RichardHardingDaviswasborninPhiladelphiaonApril18，1864，but，sofarasmemoryservesme，hislifeandminebegantogetherseveralyearslaterinthethree-storybrickhouseonSouthTwenty-firstStreet，towhichwehadjustmoved。Formorethanfortyyearsthiswasourhomeinallthatthewordimplies，andIdonotbelievethattherewaseveramomentwhenitwasnotthepredominatinginfluenceinRichard\'slifeandinhiswork。AsIlearnedinlateryears，thehousehadcomeintothepossessionofmyfatherandmotherafteraperiodontheirpartofhardendeavorandunusualsacrifice。
Itwastheirambitiontoaddtothishomenotonlythecomfortsandthebeautifulinanimatethingsoflife，buttocreateanatmospherewhichwouldproveaconstanthelptothosewholivedunderitsroof——aninspirationtotheirchildrenthatshouldenduresolongastheylived。Atthetimeofmybrother\'sdeaththefactwasfrequentlycommenteduponthat，unlikemostliteraryfolk，hehadneverknownwhatitwastobepoorandtosufferthepangsofhungerandfailure。Thatheneversufferedfromthelackofahomewascertainlyastrueasthatinhisworkheknewbutlittleoffailure，forthefirststorieshewroteforthemagazinesbroughthimintoaprominenceandpopularitythatlasteduntiltheend。ButifRichardgainedhissuccessearlyinlifeandwasblessedwithaverylovelyhometowhichhecouldalwaysreturn，hewasnotbroughtupinamannerwhichinanywaycouldbecalledlavish。Lavishhemayhavebeeninlateryears，butifhewasitwaswiththemoneyforwhichthosewhoknewhimbestknewhowveryhardhehadworked。
Inageneralway，Icannotrememberthatourlifeasboysdifferedinanyessentialfromthatofotherboys。MybrotherwenttotheEpiscopalAcademyandhisweeklyreportneverfailedtofillthewholehousewithanimpenetrablegloomandever-increasingfearsastothepossibilitiesofhisfuture。
AtschoolandatcollegeRichardwas，tosaytheleast，anindifferentstudent。Andwhatmadethisundeniablefactsoannoying，particularlytohisteachers，wasthatmorallyhestoodsoveryhigh。To\"crib，\"tolie，orinanywaytocheatortodoanyunworthyactwas，Ibelieve，quitebeyondhisunderstanding。Therefore，whilehisconstantlackofinterestinhisstudiesgoadedhisteacherstodespair，whenitcametoaquestionofstampingoutwrongdoingonthepartofthestudentbodyhewasinvariablyfoundalignedonthesideofthefaculty。NotthatRichardinanywayresembledaprigorwaseven，sofarasIknow，eversoconsideredbythemostreprehensibleofhisfellowstudents。
Hewasaltogethertoored-bloodedforthat，andIbelievethestudentswhomheantagonizedratheradmiredhischivalricpointofhonoreveniftheyfailedtoimitateit。Asaschoolboyhewasaggressive，radical，outspoken，fearless，usuallyoftheoppositionand，indeed，oftenthesolememberofhisownparty。Amongthestudentsattheseveralschoolsheattendedhehadbutfewintimatefriends；butofthevariouslittlegroupsofwhichhehappenedtobeamemberhisaggressivenessandhisimaginationusuallymadehimtheleader。AsfarbackasIcanremember，Richardwasalwaysstartingsomething——usuallyanewcluboraviolentreformmovement。Andinschoolorcollege，asinalltheotherwalksoflife，thereformermust，ofnecessity，leadasomewhattempestuous，ifhappy，existence。Thefollowingletter，writtentohisfatherwhenRichardwasastudentatSwarthmore，andaboutfifteen，willgiveanideaofhisconceptionoftheethicsinthecase:
SWARTHMORE——1880。
DEARPAPA:
IamquiteonthePotomac。Iwithalltheboysatourtablewerecalledup，thereissevenofus，beforePrex。forstealingsugar-bowlsandthingsoffthetable。Alltheyouthssaid，\"OPresident，Ididn\'tdoit。\"WhenitcamemyturnI
merelysmiledgravely，andhepassedontothelast。Thenhesaid，\"Theonlyboythatdoesn\'tdenyitisDavis。Davis，youareexcused。Iwishtotalktotherestofthem。\"Thatallgoestoshowhecanbeagentlemanifhewouldonlytry。IamanaturalbornphilosophersoIthoughtthisideaistooidioticformetoconverseaboutsoIrecommendsilenceandI
alsoarguedthattodenyyoumustnecessarilybeaccusedandtobeaccusedofstealingwouldofcoursecausemetobidPrex。good-by，sotheonlywaywas，takingthesetwoconsiderationswitheachother，todenynothingbutletthegood-naturedolddufferseehowsillyitwasbyretainingaplacidsilenceandsocrushinghisbasebutthoughtlessbehaviorandmachinations。
DICK。
Intheearlydaysathome——thatis，whenthesunshone——weplayedcricketandbaseballandfootballinourveryspaciousbackyard，andtheprogrammeofoursportswasalwayssubjecttoRichard\'schangewithoutnotice。
Whenitrainedweadjournedtothethird-storyfront，whereweplayedmelodramaofsimpleplotbutmanythrills，anditwasalwaysRichardwhowrotetheplays，producedthem，andplayedtheprincipalpart。AsIrecallthesedramasofmyearlyyouth，theactionwasalmostendlessand，althoughthecompanycomprisedtwocharmingmisses(atleastIknowthattheyeventuallygrewintotwoverylovelywomen)，therewasnotimewastedoveranythingsosentimentalorfutileaslove-scenes。
Butwhateverelsetheplaycontainedinthewayofgreatscenes，therewasalwaysamountainpass——themountainsbeingcomposedofachairandtwotables——andRichardwasforeverleadinghislittlebandoverthepasswhiletheband，whollyindifferentastowhethertheroadledtohonor，glory，ortotalannihilation，meeklyfolloweditsleader。
