him, as an acquaintance, impressed me, that, in no ordinary degree, you were a man of friendly feeling and urbanity. I have named my firstborn son, HENRY CLAY, first, as a mark of friendship and affection for you; and next, that your character might stimulate him to worthy deeds. I am in the habit of praying for you, in secret and public. You are consecrated to your country. Bear with me, for I love you."

The following letter has an interest of this kind :

August 11, 1632. "MY DEAR SIR: The two little gentlemen, who are named in this note, applied to me, in the most earnest manner, to introduce them to your notice and acquaintance; and I must say, that it gratified me to comply with their request. My heart feels joy, when I see little boys (they will soon be men), uncontaminated, ardently desiring to know you. Both of them, little fellows, are endeared to me, from the consideration of having labored long, incessantly, carefully, and successfully, in the cultivation of the minds of their mothers. The elder of these little gentleman, is whom I introduced to you at that place, on your way to Kentucky, when I saw you last; and the younger is son of I pray God Almighty to look down, and bless the rising generation, and thus prevent the awful political and moral contagion, which has overspread and pervaded our once happy country, so that our youth, at least, may escape. its baneful influence."

of

A student at college writes to Mr. Clay, December, 1844, thus:

"HONORED SIR: Excuse the enthusiasm, which prompts a young and ardent son of Rhode Island in addressing you, whose genius and principles have won his admiration. It is among the most pleasant recollections of my childhood, that when, many years ago, you passed through my native city, I, too, among the thousands who bade you welcome, had the honor of taking by the hand, the statesman, whose name had become as household words in the land of Roger Williams."

It is singular, that while writing this page, the author should have received a letter, of which the following is an extract:

66

Strange that a man, whom I have seen but once or twice in my life, and that in my boyhood, when he was surrounded by crowds of friends, and too much engrossed with them, to notice the children with whom I was then ranked, should now be loved almost as a father! And yet half of the nation may say the same thing."

One evening at Maysville, Kentucky, 1842, after Mr. Clay had made his entrance there on a public occasion, some matrons, followed by their daughters, were observed to be importuning him. Mr. Clay was obliged at last to sit down in a chair, and submit to the scissors, till he cried out, "Please leave a little, or I shall have to get a wig." The young damsels stood by, each waiting her turn for a lock of his hair, while their mothers officiated as barbers.

On another occasion, in 1844, while Mr. Clay was sitting in his office, at Lexington, a group of noisy, but lovely little girls, rushed in, crying out, and emulating each other for the first salute, "How do you do, Mr. Clay ?" all seizing his hands simultaneously. Their gentle, captivating violence amounted almost to rudeness. Mr. Clay did not know one of them; but they were not slow to tell him whose daughters they were, which they did not doubt was a sufficient introduction. "Come and see ME, Mr. Clay," each one insisted, on retiring, and each seized his hand some half-dozen times, all being in controversy, who should have it last, as they had been, who should get hold of it first.

In the last two cases above noticed, the author describes what he himself witnessed, and was much interested in observing, on account of the moral of the facts. These are only a few examples of the feelings of children and youth toward Mr. Clay, which might be multiplied to an unlimited extent. There must be a foundation for this admiration in young minds. Unknown to most of them, his well-earned fame touches their hearts. Nor is the effect less on the sterner feelings of manhood, and the more gentle affections of female character.

CHAPTER IV.

Mr. Clay's Person-Temperament-Manners-Voice-Attributes of Eloquence.Specimens of his Eloquence.

MR. CLAY is a tall man, six feet and one inch; not stout, but the opposite; has long arms, and a small hand; always erect in standing, walking, or talking; in debate, still more erect; has a well-shaped head, and a dauntless profile; an uncommonly large mouth, upper lip commanding, nose prominent, spare visage, and blue eyes, electrical when kindled; forehead high, sloping backward in a curvilinear line, that bespeaks the man; hair naturally light, and slow to put on the frosts of age; withal, displaying a well-formed person, and imposing aspect, with which, it is supposed, an amateur or connoisseur in human shape and countenance, would not be likely to find much fault. In regard to phrenological developments, so far as any may have respect for that science, so called, the following is a sketch of Mr. Clay, drawn by a professor, whether from fact or theory, both being before him, it is not deemed important to say:

