Evening Star Newspaper, June 2, 1883, Page 2

Fe ‘college of America by the timely gift of £779, f ND DISTRICT. THE COLUMBIAN “UNIVERSITY. Its Annaly and Prospects. In the year 1638 an obscure grammar school situated at Cambridge, in the state of Massa- chusetts, was converted into the tirst permanent made by John Harvard, and in testimony of grafitude for that “saving mercy” the institu- tion took the name of Harvard College. In the Jear 1700 ten Conzregational clergymen met at thetown of Branford, jn the state of Connecti- cut, to deliberate on the expediency of founding a college in that part of New England. Each of them came bringin in his hands a few books, which he laid on the table with the words: “I Ive these books for foundiag a collese in Con- ectient.” That contribution of torty volumes was the beginning of Yale Col nucleus of thoseever-growing bene have made it to-day one of the mest prosperous and useful of our educational centers. The primary metive, if not the procuring cause, of these institutions, in their inception, Was to found establishments for the increase and education of the christian ministry. A similar motive lay at the basis of Prineeton Col- lege. And 80, wien in the year 1818 or 1819. | the Baptists of the Unite:t States relt that they | were called to vie with the Congregational an Presbyterian churches in making provision for an educated ministry, their thoughts turned to the founding of a cullege which shouid have the support of their brethren throughout the whole United States. How the natioual seope of tie institution was emphasized vy the choice of its site will sufficiently appear from the following paper. which, as prepared and circulated in the Year 1819, became the germ of the old Colum- blan College. “Lot of land adjoining the city of Washington, for a college anil thevlogte..] Institution :—It 1s un- Gerstond thata lots: Di: the aben \cnloned yurpose, every Way eliible, may be obtained for We, the subseribers, theretore deeply im- ressel with the linportaner of p ocuring such & lot, for such object, do soleianly pledge ourselves to ‘make purchase of sald lot tor satd object, pro- Vided adequate fuais for the sere shali be con- fided tw us; it Deing distinctly understood and engaged that sald lot shalt be for the use of a.col- lege and of a theological Institution, under the Girection of the “General Missionary convention Of the Baptist denomination of the U. S.” (Stgned) O. B. Brown, Levan Rice, Esocu ReyNorps, S. I. Coxe In the following year the Rey. Luther Rice, one of the signers of this paper, and a returned missionary from India, who pad made himself the efficient leader of the movement, was able to report that the sum of nearly 10,000 bad | Deen subscribed for the purpose indicated; and | 0 sure was he of the support which the move- wient would receive at the hands of the “ mis- sionary convention” that he began to lay at once the foundations of a collece buildinz, feet by 47 feet. on the northern heights of | Washington, subsequently known as College Hill. The lot of ground. comprising nearly 47 | acres, and extending nearly half a mile north- Ward from Boundary street, between Lith and 15th streets, if thy eets were projected, had been already purchased fur about 27,000. ‘The missionary convention of the Baptist de~ Nomination, assembled at Philade!phia in May 1820, accepted the premises tendered to then “for the site of an institution for the education of gospel ministers, and for a college.” It will be seen that the theological institution wus to be separate and distinctrem the college, and 80 express Was the convention on this point that Mt directed the missionary board, in the prose- cution of this scheme, * not to incur expenses beyond the ameunt of tunds which may be ob- tained tor the establishment of cider of the in- stitutions.” TERMS OF THE CHARTER. In the year 1821 an act of incorporation wag procured from Congress erecting and establish- ing in the District of Columbia “a college fer | the sole and exclusive purpose of educating youth in the Enzifsh, learned and foreign lan- guages, the liberal arts, sciences and literature; the style and title of which shall be, and hereby is deciared to be, “The Coluzau'an College in the District of Columbia.’ The corporation Powered to grant * arts and scienc conferred in colle wer in a body c: he members of a gress was careful t ited by this act was em- such dezrees in the liberal as are usually granted and 3” but. while vesting this sed almost exclusively of denomination, the Con- rd against the Intrusion of religious and sectarian tests in its msnage- ment by adding the following section to the or- ganic xct: “Gee. 7. And de it religious further macte?, Trat persons nation shall be capaple nor shall any person, tor OF pupli. be re- oeze, or denied any 2 es OF advantages toere— or bis sentiments ‘0 tatters L. Of the privile: of, for or on aci Of reiigion.” Accordingly frozmi its fenndation down to the Present day men of diiferent relizious denomi- nations have participated in itSsupport as men of different ius have parti- Cipated ia Its government and it nstructions A former president of the college, Dr. Samson, Writing in the year 1368 heid the following lan- At the opening of the college, thouh most of Its funds were obtalned by Me. Rice, the ageat, trom members of a sinsie religions denom!iation, per- Sonal donations at expressions of interest’ were at home and abroad; from Moses Stuart, Richard Rusp, and others ite standing in the States, Joseph Butterworth 21 In @ -ligtous and terary i kindred spirits, Wm. Wilberiorce and 4 3 in Rippon, laguis et persons, x= . Sie President M the establisumeac ing terw wt u sbiishment fal diotrict, tn 5 AT all the depart- . Will secure to th? rd In St man Which ‘he opportu: ter had been proeured its trustees were cailed to confront adebt of £39,000. aecuinulated by expenses incurred beyond the funds coilected for its support. [a the midst of these reverses, says the biographer of Luther Rice, “ some un- happy differences arose between the faculty and the beard of trustees, whieh increased tne peril of the institution.” Mr. Rice, the financial agent. soon became Invelved in this coutro- versy, wad the dissension spread uat.! it resuited In the nation of a part of the fseulty, of a part of the beard of trustees. and in the ap- poimtient of anew general azent and treas- urer, In the person of the Re oo Cate Frem this time onward for » tory of the college stragzles Never {uiled to fiud tineiy succor Jcha Quincy Adas, President States. made it alean of $18,000. quentiy gave te it 27,000, a8 sn expression o lence in its future. | * was the Rey . Waen he resix J 1837, beeause ef the pecuniar: utanziements of the college, he was, ia the follow suc who | ; the col- | lege. aiter a suspeasion of its exercises for | some inonths, and so successful were his labors that his name deserves commemoration in con- | nection with its histery—the