Shepp's World's fair photographed. Being a collection of original copyrighted photographs authorized and permitted by the management of the World's Columbian exposition...All described in crisp and beautiful language

Front matter

Boston Library Consortium IVIember Libraries

Shepp's World's Fair Photographed.

Being a

Preface

;N HIS BEAUTIFUL poem, " Locksley Hall," Lord Tennyson wrote of "The Parliament of Man, the Federation of the World."

This was then merely the poet's dream, a beautiful vision surely, but seemingly very far from realization. In the Polish language the words poet and prophet are synonymous, and Tennyson is hardly cold in his grave before the prophetic nature of his muse has become apparent. At Jackson Park, Chicago, for the first time in human history, mankind is called to gaze upon such a parliament, and such a federation, brought about by no mere law of necessity, welded by no political subtleties, but born of the development of civilization, and the growing feeling of human brotherhood. Not only have the seventeen Republics of the Western Hemisphere met in fraternal association but the hoary monarchies of Asia, the sturdy sovereignties of Europe, the barbarous tribes of Africa, the freedom-loving children of Australia, have all come to

"The Mother with the ever open doors.

The feet of many Nations on her floors.

And room for all the World about lier knees."

Not empty-handed have they come, as mere holiday guests to gaze upon the ample stores

of New World wealth, but witli treasures such as Solomon in all his glory never saw, and of which

neither Greece nor Rome, at tine imperial height of their magnificence, ever dreamed. Each nation Inas become

a revelation to the other. No nation can longer wrap the mantle of self-conceit about it and lie down to

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pleasant dreams of superiority. Japan just emerged from the darkness of conservatism, her almond eyes still blinking at the new light of civilization pouring in upon her like a flood, triumphantly shoulders France the Queen of Art, and spreads before the astonished gaze of mankind, artistic and horticultural miracles that any race might envy. Even turbulent Guatemala marks her taste and progress by a building so beautiful and novel as to wring homage from the most enlightened judges, while the pomp and glory of oriental architecture are rivalled by the faultless beauty of the interiors of the buildings of Norway and Sweden. Each -nation cannot fail to be proud of the other, and the United States of America proud of them all.

Why have the nations answered our call with such unanimity, and what makes this country a peculiarly felicitous meeting-place? it is because of the general feeling that the United States of America is the World's big brother, that in the veins of this nation flows the blood of all the races of the earth, and that here the wanderer from the most distant shores may feel at home. That the starry banner guarantees to all the right of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." That here Old World feuds are buried and a new order of universal friendship and hospitality is established.

Since 1780, fifteen and a half millions of the population of the older countries have arrived on these shores, as immigrants, and all have found warm welcome and unfettered opportunity. Here the Englishman finds a greater England. He may travel three thousand miles continuously to find his language spoken and his law revered by happy millions. Here the hishman rinds the Home Rule, for which he craves, and the Scotchman has a better chance to exercise the splendid qualities of his race than in his own noble but sterile land. The German finds in this new fatheriand all and more than his own country could supply, and sees on the glory roll of Columbia's history Teutonic names shining with resplendent lustre. The Frenchman, always striving after an ideal liberty, finds it here, and in the development of this sister Republic fondly dreams he sees the future of his own beloved land.

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We might catalogue the nations of the earth, and, standing on the highest pinnacles of the Rocky Mountains, call the long roll in tones of thunder, and from some corner of this great land some voice would cry "Here!" as the name of each nation was called. At Babel, God spake the nations apart, and put strange language in their lips that they might dwell asunder. Here he has called them together again and, under the sacred flag of Liberty, made them one.

What has the United States done to receive this glorious gathering? Jackson Park with its architectural splendors might be considered sufficient answer, but that is only part of the story. The city in which the Fair is placed is in itself the foremost wonder of the World. Though New York is indeed an imperial metropolis, and standing there at the gates of the Continent on Manhattan Island, she receives our guests with the dignity and grace of a queen, yet her dominions are too small and the needs of her teeming population too imperative to admit of the display and territory necessary for a great World's Fair. Again, it was not well that those who came to visit us should merely toy with the fringes of our National robe; they must see the nation itself in its homes, its cities, towns and villages. They must learn from our great railroad systems how our engineers have subdued nature to their will and triumphed over almost insurmountable obstacles, while all that human art and ingenuity could devise has been lavishly used for the safety and luxury of the traveling public. Chicago also supplies every requisite for such a celebration. With a population of over a million, in the centre of a vast railroad system stretching gigantic arms to the confines of the continent, washed by the waters of Lake Michigan, one in that mighty chain of lakes flung down like silver shields of sleeping gods in the midst of our wondrous land, palpitating with tremendous energy, and hot with a definite enthusiasm unknown to the cooler East, ambitious to excel, and willing to strain every nerve to win the crown of a wodd's approval and applause, with almost unlimited territory at her disposal, and a lavish disregard for money where local pride is concerned, she is certainly an ideal place in

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which the Dream City of the Exposition should have birth. The city of Chicago contributed ^^,000,000 toward the Fair, and ^3,600,000 towards beautifying the city in readiness for the multitude of expected visitors. The police force has been reorganized and is equal to any body of public officers in the wodd, while her patrol system is a miracle of efficiency. The water of Lake Michigan, which forms the drinking supply of this great Western metropolis, is the seventh in the world as to purity, and only equalled in two cases on the Continent of America. Some have thought that this nervy Western city would impress its rawness on the Exposition, and thus disappoint the fastidious taste of European visitors. Far from this ; with a selfabnegation not only remarkable but truly laudable, Chicago has cheerfully refrained from interference save only in such matters as would render secure the safety and comfort of the multitude. She feels that the true Exhibition is not to be found in Jackson Park alone, but that Chicago, and through her all the new cities of the West are brought into the full light of the Wodd's criticism. She has approached and completed her task with a dignity and grace that has won a hearty burst of approval from the sunrise gates of Maine to California's sunset shores.

