Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1899-04-22
A PALACE OF GLASS.
Luminous Building to Be Feature of
Paris Exposition.
Beautiful Specimens of Stained Glnss
Workmanship VIII Enter Into
It's Structure - A Rare
Sight.

The prettiest building OF the Paris
exposition of 1900 will be a mansion
made entirely of glass.
The luminous palace will be erected
near the Eiffel tower, and il is intended
10 make it, inside and out, the finest
thing in glassware ever seen. The
palace was designed by Mons. Pousin,
the celebrated artist in stained glass.
II is TO be in height 10 feet, and in cir
conference 175 feet. The entire struc-
ture will be of crystal, and artistic ef-
fleets will be produced by combining
richly stained glass with electric light
ing
In front Of the building there will be
a crystal grotto, giving the approach TO
the luminous palace the appearance Of
lake of ice. After passing through
this fairyllilSe grotto, the visitor will
come to the glass porch which is TO be
reached by broad flightof glass steps.
The art of the designer has been used
to the best effect in the planning Of the
entrance. The stained glass designs are
all to be beautiful specimens of work
manship representing various scenes In
the progress Of the glass industry. from
the time when glass was first discov-
cred. The various improvements will
be traced from one era TO another, uu-
til the present day. The whole broad
front of the building is TO be given up
to these stained glass scenes, and the
first thing TO catch thevisitor's eye will
be the educational art work that APP
pears at the entrance.
The crystal walls of the palace are
to be partly plain glass ana partly
stained glass. Where stained glass can
be used so as to show TO advantage at
night time, when the building viii be
electrically illuminated, the beautiful
pictures Of this popular ecclesiastical
form Of decorative work, stained glass,
will be chosen in preference 10 plain
glass. Care will be taken, however, 10
not only make the buildia'g rich in
gems OF stained glass art, but as a
whole beautifully brilliant to- the OBJ
server who sees it from a short dis
lance.
A plain glass building lighted by cleo
tricity would be a beautiful sight, but
not so beautiful as one in which the
glare OF the white illumination is soft
ened by the plain crystal alternating
with pictures in stained glass.
So far MS is possible the building is 20
be entirely Of glass material. II has
been said that this will be an impossi-
bility, but the designer promises that he
will surprise the doubters. The sup
porting pillars, he states. win be con-
structed of toughened glass, that no
wood or iron work will be u-ed 10 hold
the roof. How he will piece together his
building material is secret that the
designer has not divulged, bat he hints
that by means of a process Of cement
ing the glass that he has been working
on for some time he will be enabled 81
dispense with so much foreigi material
as TO practically have the entire building
constructed Of glass. There win be 80
little other material used initscorstruc-
ton as 10 make il impossible TO discover
anything but glass work about tho
building.
Exhibits in the interior viii becntire-
/ ~ of glass There will he fancy glass
work Of the various ages since glass
was discovered The mosthighlyprized
glassware of the world will be on ex-
hibition. The process of glass making
will be illustrated and skilled worlmen
will be employed TO take orders from
visitors for any kind Of glass cutine
or blowing specimens desired as sou
venirs Of the exhibit
Apart from the interest thatsuch an
exhibit will have from an educational
point Of view. the beauty cf the scene
in and out of the building when il is
lighted mp at night can he readily
imagined. The electric lights win illu-
inmate the flashing rystal interior and
the maze of glassware will scintillate
and CLEAN and glow in all the huca
OF the rainbow as the rays catch the
cut glass ard polished ware on the
stands.
The visitors to this charming build
ing viii certainly see sight rot often
enioyed even i'm this age of brilliant eN'
! hibits.-Albany Argus.