THOMAS HART BENTON.

THOMAS HART BENTON is a ripe scholar, a ready debater, a brave soldier, and the ablest statesman now living in America. He was born in North Carolina, in 1783, and educated at Chapel Hill College, studied law in William and Mary's College. In 1810, entered the U. S. Army, afterwards practised law in Nashville, Tennessee. Soon afterwards, moved to Missouri, where he edited a newspaper. In 1820, was elected to the U. S. Senate, and remained in that body until 1851. In the Senate he at once became distinguished for his surpassing talents. He was one of the chief supporters of the administrations of General Jackson and Martin Van Buren. He is now a member of Congress, having defeated the entire army of demagogues that opposed him— kicking down their platforms, breaking up their caucuses, exposing their wire-pulling, and mocking at their nominations. This apostle of freedom for the south and west, has an iron will, indomitable resolution, and perseverance that “ never surrenders."

He is a short stout person, with a magnificent head; grey eyes; Roman nose, and a face beaining with intellect. As a speaker, he is more argumentative than eloquent; more philosophical than poetical. Webster, Calhoun, Clay, Benton,

THOMAS HART BENTON.

THOMAS HART BENTON is a ripe scholar, a ready debater, a brave soldier, and the ablest statesman now living in America. He was born in North Carolina, in 1783, and educated at Chapel Hill College, studied law in William and Mary's College. In 1810, entered the U. S. Army, afterwards practised law in Nashville, Tennessee. Soon afterwards, moved to Missouri, where he edited a newspaper. In 1820, was elected to the U. S. Senate, and remained in that body until 1851. In the Senate he at once became distinguished for his surpassing talents. He was one of the chief supporters of the administrations of General Jackson and Martin Van Buren. He is now a member of Congress, having defeated the entire army of demagogues that opposed himkicking down their platforms, breaking up their caucuses, exposing their wire-pulling, and mocking at their nominations. This apostle of freedom for the south and west, has an iron will, indomitable resolution, and perseverance that "“ never surrenders."

He is a short stout person, with a magnificent head; grey eyes; Roman nose, and a face beaming with intellect. As a speaker, he is more argumentative than eloquent; more philosophical than poetical. Webster, Calhoun, Clay, Benton,

and Cass were to the U. S. Senate what the five senses are tc the human system. "Old Bullion " is a hero of Herculean strength, who has turned the river of reform through the Augean stable of party politics in the State he represents.

WILLIAM L. MARCY.

WILLIAM L. MARCY was born in Sturbridge, Worcester County, Massachusetts, December 12, 1786. After graduating with honor at Brown University, he took up his residence in the city of Troy, in the State of New York, where he studied and practised law. He rendered efficient service during most of the war of 1812. In 1816, he was appointed recorder of the city of Troy, but owing to his political relationship with Mr. Van Buren, and his opposition to Gov. Clinton, he was deposed from office two years afterwards. In 1821, he became adjutant-general of the State, and in 1823, he was elected Controller, when he removed to the capital of the Empire State, and became a member of the Albany Regency. In 1829, he was appointed one of the associate justices of the Supreme Court, but resigned that office in 1831, when he was elected to the United States Senate, where he remained two years, during which time he was elected governor of the State of New York. He was twice re-elected to that post of honor. During Mr. Polk's administration he accepted the place of Secretary of War, the arduous duties of which he

discharged with credit to himself and honor to his country. He is now Secretary of State, and is, far and away, the ablest man in the Cabinet. His State paper on the Koszta affair is one of the most profound arguments ever presented to the American people. It created a wonderful sensation in Europe, but no crowned head could find a man competent to meet his unanswerable logic. President Pierce could not have found another man within the radius of his party so perfectly qualified to be "prime minister" of the United States.

ALFRED BUNN.

I HAVE just returned from the New Music Hall, where I heard a repetition of the reminiscences of a stage manager, from the lips of Mr. Alfred Bunn.

Mr. Bunn is a portly man with a dull face, large round head, bald on the crown and thinly covered with grey hair on the sides. He looks, speaks, and acts like a gentleman John Bull. He must be nearly sixty years of age, but he is erect and elastic, as most men are in the prime of life. He dresses in simple black, wears a huge collar that threatens to saw his ears off, while the points of it play peak-a-boo around his ample chin. A lady at my side declared that his feet were handsome. The gentleman is a bun who has been more than half baked-but those who go to hear him will be done