Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 January 1896 — “Dreams! Dreams!” [ARTICLE]

“Dreams! Dreams!”

Soon after Disraeli had quitted tlio active arena of the House of Commons for the “gilded mausoleum” of tlio House of Lords he was visited at his house by his friend, Lord Gower. The two men sat by the fire in the grate, and the ex-Premler talked of his own political career. At last he ceased talking, and gazing abstractedly Into the burning coals, muttered: “Dreams! dreams!” The mournful, half-audible exclamation is suggestive. Apparently !! Indicated that he who had foh long, laborious years devoted himself to his country found in that fact no solid satisfaction. Is that the usual fate of retired statesmen ?

The incident is quoted by Mr. Tuelc- 1 erinan as a thought-provoking addition to his account of an Interview with William 11. Seward, puWished in.!‘Personal Recollections of Notable People.’’ While Mr. Seward, in 1872, was suffering from paralysis at his liome In Auburn, New York, Mr. Tuckerman went out of his way to pay his respects to the veteran statesman. He fotfful, him unable to use bis arms and legi, but with his mental faculties unimpaired. Foy the two days the guest enjoyed the statesman’s hospitality ho was entertained with reminiscences and anecdotes. . -When he was departing Mr. Sewar.l took him aside and said: ‘-Now tell me what I can do for you. If I possess any influence with the present administration, 1 am at your service.” Sir. Tuckerman replied that the only service he could do for him was to get better health at Ills earliest convenience, and to Tet the world hear from him occasionally. j • ..t. ■ ,‘j “Do you mean to say,” asked Mr. Seward, “that you came out of your way to visit a broken-down old man 11 ko me without a single Interested juaUve, beyond that of seeing me?” He noticed that his guest was annoyed by the implication, and added, with emotion: “I do not have .many such visitors fiowadhys.” Those last words lingered In the guest’s ears. “Was his,” he asked himself, “no exception to tlio fate that too often overtakes the retired statesman?”