The Olneyville tribune. (Providence, R.I.) 1893-189?, 1893-09-30
ment is readily obtained. Then this

Another life size model 10 near, an rs
quimaux, with his sled and dog team
{ carrying the mail in the snowy desert oi
the distant north. The Government has
secured models OF the mail carriers
methods OF sorting the mails, etc. etc.,
from nearly all the nations of the World.
/ presume there is not similar exhibi,
to be seen in any museum in the world.
But one case in the postal depart.
ment inevitably catches and holds
the crowd. Ii is collec-
tion Of some of the curios that are an.
chored in the Dead Letter Office and
were never claimed. A person who
stands before this case has many strange
thoughts. 1t is a place where a poet
might muse and wit be in paradise.
Think OF a human ear being sent through
the mail, or skull, doll babies, relics OF
hair, mourning cards. whole cakes, axes.
cartridges, boxes of CANDY, ETC., etc. A
shirt cuff that was left by some traveller
who failed to pay his bill has been writ.
ten on and rhymed on, and sent after the
absconder. Eut he never got it; l
wonder If some Of the people who mailed
some OF the objects in that case have as
yet seen and recognized what they have
lost aud never knew whence II had gomez
There are sad things, too-objects that
meant ever so much to some poor heart
or another. Verify, it is a strange col-
lection. From here went to the ex-
hibit made by the Coast Geodetic Sur
vey.
One of the most interesting objects
here is relief map Of the United States
and Alaska made on -millionth
scale. 1t is consequently section of a
huge globe to view which the visitor is
| obliged to mount platform about 10 feet
high. In this relief the Rocky Noun
tains are no higher than the thickness of
the pencil with which l write. In con-
ncction with the exhibit globe is shown
illustrating the distribution of the earth's
magnetism. When Columbus crossed
the Atlantic he and his sailors were alike
puzzled at the odd variations of the
needle. Nowadays the earth is so we'll
known that mariner at sea may know
just at what point his needle will be due
north. where it varies eastward, where
westward. This is elucidated in the
Government display by a large globe.
Broad bands of buff and blue moving In
curves and separated by red lineGare
painted over this miniature earth These
bands are unequal in size. The buff
shows those parts of the earth where the
needle is SO acted on as to vary west
ward. The blue parts indicate an east
ward variation. Where the strange
powers producing these effects meet,
they seem to neutralize and the needle
points directly north. The red lines in
dicate these places and are known as
agonic lines. One place in eastern Asia
has au odd oval spot in which the needle
varies westward. Why or wherefore,
who can tell
Then come the light houses. The
variety Of lenses is very pleasing. Some
revolve and thus produce flashing effects.
Others are steady and so large that at a
sufficient elevation they may be seen
twenty miles away. It would astonish
one who has never seen such an object
to note the power to which common
lamp flame can be intensified by one Of
these lenses or rather system Of lenses.
No rejecting substance is used. A CEN
ter lense is surrounded by a series of
triangular prisms so arranged that they
bend the rays of light parallel to those
that pass through the center lens. Thus
condensing the rays of the light, aston
shing brillancy may be given common
lamp. / next passed to tfie Hospital
exhibit. Herein the cultivation of disease
germs is being carried on. Quite number
are labeled, described and classified. An
attendant is ready and willing to give
all the necessary explanations one may
wish. Indeed. this is one of the feat
ures of the Government exhibit the
even temper OF its employees and their
willingness to explain all connected
with whatever they have in charge.
The exhibit made by the War Depart
ment is particularly interesting. The
process of the manufacture of firearms as
we'll rs the making of cartridges are illus
tratedby set of the machines which are
used in actual operation. Models Of the
various uniforms of the past and of to-
day are displayed on life-size figures.
The methods pursued by the army en-
giueering corps are beautifully illustrated
by means of the most perfect models,
relief maps, etc. In one corner of this
department display of Greely's Expe-
dition is made. The moment selected is
that OF Lieut. Rockwood's return from
the farthest north. Greedy is welcoming
them home amidst the snow that glistens
about. Upon hill the fort is seen, the
men apparently shouting their welcome
to those that have just returned. 1t is q
very realistic representation.
But could GO on forever describing
the splendid showing made by the Gov
ernment. lean only refer to the Smith
sonian Institute. and the National
museum. 1t is worthy of the nation.
The agricultural department makes dis.
play worthy of the name. The naval
exhibit on the battle ship Illinois has an
educational value that to be appreciated
must he seen. The Life Saving Station,
the United States Weather Bureau. can
only be mentioned. Indeed, it would be
a happy thing II this exhibit alone could
remain intact. It certainly Is a museum
of instruction as to the care with which
all matters connected with the Govern.
ment are regulated. Uncle Sam has
done himself proud at the Worlds