the upper nasal region which at times proves
annoying--I might even say vexatious. The inflammation of the throat
having subsided, I derived much comfort this afternoon from imbibing
tea; being the first time, in the scope of half a week, when tea has
had its proper zest and flavour.

* * * * *

APRIL THE TWELFTH.--Returned to classroom duties, taking up, in the
history course, the life and works of Marcus Aurelius, a character for
whom I have ever entertained the liveliest sentiments of regard and
respect, for did he not, in an age of licentiousness and loose living,
deport himself with such rectitude as to entitle him to the encomiums
and the plaudits of all right-thinking persons forever thereafter?

Otherwise, nothing noteworthy upon this day and date.

* * * * *

APRIL THE THIRTEENTH.--I went abroad to-day for the first time since my
recent indisposition, taking the precaution first to well muffle myself
as to throat, wrists and pedal extremities. For my associate in the
pleasures of pedestrianism I had Miss Primleigh, from whose company I
have ever derived a certain calm and philosophic enjoyment. In a way,
one might say Miss Primleigh is almost purely intellect. The qualities
of her mind shine forth, as it were, through her earthly tenement;
rendering her in truth a most admirable companion.

In the progress of our peregrinations over hill and vale, I gathered
several desirable specimens for my botanical collection. Miss Primleigh,
whose turn of thought even in her lighter moments is essentially
mathematical, as befitting one of her chosen calling in life, spent some
time pleasantly, and I dare say profitably, in calculating by mental
arithmetic the number of cubic yards of earth in the hillock known as
Potts' Ridge. A delightful and congenial outing was jointly shared.

Sauntering slowly along, we had wended our meandering course homeward,
or perhaps I should say schoolward, and had reached a small byway, known
locally as Locust Lane, when there came to our ears a sound of joyous
voices and a clattering of nimble hoofs mingling together. Almost
instantly a merry cavalcade swept into view round a turn in the path. It
was composed of a number, perhaps six in all, of our young lady
students, taking a lesson in horseback riding under the tutelage of
Miss Hamm, the young person previously mentioned in these chronicles.
She--I speak now with referenc