Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1846-05-05
PlTEAF OFFICE and NATIONAL INSTITUTE.
WAsHTNcTov. Anr;l 11.IeA6

uelg itc many tnlngS In WaShIn9t0nt
that are really worthy of observation. Be-
sides the many magnificent buildings Of
the governments themselves sufficient
induceaeat 10 stop The passer.by-there
arc many other things that are pleasing
to the eye, and I'll the mind with food for
Fefectien. The Patent Office isa great
store house of cufiosities, and is decided.
" the most interesting place for an Amer
lean, that anywhere is found on the whole
continent. The building is fine speci-
men Of architecture, perfectly plain, and
without ostentation. Attached to it, and
Immediately in its rear, is abeautifnl gar
den, tastefully arranged, and one of the
best lighthouses I ever saw. This is, of
course, stored with choice and rare plants,
Esheltered alike from the scorching rays of
the summers sun, and from the chilly
breath of winter. The whole of the
grounds connected with the establishment
are in an almost perfect state of repair;
and the generalappearancesof the build
ing. inside and out, gives the present Com
missioner of Patents a high stand as a
man of neatness and refinement.
II You ascend to the main entrance ofthe
building by flight of granite steps, very
Espacious and costly, and standing for a
moment to admire the immense columns
that support the cornice, and form colo
nade-massiye. unique, and grand--you
enter the main hall of the building. At
/ the right and left are halls running out
| from the main one, and on each side of
these. are ranged the different models that
from time to time have been placed inthe
Institution. But before proceed farther,
| itmay be well to state that this, the lower
floor, is used as the Patent Office, proper,
while above are the rooms-or rather is
the room--ofthe National Institute. The
tpatents are all stored in large glass cases,
of a uniform size. i am not much of a
mechanic myself but if | had been one,s i
doubt not should hare discovered among
the perfect mass of models some that were
new and interesting. Models for almost
every article now in use can be here
seen, and it would seem that the invent
i've genius of our countrymen would, by
this time, be well nigh exhausted. But
am told that there have been more appl-
cations for patents during the last year,
than during any previous one. The build
ing is well warmed, and if in winter, the
visitor finds himself fully as comfortable
as in his own room. But the eye will
soon tire oflooking upon so many things
that it does not comprehend;s and passing
up the main staircase, which parts the en-
trance door, you enter the hall of the Ma.
tional Institute. The stairs are spiral,
and are fully as beautiful as any ever
saw. They seem suspended in air, al.
though they must be of great weight, as
they are built of stone. Near the en-
trance to the hallis kept book, where
1t is customary for each visitor to record
his name. This book shows that within
the last year, an immense number of peo-
tple Of both sexes, from ali parts of the
Union, England, Ireland, and France,
have visited this place, SO rich in histori-
cal relics and curiosities. All the curios-
tiles, in the shape of shells, fish, birds,
insects, implements of war and husband
Try, Indian dresses, &C., &C., brought
home by the U. S. Exploring Expedition,
are here deposited, and form an immense
number ofohjects--as curious as they are
rare. ! noticed as many as fifty kinds of
Humming birds, all preserved with great
care, and anatomical presentations Of
many large animals But to describe, or
LeyeHto name one halfway, one hundreth
part-of all these lesser objects ofcurios.
i lily, would require fifty such letters as this.
Nearly everything that, can be thought
ofisis here TO be seen; and among
other things / noticed some very rare col.
Elections of copper coins. The Hall is
completely surrounded by paintings
some ofthem by the best artists of the
country, and there are also to be seen nu-
merous ikenesses Of the members of del
egatioas Of Indians that have from time to
f itimeiavisiieds the home ofatheiri s.ereat
father. The only thing unpleasant in
J paying this hall a visit IS the feeling which
1 comes oyer. one of onr inter inal,ilitu 70