Brown. 3 pp., a literary not critical review of Hoar's Autobiography.

7. Civilization and the post office, by Brent Moore. 6 pp., rhetorical, a little historical, sketch of the work and development of the post office.

8. Industrial development in Alabama during the Civil War, by Walter L. Fleming. 13 pp., a thoroughly scientific article covering the military industries, private manufacturing, especially salt.

9. Massachusetts and the New England Confederation, by Helen Henry Hodge. 12 pp., account, with numerous foot notes and quotations of the union of colonies, 1639-1650.

10. Some recent products of the new school of Southern fiction, by John Raper Ormond. 5 pp., sophomoric in its cocksure judgment; bald assertions such as the sons of the old planters are not "doing things in the South to-day." II. Book reviews. 8 pp.

In the Century for April Dr. S. Weir Mitchell begins a new biography of Washington. It is couched in the form of an autobiography and is dated in 1797, when Washington had retired from public life and had found time for reflection and reminiscence. The chapters for April and May deal with his youth and are written with all the grace and elegance of style of which Dr. Mitchell is so well known as master. From the charm and naivete, from the simplicity, unstudied grace and freedom from affectation the casual reader might easily believe it to be a true autobiography written by Washington in his old age for his own delectation and with no thought of subsequent publication. In fact, the writer of this note ventures the prediction that before many years this biography will be quoted by the more careless writers as a true autobiography. The June number introduces Washington to his work as a land surveyor and maintains wonderfully well the fiction of authorship.

THE GENEALOGICAL QUARTERLY MAGAZINE, April, 1904, Vol. V, No. 1, pp. 56, $3.00 yearly, 75 cents singly, Boston, Mass.

Contents: 1. Genealogical gleanings in England, by Henry F. Waters. Edited, arranged and completed by Lothrop Withington. (Continued.) 15 pp., alphabetically coming down to Andrews, 1597.

2. Marriages and deaths in Georgia Colony, 1763-1800. Compiled from newspaper files. By William Alfred Bishop. (Continued.) 17 pp., from the Georgia Gazette down to 1798.

3. Early records of the First Church in Cambridge, Mass. Copied by Stephen P. Sharples. (Continued.) (Continued.) 24 PP., births, deaths, marriages and minutes, baptisms.

NOTES AND NEWS.

HISTORICAL ENTHUSIASM.-Although with only a short record behind them the people of Kansas make up in generosity and activity for the deficiency of years. The State Historical Society is most liberally treated by the Legislature with money and with quarters. Not only is an annual volume issued but a museum is being developed and a large library being gathered. Most energetic are the managers to get complete files of newspapers of the State and all pamphlets and other fugitive issues, besides maps, charts, and pictures. There are now on the shelves some 60,000 volumes and nearly 100,000 pamphlets. The additions last year were over 10,000. The society receives a large number of every State publication which it uses for exchange purposes. Great interest is being aroused to mark every place that can be magnified into historic significance. The schools are being enlisted to set up stones at all important places along the old Santa Fe trail. An unusual feature is a mass of clippings about the great flood of 1903. There are a democratic breeziness and plainness that are in keeping with the great breadth and stretch of prairie. A memento of last year's flood is a mud-incased Bible from the family of Congressman Curtis. There is also the pulpit Bible of a Topeka church that floated in the water for some hours while the church was getting some two feet of mud on the floor. Not only is this religious relic donated, but a list of those who shoveled out the mud goes with it. The two shin bones of W. C. Quantrill repose in a case, while he is frankly described by the Secretary as "the most historic devil developed by the Civil War." The secretary is undoubtedly right when he speaks of the vigorous peculiarities of Kansas history.

SECRETARY OF VIRGINIA MILITARY RECORDS.-In order to facilitate the collection of the records of Virginia troops in the Confederate Army, for the use of the War Department, in making a compilation of the officers and enlisted men of the Union and Confederate armies, the General Assembly of Virginia has provided for the appointment and compensation of a Secretary of Virginia military records. The act governing the subject was approved March 7, 1904. The secretary is to be appointed by the Governor, upon the recommendation of the commander of the Grand Camp of Confederate Veterans of Virginia. It is made his duty to collect all muster rolls, records, and other materials showing the officers and enlisted men of the several companies, battalions, regiments, and other military organizations from Virginia in the armies, marine or naval service of the Confederate States, and the names of all Virginians of whatever rank, in the military, marine or naval service of the Confederate States, whether regulars or volunteers (militia or reserves.) The materials collected by him are to be turned over to the State Librarian of Virginia, who is charged with the duty of transmitting them to the United States War Department. The secretary is given a term of office of one year, and a compensation of $1,800 per annum. A small contingent fund is provided for the traveling and other necessary expenses to be incurred in the performance of his duties. Mr. Robert W. Hunter, of Virginia, has received the appointment.

FINANCES OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS. The new adjutant general, William E. Mickle, in his last report, has been very successful with the most difficult phase of all organizations—the money supply. When he took charge at the beginning of 1903 he found a debt of nearly $2,400. By unusual executive skill he has reduced this to $750, but he also makes mention of much difficulty in raising the

fund. The average outsider never realizes the vast amount of work in connection with such an organization. One item though is an index; including letters, receipts, and other matter the office had to handle about 150,000 pieces of mail matter in one year.

PIONEER MONUMENT.-What is supposed to be the first county pioneer monument in the South was dedicated at Selmer, Tenn., during the past summer. Gen. M. J. Wright, who was the originator of the idea and most active in pushing the matter to completion, delivered the historical address. Others taking part were Rev. T. F. Sanders, H. P. Wood, J. C. Houston, J. M. Mitchell, T. Abernethy, T. M. Darnell, W. P. Basinger, D. M. Wisdom, Mrs. J. S. Perkins, A. W. Stovall, J. V. Wright, J. W. Purviance, M. Kirkpatrick. There was a very large attendance from the surrounding country.

MONUMENT TO FIRST CONFEDERATE TO FALL.-On June I, at Fairfax Courthouse, Va., a monument of rough granite was unveiled to the memory of John Q. Marr, who it is believed by many was the first to lose his life in the Civil War, though it has been disputed by a North Carolina claim. The following took part in the exercises: R. W. Moore, J. N. Ballard, Rev. E. Meade, H. M. Clakson, R. W. Hunter, D. A. Grimsley, G. L. Christian, Gen. Hunton, Judge Goode, Attorney-General Anderson and Governor Montague, of Virginia. There was a very large crowd in attendance and the entire day was enjoyed, the occasion being varied with the singing of national patriotic songs. The inscription on the monument reads as follows:

"This stone marks the scene of the conflict of the war of 1861-1865, when John Q. Marr, captain of the Warrenton Rifles, who was the first soldier killed in action, fell about 800 feet s., 46 w. (Mag.), of this spot, June 1, 1861. Erected by Marr Camp, C. V., June 1, 1904."