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200 was thronged. As the comfort of a teacher does not wholly depend on the high erudition of the pupils, I found much gratification in this humble sphere of action.

One of my favorite classes was of sable hue. My dark-browed people were obviously grateful for common attentions, and being most of them quite young, and intellectually untrained, I felt no little pride in their progress. But occasionally this dangerous sentiment was doomed to a downfall. Once, for instance, while recapitulating explanations of the Sermon on the Mount, which had been ofttimes enforced, and in a manner, as I flattered myself, quite admirable for simplicity, I asked them the meaning of the "alms" which our blessed Saviour had commanded should not be done to be seen of men. Whereupon they promptly and exultingly responded: "Oh! guns, pistols, clubs, and such like." I humbled myself at the ignorance of my disciples, as every instructor ought.

In the mean time that kind Providence, which always surpasses our deserts, and often our imaginings, was invisibly preparing for me the fruition of my desires—a school where I might carry out my own ideas of discipline, and pursue not solely the culture of intellect, but the education of the heart and life. I was invited to pass the festivities of Election in Hartford, by the relatives of my dear, departed benefactress, Madam Lathrop. At the close of the visit, which had