followed the example set them by their mother, in
making me "realise my position," as they termed their cruel tyranny.
Uncle George used sometimes to take my part when some hazy recollection
of his dead brother came before his mind, declaring that as long as he
had a crust to spare I should not want; still, as the incessant dropping
of water will in the end wear away stone, so my aunt's persistent
nagging and iteration of my shortcomings in resisting my cousins'
bullying had their due effect in time.

The upshot was that, when I had just turned my twelfth year and had
experienced a childhood of martyrdom which I trust few others situated
like myself will ever have to undergo, my uncle came to the
determination of sending me away to a cheap boarding-school at a
distance, where I was to be taught and boarded and "found" for the
munificent sum I believe of twelve pounds annually. The proviso was, I
may add, especially insisted on by my Aunt Matilda, that I was not to
return "home"--I beg that hearty word's pardon for so misapplying it--
for the holidays at any period whatever, but was to spend my whole time
under the academical roof-tree until my pupilage should expire.

Hitherto I had received no regular instruction whatever, and had it not
been for the kind offices of a good-natured servant-maid, I would have
been unable either to read or write. Indeed, I believe the neighbours
must have gossiped about my neglected state and the position I occupied
in the house, where I had to perform all sorts of menial offices, and
was hardly ever allowed out of doors, except on Sundays, when I had to
go to the chapel which my aunt attended. Be that as it may, at all
events, I was told by my friend, the maid-servant aforesaid, that the
minister of this chapel had remonstrated on my behalf. Thence came the
determination on my uncle's part to send me to school; for I am certain
that if my dear aunt could have had her own way, without the fear of
being talked about in the locality, she would much rather have entrusted
me to the care of the parochial authorities. However, in whatever way
the matter was decided, I know that when I heard the news I felt
inclined to jump for joy, considering "going to school," which is so
dreaded at first by boys with happier homes than I had been accustomed
to, would be a delightful deliverance from the misery to which I had
been condemned from infancy in my uncle's house--living like an Ishmael,
with