Read this excerpt from “1859 autobiographical statement for the chester county times.” the next, and three succeeding biennial elections, i was elected to the legislature. i was not a candidate afterwards. during this legislative period i had studied law, and removed to springfield to practice it. in 1846 i was once elected to the lower house of congress. was not a candidate for re-election. from 1849 to 1854, both inclusive, practiced law more assiduously than ever before. the information in this excerpt readers imagine that lincoln was a. calm and peaceful. b. scholarly and dedicated. c. dull and weary. d. idle and boastful.