frequently, on such occasions, voiced the sentiments of the president and cabinet on important questions then before the people.

Mr. Smith has the reputation of being one of the most adroit and resourceful campaigners in public life to-day. It has been his fortune to be placed in some peculiar situations while on speechmaking tours, but by the exercise of tact and forensic skill he has been able invariably to extricate himself with credit. One such occasion presented itself during the campaign of 1900, when he canvassed all doubtful states from Maine to Nebraska. He was in Kansas, and was invited to visit one of the principal universities in a near-by city, Methodist in its teachings, and where many Methodist ministers, out of active service from old age, spent their closing days. The president of the university begged Mr. Smith to make a speech to the students, who had pleaded so earnestly for a few remarks that he hoped the postmaster-general would not refuse. Mr. Smith consented, and the chapel was soon completely filled by an eager audience. A political speech pure and simple Mr. Smith could not give to these young men ; but, with subtlety and brilliancy, he led his large audience along on national issues, without once mentioning the name of either candidate or the specific issues involved in the pending campaign. When he began his speech he had no idea of saying more than a few words, but suddenly, from the nearest seat, an aged minister cried out "Amen!" A few more sentences, and again that "Amen!" now reinforced by others, rang through the chapel. The oftener it sounded, the more impassioned and eloquent and fervent Mr. Smith became. It was the most unique applause ever given to a campaign orator.

In his habits Mr. Smith is exceedingly temperate. He does not use tobacco in any form, and it is only upon the occasion of some formal function that he indulges in wine, and then only a glass for form's sake, not because he enjoys it. He has said that he never had the time to be convivial; that he could always find more profitable employment for the little leisure vouchsafed him during his busy life. He does not find it necessary, as do many speakers, to take a glass of wine before rising to respond to a toast in order to stimulate thought; his brain is always clear and his thoughts always ready for expression.

The degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred upon Mr. Smith by Union University in 1889, Lafayette College in 1899, Knox College in 1900, and Wesleyan University in 1901.

Upon being asked not long ago to what he attributed his success in the career mapped out for himself while a schoolboy, Mr. Smith replied that it had, in his opinion, been primarily due to "concentration and constancy." He had applied all his energies along the chosen line and had not allowed himself to be swerved from it until success had been achieved. While continuing his newspaper work he endeavored each year to make a substantial addition to his equipment. American biography he found stimulating as well as instructive; in fiction, "Vanity Fair," "David Copperfield," and "The Three Musketeers," delighted him. He has always been fond of the theater, but has found little time to go. He has found his

chief pleasure in his work.

It has been well said by one of Mr. Smith's friends that the young men of this generation may learn from his life to be bodily pure, to be temperate in their habits, never to let down. their moral tone in intercourse, to be large rather than small in observation and reflection, and to keep their eye on national affairs rather than on village quarrels and small politicians.

CHOOSING AN OCCUPATION.

HE choice of an occupation is a very important factor in the success of life. The earlier it can be done the better. The more nearly the aptitudes of the man or woman fit the occupation, the more congenial and successful is the career. To follow the "natural bent," whenever it is possible, appears to be eminently wise, for "square men should be put into square holes, and round men into round holes." Failing to regard the drift of one's being in the choice of an occupation is almost sure to put square men into round holes, and round men into square holes.

A good mechanic has often been spoiled to make a poor clergyman or merchant, and a good minister has been spoiled to make a commonplace artisan. Overlooking the "natural bent," the youth has selected an occupation for which he has no special aptitude, and he brings little to pass.

Strong minds readily indicate the pursuit for which they

are naturally fit; others do not. When Dr. Watts was a boy, his propensity for rhyming was irresistible. His father became disgusted with his habit in this direction, and finally proceeded to expel it from his soul by flogging. In the midst of the punishment, with the tears running down his cheeks, young Watts cried out :

"Dear father, do some pity take

And I will no more verses make."

His father saw that what was bred in the bone could not be expelled with the rod, and he very wisely concluded to let the boy develop into a poet.

The celebrated English engineer, Smeaton, displayed a marvelous ability for mechanical pursuits even in his childhood. Before he had donned jacket and trousers in the place of short dress, his father discovered him on the top of his barn putting up a windmill that he had made. But his father paid no regard to his aptitude for this or that position. He was determined to make a lawyer of him, and sent him to school with that end in view. But the boy thought more of windmills and engines than he did of Euclid or Homer, and the result was unfavorable. His father was trying to crowd a square boy into a round hole, and it was too repugnant to the born engineer. Nature fitted him for a particular place, and he got it.

The Scotch teacher of David Wilkie was wiser than Smeaton's father, for when he saw that the lad could paint better than he could write, and loved drawing more than reading, he said, "Make a great painter of him." He was continually drawing the heads of schoolmates, sometimes singly, and sometimes as they stood in classes, always doing his work so thoroughly as to surprise beholders. Even when he was a little boy, Lord Balgonie called at the manse one day, when David drew a half-burned heather stem from the fire, and with it drew a portrait of his lordship on the hearthstone, exclaiming, "Mother, look at Gonie's nose." His lordship possessed a nose that, if it was not larger than was necessary, was larger than any of his neighbors could boast, and he said the likeness. was perfect.

The mother of Benjamin West, too, showed her good sense by recognizing the natural bent of her boy toward art. One