A Custom House Officer of Long Permanence

A custom house officer of long continuance can hardly be a very praiseworthy or respectable personage for many reasons. While he leans on the mighty arm of the republic, his own proper strength departs from him. The ejected officer, fortunate in the unkindly shove that sends him forth betimes to struggle amid a struggle world, may return to himself and become all that he has ever been but this seldom happens. If he possess an unusual share of native energy or the enervating magic of place do not operate too long upon him, his forfeited powers may be redeemable. But nevertheless, it is anything but agreeable to be haunted by a suspicion that one's intellect is dwindling