Waterbury Democrat., 1900-11-14
A WATER-COLoR CITY.

A series of receptions or, perhaps, it would be more correct to say, q con- tinuous reception. lasting several days, was recently held at the offices of the South Carolina Interstate and West Indian Exposition Co in Charleston, for the purpose of affording to the pub lie view of the beautiful preliminary studies of the buildings which have been designed by Bradford l.. Gilbert for the exposition. to be held in that city next year. These pictures were arranged for exhibition under the di- rection of MT Gilbert himself, and not the least charming feature of the show was the fact that most of the time the distinguished architect was present and always ready to help ln- experienced spectators to a more com plete appreciation of the plans than they could possibly have attained without his aid. In the center of the handsome office of the director-general of the exposition temporary struc- ture was erected, with a well in the center in which was displayed the ground plan of the exposition as com plete picture, so that the spectator might, by mounting one or two steps, look directly down upon the grounds. thus getting a birds-eye view of the whole scene. By day, this plan was
 
 more admirably defined, every line being clearly shown in the light of hundreds of electric bulbs which formed a wreath of radiance around the well.
 On the east and west walls were hung soft sepia studies of the cleo trical booth and the electrical fountain, while on the north wall, against q background of crimson draperies, were lie,, ings to be erected upon the exposition grounds along the banks of the Ashley river. These water color sketches showed an amount of detail work real ly remarkable. and the Specta tors who examined them by the help of large magnifying glasses could scarcely realize that they had been prepared without such aid. Along the banks of a lake some thirty acres in extent the machinery and transportation build ings. with others of the same general design, will be erected, the style of these being rather lower and simpler in outline than the other buildings, as the reflections in the lake will increase the apparent height and lend addition al richness of detail. From these the effect is skillfully intensified until the spectator is led up to the textile build ing or cotton palace. which is design edly the most imposing of them all, being 1G0 feet in height, and showing facade Of over 360 feet, broken by various pediments. projections, domes, red tiled roofs and turrets, in typical southern style. Not the least attrac tive feature of this building will be it's court or patio. 100 feet in diameter. which will be filled with tropical plants and enlivened by the play of foun- tains.
 Regarded simply from the standpoint of artistic excellence. these pictures are well worth the study of all who love beautiful things. but when con- sdered as the foreshadowing of an ac- tual creation which shall inevita ply with it's God-made setting of southern skies. sparkling waters and unsur passable forest effects-eXceed these as the perfected work must always exceed the first suggestive outline they gained in the mind of the spectator far more intense and lasting interest.