land.

15. Major McDowell did not put in an appearance until after I had
returned from my morning ride. He brought Colonel Loomis with him to
witness the grand affair; but as it was late, we finally concluded to
postpone the race until another morning.

Some one has been kind enough to lay on my table a handsome bunch of red
pinks and yellow roses.

My staff has been increased, the late addition being "U. S.," a large
and very lazy yellow dog. The two letters which give him his title are
branded on his shoulder. He sticks very close to me, for the reason,
possibly, that I do not kick him, and say "Get out," as most persons are
tempted to do when they look upon his most unprepossessing visage. He is
a solemn dog, and probably has had a rough row to hoe through life. At
times, when I speak an encouraging word, he brightens up, and makes an
effort to be playful; but cheerfulness is his forte no more than "fiten"
was A. Ward's, and he soon relapses into the deepest melancholy.

16. Read Emil Schalk's article on Hooker. It is an easy matter for that
gentleman to sit in his library, plan a campaign, and win a battle. I
could do that myself; but when we undertake to make the campaign, fight
the battle, and win the victory, we find it very much more difficult.
Book farmers are wonderfully successful on paper, and show how fortunes
may be gathered in a single season, but when they come down to
practical farming, they discover quite often that frost, or rain, or
drouth, plays the mischief with their theories, and renders them
bankrupt.

It can be demonstrated, doubtless, that a certain blow, delivered at a
certain place and time, against a certain force, will crush it; but does
it not require infinite skill and power to select the place and time
with certainty? A broken bridge, swollen stream, or even the most
trifling incident, which no man can foresee or overrule, may disarrange
and render futile the best-laid plans, and lead to defeat and disaster.
After a battle we can easily look back and see where mistakes have been
made; but it is more difficult, if not impossible, to look forward and
avoid them. War is a blind and uncertain game at best, and whoever plays
it successfully must not only hold good cards, but play them discreetly,
and under the most favorable circumstances.

17. Starkweather informs me that he has been urged to return to
Wisconsin and become a candidate for governor, and for fear he might
accede to the