Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-05-01

At the ends or this basin stand two OF
the most noteworthy objects Of art in all
the world. In front Of the peristyle, fac
ing the Administration building and the
president, who n to push the button, is
the colossal figure Of The Republic. Just
now it is the most interesting object in the
exposition. Though completed last fall
the great figure has been housed all winter
from the storms and the frost. So great
was the care taken of the precious
form of Columbia that a furnace was fired
within the enclosure during the extreme
cold weather To maintain the compactness
of the material of which 1t is composed.
Two weeks ago a number Of men were set
at work gliding the huge statue with gold
leaf-literally encasing it in the precious
metal. Something like a thousand dollars
was the cost of the gold leaf alone. Now
the winter house is coming down and a.
the workmen tear away the boards, which
haze SO long screened the beauty Of Col
umbia from curious eyes, q large throng
of people line the banks Of the basin to
witness the unfolding.
1t is the largest statue ever made in this
country. 1t is well named "the colossal"
for the draped figure of the woman who
typities the republic is no less than sixty
five feet in height, and the pedestal upon
which she stands rises thirty five feet from
the surface of the water. The arms are
upraised toward the head, and In the right
hand is held aloft a golden globe, on which
poises an eagle with outstretched wings.
The left hand lifts 115 feet above the basin
AS high as tall building in any city
save Chicago-a liberty pole surmounted
by cap. One does not need to be told
that the artist worked with this as his con-
trolling idea-that the figure was to typify
not only the strength and grace but the
self-confidence and yet the gentleness Of
America, and her pose was to indicate that
in this land liberty is held dearer than any
thing else.
The drapery Of the figure hangs in heavy
and yet graceful folds; upon the bust are
many shields, and from a corsage depends
broad sword which we all know Colum-
bia. though ps cefully inclined, Is able to
WELD with force when she will. Alto
gether, the statue much resembles the
Goddess Of Liberty in New York harbor,
but instead of torch with which to en-
tighten the world she uplifts the tradi-
tional emblem Of liberty. Miss Republic
is to have diadem Of electric lights, how
ever, and her golden limbs and perfect
lines will shine forth in all their glory by
day and by night. 1t is almost sacrilege
to measure such divinity as II she were
to be fitted for q tailor-made gown, but 1t
may not be amiss to state that wedding
ring ten and half inches in diameter
would be required to go around her finger,
while her nose Is thirty inches in length.
At the other end of the basin is the beau
tifuI MacMonnies fountain, the most glor-
,ous piece of sculpture in all the fair. For
lhis one object the exposition managers
paid no less than $4,000, and the artist
AYERS that he has not made day wages in
its construction. The better part Of two
years. work of his own entered into it, and
besides he had to hire five or six other
art lists to help him, to say nothing Of plas-
terers, carpenters and the expense Of ship
pent from Paris and erection in place
Even in plaster these works of art cost
Duch money, and it is to the credit
of the managers that at tho outset
they set apart more than q million
dollars for this species Of ornamentation
Of buildings and grounds. When their
financial troubles seemed hardest to bear
they cut down the estimates for statuary
by couple hundred thousand, but under
the pressure of their own desire again in
creased the appropriations and now have
spent considerable more than their original
allowance. All honor to Chicago for he,
generosity in the art outlay and for the eul
tire and Judgment which enabled hee h
spend her million to such good advantag'
that not one unworthy piece has been sser
within the gates.
As If the great Republic. the majestic
toiy ~
umns bearing Neptunes aloft were no
enough for this basin, the management
is now completing pair Of electrical foun
tains which are to stand Immediately II
front of the Administration building
fanking on either side the great worl
of MacMonnies. Looked at to-day thes
electrical fountains are nero circles Of irol
pipes and queer looking nozzles, strength
ened by many bolts and rods, but mex
Monday evening we are assured that the.
will be ready to produce one Of the mos
beautiful spectacles the eyeever witnessed
An electrical fountain, you must know. j
a species of hydraulic fireworks. Merel.
to whet your appetite for what you arc {.
drink in when you come to the fair let m
tell you briefly how these effects ars pro
| duced.
Each fountain IS 1856 feet in circumfes
ence. Eighteen jets Of water, each Jet tw
inches In diameter. will shoe
up from the outer rim sf tn
fountain and meet at point which /
| 80 feet above the level of the basin. With
in this circle Is another Of smaller jets
and within that . third. Then there ar
other Jets Of varying sizes to Be used in tn
| production of special efYccts-for you mus
remember that the whole apparatus Is con
| trived so that circuits are changed an,
some Of the jets are playing while other
may be shut of, or all be operated 70
gether. Even in daylight these water
effects will be very charming; but II the,
| are charming by day what will they bo .
| night, when the changing colors Of thirt,
great electric lights with parabolic refiec
| tors are thrown upon the waters a. the.
rise and falls It is said they can produc
almost any sort OF illusion known to fire
works by playing the changes upon thes
| streams, suiting the quantity and color 0
the light TO the streams that are used a
| the moment. For instance, we are prom
ised hydraulic flowers, sheaves Of wheat
fences tf gold, showers Of rubies, pearl
and amethysts; and II the half that ha
been told Of the wonderful combination,
and beauties of the fountains BE- true
fear Miss Republic will drop her Hbert,
| pole and globe in sheer amazemeut whel
| the current II first turned on.
! CHANGING around the horizon from thi
spot at which President Cleve
land is to touch the butto1
one perceives innumerAble flagstaff
| rising from the roofs Of the palaces
Said to myself to-day, on observing th
poles. Il think / have caught these Chi
cago people mapping :. last. Iwill wage
they have been too busy to arrange Tor th'
nags which they ars to Ay from all thes
| sta6s.v When mentioned the matter Z.
Director General DAvis IN hour later, b
smiled peculiarly under his grsy beard
grayer now . grsat dea1 than + Was thre
years ago-and for answsr simply I'D
| sCome with ma"
| He led the way to . largs room IN . cos
ner Of the saIleEy ee HEtigult9rl kall