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1862.

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OB, THE

TRIUMPHS OF TEMPERANCE,

A8 EXHIBITEa) IN ITHB

lin, TBIVEIS, IWB ADVEJfTUBES

SAMUEL MUDWAY HEWLETT.
TOTAL ABSTINENCE,

AB BBHTEB BY HIMSBIJ'.

BOSTON:
SEEDING * CO.. PUBU8HEKS

8 State Street,
1862.

l-R Hvssf^i.^'Q ^ 5

Entered aooording to Act of Congress, in the year 1862, by

SAMUEL MUD WAY HEWLETT,

In the Clerk's Office of the Distriot Court of Massachusetts.

1 i

hi
i

1 1862, by
jaohusettfl* |'

itroros at. saroent, esq.

THIS LITTLE BOOK,
I" "BMBMBEAKOB 0?

IS DEDICATED
BY THB AUTHOR.

3l$ll-(^i

P R E F ACE.

-•♦•-

Scarcely any person^s life, if faithfully written,
would not be perused with interest, more especially
when it has been one of dangers escaped, and of
vicissitudes of a startling nature. Such has been the
nature of my career, which I have here related in its
two phases ; the first that of an indulger in intem-
perance, the second as that of an advocate of total
abstinence. Example will often prevail when argu-
ments are powerless, and the folly of drinking habits
is perhaps better shown by the honest confessions of
a reformed man, than by labored essays, or exciting
fictions. It is as a warning and a guide that these
pages ha\e been penned.

If they shall, while yielding information as to my
early career, be the means of enabling others to
avoid the ruinous temptations of the inebriating cup,
they will not have been written in vain.
Boston, Mass.. Dec, 1861. S. M. H.

Win

:\ i

CONTENTS.

PART PIBST.
CHAPTER I.

CHAPTER II.

CHAPTEE HI.

A Geman Aoqu^Unc^-Th" ^ "".' ""«"■«-
» Runaway Sailor -PftLl » ""' Club-Am

SteplnAa«»ce-l'BjS:m,(SS^-'"'""""''"-^

Vlll

CONTENTS.

^ >

i .

' »

8»

CHAPTER IV.

I become Socond Steward of a Btearaor — A Stabbing
Uead-Steward— Dlsoult-maklng Extraordinary — St.
L'^ulB dissipation— I linprovo In blflculta — The Cap-
tain's caution — Now OrloanB — Strange adventure
with a Creole— 1 have the choice of being married
or shot- My escape ftom a Tigress — My heels save
my head.... ^ ••

CHAPTER V.

A 22d of February Speech— I begin to Meditate — Resolve
to visit my Father —Thomas H. Benton and his Kind-
ness— I visit Home- Master Beals — A Partnership

— Singing— Dancing and Vagabondizing generally

— Drink to drown oare — Join Mr. La B . — Par-
tial success — La B puts me in a fix— Canal-boak

life — The '* Water-Mellon-Patoh " song — Success and
Drink again— Love. •••••

CHAPTER VI.

I go to Canada— Montreal— Drink and Dissipation —
Good Resolves Futile — I ride Horseback Into a
Church and get into Prison — Desertion— I Travel
to the Lakes — Weary Travelling— Buy a Canoe —
A Canoe Voyage down Ihe Long Sault and Narrow Es-
cape — Messina Point— Desperate Condition 61

CHAPTER VII.

I swap my Canoe for Whiskey — Back to Buflklo— Des-
pair— Attempt Suicide twice — Am rescued— New
Resolves — 1 go Homeward — Terrible Destitution —
A Lady's Kindness — Ingratitude— I turnPhrenol-

' ogist — A Landlord's Vanity— Find Myself Afloat—
A Prediction — Reach New York 70

Contents. |j|

chapter viii.

Return to Newark -Meeting with my Father — The
Waahlngtonlan Movement ~ Hear a Speech and make
one Myself ~ The Turning Point In my Life — I Sign
the Pledge — The Chain Broken ^3

FABT SECOND.

its %mpxma 6amn

CHAPTER I.

commence a Temperance Ct.reer- Encouragement--
Deacon Grant- Join the W ishingtonians — Faneui)
Hall — My Marriage— David and Goliath—" The Lit-
tle Jersey Gun" -The Boston Quartette Club-South-
ern Tour-Uandsome Present- A Sad Accident -
Enormous Egg-Eating • • •

CHAPTER II.

I go to Charleston, 8. C.-Great Enthusiasm -John C
Calhoun's Funeral-A Rough Ride-Go to Pennsylva-'
nia-Harvest Home Temperance Meeting-Return
South-Northern Visit-Remove to Horicon-Build a
Drug Store-Death of Wife-Another Southern Visit-
Go West-Visit Minnesota-I Marry again 99

CHAPTER III.

Another Lecturing Tour-Excitement in the South-Opel- '
ka-Narrowly escape being hanged for an Abolitionist
-Am Released-Vigilanoe Committee-Change at Co-
lumbus-Return to V/isconsin-Re-visit Newark-Visit
Canada and British Provinces ,03

(

X CONTENTS.

PABT THIBD.

CHAPTER I.
Summary of Labors, Accidents, Ac— Presents, &o m

PABT FOUBTH.
Testimonials, &o , .,,..,. 117

'liiii I
i
r

J :

I.! i

iu..

Ill

117

art Jlrd.

-♦♦•■-

MY INTEMPERATE CAEEEE.

■\

PART FIRST.

Ml^ Intemperate €mtx.

CHAPTER I.

Introduction - Reflections - My English Birthplace - Han-
nah More- Fossil Caves - Early Emigration- My Parents
—Maternal Influence-! go to School -The French Teacher
taught-New mode of teaching French — Reciprocity.

A GKEAT writer has said with much
truth, that if " any man were to record
faithfully the events of his career, he
could not fail to make an interesting narra-
tive." Truth is indeed stranger than
fiction ; and the every-day events of the
•world surpass romance in interest. I am
about to truly relate some of the incidents
of a checkered career. I shall confess to

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER.

iii

liiip^

m !

many a fault and many a folly— rwo^ be-
cause I admire the " pride that apes
humility, or that I wish to glory in my
shame/' but in order that I may, by ex-
ample, act as a beacon-light, and prevent,
so far as I can, others from drifting to the
rocks and shoals on which I had so nearly
been wrecked. M/ vessel of Life, thanks
; to a merciful Providence, did not founder
in the dreadful sea of Intemperance, whose
billows often and again, so nearly over-
whelmed me. The Life-Boat, " Total Ab-
stinence," manned by a benevolent crew,
snatched me from the abyss ; so I now sit
down to record the events of my perilous
voyage, and to teU something of my
calm cruising along those shores whose
harbors afford safe anchorage, and whose
currents flow toward the haven of Eternal
rest.

I cannot, to a certain extent, avoid being
egotistical, but the reader, remembering
that this is an " Autobiography," will at

not be-
lt apes

in my
by ex-
revent,

to the

nearly
thanks
bunder

whose
' over-
al Ab-

crew,
ow sit
erilous
)f my
whose
whose
Iternal

being
bering
dll at

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER. 13

f once perceive the necessity of a frequent
use of the "first person singiilar.- Be-
sides I want to be as simple as possible,
and to talk to him on paper as though he
were hstening to my living voice. So much,
by way of mtroduction.

I 17^3 born on the 17th of October, 1818
mthe pretty village of Banwell, England'
long since celebrated for its Fossil Caves'
and for the visits of Mrs. Hannah More
who founded a school there. Banwell is

^ situated about fourteen miles from Bristol
the great Commercial Emporium of the'

I tell anythmg for the simple reason that I
commenced my traveling career at a very
early age ; so early that I was but just one
year old when the vessel, in which my

o njewfbundland. In hopes of bettering
his condition my father had left the old

r; 7k ?r z ^™^' '^ -^^^^^ ^'

i^ewark, N. J., and commenced business as

ill

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER.

ill

m ■'

a Tanner, in which he so far succeeded, both
in the way of commerce, and in establish-
ing a good reputation, that he resides there
to this day, a respected citizen.

My mother, I have heard was an ex-
cellent and well-educated woman, but, of
course I retain only a very indistinct re-
membrance of her as she died when I was
ten years old. She was taken from me too
early for me personally and practically to
estimate the invaluable blessings of a
mother's love. Had she lived a few years
longer, her affectionate influence might
have materially influenced my career for
the better, for though, my father did all in
his power to mould and direct my character,
yet every thoughtful person will agree with
me. in the opinion that it is the mother who
exercises the greatest and best influence on
her child. I was an only child, too ; for a
little sister died in her infancy, and when I
lc5t my parent, had no other sister to
partially take her place. I do not mention

ded, both
sstablisli-
des there

s an ex-
, but, of
itinct re-
3n I was
n me too
ically to
5s of a
Bw years
s might
-reer for
iid all in
iiaracter,
;ree with
her who
lence on
0; for a
I when I
ister to
mention

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER.

these matters as any excuse for my after-
excesses, but merely as facts in my history.
When I had attained my twelfth year,
I was sent to a boarding-school at Staten
Island. It so happened that at this estab-
lishment was a French teacher, who en-
gaged himself in the work of tuition in
order, rather, to learn the English language,
than to impart a knowledge of the French
tongue. His name was LeRoy. Now, I
ought to mention here, that I was early dis-
tinguished for an exceedingly retentive
memory and that I had an insatiable thirst
for knowledge. My tutors were not long,
too, in finding out that I had a natural
aptitude for acquiring languages, and they
made use of that information both to my
benefit and that of Mr. LeRoy. And this
led to my learning the French language,

V which has since proved an invaluable ac-

1 quisition.

^ It was agreed upon, after some considera-
tion, that I should tpar.li Mr t.oT?^ — t7_-

II I Hi

)i i

! f I

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER.

lish, and he, in return instruct me in
French. To carry this into effect we
roomed together — each of us in turn con-
verting one language into the other. Mr.
LeKoy was exceedingly anxious to go into
business in America, and therefore a know-
ledge of the English language was indis-
pensable. I was no less desirous of learn-
ing French. An entente cordiale therefore
existed, and one far more cordial and
sincere than that which is said to bind
Great Britain and France at the present
time.

In our mutual tuitions we did not by any
means adopt the recognized and conven-
tional methods of instruction, but I assure
you, reader, we* taught each other in a
much pleasanter way. Let me give you
an example.

Mr. LeEoy was a terrible snorer, and it
Was no small annoyance to me to be waked
up from a comfortable nap, by the bassoon-
like sounds that issued from his nasal

; me in
fFect we
urn con-
3r. Mr.
go into
a know-
is indis-
►f leam-
herefore
lial and
to bind
present

by any
Donven-

assure
r in a
ve you

and it

waked

assoon-

I nasal

MT INTEMPERATE CAEEEB. 17

organ, which by the way, was very far
from an organ that had music in it. Add
the natural nasal French pronunciation, to
the unnatural sounds we often hear from

lam ,dea of Mr. LeRoy's snore, but it
would be a very faint idea indeed I
Now when my French bed-fellow had

jrned me beyond expression, I used to
g>ve h,m a sharp poke in the back or ribs

uct 7 :'•'"' ^^ '''"^^ ''-' -J^en some
such a colloquy as this would ensue:

Mb. LeRoy. -_ » Ah ! sare ! Vat voa
poke me, for ? » ^"^

tuiJy that I can get no sleep."
Mb. LeRot, (waking up.) _ « OM i, ,

Mye/ Vatisdatf Vat lett^ '
epell it viz ? " • V at letters you

'; [I would then dve him <, i
.-thography of snoHn^" VlT S f !
Wned this he would sfy ^"^

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER.

''^

Mr. LeEoy. — "Now, vat is de vay
you pronounce snore ? "

[Then I pronounced the word over and
over until he thoroughly understood how
to speak it properly — and then he would
go to sleep, and — snore again I ]

Of course he gave me similar casual
French lessons, and so diligent were we,
that in six weeks he could make himself
thoroughly understood in English, and I
could, for a boy, speak very tolerably, the
French language. This was my first
foreign lingual acquirement, and I was,
perhaps, a little vain of it. Many times
since I have thought of, and been amused
at the manner of my teaching. I am not
certain that it was the best mode of learn-
ing or of acquiring, but of one thing I am
quite sure that the process taught me two
important lessons — the value of reciprocity,
and of self-reliance. An anecdote is re-
lated somewhere of an Englishman who
visited Paris, and on his return expressed

de vay

ver and
►od how
e would

: casual
ere we,
himself
, and I
bly, the
ny first
I was,
y times
amused
am not
f learn-
ig I am
me two
procity,
J is re*
an who
pressed

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER. I9

drcn should speak French fluently ^ after
"rooming'' with Mr. LeRoy, /felt 1

^iM

CHAPTER n.

