spirit, a handsome elocution, though with a mind very defective in elementary knowledge, and a very undigested system of ethics, he has all the qualities which belong to that class of human characters.-Memoirs, V, 59.

Of Daniel Webster he says (1841):

my speech

has given

him the means of saving himself from ruin, and his country from a most disastrous war. My reward from him will be professions of respect and esteem, speeches of approbation and regard for me to my friends, knowing that they will be reported to me, secret and deeplaid intrigues against me, and still more venomous against my son. Such is human nature, in the gigantic intellect, the envious temper, the ravenous ambition, and the rotten heart of Daniel Webster. His treatment of me has been, is, and will be, an improved edition of Andrew Jackson's gratitude."-Ibid., XI, 20.

PERSONAL ITEMS

My short discipline of fifteen months at Harvard University was the introduction to all the prosperity that has ever befallen me, and perhaps saved me from early ruin.-Ibid., IX, 354.

Five or six small crackers and a glass of water give me a sumptuous dinner. I am calm and

composed for the evening session, and far better prepared for taking part in any debate than after the most temperate dinner at home or abroad.--Ibid., IX, 408 (1837).

I informed Mr. Whitney also of my wish to join in communion with the church of which he is the pastor. I ought to have joined it thirty years ago and more, but the tumult of the world, false shame, a distrust of my own worthiness to partake of the communion, and residence elsewhere, and continually changing, made me defer it to a more convenient opportunity.—Ibid., VII, 147 (1826).

I deem it the duty of every Christian man, when he betakes himself to his nightly pillow, in self-examination to say, What good have I done this day? Ay! and what evil have I done that may be repaired or repented of? Nor should he rise from that pillow the next morn

ing till after the enquiry, What good can I do and to whom this day? I have made this my rule for many years.--Ibid., IX, 269 (1842).

My self-examination this night gave rise to many mortifying reflections. I often see and often condemn my faults. But for the efficacy of correction I am afraid some penalty is necessary.--Ibid., I, 276 (1803). conversation, an art of which I never had an adequate idea. I never knew how to make, to control, or to change it. I am by nature a silent animal, my deficiency -the talent of starting the game. A man who has that need talk but little himself.-Ibid., V, 165.

Literature has been the charm of my life, and, could I have carved out my own fortunes, to literature would my whole life have been devoted.—Ibid., V, 219 (1820).

At certain seasons, however, the propensity becomes too strong for me. I walk and muse and poor forth premeditated verse, which it takes me six or nine months to lay by and resume to find it gool for nothing. It never appears so to me when I compose it. In a few instances I have suffered the publication of my effusions, and I am accredited as one of the smallest poets of my country. --Ibid., VIII, 339 (1831).

OTHER BRIEF EXTRACTS

A letter book, a diary, a book of receipts and expenses-these three books, kept without intermission, should be the rule of duty of every man who can read and write. But to keep them perseveringly requires a character to which toil is a pleasure, and of which untiring patience is an essential element.-Ibid., IX, 159. Democracy has no monuments; it strikes no medals; it bears the head of no man upon a coin; its very essence is iconoclastic. This is why Congress has never been able to erect a monument to Washington.—Ibid., VIII, 433.

in this country, politicians of desperate private fortunes always find the means of keeping themselves above water as public men.-1bid., V, 39.

In the turbid stream of political life, a conscientious man must endeavor to do justice to all, and to return good for evil; but he must always expect a return of evil for good.--I bid., 1X, 242.

A remark that I have occasion frequently to make is, that moral considerations seldom appear to have much weight in the minds of our statesmen, unless connected with popular feelings. My own delib

erate opinion is, that the more of pure moral principle is carried into the policy and conduct of a Government, the wiser and more profound will that policy be.— Ibid., V, 47 (1820).

This fashion of peddling for popularity by travelling round the country gathering crowds together, hawking for public dinners, and spouting empty speeches, is growing into high fashion. It was formerly confined to the Presidents, but De Witt Clinton made some unsuccessful experiments of it. Mr. Clay has mounted that hobby often, and rides him very hard.—Ibid., IX. 25 (1833).

QUESTIONS.

1. What can you find about Adam's early training and education? 2. What were his views of office holding? 3. What languages do you find him studying at one time? 4. How wide was his range of reading?

1. Compare his views of the tariff and the Navigation Act. 2. Wherein are they similar subjects? 3. What were the relations of Adams to the political parties of his time? 4. What were his views of parties and partisanship? 5. What reasons did he give for any change of party? 6. What did he think the duty of the Senate as to appointments? 7. What was his influence in the Senate first and last? 8. What change occurred in his political prospects while in the Senate, and why? 9. What was his position on the embargo and its effect? 10. Can you decide whether he thought the embargo a wise measure?

1. Views of Adams as to the settlement of the West and Indian rights to land. 2. What stand did he take as to signatures to treaties, and why was he so decided about it? 3. Form an opinion of Adams as a diplomat. 4. How long before his election do you find him to be a presidential possibility? 5. Why was he so much gratified at his election to the House of Representatives? 6. What does he regard as the causes of the opposition to him in Congress? 7. Compare the views of Wirt and Adams as to implied powers in the constitution. 8. Can you determine whether Adams opposed the Louisiana purchase? 9. Determine his views as to expansion in general. 10. What conditions affected them in some cases that are now non-existent?

1. What solutions of the slavery problem did Adams suggest? 2. Which one was highly prophetic of the historical solution? 3. Find prophetic elements in the others as far as possible. 4. Why could not Adams be popular in the West? 5. What were his views as to Texas in 1819? 6. Much later? 7. How nearly correct was his judgment as to the S. A. republics? 8. What can you learn of projects to dissolve the Union? 9. How near did Adams come to favoring a dissolution of it? 10. What were his views at different periods as to its stability? 11. What did he think of nullification? 12. Of the abolitionists and of abolition? 13. Collect

his views on all possible phases of the slavery question. 14. How important did Adams consider the work of internal improvements? 15. How much of the Monroe Doctrine can you find? 16. What did Adams think of the public lands?

1. Sum up the personal traits of J. Q. Adams. 2. What elements of character contributed to his successful career. 3. Write his life based on these extracts. 4. What points are too obscure for satisfactory treatment? 5. Which of the questions of his time are open questions to-day? 6. On which of the settled questions was he right? 7. On which was he wrong? 8. Were there any changes in views due to wider experience or to changed conditions? 9. Which of your answers to the above questions are you sure of? 10. Which are merely an opinion. 11. Which questions are unanswerable from the given data? 12. Consider the value of the material of this study. 13. What are your conclusions concerning the man? 14. Ask and answer other questions of your own? 15. Use the questions of last month so far as they are adapted to this study.

HENRY CLAY

Moved to Ken

Born near Richmond, 1777. tucky, 1797. Member of Kentucky legislature, off and on, 1801-1811. Senator, 1806; again, 1809. Speaker House of Representatives, 18111821, 1823-1825. Secretary of State, 1825-1829. Candidate for President, 1824, 1832, 1844. Candidate for nomination, 1840, 1848. Senator, 1829-1842; again, 1849-1852. Died, 1852.