Life and letters of the Rev. John M'Clintock.

Preface

T N the narrative here presented the author -*- may have been partial, but has certainly been sincere. Care has been taken, however, to let Dr. M'Clintock himself tell the story of his life, and to this end his diaries and correspondence have been freely used. His charming letters need nothing more to set them off than to be placed in proper connexion with the events of which they are the best interpretation. His diaries are the fullest record remaining of his studies, and show with what eagerness Dr. M'Clintock' devoted himself to the accumulation of knowledge. These sources of information I have supplemented from my own recollections, drawn from an intimacy which extended over many years, as well as from the recollections of other friends.

6 PREFACE.

I return my thanks to the correspondents of Dr. M'Clintock who have placed their letters in my hands. I am also under special obligations to his son, Mr. Emory M'Clintock, whose admirable arrangement of his father's papers has greatly aided me in the preparation of this volume.

For the young men of the Church, whether of the ministry or the laity, the life which I have endeavored to portray has many and valuable lessons. The example of a simple, Christian faith, firmly held by one who explored nearly every field of human knowledge, will, it is hoped, not be without its effect. With all his growing, Dr. M'Clintock never outgrew the creed which he inherited from his fathers. His highest aspiration was to be a Bible Christian. For him the announcement that " Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners" had a meaning which neither philosophy nor improved theology could for a moment obscure.

Chapter I. Early Life, Education, And Call To The Ministry

Parentage and Birth — Home Life — The Old St. George's Church — Dr. Holdich's Recollections — Placed in the University Grammar School — A Favorite Pupil — Becomes Book-keeper in the Methodist Book Concern, New York — Balancing the Books — Conversion — Joins the Allen-street Church — Anxiety for a thorough Education — Enters the Wesleyan University, Middletown — Sickness — Enters the University of Pennsylvania — Rapid Progress — Called into the Ministry while yet a Student — Preaches at Flemington, Elizabethtown, and Jersey City — Enters the Philadelphia Conference — Graduates A.B. with Distinction — Letters Page 13

Chapter II. Pastorate In Jersey City — Elected Professor In Dickinson College

Life as Pastor in Jersey City — Letters to his Mother — Compelled by 111 Health to Quit the Pulpit — Appointed Assistant and then full Professor of Mathematics in Dickinson College — History of the College — The Members of the First Faculty — Intimacy with Robert Emory — Dr. Durbin's Fame as an Orator — Daily Life of Professor M'Clintock in his New Position — Great Variety of his Studies — Educational Leaders of American Methodism — Second Failure of Professor M'Clintock's Health — Passages from his Diary — His Extensive Reading while an Invalid — Anxiety to be Able to Preach Again — His Method as a Student — Letters 61

Chapter III. Life In Carlisle

An Ideal Life — Carlisle and the Cumberland Valley — Rapid Progress in Study — Social Habits — Improvement of Health — Centenary of Methodism, October, 1839 — Reading on Christian Perfection and the Human Will- Grief at Parting with Robert Emory — Transfer from the Chair of Mathe-

8 CONTENTS.

maticstothatof the Ancient Classic Languages — Ordained Elder by Bishop Hedding — Illness and Death of his Mother — Recovery of his Voice and Return to the Pulpit — Characteristics and Power as a Preacher — Estimates of Carlisle and Goethe — Stability in his Opinions and Steadfast Adherence to Evangelical Doctrine — Profound Interest in the Slavery Controversy — Active Opposition to the Annexation of Texas — Letters in the " Christian Advocate " on the Duty of the Church — Publication of Greek and Latin Text-Books, and Neander's " Life of Christ " — Letters Page 101

Chapter IV. The Trial On The Charge Of Instigating A Riot

The Cumberland Valley a Highway of Migration — The Negroes of Carlisle— The Pursuit by Messrs. Kennedy and Hollingsworth of Three Slaves — Symptoms of Riot at the Office of a Justice of the Peace — Collision of Negroes with the Sheriff's Officers — All Parties brought before Judge Hepburn on a Writ of Habeas Corpus — The Judge's Decision — Attempt Made in the Court-room to Rescue the Slaves — The Blacks Baffled and Overawed — The Attitude of Pennsylvania in Relation to Slavery — The Prigg Case before the Supreme Court of the United States — The Pennsylvania Law of 1847 — Arrival of Professor M'Clintock at the Court-house — Co-operates in Procuring a Second Writ of Habeas Corpus — Interposition in Behalf of a Negro— Attempt to Carry the Slaves Away — Resistance by the Negroes of the Town — A Melee in which Mr. Kennedy is Struct Down — Great Excitement in the Country— Professor M'Clintock Charged with Instigating a Riot and Arrested — Trial of Professor M'Clintock and Twenty-eight Negroes— The Testimony for the Prosecution — Scenes in the Court — Defense and Acquittal — Protest of the Judge — Conviction of Thirteen Negroes and Sentence of Ten to the Penitentiary — Their Release by the Supreme Court — Letters Iz, n

