rom the _Trumpet_ to the _Investigator_. Although he was
much my senior, and of differing opinions in politics and religion our
relations were quite intimate. For several years we were joint
subscribers for the four leading English reviews:--_Edinburgh, North
British, Quarterly_ and _Westminster_. My recollection is that he
made the dedicatory prayer at the new cemetery, and that he was the
first person buried in it. He was a man of talent and the father of
two sons, who attained distinction at the bar in New York.

The Rev. Charles Robinson was the pastor of the old society then
Unitarian, but without question as to the plenary inspiration of the
Scriptures. He was a graduate of Harvard, a man of learning, and a
writer of good sermons. In the delivery he was faulty to the last
stage of awkwardness. His perceptive faculties were dull to a degree
without parallel in my experience.

In 1835 and for some time afterwards, there were four taverns and
three stores at which intoxicating liquors were sold and the use of
such liquors by farmers was greatly in excess of their use at the
present time. In the early winter the country farmers from New
Hampshire and Vermont going to Boston, with butter, cheese, pork and
poultry, patronized the taverns, and gave the town an appearance of
business which contrasts with the aspect of dullness that it now
wears. The prices for entertainment at the taverns were moderate,
and none of the proprietors accumulated property.

VII
BEGINNINGS IN BUSINESS

In the autumn of 1837 as my second year with Mr. Woods was approaching
a close, I informed him that I proposed to go to Exeter, N. H., attend
the Academy, and then either enter college or proceed with the study of
the law. At about the same time I corresponded with Mr. Abbott, the
principal of the Academy, in regard to terms, board, etc.. Upon this
notice Mr. Woods made me a proposition to continue with him and share
the business. He offered to furnish the capital, to give me my board,
and one fourth of the net profits. My means were very small, the
business was quite sure to yield a profit, and the prospect of
gaining a small amount of capital at the age of twenty-three, when the
partnership was to end, controlled me and I accepted the proposition.
The partnership began March 1, 1838, when I was two months over twenty
years of age. I had then been in Groton three years, and I had formed
the acquaintance of many young men in