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142. Picturesque World’s Fair – The Germania Fountain

THE GERMANIA FOUNTAIN.—Just to the north of the German Building, and showing charmingly against a background of trees which intervened between it and structures to the west, was what was known as the Germania Fountain, a work of art forming part of the German showing. Germania, standing upon a supported globe, held aloft a lamp, while typical additional figures made an effective grouping. . The globe was upheld by four female figures seated upon a lavishly decorated pedestal, which made the body of the fountain proper. The whole result achieved was graceful and attractive. Indeed, it would be difficult to mention anything about the German Building which was not of interest, so well was the great Empire represented in all respects. The beautiful structure contained other works of art, in the wonderfully bound books, of which so many were exhibited: in the carved wooden ceilings of the room of the Imperial Commissioner, in the quaint old furniture, the rich carpets and brocades, and linens beautifully worked with gold and silver thread. About the whole German Building was a certain touch scarcely to be found elsewhere, a richness of coloring which was never glaring and an originality of decoration which was never bizarre. It was the reflection of an old nation’s taste. It is not exaggerating the effect to say, that the appearance made by Germany at the World’s Columbian Exposition did more than has ever any single previous event to make the people of two countries broadly appreciative of and in closer and better touch with each other.

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