Evening star., 1893-09-15
A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE.
Buildings of the Fair Seen to Good Ad-
vantage.
The Fisheries Building and the Ex.
tenstve Exhibit 1t Includes-Its
Eject Upon Prairie Farmers.

Correspondence Of The Evening Star
CHICAGO. September H. lS93
One OF the prettiest views on all the
worlds fair grounds may be seen looking
north from the upper bridge crossing the
canal, from manufactures and liberal arts
building to that Of electricity. Within two
hours after my arrival in Chicago 1 was
standing on this bridge gazing at the lowell
ness of the scene. which was making its
nrst and indelible impression on my mind.
The buildings were a confusion of beauty
to my understanding as yet. but after
drinking 1t all in as a spectacle guide book
and map had to come out and give the in
formation of practical nature which
every well-regulated sightseer Is bound 10
imbibe. Those first vague hours are pleas
ant to look back upon. however, when a
delightful mystery hung over all jackson
Park; when all our previous reading and
secondhand knowledge seemed to go for
absolutely nothing in the face of the glor-
ious reality of the great Columbian exposi-
tion. this imposing title being the only fit-
ting one as 1t seemed to us then. which
familiarity soon contracted into the brief
never. however. breed contempt" in this
instance. and the longer one stays the
greater the wonder of 1t all. and those who
go only for days or few short weeks leave
IeeilIS only nal1 SatlSneO ana hungry 1or
1t again. with envy Of those whose good
fortune grants them longer stays in its en-
ticing vicinity.
The Fisheries Building.
From one bridge view we can see far up
the lagoon the circular wing of the west
end of the fisheries building. which invites
a nearer inspection; 1t is just north Of gov
ernment building, with branch Of the
lagoon between and two bridges crossing 1t.
The exterior Is one of the most curiously
ingenious on the grounds, the object Of the
structure being made the theme Of its ex-
ternal decoration, and marine life In every
form is interviewer for the ornamentation
Of pillars and balustrades in graceful sue
cession of design. The central building ne
its circular or polygonal east and west an
nexes connected with 1t by curved arcades
Many turrets surmount the roof and BAN
ners are flying from every point. Inside Is
an immense collection of everything per-
tanning to or comprehended In the general
term. fisheries. Everything that lives or Is
stream to depths Of ocean, with every ap-
pliance for securing them, is here exhibit
ed There are all kinds Of fishing boats and
tackle. every convenience for the fisherman
Everything to he Found.
Shells, corals. everything that can be found
by minutest search is here arranged in the
way best suited to show the peculiar beauty
Of each specimen. The United States hsh
commission has a very fine display; all the
outfit and working methods Of this wonder
fully interesting branch Of our government
is true in its completeness. and throngs OF
visitors testify to Its attractions In general
way. The most popular point OF the hsher-
les building Is the great aquarium at the
west end. Here. in great tanks. lighted
from above. and filled with rocks, moses
and floating seaweed. every Imaginable fsh
rfvv,, l~Ah toe In q No
Most exquisite In coloring are many Of these
fish. Such as the Japanese gold fish. with
their fan-like tails looking almost like tropi-
cal flowers, and all the other gold and silver.
speckled and mottled, in endless variety. with
every possible ugliness of fish life. too.
brought into close contrast as they dart
about the crowded tanks. 1t Is almost I'M
possible to move at times along the corridor.
nearer and better view Of these wonders.
From inland towns come swarms Of people
to whom all this accumulation OF sea
growth and belongings Is a revelation which
Eject on Prairie Farmers.
Prairie farmers gaze with interest at these
unknown products OF river and mountain
stream, and when tired Of the strangeness
Of 1t all go for rest and real comfort to the
agricultural building and look at the famil-
lar outlines Of plow and reaping machines
and all the wonderful contrivances of man
to lessen manual labor and help these same
farmers in their daily toll. Every visitor to
the fair must be impressed with the great
display Of the cereals of our western states
they are used in every possible form of
artistic tasteful and grotesQue combination
Besides the exhibits in the large buildings.
many Of the state buildings make a special
ty Of grains, and use them for decoration In
most ingenious ways. Columns are trimmed
with grains. pictures formed Of them are on
the walls or a series Of them made into q
frieze maybe. Waving grasses help to give
a grace to these ornamentations. and beauti-
full specimens are to be seen. Models OF all
sorts Of things are made OF the variously
colored grains. eliminating in the corn pal
ace of Iowa. Here there are bas-reliefs
in grains and grasses. pictures and de-
vices without number; the large model OF
the capitol at Des Moines being the climax
and center of this magnificent state display.
To sea -faring folk this evidence Of the vast
inland resources Of our country must be as
interesting and novel as the Interpretation
Of their own lives to the prairie dwellers
and In this comparison Of extremes one may
realize what the fair Is an educator to
the great mass Of generally housekeeping
people The first Of the fall months with Its
almost assured cool weather. brings an in
creased attendance at the fair. Where one
had plenty Of room in June he Is now jostled
and crowded In the greatest show places.
There Is bracing life, however. in the winds
that blow from Lake Michigan, and good
temper and patience seem to be the charac-
teristics of almost every personage-at-
tributes one felt inclined to doubt during the
torrid days of summer in this hot. hot, city