42 EARLY LIFE. 



subjects, on their duties to heaven and to their fellow- 

 creatures, beside dwelling on the illustration of his 

 remarks derived from their learning, classical, histo- 

 rical, and geographical. It is difficult to conceive a 

 more useful discipline in all respects than his class 

 afforded. But in no particular was his instruction 

 more valuable than in opening the mind to the con- 

 templation of characters, ancient and modern, and 

 drawing from them the conclusions in favour of poli- 

 tical virtue of every kind. He always spoke with 

 great natural eloquence, and made very deep impres- 

 sion by the force and conciseness of his statements, 

 and the rich illustrations from history, the constant 

 reference to individuals, and the appeals to classical 

 authority. It would be difficult to exaggerate the 

 effects of his lectures, for such they were, though often 

 consisting of a few sentences interspersed in the les- 

 sons as they went on. Among his favourite topics 

 was inculcating the love of independence, the duty 

 and comfort of making one's own fortune, and relying 

 on one's self alone. Then he would chide a pupil's 

 idleness or inattention ; and if the lad was of the 

 higher orders, " But you will get a post or a pension 

 when others are working their way uphill." Then 

 the delights of learning in all its branches formed a 

 constant theme, and the mischiefs of all obstructions 

 in the way of its acquirement. " A tax upon paper 

 is a tax upon knowledge," was a frequent expression. 

 He was always extolling the ancient writers : it was 

 his business. He would point out their beauties, and 



