his choice; but it is almost certain that Mr. C. will not take office. Mr. Clayton, of Delaware, will no doubt go into the cabinet, and beyond that I cannot say, for I do not believe Gen. Taylor, when last in New Orleans, had made up his own mind on the subject. He is personally unacquainted with most of our public men, and will take his own time to make up his mind. Of one thing, however, you may be certain-the old man is honest and true. I have seen him several times since the election, and my confidence in him has increased at every interview. I got a letter from S. the other day. He is still in Missouri, and though in good health, does not seem to have bettered his fortunes. Poor fellow! he certainly has patience and perseverance worthy of greater success. Unless this cholera should continue and break up the courts, I think I shall do a good business this winter, and trust to be enabled to pay you all a visit next year. It will not do, however, to calculate upon it with too much confidence. I wish to see your children, and that you should see mine; and, above all, that they may receive dear mother's blessing. I sympathize with you and L. upon the death of her dear mother, which is a most heavy affliction. Mary joins me in condolence for this sad event, as well as in love and affection for you all.

Your affectionate brother,

SEARGENT.

Mr. Prentiss' Character as a Popular Orator-The Sources of his Power-Misconceptions on the Subject-Resemblance between him and Patrick Henry-Peculiarities of his Oratory-Its Strength lay chiefly in the Subject-matter of his Addresses-His Political Opinions-Distrust of mere Politicians-His Views respecting the Form of our Government-It is not a simple Democracy-Its Practical Methods-The Will of the People not found in Primary Assemblies, or Mass Meetings; but only in the legitimate Action of the Executive, Legis. lative, and Judicial Authorities-American System of Liberty essentially Historical, and Peculiar to Ourselves-Evils in the working of the GovernmentExecutive Patronage-Extracts from Calhoun on the Subject-Debasement of the Presidential Office-His Opinion and Abhorrence of Demagogues-Extract from Aristotle-His Patriotic Hopes.

THE Presidential election of 1848 closed Mr. Prentiss' active participation in public affairs. It may not be amiss, therefore, before proceeding with our narrative, to offer some further reflections upon his character as a popular orator, and also to give a brief summary of his political opinions.

Many regarded his oratory as a kind of intellectual magic. They felt its bewitching power, they perceived its wonderful influence upon others, saw how all classes, learned and illiterate, old and young, men and women, were alike carried captive by it; but, beyond this, it seemed to them a mystery as puzzling as the ancient "gift of tongues;" they could not explain it on the ordinary principles of rhetorical cause and effect. Much of this popular wonder arose, no doubt, from simple ignorance or misconception of the facts of his early life. From his first appearance at the

bar of Mississippi, he was a sort of mythical personage. From the obscurity of a retiring schoolmaster, he had emerged into the public gaze so suddenly, and with such brillant effect, that everybody was curious to know his history; everybody was disposed to seize upon and magnify all the strange stories in circulation about hm. Some said he had been unkindly treated in his childhood, and, in a freak of fortune, had wandered off to Mississippi, a neglected, penniless boy. At Natchez, such was the tradition, "a clergyman, of the Methodist persuasion, by sheer accident, formed the acquaintance of the unpretending lad, and with much difficulty persuaded him to embark in the legal profession. Diffidence had near weaned the brightest star from the most favored position in the galaxy." That he had any knowledge, except what he had picked up also "by sheer accident," seemed never to have crossed the minds of those who credited these fabulous stories. When, therefore, they came actually to hear one of his magnificent speeches, and observed his high-toned, gentlemanly bearing, the glance of his fine eye, and that dauntless look of personal and intellectual prowess, which all his modesty could not hide, is it strange that they regarded him as a splendid meteor; or that the profane among them expressed their feelings in oaths of astonishment? Genius, indeed, especially the genius of eloquence, is always viewed by the many as something preternatural-a kind of miracle in speech. There is that about it, which can be understood, or explained, by itself alone. Who can analyze the influence of sweet music, while ravished by its charms? or who can renew the spell by which it bound fast the soul, and "lapped it in Elysium?"

It is not so difficult, however, to explain the mental

*New Orleans Delta.

In the pre

forces, which produce the marvellous effect. sent instance they are open as day. A vigorous understanding, gifted with a rare faculty at once of analysis and synthesis, was the base; add to this a quick, inventive fancy, strong memory, lively sensibilities, a highly impressible temperament; crown the whole with true genius, and we have the main elements of Mr. Prentiss' intellectual character. The same general qualities, a little differently combined, make the great poet, philosopher, or divine. As a robust understanding was the substratum of his mind, so knowledge, reflection, logical method, judgment, good sense, and the other proper fruits of mental and practical culture, were the substratum of all his speeches. Enliven these solid properties with wit, humor, imagination, and those other ethereal gifts, which are the offspring of genius; let the countenance, voice, and action all correspond, and we have certainly a cause by no means out of proportion with the spicefic effect.

But these general powers, whether native or acquired, belong, in some degree, to all great orators. It was in their peculiar combination and exercise that Mr. Prentiss' individuality, as a public speaker, consisted. The first thing, undoubtedly, that impressed a stranger in listening to one of his characteristic speeches, was the absolute sincerity, depth and fervor of his personal convictions. Before he uttered a word, you felt, by his very look and air, that he was deeply in earnest--and no sooner had he opened his lips, than you knew it by the quick, responsive sympathy in your own bosom. Instantly, a mystic chain seemed thrown around you, and, at every new touch of his wizard hand, you found yourself instinctively drawing nearer and nearer to him; your understanding becoming enthralled, and your heart-strings vibrating as if smitten by an unseen force. Such an effect upon his audience never failed to react upon

his own soul. A friend once said to him, "Prentiss, you always mesmerize me when you speak." He answered, "Then it is an affair of reciprocity, for a multitude always electrifies me!" When he saw before him, as he sometimes did, five, ten, or twenty thousand people, men, women, and children, gazing on him, as if spell-bound; or heard their terrific shouts of joy, it almost maddened him with excitement. "I feel at such times," he once said to me, "a kind of preternatural rapture; new thoughts come rushing into my mind unbidden, and I seem to myself like one uttering oracles. I am as much astonished at my own conceptions as any of my auditors; and when the excitement is over, I could no more reproduce them than I could make a world !"*

Closely allied to this deep earnestness was his perfectly natural manner of speaking. It would have been as impossible to associate with him rhetorical tricks and affectation, as to associate them with daylight, or with the vivid flash of lightning. They were utterly alien from his nature; although a passage occurs, now and then, in his reported speeches, which might lead to a contrary impression.

But though his manner of speaking was perfectly natural, it was, at the same time, like that of all consummate popular orators, eminently dramatic. With voice, tone, look, gesture, and motion, he acted as well as spoke his thoughts. This histrionic talent lent not a little of their charm to both his conversation and his public addresses. He never spoke to advantage when cramped for room. A large space, allowing ample scope to walk to and fro, seemed to give

"For, consult the acutest poets and speakers, and they will confess, that their quickest and most admired conceptions were such as darted into their minds like sudden flashes of lightning, they knew not how nor whence; and not by any certain consequence or dependence of one thought upon another, as it is in matter of ratiocination." DR. SOUTH.