Chapter 17

THE PURCHASE.

A spare day--visit to Boston bookstores--shoe-leather cheap and the proposed walk--conversation with Charlie and Frank--the walk to Boston--what would attract some boys there--the book-stores drew Nat--conversation with a bookseller--purchase of "Locke's Essay on the Understanding"--his examination of books--bits of knowledge--Dr. Kitto and the book-stall--homeward bound--Monday morning with Charlie--influence of Locke's Essay on him--its influence was such on Robert Burns, Samuel Drew, and Mendelssohn--it aids the speaker to understand the laws of human nature--more visits to Boston 174-182