consideration among his political friends was rapid, but proved, in the
event, well deserved.

We have occupied more space than we had intended, in considering the
Senators from the slave States, and will now attempt to speak of some of
the more prominent Northern statesmen, in this paper, and perhaps
continue their consideration more at length in a future number.

The present Secretary of State was long regarded as the leading
Free-Soil Senator, and after the present Republican party came into
existence, he naturally assumed a prominent position among its
advocates. In caution, in profound foresight, in coolness and affability
of temper, and in perspicuity and logical shrewdness of oratory, he has
been without a superior since the death of Webster. He somewhat
resembles Earl Russell in the prudence and care with which he treats
political questions, and the vigilance with which he notices every
symptom of popular tendencies and popular desires. His circumspection is
constant, and the imperturbability of his character enables him to be
ever on his guard, and protects him from the enunciation of an unpopular
idea. Never permitting himself to be annoyed at ever so bitter a taunt,
perfectly self-possessed, and always mindful of the courtesy due to his
colleagues, and the respect due to the most dignified body in the
nation, he has generally succeeded in completely disarming his less
prudent antagonists. In general debate, his coolness and mental balance
enabled him to cope with the most formidable opponents, and although at
times the overwhelming eloquence of Douglas got the better of the more
philosophic orator, such an occurrence was rare, and a triumph was
gained over him only by the greatest exertions of the greatest orators.
His labored speeches, as will be testified to by all who have perused
them, are rich in profound thought, a clear discernment and
comprehension of events, causes, and results, and occasionally in
passages of stately and brilliant eloquence. Graceful rhetoric and
shrewd logic appear to be ever at his command, as he has occasion, in
the course of argument, to resort to one or the other, to illustrate or
to enforce his reasoning. In person, Mr. Seward is of about medium
hight, rather stooping, with reddish-gray hair, an aquiline nose, and
dull, sleepy, blue eyes. His countenance is hardly intellectual, and no
one would suppose, on seeing him for the first time, that he was a man
of conspicuous abili