The Gilt Cross.

Several times this year mention has been made of the gilt cross over the entrance to the library, but as far as we know its real history has not been told. When, in 1745 Louisburg surrendered to Sir William Pipperell and the Massachusetts troops, the cross was taken as a trophy and was brought to Cambridge on the return of the soldiers. The date of the capture and a further inscription were printed upon it and it was given a place among other relics which were formerly preserved in Harvard Hall. After the removal of the library from that building in 1841, this collection of trophies was transferred to a building in which the Panorama of Athens was exhibited and in the fire which followed, the inscription on the cross was obliterated. When Gore Hall was built the cross was hung on one of the walls and in December, 1877, when an addition was made to the library building, it was gilded and placed in its present position over the entrance.