“In 1834 he was elected member of the Legislature of Illinois by a large majority, and was re-elected in 1836, 1838, and 1840. In 1836 he obtained a licence to practice law, and he removed to Springfield, where he entered into partnership with a Mr. Stuart, and rose rapidly in public favour, being very successful as an advocate in jury trials. “In 1834 he was elected as one of the members of Congress for Illinois. As soon as his Congressional term had expired, he returned to the study of the law until 1856, when we find him nominated for the Vice-Presidency by the Illinois delegates to the Republican States Convention of that year, but this nomination was overruled. “Two years afterwards and the Convention met at Springfield, and he was unanimously elected as a candidate for the Senate in opposition to Mr. Douglas. In 1860 the Convention met at Chicago to ballot for a candidate for the Presidency, and after a severe and prolonged struggle Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States of America.” The fearful struggle which commenced upon his elevation to the high office of President, is by far too recent to necessitate description. Suffice it to say that from the commencement to the end, the great trait in Lincoln’s character was ever active, viz., indomitable perseverance. This valuable characteristic served him in lieu of more brilliant qualities, and enabled him to outreach men of far larger capacity and infinitely higher genius. He was brutally assassinated in the presence of his wife and friends by John Wilkes Booth, while witnessing a dramatic representation at Washington, on the 14th day of April, 1865. ABE LINCOLN, THE GREAT AMERICAN JESTER. _Lincoln and Meagher._ On Lincoln’s receiving a dispatch from Meagher, the Irish General, stating that he had succeeded in capturing an entire division of the seceders, the president remarked that “it was good news, if true; but he suspected it was _Meagher_ (mere) humbug!” _Hooker’s Appointment._ When Seaward proposed that fighting Joe Hooker should have the command of an entire brigade, Lincoln expressed an approval upon the ground that they “must win by Hook-_er_ by Crook” (hook or by crook). _Cut Cavendish._ Upon being interrogated why Americans used so much tobacco, Abe replied “because they _chews_” (choose). _Commodore Wilks._ When the president heard of the capture of Slidell and Mason on board the _Trent_, he foresaw that it would be likely to breed a rupture with England, but dismissed the consideration of it by saying that “should the commander’s foolish conduct place him in difficulties, he would not fail to give Wilks a _hoister_ (an oyster).” On another occasion in alluding to the same personage and affair, he remarked that “it would serve _Wilks_ right if he lost his _place_” (plaice). _A proper Cognomen._