more so 2s, in zeal | for its interests, he forgave a larze part of tre | debt which was dn to him trom the college treasnry on account of his salary. In the year 1822 Congress made & grant to the enllege of Washington eity lots, estimated at the time to be werth $25,000, but they have mestly proved unproduetive, and on some of them the corporatiua has been paying taxes pepe the — whea the reciumation ol “ Potemae tt. wal, it is them into the market. scat aes by the reader 6 ee between the Baptists of ‘the Rorth and of the soutn on the slavery ques- = and the consequent dissolution of the of their own, end It is te thie thet that. the biog-apher of Luther Rice treecs what ie ealis “the withering infoeuce of nezleet” under which the collece was left to strozule, 60 far as the organized supper’ of t!: Deptist denomina- téon 1s concerned. But indiyidaal Baptists thronghout the country, and especially in the District of Columbia and in Baltimore. have con- ‘inued to take the liveliest Interest in its wel- fare, and men of all Protestant denominations, discovering that its manayvement was unsecta- rian, have generously contributed toIts support and extension. MR. CORCORAN’S BENEFACTIONS. It does not need to be said in this community that Mr. Corcoran, a member of the Episcopal church, has been the most munificent of ail its benefactors. He gave to it the building-in which the medical department of the University holds its lectures and exercises. He laid the founda- tion of “the Corcoran endowment” by giving to it the Trinidad estate, and made, besides, to that endowment a large giftin money. He re- cently contributed £30,000 towards the purchase of the etizible site on whicn the new University building is to be reared. We ought to add that his honored father was one of the constituent trustees of the college. GERMS OF THE UNIVERSITY. The Columbian College was a university in fact before it became a university in name. The medical department was al- most contemporaneous with the early foundation of the institution. Occupying at first a building erected by the medical faculty at their own expense. and afterwards permitted to occupy rooms in the old United States In- firmary, which was consumed by fire during the late civil war while being used as a military hospital. this department has always comprised in its faculty some of the most eminent members of the medical protession ot Washington. A law department was organized in the year 1826, William T. Carroll, late clerk of the United States Supreme Court, and the eminent judge, Wm. Cranch, being its first professors. Diseon- tinued soon after its a because of Pecuniary reverses, the law school was lished in 1865, and now stands among the fore- most schools of the kind in the country, while It counts its alumni (more than a thousand in number) in every st: and territory of the Union. ‘Its present professors, Judge Cox, As- sistant Attorney General Maury and Judge Wm. Strong, offer in their names a sufficient guaran- tee tor the soundness and thoroughness of the instructions ot the school. The successive presidents of the college after Drs. Staughton and Chapin. are Dr. Joel S. Bacon, elected In 1843, resigned in 1854; Dr. Jos. G. Binney, elected 1 resigned 1858; Dr. Geo. W. Samson, elected 1859, resigned 1871; Dr. Jas: C. Welling, elected 187 and still holding the office. At the time of the election of Dr. Well- ing he was one of a few who had been called from the ranks of the laity to the post of a col- lege president. Their number has since Increased in view of the fact that so large a part ot the du- ties of a college president are secular and ad- ministrative. CORPORATION REORGANIZED IN 1871. By an act of che “Territorial Legislature” of the District, approved in the ye@r 1871, the. cor- poration of the institution was reconstituted, in so far as relates to the mode of its appotntment, with the view of giving greater steadiness and continuity to its proceedings. Previously, the board of trustees had been elected “‘triennially by the contributors to the college,” and this mode of election, especially after so many of the original contributors had died, remitted the constitution of the board every three years toa state of uncertainty. Benefactors of the insti- tution could not tell in these cireaamatances who might be called te administer their bequests or donations; but by the act of 1871 this great de- fect was cured. By that act the governing power of the institution is vested In a self-per- petuating body of trustees. all of whom must reside in the District of Columbia. and in a body of overseers, who may be selected from any part of the country. The two bodies jointly compose the corporation, and, as now constituted, Mr. Corcoran stands at its head. This change In the organization of the (og erning body was made at the beginning of Dr. Welling’s presidency. Immediately on his suc- cession to the office of president he devoted himself to four leading objects: 1. A change in the title of the collexe, to guard against its per- petual confusion with “Columbia College” in New York, as also in order to make its name correspond with the nature of its work as a university inthe ordinary American sense of that term. 2. An increase in Its endowment, to provide for the enlargement of its courses ot instruction. $8. An increase in the salaries of | the existing corps of professors. 4. The erec- tion of a scientific school, as.an integral part of the university. In a communication made to the board of trustees, under date of December 18. 1872 (a paper from which we are able to quote because it was printed by the board that its members might the better consider his ie lections and suggestions”). he wrote as fol- low: “For the present, it is a source of regret tha¢ no steps have been taken in pursuance of the recent resolution of the corporation to raise a fund of $250,000 for the permanent endowment of thecollege. * * * Meanwhile the college languishes for the want of an adequate number of professors, as also for the want of the educational equipment in- dispensable to an institution of the highest class at the present day. The salary of a pro- fessor at Harvard, Yale, and Princeton is to-day $3,000 and a residence free of rent. We pay to our professors less than this sum. * * * Asa rival of “small colleges” in the adjoining states, the Colambixn College has semaller territory than they from which to recruit its pupils. But as a rival of great seats of earning, drawing patronage, from near and from afar, like those at Cambridge, New Haven, Princeton, and Charlottesville, there is a magnificent field open to it for successful competition and fur perennial usefulness. Until our college shail be placed on tis broad and elevated basis, it must miss ‘the prize of its high calling.” And to reach this broad and elevated basis we must have an endowment somewhat approaching that of the sreat colleges and universities, among which we should aim