Page:The Story of the House of Cassell (book).djvu/27

Arrival in London

mined to release as many others as he might. To this end he slaved untiringly at "self-education." Somehow—by what actual means there is no knowing—he acquired a wide, discursive knowledge, a liberal if chaotic education. Probably he used the mechanics' institutes, by that time set up in most industrial centres largely by force of the compassionate enthusiasm of Brougham, who later on was to become a powerful influence in Cassell's life. Hardly anywhere else could he have made his acquaintance with French and obtained those peeps into science whose fascinations in after years prompted some of the features of his famous "Popular Educator."

From 1835 to the autumn of 1836 he was hot-gospelling for teetotalism in the Manchester district. Then a restless desire for larger experiences set in, and he fared forth on foot to London. He made his great walk a missionary temperance tour, lasting about sixteen days. He spoke to any audience he could get in any town or village, and eked out his little store of money by doing odd jobs of carpentering. When he reached London his wealth totalled threepence. On the evening of his arrival he went to the New Jerusalem schoolroom, near the Westminster Road, where a meeting was being held.

"There were not more than fifty persons present," says Mr. J. P. Parker, who was there; "and, as we were glad to get help from any advocate who offered his services, when Mr. Cassell gave his name he was readily accepted. He stood on the little daїs, a gaunt stripling, poorly clad and travel-stained. He was plain, straightforward, and earnest, but very broadly provincial in speech. At the end of a few minutes he stopped abruptly. Somebody in the meeting cried out 'Go on!' 'How can a chap go on when he has no more to say? ' was the reply; and honest John gave in. A few years ago, in the course of conversation with Mr. Cassell, I reminded him of the fact that I have stated, and this was his reply: 'I was very low in pocket and mind that night; for I had not the money to pay for a lodging, and being too proud to ask for help, I walked the streets of London all night.'"

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