and other matters in which Jackson’s decided character appeared to advantage.  But it is not my purpose to write a complete history of Jackson or of his administrations.  Those who want fuller information should read Parton’s long biography, in which almost every subject under the sun is alluded to, and yet which, in spite of its inartistic and unclassical execution, is the best thesaurus I know of for Jacksonian materials.  More recent histories are dissertations in disguise, on disputed points.

Here, then, I bring this lecture to a close with a brief allusion to those things which made up the character of a very remarkable man, who did both good and evil in his public career.  His private life is unusually interesting, by no means a model for others to imitate, yet showing great energy, a wonderful power of will, and undoubted honesty of purpose.  His faults were those which may be traced to an imperfect education, excessive prejudices, a violent temper, and the incense of flatterers,—­which turned his head and of which he was inordinately fond.  We fail to see in him the modesty which marked Washington and most of the succeeding presidents.  As a young man he fought duels without sufficient provocation.  He put himself in his military career above the law, and in his presidential career above precedents and customs, which subjected him to grave animadversion.  As a general he hanged two respectable foreigners as spies, without sufficient evidence.  He inflicted unnecessary cruelties in order to maintain military discipline,—­wholesome, doubtless, but such as less arbitrary commanders would have hesitated to do.  He invaded the territory of a neutral state on the plea of self-defence.  In his conversation he used expletives not considered in good taste, and which might be called swearing, without meaning any irreverence to the Deity, although in later life he seldom used any other oath than “By the Eternal!”

Personally, Jackson’s habits were irreproachable.  In regard to the pleasures of the table he was temperate, almost abstemious.  He was always religiously inclined and joined the Church before he died,—­perhaps, however, out of loyalty to his wife, whom he adored, rather than from theological convictions.  But whatever he deemed his duty, he made every sacrifice to perform.  Although fond of power, he was easily accessible, and he was frank and genial among his intimate friends.  With great ideas of personal dignity, he was unconventional in all his habits, and detested useless ceremonies and the etiquette of courts.  He put a great value on personal friendships, and never broke them except under necessity.  For his enemies he cherished a vindictive wrath, as unforgiving as Nemesis.

In the White House Jackson was remarkably hospitable, and he returned to his beloved Hermitage poorer than when he left it.  He cared little for money, although an excellent manager of his farm.  He was high-minded and just in the discharge of debts, and, although arbitrary, he was indulgent to his servants.