The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-09-20
LOCAL MATTERS.

MINERAL DIsTRBUTIoN.-The extensive cabinet
of minerals belonging the late Professor Hall of
this city, and which had been 80 kindly presented
by his esteemed lady, Mrs. Hall, to the Board Of
Trustees for the use Of common schools,
on Tuesday evening formally distributed among
the schools by Professor Gale, of the Patent Office.
The distribution took place in the lecture room
of the Medical College, near the City Hall AT the
appointed hour the room was crowded with chill
dren from the various schools, male and female,
their teachers, the trustees, and other persons in
terested in the success of the schools. The proceed
ings were opened by Mr. George Watterston, with
a short explanatory statement of the circumstances
which brought them together on this interesting
occasion, who concluded by introducing to the
scholars and those present Professor Gale
The Professor, after having divided the collec
ton into twenty parcels, equal TO the number Of
our common schools, entered upon short but very
lucid explanation of the science of mineralogy, its
utility in life to persons of all conditions and sta
tons, and made several practical illustrations Of
the manner by which a knowledge OF its disunc-
tons could be easily acquired
Professor Johnson, of the Smithsonian Institute,
followed corroborating the statements of DR.. Gale,
and evidencing at large its importance as
connected with the higher branches of science-as
chemistry, geology, and the knowledge of man
himself He related anecdote of Professor Sill
man. the master of science in this country at least,
if not in the world, by which the importance Of
small collections of minerals (such the divisions
to be allotted TO each of schools) had been fully
developed Professor Silliman relates that the first
foundation of a mineral cabinet at Yale College
arose from these circumstances. very small
collection of curiously formed stones had been pre-
sented to the college, but. as they were perfectly
unintelligiblc, they were thrown aside, and he
had gathered them up in handkerchief, and
slowed them away in the bottom of his trunk.
There they were forgotten, till some time after
wards on a trip TO Europe, he met with a distin-
guished mineralogist from Edinburg, TO whom,
after some conversation, he exhibited the contents
of the forgotten handkerchief The Scotch professor
Immediately exclaimed that they were minerals
from the strata Of the earth the Scotch capital
Explanations ensued and it satisfactorily appeared
that the formations Of the earths strata in miner
ais, &C.. were similar in tho regions of New Eng
land and Edinburg. Professor Siman, struck
with the idea, pursued his Investigations, returned
to Yale, commenced mineral cabinet with the
contents of his handkerchief, and made daily in
crease thereto, until now il has arrived TO be the
richest collection of minerals, &c, in the world.
Professor j. was very happy in his remarks, which
Ma HoLLBRooK, a distinguished advocate and
friend Of the common school system, TO which he
has devoted his time and talents, closed with some
interesting remarks, in which he showed by the e1-
hibition of several articles, such chrome green,
&C. the great economy which mineralogy has in
troduced into the price of various chemicals, which
ON account Of their high prices in former times,
were but rarely used, but which can now be OBJ
tanned by every body. Mr.. H. was very instructive
in the brief remarks which he made on the great
importance of the introduction Of mineralogy a
study in our common schools.
The allotment of divisions was then made TO the
different schools throughout the city, and the
meeting adjourned We have no doubt that the
possession Of these small cabinets by schools
will be Of ncslcuable advantage TO many Of tho
youthful scholars in their pursuit of knowledge
IsaUEsT.--A coroner's inquest was held in view
of the body Of the man whose supposed murder WI
reported ON Monday, at or near a tavern in Fairfa1
county Virginia The verdict of the jury was thai
he came to his death by suicide He was residen
of Alexandra, Va land not the person supposed by
many of his acquaintance in this city to have los
bis life bv violence, but who doubtless, now is nj
home with bis friends.
Patent OrrIcE-The foundation Of the ives
wing of the Patent Office building commenced
yesterday by the stone-masons, under the superin
tendence of Mr. Hepburn. The east wing is pro
crossing with surprising rapidity, and the work
manship, thus far is creditable to all concerned.
LEcTuRE.-The lecture of r. w. Thomas, esq.
before the Washington Assembly on Friday even
ing last has been pronounced one of the finest lite
rary productions that the citizens Of Washington
have had the pleasure of enjoying. The subject
The early struggles of eminent mon''--wos hap
PLY chosen, being in which all feel more or les
intercA but when illustrated by fertile intel
lect as hat of Mr.. Thomas il becomes doubly in
tercstint Mr.. Thomas, from his varied talents
among which orstory is not least richly deserves
be cIsssei among the " eminent literary men" Z
country.