Year: 1879

My eldest brother, Reginald. won an
exhibition at school. scholarship at col
lege, and was safely landed in the priest
hood of the Church of England at small
cost to our unwealthy parents. In like
manner, Horace, the second son, only re-
quired the impetus of an ordinary educa-
ton. supplemented by vigorous final
shove by a private tutor, to launch him
into the Indian Civil Service. But then,
alas the family talent and energy were
exhausted. could gain no exhibition
only make one of myself when tried


Thomas said my father one day,
"come into the study; | wish to speak to
You seriously"


As if he were in the habit of joking.


"Thoughtless Thomas continued the
good and upright though strict old man,
when we We're closeted together, ''can
you not aid us in our choice of profession
for you' Have you any prediction ?''


''ies. r'-he was old-fashioned, and
we did not papa" him-'.I fancy that |
should like the army


The army? Foolish boy, You do not
know what you are talking about. The
life of an officer in time of peace is but too
often one round of idleness. frivolity, and
vice. You might learn to frequent the
billiard-room, the race-course, and the
ball room.


did not feel so much shocked as |
ought to have been. On the contrary, |
fear that the pastimes which are popular
! ly supposed to relieve the tedium of
warriors career, rather than any abstract
desire for being ripped up by a Jagged bit
of she'll jabbed with bavonet in the
chest, or operated upon without ehloro-
form. were at the root of my military as
pirations.


"And besides" continued my father,
seeing that was not much impressed by
his first objections, II can neither afford to
purchase YOU a commission, nor to make
you suitable allowance after you have
obtained il"


That was an argument which admitted
of no reply. Asked to choose my road of
life, had done so, and been stopped at
once with notice of mo Thoroughfare !"
So then sat down on the bank, as it were,
with folded arms and left my father to
point out Il practical route


He presently procured me clerkship
in an insurance office, with a salary of
sixty pounds the first year, and the pros
pect of an annual rise of ten pounds, till
the princely sum of one hundred and fifty
!
commission on all business that | could
manage to bring to the office.


resided at Brent Green with my par
ents, and travelled daily to and from the
city by omnibus, conversing affably with
my ellow-passengers, and endeavoring
to draw their attention to the uncertainty
of life, the probability OF fire. and the
wisdom of holding policies in the ANTI
Adversity.'


Brent Green was not lively place the
pond which watered it was stagnant and
duckweedy; the geese that plucked up its
coarse grass by the roots complained
mournfully of the scant diet afforded them
the inhabitants of the houses surrounding
it did not take cheerful views of life. as a
rule, and the one who did-an optimist,
who thought we were all getting gradual
lv perfect-was inconsistent enough to be
the most low spirited of the lot. Why so
many families ofdr fdrabtemperament should
have gathered together in one spot can
not explain; perhaps the gloomy pond
attracted them.


The gravity of my own parents indeed
was Ineligible enough; my father held
original shares in an affair which had
habit of issuing calls instead of dividends j;
my mothers had been omitted in will
which ought by promise to have been in
her favor; and they took great interest in
Retormatory Institutions, and expected
gratitude Now the criminals they expert
mented upon seldom thanked them, or of
those who did. several swindled them; and.
though their desire to do good was strong
enough to prevent their throwing the whole
thing up in disgust, disappointment cer-
tanlV made them harsh. The worst of
their hobby was that the child of such emf
nent philanthropists ought to have been a
pattern while showed early tendencies to
become pickle. They were in constant
state of fear lest should do something
which would cause people to say, You
reform the criminal classes Look at
home :" So they put sharp curb on in
my youth, and kept it as they could after
| was earning my own living. 1t was
rather unjust. was never late at my
office, or disobedient and undutiful at
home neither had | shown any vicious
propensities. But did feel inclined for a
little relaxation in the evening; | wished
for companions of my own age; preferred
reading amusing books to improving my
mind. and thought it hard to be cross-ques-
toned if came home after ten
Nv only resourt e. was in Cousin John,
who lived in lodgings in Berners street.
where was allowed to visit freely; for
his little property was at his own disposal,
and believe that my approving parents at
tributed my regard for him TO prudential
motives, while his age, which was the
same as my fathers, and his quiet habits
j. induced confidence. But never speculat-
ed upon Cousin Johns will in those days
looked upon living folks as alive for ever.
l cultivated his acquaintance because |
could say what pleased to him without
restraint because visit to his lodgings
was an excuse for escaping from the pa
ternal roof; because he played cribbage,
and did not object to my smoking at his
place; and because on rare occasions he
covered a strategic movement for ME, and
while my parents deemed that was in
gratiating myself with him. my mind had
SCARED into the seventh heaven, while my
body was closely packed in the pit Of y