Pratt Institute - Prattonia Yearbook (Brooklyn, NY)

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The Fountain Long after all Pratt students have gone home. Long after the last rays of sunlight have hid from the center court, the fountain comes to life. I know. I saw it with my own eyes one night. Neptune started it all, spur- ring his seahorse steed with his tr- dent. Urged on by a triton sounding aconch shell, he galloped across the waves and only paused when Venus on the half shell winked at him. Meanwhile, on the other side, mayhem was breaking loose. Eros and Psyche were cavorting about, he on his dolphin, she fluttering about on her butterfly wings. And then, a chubby baby Bacchus, pluck- ing grapes sauntered through the scene, leaving a trail of grape pits behind. The dancing and kissing and merry-making went on for hours until many became sleepy. It wasn’t long before the eight lion-like faces were yawning in unison. Eros and Psyche and some nymphs and cherubs were still furiously dancing when sunlight began peeking over the building edges. Dawn had ar- rived. The figures of this old Re- naissance fountain froze in silence to stare once again into the gloomy daylight shadows of the center court, as the world of Pratt passed by. The Flagpole Since November 11, 1926, a flag- pole has watched over Library Park at Pratt. Designed by Willard Pad- dock, the pedestal is of a deep gray- green color, and includes four ex- pressive heads with upheld symbols, one for each of the four interests promoted by Pratt Institute: the pen and scroll of Literature, the hammer and square of Labor Skill, the searching glass and torch of Sci- ence, and the reflecting mirror and tools of Art. Masses of laurel leaves and four eagles, symbolizing patriotism, North, South, East, and West, com- plete the sculpted bronze. The pole itself was once painted a dull green to blend with the bronze and stone color. Around the base of the bronze are the simple words that explain the meaning of the flagpole: “To Commerate the services of the men and women of Pratt Institute in the World War, 1914-1918.”