In spite of these drawbacks, Mr.Lincoln slowly won for himself the respect and confidence of all.

His perfect honesty speedily became apparent, and, what is, perhaps, more to his credit, amid the many unstudied speeches which he was called upon from time to time to deliver, imbued though they were with the rough humour of his early associates, he was in none of them betrayed into any intemperance of language towards his opponents or towards neutrals.

His utterances were apparently careless, but his tongue was always under command.

The quality of Mr.Lincoln's administration which served, however, more than any other to enlist the sympathy of bystanders was its conservative progress.

He felt his way gradually to his conclusions, and those who will compare the different stages of his career one with another will find that his mind was growing throughout the course of it." * * * * * "The gradual change of his language and of his policy was most remarkable.