PREFACE.
"Man proposes and God disposes." There are but few important events in the affairs of men brought about by their own choice.
Although frequently urged by friends to write my memoirs I had determined never to do so, nor to write anything for publication.

At the age of nearly sixty-two I received an injury from a fall, which confined me closely to the house while it did not apparently affect my general health.

This made study a pleasant pastime.

Shortly after, the rascality of a business partner developed itself by the announcement of a failure.

This was followed soon after by universal depression of all securities, which seemed to threaten the extinction of a good part of the income still retained, and for which I am indebted to the kindly act of friends.