CHARLES WATERTON, ESQ. 



XXI 



effacing my ruling passion, did but tend to render 

 it more distinct and clear. Thus are bright colours 

 in crockery-ware made permanent by the action of 

 fire ; thus is dough turned into crust by submitting 

 it to the oven's heat. 



My first adventure on the water made a lasting 

 impression, on account of the catastrophe which at- 

 tended it. There was a large horsepond, separated 

 by a hedge from the field which was allotted to the 

 scholars for recreation-ground. An oblong tub, used 

 for holding dough before it is baked, had just been 

 placed by the side of the pond. I thought that I could 

 like to have an excurion on the deep ; so taking a 

 couple of stakes out of the hedge, to serve as oars, 

 I got into the tub, and pushed off ; — 



" Ripae ulterioris amore." 



I had got above half way over, when, behold, the 

 master, and the late Sir John Lawson of Brough 

 Hall, suddenly rounded a corner and hove in sight. 

 Terrified at their appearance, I first lost a stake, and 

 then my balance : this caused the tub to roll like a 

 man-of-war in a calm. Down I went to the bottom, 

 and rose again covered with mud and dirt. " Terri- 

 bili squalore Charon.*' My good old master looked 

 grave, and I read my destiny in his countenance : 

 but Sir John said that it was a brave adventure, and 

 he saved me from being brought to a court-martial 

 for disobedience of orders, and for having lost my 

 vessel. 



On my return home from this school, I was once 

 within an ace of closing all accounts here below for 

 a 3 



