dimly lighted by windows, apparently innocent of water and the scrub-man since creation's dawn, or the settlement of Springfield. But the lack of translucent qualities in the windows, was compensated somewhat by the transparency of the upper half of the door leading into the hall-for there was nothing there to obstruct the perfect vision-not even a gossamer's wing, for it was perfectly diaphanous; in other words, both of the upper panels and the center piece were gone: and an agile man could readily have vaulted through the opening. I think there was no carpet on the floor; if so, it must have been, if in harmony with its surroundings, a marvelous fabric. And the sum total of the furnishing of the office, as I recollect it, was a rocking-chair (a favorite seat of Lincoln) and several other ordinary chairs, an old table numerously indented with a jack-knife, a wood stove, and some common book-cases, occupied for the most part with session laws and public documents. It did not seem as if the inspiration of genius could haunt such a place, and yet, in this uncouth office, the later creed of the Republican party was formulated in the mutual councils of these law-partners, and more than friends. Here was fabricated, rehearsed, pruned and perfected that famous speech of June 17, 1858, which contained the key-note of the coming struggle, and rendered effete the tardy echo of the "irrepressible conflict," and its great author. I recently visited the room, which had been their office, with Herndon, and found that it had undergone a radical change; and was now a tailor shop. Alas! to what base uses we may come at last. The system of business was as slovenly as the office itself: one day, Lincoln suddenly thrust his hand down deep into his pantaloons pockets, and fished up two dollars and fifty cents, which he gave to Herndon, saying: "Here, Billy, is your share of the fee for the suit before Squire." This transaction had every semblance of reality and good faith; yet I felt bound somehow to consider it as a bit of pleasantry; and accordingly I said incredulously: "Is that the way this law firm keeps its accounts?" "That's jest the way; "promptly replied Lincoln: "Billy and I never had the scratch of a pen between us; we jest divide as we go along:" and Herndon confirmed this statement of an extraordinary occurrence by a nod. Lincoln had previously told me that he took Herndon in partnership on the supposition that he was not much of an advocate, but that he would prove to be a systematic office lawyer; but it transpired, contrary to his supposition, that Herndon was an excellent lawyer in the courts and as poor as himself in the office. A favorite resort for Lincoln when he had cases to prepare, which needed either privacy or research, was the inner office of the Secretary of State during the administrations of Governors Bissell and Wood; here, partially concealed in one of the recesses, he would sit and think-consult authorities. and write by the hour; and not infrequently, by the day. John G. Nicolay was a clerk in this office-and when Lincoln was nominated at Chicago, Nicolay easily glided into the position of assisting him with his correspondence, Lincoln being accorded an office in the State House; and from that honorary position, the transition to the post of private secretary was not difficult. On the 17th day of June, 1858, Lincoln, having been designated as the Republican candidate for United States senator to succeed Douglas, whose term was about to expire made a speech at Springfield, in which he defined the present and future of our politics with a prophetic accuracy which was corroborated by subsequent events. This was known as the "house-divided-against-itself" speech; and, in my opinion, if he had not made that speech, he would not have been President. On the morning of July 9th succeeding, I was in Tucker's bank, corner of Lake and Clark streets, when I saw Lin |