The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1853-06-16

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His teachers name was Peter Deacon,
and Mr. Clay often referred to him with
respect and affection. 1t does not appear
that Henry had any school advantages
after the age of fourteen years. The
school-house in which he acquired the
elements Of reading, writing and arithme-
tic, was rude log structure, having no
glass windows-if indeed, it had any
windows whatever. 1t is said that the
only aperture through which light enter
ed was the open door. Henry went for
ward in his arithmetic as far as "Practice, +"
rule which in the old style of teaching,
was just farenough from units under units
and tens under tens" to enable the pill
grim among figures to "see through the
book" No doubt Henry was very stu
dious under Mr.. Deacon's tuition; and
probably his fathers library, what re-
mained of it after his decease, was use
full to him. His mother and elder broth
ers and sisters, for Henry was the seventh
child, must. have aided his progress
Home education does often more than
can be accomplished in the few hours
daily spent in school. Many hours eve
ry day, under strange instructor, will
do little, if the familiar voices at home do
not cheer and encourage the beginner;
and apparently small opportunities, if
home influence is favorable, will produce
great results.
At the age of fourteen, Henry Clay
was placed in the store of Mr.. Richard
Denny, in Richmond Va. Nearly all the
boys can recollect the ordeal through
which they were required to- pass, on leav-
ing the familiar objects at home, and pas
sing the scrutiny of other and older lads.
At school, or in store, shop or an Of
flee, the consciousness of awkwardness,
and want of habitude to the new occupa-
ton, shows the novice to i'll advantage
The older and accustomed clerks, appren-
tees or students, do not hesitate to make
a butt of new conner. 1t was a disci-
pline through which they themselves pas
sed, and they are not disposed to lose
their revenge, by forbearing to inflict the
same annoyance on their successors.
| In the store of Mr.. Denny, Henry re-
manned for a year. We have no record
of the manner in which he spent his leis-
ure time, if he found any, and can only
Judge by his conduct afterward, and by
the results of his life. He says of his
own education, that it was neglected, but
improved by his own irregular cxertions,
without the benefit of systematic instruc-
ton" In this remark uttered as an
apology for the deficiencies which he felt
more than others perceived, we are not
to suppose that he intended any reflection
upon the mother whose memory he SO
much revered. She did all that a parent
could, under such disadvantages as beset
her path. Nor was Mr.. Clay forgetful of
the kindness of Capt. Henry Watkins, to
whom his mother was married while Hen
ry was yet young. This gentleman took
fathers care of his wife's elder chill
dren, and to his kindness and influence
Henry was indebted, for the propitous
circumstances which opened to him the
career in which he afterwards distinguish
ed himself.
/ Capt Watkins procured for Henry Clay
at the age of fifteen, clerkship in the
Office of Peter Tinsley, Esq, Clerk ofthe
Court of Chancery in Richmond. This
was considered highly eligible position
for a lad, and it was no small testimony
to Henry's diligence that he was compe-
tent to fill it. Probably the other clerks
had enjoyed opportunities of learning far
superior to Henry's, and this spurred the
new conner to studiousness to overcome
the distance between himself and them.
And if his first appearance in Richmond
was a trial to his nerves, the taking pos
session of his desk in the Office of the
Clerk of Chancery must have been much
greater. He had in dress, manners and
appearance, all the awkwardness to which
we have already referred; for year in a
store could not transform studious boy
into town lad. His very awkwardness
of manner was in reality a testimony in
his favor. Any quick, butsuper6cial boy
can soon appear "to the manor born" a.
mong the lads who have lived in a circle
which gives superficial polish but he
whose mind is occupied with graver pur-
suits, may long be the object Of the ridi-
cule of his interiors"
We are not, then, surprised to learn
that the first impression of the other
clerks was, that in the Mill Boy of the
slashes they were to have fine object fol
their practical jokes, and victim for theil
pleasantres. The boy was not handsome
perhaps not even an agreeable face. His
movements were awkward; his dress was
rustic-the product Of the labor of hi'
good mother-homespun cloth made W
without the artistic skill of town tai
lor. His little coat, which she without
doubt had smoothed and adjusted, and
admired, had anything but Getty set;'
and in his clean and well-starched linen
no doubt the little fellow felt all the con
sciousness of something which he mus
keep nice" But the Office lads soon dis
covered that the young rustic was no but
for them, and that whoever encountered
Henry Clay in a war of wit and repartee
would find no small antagonist.
Whatever awkwardness the lad felt a
mong those awe aspiring rows of books
and desks in the Chancery Clerks office
we are sure he could not have felt for ont
moment ashamed of his parents, or dis
posed to undervalue their kindness which
had placed him there. Perhaps his ar
dent devotion to the system of "Home In