Magazine of American History.

In the February number of the Magazine of American History, the editor presents the annual Washington number which for several years has been a prominent feature of this periodical. The greater part of the number is taken up with articles on General Washington and events connected with his life. The leading article by the editor, Mrs. Martha J. Lamb, is entitled "Washington as President." The seat of government was then in New York. It is an account of Washington's presidential life in New York city. The social and official sides of his life are minutely portrayed. The article is extremely entertaining and the interest is increased by two full-page pictures of Mrs. Washington's reception day, also a print of the executive mansion which was never used. The essay covers twenty-three pages.

Another valuable article announces the discovery last summer of a portrait of Washington hitherto unknown and uncatalogued, belonging to a Mr. Peter de Vries, of Arnhem, Holland. The circumstances in regard to the discovery of the portrait are very singular and are well worth the reading. An unpublished fac-simile letter of Washington to James Duane in 1780 also appears. The other papers contributed are: "A Canadian-American Liaison," by Watson Griffing; "The Oriental Account of the Discovery of America;" by A. J. Hall; "The Mound-Builders and the North American Indians," by J. H. Patton; "Slavery in New York and Massachusetts," and Minor Topics.