32 SENOR BON MATIAS ROMERO 



5. The National Geographic Society and the judges on behalf 

 thereof reserve the right to withhold either prize, or both, in case 

 the essays submitted are not sufficiently meritorious to warrant 

 publication with the approval of the Society ; but in case of with- 

 holding one or both of the prizes on this ground, a new compe- 

 tition will be opened. 



6. Immediately after the close of the competition the essays 

 submitted in accordance with the foregoing conditions will be laid 

 before the following board of judges, whose adjudication shall 

 be final : 



Henry Gannett, Geographer of the U. S. Geological Survey, etc. 



Albert Bushnell Hart, Ph. D., Professor of History in Harvard 

 University. 



Anita Newcomb McGee, M. D., Acting Assistant Surgeon, U. S. A. 



John Bach McMastek, LL. D., Professor of History in the Uni- 

 versity of Pennsylvania. 



Henry S. Pritchett, Superintendent of the U. S. Coast and Geo- 

 detic Survey. 



Prof. W. B. Powell, Superintendent of Schools of the District of 

 Columbia, is Chairman of the Prize Committee of the Society's 

 Board of Managers. 



SENOR DON MATIAS ROMERO 



In the death of Sefior Don Matias Romero, Envoy Extraordinary and 

 Minister Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Mexico to the United States, 

 which occurred at his residence in the city of Washington, December 30, 

 1898, the National Geographic Society has lost one of the most interested 

 and appreciative of its members, and one of the most constant attend- 

 ants at its meetings. Other scientific and educational institutions of this 

 country likewise have lost a warm friend and liberal contributor. 



Senor Romero first came to the United States in 1859, as secretary of 

 the Mexican Legation, and he has remained here, with the exception of 

 about four years, ever since. On account of his superior ability as a 

 diplomatist he has been promoted from time to time, until just before his 

 death — and before his credentials could be presented to the President — 

 he had reached the highest diplomatic position to which his country 

 could assign him, that of Ambassador to the United States. 



Fi-om his long residence among us and his personal interest in our 

 affairs — in fact in all but his allegiance to his native country — he was one 

 of us. No representative from any foreign country was more respected 

 and beloved by the people of the United States, and the tie that bound 

 him to us was made closer by his marriage to an American lady. In the 

 national capital, where he was a prominent figure for more than a third 

 of a century, his memory will long be cherished. 



