Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1842-07-06

series of seven years, though il would.
afford many lessons Of perseverance, aud
triumph over almost ipsurInountable dlili-
cullies. But nt twenty one, he was mas
ter of his trade aud, what was more,
had laid up n vas, amount oi general and
scientific information. lie was welt
read in history. lie had studied through
the science of Astronomy, for which he
ever retained n lively affection. lie
was familiar with mathematical principles
and could readily solve the most difficult
GcoWetrcal and Algcbraic problems. -
Ills Geographical knowledge was min
ute and to this he added tolerablv cor
rect information in regard to the manners
and customs Of different nations. To
natural history he had also given much
attention. But, with all Of his varied
requirements, James Wallace felt, on
attaining the age of manhood, that he
knew, comparatively, but little.
Let US turn now, for few moments,
TO mark the progress which tho young
student, in one of the best seminarics in
his native city, and afterwards at college,
had made. Like too many tradesmen,
whose honest industry and steady peLse-
verance has gained them "A competence,
Mr.. Lee felt indisposed TO give his son n
trade or TO subject him TO the same res
trainls and discipline in youth To which
he had been subjected. lie felt ambi-
|, tious for hun, and determined TO educate
him for one of the learned professions -
| To this end he sent him To school early,
aud provided for him the very best Of
Il instruction.
Like too many others, he had no love
Of learning, nor any right appreciation
of its legitimate uses. To be II lawyer,
he thought it would be much more hon
orable, than To be II mere mechanic and
for this reason alone, as far as he had
any thoughts on the subject, did he de-
sire TO be lawyer. As for james Wal
lace, lac, as the poor Ililerate apprentice
OF his father, was most heartily desplscd ,
and never treated by Ilarman with the
smallest degree of kind consideration. -
H AT the age Of eighteen, he was sent
n away " one Of the eastern Universities,
and there remaIned-except during the
/ semi annual vacations until he was TWEEN
IIty years of age when he graduated,
| and came home with the honorary title
Of A. B At this time, James Wallace
was between seventeen and eighteen
years Of age, somewhat rough in his np-
| pearance, but with n sound mind and
body. Although, each day, he regularly
toiled at tho workbench, and as regu-
Iarly turned to his books when evening
released him from labor, and was up at
the peep Of dawn, TO lay the first offering
upon the shrine Of learning. But all
this devotion tothe requirement OF knowl-
| edge, won for him no sympathy, no hon
orable estimation from his masters son.
lie despised his condition ns an apprcn-
| iice to trade. But it was not many
years before others began TO perceive
the contrast between them, although on
the very day that James completed his
term Of apprenticeship, Harman was ad-
mitted to the bar.
The one completed his education, so
far as general knowledge, and rigid
discipline of the mind was concerned -
when he left college. The other became
more really the student, when tho broad
er and brighter light of nationality shonc
clearly on his pathway, as he passed the
Threshold Of manhood James still con
tinued to work at his trade, but not for so
manv hours each day, as while he was
an apprentice. lie was good and ias,
workman, and could readily earn all that
he required for his support IN six or eigh,
hours ofevery twenty-iour. Eight hours
were regularly devoted to study. From
some cause, he determined that ho would
make law his profession. To the ac-
quirement of a knowledge of legal mat
iers, therefore, he bent all the energies
of a well disciplined aud active, compre
hensive mind. Two years passed away
in an unlring devotion to the studies
assigned himself, and then he made ap
picalion for admission TO the bar.
"Who were admitted yesterday = ask
ed lIsrman Lee, the day after Wallace
had passed his examination, addressing
a fellow member of the bar.
Some half dozen, and among them a
sturdy young fellow that nobody ever
heard Of before.'
Hlndeed! Well, what kind Of an ex-
animation did he make?'
'An excellent one. The Judges tried
their best with him, but he seemed fur.
ni-hed at every point. lie IL said to be
a young mechanic who has thus quail
fled himself IN the time that he could
spare from the labors of his handicralt,
by which he has supported himself
"A mechanic! Poh! The whole Court
room will smell Of leather or inseed oil
| suppose, after this. Did you learn his
namcN
James Wallace believe he IL calico
JamcsWaIlce Are you sure;'
Yes that was it. Do you know him?
You look all-sufiiciently surprised to
know him twice over
'My father had an apprentice by that
name, who affected to be very fond Of
books. But surely ii can't be him.
Il am sure don't know. But here
comes a client for YOU suppose
As the latter spoke man entered the
Office, and asked for Mr.. Lee.
That's my name, sir said Lee
bowing. take "A chair'
'The stranger seated himself, and after
"A moments pause, said