Page:A history of booksellers, the old and the new.djvu/441

401 THOMAS NELSON. 461 as the Covenanters took place in many parts of Scot- land, at the sacramental seasons, and Nelson's father thought but little of travelling forty miles in order that he might enjoy the privilege of the communion service. Upon the mind of the young lad, who often accompanied his father, these meetings, all probably that varied the monotony of a rustic life, made an indelible impression. When, like many youths of his time who had their own paths to clear in the world's jungle, he resolved to leave Scotland and to seek his fortunes in the West Indies, his father accompanied him on the road to Alloa, the place of embarkation, and during the journey asked him, " Have you ever thought that in the country to which you are going, you will be far away from the means of grace ?" " No, father," replied the son, " I never thought of that ; and I won't go." And immediately the scheme was abandoned, and they retraced their steps home- wards. When, however, he was about twenty years of age, young Nelson tore himself from the parental roof, and went to London, and after passing through all the difficulties that are so familiar to young lads who have to fight their own battles unaided, he entered the ser- vice of a publishing-house an event that determined, doubtless, the course of his after-life. One of his early associates in business was Thomas Kelly, and, like his friend, Nelson, while diligent and conscientious in his daily duties, still found time for intellectual and religious culture. With a few young Scotchmen, he established a weekly-fellowship meeting, which was held every Sunday. One of the association was em- ployed at the dockyard, during Lord Melville's admin- istration at the Admiralty, and lost his situation through