Chapter V. Resignation Of College Professorship

Calm after the Storm — Increase in the Number of College Students

Generosity of Dr. M'Clintock's Friends — Illness of President Emory, and his Departure for the West Indies — Illness of Professor Caldwell Correspondence of Dr. M'Clintock with his two Sick Associates — Letter from one Dying Man to Another — Death of President Emory and of Professor

Caldwell — Professor M'Clintock's Resignation of his Professorship His

Growth during the Twelve Years — His Life in Carlisle considered as Preparation for his Subsequent Career o

CONTENTS. 9

Chapter VI. Editor Of " Methodist Quarterly Review " — Removal To New York

Elected Editor of the " Methodist Quarterly Review " — Removes to Jersey City — Despondent about his Health — Discusses with Dr. Olin the Policy of the " Review" — Regrets the loss of the Society of old Friends — Enlists the Co-operation of able Contributors — Discussion and Analysis of Comte's System of Positivism — Effort to make the " Quarterly " both Scholarly and Practical — Demands Independence in the Treatment of Methodist Questions — Death of his Wife — Trip to Europe in the Summer of 1850 — Enjoyment of the Sea — Attention from German University Professors — Inclination to Settle in Europe for several Years — Return Home in greatly Improved Health — Death of Dr. Olin — Second Marriage of Dr. M'Clintock — Elected President of Wesleyan University, but Declines the Position — Preaching — Work upon Church Catechisms — Weariness of Editorial Drudgery — Letters Page 197

Chapter VII. Life As Editor — Second Residence In Carlisle

Strong Desire of Dr. M'Clintock for Quiet and Rest — Removal to New Brunswick, and thence to Carlisle — Great Enjoyment of his Rural Home — His Manner of Life — Estimate of Congregationalism — Trip to Europe in the Summer of 1854 — Letters to his Children — Complaints of the Abstruseness of the "Quarterly Review" — His Replies — Reply to Joseph R. Chandler on the Temporal Power of the Pope — Offered the Presidency of Troy University — The Methodist Deputation from Ireland — General Conference of 1856 — Excitement in the Country in Relation to Slavery — Effect upon the Church — Dr. M'Clintock and the Baltimore Conference — His Intended New "Chapter" on Slavery — Close of his Connection with the " Quarterly Review " — Letters 240

Chapter VIII

PASTOR OF ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, NEW YORK.

Dr. M'Clintock as an Orator — Appointed to the Pastorate of St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church, New York — Great Success in this Position — Visits England in 1857, with Bishop Simpson, as Delegate to the Wesleyan Conference and to the Evangelical Alliance — Public Reception at the Wesleyan Mission-House — Reception at Belfast — Kindness of his Irish Friends — Reception of the Members of the Evangelical Alliance by the

IO CONTENTS.

King of Prussia — The King's Attendance upon the Sessions of the Alliance — Entertainment of Americans in Berlin by Governor Wright— -Work upon the Cyclopaedia by Dr. M'Clintock — His many Plans for Literary Work — Effect of Ill-health in Hindering their Execution — Letters Page 263

Chapter IX. Life In Paris — Pastorate Of The American Chapel

Appointed Pastor of the American Chapel, Paris — Cordial Reception by the Congregation — Engages to Correspond with the "Methodist" — Breaking out of the Civil War in the United States — Patriotic Activity of Dr M'Clintock — Speech in Exeter Hall at the Wesleyan Missionary Anniversary— Great Effect of the Speech — Meeting of Americans at the Hotel du Louvre, Paris — Subscription for a Battery of Rifled Cannon — Dr. M'Clintock Translates and Circulates, in England, De Gasparin's " Uprising of .1 Great People" — Speech at Meeting of Americans in London, July 4, 1861 — The " Trent " Imbroglio — Active Efforts of Dr. M'Clintock to Remove English Misunderstandings — Correspondence with the Rev. Wm. Arthur in Relation to Mason and Slidell — His Devotion to his Work as Pastor of the Chapel — Fruit of his Preaching — Readiness to Serve Destitute and Suffering Americans — Lending a Hand — Letters 280

