They all made complimentary reference to "their friend the, Senator," and told what a great and illustrious man he was and what he had done for his country and for religion and temperance, and exhorted the little boys to be good and diligent and try to become like him some day.

The speakers won the deathless hatred of the house by these delays, but at last there was an end and hope revived; inspiration was about to find utterance.
Senator Dilworthy rose and beamed upon the assemblage for a full minute in silence.

Then he smiled with an access of sweetness upon the children and began: "My little friends--for I hope that all these bright-faced little people are my friends and will let me be their friend--my little friends, I have traveled much, I have been in many cities and many States, everywhere in our great and noble country, and by the blessing of Providence I have been permitted to see many gatherings like this--but I am proud, I am truly proud to say that I never have looked upon so much intelligence, so much grace, such sweetness of disposition as I see in the charming young countenances I see before me at this moment.

I have been asking myself as I sat here, Where am I?
Am I in some far-off monarchy, looking upon little princes and princesses?
No.

Am I in some populous centre of my own country, where the choicest children of the land have been selected and brought together as at a fair for a prize?
No.