Birth and Childhood. 13 



life, if it had its hardships, had also much genuine 

 pleasure. 



Narrow means gave every member of the house- 

 hold a score of opportunities for helpfulness where 

 wealth would have begrudged one. If the strain to 

 earn and save was never relaxed, it was largely be- 

 cause the parents persisted in giving to their children 

 educational privileges better than were enjoyed by 

 neighbouring families in much easier circumstances. 

 Small as the store of ready cash might be, there was 

 always enough for the purchase of books and news- 

 papers, as well as for some aid to religious and social 

 reforms. 



Vincent Youmans was a man who liked to talk 

 and hear others talk ; his home was a centre where 

 neighbours were wont to gather and exchange views. 

 Gossip was, perhaps, the staple of conversation ; but 

 topics of moment and dignity were often discussed. 

 Labour-saving appliances, improved farm implements, 

 the best manner of utilizing manure, and kindred mat- 

 ters, were duly canvassed. In a community where 

 mechanical ingenuity was general, there was much 

 to stir the deepest interest when the first steamboats 

 were plying the Hudson, and when experimental loco- 

 motives were being built by Trevithick and Stephen- 

 son. At times, instead of dwelling on these inventions 

 and picturing the wonders they were likely to usher 

 into the world, questions of politics, theology, and re- 

 form were briskly and keenly argued. Whatever 

 might be the topic, Vincent Youmans used to bear his 

 part as pithily as anybody, and was wont to speak 

 with the tone and emphasis of a pulpit exhorter. To 

 listen to his father and the visitors was Edward's de- 

 light. Sometimes his interest in the subject overcame 



