The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-04-30

witch Islands, Columbia River &C., are
collected and exhibited at this Gallery Of
curiosities. Mr.. Breckenridge, who ac-
companied, or was one of the number
composing the U. S. Expedition to the
Feejee, and other distant. Islands, a few
years since, pointed out to me a skull which
was fractured, and which he said belong
ed TO a native Of the Feejee Island; he be-
ing killed, roasted and eaten by theCanni'
balls of that Island, while the Vessel was
there. The skull and jaws of a Nam
moth, three feet in height and two feet
broad, with huge teeth, regularly set, was
in one OF the cases, as a relic Of olden time.
Fifty Bushels of Shells Of various descrip-
tions, and many Of them very beautiful
from four to five hundred specimens Of
Coral; "a variety of Fossil remains from
Oregon and Observation-Disclosures, Pre-
cious Stones, Fossils &C., from Brazil,
Peru, Chill, and Rio Nsgra;-Petritac>
tons, Fossil remains ofSkulIs,and impress
sions Of leaves, in Slate. from New South
Wales; and Fossil remains. Volcanic for
nations, Chrystalized Salts and Sulphur,
from the Sandwich Islands, constituted a
part Of the curiosities picked up and bro't
to this country by the men who went on
this exploring Expedition. A Bark Ca.
zoe ego #. long with many implements Of
war, from the North American Indians;
War-clubs and other death dealing instru-
ments, from several Islands of the Pacific.
and an Idol. formed much like a lad with
his legs cut off just below the knees, were
also to be seen.
Franklim's Printing Press stood at the
east end Of the National Gallery, and was
truly worth looking at, to enable a man to
see more fully the improvements which
have been made in that article, since that
was used by Doct. Franklin. According
to the Label on it, the Doctor used that
Press One Hundred and twenty years
ago. The Framework, and movable la>
BILE, or bed,piece, were made of wood
the impression caused by turning a screw,
to which a lever was attached. This
was formed some like the screw ola cloths
ier's Press, but the screw raising or low
the plate twice as far, perhaps to
each pull of the lever, as it would be va
ried by the other screw. On viewing this
relic, lhought to myself, if Doctor Frank
lin did not use as good a Press as is
used in these days. there was a good deal
OF Oisdom pressed through that old thing ;
and much that flowed from his lips & pen
which did not happen to be ground out in
that mill!
In another part of this room was 10 be
seen a Gold Sauf Box-a gold mounted
and Gun, which were valued at
800 900, ard which were stolen from
he Gallery a few years since, but recov-
The Camp. equipage and clothes,
Of General Washington are deposited as
interesting relies of the Revolutionary war,
and of the man who stood at the helm du-
ring hat struggle. But, it would be USE
less to name a thousandth part Of the vari>
Ely Of things to be seen at that room, and
| will enumerate M more now.
l will how introduce the reader to The
Plant Conservatory, (which is l46 by II
on the ground, by giving a sketch of
he names of some Of the plants, as min
tied down by VIM. D, Breckenridge Esq.
v no classifes and labels the different spe-
cultivated there. do not know the
meaning of all the terms used. as
'pplied 10 the plants, neither will d great
portion Of the readers OF this paper; yet
iome will know, and all will understand
hat there is a sufficient variety OF the USE
ul and ornamental, TO feast the mind Of
Botanists or any person desiring to see
more fully the beauties Of nature. Then
lear Mr.. Brackenridge;-
TROPICAL FRUITS !; RooTs AND SPICES;
Cultivated in Conservatory -situat-
ed IN the rear Of Patent Office at
Washington d. C.
Musa Daca E. Indies.
Sapientum different kinds Of
Cavendishii. Banana.
Paradisiaco,