CHAPTER XXII.
President and People--Society at the White House in 1862-3--The President's Informal Receptions--A Variety of Callers--Characteristic Traits of Lincoln--His Ability to Say _No_ when Necessary--Would not Countenance Injustice--Good Sense and Tact in Settling Quarrels--His Shrewd Knowledge of Men--Getting Rid of Bores--Loyalty to His Friends--Views of His Own Position--"Attorney for the People"-- Desire that They Should Understand Him--His Practical Kindness--A Badly Scared Petitioner--Telling a Story to Relieve Bad News--A Breaking Heart beneath the Smiles--His Deeply Religious Nature--The Changes Wrought by Grief CHAPTER XXII.
I Lincoln's Home-Life in the White House--Comfort in the Companionship of his Youngest Son--"Little Tad" the Bright Spot in the White House--The President and His Little Boy Reviewing the Army of the Potomac--Various Phases of Lincoln's Character--His Literary Tastes--Fondness for Poetry and Music--His Remarkable Memory--Not a Latin Scholar--Never Read a Novel--Solace in Theatrical Representation--Anecdotes of Booth and McCullough--Methods of Literary Work--Lincoln as an Orator--Caution in Impromptu Speeches--His Literary Style--Management of His Private Correspondence--Knowledge of Woodcraft--Trees and Human Character--Exchanging Views with Professor Agassiz--Magnanimity toward Opponents--Righteous Indignation--Lincoln's Religious Nature.