The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-03-20

National Museum, and under his direc-
ton the colossal task OF moving the ex-
hibits from the old to the new building
has been accomplished. For the past few
weeks he has been here. there, and every
where. and despite the demands upon
him has been always resourceful and
seemingly tireless. The. completion of
the new building satisfies for the moment
Mr.. Rathbun's ambition for the Museum
and he has directed the installation OF
the exhibits with keen satisfaction, with
real pleasure, in fact. which accounts for
the ease with which he has mastered the
task.
J Mr.. Rathbun's connection with the
Museum dates back to 1878 when he was
a scientific assistant in the Fish Com
mission from which post he was grad
uallv promoted until he was made assist
ant secretary of the Smithsonian Insti-
tuition and director Of the Museum in 1899
He has been in the Museum so long that
he seems almost part of it, is part Of
It, in truth, valuable part. He knows
| every nook and Granny. every exhibit
within its walls, and. although his first
scientific work was in zoology, he is as
familiar with one department as with
/ another.
There is nothing of the Grabbed scien-
list about the director of the National
Museum. His good nature is unfaiiing
! and he is never vexed or put out by
meaningless questions and many, ofttimes
stupid. demands made upon him by in
considerate laymen. Mr.. Rathbun has
one indiOcyncrasy and only one. so far as
| his friends know, he will not sit for his
| photograph and no pleading or threat
viii move nira from his position In this
regard. When It was suggested to him
the other day that if he would not con-
sent to be photographed a composite pic
ture of the most desperate and noted
rogues in the country would be made and
printed as his. he urbanely and smilingly
responded he thought that would do very
well.
Difficult to Describe.
He does not object to pen pictures be-
ing made of him. for the reason probably
that it would avail nothing to object. but
it is not an altogether easy matter to
make a pen picture of the assistant sec
reary Of the Smithsonian Institution that
would really express the man. For no
matter with what cunning an ambitious
scribe might describe his figure, features,
expression. and characteristics he would
be likely TO fail in giving those delicate
and subtle touches thatwould give proper
idea OF the delicate sense of humor and
spirit of fun that lie hidden beneath his
scientific cloak. Dissect seemingly Sc
rious statement Mr.. Rathbun may make
and one is apt to find a joke at the heart
Of it. This sense of humor is, perhaps,
the reason why the oneroUs duties OF Mr.
| Rathbun's position have seemed so light
for him TO carry. that and his capacity
| for work, hard work, which is almost a
passion with him
The chief thing Of interest to the Mu-
scum staff just at present-the chief thing
next. OF course. to the new building-is
the National Gallery OF Art, it's own
child. by the way. which 1t has nurtured
so carefully in the last few years that 1t
has grown by leaps and bounds. It's
rapid growth brings to mind a plant kept
under glass until a certain period in it's
existence and then transplanted to the
open air, when it develops rapidly, al
most abnormally. The nucleus of the
National Art Gallery has been accumu-
Hating in the Museum since the collection
of the National Institute. which con-
tanned many valuable works of art. was
deposited with it in 1862.
Since then it has received additions
from many sources. A most important
bequest was that made by Harriet Lane
Johnston. the niece Of President Buch-
anan and one time mistress of the White
House, its mistress, in fact, when the
| Prince of Wales, now King Edward,
visited this country. A lifelong friend
ship was formed at this time between the
beautiful young American girl and the
heir to the British throne which endured
until Mrs. Johnston's death, and some of
the treasures she bequeathed TO the Mu-
scum were gifts from various members
of the royal family of England. with
whom. as well as with King Edward,
she was ever a favorite
Many Gifts Housed There.
The Charles L. Freer collection. which
Is known to all art lovers. win remain in
Mr.. Freer's custody until his death, but
the collection of William T. Evans which
consists of more than a hundred pictures
OF American artists of established reputa-
ton, is already in possession OF the Mu-
scum. There are other gifts from individ-
uals. The loan collection of Mrs. Tucker
man and the Moran historical collection,
which is loaned by Theodore Sutro, of New
York, altogether a remarkable exhibit
for the beginning OF national gallery,
which viii develop along the best line.
since all acquisitions are first passed
upon by a committee made up Of such
distinguished authorities as F. d. Millet,
president; Frederick Crowninshield rep
resenting the Fine Arts Federation. of
which he is president; Edward Blashfield,
representing the National Academy of
Design; Herbert Adams. representing the
National Sculpture Society. of which he
is president, and William H. Holmes. of
the Smithsonian Institution secretary of
the committee
The present collection is now hung in
the lecture hall of the Museum, which
has been divided up into several small
galleries by screens and especially ar
ranged for its display. But this is only
a temporary arrangement, for the Mu-
scum viii soon require the use of its lee
ture hall, and IL the collection grows In
the next five years as it has in the last
five 1t win need an entire building for its