JUVENILE

OF

1 The History of Teetotalism. 2 Scriptural Teetotalism.

3 Teetotalism of Ancient History. 4 Teetotalism of Modern History. 5 The Cost of Intemperance. 6 Self-Denial.

7 Early Habits.

8 The Force of Example.

BOOKS.

9 Letter to Sunday School Children. 10 Hannah Hawkins.

11 Christian Courtesy.
12 Young Chemist's Inquiry.
13 Little Henry.

14 The Young Reasoner.
15 Fear of Ridicule.

16 Teetotalism of Travellers.

17 Temptation Resisted. 18 What Little Boys can do. 19 Little Mary.

20 Lucy Grey.

21 What Little Girls can do. 22 Poor Little Willie.

23 Sixpenny Glass of Wine. 24 The Town Meeting.

33 I'm too Young.
34 The Very Rich Man.

35 A Word of Advice.

36 The Monkey who set an Example to his Master.

37 The Drunkard's Child.

38 The Reformed Parents

39 Fun! Frolic!! Fun!!!

Assorted Packet

47 Penny Puffs, or the £50. The Power of the Pence. The Effects of one Glass.

48 The Man in the Cellar. A Child's Thoughts.

49 Smoking, or the Influence of Example. The Pipe Abandoned. The Boy who Smokes.

50 A Temperance Catechism.

51 The Murderer. A Drunken Mother. 52 The Way to Fortune.

53 Speak to that Poor Girl. What a Boy can do.

54 The Reformed Shoemaker. Small Things. 55 The Lonely Lad. I can't help Crying!

40 To Sunday School Children. 41 The Fatal Glass.

42 The Touching Reproof.

43 The Mother and her Children. 44 The Two Irvines.

45 The Young Recruiting Officer in the Cold Water Army.

46 The Young Prince.

No. 4. contains:

56 The Sabbath Morn.

57 The Two Apprentices. The Altered Man.

58 The Child's Question. The Wine of Eden,

59 The Reformed Family. What Little Girls can do. The Wasp in the Pear.

60 A Happy New Year.

61 Richard the Orphan Boy. The Drunkard's Will.

62 Playing at Band of Hope. Little

Jem the Ragged Scholar.

63 What are Bands of Hope? and How to Form them, by T. B. Smithies.

PART FIRST.

Ir may be asked by many individuals, whose eyes will fall on these pages, why I have thought it requisite to add one to the already numerous autobiographies extant? I answer, that justice to myself, in some measure, demands an explicit statement of the principal incidents in an hitherto eventful life; those incidents, or, at least, many of them, having in frequent instances been erroneously described by the press generally. Besides this, many who have heard my verbal narrations, have intimated a desire to besome more fully acquainted with a career, which, although it has extended but little beyond a quarter of a century, has been fruitful of adventure. To gratify others rather than myself, has been my object in reducing to a permanent form my somewhat eventful history. I make no pretensions to literary merit, and trust this candid avowal will disarm criticism. Mine is, indeed, a "short and simple annal of the poor ;" and if the perusal of these pages should cheer some fainting wanderer on the world's highway, and lead him far from the haunts of evil, by the still waters of temperance, my labour will have been well repaid. Truth constitutes the merit of my tale, if it possess any merit; and most of us know that real life often furnishes stranger stories than romance ever dreamed of; and that facts are frequently❘ more startling than fiction.

I was born on the 22d of August 1817, at a romantic little watering-place, named Sandgate, in the county of Kent, England. My father had been a soldier in the fortieth and fifty-second regiments of foot, and was in the enjoyment of a pension of £20 per annum, having frequently fought during the Peninsular war, and been wounded in the neck. I remember as well as if it had been but yesterday, how he would go through military exercises with me, my mimic weapon being a broom, and my martial equipments some of his faded trappings. I was not destined, however, to see how fields were won. With what intense interest have I often listened to his descriptions of battle-fields, and how have I shuddered at contemplating the dreadful scenes which he so graphically pourtrayed. He was present at the memorable battle of

Corunna, and witnessed its hero, Sir John Moore, carried from that fatal field. "Here,', he would say, 66 was such a regiment-there such a battalion; in this situation was the enemy, and yonder was the position of th general and his staff." And then he would go on to describe the death of the hero-his looks, and his burial near the ramparts, until my young heart would leap with excitement. Apart from such attractions as these, my father possessed few for a child. His military habits had become as a second nature with him. Stern discipline had been taught him in a severe school, and it being impossible for him to cast off old associations, he was not calculated to win the deep affections of a child, although, in every respect, he deserved and possessed my love. He received his discharge from the army in the year 1823.

