XX 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 



dynasty may always make sure of my loyalty, even 

 if any of our old line of kings were still in exist- 

 ence ; for 



" The illustrious house of Hanover, 

 And Protestant succession, 

 To these I have allegiance sworn, 

 While they can keep possession." 



But to my life and adventures. 



When I was not quite eight years old, I had 

 managed to climb upon the roof of an out-house, 

 and had got to a starling's nest under one of the 

 slates. Had my foot slipped, I should have been 

 in as bad a plight as was poor Ophelia in the willow 

 tree, when the " envious sliver broke." The ancient 

 housekeeper, mentioned in the account of the barn- 

 owl, had cast her rambling eye upon me. Seeing 

 the danger I was in, she went and fetched a piece 

 of gingerbread, with which she lured me down, and 

 then she seized me, as though I had been a male- 

 factor. 



At nine years old, I was sent to a school in the 

 north of England, where literature had scarcely 

 any effect upon me, although it was duly adminis- 

 tered in large doses by a very scientific hand. But 

 I made vast proficiency in the art of finding birds' 

 nests. It was judged necessary by the master of 

 the school to repress this inordinate relish for ornitho- 

 logical architecture, which, in his estimation, could 

 be productive of no good. Accordingly, the birch 

 rod was brought to bear upon me when occasion 

 offered ; but the warm application of it, in lieu of 



