The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1865-02-22
Tnc Public BaIIdInEs Of WashInstOI


En-. JOrRyAa Should II bc agreeable, |
will furnish an occasional article on the
Public Institutions Of Washington City,
It may not be improper, therefore, to
bcSn with tho Smithsonian Institute.
THIS public institution, which, but fcw
weeks since, was tho scccno Of terrible
conll.sraton, owes its origin to tho phil
anthrophic libcrality Of an Eglishmap
named James Sniithson. Il is situatcd on
II tract of public land extending from Scv.
enth to Twelfth street. comprehuudmS about
flty.two acres. Tho location is Deurly in
the ccntcr Of the metropolitan City.
The structure is Of red saIr Irlstonc, AMI ia
built in the IIomanoslno, or Norman style
OF architecture. The building is All feet
long from oast 10 wost It's greatest breadth
is l6O feet. The length of the east wing is
81 feet; width 80 feet; hoighth A2la feet.
Tho west wing is 81 feet long; 40 feet
wide; and - fSet high. The buil,ling was
ornamcntcd with nine towers varying both
in elevation and style. The high tower in
the coDtre Of tho north front reaches an eL
ovation of 100 feet. From it's great clcva.
tion, it's appearances when on fire was one
of terrific grandeur. Tho donsc volume o
smoke which arose from il. aud the lurid
flame which asoeude,l far above It, strongly
reminded one Of the crater Of volcano in
active eruption. ..- -.tF
The whole building is Of peculiar con.
s.ruction, there bcinS no two parts OF It
alike. Itsgoncral characteristics are strict
! ly original. II does not resemble any
building at this time existing. Tho towers,
raca,les, corners, &C., are all dssimilar and
yet all parts arc symmetrical, aud regularly
corrcspond. Tho roofs wero covered with
slate. Tho main entrances are in tho north
and south parts Of the bulling. A double
tower s,rmounts the north entrance, aud q
large square tower the south entrance o.
Tho Museum occupios the wholv OF the
frat story OF, the main building. II con.
sists of ono largo room, 200 foct long and
so foot wic. Tho collection il contains of
rare curiositics from all parts OF tho globe
is of exceeding interest, and it ia highly
gratifying to know that it hSs bocn save'i
from the ravagos Of tho ilmcs. Its loss
would havo boon irrcparablo.. asa few Of
tho curiositics could ncyce have boon re-
placed, Anl TO procure numorous others
would have required groat outlay OF time
and money. f
In the west wing is tho library,
which is capable of containing l0O,,
900 volumes. Il is satisfactory tn
know that this also has beer
savod from the fro. Tho roAiin; room al
joins tho library. Tho lecture room was
locatcl in tho contrc of tho m.in blildinS.
in the sOcond story. II WAS 100 foot long
by IS in width, and WAS capable Of contain
ing l,2DO person% Olcithor sidc of tho
lecture room wore rooms so feot slarc
Tho ono on tho east, CO stained mtsnili-
cont collection of philosophical apparatus
used by scientific lecturers in their dc nrn
strations. The room ol the west contOinct
Stanley's galleryof Indian paintings, anil
other curositics. In thispart Of tho build
Ing tho lire has matlo clean swocp --thcs,
, togotaor with the lecture room, arc u mas
of blackonod ruina
, The grounds Arounl the building wor,
beautifully laid out by that celebrate hpr
+ ticuliurist anil landscape gardener, \. J
Downing, who diod whilst exSGutinS hi
l plans. Tho American Pomolngioal Societ
I erected to his memory, at the cost OF 81
coo, a bcsntiful mpament, Which isa ioa
' ture Of interest 10 visitors.
1 Tho objects ic4igncl in the fermItion o
u this Institute arc tho froe dissemination o
science mi knowledge. 10 promlte thos
! Oh iects, the institution (prior to tho fire
= was upon daily from nine to three O'Clock
j anl iurinS tho winter season free lecture
q were given, ON scientific subjects. Desi,l
u which, the authorities Of the Institute, cit
culatc books aud docUments, among scie,
20 tific associations whatever nation the
D exist the object Of which 10 to diiluse il
l. fuCmAtion on all questions tending to n
IL increase of scientific knowledge.
rno action of Jlmos S,ni,hson. tho Eay
lishman, in beqneathing to the Unite
sc States the largo SUN Slla.l69 Tor tho di
N' fusion IT scientific knowledge throusho
70 she world; mud also that Of George 70
e' body, tho American. who mmideontly d
as uatod $3.50, 600 10 provide homes foT pO
y people in tho English Metropolis, aud thu
s. promote thcr happiness, furnish brigl
exAmples Of human and Of philanthropy
'n benevolence. Their namSs anil their ao
1t, win ever be gratefully remembered by Il
IN citizens Of each nation. They are mon
ce whom the civilized world may DO proud
as the highest style Of men. Nh, C..
n. ApJOURNMENTO OE rHE 0Inu0 LE,
lSlArGAE.
!" On Thursday hast il,e ohio House Of