ense to the boy fifty
or sixty years ago as it is now that schools are conducted upon very
different principles, and a much higher grade of education is taught.

Perhaps a great deal of the teaching at Meade Place would be looked upon
now as lax; but in those days the Doctor's school bore a very high
character for the boys it had turned out, many of whom had gone into the
East India Company's Service, and the principal drawing-room was
decorated with presents sent to him by old pupils, Indian jars and
cabinets, brass lotahs and trays, specimens of weapons from Delhi, and
ivory carvings; while from pupils who had gone to China and Japan, came
bronzes, porcelain, screens, and lacquer of the most beautiful kind.

Neither were the ladies forgotten, Mrs Browne and her daughters being
well furnished with Indian scarves, muslin, and Canton crape shawls.

It was, of course, on account of his connection with so many officers
that my uncle had chosen this school as the one most likely to prepare
me for my future career.

When I first went down, Mr Rebble was the only assistant the doctor
had; but I soon learned that the French master came twice a week from
Rye, that the other usher had left to go into partnership with a friend
in a school at Lewes, and that another was coming in a few days.

The Doctor was one of my informants, for, after passing me through a
general examination as to my capabilities, he told me that I was in a
most hopeless state of ignorance, and that as soon as the assistant
master, Mr Hasnip, arrived, I should have to go under his special
charge.

"For we can't have boys like you, Burr junior," he said smiling. "I
don't know what would become of my establishment if many were as
backward as you."

"I'm very sorry, sir," I said humbly.

"I am glad you are," he said; "for that means repentance for neglected
opportunities, and, of course, a stern determination to make up for lost
time."

"Yes, sir, I'll try," I said.

"That's right, and try hard. Your English is very weak; your Latin
terribly deficient; your writing execrable; and your mathematics
absolutely hopeless. There, go back to your place and work hard, my
boy--work hard."

I descended from the dais, with the eyes of the whole school upon me,
and, as I walked between the two rows of forms, I could hear whispered
remarks intended for me, and it was with a feeling of despair that I
reseated myself, opened my desk and took out my Latin gramm