monuments that were designed as fountains. The original plan called for
cascades from below the Stone Age group on the tower to these monuments.
Although the elimination of this feature made the court more simple and
satisfying as a whole, the figures of the Water Sprites were left high
and dry, so that now there is a certain incongruity in their position.
Still one may admire the very spirited girl archers surmounting the two
columns, even if they are apparently launching arrows at their sister
sprites below, instead of into jets of water as was intended. The
figures at the bases of the columns, while lacking the grace and the
joyous verve of those above, still are very decorative. All are the work
of Leo Lentelli.

The Fountain of Earth. In the large basin in the center of the Court of
Abundance is Robert Aitken's "Fountain of Earth." While plainly out of
keeping with the spirit of the court, this is in itself one of the most
powerful and most interesting sculptural compositions at the Exposition.
It is deeply intellectual, and more than any other group it requires an
explanation of the symbolism before one can appreciate it.

The fountain is really in two compositions. The larger, and central, one
is composed of a globe representing the earth, with four panels of
figures on the four sides, representing certain of the incidents of life
on earth, or certain riddles of existence. The secondary composition
lies to the south of the central one, on the same pedestal; and this is
divided into two groups by a formalized wing through the center. The two
scenes here represent life before and after earthly existence. The two
huge arms and the wing are all that can be seen of Destiny, the force
with which the allegorical story begins and ends.

To "read" the fountain in proper sequence, one must start with the west