Forsomereason，probablyonaccountofmyearlyadmirationforRichardandbeingonlytoowillingtoobeyhiscommand，Iwasinvariablycastforthevillainintheseearlydramas，andtheendoftheplayalwaysendedinahand-to-handconflictbetweentheheroandmyself。AsRichard，naturally，wastheheroandincidentallythestrongerofthetwo，itcanreadilybeimaginedthatthefightalwaysendedinmycompleteundoing。Strangulationwasthemethodusuallyemployedtofinishme，and，whateverelseRichardwasatthattenderage，Icantestifytohisextraordinaryabilityasachoker。
ButtheseearlydaysinthecitywerenotatallthehappiestdaysofthatperiodinRichard\'slife。Hetookbutlittleinteresteveninthesocialortheathleticsideofhisschoollife，andhisfailuresinhisstudiestroubledhimsorely，onlyIfear，however，becauseittroubledhismotherandfather。Thegreatdayoftheyeartouswasthedayourschoolsclosedandwestartedforoursummervacation。WhenRichardwaslessthanayearoldmymotherandfather，whoatthetimewasconvalescingfromalongillness，hadleftPhiladelphiaonasearchforacompleterestinthecountry。Theirtravels，whichitseemswereundertakeninthespiritofavoyageofdiscoveryandadventure，finallyledthemtotheoldCurtisHouseatPointPleasantontheNewJerseycoast。ButthePointPleasantofthattimehadverylittleincommonwiththepresentwell-knownsummerresort。
Inthosedaystheplacewasreachedafteralongjourneybyrailfollowedbyathreehours\'driveinaricketystagecoachoverdeepsandyroads，albeittheroadsdidleadthroughsilent，sweet-smellingpineforests。PointPleasantitselfwasthenacollectionofhalfadozenbigfarmswhichstretchedfromtheManasquanRivertotheoceanhalfamiledistant。NothingcouldhavebeenmoreprimitiveorasI
rememberitinitspastorallovelinessmuchmorebeautiful。
Justbeyondourcottagetheriverranitssilent，lazycoursetothesea。Withtheexceptionofseveralfarmhouses，itsbankswerethenunsulliedbyhumanhabitationofanysort，andoneithersidebeyondthelowgreenbankslayfieldsofwheatandcorn，anddensegrovesofpineandoakandchestnuttrees。
Betweenusandtheoceanweremorewavingfieldsofcorn，brokenbylittleclumpsoftrees，andbeyondthesedampNile-greenpasturemeadows，andthensaltymarshesthatledtotheglistening，whitesand-dunes，andthegreatsilversemi-
circleoffoamingbreakers，andthebroad，bluesea。Onallthelandthatlaybetweenusandtheocean，wherethetownofPointPleasantnowstands，Ithinktherewerebutfourfarmhouses，andtheseinnowayinterferedwiththelandscapeorthelifeoftheprimitiveworldinwhichweplayed。
WhateverthementalstimulusmybrotherderivedfromhishomeinPhiladelphia，thefoundationofthephysicalstrengththatstoodhiminsuchgoodsteadinthecampaignsofhislateryearshederivedfromthoseearlydaysatPointPleasant。Thecottagewelivedinwasanoldtwo-storyframebuilding，towhichmyfatherhadaddedtwosmallsleeping-rooms。Outsidetherewasavine-coveredporchandwithinagreatstonefireplaceflankedbycupboards，fromwhichduringthosehappydaysIknowRichardandI，openlyandcovertly，musthaveextractedtonsofhardtackandcake。Thelittlehousewascalled\"Vagabond\'sRest，\"andahavenofrestandpeaceandcontentitcertainlyprovedformanyyearstotheDavisfamily。Fromhereitwasthatmyfatherstartedforthintheearlymorningsonhisall-dayfishingexcursions，whilemymothersatonthesunlitporchandwrotenovelsandmendedthebadlyrentgarmentsofherveryactivesons。Afteraseven-o\'clockbreakfastattheCurtisHouseourenergiesneverceaseduntilnightclosedinonusandfromsheerexhaustionwedroppedunconsciousintoourpatch-quiltedcots。Alldaylongweswamorrowed，orsailed，orplayedball，orcampedout，orateenormousmeals——anythingsolongasouractivitieswereceaselessandourbreathingapparatusgivennorest。
Aboutamileuptherivertherewasanisland——it\'saverysmall，prettilywooded，sandy-beachedlittleplace，butitseemedbigenoughinthosedays。RobertLouisStevensonmadeitfamousbyrechristeningitTreasureIsland，andwritingthenewnameandhisownonabulkheadthathadbeenbuilttoshoreuponeofitsfastdisappearingsandybanks。Butthatisverymodernhistoryandtousithasalwaysbeen\"TheIsland。\"Inourday，longbeforeStevensonhadeverheardoftheManasquan，RichardandIhaddiscoveredthistightlittlepieceofland，foundgreattreasuresthere，and，handinhand，hadsleptinasix-by-sixtentwhilethelionsandtigersgrowledatusfromthesurroundingforests。
AsIrecallthesedaysofmyboyhoodIfindtherecollectionsofourlifeatPointPleasantmuchmoredistinctthanthosewespentinPhiladelphia。ForRichardthesedayswereespeciallywelcome。Theymeantarespitefromthestudieswhichwereaconstantmenacetohimselfandhisparents；andthefreedomoftheopencountry，theocean，themanysportsonlandandontherivergavehisbodytheconstantexercisehisconstitutionseemedtodemand，andabroadfieldforanimaginationwhichwaseventhenverykeen，certainlykeenenoughtomaketherestofushisfollowers。
InanextremelysympatheticappreciationwhichIrvinS。Cobbwroteaboutmybrotheratthetimeofhisdeath，hesaysthathedoubtsifthereissuchathingasabornauthor。
PersonallyitsohappenedthatInevergrewupwithanyone，exceptmybrother，whoeverbecameanauthor，certainlyanauthoroffiction，andsoIcannotspeakonthesubjectwithauthority。ButinthecaseofRichard，ifhewasnotbornanauthor，certainlynoothercareerwaseverconsidered。SofarasIknowheneverevenwantedtogotoseaortobeabarebackriderinacircus。Aboy，ifheloveshisfather，usuallywantstofollowinhisprofessionalfootsteps，andinthecaseofRichard，hehadthedoubleinspirationoffollowingbothinthefootstepsofhisfatherandinthoseofhismother。