to take rank if we wish to pre- serve our ‘right to be!” THE “NEW DEPARTURE” FORESHADOWED. By an act of Congress approved March 3, the “Territorial act” before mentioned was confirmed, and the original name of the in- stitution changed to that of ‘The Columbian University.” Already, at that date, Mr. Corcoran had given notice of his generous purpose to present his Trinidad estate to the corporation. To secure th ift $100,000 was subscribed in Washington, Baltimore and in other parts of the country. The larger part of this sam has been paid into the treasury, and bas been safely invested under Mr. Corcoran’s direction. Already, too, a.m ment had been initiated for the establishment of a scientific school asa part of the university. ‘The plan of this school was sketched in outline by esident Welling, was endorsed by Prof. enry, and approved by the authorities of the institution; but soon afterwards the financial paralysis which lately fell upon the whole land caine to put obstacles in the way of its realiza- tion. For long and weary years the trustees and overseers could but “stand and walt” till this cloud should be lifted. How severe the trial was to their faith and patience can be known only by themselves. It was seen from the start that this selentific school nrust be located in the heart of the etty, ia close proximity to the government establish. ments by which it ts to profit. For here are the Smithsonian Institution and its cabinets in nat- ural history; the National Library ot Congress, first among the libraries of the land in the num- her of its scientifie works, as aiso im the aggre- zate number of its volumes; the National Obser- ‘ory, supplied with the best telescope in the ‘orld; the Botanical Gardens, with living speci- mens of native and exotie plants; the Agriculta- ral department, with its herbaria and entomolo- wa; the Patent aceuruuated fruitrof American inventive feutus forthe practical Ulustration of tech- logy: the Cosst Survey, with its corps of entitie workers; the Medleal Museum, with its iNustrations in pathology and surgery, supe- rior, both In number and variety, to those of any similar Institution in the world; the Me- teorvlogical Bureau, connected with the War Department; and lastly, as the flower of highest culture, the Corcoran Gallery of the Fine Arts. It is the apparatus furnished by these establigh- ments, cither singly or collectively, that the trustees and overseers propose to utilize by es tablishing; at the earliest day, of Science and Art in conneetion with the unt- e- | Rew ep tafe should have exercise and enjo; well that as yet they are laying only the founda- tions of the university deat is tobe. But they are faying these foundations broad and deep, in the hope that the educational superstructure will not be unworthy of the rational capital, and that the enlightened friends of liberal learn- ing and of scientific culture will help them to equip and to extend the university scheme of studies according to the ascertained wants of the community. From this time forth the uni- versity hopes to act In “the living present,” keeping abreast with all that is quickening and comprehenstve tn the tendencies of modern thought and inquiry, without divorcing its schools of professional science from the tratu- ing of the academy or the culture of the col- lege. The scheme of studies sketched In embryo by Dr. Welling in 1873 has now been outlined wit! greater fulness, and will be submifted to the corporation for consideration at the next annual meeting on the 18th of June. ‘The propriety ot admitting women to certain courses of study and lectures in the college and in the scientific school is also under discussion. A school of political science, with a course of studies running through two years, to be mainly conducted by lectures, has been projected as a fitting comptement to university work at this national center of politics and of civil adminis- tration. It 18 supposed that more than a year will be required for the completion of the new univer- sity building. Its architectural arrangements, in so much of ft as shall be devoted to the scientific school, have been carefully planned so as to embody the latest results of akill and ex- perience. Ample recitation rooms have been provided for the college. A public hall capable of accommodating five hundred hearers, de- signed for the use of the Inw school, and asa place for the delivery of lectures on topics of Popular scientific and acadenic interest, forms a leading feature in the new edifice. It is ex- pected that the building will be ready for use at the opening of the scholastic year In the autumn of 1884. It should be added that the medical schoo! will continue to occupy tts present quar- ters on H street, in close proximity to the new university site. In order to equip the sctentific school with the requisite apparatus and implements of edu- cation, the authorities of the university will have to make an appeal to the liberality of the en- lightened citizens of Washington, and in view ot what the beard of trustees are doing for the improvement of the educational opportunities of our city we are sure that their appeal will not be unheeded. The trustees of the upi- Yersity are: W. W. Corcoran, president; Rev. S. P. Hill, D.D., W.F. Mattingly, J. Ormond Wil- son (superintendent of public schools), R. 0. Fox, Henry Beard, Rey. James H. Cuthbert, D.D., John T. Given, Hon. John Eaton (commissioner of education), Hon. John W. Powell (director ot U. 8. geological survey), and Edward M. Gallau- det. LL.D., (president of the Deaf Mute college.) The president of the university is ez-officio a member of the board of trustees, while the President of the United States, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States and the Attorney General of the United States are ex-officio members of the board of overseers. ————_+7.—____— A Golden Anniversary, So rarely in life 1s the half-century milestone passed by both those who in the early morning of youth begin the journey together, that such an event neervens calle recognition. The golden wedding ot Mr. and Mrs. Benj. Summy, celebrated at the historio old Hillman House, on Monday, May 2ist, at the residence of their eld- est daughter, Mrs. N.J. Hillman, calis forth more than @ casual notice. On this evening three hundred guests assembled in the spacious old-time parlors and halls of this dwelling to pay affectionate and due tribute to those two, full of ears and honor. The commemoration of the long-gone wedding day was a surprise to Mr. and Mrs. Summy, and they were nevertheless glad to receive such a united bond of congratu- lations and wishes for a flowery path along “still waters” to the eternal ‘‘pastures.” Seldom have brightest days in early life been so beautiful as was this in bringing to these faithful ones of God crowns of peace and blessing. The con- gregation of the Vermont avenue Christian church were present as @ unit to do loyalty to