Lost Art Press

Peter Hagaman was a large man, fully six feet tall, bony and muscular. He had a rugged face, coarse dark hair and dark eys. He stood erect, had a stalwart appearance, and was very strong…

Notwithstanding his size, he was quick in movement, and deft in every branch of his vocation. His ful eys, set in a ful face, exprest the generous impulses of his nobl character. Benevolence was the leading trait of the moral element of this strong man. To hav plenty, to deal generously with all, to be kind to the poor, to encurage everything that tended to improve the condition of society and make the world better was his aim and effort.

A feature of the man is seen in this litl occurrence: One day Nelson Young Esq., said to him: “Mr. Hagaman! Why do you not sel that piece of timber?—It wil bring you a handsum price; the muney at interest wil be a handsum incum; and you, as long as you may liv, wil never need so much timber!”

Mr. Hagaman replied: “When I came into the world, there was timber here for my use; when I die, I wish to leav what I can for the use of those who liv after me.” Of that element that we call selfish his hart was barren.

(more…)

…We mention these things that parents may not be disappointed, or expect more from the occupation of a garden than it can at a very early age afford. A garden is an excellent resource for children, but they should have a variety of other occupations: rainy days, and frost and snow will come, and then children must be occupied within doors.

We immediately think of a little set of carpenter’s tools, to supply them with active amusement. Boys will probably be more inclined to attempt making models than drawings of the furniture which appears to be the most easy to imitate; they will imagine, that if they had but tools, they could make boxes, and desks, and beds, and chests of drawers, and tables, and chairs innumerable. But, alas! these fond hopes are too soon dissipated.

Suppose a boy of seven years old to be provided with a small set of carpenter’s tools, his father thinks, perhaps, that he has made him completely happy; but a week afterwards the father finds dreadful marks of the file and saw upon his mahogany tables; the use of these tools is immediately interdicted until a bench shall be procured. Week after week passes away, till at length the frequently reiterated speech of, “Papa, you bid me put you in mind about my bench, “Papa” has its effect, and the bench appears.
(more…)

We have ſaid ſomething of moſt of the Tradeſmen employed by the Architect, except the Timber-Merchant; who is either employed by or furniſhes Materials to the Carpenter, and other Workmen under him. The Timber-Merchant properly, is the Importer of Timber from abroad in his own Bottoms: He is furniſhed with Deal from Norway, either in Logs or Planks; with Oak and Wainſcoat from Sweden; and ſome from the Counties in England; with Mahogany from Jamaica; with Wallnut-Tree from Spain. Theſe he ſells to the Carpenter, Joiner, and Cabinet-Maker at conſiderable Profit. It requires no very inconſiderable Stock to ſet up a Timber-Merchant; he muſt always have a large Stock by him in his Yards, and give conſiderable Credit to the Maſter-Builders.

A Merchant in this Way ought not only to be a Judge of Timber, but muſt know the Commodities that are to be ſent from hence to thoſe Countries from whence he has his Timber; though the balance of Trade with moſt of thoſe Places is againſt us, and we are obliged to remit the Difference between Value of the Goods they ſend us and thoſe we take from them in Bills of Exchange.
(more…)