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and the aggressions of the slave-power.
I have known many judges and jurists, but I have never known one so completely imbued with jurisprudence as Story.
Again, March 2:—
Congress and all the world have a vacation to-day to quaff fresh air, sunshine, and champagne on board the “Baltic.”
1 I voted for the adjournment, but did not care to put myself in the great man-trap set especially for members of Congress. . . . I see nothing certain in the Presidential horizon.
In all my meditations I revert with new regret to the attempted reconciliation in 1849 in your State.
Without that we should now control the free States.
I read carefully and enjoyed much Mr. Bryant's address.2 It was a truthful, simple, and delicate composition, and, much as I value sculpture and Greenough, I cannot but add will be a more durable monument to Cooper than any other.
Webster's historical article was crude and trite enough.
George Sumner arrived home, April 19, 1852, after a continuous sojourn in
Europe since 1838.
His coming had been eagerly awaited by Charles, who had deplored his long lingering in
Europe.
The two brothers had not met for fifteen years. When they parted they were both little known to the world; but each in his own way was now distinguished.
George, shortly after his arrival, came to
Washington.
A room at his brother's lodgings awaited him, and the latter's sitting-room was put at his service.
The meeting was a glad one.
He had slight sympathy with Charles's antislavery convictions, and while avoiding distinct political associations, was inclined to the Democratic party.
He received in 1853 from
Mr. Marcy, then
Secretary of State, the offer of the post of assistant secretary, accompanied, however, with a condition—the disavowal of his brother's opinions—which compelled him to decline.
3 In the winter of 1852-1853 he appeared for the first time before lyceums, taking ‘The Progress of Reform in
France’ as his topic.
Charles wrote to
John Bigelow, March 26, 1853:—
The post of assistant secretary of state was offered to my brother; but I write, not for any public correction of your paper, but merely for your private information.
More than ten days ago Mr. Marcy communicated to me personally his desire to have my brother in the place, his sense of his fitness beyond that of any other person in the country, and also the extent to which
