A backhanded compliment of the acutest nature is credited to Lincoln as
a lawyer and gentleman. A Major Hill accused him of maligning Mrs.
Hill, upon which Lincoln denied the accusation and apologized with
"whitewash" which blacked the bystander:
"I entertain the highest regard for Mrs. Hill, and the only thing I
know to her discredit is that she is Major Hill's wife!"
* * * * *