went to Spanish, Italian and French. He always
had his book near him and improved every spare moment. He studied seven
languages in one single year. Then he taught school one year, but his
health failing, he went into the grocery business. Soon what money he
had was swept away by losses.

Here we see him at twenty-seven, life seemingly a failure. Alas! how
many would have given up. He left New Britain, his native town, walked
to Boston, and from there to Worcester, where he once more engaged
himself at his trade. His failure in business turns his attention once
more to study. He now is convinced as to the proper course to pursue,
his aim is fixed, and he now sets himself strenuously about the
accomplishment of his purpose. At thirty years of age he is master of
every language of Europe, and is turning his attention to those of Asia,
such as Hebrew, Syriac, Chaldaic. He is offered by a wealthy gentleman a
course in Harvard University, but prefers to work with his hands while
he studies.

He now begins to lecture, and everybody is eager to hear the learned
blacksmith. After a very successful tour he returns to the anvil. After
this he visits Europe, becomes the warm friend of John Bright and other
eminent men; writes books, lectures, edits newspapers, builds a church
and holds meetings himself. He said: "It is not genius that wins, but
hard work and a pure life." He chose the best associates only, believing
that a boy's companions have much to do with his success in life. At
sixty-eight he died, honored by two hemispheres.

If our readers want further proof as to the result of improving spare
moments, let them study the lives of such men as Douglass, Lincoln,
Grant, Garfield, Blaine, Cleveland, and others too numerous to mention,
and they will find that they were reared in the lower walks of life, but
by using every available minute they have been enabled to rise to
influence and usefulness. By this means they have worked the very odds
and ends of time, into results of the greatest value. An hour every day,
for ten years, will transform any one of ordinary ability from ignorance
to learning.

Think of it. One hour could be easily improved each evening, counting
three hundred week days to a year; in ten years you have spent three
thousand golden hours. If directed toward some specific end, think what
it would accomplish. Then there are the Sundays devoted to religious
knowledge. One of the first things to be learned by