Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1893-08-25
MISCELLANY.
Outdoor Features of the Worlds
Fair.

to the scene-our "only natural attraction
some one has said-Lake Michigan. 1t
would be hard to estimate the loss to the
exposition had its site been selected any
where in Chicago away from the lake shore.
The visitor who cherishes first impressions
will be sure to make his first visit via one
of the steamers that ply back and forth
between Van Buren, street and Jackson
park. Scarcely half the distance is tray
ersed before the administration dome rises
on the vision, the big Ferris wheel-260
feet in diameter-shows its network of
strong but delcately wrought iron against
the sky, then the white light of the horti-
cultural dome CLEANS palely out, and the
long, low length of manufactures hall
stretches before us, to me the building of
all others that most fascinates both eye and
Imagination, its very plainness, compared
with the profuse decoration on the other
buildings, added to its immense size and
strength. producing an impression never
to be forgotten.
The approach by water affords view of
the fair as whole that cannot be gained
elsewhere, except in bird s-eye fashion
from the top of the liberal arts building,
the Ferris wheel, or other perilous heights.
On entering the grounds from the long
pier. one gets an immediate idea OF the
LOGICAL arrangement of the buildings, the
General plan on which the great exhibition
was founded. The entrance is through
the famous peristyle, crowned with The
Ouadriga, piece of architectural sculp-
ture representing Victory drawn by four
spirited steeds. The centre of the peri
style is modelled after the Arc de Triomphe
in Paris, and rows of beautiful columns
lead to Music hall on the north end and to
the Casino on the south; while above are
the same number of statues, of heroic size,
representing music, eloquence, navigation,
etc. There is an aerial lightness and beau
ty to this work that it was an act OF arts
tic mastery to gain. Passing across the
peristyle, we stand with Daniel c. French S
Statue of Columbia, or the Republic, at
the head of the main basin. The first
sight of this statue is too oveTpowering to
be quite pleasing. We are convinced that
figure of such huge proportions-the lit
tie finger of which measures two feet three
inches from knuckle to nail-shOuld have
been placed at some great height; we say
very confidently that its present nearness
renders it heavy and almost dull and COM
ment, that is said to have spent $500
on the gliding, and wish it had been
spent for more seats. But, after we have
testified to our mental independence by
such criticisms, we grow a little uncertain.
We look again, and are surprised at the
way in which this mammoth Columbia
grows in our favor. The attitude, that al
first seemed stiff and artificial, now seems
quiet, dignified, and repOseful; the bigness
has beauty and meaning all its own; and
the low position in which the statue is
placed, which at first seemed ludicrously
wrong, now serves to mark the genera
harmony, to establish Just the relation
with the surrounding buildings-of uniform
height in the facades--composing the Cours
d'Honneur or Grand Plaza, as it is vari-
onsly called
The basin within this court is another
feature of great beauty and popularity. II
is here the multitudes gather in the evening
to watch the illumination and the fireworks
Opposite the Republic is the MacMonnie:
fountain, whose musical splash of waters
thrown from innumerable jets and falling
in a cascade below, fills and cools the air al
the same time. Here, also, Columbia is
honOred in the design, which is of a me.
dieval barge, with the lady herself as chet
passenger, drawn by prancing sea-horses
guided by centaurs, with Father Time sit.
ting in the stern, Fame al the bow with hel
trumpet, and four female figures symbolic
ing the arts and sciences on each side
with their oars. The electric fountains on
either side are the object of chief interest
and delight during the evening displays.
Clouds of delicate spray, shot through anC
through with all the hues of the rainbow
aH Il fro LOT tod int ..
and color tones by the inventive genius Of
man; that is, of one man,-Thomas Edi
son. Another water feature is the lagoon
which surrounds wooded island and send.
arms in all directions toward the different
buildings. Up and down this artificial LAKE
ply the gondolas, with their dusky Condo
Tiers, and the electric launches. The Condo
las are supposed TO add an especial roman
tic charm to the spot, and so they do; but
my own fancy-of pure nineteenth-century
pattern-was more quickly caught by thu
swift little launches, which dart through
the water with the still rapidity and direct
ness of aim of fish. Any one who doubts
the relation of modern science to poetr,
should take ride in an electric launch
No noise, no smoke, no dust, no tired oars
men bending to their task, nothing bu
pure, swift, delicious motion and renewed
sense of the safety and providence of law
There are steam launches also, which ru
on short excursions into the lake, and offe
another element of agreeable variety.
Wooded island, with its now completed
japanese buildings, its shaded walks ant
seats alongside, with special flower exhibi
tions,-like that of the rhododendron
lately,-is a favorite resting-place for tn
tired sight-seer. On another smaller islam
Just south is Davy Crockett's huntng-lodg
and an Australian squatter's hut, to attraC
the curious and teach their special lesson
in sociology.
The intramural railroad is priced bon
of union between widely separated point
of interest; for on the grounds of tn
Worlds Fair there are no lines, in the gee
metrical sense, which can be described as tn
shortest distance between two points. TheT
are no shortest distances here. The lanC
scape gardener, Frederick Law OlmsteC
has effectually prevented that with h
beautiful but wearying curved walks. TIL
intramural makes an almost complete eli
cult of the buildings, and affords a generi
view of the grounds, which should
gained as early as possible.
There are statues galore, out doors an
in. Many of the state buildings are orni
mented with some home herO's likeness
plaster or bronze Daniel Boone stands
hunters costume in front of the Kentucl