Abraham Lincoln

“His Wit And Rich Humor Had Free Play”

Posted on May 31, 2016

Mr. Lincoln spent most of his evenings in his office, though occasionally he remained in the drawing-room after dinner, conversing with visitors or listening to music, for which he had an especial liking, though he was not versed in the science, and preferred simple ballads to more elaborate compositions. In his office he was not often suffered to be alone; he frequently passed the evening there with a few friends in frank and free conversation. If the company was all of one sort he was at his best; his wit and rich humor had free play; he was once more the Lincoln of the Eighth Circuit, the cheeriest of talkers, the riskiest of story tellers ; but if a stranger came in he put on in an instant his whole armor of dignity and reserve. He had a singular discernment of men ; he would talk of the most important political and military concerns with a freedom which often amazed his intimates, but we do not recall an instance in which this confidence was misplaced.

Quoted in “Life in the White House in the time of Lincoln” by John Hay

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