COrrespOndeMce ofthe U. s. Gazette.

 WASHINGTON, Feb. 8, 1881.
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 Had any collector of materials for polit- ical biography been present in the Senate on Monday, he might have obtained some spicy ingredients for history ot the last days of Gen. Samuel Smith. In no hu- man composition was thcrc ever more liberal admixture of inconsistency, folly, and egotism; and no mans tongue ever exhibited greater recklessness to betray these fraities to the world. Every audit or responded to the truth of the allegation which MT. Clay made against him, when he addressed him to the following efect.- " There are two errors common to hu- man nature: ono is, to ovcr-estimate our own knowledge, and the other to under- rate the knowledge of others. And know of no man who is more prone to both these errors, than the Senator from Mary land." The General 6dgeted in his seat, suffering his rage to express itself only in his countenance, and his movements, and such broken ejaculations as-"I won't be provoked''-" l'll take no notice. of it''- " I won't"-"I won't" &c. But when Mir. Clay cast at him the quotation descrip- tive of the worn out politician tottering to the last, the Maryland Senator could no longer be restrained. He bounced on his feet with all the agility of youth, and broke out in strain of incoherent vehemence, which can never be accurately communi- cated on paper. "Totter, indeed me totter! No, no, have not come 10 that. l am two-and-twenty years older than the Senator from Kentucky; but not so bad as that. Totter, indeed, no, no,-no man can call me tottering. know my situa- ton too well and l know what is due to the dignity of the Senate, or else could say things of the Senator of Kentucky"-

 The ce-Presidcnt, order."1 At this point, the clear, strong voice of Mr. Clay was heard through all the Senate Chamber -" l dare you." Vice-Presidcnt, " or der.' "But won't," resumed the Gen. eial--" won't go into these things-I know my duty better" This may give you some faint idea of the character of the few closing sentences in the debate of Monday. No one present felt any pity for the visible agonies ofa man who has de- ceived his constituents as General Smith has done; and every one exul,s in the con- viction that another session will make the termination of his political career, and con- sign him to path where his inconsistency, folly and ego.ism will be limited in their exhibition to a circle of forbearing friends and hungry expectants.