Every child, ever young, had its appointed engagements; every hand was busy.

Knitting, spinning, reading, writing, mending clothes, making shoes, were by the different children constantly performing.

The father himself sitting amongst them, and guiding their thoughts, was engaged in the same occupations....
'He sate up late, and rose early; when the family were at rest, he retired to a little room which he had built on the roof of his house.

He had slated it, and fitted it up with shelves for his books, his stock of cloth, wearing apparel, and his utensils.

There many a cold winter's night, without fire, while the roof was glazed with ice, did he remain reading or writing till the day dawned.