28 THE MAN IN THE WALL 



Residing as he did in the parish of Wimborne, it is only 

 natural to assume that he received his early education at 

 the Grammar School in that town. We may well hope that 

 the experiences of his boyhood's days were happier than were 

 apparently those of his contemporary and almost lifelong 

 friend John Aubrey, the Wiltshire antiquary, who wrote 

 in 1670 as follows : f 



" From the time of Erasmus till about 20 years past (1536-1650) the 

 learning was downright pedantry. The conversation and habits of 

 those times were as starcht as their bands and square beards ; and 

 gravity was then taken for wisdom. The doctors in those days were 

 but old boys, when quibbles past for wit, even in their sermons. The 

 gentry and citizens had little learning of any kind, and their way of 

 breeding was suitable to the rest. They were as severe to their children 

 as their schoolmasters ; and their schoolmasters, as masters of the house 

 of correction. The child perfectly loathed the sight of his parents, as 

 the slave his torture. Gentlemen of 30 and 40 years of age were to 

 stand like mules and fools bare-headed before their parents ; and the 

 daughters (grown women) were to stand at the cupboard side during the 

 whole time of the proud mother's visit, unless (as the fashion was) 

 leave was desired, forsooth that a cushion should be given them to 

 kneel upon, brought them by the serving man, after they had done 

 sufficient penance in standing. . . At Oxford (and I believe at 

 Cambridge) the rod was frequently used by the Tutors and 

 Deans. And Dr. Potter, of Trinity College,* I know right well, 

 whipt his pupil with his sword by his side, when he came to take leave 

 of him to go to the Inns of Court." 



" Anthony Ettorick " matriculated at Trinity College, 

 Oxford, in September 1640, when he was in his eighteenth 

 year. The President of the College at that time was " the 

 worthy but singular " Dr. Kettle, the predecessor of Dr. 

 Hannibal Potter, the flagellant above mentioned. A year 

 and a half afterwards, John Aubrey became a student at 

 the same College. The two young men may have known one 

 another before their Oxford days, for Aubrey, although a 



f Wiltshire. Topographical Collections by J. Aubrey, Edited by 

 Canon Jackson. Published by Wilts Arch. Soc. 1862, pages 16, 17. 



* President of Trin. Coll. 1643-1648 and 1660-1664. cf. Walker's 

 Sufferings of the Clergy, Pt. 11., p. 133. 



