XX AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 



the new dynasty may always make sure of my 

 loyalty, even if any of our old line of kings were 

 still in existence ; for 



" The illustrious house of Hanover, 



And Protestant succession, 

 To these I have allegiance sworn, 

 While they can keep possession." 



But to my life and adventures. 



When I was not quite eight years old, I had 

 managed to climb upon the roof of an out-house, 

 and had got to a starling's nest under one of the 

 slates. Had my foot slipped, I should have been 

 in as bad a plight as was poor Ophelia in the willow 

 tree, when the " envious sliver broke." The ancient 

 housekeeper, mentioned in the account of the barn- 

 owl, had cast her rambling eye upon me. Seeing 

 the danger I was in, she went and fetched a piece 

 of gingerbread, with which she lured me down, and 

 then she seized me, as though I had been a male- 

 factor. 



At nine years old, I was sent to a school in the 

 north of England, where literature had scarcely 

 any effect upon me, although it was duly adminis- 

 tered in large doses by a very scientific hand. But 

 I made vast proficiency in the art of finding birds' 

 nests. It was judged necessary by the master of 

 the school to repress this inordinate relish for orni- 

 thological architecture, which, in his estimation, 

 could be productive of no good. Accordingly, the 

 birch rod was brought to bear upon me when occa- 

 sion offered; but the warm application of it, in 