1 return to Newark -Reflections -Journey to Wllbraham
Seminary— My Travelling Companions— My Importance —
NowYork-MyLlfesavodbyatljsht boot— Hartford Ex-
perlences-An Extemiiorized Bedstead— My first lesson in
Finance.

In course of time I was removed from
the boarding-school, and went to Newark.
My mother had died before my departure
from home. I was too young, as I have
before remarked, to fully realize the extent
of my loss, and to feel what a catastrophe
to a home is the loss of its Natural head —
for let men say what they choose al)oiit
being " Masters," women are the g rtrdiau
angels and Heaven-appointed leaders of the
domestic circle. Fathers, however excel-
lent iKey may be, are not fit trainers of
their y mug children — for all experience

(

n
tl
w

^ilbraham
ortanoe—
tford Ex-
\, lesson in

d from
ewark.
parture
I have
1 extent
strophe
iiead —
5 al)oiit
Liardian
s of the
• excel-
aers of
)erience

Mr INTEMPERAFE CAEEEB. HI

proves that they eitlTspoil them by <»y,»
jnddgence, or repel them by undua eeverity.
M father, perhaps, felt that bein« au only
ch.ld he might " spare the rod a«d cpoU

to the Wesleyan Seminary at Wilbraha^n,
Massachusetts. '

My adventures, after having been in «
measure thrown on my own resourees, may
be, I thmk, dated from this period. * ^
It happened that three other boys, were
to be St from Newark to the SemLary.
and I, bemg the senior of the four, was ap-
pomted to take eharge of them and 5
the:r finanees. The latter were Lt lite
- large m amount as those whieh "he

Seeretary of the Treasury has to manage
but I really thmk they caused me to ffel

tional functionary. And then, to be the
mster, as it were of three boys younrr.r
than myself I The idea to my yLngTeS
was overwhelming I ^ ^"

i. I

■m

i I

.!;!

<im t

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER.

Almost at our very outset, a remarkable
circumstance occurred, ^hich I can now
look back upon, as a special interposition
of Providence, but which then, I merely
regarded as a lucky escape. It happened
in the following way :

We had crossed the Jersey Ferry to New
York, intending, after making some little
purchases in the latter city, to proceed to
Hartford, on our way to Wilbraham. Be-
fore leaving home I had received strict
directions, to be always in time for the
stage or boat, and I was very anxious to
comply with them. Among my purchases
in New York was a pair of boots which I
put on in the shop where I bought them,
wishing, I suppose, with a boyish vanity to
exhibit them to admiring gazers. There is
an old and in my case, a true saying — that
" Pride must be pinched." My new boots
pinched my instep and toes so badly, that
before I had walked half a mile toward the
boat, I was compelled to stop and rest. I

arkable
an now
position
merely
ippened

to New
le little
ceed to
1. Be-
l strict
for the
ious to
rchases
rhich I
; them,
mity to
?here is
— that
7 boots
ly, that
ird the
est. I

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER. 23

was old enough to feel assured that Time
and Steam - as well as Tide will stay

time of the boat's departure was very near
-y/requent delays caused me'^grea;

anxiet^-^IHobbledonasweUasIcLld
in the greatest agony, and would gladlv

the'^e': 1 f "^ ^^" '^^^^ -^ 'otted
the rest of the way barefooted, but who

does not knowthedifficulty of drawing off a
pair of t.ght,ew boots? I could fo do
It, strive as I would. I tu^^ed nn^
companions pulled, but it :T1^^
and so I liniped painfully along the rouTh
streets of that part of New York ^

At length we came in sight of the pier
and I was congratulating n^yself on S
termination of my terrible travel, when jus
as we reached the middle of ti; landC

wesaw the boat moving off,-forgeS
2 Pmched toes, I ran to the pier.head,^
the boat was a very little way from it, and
in my ignorance I hoped and believ..; 1

— • — -* Z.S.t.\J

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER.

I Hi!

Captain would return and take us on board
We shouted — we cried — we implored —
but it was all of no use — the boat kept
slowly moving off. As a last resource and
inducement, we emptied our pockets (and
what does not a boy's pocket hold ?) of
marbles — tops — buttons — apples — cakes,
and the like, and shouted an offer to the
Captain to give all of them to him if he would
but come back for us — we labored under
the delusion that he could not withstand
such an inducement ! Vain hope ! — the
stony-hearted skipper sang out " Go-a-
head ! " the vessel was speedily out of
sight, and like Lord Ullin, in Campbell's
ballad, when he lost his child, we were left
to mourn. The ballad says :

" The waters wild swept over his child.
And he was left lamenting.'*

The " waters wild " did not sweep over
us children, but they had very nearly done
so — for the steamboat (I think it was the
Lexington, but am not certain) whose

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER. 25

I board
ored —
it kept
rce and
s (and
1?) of
-cakes,
to the
3 would
under
thstand
! — the
' Go-a-
)ut of
ipbell's
ere left

p over

y done

'-as the

whose

Captain refused to return for us never
reached her destination. Within a very
few hours after her leaving New York, she
took fire, and nearly all her passengers and
crew perished. On what seeming trifles
hinges our destiny! Had it not been for
the pair of tight boots, my bones and those
of my companions might now have been
bleaching at the bottom of Long Island
Sound. Two minutes sooner, and I should
have got on board— two minutes later, and I
escaped the peril. Thus, how often what
we fancy to be a calamity turns out to be
a blessing in disguise. I do not ima<.ine
however, that many other men have\ad
their lives saved through the agency of a
pair of tight boots !

Weil — there we were left — four little
boys — standing at the end of the pier —
the laughing-stocks of some, the pitied of
others -and ourselves images of despair.
JKut, happily I was of an elastic and hope-
tul temperament, and then. T aw^Vn ^. ^

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER.

llJUl!

SDH
,J ! i

sense of my responsibility as " Guardian '*
of my three fellow-travellers. I accord-
ingly made inquiries as to when the next
boat for Hartford would sail, and havins:
ascertained that important fact, we strolled
about the city, taking especial care not
again to be behind time.

We accordingly took passage in the fol-
lowing steamer, and arrived safely at Hart-
ford, Conn., where, on landing we were
surrounded by a gang of runners, each of
whom seized on us, as if we had been his
personal property, and in the most glowing
terms set forth the peculiar benefits apper-
taining to their several hotels. But each
of these touting gentlemen evidently, and
no doubt, flagrantly departed from the strict
line of truth, for no sooner did one of them
launch into commendations of the particular
establishment with which he was connect-
ed, than another gave him the lie direct,
and expressed an ardent desire to damage
his countenance; which damaging, con-

■'.«

^rdian '*
accord-
le next
havinor

strolled
Lre not

lie fol-
t Hart-
3 were
ach of
Jcn his

lowing
apper-
t each
ly, and
e strict
f them
•ticular
mnect-
direct,
iamage
, con-

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER. 2T

fiidering that every runner's face had either
a pucrilistically flat nose, a black eye, or
swollen lips, behind which no front teeth
were visible, appeared to be quite a work
of supererogation.

However, we aU trudged away, our-
solves carrying our scanty baggage, and at
length I chose a place of refuge. Havino-
made our wants known we were shown to
a room on the fifth story.

There was in the bed only room for
three of us, and our finances would not
allow of my taking another room. What
was to be done ? Necessity is the mother
of invention, and she proved a kmd parent
to me m this emergency.

There was a bureau in the room -Wee
and old-fashioned, .nd while studying what
I should do, this article of furniture caught
my eye A lucky thought struck me-
could I not with a portion of the bed-
clothes and our own garments make up a
bed for the smaUest boy of our party ? Of

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER.

;,!t

course we might ; and we extemporised a
couch in a very short time, but we did not
go to bed immediately, for chancing to look
out of the window we saw on the opposite
side of the street a large building, with the
word MUSEUM printed in attractive let-
ters on its front.

That was a great temptation, for, even at
this time, I had a latent love of pleasure.
I counted the money in my possession, —
for some little time hesitated — and then,
persuading myself into the conviction that
I could not afford it, but that a little
pleasure was absolutely necessary, deter-
mined to go. The fine building and the
brilliant lights also dazzled the eyes and
the imaginations of my young companions,
so that it needed little persuasion to induce
them to accompany me. We therefore all
left the hotel, bound on a voyage of De-
light, in the barque Hope, '

** Youth at the prow, and pleasure at the helm.**

When we reached the pay-office of the

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER.

)rised a
did not
; to look
opposite
v^ith the
ive let-
even at
leasure.
ision, —
id then,
on that
a little
, deter-
and the
■fes and
panions,
induce
fore all
of De-

elm.

of tho

Museum I drew from my pocket hajf-a-
dollar- handed it to the lady-cashier. and
stood expecting some change, as I under-
stood the price of admission was nine-
pence each ,,erson. I did not then under-
stand the various currency-terms used in
different States, and fancying I was being
cheated, asserted proudly that though I
was only a boy going to a boarding-school I
was not to be taken advantage of in that way
"My change, Ma'am?" I demanded.
" You have none to receive," was the re-

piy-

I was now fairly angry, but at that
critical moment a gentleman tapped me on
the shoulder.

" My little fellow," said he in a kindly
tone, « You do not seem to be aware that
nmepence here is twelve and a half cents,
therefore, for the four of you, halt-a-doUar
IS required." He then explained the dif-
ficult currency question quite to my satis-

taction, and thus I hteralK^ A^,.„z. _„. ,
f. ., . . . "-v "VMy/ie, wisdom

tor the first tune m my life

CHAPTEE m.

Wilbraham Seminary -A Rival - Expulsion - 1 Became
Reckless -Leave Home -Rum and Singing— A German
Acquaintance- The Stewart Club — Am a Runaway Sailor
-Pittsburg- Serious Accident -Despair -Become a Deck-
Hand-Vicissitudes- A Step in Advance -I Become Clerk.

The next morning we started by stage
for "Wilbraham, and were soon fairly in-
stalled in the Seminary. I do not deem it
necessary to give any particular description
of this sort of juvenile learning, nor relate
any incidents of my career there. A few,
however, I must refer to.

Among the pupils was one named Bigc-
low, whose abilities were so much on a par
with mine that we always divided the prizes
for which we contested. With him I be-
came very intimate, until I entered on
wild courses. The consequence was, I was

'ttSF

Beoamo
L German
ray Sailor
le a Peck-
me Clerk.

•

T Stage
"\y in-
leem it
ription
relate
A. few,

Bige-
a par
prizes
I be-
id on
I was

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER. 31

expelled, but at the intercession of my
father was taken back again. Again I left
the beminary and became reckless. I made
up my mind to travel, and in company with

one U , a German, started from home.

agreemg that when he could get work as a
saddler that he should find me in food and
rum and when he had nothing to do, I
Should exercise my talents as vocalist. We
reached Bordentown, and there became
members of the Club named after Commo-
dore Stewart. From there we started in
our sailor s garb, and gave out that we
were runaway sailors, and that I had been
-unded while escaping, showing an old
_ n proof thereof. In time we reached
t ; 'f''^'"««. where my companion told
the tale m German which I had concocted.
In^approachmg Pittsburg we embarked on
a Canal Boat, where I earned, by singing
and dancing, about eighty, dollars, if

" Sd.^^ '-''-' - ^ -"- of the

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER.

>iii

! : ihf

One day, having missed my companion,
I went into a harness-maker's shop to in-
quire if he had called there. A little girl
in the place, frightened at my grotesque
appearance, screamed aloud, and her father,
a great German, weighing over three hun-
dred pounds, coming out without saying a
Word, attacked me and knocked me down.
He then kicked me and broke three of my
ribs. For this the Mayor fined him ten
dollars, which was handed to me, and it
was such a God-send that I would gladly
have had three more broken at the same
price.

As soon as I had fairly recovered from
this accident, which I speedily did, thanks
to youth and a strong constitution, I began
to look about me for some fresh meanis of
procuring subsistence. It is no easy thing,
let me tell you, dear reader, for a raw youth
without any definite trade or profession, to
get employment in a commercial city. A
person applying for work under such . .1-

*^173

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER.

anion,
to in-
le girl
tesque
father,
I hun-
ting a
down.
3f my
m ten
and it
gladly
same

[ from
thanks
began
ani9 of
thing,
youth
ion, to

y. .i

jh ..i.-

i^l

cumstanccs is almost invariably asked, ■

"What is your trade?" Such a query
was put to me, too, many a time. Now, as
vagabondizing about the country, at one
time pretending to be a runaway sailor, at
another, singing and dancing to amuse a
gaping crowd, and to procure meals and a
lodging, can scarcely be called a " trade,"
I was compelled to dodge the question by
broadly asserting that I could " do any-
thing." Doing " anything " in the eyes of
shrewd business, practical men, simply
means "can do nothing," and so, after
having wandered through the streets of
Pittsburg until I was foot-sore and heart-
sore, I, one forlorn morning, took a hungry
stroll by the river side.

