A picturesque group of buildings erected by the States and Territories of the American Union, rose in a semicircle around the Fine Arts Galleries, a palace costing half a million. Grecian-ionic in style, this edifice represented a pure type of the most refined classic architecture. In the western portion of this group—facing the North Pond—stood the Illinois Building, adorned by a dome in the center, and a great porch looking southward.
Surrounded by lawns, walks, beds of flowers, and shrubs, the charming structures of Foreign Nations were ranged on wide, curved avenues— affording an interesting aspect.
Just south of the Foreign and State Buildings we observed a considerable expanse of the lagoon, with inlet to the lake, encompassing three islands. On the largest one stood—contrasting agreeably in appearance with the other edifices—the U.S. Fisheries Building, Spanish-Romanesque in style and flanked at each end by a curved arcade connecting it with two polygonal pavilions.
Leaving the Intramural Train at the North Loop, we arrived at the
Government Building; thus having completed our round-trip on the Fair
Grounds and Midway Plaisance.
When we returned to our floating home, we had the satisfaction of having obtained the best possible results of our first visit by properly utilizing every minute.
It will be obvious to the reader that the excursion just described, was equivalent to a trip around the world; wherefore I am entitled to the assertion that it even surpassed Nellie Bly's remarkable feat who needed seventy-two days, six hours, and eleven minutes for accomplishing her circumterraneous voyage.
This success was due to the management of Mr. James, who made his intelligence effectual, in unison with great experience, gained by having attended the grand international expositions held in the course of several decades in the different sections of the globe.
Since there did not exist accommodations for a safe anchorage for yachts along the piers of the White City, we were obliged to sail back to the Chicago Harbor. The ride on the billows of Lake Michigan, however, was very enjoyable after the heat of the day. Fanned by the cooling sea-breezes, which we inhaled in the fullness of delight, our eyes rested in perfect rapture on the glorious panorama of the grounds extending toward the lake shore. The superb structures rising vaguely and obscurely in a shadowy expanse under the gloom of the growing twilight, were later beautifully illuminated by uncountable electric lights; from the powerful arc-light of 8,000 candles to the delicate incandescent lamp of one-sixteenth candle power gleaming like tiny fire-flies in the distance. It filled us with amazement to cogitate, that human mind and manual skill could create a spot on earth looking so much like a conception of paradise.
The next morning when corroborating our nerves by a hearty breakfast, Mr. James announced to us the programme of the day which set forth that we should witness in detail the attractions of the Midway Plaisance—a proposal that pleased us very much.
Having again disembarked at the pier of the Exposition Grounds, the Intramural Railway conveyed us rapidly—running with a velocity of twelve miles an hour—to the entrance of the International Highway.