NEW EXHIBIT AT WIDENER

The original draft of "America" written by Samuel Francis Smith '29 is being shown in the Treasure Room of Widener Library as part of an exhibit of manuscripts by eminent British and American authors; and other objects of interest including foreign decorations bestowed on President Eliot. There are some interesting revisions in the manuscript of "America" which make it as we sing it today. The line which is now "The woods and templed hills" was first written "Our woods and sacred hills," while "Let all that breathe partake the sound prolong," was originally "Let all that breathe partake the scared song." In the same case with "America" is Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's famous poem "Excelsior" written at three o'clock in the morning on the back of a letter from Wendell Phillips. In another case are parts of the original manuscript of "The Uncommerical Traveller" in Dickens' unreadable scrawl, and of the "Roundabout Papers" written by Thackeray in a hand that resembles printed script.

Among other interesting articles are, a fife that belonged to Major Andre, one of the crimson crew handkerchiefs which led to the adoption of that color by the University, and a large meerschaum pipe which was once the property of Oliver Wendell Holmes.

Four decorations given to President Eliot by foreign governments are displayed. They are: the Order of the Crown of Italy, Grand Officer presented by the King of Italy; the medal of an officer of the Legion of Honor, presented by the president of France; the Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown of Prussia, presented by the former emperor of Germany; and the Imperial Order of the Rising Sun, presented by the Emperor of Japan.