ForyearsbeforeRichard\'sbirthhisfatherhadbeenanewspapereditorandawell-knownwriterofstoriesandhismotheranovelistandshort-storywriterofgreatdistinction。OfthosetimesatPointPleasantIfearIcanrememberbutafewofourelders。TherewereGeorgeLambdin，MargaretRuff，andMilneRamsay，allpaintersofsomenote；astrangecouple，ColonelOlcottandtheafterwardfamousMadamBlavatsky，tryingtostartaBuddhistcultinthiscountry；Mrs。FrancesHodgsonBurnett，withherfootonthefirstrungoftheladderoffame，whoatthetimelovedmuchmillineryfinery。Onedaymyfathertookheroutsailingand，muchtothelady\'sdiscomfitureandgreatlytoRichard\'sandmydelight，upsetthefamousauthoress。AtalaterperiodtheJosephJeffersonsusedtovisitus；HoraceHowardFurness，oneofmyfather\'soldestfriends，builtasummerhomeverynearusontheriver，andMrs。JohnDrewandherdaughterGeorgieBarrymorespenttheirsummersinanear-byhostelry。IcanrememberMrs。
Barrymoreatthattimeverywell——wonderfullyhandsomeandamarvellouslycheerymanner。RichardandIbothlovedhergreatly，eventhoughitwereinsecret。HerdaughterEthelI
rememberbestassheappearedonthebeach，asweet，long-leggedchildinascarletbathing-suitrunningtowardthebreakersandthendashingmadlybacktohermother\'sopenarms。Aprettyfigureofachild，butmuchtooyoungforRichardtonoticeatthattime。Inafter-yearsthechildinthescarletbathing-suitandhebecamegreatpals。Indeed，duringthelatterhalfofhislife，throughthegooddaysandthebad，therewereveryfewfriendswhoheldsocloseaplaceinhissympathyandhisaffectionsasEthelBarrymore。
Untilthesummerof1880mybrothercontinuedonattheEpiscopalAcademy。ForsomereasonIwassenttoadifferentschool，butoutsideofoursupposedhoursoflearningwewereneverapart。Withlessthantwoyears\'differenceinouragesourinterestsweremuchthesame，andIfearourinterestsofthosedayswerelargelylimitedtoout-of-doorsportsandthetheatre。Wemusthavebeenveryyoungindeedwhenmyfatherfirstledusbythehandtoseeourfirstplay。OnSaturdayafternoonsRichardandI，unattendedbutnotwhollyunalarmed，wouldsetforthfromourhomeonthisthrillingweeklyadventure。Havingjoinedourfatherathisoffice，hewouldinvariablytakeustoachop-housesituatedattheendofablindalleywhichlayconcealedsomewhereintheneighborhoodofWalnutandThirdStreets，andwhereweateamostwonderfulluncheonofEnglishchopsandapplepie。AstheluncheondrewtoitscloseIrememberhowRichardandIusedtofretandfumewhilemyfatherinamostleisurelymannerusedtofinishoffhismugofmustyale。Butatlastthethreeofus，handinhand，myfatherbetweenus，werewalkingbrisklytowardourhappydestination。Atthattimetherewereonlyafewfirst-classtheatresinPhiladelphia——theArchStreetTheatre，ownedbyMrs。JohnDrew；theChestnutStreet，andtheWalnutStreet——allofwhichhadstockcompanies，butwhichontheoccasionofavisitingstaractedasthesupportingcompany。
ThesewerethedaysofBooth，Jefferson，AdelaideNeilson，CharlesFletcher，Lotta，JohnMcCullough，JohnSleeperClark，andtheelderSothern。AndhowRichardandIworshippedthemall——notonlythesebuteverysmall-bitactorineverystockcompanyintown。Indeed，somanyfavoritesofthestagedidmybrotherandIadmirethatordinaryframeswouldnotbegintoholdthemall，andtoovercomethisdefectwehadourbedroomentirelyredecorated。Thenewschemecalledforagraywallpapersupportedbyamaroondado。Atthetopofthelatterrantwoparallelblackpicturemouldingsbetweenwhichwecouldeasilyinsertcabinetphotographsoftheactorsandactresseswhichforthemomentwethoughtmostworthyofaplaceinourcollection。Astheroomwasfairlylargeandasthemouldingsranentirelyaroundit，wehadplentyofspaceforevenourveryelasticlovefortheheroesandheroinesofthefootlights。
EdwinForrestendedhisstagecareerjustbeforeourtime，butIknowthatRichardatleastsawhimandheardthatwonderfulvoiceofthunder。Itseemsthatoneday，whilemymotherandRichardwerereturninghome，theygotonastreet-carwhichalreadyheldthegreattragedian。AtthemomentForrestwassufferingseverelyfromgoutandhadhisbadlegstretchedwelloutbeforehim。Mybrother，beingveryyoungatthetimeandneververymuchofarespecterofpersons，promptlyfelloverthegreatman\'sgoutyfoot。Whereat(accordingtomymother，whowasalwaysamosttruthfulnarrator)ForrestbrokeforthinavolcanoofoathsandforblockscontinuedtohurlthunderousbroadsidesatRichard，whichmymotherinsistedincludedthecurseofRomeandeveryotherfamoustiradeinthetragedian\'srepertorywhichinanywayfittedtheoccasion。
NearlyfortyyearslatermyfatherbecamethepresidentoftheEdwinForrestHome，thegreatestcharityeverfoundedbyanactorforactors，andIamsurebyhiseffortsofyearsonbehalfoftheinstitutiondidmuchtoatoneforRichard\'searlyunhappymeetingwiththegreatestofallthefamousleather-lungedtragedians。
Fromhisyouthmyfatherhadalwaysbeenaclosestudentoftheclassicandmoderndrama，andthroughouthislifenumberedamonghisfriendsmanyofthecelebratedactorsandactressesofhistime。InthoseearlydaysBoothusedtocometoratherformalluncheons，andatallsuchfunctionsRichardandIateourluncheoninthepantry，andwhenthegreatmealwasnearlyoverinthedining-roomwewereallowedtocomeinintimefortheice-creamandtosit，figuratively，atthefeetofthehonoredguestandgenerally，literally，onhisorherknees。