A busy but gloomy place is that smoky
city of Iron Foundries — the atmosphere is
composed of dust, smoke, and a thousand
villainous odors. The dingy houses, trees,
(where there grow any) canals, and the
grimy-looking faces you see at every turn

MY INTEMPERATE CAREEB.

would not be at all calculated to raise the
spirits of one with a full stomach and a
well-lined wallet. Fancy then, what a de-
pressing influence it must have had on me
to whom meat and money were strangers.
While I looked on the river as it swept
sullenly by, old times and old scenes came
vividly to mind. The home at Newark —
the Staten Island School, and the Seminary
at Wilbraham. Then, with something like
remorse, I thought how I had neglected
opportunities, and wasted my best yef»r8
in frolic and in folly. But, at that time
I was never sad long. As I strolled
along indulging in these sad reminiscences,
my attention was directed to the long line
of steamboats that were moored to the
banks. They looked anything but inviting,
but were one and all dingy and forbid-
ding—a sudden thought struck my mind.
Here I can do nothing — what if I tried to
gain employment on board une of those
boats ? I felt such a place would be very

rm I

i- I

MY INTEMPERATE CAREEIl.

much like a last refuge for the destitute ;
but then, was not / destitute enough ? I
had, however, health and strength, Tnd en-
ergy, and do something I must. My mind
was speedily made up, and almost before I
was aware of what I had done, I had hired
myself on board one of the boats as "deck
hand."

Here was a startling change I The
quondam pupil of a Wesleyan ^Seminary,
and an aspirant for Yale College, trans-
formed into a rough looking handler of
casks of whiskey and barrels of pork on
board a southern rivt;r boat I It was terri-
bly hard work, but I stuck to it, and faith-
fully fulfilled its duties until I changed my
position to that of Fireman.

If any one Avishes to form an idea (it
must be, I suppose, a very slight one) of
what Tophet is like, let him occupy such a
position as I then did. The spot where I
stood panting and perspiring, feeding the
ever-hungry furnaces, was not " a\ttle

i\\

r* i

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER.

ill

.hi

fiii

' ,1-1 1

: pi III

- -'I ji

.:tt:,. ill

Heaven below," but quite the reverse. In
fact, the place was much too hot to hold
me, and I became, not without reason, dis-
satisfied. Yet, with no other situation in
prospect, I had prudence enough to remain
in it until, as Mr. Wilkins Micawber says,
something better should " turn up ; " and,
sure enough, something tJAd turn up which
relieved me from my unpleasant position.

One day, as I stood near the clerk's office
musing on my present fortune and my pos-
sible fate, I observed him busy making up
his accounts. " Ah, I' thought to myself,
how much better I should like such an oc-
cupation than the menial one by which I
am now obliged to earn my bread. And
then, moved by a sudden impulse I address-
ed the clerk, who, like the clerks of steam-
boats generally, was a rather high and
mighty sort of a gentleman.

" I can drive a quill, too," said I. The
gentleman behind the desk looked up from

t! .

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER.

his account book, and surveyed me from
head to foot. I did not appear very much
to advantage in my Fireman's costume —
my hands and face as grimy as my clothes.
" What do you know about writino- ? »
asked he, with supercilious expression. ^

" I can write and keep accounts too," I
replied. " You must not judge of me by
my looks or dress, unfortunate circumstances
have placed me where I am, but I have
been well educated and have seen better
days."

"You talk as though you had," the clerk
remarked, " and I have a great deal to do,
I don't mind if I try you."

My heart leaped with joy, and before
long, washed and renovated, I was installed
as second clerk, and gave entire satisfac-
tion.

Here was a change for the better, — a
trifling one it is true, but yet a step in ad-
vance. Hitherto I had been exerting only
physical strength, but now my talents were

r
■i .

f -

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER.

called into action. We went to Louisville,
Ky,, and I left the boat there. At Bear-
grass my friend got a contract to make
two hundred dozen mule collars. I loafed
round till I was ashamed and then went to
assist him, but was soon seized with bilious
fever.

CHAPTER IV.

I become Second Steward of a steamer -A Stabbing jucd
Steward- Blsouit-making Extraordinary- St. Lours dissi-
pation-! improve in biscuits -Tlie Captain's caution -
New Orleans -Strange adventure with a Creole- 1 have
the choice of being married or shot -My escape from a
Tigress — My heels save my head.

On recovering from this severe attack, I
engaged as second steward of a boat bound
to St. Louis, saw many a strange scene
enacted and learned something more of the
world and its buffetings. The head
steward, under whose orders I acted was
an exceedingly violent and passionate man,
and being of a rather quick temper myself,
I had much difficulty in getting along with
him. However, I was soon relieved from
his domination, not by any act of mine, but

VI xxxo KJWli,

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER.

Every one who has travelled on those
Southern boats is aware that quarrels
among the officers and crew are frequent.
It is a word and a blow, and frequently the
blow precedes the word. The head steward
on our way to St. Louis had a " difficulty "
with one of the hands, and stabbed him,
the consequence of which was that he was
put on shore by the Captain, at the next
landing. "It is an ill wind that blows no-
body good,"and the truth of the adage was
verified in my case, for I was at once pro-
moted to the vacant head-stewardship.

I accepted the office with some appre-
hension, for I really had had so little ex-
perience in the duties of it that I was terri-
bly afraid of making some mistake which
would subject me to ridicule or worse ; and
it was not long before I committed myself.
Among my other duties was that of
making biscuits for the cabin table. Now
how to do this I knew no more than how to
make a steam engine, but keeping my

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER.

ignorance to myself, I determined to try,
and a pretty moss I made of it. The bis-
cuits I put on the table were as hard as
cannon balls, and innumerable were the
jokes perpetrated at my expense. Some
very impulsive gentlemen flung them at
my head, which process gave me a striking
proof of their want of lightness, but did
not tend in the least to improve me in their
manufacture. With the drinkables I could
get on very well, but when it came to fancy
bread making, I was terribly at fault.
However, I managed to get nlong until we
arrived at f^t. Louis, when I left that boat.
After a short stay in St. Louis, my
money soon growing short again, in conse-
quence of my frequent visits to grog-shops,
I procured another situation as steward on
board the boat Stephen Girard. I had idled
away my time on shore, when I should
have been improving myself, and becoming
qualified for my new sphere of action. But

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER.

future ? The consequence was, that I was
not improved much in any way. Cliance
however, did for me what ^ Tvo^ild not do
for myself, and it fell out t .

On our way up the river, there happened
to be a man on board who was working his
passage. He was very poor, and remem-
bering what I had suffered myself, I
rendered him some little kind offices and
found him a very intelligent person. One
evening, while talking together, I happened
to montion my biscuit failure. He said im-
mediately :

" Well, you've been good to me, and so
rilputyou in the way of making bread
and biscuits — I was a baker once."

Here was a chance ! I took lessons, and
very soon my biscuits were pronounced
first-rate. So that, the reader will per-
ceive a kind action often brings its own
reward.

I returned in the same boat to New
Orleans, and was so attentive to the

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER.

passengers, and set such a good table that
I became quite a favorite with the Captain,
who seemed to take a great interest in me.
As we were approaching the Crescent City,
I was charmed with the lovely, and to me,
novel scenery on its banks, and I hinted to
the skipper that I anticipated a fine time in
New Orleans.

" You will have to be very careful while
there, young man," he observed.

" Oh I " said I carelessly, " I guess I
can take care of myself, I am not afraid of
any man."

" That may be," he added, " Its not so
much against the men as the women, I
would warn you — the Creole women, I
mean."

" I said, I had never seen much of them."
" And the less you see and have to do
with them, the better," went on the Cap-
tain ; " they are beautiful and fascinating
as angels, but offend or cross them, and
they are devils in thpir wmfh. f^if^av nlf^oi^

MT INTEMPERATE CAREER.

ht»

of them, Sam, or you'll get into a scrape
before you know where you are, or what
you are doing."

I promised to take his advice, but what
young man situated as I was ever will be
advised ? On our arrival at New Orleans,
we lay along side the levee, and I went
ashore to see the lions of the great city.

A few days after our arrival, a very
strange adventure quite justified the Cap-
tain's warnings to me, and convinced me
that the Creole ladies are indeed dangerous
acquaintances. The following occurrence
may read like a bit of romance, but it is
strictly true, and not exaggerated in any
respect — indeed, in these memoirs I have
rigidly abstained from all embellishment,
and attempted to tell, in all instances a
" plain unvarnished tale," for, as I have be-
fore remarked, "Truth is stranger than
fiction."

I was occupied in my room one morning,
when a Creole lady, dressed in the height

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER.

of fashion, came on board and said to one
of the hands,

" I want to see de steward ? "

She was shown up, and certainly a
more beautiful and attractive looking wo-
man I have never seen. She looked^ over
the boat, chatted very familiarly, and at
length asked me if I would not like a drive
a little way into the country. As I was a
stranger, she would be happy to show me
some charming scenery, <S;c.

Forgetting what the Captain had told
me, I jumped at the offer, and after " tidy-
ing" myself, accompanied the lady on
shore, where a carriage and horses were
awaiting her. She entered it, and at her
invitation, I seated myself by her side.

Away we drove, I not a little flattered
and proud at having so gay a companion.
Leaving the city, we dashed into the coun-
try, my companion pointing out the various
objects of interest as we went along. We
must have travelled some four miles at

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER.

y i

1 ; I ' n

ill!'!:

least before we stopped at a charming villa,
surrounded by magnolia and other trees,
and placed in a beautiful garden.

"Dismy house," said the lady, as she
alighted and gave the reins to a black ser-
vant.

I followed her example, and quitted the
carriage. She then led the way into the
dwelling.

It was a charming place — elegantly,
nay, luxuriously furnished. She very
courteously bade me welcome, and ringing
a bell, ordered refreshments.

Quitting me for a short time, she soon
re-appeared, dressed in an elegant but
rather loose habit, and we sat down to the
table which was abundantly spread with
cakes— jellies — fruits and several sorts of
wine, of which we both partook freely.
The sparkling liquid did its office, and I
sang some of my best songs in my best
manner. She also vocalized, and who so
happy as we ? But this state of thino-s

mmm

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER.

was too pleasant to last, and the end came
in a very unexpected way and manner.

Rising suddenly from her seat, the Creole
went to a cupboard and produced two
boxes, which she placed beside her. Look-
ing fixedly at me, she then made the fol-
lowing startling announcement.

" Monsieur Steward. Sare, I like you, and
you must marry me. Dis house and all
dat is in it is mine. You marry me and it
shall be yours."

The offer was so unexpected and strange
that I was quite taken aback, and I mutter-
ed something about being obliged ^o decline
the honor, or words to that effect. I
thought that the wine and her company for
a short time were well enough, but as for
marrying a strange Creole lady — that was
carrying the joke a leetle too far I

On my refusal, her large black eyes
blazed with anger. She opened one of the
boxes and took out a pistol. I saw mis-
chief was brewing, and by a sudden move-

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER.

ment, possessed myself of the other weapon
and retreated towards the door. She
held her pistol pointed at me, and I
never took my eyes from hers for a mo-
ment. I had heard that wild beasts were
cowed in a similar way, and this woman
seemed as ferocious as any tigress.

" You shall marry me," she exclaimed,
" or I will shoot you where you stand."

Here was a pretty situatioxi to be in, and
anxious enough was I to escape from it.
But had I turned and opened the door, she
would have shot me down like a dog — had
I shot her, who could tell what my fate
would have been at the hands of her ser-
vants ? Fortunately I retained my presence
of mind, and that served me at this pinch.

