[6] Described as the officer commanding the Downingsville militia, a
New-Englander, and a stanch adherent of the "Gineral's, so far as 'a
decent hunk of the animal wint,' but entirely agin' the whole-hog
system." Under this perfect assumption there appeared a series of really
familiar epistles, either remonstrating with or speaking of the
"Gineral," or, as the Major latterly styled the President, "the
Govermint;" no less admirable for the political acumen they display than
for a caustic drollery, which is enforced with shrewd Yankee humour, and
in the singular phraseology current amongst 'Uncle Sam's' kindred. These
letters have been collected, and are published both in America and in
England; and although neither the purity of the politics or the dialect
of the honest Major can be fully appreciated by strangers, his intrinsic
wit and native humour will well repay the task of a perusal by all who
admire originality of thought and expression.