|
| NEW YORK'S BUILDING - For a long time it appeared
that the State of New York, having failed to obtain the permission of
Congress to locate the Columbian Exposition within its borders, would
be unable to support the idea of holding the Fair elsewhere,
especially at Chicago. The directors of the Western local
corporation, hoping to escape the scandal of New York's final
refusal, clung to the belief that the Empire State would relent, and
at the eleventh hour the chief commonwealth accepted the conspicuous
site accorded to it, and erected the magnificient structure which,
outside and in, reflected the wealth, culture, and progress of the
metropolis and its government. The engraving shows the ornate
character of the exterior, and its harmony with festal uses and
midsummer occupation. Beautiful as was this view in the daytime as
seen in the picture, the scene was enhanced in attractiveness at
night, when, flanked by the similar illuminations of the Pennsylvania
house, the region blazed with light and echoed the music
of the world's best-loved composers. The banquet-hall of this
structure was the most ornate and highly finished of the large
interiors, and perhaps exceeded all but the Tiffany Cathedral in
splendor of effects. The firm of architects which built the
Agricultural Hall, composed of
McKim, Meade & White, was
entrusted with this work, and the sculpture, mural decoration,
mosaics, plants, and lights which were bounteously spread upon the
exterior, with the gorgeous furnishings within, easily sustained the
pride and testified the power of New York. The area was 142 x 214
feet, and the cost $77,000. |
