Great Fortunes, and How They Were Made | Page 7

to introduce his invention--His failure--Seeks aid from Congress--A disheartening effort--A long struggle--Independence of Morse--Despondent at last--A sudden lifting of the cloud--The experimental line--The trial--A curious Cabinet Minister--Success of the telegraph--Establishment of companies in the United States--Professor Morse wins fame and fortune--The telegraph in Europe--Honors at home and abroad--A list of his rewards--Morse originates submarine telegraphy, and predicts the laying of an Atlantic telegraph--Personal characteristics.
IV. PUBLISHERS.
CHAPTER XXI.
JAMES HARPER.
The Brothers Harper--Birth and parentage of James Harper--The Long Island home--James Harper goes to New York--Becomes a "devil"--Winning his way--How he gave his card to a stranger--Arrival of "Brother John"---Good habits--Sets up for himself--"J. & J. Harper, Printers"--How they started in business--Integrity rewarded--First job--Their first effort at stereotyping--The Harpers become publishers on their own account--Their early ventures--Feeling their way to success--Their publications--Character of their books--How they drove the "yellow covers" out of the market--Their prosperity--Admission of new partners--The great fire--Destruction of the establishment of Harper & Brothers--Energy of the firm--Re-establishment of their business--Their new premises--Description of the buildings--Personal characteristics of Mr. James Harper--Religious life--Liberality of sentiment--His industry--Elected Mayor of New York--Kindness to his operatives--Physical Vigor--"The Lord knows best"--Accident to Mr. Harper and his daughter--His death.
CHAPTER XXII.
JAMES T. FIELDS.
The old "Corner Book-store" in Boston and its associations--Carter & Bendee employ a new clerk--Birth and early life of James T. Fields--His literary talent--Governor Woodbury's advice--Enters mercantile life--Determined to rise--His studies--The result--Associated with Edward Everett at the age of eighteen--His business talent--Steady promotion--Becomes head clerk with Allen & Ticknor--Establishment of the firm of Ticknor & Fields--Success as a publisher--High character of his house--Relations toward authors--Publications of Ticknor & Fields--Removal--Organization of the firm of Fields, Osgood & Co.--The new book-store--An elegant establishment--Mr. Field's literary success--Statement of a friend--"Common Sense"--His contributions to the periodicals of the firm--Travels in Europe--Personal appearance.
V. EDITORS.
CHAPTER XXIII.
JAMES GORDON BENNETT.
Birth--Intended for the Romish priesthood--How he was induced to come to America--Arrival in Halifax--Comes to the United States--What came of a shilling--Employment in Boston--Reaches New York--Attempts to establish a school--Becomes connected with the press--Success of his Washington letters--Services on the "Courier and Inquirer"--Leaves that journal--Removes to Philadelphia--Establishes "The Pennsylvanian"--Ingratitude of his political associates--Returns to New York--Establishment of "The New York Herald"--Early difficulties of that paper, and how Bennett surmounted them--The first "Herald" office--A determined effort to succeed--First numbers of "The Herald"--How one man carried on a newspaper--A lucky hit--The first "money article"--The office burned down--The great fire--Bennett's reports of the disaster--Success of "The Herald"--His first advertising contract--Increasing prosperity--The journal of to-day--How it is conducted--The new "Herald" office--Bennett's pride in his paper--Personal characteristics--His independence.
CHAPTER XXIV.
ROBERT BONNER.
Birth and parentage--Emigration to America--Becomes a printer--A first-class compositor--Engaged upon the "Evening Mirror"--The "Merchant's Ledger"--Bonner purchases the paper, and changes its name to the "New York Ledger"--The new literary journal--Predictions of failure--Bonner confident of success--Engages Fanny Fern to write for him--A handsome price for a story--Wonderful success of the "Ledger"--Skillful advertising--Popularity of the paper--How Bonner silenced the critics--"Edward Everett writes for the 'Ledger'"--How Bonner treats his contributors--"Henry Ward Beecher writes for the 'Ledger'"--Immense circulation of the paper--The new "Ledger" building--Private residence of Mr. Bonner--His stable--His love for horses.
VI. LAWYERS.
CHAPTER XXV.
JOHN MARSHALL.
The model American lawyer--Birth and early life of John Marshall--A devoted father--Early education--The young patriot--Troubles with England--Marshall becomes a soldier--The "Culpepper Minute Men"--Marshall's popularity in the army--Finishes his law studies--His journey from Williamsburg to Philadelphia--Commences the practice of the law--Elected to the Legislature--Establishes himself in Richmond--The power of a powdered wig and velvet coat--Marshall's services in the Virginia Convention of 1798--Becomes the champion of Washington's Administration--Refuses public honors--Is made Minister to France --Public reception in New York--Elected Member of Congress--His memorable speech--Enters the Cabinet of President Adams as Secretary of State--Is made Chief Justice of the United States--His record--His "Life of Washington"--Personal characteristics--His generosity--William Wirt's pen and ink sketch of him--His courtesy and kindness--Fondness for manly sports--The quoit club--How he carried a proud man's turkey home--The supper party--The Chief Justice loses the wager--Mode of traveling on his circuit--The scene at Maguire's Hotel in Winchester, Virginia--The unknown champion of Christianity--A brilliant defense--Last illness and death of Judge Marshall.
CHAPTER XXVI.
JAMES T. BRADY.
Birth and early life--His "big head"--His kindliness of disposition--Enters his father's office to study law--Merry nature--How he studied law--A model for ambitious youths--His father's opinion of him--Admitted to the bar--His first case--The newsboy case--sudden rise in popularity--Practices in the Supreme Court--The India-rubber suit--A compliment from Daniel Webster--Brady's integrity--Professional success and generosity--His readiness in managing his cases--Conduct toward witnesses--His fearlessness--A bold declaration in Tammany Hall--His profound knowledge of his profession--His industry--His disinterested kindness--His humor--Meets his match--Political life--Personal appearance--A genial old bachelor--Literary tastes and labors--His generosity to the poor--Devotion to his relatives--Last appearance in public--Forebodings--Death.
VII. ARTISTS.
CHAPTER XXVII.
BENJAMIN WEST.
A native of Pennsylvania--Circumstances attending his birth--The child of promise--First indications of genius--The baby's portrait--Lessons from the Indians--The box of colors--The truant pupil--The mother's discovery---West's opinion of his first picture--The little portrait painter--The first attempt at historical painting--"The