t is a fact that the Confederate
privateer Alabama was manned almost entirely by British seamen; also,
that when the Alabama was sunk by the Kearsarge, in the summer of 1864,
the Confederate seamen were picked up by an English vessel, taken to
Southhampton, and set at liberty!

FAVORED THE OTHER SIDE.

Lincoln was candor itself when conducting his side of a case in court.
General Mason Brayman tells this story as an illustration:

"It is well understood by the profession that lawyers do not read
authors favoring the opposite side. I once heard Mr. Lincoln, in the
Supreme Court of Illinois, reading from a reported case some strong
points in favor of his argument. Reading a little too far, and before
becoming aware of it, plunged into an authority against himself.

"Pausing a moment, he drew up his shoulders in a comical way, and half
laughing, went on, 'There, there, may it please the court, I reckon
I've scratched up a snake. But, as I'm in for it, I guess I'll read it
through.'

"Then, in his most ingenious and matchless manner, he went on with his
argument, and won his case, convincing the court that it was not much of
a snake after all."

LINCOLN AND THE "SHOW"

Lincoln was fond of going all by himself to any little show or concert.
He would often slip away from his fellow-lawyers and spend the entire
evening at a little magic lantern show intended for children.

A traveling concert company was always sure of drawing Lincoln. A Mrs.
Hillis, a member of the "Newhall Family," and a good singer, was the
only woman who ever seemed to exhibit any liking for him--so Lincoln
said. He attended a negro-minstrel show in Chicago, once, where he heard
Dixie sung. It was entirely new, and pleased him greatly.

"MIXING" AND "MINGLING."

An Eastern newspaper writer told how Lincoln, after his first
nomination, received callers, the majority of them at his law office:

"While talking to two or three gentlemen and standing up, a very hard
looking customer rolled in and tumbled into the only vacant chair and
the one lately occupied by Mr. Lincoln. Mr. Lincoln's keen eye took in
the fact, but gave no evidence of the notice.

"Turning around at last he spoke to the odd specimen, holding out his
hand at such a distance that our friend had to vacate the chair if he
accepted the proffered shake. Mr. Lincoln quietly resumed his chair.

"It was a small matter, yet one giving proof more positively than a
larg