I do not complain of this arrangement of things. I think it is just; I know it is unalterable. It is then of the greatest possible importance that the men who control during their lifetime, and create endowments when they are dead, should share the best civilization of their age and country. It is also of the greatest importance that young men whom nature has fitted to be leaders should, at the beginning of life, take to the steep and thorny path which leads at length to mastership. Most of these chapters were published originally in "The Ledger" of New York, and a few of them in "The Youths' Companion" of Boston, the largest two circulations in the country. I have occasionally had reason to think that they were of some service to young readers, and I may add that they represent more labor and research than would be naturally supposed from their brevity. Perhaps in this new form they may reach and influence the minds of future leaders in the great and growing realm of business. I should pity any young man who could read the briefest account of what has been done in manufacturing towns by such men as John Smedley and Robert Owen without forming a secret resolve to do something similar if ever he should win the opportunity. TABLE OF CONTENTS. PAGE David Maydole, Hammer-Maker 9 Ichabod Washburn, Wire-Maker 18 Elihu Burritt, the Learned Blacksmith 27 Michael Reynolds, Engine-Driver 36 Major Robert Pike, Farmer 43 George Graham, Clock-Maker, buried in Westminster Abbey 51 John Harrison, Exquisite Watch-Maker 58 Peter Faneuil, and the Great Hall he built 65 Chauncey Jerome, Yankee Clock-Maker 79 Captain Pierre Laclede Liguest, Pioneer 89 Israel Putnam, Farmer 96 George Flower, Pioneer 104 Edward Coles, Noblest of the Pioneers, and his Great Speech 117 Peter H. Burnett, Banker 126 Gerrit Smith 133 Peter Force, Printer 140 John Bromfield, Merchant 148 Frederick Tudor, Ice Exporter 156 Myron Holley, Market-Gardener 163 The Founders of Lowell 170 Robert Owen, Cotton-Manufacturer 180 John Smedley, Stocking-Manufacturer 188 Richard Cobden, Calico Printer 195