Our young student was fortunate in possessing a most retentive memory.  What he liked, especially in the works of his favorite poet, was so impressed upon his memory that he could recite extracts by the hour.  This will enable the reader to understand how thoroughly he studied, and how readily he mastered, those branches of knowledge to which his attention was drawn.  When in after years in Congress some great public question came up, which required hard study, it was the custom of his party friends to leave Garfield to study it, with the knowledge that in due time he would be ready with a luminous exposition which would supply to them the place of individual study.

Young Garfield was anxious to learn the language of Goethe and Schiller, and embraced the opportunity afforded at college to enter upon the study of German.  He was not content with a mere smattering, but learned it well enough to converse in it as well as to read it.

So most profitably the Junior year was spent, but unhappily James had spent all the money which he had brought with him.  Should he leave college to earn more?  Fortunately, this was not necessary.  Thomas Garfield, always unselfishly devoted to the family, hoped to supply his younger brother with the necessary sum, in installments; but proving unable, his old friend, Dr. Robinson, came to his assistance.

“You can pay me when you are able, James,” he said.

“If I live I will pay you, doctor.  If I do not—­”

He paused, for an idea struck him.

“I will insure my life for eight hundred dollars,” he continued, “and place the policy in your hands.  Then, whether I live or die, you will be secure.”

“I do not require this, James,” said the doctor kindly.

“Then I feel all the more under obligations to secure you in return for your generous confidence.”

It was a sensible and business-like proposal, and the doctor assented.  The strong, vigorous young man had no difficulty in securing a policy from a reputable company, and went back to college at the commencement of the Senior year.  I wish to add that the young man scrupulously repaid the good doctor’s timely loan, for had he failed to do so, I could not have held him up to my young readers as in all respects a model.

There was published at Williams College, in Garfield’s time, a magazine called the Williams Quarterly.  To this the young man became a frequent contributor.  In Gen. James S. Brisbin’s campaign Life of Garfield, I find three of his poetic contributions quoted, two of which I will also transfer to my pages, as likely to possess some interest for my young reader.  The first is called

“THE CHARGE OF THE TIGHT BRIGADE,”

and commences thus: