“He tells a story admirably, and acts it out to the life.  He makes a great deal of fun, and keeps others in a roar of laughter, while he is sober himself.  For his fun, he is as much indebted to the manner as to the matter.  He makes his jokes mainly by happy comparisons, striking illustrations, and the imitative power with which he expresses them.

“He possesses a great amount of native talent, but it is so admirably distributed, that he appears to have more than he actually possesses.

“His attachment to his friends is remarkably strong and ardent.  But he will associate with none except those whose moral characters are unimpeachable.

“He expects and anticipates a great deal; enters largely into things; takes hold of every measure with spirit; and is always overwhelmed with business.  Move where he will, he cannot be otherwise than a distinguished man.”

That this description was remarkably accurate in most particulars will be obvious to those who have read the preceding anecdotes.  It is not true, however, that he was enthusiastic in character, or that he had the appearance of being so.  He was far too practical and self-possessed, to have the reputation of being “half crazy,” even among those who are prone to regard everything as insane that is out of the common course.  Neither do I think he was accustomed to “let himself down too much;” for according to my radical ideas, a man cannot “let himself down,” who “associates only with those whose moral characters are unimpeachable.”  It is true that he was pleasant and playful in conversation with all classes of people; but he was remarkably free from any tinge of vulgarity.  It is true, also, that he was totally and entirely unconscious of any such thing as distinctions of rank.  I have been acquainted with many theoretical democrats, and with not a few who tried to be democratic, from kind feelings-and principles of justice; but Friend Hopper and Francis Jackson of Boston are the only two men I ever met, who were born democrats; who could not help it, if they tried; and who would not know how to try; so completely did they, by nature, ignore all artificial distinctions.  Of course, I do not use the word democrat in its limited party sense, but to express their perfect unconsciousness that any man was considered to be above them, or any man beneath them.  If Friend Hopper encountered his wood-sawyer, after a considerable absence, he would shake hands warmly, and give him a cordial welcome.  If the English Prince had called upon him, he would have met with the same friendly reception, and would probably have been accosted something after this fashion:  “How art thou, friend Albert?  They tell me thou art amiable and kindly disposed toward the people; and I am glad to see thee.”  Those who observe the parting advice given by Isaac’s mother, when he went to serve his apprenticeship in Philadelphia, will easily infer that this peculiarity