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 Eugene Field 29 more effortless than the easy play of his wit. One thrust at a gang of politicians junketing at their constituents' expense deserves to be recalled as a fair example of his skill : Blue Cut, Tenn., May 2, 1885. — The second section of the train bearing the Illinois Legislature to New Orleans was stopped near this station by bandits last night. After relieving the bandits of their watches and money, the excursionists proceeded on their journey with increased enthusiasm.' Political sarcasms like the foregoing, though frequently employed, have ordinarily been powerless to influence either the character of American politics or the fortunes of any par- ticular politician. On the contrary, they have had, like Ford jokes, a certain advertising value, being considered less marks of discontent than the banter of satisfaction with which healthy Americans accompany their doings. Most unusual, therefore, is the spectacle of the national frame of mind changed in consequence of the work of a humorist. Yet that result may fairly be claimed for the "Dooleys" written by Finley Peter Dunne during the Spanish-American War. The American public, conscious of a chivalrous mission in the war, uncertain of the strength of the adversary, and angry at the bustling in- competence and greedy profiteering at home, lost its sense of humour. Its regeneration from the slough of perfervid earnest- ness was accelerated by the cool remarks of the Irish saloon- keeper of Archey Road, Chicago. As Mr. Dooley commented on the great charge of the army mules at Tampa with reflec- tions on other jackasses, pictured the Cuban towns captured by war-correspondents and the Spanish fleet sunk by dispatch boats, celebrated General Miles's uniform and the pugnacity of "Cousin George Dooley" (Admiral Dewey), the national fever cooled, and the nation, realizing its superfluous power, burst into saving laughter. "We're a gr-reat people," said Mr. Hennessy, earnestly. "We ar-re," said Mr. Dooley. "We ar-re that. An' th' best iv it is, we know we ar-re." Mr. Dooley for some years continued to give his opinions on the men and affairs of peace with a shrewdness that recalls • S. Thompson, Eugene Field, vol. ii., p. 204.