the seaboard and the great lakes, for the purpose of giving notice of the approach of storms toward any given point, where the wind is expected to exceed the velocity of thirty miles in an hour. Many a ship whose master has heeded these warnings has been already saved from great peril if not from actual disaster. The advantages of this service to commerce cannot well be estimated. The RECORD expects to have a lucid description of the method employed in the working of these weather signals.

A NEW STATUE OF FRANKLIN.-On the 17th of January, 1872, the 166th anniversary of the birth of Franklin, a bronze statue of the statesman and sage was unveiled in printing House Square, opposite the City Hall Park in the City of New York. The statue was made by Ernst Plassmann of that City, by the request and at the expense of Captain Albert De Groot, who presented it to the Press of New York. The statue was unveiled by Professor S. F. B. Morse, with appropriate remarks in the presence of a vast assemblage of people, when Horace Greeley in behalf of the giver, Captain De Groot, formally presented it to the Press. The statue was received by Charles C. Savage, President of the Board of Trustees of the New York Typographic Association, in a most effective speech. In the evening there was a banquet at Delmonico's, in honor of the occasion, at which the Press was largely represented.

The statue is slightly colossal, and stands upon a plain granite pedestal surrounded by a neat iron railing, with four large lamps. The pedestal and railing was made at the expense of the working printers of New York City.

UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTH.-At Sewanee upon one of the lofty spurs of the Cumberland Mountains, in Tennessee, and in one of the most salubrious districts of the South, is situated an institution of learning under the auspices of the Protestant Episcopal Church, entitled the University of the South. Its history is a peculiar one. It owes its origin to the late Bishop Leonidas Polk, of Louisiana, who was its Chancellor in 1863 and 1864, while a leader of Confederate armies as a major-general. His idea was to concentrate the interests of the several Southern Dioceses of the church upon one great school of learning, and in 1856 he issued an address to the bishops of several Southern dioceses, upon the subject. A number of Bishops, and Clerical and Lay delegates, met in Convention on Lookout Mountain, near Chattanooga, on the 4th of July, 1857. A committee was appointed to choose a location for the seminary, who finally decided upon Sewanee. Nearly 10,000 acres of land were secured for the University site, and buildings were rising when the late Civil War put a stop to the proceedings. After the Lambeth Conference in 1867, a successful effort was put forth in England to raise funds to finish the buildings. The University was completed, on a moderate scale in 1868, and it is now, as we learn from a recent Calendar of the institution in a flourishing state, with the Right Rev. W. M. Green, D.D., of Mississippi, as Chancellor. It is situated in one of the most picturesque regions in the world: and may be easily reached by the Nashville and Chattanooga railway as far as Cowan Station, and thence nine miles by the railway of Sewanee Mining and Railway company's road.

JAMES H. HACKETT.

Mr. Hackett died December 28, 1871, at his late residence, Jamaica, Long Island, which was the home of his maternal ancestors, and is the place where many of them were buried. His mother was a daughter of the Reverend Abraham Keteltas, of Jamaica. His father was a British officer of Irish descent, who served in the Life Guard of the Prince of Orange and who came to New York, shortly after the close of our Revolutionary war.

Mr. Hackett was born in the City of New York, at No. 72 William Street, on the 15th of March, 1800; and was therefore at the time of his death nearly Seventy-two years of age. He had reached the Scripturally allotted time, which so few attain and so few surpass; and, excepting his last brief illness, he reached it after a time of almost uninterrupted robust health. His career is somewhat remarkable for its variety. From 1805 to 1815, he was a pupil of the Union Hall Academy, of Jamaica. In 1815, he entered Columbia College. In

1817, he withdrew from the College, and entered the law office of General Robert Bogardus, New York, as a student. In 1818, tiring of the law, he became a clerk to Fish and Wilcox, wholesale grocers, 120 Front Street. In 1819, he was married to Miss Catherine De Sugg, a light comedian and singer of the Park Theatre. In 1820, he removed to Utica, New York, where he commenced business as a merchant. He resided there five years, and there his three sons were born; of whom the second, John Keteltas Hackett, survives and is the present Recorder of New York City. In 1825, he returned to New York, and entered into the wholesale grocery business, but he was unsuccessful and he failed before the close of the year.

