The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1885-02-27
A Distinguished American TRAY
eler, Scientist, and Author.
Points I'm the Career of a Very Re-
markabIe Man.

extensive, perhaps, than that of any
other living representative of the
Great Republic. Americans, as a
rule, are not great travellers, except
in the wake of fashion. Their annual
European tour is an evidence of this.
England, France and Germany are
represented in the four quarters of
the globe at all times, and in all sea-
sons, by distinguished scientists,
while several of the minor countries
of Europe are similarly represented
in fields of original investigation by
eminent men. But the United States,
as yet, has not produced many men
who apply themselves to foreign
travel and investigation for the pure
love of science, The conditions of
life in the States, the vast area of that
country, and the eminently practical
character of the American people,
sufficiently account for their neglect
of the foreign field. But the gentle
man whose name heads this article is
an exception to the rule of his country
men, and is accommodating material for
future use which will win fame for
himself, and reflect credit upon his
country.
DIR. Cowan was born in Greenaburg,
Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania,
in December, 1914. Being of deli
cate constitution, he spent much of
his youth rambling through the ro-
mantle highlands of Southwestern
Pennsylvania, and thus early imbibed
that love of nature which has since
possessed him as a consuming fire.
He received a collegiate education,
and is ripe scholar, although still a
laborions student. His first public
employment was that of clerk to the
Senate Committee on Patents and
Patent Office, for nearly four years.
In that position he was brought into
contact with all the prominent poll
ticians, generals, and diplomatists in
Washington during the Civil War.
The bent of his mind at this time is
thown by a remarkable article from
his pen on DR.. Toner'S "Handbook
of Washington City," on the " Phys
ique of the United States Senate at the
close of the war" from actual measure
ments taken by him and from other
sources of information. He also read
law as serious study, and found his
recreation in the Smithsonian Insti-
tuition, and the genial and instructive
intimacy of Prof. Spencer F. Baird,
now head of that grand establishment.
DIR. Cowan had accumulated a large
quantity of natural history specimens
during his Pennsylvania rambles,
and his Smithsonian studies enabled
him to compose "A Curious History
of Insects" published in 1865 by A.
Lippincott & Co., of Philadelphia.
This book was his first literary effort,
and it enjoys good sale to-day.
Having been admitted to practice
at the bar, DR.. Cowan applied him
self assiduously to that profession.
He was soon after appointed Secre-
tary of the President to sign land
patents in 1866. Until the end of
President Johnson's administration
he occupied a room in the White
House, in daily intercourse with the
President. This exceptional position
enabled him to gain an insight into
Johnson's policy, and he afterwards
published highly interesting article
in the Pittsburg Leader, headed
"reminiscences of Andrew John
SON." Indeed, this gentleman is in
position to throw great deal of light
upon that eventful period in the his
tory of the United States. He also
continued his scientific and literary
labors and prepared for publication
" A Curious History of Shells" also
Dictionary of the Proverbs and
Proverbial Phrases of the English
Language" work which is steadily
growing on his hands. During his
stay in the White House Mr.. Cowan
was a regular contributor to the
Legal Times, edited by Clinton Rice.
full hoax in modern literature. We
refer to the article which appeared in
the Constitutional Union, at Wash
ington, upon relics of the Norsemen,
found on the banks of the Potomac,
which bore evidence of their having
occupied that region five centuries be-
fore the arrival of Columbus. AL
though DR.. Cowan promptly explained
the joke, The Runic Hoax" as it is
called, is still believed by Euro
peaD Swans, despite its exposure in
the report of the Smithsonian Insti
tuition for 1867. This clever and IA
cetious fiction is now published in the
g international Series,' by Appleton
& Co., being incorporated in a book
On "The Human Species" by M.
of Paris. Still further
to equip himself for his chosen path
in life, he studied medicine and sur
gerry, and graduated from the George
Town Medical College, D. e.
Soon after the Inauguration of Presi- |
lent Grant the subject of our sketch
was retired, and he returned to his