The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-09-10
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
AN INTERESTING LETTER FROM THE
NATIONS CAPITAL.
Large Attendance Upon the International
Congress of Biologists Now in Session
at the Columbian University-An
Episcopal Prelates Prediction,
cial TO The Statesman.

national Congress of Biologists now
in session at Columbian university
More than two hundred members are
present, about one-half being repre-.
sentatives of the various European
countries, and if each spoke in his
mother tongue there would be VERT.
able Babel, but happily the gentle
men can glide with ease into the in.
tGicacies Il use that word meaningly)
of English pronunciation sufficient at
any rate. to make themselves under
stood. This body meets tri-ennially
and, in scientific Importance, is in the
front rank of the worlds great con-
vacations. For the first time since it's
gganization America is honored by
i@E,resence, and it seems especially
fitting that the Capital City should be
selected as the place for it's delibera-
tions. Secretary Mobiles address of
welcome was n finely woven web of
fraternal greeting, touched with the
color of sympathy and appreciation
He said truly:
"One need but to look upon your
large assembly-its distinguished, it's
illustrious members from the old and
new world alike-to recognize that
you can be strangers no here that
knowledge is desired or humanity is
developing. In your realm of thought
the boundaries of nations cease to
have significance, and even love of
country is transformed and elevated
into love of man. The era is full of
the thought of the inter dependence of
nations. You are in the van of that
movement. Your congress is strik-
ing and noble exponent of it.
This iberality is the very atmos-
phere of science. 1t is enveloping the
arts, INDUSTRY and commerce. Your
contests are friendly and your victor
les stainless. Yours, the youngest of
the sciences, already stands strong
with free thought and holy aspirations
among her younger associates, Your
place has been won "mento ct malleo"
Welcome then to the capital and the
land Of the youngest of nations, whose
eritage is industry and whose
& NtaTth is knowledge"
~. Newberry, of Columbia Col
e, is honored with the presidency
Of the congress, but owing to his age
he will not attend, and the duties will
devolve upon the vice-presidents;
Prof. II. McKenney Hughes, of Cam
bridge University, England, presided
at the first session. This gentleman,
by his studies and researches in geo.
logy and paleontoloey has won high
fame. He is tall and spare, energetic
in manner, with a slight degree of
nervousness; he is accompanied by his
wife. Mdme Marie Parlow, of Mos
COW, is with her husband, Prof. Par
low and two of the members from
Roumania are accompanied by their
wives-Mdmes Sihleano and Stefan
esew, of the University at Bucharest.
VOLUMES BY THE MILLION.
Mr.. Arnold Hague, chairman of the
committee of entertainment, has had
handsome guide book prepared for the
use of the delegates to the lnterna-
tional congress, and among other in
teresting statistics furnished is a list
of the libraries in Washington, and
the number of volumes contained
therein. The library ofcongress heads
the list with COG, 600 volumes; next the
House of Representatives with l25,0OO
and on down to 1000 in the Academy
of Visitation. OF the executive
branches, the War Department bears
the palm-its library contains 3O,OOO
volumes, and the aggregate libraries
show grand total of l 1862, 76l volumes
with an addition of 230, 225 pamphlets.
More than million and a half books,
and when to these figures we add the
private libraries of prominent citizens
it would seem we are not so far behind
in books, though we are out of date on
she free question. The late Mr.. Ban
!, Ioft,s library was mine OF Sold,
while among others Of great value
NAV be mentioned those OF Col. John
Hay, Mr.. J. G. Nicolay, Justice Brad
ley, Justice Gray and Rev. Bishop
John f. Hurst of the Methodist
church, now the resident bishop OF
Washington. The world is growing
older, aye, and wiser; the springs OF
knowledge are being touched and
streams from the fountain OF truth
are singing in every land. Who shall
debar man, made in the image and
likeness of his Maker, from drinking
of these streams whose waters shall
clear the mental horizon OF every
cloud and import new life and vlgor
to all who lave in their crystal cool
ness.
AN EPISCOPAL PRELATE'S PREDlC-
TION.
fThe growth of Washington has
been so great in the short time OF the
citv;s actual existence that it can be
safely concluded the size will be
doubled within the the next fifty
years.u was the remark of Rev
Bishop Paret in conversation the
other day regarding the site of the
proposed Episcopal cathedral -
project which is taking definite form
Since the handsome gift of Miss Mary
Mann of $50, 900 for that purpose. The
f5hop distinctly stated though that
.o,,orotionS NAV mass before