The Brighton of my Boyhood 



who would rather spend her leisure in 

 walks among the hills, or visiting among 

 friends, than in very much study. 



My cousin Ridley, the hero of my boy- 

 hood, was only one of three of our kin 

 whom my Father brought about him in 

 Brighton, giving them regular work and a 

 good wage in place of the dull life and 

 insufficient earnings of the agricultural 

 labourer of that period. 



And then there was Sukie, in whom a 

 mingle of natural shrewdness, obstinate 

 ignorance, beautiful devotion, and peppery 

 temper went to make up a servant the like 

 of which you may seek long enough in these 

 days. 



But now enough of introduction. Come 

 away with me into the last teens of this 

 century, into old Brighton, and let us make 

 straight for East Street, till we come upon 

 my Father's office. Here it is, with the two 

 large bowed-glass windows, all of small 

 square panes, on either side the door, and 

 with the pots of bright flowers in Esther's 

 window above ; and so, if you please, step 

 up into the office, and through into the 

 house behind, and let me make you better 

 acquainted with the folk who live there. 



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