But, though the politician was really very open and candid in all the affairs of life, in his own estimation he was a very dexterous and dangerous intriguer: he often deceived himself into the belief, that the success, which was in fact the result of his manly candor, was attributable only to his cunning management. He was always forming, and attempting to execute, schemes for circumventing his political opponents; but, if he bore down all opposition, it was _in spite of_ his chicanery, and not by its assistance. Left-handed courses are never advantageous "in the long run;" and, perhaps, it would be well if this lesson were better understood by politicians, even in our own enlightened day. For the arts of rhetoric he had small respect; in his opinion, the man who was capable of making a long, florid speech, was fit for little else. His own oratorical efforts were usually brief, pithy, and to the point. For example, here follows a specimen, which the writer heard delivered in Illinois, by a candidate for the legislature:-- "Fellow-citizens: I am no speech-maker, but what I say, _I'll do_. I've lived among you twenty years, and if I've shown myself a clever fellow, you know it, _without_ a speech: if I'm not a clever fellow, you know that, too, and wouldn't forget it _with_ a speech. I'm a candidate for the legislature: if you think I'm 'the clear grit,' _vote_ for me: if you think Major R---- of a better 'stripe' than I am, vote for _him_. The fact is, that either of us will make a devilish good representative!" For the satisfaction of the reader, we should record that the orator was triumphantly elected, and, though "no speech-maker," was an excellent member for several years. The saddest, yet cheerfullest--the quaintest, yet most unaffected of moralists, has written "A Complaint upon the Decay of Beggars," which will not cease to be read, so long as pure English and pure feeling are understood and appreciated. They were a part of the recollections of his childhood--images painted upon his heart, impressions made in his soft and pitying nature; and the "besom of societarian reformation," legislating busybodies, and tinkers of the general welfare, were sweeping them away, with all their humanizing influences, their deep lessons of dire adversity and gentle charity.