CHILDHOOD AND EDUCATION 29 



The problem of ways and means for European 

 study was constantly in Mr. Johnson's thoughts. On 

 December 16, 1850, he asks the family's advice: 



Dear Father, — Immediately upon the reception of your last 

 (that I have received) letter (Nov, 27th), I wrote home 

 acknowledging the former rec'pt of $15., and stating that I 

 should probably want $130. more. Sarah's letter has been 

 recev'd and shall be answered soon. I shall be an assistant 

 here next term, and thus my expenses will be diminished 

 $200. per annum. Prof. Norton thinks the best thing I can 

 do for my mastery of the Science and for my future success, 

 is to go to Europe next summer and study there two 

 years. He says the expense will be $1500. How to get the 

 money I know only one way, and that is to borrow it as Prof. 

 Horsford did, getting a life-insurance policy as security in 

 event of death. If some of my rich friends would lend me 

 the money, giving me 5 yrs. to pay it in, I would take the 

 responsibility of the debt. I should be more than $1500 worth 

 better [able] to fill such a station as I look to, and could as a 

 consequence command a better situation. A fellow student, 

 son of a wealthy Hartford Gentleman, with whom I have been 

 on the best of terms since I came here, will go to Europe next 

 summer if I will. I wish the opinion of the folks. I shall 

 rejoice if Heaven makes my path across the great waters to 

 the great European shrines of science, and if I must stay, — 

 'tis His will who doeth all things well. Praying that God may 

 strengthen me in a new life of obedience to Him and bring 

 us all an unbroken family around His throne, — I subscribe 

 myself, your affectionate son, Samuel. 



In May he wrote in a similar strain, sajdng: 



College is "in full tide of successful operation." I am 

 busily occupied in the Laboratory and with the study of 

 German. I attend Prof. Thacher's class, 4 days in the week. 