She stood, as I said fronting me ; behind
her was the fire-place. We were both
glaring into each other's eyes, the Creole
by this time maddened almost into frenzy.
I stood with my back close to the door, my
right hand grasping the pistol — my left

MY INTEMrKRATE CAKEKR.

behind my back, holding the knob of the
lock. A sudden thought struck mc, and
assuming a look of horror, I pointed to the
etove, and exclaimed suddenly, " Voyez la

She .vas thrown off her guard, and
fancymg her dress had caught, perhaps,
looked round. Then was my opportunity I

Quick as lightning I turned the handle,
opened the door and rushed out. For-
Innately the outer door was open, and I
was the next moment in the open air,
running for my life. I knew not what
agents — men, or dogs, she might have to
send after me, and I kept on at the top of
my speed, never once daring to slacken my
pace, or look behind me. On — on — on,
expecting every moment to be brought down
by a bullet or blood-hound I For four
miles I kept on, and then the spires of JSTe w
Orleans came in sight, and I felt safe ; but
I thought it would be the wisest course to
keep away from my own boat for the pre-

MY INTEMPERATE CAEEEK.

sent at least, for fear some of the Creole's
people might entrap and murder me, as in
such cases they will, if possible, be revenged.
So I got on board another boat and pro-
ceeded to Baton Rouge, from which place I
soon after sailed and joined my own boat
at a landing above New Orleans.

This adventure had a great deal of
mystery about it, which I never could
fathom ; indeed, I quitted those parts so
soon after its occurrence that I had no op-
portunities for investigation. I have re-
lated the true and bare facts, and must
leave the reader to form his own con-
jectures respecting it.

CHAPTER V.

A 22d of February Speech- 1 begin to Meditate ~ Reaolvo to
visit my Father -Thomas H. Benton and his Kindness-1
visit Uome - Master Beals- A Partnership- Singing-
Dancing and Vagabondizing generally- Drink to drown

care - Join Mr. La B . — Partial success — La B puts

mo in a fix — Canal-boat life — The " Water-Mellon-Patch »
song— Success and Drink again— Love.

During mj steamboat life on the Missis-
sippi, I fell in with many strange and some
great characters. I will relate one ad-
venture. On the 22d of February we
were going to St. Louis. The ladies and
gentlemen had their celebration in the
cabin, and we deck hands had ours for-
ward. We had plenty of drink, and as
my talents were known by my fellows, I
was called on to make the oration. I hap-
pened to be in good talking humor, and
really may say, without vanity, made a
good speech.

, i

:•!

I i!l

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER.

During its delivery manj of the ladies
and gentlemen came forward and listened.
When I had finished, a tall, imposing look-
ing personage came and asked who I was,
and as he said he had been much struck by
such a speech from a deck-hand, I told him
I had moved in a far different position, and
he said,

" When we arrive at St. Louis, come to
my house, but come after dark, and I'll
furnish you with clothes, and the means of
getting back to your father. Here is my
address," and he wrote it in pencil on a
scrap of paper.

The " after dark " wounded my pride
sadly, but I determined to avail myself of
his kind offer. On the paper was written,
" Thos. II. Benton," with the address.

When I landed, however, I got drunk
and forgot all about my kind would-be
benefactor, I never saw him after. I
dare say he only remembered me as some
incorrigible rascal who was past praying
for.

1
(
1

s
h

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER.

I now began to get tired of Mississippi
steam-boating, mj restless disposition would
not allow me to follow one pursuit for any
great length of time, and my opportunities
for indulgence in ardent liquors, had beei;
so sedulously improved, that I had got
pretty much used up. My talents for sing-
ing, mimicry and dancing had led me into
society which was by no means calculated
either to improve my mind or my morals.
Petted and flattered, I lost all reHsh for
better company; but even this state of
things soon wearied me, and at times con-
science would not be silenced, and sternly
rebuked me for thus, in the morning of life,
wasting my best energies.

" I will arise and go to my father," said
the Prodigal Son, and in a similar spirit I
determined to visit my only parent. Nature
in my calmer moments, prevailed over dis-
sipation. I longed to see once more the old
home and the thousand familiar things con-
nected therewith. So I started for New-
ark, and was kindly received.

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER.

^ Here I staid for a few weeks, and for a
time determined to profit by the good ad-
vice which my father gave me. But roving
habits are not easily eradicated, and the
old longing for an uncertain and vagabond
life returned with such force that at length
I yielded to its influence.

I had now formed acquaintance with two
young men whom I shall term Master B-als

and Y , and in their company I started

from home once more. We had no money,
but our plan was to sing and dance our way
to Albany. After many vicissitudes we
arrived in that city literally penniless, but
a few exhibitions of my talent in grog-shops
and dancing saloons soon brought in enough
to enable me to get some handbills printed,
and then we started on a concert exhibition
along the line of the Erie Canal.

It was a hand-to-mouth sort of living to
say the best of it. One day we were flush
of money, and the next, perhaps, were
without a cent. But somehow or other we

W.-^-r-

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER.

managed to get along, though how we did
so, is at this day a wonder to me. Many
and many a time while making my audi-
ences scream with laughter at my jokes
and funny stories, I have had an aching
heart under my waistcoat ; but the necessi-
ties of the moment and a glass of grog, too
often drowned dull care, and in intoxication
I found oblivion for the time. While on
this Erie Canal Expedition, we fell in with

a Mr. La B , who was " on the tramp"

like ourselves. He had his wife with him,
and he proposed that we should join our
forces and travel in company. He was a
plausible fellow and held out so many in-
ducements that at length I agreed to his
proposition, so we became partners, en-
larged our show, and travelled together un-
til we reached Buffalo.

I fancied that I had made a good hit in

allying myself to La B . He flattered

me a good deal, spoke highly of my comic

tiilATifsi anrl rlirl rinf fl-kv/vof fr\ ft^oof rv*^ f^

••—— — --»— 'J -■¥««vi. ■<.**vt iivrw x\^xti"wU VVJf <;X'V>cllV iXi\j iiVJ

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER.

4i;

I Ml

i*''^

grog. The result was, I exerted myself to
the very utmost, and we did a good busi-
ness. Now, thought I, after floatingTn
fortune s uncertain tide so long, I begin to
touch ground at last. But alas ! I was soon
to experience the treachery of fortune and

the worthlessness of some kinds of friend-
snip.

One fine morning, while in Buffalo, I

wished to speak with Mr. La B on

business, and wen' ,o his bearding house.

helo^^er""' "''*'^^^~-*^-'^-

"Well, no matter, Mrs. La B will

do as well. *"

''f;^!7*^-5*er," was the reply,
and I fancied I saw a sly expression on the
face of the boarding-house keeper.

« ^\r*'f"/''^'^^'-'»'<Jo you think ? »
^^^asm,ghty^^^,,^„jg^^^^„

see him 1 'f t' ^P^^'^'^tly. "I must
see him soon, for I wa^t him particularly."

J^hen you U have to look him up Mister,

MY INTEMPERATE CAEEEB.

and I calculate you'll find that a hard thing
to do. Fact is, he and his wife have cleared
out without paying anybody."

Here was a blow I La B had indeed

" sloped," leaving me and my two compan-
ions penniless. But it was of no use grumb-
ling; so after getting a few quarters to-
gether we left Buffalo, on the canal boat,
hoping to earn enough by amusing the pas-
sengers and people along the line, to enable
us to reach Syracuse.

At that time political strife ran high, and
I thought it would be as well to take ad-
vantage of the crisis. There were a great
many passengers on board who were going
to a convention or some political meeting of
that kind. I had a knack of ready rhyming
and was enabled to write songs to order,
with great facility, so I now began to com-
pose and sing political comic songs, which
made me quite popular. One little incident
which many will perhaps remember occur-
red, induced me, assisted bv Master Beals.

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER.

'3(1

to write a song, destined to acquire consid-
erable notoriety. It was called " the Water
Melon Patch," and referred to a predatory
excursion of a certain party which shall
now be nameless. This song I and my
friend Beals sang on the boat and else-
where and it took amazingly, so much so
that I ^coUected about one hundred and
nmety dollars on one occasion. I was now
a perfect Croesus, and to secure my money
on one occasion, I buried it in a manure'
heap, lest I should be robbed.

Notwithstanding all my precautions, how-
ever, I did not long retain my riches. The
fdage, hght come -light go, was strik-
ingly exemplified in my case. I could not
leave liquor alone, and I was one of those
who cared nothing for cash when half seas
over. This, my drinking companions knew
weU enough, and they never quitted me,
untd I came to my last dollar, when I was
left to myself to cure my folly.
At Syracuse I remained some Uttle time

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER.

picking up a bare subsistence, and then,

with B for a companion, we travelled

through portions of Western New York,
still singing and dancing, but giving in ad-
dition, exhibitions of ventriloquism, and
sleight-of-hand tricks, in fact, I became a
Magician! We did pretty well at this
business, but my drinking habits quite pre-
vented me from saving any money against
a rainy day. I acted in accordance with
the proverb, " Sufficient for the day is the
evil thereof," and so was continually coming
to grief. Thus matters went on until we
reached a place called Dayanville, where
another change of fortune awaited me.

As though we had not troubles enough
already to contend with, my companion
Beals must needs add to them by falling
in love. At the town I have mentioned he
became enamored of a young lady named

Miss G , and although I did all I could

to dissuade him from indulging in dreams
of matrimony when it was as much as he

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER.

could do to keep body and soul together,
he persisted in his suit. So I had to leave
hun, and my other companion soon after
started on his own account. I was there-
fore once more left alone and thrown upon
my own resources.

•^■:l>:

ler.

ive

*ter
re-

CHAPTEK VI.

I go to Canada— Montreal —Drink and Dissipation — Good
Resolves Futile — I ridollorsobaolc into a Cliurcli and get
intoPrison- Desertion— I Travel to the Lalies- Weary
Travelling — Buy a Canoe — A Canoe Voyage down Ihe Long
Saultand Narrow Escape — Messina Point— Desperate Con
dittou.

Quitting New York, I now determined
to seek my fortune in Canada, and after a
journey marked by more adventures than I
can at present call to mind, I found myself
in the city of Montreal. For a time I man-
aged to live by the exercise of my wits in
saloons and public houses, but it was sorry
work. Till this time I continued drinkinc,
and had now become suclx a slave to the
intoxicating cup that I was literally satu-
rated with liquor. This could not last, and
it was not long before I was laid on my
back in a French hospital. There, for

MT INTEMPEBATE CAKEEB.

)■■.:

Bome little time I remained, lonely and des-
olate enough, making many good resolu-
tions, which, I regret to say, I forgot aU
about as soon as my health was restored
and I was discharged cured. Like the dog
I returned to my vomit, and plunged into
wild excesses more desperately than ever.

In fact, during this period of my life I
was scarcely ever sober. I had little money
for as I mostly sang and danced in gro<.-
shops, I received my reward in the shape
of dnnk, and the more I swallowed the
more I craved the liquid fire. In some of
my "sprees "I did the most absurd and
ridiculous things, and frequently narrowly
escaped severe penalties. As a specimen
of my recklessness and fool-hardiness take
the following as an example :

In one of my drunken fits I made a bet
that I would ride into a church on the back
of a pony during divine service, and the
celebrated Roman Catholic Cathedral of
Notre Dame was selected as the scene

MY INTEMPERATE CAKEEH.

■ *j

where this novel act of equestrianism was
to "come off."

Well primed with Canadian whiskey I
mounted the animal amid the cheers of my
cronies, and rode boldly up to the great
cathedral doors. Mass was being perform-
ed, but undeterred by the sacrcdness of the
place and service, I spurred my Pegasus,
and boldly trotted in before any of the at-
tendants were aware of my desperate pro-
ject. What a sensation the clatter of my
pony's shoes made on the stone pavement I
They were heard above the tones of the or-
gan and the voices of the Priests. Had
the occurrence taken place during the dark
ages, the worshippers might have regarded
the affair as a miracle, and myself as a
saint — St. George, perhaps, on his charger.
But alas ! the days of miracles were past,
and they saw only a drunken fellow on a
spree, and I was ingloriously dragged from
my steed, taken into custody, and locked
up in jail. Those who ha.d urged me on to

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER.

i f

perform this feat, or rather outrage, taking
especial care to make themselves scar<^
when I got into limbo, but that is the way
of the world, as I have too often found to
my cost.

Fortunately for me, a good Samaritan
heard of my case, and so kindly and effec-
, tmly mterceded with the authorities, that
after a short incarceration I was liberated,
but my adventures had made me so notori-
ous, and brought me into such bad odor
especially among the Eoman Catholics, that
Montreal became a trifle too hot to hold me
and I determined to go up the river St.
J^awrence and try what I could do in the
towns situated on that mighty river, in my
Old profession.

