recognizing the value of education, banks continued to read, sometimes walking to boston on his days off to visit the atheneum library. he attended company-sponsored lectures by luminaries of the day including daniel webster and other orators. he formed a debate club with other mill workers to improve their oratorical skills, and took up acting. he became involved in the local temperance movement; speaking at its events brought him to the attention of democratic party leaders, who asked him to speak at campaign events during the 1840 elections. he honed his oratorical and political skills by emulating robert rantoul jr., a democratic congressman who also had humble beginnings. his personal good looks, voice, and flair for presentation were all assets that he used to gain advantage in the political sphere, and he deliberately sought to present himself with a more aristocratic bearing than was suggested by his humble beginnings.