The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-06-11
lfoR TIE INDEPENDENT PRESS
Trip to Warrington American Medical
Observation-Disclosures to Mt. Vernon
Boarded shad Entertainment, 90.

Boarded shad Entertainment, 90.
4sss DEPARTMENT OF TIE INTERIOR.
The building occupied by this department,
is the most extensive and interesting Of any
other in the metropolis ; portion of it is oc-
cnpied by the Patent Office and Museum of the
National Institute. In the second story of this
building, ore to be seen many valuable relies Of
General Washington including his camp chest,
utensils, clothes made Of Buckskin. knives ahd
forks, DC, DC. also the original Declaration Of
independence, &c. how meager looks, the
furniture OF the Father his country, when
contrasted, with the camp furniture Of Gen
eral of the present day; here may also be seen
the printing press of Benjamin Franklin could
this Philosopher and Statesman, revisit the
| scene of his early life with what astonishment
would he look upon one of the mammoth
printing machines ofthe present, and that too,
printing in New York. news transmitted from
New Orleans, in few minu es of time. by the
mysterious influences of electric magnetism.
Here also are Indian portraits by King, and
the vast collection in natural h istory, and hu-
man ingenuity brought homo by the Exploring
Expedition under Capt Wilkes the mind of
the visitor, is lost in the magnitude; variety and
number of the things, in this vast collection of
nature and art; i'll many of the Birds there are
duplicates enough, to supply every cabinet in
the United States, also many other things,
could be so disposed Of which we must think,
would be the proper disposition to make of these
surplus specimens; most of the quadrupeds are
yet without artificial eyes, which robs them, of
their. otherwise life.like appearance weeks
could be spent here, profitably by the admirers
ofnature and art. In the first story Of this build
| ing are collected, and tastefuly arranged, all
the models of machinery DC. de-, from the
steam Engine down to baby's pap.spoon, and
every other apparatus for ornament or utility,
that the Inventive genius Of man has vet A.
chleved man seen through this vast array Of
trophies Of his inventive genius looks far bet.
ter. than in the trammelled harness of fashion
able life, the foreground of which is all tinsel
and hummery. The patent office reports emau
ate from this department, and every one who
has taken the trouble to examine these docu
ments must admit their beneficial influence on
the mechanical and agricultural interest. Of the
country there may be cl,aff but there is a 20
some ,cheat.
In this department of the Interior, are the
following Bureaus, Land Office Patent Office,
Indian Office, and Pension Office, in all of
which are employed about one hundred and
fifty clerks ; messengers and the watchmen a.
bout twenty five. There is here library con-
ta'ning five thousand volumes. This depart-
ment increases III Importance every year, rs it
has to do with the internal economy of these
fast accommodating States of the Union We
will endeavor next to give the reader some idea
Eof the Importance and objects embraced by
the
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
This Institution was founded upon bequest
OF James Smi.hson an Englishman made to he
%uuited States, and was established by an act
OF Congress in lS45, and by this act the Presi
dent md Vice-President of the United States
with the members of the Cabinet Chief Justice.
Commissioners of the Patent Office and thc
Mayor of Washington during their offiGa we're
constituted the personal Of the Institution.
These are assisted by board of Regents who
are impowered'to elect a chancellor, a .secre
tary, and an executivecominittee. The build.
ing is situated on portion of the public do.
main called tho Mall, some distance below the
Capitol; on first seeing it our. attention. was
called, by its peculiar architectural style, its
many towers, and Romanesque appearance
the length ofthe building is four hundred and
hity teeh width one hundred and forty feet ;.
there are nine towers, varying in height from
seventy-five to one hundred aud fifty feet; at
the top of one of these towers may be seen the
ingenious apparatus co. indicate the course,
force and velocity of the wind, also Electric and
Magnetic apparatus, to aid in researches, in Me-
teorology DC.
Prof Joseph Henry is Secretary he is a
man OF undoibted scientific ability, with Prof
Baird as assistant Secretary. who is we'll
known working man in almost every depart
gne8t Of natural science we saw another Cen
tien'an there, working hard among the snakes,
whose name We have forgotten the sheiysssin
the professors rooms, are filled with bottle,
and jars of Reptiles, Fish DC. DO, from almost
every part ofSoqr own wide extended country
and also from'abE9ad these are all being work.
ed out. ard named to beplaced in theMuseun
of the institution this Museum is intended to
Representative fattna of America and, probably
oftheagSfld the professors pgblisK the re.
f|suhs OF their examination in all departments
ofknowlcdge that comes before them and these
workssars printed and gratutiously sent out,
amongsn,s13 in this.way followinz ont the in.
tentioRs oftl,e donor, which wes "to Dissent,
natssknowledge among hnankipd." X
/ In our short stay We can hardly bseexpeeted
10 describe accurately the interior economy. of
this m srhmoth establishment There IA q iapee