The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-04-06
POOR BOYS AND GREAT MEN.

A hundred wears ago there lived poor boy In
the city of Oxford England whose business 1t was
to clean the boots of the students OF the University
He was compellci to resort to this menlal employ
ment to obtain the necessaries OF life, lie was an
active, energetic bright generous lad, and he soon
won the confidence of the students. Some of them
proposed to instruct him short time every day,
which proposition he accepted with delight, He
surprised his teachers by his rapid progress. He
lost not moment, but gave himself so diligently
and perseveringly to his studies as to excite the
admiration of all. OF course he was eminently
successful. Every youth with the same excellent
qualities will succeed in any laudable undertaking.
This lad became the eloquent George Witeheld,
who preached the gospel to thousands upon thou
sands in the open fields. The favor of the students
would have avaled him nothing without energy,
industry, and perseverance. Indeed, it was these
qualities in the boy, in connection with others,
which first attracted the attention OF the students
Eighty years ago boy was born in Salem, Mas
sachnsetts of obscure parentage, and in very lowy
circumstances His mother died when he was ten
years of age, though she lived long enough to inn
press his heart with the love of truth. His father
was so moor that he could afford his boy but limited
advantages to acquire education. On account
of his poverty this lad wore his summer clothes to
school one winter, and became the laughing-stock
Of the school When only eleven or twelve years
of ace. he was apprentced to shoemaker, who
kent him in the shop, though he allowed him q
slate and pencil on his bench. Yet this boy i'm
proved every opportunity, and without teachers
advanced daily in knowledge and finally became
the renowned mathematician, Nathaniel Bow
ditch. ...
patrick Henry was the son of poor man in
Virginia In early life he struggled hard with
poyertv. and gave little promise Of distinction in
anv pursuit But he finally de oted himself with
energy and perseverance to his studies, and became
the most gifted orator Of his age. -. u.
Reniamin Franklin was the son of tallow
chandler in Boston He was the youngest but two
of seventeen children and having poor father,
rcnury was his lot. At ten years OF age, ne was
taken from school and placed in his fathers work
shop. OF course his early advantages were few I;
but he triumphed over every obstacle by his own
excrtiops, and placed himself in the front rank OF
philosophers. a.... 49,
Here. then is a divine mathematician, states
man. a philosopher, each of whom distinguished
himself without any of those worldly advantages
to which you often attach so much importance
The above may be taken as few illustrations OF
large part of honored men in the various depart
? ments of human effort. ~
We NAV add in a word, that VirgiPs father was
a potter Luther was son OF poor miner, ano
Zuinglius of shepard. Bunyan's father was .
: travelling tinker Columbus was the son of {
: weaver and Milton of scrivencr Bloomfield
/ Gibbon. Clifford, Iinnacus, DIR Carey, and Roger
y Sherman, were shoemakers. Cowley was the sol
t of grocer Pope Of linendraper, Collins OF
e halter, Beatte and Butler Of farmers, and AIKEN
= side and Henry Kirke White of butchers. Jeremy
II Tavlor was the son of barber, John Hunter OF ;
carpenter, and Scott, the commentator, of glazor
: The father of John Opie, the great Eglish por
/ trait painter, was raised from the bottom OF
saw-pit, where he was employed in cutting wood
k to the profcssorship Of painting in the Roya
;. Academy.
d Also, look at the prominent men of the prcsen
e day who were born of poor but honest parents