The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-05-09
UNDER A FLOOD OF LIGHT.
Worlds Fair Beauties Enhanced by
Electricity.

Electricity.
Chicago, May 5. - The climax in
electricity's upward march through the
nineteenth century was reached tonight
when the worlds fair buildings and
/ grounds were Illuminated in honor Of the
/ first opening Of the exposition. The
| whitcuess of the buildings had the added
| luSter OF million or more lights in the
grand plaza, while the golden
statues of the Republic and
Diana, upon which the t-light from
the west end of the administration plaza
poured in binding showers, sent back d
happy response which. blended harmo-
uiously with the whole. The different
buildings We're illuminated tO.a certain
extent, but the Administration
building on the west and the
pcristylc on the east, inclosing the
grand court of honor. held the multitude
spcllbOund and easily carried of the
honors of the night. Crowds began TO
arrive early, all the rail and steamer
routes bringing immense numbers. BY
the time darkness had settled over the
White city fully 20. 600 people were on the
scene. this crowd being augmented later
by probably 5000.
THE FIRST ILLUMINATED.
The Administration building was the
first to be electrified. and its beautiful
exterior, from the base to the tip of the
dome, was gilded with rows of iucaudCS-
cent lights. At the base Of its dome
thirty-twO blazing torches on bronze
stands were ranged around its circumfer-
ence, adding much to its splendid APP
pearance, The peristyle soon added its
row Of lights, and this was the signal for
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, completing the band
encircling the grand plaza.
THE MAIN LAGOON.
The main lagoon lay under a sheet of
thousands of lights like a mirror Arc
and peristyle lights formed its gilded
frame, and around its sides about a foot
from the waters edge a row of electric
bulbs lent the added beauty of the golden
bevel to the splendid plate Its surface
was dotted here and there with electric
launches and bright gondoas
GayIy bedecked gondoliers stood
on the stem and stern Of
of their craft and as their oars dipped
silently in and out of the water, and their
bodies swayed to and fro, the romantic
looking boat and its oarsmen formed a
novel silhouette in the sparkling BASIN
disappearing a moment later as it passed
under the shadow of the bridge Power
full search lights on top of the manu-
features and Agricultural buildings and
Musicshall brought out new beauties in
the scene for the benefit of the spectators
THE GmDED DIANA.
The gilded DIANA" perched on the
dome of the Agricultural building. with
its arrow pointed directly to the Music
hall light, came in for a share of the in
spectiOn. Three search lights were then,
by a preconcerted signal, concentrated
upon the magnificent Macmonies fountain,
situated Immediately in front of the Adj
ministratiOn 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
dazzling rays of crystal purity down and
across the silvery lagoon When shortly
before 10 o'clock the currents were turned
off sigh went up from thousands of
hearts and darkness put an end to a
scene of SplendOr such as was probably
never before presented to human eyes.
ONLY ONE DISAPPOINTMENT.
The magnificent terraces and PRONE
nades which led to the grand basin in
front of the Administration building were
tavorite places for the crowds, chiefly be-
cause of the general expectation that the
electric fountains would be in operation
But this was the only real disappointment
of the evening, and its splendors was
hardly missed.
When Michael Brands orchestra from
Cincinnati began to pour forth melody
upon the scene of splendor there was a
rush of people to the south side of the
Music hall, whore the musicians were
stationed under cluster of arc lights
The music rendered was classic, patriotic
and popular, including america"
TWpntV-Onp thousand admission tiplrOte
were bought at the worlds fair grounds
up to o'clock tonight. The number of
tickets sold at the downtown offices is
estimated at 1900 to I 200 A rough guess
of the numberof paid admissions between
and 10 O'Clock places them at 5000,
making total of more than $4,000 paid
admissions for the day.