After which the chaplains with the several brigades will render thanks to Almighty God for all His mercies, particularly for His overruling the wrath of men to His own glory, and causing the rage of war to cease among the nations. After noble admonitions addressed to the reason and consciences of the men who had followed him so long, the General proclaimed a day of jubilee and ordered for every man an extra ration of grog. The last act was an illumination on a gigantic scale, the watchfires on prominent hills blazing from huge stacks of timber to announce the welcome tidings of peace to a country that had trembled so long at the tramp of armies and the roar of cannon. Newburgh is a State repository for relics pertaining to the Revolution, the war of 181 2, and other national conflicts. The house that was so long used as head-

The Fisher's Reach 4^5

quarters by Washington is the centre of a little ])ark that is open at all times to the ])u])lic. The old Senate House at Kingston is similarly preserved, and it is becoming yearly more and more a matter of local pride in the various ri\'er towns to guard the reminders of an historic past. Xot onl\' is the feeling towards the preservation of old buildings increasing, but thoughtful people are alive to the necessity for vigorous action to protect prominent natural landmarks. To sto]) the destruction being wrought by the d}'namite of the contractor and save the Palisades from ultimate exodus through the jaws of the stone-crusher, the Interstate Park Commission was formed. After a great deal of hard work and no little application of faith and patience, an appropriation of four hundred thousand dollars was secured from the State of New York and fifty thousand from the State of New Jersey, and the result was the establishment of the Palisades Park, which is in charge of the Commission.