Chapter X. Life In Paris — Patriotic Activity

Dr. M'Clintock's Habitual Interest in Political Affairs— The Scholar in Politics — Effect of his Activity upon his Countrymen in Europe — Prosperity of the Chapel— Respect of Europe for " Monitors "—Tribute to the Memory of the Rev. Dr. Bangs— The United States is a Great Nation- European Opinion of General M'Clellan — A Detachment of Lee's Army Enters Carlisle — Anticipation Eight Years Before of such an Event by Dr. M'Clintock — Notice to American and Foreign Christian Union of his Purpose to Return Home — Review of his Pastorate in Paris — The Rev. Andrew Longacre's Sketch of Dr. M'Clintock's Personal Life — Making Sunshine for All — Charity for Men, and Faith in God — Letters 327

CHAPTER XL

LAST YEARS OF LIFE.

The Afternoon of Life — Signs of Bodily Decay— Formation of the European Branch of the Sanitary Commission — Invitation to Return to

St. Paul's Church, New York— Trip to Rome— Taking Leave of Paris

Reception by Friends in New York— Offered a Public Dinner by Leading

CONTENTS. 1 1

Citizens — Failure of Health — Retirement to the "Brown" Farm, near Philadelphia — Chairman of Central Centenary Committee — Great Success of Centenary Work — Mr. Drew's Offer to Found a Theological School — Opening of Drew Seminary, under the Presidency of Dr. M'Clintock — Removal of Dr. M'Clintock, first to New Brunswick, and then to Madison, New Jersey — Interview with President Johnson, at Washington — No Rest for Us in this World — General Conference of 1868 and Lay Delegation — Work on the Cyclopaedia — Trip to England in the Summer of 1 869 — Continued Decline of Health — Letter to Fletcher Harper — Attack of Fever, March, 1870 — Last Words, and the End Page 355

Chapter XII

TRIBUTES TO THE MEMORY OF DR. M'CLINTOCK BY HIS FRIENDS.

Tributes to the Memory of Dr. M'Clintock — From Dr W. H. Allen — Bishop Janes on the Elements of his Power — His Early Life, by Mr. T. A. Howe — Mr. C. C. North on his Industry and Organizing Talent — The Rev. William Arthur's Recollections — The Young Professor, by the Rev. Dr. Deems — The Hon. John Bigelow on Dr. M'Clintock's Life in Paris — His Social Qualities, by Mrs. Mary S. Robinson — His Helpfulness to Young Americans in Europe, by the Rev. Dr. Hurst — His Leading Mental and Moral Traits, by the Author of this Memoir 334

LIFE OF DR. M'CLINTOCK.

Chapter I

Parentage and Birth— Home Life—The Old St. George's Church— Dr. Holdich's Eecollections — Placed in the University Grammar School— A Favorite Pupil — Becomes Book-keeper in the Methodist Book Concern, New York — Balancing the Books — Conversion- Joins the Allen-street Church — Anxiety for a thorough Education— Enters the Wesleyan University, Middletown — Sickness — Enters the University of Pennsylvania — Kapid Progress— Called into the Ministry while yet a Student — Preaches at Flemington, Elizabethtown, and Jersey City — Enters the Philadelphia Conference — Graduates A. B. with Distinction.

JOHN M'CLINTOCK, Junior, the second son of J John and Martha M'Clintock, was born in the city of Philadelphia, October 27, 18 14. The father, John M'Clintock, Sen., came from County Tyrone, Ireland, to America in the year 1806, and in the year 1807 married Martha M'Mackin, who was also a native of Tyrone. For many years he was a member of the St. George's Methodist Episcopal Church, Philadelphia, in which he held the offices of-class leader and trustee. Mr. M'Clintock was a man of unusual intelligence, alert in movement, irrepressible in temper, persistent, tenacious, and altogether a man of mark in the religious community in whose fellowship he lived. His wife, the mother of the subject of this memoir, was a woman of very clear intellect, placid spirit, and deep, though unobtrusive, piety. Five sons and three daughters were born to John and Martha M'Clintock, all of whom lived to mature age.

