The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-01-28
S E w A r. D.
TIE AUTOBIOGRAPHY Of WILLIAM h. SEWARD
Life and Letters OF the Distin-
guished Statesman.

to 1854. with Memoir OF his Late and Selections
from his Letters, from 1881 to 1916 BY Freder'ck
W. Seward Now York: ID. Appleton y GO.
Through the courtesy OF the Mcssrs Appleton we arc
allowed 70 read the advance sheets OF the late Mr.
Stewards autobiography, which will be published by
their house In tho ola fortnight After carefully
wadng through 500 pages that compose this volume
We lay Il down with the regret that there are not soo
follow. Tho book is not only Interesting ou'
thoroughly fascinating There Is not dull limo IN u.
Prom the page upon which Mr. Seward begins the Ms
tory OF his life to tho page upon which his son con-
cludcs tho work there Is never a moment when inc
reader can bear to lay the volume down Inc auto
biography Is written in almost engaging style. Inc
reader feels though he being told as friend OF
the many incidents that marked the career oil the dis
tinguished statesman. and feels upon the most init
mate footing with him before the ink Is ended.
As far back MS Mr. Seward has been able to trace bis
ancestors no is OF Welsh descent. His father, Samuel
s. Seward educated physician and practsed that
profession and farming during his sons minority, ana
seems had some political aspirations, Tor ne repre-
scented Orange county IN the New York State Legsla-
ture in 1904, and with unusual ability. His mother
possessed OF good common school education ana
Is spoken OF person of excellent sense, genleness,
ruthfulness and candor William H. Seward tho subject
OF this volume, was born in Florida, n. Y, on May
i6 1901, and was the fourth oil SIX children He
age OF aine years, returning after short time to his
native village where he prepared for college by
New England college graduate. HIS studies began at
fve In the morning and closed at nine In the evening
In the meantime he says:--
II was my business drive the cows, morning and
evening 10 and from distant pastures, 10 chop and
carry the fuel for the paror fire. 10 take the grain
mill and fetch the flour, TO bring the lime from tho
kiln and to do the errands oil the family generally the
time Of my elder brothers being too precious 10 permit
them to be withdrawn from their labors IN the store
anu the farm How happy were tho winter even
ings when the visit OF ncghbor brought out the
apples nuts and cider, and INDUCED in a respite
from study and listened to conversation, which gener-
ally turned upon politics or relgion
In 1916 he entered Union College, Schenectady.
MR.. EDWARDS SPEECH
It was here that Mr. Seward MADE his first political
speech
est odmirer OF Tompkins and OF course hostile TO
Clinton. Vice President Tompkns, at the request Of
his party made progress through the eastern part
OF the State and in swinging round the circle, came
to Schenectady. he had reception in the city.
students, nicknamed .'Bnck Tails" thought 1t
patriotic duty 10 receive HIM at the college Should
not study carefully the drst political speech was TO
make especially when that speech was an address TO
the greatest patriot and statesman whom my native
State had producedy ] did study the speech, and
did make il; but, like many other welI-studied
speeches. made to Tor political candidates In our
country, this effort OF mino fell on stony ground,
OF Union College, De Witt Clinton reelected Gov
ei nor OF the State OF New YORK.
Burdened with debt to his conGding tailor TO the
extent OF 500, no asked his father for assistance.
which refused; he therefore determined to man-
tain himself and the LIST OF January 1919, without
notice his family, LETT Union College and started
South With classmate, who was en- route for Georgia
There he succeeded in obtaining position prInci.
pal of academy at salary oil $500 year. But be-
fore he drew his first dollars pay he called home
nv lotfe from mare N rel as
good grace he might and resumed his college edu
cation where 1t had been broken of.
AS A LAW STUDENT.
From the commencement platform in July re-
turned directly 10 the humble law Office OF John Duer
Esq, in Goshen, which mad lett. There ! renamed
until the autumn Of the following year, wien l was
received as STUDENT in the Office of John Anthem.
Esq, Bcekman street, IN the city OF New
York. Xr. Anthem had written book on
"practice," and this department received my more
Old master, John Duer transferred HIS law Office in
Goshen to Ogden Holman, already, though young, one
OF the most eloquent advocates Mr. Hoffman invited
me TO Join HIM, giving the privilege Of earning
what could by practice in Justices courts and also,
although had not yet been admitted TO the Bar one
third Of the attorney business Of the Office reserving
the counsel fees for himself.
While studying law Mr.. Seward did not neglect the
accomplishments, but took lessons in singing, dancing
and French, making little progress in either branch
art. When the partnership between Hoffman and
Seward dissolved the latter handed $50 as his
share In the firms receipts With this he started fol
the Western part OF the State to find suitable place
settle He settled upon Auburn and began business
there 1923 in the Office OF Judge Elijah Miller, whose
daughter Frances he subsequently married.
My DEBUT at Auburn Obtained for reputation
which, though was thank ul Tor al the time had nc
reason TO be proud Of convict discharged IRON the
State Prison there the morning warned 10 leave
the town Immediately. Reaching the suburb he dis
covered an open door, entered proceeded rn,
buro Iuki No ais rm q
him only lew vaiueess rags He was indicted FOL
this petty larceny. which, beng second offence, wal
punishable with new term in Tho state Prison. ! was
assigned by the Court to the defence OF the unortu
nate wretch. The theft and the detection were com
pletely proved The stolen articles lay on th'
liable. The Indictment described them ''on'
quilted holder oil the value OF SIX cents an,
called upon tailor expert, who testified tina
tho holder was sewed, not quilted aud that th'
other article was white jean and not "calco" at all
The bystandcrs showed deep interest IN the argumeh
which this defence produced and were gratiled wher
they found that the cuprt escaped punishment
which they thought would be too severe Tor the trans
HE MEETS THuRLow WEED
Returning through The streets OF Rochester from al
excursion Niagara Falls, nchpn gave way,
forewhcei Tell on, the couch went down. anu the Who'll
party. except himself, required 10 be lifted out OF The
muddy ravnc.
Among u crowd which quickly assembled, one tallc
and more elective, while more deicrentia and sym
puhzing than the rest, lent the party ms assistance
This the beginning oil my acquaintance with Thur
low Weed. He had acquired the printers art through
trials, was then editing ana conducting news
paper ut Rochester, which he printed CHIEFLY with hi
own hand, and he had ALREADY become distinguish
Tor public spirit and eminent ability. think also h
was the next year leading memoer oil the Assemb.
at Albany.
In 1925 he IN ct Lafayette in Auburn and assisted II
the ceremonies attending his reception
ENTERING THE POLITICAL ARENA
In January, 1873, found that my professional bus
ness had steadily increased. needed no ONCE Tor
livelihood; but was tempted TO believe that an hon
orubIe trust, which should harmonic w:th my prat
slce OF the law, might avail in increasing my pre-
fesso nal reputation. My personal and political IRENE
Seneca Wood, ESQ.,, was then ho.ding the ONCE vi sui
rogate OF Cayuga county, under an appointment 9
Governor Clinton. Mr.. Wood desirous TO resign
He placed his res ignaIion my hands, with letter
the Governor, recommending me Tor The appoint
ment Governor Clinton acccpte
the resignation, and sent message 10 I'll
senate, nominating me Tor tue vacant ONCE, with
free ana confident assurance that II would be Con
hrmeu The question whether TO follow MI
Adams and thenceiorth abandon Mr. clinton, or 10 lo
low Mr.. Clinton and abandon Mr. Adams was precIp