O thou holy Christian religion! Whence is it that thy children have sucked this inhuman poisonous blood, these raging fiery spirits? . . . Blessed God! that it should become a most sure and settled course for a man to run into danger and disgrace with the world, if he shall dare to perform a commandment of Christ, which it is as necessary for him to do, if he have any hopes of attaining heaven, as meat and drink is for the maintaining of life! That it should ever enter into Christian hearts to walk so curiously and exactly contrary unto the ways of God. . . . Thou, for a distempered, passionate speech, or less, would take upon thee to send thy neighbor's soul, or thine own-or likely both-clogged and oppressed with all your sins unrepented of (for how can repentance possibly consist with such a resolution ?) before the tribunal seat of God to expect your final sentence; utterly depriving yourself of all the blessed means which God has contrived for thy salvation, and putting thyself in such an estate that it shall not be in God's power almost to do thee any good.

Pardon, I beseech you, my earnestness, almost intemperateness, seeing that it has proceeded from so just, so warrantable a ground. And since it is in your power to give rules of honor and reputation to the whole kingdom, do not you teach others to be ashamed of this inseparable badge of your religion-charity and forgiving of offences. Give men leave to be Christians, without danger or dishonor; or, if religion will not work with you, yet let the laws of that State wherein you live, the earnest desires and care of your righteous Prince, prevail with you.-Sermon, preached before Charles I. and the Court.

CHOATE, RUFUS, an American lawyer and orator, born at Ipswich, Mass., October 1, 1799; died at Halifax, Nova Scotia, July 13, 1859. At fifteen he entered Dartmouth College, and from the first took place at the head of his class. After graduating he studied at the Law School in Cambridge, and afterward entered the office of William Wirt, then United States Attorney-General, in Washington. He began the practice of his profession at Danvers, Mass., but soon removed to Salem, and subsequently to Boston. While a resident at Salem he was elected to Congress. In 1841 he was appointed United States Senator, taking the place of Daniel Webster, who had accepted the position of Secretary of State in the Cabinet of President Harrison. In the Senate he made several important speeches upon the leading questions of the day. On leaving the Senate, in 1845, he returned to Boston, and devoted himself to the practice of his profession, declining all invitations to accept official positions, though he took a deep interest in public affairs, and delivered many addresses before literary societies. His health began to fail in 1858, and he was compelled to withdraw from active life. In the summer of 1859 he set out upon a voyage to Europe, but upon reaching Halifax, Nova Scotia, he found that he could proceed no further. He took

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ACTOR, LENOX

FILDEN FOUNDATIONS

countrymen. It shows them what intelligence, honesty, perseverance, generous aims, and the personal qualities which make friends can do for a young man who has his own way to make and means to make it. I do not think any one can grudge you the success you have won. It must be a great delight to look back on a career marked by such triumphs, with the feeling that you have added so much to the happiness of your fellow-countrymen and to the credit of your country. It is a record of deeds by which you will long be remembered; and what can be more gratifying than to feel that your name will always be associated with the fairest products of art and the most precious memories of the great singers who have lent a glory to the language we inherit? I cannot forget your many acts of courtesy to myself; and I return my thanks to you for all the tokens of friendly regard with which you have honored me."

RECOLLECTIONS OF GENERAL GRANT.

In his life three qualities were conspicuously revealed -justice, kindness, and firmness. Seeing General Grant frequently for more than twenty years, I had abundant opportunity to notice these qualities.

A great many people had an idea that General Grant was very much set in his opinions; but, while he had decided opinions, at the same time he was always open to conviction. Very often in talking with him he would make no observation, and when one had got through, it would be difficult to tell exactly whether he had grasped the subject or not, but in a very short time, if the matter was alluded to again, it would be found that he had comprehended it thoroughly. His power of observation and mental assimilation was remarkable.