options, combine; even
coronetted lords now rejoice to lend it their sanction, and the weight of
their illustrious names. Truly the mustard seed has branched out into a
giant oak. A little leaven has leavened the whole lump.

III.--OF ITS FOUNDER.

We must tell our readers something of the founder of this movement.
James Taylor, junior, of Birmingham, deserves a passing notice at our
hands. He was born in that town in 1814, and is consequently now in the
prime of his life, rather young considering the greatness he has already
achieved. His father is a tradesman of the same town, where he has
acquired a limited competency by his honest industry, and where he still
carries on business for the benefit of the younger branches of his
family. Like all other Birmingham boys James was put to work at an early
age, and became an apprentice in one of the fancy trades for which
Birmingham is so well known. There his industrious habits soon acquired
for him the approbation of his master, who gave up Taylor his indentures
in consequence of his retiring from business before the latter was of
age. About this time Taylor, earning good wages, and not having the fear
of Malthus before his eyes, got married, and lived happily till troubles
came and the demon of strong drink cast its fatal spell upon his domestic
hearth. After years of utter misery and degradation Taylor, in a happy
hour for himself and society, signed the Temperance pledge, and became a
new man, and to the pledge, fortunately, he remained faithful, in spite
of ridicule and reproach from the boon companions with whom he had
thoughtlessly squandered so much of happiness, and health, and money, and
time. No temptation ever led him back. Nor was he satisfied with his
own reform alone. He was anxious that others should be rescued from
degradation as he had already been. For this purpose he identified
himself with the Temperance cause, and was Honorary Secretary to the
Birmingham Temperance Society till he became the Apostle of the Freehold
Land Movement. Since then his life and labours have become public. No
man has worked harder than Mr. Taylor. Our readers would be astonished
if they knew the number of miles Mr. Taylor travels, and of public
meetings he attends in the course of the year connected with the
movement; sometimes the exertion has been too great, and his health has
given way for a time. Those who have heard him once will never forget
him. Th