The family in Ireland was originally Presbyterian. The

earliest member of whom the home record makes mention, William M'Clintock, (born in 1717,) is described as a farmer, in County Tyrone, " a very quiet, pious man." His son James (born in 1740) was both a farmer and a county physician of some repute. He is the first Methodist who appears in the family, and was a class leader in the period of the beginnings of Methodism. From James descended John, the father of the Rev. Dr. M'Clintock. Thus through his father, grandfather, and great grandfather, Dr. M'Clintock inherited the blessings of religious thought and habit. His ancestors were, no doubt, a substantial, godly people ; fit representatives of the Protestant Irish stock, which has contributed so much to the vigor and energy of the English-speaking race in America.

The home life of the M'Clintocks in Philadelphia was simple and unostentatious. The father carried on a retail dry-goods trade for many years with various success. Store and home, as was then the almost universal practice, were in the same building. Here was dispensed a hearty hospitality, the itinerant preachers being among Mr. M'Clintock's most frequent guests. The faces of Solomon Sharp, Ezekiel Cooper, Beverly Waugh, Dr. John Emory, and others of the itinerants known to fame in that day, were familiar to the younger members of the family from childhood. The household held to the

Church by the closest tie ; their Church-life was a very large part of their entire life.

The Methodist society to which the father and mother belonged, the St. George's, was the oldest in Philadelphia. After many renovations of its interior the homely edifice still stands, with its gable looking upon the street, and bearing without much change the same appearance as fifty years ago. Nearly opposite, on Fourth-street, is the St. Augustine's Roman Catholic Church, which, like its Methodist neighbor, has always been strong and populous, and has had an eventful history of its own. One cannot but feel that the two edifices, standing over against each other, have been types of two antagonistic systems of faith, brought by a singular coincidence face to face. St. George's was noted for the enthusiasm of its worshippers, and its crowded congregations. It was the fruitful mother of a great progeny of Churches scattered throughout the city and county of Philadelphia. The leading preachers of the connexion held it an honor to be appointed to its pulpit. Its roll of pastors includes such men as Henry White, Levi Scott, Joseph Holdich, George G. Cookman, Charles Pitman, and others of later fame. It was naturally, therefore, for long years, a centre of Methodist influence and power.

Into the life of this fine old Church, young M'Clintock, we may say, was born. He knew its hard, uncushioned benches, its arched ceiling, its over-jutting galleries, its crowded aisles, well. In the year 1825, being eleven years of age, he was placed by Dr. Holdich, then pastor, in a catechetical class of the children of the congregation, and on October 9, of that year, was received as a probationer in the Church. Of this fact of young M'Clintock's life, Dr. Holdich gives us the following interesting reminiscence : —

In the year 1825, being the fourth year of my ministry, I was stationed at St. George's Charge, in the city of Philadelphia. The Charge then consisted of five Churches. My colleagues were the Rev. Charles Pitman and William Barnes. During this year it was that George G. Cookman arrived from England, and, having some previous knowledge of each other through common friends, he naturally sought me out, and finally took lodgings in the same house with me. It was at the house of my senior colleague, the Rev. Charles Pitman. He joined St. Georges Church as a local preacher, and at once began to preach with great acceptance and popularity.

During the course of our joint-pastorate that year, (1825,) we formed the children belonging to St. George's Church into a catechetical class, and met them once a week. Besides the catechism, we had singing, prayer, and exhortation. I do not know which of the ministers organized the class, but I know that we all, including Mr. Cookman, took part in it, and with this class young John M'Clintock became connected. I remember the hope he enkindled in us as to his future, and the gratification he afforded us by his punctuality, and his earnestness and zeal to enlist others in the same cause. He showed a good deal of talent, and was apt both in remembering and in communicating what he knew. I cannot say that he professed to enjoy experimental piety, but we had great hope of him, believing that he would, if he lived, grow up to be a useful and distinguished man. But he was only a boy, and liable to a boy's exposures and temptations. If he was not always faithful to his early convictions, I believe he never entirely lost them ; and the profession of religion which he subsequently made while in New York was, I believe, only the actualizing and carrying into practice the impressions he received while attending the catechetical class.

