Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-05-09
BEAUTIES OF ANIGHT
The Worlds Fair Grounds Bathed
in Electricity.
THE GRAND COURT Of HONOR
The Spoe0dor~ shown ny Over = Mil
it"n Lamps Held T~'rnss -fise
Thousand Pevsons k.ntranccxi.

WORLDS FAIR GRocsps. CHcsco,
May s.-The climax In eleeiricitys up
ward march through the nineteenth cen.
tury was reached tonight when the
worlds fair buildings and grounds were
illuminated in honor of the first -of~n
evening" of the exposition. The white
ness ~ the buildings gave added lusier
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 II administration plaza poured
in binding showers. which blended har
moniously with the whole. Different
buildings were illuminated 10 a certain
extent. but the administration building
on The west anu the pcristile in the east
inciosing the grand court of honor. held
the multitude spelitound and easily
carried off the honors of the night.
The crowds began to arrive early. ali
the rail aud steamer routes bringing i'm.
mense numbers. by the time darkness
had settled over the white city full! 70
20 people were on the scene. this crowd
ceing augmented later 10y probably 900.
Beauties OF the Lagoon.
Administration building was the first
10 be- electrified. and its beautiful extc-
rior from base 10 tip ~ dome was gilded
with rows of incandescent lights At
the base II its dome ihisiy two blazing
torches on bronze stands were ranged
equal distance around it's row 81 lights.
and this WAS the signal for the triple
row of arc lamps along either side 81
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
IL the thousands IL lights like a great
mirror. The arc and peristiie lights
formed It's gilded frame. and around the
sides about foot from the waters edge
"a row of electric bulbs lent the added
beauty az golden bcvel 10 It's splendid
plate. It's surface was dotted here and
there with the electric launches and the
bright gondolas. Gaily bedeckcd gon-
doliers stood on the stem and stern oi
the vessels, and as the oars dipped
silently in and out 81 the water. and
their bodies swayed Ia AMI fro. the -
antic looking boat and It's oarsmen
formed novel silhouette in the rpark
ling basin. disappearing a moment later
rs it passed under the shadow OF a
bridge.
WOrdcrs OF the Fountain.
Powerful lights on top IL manufac-
tures and agricultural buildings and
music hail brought ont new beauties In
the scene for the benefit of the specta
tor. The three search lights were then.
by prcconccrted signal. concentrated
upon the magnificent MacMonnics
fountain. situated immediately in front
IL the administration building. The
marble figures were rendered immacu
late IN an instant and the glare falling
full and powerful upon the handsome
woman ia the seat ~ honor sent daz-
zlng RAYS II crystal purity down and
across the silvery lagoon.
At 10 o'clock. when the currents were
turned oil. a sigh wen, up from thou
sands ~ hearts ard darkness put an end
To a scene of splendor. such as was prob.
ably never before presented IL human
eyes.
Thousands IL the visitors swarmcd
into admininistration building as soon
as they reached the Illuminated portion
II the park to view the beautiful dome
studded with hundreds of incandesoent
lights which cleaned like diamonds
The seats that lined the walls Il the
rotunda were eagerly taken possession
~. while many of the women brought
-f.,ta