We sat on the deck of the yacht as comfortably as in our _boudoirs_ at home. Nevertheless, we were able to enjoy _ad libitum_ the same sight that so many others in the White City could only see with difficulty, on account of the unusual throngs. When we reflected on this circumstance--so much in our favor--our hearts were filled with gratitude toward our commodore, who had selected this excellent locality. From here we admired the exceedingly fine pyrotechnic displays. Girandoles pierced the sky in all directions, with rushing lines of fire. Sky-rockets exhibiting rich hues of purple, red, and green ascended through the air; and when reaching the highest point of their blazing paths, they discharged beautiful garnitures of floating stars, sparks, crackers, serpents, gold and silver rain. Tourbillions mounting and rotating through the atmosphere, formed brilliant spiral curves of fire. Splendid effects of changing color were brought to view by revolving fire-wheels. An appropriate _finale_ constituted the burning of the American flag, which bore a sublime character in the brightness of fire. "Flag of the free heart's hope and home, By angel hands to valor given: Thy stars have lit the welkin dome, And all thy hues were born in heaven" As the first faint smile of the morning peeped over the eastern wave, I rose--greatly refreshed by a sound sleep. Coming on deck, I found that the sun's unclouded orb already poured its rays of light upon the earth. Our eyes rested with delight on the White City throned on its numerous isles, looking like a sea Cybele--ascending from the lake with her tiara of proud towers. At our arrival on the Fair Grounds, Mr. James thoughtfully provided us with guides and rolling-chairs--vehicles which reminded us of the Japanese Jin-riki-sha. The main entrance of the AGRICULTURAL BUILDING--adorned on either side by mammoth Corinthian pillars--ushered us into a vestibule, richly ornamented with appropriate statuary. From here, we reached a rotunda surmounted by a gigantic glass dome. When looking about on the main floor, we fancied ourselves to be in a city of pavilions. For, the States of the Union as well as the foreign nations had environed their displays with magnificent little temples and pagodas. To a great extent, they formed exhibits themselves, because in most cases the chief products of the respective country had been utilized for their construction. Nebraska, for example, had employed sweet corn for the erection of its pavilion. Every state and territory was represented by its productions; the Northern States with Indian corn, wheat, oats, barley, rye, and other cereals; the South with cotton, rice, sugar, etc. Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, and Tennessee evinced their noted superiority in the culture of the nicotian plant, which is in such great favor with the consumers of tobacco.