Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-02-03
}WbO!e No Q I9.

the Doy 3 earnest inaIlhef, anu ho'c"y VI
speech.
\ Would mt YOU like to have them painted
and new hangings put to themp pursued
James.
4 Il don't know. II would certainly improve
them very much
II 20, yes, sir. They would look Just like
new And if YOU will let me do them, will
! fix them all up nice for you, cheap
II 'Will YOU indeed But what is your name
and where do you livcl'
II MY name is James Wallace, and | live
!, with Mr.. Lee, the blind maker
/ do YOU, indeed Well how much will
you charge SSr painting them, and Putnng on
new hangingsP
\ Il will do il for two dollars sir. The hang
ings and tassels will cost me three quarters Of
dollar, and the paint and yarnsh quarter
more. And il will take me two or three eve
nings besides getting up very early IN the
morning 10 work for Mr.. Lee 50 that can
have time TO paint and yarmsh them when tho
sun shines.
But will Mr.. Lee let you do this =
II Il don't know, sir But ] will ask him.
n Very well, my little man. If MIR. Lee
does not object | am wiling
James ran back TO the house, and found
Mr.. Lee standing in the door. Much TO his
delight his request was granted. -Four days
from that time he possessed book of his own,
and had half dollar with which 10 buy some
other volume, when he should have thorough
ly mastered the contents OF that. Every night
found him pouring over this book, and as soon
as IL was light enough TO see he was up and
reading.
\ OF course, there was much III il he could
not understand, and many terms that dehed
all his efforts and comparisons OF the context to
understand. To help him in this difficulty, ho
purchased with ms remaining half dollar, at
second hand book stall, dictionary. by the
aid OF thus he acquired the information he
sought, much more rapidly. fsut the more
he read, the broader the uncxplored expanss
of knowledge appeared to open before him.
He did not, however, give way to the feelings
of Encouragement, bat steadily devoted eyeiy
evening. and an hour every morning 10 study,
while all through the day, his mind was pom
derinp over the things he had read, as his
hands wer, diligently employed in the work
assigned HIM
| 1t occurred Just at this time that a number Of
benevolent individuals established in the town
! where lie lived, one of those excellent lns,iiu-
! tons, an Apprentice = library. 10 this he ut
! once applied and obtained the books he need
! ed. Instead, however, of resorting 10 the j.
/ brary for mere books of amusement, he bor-
! rowed only those from which he could obtain
the rudments of learning, such as text books
! of science.
\ lie carly felt the necessity from having read
a book on Astronomy, with strong desire Ia
master rs contents. for mathematical knowl-
edge and the effect to acquire this, he first
commenced studying--lor he had no prcceptor
to guide him--a work on Geometry In work
inE out problems. he used a PAIR oi shop COM
passes, with quill upoa one oi the prongs.-
And thus all alone III his garnet, frequently un-
I'll midnight: none dreaming of his devotion 10
the requirement of knowledge-dld the poor
apprentice boy Law the foundation OF future
cmincnce and ,sefunrss. We cannot trace
his course, step by step, through long series
Of years, II would afford many lessons OF per
severance and triumph over almost nsurmouni-
able difficulties.
But at twcnty-onc he was master of his
trade, and what was more had laid up vast
amount of general and scientific mtormatlOn.---
He was well read IN -history-had studied
thoroughly the science of Astronomy, Tor
which he ever retained a lively aiiecuon--wos
familiar with mathematical principles, and
could readily solve the most difficult GcOncirl-
cal and Aigcbralcal problems. llls GeograPh-
zeal knowledge was minute; and to ths b"
added tolerably correct information N regard to
the manners and customs Of different nations.
To natur; history he had also given much at
ten ION. But with all his varied requirements,
James W allace felt, on attaining the age ot
m uhood that he knew, comparatively, but Ill
tie.
\ Ic, us turn now for few nom ms t1 mark
the progress winch the young studeft, IN one
of the best ~ narics III his naive city, and al
tcrwards at col sgc had made. Lake too many
tradesmcn, whose honest industry and ST. ady
pcrse ,crancc had gained them a competence,
Mr. Lee iclt iudisposcd to give his son irad'
or To subject him to the same restraints ana
discipline IN youth to which he had been sub
iec,ed. He felt ambitious for him, and deter
mined to educate him for one Of the learned
professions. 10 tins end he sent him 10 school
carly. and provided for him the very best III
slructiOn.
| The idea that lac would be a lawyer or n
doctor, soon took possession Of the mind OF
Haunan, and thus cal scd hlm to feel a con
tempt for the other boys vino were merely dls-
tinguishcd for trade, or store keeping.
/ lake too many others he had no love OF
learning, nor any right appreciation OF ITS leg
/ itimatc uses. 10 be- lawyer, he thought,
! would be much more honorable, than 10 be
mrrc mechanic and for this reason alone, 80
far as he had any thoughts on the subject, did
! he desire 10 be a lawyer. Us Tor James w aI-
lace. he was the poor iiicrate apprentice
=, his father, was most heartily dospscd, ana
never treated by llaman with the smallest de-
gree Of consideration.
N At the age Of eighteen he was sent away fo
one ofthc eastern Universities, aud there re-.
mancd-uut he was twenty'one years 81
ace when he graduated and came home with
The honorary title of 4. Is. At this time Jas.
Wallace was between seventeen and eighteen
wears of age, somewhat rough IN his appear
9uce. bu, with sound mind IN a sound body
\ Although each day he toilcd regularly Of hls
work bench. and rs regularly turned To his
hooks when the evening released him from la
bor. and was up at peep Of dawn, to lay the
first offerings of his miud upon the Shrine ct
knowledge, won for him no sympathy, no hon-
lIorabls estimation from his masier sou, lie
.Idcspsed ih,ss paiirnt, persevcrng EFFORTS -
much N he dcsplsod HE condition. ss an APP
prentice 10 trade. But twas not many years
before others bcgau to soe the contrast lr-
lItwccn them, although on the very day that
James Wallace completed hs apprenticeship
lIIaunan was admitted 10 the bar.
The one completed his education ss tar as