align="left">rise, learning, benevolence, and fame—conversation with his

mother about it—conversation with Charlie at the factory—a life-long impression made on his mind by it 124-133     CHAPTER XIII.   A SCHOOL SCENE.   A difficulty with Sam Drake in school—Nat hears of it—a true account—Sam writes a letter about the teacher—the teacher discovers it—many words spelled incorrectly—a copy of the letter—Sam called into the floor—made to spell the words he has spelled wrong—spells Alpheus, Coombs, knife, bargain, spectacles—merriment it occasioned in school—Sam refuses to spell more—he is punished and conquered—spells again—then he is ferruled—sent to his seat—advice to the school—a good teacher—his case before the committee—expelled—what the incident teaches 134-141     CHAPTER XIV.   TAKING SIDES.   The Federalist—Jefferson and the Democrat—the four votes—studied with all his soul—Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence—reading it—difference between Jefferson and Adams —Jefferson's views of slavery—extract from his writings—another extract—why Nat adopted these principles—his early sympathies—the life of Jefferson made lasting impression on his mind—case of Guido—Cotton Mather's "Essays to do Good"—Dr. Franklin—Jeremy Bentham and greatest good to greatest number—Alfieri and "Plutarch's Lives"—Loyola and "Lives of the Saints"—a picture made—Dr. Guthrie 142-155     CHAPTER XV.   THREE IMPORTANT EVENTS.   Frank in the factory—bad to be poor—worse to be mean—great men generally poor—dispute with Dr. Franklin—intimate friendship with Frank—the poor sympathize with each other—so with the rich—influence of kindred occupation—the new comer—his poverty—who Marcus was—the kind letter that brought trial—proposition to leave home—talk with his mother—reminded of Marcus—decision to leave home—departure and new field—gone three years—his return 156-164     CHAPTER XVI.   FINDING A LOST OPPORTUNITY.   Odd moments at grammar—making up for a lost opportunity—confession of an error—inquiry after Sam Drake—his bad character—Ben Drake—mastering grammar alone—nothing dry in which we are interested—Nat's literary pocket—Roger Sherman's pocket—Napoleon's pocket—Hugh Miller's pocket—Elihu Burritt's pocket—many boys carry only a jack-knife in their pocket—value of one hour a day—ten years of study in half a century—lost opportunities not found—the proposed debating club—Marcus again 165-173     CHAPTER XVII.   THE PURCHASE.   A spare day—visit to Boston bookstores—shoe-leather cheap and the proposed walk—conversation with Charlie and Frank—the walk to Boston—what would attract some boys there—the book-stores drew Nat—conversation with a bookseller—purchase of "Locke's Essay on the Understanding"—his examination of books—bits of knowledge—Dr. Kitto and the book-stall—homeward bound—Monday morning with Charlie—influence of Locke's Essay on him—its influence was such on Robert Burns, Samuel Drew, and Mendelssohn—it aids the speaker to understand the laws of human nature—more visits to Boston 174-182     CHAPTER XVIII.   THE DEBATING SOCIETY.   Plans carried out—its object—how it must be conducted—the organization—rule to make it respectable—his desire to make all things respectable—the fire company reformed—the first discussion—the question—an evening without a question—how they got over it—Nat's speech—curiosity to hear—tremendous compliments—Nat wards them off—contends that a man may become what he wants to be—this the view of Buxton and others—influence of the debating society on Nat—a similar society influenced Curran, the Irish orator—and a living American statesman—Canning, the English statesman—and Henry Clay—interesting account of a similar society in Boston public@vhost@g@gutenberg@html@files@19875@[email protected]#Page_183"