XXXVI LIp E OF 



period, in certain places. It is probable that be tried various 

 schemes of bettering his fortune ; and though none was very success- 

 ful, he did not, at this time, lose all hope. In a letter to Mr 

 Crichton, he says, " Let no man who is stout and healthy be 

 discouraged. If he is a weaver, and cannot get employment at his 

 own business, there are a thousand others which will offer, where he 

 will save as much as he can in Scotland, and live ten times better." 

 He travelled again as a pedlar, on a sort of trading expedition, 

 with considerable success ; and during his journey through New 

 Jersey, kept a journal, in which is sketched, with considerable 

 spirit, the manner of the inhabitants, and the habits of the most 

 remarkable quadrupeds and birds. We next hear of him in a 

 school at Frankfort, Pennsylvania, whence he removed to Milestone, 

 and taught in the village school-house. He had the merit, while 

 there, of studying several branches of liberal education, and of 

 reaching, by his exertions, to considerable proficiency. He advanced 

 so far in mathematics as to bear some note in the science, and by 

 his knowledge of surveying, was enabled to improve his income, 

 during the leisure school hours. He also took a lead in a debating 

 society, which the recollection of his essays in the Pantheon of 

 Edinburgh, perhaps, gave him some claim to direct. It was con- 

 ducted nearly in the same manner. The subjects proposed chiefly 

 related to agriculture, such as, " Is the cultivation of the vine an 

 object worthy of the attention of the American farmer'?" This 

 hard course of study, however, impaired his health, and we learn, 

 from his letters to Mr Ord, that on this account he was obliged to 

 resign his situation twice. He finally left Milestone, and taught 

 and wrought his way to Bloomfield, New Jersey. Becoming more 

 discouraged with the country and his prospects, on his establishment 

 here, he thus writes to his friend Ord : — 



" Bloomfield, near Newark, New Jersey, 

 12th July 1S01. 



" My dear Sir, — If this letter reach you, it will inform you 

 that I keep school at twelve shillings per quarter, York currency, 

 with thirty-five scholars, and pay twelve shillings per week for 

 board, and four shillings additional for washing, and four shillings 

 per week for my horse. After I parted with Davidson, the Quakers 



