ter and esteem which is so all-embracing. There are some words for which no adequate definition seems possible. The feeling of their meaning is deeper than any impression which language is able to convey. Such a word is nobility. If one were to attempt the substitution of some other word for it, such as goodness, benevolence, justice, he will find that neither separately nor collectively do they fully express its meaning. It can only be stated by circumlocution, and even then inadequately.

It is first of all a feeling. The appeal which is made to a noble person is answered almost before it is presented, because his consciousness of the needs of others is so acute that the meaning is comprehended intuitively. Nobility is the expression, not of the intellect so much as of the soul, not merely of the mind but of the heart. It is often, indeed generally, expressed in the face, for a really noble person, however much he may strive to do so, cannot conceal from others the benevolence which controls his life.

The nobility of feeling involves sympathy with all that is true and good. It is the condition of a person who looks with dissatisfaction upon everything low and degrading and is conscious of entire harmony with that which is elevated and pure. Such feelings have animated all those who have been recognized among the choice characters of the world.

Then there is also nobility of character. The feeling has become habit, and forms what is known among men as character. It is not a mere emotion, but a mode of life in which all the powers and attainments are subordinated to the highest aims and plans. The noble character finds itself so intrenched in desires for the welfare of all, that temptations in the opposite direction cease to be effective. In other words, his whole being has become ennobled.

Nobility of feeling and character is always accompanied by nobility of action. Character and action are harmonious, and cannot be in conflict. There may be good actions performed spasmodically or as the result of impulse by those whose souls are not noble, but a steady, sustained life, doing noble deeds, is only possible when connected with those emotions and conditions which naturally and necessarily produce them. A life that is noble is always the result of inner forces and not of external incitements. The topic under con

sideration is not merely nobility, but true nobility. This word is employed by lexicographers and in literature in different senses. It is applied to nobility of descent, i. e., to hereditary nobility, in which the title descends from generation to generation. It is a title of rank and has no necessary relation to personal character. While some such noblemen have true nobility, there are others to whom it is entirely wanting. There have been men of loftiest worth who have won the highest crowns of rank or station, while others who are officially designated by such titles have shown themselves unworthy to wear theirs. Of Lord Byron it may be said that he was a great poet and nobleman, but not a noble man, while of Lord Shaftesbury it must be said that he was alike noble in rank, in character, and in works, thus combining in himself the highest qualities of manhood.

The real nobility, however, has already been indicated, viz., that which consists in personal worth. One may be truly noble, and recognized as such, though destitute of learning, scholarship, office, or rank. Indeed, it is frequently found in persons of the humblest worldly circumstances. Almost every day we read of acts worthy of heroes, done by those whose names are scarcely known in the community in which they dwell. Instances to justify this statement will meet daily the readers of current literature.

The qualities then which must be sought in order to secure true nobility are a lofty purpose, deep sympathies, and absolute self-sacrifice. Neither is sufficient without the others. What then is the purpose which must enter into and constitute a noble life? It must be both general and particular. It desires to make the best of the whole world and the best of each member of society. It, however, must save the whole by saving each part of it. It serves the whole society by serving the units of which it is composed. Hence nobility does not neglect little things or to do good in what seems small and insignificant ways. Nothing is too small and nothing is too large for a noble soul to do. In statesmanship and patriotism both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln were truly noble. How lofty their aims, how earnestly they sympathized with struggling humanity, and how unselfish and complete were their sacrifices!

How much nobility is found among business men! How

many are doing business, not for their own aggrandizement, but to benefit their fellow men! A gentleman of extensive business told the writer of this but recently that he did not expect to make any more money. What he made hereafter was for others.

66

The same is true also in professional life. In the ministry, in law, in medicine, are to be found men, not a few, whose aim is not wealth or fame, but who desire to serve 'their generation according to the will of God." It were easy to make a catalogue of men and women in all ages who represent to the world this type of character. They are the choicest treasures of our world, more precious than mines of gold and of silver. To enumerate even a few of them would be impossible here.

