New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-11
GOSSIP AT THE CAPITAL.
'''''i MEXICAN AMBASSADOR-AN
HfI EXHIBITION DISTRAUGHT
CONGRESSMAN

washington. Dec. lot is altogether nt,in,
'ha' Senor Romero who Is regarded as one Of
'n' c'eVerest dip!Omatsts ever accredited 10 this
capital should enjoy the distinction of being
'"e hrS' Ambassador appointed by his Govern
''"'- lie mas been connected with the Mexican
legation since the early fiftics. having entered
inc Foreign service as Secretary when his friends
senator Morrill, and Mr. Sherman first came to
congress. He has known Intimately all the
prominent men of both political parties from the
cruciai days before the war to the present time.
General Grant was his warm friend and when
financial ruin overlook him the Minister from
MeNlco was the very first to place his fortune
al the disposal Of the General This ne counts
the greatest privilege he has enjoyed in his
whole official career
But his friendships III this country have not
betrayed him. as has so often been the case
WIN others into any indiscretions. No for
eigners and few Americans have made so deep
a study of this ccuntry's internal affairs ard
rev have SO thorough a knowledge of American
history but. although his advice and opinion
have been frequently sought he has never
The mistake Of taking sides in any controversy.
in all the Try ing periods of the last forty years
having proved himself saSacious and astute
diplomat, cemcntng closer and closer the bonds
between the two countries
The regard in which ne is held at home is
evidenced by the fact that whenever Mexican
politics get into ar incxtricabe tange, he Is
Immediately summoned to straighten them out
He has several times carried Mexico through
grave financial crises, and the President of that
republic depends upon him more than upon
any other contemporary statesman. Senior
Romero is too, an author Of ability. His official
papers are written in a mastery manner. and
his book on Mexico recently published. has al
ready reached large circulation in the United
States.
Senior Romero has recently returned from an
extended visit to Mexico, where he went last
GUNNER 10 bury his wife. His sister. Sonora
Garcia, will preside over the Embassy this
winter.
j. Elfreth Watkins curator of technology of
the National Museum, is receiving constant con-
Eratulations on his paper, published in the cur
rent number Of Coasters Magazine on prob
able method for THE Transportation and Lift
Ing Of Heavy Bodies by the Ancients, which
has been extensively commented upon and has
inspired other people to modify his idea and
exploit II as their own His explanation OF the
possible manner in which the great pyramid
could have been built is surely very original,
but he explains the plan so clearly that II makes
his supposed method seem the simplest and most
probable one Mr. Watkins shows how, by IN
clined planes of earth, stone blocks or slabs OF
enormous weight could be put in place, levers
and pry bars being employed in raising them
and that the pyramids could have been easily
constructed by this simple means, the earth
which had been used for the inclined planes
having been fiji. d into the pits from when IL
was taken leaving the ground as level as be
fore. Mr. Watkns's paper was read as long
ago as February 1898. and was widely copied
and discussed in both domestic and foreign SCI
entifc journals His colleagues at the Museum
regard it as most scholarly and able. and are
extremely gratifed at the complimentary way
In which II has been received.
The Water Color Exhibition OF the Washing
ton Society Of Artists closed to-day The eX-
hibtion was not large, the colony of artists here
being small one. but it was very creditable
and interesting and so successful that the com
mittee allowed it to remain open week after
the time set for closing. James Henry Moser,