the extreme of folly." He never lost sight of the fact that man is a
responsible, intelligent being, placed in the world for other purposes
than the mere acquisition of wealth.

In October, 1808, his brother, Abbott Lawrence, afterward famous as a
merchant and statesman, came to him as an apprentice, and on the 1st of
January, 1814, he was admitted to partnership, the style of the firm
being A. & A. Lawrence. This partnership was terminated only by the
death of the elder brother in 1852. Their business was the importation
and sale of foreign manufactures, and the firm soon took its place at
the head of the Boston merchants engaged in this trade. The tariffs of
1816 and 1824 gave a new and powerful impetus to the manufacture of
woolens and cottons in this country, and the Lawrences entered largely
into the sale of these goods on commission. In 1830, they became
interested in the cotton mills at Lowell; and on the establishment of
the Suffolk, Tremont, and Lawrence Companies, as well as subsequently in
other corporations, they became large proprietors. From this time their
business as selling agents was on the most extensive scale, and their
income from all sources large in proportion. They amassed large
fortunes, and won names which are the most precious heritages of their
children.

Perhaps the best exposition of the principles upon which these brothers
conducted their commercial operations is found in the following letter
from the elder to the younger, written on the 11th of March, 1815, upon
the occasion of a visit to England by the latter on business for the
firm:

MY DEAR BROTHER--I have thought best, before you go abroad, to
suggest a few hints for your benefit in your intercourse with the
people among whom you are going. As a first and leading principle,
let every transaction be of that pure and honest character that you
would not be ashamed to have appear before the whole world as
clearly as to yourself. In addition to the advantages arising from
an honest course of conduct with your fellow-men, there is the
satisfaction of reflecting within yourself that you have endeavored
to do your duty; and however greatly the best may fall short of
doing all they ought, they will be sure not to do more than their
principles enjoin.

It is, therefore, of the highest consequence that you should not
only cultivate correct principles, but that you should p