small text-book on astronomy, which belonged to Harman Lee, and went up
into his garret; and there alone, seated by a fagot-fed fire, he
attempted to dive into the mysteries of that sublime science. As he
read, the earnestness of his attention fixed nearly every fact upon his
mind. So intent was he, that he perceived not the passage of time, and
was only called back to a consciousness of where he was by the sudden
sinking of the wick of his candle into the melted mass of tallow that
had filled the cup of his candlestick. In another moment he was in total
darkness. The cry of the watchman told him that the hours had flown
until it was past eleven o'clock.
[Illustration: SEEKING KNOWLEDGE.]
Slowly undressing himself in his dark chamber, his mind recurring with a
strong interest to what he had been reading, he laid himself down upon
his hard bed, and gave full play to his thoughts. Hour after hour
passed away, but he could not sleep, so absorbed was he in reviewing the
new and wonderful things he had read. At last wearied nature gave way,
and he fell off in a slumber, filled with dreams of planets, moons,
comets, and fixed stars. On the next morning the apprentice boy resumed
his place at the work-bench with a new feeling; and with this feeling
was mingled one of regret that he could not go to school as did his
master's son.
"But I can study at night while he is asleep," he said to himself.
Just then Harman Lee came into the shop, and approaching James, said,
for the purpose of teasing him,--
"How big round is the earth, Jim?"
"Twenty-five thousand miles," was the prompt answer.
Harman looked surprised for a moment, and then responded with a
sneer--for he was not a kind-hearted boy, but, on the contrary, very
selfish, and disposed to injure rather than do good to others--"Oh dear,
how wonderful wise you are! No doubt you can tell how many moons Jupiter
has? Come, let us hear."
"Jupiter has four moons," answered James, with something of exultation
in his tone.
"And no doubt you can tell how many rings it has?"
"Jupiter has no rings. Saturn has rings, and Jupiter belts," replied
James, in a decisive tone.
For a moment or two Harman was silent with surprise and mortification,
to think that his father's apprentice, whom he esteemed so far below
him, should be possessed of knowledge equal to his on the points in
reference to which he had chosen to question him; and that he should be
able to convict him of an error into which he had purposely fallen.
"I should like to know how long it is since you became so wonderful
wise," Harman at length said, with a sneer.
"Not very long," replied James, calmly. "I have been reading one of your
books on astronomy."
"Well, you are not going to have my books, mister, I can tell you.
Anyhow, I should like to know what business you had to touch one of
them? Let me catch you at it again, and see if I don't cuff you soundly.
You had better a great deal be minding your work."
"But I did not neglect my work, Harman. I read at night, after my work
was done. And I did not hurt your book."
"I don't care, if you didn't hurt it. You are not going to have my
books, I can tell you. So do you just let them alone."
Poor James's heart sunk in his bosom at this unexpected obstacle thrown
in his way. He had no money of his own to buy one, and knew of no one
from whom he could borrow the book that had all at once become necessary
to his happiness.
"Do, Harman," he said, appealingly; "lend me the book. Indeed I will
take good care of it."
"No; I won't. And don't you dare to touch it!" was the angry reply.
James Wallace knew well enough the selfish disposition of his master's
son--older than he by two or three years--to be convinced that there was
now but little hope of his having the use of his books, except by
stealth; and from that his open and honest principle revolted. All day
he thought earnestly over the means whereby he should be able to obtain
a book on astronomy, to quench the ardent thirst that had been created
in his mind; and night came without any clear answer being obtained to
the earnest inquiries of his own thought.
He was learning the trade of a blind-maker. Having been already at the
business for two years, and been industrious and intelligent, he had
acquired a readiness with tools and much skill in some parts of his
trade. While sitting alone, after he had finished his work for the day,
his mind searching about for some means whereby he could get books, it
occurred to him that he might, by working in the evening, earn some
money, and with it buy such as he wanted. But in what manner to turn his
work into money, he knew not. It finally occurred to him that, in
passing a house near the shop, he frequently observed a pair of
window-blinds with faded colours.
