ase to Mrs. Cox. The ceremony took place at Mrs. Cox's home in
Washington on December 12, 1891, in the presence of a gathering of
relatives and friends.

The vase[23] is 2 feet tall and 2 feet 1 inch in diameter; it weighs
almost 8 pounds. Its design was selected by a subcommittee appointed by
the Life-Saving Service, and the job was awarded to the Gorham Silver
Company. The chasing is entirely the work of one man. The base of the
vase has a design of clusters of acorns and oak leaves, and above these
are dolphins sporting in billowing waves. The body of the vase begins
with wide flutings between the tops of which are shells and seaweed.
These are surrounded by a ring of marine cable. On the front, a scene
represents the lifesavers at work. In perspective some distance out,
where the sea rises in mountainous waves, there is a wrecked vessel, and
in the foreground lifesavers are carrying the rescued to the beach. The
ornamentation that covers the top of the body of the vase consists of a
cable net in which are starfish, seaweed, and other marine flora and
fauna. A ledge formed by a ship's chain surmounts the net, and above
this is a profile of Mr. Cox circled with laurel. A lifebuoy crossed
with a boat hook and oar ornaments the other side. Handles at the sides
are two mermaids who with bowed heads and curved bodies hold in their
upraised hands sea plants growing from the side of the top of the vase.
The mermaids are the only portion of the ornamentation that was cast.

The vase is inscribed as follows:

This Memorial Vase is presented to _Mrs. Samuel S. Cox_ by the
members of _The Life-Saving Service of the United States_ in
Grateful Remembrance of the tireless and successful efforts of her
Distinguished husband _The Honorable Samuel Sullivan Cox_ to
promote the interests and advance the efficiency and glory of the
Life-Saving Service.

He was its early and constant friend; Its earnest and eloquent
advocate; Its fearless and faithful Champion.

I have spent the best part of my life in the public service; most
of it has been like writing in water. The reminiscences of party
wrangling and political strife seem to me like nebulae of the
past, without form and almost void. But what little I have
accomplished in connection with this Life-Saving Service is
compensation "sweeter than the honey in the honeycomb." It is its
own exceeding great reward.[24]

Tangible evidence of the increased r