With a patience that was beautiful, and ought to serve as a national lesson, he met every one courteously, and every last person that met him felt that he had found a friend, and left him rejoicing that the newly-collected world was so friendly in its representative. His intelligence was equal to his courtesy, and his tact to both. The people all have good wishes forever for Judge Bonney. Our trio had been told to report to Judge Bonney. They found him at his desk in the Art Palace in the city, and one look from him assured them that they were expected. “Judge,” said Ephraim the elder, “I have called with my son here, who is a delegate to the Folk-Lore Congress. There are a few things about the Fair that I would like to know.” “I shall be most happy to give you any information that I have, my friend. Sit down, sit down.” We give the judge’s answers from a general memory of like scenes. “I thank thee, friend Bonney.” “I see that you are a Quaker,” said Judge Bonney. “There are several people here already who are interested in the Folk-Lore Congress. I will see that you are introduced to them. What are some of the questions which you wish to ask?” “Well, friend Bonney, what is the history of this great Fair? How did it originate?” “In the minds of many, who agreed to act as one,” we may imagine the answer to have been. We shall speak of this topic again. We are inclined to the belief that the secret of the success of the Fair may be found in the fact of this supposed answer. “By whom was Chicago selected as the site of the Fair?” “This city was selected as the site of the Fair by vote of the National House of Representatives, February 24, 1890.” “What other cities were voted upon?” “New York, St. Louis, and Washington.” “When did Congress authorize the Fair?” “The Act of Congress authorizing the Fair was approved April 25, 1890. This was followed by the President’s Proclamation, inviting all nations to participate, which was issued December 24, 1890. The World’s Fair Grounds were dedicated October 21, 1892. Preceding the opening of the Fair, May 1, 1893, was the grand Naval Review in New York Harbor, April 26, 27, 28, 1893.” “How about the appropriations, friend Bonney? Where did the money come from?” [Illustration: STATUE OF THE REPUBLIC AND MANUFACTURES BUILDING.] “From various sources. The States and territories appropriated nearly $5,000,000, and foreign countries nearly $6,000,000. The capital stock amounts to $5,000,000, the City of Chicago Bonds to $5,000,000, the Souvenir half-dollars (appropriated by Congress), to $2,500,000, and the Debenture Bonds to $4,000,000.” “What is the total value of the exhibits?” “It is estimated to be $300,000,000.” “What will the Fair cost?” “The total estimated expense is $21,250,000.” “How many visitors are expected?” “It is expected that there will be about 20,000,000 visitors.”