CHILDHOOD AND BOYHOOD 21 



Three of them, F. Rendal, H. H olden, and C. Evans, 

 were the very first in classics of their respective years 

 at Cambridge. The two first were bracketed as 

 equally deserving the position of Senior Classic, and 

 the third gained that honour unpaired. Still, the 

 literary provender provided at Dr. Jeune's school 

 disagreed wholly with my mental digestion. The 

 time spent there was a period of stagnation to myself, 

 which for many years I bitterly deplored, for I was 

 very willing and eager to learn, and could have learnt 

 much if a suitable teacher had been at hand to direct 

 and encourage me. 



