CHARLES WATERTON, ESQ. XXvii 



quated mansion. The abilities 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 understanding, I was consi- 

 dered rat-catcher to the establishment, and also fox- 

 taker, foumart-killer, and crossbow-charger, at the 

 time when the young rooks were fledged. More- 

 over, I fulfilled the duties of organ-blower, and foot- 

 ball-maker, with entire satisfaction to the public.^ 

 I was now at the height of my ambition. 

 ■ " Poteras jam, Cadme, videri 



feUx." 



T followed up my calling with great success. The 

 vermin disappeared by the dozen ; the books were 

 moderately well thumbed ; and, according to my 

 notion of things, all went on perfectly right. 



When I had finished my rhetoric, it was my 

 father's wish that I should return home. The day 

 I left the Jesuits' college was one of heartfelt sor- 

 row to me. Under Almighty God and my parents, 

 I owe every thing to the fathers of the order of St. 

 Ignatius. Their attention to my welfare was un- 

 ceasing ; whilst their solicitude for my advancement 

 in virtue and in literature seemed to know no 

 bounds. The permission which they granted me to 

 work in my favourite vocation, when it did not 

 interfere with the important duties of education, 

 enabled me to commence a career, which, in after 

 times, afforded me a world of pleasure in the far 

 distant regions of Brazil and Guiana. To the latest 