"There is a tall, light-haired, blue-eyed individual, sixty years old or more, who occupies a seat in the senate, at the capitol. He has not what would be called a handsome face, but one of the liveliest, or, if we may so speak, one of the most looking faces that ever fronted a head. It is because he has a looking organization. You catch not him asleep or moping. He seems to see everybody that comes in, or goes out, and besides, to have an eye on, and an ear for, whatever honorable senator may occupy the field of debate. If his own marked political game is on foot, he is then NIMROD, a mighty hunter. He can see just what fissure of inconsistency, nook of sophism, or covert of rhetoric, is made a hiding-place. At the right moment, he aims a rifle pretty sure to hit, if his powder is good; and his friends say, that he uses the best. Grand fun it is, to stand by, and see this keen sportsman crack off, and especially to hear him wind 'the mellow, mellow horn,' which his mother gave him a long while ago. To leave our hunting-ground metaphor, for the plain beaten way, this indi

vidual is the veteran statesman from Kentucky. Now, just come and look at his head, or seek his portrait, at least. You will see how his PERCEPTIVES put themselves forth in front, just as if they were reaching after their objects, as it were, for a long pull, and a strong pull, to fetch them into keeping. Then, in speech, with what ease, grace, order, and effect, he can fling forth his gatherings. His mind has been developed by the exciting circum- . stances of active life, rather than by the speculations of quiet books. Henry Clay is, therefore, a PRACTICAL MAN. He is preeminently PERCEPTIVE. He knows the whom, the what, the where, the when, the which first, and the how many, as well, perhaps, as any public man living. A very long political life has put him to the test. We do not aver, that he never made mistakes, or that he is politically and positively right; WE INTIMATE, MOREOVER, NOTHING TO THE CONTRARY. We would simply convey, that of all the great statesmen of our country, he particularly illustrates the faculties just had under review!" -Uncle Sam's Letters

But

The TEMPERAMENT of Mr. Clay is sanguineous and mercurial, susceptible of quick, and in the presence of powerful causes, of high excitement; but it has been so well controlled by his judg ment and moral feelings, that the condescension, affability, and great kindness, which have usually characterized his manners, have procured for him the most enthusiastic and ardent attachments among all classes, all ages, and both sexes. In less guarded moments, however, the proneness of such a temperament to quick action, has sometimes wounded friends and made enemies. he is magnanimous in his concessions, when convinced of a fault. In 1816, when he and Mr. John Pope were opposing candidates for Congress, Mr. Clay took offence at something which had been said by one of Mr. Pope's friends, and attacked him in the streets of Lexington, creating no inconsiderable disturbance. It was generally thought, that Mr. Clay was in the wrong, and after sleeping upon it, he himself came to the same opinion. The next morning he made the amende honorable to the gentleman whom he had attacked; but it was not so easy to make his peace with the people. The next day he was to meet Mr. Pope a few miles from the city in public debate, where the people, when assembled, evinced much excitement on account of this affair. Mr. Clay rose, in presence of the multitude, and in a very feeling, but dignified manner, acknowledged his fault. The magnanimity of this conduct, done with a grace and effect, which none but Mr. Clay could throw into it, greatly enhanced his popularity, and he car

ried the district over Mr. Pope triumphantly, as he always did, before and after, against every opposing candidate in the state, whether before the people for the house of representatives, or in the legislature for the senate of the United States.

This constitutional excitability in Mr. Clay, has always been with him a severe test of the power of self-government, and it is not a little to his credit that he has so generally been able to control the strong tendencies of his ardent temper, and hold them within the bounds of moderation. He who, like Mr. Clay, thinks quick, and comes quick to his conclusions, is in danger of impatience at the movements of more sluggish minds; and a public man, for ever absorbed, and sometimes vexed, by the cares of office, has some apology for disposing of calls on business abruptly, or for excusing himself to visiters, who do not appreciate the preciousness of his time. When, however, it is considered, that Mr. Clay's great powers were based on this very temperament, which has exposed him to occasional faults, and that, under the admirable self-discipline he has maintained, the public, the world, are indebted to these strong impulsions of nature, for the invaluable fruits and results of his lofty ambition and great exertions, no one can reasonably regret, that Mr. Clay was just such a man, and no other.

Mr. Clay himself seems to have been aware of this feature of his own character. In his valedictory to the senate of the United States, in 1842, he said :

"That my nature is warm, my temper ardent, my dispositionespecially in relation to the public service-enthusiastic, I am fully ready to own. During a long and arduous career of service, in the public councils of my country-especially during the last eleven years I have held a seat in the senate-from the same ardor and enthusiasm of character, I have no doubt, in the heat of debate, and in an honest endeavor to maintain my opinions, against adverse opinions equally honestly entertained, as to the best course to be adopted for the public welfare, I may have often, inadvertently or unintentionally, in moments of excited debate, made use of language that has been offensive, and susceptible of injurious interpretation toward my brother senators. If there be any here, who retain wounded feelings of injury or dissatisfaction produced on such occasions, I beg to assure them, that I now offer the amplest apology for any departure, on my part, from the established rules of parliamentary decorum and courtesy. On the other hand, I assure the senators, one and all, without exception, and without reserve, that I retire from this senate-chamber without carrying