ANDREW BOYD. 569 and wished him to do different; but the result showed that he was about right, and did things at the proper time for the benefit of all concerned. It is not likely that any man could have filled his place during the trying time he was President, perhaps, without erring-without displeasing many; and it is certainly beyond doubt that but few would have been as conscientiously just as he. Who would have been more faithful? He stood like the noble pine, that can bend before the storm but will not break. "He stood when others fell!" No matter who was discouraged, it was not for him to be disheartened; or, at least, to show it. How well did he try to conceal the burden he had to bear; wearing a smile, and telling a story to forget his own sorrow, and to cheer up the timid. and desponding. Mr. Lincoln has spoken and written some of the finest sentences to be found in our language. His speech at Gettysburg, and portions of his inaugurals, are very superior. A few words of his last inaugural, although written in prose, are really in rhyme. "Fondly do we hope, Fervently do we pray, That this mighty scourge of war Many of his speeches abound with fine, tender, poetic expression. His little off-hand good-bye address to his old friends when leaving Springfield in 1861 is full of deep pathos, and will never be forgotten. Mr. Lincoln, with his pen-and that was law-gave freedom to 4,000,000 of colored slaves. Mr. Lincoln was not looked up to with any degree of awe or reverence as some great men have been; but he was respected and truly beloved by the masses of the people for his honesty and justness to all; for his amiable temper and disposition; for his great kindness of heart; and for his unswerving integrity to the principles of free government, and the honor of his country. He was really one of the people, was for the people, and stood by the people. Mr. Lincoln was half-brother to mercy and justice. Without the rank, which is but the "guinea's stamp," he was pure gold; and from an apparently poor and humble sphere, be bounded at one leap in history to the side of Washington. Both these great men showed their virtue and wisdom through a thundering life or death-struggle of our country. The rising generation will outdo us in ap preciation of his character. The charm that lingers about the name of the immortal Washington as the Father of our Country, will also surround that of honest Abraham Lincoln as its Saviour. Andrew Boyd. SYRACUSE, 1882. (April 15, 1865.) OLLING, tolling, tolling! TOLLING All the bells of the land! Lo, the patriot martyr Bearing a hope how dear! Tolling, tolling, tolling! See, they come as a cloud, Signals of loss and woe; Moveth the solemn show. Tolling, tolling, tolling! Was it, O man beloved, Was it thy funeral only Over the land that moved? BOSTON, 1882. Lucy Larcom. лажон |