II3 statesmen than to our men of letters. His admirers cannot expect more than &dquo honorable mention &dquo for his best literary productions. His was not a creative, or dominating influence in American literature. Whereas in the accomplishment of great reforms in government and politics, his political wisdom and foresight, his intrepidity and persistence in the face of almost overwhelming opposition, and his success are unquestionable, and his power and influence for good in our national life

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... great and enduring. Mr. Curtis proved himself one of those rare men who early perceive the need of reform and then forthwith resolutely set about educating the public and the leaders of the people with a view to securing the needed reforms. The present volume is in the main a record, by an intimate friend, of Mr. Curtis' endeavors to right the wrongs of the slave, of his faithful participation in the practical, and to him often disagreeable, work of practical politics, of his course as an &dquo Independent,&dquo and of his great work of promoting Civil Service Reform. We learn here how hard it was for him to bear up under the storm of abuse and revilings that came upon him when he broke away from his old party moorings in 1884. After this date, however, he became the recognized leader of the reform element in New York State and national politics. He interested himself, particularly as editor of Harper's Weekly, in many questions-the tariff, the currency, foreign matters and the relation of Congress to the President-but the major part of his time and energies he gave up to the prosecution of Civil Service Reform. The splendid work which he accomplished in this reform is shown in the remarkable progress, which we are every day witnessing, of this movement in municipal, State and national politics and governments. Mr. Cary has written his biography in an easy flowing style, and wherever possible makes Mr. Curtis tell his own story by giving numerous letters and extracts from his writings. Stuart, Ia.