154 ]Sl EW YOEK AT THE "WoKLd's COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 



land, and grounds comprising over 600 acres. The breadth of concep- 

 tion, vigor of execution, and harmony of detail with which it was 

 accomplished has won the admiration of the world. The fair, its archi- 

 tecture and its landscape gardening are now matters of history and 

 need no further comment, but Americans may well be pardoned the 

 indulgence of the belief that the coming century will witness nothing 

 of artistic creation that will equal or surpass it. 



During the six months of the fair there were 21,477,212 paid admis- 

 sions, from which the gate receipts exceeded $10,000,000. JSIearly 

 $4,000,000 was also derived from concessions. Undoubtedly, had the 

 western railways lowered their rates earlier in the season, a much larger 

 attendance would have resulted ; possibly enough to have exceeded the 

 Paris attendance of 28,000,000 in 1889. In making comparisons, 

 however, it must be borne in mind that the admission fee in Paris was 

 only one franc, or less than half that at Chicago. One of the most 

 striking features of the attendance was the behavior of the American 

 crowd. Throughout the whole exposition there were fewer cases of 

 drunkenness and disorder than are brought daily before the police court 

 of any medium-sized city. The hearty good-will and even temper 

 which characterized the throng at all times stood the test even of 

 Chicago day, to the expressed wonder and surprise of our foreign 

 visitors. The grand beauty of the park seemed to touch their sensi- 

 bilities as it could no other nation's, and to demand and receive from 

 them their patriotic homage. It was a splendid commentary on the 

 intelligence, appreciation and restraint of the American citizen. 



Such an exposition is a universal educator. It breaks down the bar- 

 riers which ignorance and distrust of the qualities and resources of our 

 neighbors have raised, and aims a deadly blow at provincial prejudice 

 and conceit. The thousands whose lives had heretofore been lived 

 within their village bounds have returned home better and broader 

 citizens. The dwellers in cities, who have fancied that the world 

 revolved around their municipal boundaries as its hub, have a better 

 estimate of their relation to the world's progress. The mass of the 

 American people have a clearer knowledge of the ability and power 

 of other nations, while the foreigner has a better idea of the extent 

 and resources of our vast repubhc. The fair will pay as a national 

 investment. 



Much was expected from New York State because of its'position as 

 leader in population, wealth, manufactures, commerce, art and agricul- 



