But soon another subject, which he deemed of far greater importance, occupied his mind.  He had of late been seriously considering whether it was his duty to continue his private devotions openly, or in secret,—­and had concluded, that, when occasion seemed to require it, he ought to make an open manifestation of his faith.  Here now was a test for his conscience.  His room-mate showed no signs of going out again that night:  he had pulled off his boots, put on his slippers, and lighted his pipe.  Salmon had already inferred, from the tone of his conversation, that he was not a person who could sympathize with him in his religious sentiments.  Yet he must kneel there in his presence, if he knelt at all.  It was not the fear of ridicule, but a certain sensitiveness of spirit, which caused him to shrink from the act.  He did not hesitate long, however.  He turned, and knelt by his chair.  Williams took the pipe out of his mouth, and looked at him over his shoulder with curious amazement.  Not a word was spoken.  Salmon, feeling that he had no right to intrude his devotions upon the ear of another, prayed silently; and Williams, compelled to respect the courageous, yet quiet manner in which he performed what he regarded as a solemn duty, kept his astonishment to himself.

Then Salmon arose, and went to bed for that first time in Washington under Mrs. Markham’s roof.

On the twenty-third of December, 1826, the following advertisement appeared in the columns of the “National Intelligencer":—­

    “SELECT CLASSICAL SCHOOL.

“The Subscriber intends opening a Select Classical School, in the Western part of the City, to commence on the second Monday in January.  His number of pupils will be limited to twenty, which will enable him to devote a much larger portion of his time and attention than ordinary to each individual student.  Instruction will be given in all the studies preparatory to entering College, or, if desired, in any of the higher branches of a classical education.  The subscriber pledges himself that no effort shall be wanting on his part to promote both the moral and intellectual improvement of those who may be confided to his care.  He may be found at his room, three doors west of Brown’s Hotel.  Reference may be made to the Hon. Henry Clay; Hon. D. Chase and Hon. H. Seymour, of the Senate; Hon. I. Bartlett and Hon. William C. Bradley, of the House of Representatives; Rev. Wm. Hawley and Rev. E. Allen.

    “SALMON ——.

    “Dec. 23—­3td & eotJ8.”

The “Hon. Henry Clay” was then Secretary of State.  The “Hon. D. Chase” referred to was Salmon’s uncle Dudley, then United States Senator from Vermont.  Congress was now in session, and he had arrived in town.  He was a man of great practical sagacity, and kept a true heart beating under an exterior which appeared sometimes austere and eccentric.  He had the year before been a second time elected to the Senate; and when he was on his way to Washington, Salmon had gone over from Hanover to Woodstock to meet him.  They occupied the same room at the tavern, and the uncle had given the nephew some very good advice.  What he said of the human passions was characteristic of the man; and it made a strong impression upon the mind of the youth:—­