children were sheltered under its eaves and played about the yard, and the dear mother spread the simple food on the white table, and sanded the well-scoured floor. My father was born in April, 1808. He was the son of Robert and Ann Hosking Toy. He was the youngest of eight children: John, Robert, Nicholas, William, James, Joseph, and his sisters Mary Ann (Mrs. Sims), and Nanny (Mrs. Granville). His parents were honest, God-fearing people, training their children to a life of industry and integrity, and early leading them into the ways of piety and obedience. Joseph, being a bright, attractive child, and possessing an affectionate nature, was very naturally the pet and darling of the family. While he was quite young his father died suddenly, and as the elder children were mostly married, the home was broken up, and he, with his widowed mother, was received into the family of his brother John, a man of much energy and ability, who afterwards became captain of the West Seaton mine. In a few years his mother, too, entered into rest, leaving her beloved Joseph to the care of his elder brother, and well did that brother and his estimable wife fulfill their trust. The home was full of love and sunshine, and the most tender affection was lavished upon the young brother. My uncle scarcely ever came home without the inquiry, "Where is the dear boy?"

Mrs. Jane Gilbert, my Uncle John's youngest daughter, writes thus of the family. "Their father died when Joseph was a lad, but he was always a great pet with his brothers. I have heard my father tell how when he was going courting Joseph had cried to go with him, and he has taken him many a time. Their mother died when your father was young, and he came to him at our house and continued to live with us until his marriage. So my sisters looked upon him more as a brother than an uncle. I can remember that when the letter came to father announcing your dear mother's death, he wept aloud and said, 'Poor little Joe!' Their mother's maiden name was Ann Davey, and she was born at Nans Nuke Illogan. She was a grand old Christian, a splendid character and handsome. I have always heard her children speak of her with reverence and love. Our grandfather's mother's name was Andrews, and she was born in the parish of Newlyn East."

The circumstances of the family made it necessary that all should share in its support, and, as soon as he was thought capable, my father was put—as were other children of his age—to do such work at the mine as was then almost the only employment open to children. They were set at picking up the ore for wheeling from the opening, and other light work suited to their age, the labor and responsibility being increased as they grew older. The advantages of education for the children of the working classes were few indeed at that day, and where so many mouths were to be fed, but little could be spared for books or schooling. My father early developed a fondness for reading which grew into an earnest thirst for knowledge, leading him to devote much of the time spent by other boys in play to the search for it as for hid treasure.

There was considerable natural musical talent in the family, and, as my father had a sweet voice, he was early taken into the surpliced boy-choir of the parish church, to which one or two of his brothers belonged, though his family were devoted members of the Wesleyan church of Camborne. The beautiful ritual of the church and its impressive services had a refining influence upon the sensitive boy, and the musical training he there received was of much value to him, and gave him much enjoyment in after life. He used to speak with enthusiasm of this experience, and I have often heard him tell of the delight with which the boys would go forth in the frosty air of the Christmas morning to sing carols under the windows of their friends, and how eagerly they would catch the pennies which were thrown from the windows in response to their greeting. The drinking habit of those days was universal, and total abstinence was a thing unknown; and I have heard him say that the good rector, Parson Rogers, would often pat the boys affectionately when they had done particularly well, and say, "You have done well, boys. Now come with me and have a little drop of something warm." His connection with the parish choir was also the means of attracting the notice of some people of influence who were afterwards of much assistance to him.

As he grew older, his interest in education increased greatly, and produced a distaste for the drudgery of his life at the mine. The conviction grew upon him that he was fitted for something better, and while he patiently bided his time, he was diligently improving every opportunity for study. Kind friends soon noticed the boy's struggles, and began to encourage him by lending him books, assisting him in evening studies, and giving him help in every possible way. Prominent among these were Mr. Thomas Davey, Mr. Thomas Garland, Dr. George Smith, the author and scholar, Lady Bassett, and Lord De Dunstanville of Tehidy, whose kindness and sympathy were very helpful.

At the age of nineteen my father passed the religious crisis of his life, and his conversion was thorough and complete. He united with the Wesleyan church, and threw himself with all the ardor of his nature into its Christian work. He was very active in the social meetings, and showed such decided talent in that line that he was soon appointed a class-leader. He was also a teacher in the Sunday School, where he showed such aptitude for the work as to incline him to the profession of teaching as a vocation. He became Superintendent of the Sunday School, and was soon licensed to preach, receiving an appointment as local preacher on a circuit.

By untiring diligence he had qualified himself for the position of teacher and obtained a situation in one of the Lancastrian schools, so popular at that day, located in Camborne. He filled this position for some years with much acceptance, continuing at the same time his own studies, until he acquired, almost wholly by his own exertions, a solid and excellent education. He was a good English scholar, a fine reader, carefully exact in spelling and pronunciation, well read in history, a good mathematician, fairly proficient in algebra and geometry, with considerable knowledge of Latin, Greek, and French. He demonstrated clearly what can be accomplished by any boy with a good mind, by energy and perseverance, in the face of the most serious obstacles.

BENJAMIN OSLER

About this time he formed the acquaintance of Miss Jane Osler, a young lady of refinement and culture, who was at that time proprietor of a millinery establishment in Camborne; and he married her in 1833. My mother was the daughter of Benjamin and Jane Osler of Falmouth, and was born August 1, 1802. The family was a very excellent one. Benjamin Osler was the son of Edward Osler and Joan Drew, sister of the famous Cornish metaphysician. He was a man of very decided character, a "gentleman of the old school." His discipline in his family was very strict, though kind, the rod always occupying a conspicuous place over the mantel for the admonition of any child inclined to disobedience. A fine miniature of my Grandfather Osler is in my possession, and it is our most cherished heirloom. It is in the form of a locket. The picture shows a fine oval face, with delicate features, powdered hair, and the heavy eyebrows we have learned to call "the Osler eyebrows." On