rds, I realised fully, perhaps for the first time,
how, more than parents or friends, God was our Father; how, though we
were going away from home and its securities, yet God was to be with us,
stronger and kinder than any on earth, to guard and care for us.

During the few days we had known Mr Clare, he had been with us
constantly, but we had not decided whether to like him or not. He
seemed pleasant, and was easy enough, both in his manners and
conversation, but yet he had a calm and decided way that was rather
provoking; as if to say, "I have read you through and through, boys, and
can govern you as easily as possible." Now we had no idea of resisting
him; we intended to behave well, and therefore his manner rather nettled
us. However, there was not much to object to. His appearance was
certainly all right--a large, bright, manly face and hearty smile, and a
strong, agile figure. We five boys had talked him over, and at the last
balloting our votes were a tie, for Walter declined to express an
opinion yet whether Mr Clare was a "screw" or a "good fellow." Harry
Higginson and Drake voted "screw," whilst Alfred and I said "good
fellow."

We must pass over the "goodbyes" of the next morning. Let us imagine
there were no wet eyes and sinking hearts. However it may have been,
the big rumbling old stage-coach containing Mr Clare and five boys, and
loaded well with trunks and boxes, rattled from our house in --- Street
at about six o'clock on that eighth morning in May, fifty years ago.
Our hearts cheered up with the growth of the sun. By ten o'clock we
were very talkative; by one, very hungry. The contents of a basket,
well-stored by our mother, and put in just as we were starting, settled
that complaint. The afternoon was tedious, and we were not sorry when
the coach dropped us at the quiet little country inn where we were to
sleep. I need not describe the journey of the next day. We were too
eager to get to its termination to care much for the beautiful scenery
through which we passed. As the evening drew on the weather became
chilly. Ah! we were approaching the sea. By nine at night innumerable
stars were twinkling over a dusky point of land which seemed to have
waded out as far as possible into the indefinable expanse mirroring
unsteadily a host of lights. A strong, damp, briny breath came up to
us, and a vast murmur as if thousands of unseen, mysterious, deep-voiced
spirits were chanting some wonderf