ln, Dr. Kaye, with an old college
friend, Mr. Stephens, at Belgrave, Leicester, and with several other old
college friends of the Principal's. They visited Matlock; and on her
return Bessie described to the younger sisters the excitement of going
into the caves, of crossing the Styx, and of listening to the blasting
of rocks. It is recorded of her at this time that she never hesitated or
shrank from anything required of her. She sat down in the boat, or stood
up, or bent her head just as she was told to do. The loving care of the
parents was not in vain, they saw their blind child fearless and happy,
and well able to take the place due to her as second daughter. It is
recorded that at Liverpool she was present for the first time at a
really good concert, and that the music she then heard was a great
stimulus to her, as well as a keen delight.

Dr. Gilbert preached at Liverpool, and from Liverpool they went to
Stockport. In the church at the latter place there was a brass band, the
sudden braying of which was a shock to her nerves which Bessie never
forgot. She was too young to dine or spend much time downstairs in the
houses where they stayed, but she always remembered the kindness with
which she was treated in schoolrooms and nurseries, and looked back upon
these early visits with great pleasure.

The family hurried back to Oxford on account of the unexpected death of
Dr. Rowley before his term of office had expired, and Dr. Gilbert at
once entered upon the duties of Vice-Chancellor of the University.

Many little incidents connected with her father's tenure of office were
a source of amusement to Bessie throughout life.

The University marshal made daily reports to the Vice-Chancellor, and
informed him of any disturbance. One morning he stated that he had found
two men fighting near Wadham College and separated them. Some time
afterwards he came upon them in another place and did not interfere.
"And pray, why not?" asked the Vice-Chancellor. "Well, sir, you see,
they were very comfortably at it."

This story was repeated at the breakfast table and made a great
impression upon Bessie. She told it and laughed over it throughout life.
If she was seated near a table when telling it, she would push herself
away with her two hands as if she wanted more room to laugh, a way she
had when very much amused.

It was also about the same time that the butler, standing one day by the
open door, saw a freshman pursued by the p