Evening star., 1945-11-04
Fifty Years Ago
The Star of October %, 1895, re-
ported "a disastrous fire" at the Uni

ported "a disastrous fire" at the Uni
versity OF Virginia
VH9inio University at Charlottesville
ConfIoorotion in the foothills of
the Blue Ridge
Mountains. A blaze of unknown origin,
it was explained, had destroyed "the
main building" the previous day. The
rotunda, Containing the library and
the lecture rooms of the school of
mathematics, ancient languages, moral
philosophy, English, constitutional, in
ternational and mercantile law and the
faculty room" was burned out, while
the chapel, reading room and a portion
OF the covered gallery were wrecked by
dynamite In an effort to stop the flames.
Thomas Jefferson personally was the
designer Of the whole university estab-
lishment. 1t was indicated that the
principal part demolished had been COM
pleted in 1925 and dedicated In the
presence of La Fayette. Many Of the
books and paintings endangered by the
fire were saved. The Star account said,
largely because of the assistance of
ladies who volunteered for the hazard
Gus work.
In reply to criticism of ALLEGED de-
fects" in the Maine. the latest United
States battleship,
"FouIts" Secretary of the
Bottleship Maine Navy Hilary ABB
ner Herbert told
The Star on October 20, 1895, that:
The vessel was designed to be on an
even keel at her normal draft of 81 feet
6 inches with 400 tons of coal on board"
and that: "She now has been fully
loaded with over 800 tons of coal and
her draft forward is 2 feet S inches
greater than aft" 1t was believed that
the dimculty could be corrected by shift
ing weights or by permanent ballast.
Meanwhile, "The Atlanta and (the)
Boston have both proved to be very
serviceable ships. but in each of these
there is list nearly double that of the
Maine" Mr. Herbert, Of course, did not
know in 1895 what was destined to
happen to the Maine in 1898.
***.
rumor to the effect that George
Vanderbilt was contemplating a Gift of
100000 for the
EpiseopoI University endowment of a
Proposed university under
local Episcopal
auspices was chronicled in The Star
for October 80, 1895. Such individuals
as might be expected to be informed on
the subject were interviewed, but none
appeared to be in position to confirm
the story. However" it was remarked,
there are many branches of the new
cathedral that will take form
eventually, and university is one of
them. Prominent Episcopalians
are greatly interested in securing a
substantial fund for the establishment
OF great institution of learning" Mr..
Vanderbilt. Shy and studious," admit
tedly had both the means and the cul-
tural instinct required of a university
founder, yet nothing tangible developed
from the gossip about his supposed phil
anthropic intentions so years ago. His
endowments instead were centered in
New York and North Carolina.
Julian s. Huxley, the,writer on science,
and Aldous Huxley. the writer on nearly
everything, are brothers.
The Huxley Their father was Leonard
Romance Huxley, an eminent es-
sayist and critic, and all
three OF these celebrated literary lights
are descended from Thomas Henry Hux.
ley, the scientist who most ably defended
the principal theories Of Charles Darwin.
But they also are the heirs of the
character and personality OF the re-
markable woman who was Thomas
Henry Huxley's wife. Her name was
Henrietta Anne Heathorn. The Star for
November ., 1905. told how she first met
her distinguished husband. He was on
board the Eattlesnake when it arrived
In Sydney Harbor In 1888 and was one
Of the officers invited to ball given by
citizens In honor Of the visitors. Henri
eta Anne won his heart at first glance.
For fortnight the romance ripened.
Then the Rattiesnake sailed for the
Torres Strait. Seven years elapsed be-
fore the betrothed couple was married.
But The Star article finds that their
L.