In January and February, 187S, he took an active part in opposing the ill-advised attempt of the city officials to erect an armory for the National Guard in Washington Square, and, in company with many of the best citizens, deemed it of importance that the few breathing-places in the crowded portions of the city should not be diminished.

With a deep interest in the welfare of that portion of Westchester County which had been the home of his ancestors, as well as his own, he was prominent in the formation of a society for village improvement, known as the Katonah Association, which has been of great and lasting benefit in elevating the taste of the community.

The news of the assassination of President Garfield reached Mr. Jay while yet in Europe, and at a meeting of American citizens held at Paris, an eloquent address was delivered by him, portraying in vivid language the duties of the hour.

The. frequent contributions from his pen upon the questions of the day are well-known to all, but among tliem especial mention may be made of articles which appeared in the International Review, on the Catholic question and on Presidential elections.

The four hundreth anniversary of the birth of Martin Luther occurred November 4, 1883, and the event was duly celebrated by a public meeting at the Academy of Music, under the auspices of the American Evangelical Alliance. "Never before," says the New York Herald, " was such a throng gathered under its roof," and the opening address made by Mr. Jay, as president of the Alliance, was an effort worthy of himself and of the fame of the "Great Reformer."