to screen the accused from trial,-in other words, to enable him to run away, when nothing like this was ever imagined by those concerned. The prisoner, through his counsel, had assiduously sought a trial, while the prosecution was not ready, because (as Judge Underwood was obliged to testify before a Committee of Congress) no conviction was possible, except by packing a jury. The words "straw bail" were used in this connection; when one of the sureties is worth several millions of dollars, and the poorest of them is abundantly good for the sum of $5,000, in which he is "held and firmly bound" to produce the body of Jefferson Davis whenever the plaintiff shall be ready to try him. If he only would run away, I know that very many people would be much obliged to him; but he won't.

It was telegraphed all over the North that I had a very affectionate meeting and greeting with the prisoner when he had been bailed; when in fact I had never before spoken or written to him any message whatever, and did not know him, even by sight, when he entered the court-room. After the bond was signed, one of his counsel asked me if I had any objection to being introduced to Mr. Davis, and I replied that I had none; whereupon we were introduced, and simply greeted each other. I made, at the request of a friend, a brief call on his wife that evening, as they were leaving for Canada; and there our intercourse ended, probably forever.

When the impeachment of President Johnson was fully resolved on, and there was for some weeks a fair prospect that Mr. Wade would soon be President, with a Cabinet of like radical faith, I suggested to some of the prospective President's next friends that I had Jefferson Davis still on my hands, and that, if he were considered a handy thing to have in the house, I might turn him over to the new Administration for trial at an hour's notice. The suggestion evoked no enthusiasm, and I was not encouraged to press it.-HORACE GREELEY.

ETTER fifty years of Europe than a cycle of Cathay," sang Tennyson. Better the intellectual ferment and divine discontent of the Christian West than the mental and moral stagnation of the agnostic empire of the Far East. China by the antiquity and stability of its power and institutions has been the wonder of the modern civilized world. These are plainly due to the inherent character of the race, enforced by the example and instructions of its great sage, Confucius. No legislator or teacher of wisdom has had more lasting effect upon his people than this pre-Christian practical philosopher.

Confucius is the Latinized form of the name Kung-fu-tze, meaning Reverend Master Kung. This illustrious teacher was born in 551 B. C. in the kingdom of Lu, now included in the province of Shan-tung. His father, Shuh Liang-Hei, was a valiant warrior of illustrious descent. By a first wife he had had nine daughters and a crippled son. In his old age he married a young lady who prayed to Heaven that she might be blessed with a son. Before the birth of her child there are said to have been divine portents. A precious stone was left in the father's garden, bearing the inscription, "A child is to be born, pure as the crystal wave; he shall be a king without any land." The child had a curious prominence on his forehead, so that the mother called him Kew, "little hill." The father died when Confucius was but three years old, leaving the family in straitened circumstances. The care

and instruction of the child devolved on his mother, to whom he ever paid most respectful obedience. In boyhood he was noted for his carefulness in performing all ceremonies. His favorite play was to go through the forms of politeness prescribed by ancient rules. At school he was distinguished by obedience, modesty and quickness of intellect. At the age of nineteen he was married, and soon afterwards was made a mandarin. His first official duty was to superintend the public market, afterwards he had charge of the public lands. Through his sagacity great improvements were made in agriculture, by which abundant crops were produced and the tillers of the soil rewarded with plenty.

But the desire of Confucius was to be a teacher, and many youths were ready to be taught by the capable man. Whatever fees they could afford to give were acceptable, but the master insisted on their having a desire to learn and capacity to profit by his instruction. "When I have presented one corner of a subject," said he, "and the pupil cannot go on to learn the other three, I do not repeat the lesson." But when Confucius was twenty-four years old, his course was interrupted by the death of his mother. Having caused the proper ceremonies to be performed, he buried her with his father, declaring that "those who had been united in life should not be parted after death." He then spent the prescribed term of mourning, thrice nine months, before resuming any public duty. Filial reverence and worship of ancestors are the fundamental principles of Chinese morality. During his retirement Confucius devoted himself to a careful study of the ancient writings and was impressed with the duty of restoring the doctrine of the sages. Yet not till he had passed his thirtieth year did he stand firm in his convictions on all subjects of practical wisdom. In 517 B. C. two noble youths joined his band of disciples, and he was enabled to visit the capital of the kingdom of Chow and examine the treasures of the royal library. The kingdom then was about one-sixth of the present empire, and did not extend south of the Hoang-ho river. It was divided into thirteen states usually called kingdoms. They were feudal governments, and each ruler was often in great measure independent of the central authority.

