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

National Mu,
the mind in the form Of new discoveries.
derived from new Investigations and an
extended change of new ideas with all
parts Of the world
Governed by Smithsonian.
The National Museum is governed by
the Smithsonian Institution. but sup
ported by appropriations made by Con-
gress and dispensed by the Smithsonian
authorities. The Smithsonian. as is we'll
known, is maintained by funds be
dueathed 20 the United States by John
Smthson. the natural son OF the Duke
Of Northumberland and Elizabeth. as
/ her son describes her, the heiress of the
Hungerfords of Studley and niece of
Charles. the proud Duke of Somerset"
The injustice he felt at the circum-
stances Of his birth is said to have In
spired him to viii his estate TO the
United States, to be used for the in
crease and diffusion of knowledge among
men," and this idea is borne out by
Smithsons own testimony.
1.-The best blood of England" he writes.
FLOWS in my veins. On my fathers side
am a Northumberland; on my mothers
side I am related TO kings. but this
avails me not Ny name shall live in
the memory of man when the titles Of
the Percys and Northumberland are ex-
tinct and forgotten"
No vain boast, as is already shown,
for the discoveries and other work Of
the Smithsonian Institution viii endure
as long as the world lasts.
There was abundant room in the
Smithsonian for the display Of the first
collections deposited with 1t, but these
were constantly augmented by gifts, pur-
chases. and the results OF the parties
that the museum maintained in the field.
The space allotted TO the use OF the
National Museum was accordingly tested
to its utmost limit. when a fire broke
out in 1865 on the second floor of the
building, entirely destroying some and
running other valuable exhibits. This
catastrophe and the fact that the mu-
scum was acquiring more exhibits than
modate, finally resulted in the regents
of the Smithsonian asking for and re-
| ceiving from Congress an appropriation
for new and freproof building.
New Building Erected.
A building was Immediately erected
which met both of these requirements. II
was both new and hreproof, but a monu-
ment Of hideousness. Architecture has
been described as frozen music; the new
museum was frozen hysteria, an ir-
rational combination of every style, from
| Queen Anne TO Japanese that was dis
/ played at the centennial which had taken
place two years before it was built. The
ugliness Of the structure has been ex-
cused by the necessity OF using cheap
materials and Of covering as much ground
space as possible. II is said. indeed TO
be the cheapest building Of its size ever
| erected, and 1t looks it, for. save that
| it is regarded as fireproof and covers two
and one-third acres Of ground II has not
a single redeeming feature.
, The museum collections, however. had
even finished, and quantities Of the ex-
hibits have been in storage for the past
thirty years. so the project Of erecting
another building was already on the car
pet before the varnish was dry on the one
| just finished. It requires both time and
eloquence to persuade a unitarian Con-
/ gress to consider esthetic and scientific
matters. It was not until 1904, therefore,
that provision was made for the erection
Of the building which was formally
| opened on Thursday Forewarned by
their experience with the old building, the
| authorities looked to ii that the new mu-
scum should be a monument of taste and
fitness, an exponent of the best skill and
education Of the day.
Contrast Is Noticeable.
It stands on the Mall. facing the Smith
sonian Institute, and it as utterly different
from that quaint old structure as can
we'll be imagined. But as they stand. the
new building opposite the old, they are
excellent examples of American culture
in the middle OF the nineteenth century
and at the beginning OF the twentieth,
The new museum covers more ground
than any other building in Washington
with the exception of the Capitol and Will
| furnish abundant floor space for the al
ready large and constantly increasing col
lections for years to come. Hornblower &
Marshall were the architects. Their plans
| for il were approved in the same year
Congress authorized its erection. and the
ground was broken as soon as possible
after this formality was complied with
The Museum is a simple. dignihed struc-
ture built of light gray granite on lines
that suggest the French Interpretation
OF the classic. Its chief feature is the
square pavilion In the center of the south
side. which is crowned by pediments. one
on each face, standing some distance
above the main roof. This pavilion in
closes a rotunda with four massive, orna-
mental piers, to be surmounted by a
curved ceiling; its exterior is capped by
simple granite dome. The main en-
trance in this pavilion is handsome and
imposing. Heavy corinthian columns up
hold the sheltering portico, and the plat
forms and steps conform to the simple
plan. The three main wings, which are
joined TO the pavilion in the shape of the
letter T. are perfectly arranged for the
display Of the exhibits and admirably
lighted, the window openings except in
tho upper story, being wider than the
Intervening piers. Taken altogether, the
new Museum is beautiful and appropriate
an adornment to the city.
Capable Man in Charge.
Richard Rathbun, whose official posi-
ton is assistant secretary of the Smith