MY FATHER AT THIRTY.		MY MOTHER AT EIGHTY.

      MOTHERS generally, I suppose, are proud of their children, and would like them to be something more than ciphers in this world of activity and possibility. Mothers also, I presume, when they can point their children to a noble ancestry, like their offspring to know something about their ancestors. My mother, many years ago, gave me a sheet of fancy note paper, with an imitation lace border, containing, in her estimation, some important information about the Hussey family. From this document it appears that it was "distinguished by many noble alliances," that it "derived its origin from Hubert Hussey, a [1] Norman Noble, who, having married the Countess Helen, daughter of the Duke of Normandy, accompanied the Conqueror to England, and received a grant of High Constable with considerable possessions." This information, as well as what is given to connect my father's family with the foregoing Norman nobleman, was obtained from the pedigree of the Husseys in Wimborne Minster, Dorsetshire. The coat-of-arms is said to be "Barry of 6, ermine and gold crest, a boot, sword, spurs, and top ermine." The seat is said to be "Nosh Court, Marnhull, Dorset." Were it necessary to establish the connecting-link in the family chain, I have in my possession an ancient punch-bowl with the coat-of-arms as aforesaid; but cui bono? I gather from another document handed to me by a member of the Hussey family that in the "History of Harting" (page 28) "the Husseys' tenure of Harting extended from the days of the first King Henry to the last, and that with scarcely an exception every head of the family bore the Royal Christian name. In the second Henry's reign the first Henry Hussey founded Durford Abbey, on the banks of the Rother, and hard by it a house of lepers, and a 'culver,' or dovehouse, found in connection with religious houses in so many other instances. In his confirmation of his father's gift the second Henry Hussey refers by name to the Church at Harting." It is further stated that "Sir Henry Hussey, the sixth of that name, was with the flower of chivalry at Agincourt, and was fitly selected to guard Rouen, when after six month's siege Henry V. had won it in 1418."

      Of late years the Hussey family appears to have come down from the ranks of the nobility, and is now to be found amongst the commonalty. I can truly say that any supposed connection with the noble family aforesaid never made me feel a fractional part of an inch higher in my own estimation, nor do I suppose it would raise me in any appreciable degree in public esteem. Next to the honor of being a Christian I have not infrequently considered that if I could trace any descent from John Huss, of Bohemia, I should feel proud of the connection. The great Reformer, however, left no descendants in a direct line, but some of his near relatives may have handed down the name, if not the fame. The "-ey" is the English termination of the word "Huss," but how or when the Continental name became Anglicised I am not aware; nor is it a matter of any consequence.

      My father belonged to the Husseys of Wimborne, in Dorsetshire; and I remember when I was a small boy he took one to the Minster and showed me where my grandfather was [2] buried beneath one of the aisles of that venerable building--a large stone in the floor indicating the place of sepulture. My father and two of his brothers joined the Navy, but only one of these remained long enough to attain to the rank of Captain. One brother on leaving the Navy obtained a grant of land in Canada, but he and his family suffered such hardships and privations in attempting to settle upon it, that he relinquished it and returned to England. Before and after his return to the land of his birth he devoted himself to scholastic duties, and strange to say that when I visited the Falls of Niagara, in 1854, I purchased a very graphic view of the Falls, from a gentleman who received instruction in drawing from my uncle, which view I still have and prize. I was informed that my father's reason for heaving the Navy was because he did not consider he had been fairly dealt with. He had faithfully performed his duties; had bravely fought and been wounded; had been taken prisoner; had instructed sprigs of nobility in their duties; and then saw those whom he had instructed promoted over him. After leaving the Navy he entered into the service of the East India Company, in which he remained for several years. Altogether he devoted upwards of twenty years to life at sea, and at the death of his father he retired, intending, I presume, to settle down on shore. He did not get what he considered his fair share of his father's estate, but he invested what he received, together with what he had saved, partly in houses and partly in a trading vessel. The houses and land did not take to themselves wings and fly away, but the vessel slipped out of his hands in quite an unexpected manner. The owner of the craft, who was in straitened circumstances, not only wanted the purchase-money but permission to make one more voyage before delivery of the vessel. My father, being unacquainted with business, and of an easygoing disposition, complied with both these requests; and he soon found to his cost that this was a case of misplaced confidence. The former owner, intending no doubt to make a good haul before delivering up the vessel, added some smuggling to his legitimate trading, which led to fine and forfeiture of the vessel. Thus ended one of my father's first business transactions, and some of his subsequent ones were of a somewhat similar character. The fact is, that my father, when on shore, was like a "fish out of water"; and had he not wooed and won a woman possessed in a pre-eminent degree of the very qualities of which he was deficient, he would have fared badly in the battle of life. As a nautical man I believe few could be found superior, and in sea warfare he [3] would be found in the thick of the fight. On one occasion he led a boat party into an American harbor, and succeeded in cutting out a vessel belonging to the enemy, and could show wounds he had received in the King's service.

      My father was rather short and muscular, and had a deep, musical voice; while my mother was plump and fair, he was of dark complexion. In many other respects he was very unlike my mother, of whom I shall have something to say further on. My father was a good Churchman, and I liked to hear him repeat the responses, which he did, not only audibly, but musically. In politics he was a Conservative, and I can remember the way in which he would uphold, in long and warm argument, his particular party. He was a good French scholar, and prepared a manuscript French Grammar for his own use. On one occasion he was nearly getting into trouble in France, while in company with some Frenchmen. They were discussing the merits of the French to the disparagement of the English, and, not being aware of the fact that my father belonged to the latter country, they went too far to please him, and this led him to show his colors and resent the indignity. Happily, this was only a wordy warfare, and after some explanation the matter ended peacefully. My father was blest with a good constitution, and scarcely knew what illness was till he came to this Colony, the cause of which I shall refer to by-and-by.

      My mother belonged to a family of the name of Burt, which for several generations had been engaged in agricultural and pastoral pursuits in Northamptonshire. The homestead was situated in a hamlet now known as Burcott, and it is supposed that originally the locality was known as "Burt's Cot"--a contraction of Cottage. When well advanced in years my mother occupied a part of her spare time in writing some particulars of the Burt family, and their once happy home at Burcott; but these, while giving an idea of English home life, would not be of much interest to any but members of the family. My mother was educated at a young ladies' boarding-school at Buckingham, and she used to narrate many an amusing incident of school life. Among these were the daring exploits of the officers of a detachment of troops stationed in the town, and some of their attempts to storm the young ladies' castle were ludicrous in the extreme. On more than one occasion they actually tried to scale the walls, but their designs were discovered by the watchful sentinels of the castle, and the invaders had to beat an ignominious retreat. It is not said that the fair inmates gave the invaders any encouragement, but the [4] gay uniforms of the invading party, as displayed on Sunday at the church, may have had some attraction to the fair sex. It was, as may be supposed, a severe ordeal for these bashful (1) maidens to have to occupy a prominent place in church, with the aforesaid officers having the liberty of looking at them, if not allowed to speak to them.

      The second marriage of my grandfather Burt did not give satisfaction to the members of the family, and appears to have led to the breaking-up of the home, and ultimately of the homestead. My mother took the management of a large millinery business in London, and subsequently set up on her own account, her only sister assisting her. Taking extensive and expensive premises in Fleet Street, they took in two or three boarders to assist in paying expenses; my father being one of the favored few who took lodgings in the sisters' premises. With other members of the family, he was engaged at this time in a lawsuit connected with his father's estate; and found the situation, near the Law Courts, very convenient. He appears to have been well satisfied with the accommodation provided by the sisters, and in due course he proposed to the younger one, who took him "for better for worse." They were married quietly in St. Bride's Church, Fleet Street; and proceeded to France to spend their honeymoon. My mother enjoyed the joke, as she deemed it, of having the banns called in Church, supposing that if anyone heard them announced in this public manner they would never imagine that the parties were the Burt and Hussey that they knew. One of the places they visited was the field where the Battle of Waterloo was fought, and I have some of the relics they brought back. As this was soon after the battle, these may be considered genuine, though of little value. A few years later the number of relics increased in proportion to the demand for them, and they were manufactured wholesale so long as people were credulous enough to believe that what were offered as genuine had been left on the field after the battle.

      At her marriage my mother relinquished the London business; and returning from her honeymoon went to reside with my father at Greens Norton, where he had purchased some property. Having retired from business and married well, as was supposed, my mother was asked whether they were going to keep their carriage. She was amused at the idea, and replied,--"Oh, yes, I think we could do so for about a year"; but she was a woman of too much good sense to make herself and her husband, in their circumstances, a laughing-stock by any such folly. Of [5] that which is usually called "pride" I do not think my mother had a particle, but she was proud of earning, by honest means, that which was necessary to keep herself and her family from becoming dependent upon others. She was not only proud of helping largely to maintain those more immediately dependent upon her, but in helping those who had only the claim of humanity upon her. Many could say of her, "She was a succorer of many, and of me also." She was always ready to make any necessary self-sacrifice for the good of others.

