the black shadow of a wheeling vulture falls on the sun-scorched ground. The cattle, that have strung down in long files from the hills, lie quietly on the sand-bars, except that some of the bulls keep traveling up and down, bellowing and routing and giving vent to long, surly grumblings as they paw the sand and toss it up with their horns. At times the horses, too, will come down to drink, and to splash and roll in the water. The prairie-dogs alone are not daunted by the heat, but sit at the mouths of their burrows with their usual pert curiosity."

Mr. Roosevelt published the "Naval History of 1812" in 1882; "Hunting Trips of a Ranchman" in 1885; "Life of Thomas Benton" in 1886; "Life of Gouverneur Morris" in 1887, both in the American Statesmen series; "Essays on Practical Politics" and "Ranch Life and the Hunting Trail" in 1888. The first two volumes of his important work, "The Winning of the West," were issued in 1889. In 1890 he wrote a "History of New York City" for the Historic Town series; in 1893 "The Wilderness Hunter," and the next year published the third volume of "The Winning of the West." In 1897 he collected a volume of his essays entitled "American

Ideals," which he followed with "The Rough Riders" in 1899, and "Oliver Cromwell" and a volume of addresses entitled "The Strenuous Life" in 1890. He is also the author with Henry Cabot Lodge of "Hero Tales from American History," and he was one of the assistants of William Laird Cowles in the preparation of "The Royal Navy."

All of Mr. Roosevelt's writings are forceful and to the purpose. His ideals are as high in the jungle as in the halls of justice. He discovers the virtues even of the beasts he hunts and the dogs that trail them. He is a naturalist that will take no man's word for truth until he has investigated the subject for himself. He is a historian who does not hesitate to contradict the statement of the best established authority once he has convinced himself that there is an error in the premise. He is an essayist who voices his own convictions irrespective of the effect the utterance will have on his own personal ambitions. He is a writer who would be dangerous were he less honest, and offensive were he not certain of his facts before he ventures to express an opinion.

Mr. Roosevelt has never neglected to chroni

cle his experiences whenever those experiences have been of sufficient value to be of interest or use in the world. He has lived a life of wonderful activity and the world has the benefit of all he has learned-all he has enjoyed. His sufferings he has kept to himself.

CHAPTER VIII.

HOME LIFE AND RELIGIOUS TENDENCIES.

ROMANCE OF HIS BOYHOOD-IN THE HOME AND FAMILY- ́ALL CHILDREN SHOULD HAVE JUST AS GOOD A TIME AS THEY POSSIBLY CAN"-HOLDING TO THE FAITH OF HIS FATHERSAN AMERICAN CITIZEN CAN TAKE HIS BIBLE AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES INTO THE CAUCUS.

In a famous sermon Henry Ward Beecher once exclaimed: "Blessed is the man who has a grandfather!" The student who seeks for the underlying principle of Theodore Roosevelt's home life must go back to his ancestry to secure it. He is no worshiper of name. Neither he nor Mr. Beecher could have had any patience with the profligate who would expect an honorable lineage to excuse a life of inaction or of evil. Yet both realized the value of a creditable ancestry.

As a boy Theodore Roosevelt was the heir not only of wealth and social position, but of a longestablished habit of good sense in the training of children. In looking at his home life it is well to remember that, while ever since the beginning

of the seventeenth century to the close of the nineteenth, the name has been honorably associated with history, no Roosevelt has in all that time disgraced the family, nor defied the laws of the State. There is something of value in such an ancestry as that; and in the sense that it tended to develop the best that was in the child one might well say it was fortunate to have "had a grandfather." The sons of this family had always been taught the value of personal endeavor. Idleness had not been permitted, because to permit it had been clearly recognized as the greatest unkindness that could have been inflicted. But it was a reasonable and healthful industry that was enforced, for the effect was to cultivate a habit of and a love for diligence. The children did not need to be driven. Work was never made drudgery to them. And play was by no means discouraged. A very active interest in current affairs was cultivated; and the result of it all has been that the Roosevelts were healthy and strong men, invariably devoted to home life, and always taking an active part in the affairs of the community.

It was no wonder that such an ancestry should have produced an ideal home for this lad.