it came more like a gorgeous dawn-first a blush of color, this deepening into richest red, and finally the full splendor of fire. Buildings were no longer outlined; they stood forth revealed; fountains tossed sprays that formed as lilies and sheaves of wheat. Children danced for joy and entreated their elders to tell whether or not it all was true, but these were quite as hopelessly bewildered. They no longer gazed upon a fairy scene; they actually stood and breathed and moved in a veritable fairy land as enchanting and unbelievable as they had known long ago when everything seemed possible. Nor did the wonder lessen by nightly repetition. Such a spectacle might have satisfied night-loving Whistler and given him an artist's rare joy. The poet's dream of "light that never was on land or sea" hovered for a few brief months as marvellously as perhaps it ever will on this terrestrial ball.

Congress appropriated $500,000 to provide an exhibition of its various departments at Buffalo. Those who object, as many always do, to having public funds thus expended forget that expositions supply almost the only opportunity the federal government has to bring home to the minds of the average citizen its various functions. All are taxed indirectly for national expenditures, but those dwelling in interior states have slight conceptions of harbor improvements or protection of human life at sea. There are states wherein Indian Reservations mean little, for while governmental reports of various descriptions are printed, comparatively few are read.

Of the amount provided for the Pan-American fair, $200,000 was expended in necessary buildings; the rest, in supplying a creditable display. The Board in charge of the federal exhibit was composed of twelve members, one from each of the eight Executive Departments, one from the Smithsonian, one from the Commission of Fish and Fisheries, one from the Bureau of American Republics and one from the Department of Labor. One of the novel features on this occasion was the collection procured at considerable expense from the Philippines, recently acquired, and from Hawaii. These probably attracted more spectators than other parts of the federal exhibit. The Bureau of Education for the first time used moving pictures to show military drills, the teaching of deaf mutes and other interesting features. The Depart

ment of the Interior showed voting machines, and the telautograph that transmits pictures by wire. On the lake in the Park a life-saving crew was stationed to give frequent demonstrations of its efficiency in time of wrecks. Imagination was needed to transform the placid lake into a storm-tossed sea. Whatever is newly acquired for such exhibits, as for example, the Philippine collection, is afterwards given permanent place in the National Museum.

It was early seen that the hope earnestly entertained for this fair was not to be largely realized in so far as it involved response from the Latin states to the south. Cuba, San Domingo, Ecuador, Chili, Honduras and Mexico erected buildings. Several other states were represented in the general exhibits.. The Director-General of the Exposition, Mr. Buchanan, had formerly been minister to Argentine Republic and by his wide acquaintance was able to arouse considerable interest. However, the Latin states have been accustomed to trade with European countries, partly because of our high tariff, and partly—as they have not hesitated to acknowledge— because they find the brusque manner predominating our commercial life intolerable. Marked courtesy in dealing with others has long been the heritage of the Latin race. One of the finest exhibits made by southern countries was a complete collection of food-plants, transported alive and throughout the summer growing to the edification of those who could never hope to see them in their native land.

The hope couched in the dedicatory panels on the Propylæum: "Here, by the great waters of the north, are brought together the peoples of the two Americas, in exposition of their resources, industries, products, inventions, arts and ideas"; and "May the century now begun unite in the bonds of peace, knowledge, goodwill, friendship and noble emulation all the dwellers in the Continents and Islands of the New World" may not have shown material realization as rapidly as had been expected. but there can be no doubt that some gain resulted from better understanding and acquaintance. The sentiment lately voiced by one of our educators: "The man I don't like is the man I don't know," is quite as applicable to nations, and it must never be forgotten that this flourishing nation in the north has overshadowed the younger

and less experienced ones on the south and with characteristic assurance has not been hesitant to boast its superiority—a fact which is likely to be more quickly overlooked at home than abroad.

While Canada erected a building, her own journals criticised the slight showing she made, although to be sure certain provinces sent excellent specimens of their products.

