nd if a radical change is desirable, when is it to be made?
Shall we wait till we have run down a century or two longer, or shall we
begin the work immediately? And if we are to begin it at once, on whom
shall the work devolve?

These are questions, I grant, more easily asked than answered.
Nevertheless, they must soon be met; they cannot much longer be shuffled
off. Would it not be the part of wisdom to meet them now, rather than
postpone?

Here, then, I leave the subject. Let it be pondered in the light of
reason, common sense, conscience, and, above all, the truth of God. Let
there be no immature or hasty decisions. Truth, in truthful hands, has
nothing to fear.

CHAPTER CII.

A LAST CHAPTER.

William A. Alcott was born in Wolcott, Conn., August 6th, 1798. His
father, a farmer in the rough mountain town, employed his son, as soon
as he was old enough to be useful, in laboring on the farm, so that,
from childhood, he was trained to habits of industry. His early
employments were, in many respects, beneficial, and his feeble
constitution was probably invigorated by this out-of-door work. The only
apparent drawback was being kept at work too closely, with very little
time left for amusement; and, as he was too conscientious to neglect the
tasks assigned him, he plodded on, thus losing, in a great measure,
while young, the natural and healthy relish of boys for athletic games
and sports. As a natural consequence, his mind developed too rapidly. He
early showed a great fondness for books, and the love of reading came to
be his chief and almost only amusement.

Till eight years of age he attended the district school, in summer and
winter, but after this period his father employed him in farm labor
constantly, except during the winter term. At the age of fourteen he had
measles, from which he suffered greatly at the time, and in its
consequences for several years. He grew rapidly, was, when a lad, tall
and thin, and his strength, when young, and, indeed, through his whole
life, lay chiefly in a strong will, combined with great energy and
perseverance. To these qualities, doubtless, is owing the continuance of
his life for many years.

When little more than eighteen years of age, he commenced teaching,
which was continued, during the winter, for several years; sometimes
through the entire year. But a strong desire to improve and elevate the
schools, led him to overtask himself. Mr. Barnard's _Journal of
Educ