Evening star., 1897-03-26

the Train of all these innumerabe impres-
sions is in turn sent back to the organs Of
speech 10 be uttered orally while the eye
| is still gazing upon the printed or writ
ten page. The skilled accountant casts
up "A long column of figures his eye
moves up or down the page, and at the
very instant he reaches the end OF the
column his responsive fingers jot down the
total In other words, he said. commGri-
cations are being transmitted continuous
iy and simultaneously in both directions
betve the eye and brain. He likened
this operation TO the telegraph, although
as regards the dual process ii should be
said that the duplex telegraph was not
then invented.
Love of shakespeare.
This reference will indicate Lincolns
habit of thought and analysis. which he
followed mon or less closely and doubt
less almost unconsciously in the study of
army questions brought to his notice. His
logic was unerring. his homely illustra-
tions effective and his fund of good humor
prover bially unfa;ling. Never once in the
four years did L ever discover i'm him any
anger or malice, nor was he ever without
definite opinion. If others disagreed
with him. he sought to convince them that
they were wrong rather than that he was
right | heard him say once that in try
ing a case ia court he generally adopted
that plan.
Shakespeare. and in the winter of 1860, not
long before his death. he went to the the
ater a number Of times to see Hackett's
FaistaT, and when at the telegraph Office
between times he spoke of Hackett freely
and on one occasion brought a copy of
Shakespeare with him and read aloud for
an hour myself being his only auditor
Mcclure, in his Early Life of Lincoln
al!udes to his intimate knowledge of
Shakespeare. and particularly to an inter-
view between Lincoln, Judge Kelly of
PENNSYLVANIA and actor named Nc
Donough during which Lincoln took from
shelf near mis- table well-thumbed copy
OF Shakespeare, and. turning to Henry "
read with fine discrimination an extended
passage which, he said, in his opinion. was
rot surpassed I'm wit and humor by any
ing else in Shakespeare. The omission
from the acted play of the passage in
question was remarked upon by Mr. Lin
coin as curious fact.
An Amusing Story.
In May. 1864, the Cleveland convention
met, which nominated Fremont and Coch-
rane. This convention was engineered and
controlled by a number of soreheads and
cranks, who We're dissatisfied with Lincoln's
conduct of the war, and who professed to
believe that there was no hope for the
country, save through an entire change of
policy and army leaders. There was vast
deal of ridicule cast upon the convention
and Its candidates, who We're both from
New York state. and who, if elected at the
pGiilS. could not have taken office, because
the Constitution provides that the President
and Vice President must not come from the
same state. One OF the New York papers,
The Herald. as | remember. had an editorial
referring 10 David in the cave of Adulam
and quoting from Sam, 22::2-.And every
one that was in distress. and every
that vas in debt, and every that was
Giscontented. gathered themselves unto him.
and he became captain over them. aaI
lxra y,
this editorial was referred to in the teie-
graph office Bible was called for in
order that the whole context might be
read One OF the attaches. Secretary Stan
tons private secretary (Major A. +. Ii.
Johnson, ran to find the copy. and soon re-
turned with It, presenting ii to the Pres-
dent with profuse bow. This gentle
man reverentiai manner attracted the at
tentioh OF Mr. Lincoln, so that upon his de-
pafture, Mr.. Lincoln arose. and, leaving the
room, returned with the open Bible in MS
hands. and made mock present alton to
one of the company. mimicing the style
and action of the private secretary, who
was short and dapper, but, in fact, very
graceful. The contrast between Mr.. Liz
coin tall, uigainly form, and that Of the
secretary was very great. and the whole
AFFAIR very funny, so that were all con-
vuised with laughter.
I'm Nicolay and Hays History of Lin
coin there is an entirely different version
of the of Adullam incident For in
Cleveland convention was stated as 500
Nicolay and Hay say that Mr.. Lincoln was
struck with the fact that 400 was the num-
Der of D2vid's Sorehead contingent in the
cave, and that he called for a Bible TO veri-
fy the number.
Special Gratitude.
In closing let me say that no one has /
believe, greater cause to revere and even
love the name and memory of Lincoln than
| have, for the following reasons: In Wash
ington one of the great public events is
the Pre- sldents reception, TO which any
body may go. These receptions are al
most always crowded Members of the
cabinet. senators and other men of promi-
nence in public life attend, and the scene
is one OF great interest. Mr.. Lincoln's las;
public reception took place i'm March, 1867.
and on the morning of the day il took
place Stanton's private secretary of whom
| have above spoken, told me that a curly
headed girl, stranger in the city who
was visiting his family. anxious to 20
to the Presidents reception, but had no
escort, ard he asked me if l would act in
that capacity. l consented and accompa-
MED TO the White House and introduced to
the President that curly headed girl who
for many years has been my loving and
devoted Wife