My mother's character was cast in a gentler mould. Her heart was a fountain, whence the pure waters of affection never ceased to flow. Her very being seemed twined with mine, and ardently did I return her love. For the long space of twenty years she had occupied the then prominent position of schoolmistress in the village, and frequently planted the first principles of knowledge in the minds of children, whose parents had, years before, been benefited by her early instructions. And well qualified by nature and acquirements was she for the interesting but humble office she filled, if a kindly heart and a well-stored mind be the requisites. Of course, I received my first lessons at home; but as I advanced in years, it became advisable that I should be sent to a school, and to one I was accordingly scnt. There was a free school in the village, but my father possessed too much independence to allow him to send me to a charity school, and, though he could ill afford it, paid a weekly sum for my instruction at the seminary of Mr. Davis, of Folkstone. I progressed rapidly in my limited education, and became a teacher in the school; two classes, as was the custom, were placed under my care; the children of one of them I initiated into the art and mystery of spelling words of two syllables, and taught the Rule of Three to a class more advanced. As most boys will, I sometimes got into petty scrapes, and once narrowly escaped a serious disgrace. I occasionally gave the reins to a temper which was naturally passionate, and on a certain occasion, when the order of 'Teachers to your classes' was given, I exclaimed, 'I wish the classes were at the devil!' One of the boys reported my remark to the master, saying, 'Please, sir, I heard him.' He called me to him. I denied that I had uttered such words; but one boy, and another, and another asserting that I did, with 'Please, sir, I heard him, too,' my falsehood was discovered. I then could deny no longer; and my master sternly ordered me, when the school closed, to take my slate and books home with me, and never return to the school. I sat down moodily in my place, pondering on what had occurred, and revolving within my mind what course I should pursue; for I justly dreaded my father's anger, and felt convinced that he would not pass my offence by lightly. After mature consideration, I went to my master, admitted my fault, reasoned with him, and stated how much I feared my father's anger, should I be discharged from the school. Nor were my entreaties without the desired effect; for the good man relented, and I was pardoned, my father never knowing any thing of the matter. I was now about eight years of age, and having a keen taste for the beauties of nature, was often to be found roaming on Sandgate beach, gazing with wonder on the great deep, and, as I listened to its everlasting moan, little dreaming that three thousand miles beyond was a land in which my lot would one day be cast. There was an old castle, too, in the vicinity, which had been built years ago, -ages to my boyish mind,- by Henry the Eighth. I became a great favorite of the keeper of this ancient place, and having acquired some knowledge of the history of the bluff king Hal, I used to wander through the desolate courtyards where the rank grass grew; sit in deserted, windowless chambers, where the bat nestled and the owl screamed, or gaze from turret and battlement on the surrounding scenery. And I would in fancy people the place with its old inhabitants, and see plumed cavaliers and ruffled dames pacing the corridors or surrounding the groaning board. Katherine of Arragon, and Ann Boleyn, with Henry's other wives, flitted by me. I lived, as it were, in the past; and thus, almost unconsciously, my imagination was cultured, and my mind imbued with a love of history and poetry. My father belonged to the Methodist persuasion, and my mother was a Baptist, but the differences in doctrine existing between them never affected their happiness. As all in such cases should do, they agreed to differ. Among other circumstances connected with this period of my life, I well remember one which much impressed me. The venerable and devoted William Wilberforce resided, during a few of the summer months, at Sandgate, for the benefit of his health. I had heard much of the great philanthropist, and was not a little delighted when my father took me to his lodgings, where a prayer-meeting was held. How it was, I know not, but I attracted Mr. Wilberforce's attention. He patted me on my head, said many kind things, and expressed wishes for my welfare. He also presented me with a book, and wrote with his own hand my name on the fly-leaf. Having acquired some reputation as a good reader, he requested me to read to him. I did so, and he expressed himself as much pleased. The book presented to me, I long since lost, but never shall I forget the kindly words of the venerable giver. I have remarked, that I was considered to be a good reader. Often, whilst I have been sitting reading to my mother, as she sat working by our cottage-door, which faced the sea, have strangers stayed to listen, attracted by my proficiency in this art. There was a library in the village, kept by Mr Purday, and to this place many of the visitors at our water ing-place resorted, to learn the news. Very frequently 1 was sent for to read to ladies and gentlemen; and the schoolmistress's son became a general purveyor of the gossip of the day, in return for which I was rewarded pretty liberally. On one occasion, a gentleman, to whom I had read some |