Leaving Montreal, I travelled on foot in
the direction of the great lakes. It was
weary work, threading one's way alone,
through those almost trackless Canadian
pine forests, or dragging my weary limbs
along bad roads and over mountains bleak

I ;

MT INTEMPEEATE CABEEE.

and barren. But I was not one to be van-
quished by difficulties, and not abatin.. one
jot of heart or hope, I pushed steadily on.
bometimes I enjoyed the luxury of a bed •
often I lay down in a barn or under a tree,'
hungry and foot-sore. Frequently when I
arrived in a town or yiUIag and had played
ott my mountebank tricks, I imbibed so
much whiskey ttat I slept the heavy sleep
of the drunkard I knew not where. I
visited both Prescott and Ogdensburg, and
at the latter place bought a canoe, thinking
I would take a river trip and stop at the
places on the banks, for I wa* tired of the
terrible walking. I got the canoe cheap
enough, It was a rickety affair, but I had
grown reckless and scarcely cared whether
I should be drowned or not. After pur-
chasing some whiskey, eggs and an old um-
breUa to shield me from the hot sun, I
boldly embarked, knowing nothing of the
mighty river on whose surface I trusted

myself. I took nhar^nc ft.- ..,,. „:i-x i

— '-- -^ ^"i "ij jjimt, ana

MY INTEMPERATE CAREEIi.

>F.'

I. ,■) ^

Ll.i

paddled away as contentedly as thouffh I
was sailing on a small pond.

For a time, aided by the current, I glided
pleasantly enough down the river, quite
unaware that I was approaching the longest
and one of the most . dangerous rapids on
the St. Lawrence. Ah I how glorious it
, was to sweep thus pleasantly along without
labor, for I found my paddle needless. On
1 went, swifter and swifter. Presently the
banks seemed to fly past me in an opposite
direction to that in which 1 was sailing
and I could hear ahead the roaring of
waters — swifter and swifter the banks re-
ceded from my view, and suddenly I was
surrounded by seething, roaring, angry
waves, that raged and roared round my
frail canoe as onward still I dashed down
an inclmeof angry waters, that as I looked
behind appeared as steep as the peaked roof
of a house. I was in the Long Sault ra-
pids I

But I had no time to think. I clung

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER.

close to the sides of the canoe with des^ -r-
ate tenacity. Now I was being dragged
along by it as I was half immersed in the
waters, and then astride it as it swept along
bottom upwards. I was driven hither and
thither like a shaving in a whirlpool. Oc-
casionally I would glide down a fall of
smooth green water between rocks, and
then whirled about in a white foaming
cauldron below. But still on, on down
that fearful incline! I cannot remember
how I got into comparatively smooth water
at last, or how I contrived to get seated in
my canoe, but wonderful to relate, I found
myself almost close to Messina Point, where
I landed.

A man came presently to the point. I
hailed him, and pointing to the wall of
water down which I had come, asked him
what those things were ?

" What are they ? Why, the rapids, to-
be sure ; but where the deuce did you

COmP. frnm 9 '>

,'i'.

'■*«;

iii

fi^

^j.f

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER.

" Why, I came down 'em from Ogdens-
burg," I replied.

'^ That won't do; no living man ever
com'd down 'em yet, but lots have been
drowned there. They do say an Indian
once shot that rapid in safety, but / don't
believe it."

And well indeed he might have doubted,
for the Long Sault Rapids are nine miles in
length, and I could not have been mora
than a few minutes in passing through
them. At that time they were considered
unnavigable, but since then the steamboats
make the passage. I believe, I may claim
the honor, if honor it be, of having been the
only white man who ever shot them in a
canoe. There is, as has been intimated, a
rumor of an Indian having done so, but it
is not authenticated.

The good people at Messina Point having
become convinced of the truth of my strange
story made quite a lion of me, and I was
compensated for the loss of my eggs, whis-

>gdens-

n ever
e been
Indian
'' don't

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER.

key and umbrella. My wonderful escape
did not, I am ^orry to say, effect my refor-
mation, for I soon fell into my old habits,
and became more reckless and drunken
than before.

ubted,
dies in
mora
rough
idered
aboats
claim
en the
1 in a
ted, a
but it

avmg
range
[ was
whis-

I„

I ilii

M: I

II i

mi il

ill

mi i

LI ' . i

LJ
1

I, t

:f fj

CHAPTER VII.

I nrap my Canoe for Whiskey - Back to BuflUIo- Desnair -
Attempt 8ui«Me t„lce - Am re«=„ed- Ne„ Res^^lT
go Homeward - Terrible DesUtutlcn - A Lady-. Kind

Ci^'Tndr-/ ;r "''"■'o'"^"' - ^»^^-^^

York! *" °'' ~ * P'-«'J'°«»° - Beaoh Now

Again I visited Montreal, where I sold
my boat for whiskey, and plunged into all
the excesses which are so easily indulged
m a great city. But my resources failing
I wandered on foot back to Buffalo, which
I reached after a few weeks pedestrianizing.
I was by this time in a sad condition.
Almost every particle of pride was dead
withm me. I had little hope for the pre-
sent and no care for the future. Dissipa-
tion long continued had so broken me down
that I had scarcely energy sufficient to en-
able me to go through those perforr.,nT-,ce3

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER.

Despair —
Jsolves — I
dy'B Kind-
Landlord's
^each New

I sold
into all
dulged
failing,
which
nizing.
dition.
i dead
3 pre-
issipa-
dowu
o ea-
ances

on which my living depended. For the
first time I now began to despond, and so
black did the future appear that the idea of
putting an end to my life more than once
suggested itself. I was intensely miserable
and the very sunshine appeared black. I
grew fierce and quarrelsome, conceiving
that every one was my enemy, and the con-
sequence was that my hand was against
every man. Than I, at that period, a more
wretched creature did not exist, and rum
was the cause.

One evening, shivering and despairing,
longing for a drink, but without the means
of procuring one, I went ragged and
wretched into a grog-shop situated near the
Erie Canal. I sang and danced, and told
stories as well as I was able, got some
drink, and then became quarrelsome. The
consequence was that I was cruelly assault-
by the drunkards present — thrust from the
store and kicked into the canal. From this
I was dragged out by some passers by.

rti

'*3't'

1 1!

iii

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER.

which I was sorry for at the time, but I then
made up my mind that I would no longer
endure such misery and degradation.

I determined to drown myself. Fearful
that when in the water my resolution would
fail me, I concluded to tie my hands to-
gether, but I had no rope, nor money to buy
apiece. In such cases men are cunning
enough and amazingly fertile in expedients.
Passing a grocer's store, I saw some sugar
loaves tied about with strong cord, and I
went in and begged a piece. I then went
to the light-house, near which was a retired
spot, convenient for my purpose. After
carefully tying my wrists by the aid of my
mouth, I watched my opportunity as a
large wave receded, and rushing down the
beach, flung myself as far into the lake as
possible and then I lost all recollection.

But I was not to die yet. How I got
out, I cannot tell, but on recpvering con-
sciousness, I found myself high and dry on
the bank. The very waves had rejected

'il;

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER.

I then
longer

earful
would
is to-
;obuy

nning
lients.
sugar
md I
went
3tired
After
f my
as a
I the
^e as

• got
con-
y on
jcted

me. But my resolution to kill myself was
not broken, and having called at another
grog-shop, and procured some liquor by
singing a Cv'^mic song, [Heavens I only
think of my being " funny " under such
fearful circumstances 1] I borrowed a
razor under pretence of shaving.

Then I went stealthily into the back-
yard of the groggery, bared my neck, and
in a wild moment of frenzy and utter
despair, drew it across my throat. The
blood gushed forth and I fell to the ground
insensible. There I was discovered and
taken to a house near by and cared for.
Providence thus once more preserved me.
The scar in my throat will remain to my
dying day as a memorial of God's infinite
mercy.

I gradually recovered, and now made up
my mind to go home, which, however, I was
almost ashamed to do. And remembering
that I had left a sick friend in Montreal, I
made that an excuse to myself for return-

74 MY INTEMPERATE CAEEEB.

111 !

i I

ing to Canada, "^'o .^fontreal I according,
ly wandered on foot, forgetful of my
recent narrow escapes, carousing as usual,
or perhaps more than ever. Again I ran
the perilous gauntlet of city life, and when
I could get neither money nor credit, I
sternly resolved to go home and die.

And before long I started. I was in a
pitiable plight enough, and so broken down
that it seemed scarcely possible I could get
through such a long journey as was before
me. I had no shirt, and my clothes were
ragged and travel stained. Still, I did not
despair, but tramped along the lengthy,
dreary roads, now getting a chance meal,
but more frequently going without any food
save the berries I picked on the roadsides.
After many toils, I arrived at the boundary
line between Canada and the United States,
where I found a company of British troops
near Eouse's Point. I fixed up as well as
I could manage to and gave an entertain-
ment, but as I sang, danced, and told queer

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER.

Jording-
of my
I usual,
I I ran
d when
ledit, I

18 m a
n down
uld get

before
s were
lid not
sngthy,

meal,
ly food
dsides.
mdary
States,
troops
^ell as
3rtain-
queer

stories, I must have cut a very dismal
figur* indeed. But poor as the show was
it benefitted me.

One of the officers' ladies saw and pitied
my forlorn condition. This kind woman
bought some calico, and made me a coat.
She evidently had not been used to such
work, for it hung about me like a bag ; but
her goodness was all the same, and I still
remember her with gratitude. A trooper
gave me a pair of old shoes that were much
too large for me, but I managed to keep
them on my feet by sticking rags into the
toes. Another soldier presented me with a
cap, decorated with a small pompon, and a
shirt, and also an old valise, whi h I stuff-
ed with shavings and strapped i cross my
shoulders. Thus equipped, I again started
on foot w)''i more than five hundred miles
between me and New Je sey.

I had not long proceeded on my toilsome
journey when, thoroughly tired, I stopped
at a cottage and asked an old woman for a

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER.

drink of water. She invited me to enter
and sit down, and got me to relate some
parts of my story.

"Poor boy," she said, as I concluded,
"You much remind me of my son who
died," and she burst into tears.

Then she got me a bowl of milk and left
the room. Presently she returned with a
flannel shirt that had belonged to her son,
and gave it to me. It was a great comfort,
and I left her cottage with grateful feelings
and much refreshed in body.

Bay after day I trudged on, eaduring
more hardships than I can chronicle here.
At length the steeples of Albany cf^e in
Bight, and I soon entered that city weary
and footsore enough.

During my journey to this pl*r,?, I had
all along buoyed myself up wit>i the idea
that I should be certain there to pr.,cure
assistance on my way. When at home in
Newark, I knew a man whose fwuiily v/ere
in great distress, and whom I had assisted

\.t

!■ ;

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER.

enter
e some

eluded,
•n who

nd left
with a
3r son,
^mfort,
belinga

during
! here,
ime in
weary

1 had

i idea
racnre
tne in
v/ere
sisted

frequently. Indeed, to furnish them with
supplies of food, I had committed a breach
of trust and ran my own father into debt
without his permission. This man was
now, I knew, doing well in Albany, and I
apphed to him feeling the certainty of his
relieving me.

I called on him, but to my surprise he
treated me coldly enough as soon as he
found that I was in distress. After much
hesitation he handed me a pair of old
gaiters and some wretched garment, inti-
mating that that was all he could do for
me. I turned on my heel in disgust at his
ingratitude and left him.

By this time I had got to be tired of
always telling my old stories, and I cast
about to see what new sphere of occupa-
tion might be open to me. At that period
phrenology was all the rage, so I made up
my mind to become a professor of that art.
I accordingly commenced at a public house,
and in order to secure customers, offered to
examine the landlord's head gratis.

,1! I

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER,

I'i !

:(!:
:;:'!

h •

iifHt

He was a great big burly fellow, who
looked anything but generous, but I had
seen enough of human nature to be aware
that every one has his or her weak point,
and that they are most assailable on that
side. I saw at a glance that Boniface loved
Battery, and accordingly I determined to
lay it on thick. Besides, I wanted a drink
badly.

I began feeling his head, looking very
wise all the time, and chattering a pseudo-
scientific jargon, that I knew no more the
meaning of than did the listeners, but as
many people affect to admire that which
they cannot understand, I was at once set
down as a remarkably smart fellow.

All at once I affected to be wonder-
struck. " Bless my heart, what a wonder-
fully developed organ, this is, to be sure I
Why, in all my experience I never met
with anything like it ! "

"What is it?" asked the gaping by-
standers.

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER.

79*

V, who

I had

aware

point,

m that

e loved

nod to

i drink

; very
seudo-
re the
)ut as
which
36 set

mder-
tnder-
sure I
' met

I by-

" Why, the organ of Benevolence in the
landlord's cranium. He must be a philan-
thropist and no mistake ; if it were not so
well balanced by the organ of caution, I
verily believe he'd give his own head away
if he could."

The landlord smiled a smile of great sat-
isfaction, and so did I — when he asked me
what I'd take ?

