Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-15
FIFTY YEARS AGO
IN THE STAR

The remarkable development OF the Smith
sonfan Institution and tho National Mu-
scum during the past few
nnutnsonian years lends interest to q
Progress. comment by The Star April
s. 1856, On the annual report
OF Prof Baird for the year 1856. Prof.
Baird said that the richness OF the museum
OF the institution was source OF national
pride to all desirous of seeing at Washing
ton satisfactory exposition Of the natural
history of North America The Star said:
Five years Is the entire period during
which the collections OF the Institution have
been forming. and when 1t Is considered
that no purchases whatever have been
made. save of an occasional specimen from
the city market, 1t must be admitted that
few institutions, even those under the d.
rect patronage of wealthy governments. can
present similar results. Nearly every speci-
men, too. has been collected at the express
instance of the institution. The following
figures exhibit the number OF Jars with
specimens in alcohol December 81, 1855:
Mammals, $50 Jars; birds, 50 jars; reptiles,
1914 jars; fishes, 1900 jars; invertebrates,
LIS jars; miscellaneous. $50 jars: total.
OH Jars Many of the Jars contain a con-
siderable number of species each. while
there are at least thirty barrels, kegs or
large cans filled with specimens which have
not yet been separated. OF skins and skele-
tons there are: Prepared mammals l. 200;
birds. ,425: skulls and skeletons generally.
1850. An addition of at least 1,500 speci-
mems OF North American birds is to be
added. which have not been entered"
Half a century ago there was considerable
non for its preservation as
nome OF a national relic Edward
Washington. Everett of Massaehu-
Nv sets was then lecturing
throughout the country in advocacy of this
proposition. The Star of April Q. 1885. calls
attention to hoax perpetrated OF. the New
York Herald. which was persuaded to print
a story to the effect that Mount Vernon
could not be purchased for any purpose
except for use as a Roman Catholic nun
merry The Star goes on to say:
Mr.. John Al Washington has always
plumply and fatty refused to sell Mount
Vernon to any parties except the United
States or the state Of Virginia. According
to the understanding among his friends. he
has had a multitude of offers for 1T from
private parties companies and associations.
not only in this country but across the At
lantic. not a few Of them offering almost
fabulous prices for the property, and not
few eSsaying to buy it only to speculate
upon it. He could at any time realize much
more for 1t were he willing to sell to any
such parties than the price he offered to
take from the state of Virginia-doube that
price. Almost daily pressing offers are
made to him for the property We may
add that his friends say that he will at any
moment close with the state of Virginia for
the price at which he rendered 1t to that
conmonwealth-$2GOO0 coo. If the patriotic Ia
dies OF the state who have undertaken to
raise that sum for this purpose will perse-
we're, and are willing that the state shall
have Its future custody and become its
owner in fee-the very best Arrangement
conceivable-we imagine there will be no
difficulty In the matter whatever"
The property was finally sold to the
Mount Vernon Association in 1859 for
500, 600.
The controversy between the residents of
South Washington, or the Island" and
those OF Georgetown over
Bridge the location of a proposed
Controversy. bridge to replace the Long
bridge was growing very
warm, and the columns of The Star were
frequently utilized by both sides In the
issue Of April 10, 1856, is such a letter. The
writer says. in part:
"A connection of roads where steamers
are required to cross rivers is always liable
to obstruction from ice and freshets and
the IidilS QSidSSQ SOllclilliGS Luz udy -.
When there is location where a bridge
can be placed at comparatively small ex-
pense which will last for years we think ii
should be used. The bridge is wanted to
carry the mail and afford a passage to the
farmers of Virginia and to the cities of
Washington and Georgetown. The mere
connection between Alexandria and Wash
ington can be as heretofore by steamers, or,
II they please. by railroads; II the distance
by rail is greatest speed is decidedly in its
favor. Congress have always been very
liberal with Washington. What has been
done could only have been done with their
aid: therefore. 1t Is the interests of the
citizens to see that the money we pray
Congress to advance for improvements is
absolutely necessary and not of a tempo
rary Character, continually requiring addi-
tional appropriations The bridge has long
been an expensive affair, and is likely to
become more SO. Every time the subject
is agitated Congress feel that the appro-
priation when granted is only for tempo
rary relief, What has already been expend-
ed would have placed a permanent bridge
at the head of navigation
**
There was no break in the official White
House receptions during Lent half CEN
fury ago. In The Star of
Eleventh April u. 1856, Is to be found
Reception. the following interesting ac-
count of the eleventh recep-
ton by President and Mrs. Pierce:
THE levee last night was more fully at
tended than some of its predecessors. In
deed, the steady current settling toward the
east room threatened at one time to crowd
that spacious apartment rather unpleasant
ly, considering the warmth of the season.
but the long hall afforded means of car
rying off the surplus, and thus healthy
equilibrium was kept up. No doubt the adj
vent of the spring fashions had something
to do with the extra turnout, though we
saw an unusual number present OF those
who bestow very little care upon externals.
The ladies. of course, looked radiant in the
spring styles. but the press upon our col
umns today prevents our going into detail.
Otherwise, the program was gone through
with much as usual There was the usual
amount of titrivatng before the ante-room
mirrors-the usual straining on of white
kids; the usual cosy tete-a-tetes In the
crimson parlor; the usual handsome recep-
ton at the hands OF President and Mrs
Pierce, the usual running of the gauntlet on
the part of the gay promenaders through
the long rfrcular riu IF he