It was done after the public reception, and "three hours' handshaking
is not calculated to improve a man's chirography."

He said to the painter of the "Signing the Emancipation Act," Mr.
Carpenter:

"I believe that I am about as glad over the success of this work as
you are!"

The original was destroyed in the great fire at Chicago, where it was
under exhibition. The pen and the table concerned should be in the
Lincoln Museum. The ink-stand was a wooden one, in private hands,
and bought at public sale when Lincoln relics were not at the current
high price.


* * * * *


"DEN I TAKES TO DE WOODS!"

Secretary Seward, as manager of the foreign relations, met much
trouble from the disposition of the aristocratic realms of Europe to
await eagerly for a breach by which to enter into interference without
quarreling. He was also a great trouble-maker, having the innate
repugnance of men of letters and voice to play second fiddle--since
he was nominated on the trial ballot above Lincoln in the Presidential
Convention. The black speck in the political horizon was San Domingo;
the Abolitionists wanted to help her to attain liberty, in which case