town and W. J. Andrews of North Carolina, for corresponding members, were elected. THE Oneida Society furnished the people of Utica with a most excellent course of lectures during February and March, the full list of speakers and subjects offered being as follows: Prof. Benjamin S. Ferry, of the Department of History and Political Science in Colgate University, Friday, February 13, "The Barbarian Nemesis;" Monday, February 16, "The Gothic Invader;" Friday, February 20, "Gog and Magog," Monday, February 23, "The Kites and the Crows." Rev. Albert P. Brigham, Pastor of the Tabernacle Baptist Church, Utica, N. Y., Wednesday, February 25, "Rivers;" Monday, March 2, "Glaciers and Glacial Periods;" Wednesday, March 4, "The Ice Age in North America;" Friday, March 6, "Lakes and Underground Waters." Prof. Arthur S. Hoyt, of the Department of English Literature in Hamilton College, Wednesday, March II, “Macbeth, Illustrating the Power of Shakespeare;" Friday, March 13, "Wadsworth, the Man and Poet;" Wednesday March 18, "The Jew of Marlowe and the Jew of Shakespeare:" Friday, March 20, "Tennyson and Modern Schools of Poetry.' ISAAC CRAIG, the venerable historian of Pittsburgh and Allegheney, was for forty years a correspondent of the late George Bancroft, and among the letters preserved is one in which the eminent historian makes a strong point, in the following words: "Do try to persuade your people to keep alive the names of the olden time. There is too great a desire to wipe out all the memorials of the past that are contained in the names of places. I hope you protest against it with as much sincerity and with more success than your very faithful friend, GEO. BANCROFT,” A dispute from Norwich, Connecticut, relates the fate of an interesting revolutionary relic. It says: "The famous old 'Court House' at Norwich Town Green, which was erected in 1761, and for the last fifty years used for a school house for the Town Street District School, was sold by auction on Monday to Daniel W. Benjamin, a Wauwecus Hill farmer, for $20. The old court house has often been called the Faneuil Hall of Connecticut, since within its walls was heard the first public protest against the British stamp act, and that was embodied in resolutions adopted by a gathering of Norwich citizens in the building soon after the act was passed. With the news that the measure had been enacted, a packet of the obnoxious stamps was received in this town. After the meeting of citizens the Norwich people threw he stamps into the street. Some time ago the Sons of the Revolution of this town wanted to buy the relic and locate it on the historic town green, repair and adorn it and use it for a town hall, museum and library, but the dwellers in that quarter fiercely opposed the project. To get rid of the house the district offered it for public sale. It is the purpose of Mr. Benjamin, so it is said, to trundle the building to his farm, three miles away, and use it for a hennery." THE sale of the Baker collection of relics of Washington, with other historical rarities, that was held in Philadelphia in February, attracted considerable attention from historians and collectors. Among the documents of value was a letter from Gen. Greene, under date of Feb. 17, 1777, in which he says: His Excellency does not mean to deviate from the plain words of the proclamation. Whether he is acquainted with the law of the State or not is a matter I am ignorant of. Any orders from his Excellency, Gen. Washington, must be particularly attended to. If he has ordered any persons to carry their furniture with them who intend to withdraw themselves within the enemy's line, they must be allowed; otherwise no more than wearing apparel. Pray keep a strict watch on the Tories and treat the scoundrels as they deserve." Tom Paine writes to Col. Laurens under date of Philadelphia, Oct. 4, 1781: "I went for your boots the next day after you left town, but they were not done, and I directed the man to bring them to me as soon as finished, but have since seen nothing of him; neither do I wish him to bring them just now, as I must be obliged to borrow the money to pay for them." A letter bearing the date of Feb. 15, 1785, written by Edward Livingston, who was afterward Chancellor of New York, says: "The Chancellor's controversy being not yet decided, it is ordered to be re-argued at "this place about the beginning of the next month, and then-will you believe me when I tell you that I have resolved to enter the lists with Hamilton and other great orators whose names alone fill my soul with dire dismay? Pity my rashness, and pray for the success of your too adventurous friend.' Among the papers was Commodore Porter's challenge to Sir James Yeo, which reads:" "Capt. Porter, of the United States frigate Essex, presents his compliments to Sir James Yeo, commanding His B. M. frigate Southampton, and accepts with pleasure his polite invitation. If agreeable to Sir James, Capt. Porter would prefer meeting near the Delaware, where Capt. P. pledges his honor to Sir James that no other American vessel shall interrupt their tete-a-tete. The Essex may be known by a flag bearing the motto, 'Free Trade and Sailors' Rights,' and when that is struck to the Southampton, Capt. P. will deserve the treatment promised by Sir James." The sale commenced Feb. 11th, the attendance not being large, but composed of those who had an intention of buying. Some of the sales were as follows: Stephens's Philadelphia Directory for 1796, with the name, Washington, George, President of the United States, 190 High street," was bought by the agent of Estes & Laureat, Boston book publishing firm, for $190. The agent of Senator Hearst, of California, and his son, secured the "Memoirs of Charles Lee," second in command of the American army during the Revolution, for $80. Washington's copy of the Federalist, two volumes, brought $1,900. Two exquisite Chinese vases that belonged to Washington sold for $475 each. Washington's "Ahiman Rezen," presented to him in 1782 by the Grand Lodge of the Masons of Pennsylvania, was purchased by Mr. Aldrich, of Providence, for $420. The same gentlemen got the original "Petition of the Tories of New York to Gov. Clinton," for $400. The famous Aitken Bible, the first Bible published in this country in the English language, issued in two volumes, was bought for a Mr. Quincy at $325 a volume. The coffin-plate from Washinton's coffin went to W. R. Benjamin for $80, and Washington's ledger accounts of the Mt. Vernon and other farms were also bought by Mr. Benjamin for $325. Among the other articles sold were an autograph letter of Washington's for $225. Washington's original draft of his answer to an address of the citizens of Alexandria, sold for $240. An autograph letter from Valley Forge, $150; a letter of Mad Anthony Wayne, $135, and a letter of Lafayette's, dated 1825, $12. |