The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-06-01
ATLANTA, GA. MAY 24th. 1SS

ATLANTA, GA., May I4th, 1851.
MeSsrs, E'ditorS,-A marked feature of
the Central is its.treatme ent of scientific
subjects This is to many minds an at
traction that gives the paper value su-
peradded to its merits in other respects
One of the public institutions of At
lanta is the Young Mems Library. 1t
has lately received donation of an i'm
portant character 1t is thus described
in the Daily Constitution:
The Postel natural history collection which
is now being arranged for exhibition is the
largest collection in the southern states and has
occupied nearly the lifetime of a man in its
collection 1t comprises over forty thousand
shells from the mollusk creation embracing over
five thousand varieties. These shells are from
every part OF the globe, from the frozen zones to
the equator and placed upon the market would
be worth about five thousand dollars. That
amount of money would however not pay the
expenses OF the procurement of such large and
varied collection. The man who follows such
pastime must possess patience of lasting
quality, and be an earnest enthusiast along
with It, The present collection was commenced
in lS4S by James Postell, of St. Simon's island
who persevered until the breaking out of the
war, at which time the collection was carefully
packed and hid away in Ware county where it
remained four years. Since the war Mr. Postell
has added no new specimens 10 his collection
There are also 220 species of eggs, embracing
the eggs OF the elder duck, from Labrador and
gulllerfnot, from the frigd zone, with numbers
OF others from various parts of the world Mr.
Postell began the collection of the eggs when a
schoolboy ten years of age.
Among the shells one of the most singular is
the un!o spinosus from the Altamaha river in
Glynn county. These are first described in. the
Journal of the Academy of Natural Science in
1854 or 1880, and are more priced for their
curious shape than on account of their scarce
ness. The haper nautilus from the Mediter-
ranean sea is beautiful and valuable she'll.
There are fourteen thousand small shells 1t is
fact not generally known that snails lay eggs
and In the collection are many sizes of the eggs
from the eggs of the great African archatina
from the coasts Of Africa to the pupa and from
all parts of the world There are two hundred
specimens of achatinella from the Sandwich
islands. To mention each rare and valued shell
would require too much space, but when the
collection is arranged and ready for inspection
1t may be more fully descriSed"
l see our learned and excellent brother,
DR.. Dabney, has discussed the use Of the
organ. in particular and Of instrumental
music in general, in divine worship. He
very properly states that the decision OF
this question is a matter of Christian lib
erty. The two sides of the subject are
presented by DR.. Plumer in his remarks
on the thirty-third Psalm Calvin is
reported as opposing, Richard Baxter ,as
tavoring or tolerating the use of instru-
ments.
An amusing incident occurred in the
Baltimore General Assembly of 1868
DR.. Peck, chairman of the Committee or
Publication, brought in report with a
string OF resolutions, one of which recon
mended the discontinuance of the Gus
tom OF using the hat in taking up collec
tons In the churches. A North Caroline
minister earnestly opposed the resolu
ton. The people, he said, at the sam,
time holding up: fine glossy beaver
are accustomed to the use of the hat
1t is endeared to them by familiarity anC
habit. What would you substitute il
place of it2 A little dangling bag at th,
END of a long pole, or a shining metallic
plate? No, no, let us hold on to the hat.
AS he sat down Dr. Peck quietly OBJ
served, 81 would remind the brother
that 1T is not always such hat as he helC
up TO view that is carried round in rails
ing collection. Sometimes it is an ole
greasy s!ouch.'" Wv
Alter discussion the vote was taken
and the result proved tie-33 for an,
% against the recommendation
Dr. Waddell, the Moderator ooneervo
tive by age. wisdom and experience cav,
the casting vote in opposition, and tn,
hat carried the day.
Rev. John G.. Law, now of DARLINGTON
,. =" who spent a number of years il
ha.. i