8 BIOGRAPHY. 



gave up the pursuit, and went his way. When he had 

 disappeared, I stole out of cover, as strongly perfumed as 

 was old Falstaff when they had turned liim out of the 

 back basket. 



" Once I had gone into the labyrinth to look into a 

 magpie's nest, which was in a high hollow tree; and 

 hearing the sound of voices near, I managed to get a 

 resting-place in the tree just over the nest, and there I 

 squatted, waiting the event. Immediately the President, 

 two other Jesuits, and the present Mr. Salvin of Croxdale 

 Hall, passed close under the tree without perceiving me. 



" The good fathers were aware of my predominant pro- 

 pensity. Though it was innocent in itself, nevertheless it 

 was productive of harm in its consequences, by causing 

 me to break the college rules, and thus to give a bad 

 example to the community at large. Wherefore, with a 

 magnanimity, and excellent exercise of judgment, which 

 are only the province of those who have acquired a con- 

 summate knowledge of human nature, and who know how 

 to turn to advantage the extraordinary dispositions of those 

 intrusted to their care, they sagaciously managed matters 

 in such a way as to enable me to ride my hobby to a 

 certain extent, and still, at the same time, to prevent me 

 from giving a bad example. 



" As -the establishment was very large, and as it con- 

 tained an abundance of prey, the Hanoverian rat, which 

 fattens so well on English food, and which always con- 

 trives to thrust its nose into every man's house when there 

 is anything to be got, swarmed throughout the vast extent 

 of this antiquated mansion. The ability which I showed 

 in curtailing the career of this voracious intruder did not 

 fail to bring me into considerable notice. The cook, the 

 baker, the gardener, and my friend old Bowren, could all 

 bear testimony to my progress in this line. By a mutual 



