1841-42 PUBLIC DINNER AT LANCASTER 199 



lads at the school just as usual and wouldn't give 

 them their holiday till I came to ask for it. So I 

 marched across the churchyard, opened the old 

 school-door, and was greeted by many eager young 

 eyes as I walked up to the old magisterial dais, 

 and there, after greeting my old master, said that, 

 as Whewell and I had been scholars in old times, 

 it was but fair that those present should participate 

 in our day of rejoicing. Upon which the sanction 

 was given in the old grave tone, and up rose the 

 shout that I have often joined in as the urchins 

 rushed into liberty and open air. Mr. Beetham 

 and I then walked down to the news-room, 

 where many other greetings followed from other 

 friends.' 



On September 17, 1842, he again writes to 

 his wife : ' I take up a happy pen this morning to 

 tell you that the dinner concluded to the highest 

 satisfaction of everyone who partook of it and all 

 who were concerned in it. I felt too happy for any 

 other feelings to interfere, in expressing and mak- 

 ing clearly understood all that I wished, and I 

 believe ought to have said, in acknowledging this 

 spontaneous and general tribute of affection and 

 respect from all ranks and parties of my townsmen. 

 As we walked in procession to the Town Hall, 

 Mr. Whewell and the Mayor, then the M.P. for 

 the town and myself, and the rest two and two, 

 we were cheered by all the humbler folks, and 

 when we sat down to a most princely banquet — 



