conspicuous official experience, it would be distasteful—and on this occasion unseemly—here to dwell. Suffice it to say, that while by the dazzling glare of his official effulgence, this may be somewhat obscured, yet to the eye of impartial history it can never be effaced! He is dead. The volume of his life is closed; we would not here reopen it but for the vindication of the truth of history. It will never be forgotten that from him, and from him alone, emanated that cruel order which the exigences of the times did not justify, and which the standards of civilized warfare must forever condemn.
Over against this imposing figure there will appear the imperial, sublime and inspiring image of Robert E. Lee. His life throughout is now known and read of all men. The eye of malice has not descried upon it spot or wrinkle or any such thing. Thoughtful and discerning men of all languages and peoples on the earth have united in giving him place among the greatest Captains in history. The elements of his personal character have received the recognition and won the admiration of mankind.
A learned scholar, and a wise and good man, found it his duty to preface a later edition of his Thoughts of Marcus Aurelius with these words:
"I have been informed that an American publisher has printed the first edition of this translation of Marcus Antonius. I do not grudge him his profit if he has made any. There may be many men and women in the United States who will be glad to read the thoughts of the Roman Emperor. If the American politicians, as they are called, would read them also I should be much pleased, but I do not think the emperor's morality would suit their taste.
"I have also been informed that the American publisher has dedicated this translation to an American, but in doing this, without my consent, the publisher has transgressed the bounds of decency. I have never dedicated a book to any man, and if I dedicated this, I should choose the man whose name seemed to me most worthy to be joined to that of the Roman soldier and philosopher. I might dedicate this book to the successful general, who is now the President of the United States, with the hope that his integrity and justice will restore peace and happi-
