The Washington herald., 1915-03-19

| Perhaps the only sad iea-
| ture of the occasion the
thought that must have occurred to every one on
me grounds OF the transformers in this wonderful
IoeduS why DID men care much about build
ing tor a year when they so careless in their
building tor permanence: Why should this I'M
permanent city make so striking and dramatic a
contrast with the city that endured the city men
walked about IN every day. that sank deeply into
their CONSCIOUSNESS, and that influenced their
thinking and their feeling:
Suppose all the genius and taste and devotion
put INTO this task had been spent on making San
francisco what nature gave her the opportunity
lot becoming, the loveliest city in the world:
What was most surprising about the exposition
ION whole was its majesty, its general harmony,
and its freedom from distinctly Earring notes
May OF the effects were OF splendor one
could question. They included the superbly orna-
!mcntcd and richly colored doorways and the mag
nlnccnt entrances under noble arches
Mistakes, OF course, were inevitable And it
was inevitable that there should be differences OF
ioplnon III regard to detail But on the whole tho
success was astonishing. Where the superhnc ar
ti>tlc taste might be offended one could trace the
cause.-the desire the part Of the exposition
authorities not I" ignore features that would be
sure To make Il popular appeal Perhaps the most
rcGrcttahlc bid Tor public favor lay in the damage
done to tho splendid Court OF the Universe by the
use vi shafts that could he illuminated from with
in Gy night the effect was homogeneous, and ii
was worse by day.
The sculpture in the Court OF the Nations lad,
for the most part, Michelangelo-csquc massive
splendid vigor: And for spirit the youth that
tvphCd the rising sun. standing trptOc ono OF
those unfortunate pillars just getting ready To
take wing. Impressed me aS extraordinarily we'll
done. That figure likely 10 be regarded
ono OF the eNposltions most brilliant successes.
For harmony OF conception and working out in
detail. Robert Bcacon'S Court OF the Four Seasons
seemed to me worthy OF the highest praise. Mr..
Bacon fortunate in having the cooperation OF
sCulptors who worked in sympathy with him and
idea. The tour fountains were exceedingly well
done. and the use OF the clear water gave the
court OF its most charming features.
Mullgardt's Court OF Abundance shone like
jewel on the opening night. In spite OF being
stripped OF some OF the more elaborate features
stood, cxquiSitcly poetic in feeling and lovely in
detail. The mighty globe in the center, and the
heavy scupturcd figures that surrounded it,
hardly in the light and graceful and aspiring mood
OF the architecture. But they were in themselves
impressive. The >culpturcd torches would make
a unique and striking feature when they learned to
behave better. And the whole court would take on
a rich lie when the shrubs and the plants and the
orange trees grew more vigorous.
The orange trees seen here and there on the
grounds had chilled and frightened look, If
they had been subjected to a strain in being forced
put OF their element. But they serviceablc
for decoration and they please the visitors from
tho Middle West and the East who had been
taught to regard San Francisco scmtropical.
&. w. kcllaln used them very successfully in
81 his two scmicircular courts, among the gems
Of the exposition.
The lighting OF the courts would again have
me being dim ii had not fanoied
hat | could see purpose in it as | made my way
nto the Zone. Here where the crowds were
expected Congregatc in the evening. drawn by the
bright lights. And here was entertainment enough .
o keep the visitor busy lor months; Now felt
he cosmopolitan character OF both the crowd and
he exhibits The bankers included men OF vary
ng accent and race. Among the most cntcrpris-
ng were the Japanese. And in the crowd. among
he American faces. | would catch glimpses OF
Japanese. Chinese. Hindu, and Negroes, the Chi
lesc often in family groups the women and girls
.rraycd sometimes eaboratcly, sometimes SIM
,ly and always modcstly, and showing their cha
ctcrstic modcsty and simple dignity in their
)earng.
At the close OF the evening | asked lady OF
:reat intelligence and what had most i'm
PRESSED her in the exposition. She replied: The q
Jew OF Mount Tamalpais from the big window
# the California building. | could not keep from
nd the insight shown in the reply How small
vas the greatest achievement OF man beside
he marvcls OF nature. The best man could do
vas TO follow nature modestly and hurubly. The
oc OF simplicity characteristic of nature every
where one found here in tho work OF those artists
whose contributions were tn most appealing. !,
Would this exposition be the last of the great
xpositons? Such had been the prophecy OF the
xpcrts The cxpoStions of the future some OF
hem had declared would follow the tendency to
pccialize and would devote themselves to ono
ind of display. On the other hand, this exposi-
ion might become permanent by making itself
tearing house for California products. Much
you'd depend on what resulted from its activities
n the response of the world outside.
Trentino and Trieste.
Diplomatic gossip had it that when Prince Won
s11elo,y frst wont to Rome he said he was ready