-CASE.

Two students were one day passing along the banks of the Tormes, when
they found a boy, about eleven years old, dressed as a labourer, and
sleeping under a tree. They sent a servant to wake him, and when he had
well opened his eyes, they asked him whence he came, and what he was
doing, to be lying asleep and defenceless in that lonely place. The boy
replied, that he had forgotten the name of his birthplace, but was going
to Salamanca, there to seek a master whom he might serve, on condition
of being permitted and aided to pursue his studies.

The gentlemen then asked if he could read, and he replied that he could,
and write also.

"It is not from want of memory, then, that you have forgotten the name
of your country," remarked the students.

"Let the cause be what it may," replied the boy, "neither that nor the
name of my parents shall be known to any one until I can do honour to
them both."

"But in what manner do you propose to do them honour?" inquired the
gentlemen.

"By the results of my studies," said the boy, "and when I have rendered
myself famous by the learning I mean to acquire; for I have heard that
some men have made themselves bishops by their studies."

This reply moved the two gentlemen to receive the lad into their
service, and take him with them to Salamanca, giving him such facilities
for studying as it is not unusual for masters to afford in that
university to those who serve them.

The youth subsequently informed his masters, that they might call him
Thomas Rodaja; whence the students judged him to be the son of some poor
labourer. A day or two after their meeting, they caused him to be
clothed in a suit of black; and, in the course of a few weeks, he gave
proof of extraordinary talent. He was, besides, very grateful, and
laboured so earnestly in the service of his masters, that although in
fact exceedingly attentive to his studies, it might well have been
thought that he did nothing but wait upon those he served.

Now the good service of the valet led the masters to treat him well;
Thomas soon became their companion rather than servant, and, during
eight years, all of which he passed with them, he acquired for himself
so high a reputation in the university, by his great ability and
excellent conduct, that he was beloved and esteemed by those of every
rank.

The principal object of Rodaja's study was the law, but he was almost
equally distinguished in polite learning, and his