MORRISTOWN (ante), a t., the capital of Morris co., N. J., on the Morris and Essex division of the Del., Lack., and Western railroad, 32 m. w. by n. of New York. It was the head-quarters of the American army during the winters of 1776-77 and 1719-80. The traces of an old fort still exist back of the court-house, and the house occupied by Washington, having long remained in the ownership of the Ford family, is now the property of the state, and has been made a depository for many interesting revolutionary relics. The town is built on a plateau which affords beautiful views of the surrounding valleys and hills. As originally laid out there was a common in the center that was called " the green," from which in process of time the grass disappeared. After many fruitless efforts to improve it, a satirical effusion, calling it " an invisible green," led to its being inclosed and adorned. It now contains a monument to the memory of the soldiers who gave their lives to the defense of the union. The town and its environs
furnish pleasant summer residences for citizens of New York, and homes for many whose business affairs call them to that city every day. Among the public buildings are a handsome court-house, a public library and lecture hall, churches of different denom inations, two of them Presbyterian, the first of which is venerable among the older (Iliac:hes of the land, and the second admirable in the beauty of its modern architecture. III the vicinity is the new state asylum for the insane, having one of the largest and btst arranged buildings in the country. Its entire length is 1243 ft., and its greatest uepth, from the front of the main center to the rear of the extreme wings, 542 ft. It is built in an ornamental style of architecture, principally of light granite quarried on the spot. It has accommodations for 1000 patients, and its grounds contain more than 400 acres. Its cost was more than two millions of dollars.