though in his last few years he made New York city his home, where he was president of the National Academy of Design. He died in New York in 1903, and was brought to Montpelier for burial. He is best known as a portrait and genre painter. Some of his best work may be seen at the Wood Art Gallery in Montpelier.

The Spanish War.-To aid the Cubans in their struggle for independence against the unjust tyranny of Spain, the United States declared war against the latter April 23, 1898. In response to the call of Governor Grout, the Legislature met in extra session at Montpelier, May 5, continuing in session three days, to provide for raising and equipping a regiment for the service. A regiment was speedily formed and soon reported at Chickamauga Park ready for action. Although Vermont troops never saw active service in the war, it cannot be denied that native Vermont men were conspicuously identified with the inauguration and the prosecution of the war. Three names should be given special mention those of Senator Proctor, Admiral Dewey, and Admiral Clark.

The movement for Cuban independence, if not precipitated, was certainly given a tremendous impetus in this country by Senator Proctor's visit to the island and his subsequent speech in the Senate revealing the deplorable condition of the people of Cuba.

Admiral Dewey.-On April 26, the following despatch, dated at Washington, April 24, reached Commodore Dewey, who had command of the Asiatic Squadron, then near Hongkong:

War has commenced between the United States and Spain. Proceed at once to the Philippine Islands. Commence opera

tions at once, particularly against the Spanish fleet. You must capture vessels or destroy. Use utmost endeavors.

LONG.

Commodore Dewey was ready; and, on this notification, sailed, in his flag-ship Olympia, with his fleet of nine ships, from Hongkong. On the morning

George Dewey.

of May 1, he had passed the dreaded forts at the entrance of Manila Bay, and was within its enclosure.

Dawn revealed just ahead the Spanish fleet, and Dewey at once engaged the enemy. From ships and forts there was a continuous roar, the American vessels pouring forth a fire, which in accuracy, rapidity, and volume has never

been surpassed. After a short engagement the Americans withdrew to the other side of the bay (much to the elation

of the Spaniards, who thought they had won the day), and there ate their breakfast at their leisure, and brought fresh supplies of ammunition to their vessels.

Three hours afterward they made a second assault; and, after a stubborn fight, Dewey was able to send the following despatch to the United States, dated May 1, at Manila:

Squadron arrived at Manila at daybreak this morning. Immediately engaged the enemy, and destroyed the following Spanish vessels: . . . . DEWEY.

The American fleet had indeed destroyed or disabled all the Spanish vessels without serious damage to any of our ships and without the loss of a man. The brilliancy of Dewey's victory at Manila won the admiration of the world, and in recognition of his services he was made Rear-Admiral and afterward Admiral of

the navy.

Charles E. Clark.

Admiral Clark.-Shortly before the breaking out of the Spanish War, Captain Charles E. Clark was given the command of the now famous vessel, the Oregon, and directed to bring it from San Francisco into the waters of the Atlantic. The perilous journey of more than thirteen thousand miles was made in safety in sixty-six days, the vessel arriving in good condition; and shortly after it joined Sampson's fleet off Santiago de Cuba.

The Spanish fleet, under the command of Cervera, was then in Santiago Harbor; and when, on the morning

of July 3, 1898, it attempted to escape, the Oregon proved a powerful factor in preventing this and in destroying the vessels.

The Vermonter of Yesterday, To-day, and To-morrow.Take it all in all, probably no commonwealth in the Union has a cleaner record than Vermont. Her affairs have, as a rule, been honestly, intelligently, wisely, and effectually managed. To be sure, her sons and daughters have sinned sometimes, and have sometimes made mistakes, but their

shortcomings have been more than overbalanced by their brave deeds and wise actions. The Vermonter of the past and present is so well portrayed in Mr. Robinson's history of Vermont that I quote him in full. "The quaint individuality of the earlier people is fast dissolving into common-place likeness, so that now the typical Green Mountain. Boy of the olden time endures only like an ancient pine that, spared by some chance, rears its rugged crest above the second growth, still awaiting the tempest or the ax

that shall lay it low; yet, as the pine changing its habits of growth with changed conditions is still a pine, so the Vermonter of to-day, when brought to the test, proves to be of the same tough fiber as were his ancestors."

The question that now confronts us is: Shall this record be maintained? The decision of this momentous question rests with the boys and girls of to-day. You who are now studying the history of your State, will soon have a hand in making its history. The responsibility will then rest with you, and Vermont will be what you make it.

TEST.

1. Give an account of the Fenian Raid.

2. Where are the normal schools of the State situated?

3. Give something of the history of these schools.

4. Where is situated the Vermont Industrial School, and what is its purpose?

5. Where is the Vermont Soldiers' Home? the Vermont State Hospital for the Insane? Fort Ethan Allen?

6. What is meant by the town system of schools, and when was it introduced into Vermont?

7. Where are Vermont's colleges situated?

many secondary schools as you can.

Name and locate as

8. What can you say of the educational advantages of the State?

9. In what way was the school fund increased in 1886?

10. What can you say of the growth of the library?

11. What amendment was made to the Vermont constitution in 1870?

12. Give the population of Vermont in round numbers.

13. How many representatives has Vermont in Congress? Senators? Who are the present incumbents?

14. What industries of the early settlers are still prominent?

15. Name as many as you can that are now unprofitable or have ceased to exist.

16. What can you say of the Franklin County Creamery?

17. What is the forest-tree now most cultivated in Vermont? Give

reasons.