Mr. Adams only served one term. He was naturally a little _piqued_ at not being nominated the second time, and retiring to Quincy, Mass., he started an opposition post office, where he passed his declining years. THOMAS JEFFERSON was the third President of the United States. He was a gentleman of fine literary attainments, his most popular works being the Declaration of Independence and a humorous poem called “Beautiful Snow.” He wrote the latter during the winter of 1798, (which was the most severe of any within the memory of the oldest inhabitant,) working on it of nights. He served two terms, and in the Spring of 1809 went to work on a farm, where he spent the sunset of his days cultivating potatoes. He said it was easier than being President, and a great deal more respectable. [Illustration: _Thomas Jefferson destroying potato bugs._ ] JAMES MADISON next took charge of the helm of State, and very unsettled weather he found it for a new beginner. During his Administration the country became involved in another war with Great Britain, growing out of certain liberties taken by the latter with American vessels upon the high seas. Whenever an English man-of-war ran short of hands its commander simply helped himself from the crew of any American merchantman he happened to encounter. James Madison stood it as long as he could, and then declared war. This was called the “War of Twelve,” (afterwards increased to several thousand,) and lasted two years. Commodore Perry met the enemy on the Erie canal on the 10th of September, 1814, and after a spirited naval battle they were his property. ☞ See illustration. JAMES MONROE woke up one fine morning in 1817 and found himself President of the United States. He set his wits to work and invented the “Monroe Doctrine,” a neat and ingenious contrivance for preventing any foreign Power from starting branch houses in America. He got it patented. [Illustration: _PERRY’S VICTORY ON THE ERIE CANAL._ ] [Illustration: _NOTICE! TRESPASSING ON THESE PREMISES IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN._ _THE MONROE DOCTRINE_ ] Mr. Monroe declined a third term on account of the cry of “Cæsarism” having been raised by a rural journal. On retiring from public life Mr. Monroe entered upon literary pursuits, and wrote some very able dime novels. His master-piece, called “The Poisoned Peanut, or the Ghostly Goblin of the Gory Glen,” has been translated into every language. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, of Massachusetts, next tried on the presidential shoes (1825). Business being dull, Mr. Adams whitewashed the Presidential Mansion, (a barrel of lime having been appropriated by Congress,) since which time it has been known as the White House. Mr. Adams conducted himself in a gentlemanly manner, kept good hours, and paid his board regularly. ANDREW JACKSON