For the next five years our future publisher directed the lucrative business enterprises which he had inaugurated, from the quiet book store in Dover, N. H., while he carefully matured his plans for his life’s campaign—­the publication, in many lines, of wholesome books for the people.  Soon after the close of the Civil war the time arrived for the accomplishment of his designs, and he began by closing up advantageously his various enterprises in order to concentrate his forces.  His was no ordinary equipment.  Together with well-laid plans and inspirations, for some of which the time is not yet due, and a rich birthright of sagacity, insight and leadership, he possessed also a practical experience of American book markets and the tastes of the people, trained financial ability, practiced judgment, literary taste, and literary conscience; and last, but not least, he had traversed and mapped out the special field he proposed to occupy,—­a field from which he has never been diverted.

“The foundations were solid.  On these points Mr. Lothrop has had but one mind from the first:  ’Never to publish a work purely sensational, no matter what chances of money it has in it;’ ’to publish books that will make true, steadfast growth in right living.’  Not alone right thinking, but right living.  These were his two determinations, rigidly adhered to, notwithstanding constant advice, appeals, and temptations.  His thoughts had naturally turned to the young people, knowing from his own self-made fortunes, how young men and women need help, encouragement and stimulus.  He had determined to throw all his time, strength and money into making good books for the young people, who, with keen imaginations and active minds, were searching in all directions for mental food.  ‘The best way to fight the evil in the world,’ reasoned Mr. Lothrop, ‘is to crowd it out with the good.’  And therefore he bent the energies of his mind to maturing plans toward this object,—­the putting good, helpful literature into their hands.

His first care was to determine the channels through which he could address the largest audiences.  The Sunday School library was one.  In it he hoped to turn a strong current of pure, healthful literature for those young people who, dieting on the existing library books, were rendered miserable on closing their covers, either to find them dry or obsolete, or so sentimentally religious as to have nothing in their own practical lives corresponding to the situations of the pictured heroes and heroines.

The family library was another channel.  To make evident to the heads of households the paramount importance of creating a home library, Mr. Lothrop set himself to work with a will.  In the spring of 1868 he invited to meet him a council of three gentlemen, eminent in scholarship, sound of judgment, and of large experience:  the Reverend George T. Day, D. D., of Dover, N.H., Professor Heman Lincoln, D.D., of Newton Seminary, the