'2\*2 THE CENTLF..MAN USHER. 



burst into the room ; he was one of the young gentlemen by the way, 

 who had witnessed my misfortunes before the door. A painter could 

 have desired no better specimen of a school-boy. Long, straight, 

 uncombed hair, a Saturday frill, brown corduroy trowsers, worn at 

 the knees with marble-playing, and shrunk more than half way up 

 the spindle shanks, blue worsteds, in folds, and rusty calf-skin shoes, 

 were the distinguishing characteristics of the exterior of Master Wil- 

 liams. Of his mental accomplishments I was shortly to judge. 

 " Come here sir," said the master, in a patronizing voice, " come here 



and shew this gentleman, that we do know something, even at . 



Just stand upright, look at me, and blow your nose, my boy. Now, 

 answer my questions." Master Williams parroted half a dozen 

 stupid answers to as many ridiculous demands upon his memory. 

 " Pray, young gentleman," said I " That's right ; you may go," ex- 

 claimed Mr. B., drowning my voice, and affecting not to perceive my 

 intention of taking up the examination myself. The words were no 

 sooner out of his mouth, than the young phenomenon snatched his 

 hands from his breeches pocket and bolted. 



" And now," said B., " now that I have practically developed my 

 system, will you favour me with a translation or two from some an- 

 cient author? " I replied that I had no objection, and muttered 

 something of testimonials from my tutors ."Testimonials !" exclaimed 

 he, (C yes sir, no doubt : we all know what Cambridge testimonials 

 are ; every applicant has testimonials. I would rather take my own 

 opinion than that of all the Cambridge classics together." Well, 

 my trial, as he called it, began ; I proceeded, apparently to his satis- 

 faction, until in turning an English passage into Latin, I used the 

 expression, studebat eloquentice. " The accusative, if you please, after 

 studeo," he thundered out, " at least so it has been ever since I have 

 been head master of this academy/' " Never before," I thought, 

 and might have quoted Cicero's authority in my defence, but what had 

 an expectant usher to do with Cicero ? So I bowed to my superior 

 in silence. 



" Proceed we, now sir," said he, shutting the books, C( to state the 

 duties required to be performed by my seniaur assistant. He must 

 be in the school-room every morning at six o'clock precisely," 

 <( Winter and summer, sir ?" (< Yes sir ; all the year round; I myself 

 take the chair at half-after eight. From nine o'clock till the half hour 

 during which time the boys hear prayers read by me, wash themselves, 

 and take their morning meal, he will be at liberty " fc To take his 

 breakfast, I suppose sir ?" " Yes, or employ himself in any other way 

 he likes. From half-past nine till two, he will be in school again, hear- 

 ing lessons in classics or mathematics, as it may happen. At two, he 

 will dine with the boys, and carve for them. He will return to the 

 school at three" " And the salary, sir," I cried, " is" " At six he 

 will be free, at least no, not free he will of course have to look 

 over the exercises of the day." " And the salary ?" I repeated in 

 agony. ft Then he will walk, on Sundays, twice a day to church, 

 hovering on the flank of the line, and seeing that the boys keep open 

 order nothing annoys me more than to see them huddled toge- 

 ther like so many charity children." " And the salary, sir? 



