ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

CHAPTER I.

THE attention of an observer, who stands upon the seashore, and surveys the changing surface of the deep, is not attracted so much by the mighty mass of waters spread out before him, as by the waves which lift their crests high in the air, as if to assert their individuality and power, and then dash themselves upon the beach in the vain attempt to burst through the barriers which confine them.

So, in studying the history of past ages, the attention of the student is not attracted by the masses of the people, who have inhabited the earth during any given period, but rather by the individuals, who, by their genius, heroism or devotion to principle, have towered above the dead level of humanity and performed deeds or perpetuated institutions of which the memory and influence have become immortal. It is such men as these who, by directing the giant forces of society, government and religion, have made history. Thus all history must be, to a large extent, biographical, for it is the record of the thoughts and deeds, not of the many, but of the few who have played the principal parts in the great drama of life.

There are many men who have secured renown by their achievements, but comparatively few have been so fortunate as to have their names linked with the triumph of a great principle over opposing forces.

There are multitudes of great generals, who have conquered empires, or conducted glorious military campaigns. The annals of time teem with the names of statesmen and philosophers who have formed and directed governments and institutions, or opened up hidden treasures of knowledge. But the number is small of those who have been instrumental in instituting great moral or political reforms. Yet there are some names that always suggest the great movements with which they are connected and with which they have become almost synonymous. Thus the history of religious reform centres around the lives of such men as Luther, Huss, Wickliffe and Wesley; while Cromwell, Mirabeau and Washington are always identified with the cause of popular freedom against tyranny and oppression. And no less intimately are the names of Wilberforce, Alexander and Lincoln identified with the cause of personal liberty.

The careers of most of these men have passed into the domain of history, and it is possible to estimate their character and influence, unbiased by the glamor of their achievements or the sentiment inspired by their personality in those who came into contact with them. But this is not true of Lincoln. The generation, which witnessed his deeds, has not passed off the stage, and there are men still living who have clasped his hand and felt the charm of his presence. Future generations may arrive at a true

estimate of his character, but those who have lived in the same century with him can never do so.

An observer at the base of a mountain can see the rocks, trees and precipices and note the solidity and ruggedness of the great mass, but in order to form a just estimate of its symmetry and majesty, he must take his position at a distance so great as to render the minor details invisible.

So it is with any man who has achieved a history for himself. Those who stand within the circle of his life are too near to take the measure of his character and influence.

It matters little what shall be the verdict of history in the case of Abraham Lincoln. Whether it shall rank him as the foremost American and the peer of the world's greatest men, or only as a patient, faithful toiler, who was suddenly raised to a position of high responsibility, and who triumphed over the difficulties of the place by hard common-sense and painstaking industry, but not by the brilliancy of genius, which is commonly considered to be the essence of such success. The great fact must still be recognized that he saved the country from a peril that threatened her very existence; and that he inspired and encouraged a burdened people, in the midst of a terrible civil war, by his own indomitable energy and unwavering faith in ultimate success. Whatever future ages may say, the American people will always regard him as a national benefactor, and will inscribe his name high up beside that of Washington, the two heroes whom a grateful country most delights to honor.

When the Romans conquered Britain, they both

established a military supremacy over it and also introduced their own manners and customs, locating colonies, founding cities and leaving the impress of their civilization upon the lives and character of the native inhabitants.

Among their many prosperous colonies was one which they called Lin Colonia, located in the fertile country between the River Humber and the Wash. This old Roman colony has developed into a prosperous county, the largest, save one, in England. But its name, Lincoln, is to-day the only reminder of its ancient founders.

While it is easy to ascertain the origin of the name, it is impossible to trace the lineage of the modern Lincoln family back to it. Yet it is certain that the great war President was descended from one of the sturdy, Lincolnshire families, who have done so much to develop the English character of to-day.

In 1638, or thereabouts, one Samuel Lincoln emigrated with his family from the county of Norfolk, Eng., to Massachusetts, where he settled in the little town of Hingham. From this pioneer settler in the new world the various Lincoln families, scattered over the country, are probably descended. These early Lincolns were a devout people and earnest students of the Bible. For a number of generations their children were named after some of the Old Testament heroes, many of them bearing such names as Mordecai, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Samuel's eldest son, Mordecai, removed to New Jersey and thence to Pennsylvania, where he accumulated a large property. Upon his death one of his sons, John, received, as his share of the inheritance,