The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-30
NEW FRENCH HOSPITAL,
Brilliant Gathering of
Guests at the Informal
Opening.
Physicians and Laymen Pay Their
Tributes to Great Sanitary
Work.

The new French Hospital, the most
modern, most thoroughly and beautifully
equipped of any similar institution in the
world, was thrown open to the inspection
of visitors last night, and those who were
fortunate enough to have received invita-
tons were more than repaid for their visit.
Time and time again the progress of the
work on the beautiful Maison de Sante has
been reported in the CALL, but the com.
pleted whole, furnished with all the mod.
ern appliances for health and the appur.
tenances to comfort, seen in the full glare
of the electric light so far exceeded all
expectation that visitors were simply daz.
zled.
1t was gem, more than GENT was q
wonder. Magnificent in proportions, per
feet in detail, no similar institution in the
known world can compare with it. 1t is
par excellence, and no one wondered
last night when Sylvan WE'LL, president
of the French Mutual Benevolent Society
declared that he was the proudest man in
San Francisco. He had right to be. All
his friends told him he had q right to be-
and the magnificent structure which graces
the plat of ground at Point Lobos and
ts
During the afternoon the medical men
of the City, under the guidance of DR.,
Charles B, Brigham, the chief surgeon,
and DR.. Vorsard, the resident physician,
made an inspection of the building. There
were fully 200 of them, and not one but
was enthusiastic in his praise of the ar
engagements. Not suggestion was offered
mously agreed that the sanitary arrange
ments were perfect.
In the evening the directors rendered
what they were pleased to call reception
to the press, but which was really a re-
ception to many other friends of the
society. In the list of the invited guests
were the directors and medical staff of the
German Hospital, members of the Board
of Supervisors, the ladies who supervised
the booths at the grand fair at the
Mechanics Pavilion, the ladies of the
French benevolent societies, not to speak
of the presidents OF the French societies
in the City and the officers of the French
military orders.
President Sylvan WE'LL was in his hap
piest mood and fairly gloated with salts
faction at the evident appreciation of the
many visitors who explored the beautiful
interior. Shortly after 10 o'clock all ad-
journed to the kitchen, which is almost as
beautiful as some drawing-rooms to hear
the congratuiatory speeches on the occa.
sion. Amid the popping of champagne
corks the ladies and gentlemen present
in front of the third griddle on the big
range and opened the feast of reason and
the flow of soul.
"Ladies and gentlemen" said Mr.. WE'LL,
81 hope you do not expect a speech from
me. am not an orator, and I was some
what afraid that / would be expected to
say something. I will. will say that I
am the proudest man in San Francisco to
be at the head of this grand society. /
have to thank the people of San Fran
cisco, the press of San Francisco, for all
courtesies shown to our society, and to
thank the City authorities for their pres
ence here tonight. l have also to thank
all the benevolent societies of all creeds
and nationalities."
Mr.. Well then read letters of regret from
Governor Budd, Mayor Sutro and Etienne
Durbec, the protector of the society, which
were received with cheers. He also read a
telegram from his brother Alexander and
the latter's wife. both now in Paris, con-
graduating the society on the opening OF
the new hospital. This was particularly
well received, Mr.. and Mrs. WE'LL being
well remembered for donation of SIC, GOO
to the hospital for pavilion, which bears
their name.
DR.. G. Gross, the visiting physician; M.
Lalande, the French Consul; E. G. Priber,
president Of the German Hospital; DR..
Charles B. Brigham. the resident physi-
clan; Charles J. King, Walter Clifford
Smith, M. A. Legallet and A. Schmidt
made short addresses, and all drank stand
ing to the health of the president, Sylvan
WE'LL, at the suggestion of DR.. Brigham.
The recipient of the toast, in turn, gal
lantly toasted the ladies', to whom most OF
the success of the society was due, and the
reception was at an end.