Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-02-11
ARRANGING THE EXHIBITS.

Oh the vast amount OF material TO be exhibited
has been no easy task. Prof. Goode has hit
upon plan which, while economizng space
and rendering q Encouragement of the entire
contents of the museum practicable In an in
credible short time, brings out every exhibit to
the best advantage. The unit of measurement
in the building ls feet inches, the width of the
piers that support the tiers Of arches. The dis
lance between the piers is feet inches. So
In arranging the cases regard has always been
had to the unit of measurement. Cases feet 8
Inches long have been constructed to fit in the
openings between the piers. These cases will
be feet high, and when all are in their places
Will form partitions between the different hall
ways. The cases to be placed i'm the center of
the halls are smaller. They combine lightness,
strength and durability, with the most ingen-
ious cOntrivances for making the most of space.
and exhibiting every article to the best advant-
age The panes OF glass are so arranged that every
pane will present complete picture, relieving
the eye of the hardship and annoyance of being
obliged to look around partition in order to
study the contents of a case. Prof. Goode has
introduced in the cases backgrounds of dark,
maroOns, browns, and greens, which afford a
pleasant relief to the eye The exhibits are then
brought as near the eye possible and the
hgltlng OF the building is so effective that there
will not be an exhibit in any case which will not
be brought out clearly and distinctly. Some of
the cases intended for the exhibition of such
articles as can be best shown by being fastened
W Htt SuIlaCt, are Htteu WIN SilGlnT panels,
which may be removed at pleasure to make way
for other panels. In the spaces between the
upright cases will be table cases fitted up with
sliding drawers or panels where large amount
OF material, for which there will be no room in
the upright cases, will be kept. AS these draw
ers or panels will all be made on uniform scale.
they will be interchangeable. and will also fit
the exhibition cases provided with movable
panels When the museum is completely fitted
IL VIII contain 200 cases. 1t is expected that
there will be within month $50 cases in their
places. All OF the cases are constructed 50 that
little trucks. made for the purpose. may be
placed under them at a moments notice BY
means OF these trucks a case may, be rolled in a
few minutes to any part of the building, and
the whole museum could be
REARRANGED IN TWO DAYS.
In one apartment of the building is COL
lection of boat models, said to be the finest in
the United States Every form of sailing yes
SELL from the canoe of skins to the modern screw
steamer is here represented. In one of the
large halls is now displayed an immense canoe
made out of the trunk of gigantic tree. while
In another hall stands whale boat of approved
model, equipped with oars, harpoOns, and all
the necessary paraphernalia
THE COLLECTION OF BUILDING STONES,
which occupies large space in one corner of
the building, and was made under the super
vision of DR.. HAYES in connection with the
census, is undoubtedly the finest in the world.
While the famous quarres of Europe and Asia
have not been neglected, this exhibit is designed
chiefly to exhibit the products of our own
quarrieS. Here are on exhibition over 5000
CUBES, representing every variety of stone.
each cube showing the appearance of the stone
both when rough and when polished The re-
suits OF microscopic and chemical analyses of
each specimen is presented with each specimen.
together with mechanical tests demonstrating
the amount of strain each will bear.
The department of American ethnolOgy under
Major Powell, will be most interesting part of
the museum. The best results of the labors
and researches of various exploring expeditions
will here be presented in tangible form
The contents of the museum, while fall
ing under few general heads, will be as varied
as are the objects of human effort. Each de-
partnent will present study in itself, edfying
and Instructive to the casual visitor and most
valuable to the specialist. 1t will be
VAST KINDERGARTEN
for popular instruction. No department of
human investigation, no matter how triffing it
may appear Will escape attention In one case.
for instance, will be presented as exhibits the
water, caseine, febrine and other constituents
of the human body, in their proper proportions.
Another exhibit will show the amount of daily
waste, or wear and tear Of the body. Next will
come mOdels-so natural in appearance as to
make one hungry to look at them-Of beef
steak. loaf of bread, and other articles of food
showing Just how much labOring man should
consume daily in order to repair the daily loss
Men OF Ddentary pursuits will also find their
requirements set forth in the same practical
way. Each article OF food will be accompanied
by statement of it's nutrient value and other
useiul information concerning it. In the indus
trial exhibition not only results will be
shown but processes. The art of printing. as
practiced in different parts of the world. will.
for instance, be illustrated by the exhibition OF
the type and the processes.
THE GENERAL PLAN.
In the arrangement of the museum man is
regarded as the central unit to which eyery-
thing is referred. He is considered as a species.
and his anatomy and physiology will be fully
illustrated. Then his earth-will re-
ceive analogous treatment. Its relations to the
solar system will be set forth in an astronomical
teristics viii, be told mutely but eloquently. The
natural resources Of the earth and the various
industries by which men gather them will be
pictured; then the elaboratiye industries and
the uses to which the products of earth are
ultimately applied will be shown. Then the
social relations of men, government, trade and
commerce.. ceremonials, music, games and
amusements, will be described in these ever
expanding object lessons.
1.-THE people," said Prof. Goode, when the re-
porter nau maze the ROUNDS OF the building and
stood again at the entrance, where the door
keeper with the automatic register stood, don't
know what magnificent collection there is
here. We have large amount of material on
hand. but 1t is not in shape, and will not all be
in shape for years. The exhibits of building
stones food, materia medical the fisheries, and
North American ethnology are strong, and are
being pushed vigorously to state OF perfec-
ton. ="
THE IDEA OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM
was conceived by Prof, Spencer F. Baird
during the Centennial exhibition, and it
is through his energy, and rare executive
ability, that the museum has been brought into
existence in such state Of perfection as will
render it at once formidable rival of the most
famous museums of the old world. Its lOca-
ton here, is very appropriate, not only because
OF the national character of the city. but from
the fact that Washington Is now probably the
most active center of scientific research on this
side of the Atlantic. When the classification
and arrangement Ofthe exhibits are completed
it is proposed to keep in the exhibition halls. i'm
the Smithsonian building, only the collection of
antiquities. and such other collections as are
connected with the scientific work of the insti-
tuition.