YoungasIwasinthosedaysIcanreadilyrecalloneofthoselunch-partieswhenthecontrastbetweenBoothandDionBoucicaultstruckmyyouthfulmindmostforcibly。Booth，withhisdeep-set，bigblackeyes，shaggyhair，andlankfigure，hiswonderfullymodulatedvoice，rolledouthistheoriesofacting，whilethebald-headed，rotundBoucicault，histwinklingeyessnappinglikeafox-terrier\'s，interruptedthesonorousspeechesofthetragedianwithcrisp，wittycriticismsor\"asides\"thatmadetherestofthecompanylaughandevenbroughtasmiletotheheavy，tragicfeaturesofBoothhimself。ButtherewasnothingformalaboutourrelationswithJohnSleeperClarkandtheJeffersonfamily。
Theywerereal\"homefolks\"andoftenoccupiedourspareroom，andwhentheywerewithusRichardandIwereallowedtocometoallthemeals，and，evenifunsolicited，freelyexpressourviewsonthemoderndrama。
InlateryearstoourPhiladelphiahomecameHenryIrvingandhisfellowplayerEllenTerryandAugustinDalyandthatwonderfulquartet，AdaRehan，Mrs。Gilbert，JamesLewis，andourownJohnDrew。SirHenryIalwaysrecallbythefirstpictureIhadofhiminourdining-room，sittingfarawayfromthetable，hislonglegsstretchedbeforehim，peeringcuriouslyatRichardandmyselfoverblack-rimmedglassesandthen，withequalinterest，turningbacktotheashofalongcigarandtalkingdramawiththefamousjerky，nasalvoicebutalwayswithamarvellouspoiseandconvincingauthority。HetookagreatlikingtoRichardinthosedays，senthimachurch-warden\'spipethathehadusedasCorporalBrewster，andmademuchofhimlaterwhenmybrotherwasinLondon。
MissTerrywasamuchlessformalandforbiddingguest，rushingintothehouselikeawhirlwindandfillingtheplacewiththesunshineandhappinessthatseemedtofairlyexudefromherbeautifulmagneticpresence。AugustinDalyusuallycamewithatleastthreeofthestarsofhiscompanywhichI
havealreadymentioned，buteventhebeautifulRehanandtheniceoldMrs。Gilbertseemedthoroughlyawedinthepresenceof\"theGuv\'nor。\"Hewasamostcrusty，dictatorialparty，asIrememberhimwithhissearchingeyesandravenlocks，alwaysdressedinblackandalwaysfailingtofindvirtueinanyactororactressnotamemberofhisowncompany。IrememberoneparticularlyacriddiscussionbetweenhimandmyfatherinregardtoJuliaMarlowe，whowasthenmakingherfirstbowtothepublic。Dalycontendedthatinafewyearstheladywouldbeabsolutelyunheardofandbackedhisopinionbybettingadinnerforthosepresentwithmyfatherthathisjudgmentwouldprovecorrect。However，hewasverykindtoRichardandmyselfandfrequentlyallowedustoplayaboutbehindthescenes，whichwasaprivilegeIimaginehegrantedtoveryfewofhisfriends\'children。Onenight，longafterthis，whenRichardwasareporterinNewYork，heandMissRehanwereburlesquingascenefromaplayonwhichthelastcurtainhadjustfallen。
ItwasonthestageofDaly\'stheatreatThirtiethStreetandBroadway，andfromhisvelvetboxattheprompt-entranceDalystoodgloomilywatchingtheirfooling。WhentheyhadfinishedthemocksceneRichardwentovertoDalyandsaid，\"HowbaddoyouthinkIamasanactor，Mr。Daly？\"andgreatlytomybrother\'sdelightthegreatestmanagerofthemallofthosedaysgrumbledbackathim:\"You\'resobad，Richard，thatI\'llgiveyouahundreddollarsaweek，andyoucansignthecontractwheneveryou\'reready。\"Althoughthatwasmuchmorethanmybrotherwasmakinginhischosenprofessionatthetime，andinspiteoftheintenseinteresthehadinthetheatre，heneverconsideredtheofferseriously。
Asamatteroffact，Richardhadmanynaturalqualificationsthatfittedhimforthestage，andinafter-years，whenhewasrehearsingoneofhisownplays，hecouldandfrequentlywouldgouponthestageandreadalmostanypartbetterthantheactoremployedtodoit。Ofcourse，helackedtheeaseofgestureandtheartoftimingwhichcanonlybeattainedaftersoundexperience，buthisreadingoflinesandhisknowledgeofcharacterizationwasquiteunusual。InproofofthisIknowofatleasttwomanagerswho，whenRichardwantedtosellthemplays，refusedtohavehimreadthemthemanuscriptonthegroundthathisreadinggavethedialogueavalueitdidnotreallypossess。
Inthespringof1880RichardlefttheEpiscopalAcademy，andthefollowingSeptemberwenttoSwarthmoreCollege，situatedjustoutsideofPhiladelphia。Ifear，however，thechangewasanythingbutasuccess。Thelifeofthebigcoeducationalschooldidnotappealtohimatalland，inspiteoftwoorthreefriendshipshemadeamongthegirlsandboys，hedependedforamusementalmostwhollyonhisownresources。Intheafternoonsandonholidayshetooklongwalksoverthecountryroadsandinsearchofadventurevisitedmanyfarmhouses。Hisexcuseforthesecallswasthathewaslookingforoldfurnitureandchina，andhefrequentlyremainedlongenoughtomakesketchesofsuchobjectsashepretendedhadstruckhisartisticfancy。Oftheseadventureshewroteatgreatlengthtohismotherandfather，andtheletterswereusuallyprofuselydecoratedwithillustrationsofthemoststrikingincidentsofthevariousescapades。SeveraloftheseSwarthmoreexperiencesheusedafterwardinshortstories，andboththelettersandsketcheshesenttohisparentsatthetimeheregardedinthelightofpreparationforhisfuturework。InhisstudieshewasperhapslesssuccessfulthanhehadbeenattheEpiscopalAcademy，andalthoughheplayedfootballandtookpartinthetracksportshewasreallybutlittleinterestedineither。Therewerehalf-holidaysonWednesdaysandSaturdays，andwhenmybrotherdidnotcometotownIwenttoSwarthmoreandwespenttheafternoonsinfirstcookingourlunchinahospitablewoodsandthenplayingsomegamesintheopenthatRichardhaddevised。ButasIrecalltheseoutingstheywerenotveryjoyousoccasions，asRichardwasextremelyunhappyoverhisfailuresatschoolandgreatlydepressedabouttheprospectsforthefuture。
