THE FALLS OF THE COLUMBIAN FOUNTAIN.—Viewed from its front, and at a point not remote, the overflow of the Columbian Fountain afforded the spectacle of one of the most charming of’cataracts. The mass of water tumbled down from level to level in a great foaming semi-circle, until, finally, it plunged into the Grand Basin, a white sheet impress-ive in its beauty. Wider than the famous Falls of Minnehaha, though with not quite so much descent, the falls of the fountain reminded hosts of people of that pretty spectacle in Minnesota which Longfellow made so celebrated. “A table-cloth of pure water,” the Falls of Minnehaha have been called, but in Minnesota the table-cloth is not hung so smoothly nor with such housewifely care as was that of the Columbian Exposition. Neither did the falls here go rollicking away with the flood of a pretty creek, but, instead, whipped into a fringe of foam the waters of a smooth expanse and added variety to the charming scene upon the basin. As the ” Maid of the Mist ” once took passengers to the verge of the abyss of Niagara, so gondolas and launches would approach the downpour of the fountain, but the greatest danger lay in a sprinkling, and the roar of the falls was not loud enough to render indistinct the chatting of the gay parties who delighted to be rowed near the spot, especially at night, and watch the rainbow hues made by the lights upon the water. It was a place of great attraction. From any point on the Grand Basin, as from any point upon the land, the Columbian Fountain was a source of pleasure, one of the inspirations and masterpieces of the Fair.

Other Pages from PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR.