out town. The two other brothers were
apprenticed to the firm of J. & J. Harper and, as soon as their time was
out, were taken into the firm.

In 1825 the firm-style was changed to Harper & Brothers. One of their
business maxims was, "Mutual confidence, industry and application to
business." This made the four one man. They ranked as equals in all
things, and the history of James Harper is the history of Harper &
Brothers. James being the eldest was once asked, "Which is Harper and
which the brothers?" He answered, "Either is Harper, the others are the
brothers." This was precisely the relation they bore toward each other.
In 1853 a workman threw a lighted paper into a tank of benzine which he
mistook for water, and property valued at $1,000,000 was destroyed; as
their insurance amounted to only about $250,000 their loss was great.
This was a terrible blow, but the next day they hired temporary
quarters, and the debris was hardly cleared away ere they had bought the
ground on which to erect the splendid building they have since occupied.
It is a most imposing structure, and is probably the most commodious,
and finest building in which to carry on a general book business, in all
its branches, in the world; every operation required to produce and
publish a book being carried on under one roof. The building is
absolutely fire-proof, and is seven stories high. Underneath are long
vaults in which their plates are stored.

In 1844 James was elected Mayor of the great city of New York. Mr.
Harper was a man of unusual ability, this was recognized by his friends
and towns people, but he was at the head of the largest publishing
business in the country, and was loth to leave it, therefore he refused
to be a candidate for Governor. He was always full of mirth and running
over with good humor, but he was business, morning, noon and night. He
remained actively engaged in business until he was nearly seventy-five
years of age, in fact he was still in business and enjoying good health
when he met an untimely death, caused by his horses running away in
Central Park, throwing him to the ground and injuring him so badly that
he died within forty-eight hours.

He was a devout Methodist, and a class-leader, but used some of the
Episcopal forms. He was a worthy example for our youth to imitate in
business or religious matters.

HENRY DISSTON.

In Tewksbury, England, May 24th, 1819, was born a little boy who was
destined to bec