The inventory of Commodore Barry’s personal property is very minute, containing articles of a value as low as one dollar. It mentions _two_ swords, both of which are specifically bequeathed—viz. “_my_ gold-hilted” and “_my_ silver-hilted sword.” No allusion is made in the will to any trust. Only these two swords were found among the assets, and each was delivered agreeably to the bequest. The gold-hilted sword was known in the family, as the “Paul Jones sword,” and there is not the smallest doubt Commodore Barry intended to bequeath this particular sword, in full property, to Commodore Dale. Let us next look to the probabilities of the case. The heirs of Paul Jones, who left no issue, gave the sword to Robert Morris, says Captain Mackenzie, as a mark of gratitude. This may very well be true. But Mr. Morris “gave the sword to the navy of the United States,” to be retained and worn by its senior officer. It would have been a more usual course to have lodged the sword in the Navy Department, had such been the intention. That Commodore Barry did not view _his_ possession of the sword in this light, is clear enough by his will. He gave it, _without_ restraint of any sort, to a friend who was not in the navy at all, and who never had been its senior officer. This he did, in full possession of his mind and powers, six months before he died, and under circumstances to render any misconception highly improbable. Can we find any motive for the bequest of Commodore Barry? It was not personal to himself, as the sword went out of his own family. The _other sword_ he gave to a brother-in-law. “Paul Jones’ sword” was bequeathed to a distinguished professional friend—to one who, of all others, next to Jones himself, had the best professional right to wear it—to “Paul Jones’ first lieutenant.” Commodore Dale did leave sons, and some in the navy; and the country will believe that the one who now owns the sword has as good a moral right to wear it, as the remote collaterals of Jones, and a much better right than the senior officer of the navy, on proof as vague as that offered. His _legal_ right to the sword seems to be beyond dispute. In the inventory of Commodore Barry’s personals, this sword is thus mentioned, viz.—“a very elegant gold-hilted sword—$300.” The other sword is thus mentioned, viz.—“a handsome silver-hilted, do. $100.” * * * * * THE SERENADE.