Page:The Diothas, or, A far look ahead (IA diothasorfarlook01macn).pdf/361

 Even during his college career, E was regarded as somewhat crotchety, though undeniably brilliant. But, during his two-years' stay at a German university, he found time to take on board a whole cargo of new crotchets. He did not return an admirer of the rococo in art or government, a disciple of the dyspeptic philosophy, or imbued with the conviction that the highest aim of man is a thorough acquaintance with the uses of the Latin dative. What he had seen of the workings of paternal government had but confirmed his sturdy republicanism. He returned, moreover, thoroughly imbued with this one conviction, that whatever position the American people is destined to take in the history of literature, art, or science, its immediate mission is to demonstrate to mankind the splendid possibilities of popular institutions. The nations of the Old World, handicapped by their burden of hoary prejudices and abuses, reasonably look to us to lead the way in the path so courageously entered upon about a century ago. Placed thus in the van of progress, on a path made smooth for us by the courage and devotion of others, ours will be the shame if we fail to rise to the occasion.

All this is reasonable enough. His strangest crotchet is, the strong hostility he has conceived against the legal profession. Yet he had prepared himself for that profession by an unusually thorough course of training. Soon after his return he entered, as junior partner, the well-known legal firm of Star & Dash. Within a few mouths, however, he suddenly withdrew. What the occasion was, he did not feel at liberty to explain, even Star, the senior partner, with whom I have some acquaintance, said, when referring to the matter,—