He was not devoid of ambition.

He believed that the holding of public office was the best method of accomplishing public results.

But, as I have already said, when the time came, he always subordinated his own desire to what he deemed the welfare of the public.
He had, I think, one favorite poem.

He was fond of all good literature, especially the Bible, and was never without its resources to illustrate or make emphatic what he had to say.
But there was one poem which was written to describe his and my intimate friend, George L.Stearns, which I think was his favorite above all the literature with which he was acquainted.
I have often heard him quote its verses.

They set forth the character and quality and life of Adin Thayer himself.