The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1885-02-27
A CONGREssMAN.S LIFE.

CONGRESsMAN'S LsEE
1t is an error to suppose that the law
makers have nothing more to lothian toat-
tend the ordinary sessions of the Senate or
House, and draw their pay. Some ofthem
are models Of industry, going to the Capt.
tol early in the morning, holding commit
tee-meetings for an hour or two, darling off
to an executive department for information.
taking part in the debates of the respective
houses, writing letters to constituents, and
transaeting infinite odds and ends of bust
ness until dusk. And when they go home
in the evening, they are not always allowed
to rest. They are bothered by dissatisfied
constituents; they are besieged by stran-
gers and friends, one wanting this done, an
other that, a third something else. until,
wearied and exhausted. they sink into a
restless sleep, and dream hideous visions Of
the coming day.
Yet there is another side of the picture.
They each receive five thousand dollars a
year and perquisites, to say nothing Of the
honor of writing M. c." and 'U. 5. S."
after their names; they are distinguished
guests" wherever they go: they are invited
to all levees and receptions, to all festivals
and amusements; they are banqueted by
the President and entertained by Cabinet
Ministers; and they are welcome to every
species of domestic and foreign hospitality,
from a charity-ball to a german at the lega-
ton, where they may move solemnly
through the figures of the stately minuet,
or dance to the ~livelier music of a cotillion
and Virginia reel. Altogether, their careers
are decidedly agreeable, and the average
Congressman would gladly serve his coun-
try for life, and nominate his bones to
fill the vacancy occasioned by his death.
The bright little son of a senator evidently
thought the Senate was an hereditary insti-
tuition; for, when asked what he intended
to be on reaching manhood, he mourrfully
answered; well, I'd like to be a hack
driver, but l s'pose I'll have to be a
senator."-From "-4nong the Lac-Hakers,"
w I<ttHth5tn X1htON. VI OF. AtcHOtds.
Recent events lend special interest to
the opening paper in the March Century on
s'The Land of the False Prophet, by Gen
eral r. E. Colston, formerly of the Egypt
ian General Staff, and leader of two exped-
itions in the Soudan. General Colsten's
article was written early in October, yet he
seems to have anticipated the obstacles
with which the British expedition has had
to contend, and the information he conveys
throws much light on subsequent events.
Numerous illustrations and careful maps
aid the descriptions; and a portrait of Gen
eral Gordon, from a photograph made in
1861. is worthy of note.
-Four profusely illustrated articles are
comprised in the March contribution to the
series on the American Civil War; and they
are remarkable both with respect to the
pictures and to their historical Importance.
Colonel John Taylor Wood, the senior sur
viving officer of the Mrrimac, describes the
combat with the Monitor as seen from with
in the Merrimac, and entities his papt
''The First Fight of Iron-Clads." TLis is
followed by a graphic account of what took
place I'm the Monitor Turret, by the late
Commander s. d. Greene, who commanded
in the turret, and relieved Admiral Worden
when the latter was disabled in the pilot
house. General Colston who, during the
fight, was"Watching the Msrrimae'' from
the Confederate works on Sewall's Point.
describes the scene in a brief paper with
the above title. In the third part of the
''Recollections of a Private" Warren Lee
Goss describes the march up the Peninsula
with Mcclellan. Several subjects are treat
ed n"Memoranda of the Civil War" nota-
bly, the conduct of General r. 5. Ewell
at Bull Run, who is defended by Major
Campbell Brown against statements made
in General Beauregard's article published
in the November Century. The defense
consists mainly of a correspondence which
passed between Generals ~Beauregard and
Ewell.
In this number of The Century Messrs.
James and Howells continue their re-
spective serials. The astronomer Langley
concludes his papers on THE New As
tronomy''; Mr.. John Bigelow prints his
''Recollections of Charles O'Conor, the
famous lawyer; and Mr.. Stephen NJ.
Allen his "reminiscences of Daniel Web
ster, !" each article being accompanied by a
full-page portrait. Rev. o. B. Frothing-
ham has a striking essay on THE Worship
of SHAKESPEARE" Besides the verses in
''Bric-a-brac,' poems are published by
Stedman and Cheney.
The editorials deal with The Century
War series" the cholera, and Freedom
of Discussion" In ''0pen Letters THE
Claims of Chicago to future prominence
are discussed; and among other matters
Progress in Forestry and The Blue
and the Gray"
The first edition of the February Cen
tury was $50, 600 a subsequent edition
bringing the circulation up to 100000.
The first edition of the March Century is
the largest first edition of this magazine
yet printed, namely, 100, 000
r..l;,. 80 a.4a L., +olI q Nra.I -.