Begin with Mr. Edward Simmon's murals on either side of the Gateway of
the Rising Sun.
Facing east, the mural on the right represents The Nations That Have
Crossed the Atlantic (Greece, Italy, Spain, England, France, etc.) and
the special types are these:
1. The savage of the lost Atlantis.
2. The Graeco-Roman sharpening his blade.
3. Columbus, the type of adventurer.
4. Sir Walter Raleigh, the type of colonist.
5. The priest, representing the Jesuit missionaries.
6. The artist.
7. The workman.
8. The (veiled) Future listening to the Past.
The people of the old world, with all their traditions, cross the
Atlantic, led by the "Spirit of Adventure" (with his bugle calling them
to come).
The mural on the opposite side shows the aspirations, etc., of the group
just examined.
Reading from left to right we find the men had hopes (and some false
hopes - but bubbles), commerce, inspiration, truth, religion, wealth and
family in their minds.
Cross to the Gateway of the Setting Sun looking at the mural on the
right as you face west.
Time has moved on since those early colonists came to the Atlantic
shores and now the Spirit of Abundance (with her overflowing golden
cornucopia) is sounding the call for all to follow.
Many leave their homes to join the great throng that is moving westward.
The wagon is laden with the necessaries of life for the new home in the
western country. You see the feather bed, the old grandfather's clock
that stood on the stairs, the scythe, the pitchfork and the rake for
their agricultural interests, etc. On the right the young man who has
said goodbye to his wife now turns to his aged parents. The mother,
overcome with grief at parting, stands speechless, and the grey-haired
father shakes his boy's hands and wishes him "Godspeed."
All types of men are taking the journey and you are reminded that not
alone workmen and adventurers are leading the procession, but ministers,
women with their refining influence, children with their school books,
and college men with gown and mortar-board, with books under arms - all
moving on the long journey westward.
Occupying the same position on the southern side of the arch the
companion-piece, by Frank Vincent Du Mond, shows these men from the
Atlantic arriving at the shores of the Pacific.
The people of the west with outstretched arms welcome the travelers. The
children of the Pacific shores run with flowers and fruits to greet
them. You will notice the different types arriving from the Atlantic
shore - literary men (with pen and book), architects (with temple in
hand), scientists (with book under arm), Franciscan friars (with
crucifix and mission bells in hand), etc. These are followed by the Red
Coats, indicating those who preserved order. These men are all led by
the Spirit of Adventure. She is no longer in the foreground, but is
ready to fall behind as soon as she has fulfilled her mission.
The agricultural interests of the western countries are suggested by the
wheat and implements of the field. The heavily laden orange trees speak
of the fruit industries. Does the tapir stand for South America? Surely,
South America is coming into the foreground just now.
The people have now been brought to the shores of the Pacific.
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The Panama region is the one next to be visited and you rehearse its
story, standing under the Tower of Jewels, "The Panama Canal."
These are the murals of Frank DeLeftwich Dodge:
1. The Panama Isthmus is discovered.
2. It is purchased by the United States.
3. You are reminded that the great waters - the Atlantic and the Pacific
- play with titanic force on either side of the isthmus.
4. The Panama Canal is completed.
5. Labor is crowned.
6. The achievements which follow are shown: (The caduceus, the wand of
Mercury, the symbol of commerce, is prominent.)
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Pass thru this Tower of jewels noticing in the eastern and also the
western arcades two fine fountains.
On the left is the Fountain of Youth by Mrs. Edith Woodman Burroughs of
Flushing, Long Island.
The simple, beautiful, naive figure standing on the pedestal is Youth,
the United States, the child that has come from old parents (Europe).
The old father and mother have had many children - many little primroses
you will notice - but none more dear than this one. The charming panels
will remind you that the old people of today are being rowed by the
young. These children row the vessels, bring them to shore and fasten
them to their moorings.
Many of the old people are deaf or blind and are straining to follow the
young who, with willing hands are guiding them on. A most charming,
lovely work is this, and adds a fine touch to the open book that we are
reading. Don't lose the eagle and laurel wreath back of Youth. They are
significant.
Oh the other side is the fine formal fountain of "El Dorado," by
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney of New York.
The fountain of El Dorado brings to mind the old Indian legend of El
Dorado, the Gilded One:
There was once among the South American tribes a belief that in a
certain far-off country lived a king called El Dorado, the Gilded One.
He ruled over a region where gold and precious stones were found in
abundance.
The story influenced a vast number of adventurers who led expeditions to
seek the land of golden treasure, but, notwithstanding the fact that
they searched most carefully and for long periods, they all failed to
find it.
The idea of the unattainable gave the suggestion to Mrs. Whitney for her
fountain.
The gold of El Dorado was used as the symbol of all material advantages
which we so strongly desire - wealth, power, fame, etc.
In the panels are seen the men and women of life in their mad race for
the unattainable.
Many have had a glimpse of El Dorado, the Gilded One, and are rushing on
to pass the mysterious gate behind which the desires of life await them.
Some faint by the roadside or stop in their race for the goal to contend
or to loiter by the way, but those nearest the El Dorado increase their
speed - rush madly on.
Beside the gateway that has only just allowed the fabled El Dorado, the
Gilded One, to pass through are two mortals who have come close to the
land of their desires, but only to find the door shut and slaves beside
it barring the way. Their strength is expended, their courage gone in
the long race for material things. The panels of this fountain tell us
in satirical language something we can profitably think over and realize
if we will.
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