t Dr. Humphrys. After I got
better I found work at the Port at 12s. a week. I was employed in
counting the slates, or loading the ships in the harbour from the
railway trucks. I lodged in Fwn Deg, near where Hugh Williams,
Gatehouse, then kept a navigation school for young sailors. I learnt
navigation, and soon made considerable progress. I also learnt a
little arithmetic. At first nearly all the young men were more
advanced than myself; but before I left matters were different, and the
Scripture words became verified--"the last shall be first." I remained
with Hugh Williams six months and a half. During that time I went
twice through the 'Tutor's Assistant,' and a month before I left I was
taught mensuration. That is all the education I received, and the
greater part of it was during my by-hours.

"I got to know English pretty well, though Welsh was the language of
those about me. From easy books I went to those more difficult. I was
helped in my pronunciation of English by comparing the words with the
phonetic alphabet, as published by Thomas Gee of Denbigh, in 1853.
With my spare earnings I bought books, especially when my wages began
to rise. Mr. Wyatt, the steward, was very kind, and raised my pay from
time to time at his pleasure. I suppose I was willing, correct, and
faithful. I improved my knowledge by reading books on astronomy. I
got, amongst others, 'The Mechanism of the Heavens,' by Denison
Olmstead, an American; a very understandable book. Learning English,
which was a foreign language to me, led me to learn other languages. I
took pleasure in finding out the roots or radixes of words, and from
time to time I added foreign dictionaries to my little library. But I
took most pleasure in astronomy.

"The perusal of Sir John Herschel's 'Outlines of Astronomy,' and of his
'Treatise on the Telescope,' set my mind on fire. I conceived the idea
of making a telescope of my own, for I could not buy one. While
reading the Mechanics' Magazine I observed the accounts of men who made
telescopes. Why should not I do the same? Of course it was a matter
of great difficulty to one who knew comparatively little of the use of
tools. But I had a willing mind and willing hands. So I set to work.
I think I made my first telescope about twenty years ago. It was
thirty-six inches long, and the tube was made of pasteboard. I got the
glasses from Liverpool for 4s. 6d. Captain Owens, of the ship Talacra,
bo