New-York tribune., 1901-10-27
GOSSIP OF THE CAPITAL.
CARDINAL MARTINELLTS RECALL-THE
NATIONAL MUSEUM - LOBSTER
FITZGERALD"-ANA ADAM
LESS EDEN.


washington, Oct. 26 CSpeciaD.-Cardinal Mar
,,pelu purposes TO attend the consistory which
meets at Rome in December. His service at
.bo napal legation therefore, is drawing to a
lose and the name of his successor will soon be
ennounccd. That il not given out long ago
g a surprise TO those who have any knowledge
of the customs of the Roman Catholic Church.
since il is unusual for a nuncio or legate TO re-
main az his post after being promoted to the
6inalate. An exception has been made In Cardi-
nal Martineis case, for the good reason that.
despite the many brilliant dignitaries of the
Church from among whom a legate for America
might be chosen. il has been difficult to find
acceptable successor to the tactful Augustinian
u.bo for the last five years has represented the
pope in America. Delay in replacing the Cardinal
,s considered by the authorities at Rome a less
evil than a repetition of the mistake made in ap
polntng the first legate. for while Cardinal
eaton was an accomplished scholar ecclesi-
ostjc OF broad experience and In high favor at
the Vatican the American character remained
closed book TO him. and he failed in the most
Important duty of mis- mission. to gain the con-
edence and affection Of his people.
cardinal Martinelli on the contrary has won
universal esteem and is everywhere warmly re-
Ssrded With innate tact he has avoided mis-
fskes has wisely refrained from expressing
himself regarding politics on the plea that II
vas not the business of the Church. and has
iant willing ear to the humblest Of his visitors.
10 enissary from the Vatican ever conducted
a more successful mission, and no one will be
more genuinely and sincerely regretted when
,be duties of his post call him hence. IT ID
said that Monsignor Scalabrini at present Ia
This country in the interest Of the Italian emil.
grants viii probably be named TO succeed Shs
retiring legate.
An army officer just back from the Philippines
tells the following story Of callow young Of
Acer whose mistakes are frequent source OF
amusement TO his comrades. Early in his mill
tary experience Lieutenant ". was awakened
one night by the sentry who passed by his tent
calling out the hour and vouchsafing the in
formation, "All's Well" The boy turned over
and settled down TO another nap. but the next
hour was again awakened by the unwelcome
call When this had been repeated the third
time he decided TO endure II no longer, and go
ing 10 the door of his tent called out:
Look here, my good man, it's very kind OF
YOU 10 tell me the time, but have a watch
here by my bed, so please spare yourself further
trouble"
Mr. Iangley's administration of the National
Museum will be ever notable for the many orig
inal ideas he has introduced, the many new feat
ures he has instituted. The geological park
which promises 10 be a model for similar insti-
tutions was founded under his direction. and
the Ch.ldren's Museum owes its existence TO
the secretary's sympathy for little folks. whose
welfare he has always at heart. This depart
ment OF the museum is an entirely new depart
IRE none Of the great scientific institutions hav-
ing heretofore thought it necessary TO equip
section looking only 10 the needs OF children,
and yet now that he has taken the initiative.
the secretary is warmly praised. and his ex-
ample viii doubtless be widely followed.
The room set apart for the childrens use is
one Of the most attractive in the Smithsonian
Building. flooded with sunlight, and decorated
so as 10 make IL as bright and cheerful pos
sible. The ceiling is draped with vines and
branches. and in the pretty cages that hang
from them live birds The finest songsters TO
be found are kept An aquarium occupies
conspicuous place, which is stocked with many
varieties OF aquatic plants,s the fish being
changed from time 10 time, that the children
may become acquainted with many different va
rieties. Effort has been made not only 10 give
pleasure. but 20 secure the best educational ad-
vantages, and the little museum is 10 be con-
Quoted on the most practical plan.
The objects exhibition only such as will
teach the young observer some fundamental fact
in natural history, and include birds. both alive
and stuffed; the small animals with which chill
dren familiar, insects, meteorites, models OF
precious stones. specimens OF gold and silver,
and the common minerals. Technical terms are
be banished IN favor of common names which
q child readily understand, and beside the
name OF the object the labels will bear some
short fact regarding the habits Of the animal
named, or some peculiar feature Of the inani-
mate object. No attempt Will be made to sup
plement the object. by text OF any description,
Mr.. Langley believing that the childish mind
viii be amply stimulated and broadened by the
study OF natural objects in the manner he has
Instituted.
Representative Fitzgerald, OF Massachusetts.
IS often referred to by his colleagues Lob
ster Fitzgerald; not that his face is rosy. that
he is inordinately fond Of this crustacean or
that he possesses the character indicated by
the term lobster, but because Of the protection
he endeavors 10 exercise over this inhabitant OF
the waters that wash his native State. When
one realizes that the catch in Massachusetts
alone has fallen from 100000 to 1.SD.ooO
pounds, and that the price Of Holsters has risen
- per cent in the last few years, one cannot
but applaud Mr. Fitzgeralds efforts TO have the
lobster industry investigated for the purpose Of
determining upon methods 10 secure the increase
OF this delectable article of food.
Mount Pleasant, a suburb OF the capital.
shelters a unique community, founded a few
years since by a Mrs. Mcwhirter, who still gov
erns the twenty-five inmates that make up her
household. Mrs. McWhirter. IL seems, was for
merly resident of Bolton. Tex, where her
husband deserted her. Thrown upon her own
resources, she established a boarding house, as
sociating with her three other women, whose
cruel partners had also fed and left them
penness. IL would seem in the light Of Nc
Winters desertion that his wife lacked the
qualities and training which go make a sue
cessful wife for one cannot imagine a man
turning his back home where the bread is