New-York tribune., 1900-05-13

and colleges, instituted normal and primary
schools, and in his administration over two hun
! dred buildings devoted to educational purposes
were erected, which will remain an enduring
monument to their protector. Among the
Minister'S treasures preserved many dirlo-
mas and medals. but none that confer greater
distinction or should be more highly priced than
, those bestowed for his services in subduing that
pest Of the Southern continent yellow fever.
and his contributions its literature.
Dr. Wilde has travelled extensively. No part
Of the world is strange to him, and h, has
written. besides his scientific works. many in
/ terestng and instructive accounts of his travels.
Those which especially commend themselves to
the people of this country and have
him a cordial and hearty welcome at this capi-
tai, are the two volumes in which he treats OF
the United States. where he made two previous
visits These volumes show profound knowl-
edge of this country its history, traditions. sys-
/ tenn of government. institutions and social
ethics. and from to cover the amable
author deals out praise to his northern
cousins, Of whom he writes not only with sym
pathy but with understanding and literary
skill.
The new Minister is extremely handsome in
appearance. dignfed in carriage suave of ad-
dress with genial and cordial manners which
put his visitors at once at ease and make them
feel quite at home in his presence He is ac-
companied by Mrs. Wilde, graceful and beau-
tiful woman. and for the present they are living
at one of the uptown hotels, but later on, in
the autumn. perhaps, the Minister will take a
house. and under his administration the Argen-
tine Legation will hold, it has always DONE
a leading place in society.
At the last meeting of the Columbian His
torical Society Harriet Riddle Davis. who has
written several pleasing novels of Washington
rpI1
the assassination of Pr .sident Lincoln. At the
time Of that great tragedy Mrs Davis waf
attending a Roman Catholic academy in town.
and her teacher to whom she referred as Miss
Annie X, the sweetheart of John Surratt,
and is said TO have been employed by the con-
spiratOrs to a f. them in an Est.
hotel, where they met before the murder.
The conduct of Miss X. while teaching" said
Mrs. Davis, was puzzle to the children One
morning just prior to the assassination of Presi-
dent Lincoln she appeared i'll the schoolroom In
a state OF great excitement Her clothes
covered with dust, if she had just returned
from n long ride across country Kneel' she
cried Historically to the roomful of affrighted
children, and they fell on their knees the
woman broke out into agOnzed appeal for
help and pardon for some unknown persons who
were planning a terrible crime The effect of
it was heightened upon the chdren's imagina-
tions by her haggard appearance and her evil
denCe of great distress. At the conclusion OF
the prayer she sumnarily dismissed the children
for the day"
Mrs. Davis naturally much excited over
the incident. but her family made light of II,
and as it was not again referred to it passed
out of her mind. At the trial of John Surratt
for completely i'll the murder Judge Riddle, the
father of Mrs Davis. one OF the prosecutors
for the Government The jury, it will be re-
membered. failed to agree. One day shortly
after the trial judge Riddle happened to men
ton in the presence of his daughter that con-
vction would have doubtless been assured IL it
had been possible to get Surratts sweetheart,
Miss X. testify.
why that's my teacher said the chd
"what did she know about?"
The half forgotten story again told and
corrOborated by another girl in the school, but
all trace of Miss X lost, and as 1t
deemed impossible to get jury in Washington
that would convict Surratt without her evil
dence the case was finally nolle pressed.
Amos Cummings made extremely inter-
esting speech and that showed him to be
a past master in the science of ornthoogy. in
the House the other day, apropos of the Lacy
BILL which, aiming to protect the birds. gives
larger powers to the Secretary of Agriculture
than he possesses and prohibits interstate
commerce in game killed in violation Of local
tu3e Mr. sDeech is being widely