t us go there first," responded several voices, and so it was
decided.

They set out, as usual, shortly after leaving the table; found their young
gentlemen friends waiting for them in the Peristyle, and all proceeded at
once to the Manufactures Building.

It was easy to spend a long time there, and they did; visiting one section
after another, admiring all that was worthy of admiration in the
architecture and exhibits--the German pavilion with its towers, domes, and
arches, its Ionic pillars upholding golden eagles, the fountains at the
base, the Germania group in hammered copper surmounting the highest
pedestal, and, most beautiful and impressive of all, the great
wrought-iron gates that form its main entrance, and were considered the
finest and most remarkable specimens of that kind of work ever yet seen in
our country.

The pavilion of France next challenged their attention, being close at
hand. In front of its arched entrance stood two blue and green vases which
they learned were from the national porcelain factories of Sevres, both
very handsome. That factory had sent about two thousand pieces of its
beautiful and costly china. Most of them had been already sold, but the
captain and his party secured a few.

Germany, France, and Great Britain occupied three great squares grouped
around the central circle of the immense building. On the fourth square
were the exhibits of the United States. Three New York firms had accepted
the task of making for their country's section such a pavilion as should
maintain her dignity and reputation, and had succeeded in so doing. It
was of the Doric order of architecture and enriched with a pale color and
a profusion of gold, while from the centre of the facade rose a column to
a height of one hundred feet, having a ball and eagle on the top.

"Oh, let us go in and look at the exhibits here! those of our own
country," exclaimed Lucilla, after some moments had been spent by their
party in an admiring examination of the outside.

Such seemed to be the inclination of the others also, and they passed
quietly in and about.

The exhibit of jewelry there was the one which seemed to have the greatest
attraction for the young girls of the party, Lucilla especially; and her
father presented her with a pin and ring which gave her great delight; nor
was he less liberal to his wife or Grace.

"Ah, ha! um, hum! ah, ha! I see, captain, that you believe in encouraging
home industries," laug