"Perhaps," he said to himself, "if I would do it cheap, they would let
me paint and put new hangings to their blinds."
The thought was scarcely suggested, when he was on his feet, moving
towards the street. In a few minutes he stood knocking at the door of
the house, which was soon opened.
"Well, my little man, what do you want?" was the kind salutation of the
individual who answered the knock.
James felt confused, and stammered out,--
"The hangings on your blinds are a good deal faded."
"That's a very true remark, my little man," was the reply, made in an
encouraging tone.
"And they want painting badly."
"Also very true," said the man, with a good-humoured smile, for he felt
amused with the boy's earnest manner and novelty of speech.
"Wouldn't you like to have them painted, and new hangings put to them?"
pursued James.
"I don't know. It would certainly improve them very much."
"Oh yes, sir. They would look just like new. And if you let me do them,
I will fix them all up nice for you, cheap."
"Will you, indeed? But what is your name, and where do you live?"
"My name is James Wallace, and I live with Mr. Lee, the blind-maker."
"Do you, indeed! Well, how much will you charge for painting them, and
putting on new hangings?"
"I will do it for ten shillings, sir. The hangings and tassels will cost
me three shillings, and the paint and varnish nearly two; and it will
take me two or three evenings, besides getting up very early in the
morning to work for Mr. Lee, so that I can have time to paint and
varnish them when the sun shines."
"But will Mr. Lee let you do this?"
"I don't know, sir; but I will ask him."
"Very well, my little man. If Mr. Lee does not object, I am willing."
James ran back to the house, and found Mr. Lee standing at the door.
Much to his delight, his request was granted. Six days from that time he
possessed a book of his own, and had a half-crown with which to buy some
other volume, when he should have thoroughly mastered the contents of
that. Every night found him poring over this book; and so soon as it was
light enough to see, he was up and reading.
Of course there was much in it that he could not make out, and many
terms that defied all his best efforts and comparisons of the context to
understand. To help him in this difficulty, he purchased with his
remaining half-crown, at a second-hand book-stall, a dictionary. By the
aid of this, he acquired the information he sought much more rapidly.
But the more he read, the broader the unexplored expanse of knowledge
appeared to open before him. He did not, however, give way to feelings
of discouragement, but steadily devoted every evening, and an hour every
morning, to study; while all through the day his mind was pondering over
the things he had read, as his hands were diligently employed in the
labour assigned him.
It occurred, just at this time, that a number of benevolent individuals
established in the town where he lived one of those excellent
institutions, a Mechanics' Institution. To this he at once applied, and
obtained the books he needed; for, instead of resorting to the library
for mere books of amusement, he borrowed only those from which he could
obtain the rudiments of learning--such as text-books of science, works
on history, &c.
He felt the necessity, from having read a book on astronomy, with a
strong desire to master its contents, of mathematical knowledge; and in
the effort to acquire this, he commenced studying--for he had no tutor
to guide him--a work on geometry. In working out problems, he used a
pair of shop compasses, with a pointed quill upon one of the feet; and
thus, all alone in his garret, frequently until midnight--none dreaming
of his devotion to the acquirement of knowledge--did the poor apprentice
boy lay the foundation of future eminence and usefulness. We cannot
trace his course, step by step, through a long series of seven years,
though it would afford many lessons of perseverance and triumph over
almost insurmountable difficulties; but at twenty-one he was master of
his trade, and, what was more, had laid up a vast amount of general
information. He was well read in history; had studied thoroughly the
science of astronomy, for which he ever retained a lively affection; was
familiar with mathematical principles, and could readily solve the most
difficult geometrical and algebraic problems. His geographical knowledge
was minute; and to this he added tolerably correct information in regard
to the manners and customs of different nations. To natural history he
had also given much attention. But, with all his varied acquirements,
James Wallace felt, on attaining the age of manhood, that he knew
comparatively little.