HefinishedthecollegeyearatSwarthmore，butsounhappyhadhebeentherethattherewasnothoughtinhismindorinthatofhisparentsofhisreturning。Atthattimemyuncle，H。
WilsonHarding，wasaprofessoratLehighUniversity，anditwasarrangedthatRichardshouldgotoBethlehemthefollowingfall，livewithhisuncle，andcontinuehisstudiesatUlrich\'sPreparatorySchool，whichmadeaspecialtyofpreparingboysforLehigh。MyunclelivedinacharmingoldhouseonMarketStreetinBethlehem，quiteneartheMoraviansettlementandacrosstheriverfromtheuniversityandtheironmills。Hewasabachelor，butofamostgregariousandhospitabledisposition，andRichardthereforefoundhimselflargelyhisownmaster，inabig，roomyhousewhichwasalmostconstantlyfilledwiththemostcharmingandcultivatedpeople。TheremyuncleandRichard，practicallyofaboutthesameagesofarastheirviewpointoflifewasconcerned，keptopenhouse，andifithadnotbeenfortheoccasionalqualmshisinnatehatredofmathematicscausedhim，Ithinkmybrotherwouldhavebeencompletelyhappy。Evenstudiesnolongerworriedhimparticularlyandheatoncestartedintomakefriendships，manyofwhichlastedthroughouthislife。
Asisusualwithyoungmenofseventeen，mostofthesemenandwomenfriendswereseveraltimesRichard\'sage，butattheperiodRichardwasaparticularlyprecociousandamusingyouthandadifferenceofafewdecadesmadebutlittledifference——certainlynottoRichard。FinleyPeterDunneoncewroteofmybrotherthathe\"probablyknewmorewaiters，generals，actors，andprincesthananymanwholived，\"andIthinkitwasduringthefirstyearofhislifeatBethlehemthathebeganthefoundationfortheremarkablecollectionoffriends，bothastonumbersandvariety，ofwhichhediedpossessed。Althougha\"prep，\"hemademanyfriendsamongtheundergraduatesofLehigh。HemadefriendswiththefriendsofhisuncleandmanyfriendsinbothoftheBethlehemsofwhichhisunclehadprobablyneverheard。
EvenatthatearlyagehecountedamonghisintimatesWilliamW。Thurston，whowaspresidentoftheBethlehemIronCompany，andJ。DavisBrodhead，oneofPennsylvania\'smostconspicuousDemocraticcongressmenandattorneys。ThosewhoknewhimatthattimecaneasilyunderstandwhyRichardattractedmenandwomensomucholderthanhimself。Hewasbrimmingoverwithphysicalhealthandanimalspiritsandtookthekeenestinterestineveryonehemetandineverythingthatwasgoingonabouthim。Andinthebroadestsensehesawtoitthen，ashedidthroughouthislife，thathealwaysdidhisshare。
DuringthoseearlydaysatBethlehemhisletterstohisfamilywerefullofhissocialactivities，withoccasionalreferencestohisworkatschool。Hewasalwaysgoingtodinnersordances，entertainingmembersofvisitingtheatricalcompanies；
andonFridaynightmymotherusuallyreceivedatelegram，sayingthathewouldarrivethenextdaywithapartyoffriendswhomhehadinadvertentlyaskedtolunchandamatinee。ItwasafteroneoftheseweeklyvisitsthatmymotherwroteRichardthefollowing:
MondayNight。
MYDARLINGBoy:
Youwentoffinsuchahurrythatittookmybreathatthelast。Yousaycomingdownhelpsyou。Itcertainlydoesme。ItbringsarealsunshinetoPapaandme。
Hewassayingthatto-day。IgaveNollyasortofholidayafterhermiserieslastnight。WewentdownstreetandgotPapaapresentforourweddingday，apicture，afterall，andthenItookMissBakersometicketsforaconcert。Isawherfatherwhosaidhe\"mustspeakaboutmynoblelookingboy。\"I
alwaysthoughthimageniusbutnowIthinkhimamanofpenetrationaswell。ThenNollyandIwentovertoseetheRussians。Buttheyarecloselyboxedupandnotallowedto-daytoseevisitors。Sowecamehomecrossandhungry。
AlleveningIhavebeenwritingbusinessletters。
PapahasgonetoareceptionandCharleyishardatworkathisdesk。
IansweredMr。Allen\'sletterthismorning，dear，andtoldhimyouwouldtalktohim。Whenyoudo，dear，talkfreelytohimastome。Youwillnotperhapsagreewithallhesays。Butyourownthoughtswillbehealthierforbringingthem——asI
mightsay，outofdoors。Yousawhowitwasbycomingdownhere。LoveofChristisnotamelancholynoramorbidthing，dearlove，butoughttomakeonemoresocialandcheerfulandalive。
Iwishyoucouldcomehomeoftener。Tryandgetaheadwithlessonssothatyoucancomeoftener。Andwhenyoufeelasifprayerwasaburden，stopprayingandgooutandtrytoputyourChristianityintorealactionbydoingsomekindness——evenspeakinginafriendlywaytosomebody。Bringyourselfintocontactwithnewpeople——notJohn，Hugh，UncleandGrandma，andtrytoacttothemasChristwouldhaveyouact，andmywordforit，youwillgohomewithanewlightonyourownrelationstoHimandanewmeaningforyourprayers。
Youremembertheprayer\"givemeagreatthoughttorefreshme。\"
Ithinkyouwillfindsomegreatthoughtsinhumanbeings——theywillhelpyoutounderstandyourselfandGod，whenyoutrytohelpthemGodmakesyouhappymydarling。
MAMA。
ItwasinthisyearthatRichardenjoyedthethrillofseeinginprinthisfirstcontributiontoaperiodical。Thedateofthisimportantevent，important，atleast，tomybrother，wasFebruary1，thefortunatepublicationwasJudge，andtheeffusionwasentitled\"TheHatandItsInmate。\"ItspurportwasanoverheardconversationbetweentwoyoungladiesatamatineeandtheeditorsthoughtsowellofitthatfortheprivilegeofprintingthearticletheygaveRichardayear\'ssubscriptiontoJudge。Hisscrap-bookofthattimeshowsthatin1884LifepublishedashortburlesqueonGeorgeW。
