Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-09-21
PROF. MELVILLE BELLS RESIDENCE.


Opposite the Academy of the Visitation is a
house not so old as some Others, but standing
up stately and tall and distinguished an being
the home Of Prof. Bell. sr. The house. which
was once occupied by ex-senator Randall, 10
modern in Its external appearance and commo-
dlous within, having some sixteen rooms In
the rear OF il, at the foot Of an eld-iashionsd
garden, stands A unsssuming building that was
once stable. The hrst story Of rough stone is
surmounted by brick one. A low door opens
into q vssGbule, which il The threshold to the
Workshop Of Prof. Graham Bell
His scientific library and his museum are also
In it. On the lower place beside the laboratory
is little darksnsd experimenting room which
the outside world 10 not privileged to enter
To the uneduca,ed mind the laboratory appears
TO be mixture of bottles, cups, furnaces, re-
torts and machinery.
The museum contains many odd devices
ranged In cases and drawers. -Four carved ivory
telephone handles in q case we're intended for
Queen Victoria, but for some reason fell short of
the standard set up by the inventor, hence
they adorn the scientists collection rather than
a queens palace. Many intricate mechanical
devices for teaching mutes articulation attract
attention.
In the library comfort and science seem to 90
hand In hand. There 10 the easy chair and the
luxurious lounge for hours Of ease, while
science looks down from the walls, where she
stands bound up in books or represented on
maps, diagrams or charts. some Of which re-
late 10 the history OF mutes or the gensaiogy
Of families in which mutes have frequently oc-
Cured for generations. The guide told THE
STAR reporter that the professor has theory
that tendency to muteness may become a
race trait through intermarriass with relatives.
This ID subject he Is most de eply in ssted in
Mrs Graham Bell has often erroneously been
referred to as a mute. While she ID totally
deaf she was not born and her difficulties OF
articulation have occurred through tho mis-
fortunes Of disease, but they have been greatly
ameliorated by the professors researches and
instructions, she having been his pupil before
she was his wife. In one corner Of the walls
hangs picture Of q wiid-eysd owl drawn ty
Mrs. Graham Bell and presented 10 her hus-
band as an appropriate device for his labora-
tory.
The many testimonials to his genius on the
walls he eherishes proudly. not for the glitter
Ing star or the bit OF ribbon that accompa ME d
them, but that they symbolic the acknowledge
ment that bis Inventions have conn I'd from
crowned heads a. well a. men Of science One
testimonial bore the inscription Of the French
legion OF honor, with lite accompanying medal;
another was "A diploma from Ludovlco IL" A
third was testimonial from she home Of the
Bells II Brantford Ont, presented by his fell
low-tovnsmen, who named their city in his
honor Telephone City," Il Was signed BY the
members Of the Board Of trade of Brantiord,
1851 1kr STAR reporters guide said He
treasures that testimonial a. hirhly a. ANYTHING
here. One thing marked the psrsopal.ty of
the man The reporter informed s'that
when ne 10 in . creative mood he will not stop
Tor regular meals but his boy servant makes
MN cup OF csfss out here snd gets up little
messes FOR him. Genius 10 lawless, and ia
rights must be respected We seldom disturb
him for anything or anybody when he Ia In ths
laboratory. because he don't like il"