on; and the ratification of the Constitution was brought
about largely by the _Federalist_, a paper in which he so ably
interpreted the provisions of that instrument that it has ever
since been regarded as one of the world's political classics. As
Secretary of the Treasury under Washington he performed wonders;
Daniel Webster said of his work in this office: "He rent the
rock of the national resources, and abundant streams of revenue
gushed forth. He touched the dead corpse of Public Credit, and
it sprung upon its feet." He was born in Nevis, one of the West
Indies, in 1757, and was mortally wounded by Aaron Burr in a
duel, 1804, at Weehawken, New Jersey.

IV. Organization of Material

Models I and II illustrate two types of biographical notes. That about
James McHenry consists of three sentences, which give: (1) A
chronological survey of his life; (2) a statement of his chief public
service; (3) the fact by which he is most likely to be remembered by the
casual reader. It is a good brief form to use in writing about most men
and women. Model II is better if the subject is remarkable for many
achievements. Its structure is as follows: (1) A keynote sentence; (2),
(3), (4) three illustrations of the fact stated in (1); (5) dates. The
same principles apply to notices of living people. In writing use one
model or the other; do not deviate from them, unless you first find a
better model, and can persuade your teacher that it is better.

V. Exercises

1. Reduce some biography which you have read and enjoyed to a
biographical note of two hundred words.

2. Write a biographical note of two hundred words about a living
person of national reputation.

3. Write a biographical note of two hundred words about a living
person of state or city reputation.

4. Write a biographical note about the school janitor, the school
engineer, a member of your own family, your hired man, your
maid, or any other interesting person from whom you can extract
the desired information.

VI. Suggested Reading

Carl Schurz's _Life of Abraham Lincoln_.

VII. Memorize

THE SEVEN AGES OF MAN

All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players.
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages. At first the infant,
Mewling and puking in the nurse's a