In this he was detected by
his mother; and after having a full day to think of the wrong,
received from her a thorough whipping.' He adds, 'I must not
neglect to tell you of a very foolish and bad habit to which John
was somewhat addicted. I mean, telling lies, generally to screen
himself from blame or from punishment. He could not well endure
to be reproached, and now I think had he been oftener encouraged
to be entirely frank, by MAKING FRANKNESS A KIND OF ATONEMENT for
some of his faults, he would not have had to struggle so long
with this mean habit.'
A story is told of John's schooldays which is an amusing and
quite characteristic instance of his ethical eccentricities. For
a short time he and his younger brother Salmon were at a school
together, and Salmon was guilty of some offence which was
condoned by the master. John had serious concern for the effect
this might have upon his brother's morals, and he sought the
lenient teacher and informed him that the fault was much
deprecated by their father at home, and he was sure castigation
there would have been inevitable. He therefore desired it should
be duly inflicted, as otherwise he should feel compelled to act
as his father's proxy.
Pages:
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27