The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1875-12-02
MRS. MAXwELL's MUSEUM or NATU.
RAJ history IN COLORADO.

On the corner of one of the streets in
the town of Bowlder. Colorado, build
ing with narrow and somewhat rickety
staircase leading up on the outside. At
the top of the staircase is the sign emu
scum" Somebody has said in my hear
ing that the animals in the museum were
shot and stuffed by Mrs. Maxwell her
self, and the collection was nearly COM
plete one of the native animals OF Colora-
do. ] went to the museum, expecting to
be much amused by grotesque exhibit
ton of stiff and ungainly corpses Of
beasts, only interesting as tokens of the
proves of woman in wilderness life.
| stopped short on the threshold IN ut
ter amazement. The door opened into
little vestibule room, with center table
piled with books on natural history,
shelves containing minerals ranged on
the walls, and great deer standing by
the table, in as easy aud natural posi-
ton as if he had just walked in. This
was Mrs. Maxwell's reading room and
study. On the right hand door stood
open into the museum. The first thing
upon which my eyes fell was black-and-
tan terrier, lying on mat. Not until a
second or two did the strange stiffness of
the creature suggest to me that II was
not alive. Even after had stood close
by its side could hardly believe it. AS
| moved about the room found myself
looking back at it from point after point,
and wherever we went its eyes followed
us, as the motionless eyes of a good por-
trait will always seem to follow one
about. There was not a single view in
which he did not look as alive as live
dog can when he does not stir. The dog
alone is enough to prove Mrs. Maxwel's
claim to be called an artist.
IN the opposite corner was huge BIZ
son, head down, foreieet planted wide
apart and at slant, eyes yiciousiy glar-
ing viciously at the door-as distinct a
charge as ever bison made, Next TO
him, on high perch, was huge eagle,
flying with outstretched wings, carrying
IN his claws the limp body Of lamb
High above them was a row OF unblink-
ing owls, labeled "The Night Watch y
In a cage on the floor were two tiny
young owls, SO gray and fluffy that they
looked little more than owls heads fast
ened on feather pin-cushions. Mrs. Max
well opened the cage aud let them out.
One OF them flew instantly up TO its com.
panions on the shelf percbed itself sol
emnly ia the row, and sat there motion
less, except for now and then lolling its
head to right or LETT. The effect Of this
on the expression Of the whole row OF
4 stuffed owls was something indescrba
/ ble. II would have surprised nobody al
any minute II, one aud all, they had be-
gun to loll their leads.
The distinctive feature OF the museum
however, is dramatic group Of animals
placed al the further end OF the room
Here are arranged mounds OF earth
rocks, and pine trees, in by no mcan'
bad imitation Of Wild, rocky landscape
Aud among these rocks aud trees are
grouped the stuffed apimals, III their fam
lilies, in pairs, OF singly, aud every one il
most iie-like aud significant attitude
A doe Is licking two exquisite littl'
fawps, while the stag looks on with I
proud expression, a bear il crawling
out Of The mouth Of cave. A fox J
slyIy prowliag along, ready 70 spring q
rabbit. A mountain lion j. spriugini
literally through the branches of tte
on deer, which i running for life, will
eyes bioodshoi, tongue out, aud ever
museie tense aud strained. Three noun
/ tain sheep are climbing rocky preci
! piee. a group Of ptarmigans shows th
! three colors winter, spring, aud sun
mer. molber grouse i cinckiug abon
: with brood u chickens ia ihe m0st in
!. mitAbly Dalufal way. And last, not leasl
. in An out-ot,wAy corner l. touch {
!. droiiery for The children--A little woode
r l,onse, Ike 3 dog-keunel, aud comin
!, cot OF the door very tiny squirrel, 0
d BE bind legs, with very thy yeilof
y Aackling hanging oa bis arm. The e9i
I .eioas strut, the grolesque ioFe-aakla