ernment." President Morgan, Mrs. Corra Bacon-Foster and Vice-President Clark took part in the resulting discussion and Mr. Essary received a rising vote of thanks.

153d meeting.

November 16, 1915.

President Morgan in the chair and about 110 members and guests in the audience.

The historian of the evening was the Hon. John Barrett, LL.D., who spoke on "Pan Americanism and its Inspiration in History." The subject was discussed by Vice-President Clark, Miss Alice R. James, Mrs. Corra Bacon-Foster and Mr. Justice Peelle, who also moved a vote of thanks.

154th meeting.

December 21, 1915.

President Morgan in the chair. Present about 125 members and guests.

The communication, "John Walker Maury, His Lineage and Life," written by his son, Mr. William A. Maury, was at his request read by Vice-President Clark. An excellent portrait of Judge Maury, a picture of his residence, 302 C street, etc., made the sketch all the more realistic. Additional items of interest concerning Judge Maury were given by President Morgan, Dr. Engle, Messrs. Bryan, Shoemaker, Harvey and Judge Bundy who also moved a vote of thanks.

"I count myself in nothing half so happy as in a heart rememb'ring my good friends.’’

Michael Ignatius Weller was born in London, England, June 10, 1846. He was proud of his English descent and frequently referred to it, but he was prouder still of his American citizenship. His parents were Samuel and Mary (O'Brien) Weller. His father provided liberally for his education, sending him to no less than three noted schools in London, Boulogne, and Vienna.

Mr. Weller came to America in 1867. He married Rita Repetti, daughter of Joseph and Dorothea Repetti, June 12, 1871, in this city. In the following year he established his residence here. His wife's family being identified with the eastern section of the city he naturally turned his attention to that part. In 1875 he formed a partnership with his wife's brother, Mr. George R. Repetti, in the real estate business, making a specialty of east Washington property. This brought him into close touch with the people who, recognizing his energy and love of fair play, soon selected him as their advocate to obtain from Congress a proper recognition of "Capitol Hill" and a more just proportion of the moneys appropriated by that body for the systematic improvement of the city. He gave, in unstinted measure, of his time, his intellect and his influence in securing from Congress what the citizens living east of the capitol had striven unsuccessfully for long weary years to obtain, namely: the paving of Maryland Avenue, the paving and parking of Pennsylvania Avenue from Eleventh street to the Anacostia river and the building of a new bridge across that river in place of the old one, burned by

the British when they captured the city in 1814. It is said that his grandfather was of the attacking party on the eventful 24th of August of that fateful year, whose only check was at the bridge so gallantly defended by Commodore Barney and his men. It is noteworthy that, largely through the efforts of the grandson, the new structure became a fact decades later; and that he was of the famous Commodore, the biographer and eulogist. Congress appropriated for the new bridge seventy-five thousand dollars, a sum so inadequate that Mr. Weller went to members of Congress, secured an additional fifty thousand, and the completion of the handsome structure was made memorable by a great public celebration. His latest ambition was to have Congress provide for a statue of Commodore Barney in the Circle named for him at Pennsylvania Avenue and the Bridge.

He was also among the first to draw the attention of Congress to the reclamation of the Anacostia Flats, and agitated the project at every convenient opportunity. It was his ambition to initiate later the construction of a water-way by canal to Baltimore as a means of communication between the two cities.

The children of Washington should be taught to honor the name of Michael I. Weller because he was among the first to advocate public playgrounds. Again he went to Congress and because he had a definite request to make, that the site of the old engine-house at the intersection of Virginia Avenue and K Street, Southeast, be secured to the city for a playground, he succeeded. It was the first privilege of its kind granted to boys and girls of the national capital. What he advocated for the children he had himself been doing for Uncle Sam's sailors and marines, by giving them the free use of a large parcel of unimproved ground owned by him and adjoining the Navy Yard whereon to play ball and engage in other sports.

His devotion to the interests of the District of Columbia was recognized and appreciated by the District Committees of both the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States. He could always command the attention and coöperation of