Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1878-07-19
From our Regular Correspondent.

To FOREIGNERS. There exists in the palace
of the Louvre most complete collection
Of models of vessels from the time Of
Louis XIV down to the present period, in
cluding those of the galleys of the earlier
epoch down to the modern iron-elads, and
embracing the majestic vessels which pre-
eeded the latter. One of the halls con-
tains the sculptures of the celebrated Pu
get, the war galley, the Soleil Royal, and
the elegant chebeque. The epoch of Louis
XIV, IN which the best vessels appeared,
IS also represented, as well as that of the
first Empire with all its types, from the
three-decker to the gunboat, as well as the
special vessels of the Camp of Boulogne.
Details of the armament of the vessels are
also exhibited, as well as the nautical ln-
struments for reckoning speed and longi-
tude and latitude. To the models have
recently been added some water-eolor
drawings of remarkable exsetitude, and
which, from their delicscy of outline, are
better for portraits of vessels than oil
paintings. They have been executed by
distinguished artist, and comprise the pc
riod from 1910 down to the present day.
The small library contains among other
curious objects some clever designs and an
immense manuscript accompanied with
plans. on the art of constructing galleys'
dating from the time of Louis XIV. Mod
els of lighthouses, beacons and buoys have
been made and 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 of accompany
ing each model with description explain
ing the purpose for which each object Is
intended, its construction, its peculiarities,
and more especially, its dimensions un-
known to landsmen. Thus, for instance,
a model of an ancient vessel shows from
its description that the original was 20 it.
long. weighed 4, 400, 900 kilas., and that 1t
spread more than 1000 square metres of
sail Also, near each vessel are written
its dimensions, number Of eannons, its
provisions, stores, and the weight OF each
groupe of objects for its armament. The
launching and towing apparatus are also
represented as well as the interior details
of its construction. A numerous collec-
tion has also been completed, of boats and
piroques used in other than European wa
tiers; such as Arab, Indian, Malay, Cochin,
Chinese, Japanese and all the craft used in
the islands of the Pacific. That eollec-
ton is already historical, inasmuch as the
majority of its types have already disap-
peared before European influence, and
their value to antiquaries in the future
cannot be too highly estimated, since they
will obviate the laborious researches by
which vain attempts have been made to
explain the construction of the ancient
trixemes and quinaqueremes or the ships
of st. Louis and Christopher Columbus.
The greatest work of modern times, the
Suez ship canal, is too remarkable inits ex-
ecution, and its influence on the trade OF
the world, not to deserve a place in this
museum. 1t is represented with great ex-
actitude by model 93 feet long and feet
broad, accompanied by a printed descrip-
ton. By the side of the model are those
of the machinery used in cutting the canal.
The ethonologic and Chinese museums
H. oo,,4o;,, ea,,oo o,,r;o ositiae 11ybiob rpar;f
examination. Among others may be
named collection of engravings made
with very small resources but which proves
of what historic utility it would become if
the creator of it should receive liberal aid.
1t consists of 36 plates representing the
exact plans and measurements with the
rigging and sails of ships of Japan and
Cochin China, Danish vessels, and some
of the old types of those of France and
other countries of Europe which have al
most entirely disappeared. Among these
are the pellaccas and luggers of which
there will soon remain only the names in
the dictionaries.
It is time that measures should be taken
to preserve these models. Admiral Paris
the present curator of the museum has re-
quested that an appeal be made to ali con-
structors and sailors who appreciate their
art, begging them to communicate to him
their plans, system of sails, figures as well
as the history, when there is an opportu-
nifty for this, of vessels of war or of COM
merce, boats or canoes, in order that each
may bring the tribute of his name and Ia
Dor to common work to preserve for fu-
ture generations a record of what has been
done previous to and since the introduc-
ton of steamers. If those who are inter
ested in the development Of naYal arehi-
lecture will visit this museum, they will
find much that viii 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 who merely have a
technical acquaintance with ships may
spend profitable hour in the naval mu-
scum Of the louvre.
1t is reported from Mexico that Gen.
Meiia, having returned to that Republic,
Diaz and Mejia will unite to save the coun-
try from another revolution. Several
prominent chieftains are going about
preaching revolutionary doctrines, and the
development of Presidential candidates
causes much discussion. This is almost
always true of Mexico, but the approach
of the national elections increases the ever
present danger of great internal distur-
bance. In many respects the administra-
tiOn of Diaz has been successful. But too
many of the old warning chieftains remain
unappeased and unappeasable. The pres
ent condition of affairs in our sister Repub-
lie is undoubtedly very precarious.
NJ Y Times.
We notice that several of our contem-
poraries have been led into a slight mac
curacy by our necessarily incomplete show
ing of the Democratic fraud pyramid in
Ohio. The number of Treasurers of Dem
ocratic counties who have stolen the peo-