Readers of this pamphlet who may know of any authentic facts, or be in possession of anecdotes concerning the life of John Cassell beyond those related within, are requested to forward particulars to the publishers. HARVARD LIBRARY 66212 JOHN CASSELL, HIS LIFE AND WORK. IT. was on the 23rd of January, 1817, that John Cassell was born in Manchester. His father and mother were both poor, but managed, by strict economy, to send him to a school where he received but a very simple and rudimentary education. This little, however, he made the best use of, as we shall see in the course of time; and by dint of painstaking industry and close study at length, we are told, he "carried his own self-culture to a degree not often surpassed among the non-professional classes, including an extensive acquaintance with English literature which he had occasion to use." He was one of those who fully realised that in order to the proper treatment of one's self, it is needful to early realise I. WHO WE ARE, and WHAT WE ARE, or, as an old writer has wisely advised, "MAN, KNOW THYSELF." Yet how few seek to attain this self-knowledge! Indeed, it may truthfully be asserted that thousands of people have never given the slightest consideration either to their physical, spiritual, intellectual, or moral requirements. The consequence is serious mischief results in many ways. Those who are ignorant, or think meanly of themselves, are sure to act accordingly, and will be found treating themselves either indifferently or foolishly. The man who properly knows himself, and thinks and desires that which is noble, is sure to be governed by a standard which will better enable him to measure his duties and obligations; while the man who believes he will die like a beast will most likely be content to live like one. It is quite true in some cases natural temperament may at times give rise to noble impulses, but it is only by self-control, and proper means of selfculture, a real noble life can be conceived or realised in all its beauty, power, and dignity. Like every other good thing, it can be helped by good nurture, or hindered by gross neglect. Another point worthy of consideration as we contemplate the life of John Cassell is this-that 2. NONE SHOULD DESPISE LITTLE THINGS OR ODD MOMENTS. It seemed no doubt at the time a small matter for him to yield to the desire to attend a lecture given at the Exchange in Manchester by Dr. R. B. Grindrod, the author of the Prize Essay on "Bacchus," but the results proved of the greatest importance to himself and the world at large. While John was engaged in helping to erect that building, in which as a carpenter at the time he had been employed, he little thought he was laying the foundation of a work which would extend all over the civilised world. But so it was. He repeatedly and pathetically spoke in terms of gratitude of Dr. Grindrod, and owned that his conversion to the principles and practice of teetotalism was owing to the medical lectures he had heard delivered by the doctor. No doubt, it seemed of very small importance when John signed the pledge in the Tabernacle, Manchester, July 15th or 16th, 1835, after an address by Thomas Swindlehurst (one of seven men who first started the movement in Preston), but it was in reality the first public act which led him to take such deep interest up to the day of his death, in doing all he could to teach others thus to try to elevate themselves. Never deem, then, an effort to improve too trifling or insignificant. Trifles make the man, just as the drops make the ocean. Great events are influenced by little things, and great characters are made up of little acts. Trifles, therefore, help or hinder in proportion as they are used or neglected. It is an old saying, "Take care of the pence, and the pounds will take care of themselves." It is equally true, “Take care of the little acts of life, and the larger ones will take care of themselves." 3. NONE ARE TOO HUMBLE OR TOO POOR TO HAVE AN IDEA, AND TO WORK IT OUT. The biographies of men and women in all directions prove this to be correct. Indeed, they afford every encouragement to all who have any desire to rise themselves, or help to benefit others. None should despair, even if they have but limited means or poor abilities at their disposal, inasmuch as it is by the best use of the resources we have they become enlarged or strengthened. Duty tells us to do the best we can, even if we cannot do the best we wish; and by this method alone can any hope to achieve either success or good in the world. There is, indeed, no greater mark of wisdom than in being practical. How many do we meet with who are always dreaming, but never doing! Very clever in their own estimation at striking out splendid theories, but starving, and sometimes even dying for want of daily bread, which they might have secured, if they had only been content to work as well as wish, or to strive as well as sigh for some unattained end worth securing. Such, however, was not the case with John Cassell. Remember, Robert Burns the poet was the son of a gardener, and rose from his native obscurity through many difficulties, though his sun sank in darkness from his own folly. The Rev. John Foster, the author of the well-known Essays on "Decision of Character," &c., was the son of a farmer, and often retired to a barn to read, and then return to his work. The Rev. John Newton was the son of a farmer. John Opie, the celebrated painter, was the son of a carpenter. Dr. Livingstone was a factory lad, but by the wise employment of his leisure time rose step by step until he became one of the most successful missionaries. Henry Kirke White was the son of a butcher, and was apprenticed to a stocking-weaver. By applying his leisure hours to the study of languages, in ten months he was able to read Horace. He also acquired a knowledge of Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese. All his poems were written before he was twenty years of age. William Hutton, the celebrated bookseller and author, was apprenticed to a stocking-weaver. He taught himself bookbinding during his leisure hours, and rose to be wealthy. John Dollond, the eminent optician, was the son of a stocking-weaver, and spent his early days in a manufactory. In his spare moments he learnt several languages. John Prideaux was the son of a poor farmer, and used to help the parish clerk; and when the old clerk died, was disappointed he was not appointed to the place. He started from home to seek his fortune. Reaching Exeter, he became anxious to become a scholar, and walked to Oxford, where he obtained a situation to clean the saucepans, &c. He devoted his spare time to study, until he was admitted as a poor student into the University. He pushed his way until he became the |