In 1826, he made an experiment as an actor on the boards of the Park Theatre, in the character of Justice Woodcock, in "Love in a Village," Mrs. Hackett taking the part of Rosetta. His extreme nervousness on this occasion, so far interfered with his natural capacity for acting, that his friends were

discouraged, and endeavored to dissuade him from going on the stage as a profession; but he had made up his mind to be an actor, and he persisted in the attempt. A few days later, on the occasion of Mrs. Hackett's benefit, he played Sylvester Daggerwood; and following the custom of his predecessors in that part, he gave imitations of the popular actors of the day-Kean, Mathews, Hilson, Barnes, and others. His success was so marked, that all question of abandoning the stage was given up at once. Soon afterward, and by reason of his remarkable power as a mimic, he undertook the part of one of the Dromios; Barnes playing the other; and Hackett's imitation of his twin-brother was so perfect that the audience could not tell one from the other. Mr. Hackett next undertook what seems, traditionally, to be indispensable to an actor-an appearance before a London audience. His debut was not a success; but he redeemed the evening by such imitations of Kean and Macready as had never before been witnessed by John Bull, and that hit carried him through a short engage

ment.

After his return to America, Mr. Hackett introduced and made his own Monsieur Mallett, Solomon Swap, Colonel Nimrod Wildfire, and Rip VanWinkle. He also showed his versatility of talent by enacting Lear, Hamlet and Shylock on single nights and at rare intervals; but his success in these characters was not sufficiently marked to warrant their continuance. In each instance, however, he showed his Shakesperian scholarship and his deep as well as careful study of those great characters.

Mr. Hackett's final and chief theatrical triumph was his Falstaff: To that character he devoted years of study, and on that his great reputation as an actor depends. He identified himself with the part as has Jefferson in Rip Van Winkle and Sothern in Lord Dundreary. And like theirs, his study was his own; for the great models in that part, Cook, Stephen Kemble, and others, had passed away before Mr. Hackett could comprehend them. He never saw a Falstaff on the stage from whom he could learn anything. Being thus thrown upon the resources of his own genius for the development of that celebrated character, he wrought it out to so much perfection, that of late days, no actor in America has attempted to compete with him in its performance.

Mr. Hackett's is one of the few instances in theatrical annals where a man has succeeded on the stage without being previously trained to it. He overleaped the ordinarily indispensable apprenticeship to the art and landed among the experts, as by a parabola.

Mr. Hackett's fame as an actor is secure; and his name will go down to posterity as one of the greatest whom our country has produced; yet to his personal friends-and they are Legion"-his genial social qualities are more to be remembered and regretted than his artistic powers. He was the very prince of companions, whether at a dinner

HENRY WAGER HALLECK. Major-general Henry Wager Halleck died at Louisville, Kentucky, on the 9th of January 1872, at near the age of fifty-six years. He was a native of Oneida County, New York, where he was born in 1816. After a brief student life at Union College New York, he entered the Military Academy at West Point, on the Hudson, where he was graduated, the third in rank, in a class of thirty-one, in June 1839. He was Assistant Professor of Engineering in the Academy, for about a year, and in 1841, published a work on Bitumen and its Uses." In 1845, he went abroad, and visited and inspected the fortifications and military establishments in most of the countries of Europe. In the winter of 1846, he delivered before the Lowell Institute of Boston, a series of Lectures on the Science of War which were subsequently published under the title of "Elements of Military Art and Science," with an introductory chapter on the "Justifiableness of War."

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He entered the service against Mexico in 1846, as a lieutenant, and in 1847, was made Captain, by brevet, for gallant conduct. From 1847 to 1849, he was Secretary of State of California, under the military governorship of Generals Kearney, Mason, and Riley; and chief of Staff to Commodore Shubrick in naval and military operations on the Pacific coast during part of that time. He was a member of the Convention to form and of a Committee to draft a State Constitution for California in 1849. He resigned his commission in 1854, and commenced the practice of law iu San Francisco.

On the 17th of August, 1861, Captain Halleck was commissioned a Major-general in the United States army, and was appointed to succeed General Fremont in the command of the Western Department with head-quarters at St. Louis. Early in April, 1862, (having directed the campaign in the South West from his permanent head-quarters at St. Louis) he assumed the command of the army before Corinth, and conducted the siege to a successful issue. The disastrous results of the campaign before Richmond in June and July of that year, caused the President to call General Halleck to Washington City to act as General-in-chief of all the land forces, and on the 15th of July he entered upon that important duty. He was superseded by General (now President) Grant who was appointed Lieutenant-General early in 1864.

General Halleck was the author of several other works of note, besides those above mentioned. His "Report on Military Defences," was an able

On the 4th of January, 1872, Nathaniel T. Strong, an eminent chief of the remnant of the Seneca tribe of Indians, died at their reservation in Chautauqua County, New York. He was born on the Cataraugus Creek in the year 1810, and his Indian name was Honnondeuh. His father was the late Captain Strong who was a leading Sachem and warrior among the Seneca's during a portion of the second War for Independence, in 1812-'15, and participated in several engagements on the Niagara frontier.

