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, 1 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 
