The morning times., 1896-03-29


himself. was seated behind a row of cases
which clog the limited space in the roLunda
OF the Nalioual Museum and hide from view
the sportive goldfish and the basin which
but for these obstructions would form a
most attractive centerpieCe in that part of
the building. With eyes fixed. he was
apparently studying, with some degree OF
satisfaction, Crawford's plaster east OF
Liberty" the prototype OF that fifteen
thousand pounds OF bronze which surmounts
the Capitol, looming above the display.
II was just comparing in my minds
eye,'' said he, when aroused from his rev
ERIE 10y the scribe. THE crowded condition
Of the National Museum today with its
nucleus ofhalr century ago. In that short
space Of time some wonderful strides have
been taken. Prior 10 1886 il was a het-
erogeneouS display in an Olt-of-the-way
corner of the Patent Office. quantity
OF curio>itios, given TO the United States 10y
fore IN powers. or sent home by ambaSSa-
dors and naval officers from different parts
Of the world, formed the start
The collection included such articles as
s pair OF WaShington's knee breeches, the
fcmur Of a maStodon, and the relies gath
cred 10y wilkes in his expedition around the
world. No step was taken by Congress
toward making il creditable exhibit until
LlsAA AilAiN ii4'li II -N-iN' t44t VI
dozen or more nations, ana established
museum.
Transferred TO the Smithsonian.
when the Patent Office began TO grow
crowded win the models of our inventive
people. ' he continued, the small collection
Of curios. which had been added to from
time to time from various sources, was
nundIed over TO the Smithsonian. But
the collections kept coming, and in the
course OF years that institution became too
small, and the present building was erected.
Look atit now, said he, CHANGING around
the crowded roJunda and its communicating
naves. There is enough material Ter" 20
stock two more mus
Exhibit OF ethnolagy would in Itself I'LL this
building
The fact is. the National MascGu Is al a
deplurabic state. For the relief of this
pressure a series Of galleries are now being
erected in parts Of the building. but they VIII
be used 10 a great extent for storage pur-
poses ana VIII be filled with the valuable
EpecInlens which now cram every nook aud
corner Of the building and the dilapidated
Rad unsighjly sheds adjoining il.
The two started off on a tour OF invcstiga-
ton. and there is where their troubles be-
gan.
Near the Chinese pagoda is q case of
CHASTITY masks which grin and frown on
small doorway secluded in that corner ofthe
room. Through this place The two wended
their wav climbing the spiral stairs Of
iron 10 the floor above. Everything seemed
TO be In a disordered state. Collections,
varying from the munitions Of war TO trink
cts Of civilized and unciviliZed people from
every point of the compass, were heaped on
every side,
Off from this main room are smaller ones,
each like wise packed with exhibits of an
Interesting character and which the public
are not allowed 10 behold on account Of lack
OF space IN the halls below.
From here they retraced their steps.
Following tic avenue TO The right, which
leads through other crowded courts and
naves. they came to more balcony rooms
In the other end of the building. On the
door Of ,.-E aese entrances WAS huge
Label, lH letters larEe enough and black
enough that me who runs might read
IL bore this pointed legend, NO admit
tanCc'
They entered.
ON Tire second floor, in addition to
another no admttance' pacard, there
was another tackled TO the door, giving
out .his informant on, Reptiles, office
OF re~ CURATOR"
An Uncanny Corner.
AniCy chill crept up and dow the scribe's s
spine and he begged 10 retire, since he
was not interested In reptiles, but remOn-
STRANGE was not listened TO, and the stu
dent only smiled aloud at his timdity.
When that individual forms within him
the determination TO become erudite, his
ambition just simply runs AWAY with him.
And thisis where he made great mista ke.
We had heretofore imagined that there