the simplest kind, were regularly weighed, a pair of scales being kept in his chamber for that purpose.  He wrote to his friend President Hopkins, of Williams College:  “If your young folks want to know the meaning of epicureanism, tell them to take some bits of coarse bread (one ounce or a little more), soak them in three gills of coarse meal gruel, and make their dinner of them, and nothing else; beginning very hungry, and leaving off more hungry.”

Mr. Lawrence continued in this condition until December, 1852, when he was seized with a severe attack of the stomachic trouble to which he was a martyr.  He died peacefully, on the last day of that month and year, at the age of sixty-six years, eight months, and eight days.  He was buried in Mount Auburn Cemetery, and was followed to the grave by a host of friends who mourned him as a brother, and by strangers to whom his kindness in life had brought relief from many a care and suffering.

CHAPTER V.

ANDREW V. STOUT.

There are few men in the city of New York who have won more fairly their proud positions in the mercantile world than he whose name stands at the top of this page.  For more than forty years he has carried on a large and increasing business with an energy, skill, and probity which could not fail of success.

ANDREW V. STOUT was born in the city of New York, at No. 6 Canal Street, or, as it was then called, Pump Street, about the year 1814.  When he was scarcely more than a child he was left fatherless, and thrown upon his own resources for a living.  He was a manly little fellow, and, young as he was, was fully alive to the importance of the position he was compelled to assume.  He was resolved not only to support himself, but also to acquire a good education, and by studying hard while most boys are at play, mastered the ordinary English branches by the time he was twelve years old.

He had a mother and sister to support, and applied himself manfully to the task of accomplishing this.  He was well grown for his age, and was generally supposed to be several years older than he really was.  When he was fourteen years old he applied for and received a position as assistant teacher of the English branches in one of the public schools of the city.  The trustees of the school supposed he was at least eighteen or nineteen years old.  Had his true age been known to them, it is probable he would not have received the appointment.  He was not questioned upon the subject, and he was wise enough to keep his own counsel.  He performed the duties of his position to the entire satisfaction of the school officials, and made such a good impression on his friends that at the age of sixteen he was made assistant principal in one of the most important and popular private schools of the day, taught by Shepherd Johnson, a name well known to the old residents of New York.

He was very young to fill this position, and, as may be supposed, it was peculiarly trying to one whose learning was mainly self-acquired.  He was determined to succeed, however, and he applied himself energetically to master the course he was teaching.  He studied harder and more constantly than any of his pupils, and was always fresh on the lessons for the day.