luence was such on Robert Burns,
Samuel Drew, and Mendelssohn--it aids the speaker to understand
the laws of human nature--more visits to Boston 174-182

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE DEBATING SOCIETY.

Plans carried out--its object--how it must be conducted--the
organization--rule to make it respectable--his desire to make
all things respectable--the fire company reformed--the first
discussion--the question--an evening without a question--how
they got over it--Nat's speech--curiosity to hear--tremendous
compliments--Nat wards them off--contends that a man may
become what he wants to be--this the view of Buxton and
others--influence of the debating society on Nat--a similar
society influenced Curran, the Irish orator--and a living American
statesman--Canning, the English statesman--and Henry
Clay--interesting account of a similar society in Boston 183-195

CHAPTER XIX.

COMING AND GOING.

Ben Drake's visit--the welcome of Frank--Mrs. Martin's
questions--surprise at learning that Ben is a Christian--going
to the prayer-meeting--Frank surprised to hear Ben speak--goes to tell
Nat the next morning--their conversation--Ben calls around--announcement
that Webster would speak in Boston--Nat's resolve
to hear him--the walk to Boston--the speech--Nat's observation
and remarks--power of the human voice--hearing Edward
Everett--walks to hear other speakers--learned much of the use
of language and oratory by observation--so with Robert Bloomfield--the
charm of the voice 196-205

CHAPTER XX.

GOSSIP.

Talk which Nat created--scene in the sewing circle--use of spare
moments--boys who read their leisure moments not get into
mischief--old Mrs. Lane on education--her ideas about his
going to hear Webster and Everett and the book in his pocket--how
much time he saves a day for reading--wants more boys
like Nat--his going to the party--sympathy for the slighted--explanation
of the scene--waiting upon the slighted girls--the
effect of it--Nat's decision, independence, and kind-hearted
nature enabled him to do it--like Robert Burns in this
respect 206-213

CHAPTER XXI.

GOING TO THE THEATRE.

Nat's desire to witness a tragedy played--resolve to go and hear
Booth--talk with his companions--what would be said--the
evening of his visit--the play--after conversation with his
companions--the bar--why vices connected with