The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1882-08-03
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, D. g.,
Ju1v 81 1880

From our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, D. O.,
July, 81, 1882.
Looking over the city from the
dome of the Capitol the eye is at
by a large brown building,
about ten or twelve squares to the
west, which stands in the midst of a
large park. Its lofty turrets, dia
mond-paned windows, winding
drives, and handsome trees remind
one of a lordly English castle and
surroundings. Almost adjoining it,
on the south east side, is a large, flat
building of a much more modern APP
pearance. The first is the Smith
sonian Institution, and the second,
the National Museum. Aside from
the Capitol, the city contains no
places of greater interest, or more
worthy the attention of visitors.
The Smithsonian Institution was
the generous gift of an Englishman.
James S%mithson, an English chemist
and mineralogist. dying in 1929 left
$500, 900 to the United States Gov
eminent with which "to found at
Washington, under the name of the
Smithsonian Institution, an estaG-
lishment for the increase and diffu-
sion of knowledge among men," In
1916, in accordance with the provi-
sions of this bequest, the Institution
was organized by Congress, and all
objects of natural history, geology,
and mineralogy belonging totte Gov
eminent were placed in its charge.
This collection-small at first, con-
sisting only of the article obtained
during the Wilkes exploring expe
dition-has increased with great
rapidity, additions being continually
made by private contributions and
requests and through National sur
veys and explorations. The indus
trial exhibitions of the country, es-
pecially that of the Centennial, have
also furnished a very considerable
share, so that at the present time the
exhibit is a very large and interest
ing one. In the way of natural his
tory there are a great many speci-
mems of birds and small animals,
classified according to species and
labeled. In Il section, for exam.
pie, may be seer all varieties of rod
ents, from the beaver down to the
%tiniest field mouse. In another. al
the birds belonging to the grouse
family, prairie hens, quails, par
tridges, etc. In another, all kinds
of humming birds. But the collec
tion of large animals is not so com
plete, the lion, elephant, tiger, rhi
~noceros, hippotamus, and many 9th
ers being entirely unrepresented.-
The geological and mineralogical ex
hibit is very good, owing to the nu
merohs surveying expeditions un
dertaken by the Government, eacl
of which pours its discovered treas
ures into this store-house.
In addition to these, the Institu
tion possesses many interesting Gu
riosities. Arms and armors, tool
and ornaments of various savage ant
: half civilized nations, antiquities O
different countries, Indian and Chi
nese idols, Egyptian and India,
mummies, the Egyptian believed t
be three thousand years old. Blu
it is impossible to enumerate in
letter of this length even a sma
portion of the articles Of interes
which have been collected and place
on exhibition by the Institution.
cannot pass, however, without NOR
particular allusion to one or two
. unusual interest. In a case of SoIt
American curiosities is a huma
head measuring only four inches i
its greatest diameter. This come
from the Amazon, and is a war trc
ply of the Indians Of that river. A
enemy being killed, the skin is CT
around his neck and then loosene
and slipped off over the head. Th
{ flesh is then removed and the ski
> soaked for several hours in an inf
sion of herbs. Then small pebble
{ are heated and put inside the ski
e and the latter is shaken SO that tt
pebbles shall touch every part. TT
!. skin is then soaked again until sol
This operation is repeated until tt
skin is contracted to the desire
size. 1t then somewhat resemble
n india rubber in texture, and prese
e yes the original features in their e:
n act form. The hair on the speeime
possessed by the Institution is qui
= long and very fine. Another ca
e contains o shirt, tobacco pouch, al
several other articles of use made
human skin. Fancy a man wearil
l. his enemy's skin for a shirt!
} The National Museum was esta
If lished by Congress in 1912, and
- 1858 was transferred IT, the care
the Smithsonian Institution. ]
object, which is not generally undo
'e stood, is q most comprehensive or
1t is intended to serve as a vast re
n ord hall for all that is Immediate
e connected with man and his dai
y life. In short, everything that mi
II uses, throughout the whole worl
N and, as far as possible, e~verythil
lie that he has used in the past, will he
n find it's representative. The imp
ments of war, the household ute
sils, the toys, the mechanical cont
lie vances, the costumes CT each natie
as far az the past is pe%netrable, W
be found here properly classified a.
ut arranged. The Museum is yet
W its infancy and is consequently rat
er bare of objects, although it ha:
good exhibit of pottery and q We
l. interesting collection of puppets,
O. Illustrating the modes fife and DIRE
n among the different classes of t
Id Chinese; but when once thorough
in order its aid to the student of t
history of men and nations will
n invaluable. And as it grows in a
10 its value will increase. 1t will sh,
60 f,t,ro -oporo+io,, H. -