The natural abilities of Mr. Rice are of a very high order. His mind is thoroughly disciplined and cultivated, and for the comparatively short time he practiced at the Bar, he obtained an enviable reputation for legal ability, sound, practical, discriminating judgment and gentlemanly deportment. He is well known as an able contributor to many of the best periodicals of the day, and is a graceful and exceedingly vigorous writer. His imagination is rich and glowing, and his mind well stored by a long and judicious course of mental training. We have seen some articles of Mr. Rice's which compare favorably with those of the best writers of the day. The following, which we find in the "Nineteenth Century," we take the liberty of publishing here, and look upon it as a meritorious and beautiful poem: The Moral Hero. With heart that trusteth still, Set high your mark; And though with human ill The warfare may be dark, Resolve to conquer, and you will! Resolve, then onward press, Fearless and true: Believe it--Heaven will bless The brave--and still renew Your hope and courage in distress. Press on, nor stay to ask For friendship's aid; Deign not to wear a mask Nor wield a coward's blade, But still persist, though hard the task. Rest not--inglorious rest Unnerves the man; Struggle--'tis God's behest! Fill up life's little span With God-like deeds--it is the test-- Test of the high-born soul, And lofty aim; The test in History's scroll Of every honored name--None but the brave shall win the goal' Go act the hero's part, And in the strife, Strike with the hero's heart For liberty and life-- Ay, strike for Truth; preserve her chart' Her chart unstain'd preserve, 'Twill guide you right. Press on and never swerve, But keep your armer bright, And struggle still with firmer nerve. What though the tempest rage, Buffet the sea! Where duty calls, engage: And ever striving be The moral hero of the Age! In the fall of 1851, Mr. Rice was put in nomination for the State Senate, and was elected by a majority exceeding seven hundred votes. The General Assembly to which he was now returned, was the first that convened under the new Constitution. Upon this body devolved the responsibility of reconstructing the statutes of the State, and adapting them to the requisition of the Constitution, so as to secure to the people the practical benefits of the great reforms which had been achieved by its adoption. Mr. Rice contributed quite as much as any other member to the important legislation of the two sessions held by that General Assembly. It was said of him that he _was always at his post_. The degree of influence which he exercised as a legislator, was such as few have the good fortune to wield.