The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-04-14

element towards it but this mans course has
somewhat shaken my faith in that doctrine. In
all that he essays he seems to be guided by a
single purpose, the improvement of himself and
of those around him and in all that he essays,
he is sure to be successful. And he differs
from all earnest men, Ia class that hate con-
summately,) in being wonderfully liberal. BE
seems to be as genuine as the sunshine, and is
as liberal as he is genuine. One cannot call
him dreamer, either, though some of his pro-
jects are very ideal. 1t is wonder to me where
he picked up his sensible views in regard to
Art. / heard him lecture last winter, upon
Art as humanizer,' and it was a most elo-
qnent affair. 1t amused me to notice, that,
though he attached as lofty an esoteric meaning
to the fable of Orpheus as ever poor Walcot
did, he still managed to evolve from it some of
the shrewdest and most practical suggestions /
ever listened to. But no one who heard his
eloquent harangue would have conceived him
to be the author of dry pamphlet, in which
the facts are as convincing as bullets, entitled
Thirty arguments in favor of a general sys-
tenn of Under Draining
"The man is really a prodigy. Rich as
Croesus, passionate as q petted prince, and fond
of the sensuous and the suave, he has somehow
managed to tame himself down into perfect
model of sound, practical sense. Indeed, his com
mon sense is his prime faculty. He don't bother
| about Borrioboola Cha He don't attempt to
| usurp Atlas's Office, and keep up the world on
his own shoulders. He leads, by seeming to
follow. He is immensely popular, and, did he
choose to enter the political arena could win q
entertains like feudal baron is as liberal a
patron as he is discriminating one and is
| all this without failing to be good husband
and son and father, and in a degree even a
domestic man! In fact, a prodigy. And he
has become all this in very few years-the
last five years, in fact. wish 1 knew his Sc
cret, and was capable Of using it for my own
profit. Tell the Browning that she had best
take him up. He is subject ready made to
her hand, and fine one.
"There now, Claude, can you recognise the
sneering cynic, Aulicus Clinquant, in this last
page or two? Shall tell you why have
written thus? 1t is the man himself. Even to
think of him, and write about him. creates a
virtuous glow in ones breast. Dahl can
not make you swallow that, know pHl
say this, however; the only really generous and
| really unsel6sh moment | ever remember to
have experienced, was caused by the influence
of that mans character upon mine. At least,
l owe him something for that. l would like
to be in his place. Not for the sake of the
world. scorn the world owe it nothing.
All have won in it has been by my toll, at my
expense, either of muscle, brain, or honesty.
Damn the world But would like to be Jas.
per Fleming, for own sake, because feel con.
fident that he is happy man, as l know him
to be an honest and deserving man. He has
learned how to leap off his own shadow
mine-a very atrius um6er-deepens around
me every day. / wish that | could sell mine,
or else - that there were no sunshine.
Yours, AULIcUs CLINoUANT"
Here we take leave of Jasper, and of the hap
Ply circle that conferred in him. And our parting
is a pleasant one, for we know that they have
learned how
f'To gain IN life, as life advances
Vaor and charity more and more"
THE END.