New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-10-24
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
AMOS LAWRENCE.

B.s.p, $50 4 L,seoIa- ssv-Y,ra: shsAOD, LsDpOr.
BlsltssD
five could imagine the Man Of Ross 10 posses
sisn Of priDcey fortune, with The ability TO in-
duge his benevolent feelings on the most generous
scale, and never losing his modest single-hesrted
ness under the influence of full blown prosperity,
We sbosld po,,ess an accurate representation Of
the admirable subject Of the presen. memoirs.
Attaining the enjoyment Of ample wealth at 4 com
psrahyely early age, he devoted the remainder of
hi, life not to the increase Of hi. estate but to it,
jsdieous employ ment for benefcent purposes He
was dtbsrred from active participation ia business
BY protrscted disease for many years but ex'led
to the ibvaids chamber his vigorous mind was
constantly intent on schemes of practical utility
all his resources were consecrated to the good Of
ethers-he held his wealth not as an sbsolute pro-
Drietor, but as the steward Of divine bounty-and
without any faint Of pride ostentation, presented
an example of open-hsnded charity which has few
parallels in history. Such maD in the midst OF
commercial competitions, is a rare production of
humanity. His name cannot fail 10 be cherished 10
future times, as signal Illustration of the triumph
Of the noble aud disinterested sentiments over the
eoarfer elements of our nature. The editor Of
this volume, accordingly is entitled to the thanks of
the public for tie lisl sssduity with which be has
gathered up these interesting memorials, revealing
the character of biz yenerated parent beyond the
family circle TO which il was naturally confined
BY the innate modesty Of the subject.
Nj Lawrence was born in Gr0tOn, an ancient
and beautiful village in Midolesex county, Massa-
chusetts, April 90, 1756 His parents belonged to
the substantial yeomanry of New-Engand With
q feeble constitution from childhood, he had not
sufficient strength TO make himself useful on the
farm, and at the age Of thirteen was placed in
small store in the neighboring town of Dunstsbe.
He remained there but few months when he was
transferred TO the establishment Of Mr.. James
Brszer a nOuIishDg country merchant in his ma
tive village of GrOtOn. The store was on the high
road between Boston and Csnada-its central po-
sition made it place of great resort-it gave en-
ploymeDt 10 several clerks-and as the proprietor
took little share in the management of the b1si-
ness, young Lawrence was in year or two placed
ut the head Of the establishment. The stock en-
sisted of the incredible variety which in those days
was usually found ia country stores. PuncheOns
of rum and brandy, unctuous hogsheads of mOlas
ses, huge quintals Of Goldfish, a wilderness of dye
woods, crates of crockery nicely packed in straw,
bales of CLOTH kegs of tobacco, casks Of nails,
with fine cutlery and all sorts of hardware, pre-
scented their solid attractions to the public 10 COM
mon with ca icoes laces, silks, thread, hosiery and
all other articles for the satisfaction and delight of
female customers. 1t was part of the duty Of
the young clerk to dispense medicines both to
physicians and patients for twenty miles round
He soon won such confidence from the sovereign
people that they called upon him to prescribe for
their minor ailments, and many were the inart
fetal doses which he Administered without the
sanction Of the regular practitioner. The quan-
tity of rum and brandy sold at that time would be
"caution to our modern temperance men.
Every fort pOOn as soon the clock struck eleven
some seductive beverage was cOncocted by one Of
the clerks and served out for the common deleota-
ton. A favorite tipple was made of rum, raisins'
sugar, nutmeg and perhaps other enticing ngredi-
ents After being in the store about four weeks,
the young Amos felt that he began TO know too
well the approach of the hour by the excitement
of an unconstitutional thirst at the regular period
He at once resolved to nip the evil habit in the
bud His first resolution was to abstain for q
week, then for a month, and then for a year.
Finally he determined to abstain for the rest of
his apprenticeship, which was for five years longer
During that period he never drank q spoonful,
though mixing gallons daily for his master and his
customers He also determined not to be slave
to tobacco in any form, and though he loved the
odor of cigar, never smoked in his life, never
took but one quid of tobacco, and that before he
was fif,een--and never took one ounce of snuff,
though be was not Indifferent to the charms Of
scented rappee. In after life he was in the habit
of referring TO the restraints he then placed upon
his appetite, while many of the farmers mechanics
and apprentices Of that day among his acquaint-
ance had died iDebriates leaving their families in
destitution and wretchedness
On the 22d of April, 1907, Mr.. Lawrence be-
came of age and his apprenticeship Of seven years
was brought TO a elote. On the Goth of the same
month, he employed neighbor TO drive him to
Boston with bis fathers horse and chaise Intend
ing to make acquantances and establish credit
which would enable him to commence business in
Groton on his own account. He had but twenty
dollars in his pocket, but he felt richer than ever
before or since few days after his arrival he
received the offer Of clerkship from respects
BILE house He accepted the offer and gave 90
great satisfaction to his employers that after few
months they proposed to admit him into partner
ship. Much to their surprise he declined the pro-
posal lie did not like the principles on which
their business was con iucted. The event showed
his saQacity for il was not many months before the