IIO 
LIFE OF DEAN BUCKLAND. 
[CH. IV. 
One summer day, on the Duke of Cumberland visiting 
Oxford, Dr. Buckland had undertaken to lionise him and 
a number of gentlemen. The children, returning from 
their favourite walk by the house-boats in Christ Church 
meadows, came across the distinguished party. “ Come 
here, children/ 5 said Dr. Buckland, “ and make your 
curtseys to the Royal Duke. 55 The kind old gentleman 
patted one on the head, and said, “ How old are you, my 
little maid ? 55 “ Please, sir, I am ten. 55 “ How can you 
say so ? 55 exclaimed the more truthful younger sister ; 
4{ you are only nine and a half. 55 At which the Duke 
laughed heartily, and said, “ Little lassie, you’ll not be so 
anxious to make yourself older when you have lived more 
years. 55 
Dean Gaisford was very fond of these two little girls. 
Whenever Dr. and Mrs. Buckland dined at the Deanery, 
the Sedan chair—a most convenient conveyance for 
collegiate buildings—which had carried Mrs. Buckland to 
the six o’clock dinner, was sent for the children, who 
were carried safely into the large dining-room, and took 
their places on either side of the kindly old Dean, whose 
pleasure it was to keep them well supplied with dessert. 
The Sundays at Christ Church were the children’s red- 
letter days. Buckland always went to the morning service 
in the Cathedral, and to the University sermon at St. 
Mary’s. It was their never-failing delight to watch the 
procession of the Vice-Chancellor, preceded by the beadle 
and college dignitaries, students, and graduates in their 
robes, wending its way to the Church of St. Mary in the 
High Street, whose spire is one of the glories of the city, 
