lation:
there is the collision of mind with mind, or the radiation of many minds
pointing to one centre.

--_Dr. Johnson._

1693

THE DAME--SCHOOL.

Here first I entered, though with toil and pain,
The low vestibule of learning's fane:
Entered with pain, yet soon I found the way,
Though sometimes toilsome, many a sweet display.
Much did I grieve, on that ill-fated morn,
When I was first to school reluctant borne;
Severe I thought the dame, though oft she tried
To soothe my swelling spirits when I sighed;
And oft, when harshly she reproved, I wept,
To my lone corner broken-hearted crept,
And thought of tender home, where anger never kept.

* * * * * * * *

But soon inured to alphabetic toils,
Alert I met the dame with jocund smiles;
First at the form, my task forever true,
A little favorite rapidly I grew:
And oft she stroked my head with fond delight,
Held me a pattern to the dunce's sight;
And as she gave my diligence its praise,
Talked of the honors of my future days.

--_Henry Kirke White._

1694

It has been remarked that some [1694:A]duxes at school and prizemen at
the university have run too soon to seed, and in after-years been heard
of no more; while on the contrary,--comforting fact for the parents of
dull boys--not a few who have become distinguished men made no figure at
all in their educational career.

--_From Memoir of Dr. Guthrie._

FOOTNOTES:

[1694:A] Top of the class.

1695

EARLY TRIALS OF DISTINGUISHED SCHOLARS.

It is related of Dr. Adam, the celebrated rector of the High School of
Edinburgh, that when at college he had to be content with a penny roll
for his dinner. Similar, though more severe, were the early trials of
Samuel Drew, also of Edinburgh. At the age of ten he was apprenticed to
a shoemaker, a calling which he continued to follow long after he had
become celebrated as an author. For days and days together in his early
life he was too poor to spend even a penny for his dinner; and he was
accustomed, when dinner-time came, to tie his apron-string tighter to
lessen the pang of hunger, and go on with his work till evening. Through
years of hardship and drudgery his courage never forsook him; amidst
ceaseless labor he strove unremittingly