In the year 1822, the eighth of his age, he was placed in the Grammar School of the University of Pennsylvania, and began the study of Latin and Greek. Dr. S. B. Wylie, a famous old Grecian, was the principal. The school was formed upon the English model ; the study of the ancient classic languages was the chief occupation of teachers and scholars every day. For this method of training Dr. Wylie was admirably qualified. Profoundly versed in both languages, especially the Greek, he appreciated the value of patient drill. He was among the earliest of American classical teachers to adopt the more philosophical method of deriving the parts of the Greek verb from a single root form. His Greek Grammar, first published in 1838, is a fine specimen of compact workmanship. I have heard Dr. M'Clintock say, that when his old preceptor became Professor in the University of Pennsylvania he would hear his classes in Homer without any use of text-book ; his memory had treasured up the text line by line.

Young M'Clintock soon became a favorite with the good Doctor. He must have been an apt scholar, for I find the following note to his father under date of July 24, 1826: —

Mr. M'Clintock :—

Dear Sir : — John tells me you design to send him to the country to-day with the family. I am truly sorry for the arrangement. I beg, if at all consistent, that you will postpone the trip till next week. Our examination will be on Friday. John will make a first-rate figure. Why should you deprive either himself or us of the honor — more particularly as the class at such a time (close before holidays) is usually thin ? I will take it as a particular favor, should you not take John away till after that event.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

S. B. Wylie.

Boy as he was, young M'Clintock did not, at this early age, shrink from high questions of metaphysics. The Rev. T. J. Wylie, a son of Dr. Wylie, tells this incident: —

During the time he was at school he was noted for proficiency in his studies and excellent behavior ; though I have heard that sometimes the great questions of

"Foreknowledge, will, and fate,"

JTix'd fate, free-will, foreknowledge absolute,"

were very warmly discussed, during school-hours, between him and another pupil, (Mr. Benjamin B. M'Kinley, at present a member of the Faculty of the Deaf and Dumb Institute,) a staunch Calvinist, of the old true-blue, Covenanter kind, and now, and for many years, a respected member of the United Reformed Presbyterian Church of this city. I cannot say what effect these arguments may have had in developing the intellectual power of our dear friend, or in producing the respect which he has so eloquently expressed for the great Genevan Reformer ; but the immediate consequence was correction, more or less severe, from the teacher, who probably supposed that his young pupils were talking about tops or marbles, but had no idea whatever of the true nature of the subjects which formed the themes of such earnest conversations.

It must not be inferred from this record that our subject had no genuine boy-life. He was a boy to the end of his days. Fun was perpetually bubbling up from his inner nature, and revealing itself in pleasant effervescence. Philadelphia was in that early day a boy's paradise. It had not become overgrown, and boys had not yet been put in strait-jackets by innumerable police regulations. The Delaware on the one side and the Schuylkill on the other invited to swimming, boating, and skating. The broad expanse on the north-west, then known as Bush Hill, made ample room for bands of ball-players. To the. south of the city the marshes of the " Neck," crowded with reed-birds in the early fall, gave the youthful sportsman many an hour's exhilaration. Adventurous spirits could find their way to the Wissahickon, and spend the long sunny days on the slopes of its hills. Few cities have such surroundings, and, being yet small, the open fields were near at hand on every side. We may readily imagine that the school-boy's Saturday was improved by young M'Clintock. He was well up in all boyish sports, and always spoke of them with zest in his later life. Though his intellect was alert almost to precocity, there was nothing in its vigor akin to disease.

In after life he took more than usual care to preserve the memorials of his school and college work. I have a number of his exercise books before me, the earliest dated 1826, when he was still a mere boy. They show the thorough manner in which he was trained, and the closeness of his application to study. The earlier exercises were, as may be supposed from the character of the school, in Latin and Greek. All is written out with most minute attention to detail. In analysis, translation, scanning, every point of etymology, syntax, prosody, mythology, and history was examined, and the fact or rule stated. This was the method of Dr. Wylie's school, and in this exact discipline the foundation of Dr. M'Clintock's culture was laid. He did not leap to excellence, but rose to it by honest exertion. Rapid and brilliant at all times, he did not disdain what most young men call drudgery. His college note books show evidence of activity in every department of knowledge. In the neatest of hands are preserved digests of lectures on chemistry, mathematics, philosophy, and constitutional law; sketches of problems in the calculus; drawings of parts of the steam-engine, and of philosophical instruments, with descriptions ; in fact, nothing seems to have come amiss to him. As a school boy he had drilled into him the habit of doing every thing well, and the habit clung to him ever after.

