election of 1884, that the student became aware that the great historian of whom the Chief Justice had spoken in words of such honeyed commendation was the sick man of the journalist's playfulness. From how many windows, he thought, these many-sided men of daily, weekly, and monthly literature must look out, to be able so quickly to photograph the large figures and the small details which make up the whole of political life! With what marvellous skill do they review and present mankind in the ever-varying glory of their morning sun and evening shadow! The fate which had overtaken the career of Mr. Blaine, whom he knew through his "Twenty Years of Congress," long after the Presidential election of 1884, cast a gloom over his sensitive and sympathetic temperament, and only the sweet rest of deep sleep drowned his pensive thoughts.
After many hours his soul seemed to wake, refreshed by the body's rest. It had cast off the weight of sleep, which still rested upon his closed lids, and was astir. In a vision he saw, or thought he saw, the self-same lineaments which appear upon the frontispiece of that author's work. The noble face of nature's lion-hearted son, Mr. Blaine, seemed present in a condition of undisturbed repose like that of one who, after profound contemplation, had resolved upon his course and was at rest. The student in his dream thought he observed at a distance, approaching towards this incomparable statesman, with slow and measured steps, three indistinct figures, arrayed like inferior deities. Their forms were scarcely discernible in consequence of the murky clouds which enveloped them. They seemed to approach, and stand very near Mr. Blaine and himself, and, as the mists which at first had veiled them gradually rose and disappeared, the countenance of one proved exceedingly beautiful to behold. Golden tresses fell upon her bosom, and the texture of her half-closed eyelids was so fine that it scarcely concealed the orbs beneath. Her lips were so sweet that they seemed to breathe eloquence. She looked as if formed to allure mortals unconsciously; and yet she resembled not Fame, but rather an angel clad in light and strength. With a wave of her right hand fragrance was scattered, which, intoxicating his senses, lulled Mr. Blaine into a profounder slumber.
