New-York tribune., 1900-03-25

her handsome secretary and collaboration, who
is the Of hero his bride loves to depict and
who might have stepped OF one OF her
novels.
Mrs. Towsend's husband, for it is inevitable
that he VIII be known in this way, is. according
TO woman who for many months guest
in Mrs. Burnett's English home. Of fine
appearance. courteous manners and broad cult
A fellow OF the Royal College of Surgeons,
1T was predicted that Mr.. Towsend would win re-
nown in his chosen profession, which, however,
became so distasteful TO him because of the
constant drain upon his sympathies that after
brief career he abandoned it to go upon the
stage, later on accepting the position Of secre-
tary TO Mrs. Burnett, whom he had attended
through the long illness that followed serious
carriage accident Mrs. Burnett spent last win
in her Washington home renewing old friend
ships and making new ones and, IT is said, will
return here next winter with Mr.. Towsend.
The Jesuit College in Georgetown has recently
received from the members of that community
in the Philippines large and rare collection of
gems coral, minerals and shells, part OF which,
as it is arranged and catalogued. will be
presented to the National Museum The most
interesting specimens in the collection came
from Mindanao, one of the richest spots in the
islands. where not only coral precious stones
and valuable minerals be found. but some
specimens are several fine pieces Of the beautiful
imperalis a number Of fossils, including a min
iature tree, gnared and knotted. and flower
baskets OF Venus the aspergillum is popu-
larly called The collection of minerals is rich
one, proof of the wealth in this direction at
least. Of the islands. There are, too. quantities
OF exquisite opals, and the shells which have
been brought together form a unique collection
or he most notable Interesting
tons that takes place in Washington is the
nual dinner given by the Little Sisters Of the
Poor on the feast day Of their patron saint
Joseph to their benefciaries. Not only is
sumptuous banquet prepared for the aged and
decrepit poor 10 whom these devoted nuns ad-
minister, but all the Ronanists in society volun-
teer at the feast and on that afternoon
the austere halls of the Home resemble some
fashionable drawing room at the height Of the
season. At the time the dinner is served, shortly
past noon. gayly dressed women and dignified
men don long white aprons, and until every
poor in the institution is satisfied and
happy they work with unfagging zeal, many Of
them remaining to take part in the religious
services that follow. At the dinner given
Monday the corps of walters included the French
Ambassador. the Spanish Minister and the
Duchess of ARGOS, the Minister from Switzerland
and Mrs. Pioda, the Minister from Costa Rica
and Nine. Calvo. Mrs. White wife of the Justice;
the Misses Riggs, Mr.. Bonaparte and a number
of others prominent in the fashionable world
NJ Boeufve. the Chancellor Of the French En-
bassy, who has been stationed here dozen
years or more, never misses one Of these parties.
He is a great favorite with the old people, and
enters into the occasion with keen zest. carrying
10 the poor unfortunates a merry greeting and
CHEEKY stories from the outside world, well
material food. This year NJ. Boeufve wore a
huge butchers apron, which reached quite TO his
heels, and untirtng in his endeavors to make
the dinner a memorable