Page:Robert Carter- his life and work. 1807-1889 (IA robertcarterhis00coch).pdf/54

38 Latin, and the Doctor and he gave me a letter to Professor Anthon of Columbia College, asking him to examine me and report to them. When I delivered this letter, the Professor asked me to meet him at four o'clock at his house in the college building. I did so. He gave me one book and took another, and asked me to read and translate. After reading portions from the Latin authors, he did the same with the Greek, and questioned me on various subjects. He was greatly pleased because I used the Continental method of pronunciation taught in Edinburgh, but not yet introduced into this country. He then said, ‘There is a highly respectable academy at Jamaica in which there is a vacancy. I will recommend you as classical instructor if you would like to go there.’

“This offer chilled my heart. I knew of no other Jamaica save the island in the West Indies. Several young men from my native village had gone there and had grown rich, but had become immoral and profligate. One of them returned home for a visit, patted me on the head, and said to my father, ‘If you will give me this boy, I will make a man of him.’ My dear father replied, ‘I would sooner lay him in the kirkyard than send him to Jamaica. I value the favor of God more than all this world can give me.’

“I need not say that I declined the offer, and said I would rather take a humbler position in New York. He told me he thought that I was right; that New York was the best place for a young man. He then said, ‘Mr. Cairnes, a countryman of yours, who has been one of our teachers, has had a hemorrhage and will never teach again; I will give you his class in the Grammar School of Columbia College. Come to-morrow at nine, and begin your work.’ I then asked if he