of the ban- ner the Queen of Cities, represented by a female wearing a crown, is calling attention to a picture, a view of the dam on the Croton River — the origin of the aqueduct. On the lower part of the border surrounding the picture, are emblazoned the arms of the city of New- York in basso relievo. The silk on which the design is portrayed, measures nine and a half feet by seven and a half feet. Its color is a rich mazarine blue — the fringe, tassels, and cord, are amber and crimson. The banner is surmounted and greatly adorned by three separate groups of carving — the centre consisting of a fireman's cap as a base, with a trumpet affixed to the top, on which stands a large eagle with extended wings, measuring three and a half feet from tip to tip. At each end are trophies, composed of Hook and Lad- der, Torch, Trumpet, Pipe and Axes. His Honor, the Mayor, then rose and made the following speech : Mr. President and Trustees of the Fire Department, — " I have been deputed, by a resolution which has just been read to you, to present on the part of the Common Council, to the Department of which you are officers, this Banner, as a testimonial of their high approbation of the services rendered by the Fire Department, and as evidence of their esteem and regard for the members composing that department. The Fire Department was organised on the 20th day of March, 1798, from which period, to the present time, by its constant vigilance and unceasing and disinterested efforts, the property of our citizens has been protected. Blended with the important services you have thus rendered, you have also performed the important functions of a charitable in- stitution, having for its object the relief of the widows and orphans of your deceased asso- ciates ; the benefits thus conferred by the department have been as extensive, as their in- tentions were praiseworthy. This occasion, the celebration of the arrival of the Croton water in our city, is happily selected for the presentation of this banner, as it is to be hoped that among the many important benefits to result from that work, not the least will be to relieve your department of a great proportion of its dangerous and arduous duties. The emblems upon this standard are indicative of the foresight and energy of our citizens, and of the services and humanity of the Fire Department. On one side stands the, Q,ueen of Cities, representing the scientific enterprise of our citizens, and pointing to the Croton Dam and Aqueduct, which leads the waters of a distant river to our city, for our protection and comfort. On the other side is Neptune, the god of the ocean, showing that these waters have arrived among us. Their effect is exhibited by the figure of Victory, which stands upon the prostrate Demon of Fire, while the widow and the orphan children, with their friend, the fireman, show the consummation of the work, and that the charity of your depart- ment is all that will now be required of you. Acccept, sir, this Banner, and present it to your associates as a token of our regard, and an emblem of the services they have rendered." CROTON ACIUEDUCT. 26S The Mayor was replied to by Adam Pentz, President of the Fire Department, as follows : " In behalf of the Fire Department, I thank you cordially for the presentation of this elegant token of the approbation and kind feeling of the Common Council, and for the handsome and complimentary terms in which you have been pleased to convey it. I am sensible that no language of mine, could give any thing like an adequate expression of the gratification experienced by the Department upon this occasion. That gratification is not diminished, but enhanced, by the reflection, that no extensive conflagration, recently sub- dued by the energy and activity of the Department, has awakened in a generous community a disposition to thus express its approbation ; but that those into whose hands the people have entrusted the guardianship of these interests, regarding our institution as a most ef- ficient agent of public good, and not unmindful of the services and sacrifices to which its members are subjected, have in this public manner marked their appreciation of the past, while at the same time they have held out a stimulus to the future. The occasion upon which we are assembled, commemorating the completion of one of the most stupendous public works of the Union or of the age, furnishing so rational a cause for rejoicing, is wel- comed by no portion of your fellow citizens with more sincere pleasure, than by that por-