new presses had to be bought and Greeley, who by the way preferred to
discuss the financial policy of a great nation than that of his own
office, soon found himself obliged to get a business man as a partner.
He was exceedingly fortunate in securing Mr. Thomas McElrath, who soon
brought order from chaos, and the _Tribune_ became not only an ably
conducted paper but a paying one as well.

Mr. Greeley next became a lecturer, and in this field he was also fairly
successful. He traveled in Europe and wrote such books as "Hints About
Reform," "Glances at Europe," "History of the Slavery Extension,"
"Overland Journey from New York to San Francisco," "The American
Conflict," "Recollections of a Busy Life," "Essays on Political
Economy," and just before his death, "What I Know About Farming."

While Mr. Greeley must ever be regarded among journalists as one of
their brightest stars; he was one of the most peculiar writers it has
ever been our pleasure to read. In fact he must be regarded as a kind of
literary gymnast. While conducting a political paper he at one time
devoted page after page to the theory of reorganizing society after the
plan of Fourier; that is to divide society up into small communities to
live in common. After wearying the readers on this and numerous other
'isms,' it was discontinued. He went into a political frenzy over Clay
and protection; next his paper was full of the 'Irish Repeal,' 'Advocacy
of the Water Cure,' 'Phrenology,' 'Mesmerism,' 'Opposition to Capital
Punishment,' 'Trinitarianism' and the 'Drama.'

He was finally elected to Congress to fill an unexpired term. While here
he caused some amusement by his eccentricities. He refused to sit up at
night sessions, abruptly leaving when his hour for retiring arrived.
Possibly his letter addressed to the managers of his party in his State
was one of the greatest surprises that he ever sprung upon the country.
It was addressed to Mr. Seward personally, but upon mention being made
of it by that gentlemen's friends, it was made public by Greeley's
demand. It ran something as follows: "The election is over, and its
results sufficiently ascertained. It seems to me a fitting time to
announce to you the dissolution of the political firm of Seward, Weed
and Greeley by the withdrawal of the junior partner, said withdrawal to
take effect on the morning after the first Tuesday in February next. I
was a poor young printer, and editor of a literary journal--a ve