BENJAMIN T. BIGGS.

Born Oct. 1, 1821.

BENJAMIN T. BIGGS is a native of Summit Bridge, in the state of Delaware. He was born on a farm, and his early years were spent in the open air and sunshine of the fields. After supplementing his elementary studies with two years at Pennington seminary,

New Jersey, Mr. Biggs taught school for a short time.

He then entered Wesleyan university, Middletown, in the state of Connecticut, as a student, but he could not stay for graduation on account of bad health.

Mr. Biggs was twentysix years of age when he made up his mind to cultivate his constitution on a farm, and let ambition go. Six years afterward, however, his name appears as that of a member of the state constitutional con

BENJAMIN T. BIGGS.

vention. Later on he began the successful enterprise in the development of local railways.

Mr. Biggs was defeated as a candidate for the house of representatives in Washington in 1860, but was elected to the forty-first and forty-second congresses as a democrat.

Mr. Biggs was elected governor of Delaware for the term that commenced in January, 1887, which expires in 1891. The salary is two thousand dollars a year.

EMILY FAITHFULL.

THE great work which Emily Faithfull has given herself to do is to seek remunerative employment for women." She has devoted her whole time to this task, since when a young woman weary of the gaieties of London, she began life in earnest. Her father was a clergyman of the church

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EMILY FAITHFULL.

of England. The daughter Emily was presented at court, and spent some time in the pursuit of fashionable pleasure.

She soon grew tired of this and began a life of useful activity in the behalf of her sex, which she still maintains.

As a printer and publisher she employs only women. Her Victoria Magazine," in which she advocated her peculiar views, was discontinued after a respectable career.

As a lecturer she is very successful. Her leading subjects at the present time

are "Modern Extravagance: Its Causes and Cure," and the Changed Position of Woman in the Nineteenth Century." In personal appearance Miss Faithfull is pleasing. She lectured in the United States in 1872-73, and made hosts of friends. She again made a leeturing tour through this country a few years ago. Her observations as to the con

dition of women in the United States are favorable to our national self-esteem.

EPHRAIM K. WILSON.

Born Dec. 22, 1821.

THIS statesman, Ephraim K. Wilson, was born at Snow Hill, where he now resides. His father was a gentleman of more than local distinction, and was a member of the house. of representatives in the twentieth and twenty-first congresses. Senator Wilson's preparatory education was gained at Union academy and Washington academy, whence he was entered a student of Jefferson college, Pennsylvania. He was graduated at this seat of learning in August, 1841. Returning to Snow Hill he studied law and was admitted to the bar. During the twenty years between 1848 and 1868 he built up a large practice and achieved superior professional reputation.

His public services began in the year 1847, when he was elected to the legislature of Maryland. In 1852 he was a presidential elector on the Pierce and King ticket. He was elected a member of the house of representatives at Wash

EPHRAIM K. WILSON.

ington in the year 1872, and served as such from December 1, 1873, to March 3, 1875. At the time of his election to the United States senate he was serving as circuit judge.

Senator Wilson is distinguished for his legal learning and generous culture.

CHARLES W. ELIOT.

Born March 20, 1834.

THE president of Harvard college, Charles William Eliot, LL.D., is a native of the city of Boston, in the state of Massachusetts. His father was a former treasurer of Harvard. Young Eliot graduated from the Boston Latin school in the year 1849, and from the college four years later.

Probably the event in his pre-presidential life upon which the under-graduates look with most enthusiasm is the fact that he once sat (while a tutor) in a university boat. Be that as it may, President Eliot has been at all times popular with the whole college.

In 1866 Manual of Inorganic Chemistry" appeared, which was the joint work of Charles W. Eliot and F. H. Storer. Since that time Prof. Eliot has contributed largely to various scientific journals.

MARY MILLER.

In the case of Mary Miller, the comparatively liberal increase of occupations in which women can take part is strikingly illustrated. Only a few years ago, to suggest that a woman command a steamer would have been considered absurd, but Mrs. Miller has received a government license au

MARY MILLER.

thorized her to such command, and she has used it in an unquestionably satisfactory way. This is, indeed, an age of progress.

Mrs. Mary Miller is the wife of an old Kentucky steamboat man, who had the good sense to marry a wife much younger than himself.

When he went a-voyaging amid the shifting bars and the caving banks and snags of western rivers, she went with him, and acquired a practical knowledge of navigation. Her husband in time made

money, and built a steamboat of his own.

In the fall of 1882 he sailed his craft to New Orleans, and entered the Ouachita river trade. He prospered in his ventures, but aged so rapidly that he was unable to command his steamer. Then his wife secured a captain's license, having proved herself worthy of it by passing the necessary examination. "Captain" Miller, the reader will agree, is the comeliest among commanders of steamers.