The Washington herald., 1907-09-06
STILL MORE AMAZED
biologists, Here on a Visit,
Find Cause for Wonder.
MUSEUM IS VISITED
Scientific Collection
Accorded the Highest Prnise-Visit
To Mount Vernon in the Afternoon
Interests the Delegates Intensely.
VIII Leave Washington To-day.

A visit TO the National Museum and
an informal gathering in the adjoining
Smithsonian Institution building last
night on the part OF the visiting biologists
practically concluded the programme Of
their stay In Washington.
IT is true there is stil one other num-
ber on the list prepared for their enter
tainment but this VIII be merely con-
tinuation Of yesterdays visit on the part
of the scientists TO the various govern
ment laboratories, and 1t will take place
at $3.50 this morning. At l O'Clock this
afternoon the visitors Will leave for New
York
The delegates have seen so much in this
country, have been surprised 80 often by
the great stride the American people have
made in the matter Of education, have
been compelled so frequently 20 admit
that this country was not only the equal
IN scientific research, but that ia many
instances Europe was being oStdlstanced
that they were prepared to see a collec-
tion Of objects at the National Museum,
almost unattainable, almost impossible.
They could scarcely find words 10 ex-
press their praise over the collection OF
objects Of art and science as classified at
the museum.
Envious of Exhibits.
They gazed with envious looks at the
model exhibition Of Indian life; the coll
lection of histCtic relics Of celebrated
Americans excfGi their deepest interest;
the mineral 4 ibit. the collection Of
Oriental objects Of workmanship and art,
the skeletons OF animal and fish llfe, and
all the rest housed at the museum were
relished by them as only scientists can
appreciate
Surprise followed surprise. and all Of
them were pleasant From the National
! Museum the company proceeded to the
/ Smithsonian building Here, too their IN
terest was kept alive. But the pace be
gan 20 tell on the men from the other
side. As one OF them said: It's too
much in such a short time: we can't prop
erly digest IL all" They made themselves
comfortable IN the broad leather arm
chairs and fauteuils that line the corri-
dors and reception-room and offices Of
/ the Smithsonian and sought much-needeG
rest.
But there seemed no rest for the weary.
/ Again their attention was attracted 10
/ the specimens OF engravings, etchings,
| bronzes, w0od-earviugs, worries, Indian
| basket-work, and Japanese armor that
decorated the walls and were placed al
/ advantageous points.
Received ny Dir. Rathbun.
/ Or. Richard Rathburn. oFthe Institution,
| informally received the visitors, being as
sisted by Mesdames Adler, Adams, and
stejneger, and the Messrs, DR.. J. p. Mer-
/ rill, DR., I. stejneger, DR.. Paul Bartsoh,
Prof ", II. Holmes, DR.. Cyrus Adler,
! DR.. Walter Hough, Dr. E. ". Upham,
/ W. de C. Ravenel. DR.. T. ". Vaughan,
/ Or. Ales HrdHcka, Or. TIL. y. Gil,
DIT. r. S. Bassler, Dr. Frank Baker. Dr.
/ II. r. Maxim, DIT. VI. W. Lyon, Mr.,
/ Clark, and the members appointed by
| Or. l. o. Howard, chairman Of the COM
mittee Of arrangements. Refreshments
were served.
! But a pilgrimage 20 Americas most hal
lowed spot the place where the Father
| Of his Country lived and lies in his last
! sleep, always proves the greatest attrac-
/ ton, not only 10 the visitor from the
States but also 10 the visitor from for
| elgn shores. And the same proved to be
/ the case with the delegates. From the
very moment they boarded the steamer
/ that was 20 take them down the Potomac,
| their conversation turned on Washington
and his great deeds And most every one
| OF them proved himself thoroughly IA
miliar with the life Of the first President.
Many Objects of Interest.
! But their interest was not confined to
ono particular object There was Potomac
Park. with its luxuriant growth Of tall
weed and willow tree vegetation, its low
location, it's swampy appearance. And
one OF the men remarked: a typical
| breeding place for mosquitoes" and at
once began a learned discussion on the
mosquito and the effect Of its sting. Far
| ther down the river the United States
monitor Puritan was pointed out to them.
| Again one Of the informed foreigners
volunteered the information that the
Puritan had taken part in the Spanish
war In Cuban waters, whereupon all eyes
were at once leveled at the floating fight
/ er. When they were told that Alexandria
was one OF the oldest cities in the United
/ States, the view was given that 1T look
ed old and desOlate indeed" Fort Wash
ington was passed. 1t attracted but little
attention.
One observing German said, THAT fort
would not stand five minutes before OI.a
| Krupp," whereupon another thought that
the fort was probably used for laying
mines in the river for the protection Of
the city. One Of the members OF the ar
rangements committee distributed postal
| cards containing a view OF Mount Vernon
! The visitors welcomed them with appre-
citation and at once addressed them 20
/ their folks on the other side.
Eager to See Mount Vernon.
Mount Vernon was looming up IN the
distance, and a rush was made for the
other side Of the boat to get glimpse
OF the place Little was spoken, a spirit
of reverence prevailing throughout
The weather, which looked threatening
up to this time, had cleared, and the sun
was breaking through the clouds light
ing up the beautiful scene. The party
quickly disembarked, and slowly made
their way up the road leading TO the
vault where the first President and his
wife rest With hat in hand, silent.
/ revenent, and expectant, the men and the
women gazed through the iron gratings
at the marble sarcophagi containing the
remains of the Illustrious Washington,
They parted with reluctance from this
| spot TO continue their tour. The coach