The Plymouth Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1878-1901, 1879-05-29
The Republican.


and west from given point on the
earth. and that longitude naug is
the given point.-in this case, the
town OF Greenwich. England, which
name am sure they all have seen on
the margins of their maps.
i do not mean to say that there is
no other longitude naught, because
the numbering Of the lines OF longi-
tude may begin anywhere, but prac-
tically, Greenwich is this point, since,
you may be sure, when the longitude
OF any p lace is mentioned in English,
1t is reckoned from Greenwich.
One Of the edifices to which the
public is admitted is that which con-
tains the Great Painted Hall. The
ceiling OF the hall is covered with an
immense painting, intended to show
what powerful nation the British is,
and the walls are hung with great
many pictures OF Wal fights in which
the English are coming out best. For
this reason, probably, there are no
pictures of John Paul Jones's engage
ments, nor of any of the actions with
our ships in 1912. The works of art,
however, though all naval. are not all
belliSerent. There are statues and
pictures OF English admirals for
several centuries, and though some
look very unsailorlike in their ruffs
and silk doublets, yet they were good
commanders, fighters. and explorers.
Here you may see, too, the coat worn
by Lord Nelson at the battle of the
Nile.-blue. trimmed with pale buff.
and OF the "swallow-tailed" cut.
Near by, in another case, are a few
objects which tell of fearful sufferings.
wanderings and death, for these tar
nished spoons and broken trinkets
belonged to those who went With the
brave Sir John Franklin.
Still further on is the museum, full
OF models Of ships. dock yards, an
chors, and Inventions used in marine
operations. The most interesting in
this multitude OF objects are the mo
dels Of the masls, rigging or sides OF
the ships engaged in the most noted
Of the battles between the British and
the French. Here you may see, on
small scale. exactly what damage was
sustained by the Victory" and many
Of the other ships under Nelson's
command. The work OF the cannon
shot is so successfully initiated, that
It looks as if it had been really done
by guns on the same sc lie as the
little ships. We may now turn our
attention to the park. the beautiful
groves of which, with the observatory
sisin, on the hill amongst them, We
have seen through every opening as
we Inspected the naval buildings.
The land lies beautifully. and sweeps
grandly up to the hill capped by the
building. with the queer poles and
flying wheels on its roof and towers
The trees grow ia very striking
groops, and one Old oak, dead at the
top and almost endreIy overrun by
ivy. is fenced of to itself; it wa
planted by Queen Bess nearly three
hundred years ago.
II it is not too foggy the view from
the bill is charming. The park is
great resort for Londouers la the
spring holidays. On these occasions
grown people play at games which
are usually left to children in Ameri-
Ca 1t is very amusing to see them
holding hands in a great circle and
playing Kiss in the Ring. They are
very bolsterous, bat good Datured.
The observatory Is not a very hand
some building, and IL it were 1t would
be spoiled by the Numerous poles,
weather-cocks and wind gauges oa
It's roof, and the great black ball
which is dropped at one o'clock every
day to give the exact time to ship
masters, in order that they may reg
nlata their chrenometers. On one
side OF the observatory is the great
clock that has the correct time, with
out any dispute, which is very seldom
Sba oaoa ufsb ofbar tim, ,,fa-oao Yo.,
may stand there a long while and
notice that everybody who comes by
and has a watch will compare 1t with
the big clock. On the wall, near the
gate. there are metal plates with pro-
jscting irons, which are set to indicate
the standard OF English measure
nents: the yard. the foot aad the
inch. j saw a workman With q ham
per OF tools coming along. The
notice attracted his his eye, ana lie
immediately put down his tool bag,
got out and tested hi rude, and walk
ed away apparently satisfied with
the result. The interior of the build
ing can only be- visited by permi sion
from the Admiralty, but unless the
sitor is ioieral,ly scientific person,
a great deaf Will be lost 10 him. 1t
may be said, in general terms, that
here, by day and by right. not only
are the heavenly bodies watched, and
a
with the utmost aocura, =, bat also
that a great many Of the operations
OF nature are followed add their re
suits measured and recorded 10y in