. Heroes and statesmen of America, a popular book of American biography . himthe utmost carefulness, and he thus learned the habits of thriftand frugality, which distinguished him through life. He didnot acquire the fault of niggardliness which usually accom-panies these qualities—the inborn generosity of the man wastoo sound for this. It was the wish of young Adamss parents and friends that heshould become a preacher—then the most honorable calling inNew England; but the naturally liberal mind of the youngman revolted against the close, hard theology of the time. Isaw, he said in after years,
. Heroes and statesmen of America, a popular book of American biography . himthe utmost carefulness, and he thus learned the habits of thriftand frugality, which distinguished him through life. He didnot acquire the fault of niggardliness which usually accom-panies these qualities—the inborn generosity of the man wastoo sound for this. It was the wish of young Adamss parents and friends that heshould become a preacher—then the most honorable calling inNew England; but the naturally liberal mind of the youngman revolted against the close, hard theology of the time. Isaw, he said in after years, such a spirit of dogmatism andbigotry in clergy and laity, that, if I should be a priest, I musttake my side, and pronounce as positively as any of them, ornever get a parish ; or getting it, must soon leave it. Verystrong doubts arose in my mind whether I was made for a pulpitin such times ; and I began to think of other professions. Hismost intimate friends were fortunately men of broader and moreliberal views than commonly prevailed in New England at the (196). JOHN ADAMS. JOHN ADAMS. 197 time, and he had the good fortune to read at this critical junc-ture of his hfe the works of Lord Bohngbroke—and he readthem, too, with a nice discrimination very rare in so young a result of the matter was that he threw aside the idea of theministry, and entered upon the study of the law, under theguidance of his friend Mr. Putnam. He was eminently qualified for this profession, by the peculiar cast of his mind, hi:,quick perception and discriminating judgment, and by his clear,sonorous voice, and readiness as a speaker. He pursued hisstudies for three years under the direction of Mr. Putnam, sup-porting himself during this period by teaching school. Sixhours of each day were regularly given to the duties of theschool, and the remainder of his time to the study of the was a close, diligent student, and as a consequence becameone of the most thoroughly informed members
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