from a stray epithet applied to him by a drunken soldier in a moment of irritation. But he whom men have called "Mad Anthony Wayne" was one of the most cautious and capable commanders of the Continental army, and as such enjoyed the confidence of the Commander-in-chief in an unusual degree. As he showed at the capture of Stony Point, he was ready for the most perilous task to which duty called him; but in every situation he exhibited the forethought and the steadiness of a born soldier. In Dr. Stille's work he becomes intelligible to us in his true character and his solid worth, as a conservative citizen, a capable commander, and a gentlemen of the finest instincts.

Dr. Stille's last important piece of work was his historical introduction to the biography of Dr. George Logan of Stenton, the grandson of the Secretary of our Quaker Founder, and himself the friend and supporter of Thomas Jefferson. The biography is by Dr. Logan's brilliant and estimable wife, and was published by this Society at the instance of their grandchild. It was Dr. Stillé's part to embody what we know of its subjects from memoirs and letters published since it was written, and this he has done amply and well.

These books and a few pamphlets' of less importance constitute the literary and historical labors of his later years, during eight of which he served this Society as its President. By his example, by his publications, and by his generous bequests, he encourages this Society to proceed with the

1 Silas Deane, Diplomatist of the Revolution. A paper read before the Society of the Colonial Dames of Pennsylvania. Pp. 20. Philadelphia 1894.

The Historical Relations of Christ Church, Philadelphia, with the Province of Pennsylvania. An address delivered at the Two Hundredth Anniversary of Christ Church, November 19, 1895. Pp. 27. Philadelphia: 1895.

good work of setting in fair light the work of the fathers and founders of the Commonwealth.

In private life Dr. Stillé was an example of the solid Christian virtues which are at once the ornament and the best support of society. He was a devoted and tender husband to the honored wife, who survives to mourn her loss in his death, and who encouraged him in his labors for the public good. Especially beautiful was his relation to his niece and adopted daughter Miss Anna Dulles, daughter of the Rev. John Welsh Dulles, and his wife, the noted missionary, Harriet L. Winslow. Her fine intellect and her beautiful spiritual character matured in the atmosphere of his home, and became to him at once a delight and an aid in his labors. To her he read his works in manuscript, relying on her fine tact and judgment for suggestion and correction. To her he turned for the playful gaiety, with which youth cheers our age. Her death some three years ago was a blow which he never ceased to feel. No less strong and tender were the affections which bound him to his kindred, especially his older and surviving brother. For more than fifty years, no matter what the weather might be, he paid his weekly visit to Dr. Alfred Stillé, until his failing health made exposure dangerous to him. And even then he often scanned the winter skies in hope of a break in their threatenings, which would permit of his going. He was not a man who starved the affections of the inner circle, to give his strengh to public objects, but one who found in that circle the best stimulus to public duty.

Of his religious life, I need only say that it was sincere, devout, and earnest, burning with a quiet and unchecked fervor through all his years. His life was always pure and upright. He loved whatever was excellent and of good re

port, and he thought on these things. His copy of the Bible and of the Imitation of Christ, always on his desk, gave indication of his constant and loving use.

He was sincerely loyal to the Protestant Episcopal communion, and his attachment to the venerable Dr. Morton, vir nulla non donandus laura, a Trustee of the University, I always thought one of the most beautiful things in his life as I saw it. His intimacy with his rector, Mr. Phillips Brooks, was very close, and the latter frequently visited him at his home. For many years he was a member of the Council of the "Church Home for Children,” and was greatly interested in the "Home of the Merciful Saviour for Crippled Children," to both of which institutions he left liberal bequests. But his churchmanship involved no narrowing of his sympathies, as was shown by his warm friendship for Rev. Dr. Henry W. Bellows of New York, whom he learned to know and to esteem in their labors in the Sanitary Commission. For twenty-five years he was a sojourner during the summer at Lake Mohonk, and passed much of his time there in pleasant intercourse with Doctors Philip Schaff and Theodore L. Cuyler, constant visitors at that place.

When at last the end came, he had reached the four score years which the Psalmist specifies as the farther bound of human life. He died at the Hotel Brighton in Atlantic City, on the morning of August 11, 1899. But those who mourned his loss looked back upon those eighty years with the knowledge that they had been spent for useful ends, and were stained by nothing base.

So we add his name to the list of the worthies of Philadelphia, a long and noble series, among whom he takes an honored place through his labors, his influence, and his character, all of which told for social good.

From time to time the superiority of record evidence over tradition, and of documentary proof over gossip and legend, is strikingly presented. We have now an interesting instance in the case of Abraham Lincoln's parentage. There has been extant, ever since the career of Lincoln and every detail connected with him became the subject of sympathetic interest on the part of his countrymen, a supposition that his mother was not of legitimate birth. This, indeed, has not been treated as a supposition: it has been circumstantially and positively asserted in some of the most authoritative biographies. In W. H. Herndon's "Life" of Lincoln he relates the story of illegitimacy as coming from Lincoln himself in an isolated and notable conversation, and J. T. Morse has cited this with full assurance in his "Life," in the "American Statesmen" series. Other biographers allude to and recognize the tale, and it has no doubt been generally received and credited.

Now, it is plain that there is no truth whatever in this story. Nancy Hanks was not the daughter of "Lucy"

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Hanks, as Herndon so positively says; in fact, it is not clear that there ever was such a person as Lucy Hanks. Nor was Nancy the daughter of any unmarried woman. On the contrary, her family record is unimpeachable, her birth is without a cloud, the evil story concerning her is apparently a pure invention-not a pure invention, either, but an impure, a base slander, derived from some vulgar and scandalous source. If Lincoln ever told such a story to Herndon-which may be confidently disbelieved he was mistaken, and must have been misled by some evil whisper that had been unhappily brought to his ears.'

The little book, "Nancy Hanks," by Mrs. Caroline Hanks Hitchcock, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, published in 1899 (New York: Doubleday & McClure Co.), is the source of the knowledge which sets right this story of illegitimacy. It distinctly and conclusively shows who the mother of Lincoln was. It identifies both her parents. It proves them reputable people. It places her in the list of their children, with full title to respect.

There is other matter in Mrs. Hitchcock's book, some of which is entitled to our consideration also, but this in relation to the parentage of Abraham Lincoln's mother is by far the most important. Mrs. Hitchcock has found (at Bardstown, Kentucky, the introduction to her book states) a document, heretofore unprinted, which is conclusive as to this point. She gives complete, both in type and in photographic fac-simile, the will of Joseph Hanks. He was of Nelson County, Kentucky. His will is dated January 9, 1793, and was duly probated in that county, May 14, of the same year. In his will Joseph Hanks names his eight children. There were five sons, Thomas, Joshua, William, Charles, and Joseph, and three daughters, Elizabeth, Polly, and Nancy. The will provides for them all, and remembers equally the three girls. It thus records the father's impartial gifts:

'The genesis of the idea of illegitimate birth was made easier by imperfect knowledge of the relationships of Nancy Hanks's family.