this olden wedding of those who have been iden- tified with the existence of the church here in their support, the vicissitudes of the past tend- ing but to strengthen the highest sentiments be- tween all to whom the examples of these zeal- ous lives have been an edification. There were present three sons, two daughters and three grandchildren. From their children Mr. and Mrs. Summy received three fifties, and H. C. Stier, on behalt of the church, presented fifty gold pteces with remarks fitting and ten- der. The grandchildren gave to each grand- | parent new sight In gold frames, ljttie Carrie Summy, with her radiant, knowing face, ex- pressing her Joy in some sweet, childish words. ‘There were letters and presents from ten states, among them one from Mrs. Garfleld, Mrs. Black and their beloved pastor, ¥. D. Power, whose absence was the only regret of the eve- ning. : After the response by Mr. Summy to the gift of the church, during which his countenance and that of her who stood beside took on the light of other days, in addition to that from heaven, which is shining on them as they go, Mrs. Power sang in sweetest melody, “Weave me no gaudy chaplet.” The last hours of the happy guests were spent In the dining-room, faultlessly decorated, where lights shone over graceful folds of folds, silver, giess, froit and flowers ev here; voices were re-echoed. and time passed a too rapidly. The “Golden Wedding,” by Carleton, was read in @ pleasing and pathetic manner by Mr. Ed. Hay. The night was tar spent, when renewed blessings were asked, and the company departed in true appreciation of a golden wedding. ee Give the Boys a Show. To the Fditor of Tae Evewrne Star: A writer, signing himself an ‘Advocate of Health,” in reply to ‘Sutferer,” who complained of the noise and confusion incident to bali play- ing near dwellings, inarecént issue of Tue Star, comes to the front in defense of the boys. I quote from his letter referring to what the police have done. He remark: “‘But the police have even gone so far as to atop b from playing bese ballon a very neizhborhood. and oppressive. Jarge vacant lot in my ‘This, it seems to me, is very unjust ‘The game on this Lot, as on ali or ts in this city, is entirely harmless and pernutted, as it not only affords crest «boys, but promotes their bealth and 1 strong und sctivo, as all Aierican boys et me put in a word for justice and fair round.” Aud by the way, [live by tie | vacant lot in my neighborhood” and | so ought to know “how it is myself.” acree | with ‘Advocate of Health” that boys ouht to have achance to play ball, or indulge in any | other innocent excercise; but I don’t agree th it shall be done in my house, or yard,or garden, or in an adjoining vacant lot where my ears are continually tilled day after day and month after month with all the noise and disturbance which is incidental thereto. Let ‘Advocate of Health” live for weeks and months adjoining such a lot and I will guarantee that he will change his tune mighty quick. For instance, as he and his family are sitting in the dining or sitting room in the edge of an evening, “iwnp comes with a knocking sound against the wall, or it chance a crash among the lumber “ying around loose” is heard. ‘What's that?” sone. ‘Isit down cellar, up staira, or any- where in the house?” *Dunno,” says one of the little ones. “Out-doors, inthe vacant lot,” says the madam, who has heard more of this annoy- ance than any one else, and who has grown tired of telling me I “must go for the police” and have this continual disturbance stopped. But this-is not all of the incidental botheration attending this ball playing. We go into the yard and take a seat on the rustle bench. Whiz! comes a stone or aehunk of dirt near one of our heads—if we are so lucky as not to be hit— then another goes up and rattles on the roof of the house. Then eomes a ball over the ra haba three or four or etal caren ¥8 clim! ¢ fence, break the berry bushes, and bunt for the ball. Now, Mr. Editor, this is the way tt works. The boys want to play. The citizens want reasonable quiet and freedoin from external annoyance, Whois inthe right,and what shall be done? I can only say, for one, I have had the patience to submit to the “ball playing” ‘tu this way Yor more than a year. I believe I have had my share. I shall submit to It no longer. More than this, it fa not it that I should. 1f any neighbor of mine who lives wants this kind of music, Iam viding little farther o} per versity. ae ae ay z these ee establish- Health” ments may i educational purposes, | farnt ‘does they constitute saat permanent eniorement ne Saker worth many mitliona dollars, but costing is ALL nothing In the use that 1s made of them. : of the university was for pre S was the of ble site at the southeast corner of Isth act a streets. As an earnest of the decision with = Eng- which the step waa taken the oj as of the Congress collexe brad! pres from a eee ea at the 2 a,” in beginning Present brought into the heart of the city. Meanwhile for the wich was: purchased: for €£000 bas bets cati which was | ‘2 80! to provide ways and means for the new univer- which may be perstocy sesh, on 2 trost, new cir being ory on near fa read) and the plans of the new unt- How UXCIONES ARE MANUFAC- TURED. Prof. Cleveland Abbe Explains the Pro- cess to a Star Reporter. THE TRAVEL4 OF “Low” AND WHAT “LOW” IN- DICRYES—wnat CAUSES GREAT sTORMS— RUSHING WHIRLPOOLS OF AIR—THE FREQUEN- CY QF THE OCéURRENCE OF CYCLONES I¥ DIE FERBNT STATES, a0. “People think that cyclones can be predicted or prevented by! the weather bureau, and that we are to blathe for them,” remarked Prof, Cleveland Abbe, the weather manufacturer, yes- terday to Star man. The reporter had climbed four flights of stairs in the bullding on 17th, near G street, for the purpose of nding out how and where cyclones were manufactured. The room which the weather dispenser oecupled was uncarpeted and the furniture was reduced to Yhe inside limits of bare necessity, Spread out on the desk before the professor were a number of weather maps, and the visitor, with some ap- prehension, reacned the conclusion that the professor had prepared for a big cyclone in this vicinity, and was then tracing Its course the map. His fears ofan immediate war of the elements was somewhat relleved by the pee Seying, by way of explanation, that © was completing the preparations for the Greeley search expedition. THE TRAVELS OF “Low.” Resuming the train of thought, which the question of the visitor had aroused, the Profes- sor arose, went to another desk and brought out a pile of maps, which are used in the dally work of the weather bureau. On these are de- Picted, by a series of concentric lines and para- bolic curves, the wanderings 6f that uneasy meteorolo; factor known among weather observers famillarly as “Low,” or the center of the lowest barometric pressure. “Low” is always at the head of the proceasion when a “cold wave”starts down from the