New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-07-18
GOSSIP AT THE CAPITAL.
THE MUSEUM OF HYGIENE AND ITS
VALUABLE WORK

sERvAToRY-THE NEW SUPERINTENDENT
OF THE oBsERvAroRY-MR. EGUIGUREN
THE NEW PERUVIAN MINISTER.
AND HIS SECRETARY.
Washington. July Hone Of the pleasantest
situated OF the public buildings is the old Naval
Observatory. transferred by order OF Secretary
Herbert In January. 1894. to the Bureau OF Med-
cine and Surgery. and used since that date by the
Museum Of Hygiene. 1t stands on sloping GROUND
in the midst OF a beautiful grove. The windows at
the back overlook the Potomac and from tie
front Of the building. the domes OF which Indicate
the purpose for which 1t built. an excellent
view OF the city can be had.
One OF the most potent arguments used before
Congress In securing an appropriation Tor the ne"
observatory was the uDbealthiness OF the situatioh
OF the old one, and there without doubt some
truth In the assertion that the nuisance constantly
arising from the Potomac fats was a menace 10
health: but that AFFECTION since these mats were
filled up no longer exists and the site Is probably
healthy any about town. At least there nave
been no complaints from fhe officers detailed there.
The exterior Of the building remains exactly as
IT built In President Tyler's administration
but the interior has Of necessity been much Altered
to meet the demands of the new service REQUIRED
of 1t, and has been attractively and appropriately
fitted up for its present needs. AS yet thefe Is
abundant space for the exhibits. but Laboratories
for chemistry and biology are In process OF con 5
o. NAL is to as add 70 new e rooms and
buildings as the growth OF the museum may re-
There is small doubt but, that II few years
added space will be needed, for the Museum OF
daps and ONE one Of that he Will be- Of ncacuabe
vice to lay people as well as 10 those OF me meui
:ions connected with an exhibition this museum
illustrates the workings OF the prac. IA ,lHs
that enter into daily life and aims at popui rizhg
among the people the proper ideas concerning the
prevention of disease and the means to lie taken
to attain that end It teaches Shs in word by oo-
Nearly every department Is covered by ,ne G by
filtration is demonstrated in. various ways. A
is devoted to exhibits Of sanitary plumbing
also shown. and much space is devoted 20 the
modes q etc shin h sp
paratus used at the New-Orleans Quarantine sia-
ton which makes S 9n oSa de wa sxhbS at the
Columbian Exposition at Chicago, and pres.nteaf
to the Museum by the louisiana State s'oard Oh
The museum has library Of 600 voum sra PURE ire
great equatorial formerly stood-a charming room.
Well lighted. we'll ventilated and arranged after
mo oI allowed by the Navy Department the
support Of this institution does not ,dmit OF the
employment of librarian, and although me h ON
their disposal outside Of their routine work to TO
keeping the library In order ana rs 'a,aI ,.ue up
TO date the administration of this department
leaves much to be desired -, .., l.,
over the handsome oak mantel in the library Is
bronze tablet memorial b from w Rs 6 oTP'R hi!
tablet is the following inscrpton 5a ISsa M91 ai
ham A% b,y Stronger R S Sfo lowe Of % w.
Hanging the et Of the tablet i tosc;ssr MAJ an
oak bre ea Sketch of Of Dr. Amers life and extract
from his diary 49,, ..od ,,or, q,
the huiIding. but when the new 1nes. watch are
already begun, are finished and compe,en. mnsh
from Them ee the usefulness OF the will be
,nuch increased for the relation OF ar ana son
and mater s 10 ee and needs study and
research 1t is planned also TO give iecture IS
studying in the profession, but laymen as WELL WI"
be welcome.
The nresent director of the museum is Dr. New
TON I, Bates who enjoys the distinction OF being
musician to the President. and under MS capao'e
management the affairs Of the museum nave 'akei,
n new impetus DR.. Bates is regarded as one VI
the hest and most thorough all-around men IN tne
medical branch of the Navy. and the Presidents
wisdom In selecting him for his physician Is COM
m"nded By all OF Dr. Batess colleagues .,s,,, ard
DR. r. n G. Boyer Both belong to the younger
branch Of the service. but have already won 'he'f
Dr. Boyer is at the museum for special ana tenn
porary duty only. and is occupied on o'o'os''d'
work.
The direction of the observatory Is WITHOUT
doubt the most desirable and agreeable piiiet III
the Navy. The duties connected with it are pleas
has the use OF house. pretty brick VIVA, uui''
Of n cost of 1900 at the time the other buildings
were erected which is lighted and heated at Wv
eminent expense. He enjoys 100 the oeau'''
mark of seventy-two acres that surrounds the oo-
eervatorv enough Of which is under cultivation 10
nrovde him with feed for his stock ana vegetables
for his table. The observatory Is WITHIN pieasah
r;da fran, town the approaches to 1t are pictur-
esaue and interesting and an electric hie' VIM"
runs between Tenallytown and the capital sei'e'
TO shorten the distance
Commodore r. l.. Phythian. who tor TWO years
has acted superintendent or the opselNa.o asn
will be retired on the 2lst inst. and Commahoei
Charles H. Davis has been detailed 10 succeeo
him This appointment meets with senei a Since
BATON n uo' 70 the laws governing the observatory
a selection for superntendent must oe nnsshie To-
tne oie an eminent astronomer for this place
Secretary Long is credited win nhvia6 IS
49, ~ broad views and wide culture. ana IL Is
believed that under his direction tne Moin o 90
Commander Davis comes from Massachusetts
and was appointed TO the Naval Academy as
cadet from there in 1851. He reached MS present
,apk in 1885. and during the Worlds Columbian
Exposition acted special aid TO the princess Hu
Ialie while she In this country
This will not be Commander Daviss nrst service
at the Naval Observatory. He was detailed there
for two years back in the seventies, wheh 'he Oh
ssrvatory still occupied its old quarters ana SUP
so,uert,v served with several expeditions when
we're sent out for the purpose OF determining tne
difference of longitude by means or supna a it
hias from Europe TO the Atlantic Islands ana inc
oast coast of South America His last detail was
With the Board Of Inspection and Survey wnsch Is
tmnorarily engaged In making a special investiga-
lion Of the New York Navy YARD.
Ar. Victor Eeuiguren the new Minister from
D., nr.sented his credentials to the President on
FRIDAY. the 9th inst and for the first time since
April 2s 1895. when the revolutionary government
which has since become the permanent government
accepted the resignation Of Mr.. frlsoyen' VINO was
=, NAT time acting as charge d'araires. Peru has
. automatic representative at the United states
capital. . ~, l.,
The recently accredited envoy from Peru Is
native OF Plura a young man. still In the early for
ties and a lawyer by profession. His selection as
Minister to this country. which Is the most i'm
,art most I'm the Peruvian diplomatic service. at