He is now practising as a
surgeon, and I understand with signal success. This gentleman
worked in the Penrhyn Quarry until he was twenty years old. I
could give many more instances of the resolute and self-denying
spirit with which the young quarrymen of Bethesda sought to
educate themselves. The teachers of the other schools in that
neighbourhood could give similar examples, for during the winter
months there used to be no less than 300 evening scholars under
instruction in the different schools. The Bethesda booksellers
could tell a tale that would surprise our English friends. I
have been informed by one of them that he has sold to young
quarrymen an immense number of such works as Lord Macaulay's,
Stuart Mill's, and Professor Fawcett's; and it is no uncommon
sight to find these and similar works read and studied by the
young quarrymen during the dinner hour."
"I can give," proceeds Mr. Cadwalladr Davies, "one remarkable
instance to show the struggles which young Welshmen have to
undertake in order to get education. The boy in question, the
son of 'poor but honest parents,' left the small national school
of his native village when he was 12 1/2 years of age, and then
followed his father's occupation of shoemaking until he was 16
1/2 years of age. After working hard at his trade for four
years, he, his brother, and two fellow apprentices, formed
themselves into a sort of club to learn shorthand, the whole
matter being kept a profound secret.
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