The ever-present, ever-pressing topics of great variety coming under the general title of Insanity can never all be considered at a single session of the Conference. Indeed, they multiply from decade to decade, and are now far more numerous and solicit attention more than twenty-five years ago. Three or four of them were debated in New York: laboratory work in hospitals, now so much more advanced than even five years since; immigration and insanity : prevention of feeble-mindedness; after-care of discharged patients, etc. The presence of more specialists than usual in these discussions was a gratifying fact, and they were heard with attention. Some impatience was expressed, however, by veterans of the Conference, at a lack of practicality in some of the measures warmly, if rather vaguely, advocated, the Conference being largely composed in its permanent membership, of persons constantly occupied with the practical side of such questions as they understand. It must be said, then, that considerations purely theoretic, or which require for their development in practice more money than is usually at the command of public officers who deal directly with the great majority of the insane, always indigent persons, supported as well as treated at the cost of tax-payers, such considerations are sometimes to be heard, and that with patience, even by the most practical. Out of them may come in time, as have come in times past, reforms the most direct and radical; and there are minds, often of high powers, which are more profitably devoted to pure science rather than to its every-day applications.

A most useful feature of our Conferences for nearly twenty years has been the annual Conference Sermon, enforcing among our members the fundamental truth that charity and the improvement of the race have a religious basis, and are never to be viewed solely from the economic or even the purely philanthropic side. This observance, and the meetings in various churches on Sunday evenings (also an occasional feature of our sessions), have a twofold effect. They impress the hearts of the hearers, and they convey to the clergy who participate new suggestions as to the share the churches and synagogues may take in a work which appeals so strongly to the religious emotions. The impressive services of this year at Grace Church, and the earnest discourse of Rev. Dr. Huntington, will not readily be forgotten by such as participated there.

Particularly noteworthy was the harmony, among much diversity

of opinion, which characterized the Conference of 1898. As the scope of our work enlarges, the opportunities for strife increase; but these were neutralized in New York by the outpouring of a generous sentiment, worthy of a city so vast and a gathering so comprehensive; and the elders of the Conference found themselves, at its close, admiring the unanimity of feeling in so great a diversity of interest and of speculative doctrine. May this be a continuing state of mind and heart!

Certain new and artistic circumstances connected with the New York Conference call for brief and separate mention.

THE NEW CONFERENCE SEAL.

The action of the Conference in adopting as its official seal the obverse of the medal prepared in commemoration of the Twentyfifth session makes fitting a brief account of the original emblem. Once entered on his duties as President of the Twenty-fifth National Conference, Mr. William R. Stewart conceived the idea of a suitable souvenir to mark the celebration of the quarter-centennial of the organization. He finally determined that the passing of so important a milestone in its history should be observed by the striking of a medal as an enduring memento.

Early in November, 1897, Mr. Stewart opened correspondence with the American Numismatic and Archæological Society through its president, Mr. Andrew C. Zabriskie. This eminent society has each year the custom to strike a medal commemorative of some historic personage or some event of public moment. An example of the society's work is the Grant memorial medal issued at the time of the dedication of the monument to General Grant in New York. In his letter to President Zabriskie, asking the co-operation of his society, Mr. Stewart wrote, "The event, if it can be thus commemorated, will make record of the charitable services gratuitously rendered by representative humanitarians throughout the land."

The executive committee of the Numismatic Society responded favorably by appointing five gentlemen to represent the society in the preparation of such a medal; namely, Mr. George Macculloch Miller, chairman, and Messrs. Samuel P. Avery, Edward Groh, James P. Wilson, and Charles Gregory. Mr. Victor D. Brenner, a Russian, educated in Paris and having a studio in New York, was invited to prepare a sketch. Mr. Brenner's design for the Muhlenberg medal, struck in commemoration of the completion of the new St. Luke's Hospital in New York City, had already marked him as one of the

rising men in his profession. At Mr. Stewart's suggestion the artist adopted for his general theme the representation of an angel of mercy coming to the relief of two figures typical of Poverty and Crime. The artist was peculiarly happy in his treatment of this idea.

On the right in the group sits a mother symbolizing Poverty. Her arms are outstretched, her hands, convulsively clasped, rest upon one knee, while her upturned face wears an expression of pressing appeal mingled with hope. Seated opposite the figure of Poverty is a youth typifying Crime. His limbs are of muscular proportions. One arm is manacled at the wrist. In sharp contrast to the attitude of the mother, the head of this criminal rests heavily in the hand which is free; and his look is that of dogged despair.

The central and principal figure of the group is the winged form of Charity, or Angel of Mercy, who is represented descending to the relief of Poverty; while at the same time the eyes of the figure are fixed upon the criminal with an expression of pity tempered with justice. The wings and hands of the angel are outstretched over both the mother and the prisoner, thus conveying the idea of guardianship of each.

At the base of the meaal run the words: "Issued by the American Numismatic and Archæological Society, New York." On the reverse is an oak entwined with ivy, the whole symbolizing strength, unity, and friendship. Beneath the spreading branches of the tree is this inscription:

TO COMMEMORATE

THE SESSION OF THE 25TH
NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF
CHARITIES AND CORRECTION
IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK

MAY 18TH-25TH, 1898.

Then follow the names of the officers of the Twenty-fifth Confer

ence.

The medals are three inches in diameter. Fifteen of them, each weighing five ounces, were struck in silver, 1,000 fine. The recipients of the silver medals were the general officers and official reporter of the New York Conference; Hon. Joseph H. Choate, chairman of the Local Committee and of the opening meeting at Carnegie Hall; Judge Joseph F. Daly, vice-chairman of the committee; and Mr. Jacob H. Schiff, its treasurer; together with Archbishop M. A. Corrigan, Bishop Henry C. Potter, President Seth Low of Columbia University, and Hon. William L. Strong, who delivered addresses at the opening of the quarter-centennial session; and Rev. William R. Huntington, D.D., who delivered the Conference sermon. Two hundred and thirty-five bronze medals were also distributed to the exPresidents of the Conference and the speakers at the twenty-fifth