Let us turn now, for a few moments, to mark the progress which the young
student, in one of the best seminaries in his native city, and
afterwards at college, had made. Like too many tradesmen, whose honest
industry and steady perseverance have gained them a competence, Mr. Lee
felt indisposed to give his son a trade, or to subject him to the same
restraints and discipline in youth to which he had been subjected. He
felt ambitious for him, and determined to educate him for one of the
learned professions. To this end he sent him to school early, and
provided for him the very best of instruction.
The idea that he was to be a lawyer, or a doctor, soon took possession
of the mind of Harman, and this caused him to feel contempt for other
boys, who were merely designed for trades, or store-keepers.
Like too many others, he had no love of learning, nor any right
appreciation of its legitimate uses. To be a lawyer, he thought, would
be much more honourable than to be a mere mechanic: for this reason
alone, so far as he had any thoughts on the subject, did he desire to be
a lawyer. As for James Wallace, he, as the poor illiterate apprentice of
his father, was most heartily despised, and never treated by Harman with
the smallest degree of kind consideration.
At the age of eighteen he was sent away to one of the eastern
universities, and there remained, except during the semi-annual
vacations, until he was twenty-one years of age, when he graduated, and
came home with the honorary title of A.B. At this time James Wallace was
between eighteen and nineteen years of age, somewhat rough in his
appearance, but with a sound mind in a sound body. Although each day he
regularly toiled at the work-bench, he as regularly turned to his books
when evening released him from labour, and was up at the peep of dawn,
to lay the first offerings of his mind upon the shrine of learning. But
all this devotion to the acquirement of knowledge won for him no
sympathy, no honourable estimation, from his master's son. He despised
these patient, persevering efforts, as much as he despised his condition
as an apprentice to a trade. But it was not many years before others
began to perceive the contrast between them, although on the very day
that James completed his term of apprenticeship, Harman was admitted to
the bar.
The one completed his education, so far as general knowledge and a rigid
discipline of mind was concerned, when he left college; the other became
more really the student, when the broader and brighter light of
rationality shone clearly on his pathway, as he passed the threshold of
manhood. James still continued to work at his trade, but not for so many
hours each day as while he was an apprentice. He was a good and fast
workman, and could readily earn all that he required for his support in
six or eight hours of every twenty-four. Eight hours were regularly
devoted to study. From some cause, he determined that he would make law
his profession. To the acquirement of a knowledge of legal matters,
therefore, he bent all the energies of a well-disciplined and active,
comprehensive mind. Two years passed in an untiring devotion to the
studies he had assigned himself, and then he made application for
admission to the bar.
"Who were admitted yesterday?" asked Harman Lee, the day after Wallace
had passed his examination, addressing a fellow-member of the bar.
"Some half-dozen, and among them a sturdy young fellow that nobody ever
heard of before."
"Indeed! Well, what kind of an examination did he make?"
"An excellent one. The judges tried their best with him, but he seemed
furnished at every point. He is said to be a young mechanic, who has
thus qualified himself in the time that he could spare from the labours
of his handicraft, by which he has supported himself."
"A mechanic! Poh! the whole court-room will smell of leather, or linseed
oil, I suppose after this. Did you learn his name?"
"James Wallace, I believe, he is called."
"James Wallace! Are you sure?"
"Yes; that was it. Do you know him? You look sufficiently surprised to
know him twice over."
"My father had an apprentice of that name, who affected to be very fond
of books; but surely it cannot be he."
"I am sure I don't know. But here comes a client for you, I suppose."
As the latter spoke, a man entered the office, and asked for Mr. Lee.
"That is my name, sir," said Lee, bowing. "Take a chair."
The stranger seated himself, and after a moment's pause, said,--
"I wish you to attend a case for me. I have been sued this morning as an
executor of an estate, and the claim set up is a very important one."
The whole case was then stated, with an exhibition of various documents.
After Lee had come to understand fully its merits, he asked who was the
lawyer of the claimants.
"A young fellow, only admitted yesterday, of the name of Wallace. I am
told he has it in charge. He was, however, consulted some months ago,
and his services retained, to become active at this time."
