Hence questions of international law determined by the courts of the United States, while not binding on foeign nations, are certain to be invoked by them in controversies arising between them and the United States; and for that reason the federal judiciary is charged with grave responsibilities, not only in determining the right of a case between the citizens and the government, but in so applying the rules of international law as will, when applied in our dealings with foreign nations, be in harmony with the rules governing civilized nations.

The ruling of Chief Justice Marshall defining the unity and nationality of the United States under our constitution can never be effaced and that unity will, if relied upon, be sufficient to protect us in our treaty relations with foreign nations. Our constitution provides that treaties with foreign nations as well as the constitution and laws made in pursuance thereof, are the supreme law of the land, "and the judges in every State shall be bound thereby, anything in the constitution or laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding.' Article 6, par.. 2, Constitution. This delegation of power precludes the idea of power reserved to the States to nullify the effect of such treaties or to the people, since the latter ordained and established the constitution delegating such power.

It is essential, therefore, that we should maintain the dignity and honor of our national unity and power, especially in our treaties with foreign nations; for certain it is that unless our treaties can be made binding on all our people as a nation, we cannot hope to wield great influence in securing arbitration for the settlement of controversies, the desideratum of all civilized peoples. Then, again, as justice is the object of all

litigation, both domestic and international, we must, to wield unbroken power, have behind us the arch of public opinion whose support, unfettered by local prejudices, is grounded in natural justice, This done, we can well afford to submit controversies with foreign nations to a court whose judgments shall be final.

LITERARY LANDMARKS.

BEING A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF CELEBRATED AUTHORS WHO HAVE LIVED IN WASHINGTON, THE LOCATION OF THEIR HOMES, AND WHAT THEY HAVE WRITTEN.

BY MARGARET BRENT DOWNING.

(Read before the Society, February 16, 1915.)

"All the birds sing in Arcady."

John Kendrick Bangs observed in a recent lecture that so universally is Washington accepted as the literary as well as the political capital of the nation that stand where you may and cast a stone you will surely strike a man or a woman who has written a book. Ainsworth R. Spofford, late librarian of Congress and an irreparable loss to this Society, read before it on February 10, 1902, a paper entitled "Washington in Literature." It was an invaluable addition to the archives and gave the complete and comprehensive treatment of the subject for which all of Mr. Spofford's writings are renowned. To enumerate the titles of all the books emanating from Washington which Mr. Spofford considered of national importance, required more than eight pages of solid printed matter.

In the thirteen years which have elapsed the making of books has gone forward with leaps and bounds. To cover the field with even a casual glance and add to Mr. Spofford's list would require quadruple the time that is allotted to the reading of these papers. Of the total population of Washington, it is estimated that more than twelve thousand engage in the profession of letters, some being writers exclusively, others adding that

gentle art to more serious avocations. The numerous officials of the government of whom President Wilson stands preeminent, diplomats, members of the Supreme Court and of the national legislature, the scientists of the Smithsonian and other branches of the government, the professors of the various colleges and universities, the great number of literati resident here and the members of the press compose this large body. Just to tell off their names and what they have written would be too lengthy a task.

But with the lighter charms of literature, historical memoirs, familiar speeches, favorite songs and popular novels, sprightly letters written by famous men and women, Washington has an intimate and pleasing association. William Wirt, for instance, was a near-Washingtonian, since he was born in the sleepy old village of Bladensburg and his long and useful life was affiliated with stirring chapters of national history. He wrote voluminously on many themes, "The Letters to a British Spy," the political essays signed "Bachelor' and the "Life and Times of Patrick Henry." He was Attorney-General of the United States for twelve years under Monroe and Adams, a term in the presidential council exceeded only by that of James Wilson, of Iowa, who for sixteen years was Secretary of Agriculture. Mr. Wirt was prosecuting attorney for the government against Aaron Burr and his speech "Who is Blannerhassett?" will probably continue his greatest claim to fame when his finer efforts are forgotten. No public utterance has been so frequently the victim of academic oratory. The passage where he describes the lovely young wife of Burr's victim "whom he lately permitted not the winds of Heaven to visit too roughly, shivering at midnight on the banks of the Ohio and mingling her tears with the torrents which froze as

they fell," still calls forth tears and laughter from any American audience, especially of an older generation.

Mr. Wirt resided for twelve years in the fine old brick mansion on G Street between Eighteenth and Nineteenth, the former home of Tobias Lear, Washington's private secretary and Jefferson's commissioner to end the war in Tripoli. A lovely garden surrounded the house and the high brick wall enclosing it remained until recently. Mrs. Wirt was Elizabeth Washington Gamble, daughter of Colonel Robert Gamble, of Richmond. She was accomplished in many ways and figures prominently in the social annals of the day. She wrote the first book on flowers published in this country, "Flora's Dictionary, being a complete botany, a floral letter writer and a book of quotations." It was published in Baltimore in 1829 and may still be found in libraries of the Maryland and Virginia gentry who were Mrs. Wirt's kindred. The Wirt mansion figures again in literary annals as the home of John P. Kennedy, Poe's benefactor, and also the intimate friend of Washington Irving. A few rods east of this ancient domicile is the stately mansion where Edward Everett lived as Secretary of State and Jefferson Davis as Secretary of War.

When Adelina Patti, by many considered the greatest of all lyric sopranos, made what really proved to be her last appearance in Washington, she sang in response to thundering encores two songs, intimately associated with its literary history: "Home Sweet Home" and "My Life Is Like a Summer Rose." Of the first in its chronological order later. Of the second, few know that it was written here in 1817 when its author, Richard Henry Wilde, of Atlanta, Georgia, was a member of the Lower House. Mr. Wilde has claims to lasting fame in his excellent translation of Petrarch's