* The National Institution for the Promotion of Science was organized at Washington City in 1840. The President of the United States is patron; the heads of the Departments constitute the directors on the part of the government, and an equal number of literary and scientific citizens are directors on the part of the institution. Its collections (to which have been added those of the United States Exploring Expedition, and the Historical Society and Columbia Institute of the District) are in the great hall of the Patent Office building, a room 275 feet long and 65 feet wide. ** These are the dishes alluded to in the following letter, written by Washington, at West Point, to Dr. John Cochran, surgeon general of the northern department of the Continental army. It is dated "August 16, 1779." The original is in the present possession of the New York Historical Society, where it was deposited by Dr. Cochran's son, the late Major Cochran, of Oswego. See page 221, vol. i. [[[Washington's Letter to Dr. Cochran.--Pomp of Ancient Generals.--"The Sword and the Staff."]]] {407}tinder-box; tin boxes for tea and sugar cane, bequeathed to the hero by the sage. ** ode called and five small bottles for pepper and other materials for making soup. Such composed the appointments for the table of the commander-in-chief of the American armies, while battling for independence, and laying the corner stone of our republic. [Illustration: 9417] What a contrast with the camp equipage of the heroes of other times and other lands, whom history has apotheosized, and whom the people of the earth call great! * With all the glitter and the pomp of wealth and power, which dazzle the superficial eye, the splendor which surrounds them is but dimness compared to the true glory that haloes the name and deeds of Washington, appreciated by the consequences of his career. * Standing near the camp chest is Washington's war sword, and with it Franklin's. Of these relics Morris has sweetly sung, in his 'The Sword and the Staff. "The sword of the Hero! The staff of the Sage! Whose valor and wisdom Are stamp'd on the age! Time-hallowed mementoes Of those who have riven The scepter from tyrants, 'The lightning from heaven.'