age was so limited
that, at all events, it would have puzzled a Frenchman to have
comprehended him. "It's just like the sneak," he continued. "I wonder
how a chap like Bracebridge can patronise him, or how a big fellow like
Lemon can condescend to speak to him."

Though these remarks, as it was intended they should, reached the ears
both of Ernest and Lemon, they took no notice of them, and thus they did
Ellis no further harm. It is very sad that I should not have to recount
the pleasant sayings and doings of my schoolfellows; but as in the world
the worst actions of people often come most prominently forward, so they
do at school, and generally make the deepest impression. I know,
however, that even at this time there were many pleasant things said,
and amusing things done; that there was much good fellowship among us;
that we entered into our games with thorough heartiness; that we made
very satisfactory progress in our studies, and were generally happy and
contented. Indeed, the school was thoroughly well-conducted and ably
ruled. The dark spots I have been picturing arose entirely from the bad
tempers, dispositions, and ill-conduct of those ruled. So it is with
this world at large. It is admirably ordered, beautifully fashioned,
ruled with unbounded love, regularity, and justice. Men, and men alone,
have made all the blots and stains to be found in it; they have caused
all the irregularities and disorders which abound; all the misery, all
the suffering, all the wretchedness; we see they have themselves and
themselves only to blame; that is to say, man alone is at fault; man,
and sin which man introduced, beguiled by Satan. But up, boys! Do not
suppose that you are to yield to this state of things; to say that so
you find them, and that so you will let them be. No; far from that.
You are sent into the world to fight against them, to overcome them, to
strive with Satan, the prince of sin and lies, and all abominations,
with all your might and main. It is a glorious contest; it is worth
living for, if we did but understand it aright. The knights who went
out, as we are told of old, armed cap-a-pie, to do battle with
enchanters, and dragons, and monsters of all sorts, had not half so
glorious, so difficult, so perilous a contest to engage in. The writers
who invented those fables had, I suspect, a pretty clear notion of what
is the true destiny of man. The enchanters were the spirits of evil;
their necro