20 LIFE OF THE AUTHOR. 



spoken a word to Charles Waterton these three days, to the best of 

 my knowledge.' Upon this the prefect, having lost all scent of me, 

 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 him out of the buck-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 propensity. 

 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 bad example to the community at large. Where- 

 fore, with a magnanimity and excellent exercise of judgment, which 

 are only the province of those who have acquired a consummate 

 knowledge of human nature, and who know how to turn to advan- 

 tage 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 pre- 

 vent me from giving bad example. As the establishment was very 

 large, and as it contained an abundance of prog, the Hanoverian 

 rat, which fattens so well on English food, and which always coa- 

 trives to thrust its nose into every man's house where there is an)- 

 thing to be got, swarmed throughout the vast extent of this anti- 

 quated mansion. The abilities which I showed in curtailing the 

 career of this voracious intruder did not fail to bring me into con- 

 siderable 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 understanding, I was considered ratcatcher to the 

 establishment, and also fox-taker, foumart-killer, and crossbow- 

 charger at the time when the young rooks were fledged. Moreover, 

 I fulfilled the duties of organ-blower and football-maker with entire 

 satisfaction to the public. I was now at the height of my ambitioa 



' Poteras iam, Cadme, videri 



. . . felix. 1 