Cable\'snovel，\"Dr。Sevier，\"andinthesameyearTheEveningPostpaidhim$1。05foranarticleabout\"TheNewYearatLehigh。\"Itwasalsointhespringof1884thatRichardpublishedhisfirstbook，\"TheAdventuresofMyFreshman，\"aneatlittlepaper-coveredvolumeincludinghalfadozenoftheshortstoriesthathadalreadyappearedinTheLehighBurr。Inwritinginacopyofthisbookinlateryears，Richardsaid:\"Thisisacopyofthefirstbookofminepublished。Myfamilypaidtohaveitprintedandfindingnooneelsewasbuyingit，boughtuptheentireedition。
Findingthefirsteditionhadgonesoquickly，Iurgedthemtofinanceasecondone，andwhentheywereunenthusiasticIwashurt。SeveralyearslaterwhenIfoundtheentireeditioninourattic，Iunderstoodtheirreluctance。Thereasonthebookdidnotsellis，Ithink，becausesomeonemusthavereadit。\"
Inthesummerof1882RichardwenttoBoston，andinthefollowingletterunhesitatinglyexpressedhisopinionofthatcityanditspeople。
BOSTON，Wednesday。
July1882。
DEARFAMILY:——
IleftNewportlastnightorratherthismorning。IstoppedatBeverlyandcalledonDr。Holmes。Hetalkedagreatdealaboutmamaandaboutagreatmanyotherthingsequallylovelyinaveryeasy，charmingway。AllIhadtodowastolistenandIwasonlytoowillingtodothat。Wegotalongsplendidly。
HeaskedmetostaytodinnerbutIrefusedwiththanks，asIhadonlycometopaymyrespectsandputofftoDr。Bartol\'s。Dr。Holmesaccompaniedmetothedepotandsawmesafelyoff。OfallthelovelymenIeversawDr。Bartolistheone。Helivesinagreat，manyroomedwithasmanygables，house。Elizabethan，ofcourse，withimmensefireplaces，brassanddarkwoods，etchingsandengravings，withtheseaandrocksimmediatelyunderthewindowandtheoceanstretchingoutformiles，lighthousesandmoreElizabethanhouseshalfhidonthebank，andshipsandsmallboatspushingbywithinahundredrodsofthewindows。Istayedtodinnerthereandwehadaveryjollytime。ThereweretwootheryoungmenandanothermaidenbesidesMissBartol。Theytalkedprincipallyaboutthestage；thatis，theBostonStockCompany，whichistheirsolethoughtandknowledgeofthedrama。TheDr。wouldstrikeoffnowandthentophilosophizingandmoralizingbuthisdaughterwouldimmediatelysituponhim，muchtomydisgustbuttotheevidentreliefoftherest。HiswifeisaslovelyasheisbutIcan\'tgiveittoyouallnow。WaituntilIgethome。
Theyounglady，theyouthsandmyselfcameuptoBostontogetherandhadaspleasantaride，astheheatwouldallow。
IleftthematthedepotandwentuptotheParkerHouseandthentotheArtMuseum。Thestatuaryisplaster，thecoinsarecopies，andbytheway，Ifoundoneexactlylikemine，which，ifitisgenuineisworth，\"wellconsiderable\"，asthepersonageinchargeremarked。Thepicturesweresimplyvile，onlytwoorthreethatIrecognizedandprincipallyMilletandsomecharcoalsketchesofHunt\'s，whoistheApostleofArthere。Thechinawasveryfinebuttheyhadacollectionofoldfurnitureandarmorwhichwasbetterthananythingelse。
Freshfromorrathermustyfromtheseantiques，whoshouldI
meetbutthecheerfulDixeyandPowers。WehadaveryjollytalkandIenjoyeditimmensely，notonlymyselfbutallthesurroundingpopulace，asDixeywouldpersistinshowingtheyouthfulsomenew\"gag，\"andwouldbreakintoaclogordialectmuchtothedelectationoftheadmiringBostonians。I
amstrandedherefortonightandwillpushontoNewportto-morrow。I\'llgoseethe\"babes\"tonight，asthereisnothingelseinthecitythatisworthseeingthatIhaven\'tinvestigated。IlefttheNewburyportiansingriefwithregret。Imetlotsofnicepeopleandeveryonewassoverykindtome，fromtheauthoressestotheservingmaids。
Good-bye。
DICK。
CHAPTERII
COLLEGEDAYS
Inthefallof1882RichardenteredLehigh，butthefirstyearofhiscollegelifevariedverylittlefromtheonehehadspentinthepreparatoryschool。Duringthatyearhehadmetmostoftheupperclassmen，andtheonlydifferencewasthathecouldnowtakeanactiveinsteadofafriendlyinterestinthelifeandthesportsofthecollege。Alsohehadformedcertaintheorieswhichhepromptlyproceededtoputintopracticaleffect。Perhapsthemostconspicuousofthesewashisbeliefthatcane-rushesandhazingwerewhollyunnecessaryandbarbarouscustoms，andshouldhavenoplaceinthecollegeofhisday。Againsttheformerhespokeatcollegemeetings，andwrotelongletterstothelocalpapersdecryingthecustom。Hisstandagainsthazingwasequallyvehement，andheworkedhandinhandwiththefacultytoeradicateitentirelyfromthecollegelife。Thathisstandwaspurelyforaprincipleandnotfromanyfearofpersonalinjury，Ithinkthefollowinglettertohisfatherwillshow:
BETHLEHEM，February1882。
DEARDAD:
YoumayrememberaconversationwehadatSquanabouthazinginwhichyousaiditwasaveryblack-guardlythingandacowardlything。Ididn\'tagreewithyou，butwhenIsawhowitreallywasandhowsillyandundignifieditwas，besidesbeingbrutal，Ithoughtitoverandchangedmymindcompletely，agreeingwithyouineveryrespect。Alargenumberofourclasshavebeenhazed，takingitasagoodjoke，andhavebeenlaughedatbythewholecollege。Italkedtotheboysaboutit，andsaidwhatIwoulddoandsoon，withoutmucheffect。Wednesdayajuniorcametome，andtoldmeIwastobehazedasIlefttheOperaHouseFridaynight。AfterthatagreatmanycametomeandadvisedandwarnedmeastowhatIshoulddo。Idecidedtogetaboutfiftyofourclassoutsideandthenfightitout；
thatwasbeforeIchangedmymind。AssoonasIdidI
