He would pardon politicians with whose efforts there was, as he thought, even a mingling of ambition and self-seeking.

But he had nothing but hatred and contempt for men who received all the benefits of the Republic, but shrank from any labor or sacrifice in its behalf.

To his mind the one base creature in the Commonwealth was the man who said he was no politician.

He thoroughly believed in Ralph Waldo Emerson's saying, which he borrowed from his brother Charles: "That is the one base thing in the universe, to receive benefits and render none." He had a clear business sense.

He was the best adviser I knew of in Worcester, with but one possible exception, for clients who were in financial difficulties.