PREFACE. De mortuis nil nisi bonum. Say nothing but good of the dead. "For noble spirits war not with the dead." -BYRON. This book was written and compiled during business hours, between shaves and hair cuts, and all that time I stood at my chair and earned my living, supported my family, wrote every week an article for the Press, and arranged for the publishing of this book, with but little capital, either mental or financial. This volume-a true and literal history of the struggle of an ardent but not ambitious mind, except ambitious to do right and often failed in that; born amidst poverty, that New England slavery, and under poor conditions so far as the luxuries of life are concerned, my parents bestowed upon me a fine constitution, and that is better than riches—I publish this more for a guide, advice and encouragement to those who live in the humble walks of life than to those who have all the advantages that wealth can bestow, who have more power and opportunities to do good than they properly use. And if I can save only one poor fellow by writing this book and pointing out to him a more acceptable way, I shall feel I have not lived in vain. YEARNING. I yearn for all who sorrow, I long to bear the burdens To hear the sound of contest With courage strong and high. God's hand, that makes me bolder To fires that shall not die. I long to feel the throbbing Bring smiles to faces tearful; I yearn to bring the glory That beckons me to-day. -Maurice Smiley. Timothy Dexter lived in Portsmouth many years ago. He wrote quite a large book and placed the punctuation marks in the back of the book and said, "You can place them to suit yourselves." I always supposed it was a satire upon the interpretation of the Bible by the different theologians. |