regretteditverymuch，but，asitturnedout，theclassdidn\'tcome，soIwasalone，asIwishedtobe。Yousee，I\'dnotaverygoodplacehere；thefellowslookedonmeasasortofspecialobjectofridicule，onaccountofthehatandcane，walk，andsoon，thoughIthoughtI\'dgotoverthatbythistime。TheOperaHousewaspartlyfilledwithcollegemen，alargenumberofsophomoresandafewupperclassmen。ItwasprettygenerallyknownIwasgoingtohavearow，andthatbroughtthemasmuchastheshow。PoorRuffwasinagonyallday。HesupposedI\'dgetintothefight，andheknewhe\'dgetin，too，soonerorlater。Ifhedidhe\'dbeheldandnotbeabletodoanything，andthenthenextdaybeblamedbythewholecollegeforinterferinginaclassmatter。Hehadn\'tanymoneytogetintotheshow，andsowanderedaroundoutsideintheraininagreatdealmoreexcitedstatethanIwas。
Howewentallovertownafterputtingonhisoldclothes，incaseofpersonaldamage，insearchoffreshmenwhowereathomeoutofthewet。AsIleftthebuildingamangrabbedmebymyarm，andtherest，withtheseniorsgatheredaround；theonlyfreshmanpresent，whowashalfscaredtodeath，clungasneartomeaspossible。Iwithdrewmyarmandfacedthem。\"Ifthismeanshazing，\"Isaid，\"I\'mnotwithyou。There\'snotenoughmenheretohazeme，butthere\'senoughtothrashme，andI\'dratherbethrashedthanhazed。\"Yousee，IwantedthemtounderstandexactlyhowIlookedatit，andtheywouldn\'tthinkIwassimplyhotheadedandstubborn。Iwasverycoolaboutitall。Theybrokeinwithallsortsofexplanations；hazingwasthelastthingtheyhadthoughtof。No，indeed，Davis，oldfellow，you\'remistaken。Itoldthemifthatwasso，allright，Iwasgoinghome。Isawseveralofmyfriendsinthecrowdwaitingforme，butasIdidn\'twantthemtointerfere，Isaidnothing，andtheydidnotrecognizeme。Whenamongthecrowdofsophomores，thepoorfreshmanmadealasteffort，hepulledmebythecoatandbeggedmetocomewithhim。Isaidno，Iwasgoinghome。WhenIreachedthenextcornerI
stopped。\"Igaveyoufairwarning，keepoff。ItellyouI\'llstrikethefirstman，thefirstone，thattouchesme。\"Thenthefourwhohadbeenappointedtoseizemejumpedonme，andIonlygotonegoodblowinbeforetheyhadmedowninthegutterandwerebeatingmeonthefaceandhead。Iputmyhandsacrossmyface，andsodidnotgetanyhardblowsdirectlyintheface。Theyslippedbackinamoment，andwhenIwasreadyIscrambledupprettywetandmuddy，andwithmyfacestingingwheretheyhadstruck。Ithadallbeendonesoquickly，andtherewassuchalargecrowdcomingfromthetheatre，that，ofcourse，noonesawit。WhenIgotuptherewasacircleallaroundme。Theyhadn\'tintendedtogosofar。Themen，exceptthosefourwhohadbeatenme，wereratherashamedandwishedtheywereoutofit。IturnedtoEmmerich，apostgraduate，andtoldhimtogivemeroom。\"Now，\"I
said，\"you\'renotabletohazeme，andIcan\'tthrashtwelveofyou，butI\'llfightanyonemanyoubringout。\"Iaskedforthemanthatstruckme，andnamedanother，buttherewasnoresponse。
Theupperclassmen，whohadjustarrived，calledoutthatwasfair，andthey\'dseeitfair。Goodnough，PurnellandDouglas，whodon\'tlikememuch，either。Ruffwasbesidemebythistime。
Hehadn\'tseenanythingofit，anddidnotgetthereuntilheheardmecallingforafairchanceandchallengingtheclassforaman。Icalledoutagain，thesecondtime，andstillnoonecame，soItookoccasiontoletthemknowwhyIhaddoneasIdidinashortspeechtothecrowd。IsaidIwasapeaceablefellow，thoughthazingsilly，andasIneverintendedtohazemyself，Ididn\'tintendanyonetohazeme。
ThenIsaidagain，\"Thisisthethirdtime，willoneofyourmenfightthisfair？Ican\'tfighttwelveofyou。\"Justthentwoofficerswhohadcalledonsomemill-hands，whoarealwaysdyingforafight，andacitizentohelpthem，burstintothecrowdofstudents，shoulderingthemaroundlikesheepuntiltheygottome，whenoneofthemputhisarmaroundme，andsaid，\"Idon\'tknowanythingaboutthiscrowd，butI\'llseeyou\'reprotected，sir。I\'llgive\'emfairplay。\"OneofficergotholdofRuffandprettynearshookhimtopiecesuntilI
hadtointerfereandexplain。Theywereforformingabody-guard，andwereloudintheirdenunciationsofthecollege，anddeclaringthey\'dseemethroughifIwasastrangerto\'em。
Twoorthreeofthesophomores，whentheysawhowthingsweregoing，setupayell，butGriffinstruckoutandsentoneofthemflyingonewayandhishatanother，sotheyellsended。HoweandMurrayStuarttookmeuptotheirrooms，andRuffwentoffforbeefsteakformyeye，andtreatedthecrowdwhohadcometotherescue，atDixon\'s，tobeer。
ThenextdaywasSaturday，andastherewastobeameetingoftheAthleticAssociation，ofcourse，Iwantedtoshowup。Thefellowsalllookedatmyeyeprettyhardandsaidnothing。I
feltprettysurethatthesympathywasallwithme。
Fourmenareelectedfromthecollegetobeontheathleticcommittee。Theycanbenominatedbyanyone，thoughgenerallyitisdonebyamanintheirownclass。WehadagreedthedaybeforetovoteforTolmanforourclass，sowhenthepresidentannouncednominationswereinorderforthefreshmenclass，Tolmanwasinstantlynominated。AtthesametimeoneoftheleadingsophomoresjumpedupandnominatedMr。Davis，andanumberofmenfromthesameclasssecondedit。Ikneweveryoneinthecollegeknewofwhathadhappened，andespeciallythesophomores，soIwas，ofcourse，verymuchsurprised。I
lookedunconscious，though，andwaited。Oneoftheseniorsaskedthatthenomineesshouldstandup，astheydidn\'tknowtheirnamesonlytheirfaces。Aseachmanrosehewashissedandgroaneddownagain。WhenIstoodupthesophomoresburstintoayellandclappedandstamped，yelling，\"Davis!Davis!
