The Forrest City times., 1893-05-12
DAZZLING SPlENDOR.

 A Night Scene of Beauty in the White
 City-The Worlds Fair Buildings Abiaze
 With More than Million Brilliant
 Electric Lights. Forming the Grahdes.
 illumination Ever Bebeld by Mortar
 Eyes.
 WORLDS FAIR GROUNDS, CHICAGO May 9.-The climax in electricity up ward march through the nineteenth century was reached last night when the Worlds fair buildings and grounds were Illuminated in honor of the first "open evening" of the eXposl- ton. The whiteness of the pulld- ings gave added luster to the rays from the million or more lights in the grand plaza. while the golden statues of "lhe Republic and Diana" upon when the light from the west end of Aomln- istration plaza poured in blindlng showers, sent back happy response, which blended harmoniously with the whole. The different buildings were illuminated to a certain extent, put the Administration building. being on the west, and the peristyle on the east, inclosing the grand court of honor. held the multitude spellbound and easily carried off the honors for the night.
 The crowds began to arrive carly, all the rail and steamer routes bringing immense numbers By the time dark ness had settled over the White City, fully 20,000 people were on the scene, the crowd being augmented later by probably 5,000. Administration build ing was the first to be electrified and Its beautiful exterior from base to tip of dome was filed with rows of incan- descent lights. At the base of its dome three blazing torches, on bronze stands were ranged equidistant around its cir conference, adding much to its splen- did appearance. The peristyle soon added its row of lights and this was the signal for the triple row of arc lamps along either side of the lagoon to lend their aid. and in an instant they were sending bright rays across the waterway completing the band encircling the grand plaza. The main lagoon lay under the sheen of the thousands of lights like great mirror. The arc and peri style lights formed it's gilded frame. and around the sides about a foot from the waters edge row of electric bulbs lent the added beauty of golden bevel to the splendid plate. Its surface was dotted here and there with electric launches and bright gondolas. Gaily- bedecked gondoliers stood on the stem and stern of their craft, and as their e,1 zf ba water, and their bodies swayed to and fro, the romantic-looking boats and their oarsmen formed a novel sight out in the sparkling basin, disappearing moment Sater as they passed under the shadow of a bridge.
 Powerful search lights on top of the Manufactures and Agricultural build ings and Music hall brought out new beauties on the scene for the benefit of the spectators. The three search lights were then, by preconcerted signals. concentrated upon the mag nificent MacMonnies fountain situ- ated in front of the Administration building. The marble figures were rendered immaculate in an instant. and the glare falling full and powerful upon the handsome women at the oars and in the seat of honor, sent new dag zling rays of crystal purity down and across the silvery lagoon.
 When, shortly after 10 o'clock. the currents were turned off, sigh went up from thousands of hearts, and dark ness put an end to a scene of splendor such as was probably never before pre- sented to human eyes. Thousands of visitors swarmed into Administration building soon as they reached the il luminated portion of the park to view the beautiful dome studded with hum 0reds of incandescent lights which gleamed like diamonds. The few seats which lined the walls of the rotunda were eagerly taken possession of, while many of the women came on roller chairs or occupied camp-stools. No body cared to remain in the heart of the illuminated grounds for any length of time for fear of losing some feature of the opening night.
 The magnificent terraces and prom enades which lead to the ground basin in front of Administration building were the favorite places for the crowds. chiefly because of the general expec- tation that the electrical fountains would be in operation, and this was the only real disappointment of the ening, but in the splendors was hardly missed.
 When Michael Brind's orchestra from Cincinnati began to pour forth melody upon the scene of splendor there was rush of people to the south side of Music hall, where the mu- s.kin,ns n.en.n sfa fi0nad nnGer a cl1,St e,