s. Do that,
pray to him always, and then boldly and fearlessly go through life. You
will be equipped with a better tempered armour, a larger shield, a
stronger helmet than any steel-clad knight of old. Next trust to
yourself, to your own energies, courage, and perseverance. Don't fancy
that other people are to do things for you. Others, however good their
intentions, may fail you. Just be true to yourself, and don't fear.
The lad who is always fancying that his friends are going to do
something for him (as the foolish phrase goes), is very sure to be left
behind in the race. You will be surprised, I daresay, how a London
counting-house clerk came to get these ideas into his head. Look--there
are my masters." He pointed to some shelves well filled with books, not
remarkable for the elegance or uniformity of their binding. "I have
read every one of these--not once, but over and over again. When I have
wanted a new friend to dine with me, I have stopped at a book-stall, and
have managed to pick him up at the cost of sixpence or a shilling;
sometimes I have expended several shillings on him, but I have seldom
paid so much for any work as some of the city gentlemen pay for one dish
of fish to feed three or four friends who have given them very little
entertainment in return, whereas my new friend has afforded me interest
for days and weeks afterwards. But I must not go on babbling in this
way. Call your good dog. Come along, Mr Ralph."

Off we set, Solon keeping very close to my heels, as if he were afraid
of losing me in the crowd, and whenever I put down my hand I felt him
licking my fingers to show that he was near me. Mr Ward was again
taciturn as before. He felt that, as a city man, he was among people
who knew him, and lest he should be overheard he was habitually silent.
He now appeared to me quite a different person to what I had fancied him
to be. I had thought him what the world calls a very worthy, faithful,
but rather stupid old man. I found him to be kind, thoughtful, and
intelligent, and I felt very sure that my dear brother and sisters would
find him the same, and that he would, in some way or other, prove a
valuable friend to them.

The London, as well as the East and West India and several other docks,
are well worthy of a visit. There are immense warehouses both under and
above ground, those below being called vaults, by-the-by; and there are
broad quays with huge basins, or I might desc