THE COLUMBIAN OBELISK.- The Obelisk, which was the prominent object at the southern end of the South Canal, connected the wonderful civilization the World’s Fair represented with the hardly less wonderful civilization of thousands of years ago. Ancient Egypt furnished, in a manner, her contribution to the architecture of the Columbian Exposition, the Obelisk, from a distance, reminding the observer of one of the ” Cleopatra’s Needles,” of which, by the way, an exact reproduction was among the attractions of the Plaisance. The Columbian Obelisk, though, was not a monolith, not something hewed from the rock in a single piece, but a monument in which the masonry was apparent. It had the advantage of constant, close inspection, for the portals, opening on the canal of both Machinery Hall and the Agriculture Building received and gave exit to hundreds of thousands, and, toward the end of the Fair especially, the colonnade with its splendid view to the far north of the grounds attracted its daily hosts. It was an imposing object in keeping with its grand surroundings, and the stately shaft attracted much admiring comment. Its base was guarded by four majestic recumbent lions, and about it where it rested on its ornamented pedestal, were eagles perched upon cannon balls, connected by heavy garlands. Upon the pedestal appeared an inscription in different languages in which was set forth the objects and aims of the celebration of the Columbian anniversary.

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