In the year 1828, being fourteen years of age, he was taken from school and placed in his father's dry-goods store. Though standing and serving behind the counter, his mind, according to his own account, was with his books. Writing, when a young man, a little narrative of his life for a friend, he says : " I left school for the purpose of obtaining a knowledge of mercantile pursuits, into which I entered immediately, and in which I have been occupied ever since. Many a scolding have I suffered for sales made below cost, while my mind was wandering to the scenes I had so deeply studied in the Songs of Anacreon or the ^Eneid of Virgil."

If he did not relish this life, it at least prepared him for another which was more congenial. In 1830, being sixteen years of age, he obtained the position of book-keeper in the Methodist Book Concern, New York, then under the supervision of the Rev. Dr. John Emory and the Rev. Beverly Waugh. This now extensive publishing house had been founded in 1797 by the Rev. John Dickens, with a capital of $600, furnished by himself, and had grown, after not a few vicissitudes of fortune, to a solid prosperity. Its business was at this period rapidly increasing. Dr. Emory, a man of unusual sagacity, had essentially changed its methods, and his associate, Mr. Waugh, devoted himself with scrupulous care to its details. They were both attached friends of the M'Clintock family, and the senior agent, Dr. Emory, was, to the end of his life, Dr. M'Clintock's trusted counselor. What the young clerk owed to the almost paternal interest of his employers he could hardly estimate, but always freely acknowledged.

The salary would be considered a pittance in these days. It was six dollars per week ; ultimately it became nine dollars ; yet out of it the thrifty book-keeper accumulated, as we shall see, a little fund, which he appropriated to his education. Mr. Waugh had charge of the accounts, and M'Clintock came under his immediate superintendence. I am told by old friends that he made his first appearance in the counting-room in a " roundabout," a blue-eyed, rosy-cheeked lad, full of spirit and activity, and settled down at once to his work. He boarded with the Rev. Samuel Merwin, whose wife watched over him with motherly care. Some of his letters written during this period are preserved. After having been in New York a month he writes : —

Ne-w York, July 6, 1880.

My Dear Parents : — In answer to your inquiry whether I shall have to go to Bennett, [a teacher of book-keeping,] I do not think it will be necessary. Mr. Waugh continues sick, and during his sickness I have kept the books almost altogether. I have very little time to write this letter, so you must excuse it. I went yesterday morning (5th July) to hear Mr. Merwin, (it cost me a shilling,) and in the afternoon walked up Broadway. It is a very splendid street, indeed. I heard Mr. Luckey preach on Sunday, and like him very well.

The meaning of ten dollars out of my wages is as follows : I get paid monthly, (as I choose it,) and all I do not want for board I pass to your credit and let you know it.

Affectionately, John M'Clintock, Jun.

A little later in July he writes : " Having had a good deal of business to do down town, I know the town pretty well. The common writing to be done here is not more than twice as much as our own at home ; but about three times a month I have half as much to do as the yearly balancing of the books at home." He does not forget his boyish enjoyments, but notes that he has " a beautiful place to swim, on the East River — no danger, no cost, and can see the bottom." In August he writes to his father: " I have got pretty well used to my business, and go on without instructions," and signs himself with evident pride, "First clerk Methodist Book Concern."

In the early winter Mr. Waugh had made a favorable report of his success in the performance of his duties.

He writes in relation to this to his mother : " I read the letter which Mr. Waugh sent to you last week, and I think it was very satisfactory. It would be the height of meanness for me, if I cannot do the balancing, to refuse to stay at six dollars per week, as Mr. Waugh has been so kind to me. He does not treat any clerk in the store as he does me."

This balancing of the books for the first time proved a sore trouble to the young accountant. He was but sixteen years of age, and the business of the house exceeded $250,000 yearly ; and though bright, alert, and familiar with the theory of book-keeping, he was new to its practice. Toward the close of the year he says of one of his brothers: "He will probably have more skating than I will if I stay here, which depends altogether on my balancing. I would give it up, were it not for the disgrace inevitable upon such a step." He had already begun to form the habit of thoroughness, which was characteristic of him through life ; it is not, therefore, surprising to find him writing early in January of the new year: " Two balancings must be finished by 15th of April, 1 83 1. I have begun to go through my books again, to try and rectify them ; if I do not find out the error, I shall not go through them again."