This " dodge " did not last long, for I
drank to such an excess, that one night on
leaving a groggery I forgot everything un-
til I found myself in a lumber yard lying
down, and felt a savage looking negro
kicking me and telling me to get up.

Up I got, and I suppose procured more
drink, but cannot certainly tell, for on my
next recovering my senses I found myself
lying on the floor of a steamer, and as I
was told, within twenty miles of New York.

How I got there I could not then tell,
nor can I now. A pretty figure I cut.
My face and hands were begrimed with

f i" II

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER,

- 'i

"4'

Ik ^

III
I

dirt and coal dust. My calico coat was
torn up the sleeves, and I was literally a
bundle of rags. Presently the captain
carae and asked for my fare.

" Fare," I replied, " that's not fair I "
The wit, poor as it was, attracted notice,
and a crowd now gathered round and
cruelly jeered me. *

My blood was up, and I passionately ex-
claimed, "I was not always the poor
wretch I now am, and the time will come,
when some of you who are mocking me
may see me better off and be ashamed of
yourselves.''

This attracted the attention of a Southern
gentleman who took me to his State-room,
gave me a new shirt" and a five dollar bill.
He was a tall, and I a little rr.an, so that
the garment was very much too large, in-
deed, and generally, it was a decided mis-
fit. The captain also came up to me and
asked some particulars, and when I had
communicated them he took my hand, and

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER.

3at was
erally a
captain

notice,
Gid and

;ely ex-
3 poor
. come,
ing me
Lmed of

>uthern
i-room,
ar bill.
30 that
•ge, in-
d mis-
le and
I had
id, and

said, « God bless you ! " and ordered me
a good meal which I was sadly enough in
need of.

My assertion that some who jeered at me
would be afterwards sorry for it, was
prophetic.

Years afterwards, I was lecturing in Bos-
ton one evening ; at the conclusion of my
address, a man came to me on the platform
and said :

" Mr. Hewlett, do you reccollect me ? "

" I do not " I replied.

" Well, do you remember being on board
a Hudson river steamboat, not quite so well
dressed as you now are, and a crowd round
you laughing at, and insulting you ? "

" Very well, indeed."

" I v/as one of that crowd. You said
some there would be sorry for so treating
you, and I am sorry, I beg your pardon,
and now, sir, I'll sign the pledge."

And he signed then and there.

* * * m m m

•;i ■<

i: !i

MY INTEMPERATE CAREEU.

In due course I landed at New York.
The Newark boat was soon to be off, and
with my ^ye dollars in my pocket, I strolled
about the wharves, picturing to myself the
delight of meeting my aged father again,
and of resting beneath his roof after all my
wanderings. I determined to become stea-
dy, but alas ! for good resolutions when they
are not based on right principles I Feeling
thirsty, (I always felt thirsty now) I went
into a groggery and commenced drinking.
There were a lot of wood-sawyers and
wharf-men present, and in the fullness of
my heart I treated them. All thoughts of
home went to the winds, and then I re-
mained drinking and treating until I had
spent all of my ^ye dollars, but ten cents,
but with that I managed to get to Newark.

rJ*

CHAPTER Vm.

»Tr

I Return to Newark - Meeting with my Father — The Waah-
ingtonianMovemeDt- Hear a Speech and niake one My-
self- The Turning Point in my Lifa - 1 Sign the Pledge-
The Chain Broken.

I CANNOT describe the meeting with my
father ; he had heard months before that I
was killed, and believing k, he now re-
ceived me as one from the grave.

At this precise time it happened that the
Washingtonian movement was causing con-
siderable excitement in Newark. Meetings
were being held regularly, and much oppo-
sition was evinced. As soon as the news flew
around that I had returned, the cry among
the topers w^s, ^Sam Hewlett is here,
he'll break up all the temperance meet-
ings ! '* Others who still had my true in-

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER.

><i

terest at heart, exclaimed, " Oh I if we
could only get Sammy ! "

One night, out o? curiosity I went to the
meeting and heard a man speak who I
knew had once been the drunken driver of
a stage, but had become a tee-totaller. He
made, I thought, a poor speech, and on my
return I said, "Father, if that man can teU
a story, I think Jean."

" Yes, my son," the old gentleman re-
plied, " and would to God you would try
it." ^

"Well," I said, "if my friends will
gather round me at the next meeting, I'll
try it, for I begin to think it is high time
to change my mode of life." I was sincere
then.

And friends did gather round me. On
the 11th day of August, 1842, 1 spoke at
the Washingtonian meeting, and signed the
pledge. I broke the accursed chain which
had so long bound me, and stood up,
blessed be God, a free man — a brand

MY INTEMPERATE CAREER.

if we

k to the
who I
'iver of
r. He
on my
Jan tell

an re-
Id try

snatched from the burning, and an earnest
temperance convert. Among the friends
who so nobly rallied around me I must
specially mention Capt. George Dunn, of
Newark, whose steady kindness to me I
shall never forget.

I have thus related my career as a
drunkard. In the second part of these
memoirs I shall describe my experience as
a temperance advocate.

s will

ig,rii

b time
incere

. On

>ke at
3d the
which
1 up,
brand

■r *

t I

fart Btm)f.

-•-•-♦-

MY TEMPERANCE CAREER.

m ill

PAET SECOND.

I %mpxum Career.

CHAPTEE 1.

I oommence a Temperance Career—- Enoonragement'^ Deacon
Grant — Join the Washingtonians — Faneuil Hall — My
Marriage — David and Golla,th— •« The Little Jersey Gun"—
The Boston Quartette Club — Southern Tour — Handsome
Present — A Sad Accident — Ftiormous Egg-Eating.

I NOW proceed to narrate some of the in-
cidents of my career as a Temperance ad-
vocate. In this I am compelled to observe
brevity, or I could fill several volumes with
my experiences.

It was not long after the delivery of my
first speech, that I began to receive* appli-
cations for my services from various auar-

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-S)

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1.0

I.I

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PiiotogBphic

Sciences

Corporation

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

(716) 872-4503

-^s>

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«f{^

MY TEMPERANCE CAREER.

Si m

ters. Platfoftn practice soon gave me the
requisite confidence, and increasingly crowd-
ed audiences proved already some degree of
popularity. Among other applications I
received one from the late well know
Deacon Moses Grant, of Boston, who prom^
ised to aid me with his influence and sup-
port. But I eventually joined the " Wash-
ingtonians " from a sense of duty, and it is
with great pleasure that I here mention the
courtesies I received from Captain Stacy,
Eobert K. Potter, Esq., Kev. Edwin Thomp-
son, and other leading members of the body.
I am happy to say that I retain and recip-
rocate their friendship to this day.

I now frequently spoke in Boston, and
with increasing success, among other places
in Faneuil Hall. Having made arrange-
ments for gettmg settled in life, I returned
in 1844 to Newark, and married Miss Mary
Fitz Kandolph, of Belvidere, New Jersey,
a brandi of the same family as that of
John Randolph, of Roanoke. The union

'< 'liiiiua

MY TEMPERANCE CABEEB.

me the

crowd-

gree of

bions I

know

prom-

d sup-

Wash-

id it is

:on the

Stacy,

homp-

body.

recip-

n, and
places
range-
turned
Mary
ersey,
hat of
union

was a happy, though a short one, and I
may here add that my wife, with my
daughter Pocahontas, afterwards accom-
panied me over twenty-fi^ thousand miles
on my lecturiug tours.

I should here mention that on my return
to Newark, I persuaded a friend whom I
will call J. J. C, a gentleman of great natu-
ral talent, and entirely self-educated, to ac-
company me to Boston. He did so, and
completely astonished the students and
Faculty of Cambridge University by a
most striking lecture on Temperance. Ha
was a man of remarkably original power,
but he lacked confidence in himself, and re-*
turned home. He is now a skilful surgeon
in the army.

Soon after my marriage I returned to
Boston, and again lectured frequently. On
one occasion 1 was announced to appear in
conjunction with Van Wagner, the "Pough-
keepsie Blacksmith.'* Van Wagner spoke
first. He was a big, powerful man, and

mmn

mam

MY TEMPERANCE CAREER.

made such a great impression that when I,
ahnost a dwarf in comparison, came forward
to follow him, the people smiled and won-
dered how such •David could follow such
a Goliath I But I had a very powerful
voice, and soon convinced the audience of
my ability to stand the test. The next
morning the Bee came out with a report of
the proceeding. It styled me " the lit-
tle JERSEY GUN," a souhrzquet which
stuck to me for a lone: time.

I now formed a connection with the
"Boston Quartette Club." We had re-
commendations from Drs. Bigelow, Chan-
ning, the late Governor Briggs, and others,
and took a tour in the New England States,
during which, I delivered a 4th of July
oration at Uxbridge, Mass. Our success
was great.

In 1848, I was employed by the Execu-
tive Committee of the Hunterdon County,
New Jersey Temperance Society, to deliv-
er twenty-two addresses in that county.

MY TEMPERANCE CAREER.

rhen I,
)rward
I won-
iv such
werful
nee of
J next
)ort of

E LIT-

which

h the
id re-
Chan-
►thers,
)tates,
July

iccess

xecu-
untj,
deliv-
untj.

My first meeting was held in the Presbyte-
rian church, at Allerton ; a great number
of anonymous letters were written to me,
saying, if I came my Hfe would be in dan-
ger ; but as I have heard that barking dogs
seldom bite, I gave no heed. At my Al-
lerton meeting, the church was filled to its
utmost capacity. I had proceeded but a
short time, when the mob placed a huge
log beneath the window, opposite the pul-
pit; the log was bored and filled with
powder and the match applied, when an
awful explosion ensued, smashing in the
windows, and nearly filling my hat, which
was beside me, with broken glass ; a piece
of the log grazed my head and -stuck in a
panel behind me. The meeting was soon
over, and my great concern was, to get
out without being recognized. As I was
passing out with the crowd, I heard some
one say, "Jim, where is the feathers?"
another voice replied, " in the corner, with
the tar ; keep your eye on him, Jim." I

MY TEMPERANCE CAREER.

w m

then pulled my hair down over my face,
took off my spectacles, turned up my coat
collar, mashed down my hat, and with an
awful limp, hobbled by them unrecognized,
and ran in the darkness, until faint, I fell
down ; but seeing a light, I again rallied,
and knocked at the door of a farm house,
and found I had run three miles. I was
the guest of a farmer four miles from the
church, at whose house I had left my
horse and buggy. My host was a tender-
footed Temperance man, and fearing there
would be a row, he did not accompany me
to the church, but came in after my lecture
had begun. He was a man who much re-
sembled me in person and attire, and as he
was among the last to leave the church, the
mob thinking it was I, pelted him with
addled eggs. I was mobbed at ten other
places in the county. I particularly wish
to acknowledge in this place, the efficient
assistance rendered by Col. Peter J. Clark,
of Flemington ; especially upon one occa-

> llttiiUI

MY TEMPERANCE CAREER.

ly face,
ny coat
kvith an
agnized,
t, I fell
rallied,
house,
I was
om the
eft my
tender-
g there
any me
lecture
uch re-
d as he
rch, the
m with
n other
ly wish
efficient
. Clark,
le occa-

sion, when my life was in great danger.
Four years afterward, by invitation of the
Colonel, I delivered a Fourth of July ora-
tion at Flemington, and among my audi-
tors, were the Sons of Temperance, many
of whom were in the mob, to attack me, a
few years previous.

I still continued lecturing in various
parts of the country, and in jl849 received
an urgent invitation to take a Southern
tour. The health of my wife at this junc-
ture was poor, and as she was suffering
from a bronchial affection, I thought the
opportunity a providential one of removing
her into a warmer climate. Having well
considered the matter, we took our depar-
ture, and I made my first appearance before
a Southern audience, at Huntsville, Alaba-
ma.

My reception was gratifying in the ex-
treme, atd T spoke to crowded audiences
three different nights. The citizens were
so well pleased that they presented me with

MT TEUPBRAKCE CABEEB.

(i 11'^:

■liiis

a purse of one hundred dollars. From
Huntsville, I ascended the Tennessee river,
and made my next appearance at Rome,
Georgia, where I was received with the
greatest enthusiasm, and escorted by large
numbers of citizens from the cars to my
quarters. Here, also, my lectures were ex-
tremely well received, and on the termina-
tion ;>t my engagement, a committee of gen-
tlemen was appointed to accompany, me
sixty miles distance to the next scene of my
labors. These, however, were for a time,
to be unexpectedly interrupted. When
we were about nine miles from Marietta, an
accident happened to the cars. I looked
for a rope to pull as a signal of danger, but
there was none, and in my alarm I leaped
from the cars and broke my leg badly.