voteforD!\"untilIsatdown。AsIhadalreadydecidedtonominateTolman，Iwithdrewmynamefromthenominees，amovementwhichwasreceivedbyloudcriesof\"No!No!\"fromthesophs。So，yousee，Dad，Ididasyousaid，asIthoughtwasright，andcameoutwellindeed。Yousee，Iamnowtheheroofthehour，everyoneintownknowsit，andeveryonecongratulatesme，and，\"Welldone，meboy，\"asMorrow\'83said，seemstobetheidea，onegetstakencareofinthisworldifyoudowhat\'stherightthing，ifitisonlyastreetfight。Infact，asoneoftheseniorssaid，I\'vemadefivefriendswhereIhadonebefore。Thesophsareashamedandsorry，astheirconductinchapel，whichwasmoremarked，thanImadeit，shows。I\'venothingtoshowforitbutaredmarkundertheeye，andsoitisthebestthingthatcouldpossiblyhavehappened。PoorRuffhuggedmeallthewayhome，andI\'vestartedoutwellinagoodway，Ithink，thoughnotaverylogicalone。
Unclesaystotellyouthatmyconducthashisapprovalthroughout。
DICK。
Towhichlettermyfatherpromptlyreplied:
PHILADELPHIA。February25th，1882。
DEAROLDBOY:
I\'mgladtheaffairendedsowell。Idon\'twantyoutofight，butifyouhavetofightacusslikethatdoitwithallyourmight，anddon\'tinsistthateitherpartyshalltoostrictlyobservetheMarkisO\'Queensburyrules。Hitfirstandhardestsothatthineadversaryshallbewareofyou。
DAD。
AtthattimethesecretsocietiesplayedaveryimportantpartinthecollegelifeatLehigh，andwhileIdonotbelievethatRichardsharedthetheoryofsomeofthestudentsthattheywereaseriousmenacetothesocialfabric，hewasquitefirminhisbeliefthatitwasinadvisabletobeamemberofanyfraternity。Inageneralwayhedidnotliketheideaofsecrecyeveninitsmildestform，andthen，asthroughouthislife，herefusedtojoinanybodythatwouldinanywaylimithiscompleteindependenceofwordoraction。InconnectionwiththisphaseofhiscollegelifeIquotefromanappreciationwhichM。A。
DeW。Howe，oneofRichard\'sbestfriendsbothatcollegeandinafter-life，wroteforTheLehighBurratthetimeofmybrother\'sdeath:
\"Tothecreditoftheperceptivefacultyofundergraduates，itoughttobesaidthattheclassmatesandcontemporariesofRichardHardingDavisknewperfectlywell，whileheandtheywereyoungtogether，thatinhimLehighhadasonsomarkedinhisindividuality，soendowedwithtalentsandcharacterthathestoodquiteapartfromtheothercollegiansofhisday。
Prophetswereasrareintheeightiesastheyhavealwaysbeen，beforeandsince，andnobodycouldhaveforeseenthatthenameandworkofDickDaviswouldlongbeforehisuntimelydeath，indeedwithinafewyearsfromleavingcollege，bebetterknownthroughouttheworldthanthoseofanyotherLehighman。Wewhoknewhiminhiscollegedayscouldnotfeelthesmallestsurprisethathewonhimselfquicklyabrilliantname，andkeptafirmholduponittothelast。
\"Whatwasitthatmadehimsoearlyamarkedman？Ithinkitwasthespiritofconfidenceandenthusiasmwhichturnedeveryenterpriseheundertookintoanadventure，——thebraveandhumorousplayingofthegameoflife，thetrueheart，thewholesomebodyandsoulofmyfriendandclassmate。Hedidnotexcelinstudiesorgreatly，inathletics。Butinhisownfield，thatofwriting，hewassomuchbetterthantherestofusthatnooneofhisfellow-editorsoftheEpitomeorBurrneededtobeconsideredincomparisonwithhim。Noless，inspiteofhisvoluntarynonmembershipinthefraternitiesofhisday，washealeaderinthesocialactivitiesoftheUniversity。The`ArcadianClub\'devotedinitsbeginningstothe`pipes，books，beerandgingeralia\'ofDavis\'ssongaboutitandthe`MustardandCheese\'werehiscreations。Inallhispersonalrelationshipshewasthemostamusingandstimulatingofcompanions。Withgarbandwaysofuniquepicturesqueness，rarerevenincollegecommunitiesagenerationagothanatpresent，itwasinevitablethathesometimesgothimselflaughedataswellaswith。Butwhatdiditallmatter，eventhen？To-dayitaddsaglowofcolortowhatwouldbeinanycaseavivid，deeplyvaluedmemory。
\"Itishardtoforeseeinyouthwhatwillcomemostsharplyandpermanentlyinthelongrun。AfteralltheseyearsitisgoodtofindthatDavisandwhathiscompanionshipgaveoneholdtheirplacewiththestrongestinfluencesofLehigh。\"
ButRichardwasnaturallygregariousandathearthadagreatfondnessforclubsandsocialgatherings。Therefore，havingrefusedtheofferofseveralfraternitiesthatdidhimthehonortoaskhimtobecomeamember，itwasnecessaryforhimtoformafewclubsthatheldmeetings，butnosecrets。
Perhapsthemostsuccessfulofthesewere\"TheMustardandCheese，\"adramaticclubdevotedtothepresentationoffarcesandmusicalcomedies，andTheArcadiaClub，tothefortnightlymeetingsofwhichhedevotedmuchtimeandthought。Thefollowinglettertohisfatherwillgivesomeideaofthescopeoftheclub，which，asinthecaseof\"TheMustardandCheese，\"gainedapermanentandimportantplaceinthesociallifeofLehigh。
