The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1893-09-20
rus. This building contrasts strongly in

Il
of the adjacent buildings. Passing west
ward along the south side OF the basin,
directly in front OF the long facade OF the
Agricultural Palace, an excellent view of
the Palace of Liberal Arts, bounding the
opposite side, is obtained, and also
\ glmpsts OF the Palaces OF Electricity and
Mining, while at the extreme western
end the stately gilded dome OF the Adj
ministration building looms up as fit
ting background and center for so many
buildings. The bright green sward be-
tween the walk in front of the buildings
and the pier line, relieved at the boat
landings by massive white statues, forms
a pleasing contrast with the white Of the
buildings.
Walking still westward until the west
end Of the Agricultural Palace isreached
another waterway is seen at right angles
to the length Of the basin, and parallel
with the lake front. Looking south, the
Columbus monument and colonnade, i'm
itating somewhat the Peristyle, is seen,
and north is observed in the distance the
Wooded Island and the dome Of the ILL
nois State building, while the long west
ern facade of the Palace of Liberal Arts
shows its size to advantage.
Standing in the open plaza directly in
front OF the Administration building, at
the western end of the basin, the expen-
sive and grand MacMonnies fountain
called the Columbian fountain) is the
most conspicuous object; its odd shape
and curious combination OF picturesque
statuary mark it truly as one Of the chief
works OF art in the Exposition. The color
is white like the buildings. On each side
OF this fountain are two large electric
fountains whose basins are sixty feet in
diameter.
In the daytime these fountains do not
present any attractiveness, but at night
the multi-colored illumined fountain is
particularly beautiful. On the eastern
porch of the Administration building,
facing the basin and lake, is st. Gauden's
beautiful statue OF Columbus in heroic
size. The view from the balcony Of the
eastern porch OF this building is particu-
arly pleasing, bringing in, as it does, the
fountains, the basin, lined on each side
with beautiful green lawns, and the artis-
tic facade of the Agricultural Palace,
while in the distance can be seen the
statue OF the Republic and the lake
through the columns OF the Peristyle.
South OF the Administration building
stands the immense Palace Of Machinery
with its long row OF Corintbian columns
and on the north are the Mining and
Electrical Palaces, simple but harmon
ious in shape and idea with the other
larger buildings In the porch OF the
Electrical Palace is beautiful statue of
Franklin drawing electricity from the
clouds. West OF the Administration
building is large open space, bounded
by the Central Railroad depot, an impos-
ing building and very large. In the gal
lery OF this building is aspacious writing
room, equipped with every facility for
correspondence. The building seemed to
be too large for the purpose, and there
was much waste room. Just west Of this
are the train sheds for thirty-five tracks,
having accommodations for thousands OF
visitors. Not more than one-thlrd OF the
| tracks are in active use. Coming to the
| Fair in this way, via the Illinois Railroad,
the visitor is landed close to the Admin
isiration building, and has for a first view
the delightful vista OF the basin and lake
from the eastern porch Of that building.
The aluminium bronze dome Of this
building, shining like gold, looming up
275 feet above the ground. can be seen
from great distance, and is particularly
conspicuous at night when covered with
rows of hundreds OF incandescent lights.
The designers have allowed ample space
between the buildings properly 10 show
them of, andwhile apparently near to-
gether, as observed by the eye, they are
in reality separated some distance apart,
as can be proved by attempting to walk
from one to another.
One noticeable difference from the Cen
tenial Expedition in 1875 is the absence
OF cheap and rapid communication be-
tween these large buildings.
Electricity is used SO successfully in
propelling boats about the lagoons and
canals that it is surprising electric car
riages were not introduced to take visi-
tors about the grounds for a small sum
The need OF such simple, direct transport
tation should have been thought Of. The