In expectation of my arrival, a band was
waiting with a host of friends to meet me
at Marietta, but I entered the place in a
sad enough condition. The doctors said,
as my constitution was good, and my habits

MY TEMPERANCE CAREER.

From
s river,
Rome,
th the
J large
to my
jre ex-
rmina-
3f gen-
ay. me

of my
I time,
When
itta, an
looked
er, but
leaped

lid was
3et me
e in a
s said,
habits

temperate, I should recover, by careful
dieting^ in six weeks, but at the end of six
days, I was in a wheel chair on the veran-
dah I During my confinement, (twenty
days) I consumed two hundred and twenty
eggs, besides " any quantity " of all kinds
of cakes, and nothing could exceed the
kind attentions showered on me from all
quarters.

I rapidly got strong, and as the anxiety
to hear me was very great, and the enthu-
siasm increased by sympathy for my crip-
pled condition, I agreed to speak in a meet-
ing house before I was quite strong enough
to do so. I was escorted to the pulpit by
two strong negroes, one of whom stood be- *
hind my chair on which I sat in the pulpit.
In the course of my lecture I became ex-
cited, and swung my leg about, so that I
once struck it, and the bone not having
firmly united, I so injured it that to this
day it is irregularly ossified, and affords
ample evidence of my then absorption in
mv subiect.

MT TEMPERANCE CAREER.

' PI

i i!

As soon as I could hobble on crutches, I
prepared to leave Marietta, and called for
my bill, which I expected would be a pretty
formidable affair, but to my surprise neither
landlord nor doctor would accept of a cent,
and expressed their delight at having been
been enabled to render me assistance. Their
kindness I shall never forget. One hun-
dred dollars were presented to me by these
whole-souled people ; and from Marietta I
went away on crutches to lecture on the
sea-board of Georgia and South Carolina.

In all the places I visited, great crowds
flocked to the places of meeting, and I made
very many agreeable acquaintances, among
others, that well known gentleman so uni-
versally known as Parson Brownlow, of
Knoxville, Tennessee. He is a truly noble
character, tall, sharp-featured and decided
looking, as indeed he is, and a warm friend
of the temperance cause. I first met him
in Savannah, and received from him a warm
invitation to his house, where I spent a
week most pleasantly.

jhes, I
ed for
pretty
[either
I cent,

been
Their

hun-

these
ietta I
>n the
)lina.
rowds

made
imong
10 uni-
>w, of

noble
ecided
friend
tt him

warm
Dent a

CHAPTER 11.

1 go to Charleston, S. C. - Great Enthwiaam - John C. Cal-
houn's Fuoerul-ARough Ride-Go to Pennsylvania-
Harvest Home Temperance Meeting - Return South-
i^T tZ "^"^^"^ *^ Horlcon -Build a Drug Store
V^tt. o'Wiib- Another Southern Viait - Go West-
Visit Minnesota- 1 Marry again.

My next important move was to Charles-
ton, South Carolina, where I addressed very
large audiences night after night, and was
very kindly received. After having com-
pleted my labors there, I was preparing for
an engagement at Wilmington, when the
celebration of the funeral of John C. Cal-
houn occurred, and I was induced to re-
main and witness the obsequies of a man
who was so popular that it was facetiously
remarked, "if Mr. Calhoun took a pinch of
snuff, all South Carolina sneezed." The
scene was very impressive at the funeral,

100

MY TEMPERANCE CAREER.

the very spires of the churches being draped
with black.

The landlord of the place where I was
stopping offered me a pony to ride on in
the procession, in which the Temperance
" Sons " took part. But I had, in conse-
quence, nearly come to grief, for at the
noise of the kettle-drums, the pony bolted,
fortunately without any serious injury to
his rider.

During my stay in Charleston, I received
the most polite attentions from the Hon.
Mr. Tupper and others, which I am glad to
acknowledge in this place.

I had not yet been able to leave off
crutches, but my engagements multiplied
so fast that I was obliged to make my way
to Pennsylvania. I met my family at Phil-
adelphia, and after a short rest, commenced
a series of harvest engagements in the
woods, and among the farming community.
After having assisted at many Temperance
Harvest Homes, I returned South with my

MT TEMPERANCE CAREER.

101

family, lecturing in most of the large towns
and villages with great acceptance.

In the following summer, as my wife's
health was not at all improved, after another
visit to the North, I concluded to go West,
and the year 1853, fou^id us at Horicon,
Wisconsin. Such were now my domestic
anxieties that for a time I ceased to lecture,
but being of too active a mind to remain
entirely unoccupied, and having acquired
some knowledge of medicine, I built a store
and stocked it with drugs and chemicals.

This went on for some little time, when
my wife died, and I was left alone with my
daughter. Previous to my wife's death,
she expressed a desire that I should sell out
and resume lecturing again, as otherwise I
should feel more lonely than if engaged in
public life. This step I accordingly took,
and after again visiting the South, took my
daughter with me into Minnesota, and
afterwards placed her in a school at Hori-
con.

102

MY TEMPERANCE CARIItR.

While lecturing through the West, I re-
ceived the intimation that Mr. Gough had
recommenced that I should fulfill several
engagements for which his services had
been secured, he from some cause having
been prevented from being present. In
consequence of Mr. Gough's advice, I was
engaged. One of these engagements was
before the Library Association, of Iowa
City, and this led to my introduction to a
Miss Helen A Pratt, a lady of considerable
intellectual attainments. Miss Pratt was
formerly of Canton, New York, a place well
known as the home of Silas Wright. The
introduction vfas followed by an intimacy,
and on the 3d of June, 1857 we were mar-
ried in St. James' Church, Chicago. This
step very materially conduced to my hap-
piness, and bestowed on me all those en-
dearments of home, which none so well
know how to value as they who are com-
pelled frequently to be wanderers from it*

K? ii

t, I re-
gh had
several
ia had
having
t. In
, I was
its was

Iowa
m to a
lerable
tt was
56 well
The
imacy,
5 mar-

This
y hap-
se en-
a well

com-

CHAPTEE m.

Another Leotoring Tour — Excitoment in tho South — Opelika
— Narrowly escaped being hanged for an Abolitionist-
Am released — Vigilance Committee — Change at Colum-
bus — Return to Wisconsin— Re-risit Newark — Visit Bos-
ton — Changes there — Visit Canada and British Proyinces.

It was not long before I again set out on
a lecturing tour, in company with my wife.
At this time, such was the excitement in
the Southern States that it was extremely
hazardous for a northern man, whatever his
business might be, to travel through them.
I fully experienced this " difficulty " at a
place called Opelika, in Alabama.

In consequence of being subjected to the
shafts of personal malignity, I was de-
nounced by the Vigilance Committee at
Opelika, as a Northern Abolitioniet, al-

thousrh I had strictlv confined mv lahnrs
^^ ^ — ^

104 MY TEMPERANCE CAREER.

111!

iliili!

ft,

Nil

to the temperance cause. I was in the
utmost peril, and preparations were actual-
ly being made to hang me by an infuriated
mob which demanded that my "heart
should be cut out," and that over, savage
and (to me) unpleasant liberties should be
taken with my abdominal viscera.

It may easily be conceived that in such
a state of affairs, my feelings were any-
thing but agreeable. To reprieve myself,
I gave a Masonic sign, and used every
effort I could to impress the Vigilance Com-
mittee with the fact that private malice
had misrepresented me, and in this I suc-
ceeded to the important extent of saving
my neck.

To make sure of my doing no " aboli-
tion mischief," however, it was settled that
certain members oi the Vigilance Com-
mittee should accompany me to my next
station — Columbus, Georgia — and into
that city I was so conducted, a city in
which ten years before, I had been nresent-

- -

-.w*'

MY TEMPERANCE CAREEE. 105

ed with a gold headed cane, and one hun-
dred dollars wrapped round the handle.
I now found that I could do little good
for the temperance cause in the South in the
midst of so such excitement, and accord-
ingly returned to Wisconsin. After look-
ing to some farming interests there, 1 took
a lecturmg tour through Michigan, and
then with my wife and daughter, I re-visit-
ed Newark, whence, after a pleasant season
with my father and friends, I departed
for Boston.

One great reason for locating myself in
the " Athens of America " was, that there
I could obtain the best education for my
daughter, whose musical talents already
assured me that all pains taken for her cul-
ture would be well bestowed ; and another
reason might be added — my increasing
engagements in Massachusetts, Maine, New
Hampshire, and the British Provinces,
rendered it necessary that I should reside
in some eentrai locality such as Boston.

106

MY TEMPERANCE CAREER.

u , a

I :l

Some years had elapsed since my first
visit to Boston, and I found many changes
had occurred during the interval. A
different race of temperance professors had
sprung up, but by many of my old friends I
was remembered and warmly welcomed.

After lecturing for a short time in Massa-
chusetts, I proceeded on a tour through
Canada and the British Provinces. In all
the principal towns I met with encourage-
ment and success, and experienced the
greatest kindness from influential and warm
advocates of the cause, among whom I may
mention the Hon. S. L. Tilley, Provincial
Secretary of New Brunswick, Hon. John
Dougall, of Montreal, W. H. A. Kean,
Esq., W. W. Wedderburn, Esq., C. D.
Everett, Esq., and O. J. Wetmore, all of
St. Johns, and I wish also to acknowledge
the unvaried kindnesses I received from
Professor Calvin E. Stowe, of Andover,
and J. Stimson, Esq., whose heart and
Burse are ever onen to the noble work.

MY TEMPERANCE CAREER. 107

ay first
jhanges
al. A
ors had
riends I
»med.
Massa-
:hrough
In all
ourage-
;ed the
d warm
a I may
ovincial
Q. John
Kean,
C. D.
, all of
>wledge
d from
adover,
irt and

I have thus told my " plain unvarnished
story." I have without reserve spoken of
my wasted youth, in the hope my narrative
may serve us a warning.

** Those days are gone.
And it has pleased high heaven to crown my life
With such a load of happiness, that at times
My very soul is faint with bearing up
The blessed burden. ' »

In the third part of these memoirs, I
propose to give a brief summary of my
labors, which I trust have not been with-
out some beneficial results. That, however,
eternity may reveal, it is not for me to esti-
mate them.

Sad fijirb.

i^ • ♦i

ENGAGEMENTS FULFILLED.

PART THIRD.

ingageuiJnts Jf«IfiIIt)>, ^t.

CHAPTER I.

Sammary of Labors, Aooidents, &o. — Presents, &o.

During my career as a temperance
speaker, which has occupied about twenty
years, I have travelled over 180,000 miles,
of these, 600 on foot, 22,000 in private
conveyances, 10,000 by stage coach, 24
miles astride a log in Tar Eiver (when
there was no other means of getting to
an appointment,) 35,000 by water, 800
on horseback, and the rest by rail.
I have used five horses and two mules
— one of the former of which was
sheared by some rum drinkers while I

!( f

112

ENGAGEMENTS FULFILLED.

was lecturing, in consequence of which I
got a pair of mules, which animals would
be benefitted by the operation! One of
the horses was poisoned.

I have made 5000 speeches, or about
250 a year — averaging 1| hours each,
making a total of 8,750 hours, or 729 days
of talking. Have" spoken in 32 States, and
two territories, and in the British Ameri-
can possessions, and have addressed nearly
3,000,000 people.

My lectures have been given in

3 Hard Shell Baptists Houses.
600 Town Halls.

600 Court Houses.
800 Methodist Churches.
360 Presbyterian Churches.
650 Baptist Churches.

1 Catholic.

2 Episcopalian.

12 Railway Stations or Depots.

4 Cotton Gin Houses.
400 Mass open air Meetings.

40 Hotel Dining Rooms.

ENGAGEMENTS FULP/LLBD. 113

vhich I

would

One of

about
3 each,
9 days
es, and
Ameri-
nearly

200 Temperance Halls.
20 on Steamboats.
8 on Canal Packete,

20 in Private Dwellings.
20 on Whaires.

120 Congregational Churches.
600 School Houses.
200 Univemlist Chureheg.
100 Public Halls.
5 State Prisons.
1 at an Erecution.

1 in Deacon Giles' DistiUeiy, Salem, Mass.
In the course of my travels I have had,
as already related several accidents and
8ome narrow escapes. I have been mobbed
more than once, been nearly hanged, and
often m various perils, but on the other
hand I have been the recipient of much
kmdness, and of many valuable testi-
momals. Among the latter, I may men-
tion : "^

One lot in Sumner, Kansas, from the
iriends of the cause.

.J!

i|^

114

ENGAGEMENTS FULFILLED.

One in Glencoe, Min., from the Hon. A. J.

