The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1882-11-10
miscellaneous.
For he A'giS and IateHigeRcer.
The National Museum, Washington.

The National Museum, Washington.
| As we approach the Museum in the public
grounds near the Smithsonian Institute, we
are struck by the peculiar one-stored brick
building, with its many shaped roofs and
bright coloring. The base is of granite, run
| ing all around the building. The main en-
frances, window stills, steps, etc, are cut of
gray Ohio freestone The main building is
| of red brick, the monotony being relieved
| by panels and decorations of buff and blue
| bricks, the floor of the main halls are of
concrete those ofthe rooms and smaller halls
| of Florida pine, polished TO a great smooth
| ness.
On entering one is impressed with the
| amount of space-nothing crowded. The
main floor contains II rooms, with numerous
| galleries on all sides, assembled by winding
steps of iron, from which one can view the
| whole of the exhibits, besides leaving space
| for specimens. Many rooms are unfinished.
The comfort ofthe public has been carefully
studied. The building is heated by steam,
and comfortable seats are arranged, so that
| one can view almost the entire surroundings
while enjoying a rest by the fountain, situat-
| ed on the ground, in the centre Of the build
| ing, directly under the dome, which is octago-
nal, measuring 10S feet to the centre of the
dome. 1t is lighted by the electric light, for
| the lectures and other evening entertain
ments.
-Four clocks facing the centre from the gal
| leries keep one informed as to the lapse of
| time, or we would scarce know how the day
was passing
One hall is devoted to marble and granite,
| in which we find many of our States repre-
sented Wa notice particularly the peculiar
gray marble of Vermont, shaded from the
4 l.. al, nct wi
| the white marble with the vein ofgray slight
ly interspersed through its purity.
| Besides, there are many foreign specimens
| We notice especially those of South Wales
and Australia, and one block from South
Wales, of black, finely polished, resembling
ebony.
Among the mineral collections, u case con-
tanning cast of well from Arizona--the
"Montezuma Well" rs feet in depth, extend
| ing over quite q space of ground, perfectly
transparent, an exquisite shade of green
| water, clearly showing at the bottom the in
| let of the well.
One ofthe antiquities in the main hall is an
OK wagon, made ofrough mud colored wood; ;
| two solid wheels, q long pole, stakes driven
| into solid wood all around forming square
basket-like body, with piece OF WOOD ex-
| tending all around the top small yoke,
| IHuI lnclI OACil
smaller than ours-a rough pattern OF the OK
cart of the present day, and formerly used by
the Pueblo Indians of New Mexico.
AT present there are not many animals eX,
hibited, and these are in the lncompleted
rooms.
One hall is devoted 10 the japanese. The
exhibits presented to the government by that
nation, from the Centennial Exposition, are
rare and interesting, showing life'sized figures,
| from a Dignitary to Coolie. Also small
figures, representing the navy, army, and
many domestic scenes giving us clear idea
of the ways aud customs of our friends across
| the sea.
One case containing japanese gowns of ex.
quisite texture, very much resembling our
| furniture chintz, which are no doubt quite
elegant, but have to be known to the appre.
cated
The cases of birds are q matter of beauty
and interest. We recognize many familiar
warbers among the varied specimens. Also
among the stuffed birds, chickens and other
fowl
There is much left to describe, and we
hope at some future day to give The 1Egis, a
fuller account of what must interest all
Americans, affording us some knowledge of
not only our own country, but of many for
| eign nations, who have been liberal in their
| gifts to our National Museum.