Don't swap horses in the middle of the stream.

I am for . . . each individual doing just as he chooses in all matters which concern nobody else.

Dear Sir: Yours of the 24th. asking 'the best mode of obtaining a thorough knowledge of the law' is received. The mode is very simple, though laborious, and tedious. It is only to get the books, and read, and study them carefully. Begin with Blackstone's Commentaries, and after reading it carefully through, say twice, take up Chitty's Pleading, Greenleaf's Evidence, & Story's Equity &c. in succession. Work, work, work, is the main thing.

With high hope for the future, no prediction is ventured.

This human struggle and scramble for office, for a way to live without work, will finally test the strength of our institutions.

When the hour comes for dealing with slavery, I trust I will be willing to do my duty though it cost my life.

As the problems are new, we must disenthrall ourselves from the past.