Mr. Strong was, in many respects, a most remarkable man. He received very little education in boyhood, but possessed of a vigorous and inquiring mind, a reflective habit, a retentive memory, and a remarkable perception of the harmony of things and events, he became a profound thinker, and

through his love of books, the custodian of a large amount of useful knowledge.

He was, at one time, a man of mark in Washington and other Cities, where ever business connected with the administration of the affairs of his people called him, about thirty years ago. He was then in the prime of life, and retained much of the personal beauty which distinguished his youth, and which, added to grace of manner, fluency in conversation, and a vivacity unusual with his race, made him a great favorite wherever, he was known. His conversation was always kindly, easy, and adorned with frequent flashes of wit; and in his deportment he was the model of a courteous gentleman.

A few years ago Mr. Strong delivered a most remarkable lecture on Red Jacket, at St. James' Hall, in Buffalo, in the presence of a very large and appreciative audience. It was full of the beauty and pathos of language, and happy expressions of imagery which have so often marked the eloquence of Indian orators, and made a marked impression. Some passages from that address are given in Mr. Bryant's notes on page 114 of the RECORD.

Mr. Strong was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and died in the full enjoyment of the Christian faith, at the age of nearly 62 years.

Announcements.-Virtue and Yorston, 12, Dey Street, New York, announce as nearly ready a "History of the City of New York, from the Discovery to the Present day," by WILLIAM L. STONE, author of "The Life and Times of Sir William Johnson, &c. &c. &c. This work of which a more extended notice will be given hereafter, promises, by the well known character of the author as a careful and painstaking historian, and the table of contents before us, to be a most important work, as it will embrace the history of the dominion first known as "Niew Netherland, and then as New York," from the year 1598 to 1872.

Life and Letters of CATHERINE M. SEDGWICK, Edited by MARY E. DEWEY. New York; Harper & Brothers, 1871, 12 mo., pp. 446. For many years Miss Sedgwick held a conspicuous place in the field of American literature, as a graceful and pleasing writer of fiction. The first of her stories entitled "The New England Tale," was published anonymously in 1822. Its success determined her future course.

Her latest novel entitled "Married or Single," appeared in 1857, when she was about seventy years of age. Her" Letters from abroad to Kindred at Home," published in 1841, after she had made a European tour, were very popular. She wrote many tales for magazines, and was particularly fond of writing for the instruction of children.

The volume before us contains a large number of her sprightly and interesting letters written to friends of every degree, the first to her father, dated April 1800, when she was about thirteen years of age, and the last to Mrs. Charles E. Butler, in July, 1867, which did not reach its destination, until after Miss Sedgwick's death. The first seventy pages of the book is a charming Autobiography-an account of her childhood and early youth, written to "Dear little Alice" in 1853. The notes of her after life by the Editress, and her letters, compose the remainder of the interesting volume.

Report of the Deputation of the American Branch of the Evangelical Alliance appointed to memorialize the Emperor of Russia in behalf of Religious Liberty. New York, Office of the Evangelical Alliance, 1871, 8 vo., pp. 32. This pamphlet gives a history of a most interesting portion of a remarkable movement in the religious world. The Evangelical Alliance, composed of Christians of different nationalities and creeds was founded in London in 1846, for the purpose of promoting liberty and Christian Union. One of its chief objects is to bring about a mitigation, if not an abrogation of penal laws in all countries against the free exercise of the rights of conscience in matters of religious belief and practice. In 1870, the subject of religious persecution

in Russia was pressed upon the attention of the Alliance, by an appeal from Switzerland. Other appeals came, and it was finally determined to send a deputation to the enlightened Emperor of Russia to ask for a change in the penal laws of the Empire against the rights of conscience. The American branch of the Alliance appointed its share of the deputation early in 1871, composed of the following named gentlemen: The Rev. WILLIAM ADAMS, D.D., LL.D.; the Hon. NATHAN BISHOP, LL.D.; JOHN CROSBY BROWNE, SALMON P. CHASE, Chief Justice of the United States; the Hon. WILLIAM E. DODGE; CYRUS W. FIELD, the Right Rev. Charles P. McILVAIN, D.D,, D.C. L.; Prof. SAMUEL F. B. MORSE, LL.D.; the Hon. PETER PARKER, M.D.; Prof. PHILLIP SCHAFF, D.D.; the Rev. NOAH HUNT SCHENCK, D.D.; Bishop MATTHEW SIMPSON, D.D., LL.D; The Rev. EDWARD A. WASHBURN, D.D.; NORMAN WHITE.

