Page:Robert Carter- his life and work. 1807-1889 (IA robertcarterhis00coch).pdf/178

162 proposed to deliver a course of lectures to relieve my perplexity. He was ready to lend me the money, but doubted the wisdom of making the attempt. I took with me some letters of introduction, and started on my way. When I reached Boston and delivered my letters, I was told that it was the fag end of the season, that the people were sick of lecturing, and it would be in vain to try. I asked if I could secure a lecture-room, and as there was no difficulty about that, I engaged a room, printed my advertisements, posted them myself, and quietly awaited the issue. When the evening came I went to the hall, but there was not a person there. I looked at my watch, and found it wanted twenty minutes of the time appointed. When the hour arrived there were about eighty present. I had no apparatus, with nothing but my rod in my hand, but with a full heart, I delivered my lecture. Many of my hearers at the close rushed up to me and said, ‘If you will lecture on Tuesday night, you will have a full room.’ Editors of the leading newspapers were there, who pledged themselves to do me justice, and they did. On the Tuesday night the crowd was so great, that I had to walk on the backs of the pews between the heads of the people to gain the desk. I delivered my lectures there, and repeated them in Lowell, and returned home with two thousand dollars in my pocket.

“Here,” said Mr. Carter, “the narrative of my honored friend ended. I tell it to you boys, to encourage you to faithful efforts to improve and develop yourselves. This man, who rose from obscurity entirely by his own efforts, with the blessing of God, is now one of the most learned men and eloquent orators of our day, holding large audiences of our most