After having mastered the book he remarked to a friend that if that was what they called a science he thought he could "subdue another." Mr.Green says that Lincoln's talk at this time showed that he was beginning to think of a great life and a great destiny.

Lincoln said to him on one occasion that all his family seemed to have good sense but somehow none had ever become distinguished.

He thought perhaps he might become so.

He had talked, he said, with men who had the reputation of being great men, but he could not see that they differed much from others.

During this year he was also much engaged with debating clubs, often walking six or seven miles to attend them.