Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1888-06-09
THE ELECTRIC EXHIBIT.
DELIGHTS AND PORTENTS OF GIN
ClNNATPs CENTENNIAL.

nluuainated Buildings. Electric Fountains,
Gardens, Plants and Animals-Tbe Lamp
of Aladdin Superseded by the Electric
Flash of Puck.
The role which the electric agent is to
play in the Centennial Exposition at Gin
ginnati forms no inconsiderable portion
Of the immense display which will be
witnessed throughout the one hundred
days
The buildings are to be lighted within
and without, the grounds are to be illu-
minated, and even the attendants are to
be marked by electric badges on their
hats and coats, while the patrol will
carry batons on the ends Of which cleo
trio lights will flash and sparkle The
various halls win present many special
features of interest in the electric adorn-
ment and the phenomena of nature will
be reproduced with realistic effect.
at the grand entrance to the EXPOSE
ton buildings on Elm street the front
and the doors viii be radiant with power
full lights, turning night into day. The
outlines of the buildings, the corners,
the cornices and the apex of the dome
will be traced by lines of electric lights
The Bridge of Signs, over Elm street,
the Music Hall and the Canal Building
will be distinguished from every hilltop
and point Of vision by the rows of lights
which viii cover them from ground to
summit.
But the most marvellous and interest
ing features in electric illumination viii
t.,
She Main Exhibit Hall there will be con
structed very picturesque fountain,
with rows OF countless jets and sprays in
varied forms, rising one above the other
&c q height Of seyenty-fve to a hundred
feet. Under each jet, or spray, will be
placed az electric light. The BASIN fifty
feet wide, which receives the falling
spray, will be adorned with flowers and
shrubbery and trees, the rich product of
Florida, the land of perpetual summer
The gorgeous effect of this combination
of luxurious plants and innumerable fall
Ing sprays, every bubble OF which will
become irridescent with the colors of the
rainbow over the electric lights, will ad-
init of no equivalent description.
But there is a still more brilliant dis
play elsewhere OF the action of the cleo
trio light on flower and plant aud falling
water. Pass to the north end of the
building and through the hall that leads
to the bridge of Signs, " and over this,
by the light Of thousands of electric jets,
10 the grand corridors of the Music Hall,
and crossing this, enter the Garden of
the Gods horticultural Hall Dark
hess is without, but within is radiant
light, more dazzling than that which
crowned the caOalistic words which
overwhelmed Belshazzar's banqueters.
Around are plants ana flowers of every
cline. Five superb and exquisitely
wrought fountains, and thirty bronzed
vases of unique designs, all illuminated
with the electric light; but the master
piece OF this great display Is the illumin-
ated fountain representing in miniature
the famous Fountain Abbey" upon the
estate OF the Earl OF Ripon, Cheltham,
England. The description of this rare
work OF art must necessarily be unsatis-
factory, as words, however eloquent,
could not do it justice. 1t may be said
ia brief, however, that the fountain will
De constructed sixty feet in width upon
the south side Of Horticultural Hall. E
From a lake above a sheet of water will
fall down series of sixteen glass steps,
60 be erected over the principal promen-
AIDE: the marble bglustered area above
the numerous winding stairs and other
faucies OF the architect viii be ornate
with plant embellishments. And over
this whole wonderful! fountain and within
the falling water the frequent flash of
the electric light VIII appear, afIording a
display never before attempted.
There are il addition many novel foa-
lures To 6e Witnessed in the different
minor roles which the electric lights will
play. Owls Will gaze upon the assembled
multitudes with expanding and contract
ing eyes, fish, fowl and flesh OF the field
will abOuud;d AN electric umbrella, tree and
revolving garden, the aurora borealis of
the north and the rainbow, will pass
through their phenomenal stages, almost
defying uaC,..o - uAeir resemblance.
1t is impossible TO convey to the mind
the variety of displays which viii come
under the head Of the electric exhibits,
but it is sufficient 10 state that such has
been the progress in electric experiment
and manipulation, that it will be no diff
cult matter to show not only that the
girdle Of Puck compasses the world, but
that within the twelve years succeeding
che Philadelphia Exposition, he has fur
nished Us also light, heat, power, and it
can be shown that he has almost pro-
duced LIFE.
CINCINNATI CENTENNIAL NOTES.