The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1876-05-04
AMERICAS BIG SHOW.
A Model OF National WOHders-Am ExhI-
billion POstOG1ce.


a Model OF National WOnders-Am ExhI-
billion POstOHIce.
For some time past Major J. w. Pow
ell, chief of the second division of the
geological survey of the territories"
has been engaged in modelling in clay a
relief map which he intends to cast in
pGpier-ndche or plaster of Paris for exhi-
bitiOn at the centennial display at Phil
adelphia. From the negative cast will
be made the map which is to 60 to
Philadelphia, and also such other copies
of it as may be needed. Major POwelis
excellent map brings together for com
parisOn the Grand canyon of the Col
OradO, the Yosemite valley. and the
Niagara gorge. We at the east are used
to thinking of Niagara as the SuPerlative
of natural wonders, but a glance at this
relief map will forever cure one of any
such feeling. The entire gorge occupies
on it a space 81 inches in length by inch
in breadth. The Yosemite valley OcCu-
pies u inches in length by 6 inches in
breadth, while the Grand canyon of the
Colorado occupies space Of square
feet The scale is One-half an inch to the
mile We find therefore that Niagara
gorge is miles in length by miles in
width the Yosemite valley Is ID miles
in length by ~ miles in breadth; while
the Grand canyon Of the Colorado is IA
miles each way. Further, the greatest
depth of Niagara gorge Is $50 feet; the
greatest depth of the Yosemite valley Is
little more than 1000 feet, while the
depth of the Grand canyon Of the Col
Orado varies from 1000 feet to more than
5000 feet. All these points are pre-
IL -,
relative sizes are matters of immediate
observation, and not of abstrUse CalCU-
lation. This instructive map will be
one of the curiosities of our great exhi-
bition. Comparative relief maps of this
kind sheuld become popular aids in the
teaching of topography.
The United States government build
ing and it's contents will form an ex-
trcmeIy interesting portion of the cen
tennial exposition. 1t Is situated on
Belmont avenue, opposite the wOmen's
pavilion. At present the pOstOffiCe is
the most advanced portion of the gov
ernment buildings interior, and Is sit
uated in the southeast corner of the edi-
fee 1t is intended to show the complete
workings of an American pOstOffiCe, and
practically illustrate them by aftOrding
mail COnveniences to the centennial pub
lie. The Office comprises mOney-OTder
and r.gistratiOn departments letter-drOps,
boxes, etc, and the mail will be collected
every hour for all parts of the world.
These boxes are distributed throughout
the entire grounds and other buildings,
and are decidedly ornamental. They
bear the picture of a letter sealed and
the words Mail collections hourly in
the English, Spanish, French, Italian,
German, Russian, and Chinese languages.
Boxes will be rented to the general pub
lie at the pOstoffice Above the space
which these occupy is the American
shield. Below are eagles heads uphold
ing scroll upon which are the words
" Centennial branch pOstOfice," and on
either side are designed carrier doves
holding letters in their bills.
The English buildings promise to be
among the largest, and in themselves the
most interesting, at the exhibition. They
compose a group of three. buildings, the
largest one being intended for the com
missiOners' offices, while the others are
to be used, one as a kitchen, the other
for the police force. They are half
timbered structures, their ephemeral
character being shown by the filling that
is used, which is neither brick nor stone,
Z
facade of the large building is occupied
by three large gables, which express
their construction with all possible frank
ness, and have that air of picturesque
ness which is found in the old half
timBered houses of Chester and other
parts of England The body of the build
ing seems to be all window; for the case
ments of the rooms and corridors in the
two stories are connected, and form an
uninterrupted line of windows. The
interior is attractively finished, great
attention having been paid to the mantel-
pieces, which are of scuiptuTed hard
wood, fireplaces, stairway and furniture.
As might be expected, free use has been
made of tiles; painted tiles for the fire
place lambs, enameled tiles for the
hearths. encausUiC tiles for the floors.
There are two halls; one a kind of inte-
riOr porch, the other a larger and more
handsomely finished room, having at one
end a large black-walnUt mantelpiece,
and from which the grand stairway as
cends to the upper floor. A long corridor
opens right and left from this hall, giving
access to the various Offices Of the com
missioners. In the upper story there arc
other offices for the commissioners, and
variety of smaller rooms appropriated
to the use Of the housekeeper and do
mestics.
/ think the Egyptian is the larthest
advanced toward completion Of any ma
| tional display. Tn entire enclosure is
up, finished with the exception Of the
| ornamental paintings. Their goods are
all within the inclosure and some Of their
cases have already been opened. / saw
yesterday some specimens Of their build.
/ ing stones. The pale cream colorcd
stone peculiar to Egypt is really as finc
as marble for building purposes. Each
/ block is beautifully cut and polished
and labeled Their exhibit consists of al
/ the modern arms, many interesting an
| tiquities, papyrus, and carved stones
| ancient and modern iewelry, embroid
/ cries, inlaid furniture, including two in
| laid cabinets the equal of which in poin
| Of elegance Of design and workmanship
| does not exist, and specimens Of the
mineral and agricultural wealth Of tn
| country. The silk interest will be full,
represented, as well as all other indus
tries.
No country, except it be America, cal
show such abundance Of species of agri
cultural products as Egypt. No coun
try made so good a display as Egypt II