My mother's character was cast in a gentler mould. Her heart was a fountain, whence the pure waters of affection never ceased to flow. Her very being seemed twined with mine, and ardently did I return her love. For the long space of twenty years she had occupied the then prominent position of schoolmistress in the village, and frequently planted the first principles of knowledge in the minds of children, whose parents had, years before, been benefited by her early instructions. And well qualified by nature and acquirements was she for the interesting but humble office she filled, if a kindly heart and a wellstored mind be the requisites. Of course, I received my first lessons at home; but as I advanced in years, it became advisable that I should be sent to a school, and in one I was accordingly placed. There was a free-school in the village, but my father possessed too much independence to allow him to send me to a charity seminary, and, though he could ill afford it, paid a weekly sum for my instruction to Mr Davis of Folkstone. I progressed rapidly in my limited education, and became a teacher in the school. Two classes, as was the custom, were placed under my care; the children of one of them I initiated into the art and mystery of spelling words of two syllables, and taught the Rule of Three to a class more advanced.

As most boys will, I sometimes got into

B

petty scrapes, and once narrowly escaped a serious disgrace. I occasionally gave the reins to a temper which was naturally passionate, and on a certain occasion, when the order of" Teachers to your classes" was given, I exclaimed, "I wish the classes were at the devil!" One of the boys reported my remark to the master, saying, "Please, sir, I heard him." He called me to him. I denied that I had uttered such words; but one boy, and another, and another, asserting that I did, with "Please, sir, I heard him, too," my falsehood was discovered. I then could deny no longer; and my master sternly ordered me, when the school closed, to take my slate and books home with me, and never return to the place. I sat down moodily on my form, pondering on what had occurred, and revolving within my mind what course I should pursue; for I justly dreaded my father's anger, and felt convinced that he would not pass my offence by lightly. After mature consideration, I went to my master, admitted my fault, reasoned with him, and stated how much I feared my father's anger, should I be discharged from the school. Nor were my entreaties without the desired effect; for the good man relented, and I was pardoned, my father never knowing any thing of the mat

ter.

I was now about eight years of age, and having a keen taste for the beauties of nature, was often to be found roaming on Sandgate beach, gazing with wonder on the great deep, and, as I listened to its everlasting moan, little dreaming that three thousand miles beyond was a land in which my lot would one day be cast. There was an old castle, too, in the vicinity, which had been built years ago--ages to my boyish mind-by Henry the Eighth. I became a great favourite of the keeper of this ancient place, and having acquired some knowledge of the history of the bluff king Hal, I used to wander through the desolate court-yards where the rank grass grew; sit in deserted, windowless chambers, where the bat nestled and the owl screamed, or gaze from turret and battlement on the surrounding scenery. And I would in fancy people the place with its old inhabitants, and see plumed cavaliers and ruffled dames pacing the corridors, or surrounding the groaning board.

Katherine of Arragon, and Ann Boleyn, with Henry's other wives, flitted by me. I lived, as it were, in the past; and thus, almost unconsciously, my imagination was cultured. and my mind embued with a love of history and poetry.

My father belonged to the Methodist persuasion, and my mother was a Baptist, but

the differences in doctrine existing between them, never affected their happiness. As all in such cases should do, they agreed to differ. Among other circumstances connected with this period of my life, I well remember one which much impressed me. The venerable

He

and devoted William Wilberforce resided. during a few of the summer months, at Sandgate, for the benefit of his health. I had heard much of the great philanthropist, and was not a little delighted when my father took me to his lodgings, where a prayer-meeting was held. How it was, I know not, but I attracted Mr Wilberforce's attention. patted me on my head, said many kind things. and expressed wishes for my welfare. He also presented me with a book, and wrote with his own hand my name on the fly-leaf. Having acquired some reputation as a good"] reader, he requested me to read to him. I did so, and he expressed himself as much pleased. The book presented to me, I long since lost, but never shall I forget the kindly words of the venerable giver.

