The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-01-27
THE PROPOSED FAC-SIMILE GLOBE.

large as the earth. The equatorial d.
ameter would be about Ais feet and the
circumference 1912 feet. It would con-
sist of an outer shell laid over a lightly
made framework of iron. The surface
would be of plaster of paris, nodded
and colored so as to indicate elevations
and depressions, plains, valleys, noun
tain ranges, oceans, islands, lakes, riv-
ers, etc.
The outer she'll would be put on in
50, 104 panels, each of which could be
removed at will. The spheroid would
be made to revolve on its axis by clock
work machinery at the exact rate which
the earth revoIves once in "a hours. The
effects of light and shadow might be
shown by the use of electric light.
Another feature of the scheme is to
inclose the mimic earth in an outer en-
velope or shell of spheroidal form on
which could be painted another repre-
sentation of the surface of the globe.
The space between the globe and it's
covering would be utilized for q series
Of spiral galleries, which would be
reached by elevators. The coils Of this
great spiral would be "A in number and
would be about 30 fest apart. These
galleries would be used by students and
spectators, and complete collection of
books, maps and scientific instruments
could be kept there to facilitate the
minute study Of the wonderful globe.
The total height of the structure would
be G36 feet, the width of the space be-
tween the globe and the envelope 81
feet. The total weight of the globe and
the envelope, it is estimated, would be
$1,000 tons, and il would have to be
~
The cost of the whole structure would
be about 81, 0oe, 900. 1t is NJ. Reclus'
idea to have this sum appropriated by
three or four governments in the inter
ests of science, and the location of the
globe wou1s probably depend on the
Willingness or generosity of the various
contributors. If New York or Chicago
wanted the structure a big sum would
have to be subscribed.
This scheme is not the product of an
cratic brain, but the conception of a
distinguished scientist whose mental
achievements have been more than once
recognized by the world. Elisee Reclus
seems to be sort of Jekyl1-Hyde char
acter. In 1894 he was awarded the
grand gold medal by the London Geo
graphical society as a mark of their ap-
probation for his books on geography
The same year he was outlawed from
the land of his birth with four other an
archists, all of whom were in sympathy
with the infamous Ravachol, the Pari-
sian bomb thrower.
His first literary achievement was a
work which is still used as a textbook
by French scholars. His first offense
against the French government was in
184S, when he headed a revolt and had
to fee the country. He was allowed to
return a few years later. He ought to
have a warm place in the heart of every
American, for it was largely due to his
writings during cur civil war that Ma
poleon III was induced to forego his in
tention of recognizing the Confederacy.
He refused purse of money rendered by
our minister to France for this service,
although at the time he was in direst
poverty.
He accepted the chair of geography in
the University of Brussels, but was re-
moved for his anarchistic expressions.
He took part in the commune in 1870
and was sentenced to life imprisonment
by the Theirs government, but this was
| changed to Punishment after an inter
cession in his behalf by all the great sci
entists in Europe. He took part in the
Lyons riots in 1882, but escaped to
Switzerland. Later he returned to Paris
and kept quiet for a time. but was
again compelled to leave the country
He has three brothers living, all OF
whom are more or less celebrated.