Introduction. 



I have followed the path myself, and, after 

 fifty years' tramp down it, have been forced 

 to abandon it owing to gout and rheumatism. 

 I have not picked up a big fortune at it, or 

 become celebrated, except quite locally ; but 

 I have had a good time and helped the 

 world in general, and am content with my 

 past life. 



I was the son of a worthy country parson, 

 who in my youth proposed to me in turn to 

 become a judge, a bishop, a general, a Glad- 

 stone, a Nelson, a Sir James Paget, and a 

 ritualistic curate ; but when talking to me on 

 the subject the good old man always said, 

 "Mind, my boy, though I propose these 

 various positions for you, yet, if you have any 

 decided preference yourself, I will not thwart 

 you, I will not fly in the face of nature." 



For some time I thought I should rather 

 like to be a bishop, and to this day I think 

 I should have made a good one ; but the 