Very

I have remarked that I was considered to be a good reader. Often whilst I have been sitting reading to my mother, as she sat working by our cottage-door, which faced the sea, have strangers staid to listen, attracted by my proficiency in this art. There was a library in the village, kept by Mr Purday, and to this place many of the visitors at our watering-place resorted, to learn the news. frequently I was sent for to read to ladies and gentlemen; and the schoolmistress's son became a general purveyor of the gossip of the day, in return for which I was rewarded pretty liberally. On one occasion, a gentleman, to whom I had read some portions of a newspaper, was so pleased, that he took me to the library, fronting the reading-room, in the same building, and asked me what book I would like to take. Showing me a volume which contained hieroglyphical pictures, and a Common Prayer Book, he offered me either I might choose. Now, with all the love of a lad for pictures, I ardently desired the hieroglyphical designs, but thinking I should be considered more favourably of, if I decided on accepting the prayer-book, I chose, much against my will, the latter. My choice was applauded; and a bright half-crown into the bargain, consoled me for the self-mortifica tion my vanity had imposed.

About this time I experienced a very na row escape from death. I went to school Folkstone, and was returning from that plac one day, accompanied by some other boy raying at waggon and horses, four boys pe sonating quadrupeds, which I was driving

rather a rapid rate. It happened that a man, who was engaged in digging a trench by the side of the road, did not perceive the four lads I was driving, they having stooped as they passed; he threw up a spadeful of clay, for the purpose of tossing to some little distance, and the sharp edge of the implement was driven with great force against my head. I instantly sank down insensible, and deluged with blood. I was carried home by the boys, who in reality became animals of burden, still unconscious, to my terrified parents, and for days my life was despaired of. Even when

recovery seemed probable, few hopes of my returning reason were entertained, although, by the providence of God, I recovered; yet to this day I feel the effects of that blow. When excited in speaking, I am frequently compelled to press my hands on my head, to ease the pricking and darting sensation I experience; and never, I suppose, shall I be entirely free from inconvenience from this source. My father had a tender heart, notwithstanding his habitual sternness, and he never reverted to this circumstance in after days without tears.

During my father's absence in the wars, my mother's circumstances were very straitened, although, in addition to school-keeping, she worked industriously at making a kind of lace then very fashionable, and in the manufacture of which article, she greatly excelled. On one occasion, when our necessities absolutely required extra exertion, she took her basket of work, and travelled eight and, a half weary miles, to the town of Dover. Arrived there, foot-sore and heart-weary, she threaded the streets and lanes with her lace, seeking for customers, but not one did she find; and after reluctantly abandoning the pursuit, she once more turned her face towards her home-a home desolate indeed. Painful, bitterly painful, were my mother's reflections, as she drew near her door, and when she rested her dreadfully tired frame, she had nothing in the house with which to recruit her strength. During her absence, a gentleman had sent for me to the library, and was so pleased with my reading, that he made me a present of five shillings; and Mr Purday, in addition, gave me sixpence. O! how rich I was. Never had I possessed so vast an amount of money before, and all imaginable modes of spending it flitted before my fancy. I went to play with some other boys until my mother's return from Dover; and soon afterwards, on entering our house, I found her sitting in her chair, bathed in tears. I asked her what was the matter, when she drew me close to her, and looking

in my face, with a mournful expression which I shall never forget, informed me that all her weary journey had been fruitless-she had sold nothing. O! with what joy I drew the crown-piece and the sixpence from my pocket, and placed them in her hand; and with what delightful feelings we knelt down, whilst she poured out her heart in thankfulness to God, for the relief so seasonably provided. My mother gave me a halfpenny for myself, and I felt far happier then than I did when I received the shining silver crown-piece: it was all my own, to do as I liked with-to keep or spend. What an inestimable privilege! I can, in all sincerity, say, that never have I received money since then, which has afforded me such solid satisfaction; and some of my most pleasant reminiscences are circumstances connected with that boyish incident.

I ought, before this, to have mentioned that I had a sister, two years younger than myself, of whom I thought a great deal. She was my chief playmate. I used frequently to personate a clergyman, being then very fond of imitation; and having rigged up a chair into something as much resembling a pulpit as possible, I would secure her services in the way of dressing up rag dolls, which constituted my congregation, for whose special benefit I used to pour forth my mimic oratory, very much to my own amusement, if not to the edification of my dumb friends, who sat stiff and starched, perfect patterns of propriety. Then, as a diversion, I manufactured, from an old bottomless chair, a very respectable Punch and Judy box; and many a laugh have I raised among my young companions by my performances in this line. My puppets were of home manufacture, but they passed muster well enough, especially with the boys and girls, who had never been fortunate enough to have seen the genuine personifications of these remarkable charac

ters.

