New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-20

son into New-York Bay seventeen regular toasts,
followed by thirteen volunteer toasts. thirty in all,
were given The toasts of the socety's banquets, 1t
Is recorded were drunk amidst hilarity. POPULARITY
Jocundity and. to crown all. fraternity
The society, which has more than 1000
members, has a collection which antiquaries con-
slider invaluable. In its library are more than
100000 volumes American history II has a col
lection of about 900 paintings. including nearly 2O
portraits OF Americans. Among the artists whose
works are represented Albert Durer. Greuze
Ciainsborough. Hogarth, Leonardo da Ninci Mu-
rillo, Teniers, Van Dyck. Velasquez and Vatican
The originals of the plates of Audubon's book on
North American birds in the possession OF the
society. Among it's relics some of especial in
terest. If doubts the tale of the destruction
the equestrian statue of King George at Bowling
Green one may see the gilded tail of his charger
and two three other fragments showing the
marks OF the axes table in ono corner OF the
library. The key bound with gded hoops which
Governor Clinton brought a canal boat from
Lake Erie. when the canal opened. filled with
water taken from the lake, which he emptied into
the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the bay, Is
also in the museum.
Stored away in the crowded quarters OF the
society is the Egyptian collection made by DR..
Henry Abbott and purchased for it by citizens Of
the city in 1860. Any one needing the evidence or
his to convince him of the truth of certain
portions OF Old Testament history can find 1t mere
for he Iron helmet and breastplate
bearing the cartouche of Shishak. of Egypts
warrior kings who came up against Jerusalem
because they had transgressed against the Lord.
Then there are three mummied bulls taken from
the tombs at Dashour These said to be the
only specimens extant of what the Egyptians hon
ored an Image of the soul Of osiris" another
treasure of the collection is the sgnet ring with
which Cheops sealed his DEGREES. Perhaps with It
he sealed the decree directing the construction of
the pyramid bearing his name. Henry Dexter. who
was present when DR. Abbotts agent bought the
ring tells how DR.. Abbott able to secure II at
a low price His agent and two representatives Of
the Paris Museum seated in a public room in
Cairo An Arab boy entered, and showing large
ring offered 1t to the two European connoisseurs
They could not read heroglyphcs and did noe
know its value.
How much do you want for it," asked of the
Europeans Of the COY.
eleven pounds" the boy replied.
'TH give you eight the European replied
NO; eleven pounds" said the boy. My father
said he would whip me if ( Gid not bring back
eleven pounds"
4 won't give more than eight" the European
replied.
DR.. Abbott's representative who able &c read
the ancient Egyptian characters on the ring. asked
the Europeans If they were through. They
swered in me affirmative Putting his hand ir his
pocket took out eleven pounds ana gave the
the boy.
THAT is Cheops' sgnet ring, he said 10 the
Europeans.
IN give you 1000 francs for it," one of them
said quickly. Receiving a negative reply, he
doubled the amount of hts offer but with
cess.
An historical society always has to be on It's
guard against spurious relies. Not infrequently
some leaves the building in high dudgeon be-
cause his or her version of the history of
tcle offered is accepted without affidavits.
Only the other day person brought in fork
which the asserted had been used Il
fork In the Revolutionary War. 1t was accom-
panied with affidavits, and in many respects
resembled fork Of recent manufacture. The own
went away feeling highly indignant because the
fork not acceTted. From time time copies
of THE Ulster County Gazette containing the
Of President Washngtons death and printed
have been four different facsimiles Of this paper
facsimiles issued in large numbers. it is not
strange that they crop up now and then. When
offered TO the society they usually accompanied
by the statement that the paper has been in the
family a hundred years.
Among those who have been members of the So
Cety Rufus King John Jay, Gouverneur Morris.
Washington Irving and Robert Fulton. Some of its
honorary members have been John Adams. John
Quincy Adams. Thomas jefferson, James Madison
Rumford, General Lafayette and his son and Chan
cellor James Kent
The present officers Of the society are Samuel
Nerplanck Hoffman. president; Frederick Wendell
jackson and Francis Robert, vice-presidents: Ar
cher Milton Huntington, foreign corresponding sec
retary George Richard Schieffelin, domestic cor
responding secretary DIR. Sydney Howard Carney
jr. recording secretary; Charles Augustus Sher-
man. treasurer. and Robert Hendre Kelby libra
ran.
OHIO ''FIRELANDS" DISTRICT.