northwest.and he is likewise around somewhere in the vicinity when 4 cyclone starts out on a rampage. “Now, 8 you can ” continued the profes- sor, ‘‘we have maps with the predictions of each day. When we see ‘low’ out in the west, as was the case on tage 18th and 19th of May, when it was centralin northern Wisconsin, we predict for those regions that severe k storms may be ex We make these predictions in our midnight reports during the spring and sammer months. We have done this since 1871.” “We find it to be an invariable rule,” sald the professor, running his eye over the pictured travels of Low, “that in the region south and east of low barometer we have numerous local thunder storms, which occasionally develop Into severe tornadoes or cyclones.” WHAT CYCLONES ARB. “What are cyclones, professor?” asked Tus STar man, with some curiosity. “Iuse the word,” was the reply, “for the whole class of storms which are characterized by winds blowing in toward and around the center or low. A big storm, that ts, a cyclone are winds blowing in and around the center, and Uttle storms and hurricanes are the same, only in a less degree. The movements of the win about low give rise to the appearance of a spiral motion.” In the accounts of the recent cyclones in the west it is stated that a rapidly moving dark cloud, with a whirling movement, swept over the country, leaving desolation in its track. The professor stated that these accounts agreed in the main featurés with what has long been ob- served of such phenomena. The inward rush of winds toward a depressed center was the cause of our thunder storms, which are only infant cyclones. * THE CONDITION OF AFFAIRS IN THE CYCLONE 3 , REGION. “What isthe cause of the difference in the Intensity of these storms?” asked the listener. “We have just one hypothesis,” replied the Proressor, ‘to explain it, which,’to my mina, is satisfactory for all occasions.” “And what is that?” was the question. “The whole country for 500 miles square, from the Missouri to the Ohio valley, is covered with a mass of warm, most alr, flowing north- ward. At numerous’ spots inthis region the air acquires an upward as well as an horizontal motion, thereby giving rise to local upward currents of air, which cools rapidly as they rise. This cooling is a mechanical result of the ex- pansion of the ascending air, and very soon a temperature ig reached low enough to begin the condensation into clouds of the hitherto invis- ible moisture. With the formation of the cloud the tendency to rise increases, so that in fact an upward suction is experienced under the cloud and more air is drawn in from all sides to feed this suction. But the air floating upward toward the cloud falls into a rapid rotation around some central axis, precisely as water flowing from the washbowl forms a little whirl- pool at the center. Just as the rotation of par- ticles of water at the center of the washbowl Is vastly more rapid than that of the particles at the edge, so the rotation of the air increases rapidly as it approaches the cloud toward which itis being drawn. The laws of mechanics ex- plain this rotation perfectly. A stmilar phenom- enon {is seen in the motion of comets, which are drawntoward thesun, andreyolveabouthim with immense Teplaity when they have approached quite near, but move very slowly when at a dis- tance. Itis very common to observe in tornadoes and waterspouts the rapid rotation going on at the under surface of the cloud, and if the cloud ts. rapidly fed with warm, moist alr, the in-draft will be steadily ac- celerated until from it there descends to the very surface of the earth a whirlpool of inrushing air, The supply of most air prin- cipally determines whether acloud shall increase in size until its central whirling spout shall Teach down to the earth or whether it shall re- act Sats ert of the way down and cause little or no damage.” WHAT MAKES CLOUDS AND TORNADOES. + Whatever causes a sudden up-rush of moist air,” continued the professor, “it contributes to the formation of the cloud or the tornado. Hills or low mountains are very effective in this re- spect. But it is equally important to consider the cool, dry alr that flows from the north. to- ward a low center and becomes a west wind as it turns around the low and runs into the mass of warm, moist aircoming from thesouth, and being | denser it underrunsand lifts up this warm air,and. is in many cases more effective than a mountain in starting the formation ofa cloud and loca! storms. A beautiful illustration of this occur- red on the 29th and 30th of May, 1879, when 13 tornadoes, to say nothing of many other smaller thunder storms, occurred in. portions of Kansas, Missouri, lowa and Nebraska. Of these each one pursaed oniy a short path inaividual- ly, and, chronologically considered, each one marked the successive advance of an extensive area of denser dry alr flowing eastward in the wake of an area of low pressure.” ‘WHERE CYCLONES CAN OCOUR. “Can eyclones occur anywhere,” asked the reporter with lively Interest, “‘or are they con- fined to certain regions?” “They can occur in any region of the globe,” was the reply, “ where there is a large enough mass of warm, moist air, rapidly rising and form- Pirie eee rs effect im: . ai; ag int a9 our recvrds at present were ook mate the relative frequency of their occurrences during the past twenty years us about as fol- jows. The professor held In his hand atable showing the froananer of the occurrence in the different ites of cyclones. “Of course,” he said, looking up, “it ts evi- dently not tair to compare the total number of these observed in a large state with those ob- served ina state.” “For ” he went on, “! has a grester number of tornadoes, buf in proportion to its area several other states have more.” “By this it iy be seen that for every 10,08 ey street and square miles of its area Georgia may ex- six tornadoes in the course of 10 years, “We — any tornadoes a a know,” sald , calmly. —— — BS the mountains. = ve aheavy thunder storm occasionally, nothing war severe.” it “Has there been a0 unusual number af tor- nadoes this season?” queried the listene?. “No, hoes Not.” was the reply. ‘They ye see strike this time, and ore- more talk.” ee Oratorical Imagery mud Frozce Facts. ‘From the Philadofptia Times, Thestar route'trial was yesterday, ‘Mr. Merrick begining the third day of his ad- dress. He devoted his address to the wonderful HOUSES AND BUILDING SITES. Handsome Dwellings Now Being Erected. FINE HOUSES IW COURSE OF CONSTRUCTION—WHY MORE HOUSES OF MODERATE S/ZE AND COST ARE NOT BUILT—THE COLUMBIA COLLEGE PROPERTY, a. The activity among builders and architects continues. The records of the year will un- doubtedly show a great excess over former years in the amount of money expended in erecting new buildings. A great many of the houses being erected are of a character that will add to tue beauty and elegance of the city. NEW HOUSES. Messrs. Gray & Page, the