surveyors for our Extension Railroad have discovered the remains of the military road made for the transportation of the French artillery, and a Spanish medal with the head of Queen Isabella on it was recently found in the region, doubtless lost by some of that troop.

I think we all know the story of Pork Hollow-and there are swords, and commissions, and flint-locks in various. houses that weighed on the side of freedom. And there are records on the stones in the burying-places, and traditions in the memory of revered parents and kindred that lend their testimony. Connecticut has a noble war record, and in it Derby holds an honorable place. Her men were ever in the ranks, and she bore her full share in supplies of food and clothing and money.

In about one hundred years from the establishment of Wakeman's lonely trading post, Derby had become a place of much importance. Her ships sailed on every sea and entered every port. This was the outlet for the back country even as far as Litchfield, and while Derby ships took the products of our farms and fields and forests to foreign ports, they brought back the gifts of other lands; and the ambitious housewives sent to China for their tea-sets and their crepe dresses. For a time the foreign trade of Derby excelled that of New Haven, but the opening of the turnpikes from here and from Humphreysville to New Haven turned the tide of export about the beginning of this century. Then the town set her face westward, sending of her force to lay out the course of empire many of those in whom the pioneer spirit burned, clearly setting out to conquer new lands as their fathers had the old. The city of Buffalo in its infancy received a strong impetus of growth from a group of people who went thither from old Derby, and Ohio owes a debt to Connecticut in which we have a share. And when one goes farther west, and the man from beyond the Mississippi records his father from Ohio or western New York, and his grandfather from New England, then we know that the watchfires were alive for distant kindred and traditional associations, and we long to feed them with our treasured records, the history of old Derby.

JANE DE FOREST SHELTON, Historian Sarah Riggs Humphreys Chapter, Derby, Connecticut.

ON HISTORIC GROUND.

Few Daughters of the American Revolution find themselves in a region more full of historical associations than those who form the Quassaick Chapter, of Newburgh, New York. Just above the Highlands, on the Hudson, every mile is marked by traditions and stories of Revolutionary interest. Washington's headquarters in Newburgh, the quaint old building full of interesting relics and memorials, is a Mecca to travelers from all parts of the country, and indeed from all parts of the world, and to glance down the pages of its register is quite a liberal lesson in geography. In this building, sacred with memories of the noble Washington, there recently met the members of the Quassaick Chapter, women whose lineal descent can be traced from many who fought or served their country in the long-ago struggle for independence. Patriotism is not lacking among the women of this Chapter, though they may have been long in publicly expressing it; and gladly they join the ranks of those who have been invited to commemorate the brave deeds, the sufferings and privations (many of them unwritten) of their ancestors. In the autumn of 1893 the Quassaick Chapter was first organized. It was christened with an Indian name of great local interest, signifying "stormy brook." The turbulent waters of Quassaick Creek form the northern boundary of the town of Newburgh, and was often crossed by Generals Washington, Gates, Knox and others whose fame has consecrated many buildings and localities about us.

It was to receive the Charter from the hands of the State Regent and to be formally instituted as a Chapter that the delightful patriotism-inspiring meeting was held in the "Headquarters" on the afternoon of December 27, 1893. The "musket-room," the "family-room" in Washington's time, was appropriately decorated with flowers and potted plants, and thirteen candles burned as symbols of the thirteen original states. General Marion, of whom the State Regent, Miss McAllister, is a great-great niece, was duly honored.

His picture draped with the stars and stripes was placed over the chair where the Regent sat. About fifty persons were present. Among the invited guests were the trustees of Wasangton's Headquarters, members of the Historical Society of Newburgh, and Miss Forsyth, of Kingston, Regent of the Wiltwyck Chapter. It is impossible to give in this brief account details of the delightful meeting. The exercises were simple. An opening prayer by the Rev. Rufus Emery was followed by signing of the Charter by the State Regent and the presentation of the certificates to the officers and charter members of the Chapter, of whom the following is

the list:

Miss Maria H. Hasbrouck, Regent; Mrs. Charles F. Alan, First Vice-Regent; Mrs. Hector Craig, Second Vice-Regent ; Miss Cornelia Wolcott Rankin Corresponding Secretary; Miss Alice Hasbrouck, Recording Secretary; Mrs. Moses Cook Belknap, Treasurer; Mrs. Charles J. Howell, Registrar; Miss Mary Scott Boyd, Historian. There were four other applicants for the Charter, consisting of Mrs. Charles Caldwell, Miss Lucy C. Headley, Mrs. George W. Rains and Mrs. Samuel Mitchell Akerly.

