CHARLES WATERTON, ESQ. Xxi 
lieu of effacing my ruling passion, did but tend to 
render it more distinct and clear. Thus are bright 
colours in crockery-ware made permanent by the 
action of fire; thus is dough turned into crust by 
submitting it to the oven’s heat. 
My first adventure on the water made a lasting 
impression, on account of the catastrophe which 
attended it. There was a large horsepond, sepa- 
rated by a hedge from the field which was allotted 
to the scholars for recreation-ground. An oblong 
tub, used for holding dough before it is baked, had 
just been placed by the side of the pond. I thought 
that I could like to have an excursion on the deep ; 
so taking a couple of stakes out of the hedge, to 
serve as oars, I got into the tub, and pushed off ;— 
** Ripe ulterioris amore.” 
I had got above half way over, when, behold, the 
master and the late Sir John Lawson of Brough 
Hall, suddenly rounded a corner and hove in sight. 
Terrified at their appearance, I first lost a stake, 
and then my balance: this caused the tub to roll 
like a man-of-war in a calm. Down I went to the 
bottom, and rose again covered with mud and dirt. 
“ Terribili squalore Charon.” My good old master 
looked grave, and I read my destiny in his coun- 
tenance; but Sir John said that it was a brave 
adventure, and he saved me from being brought 
to a court-martial for disobedience of orders, and 
for having lost my vessel. 
On my return home from this school, I was once 
within an ace of closing all accounts here below for 
a 3 
