Indeed, at an early age, William was a midshipman in the United States Navy, and was taken prisoner by the Algerines at the time the frigate Philadelphia ran aground in the harbor of Tripoli, from which he was released after two years' confinement in prison, and returned to the United States, when he became a cadet in the Military Academy. James Cutbush must have been a man of mark among his neighbors--as indicated by sundry positions of trust which he held. Further, he must have been a favorite with the Cadet Corps at West Point, where he was buried. His tomb there bears this inscription: "Sacred to the memory of Dr. James Cutbush, Member of the American Philosophical Society, Late Surgeon, U. S. Army and Professor of Chemistry at the U. S. Military Academy, West Point, N. Y., who departed this life December 15, 1823, aged 35 years. An honourable tribute of respect from his grateful pupils." The work of Cutbush was of the genuine pioneer character, and enriched the annals of American chemistry. While it would be delightful to know more of the man, cruel fate compels us to be content with the estimate, brief though it is, given in Poulsen's _American Daily Advertiser_, December 23, 1823: "A man not only known for his extensive knowledge of chemistry, but distinguished for his philosophy and patriotism." * * * * * Transcriber's Notes The following typos have been corrected: Page 28: Socity changed to Society. Page 44: Braeutigram changed to Braeutigam. Page 51: responsibile changed to responsible. Page 67: beginnig changed to beginning.