Now as to Jackson Park itself, this is the setting of the magnificent architectural jewels, shining in splendor before the astonished sight of mankind. Beneath that surface of undulating green and variegated foliage lies a tremulous pestilential swamp. To-day it is the Venice of the Western World, and when myriads of electric lights pierce night's sable mantle and shed their opalescent rays upon the sapphire waters of the lagoons, it presents a fairy scene of inexpressible splendor, reminding one of the gorgeous descriptions in the Arabian Nights when Haraun al Raschid was Caliph. Thirteen glorious structures of the beautiful tint of time-kissed ivory are mirrored in the deep waters and represent the contribution of tfie most generous government in the wodd to the grandest Exposition this planet has ever witnessed. Columns such as art-loving Greece and Rome, or Egypt under the Ptolomies, might have envied in vain, stretch in

PREFACE. 9

graceful vistas between the buildings and their annexes, and statues rising proudly meet with unblinking eyes the mysterious light that modern science has placed in rivalry with the golden glory of the sun. The Court of Honor with its flashing fountains, the wooded island once a barren strip of sand protesting against the surrounding marshes a-e sights to dream of, not to tell. (Those who wrought these miracles must have been very near to God ; such genius, such patience and such exquisite taste has been displayed, and in the remotest hamlet of the United States, the lesson of American skill they teach, must be felt and appreciated.) Northward we see the foreign settlement of nineteen beautiful structures, many of them fronting on Lake Michigan, and all of them gems of taste and architectural skill, while still farther north a glorious galaxy of forty State Buildings attest the deep interest taken by all parts of the country in this great Exposition. These are not by any means all of the lovely structures before us, but what we cannot describe in a preface, our book will describe for us in a fashion sure to fascinate all who read. Surely the United States has measured up to the full stature of the requirements of the world's host, and Chicago has been a worthy handmaid in the great plan. Now as to the Fair. Who can describe the wonderful exhibits therein contained ? The Corliss engine which created such wonder at the Centennial Exposition in 1876 was of only ^000 horse power, while the targe engine in Machinery Hall is of 14,000 horse power, with supplementary engines, bringing the total up to 24,000 horse power, while the boilers are over 600 feet long. This is one of the initial facts of the Fair. All else is in proportion. Germany exhibits a marvellous 130 ton Krupp gun representing nearly ^1,000,000 in value, while the other exhibits of the Fatherland, especially in the line of electricity, surpass in bulk and cleverness those of all other nations. France comes to us with her Gobelin Tapestries, her marvellous porcelain from the world-famous Sevres manufactory ; pictures of great artistic and financial value and a bewildering assortment of other manufactures, dazzling, ingenious and beautiful, well worthy her artistic and industrial renown. Even Greece comes to us with delicate fabrics and still more important replicas of ancient statuary, and the wondrous lo PREFACE.

discovery by Schleimann at Mycenae. In fact, the nations have engaged in most generous rivalry, and the result is an indescribable treasure-trove of all that can please the eye or redound to the use of man. We recall Whittier's lines in his Centennial Ode :

" Art and Nature met in truce.

And Beauty made the bride of use."

Surely this is true of the marvellous exhibitions at the Fair.

For pure pleasure seasoned with instruction we turn to the Midway Plaisance ; here we are confronted with a medley of national amusements, and stand face to face with the homelike scenes of foreign life. A sliding railroad extends along the south of the Plaisance, and enables us to view at leisure village scenes of Dahomey, Germany, Austria, the Malay Archipelago, Egypt, Holland, Tunis, Java and Japan ; while even the Esquimaux are represented by a collection of Igloos, Kayacks, Oomiacks and all that goes to make up the outdoor and indoor outfit of the typical Innuit. Morocco, Pompeii and the Sandwich Islands greet each other across the centuries, while China, Tunis, Algiers, Egypt and Turkey offer spectacles of the forms in which their population seek employment. Nor is the Midway Plaisance destitute of mechanical wonders. The Ferris Wheel rises like a great animate skeleton ; a captive balloon stimulates dreams of aerial navigation, while a natatorium invites to the cool embraces of the crystal element. The Tower of Babel introduces us to the dewy dayspring of the world's history, while modern glass factories present us with crystallized rainbows and other translucent and opalescent marvels infinitely fascinating. A trip along the Midway Plaisance is a liberal education in itself. One shoulders the world as he moves. The tongues of uncounted nations ripple forth the genial speech of welcome; all is gaiety, life and beauty. Removed from the humdrum of the outer wodd we are whirled along in a maelstrom of inexpressible delight, until we feel as though we had eaten of the fabled lotus and drifted into paradise while we slept. No one seeing the marvels congregated in Jackson Park could fail to cry, " Great is America and the glory thereof."

Contents

PAGE

Dedication of Exposition, October 22, 1892, 19

Opening Day, May i, 1893, 21