young

his son's studies, and his grandfather, Neal Gillespie, a very able and accomplished scholar, never lost sight of the young man's educational training. Young Blaine was drilled in all English studies by his grandfather, and from him he no doubt got his taste for history, which was so early developed, and the cultivation of which he has retained and practiced to the present time. At nine years of age he recited to his grandfather Plutarch's Lives, and it is said that at that early age the student knew Plutarch almost by heart. When he was a little more than thirteen years of age he was sent to Washington, Pa., to what was then known as Washington College. He was large for his age, and was physically angular; but his earnest face and his determination to know whatever belonged to his new position, gave him a prominent place at once among his schoolfellows. He was a hard student, and it was not long before he was accorded the first place in scholarship, and was the acknowledged leader in everything that related to his class. Because he was not always "moping" and star-gazing when away from his studies, many thought he did little in the way of study. He was always first in everything, from the time he entered college until his graduation. He excelled especially in literature and mathematics.

A college mate of Mr. Blaine's, who was subsequently a distinguished officer in the Confeder

ate army, gives some interesting particulars of the college life of the now prominent statesman. These points, though not wholly agreeing with some here recorded, are given as throwing light on those early days. "At the college," says this biographer, "with two or three hundred students from all sections of the country, Blaine was from his first entrance a leader. Endowed with a splendid physique, he was foremost in all athletic sports. He is not remembered as a hard student among his classmates, as one who burned the midnight oil. It was not necessary for him to do this, as he learned everything quickly and easily, and his standing in his classes was always among the very first. In the annual commencements and the frequent contests of the rival literary societies of the college, he was never conspicuous as a debater or wrangler, but he was known and acknowledged as the power that managed and controlled all these things. Goethe has said: 'One builds his talents in the stillnesses and builds his character in the storms of the world.'

"To the new boys and young freshmen Blaine was always a hero. To them he was uniformly kind, ever ready to assist and advise them, and to make smooth and pleasant their initiation into college life. His handsome person and neat attire; his ready sympathy and prompt assistance; his frank, generous nature, and his brave, manly bearing, made him the best-known, the best-loved

and the most popular boy at college. He was the arbiter among younger boys in all their disputes, and the authority with those of his own age on all questions. He was always for the 'under dog in the fight.' had his sobriquet.

Like most college boys, he Owing to the fact that he was possessed of a somewhat prominent, though shapely, proboscis, he received the appellation of 'Nosey Blaine,' which clung to him through his entire college life. His was one of those noses that would have been the pride and admiration of Napoleon I, and would doubtless have ranked high and gained great glory among the other prominent noses, whose owners were selected by Napoleon to form the shining ranks of his favorite generals, as a prominent nose was considered by him a certain indication of genius and courage. After the usual term at college he graduated with distinguished honor, and carried with him into the world the enduring affection of all those who knew him and with whom he was associated in his alma mater."

Mr. Blaine graduated when a little over seventeen years of age. His class numbered thirtythree. In speaking of his college days, Mr. Blaine says that he was obliged to study hard, and that he was very quiet and an industrious student. His class was composed of young men who were determined to succeed, and the emulation was great, though friendly. The students

did not strive to see how little they could do, but their determination was to excel in everything. So Mr. Blaine's college days were not holidays, as has been said. He was one of three who took the honors. He was selected to deliver the English salutatory and also an oration. The subject of the latter was "The Duty of an Educated American." The oration of nearly forty years ago, viewed in the light of to-day, is rather remarkable far a boy of seventeen. It is to be regretted that the consent of the distinguished orator cannot be obtained to the publication of the whole address. The prediction in regard to the Pacific slope, that magnificent continent in itself, was prophetic, and is here given :

"The sphere of labor for the educated American is continually enlarging. But recently we added the vast domain of the Lone Star Republic to our glorious union. The war to which that act gave rise, is now in victorious progress, and will not end without another great accession of territorypossibly carrying our flag beyond the Great American Desert to the shores of the Pacific sea. Where our armies march population follows, and the field of duty for the scholar is to be continental in extent, and as varied as the demands of a progressive civilization."

We have only to bear in mind the fact that this address was delivered in September, 1847, the very year that gold was discovered in California.