In  the  political  campaign  of  1848,  which  resulted  in
the  election  of  Gen.  Taylor,  Mr.  Choate  took  a  promi-

1  Hon.  Eeuben  A.  Chapman,  now  Chief  Justice  of  the  Supreme
Court  of  Massachusetts.
1845-1849.]  SPEECH  AT  BEOOKLINE.  175

iient  and  willing  part.  In  the  character  and  life  of
Gen.  Taylor,  his  modesty  and  integrity,  his  capacity  in
extraordinary  emergencies,  his  courage,  his  unobtru-
sive patriotism,  and  his  brilliant  victories,  there  was
much  to  awaken  entlmsiasm  as  well  as  to  command
respect.  The  speeciies  of  Mr.  Choate  before  the  elec-
tion are  among  the  most  effective  he  ever  made  in  this
style  of  ephemeral  political  oratory.  With  a  sound
substratum  of  judicious  thought  and  argument,  tliey
fairly  effervesce  with  wit  and  raillery.
One  of  these  was  made  at  Brookline.  "  He  had
been  a  week,"  writes  a  gentleman  who  went  with  him
to  the  place,  "  preparing,  his  oration,  and  was  well-
nigh  used  up.  He  got  into  tlie  coach,  liis  locks  drip-
ping witli  dissolved  camphor,  and  complained  of  a
raging  headache.  He  clutched  his  temple  witli  his
hand,  and  leaned  his  head  on  my  shoulder,  to  see  if
he  could  not,  by  reclining,  find  ease.  Just  as  we
touched  the  Mill  Dam,  the  evening  moon  poured  her
level  rays  over  the  beautiful  waters  of  the  Back  Bay,
and  filled  the  coach  and  atmosphere  with  dreamy  light.
