Now it was the Adams-Pickering controversy, now the discussion of General Jackson as a presidential candidate, now the state of the country in respect of parties, now the merits of "American Writers," which afforded his 'prentice hand the requisite practice in the use of the pen.

He had already acquired a perfect knowledge of typesetting and the mechanical makeup of a newspaper.

During his apprenticeship he took his first lesson in the art of thinking on his feet in the presence of an audience.

The audience to be sure were the members of a debating club, which he had organized.

He was very ambitious and was doubtless looking forward to a political career.