He applied himself closely, studied hard in his evening hours, and became an accomplished man.
It is not necessary to trace their history; but what they eventually arrived at, may be mentioned.

Of the first two, one became the teacher and proprietor of a large public school; the other became a well-known dissenting minister; while the third, working his way strenuously and bravely, became the principal engineer and manager of the largest steamship company in the world.
Although mechanics' institutes are old institutions, they have scarcely been supported by working men.

The public-house is more attractive and more frequented.

And yet mechanics' institutes--even though they are scarcely known south of Yorkshire and Lancashire--have been the means of doing a great deal of good.

By placing sound mechanical knowledge within the reach of even the few persons who have been disposed to take advantage of them, they have elevated many persons into positions of great social influence.