tion, although often under powerful temptation,
to taste in a single instance of the "accursed thing."

In his history of the Indians of Connecticut, De Forest has given us an
account of the manful resistance of Zachary on one occasion of an artful
temptation to violate his temperance principles, spread before him by
John Trumbull, at his father's house. He says, "In those days the annual
ceremony of election was a matter of more consequence than it is now;
and the Indians, especially, used to come in considerable numbers to
Hartford and New Haven to stare at the governor, and the soldiers, and
the crowds of citizens, as they entered those cities, Jonathan
Trumbull's house was about half-way between Mohegan and Hartford, and
Zachary was in the habit of stopping, on his way to election, to dine
with his old employer.

"John Trumbull, then about ten years old, had heard of the reformation
of Zachary, and, partaking of the common contempt for the intemperate
and worthless character of the Indians, did not entirely credit it. As
the family were sitting around the dinner-table, he resolved to test the
sincerity of the visitor's temperance.

"Sipping some home-brewed beer, which stood on the table, he said to the
old man, 'Zachary, this beer is excellent; won't you taste it?' The
knife and fork dropped from the Indian's hand; he leaned forward with a
stern intensity of expression, his dark eyes, sparkling with
indignation, were fixed on the young tempter: 'John,' said he, 'you
don't know what you are doing. You are serving the devil, boy. Don't you
know that I am an Indian? I tell you that I am; and if I should taste
your beer, I could never stop until I got to rum, and become again the
drunken, contemptible wretch your father once knew me. _John, while you
live, never again tempt any man to break a good resolution._'"

This was said in an earnest, solemn tone, and deeply affected Governor
Trumbull and lady, who were at the table. John was justly awed, and deep
was the impression made upon him. His parents often recurred to the
incident, and charged their son never to forget it.

The advice of the sachem was indeed most valuable. "Never again tempt
any man to break a good resolution." It were well if this precept were
followed by all. How many who are reformed from evil habits, yet not
firm and established, but who would persevere in their better
resolutions were they encouraged, are suddenly, and to themselves
surprisin