1825 - 1830 .] OXFORD CASTLE. 109 
their errand would be to take some “ alicampane ”—an 
old-fashioned herbal remedy made up with sugar in pink 
and white squares, bought from some old Meg Merrilies 
in the market—to a barge-man with a bad cough, who,, 
with the aid of his family, was unlading the barge as it 
lay under the shadow of the fine old Norman Keep from 
whose postern gate, as they were told, the Empress 
Maude escaped in a white sheet over the frozen river to 
Abingdon. 
This old-world corner of Oxford, with the high earth 
mound adjoining, and the Gaol, or Castle, as it was then 
called, was always full of mysterious interest to the little 
people. There were no railways then, and several gaily- 
painted barges were often to be seen moored along the 
Canal Wharf, supplying the city with coals, salt, or pottery.. 
However grimy their cargo might be, the owners contrived 
to keep fresh and bright the gay lines of colour on the sides 
of the little cabin at the end of the long black hull. Dr. 
Buckland, or occasionally a good-natured bargee, would lift 
the children into the empty barge and allow them to peep 
into the snug little abode, reeking with the savoury smell 
which issued from a black iron pot on its small hob, while 
from the tiny low chimney-pipe curled the prettiest 
possible wreath of blue-grey smoke. 
Never was a word of gossip or evil speaking permitted ; 
the good clever mother would always say, “ My dears, 
educated people always talk of things ; it is only in the 
servants’ hall that people talk gossip.” Thus the family' 
were trained from childhood to live in charity with all 
men. 
