’Tis the wink of an eye--’tis the draught of a breath-- From the blossom of health to the paleness of death, From the gilded saloon to the bier and the shroud:-- Oh! why should the spirit of mortal be proud? XX. On the way to the sculptor’s studio a conversation occurred of much significance, in view of the terrible tragedy so soon to paralyze every loyal heart in the nation. A late number of the New York “Tribune” had contained an account from a correspondent within the Rebel lines, of an elaborate conspiracy, matured in Richmond, to abduct, or assassinate--if the first was not found practicable--the person of the President. A secret organization, composed, it was stated, of five hundred or a thousand men, had solemnly sworn to accomplish the deed. Mr. Lincoln had not seen or heard of this account, and at his request, I gave him the details. Upon the conclusion, he smiled incredulously, and said: “Well, even if true, I do not see what the Rebels would gain by killing or getting possession of me. I am but a single individual, and it would not help their cause or make the least difference in the progress of the war. Everything would go right on just the same. Soon after I was nominated at Chicago, I began to receive letters threatening my life. The first one or two made me a little uncomfortable, but I came at length to look for a regular instalment of this kind of correspondence in every week’s mail, and up to inauguration day I was in constant receipt of such letters. It is no uncommon thing to receive them now; but they have ceased to give me any apprehension.” I expressed some surprise at this, but he replied in his peculiar way, “Oh, there is nothing like getting _used_ to things!” In connection with this, Mr. Noah Brooks,--who was to have been Mr. Nicolay’s successor as private secretary to the President,--and Colonel Charles G. Halpine, of New York, have referred to personal conversations of exceeding interest, which I transcribe. In an article contributed to “Harper’s Magazine,” soon after the assassination, Mr. Brooks says:--