of Silas Wright, from his birth-place, through childhood as a student, following him through his professional career until his election as magistrate of a city, and then as Governor of a great State, find many of the attributes of Wright, and also something of the famous Roman? In many ways the similitude is striking; and most, that he is truthful, honest, unselfish, kind-hearted and devoted to the principles of Democracy and the welfare of his country."

The only President ever married in the Executive Mansion was Grover Cleveland. It occurred on the 2d day of June, 1886, during his presidential term. The bride was Miss Francis Folsom, daughter of a former law partner of Cleveland in Buffalo. Her beauty, charm and accomplishments are of a high order, and the grace, dignity and composure with which she discharged the duties of "First Lady in the Land," have never been excelled by any mistress of the White House since the foundation of the Republic.

RICHARD COKE.

THE subject of this sketch was born in the town of

Williamsburg, in the State of Virginia, on the 13th day of March, 1829. He finished his studies at William and Mary College, which was for many years the most prominent institution of learning in the South and ranked with the leading universities of the North. Its roll of graduates contains the names of many men who have attained eminence in the various walks of life, and it enjoys the honor of having been the alma mater of Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and John Tyler. Judge Tucker, the law professor at William and Mary, and Thomas R. Dew, the Professor of political economy, were highly distinguished in the world of letters by reason of their professional and literary attainments.

At the age of nineteen Mr. Coke received his diploma from the hands of Judge Tucker, and two years afterward was admitted-to the Bar. Forty years ago Virginia was an old State and presented but few inducements to the young, ambitious barrister. He yearned for an opportunity to tread the paths which lead more rapidly to advancement and distinction than were afforded by his native State, and resolved to cast his lot in the commonwealth of Texas, which only a few years. before had been admitted to the sisterhood of states. On the 7th of October, 1850, Mr. Coke settled at Waco and began the practice of his profession. As an indication. of the wonderful growth of the country since, may be mentioned the fact that at that period there were not

more than three or four hundred people living in the immense scope of country between Waco and the Rocky Mountains. Without the adventitious aid of friends or fortune, he relied solely upon his indomitable will, his untiring energy, and his powerful intellect to achieve success, and his efforts were soon rewarded by a heavy and lucrative practice.

When the tocsin of Civil War was sounded and its rude alarms reverberated over the land, Mr. Coke, true to his convictions closed his law office, donned the uniform of a private soldier of the Confederate Army, shouldered his musket and hastened to the front. He served until the close of the war, having been elected captain of his company; a position which he retained until the surrender of the Confederate armies, when he returned to Waco and resumed the practice of law.

Shortly after his return home, Mr. Coke was appointed a District Judge, by Governor Hamilton, who was the Provisional Governor of Texas. His district extended from Waco to the frontier, Palo Pinto being the most remote organized county. The performance of his judicial duties was sometimes attended with great risk, as the entire territory embraced in the district was infested with hostile Indians, and it not infrequently happened that juries had to be discharged to enable their members to return to the defense of their families and homes, against the attacks of the murderous savages. The practicing attorneys, the prosecuting officer, and the District Judge, all well armed, traveled the circuit in company for mutual protection. Judge Coke narrates that during one term of his court at Palo Pinto, he and the attorneys were compelled to tie their horses to the gallery posts of their inn, in order to prevent the Indians from stealing them. Every full moon the Indians made a great raid, and at all times of the year large bodies of them were prowling through the country, stealing