VOL. XII.

JULY, 1876. No. 3. THE STORY OF THE SIGNING. JOHN NIXON READING THE DECLARATION OK INDf l'l-.NI)l- NCK IN THE STATE-HOUSE YARD, JULY 8TH, 1776. IN the days of the Continental Congress I ing streams, sleeping at miserable country the delegates used to travel to the capital, at inns, sometimes weather-bound for days, the beginning of each session, from their sometimes making circuits to avoid threat- several homes, usually on horseback ; ford- j ened dangers, sometimes accomplishing VOL. XII. 19.