Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-06-17
GERMANY AT CHICAGO.
Her Government building the Most I'm
posting in the Exposition Grounds.


Chicago letter, is the finest of any of the
buildings on the grounds, other than those
strictly linked with the list of buildings
for exhibits in the exposition proper.
description Of IL is almost Impossible. IL
can only be seen to be fully appreciated IN
oil its beauty of architectural design and
elaboration of decorations. both exterior
and interior. The plans of this great ediiice
were prepared by the government archi-
tect of Germany-Johannes Radke--in his
studio in Berlin. The frontage on the lake
shore Is about $50 feet. and the extreme
depth about l75 feet. The average height
of the tips of the roof from the ground Is
7S feet. while the apex Of the tower. which
surmounts the front gable. is $50 feet from
the ground The principal entrance, which
is through three arches, ~ on the ground
floor of this gable front. over this entrance
these words in Gothic letters, taken from
an ancient rhyme, appear:
Nahrhaft und wehrhatt,
Vol KOrn and ynll Vein,
Vol Kraft und Eisen.
klangreich. gedankreich,
Ich will dich prelsen,
Naterlaud mein
The following is the English trans,a-
ton;
Fruitful and powerful,
Full of corn and wine,
Full OF strength nj iron,
Tuneful and tho Ightul,
! will praise thee.
Fatherlrnd mine
The entire gable front is ornamented by
frescoes of various designs and great
variety of colors. and beneath Is a series
of heraldic shields. The roof of the build
ing, which IL of tilng, IA q brownlsh red,
with here and there tracIngs of yellow.
In the beltry has been temporarily placed
three cast-steel bells. weighing so. 60.
aud A. hundredweight respectively. These
/ 4 - Ro,bnr, Waut nh aita anI
when rhev are returned TO Germany OF tho
close of the exposition they will be placed
in the tower of the Church of Mercy, now
IN course of construction in Berlin a me-
moral chapel to the late Empress Angus
Ia. Although the architecture OF the
exterior is q mixture, everything ~
brought to remarkable degree OF
harmonious effect. There are bay
windows and projecting balconies and
| turrets and queer-lOokiDg gables and odd
| looking chimneys and dainty little spires
at different peaks. Tho design IS under
| stood to have been drawn with view OF
representing q sort of town hall in use
centuries ago and which by additions
! from time TO time seem TO have come To
be an aggregation OF Unrelated parts: 1t
! Is said that In Nuremburg and some of the
more ancient German towns buildings
exist at this day suggestive IN de-
tailed outline of the houses we have
| here The frescolng is more OF the South
German style. The roofs are quite steep.
There is considerable of brass and bronze
IN the lanterns. which are exposed ON tho
front and IN the corners of the roof, the
water.spouts. etc. remarkable fea-
ture Of the building is the So
lidity with which it has been
constructed. Solid stone foundations
were laid. and from the surface Of the
| ground, IN some places TO the height OF
seven feet, Indiana limestone forms the
base. No stai was used IN It's construc.
ton, and nothing but iron and wood and
cement exists anywhere above the stone
base. Tho cost Of this building was $3.50
600 As one looks at 1t the thought appalls
him thai It's destruction, when the days
of the fair are over, Is possibility.
But il is gratifying TO be able 10 say that
while the possibility Is not removed
the probability exists that some arrange
ment will be- made with the Jackson-Park
! authorities for lts permanent location III
its commanding position on the lake front
probably as a library. for which 1t IS well
adapted III every way. Certainly II Is d
thing 10 he desired. for the structure as II
stands TODAY would last two centuries
without requiring anything more than the
possible replacing OF a broken tile or de-
cayed post or touching up of the colors
which render the gables. as well as the
other portions, so attractive To the eye.
! indeed, the things in the roof. all i'm
ported. are in the nature OF an exhibit
themselves, being of the best quality OF
German production.
The interior IS in entire harmony IN deli
cacy of mathematical adjustment OF one
detail to another. with tue grandeur OF the
elevation. IL Is fitted up for the collective
exhibit OF the German book trade hence
az one enters the building the impression
seems 10 come upon him that he is passing
into gigantic library. In two
exhibits of wood-carylng; one sci
represents a value OF 10000 marks and
the other value of about 10000 marks.
The room Of tho commissioners is on the
lake front. Tne pillars ore short. but heavy
and solid. The style OF architecture repre-
sents the early German Renaissance
There are balconies rising above each othel
in tiers, and the castings and tlmbers used
in their construction are painted and
decorated IN good taste. Dull shades o
blue, red, and yellow prevail. There
are many fine paintings on the walls
Handsome rugs and carpets are spread
upon the floors, so that the crowds
move noiselessly from place TO place
There are many glass windows OF e1traor
dinary design. An interesting annex u
that of chapel. IN the south end Of whicl
is a glass window covering the entire end
Tbs section is devoted more especially t.
exhibits in church furniture, church fg
ures, church candelabra. and the like, the
whole place being suggestive OF a Roman
Catholic chapel.