curred just previous to the beginnings of a quart, and my stomach only holds a the Forrest litigation; and when Mr. Van pint." Buren entered upon the pursuit of that cause "Perhaps," concluded the speaker, still celcbre he was mentally worn out through fastening his glittering eye,— Ancient Mari his incessant labors as orator on political ner-like, — on the interrogator, " our friend's hustings during tours through the North brain yonder can only hold a small point ern states. On the hustings, and in Ohio (pronouncing the word in the old-fashioned literally " on the stump," he had brought to style as "pint") of political wisdom." The his hearers the same magnetism and gifts of laughter that followed may be imagined. art and oratory with which he had familiar And it was in similar and appropriate re ized juries. At that time, he was perhaps partees that Mr. Van Buren's strength as a best popularly known to the public at large public speaker consisted. I select another as a partisan orator, and less as a lawyer. instance from a score crowding my memory. Throughout his partisan career, he appreci During the General Scott campaign Mr. ated that political instruction, standing rhe Van Buren was inveighing against a stand torically alone, was a pill which required a ing army. " Hold on," cried a Whig in the sugar-coating of pleasantry, to be well swal audience, " what president was it who in a lowed. That coating he gave with an unc message pleaded for a large standing tion of oratory that had not been noticeable army?" Every one present recognized in the arena of politics since the earlier days that Martin Van Buren was meant: and the of John Randolph, or the later days of laugh turned upon the orator. He instantly Sergeant S. Prentiss and Tom Corwin. Dur rallied, and turned the current by asking, ing the Cass-Taylor-Van Buren campaign, " Would the gentleman wish me to turn Mr. Van Buren was, during a speech, State's evidence against my own father?" "hetchelled "— to borrow a word from the This felicity was once very especially English hustings that means " bothered by notable when before a jury his opponent questions, for explanations, from auditors "— was Daniel Lord Junior — as his name was by a bystander, who in the course of his in invariably spoken and written. In the course 1 terruptions — these, Mr. Van Buren always of his address Mr. Lord told the jury that bore with extreme good humor — observed " only a miracle or Divine interposition that " he never could bring himself to could prevent on the facts a verdict for my stomach free-soil sentiments." The inter client." rupter was a man of influence in the neigh "Divine interposition! forsooth," ironic borhood, and some one on the platform ally exclaimed Mr. Van Buren in reply; whispered to Mr. Van Buren, " down him." " does the gentleman use the Junior after The latter, accepting the hint, said, " Perhaps his name boastfully as being closely related my friend will allow me to answer him with to the Senior Lord of the universe?" an anecdote. In my native village there During the Lincoln and McClellan cam was a patient to whom his physician said, paign of 1864, Mr. Van Buren on one occa ' Your symptoms are dangerous, but a simple sion was taunted with " being a pupil of remedy will check them. You will have to Jefferson Davis." " True in part," he re drink a quart of hot catnip tea in order to joined; " I have always been as a Democrat recover.' a pupil of Jefferson, but minus the Welsh name of Davis." "' Then I must die.' In social life and at club or public ban "' Nonsense, you can soon swallow the quet Mr. Van Buren was proverbially facile liquid.' "' Ah yes, Doctor, but you mentioned in the role of an amusing raconteur. Es
