He had, also, an article upon the Methodists, in which he said that the two religions nearest akin were the Methodist and the Roman Catholic.  We should add to these trifling specimens the fact, that he uniformly maintained, from 1835 to the crash of 1837, that the prosperity of the country was unreal, and would end in disaster.  Perhaps we can afford space for a single specimen of his way of treating this subject; although it can be fully appreciated only by those who are old enough to remember the rage for land speculation which prevailed in 1836:—­

     “THE RICH POOR—­THE POOR RICH.—­’I have made $50,000 since
     last January,’ said one of these real-estate speculators to
     a friend.

     “‘The dense you have,’ said the other, looking up in
     astonishment ’Why, last January you were not worth a
     twenty-dollar bill.’

     “’I know that; but I now calculate I’m worth full $50,000,
     if not $60,000.’

     “How have you made it?’

     “’By speculating in real estate.  I bought three hundred lots
     at Goose Island at $150 apiece; they are now worth $400.  I
     would not sell them for $350 apiece, I assure you.’

     “’ Do you think so?’

“’Sartain.  I have two hundred and fifty lots at Blockhead’s Point, worth $150 a piece; some on them are worth $200.  I have one hundred lots at Jackass Inlet, worth at least $100, at the very lowest calculation.  In short, I’m worth a hull $60,000.’

“’Well, I’m glad to hear it.  You can pay me now the $500 you have owed me for these last four years.  There’s your note, I believe,’ said he, handing the speculator a worn piece of paper that had a piece of writing upon it.

     “The speculator looked blank at this.  ’Oh! yes—­my—­now I’d
     like—­suppose,’ but the words could not form themselves into
     a perfect sentence.

     “‘I want the money very much,’ said the other; ’I have some
     payments to make to-morrow.’

     “‘Why, you don’t want cash for it surely.’

     “’Yes, but I do.  You say you are worth $60,000,—­surely $500
     is but a trifle to pay; do let me have the cash on the nail,
     if you please.’

     “’Oh!—­by—­well—­now—­do tell—­really, I have not got the
     money at present.’

     “’So you can’t pay it, eh?  A man worth $60,000, and can’t
     pay an old debt of $500?’

     “’Oh! yes I can—­I’ll—­I’ll—­just give you my note for it at
     ninety days.’

     “’The D—­l you will!  A man worth $60,000, and can’t pay $500
     for ninety days! what do you mean?’