New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-02-07
A COLLEGE IN ONE ROOM.
EXPOSING A SHAM IN HERALDRY

College OF Heraldry IN Unlverslty-place, WHICH ~
using the names of many prominent citzens as
regents and life members. is pretentious snam.
Albert Welles, who seems to be not only the presi
dent but all the of the faculty also, has sue
ceeded by ingenious devices in getting $50 each from
these regents and life members, who have no duties
and privileges of any value Inquiries have been
made among leading citizens whose names Mr..
Weles is using. and it is fOund that they have
either not authorized him to do anything OF tho
kind, or have not investigated the matter and know
scarcely anything about the so-called college.
There many amusing features in the exposure
given herewith OF this scheme for playing upon
credulity and vanity.
PRESIDENT WELLES AND HIS COLLEGE
A large gilt sign over window OF the build
ing No. 81 UnIversty-place displays the words Amer
can College Heialdry" Near the top OF the building
cut In stone are the words Society Library" This
latter sign however ia not conspicuous and STRANGERS
unfamiliar with the building suppose IL to be devoted 70
the purposes OF the College Of Herary At least one
Regent" Of this 4" "College,"a prominent banker or
this CITY, abored under this error until within rev
days.
In order to ascertain what demand there was in this
democratic community for heradic honors. TRIBUNE
reporter called at the building recently over door IN
the hall was sign genealogical Registry" and otneN
signs door bore the Inscriptions American
Tne door was locked, but a slate wss
hung out with the notice ALBERT Weles,
presideut-write your name and address" This slate
was evidently the CT stricken with the
heradc fever that they could wait for the college
faculty TO return. As the reporter was not sunengin
this way be returned the next day. aud was rece
pleasantly by genial man with side whiskers, W no
pounced himself as President Weles. The reporter
stated his errsnd-to learn something about the college,
Write your name aud address here" said Mr.
welles. The name being duly recorded ID the
4" visitors book" the first thing required OF all
callers the president produced some pamphlets and
circulars for Inspection and said they would tell the
story also invited the reporter to inspect the room
which was the only occupied by the College after
which he would answer any questions although ap'
parently. he not eager to " rush into print"
The room occupied by the college OF Heraldry" Is
not large one. In the centre was large table Uttered
witt papers, letters etc. and bearing big photograph
album with tho photographs OF 4" Regents and Llfe
Members" This was exhibited with pride by the piesi'
dent as 1t contained the photographs OF some OF the
best known citizeDs OF Nev-iork and other cites, III
Guiding the President Of the United STATES
These photographs were contributed MI
Welles said, by tho members themselves. "A
gass case at one end Of the room contained Iownsends
History OF the Rebellion in number Of bulky vol
uaes III another small bookcase at the other end OF
the room we're works on Heraldry and GenealoGy An
upright desk occupied by the president young
woman was working at small table. humper Oh
heradc designs hung about the WALL among which were
the armoral bearings Of the twelve tribes OF Israel
which Mr. weles explained were engraved by his specal
artist not on the spot, but from descriptions contained
in Holy Writ The floor of the room was nearly covered
with bundles Of papers unopened and with manuscript
matter and various other things the whole presenting
| scene OF wild confusion
| WHAT THE COLLEGE DOCUMENTS CLAIM.
The pamphlets and circulars Of the college were adorned
nv large engraving of the Society Library Building,
bearing the words the entrauce, Genealogical
Registry" and dated from the rooms OF the American
| College for Genealogical Registry and Heraldry"
Under the shield Of the college are the words " esso
rerpetua." From Of the presidents writings,
showing the character and purposes Of tue institution,
the following extracts are made:
This Institution s of similar character with the Eng.
lish eralds College" aud designed TO gather .nealo
Of The institution divided into separate deparments;
Genealogical r. Sording Births 3, MAJ
For obtaining derivati0ns and compiling history o
Families Hcradry.-For Ascertainiog EmDlaz ming,
Mottoes etc Illuminated Tablets constructed for lnte'
rior Of Churches, Cabinets Libraries, exc; 20 a.,,noush
persons and property, cadeney aud alliance ana no
mas yet Ofea @ ioSd ky 10 to Seco%e
soete Only members Of Particular family can law
branches OF that family have thelr separate differences
TO disting gush one from the other ,,,u,,
tary Honors" pride Of family ETC.. are unpopular In
t6is country. But thsis q great mistake: ;.
n must be evident TO the most SUPERFICIAL ODserVert
that heraldry and hereditary honors are secretly W
much priced in this country to-day as they are Id
This institution will illustrate and illuminate Geneal,
ogies and emblazon armorIal bearing o. ial'Irs ~
style hitherto unsurpassed by any herald III ni'
Tho Doomsday Book is explained in pamphlet as
nodelled after the famous one In England IL Is in'
tended to keep In 1t proper recoris OF tacs "uoso
armoria bearings enttle them to It's use one crcuar
the names of the Council OK Regents ana oi tne
life members aud extracts from letters commenddoy OF
tho institution Fer instance Speaker Randall saSey
renarlts referring the business Of recording amnes'
:" A the Nation grows the work will increase" smith
NJ Weed fully indorses the object 10 De attahe'
latter from Senator Cole, OF California, douDtu'y ap'
nroyes the object by stating that NewforK eiearV
the best locality for it." Charles Francis Adams Cheer
,uv concurs in the value Of the enterprise" The Hon
r NJ Hamilton, of Florida writes 4" II is q grave want
IN ev.rv famiyn General James ". Husted says
,hare can be no more useful object undertaken" Gen
eral Garfield truly says As basis for the STUDY oi
character your records VIII be most pleoous'
senator CoDklIng is quoted as wfi.ihE hc'
cont my thanks for the compliment" but the
uh,ic IL left in ignorance to the nature OF tAe COM
pliment. ,.,a Co,rc,l 90 Regents re the
amaon nf Peter Cooper c. Godfrey Gunther, william H.
DodS~ Noah DAVIS. Henry y. ste6bns, k9yaI f1eps
A. A. Low. Salem II. Wales l. l. M0rtop Georse s bliss
nent citizens Among the life members tnc natoes Ui
nNvn %aUR @gt ctzens Of NewYorkbanker lawyers po
Sans ministers Gospel Each one OF the 10 M
bcrs pays $50 ior which he receives ceftnc"'e a' ~
Iowa: A,.h o,,,,,as ,ha boIder and
h,s Family AT all times, TO make EXAMINATIONS any
through the records and library OK tns insu%
s,on for ascertaining pedigree family Derivation or DIS
r ond coats OF arms. Also large, ILLUMINATED, framed
.,,acate with fac-simile autographs OF NE nempers.
AIsn coats OF arms when ascertained Also registrsr
,n ~ The family record In the DOOn.sday Book ~
The snug little sum Of $4,000 collected from Tue ne
member \; in addition TO amount collected Tor preparing
family histories. making searches, etc.
TALK WITH THE FACULTY.
Mr. Welles who has printed q book tracing n's own
,edisree back TO seven years before ChanemaRne a.
nded the throne Of France was asked II Oil tne ms~
hers had visited the college.