1858, for those interested in the art and history of coins, medals, and dec-
orations. Its library and exhibits are, however, open to the public.

Among the objects on display, many were executed by the most skilled
metal craftsmen and artists of their time and their beauty is impressive.
The coinage of the United States is emphasized. Historical exhibits include
pieces struck in the eastern provinces of Rome to finance the war of Brutus
against Anthony, emergency currency employed during the siege of Nether-
lands cities, and coins of large denomination issued in California during
the great gold rush. In the large hall are military and civil medals and
decorations of all nations, and memorial plaques issued by the society it-
self.

The American Academy of Arts and Letters

The nation's closest approximation of l'Académie française is the Amer-
ican Academy of Arts and Letters, founded in 1904 by the National Insti-
tute of Arts and Letters. The institute, which also has its headquarters
in the same buildings, was organized in 1898 by the American Social
Science Association to further art, music, and literature in America.

The academy's members, limited to fifty, are elected for notable achieve-
ment in the arts. William Dean Howells, Augustus Saint-Gaudens, Ed-
mund Clarence Stedman, John La Farge, Samuel L. Clemens, John Hay
and Edward MacDowell were the first chosen. The museum contains a
permanent display of sculpture, paintings, manuscripts, and other memora-
bilia of members of both the academy and the institute.

The academy possesses one of the finest small auditoriums in the city,
entered from 156th Street. Designed by Cass Gilbert, it excels in general
arrangement and in the treatment of its detail.

George Washington Bridge

Fort Washington Ave. and 179th St., Manhattan, across Hudson River to Fort Lee,
N. J. IRT Broadway-7th Ave. subway to 181st St.; or 8th Ave. (Independent)
Washington Heights subway to 181st St.; or 5th Ave. bus No. 4 to 178th St.
Toll: passenger automobiles 50c, pedestrians 50.

From a distance, George Washington Bridge, most splendid of all
Manhattan bridges, is a silver arc above the broad steely plane of the
Hudson. Up close the mighty span, linking upper Manhattan and Fort
Lee, N. J., dominates the whole setting: the Palisades, the new brick and
stone walls of the Riverside cliff dwellers, the wide flood of the river.