The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-05-09
A SCENE OF SPLENDORI
WORLDS FAIR BUILDINGS ILLUMI-
yhTED WITH ELECTRICITY.
A Spectacle of Electrical Brillisncy fro'
badly Never Before Presented to
the Human Eye.

WORLDS FAIR GROUNDS, CHI
CAGO. ILL. May s.-The climax In cleo
trieity's upward march through the nine
teenth century was reached tonight
when the Worlds Fair buildings and
| grounds were Illuminated In honor OF
the first opening of the Exposition.
| The whiteness of the buildings gave
added lustre to the rays from the million
! and more lights In the grand plaza, while
the golden statues of the Republic" and
DIANA" upon which the light from the
west end OF administration plaza poured
In binding showers, sent back happy
response which blended harmoniously with
the whole. The different buildings were
Illuminated to certain extent between
the administration building on the west
and the peristyle in the east, inclosing .he
grand court of honor. and held the null
titude spell-bound and easily carried OH
the honors OF the night.
The crowds began to arrive early, all
the rail and steamer routes bringing i'm
mense numbers BY the time darkness
had settled over the White city fully
5000 people were on the scene, this crowd
being augmented later by probably 5000
more.
The administration building was the first
10 be electrified, and it's beautiful exte-
rior. from the base TO the tip Of the dome,
was gilded with rows OF incandes cent
lights. At the base OF its dome thirty
two blazing torches on bronze stands
were arranged at equal distance around
its circumference, adding much to its
splendid 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 water
way. completing the band encircling the
grand plaza. The main lagoon lay under
the sheen OF the thousands of lights like a
great mirror arc. and the peristyle lights
formed its gilded frame, and around the
sides, about foot from the waters
edge, a row Of electric bulbs lent their
beauty Of a golden bevei to the splendid
plate.
It's surface was dotted here and there
with the electric launches and the bright
gOndoas. Gayly-bedecked gondollers
stood on the stem and stern Of their
craft. and as their oars dipped silently
In and out Of the water, and their bodies
swaycd to and from the romantic look
ing boats. and it's oars formed a novel
silhoutte i'm the sparkling basin. disap
pearing a moment later as il passed
under the shadow of a bridge. Powerful
search lights on top Of the Manufactures
and Agricultural buildings and Music
Hall brought out new beauties I'm the
scene for the benefit of the spectator.
Golden DIANA" perched on the dome
Of the Agricultural building, with arrow
pointed directly to the Music Hall light.
came in for a share OF inspection. The
three search lights were then, by pre-
cf cd 10
magnificent MacMonies fountain, situated
Immediately in front Of the Administra
ton building. The marble figures We're
rendered immaculate on the instant, and
the glare flung full and powerful upon
the handsome women at the oars and
I'm the seat OF honor sent dazzling rays
of crystal purity down and across the
silvery lagoon.
When shortly before 10 O'Clock the cur
rents were turned Off sigh went up
from the thousands Of hearts, and dark
ness put an end to scene Of splendor
such as was probably never before pre-
scented to the human eye.
The magnificent terraces and prone
nades which lead TO the grand basin I'm
front Of the Administration building were
the favOrite places for the crowds, chiefly |
because Of the general expectations that |
the electric fountains would be I'm opera |
ton. But this was the only real dlsap- |
pointment Of the evening and in the !
splendors was hardly missed.
When Michael Brands orchestra. from |
Cincinnati. began to pour forth |
melody upon the scene of SPLEEN
dor there was a rush Of peo- |
pie to the south side OF the Music Hall. |
where the musicians were stationed under |
a cluster Of arc lights. The music rem
dered was classic. patriotic and popular,
including America"
Twenty-one thousand people bought adj
mission tickets TO the Worlds Fair
Grounds up TO g o'clock this evening.
The number of tickets sold at the down
town Office is estimated at 5000 10 1000.
a rough guess of the number Of paid
admission between and 10 =. NJ. places
il at 5000. making a total Of more than
80, 900 paid admissions for the day.