The one noble character which rises above all others is the world's Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the highest specimen of true nobility the world has ever known. Every trait illustrating it was found in him and the attainment of it will be best secured by the study of his life and teachings and the imitation of his example.

True nobility is possible to all and everywhere. It matters little whether one be in public position or in private station, in a royal palace or in a humble cottage, in professional life or in daily manual labor. There is no place where it will not have opportunity for exercise. Wherever generosity, purity, self-sacrifice, truth, and fidelity are found, there will be found that for which all the people of the world should seek, true nobility.

"Be noble! and the nobleness that lies

In other men, sleeping, but never dead,
Will rise in majesty to meet thine own."- Lowell.

Be noble in every thought and in every deed."— Longfellow.

CHAPTER XXIII.

THOMAS BRACKETT REED.

ON THE RIGHT USE OF WEALTH-A CONVERSATION

HIS CHARACTERISTICS-STRENGTH

HOME

GLIMPSES OF

OF HIS PERSONAL CONVICTIONS HIS HOW IT BESPEAKS THE MAN FAVORITE CLUB EARLY ENVIRONMENT AND ANCESTRY THE SCHOOLMASTER AT COLLEGE HABITS OF READING JOURNEYS TO CALIFORNIA ADMISSION TO THE BAR-HIS RETURN EAST ENTERS PUBLIC LIFE MEMBER OF CONGRESSA MEMORABLE SPEECH-SPEAKER READINESS IN DEBATE- LITERARY SIDE OF

HIS

CAREER

HIS EPIGRAMS.

"MAKE, SAVE, GIVE ALL YOU CAN."

We envious people who cannot be wealthy any more than we can add a cubit to our stature avenge ourselves by thinking and proclaiming that pursuit of wealth is sordid and stifles the nobler sentiments of the soul. Whether this be so or not, if whoever makes to grow two blades of grass where but one grew before is a benefactor of his race, he also is a benefactor who makes two ships sail the sea where but one encountered its storms before. However sordid the owner may be, this is a benefit of which he cannot deprive the world.

But no progress which did not lift all ever lifted any. If we let the poison of filth and disease percolate through the hovels of the poor, death knocks at the palace gates. If we leave to the greater horror of ignorance any portion of our race, the consequences of ignorance strike us all and there is no escape. We must all move, but we must all keep together. It is only when the rear guard comes up that the vanguard can go on.

J.B. Reed

'T was at a dinner in Washington," said Robert P. Porter, "that I had the good fortune to find myself seated next to Thomas B. Reed. It was a brilliant occasion, for around the table sat well-known statesmen, scientists, jurists, economists, and literary men, besides two or three who had gained eminence in the medical profession. Mr. Reed was at his best, 'better than the best champagne.' His conversation, sparkling with good nature, was not only exhilarating to his immediate neighbors, but at times to the entire table. Being among friends, among the sort of men he really liked, he let himself out, as it were.

"Before the conversation had gone beyond the serious point I remember asking the ex-Speaker how he felt at the time when the entire Democratic press of the country had pounced upon him; when he was being held up as The Czar'— a man whose iron heels were crushing out American popular government. 'Oh,' he promptly replied, 'you mean what were my feelings while the uproar about the rules of the Fifty-first Congress was going on, and while the question was in doubt? Well, I had no feeling except that of entire serenity, and the reason was simple. I knew just what I was going to do if the House did not sustain me;' and raising his eyes, with a typical twist of his mouth, which those who have seen it don't easily forget, he added, 'when a man has decided upon a plan of action for either contingency there is no need for him to be disturbed, you know.'

"And may I ask what you determined to do if the House decided adversely?'

666

"I should simply have left the chair, resigning the Speakership, and left the House, resigning my seat in Congress. There were things that could be done, you know, outside of political life, and for my own part I had made up my mind that if political life consisted in sitting helplessly in the Speaker's chair, and seeing the majority powerless to pass legislation, I had had enough of it, and was ready to step down and out.'

"After a moment's pause he turned, and, looking me full in the face with a half smile, continued: 'Did it ever occur to you that it is a very soothing thing to know exactly what you are going to do, if things do not go your way? You have then made yourself equal to the worst, and have only to wait