may have marked the expression of my indignation. Because
you so well understand the intensity of my devotion to the broadly
progressive principles of our matchless republic, you may, consequently,
guess the full measure of my scorn for this foolish, title-hunting class
of creatures who, like silly moths, blindly sacrifice themselves in
folly's funereal flame. The bare idea of marriage to gain a foreign
title has always been exceedingly repugnant to me. With passing years, I
am each day more thankful that since my early childhood there has been
buried deep in my heart, a determination that when the time came for me
to select a husband, the only title of the one chosen should be the
stamp of honor which marked him as a true type of an American citizen--a
real American genius; a truly noble soul, perfectly and beautifully
expressed by a harmonious combination of physical and intellectual
development!

"Fortunate the day for me when that lucky advertisement brought you to
my side, as a trusty, capable co-worker, whom I have learned to
respect, to admire and to love. My dreams have been realized. I have
found my ideal. You may fearlessly trust in the absolute truth of your
assertion that 'the compass of my love is constancy!'

"Now my hero! My ideal of a gallant Knight of Most Excellent
Agriculture, whose nodding plumes, of tassels of corn, artistically
interwoven with splendid pompons of waving wheat, barley, oats and rye
have so dazzled my eyes and charmed my heart; having chanted my song of
love, I hasten to assure you that your last report concerning the
administration of the affairs of the farm, has pleased me greatly. I
think the progress achieved in so short a time, is truly marvelous! Only
my Fillmore could have accomplished so much! I am full of curiosity
about the details. When I come, you must be prepared to answer a host of
questions; to go with me on many excursions of discovery before I shall
have completed my tour of agricultural investigation.

"I approve of the disposition you have made of my portrait. Of course my
personal pride is gratified by the sincere admiration and praise it has
excited. I am happy in the knowledge that it has proved so efficacious
as a talisman of good fortune for the farm. I think I understand your
reasons for the feeling that my individuality should be in some way
directly interwoven with the destiny of the farm.

"Reasoning from the peculiar environments which so affect our li