About this time, my father returned home, and soon afterwards entered the service of the Rev. J. D. Glennie, a clergyman of the Church of England, and chaplain to Lord Darnley; and here I cannot but pay a passing tribute of respect to this pious and kindhearted man, who always treated me with much consideration. His wife sent for me, and presented me with Doddridge's Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul, The Economy of Human Life, and Todd's Lectures to the Young; works which shortly afterwards I perused at sea, when voyaging to America, they having been given to me the day before I left Sandgate.

A very important change in my fortunes

now occurred. I was 12 years of age; and my father, foreseeing the difficulty of procuring me a trade, made an agreement with a family of our village, who were about emigrating to America, that they, in consideration of the sum of ten guineas, paid by him, should take me with them, teach me a trade, and provide for me until I was 21 years of age. After much hesitation, my mother, from a sense of duty, yielded to this arrangement. I, boy like, felt in high glee at the prospects before me. My little arrangements having been completed, on the 4th of June 1829 I took a last view of my native village. The evening I was about to depart, a neighbour invited me to take tea at his house, which I did. My mother remarked to me afterwards, "I wish you had taken tea with your mother, John ;" and this ittle circumstance was a source of much Pain to me in after years.

The parting with my beloved parents was bitter. My poor mother folded me to her bosom, then she would hold me off at arms' length, and gaze fondly on my face, through her tearful eyes, reading, only as a mother could, the book of futurity for me. She hung up, on the accustomed peg, my old cap and jacket, and my school-bag, and there they remained until, years after, she quitted the house. At length the parting words were spoken, and I quitted the home of my childhood, perhaps for ever.

A touching scere it was, as I went through the village towards the coach-office that evening. As I passed through the streets, many a kind hand waved a farewell, and not a few familiar voices sounded out a hearty "God bless you." There was one old dame, of whom I had frequently bought sweetmeats at her green grocery, named familiarly Granny Hogben; she called me into her shop, and loaded me with good wishes, bulls' eyes, cakes and candies, although poor, affectionate soul, she could ill afford it. The inn was reached, and, in company with another lad," who was going out with our family to meet a relative, I mounted the roof of the London night coach, and was quitting the village, when, on turning round to take a last look at it, I saw a crouching female form, by a low wall, near the bathing-machines. My heart told me at once that it was my mother, who had taken advantage of half an hour's delay, at the inn door, to proceed a little distance, in order to have one more glance at her departing child. I never felt I was loved so much, as I did from that time. When we arrived at Ashford, we were placed inside the vehicle. Amongst many things which impressed me on my journey, was the circumstance of a

poor, shivering woman begging alms at the coach door, at midnight, for whom I keenly felt. At Footscray I again was placed outside the coach. On arriving near the metropolis, objects of interest increased every moment, and, when fairly in the great city, of which I had heard so much, I was almost bewildered with crowds, and the multiplicity of attractive objects. A fight between two bellicose individuals was almost my first town entertainment.

Whilst I remained in London, I saw some of the great attractions, such as St Paul's, the Tower, the Royal Exchange, the Mansion House, and the Monument, to the summit of which I ascended, and surveyed from thence the "mighty mass of brick, and smoke, and shipping." On the 10th day of June, every thing being arranged, I sailed from the Thames, in the ship Helen. Passing Dover, we arrived off Sandgate, on Sunday, when it fell a dead calm, and the ship's anchors were dropped. I afforded some amusement to those around me, by the eagerness with which I seized a telescope, and the certainty with which I averred that I saw my old home. During that day, boat after boat came off to us from the shore, and friends of the family I was with paid them visits; but I was unnoticed my relatives did not come. long and wearily watching, I at last saw a man standing up in a boat, with a white band round his hat. "That's him! that's my father!" I shouted. He soon got on deck, and almost smothered me with his kisses, from which I somewhat shrank, as his beard made very decided impressions on my smooth skin. I heard that my mother and sister had gone to a place of worship, at some distance from Sandgate, which I regretted much. When evening came on, our visitors from the shore repaired to their boats, which, when a few yards from the ship, formed in a half circle. Our friends stood up in them, and o'er the calm waters sounded our blended voices, as we sang

"Blest be the dear uniting love,
Which will not let us part:
Our bodies may far hence remove,
We still are one in heart."

After

Boat after boat then vanished in the gloomy distance, and I went to my bed. About midnight I heard my name called, and going on deck, I there found my beloved mother and sister, who, hearing on their return home that I was in the offing, had paid half-aguinea (money hardly earned, and with difficulty procured, but readily and cheerfully expended) to a boatman, to row them to the ship. They spent an hour (O, how short it