Failing to receive as many foreign contributions as had been anticipated, exhibits of the United States filled every conceivable niche and much had to be turned away for lack of space. The Electrical Building contained the greatest promise for the future. Wireless telegraphy was demonstrated here for the first time in the history of expositions. X-ray machines were also first shown. Various appliances for utilizing this great and mysterious force in the household were displayed. The beautiful tower, 389 feet high, bore the inscription: "To those painters, sculptors and architects, tellers of tales, poets and creators of music, to those actors and musicians, who, in the New World, have cherished and increased the love of beauty."

The Art Building was erected in Buffalo Park by funds subscribed by loyal citizens, for the purpose of giving the city, after the Fair, a permanent home for the Buffalo Fine Arts Society. It was constantly visited by strangers—each succeeding exposition giving evidence of a growing love of pictures and statuary.

The Graphic Arts received greater attention than previously. Germany long surpassed us in the art of paper making but recently fine qualities have been forthcoming in the United States. Automatic typesetting machines were shown to have been cheapened and accelerated. A machine for folding, numbering, stitching, and covering magazines and pamphlets by one operation was for the first time displayed. Another printing 50,000 sixteen page forms of paper an hour in four colors filled the beholder with amazement.

The Machinery Building was dedicated "To those who in the deadly mine, on stormy seas, in the fierce breath of the furnace and in all perilous places, working ceaselessly, bring to their fellowmen comfort, sustenance and the grace of life." Three facts were impressed upon those who thoughfully gazed

upon its wonders: That more and more hand labor is being replaced by machinery and no one can yet foresee to what lengths this may finally lead. That electricity is steadily encroaching upon the realm once dominated by steam and may some time supersede it. And finally, that speed is every year decreasing distance.

The Centennial was severely educational. There was less conscious strife for beauty and no attempt to amuse. One may judge how great a change time has wrought in this respect when he meditates upon the fact that the Pan-American Exposition cost $10,000,000 and that $3,000,000 were spent by the Directors on the Midway. Various new devices for entertainment were introduced which even now are antiquated. Life in America is strenuous and the populace turns for relief to places of amusement where it in turn is taken quite as strenuously.

The death of President McKinley, resulting from a shot fired by a fanatic as he was leaving the Temple of Music, threw the nation into mourning and cast into shadow the closing days of the exposition. While Buffalo was left with at deficit of $3,000,000, beyond this temporary financial burden, the Pan-American Exposition unquestionably taught the fair lake city many a useful lesson and gave it prestige. The legends graved on tablets and placed, where he who ran might read, embodied the spirit of the whole plan: that peace is better than war and its fruits alone worth gaining; that it is better for nations to forget prejudices and stand shoulder to shoulder in the forward march; that isolation engenders suspicion and acquaintance and understanding dispels it. "The brotherhood of man-the federation of nations-the peace of the world." "Between nation and nation, as between man and man, lives the one law of right."

CHAPTER XIV.

LOUISIANA PURCHASE EXPOSITION.

It will be remembered that American settlements hugged the Atlantic coast for many years. When in the early nineteenth century men ventured over the Alleghenies to cut homes out of the wilderness, uninhabited save by roving tribes of Indians who retreated before them, these undertakings were regarded with misgivings by the less venturesome. Then settlements reached into the Mississippi basin, and there are men yet living who recall that the removal of a family from the New England states or New York to Michigan or Ohio, occasioned strong remonstrance on the part of relatives that they should thus leave civilization and go into the far west.

Trade usually precedes permanent location, and before homes were made beyond the mountains, the value of the Mississippi river for purposes of commerce was already plain to fur traders. Washington appreciated its significance as an artery to the sea and as early as 1790 said: "We must have and certainly shall have the full navigation of the Mississippi."

Spain claimed the territory west of the river and by the beginning of Jefferson's administration had practically placed an embargo upon it by forbidding Americans use of New Orleans as a shipping port. The anxiety and indignation of Americans whose trade was thus interrupted could not be ignored and the President found the situation of the country embarrassing. Relations with England were far from friendly and France had been offended by the refusal of the United States to accept the proposals made not long before by Genet. The new government was not situated to inspire confidence among the powers.

It so happened that Robert R. Livingston, our minister to France, learned that a secret treaty had been negotiated between France and Spain whereby Louisiana had been ceded to France in exchange for other territory less desired by Napo