The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1893-06-15
AT TIE FAIR.
The Kimberley Diamond Washing Ex.
hibition at the Fair.
The Odd Exhibit by Japan at the
Art Department of the
Great Exposition.

The story of the great exposition, the
crown of the superb Court of Honor and
the apotheosis of modern liberty, is the
wondrously beautiful Columbian Foun-
tain, or MacMonnies Fountain, as it is
called, in honor Of Frederick MacMon-
MES, the young American sculptor, who
modelled this largest fountain Of the
world. 1t rises at the west end of the
Grand Basin, Columbia gazing forth upon
the golden statue of the republic. She
sits enthroned on triumphal barge,
guided by Time, heralded by Fame. and
rowed by the four young muses. Of Music,
Architecture, Sculpture and Painting on
the right, and by the muses. of Agricult-
ure, Science, Industry and Commerce on
the left.
The prov of this splendid Ship of Estate,
Grecian in beauty, is ornamented with an
eagles head, the sides are bordered with
pictured dolphins and tridents in relief,
with horns of plenty pouring their riches,
flowers and fruits over the edge. At the
helm stands strong bearded old Father
Time, using his scythe as a rudder. At
the prov, with one foot proudly adj
vanced, is the winged angel of Fame, or
Victory, raising the trumpet to her lips
and holding forth the laurel wreath.
The graceful female rowers, bending
spiritedly above emblematic holdings,
move their great oars in tall rowIoCks
hung with garlands. Their draperies
flutter behind. Between the two groups
of rowers rises a massive pedestal bear
ing the national shield on its front. Four
cherubs supporting heavy garlands
kneel at the corners of the smaller pc
destal.
COLUMBIA.
Above and upon that, seated in the
chair of State, sits the proud young
Queen of the Nation, Columbia. She sits
there in all her naked majesty and beauty,
her robe fallen across her lap. She sits
erect, alert, peerless, the ideal embodi-
ment of America. Her right arm rests
lightly on the curved arm of the chair,
while in her left hand she holds the torch
of enlightenment. Her feet is the globe
There is a sublime serenity in form and
pose.
The Ship of State rides the waves of a
circular basin $50 feet i'll diameter, thanked
on either side by fifty-foot high eagle
crowned columns. Mermaids and tri-
tons, gamboling in the water, blow upon
seashells and coral flowers and toss sill
very spray in the air. Dolphins in high
relief on the bow balustrade spout spark
ling streams into the basin.
TOSSING JETS"
Amid the intermingled play Of water.
dozen tall jets toss their foaming,
iridescent spumes on high. The barge is
yelled in romantic bediamonded mist.
from which rises Columbia triumphantly
The mass of water rushes over the brink
of the basin, tumbling in grand cas-
cade over the flight of steps to the blue
canal below.
Leaping forth from the waves at the
very brink of this cascade are eight
colossal sea horses mounted by eight
muscular Outriders, representative of
modern commerce. The riders are mag
niticent types of enterprise incarnate
Their goods are held aloft. The names Of
the steeds are erect, their necks proudly
arched, their nostrils quivering, their
fore hoOfs madly paw the air, as If they
would leap into the waves beyond.
The smallest figure in this imposing
fountain is twelve feet in hight, the
largest fully twenty feet. The grandeur
of the theme, the spirit of progress, the
beauty Of a triumphant young nation,
are all beheld here in glorious apotheosis:
THE KIMBERLEY SHOW.
The process of robbing South African
clay of its sparkling treasures is an es-
tablished daily feature in the dazzling
mineral show.
The dirt, about 100 tons, was shipped
under guard from Cape Colony. 1t came
SeWed In SACKS, without any dOCtOrinp.
so that the process is exactly true to the
fact. The machine in the exhibit is only
miniature one, not capable of doing in
a days time what one in Kimberley
would accomplish in an hour. However,
it is so large that high platform is built
for visitors, so that, having a birds eye
view Of the plant, the complete proceed
ings are apparent. The opening Incl
dent, which ended in the presentation to
Chief Skiff of the first diamond washed
out, was attended by thousands of people,
who divided their attention between the
stones and the giant natives who did the
work. These men are simply herculean
in proportions-absolut perfect in
their physical manhood, with muscles,
bones and sinews fit for the sculptor's
hand. They wear beads about their necks,
strings of horn ornaments, and punches
of feathers for fezes.
HOW THE CLAY Is GUARDED AND WORKED.
The one who watches the gate is nearly
seven feet tall, with hands like Gioliath's,
and feet that trod like the march Of time
His nature is as good as his size is super
lative, but even then, when he toys with