Short addresses were then made by the Hon. John C. Adams in behalf of the State Regent, by the Hon. James G. Gresham for the Board of Trustees of the Headquarters, and by the Rev. William K. Hall, D. D., representing the Historical Society. The closing words of Dr. Hall's eloquent

address were as follows:

If you are true to

"Your chosen motto rings with the genuine spirit of consecration to this work. Virtute dignus avorum-to prove ourselves worthy of the virtue of our ancestors. your inspiring motto, if its noble sentiment shall be the fitting expression of the life, zeal and activity of your order, then shall all unkind and adverse criticism be disarmed and silenced."

In conclusion Dr. Hall said: "Again permit me to welcome you, confident in the hope that you will bring to the local Historical Society your cordial sympathy, your efficient aid and your fresh enthusiasm, that together we may be able to do in the future far more than has been accomplished in the past, in awakening and extending an interest in historical studies and

memories which are so closely associated with the objects and scenes around us. This sacred spot was well chosen by you as the place above all others for this official recognition to-day. It is electric to the very pressure of our feet. The past is present, and Martha Washington, one of the noble mothers. of the Revolution, is walking again as of yore in these rooms and smiling upon you her gracious benediction. As you go

forth take with you the spirit of the patriot fathers and mothers that still lingers within these venerable walls-pledging yourselves anew to the work of perpetuating those institutions of liberty which their sacrifice and sufferings founded."

After these stirring words all were asked to register their names, and an informal reception took place; of these last moments I will quote the report from one of the city papers-from all we received most kindly and favorable notices. The Register says: "The guests roamed about the historic old edifice, examining relics that had acquired new interest as member after member of the new Chapter explained the part certain articles had taken in her family history.

While the ladies were thus engaged, Superintendent Martin had been preparing a surprise. The hour was late, darkness was rapidly coming on, and he caused the shutters of the southeast room to be closed. This caused the thirteen candles to throw a faint light over everything in the room, and as he expressed it in inviting the ladies to visit the instituting room, 'threw a charm over everything that was difficult to express in words.' It was true, and the Daughters of the American Revolution looked with admiration and veneration upon the scene presented. Miss McAllister remarked that in her experience as State Regent she had never before been so impressed as at that moment,"

Thus ended our first formal gathering. As a Chapter we are very proud of the increasing interest in the Society. Our membership is now about thirty-five, and many others are looking up their claims to join the Daughters. On January third, our First Vice-Regent, Mrs. Mary E. C. Allan, gave an informal reception and tea, at which the Historian read a paper in commemoration of the battle of Princeton.

MARY SCOTT BOYD, rian Quassaick Chapter.

PATRIOTISM.*

Read by Miss Henrietta Brinton, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, at the Second Continental Congress on February 24, 1893.

"What constitutes a State!

Not high-raised battlements or labored mound,
Thick walls or moated gate;

Not cities proud, with spires and turrets crowned;
Not bays and broad-arm'd ports,

Where, laughing at the storm, rich navies ride;
Not starr'd and spangled courts

Where low-brow'd baseness wafts perfume to pride;
No: Men, high-minded men,

With powers as far above dull brutes endued,

In forest, brake or dell,

As beasts excel cold rocks and brambles rude;

Men who their duties know,

But know their rights, and knowing, dare maintain ;
Prevent the long aimed blow,

And crush the tyrant, while they rend the chain;
These constitute a State."

As we trace the history of nations through the ages, we find that the attempt of tyrants to establish despotism in some countries was frequently baffled, while the endeavor of patriots to secure freedom in others was equally fruitless, 'Tis true, "Time makes sad work with many of the greatest works of ambitious man." The noblest monuments of art that the world has ever seen are covered with the soil of many centuries. The works of the age of Pericles lie at the foot of the Acropolis in indiscriminate ruin; the ploughman turns up the marble which the hand of Phidias had chiseled into beauty; but our fathers have built for us a lasting monument, broader, higher than any the world has ever known.

*This completes the publication of all papers of the Second Congress which have been received by THE AMERICAN MONTHLY MAGAZINE, -[ED.]