On his return to Lu, Confucius found that State in disorder. The marquis had been defeated in a struggle with the inferior nobles and fled to the neighboring State of Tsi. Confucius refused to countenance the rebels and went to Tsi, accompanied by many disciples. On his way he observed a woman weeping in a lonely place, and sent one of his followers to inquire the cause. She replied, "My husband's father was killed here by a tiger; my husband was also killed, and now my son has met the same fate." Being asked why she did not leave so fatal a spot, she replied that here the government was not oppressive. Confucius therefore said to his disciples, "Remember this, oppressive government is fiercer and more dreaded than a tiger." The Marquis of Tsi was embarrassed to know how to treat Confucius, who was not a man of rank, and yet offered excellent counsel. When a considerable revenue was proposed, he refused to accept it unless his counsels were followed. Finding no suitable place he went back to Lu and for fifteen years remained in private life, teaching his disciples.

In his fifty-second year Confucius was made chief magistrate of the city of Chung-Tu. It is related that his exact administration effected a marvellous reformation in the people. Then the marquis, brother of the one who had fled to Tsi, made him minister of justice. Two of his disciples were also placed in influential positions. Nobles who had abused their power were punished. Some of them had maintained themselves in strongly fortified cities. Confucius sought to dismantle these and to render the Marquis of Lu supreme in his dominions. But the Marquis of Tsi saw that this course would exalt that ruler above himself. To counteract the influence of Confucius he sent to Lu a company of beautiful women, trained in music and dancing, and a troop of fine horses. The weak prince yielded to the pursuit of pleasure, and Confucius, being neglected, left his native State. In vain did he linger for a message of recall before he crossed the border.

The next thirteen years were spent by Confucius in traveling from State to State. Sometimes he was received kindly by the rulers, but none were found who would accept altogether his instructions.

When exposed to peril or in danger

of perishing from want, Confucius maintained his equanimity, while his disciples were sorely shaken in their faith. In some places recluses were found who had retired from the world on account of the prevalence of wickedness. But Confucius, when asked in regard to their practice, said, "It is impossible to withdraw from the company of men, and associate with birds and beasts, that have no affinity with us. The disorder which prevails among men requires my efforts. If right principles ruled throughout the kingdom, there would be no necessity for me to change its state." Yet the sage could not find a ruler who would accept his guidance.

In his sixty-ninth year Confucius returned to Lu. The marquis, whose neglect had driven the sage away, had been succeeded by his son. A disciple of Confucius had been successful in a military expedition, and now recommended the philosopher as a proper counsellor. But Confucius would not take office again. His remaining years were devoted to instruction of his disciples and completion of literary tasks. His son died as his wife had died many years before, but the death of his favorite disciple, Yen Hwei, in 481 B. C., excited more grief. Then he exclaimed that Heaven was destroying him. Three years later his next beloved disciple, Tze-lu, died. One day, just after he had risen, Confucius was heard reciting a verse,

"The great mountain must crumble,

The strong trees must fall,

The wise man must wither as a plant."

When Tze-Kung, one of his disciples, asked an explanation, Confucius told him that a dream had presaged his death. Seven days later he expired, 478 B.C. His disciples buried him with great pomp, and mourned for him for nearly three years. Tze Kung continued mourning as much longer. The grave of Confucius is in a cemetery near the city of Kiuh-fow. The tomb is a lofty mound, with a marble statue, bearing the inscription, "The most wise ancient Teacher; the all-accomplished, all-informed Kung." Nearby are the graves of his son and grandson. On the mound grow cypresses, acacias, the "crystal tree" and a plant formerly used for divination.