nised as ever, and they
tell me, though, alas, I have no practical knowledge of the fact, the
Norwich turkeys are as good as ever. As long as they remain so Norwich
has little to fear. I have also at a later time a faint recollection of
good port, but now I am suffering from gout, and we never mention it. In
these teetotal days "our lips are now forbidden to speak that once
familiar word."

CHAPTER VI.
AT COLLEGE.

What more natural than that a son should wish to follow in his father's
steps? I had a minister for a father. It was resolved that I should
become one. In Dissenting circles no one was supposed to enter the
ministry until he had got what was denominated a call. I persuaded
myself that I had such a call, though I much doubt it now. I tried to
feel that I was fitted for this sacred post--I who knew nothing of my own
heart, and was as ignorant of the world as a babe unborn. I was sent to
a London college, now no more, and had to be examined for my
qualifications by four dear old fossils, and was, of course, admitted. I
passed because my orthodoxy was unimpeachable, and I was to preach--I,
who trembled at the sound of my own voice, who stood in terror of
deacons, and who had never attempted to make a speech. I hope at our
colleges they manage these things better now, and select men who can show
that the ministry is in them before they seek to enter the ministry. As
it was, I found more than one of my fellow-students was utterly destitute
of all qualifications for the pastorate, and was simply wasting the
splendid opportunities placed within his reach. The routine of college
life was not unpleasant. We rose early, attended lectures from our
principal and the classes at University College, and took part in
conducting family service in the hall. Occasionally we preached in the
College chapel, the principal attendant at which was an old tailor, who
thereby secured a good deal of the patronage of the students. By
attending the classes at University College we had opportunities of
which, alas! only a minority made much use. They who did so became
distinguished in after life, such as Rev. Joseph Mullens, Secretary of
the London Missionary Society; and John Curwen, who did so much for
congregational singing; Dr. Newth, and Philip Smith, who was tutor at
Cheshunt, and afterwards Headmaster at Mill Hill. Nor must I forget Rev.
Andrew Reed, a preacher always popular, partly on his own and partly