to him right, and above all by that childlike directness and simplicity
of vision which none but the greatest carry beyond their earliest
years. It is fit that the first considered attempt by an Englishman to
give a picture of Lincoln, the great hero of America's struggle for the
noblest cause, should come at a time when we in England are passing
through as fiery a trial for a cause we feel to be as noble. It is a
time when we may learn much from Lincoln's failures and success, from
his patience, his modesty, his serene optimism and his eloquence, so
simple and so magnificent.

BASIL WILLIAMS.

BISCOT CAMP,

LUTON,

March, 1916.




CONTENTS

GENERAL EDITOR'S PREFACE


CHAP.

I. BOYHOOD OF LINCOLN