The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1893-11-23
4 Two Day,s Glimpse at the
WORLDS Fair.

The following letter, winch gives
vivid picture oft worlds fair from one
who used his eyes to good advantage,
will be read with interest, not only by
those who did not attend. but by those
who were rs fortunate to be there. 1t
lie from the pen of w. !. Whitefeld Of
this city.
EDITOR SAuK CENTRE HERALD -
Though it be a slight disgression, it
only accounts tor what would be re-
garded as inexcusable oversight, not to
mention that which adds so much to the
wondrous beauty and dream like perfec-
ton of this home of enchantment, The
Columbian Exposition. Arabian Nights
entertainments with their stories OF
gilded palaces. pale before the over,
whelmingly enhancing beauty and lord
y masni6cence ofthe spectacle encounter
edoueyery hand. Ever present with the
visitor, must be a questioning uoubt as
70 the realism Of the spectacle here pre-
scented. The laeoons. basins, canals,
ponds. 40 they are variously denominat-
cd, recall vision of Venice and her
paiaces-the Venice we have learned to
know from pictures and written descrip-
tion. In architecture, we behold Athens
and Rome in their days of greatest mag
niicence. But is the thought that
Venice was the inspiration in laying out
the groAnds, not very near the truth?
These are the palaces Of the Doges with
marbeied terraces and a "really truly"
gondolier and his gondola awaiting
your coming at the loot of the marble
stair case at the waters edge. Alas!
the enlivening sight Of the gracefully
gliding gondola was not mine to expert
ence., Dark and sombre and drear, like
funeral pail o'er-spreading departed
ioveliness, hung that veil of cloud-laden
atmosphere. The waters reflected the
clouds in cold and turbid gray; and the
winds shrieked and moaned around the
lofty columns, as though in grief. herald
ing the near approach OF the end. Oc-
casionally . swiftly gliding electric
launch would appear to invite patron
age. but without avail. The "Christo-
pher Columbus and other steamers
with low trailing smoke, rose and fell
upon the coldly swelling waters of Lake
Michigan. Notwithstanding all these
dreary accessories, could not but real
ire the intoxicating beauty of the scene
when balmy breezes under fairer skies
should turn from turbid grayto cerulean
blue, the waters of the lagoons aad lake.
At the western end of the "Basin" and
to the east of that impressively magnif-
cent structure, the Administration suild-
ing, the Columbian fountain, symbol
eally representing Columbia, seated in a
barge OF antique design, personifying
liberty, freedom and power-Father
Time at the helm. Assisting the foam
ing sea horses in propelling the Ship of
State are four female figures represent
ing the arts and sciences, bravely bend
ing to their oars. Fame, with herald's
trumpet proclaims the nations progress.
Thisis generally regarded as one of the
mast artistic compositions the world
can show. ] believe it to be the creation
Of French artist. At the Eastern end
Of this Basin, which must be 400 feet
long by 800 feet wide, is seen facing the
Fountain. "A colossal statue OF the repub-
he on a pedestal anchored about $50
feet from the embankment in the centre
OF that end of the Basin. The figure and
rainment are represented as OF gold.
Viewed from the Fountain, the Peristyle
and Lake Michigan are seen in the back
ground. was not favorabIy impressed
on beholding this symbolical representa-
ton Of great nation-chiefiy, possibly
wholly. because to my eye the gold,
though it 10 hard to imagine where gold
can be out Of place, destroyed the dignity
and majestic repose which the sculptor
may have impaired, though think tine
SSssSspssou - 'uSS duSOSSShSh q ioiIy
ideal. Seen in bronze or marble GER
tainly should not have ventured 20
criticise. Think of this cheap looking,
tinsel bedecked statue surrounded by
such marvelously beautiful conceptions
az the Administration, Manufactures
and Liberal Arts buildings and not only
in sight but facing the Columbian Foun-
tain.
The United States Life Saving Service
located on a pond or basin near the
North Inlet, exhibitedJboats on trucks,
on launch way, at anchor in pond and
with prows resting on the beach. There
were tine mortars for firing the Life lines,
life preservers and all else ESSENTIAL to a
complete equipment. These boats are
very strongly built and certainly look
the ideal boat for a stormy, sea. At
either end Is an air tight bulk head and
attached to the gunwale, on the outside,
an air tight tube, probably of rubber
covered with heavy canvas, makes the
boat very bouyant il filled with water
md must prove great aid in prevent
ing eapsizing. was not so fortunate
az to witness the boat drill.
Great Britain's representative building
being nearest, next rnlisted my atten-
tion or would but the blarsted Briton
would not be at home till 2.3O p. m. /
visited it later but found little of inter-
est. Everything was for sale and the
furniture stupidity covered from sight
Even the entrance to the rooms were
barricaded by stout silken cord across
the threshold. ] cannot comprehend
how they should have been so rudely
stupid. One cannot but ask. "why did
they build at all or hnving built not
throw wide open the doors and welcome
all callers?" Surely that must be the
spirit and intent in placing an exhibit,
that all who come may inspect.
IL. {-n... - o.,