The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1878-07-17
ouH PARIS LEIrER
PARIS. July 3. 1873.

ANS, oa'y ~ 1910
Although the brilliant novelties o
, the Exhibition are calculated to at
tract the atteution Of Parisians, this
+. city contains objects Of art that are
r equally interesting to foreigners
! There exists in the palace Of the
!, L. 'uyre u mast complete collection OF
|, m 'deis Of vessels from The time OF
| Louis XIV. down to the present per
) iod, Including those of the gaiIeys OF
the earlier epoch down to the modern
iron-clads, and embracing the males
tic vessels which preceded the latter.
Oae Of The halls contains the seulp-
lures of the celebrated Puget, the
war galley the Soleil Royal, and the
elegant ebebegue. The epoch of
Louis XIV. in which The best ves-
sells appeared, is also represented. as
well as that of the first Empire, with
all its types, from the three-decker to
the gunboat, as we'll as the special
vessels of the camp Of Boulogne.
Details OF the armament of the ves-
sells are also exhibited, as well as the
nautical instruments for reckoning
speed, and longitude and latitude.
To the models have recently been
added some water color drawings Of
remarkable exaclitude, and which,
from their delicacy Of outline, are
better for portraits Of vessels than
oil-painling- They have been execu-
ted by a distinguished artist, and
comprise the period from 1910 down
to the present day. The small libra
~ contains among other curious oh
jeets sone clever designs and an i'm
mense manuscript accompanied with
plaus, on the art Of constructing gal
leys, dating from the time Of
Louis XlY. Models Of light houses,
beacons and buoys have been made
aud exhibit one of the most useful
conquests Of modern science and in
dustry.
The speciality Of works of maratime
art has given rise to the idea CT ac-
ccmpanying each model with a de-
scrip,ion explaining the purpose fer
which each object Is intended, is
construction, its peculiarities, and,
more especially, It's dimensions uu-
known to landsmen Thus, for in
stance, q model of gu ancient vessel
shows from its description that the
original was Is feet long, weighed
100000 kilos, and that it spread
more than 1900 square metres Of
sail. Also, neal each vessel are writ
ten its dimensions, number Of can
mons, its provisions, stores. and the
weight Of each group Of objects for its
armament.
The launching aud towing apparatus
are also represented as well as the
interior details Of its construction. A
numerous collection has also been
completed OF boats and piroques used
in other than European waters ; such
are the Arab, Indian, Malay, Cochin
Chinese, Japanese, and all the craft
used in the island of the Pacific.
That collection is already historical
inssmuch as the majority of its types
have already disappeared before Eu-
ropean influence, and their value to
anliquaries in the future can not be
too highly estimated, since they will
obviate he laborious researches by
which vain attempts have been made
to explain the construction of the
ancient triremes and quinqueremes,
or the ships of St. Louis and Christie
pher Columbus.
The greatest work OF modern times,
the Sueg ship canal, is too remarka-
bic in its execution, and its influence
on the trade of the world, not to de-
serve q place in this museum. 1t is
represented with great exactitude by
g model SO feet long and s feet broad,
accompanied by a printed description.
By the side of the model are those
of the machinery used 10 cutting the
canal.
The chronological and Chinese
museums also contain some curiosi-
ties which merit examination. Among
others NAV be named q collection of
engravings made with very small re-
sources but which proves of what
historic utility it would become if the
creator of il should receive liberal aid.
1t consists of SO plates representing
the exact plans and measurements
with the rigging and sails of ships Of
Japan and Cochin China, Danish yes
sells, and some OF the old types of
those of France and other countries
Of Europe, which have now almost
entirely disappeared. Among these
are the Pollaccas and Luggers Of
which there will soon remain only
| he names in the dictionaries.
1t is time that measures should be
taken to preserve these models. Ad-
miral Paris, the present curator Of the
Museum bias requested that an ap-
peal be made to all constructors and
sailors who appreciate their art, beg
ging them TO communicate to him
their plans, system of sails, figures
as well as the history, when there is
opportunity for this, of vessels of
war or OF commerce, boats or canoes,
in order that each may bring the
tribute of bis name aud labor to a
common work to preserve for future
generations q record of what has
been done previous to and since the
introduction of steamers. If those
who are interested in the develop
ment of naval architecture will visit
this museum, they will find much
that will be of special value to them;
but, for some years past, there has
been so much travelling by sea that
much larger class than those merely
who have a technical acquaintance
with ships, may spend a profitable
hour 10 the Naval Museum of the