Bell.
A horse from a friend in North Carolina,
A splendid gold headed Georgia cane, with

one hundred dollars wrapped round the

handle.
A complimentary supper, and fifty dollars

Ht Cooperstown, N. Y.
A silver headed cane made from Com-
modore Perry's Flag-Ship, the Lawrence.
A beautifully bound Bible from the ladies

of Fredericton, N. B.

And many other memorials which I have
not space to chronicle.

In the fourth and concluding portion of
these memories, I beg to append a few tes-
timonials from the press and from private
individuals ; not for the gratification of any
vanity, but merely to show what are the
iinbought and unsolicited opinions of
those among whom I have labored.

lina.
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TESTIMONIALS.

PART FOURTH.

S^tstimoniah.

Pni Sigma Hall, UNrvr-nsiTT of Mississippi, >
Febkuaiiy 25, 1860. 5

S. M. Hewlett— Dear Sir. — I have the honor of in-
forming you, that, at a regular meeting of the Phi Sig-
ma Society, you were this morning elected an honorary
member of the same. Hoping you will avail yourself of
the earliest opportunity to be initiated,

I am, very respectfully,

F. A. POPE,
Cor. Sec. Phi Sigma Soaiett/.

From Hon. Edward Billahunty, Tenn*
I regard Mr. Hewlett as a remarkable man in the
Temper ance Drama— just adapted to the times, when it
is thought nothing new can be said.

Hon. James Meachantt Vermont.
Go hear him: if you are cross, he will make you hap-
py, and cause you to love yourself and all around you.
If you are a victim, listen to him and believe.

Iowa City Republican.
Our citizens, through the efforts of the Library Asso-

by a Hewlett, and instructed by a Gbeelet.

'i!

i ■
*

118

TESTIMONIALS.

Minnesotian. St. Paul,
S. M. Hewlett visited our city, by invitation of our
leading citizens, and treated us with the best lectures
upon Temperance we ever listened to. He is a eound
reasoner, and though a small man physically, he can
« knock Whiskeydom into blue fits." His fund of anec-
dotes is inexhaustible, and he tells them as no one else

Waukegan^ III- Gazette.

S. M. Hewlett, the famous Temperance lecturer, de-
livers a lecture in Dickinson's Hall, this evening. Mr.
Hewlett has a reputation of being second to no lecturer
but GouGH. We consider Mr. Hewlett the best of the
two. His manner of speaking, his voice, his power of
imitation, are, in our estimation, more effective and
pleasing than Gough's. We wish him success in the field
of Reform.

Constitutionalists Augusta^ Ga.

Our citizens have been richly entertained by several
speeches fr jm S. M. Hewlett. He has gone from here
to Savannah, where we hope he will be warmly welcom-
ed. Give him a little time and he will make friends for
himself, and be sure to draw crowds. He is a natural
orator— a great mimic— full of anecdote— a shrewd man,
and an observant one — sinRS beautifully — has eeon the
^orld— is a gentleman and a scholar and can entertain a

crowd.

Journal, Indianapolis^ Ind,

We heard S. M, Hewlett's lecture on Monday even-
ing, and venture to say such another was never deliver-

TESTIMONIALS.

119

I of our
lectures
a eound
he can
of anec-
one else

irer, de-
ig. Mr.
lecturer
St of the
power of
tive and
L the field

J several
om here
welcom-
iends for
b natural
iwd man,
1 eeon the
itertain a

ay even-
r deliver-

ed in our city before, for humor, for satire, for elo-
quence, for power of declamation, for aptness of illus-
tration. The annals of speech making know no paral-
lel. His side-shaking anecdotes, his mimicry and mock-
ery are inimitable.

J^ew York Observer.
A Coincidence.— J. B. Gough and S. M. Hewlett, the
two popular Temperance Speakers, were both born in
England— were both actors upon the stage— both dissi-
pated — both rescued from the slough of despair at the
same time— both same age— have both buried the com-
panion of their first choice — are both good singers, and
both are now filling the land with their eloquent appeals
for suffering humanity. God bless and speed them both.

J. C. Dobbin, Ex- Secretary of the JVavy.
S. M. Hewlett, who has been appointed Lecturer for
the " Sons *' of this State, has been arousing our citizens
for the three days past. He is a little giant in his pecu-
liar way. His power is in ridicule; he places himself in
the position of a liquor imbiber, or license upholder, ar-
gues as they argue, and makes them appear in ridicu-
lous positions; in whatever he says, he ** makes smiles
from reason flow." Asa mimic he is unsurpassed,
whether as a live Irishman he gives the unadulterated
" diseoorse,'* or as a Frenchman, when attempting the
jaw-twisting English, he confounds gender, person and
case; his imitations are perfect. His looks tell a story;
each wrinkle on his face contains an anecdote; the twin-
kle of his eye propounds a query, and if there is a ludi-
crous point in any arguiuont, he will bring it out.

120

TESTIMONIALS.

Omaha JVebraskian,
S. M. Hewlett, Esq., the distinguished, and, we may
add, eloquent champion of the Temperance cause, lectur-
ed in the Methodist church in this city, on Tuesday and
Wednesday evenings of last week. The church was
crowded to overflowing both evenings. As a lecturer on
that subject, Mr. Hewlett has no superior, and but few
equals. His style is fascinating ; his articulation perfect,
and he seems to possess, in an eminent degree, all the
qualities that make the orator. His fund of wit and an-
ecdote appears to be inexhaustible.

Leavenwortht Kansas, Herald.

Our citizens have never been presented with a greater
treat than the series of Temperance Lectures delivered
within the past and present week, by the celebrated S. M.
Hewlett.

The Lecturer's great power lies, not only in pathos
and argument, but in description and the dramatic im-
personation of character. His humor is inexhaustible;
and in exquisite representations of diverse characters, he
has, perhaps, no equal in America.

Mr. Hewlett is accomplishing a good work, and we
cheerfully commend him to the approbation and encour-
agement of the communities which he designs to visit.

From the American Temperance Magazine, JVew York,

June, 1852.

S. M. Hewlett. -" It is very difficult to speak of him

in anything like a spirit of critical examination. One

cannot hear him in cold blood. He sets all one's tastes

and sympathies working at once, to the dire distraction

.: -J'

TESTIM0KIAL8.

121

of the reason. Flooded by bis humor, and exhilarated
by his heartiness, we were made to feel to our finger's
ends. We were not only highly entertained while hear-
ing him, but, (which is not always the case) deeply im-
pressed on our returning home, and have been ever
since. In hostility, he is an overwhelming antagonist;
his arguments glittering with laughter and well balanc-
ed with good sense. They flow onward with the ease
and certainty of a current above |^ briG:ht cascade. He
piles up his merriment like a grotesque mausoleum over
his opponents, and so compactly and regularly that we
feel no fear of its toppling over by any retort. And
then he sets it off with looks, tones and gestures, worthy
of a Talma or Garrick. He is at times pathetic, but he
does not excel here. His mimicry and life-like pictures
tell with wonderful effects There is, however, one seri-
ous objection to his eloquence — he seldom lets down, and
then not long enough for his audience to rest, but keeps
them with the head bent upwards, neck stretched out,
mouth and ears wide open, eyes strained, the mind con-
stantly on tiptoe to catch the next expression, continual-
ly feeling that you must explode under what has just
been said, but not daring for fear of losing what is com-
ing. This is too bad, and we hope 1 3'11 profit by this
criticism, rejpiembering it is positively dangerous to raise
the steam so high without providing a safety-valve.

The Republican, Springfield, Mass*

S. M. Hewlett had a large audience at the Pynchon
Street Church, yesterday afternoon, to hear his address
on Temperance. He proves an eloquent, euective dra

122

TESTIMONIALS.

li' t'',

1 ^

M'\ ■ ''li

matic speaker. Mr. Hewlett also jpoke at the House of
Correction yesterday, and the prisoners were so delight-
ed that they wanted him to stay and be " one of 'em. **

Gardiner Journal, Maine,

Lecture.— -Mr. S. M. Hewlett, of Wisconsin, deliver-
ed a temperance lecture on Sunday evening, in the Uni-
versalist church, presenting to a considerable degree, a
novel view of this ofteilcalled thread-bare subject, and
giving very general satisfaction to the large audience.
Mr. Hewlett is a man of education and talent — an
often eloquent, though somewhat desultory speaker, and
an excellent humorist. This vein he evidently felt com-
pelled to restrain out of regard to ihe day, and we have
heard many express the desire to hear him on a week-day,
when he could give his wit full play. Mr. Hewlett, like
Gough, is English born, and like him, too, he has per-
sonally felt the evils of intemperance, and therefore
speaks much from the heart. His labors are calculated
to do much good in renewing the interest which all
should feel in a cause of which they will not have
" heard all," certainly, until they have heard Hewlett.

Daily Couranl, Hartford, Conn,

Mr. Hewlett is remarkably eloquent as a sj^aker, and
a most admirable actor, his personations and mimics be-
ing beyond praise. He is said to be the equal of Gough,
and holds his audience enchained by his wonderful pow-
ers. This evening all who are interested in temperance
should attend. Those who are in the habit of " taking a
little moderately - * ' will do well to be on hand.

TESTIMONIALS.

123

>»

Daily Mercury, JSTewarkj JSTew Jersey,
S. M. Hewlett, the distinguished Temperance speak-
ir, delivered two lectures in this place on Sunday and
Monday nights. A large audience was present on Sun-
day night, but on Monday night the house was a perfect
jam. It is useless for us to speak of the style of the ora-
tory Mr. Hewlett has no superiors, and few equals, as a
lecturer. He attacks the license system with that keen-
est of weapons, satire, and every blow of his trenchant
blade, shakes the Redan of falsehood, and makes theMal-
akoflf of error tremble to its centre.

Herald and Advertiser, Kingston, Canada.
Mr. Hewlett's merits as a popular lecturer are great.
In our judgment, he excels Mr. Gough in the comic
touches of character which he introduces; in fact, he
equals, if not surpasses the celebrated Sam Cowell him-
self, in this. His sketches of Irish, French, and Yankee
character are really inimitable.

TO SAMUEL M. HEWLETT.

All o*er our broad land is the cry of " To Arms,"
Hill and valley resound with grim battle's alarms;
The war-dogs are slipped, and wild " havoc's" the cry.
And the brave and the bold fight, and conquer or die.
From the city— the village— rise shrieks of aflright,
As sons, brothers, husbands, march off to the fight;
And widows' and orphans' tears silently flow,

Fni* fVlAir Invofl nnoa TffVio flinrl an/iU Tiri^^ 'P.'><%n 4-^ 4>V<« A->a

ii '4

" i

124

TESTIMONIALS.

i^ ' .Si

But, ah! there's a conflict more terrible still—

A warfare that's waged by a demon of III;

An enemy worse than the mad Rebel horde,

Whose weapons more powerful than cannon or sword.

'Tis Intemperance who smites down the young and the

old.
The timid, the reckless, the beauteous, the bold;
Who steals on his victims in pleasure's wild hours,
And his poison conceals beneath garlands of flowers.

You, Hewlett, have dared with this foe to engage—
Against ills dark legions truth's warfare to wage:
Once you served in his army, a mad march pursuing,
With General Remorse, and with gaunt General Ruin;
But thousands to-day are to Heaven giving thanks.
That scorning the wine-cup you quitted their ranks.
You left the black banner that loomed o'er your head~
Now the white flag of Temperance waves there instead.

Let war's heroes with chaplets of laurels be crowned—
A coronal nobler for you will be found;
Far more glorious than their's is the cause you defend.
So, Hewlett, fight on— not man's foe but his friend^
God has given you eloquence, humor and power.
To bring smiles to the lips, or draw tears like a shower.
These weapons use still, they are God-given— sublime.
And assail with love's sling this Goliath of Cbime.

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Thirty-Fourth I!dinburgh Edition*
PASSAGES

FBOM

THE HISTORY OF A WASTED LIFE.

By the Author of '* Pen and Ink Sketches," &o.

BY THE SAME AUTHOR.
Fifth Edinburgh Edition.

WRECKED BUT SAVED;

OB,

Stories told at the Boston Washiogtonian Home.

For Sale by REDDING & CO., 8 State St., Beaton.

WASHINGTONIAN HOME.

AN ASYLUM FOR INEBRIATES.

liooated at 887 Washington St., Boston

Applications for Admission can be made to the Super-
intendent. If application is made by letter, a full state-
ment should be given of the case, its duration, whether
periodical or otherwise, the state of general health, &c.

ALBERT DAY, Superintendent.

Boston, January 1, 1862

¥.l;

IFE.

Some.

itont

[•ES,

Super-
1 state-
rhether
th, &c.

dent.