heard daily; and often repeated instruction received through Bible verses and the learning of the Westminster "Shorter Catechism." I had been baptized by a minister of the Scotch "Covenanter," or Reformed, Presbyterian Church; thereby being made heir to the faith and motives of the ultra-conservative body of Scotch Calvinists, which was historic in the national struggle of Scotland for religious and political independence, and is described in one of their publications as "the suffering anti-popish, and anti-prelatical, anti-erastian, true Presbyterian Church of Scotland." My parents were communicants in the Old School Presbyterian Church,-the original Church of the town,-established in 1735. Because, however, of special personal friendship they had asked the "Covenanter Church minister to baptize me. At about nine years of age, I became, regularly, a pupil of the Sunday School of my parents' church. In that school I was systematically, and with much care, indoctrinated theologically; and from that school, when I was about fourteen years old, I became, apparently with a good understanding of what I was doing, "a member of the Church."

2.

Personal Characteristics as a Child.

a. It should not be concluded, however, because of what I am saying of the prominence which religion had in my childhood's surroundings and experiences, that I became noticeably "sanctimonious," or "morbidly pietistic." I had an exceptionally happy nature; and I was unusually energetic physically. Besides, my sombre religious environment was more or less brightened by influences flowing

from the increasing enlightenment of the times generally, which I readily welcomed. Altogether, it was impossible for me to be possessed by unwholesome thoughts or feelings, except perhaps for the passing moment. I dearly loved play, severe athletic games, adventurous and even dangerous sports.

b. Though I was not of a quarrelsome nature,-quite the contrary-I was often party to boyish "fights," receiving as well as giving rather severe "punishment." Having by nature a rather acute self-consciousness, and a strong love of approbation, some of my "battles" were the result of resentment over wounded self-love and of an instinctive self-defense; but it is pleasant to remember that more often they were the consequence of a natural revolt against what I considered to be injustice, or cruelty, to others. Cruelty to animals, to birds, and even to insects, aroused my fiercest ire.

c. I think that I was never, intentionally, aggressive upon the rights or possessions of my playmates, or was ever what might be truthfully called "mean" in my bearing towards them, however mischievous my fun-making may have been. Whatever my reputation was as "a bad boy," it arose, I am sure, from the fact that I was just an enthusiastic, even irrepressible participant in the natural life of a healthy, happy child. The school play-grounds and the streets of the town; the near-by fields and woods; the streams and the hill sides were sources of constant delight to me in those exhuberant years.

It was my good fortune throughout childhood to be able to know life in large measure as a physical and mental pleasure. A characteristic episode of these years I described, long ago, in a story named, "How Charley

Ramsey Spent a Saturday." The story was included in a collection made in 1880, by Mrs. Fanny B. Ames, entitled, "Christmas Day and All the Year."

d. Associated with my abounding vitality and love of adventure, was much mental inquisitiveness, I had an exceptional liking, too, for school "declamation." Whether aroused to it by my father, or taking to it naturally, I do not know. But I remember frequent drillings in "orating,', in very early years, and especially an exciting time once at a Sunday School celebration, in grove “out in the country," when I could have not been more than six years in this world, "reciting my piece." And when I was but nine years of age, "June 8th, 1852," I declaimed an oratorical "poem" at a school exhibition, in a crowded auditorium, somewhere in Chambersburg. I think that the verses were a diversion of my father's pen, or of a generous "adaptation " he made. I happen to have the verses yet. I repeat them here largely because of their suggestion as to the kind of boy I was.

MY AMBITION.

Do not, my friends, expect to see,
Poetic graces drop from me;

My youthful mind, my tender age

As yet unfit me for the stage.
Still, though but forty inches high,
I love to spout, I'll not deny;
And tho' a novice, in debate
I would great models imitate.

All men that e'er were famed for sense,
Once learned, like me, their elements;

Of such our Country boasts a few,

Whose names would grace a Scotch Review—
Whose fame extends through ev'ry clime,
And will outlive Old Father Time,