It is a well-known and prominent truth, that those who are familiar with the beauties and sublimities of the natural world, are distinguished for expansive, liberal, and noble views. An effect parallel to this is distinctly seen in those who are surrounded by the magnificent scenery of the mental and moral world, and whose dwellings are irradiated by their effulgent luminaries. Hence, a sage custom of the ancient Greeks, as related by one of their historians, of causing their youth to be similarly circumstanced――especially those who were being educated with direct reference to the assumption of the duties and responsibilities of public life. In qualifying these appropriately to discharge the former and sustain the latter, their guardians and preceptors deemed it of vital importance to place before them the noblest scenes and subjects. In close connection with the precept ‘_know thyself_,’ they enjoined that of ‘_know the good and great of others_.’ To them it was well known, that the contemplation of deeds of mental and moral grandeur was most salutary――that it generated a desire to imitate and surpass them――nay, more; that it limned them upon the walls of the soul, and filled it with the most beautiful intellectual imagery, which would eventually develope itself in action――magnanimous, patriotic, and conservative of the best interests of mankind. To attempt to prove that such deeds thickly adorn the field of Mr. Clay’s history would be superfluous, since the fact is well established in all civilized countries. So much in relation to the motives for our undertaking. A brief statement of the manner and circumstances of its performance may not be inappropriate. Our visions of anticipated pleasure, at its commencement, were fully realized during its progress. We had expected to be rewarded by the discovery of intellectual diamonds of the first water, but not in such rich profusion as we found them. In consequence of the frequent struggles between our inclination and inability to gather and bring away all, we fear that many of intrinsic value have been left behind; but we trust and believe, that the most beautiful and important specimens will be found in our collection. Entire originality for it is not claimed, but aid from various sources has been received in its formation. Deeming the facts and events of Mr. Clay’s career public property, we have freely taken and appropriated them, wherever found, without considering it incumbent upon us to designate their locality.