The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1883-05-05
Dead Letters, OF the Post Office Museum

AS convincing proof that many
thousands of our people disregard the
implicit instructions laid down by
the Postoffice department to the effect
that you must "give the full directions in
all cases, and thereby insure certain
transmission. of the matter mailed" the
following inventory of the articles now on
exhibition in the postotfce museum is
given by the Washington Republican.
The absentminded traveller can find
there his forgotten satchel; the negligent
mechanic of whatever branch of trade
can find his tools, the gossipy washer
woman her wash board. Those who
have lost umbrellas and parasos-and
their name is legion-can observe here
the heretofore absent parachute; the
naturalist can revel in snakes alligators,
bugs, and horned toads; the dude or fair
girl can see the gold watch or diamond
ring he or she has longed for; the geolo-
gist can be carried into the bowels of
the earth, so to speak, by gazing to his
hearts content upon a very fine collec-
ton of minerals and precious stones.
The anatomist or tragedian can study
the human skull divine or mouth. The
entomologist can wear his life away by
cogitating upon the variegated coloring
and understandable shape of the dried but
tertly; the duelist, or would be murderer
can examine the different kinds of pistols,
and the young lady of tdy-like frame of
mind can have her ''crewel' soul stirred
by the sight of neellework which sur
passes masculine comprehension. The
end man can look upon his favorite in
strument. the tambourine: the timid one
can look with feelings of inexpressibe
bliss on the centennial hoofed creature,
denominated centip. de, and the art stu
dent can lose himself in contemplating a
fine array of pictures. Those persons
interested in bottled liquids, and they
are numerous. can see it ALL ANY one
who is gone on ceramics can look IL pom
various specimens of pottery, the ageG
and the flop can gaze on all kinds of
cones, the archaologist can twist his
mind out of shape by investigating
Chinese manuscript. Herr Most or any
other inNincible, nihilistical glass bomb
thrower C IN observe, with tiendish de.
light, package of fire. crackers and
several boxes of percussion caps and
matches. Telegraphers and meteorol.
gists can look upon and examine the
many receivers and thermometers, the
photographer can be pleased by the in
Vulnerable array of of photographs dis
played, and Mr.. Dallas can say am a
bigger man than old Ben. Franklin after
reading the latters report on the receipt
of dead letters for eleven years, which is
here exposed to view, and which only
amounted to 1868. Shells, artificial flowers,
trinkets, brlc-a- brac without limit, Slip
pers, moccasins, handkerchiefs, TOYS,
globes, pipes, accordeons (what a bless
ing would be conferred upon a suffering
nation if all the last named devils organs
could be encased). scroll work, inkstands,
stuffed birds, fishes, corn, and many
musical, instruments, and a thousand
other things too numerous to mention.
The collection of coins is astounding;
one of them dates back to 300 years be-
fore Christ. One of the most peculiar
sights to be seen is collection consisting
of saddle stirrups, bride. halter, bit,
whip, and hitching post. The horse and
jockey are looked for in every mail But
the most unheard of thing in the case is
human ear, upon which the voice of
the creditor has long since ceased to
reverberate.