et. Meditations on being a skyrocket. The world is
very large, etcetera. Gross meeting of Parliament Riddell the little
captain sitteth on his seat. I made a noble speech gross conduct of
Parson, who is kicked out. Eloquence of Bloomfield who crieth Order
under the form I see Telson hanging on. I hang too and am removed
speaking nobly. Large tea at Parson's the cake being beastly. Riddell
it seems hath cut the rudder-lines. I indignate and cut him with a
razor I remove two corns from my nether foot."

More in this strain followed, and lower down the diary proceeded:

"Wyndham the junior thinketh much of himself he is ugly in the face and
in the second-eleven. I have writ a poem on Wyndham.

"`I do not like thee, Dr Fell (altered to "Wyndham junior")
The reason why I cannot tell (altered to "say");
But this I know, and know full well (altered to "ill")
I do not like thee, Dr Fell (altered to "Wyndham junior").'

"I over hear much of Wyndham the gross Telson and the evil Parson not
knowing I am by the little boys say they have seen the ugly Wyndham come
from Beamish's. Oh evil Wyndham being taken by Silk and Gilks. No one
knows and Wyndham is to be expelled. I joy much Riddell knoweth it.
Telson telleth Parson that Riddell is gross expelling for Beamish's and
Wyndham weepeth in private. I smile at the practice Mr Parrett bowleth
me balls. I taketh them and am out."

If Bosher could have seen the effect of this elegant extract upon the
captain he would probably have "joyed" with infinite self-satisfaction.
Riddell's colour changed as he read and re-read and re-read again these
few lines of idiotic jargon.

He lay down the book half a dozen times, and as often took it up again,
and scrutinised the entry, and as he did so quick looks of perplexity,
or joy, or shame, even of humour, chased one another across his face.

The truth with all its new meaning slowly dawned upon him. It had been
reserved to Bosher's diary, of all agencies in the world, to explain
everything, and cast a flood of light upon what had hitherto been
incomprehensible!

Of course he could see it all now. If this diary was to be believed--
but was it? Might it not be a hoax purposely put in his way to delude
him?

Yet he could not believe that this laboriously written record could have
been compiled for his sole benefit; and this one entry which he had lit
upon by mere chance was only one of hundreds of stupid, absurd ent