Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science, Volume 17, No. 102, June, 1876Various
Science
Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science, Volume 17, No. 102, June, 1876
Various
Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; Science -- Periodicals
The accumulated experience of past expositions, seconded by the judgment
and systematic thoroughness apparent in the preparations for the present
one, makes this a good "working" classification. It has done away with
confusion to an extent hardly to have been hoped for, and all the
thousands of objects and subjects have dropped into their places in the
exhibition with the precision of machinery, little adapted as some of
them are to such treatment. Very impalpable and elusive things had to
submit themselves to inspection and analysis, and have their elements
tabulated like a tax bill or a grocery account. All human concerns were
called on to be listed on the muster-roll and stand shoulder to shoulder
on the drill-ground. Some curious comrades appear side by side in the
long line. For example, we read: Class 286, brushes; 295, sleighs; 300,
elementary instruction; 301, academies and high schools, colleges and
universities; 305, libraries, history, etc.; 306, school-books, general
and miscellaneous literature, encyclopædias, newspapers; 311, learned
and scientific associations, artistic, biological, zoological and
medical schools, astronomical observatories; 313, music and the drama.
Then we find, closely sandwiched between, 335--topographical maps,
etc.--and 400--figures in stone, metal, clay or plaster--340, physical
development and condition (of the young of the genus _Homo_); 345,
government and law; 346, benevolence, beginning with hospitals of all
kinds and ending with--in the order we give them--emigrant-aid
societies, treatment of aborigines and prevention of cruelty to animals!
In the last-named subdivision the visitor will be stared out of
countenance by Mr. Bergh's tremendous exposure of "various instruments
used by persons in breaking the law relative to cruelty to animals," the
glittering banner of the S.P.C.A., and its big trophy, eight yards
square, that illuminates the east end of the north avenue of the Main
Building, in opposition to the trophy at the other end of the same
avenue illustrating the history of the American flag. But he will look
in vain for selected specimens of the emigrant-runner, the luxuries of
the steerage and Castle Garden, or for photographs of the well-fed
post-trader and Indian agent, agricultural products from Captain Jack's
lava-bed reservation and jars of semi-putrescent treaty-beef. He will
alight, next door to the penniless immigrant, the red man and the
omnibus-horse, on Class 348, religious organizations and systems,
embracing everything that grows out of man's sense of responsibility to
his Maker. It will perhaps occur to the observer that, though the
juxtaposition is well enough, religion ought to have come in a little
before. His surprise at the power of condensation shown in compressing
eternity into a single class will not be lessened when he passes on to
Class 632, sheep; 634, swine; and 636, dogs and cats!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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