"Here am I, dear, at these headquarters of fashionable dissipation, where so much of frivolity, vanity, and heartlessness are yearly congregated, and here I have been for four days, which have sufficed to give me an insight into the pleasures of Newport. The air is delightful, the bathing fine, the situation is pleasant; but the great charm of Newport is society. Now, as I have so long secluded myself from the pleasures derivable from general society, as I have so little fondness for making acquaintances from whom in a few days I must part without the probability of ever seeing them again, the great charm of Newport is no charm for me. I feel alone in a crowd with whom I have little sympathy. You may know, therefore, with how much of delight my thoughts are turned to home and its loved ones, not the least among whom is one whose kindness has been so unvarying and who has been so intimately associated with those who once made my life a happiness, and whose departure has enshrouded that existence in gloom. But I must not dwell on the past. I cannot help looking back upon it, though the retrospect awakens feelings that do not fit me for the present."

Six years had now passed away since the loss of his wife, and four since that of his child. These suc

cessive strokes had scathed the greenness and freshness of his life. But God had given him strength for the mission assigned him, and caused a perennial freshness to spring up in his spirit by bidding him

"Rouse to the work of high and holy love,
And thou an angel's happiness shalt know;
Shalt bless the earth while in the world above;
The good begun by thee shall onward flow
In many a branching stream, and wider grow.
The seed that in these few and fleeting hours
Thy hands unsparing and unwearied sowed,
Shall deck thy grave with amaranthine flowers,
And yield thee fruit divine in heaven's immortal bowers."

CHAPTER X.

LEGISLATIVE WORK.

Mourn for the statesman, moderate, resolute,
Whole in himself, a common good;

Mourn for the man of amplest influence,

Yet clearest of ambitious crime;

Or, greatest yet, with least pretense,

Rich in saving common sense;

And, as the greatest only are,

In his simplicity sublime;

Mourn him who cared not to be great,

But as he saved or served the state.-TENNYSON.

WHILE thus quietly pursuing the path of Christian usefulness, regardless of the glittering prizes of fame and self-aggrandizement so eagerly struggled for by others around him, Mr. Baker little thought he would ever be called from the seclusion of private life to take a prominent political position. His reputation for ability and integrity had silently risen up into proportions so fair and goodly as to attract public attention. He became known as one whom the people had learned to love, one whom good and wise men of all parties were willing to trust.

"Thirsting only

For the right, he learned to deaden
Love of self."

His good name and his popularity with all classes caused him to be spoken of as a desirable candidate for political and judicial posts; but his natural inclinations and his Christian spirit rendered him averse to all earthly distinctions. His numerous friends were anxious for his nomination to different judgeships as they severally became vacant, but he declined making any effort to gain either for himself, though willing to use exertion in behalf of others. Though so unwilling to assume any prominent position where he could not feel it to be a duty, yet when he became convinced of this he readily sacrificed his own wishes in endeavoring to promote the public good. The first legislature after the adoption of the new Constitution of Maryland was regarded as especially important by all parties, on account of the expected abrogation of many old laws and the introduction of others to be substituted in their place. It was considered necessary that these should be submitted to the careful supervision of representatives fully prepared, by sound views and extended legal knowledge, for the onerous but responsible task. To

secure the services of one so eminently qualified as William George Baker, was considered by both parties as especially desirable; and all interested in the public welfare, as well as his legal friends, urged him to accept the proffered nomination. At length he was induced to consent, resolving in case of his election to do his duty, though distrusting his own competency, and fearing that he could not fulfill the expectations of those who so implicitly depended on his ability.

One who knew him intimately says: "If I were asked what was his most prominent characteristic, I should answer, intelligent goodness; an earnest desire to respond in feeling and action to the demands of truth and duty, uninfluenced by passion or prejudice, sectarian zeal or party bias. To this I judge he was largely indebted for his great popularity among all classes of society, a popularity the extent of which he never appeared to realize. His humility was remarkable, very remarkable. The very unusual manifestations of the public confidence in his ability and integrity never appeared in the least degree to elate him. This characteristic also contributed to his popularity. All were glad to elevate one who, with all his talents and acquirements, his influence and wealth, made no assumption."