t the
cause of his ruin, for till I came into the world he was fond of his
home, and attended much to business, but afterwards he went frequently
into company, and did not seem to care much about his affairs: he was,
however, a kind man, and when his wife gave him advice never struck her,
nor do I ever remember that he kicked me when I came in his way, or so
much as cursed my ugly face, though it was easy to see that he didn't
over-like me. When I was six years old I was sent to the village school,
where I was soon booked for a dunce, because the master found it
impossible to teach me either to read or write. Before I had been at
school two years, however, I had beaten boys four years older than
myself, and could fling a stone with my left hand (for if I am right-eyed
I am left-handed) higher and farther than any one in the parish.
Moreover, no boy could equal me at riding, and no people ride so well or
desperately as boys. I could ride a donkey--a thing far more difficult
to ride than a horse--at full gallop over hedges and ditches, seated or
rather floating upon his hinder part,--so though anything but clever, as
this here Romany Rye would say, I was yet able to do things which few
other people could do. By the time I was ten my father's affairs had got
into a very desperate condition, for he had taken to gambling and horse-
racing, and, being unsuccessful, had sold his stock, mortgaged his
estate, and incurred very serious debts. The upshot was, that within a
little time all he had was seized, himself imprisoned, and my mother and
myself put into a cottage belonging to the parish, which, being very cold
and damp, was the cause of her catching a fever, which speedily carried
her off. I was then bound apprentice to a farmer, in whose service I
underwent much coarse treatment, cold, and hunger.

"After lying in prison near two years, my father was liberated by an Act
for the benefit of insolvent debtors; he was then lost sight of for some
time; at last, however, he made his appearance in the neighbourhood
dressed like a gentleman, and seemingly possessed of plenty of money. He
came to see me, took me into a field, and asked me how I was getting on.
I told him I was dreadfully used, and begged him to take me away with
him; he refused, and told me to be satisfied with my condition, for that
he could do nothing for me. I had a great love for my father, and
likewise a great admiration for him on account of his charac