The surrender of Burgoyne was the greatest triumph of American over British arms up to that date (October 17, 1777). Had his twelve hundred Hessians been English patriots the result might have been different. When the British officer was sent to inquire their condition for a fight, the answer of the British was, "We will fight to a man." But the Hessians replied, "Nix the money, nix the rum, nix fighten." [Illustration: BRUMIDI FRIEZE IN ROTUNDA ] It was in a cold, drizzling rain that Lord Cornwallis made his surrender. He sat on his horse with his head uncovered. General Washington said, "Put on your hat, my lord; you will take cold." He replied, "It matters not what happens to this head now." In our exultation we are apt to forget his side. No writer that I know of praises the scene of Washington's resignation, yet the faces are so clear-cut that you recognize every face which other pictures have made familiar. The costumes are correct historical studies, and I would not wish a line of them changed. Another picture of the Rotunda is "The Declaration of Independence." How familiar, how dear each face has become, from Lee, Jefferson, Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Livingston, to the plain Quaker who stands by the door! Adams afterward wrote: "Several signed with regret, and several others with many doubts and much lukewarmness." That shows in the picture, and contrasts with the enthusiasm of the few, who with clear vision felt the dawn of a larger liberty for the race. We are so apt to enjoy the music and forget the singer, to enjoy the painting and forget the artist, that we venture a reminder concerning Colonel John Trumbull, the artist aide-de-camp of General Washington. He studied art in this country and in Europe. In London he painted John Adams, our first Minister to England, and, in Paris, Thomas Jefferson, our Minister to France. General Washington gave him sittings, and he traveled through the entire thirteen colonies securing portraits. It was not until 1816, after thirty years of careful preparation, that Congress gave him the commission to paint the four great historical paintings now in the Rotunda. They are the best authentic likenesses now in existence of the persons represented. [Illustration: BRUMIDI FRIEZE IN ROTUNDA ] "The Embarkation of the Pilgrims," by Wier, is considered the best picture of the Rotunda. All the self-sacrifice of leaving country, home, and friends is in the women's faces, "All for God" is in the men's faces. It is the little leaven of Puritanism which yet keeps this country sweet. It is amusing to see the bands of Indians who are sent here to meet the "Great Father" stop before "The Baptism of Pocahontas," painted by Chapman. Evidently neither the faces nor the costumes suit them, for they hoot and laugh, while they grunt with evident approval at the picture of Boone's conflict with the savages and that of William Penn's conference with the Indians of Pennsylvania.