tion from this judicious example. To expect a life of enterprise and usefulness to succeed childhood and youth, wasted in sloth, is about as wise as to expect a spontaneous harvest in the barren desert.

Abner was not long employed in manual labour, but was sent, in succession, to several common schools, in the neighbourhood of his father's residence. Of the character of these schools, in which he was taught the rudiments of learning, nothing is known. The system of instruction, generally adopted at this period, in this section of country, was deplorably imperfect. Whatever were the disadvantages under which young Clopton prosecuted his studies, his proficiency was highly gratifying to his friends. While attending one of these schools, he received, accidentally, from one of his playmates, a severe wound over his lungs, from which he suffered much; and from the effects of which, he did not, perhaps, entirely recover during life.

It was the good fortune of the subject of this memoir, to be, during his juvenile years, under the constant superintendence of a fa

father's. He continued in this employment four years; and by strict attention to business, and an amiable, obliging disposition, gained the confidence and esteem of his employer. His early religious education, and a regard for the feelings of his venerated parent, preserved him, during this period, from profanity and dissipation, which but too commonly prevailed, in all classes of society, around him. But nothing more can be said in his commendation. "God was not in all his thoughts." He resigned himself, without resistance, to the strong current of worldliness, upon the surface of which he had been thrown; and was borne forward, with fearful rapidity, toward perdition. He took great delight in the fashionable amusements of the day. On these, some serious and worthy persons look with forbearance, if not with positive toleration. We are not the advo

cates of a needless austerity; but we should not forget the authority by which it is af firmed, "She that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth." Christianity is a religion of self-denial, mortification, and godly sorRelaxation is necessary, alike, for the

row.

health of the body, and the vigour of the mind. Amusements intended merely for recreation, and in accordance with our obligations as social, civil, and immortal beings, are innocent; but this cannot be said of those by which the young and gay are so much captivated. These were not invented by the friends of God: they are never pursued for the glory of God; demand a wicked waste of time; fatigue the body; unfit the mind for reflection and prayer; benumb the conscience; prepare the heart for a course of licentiousness; and are wholly unworthy of rational, responsible, and immortal beings on their passage to the judgment seat.

We have now reached a fact in the life of Clopton, over which we would gladly draw a veil, did not historic fidelity forbid it. In the autumn of 1803, he formed an unfortunate matrimonial alliance. Shortly after its consummation, he became convinced that its continuance would destroy his happiness and respectability; and believing that the law of God sanctioned its dissolution, he obtained from the Virginia legislature, in the session of 1809–10, a divorce. None of his

friends censured his conduct on this trying and painful occasion. He acted with the firmness of purpose for which he was ever remarkable.

It is due to the unfortunate Mrs. Clopton to state, that, it is believed, by persons intimately acquainted with her, that her sincere and deep repentance, and circumspect deportment, for more than thirty years, have, in a measure, atoned for her youthful imprudence. Here we might stop to raise our indignant voice against the fiendlike crime of seduction, which, perpetrated with smiles, fair speeches, and caresses, betrays its unsuspecting victim to infamy and wo; but we forbear to dwell on a subject so melancholy in itself, and so painful to some who may read this memoir.

To this event, though extremely mortifying, A. W. Clopton was greatly indebted for his usefulness. It changed entirely the current of his life. He would probably have spent his days in the toils of a farm, or in mercantile pursuits, had not the dreams of wealth and distinction, in which his ardent and untutored imagination had been indulging,

been thus dispelled. He now became convinced that learning is the path to usefulness and distinction. Instantly he determined to make any sacrifice to obtain it. We shall follow him through several years, struggling, with invincible perseverance, against various obstacles, but turning neither to the right nor the left, until he is a graduate of the North Carolina University, at Chapel Hill.

Clopton commenced his classical studies early in 1804, at Banister academy, in his native county. He did not long remain here; but removed, in the following spring or summer, to a private classical school, in Guilford county, North Carolina, where he remained until the summer of 1806. His teacher, Mr. Caldwell, bore flattering, testimony to his diligence in study, proficiency in learning, and sober, discreet, and amiable behaviour during this period.

Having now exhausted his money, and being cast mainly on his own exertions for the means of prosecuting his studies, he travelled into Williamsburg district, South Carolina, and engaged in teaching a small private school. The following extract is