The picture came and paled and passed away, Keep her prow westward, in the sunset's wake, After the overture from "Rienzi" had been rendered by the orchestra, the director-general, George R. Davis, told the history of the growth and development of the exposition, closing with The grand concerted illustration of modern progress which is here presented-encouragement of art, of science, of commerce has necessitated an expenditure, including the outlay of our exhibitors, largely in excess of $100,000,000. We have given it our constant thought, our most devoted service, our best energy, and now, in this central city of this great republic, on the continent discovered by Columbus, whose distinguished descend ants are present as the honored guests of our nation, it only remains for you, Mr. President, if in your opinion the exposition here presented is commensurate in dignity with what the world should expect of our great country, to direct that it shall be opened to the public, and when you touch this magic key the ponderous machinery will start in its revolutions, and the activities of the exposition will begin. Mr. Cleveland's remarks were brief. He said: I am here to join my fellow-citizens in the congratulations which befit this occasion. Surrounded by the stupendous results of American enterprise and activity, and in view of magnificent evidences of American skill and intelligence, we need not fear that these congratulations will be exaggerated. We stand to-day in the presence of the oldest nations of the world and point to the great achievements we here exhibit, asking no allowance on the score of youth. It is an exalted mission in which we and our guests from other lands are engaged as we co-operate in the inauguration of an enterprise devoted to human enlightenment; and in the undertaking we here enter upon we exemplify in the noblest sense the brotherhood of nations. Let us hold fast to the meaning that underlies this ceremony, and let us not lose the impressiveness of this moment. As by a touch the machinery that gives life to this vast exposition is now set in motion, so at the same instant let our hopes and aspirations awaken forces which in all time to come shall influence the welfare, the dignity, and the freedom of mankind. As the applause that greeted this address died away a moment of breathless silence ensued, during which the President touched the electric button that set in motion the machinery that was distributed throughout the fair. As the wheel of the great engine that furnished the power to the exposition began to revolve, the audience burst into a loud cheer. The electric fountains sent their streams of water skyward, and the beautiful MacMonnies fountain became alive with pulsating motion as the floods from many openVOL. XXXIII.-50 A ings rushed to and fro about its basin, seeking their way to the Court of Honor, where the great statue of the Republic slowly emerged from its drapery, revealing all the stately majesty of its pure golden beauty, while from the lake beyond came loud sounds of cannon fired by the United States vessels, and the buildings answered the echoes by flashing back the thousands of brilliant-colored flags and streamers that had been STATUE OF COLUMBUS. unfurled. Then the sun came out and cast a warm influence over all the beauty of the scene. The "Hallelujah Chorus" of the orchestra gave way to "America," and the great World's Columbian Exposition began its actual existence. A luncheon followed in the Administration Building, after which the President and his party were taken to the Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building, where they were received by the commissioners of the various foreign governments. The electric launches carried the party over the water ways, while gayly decorated gondolas served as escorts. A moment was spent at the Woman's Building, and finally a landing was made at the Agricultural Building, then a drive along the esplanade beside the lake to the Art Building, which was hastily inspected, and then by a special train away and back to Washington. Of almost equal interest were the opening exercises of the Woman's Building. These began shortly before 3 o'clock in the afternoon with 762 the rendering of the grand march by Jean Ingebors von Bronsart, of Weimar, Germany; then followed a prayer by Miss Ida Hullin. Miss Frances Elliott, of London, gave a dramatic overture, after which Mrs. Potter Palmer made the formal address of the occasion. A jubilate, by Mrs. H. H. A. Beach, of Boston, was the next feature of the programme. Addresses were then upper portion of the shield which is attached to The Great Day.-During the fair many days delivered by the following representatives of the morning gave way to noon-time, and the afternoon passed into evening, the crowd increased, until at the closing of the gates, when the returns were made up, it was found that 716,881 persons paid their way into the grounds. By way of comparison it may be noted that at Philadelphia in 1876 217.526 was the greatest attendance on any one day, and at Paris in 1889 the greatest day brought only 397,150 visitors. The day was celebrated with appropriate exercises. The first event arranged by the World's Fair Committee of the Chicago Common Council took place at 9 o'clock, and was in commemoration of Chicago's birth and early history. The old Pottawattamie chief, Simon Pokaron, whose father, Leopold, deeded the land upon which Chicago is built, had been induced to come from his home in Hartford, Mich., for Chicago day. He stood beside the Columbian bell with uncovered head in the dress of the white man, and received the homage of thousands. He was born sixty three years ago Sept. 27 last, on the day that the transfer deed was delivered to the agents of the United States Government. He By his side stood the most picturesque figure among more than 500,000 people. His dress consisted of a heavy and varied coat of paint on his face, body, and limbs, a headdress of feathers, and a breech clout of beaded buckskin. wore moccasins, and looked a typical Indian on the war path, although he came with a message of peace, standing as a historic figure between the Chicago of yesterday and the Chicago of today. He was Chief John Young, sixty years of age, who came from the Pottawattamie reservation, near Miles, Mich., to tell the people of all nations that his father, who bore the same name, christened the World's Fair city Chicago," which, literally interpreted, means "where the skunk dwells." These two old and feeble Pottawattamie chiefs were the idols of the hour. The exercises at Jackson Park began at noon with the booming of cannon. Then a silence fell on the multitude as the "Heralds of Peace," attired in their gaudy costumes, began their fanfare of peace. These were stationed on the Peristyle, Administration Building, Manufactures Building, and Agricultural Building. They all turned toward the Goddess of Liberty, and played on their brazen instruments "Peace on Earth, Good Will to Men." After which 2,000 voices sang "The Star-Spangled Banner.' Elsewhere occurred the ringing of the new liberty bell by Mayor Harrison, accompanied by a blare of trumpets and crash of drums by the united bands. The chorus sang "Die Wacht am Rhein," Marseillaise," the Austrian hymn, the Russian hymn, the "Star-Spangled Banner," and other national and patriotic hymns. 66 At 2 o'clock 400,000 persons were in the grounds. Then the "Reunion of the States" took place on the plaza facing the Court of Honor. As the States passed in review around the Court of Honor, represented by 3,000 school children, cheer after cheer attested the gratification of the vast audience. The review was divided into five sections. The first was led by a chorus of 100 boys from the diocesan choir, followed by 34 youths, one selected from each ward of the city, bearing a shield with the word "Welcome" inscribed upon it, representing the metropolis of Illinois. Then came thirteen young ladies representing the original States. A company of twenty-four boys dressed in the Continental uniform contrasted pleasantly. Then followed the States of the Union, the six principal cities of each State represented by maidens bearing pennants. The States were in the order of their admission to the Union. In the evening a procession of twenty-five great floats illustrating the arts, sciences, peace, war, Chicago, and the nations, followed by an elaborate display of fireworks, took place. The fireworks were among the finest ever given. The special designs included old Fort Dearborn, Chicago welcoming the World, Old Glory, Niagara Falls, and the burning of Chicago. The latter was 14,000 square feet in area, in four scenes, showing Mrs. O'Leary's cow, the kicking over of the lamp, and the burning of the they more than made good their early apathy. It was in consideration of these facts that special efforts were made to make Oct. 21 (Manhattan's day) a great success. Mayor Harrison welcomed the 10,000 visiting New Yorkers, and Horace |