architects, have pre- pared plans for a handsome house on 20th street, near M, for Gen. Lippitt. This house isto have a frontage ot twenty-five feet, is three stories high, with front of press brick, and fitted up with all the modern improvements. The inte- nor ‘will be finished in hard woods. The cost- ie be $8,000. The bulkier is Walter J. Kener- ine. The same architects have also prepared plans for a residence for Mrs. Lippitt on thenorth side of Jefferson Place. It will be three stories high, with a front of twenty feet, and very hand- somely finished. The cost will be $6,000. are also remoileling the residence for- Golunislan Uallogy poparth tor tho tee er tae ambian College property, for the use owner, Mr. W. C. Hill. i! Mr. G. G. Hubbard is about to enlarge his brick dwelling at south intersection of 19th street and Conneeticut avenue. An addition three stories high ts to be bullt to the west front of the house. ‘The cost will be 35,000. Mr. C. A. Didden is the architect and Mr. W. C, Morrison 1s the builder. Major A. E. Bates has just commenced the erection of a fine new dwelling at the northeast corner of 18th and N streeta. The house {s to be three stories and basement high, 30by 60 feet ground plan, 43 feet high, with one bay window two stories hi, hexagon form, with one tower projection 50 feet high, 11 feet wide and 3.6 feet Projection. The root will be of double mansard pitch. The structure will be finished In = style. The cost will be $19,000. Mr. W. L. Poindexter is the architect and Mr. John Hen- derson the builder. Mr. C. W. Bennett will In a day or two com- mence the erection of two fine dwellings at the northwest corner of 11th and H streets, 21 by 40 on ground floor, 45 feet high, press-brick front, flat roof, molded brick cornice, one bay window 45 feet high, 7 feet wide and 3 feet Jection. The cost is $9,000; Mr. J. Germt architect. Mr. Frank J. Tibbetts ts about to erect for himself a three-story dwelling and store on 14th street, between Q and Corcoran streets north- west. This is to be 21 feet front, of pressed brick molded brick and galvanized Iron cornices, with afbay window, sidewalk vaulted, and all the modern improvements and costly woods for internal finish. The cost will be $6,000. Mr. F. E. Atkinson is the architect, and Mr. W. C. Mor- rison the builder. Mr. Walter Paris, architect, fs about to com- mence the erection for himself of a fine dwell- ing on New Hampshire avenue, on square 152. This ts to be 45 by 44 feet ground plan, 29 feet high, red brick front, double pitch mansard roof covered with slate, lvanized iron cope heated with furnace, Lieder re all round, an will cost $18,000. Mr. Paris is his own archi- tect, and Mr. J. P. Baldwin is the builder. Mr. J. W. Reed, the well-known contractor, has just finished a row of seyen two-story and basement houses for Samuel Bacon, onH street, between 22d and 23d streets northwest. They are built of red brick, laid in red mortar, Ohio sandstone and molded brick trimmings, with bay windows the entire height; each hoyse contains elght rooms and bath, and large vaults under the pavement. These houses are very handsomely finished on the inside with pine and heated with latrobe stoves and ranges; the plumbing work 1s of the most substantial kind and well ventilated. The cost ot this fine im- pfovement is $20,000. These are the plans of ir. J. Germuilier, architect. HOUSES FOR A MODERATE RENTAL. A Strap reporter asked a well-known architect and builder yesterday why more small houses were not being built to meet the demand. He replied: “They cost too much. That is the only reason that Iknow. Of course they can be rented ata profit, but it is not much.” “The difficulty is,” he continued, “that the land costs too much. All the land in the north- weat is now held by people who are waiting for a rise, and if the present prices are paid. a cheap house cannot be built. I remember that last year and the year before we erected houses on Jefferson Place at a cost of $4,500, and they sold at a profit of $1,500, but the land only cost 50 cents per foot. The land in that vicinity is now valued at #1.50 and $2 per foot.” “How much does it cost to erect a house of medium size ?” asked the reporter. “About 5,000,” was the reply, “providing the land can be obtained at a reasonable iz- ure.” “Ithink,”he went or, “that it would bea paying investment to erect houses that would Trent for $50 and upwards.” “Can't houses be built and rented at a more moderate figure?” queried the listener, “T don’t think that it would pay. ‘Youssee the people who would occupy such houses are, not good pay, and then they want too much. They are unwilling to pay a fair rental, and yet they want all the conveniences of a first-class house.” THE OPINION OF THE INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS. Inspector of Buildings Entwisle, in reply to the inquiry of a Star reporter as to why there are so few medium and small dwellings erected this year, and why the demand is so much greater for large houses than formerly, states “that for the past two or three years the build- ing of sinall and medium houses has been over done, and the thing ts on the other tack now. Persons who invest in building houses for rent or sale are goverued by the demand, and that appears to be*for a better class of houses. ‘There are, however, a class of builders, such as Mr. D. B. Groff and Mr. W, Z. Partello, who have been engaged steadily in erecting a cheaper class of dwellings, and do not swerve either to the right or left, and who have done well at the business. Land too is every year becoming more valuable in Washington and vicinity, and owners jwill not encumber their land with poor dwellings. There is now a larg demand for a cheaper class of dwellings, espe- cially in the suburban portions of the city. THE COLUMUIAN COLLEGE PROPERTY. Mr. W. C. Hill, who recently purchased the Columbian University property, was asked by a Star reporter what he intended to do with the land. He said: “{ have made a subdivision of the property which suita me except in some particulars. But I have not yet determined whether to carry out this subdivision. I believe thafit would be best to let the land lie forayear or two. I will plant some trees and improve the property, and will fit up the Welling house for my own residence. The is to increase in value, and T think tl will wait.” “How much did you pay per foot?” asked the including the value of the im ° was the reply, “I think it was about 20 cents.” “Do you know,” he con “that the bill ts one of the healtitiest places in tits vicinity. I have lived there some time, and my children have never been sick. We have connection with t the standpipe and always have plenty of water. THR IMPROVEMENT OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS. The activity in real estate on Columbia Heights still continues, and from present indica- tions it will not be long before the hill is thickly dotted with houses. Parker & Townsend, the agents for square 30, have disposed of nearly all the lots. They sold yesterday to Dr. Lippin- ‘One — Heary William Vertu — Another Big Hotel — TT Coaching Clab—The Yacht Fever— Sullivan and Base Ball, Etc. ‘Special Correspondence of Taz Evextxe Star. New Yor«. June 1, 1883. sion. At precisely 9 o'clock five abandoned young men walked arm in arm to the northeast corner of the Worth monument and began to jeer at a rotund and clumsy policeman. The Policeman's eyes closed and he swelled with sup- pressed rage, but he retained his official dignity, and resolutely kept his back to the young men. The young men were collariess, wore sack coats, battered Derby hats, and sported half-smoked cigars. Their manners were free, easy and utterly unrestrained. Occasionally one of them would touch the back of the policeman’s hat with the end ofhisolgar and the ashes would roll down over ‘thet functionary’s neck and uniform. But he still stood inline. Then the young men took turns in asking him personal questions. He was requested head and put it in his Pocket, but he never turned a hair and stared before him. Gradually other wild spirits, drawn by the presence of the young men from the lower wards came around, and by 10 o'clock there was @ neucleus of a riot, then four more policemen arrived, and backed up against the crowd beside the portly German. The German said in a hoarse whi to his comrades. “Don't say noddings. These ter- riers is trying to give me a breeze.” The other policemen winked Impresstvely and nodded their heads. The abandoned spirits be- hind them sang snatches of popular airs,jammed each other's hats over their eyes, knocked cigars iil gee guests. There will be a palatial number of staterooms, with hot ai adjoining. Mr. Astor is watched with « deal of interest. He has already been askea to join Mr. Gould's yacht ctub, but has rerused to commit himself thusso far. If he goes with Mr. Gould the chances are he will not be able to Join any other influential yacht club in New York ot Boston. This will be @ great disadvantaze to him. He usually looks out for his own on ake i if! tage, and hence the chances are that he will go inte Mr. Gould's club. SULLIVAN AND BASE BALL. The next thing for Sullivan to do ts to join Tegular nine and go through the country with it giving exhibition ball matches. A man whe can make over $1,500 by pitching for two hours: ought to keep at the business. I know no other risks sosmall. To besure Sullivan makes £10,000 hee — but then he runs the risk of being atre: vy the police, and ts im more or less thumped Brn emageaa me fears the arrest more than the thumping, how- ever, as 60 far he bas encountered no who could seriously distrab him. have fitty or sixty pounds before he can run a base with an Uke acceptable speed, and he knows notht all about twisting a ball. Many a pitcher can twist a ball more effectively than Sullivan. The champion shoots the ball from his hand with the force of bullet, but it eves as straight asa out of each other’s mouths. and behaved gene-| shot, and a good straight batter can send tt over rally with gentalty and freshness. An unoftend- ing negro, not noticing the character of the crowd, came along with his black eyes glisten- ing and his mouth halt open, ready to see the le. Three or four gentlemen from the East the fielders’ heads every time. If he used as much force in pitching a twist ball ashe does now in sending a straight one, he would be the greatest base ball pitcher in the country. Sulll- van is getting swell. He now has his ide made room for him with elaborate polite- | clothes made by a fashionable New York ness, and he edged his way upto the gutter all|tallor, and looks more like «a Her- smiles and gratifications. He took his place in| cules than formerly. The first time I ever the front rank, right behind the burly policeman | met Sullivan was in Harry Hill's one afternoon and in front of the two leaders of the gang. | at the benefit of some worthy plug or other who Then the two leaders went back about three | had died or was going to die, or had been eMict- feet, and their comrades behind them put their | ed by the death of some one, I torget which. At hands against their backs. There was a wild | any rate, there wasa benefit going on. The hurrah, and the leaders were pushed violently | performance was not exciting. ‘Two “ladies” in forward. sé struck the colored gentleman | pink tights came outand sang an extremely amidships, and heshot bodily from the sidewalk, | moral song about home and mother, etc., and landed on the shoulder of the policeman, toppied | sighed tor the green glades ot their cottage in over and fell flat in the street, sending the | the dell. They had positively the worst voloes Policeman’s hat roliing in the dust. The police- | I ever heard in my life. After singing this dirge nan turned turiously around, but the gang stood | they danced a mournful fig and retired. Then with faces that were a of innocence, | @ sinall and extremely disagreeable man came and gazed disinterestedly up the street. The | out, executed an alleged dance, colored man picked himself up and stole away. | bowed and retired. He did not get a hand of ‘ He seemed pained, heart-sore and deceived. | applause, but he responded generously with The bari; man fitted his hat firmly on his | two encores. After thisa young woman witha head and came back to his place again. Then | bony neck and long arms swept out upon the he whispered to his comrades, and the four | stage in a soiled white satin dress, sang “The turned suddenly and fell upon the young men | Maiden’s Prayer” and retired. Then the men ‘who still looked ' Innocent. The officers pushed bona oe she might not come out again. and shoved and shouted, but the young men | But they were inted, for she, too, came stood there. They were backed by half a hun- | out twice dred of their kind in the rear, and though the police succeeded in pushing the foremost of them back a few feet they were so ably backed that they rushed right up to the edge of the gutter again. The policemen threw themselves into the crowd, waved their clubs In the air and pushed and shouted excitedly. But they made no Impression whatever upon the gang. Then they worked their way into the crowd and tried to get around to the members in the rear but these gentlemen slid to the front and the first thing the policemen knew they were inthe rear of the crowd instead of in the front of It, Again they all came forward and made an on- slaught on the ig, but they were utterly un- able to cope with it. They could et itin some sort of order, but could not control its move- ments. All this time the men in the crowd were Jeering and taunting the poticemen. This got 80 bad at last tnat the police went for the crowd rough-shod. It is aad to relate, but the finest certainly got the worst of it and were being pushed around roughiy, when atall man, with a captain’s cap, walked up in front of the crowd. He