, 1865-02-01


America, presented by E. G. squaer.
1n The picture gallery were the collection
OF Indian paintings, The work and property
Of Mr. Stanley, abont two hundred In num-
bcr, comprising portfait1res Of prominent
Indiana, pictures Of mounds and other relics,
besides several highly esteemed specimens Of
6tatuary-
The lecture room vas regarded as one Of
the best in thiscountry. Ii was one hundred
feet In length, and, By occupying part Of the
towers, width Of seyenty-fse feet had been
high, smooth and unbroken, with The excep-
ton Of IN oval opening above to admit Light
on the platform. It thus powerfully reflected
the sound Of the speakers voice to the hear.
ers, and being so loR, this reflection blended
with the original sound and simply REIN
forced it.
The general form Of the room was fan
shaped, the speaker being near the handle Of
the fan n one side of the room. The walls
behind and near him we're smooth iath aud
plaster; giving q powerful but short reso-
nance, which strengthened his voice. Not
being parallel, they reduced the reyerbera-
ton but sent the sound outfrom the speaker,
to increase the volume ot his voice until 1t
reached the furthest part Of the gallery. The
multitude Of surfaces directly in front of the
speaker-gal1ery, pillnrs, stair screens and
the seats Of the audicnce-prevented reyer-
beEation. The seats were curved, 80 that
each spectator faced the Platform; tl,e floor
was alEo curved, so that the back seats rose
abuve The 'front.' The gallery WAS in III. fIrm
Of horse shoe. The architecture Of the
room was due to Captain Alexander, Of the
c.rps Of Typographical engineers, Who varied
rs nearly as possible, fulfilled. The room
could seat fifteen hupdred p-rsons, and when
crowded would contain upwards OF two thou
sand.
The apparatus r6om contained large aud
valuable collection Of Instruments, psomi-
nent anong which was the muniacent dona-
tion Of Dr. Robert Hare, Of Philadelphia,
who, when he resigned the Chair Of Chemls-
try in the University Of Pennsylvania, which
he filed with honor to himself and his conn-
try for nearly thirty years, presented to the
Smithsonian the Instruments Of research aud
Illustration collected and used by himself du-
ring his long and successful scientific career.
Besides the above, there WAS . full set Of
pneumatic instruments, of superior size and
workmanship, constructed expressly for the
institution BY Mr. Chamberlain, Of Boston;a
set of ingenious Instruments for illustrating
gaye motion otdo largs electrical machine
There was also In this room q large Fresuel
lens, such as Is used in lighthouses, and W.
,iou5 instruments for the Illustration Ct
light, heat, sound, diamasnetism, e.. Also
German steam-e!ectrical machine, imported
from Ca1lsruhe: Germany, which was con
structed BY G. 1senlohr expressly to order.
Tie effects produced by this machine were
wonderful It consisted principally of tu-
bn1ar steam boiler resting upon glass col
| umns, to secure insulation. The boiler being
about two.thirds filled with the purest water
which, being heated, produced pressure OF
| steam equal to six atmospheres. The steam,
! at this high pressure, WIS allowed to escape
| through very small openings. Tho electricity
Was thus produced BY the friction OF the par
| ticles Of water against the inner surface Of
Ii 1$nc $n4 ++fn fAt1
the steam issues. This machine. charged
battery Of sixteen la.ge jars in thirty seconds.
Also, d large electrical machine on IN e1eya-
| ted pintform. : This instrument wns con-
structed BY Dr. Robert Hare. Of PhIladelphia.
The collection Of Indian povtratts, compris--
ing probably two or three hundred faithful
| pictures Of the most celebrated chiefs that
| have ever Iiyed-painted entirely by Mr..
Stanley, M artist residing In this city, during
| a~period OF forty years-many Of them sketch
Cd from life ltself, was one Of the leading fta-
tures Of this noted resort. In addition to the
gallery, several curious specimens Of the
ingenuity and taste displayed BY this untutsr-
I'd race were carefully and tasteft,lly arrang-
wonders Of the Institution. This gallery was
iritselfa study. The variety Of characters
rom lie most uneiYlized, to those WIN bad
enjoyed the advantages OF society and educa-
tlon, formed 4 striking lesson of what could
be accomplished by the pbilanshropist who
| felt inclined to use his eHorts IN reforming
and teaching this much-nsglected and fast
| disappearing element OF our population. Mr.
| and had just cauee to feel proud Of his noble
work Of art. He cannot be too deeply SYM
| pnthized with. The labor Of lifetime has
been consumed In one short hour. We pre-.
l. srme it was not generally known that
these pictures were Individual property.
I Int
they belonged to the Government. Dur.
ing yesterday afternoon q Indy from aIchi-
| gan, who was authorized to report
description Of the gallery, with q view to
induce the purchase Of the collection by
that State for the benefit Of its university,
Henry and inspected the pictures. Little did
this devoted artist think he WIS gazing for
the last time on the evidences Of his hand1-
work, which have excited 80 much Interest In
the minds Of the thousands Of our country
men and eountrywomen who have been per-
mitted to visit the Smithsonian, and which
would have fo.med most valuable monu-
ent of his industry, his talent nnd his
ge1ious., In the same hall, located on the
eet md story Of the main building, on raised
platform, was appropriately placed that fine
piece Of sculpture, The Dying Gladiator. This
beautiful work, We understand, was the prop
ert3 Of q private citizen also. It was very
much injured By the falling Of heavy timbers,
etc. 1t Ii matter Of congratu1ation, howev-
er, In the midst of this untoward Incident,
! that The fine library attached to this celcbra-
ted building, as we'll as the two wings or 3d.
looms on either side Of the 1natu building
which contained, the one q n1aggnl1cently and
carefully assorted library and severol valuable
pieces Of statunry and rare old eugrayings
and tie other large assortment of philo.
sophical tns,rumcnts-we:ep preserved Utmost
uninjured from the fury Of the destructive ell
emtnt: It was sad aud sckening sight to
befo1e tie rnyages Of what has Justly been
entitled "a good servant but fearful enemy"