Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-01-23

Sir James Dredge, the head Of the royal COM
mission Of the British government for the
worlds Columbian exposition, has published
an article in the Journal Of the Society Of Arts
as the results Of his recent observations while
in Chicago seeking information concerning the
plans OF the exhibition. He includes in the ar
ticie the collection of Columbian relics which
is to be made under the direction OF the De-
partment Of State:
Mention has been made in another part Of
this paper" he says, 'of the reproduction OF
the Convent OF La Rabida. which is to be con-
structed on an elevated tongue Of land pro-
jecting into the lake to the south Of the pier il
was In this convent that Columbus found long
ana frequent intervals of rest and shelter. Ii
Is part OF the exhibition scheme to do all
possible homer to the memory of the great e1-
piorer whose four hundreath anniversary is TO
be celebrated. and to make as complete a COL
lection Of the relics of Columbus as time
money and labor will permit. The work is, 1
believe, chiefly if not wholly in the hands Of the
government, AZ all events it comes into the
Latin-American department OF the exhibition
and is placed under the control of agovernment
oihclai, Mr.. W. L. Curtis. The project is a very
comprehensive one. and am enabled to give a
somewhat detailed account of il. which do
with much pleasure, because il will be found OF
ducing those who may be possessed Of Column
bus relies to lend them for the enrichment Of
the collection. The first part of this historical
exhibit will include maps, models and
fac-similes intended to illustrate the
condition of navigation and the knowledge
OF geography before and during the
time OF Columbus. This section will also COM
prise such evidence as is available of the dis
coveries that are alleged to have been made at
an earlier period, whether by the Scandina-
nj Iralk 1~l,.
ties. Here the famous Left Erikson will be
thrown into relief. His statue will form part
OF the exhibit and near il maps and charts OF
ms alleged voyages and the settlements which,
IL Is Claimed, he made in Greenland. The To-
calltles associated with his name will be shown
by photographs. and there will be a number Of
modeis OF the Morse ships OF his period. There
VIII be very fine collection of navigating and
other nautical instruments in use before and
during the time of Columbus, and the depart
ment is now trying to induce the Danish gov
eminent to send over as a part of its exhibit
the original sagas Of the Norsemen. There is a
good chance of this being done. Finally in
THIS historical section there will be q large and
very interesting collection of charts, including
al the known ancient maps, either the origi-
nails or copies, from the earliest representation
OF the earth by the Hindus TO the globe of Mar
TIN Boreheim at Nuremburg. Probably the
original OF this latter, which exists in the town
hall OF Nuremberg, will be lent.
COLUMBUS LIFE HISTORY.
1.-THE life history of Columbus follows this
more general section. This collection will in
clude illustrations of the various cities that
claim him as their son-Cogoletto. Quinto.
Genoa and others. Models of all the houses in
which he was supposed to be born will be
given. There will be photographs of the Uni
verslty of Psvia. where, it is stated, he was
educated his life in Portugal and in Madeira
Is followed step by step until he became asso-
clated with Spain, and in this connection pho
tographic and other views will be shown Of all
towns and buildings with which his name can
be linked. This stage of the story includes the
Convent of La Eabida. in Talos which il to
form the casket in which so many priceless
gems are to be enshrined. As you are aware
Palos is little seaport in the Spanish province
OF Andalusa. 1t faces the Atlantic and il was
from Palos that Columbus started on his first
voyage on the 81 of August 1892 An ex-
tenslye picture gallery will next attract atten-
tlon In 1t Will be arranged all the paintings
either originals or copies. in which Columbus
hgures, and as these are very numerous, and
the subjects very varied, they will present an
almost continuous, though. perhaps, not har-
monlous, life story of the great yoyager
separate room of this gallery will contain all
the alleged portraits of Columbus that can be
collected and which have any artistic merit;
already forty-hye OF these portraits have been
brought together and il is probable that the
student of this really remarkable series will be
sorely puzzled to know what manner of man
the discoverer of America was. Supplementary
to the Columbus picture gallery will be an
other referring to the court of Ferdinand and
Isabella at the time of Columbus. with a large
collection of historical portraits.
HIS FIRST SHIP
Probably the interest in the collection will
center in the model of the Santa Maria, the
caravel in which Columbus sailed from Palos
on his first voyage. The Santa Maria, as well
as her eonsorts-the Pinta and the Nins-were
small and ill-found ships. actual particulars of
which either do not exist or have not been DIS
covered. We may, however, expect that much
more viii be known about them before long as
an officer OF the United States navy has been
instructed TO obtain full information and after
ward to reconstruct a correct model of the
santa Maria. Lieut. Little, who was told off
Tor this pleasant task, has, presume, sue
ceeded, for am informed that he is now In
Spain, where he is occupied in building the