getting a liking for the work, continued to act till he attained his majority.

John Dalton was by no means a quick boy, neither sharp at work nor demonstrative at play, but steadygoing in all his actions, and ever faithful to his book. The prominent and noticeable feature of his early youth was constancy of purpose; indeed, this plodding and thoughtfulness grew with his growth, and became a chief characteristic of his manhood. Mr Fletcher seems to have marked the promising traits of the boy, and lent him every aid and encouragement from his initiative rudiments onward to his study of mathematics. Under Mr Fletcher's good guidance Dalton gained those habits of self-reliance and indomitable perseverance which enabled him to go through arithmetic and navigation before the completion of his twelfth year. It is pleasant to note here that John Dalton ever spoke in the highest terms of the excellent training and instruction he received at the hands of his first and only schoolmaster, whose friendship he esteemed through life, and whose memory he did not cease to revere.

John Dalton early afforded proofs of his mental superiority, and the story is told to this day at Eaglesfield, of his curiosity being excited by a dispute that arose among some mowers in a hayfield, as to

* The Quaker schoolmasters were by far the best of their kind in these northern parts. Their own home training, orderly habits, quiet demeanour, and self-denial, constituted a valuable groundwork to the patience and painstaking efforts required in the daily tuition of obstreperous youth; whilst their superior intelligence and culture made their written formulæ tangible to the learner, and gave pleasant colouring to their indoctrination in history and literature.

This subject has been adverted to in my "Life of Dr John Heysham."

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whether sixty square yards or sixty yards square were identical. At first he saw no difference between the two statements, but maturer consideration of the subject showed him his error. The solution of the question by a boy of ten years old did not pass unnoticed; and it was by such "feats of calculation that he won the good opinion of the neighbours, and came to be recognised by his companions as their intelligent leader. Another instance of his precocity has come to my knowledge. One evening, on his way home from school, he was observed standing on the highest part of a hedge, delivering an extempore lecture to his schoolfellows on a subject that he believed he could enlighten them upon, and it is probable that he succeeded in imparting some information, or that his juvenile effort was gratifying to his audience, from whom were heard the exclamation-" Bravo, John!" and "Hip, hip, hurrah!"

If fortunate in having a teacher in John Fletcher, John Dalton was equally fortunate in securing the attention of Elihu Robinson, a Quaker gentleman of ample means and ampler knowledge, whose scholarship and philanthropy well entitled him to the designation of "the man of Eaglesfield," a century ago. The recognition of Elihu was a step in advance to the educational and social status of John Dalton, who, being invited to his house, could not fail to mark the difference between his father's lowly dwelling and sanded floor, dirty loom, and other appurtenances, and the carpeted parlour, library, and comforts surrounding his new patron, and his well-educated wife. As a true Cumberland worthy, independent of his being the friend and active promoter of John Dalton's

His friend Elihu Robinson.

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mathematical studies, a few words are here due to the memory of Elihu Robinson. If the reader could be favoured with a peep at Eaglesfield, as it presented itself exactly one hundred years ago, he would mark Elihu Robinson decked out in his three-cocked beaver, light drab coat, vest, and knee-breeches, yellowishgrey ribbed stockings, and silver-buckled shoes, all in the best style of rich Quakerism, fine and spotless, and walking in sober fashion through the village with silver-headed cane in support. Everybody bowed respectfully to the head of the village, a man of probity and learning, a benefactor of the deserving, and a thoroughly good neighbour. Elihu was probably the first of Cumberland's meteorologists, gauging the rainfall, recording the readings of the thermometer and barometer, noting the seasons and crops, and many natural phenomena; moreover, he had manipulative skill that was exercised on the construction of philosophical instruments, sundials, &c.* He was the friend of Collinson, the correspondent of Benjamin Franklin, of Dr Fothergill, of Antislavery Clarkson, and others of scientific renown, many of whom visited him at Eaglesfield. United with John Fletcher and other promoters of education in Cockermouth and Whitehaven, a Book Club was instituted, consisting of the magazines and chief works of interest obtainable quarterly from London. Thus literature and science had got a footing in West Cumberland, chiefly promoted by "Friends,"

* Mr William Sutton of Scotby, near Carlisle, who, on the paternal side, is a descendant of Elihu Robinson, possesses a well-constructed sundial of Elihu's.

and aided by Dr Brownrigg, of Whitehaven, and John C. Curwen, M.P., of Workington Hall. These West Cumbrians were men of real mark and magnanimity, who not only encouraged a love of letters, and the aspirations of science, but heartily co-operated in all the schemes of reform and practical philanthropy which dawned upon England after the declaration of American independence.*

Elihu Robinson invited John Dalton to his house, and offered to assist his studies along with a young man of the name of William Alderson, then in his service, and anxious for self-improvement. The two lads worked well together in the evenings, and though Alderson was much the senior, Dalton was generally ahead of him. When they came to a standstill in solving a problem, Alderson would fain have sought Mr Robinson's aid, but Dalton, with resolute aim and a belief in his own powers, would encourage his companion to renewed exertion, by remarking in broad Cumbrian dialect-" Yan med deu't" (one might do it). This phrase of John's always came to his rescue in difficulties, and, like a clerical text of pithy meaning, conveyed a wholesome sermon point

* "The Society of Friends," collectively and individually, have ever taken a laudable part in social, educational, and political questions. Speaking from large opportunities afforded me of perusing the private correspondence, public manifestations, and parliamentary petitions got up by Cumberland Quakers, in the past as well as the present century, there can be no doubt that they have always been far ahead of the rest of the world in all matters affecting the welfare of humanity and the varied social interests dependent on governmental legislation. Every work they engaged in pro bono publico, found them zealous and indefatigable supporters, be it peace or pious endeavours, civil or religious liberty, the interests of our national commerce, or the education and happiness of our people.

"Yan med deu't."

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ing to self-dependence, and persevering energy as the groundwork of success in life. The rivalry of the lads was healthful, but one day a dispute arose between them as to the best mode of working out a problem; Alderson would bet Dalton sixpence on the subject, but Mr Robinson objected to this, as all Quakers properly do to betting, and in place of the money wager, suggested that the loser should supply his companion with candles for their nights' studies in winter. This advice was acted upon, and Dalton came off victorious. Mr Robinson occasionally tested John's highest powers of thought by setting him an algebraic question, and after the lapse of an hour would return, and say, “Well, John, hast thou done that question?" "No," replied John, with his "Yan med deu't;" and another hour elapsing with no better result, John met his kind friend's interrogation by, "I can't deu't to-neet, but mebby to-morn I will." So he went home, slept over the problem, and rose again to work with refreshed brain that brought a solution to his difficulty.

The day's schooling at Pardshaw Hall, and the evening prelections of Elihu Robinson, were remarkable adjuncts to the development of a brain so broadly constituted as Dalton's, and the result was visible in his rapid advance to knowledge and superiority over lads of his own age. Of this position he seemed to be aware, or he would not have ventured on so bold a step as that of opening a school on his own account at Eaglesfield, in his thirteenth year. The retirement of Mr Fletcher from Pardshaw Hall school was probably the first incentive, as he never would have dreamt of opposing his friend; and the absence