"For the common benefits of air and light, for useful fire and delicious water,—Good God, I thank Thee!
"For knowledge and literature, and every useful art; for my friends and their prosperity, and for the fewness of my enemies,—Good God, I thank Thee!
"For all thy innumerable benefits; for life, and reason, and the use of speech; for health, and joy, and every pleasant hour,—My good God, I thank Thee!"
He made a little book, in which he wrote down certain virtues that he ought to cultivate, and prepared a table for the same. The following were the virtues:—
"1. Temperance.—Eat not to dulness; drink not to elevation.
"2. Silence.—Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
"3. Order.—Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.
"4. Resolution.—Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.
"5. Frugality.—Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; that is, waste nothing.
"6. Industry.—Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
"7. Sincerity.—Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly; and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
"8. Justice.—Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
"9. Moderation.—Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
"10. Cleanliness.—Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.
"11. Tranquillity.—Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents, common or unavoidable.
"12. Chastity.
"13. Humility.—Imitate Jesus Christ and Socrates."
These are very good so far as they go, and they show that he studied to form a high character, although he had not yet attained to the height of the true Christian.
CHAPTER XXV.
CONCLUSION.
We have followed the subject of this volume from the time he paid too dear for his whistle, to the period when he was well established in business. We have seen what his character was as a printer-boy, and hence his promise of success. He was not perfect by any means; on the other hand, he had marked failings. Yet, underneath the whole, we have discovered certain qualities that are indispensable to eminence in one's vocation. And now it remains to see, briefly, whether the principle we advocate was true in his case, namely, "that the boy is father of the man." To do this, we shall pass over a series of years, and take a succinct view of his position and influence in middle and advanced life.