“The Orrery was very much injured during the revolutionary war: but has been since partly repaired by a gentleman in your city,[239c] who formerly worked with Dr. Rittenhouse, and under his direction, in its fabrication. The injuries which it received were comparatively small, by the British soldiery. A guard was set to protect it: and the officers were said to be contemplating its removal to England; this, at least, was the general report and opinion. The principal injury was produced by our own militia, when the college was appropriated as a barrack for them. Many of the wheels were seen to be taken off, as handsome curiosities. This, however, was no more than was to be expected from a number of ignorant men, so imperfectly disciplined as, at that time, they were.” “I am, dear Sir, Your friend and very humble serv’t. SAMUEL S. SMITH.” Footnote 239a: The Rev. Ashbel Green, D. D. of Philadelphia, has since been appointed to the Presidentship of the College at Princeton, on the resignation of Dr. Smith. Footnote 239b: The President of the College. Footnote 239c: Mr. Henry Voight. ----- On the first day of January, 1790,[240] Dr. Rittenhouse was elected one of the Vice-presidents of the American Philosophical Society; his colleagues, in this office, being the Rev. William Smith, D. D. and John Ewing, D. D. both of them able and distinguished astronomers. ----- Footnote 240: It was in the autumn of this year that the second (and youngest surviving) daughter of Dr. Rittenhouse was married to the late Nicholas Baker Waters, M. D. of Philadelphia. ----- This appointment he held but one year; in consequence of the death of Dr. Franklin,[241] on the 17th day of April following.[242] ----- Footnote 241: A very eloquent and interesting Oration on this occasion, being an eulogium on Dr. Franklin, was delivered on the 1st of March, 1791, before the American Philosophical Society and agreeably to their appointment, by the Rev. William Smith, D. D. then one of the vice-presidents of the society; for which the orator received their unanimous thanks.