The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-07-06
Woe Is Me. Chicnnol

The Fodro's correspondent takes q
gloomy view OF tho Worlds Fair. Briefly
stated. he says there is nothing in 1t. He
doesn't admire "the black smoke, the
splendors In close proximity to sordid
misery. and the climatic inclemencies. which
have more resemblance to the horrors Of
hell, than to tho bland aspects OF paradise"
What In the name OF COLUMBUS have
they been putting into this poor mans
cocktails But let us hear him still further:
"In the innumsrsble pieces of architecture which
decorate Its lawns Its canals and badly iaidout lands
the Chicago EXPOSITION places nothing before tho eyes
Of the universe except what 1t has borrowed. It
would DO difficult to display more pett!ness in
originality. more commonplace conceptions. and
less modernism. Bold America proud OF her novel.
ties and presenting In her leading cities many spect
mems OF oontemporaneous architecture. exhibits in
Jackson Park OF those brilliant quatie. which
everybody admires in the ndornment OF her streets
The spirit of progress seems to have been
ssnished from tho display opened by the iakeport of
lliinoia The architects called into tho competition
have evidently dug down into the antique to crea,ea
sort OF STYLE calculated to give to the Worlds
Fair something of tho back ground Of picture Ia
Pon.n. with very pale acroposos very doubtful pan
theons. uncertain summits and tho whole ornamonted
with coionnades and pcristyies very
degenerate and bucolio taste. reminding both OF
the stage and of the Of the
masters OF the eighteenth century. GRAvELor. EsxS.
LAScRrr or WArrrAu would not have disowned these
bastard pieces of architecture which appear to have
been exhumed. through love of tho parndoxca. from
oil ATM mia in rhooI
Rome. 1t canno: be said that this medley OF white
buildings absolutely disasreoabs to the eye
1t does not arouse incident admiration Of the
sic. fortunately half asleep; but although may for
an instant be dazzed by tho vision Of all this false
mngnicence. renoced In the waters OF tho lake. upon
which the soudolas glide and nocks of pretty water
fowl assemble. We cannot forget the reality"
So much for tho exterior. The interior
has few charms for this reporter. and
1t IL hardly worth whilo to translate his
disappointments. But perhaps there is
something interesting in his rough sketch
OF the visitors. Is it really true that, in the
eyes OF foreigner. Americans appear to
be eternally and under all circumstances
either in church or at funeral?
-The Midway Plaisanco is enormous and oppres
svely melancholy in spite Of tho attrac.
tons that are accumulated in It, But sadness IL one of
the leading characteristics Of American crowds whose
slow. monotonous. and silent movements give even to
the places they pass through the melancholy express
sion which belongs to all their feasts without smiles
without flowers without Eayety. and without music.
They move along like procession of Quakera
They have no Jokes. frolics shouts
NO fun. The dead silence that marks their prom.
snade makes one think OF the professions Of tho
pupils Of some deaf and dumb institution. Nothing
arousss them from tho torpor in which the Joyous
spirit and tho ringing laugh OF nation entirely
wanting Tho thing is oppressive. The people who
come to visit Partisan cemeteries on All Saints
Day. are less distraught make more noise. exhibit
moro cheerfulness and communicative gaysty than
con be found in the very vsest sections this sin.
suar Worlds Fair this verAble oapo san.o of Amsr.
qualities"
But what cares Chicago for the criticism
OF the leading journal OF Paris? What Is
Paris herself to Chicago? What cares the
metropolis Of the tremendous future for the
pleasure house Of tho effete past? Moth
ing. nothing! Let the silent crowd Of the
Midway Plalsance move mournfully along
provided they only pay!