cene, the greater his apparent enjoyment and the
more striking the display of his peculiar ability. His readiness of
repartee, his great resources of information, his familiarity with all
the expedients and subtleties of logical and illogical discussion,
contributed to make him not only prominent but formidable in the House
for many years. He was distinguished by habits of industry, had the
patience and the power required for thorough investigation, and seemed
to possess a keen insight into the personal defects, the motives, and
the weaknesses of his rivals. He was audacious in assault, apparently
reckless in his modes of defense, and in all respects a debater of
strong and notable characteristics. Usually merciless in his
treatment of an aggressive adversary, he not infrequently displayed
generous and even magnanimous traits. He had the faculty of attaching
to himself, almost as a personal following, those members of the House
who never came in conflict with him, while he regarded his intellectual
peers of both political parties as natural foes whom he was destined
at some time to meet in combat, and for whose overthrow he seemed to
be in constant preparation.

Another marked character came from New England,--John A. Peters of
Maine,--a graduate of Yale, a man of ability, of humor, of learning
in the law. He had enjoyed the advantage of a successful career at
the bar and was by long training and indeed by instinct devoted to
his profession. In his six years' service in the House he acquired
among his fellow-members a personal popularity and personal influence
rarely surpassed in Congressional experience. He made no long speeches
and was not frequently on the floor, but when he rose he spoke
forcibly, aptly, attractively, and with that unerring sense of justice
which always carried him to the right side of a question, with
unmistakable influence upon the best judgment of the House. Since
his retirement from Congress his career on the Supreme Bench of Maine,
and more recently as its Chief Justice, has given roundness and
completeness to a character whose integrity, generosity, and candor
have attracted not only the confidence and respect of an entire State,
but the devoted attachment of a continually enlarging circle of friends.

James B. Beck took his seat for the first time as representative from
the Ashland District of Kentucky. He was born in Scotland in 1822, and
though he came to the United States while