had cool gray eyes, straight arching bro: and the build of a Hercules. He gave a sharp word of command and the policemen came out to the gutter and touched their hats. The crowd surged forward once more. The gray eyes of the captain were fixed steadily on the faces of the tworingleaders, who were some little distance back from the gutter at this time. The captain approached the crowd witha slow and coil aN eens step. Still his two eyes were fixed upon the ring- leaders. The men stopped their Jeering; those at the outer edge bezan to move away, and those in front tried to work their way out. The ‘two ringleaders had stopped thelr jibes and taunts, and looked somewhat uneasily at the captain. He moved steadily in; the crowd | parade went off with great eclat. parted on each side for him and stepped up in the gutter. He stood head and shoulders over the men around him. Then he raised his club, slightly leaned over, and touched the two lead- ers gently on the shoulders. The leaders looked at him. The captain looked at them for a long while, without a word, and then simply said: “Go home.” “We ain't doin’ nothin,” one of them faul- tered. “I know you,” said the captain. The two leaders looked surly and rebellious for a minute, turned about and skulked out of sight around the corner of Broadway. Captain Williams turned on his heel without a word and weut on down 5th avenue. H. W. HURLBUT's VERTU. People learned of the auction sale of William Henry Hurlbut’s art treasures with consider- able surprise. The brilliant Journalist, who was editor of the World until the western men got hold of it, has made a collection of valuable paintings and bric-a-brac. His delight in articles of vertu is well known, and it is readily understood that he must be in a strait when he sells them. Among other things, he has a Turner valued at 330,000, and some Chinese and Japanese vases ot extraordinary value. There is besides a gold lacquered writing case with a top ornamented with pure gold and silver. Japanese brushea and writing utensils, for whioh Mr. Hurlbut has received some very large offers, are numerous, and there are many bronzes and paintings. There are also superb supper sets and pleces of sevres, royal saxony figurines. porcelains. rugs, ete. The auctioneer will sell under the hammer a collection that has taken years and years to gather. Hurlbut’s future plans are unknown. He ia at present wandering around Wall street and clearing up matters generally. He says he will spend next year In ane where, it is said, he will repre- sent Gould’s interests. ANOTHER 3YG HOTEL. E. C. Stokes, who had some difficulty with Mr. James Fisk some years ago, is going to viait Mr. Meckay in Paris, where, eigantic hotel. Mackay, who has forty or fifty millions, thinks everything of Stokes. It is nerally betleved that the bought e Hoffman house for Stokes and ied the money for furnishing its famous Mackay always stops at the Hoffman when he is im town, and he and Stokes are inseparable cl ead Stokes denies, by the way, Mackay ever gave him a cent. This statement is believed to be a slight eccentricity on the z of Mr. Stokes. Mackay has long believed (and ia this belief Stokes thoror ly concurs) what New York really needs isa bie hotel. We have been for some years.in_ the habit of think- as though New York ts in a. constant state of riot. The Bridge Day, Decoration Day and ing HI each time singing a dis- mal melody. After this two female boxers, in blue tights, pummeled each other gently with soft gloves to the tune of wild music by an an- cient orchestra. 1 endured all this, and then, considering that 1 had done my duty to thé venerable plug or his memory, started out, when some one grabbed me by the arm an@ introduced me to Jobn L. Sullivan, the Boston pugilist. Sullivan was not so famous then as he is now, but he had already begun to grow @ great man, and I was very much Interested If him. When hestood up he looked like a pnd- dler in an iron foundry. He was guiltiess of a collar, and wore a sack cont that had not been new for several years, I expected him to grasp my hand and twist the bones ry into a row— the usual style of pugilists when thaking hands-- but his hand was quite nerveless, and the he gave me was spasmodic and by no means up to my expectations. Then he sat down again and became absorbed in the entertainment. He “was sulky and sullen, and talked very little. When he did speak he proved to be a man of small educatiog and considerable assertiveness. He has changed very much since then. The other day, when he walked away from the polo grounds, after pitching for the Metropolitan team, he looked im like a well- developed athletic’ New York swell than any- thing else. His features are regular. He has a #traizht nose and a well-shaped chin. His black mustache was curled at the ends, his eyes were bright and active. He wore a fashionable beaver on his head, carried a silver-topped stick, and was dressed in dark clothes, with a stand- ing collar and reddish searf. He wore a black frock overcoat, elaborately faced with silk. Sul- livan mast have a considerable fortune by this time. He speaks of spending 217,000 on his new saloon in Boston as though the amount was @ mere bagatelle. = aepenin AFFAIRS ON THE VIRGINIA SIDE. A Pleasant Church Picnic—Rescue of @ Boy from Drowning. Correspondence of Tur Evesrxe Stan. Farts Cuvrcs, Va., May 31, 1883. The seventh anniversary of the organization of the Congregational church, of Falls Church, Va., occurring on Decoration day the chureh and Sunday school had a rennion picnic yester- day in the wild, romantic glen in which ts toca- ted the “Old Barcroft's Mills,” about three miles from the village. None of those present had ever attended a picnic there before, nor had one been held there in many years, but all were greatly pleased with the place. There was found good shade, cool spring water, a guryling brook, and a fine pond, shaded by old forest trees, making a nice cool retreat for bathing. After partaking of the abumlant good things provided by the ladies the anniversary exercises of the church were held. The clerk read a re- port showing the growth and prosperity of the church, after which remarks were made by the late pastor, Rev. A. L. Park, Mr. Pond, and Capt. Fisher, of ‘atent office; My. Merri- field, ot the Pension office; Mr. Patterson, of the Treasury, and others. Rey. Wm. Jordan, the new ef , then read a stirring poem, giving the history of Company G, that went from Hampton, in one of the New Rng- land states, to the front, in 1861, with one hun- BI ee a ee eens tthe ae till Inte in the afternoon; then a number of boys and young men were dathing in the mill pond, years, i beck of sunk for the third time, and There was great excitement for a time, had. been prevented: an into the waiting wazons reached their homes saicly. Several of our correspondents have recenly complained of the ball playing and other which are indaiged im our sireets, and the