Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1880-08-27
Splendid Fireworks.
THE FRENCH REPUBLIC CELEBRATION.

THE FRENCH REPUBLIC CELEBRATION.
All steps were turned toward the
Basin of Neptune, where the pyrotechnic
display was to take place, and though it
was only to begin at nine o'clock. the in
Vulnerable chairs ranged along the basin,
the tribune built for the occasion, and
all other coigns of vantage were filled.
Fifty thousand spectators at least were
gathered to witness the display which,
as combining water and flame, fountains
and fireworks, can be witnessed nowhere
else in the world.
A row of lights placed around the en-
tire lake-for such indeed is the Basin of
Neptune-was first lighted and was in
stantly doubled byrehection in the water
below. Around one-half of the circum-
ference of the lake was a gorgeous arcade
of light, broken only in the center to dis
play a lane of fire floor and sides) lead
ing up to a brilliant triumphal arch,
which stood several hundred feet back
at the summit of an inclined plane.
From various points powerful electric
lights cast their glare upon the groups
of strange water-gods which adorn the
basin, old Neptune himself being in the
center. 1t was brilliant sight, Lut only
the beginning.
AT little after nine the waters began
to play. Vases along the shore sent up
graceful jets, the stone sea-gods and mer-
maids and monsters spouted forth, and
from the quiet bosom of the lake sudden
ly arose tall obelisks fwater-fountains
which, under the def influence OF col
ored glass placed athwart the electric
lights, assumed the strangest and richest
hues. 1t is customary to describe such
things as eft for fairy land;" but that
dubious territory never saw anything OF
the kind. Only Versailles has ever wit
messed such a scene.
While everybody was enjoying this
unparalleled display, suddenly rockets
and bombs shot up into the air, bursting
far above into myriads of stars. Those
which changed their hues, showing the
national red, white and blue were the
most heartily applauded. Roman candles
and Bengal lights added to the ever
varying luster of the scene.
A minute after, certain small objects
discerned on the surface of the water
suddenly changed into fiery serpents ant
dashed and sputtered about, their bril-
liancy doubled to the eye by the refec
ton on the CLASSY surface. Meteors fel
on the water and turned into revolving
suns and stars. Then a series of set fire
works on frames along the shore were
ignited, and a great allegorical piece was
displayed fl ON the triumphal arch. Tht
rows of trees in the background were
strangely illumined by colored flames
The electric lights were turned in full
force on the larger fountains, and in ont
prolonged, unearthly vista of smoke
flame and fountain, of fire and water
transformed in color and radiant will
every known hue, the great festival a
} Versailles came to an end Now it Sc
happened that the moon was at its full
on this joyful night, and during the dis
play seemed to stand half way up til,
heavens directlyover the triumphal arch
1t was the browning glory of this fiesta
scene. "Quel bonheur!' said it'll
child near me. "The moon has come
too, to see the fete!"-Cor. N. Y. MatI.