For all the many thousands struggling day and night to keep themselves and those dependent upon them from starvation, there was little or no pity.

It was just "their lot," and they were taught to consider it their duty to be content with it.

To envy their richer neighbours, to covet anything they possessed, was a sin that would only ensure for the coveter an eternal and aggravated continuance of his present thirst.
In describing those early years, The General said:-- "Before my father's death I had been apprenticed by his wish.

I was very young, only thirteen years of age, but he could not afford to keep me longer at school, and so out into the world I must go.

This event was followed by the formation of companionships whose influence was anything but beneficial.