the actions he performed; for the
character is more easily changed than the habits and manners originally formed
by that character, and to his dying day Mr. Carson was considered hard and cold
by those who only casually saw him, or superficially knew him. But those who
were admitted into his confidence were aware, that the wish that lay nearest to
his heart was that none might suffer from the cause from which he had suffered;
that a perfect understanding, and complete confidence and love, might exist
between masters and men; that the truth might be recognised that the interests
of one were the interests of all, and, as such, required the consideration and
deliberation of all; that hence it was most desirable to have educated workers,
capable of judging, not mere machines of ignorant men; and to have them bound to
their employers by the ties of respect and affection, not by mere money bargains
alone; in short, to acknowledge the Spirit of Christ as the regulating law
between both parties.
    Many of the improvements now in practice in the system of employment in
Manchester, owe their origin to short, earnest sentences spoken by Mr. Carson.
Many and many yet to be carried into execution, take their birth from that
stern, thoughtful mind, which submitted to be taught by suffering.
 

                                Chapter XXXVIII

                                   Conclusion

 »Touch us gently, gentle Time!
 We've not proud or soaring wings,
 Our ambition, our content,
 Lies in simple things;
 Humble voyagers are we
 O'er life's dim unsounded sea;
 Touch us gently, gentle Time!«
                                                                 Barry Cornwall.
 
Not many days after John Barton's funeral was over, all was arranged respecting
Jem's appointment at Toronto; and the time was fixed for his sailing. It was to
take place almost immediately: yet much remained to be done; many domestic
preparations were to be made; and one great obstacle, anticipated by both Jem
and Mary, to be removed. This was the opposition they expected from Mrs. Wilson,
to whom the plan had never yet been named.
    They were most anxious that their home should continue ever to be hers, yet
they feared that her dislike to a new country might be an insuperable objection
to this. At last Jem took advantage of an evening of unusual placidity, as he
sat alone with his mother just before going to bed, to broach the subject; and
to his surprise she acceded willingly to his proposition of her accompanying
himself and his wife.
    »To be sure 'Merica is a long way to flit to; beyond London a good bit, I
reckon