Evening star., 1897-07-29
Interesting Collection Left by the
Late Prof Joseph Henry.
DONATED TO NATIONAL MUSEUM
Models Which Formed the Basis
Of Many Modern inventions.
HIS LETTERS AND DIARIES

One OF the most interesting collections,
from several standpoints, which has been
secured by the National Museum, is now
being prepared there by Mr.. George Z.
Maynard, in charge of the electrical col
lectiens III the department of technology.
1t contains much that is attractive, both
to the ordinary visitor and the one of scien-
tific bent. 1t is the electrical apparatus OF
Prof. Joseph Henry. for many years sec
retary of the Smithsonian Institution,
man we'll known for his high in
tellectual attainments not only in this
country, but in every section of the globe.
The collection comprises not only his cleo
trie models, many of which form the basis
for improved modern inventions of similar
character as the present, but tokens OF
esteem. orders and the like, which he re-
ceived from foreign nations.
All of the objects comprised in this col
lection were donated by the three daugh-
ters of Prof. henry, who are residents of
Washington. They deemed it fitting that
the objects which represented his life and
work should find resting place in the Ma
ttonal Museum, a branch of the Smith
sonian Institute, of which he was in charge
SO long.
Medals and Diaries.
Medals, orders, letters and diaries are in
the collection which is being made to oc-
cupy a prominent position in the depart
ment of technology. Much time and care
is being taken to make it one of the best
in the lot, end 1t will be an object of ia
terest to every visitor, when completed.
There are medals of gold, silver and bronze.
The gold medal was presented to Prof.
Henry by Emperor Francis Joseph of Aus
tria. 1t is about two inches in diameter
and rests in beautiful little case inside
of the large glass receptacle. On one side
is a bas relief miniature of the emperor,
writ fb. dc o;e
G. Austrae Imperator." On the reverse
side are simply the words: "Literis ct
Artibus."
A medal which is Of special interest is
the Prince Consort of England. husband
of Queen Victoria. On one side are the
words. III. r. H. Prince Albert. President
of the Royal Commission" 1t also has in
bas relief miniature of the prince. On
the revers side are the words: "Exhibi-
ton of tn works of all nations. 1851. For
services. This was presented to Prof.
Henry after the London exposition. There
is another medal from the Norwegian CEN
tennal Of 1872; also one from Carl XIV of
Norway and Sweden, and another from
King Oscar and Queen Sophia. The Royal
Academy is represented by medal pre-
are others from the United States mint as
say. Prof Henry was on the United States
assay commission.
Magnificent Vase.
One of the prettiest mementoes exhibited
is magnificent Sevres vase. about two
feet high. presented to Prof. Henry by the
National Academy of Sciences of Paris. 1t
was given him in 1872 when he was at the
French capital appointed by President
Grant TO represent the United States at
the ''commissicn internationale du metre"
This was Cne of the owners most treas
ured pc sessions.
In 1855 a splendid memorial tablet of
Prof. Henry vas placed in Princeton Uni
versity, where he was at one time profess
sor. The famous artist and sculptor, st.
Daudenes has made a replica of this tab
let, and 1t is shown in the collection.
There are number of other medals from
all over the world.
The Order of st. Olaf, Of which Prof.
Henry made a member by King
Charles of Norway and Sweden, is shown
by handsome emblems. One of these is to
be worn at the neck and the other pinned
on the coat. The one for the coat is CT
bright steel, resembling in shape a NAL
tese cross. with the fish tails, of which it
is composed sharply defined. In the center
Is the figure of a lion rampant. The other
emblem Is attached to RIBBON IF red,
pink and blue. It is of the same shape as
the other, and is of some enameled metal.
The figure of lion is in the center Of this
also. The King of Norway and Sweden
was the grand master of the order al the
time Prof. Henry was made a member and
notification of his selection, signed by
tie king himself, was sent to the profess
sor. which is shown with the rest of the
objects.
Electrical Devices.
OF the electrical models used and invented
by Prof. Henry there is shown large va
riety. One of these is of special interest,
as 1t is believed that it was really the
basis of the electrical machines which
produce power and motion at he present
hv
Another is shown which was the cause of
great discussion. 1t was believed that by
the invention of this Prof. Henry really
laid the foundation for the telegraph, which
Morse carried out. This has been openly
asserted. Morse and Prof. Hen~y were
excellent friends until the lawyers dragged
the inventions of the telegraph into court
and managed to pit them against one an
other, although the professor had no idea
of claiming the invention
Up to the time Professor Henry began
experimenting, the best electro-magnet was
one devised by Sturgeon. This consisted
of an iron bar bent ir the form of horse
shoe and covered with shelac, with a bare
wire twisted about it, in long convulations.
Professor Henry's discovery consisted in
insulating the wire itself, by winding with
silk thread, which enabled him to wind
upon the iron horse shoe containing large
quantity of wire, thus greatly increasing
the electrical power. By sending current
through this from a small battery, thus
mile more in length, he was enabled to
Send signals to distant points, and 1t is
claimed this was the original of the tele-
graph. A machine is shown, made by Pro-
fessor Henry at Albany, New York, in
1881, at Yale College. 1t remained there
Until 1893, when 1t was taken to the Ma
ticnal Museum. 1t consists of powerful
electro-magnet which hold up 1900
pounds or more.
An InterestinE Story.
There is a small object in the collection
which looks like cigar case, and has evil
IDENTIFY been made to represent one. An in
teresting tale Is told in connection with
this. At one time an eminent spiritualist
visited Professor Henry to try and con-
vince him that the raps which he produced
were OF supernatural origin. Professor
Henry was skeptical on the subject, and
though the raps were produced and were
fIom the spirits, the exponent claimed
Professor Henry told him that the sounds
were made, he was convinced, by some-
thing the man had concealed about him.
He would not believe anything else al
though the spiritualist tried to convince
him otherwise.
Some time afterward the professor was
travelling to New York when he met a
pleasant man on the train. The subject of
spiritualism came up, and Professor Henry
mentioned the fact of having been yisited