beans of twenty-three different kinds.

GROUP No. 6-Prepared cocoanut.

GROUP NO. 7-Cheese (never came).

GROUP NO. 8-Coffee of various kinds and in its different grades of preparation, Liberia coffee, cacao, chocolate, pepper, cloves, anise and other spices, tobacco in the leaf.

GROUP NO 9.-Cotton, ochreous color cotton, nineteen varieties. of vegetable fibers, native silkworms, horse hair as a harness material. GROUP NO. 10.-Twenty-two different kinds of mineral waters, ten different kinds of thermal waters.

GROUP NO. 11.-Wines, rums, cognac and other spirits; cordials and liquors, bitters, vinegar, chicha.