In the evening the Yule-log was rolled into the back of the big fireplace, and smaller wood piled in front of it, and a blazing fire kept going; in the light of this we played games, and sang songs, and told stories until bed time Each year we added a new chapter to the book and a new picture to the collection of our memories of these happy occasions.

My First Pair of Pants and My Name

I was not named after Timothy, the young preacher who was so dear to Paul. I was the baby in the family for some years. When another baby came I had to give up the big rocking cradle to him. It was a hard move, but I had my turn in it as had all the other children when they were babies. This was my first move toward manhood, and it compensated in a measure for my loss. Until I was seven years of age I was dressed like a little girl. I was glad to leave the petti- coat stage of my life. I felt I was quite a man when I got my first pair of pants; to have a pair of pockets gave me a large opinion of myself. Yet the change from girl to boy was not easy for me. It had some disadvantages too. The pants were so close fitting, and I felt so big, they made me look stiff and slender like a stalk of timo- thy. Some of my older brothers, to tease me, called me "Timothy”; in that simple way I got the name which I use as the title of this book. I had to be more careful of my behaviour after I got the close fitting pants; the mode of punishment in use then for little boys, was more effective when the garment fitted close to the skin. But I got very little punishment either at home or at school. With the excep- tion of a few outbreaks of unruliness and their painful consequences, I got along delightfully. My older brothers were very good and kind to me and I fared well.

Cod Oil Lamps and Tallow Dips

In addition to the light from the fireplace, we had cod oil lamps; these were made of tin, and were in two pieces; the lower piece was like a large shallow tin cup with a high arched handle, or bail; the up- per piece was shaped like a teapot, it fitted into the lower piece under the handle. A piece of cotton was twisted, like a rope, and put

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