_“Bully for you, Susie, Bully for you now, To go and milk the water pump, ’Stead of the cow. Chalk is very cheap, Milk is quite a heap, Healthier when diluted than it came from the cow.”_ FRANKLIN. I wish I was a milkman; methinks it is a better Business than being a philosopher-- Ah, gentle friends, what news? (_Enter_ ROGER SHERMAN, GERRY, and GEORGE WHYTTE.) SHERMAN. Washington has crossed the Delaware! (_Chorus outside_) [_many voices_]. “Washington forever!” GEORGE WHYTTE. Lo, he will be our President! (_Shouts again_) [_many voices_]. “Three cheers for Washington!” GERRY. Who knows? BENJAMIN FRANKLIN. Let us pray. (They all kneel, and the orchestra strikes up “Yankee Doodle” as the curtain drops.) CHAPTER VII. “THE REFLECTIONS.” ... SHADOWS, SHAPES, AND THOSE WHO MADE THEM. [Illustration] “You are standing, sir, directly upon the equator.” Our country cousin jumped aside in terror; his face grew white, his knees trembled, his hair stood on end. It was our first visit to the Main Exhibition Building after its opening, and he had accompanied us. “Great Heaven!” he gasped, “why did they leave it around here--is it dangerous?” and he backed into an Italian brigand who was strolling leisurely along, “it oughter be in the zoological department,” he added, and peered around for a glimpse of the animal. We smiled pityingly. [THE NORTH POLE REACHED AT LAST.] “The equator, our dear cousin,” said we, “is that broad chalk line marked across the floor of the building. It represents the centre of the earth. Here, take the glasses;--now observe,--that main mast or telegraph pole, painted white and decked with ribbons, which you see at the extreme end of the avenue, is a very complete _fac-simile_ of the North Pole. Now, turn around;--that clothes prop (kindly loaned by Mrs. Forney) represents the South Pole. At one end, to speak poetically, we have Greenland’s Icy Mountain, at the other, Mrs. Forney’s Coral Strand. Let us take a cursory glance of what lies between.” We do not propose to give more than the merest superficial account of the wonders and glories of the great display. Everywhere the eye rested it was dazzled with jewels, silver, splendor, and--and--so forth. Striped gauzes, magnificent bronzes, burnished armor, superb laces, fine inlaid work, unique carvings, rich and rare fancy goods, musical instruments, books, acres of useful articles, miles of ornamental productions, food, clothing, and--and--more so forth.