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often deceived by the demagogue who " kisses away his hand in courtesy," is always ready to pay tribute to the hero when it is sure it has found him. It loves Fredericks and Bismarcks and Earlys, "who can rule and dare not lie." In social circles of friendship, when care was laid aside, Early was an exceedingly attractive com- panion, and his company was much sought. His conversation was entertaining, mellowed by a genial sense of humor, sparkling with the sallies of wit, and shining with the thoughts and reminiscences of wisdom. Amongst ladies, he was the polished, courtly gentleman, abounding in the courtesies of life, speaking always with that defer- ential homage to the sex which marks the true man.
As a writer, General Early excelled. His speeches on Lee and Jackson are masterly expositions of their campaigns. In style they are " pure wells of English undefiled." They stand, and will endure in the majestic simplicity of the Doric column. As his deeds were worthy of a Caesar's sword, so his compositions in clearness, direct- ness and comprehensiveness were worthy of the Caesar's pen. His account of his campaigns in the last year of the war for southern independence is a volume which betokens the highest qualities of the historian. You will be pleased to learn that he has left in manu- script a biographical sketch of himself and the complete history of his campaigns, written some years ago, when he had opportunity to examine records and to add other valuable stories of information to his own. I have read much of this history, and I do not doubt that it will prove the most valuable contribution that has yet been made to the history of the Army of Northern Virginia.
HONEST, TRUTHFUL AND SINCERE.
Early was scrupulously honest; and so prosaically truthful that, like Epaminondas, he would not allow any departure from the accu- rate fact, even in jest. " What must a man do to deserve renown?" once asked a disciple of his master Confucius. " What do you call renown?" asked the master. "To be known among the nations and at home," replied the disciple. "That is only notoriety, not true renown," answered the sage. "This last consists in straight and honest sincerity, in love of justice, in knowledge of mankind, and in humility."
This is a photograph of Early if we except humility. That word, in a Christian sense, denotes great and modest virtue; but it often hides the fawning hypocrite, it has become as we accept the word,