Lee turned to his friend, and remarked,--
"So it seems that I am doomed first to come in contact with this young
mechanic. He is certainly quick on the trigger. Only admitted yesterday,
and to-day pushing on a most important suit. But I will cool him off,
I'm thinking."
"You must do your best, sir, for there is much at stake," said the
client.
"Rely upon that. But don't give yourself a moment's uneasiness. A few
years' experience at the bar is always enough to set aside your new
beginners."
"I wonder if it can be my father's old apprentice?" the young lawyer
remarked, after his client had gone.
"It's as likely as not," said his friend. "But would it not be a good
joke if he gained the suit over you?"
"Never fear that."
"Well, we shall see!" laughingly exclaimed his friend.
On the next day James Wallace took his seat among the members of the
bar, and marked with a keen interest and an air of intelligence all that
passed. One or two of the lawyers noticed him kindly, but the
majority--Lee among them, in particular--regarded him with coldness and
distance. But nothing of this affected him, if indeed he noticed it at
all.
The cause in which he had been retained, and which proved to be the
first in which he took an active and prominent position in the
court-room, came up within a week; for all parties interested in the
result were anxious to come to trial, and therefore no legal obstacles
were thrown in the way.
There was a profound silence, and a marked attention and interest, when
the young stranger arose in the court-room to open the case. A smile of
contempt, as he did so, curled the lip of Harman Lee; but Wallace saw
it not. The prominent points of the case were presented in plain but
concise language; and a few remarks bearing upon the merits of the case
being made, the young lawyer took his seat, and gave room for the
defendant's counsel to define his position.
Instantly Harman Lee was on his feet, and began referring to the points
presented by his "very learned brother," in a flippant, contemptuous
manner. There were those present who marked the light that kindled in
the eye of Wallace, and the flash that passed over his countenance, at
the first contemptuous word and tone that were uttered by his antagonist
at the bar. These soon gave place to attention, and an air of conscious
power. Once on his feet, with so flimsy a position to tear into tatters
as that which his "learned brother" had presented, Lee seemed never to
grow tired of the tearing process. Nearly an hour had passed away when
he resumed his seat, with a look of exultation, which was followed by a
pitying and contemptuous smile, as Wallace again slowly arose.
Ten minutes, however, had not passed, when that smile had changed to a
look of surprise, mortification, and alarm, all blended into a single
expression. The young lawyer's maiden-speech showed him to be a man of
calm, deep, systematic thought, well skilled in points of law, and in
authorities; and, more than all, a lawyer of practical and comprehensive
views. When he sat down, no important point in the case had been left
untouched, and none that had been touched required further elucidation.
Lee followed briefly, in a vain attempt to torture his language and
break down his positions. But he felt that he was contending with
weapons whose edges were turned at every blow. When he took his seat
again, Wallace merely remarked that he was prepared, without further
argument, to submit the case to the court.
The case was accordingly submitted, and a decision unhesitatingly made
in favour of the plaintiffs, or Wallace's clients.
From that hour James Wallace took his true place. The despised
apprentice became the able and profound lawyer, and was also esteemed
for real talent and moral worth, which, when combined, ever place their
possessor in his true position.
Ten years from thence Wallace was elevated to the Bench, while Lee
remained a second-rate lawyer, and never rose above that grade.
In the histories of these two persons is seen the difference between
simply receiving an education, as it is called, and self-education. The
most eminent men are self-educated men. This fact every student and
every humble apprentice with limited advantages should bear in mind. It
should infuse new life into the studies of the one, and inspire the
other with a determination to imbue his mind with knowledge. The
education that a boy receives at colleges and seminaries does not make
him a learned man. He has only acquired the rudiments of knowledge.
Beyond these he must go--he must continue ever after a student--or
others will leave him in the rear; others of humbler means and fewer
opportunities,--the apprentice of the handicraftsman, for instance,
whose few hours of devotion to study, from a genuine love of learning,
have given him a taste and a habit that remain with him in all
after-time.
[Illustration: The End]
TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES: Hyphenation has been standardized. Printers errors
have been corrected such as missing periods at the ends of lines.