THE BLANK BIOGRAPHY.

Lincoln had been reading from Edmund Burke's life, when he threw down
the book with disrelish. He fell into his habit of musing, and on
reviving, said to his associate, Herndon:

"I've wondered why book publishers do not have blank biographies on
their shelves, always ready for an emergency; so that if a man happens
to die, his heirs or his friends, if they wish to perpetuate his
memory, can purchase one already written--but with blanks. These
blanks _they_ can fill up with rosy sentences full of high-sounding
praise."

He sent the "Dictionary of Congress" his autobiography in a single
paragraph of fifty words--as an example(?).


* * * * *


"THE HOMELIEST MAN UNDER GOVERNMENT."

When General Lee surrendered to General Grant, one point was noticed
by the spectators which, it was held, distinguished the Cavalier from
the Puritan. Grant was in his fighting clothes and his every-day sword
by his side, while General Lee, dressed faultlessly as a soldier
should always be, carried a court sword, presented him as a honor by
the Southerners. So, in wars, Providence does not flourish the showy