throughout, I was
moved at once to write a song adapted to the
music--and "America" is the result. I had no
thought of writing a national hymn, and was
surprised when it came to be widely used. I gave
it to Mr. Mason soon after it was written, and
have since learned that he greatly admired it. It
was first publicly used at a Sabbath school
celebration of Independence in Park Street Church,
Boston, on the 4th of July, 1832.

Respectfully,
S. F. SMITH.

The tune of "America," which Samuel Smith took from a German song book,
was originally a French air. This French air was borrowed in 1739 by an
Englishman, Henry Carey, who recast it for the British national anthem,
"God Save the King." Switzerland, Prussia and other German States, and
the United States have used the music for their national hymns.

_Letter and facts from The Encyclopedia Americana._

"Battle Hymn of the Republic"

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord:
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword;
His truth is marching on.

I have seen Him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps;
They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps;
I can read his righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps:
His day is marching on.

I have read a fiery gospel writ in burnish'd rows of steel:
"As you deal with my contemners, so with you my grace shall deal;
Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with his heel,
Since God is marching on."

He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment-seat:
Oh, be swift my soul, to answer Him, be jubilant my feet!
Our God is marching on.

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me;
As He died to make men holy, let us die to make them free,
While God is marching on.

--Julia Ward Howe.

How to Make an American Flag

The exact proportions of the American Flag have been fixed by executive
order; that is to say, by order of the President,