Professor MORSE was elected chairman, and Dr. SCHAFF Secretary, of the deputation. Some of the deputation could not leave home; the following members proceeded to England: The Rev. WILLIAM ADAMS, D.D., LL.D.; the Hon. NATHAN BISHOP, LL.D.; the Hon. W. E. DODGE; CYRUS W. FIELD; the Right Rev. C. P. McILVAIN, D.D., D.C.L.; Prof. PHILLIP SCHAFF, D.D.; the Rev. NOAH HUNT SCHENCK, D.D.; the Rev. EDWARD A. WASHBURN, D.D. They were met by the deputations of that country and from the continent, in London, on the 27th of June, 1871. They proceeded to the continent, and a sub-committee of the deputation had an audience with the Emperor's Prime Minister, as the sovereign's imme diate representative, at Fredrichshafen in Würtemburgh. The Report under consideration gives a minute history of this special movement of the Alliance from its conception to its conclusion, and warrants us in believing that the decree of Alexander which gave freedom to 28,000,000 Serfs, will be speedily followed by a decree giving religious freedom to every subject of his great Empire. "The Embassy has accomplished a.. that could reasonably be expected," says the Report signed by Professor Morse as President, and Dr. Schaff as Secretary, on the 13th of November, 1871.

The Story of a Famous Book: An Account of Dr. Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography, by SAMUEL A. GREEN, M.D., Boston: For Private Distribution, 1871-8 vo., pp. 14. This is a paper reprinted in pamphlet form, which originally appeared in the "Atlantic Monthly," in February, 1871. Dr. Green has here brought together in a pleasing manner, the curious facts concerning the Autobiog raphy of Dr. Franklin, a work which has ever held a notable place in American literature. "It was perhaps," Dr. Green remarks, "the earliest American book that acquired and sustained a general and permanent reputation." It was written at different times, and in different places. The first part,

coming down to Franklin's marriage in 1730, was written at Terryford, England, in 1771, while he was visiting the Bishop of St. Asaph, after having made a journey with his son in search of the history of his ancestors. The second part was begun in 1784, when he was 79 years of age. It was written when he was residing at Passy, near Paris;1 and the third part, begun in 1778, was written at his house in Philadelphia.

This work was first published in the French language at Paris, immediately after Dr. Franklin's death in 1790, and an English translation of it was issued from the press in London by two different publishers in 1793. It was again published among his works collected and edited by his grandson Wm. Temple Franklin in 1817-18. Five editions, each a separate translation from the English, have been published in Paris. Finally the autograph MS. of Franklin, to which he had made some additions only a few months before his death, came into the hands of the Hon. John Bigelow, American Minister at the court of Napoleon III. This has been published, and it is the only genuine copy from Franklin's MS. His grandson took many liberties with it; Bigelow's edition is a faithful copy from the original. Dr. Green gives a very clear and interesting account of the original MS., its translations, alterations and publications.

The Life of Hernando Cortez, by ARTHUR HELPS. New York: G. P. Putnam & Sons, 1871, pp. 307. This is one of his charming monographs which have from time to time flowed from the pen of the Oxford professor, who is one of England's most agreeable and popular writers, and who always employs classical English in his composi

The

tions. This little volume forms one of Putnam's series of "Popular Histories." The story of the life of the conqueror of Montezuma is told in a concise manner, and with such clearness that he seems to stand out in grand relief before us. author gives us a vivid picture of the strange career of Cortez from his early youth in his native Estra madura until his death near Seville, at the age of 62 years.

It unfolds in brief narrative all of the

principal events in his conquest of Mexico, and sheds new and interesting light upon the character of the conqueror. The work is dedicated to Carlyle in which the author says:—

"We both believe that there is such a thing possible as good government, and that it would decidedly be desirable that men should live under good government. We also think that whatever a man does he should take great pains in doing it,that in short, good work is an admirable thing. It is upon these points of resemblance that I also ask for your sympathy with Cortez. He was a man who loved good government, and did his work, according to his lights, thoroughly."

1 The profile of Dr. Franklin printed on the title page of the RECORD, is from a medallion in the possession of the Editor, made of the red clay of Passy, in 1777,

The RECORD is indebted for the following interesting paper to Mr. JOHN HILL MARTIN, of the Philadelphia Bar, a member of the Moravian and the Pennsylvania Historical societies, and the author of a work soon to be published entitled "Bethlehem and the Moravians; or a Historical Sketch of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, with some account of the Moravian Church," which is illustrated by engravings.

This famous old Hostelry, known in later days as the "Old Crown Inn," was originally a small log cabin, erected in

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year rian of Congress at Washington.

1743 by Ritsche, an old Swiss squatter. It stood upon the southern bank of the Lehigh River, opposite the ancient Moravian town of Bethlehem in Pennsylvania. In the year 1743, the tract upon which Ritsche was seated, consisting of 274 acres of land, was purchased by the Moravian Brethren from William Allen. They bought the squatter off, and in the year 1745, having previously enlarged the house, opened it for the accommodation of travel1872, by Chase & Town, in the Office of the Libra