4 MEMOIR OF THOMAS BEWICK. 



that the latter indulged me in every thing I had a 

 wish for ; or, in other words, made me a great pet. 

 I was not to be "snubbed" (as it was called), do 

 what I would ; and, in consequence of my being thus 

 suffered to have my own way, I was often scalded 

 and burnt, or put in danger of breaking my bones 

 by falls from heights I had clambered up to. 



The next circumstance, which I well remember, 

 was that of my being sent to Mickley School when 

 very young; and this was not done so much with a 

 view to my learning, as to keep me out of " harm's 

 way." I was some time at this school without 

 making much progress in learning my letters or 

 spelling small words ; the master, perhaps, was 

 instructed not to keep me very close at my book ; 

 but, in process of time, he began to be more and 

 more severe upon me; and I see clearly at this 

 day, that he frequently beat me when faultless, and 

 also for not learning what it was not in my power 

 to comprehend. Others suffered in the same way. 

 He was looked upon as a severe or "cross" man, 

 and did not spare his rod. His name I do not 

 recollect; but he was nicknamed "Shabby Rowns." 

 He was a tall, thin man; and, with a countenance 

 severe and grim, he walked about the school-room, 

 with the tawse or a switch in his hand. He, no 

 doubt, thought he was keeping the boys to their 

 lessons, while the jabbering and noise they made 

 was enough to stun anyone, and impressed the 

 people passing by with the idea that Bedlam was 

 let loose. How long he went on in this way I do 

 not recollect; but, like many others of his profession, 

 who were at that time appointed to fill the most 

 important office of a teacher, no pains had been 

 taken to enquire whether he possessed the requisite 