      In 1823 my mother gave birth to her firstborn--a son--who died the same year. On August 27, 1825, her second son appeared on the scene under rather peculiar circumstances. In the early part of this year, memorable for commercial failures and monetary difficulties, my father took command of an expedition to the South Seas, to be engaged in the pearl and coral fishery. Notwithstanding that public confidence had been shaken by the notorious "South Sea Bubble," a company was formed, and sufficient funds were subscribed to fully equip the expedition placed in my father's charge; and having secured a party of divers, in May, 1825, he set sail in the brig Dart, with Captain Brock as navigator. He was allowed two or three years, if necessary, to carry out the objects of the expedition; and the gentlemen who had embarked their capital appear to have placed implicit confidence in my father's ability and integrity.

      In the letter of instructions he received, dated London, May 6, 1825, there is mention of a lot of "trinkets" for purposes of barter; and on these, it is said, "you ought to get perhaps 100 or 200 per cent." It is added, "If you cannot get about the invoice price, they may be brought home. There is also an invoice of fifteen packages of merchandise, shipped as an investment, which you will dispose of by barter to the best advantage. You ought to get 20, 40, or 50 per cent. on these, but the Directors rely on your zeal and judgment." The foregoing will give an idea of the profits expected to be made in bartering with the South Sea Islanders, and it is probable that traders in these parts often exceeded the percentages above mentioned.

      It can easily be imagined that however anxious my father would be about the result of the expedition, he would be doubly anxious about the dear one left in England; and that my mother would be trebly anxious about what was likely to take place while her husband was away. However, being a strong-minded woman, she was equal to the occasion; and the sequel showed that all the courage and confidence she possessed were [6] necessary. Her second son--the writer of this sketch--six months after his birth, was seized with smallpox, and for similar period was hanging between life and death; but he gradually recovered, though he was, from that time forward, more or less weakly.

      While my mother had her troubles at home, my father had his troubles at sea. The captain of the vessel gave way to drink, and my father had to get him removed, and navigate the vessel himself. He was fairly successful in getting pearls, and in gathering a beautiful collection of coral, shells, and native curiosities. In addition to carrying out the main objects of the expedition, he made some trading voyages between Valparaiso and Tahiti, the latter being his headquarters. While anchored in the beautiful Bay of Papeete he established a code of signals (which I have in my possession) which enabled him, whether on board or ashore, to keep up the necessary communication. After an absence of about two years and a half he returned to England, and landing at Portsmouth, took a post chaise for London, taking with him an oaken chest containing pearls to the value of several thousands of pounds. He carried with him, in the event of being attacked, a brace of pistols, one of which, or what is left of it, I have in my possession.

      As many in the present day may not be aware of the method adopted in the old country, before the introduction of railways, I may as well explain the way in which speedy travelling was accomplished. On main lines of road there were what were called post-houses, which undertook to keep relays of horses ready at a moment's notice to take the places of others on the arrival of a post-chaise. In the absence of telegraphs and telephones this plan was absolutely necessary to secure speedy travelling and quick dispatch. The vehicle, a four-wheeler, was of light construction, intended generally to carry two persons; the front part of the vehicle was mostly of glass, something like a Hansom cab; and instead of a driver, the postilion, a person of light weight, sat on one horse and led the other, if only a pair; but if two pairs of horses were used, there were two postilions. By this means a speed of ten or twelve miles an hour could be kept up, including changing horses. Towcester, a town in which I resided for several years, was a post-town; and in addition to the arrival and departure of post-chaises, a number of mail-coaches changed horses during all hours of the day and night. Instead of the shrill whistle of the train, there would be the blowing of horns of various descriptions, some of them musical and some otherwise. [7]

      To revert to my father's return to England. The Directors of the Company appear to have been perfectly satisfied with the results of the expedition, and he was highly complimented on the valuable and beautiful collection he brought home. The coral, shells, and native curiosities were publicly exhibited in London and called forth the admiration of conchologists and others interested in these things. I suppose I saw the exhibition, but was too young to understand or appreciate these wonders from abroad. However, I have in my possession some of the pearl-shells, beautifully polished, and a few other relics of the expedition, including my father's log-book, papers, letters, etc.

      Having arranged matters satisfactorily with the Company that equipped him, my father turned his attention to domestic affairs. I have no doubt he was very pleased to again enjoy the company of my mother, and I expect he was pleased with the son, though a weakly one, that had come into the world during his absence. This son was about two years old before his father saw him, which was rather a peculiar parental experience. I was born at Kennington, which, being within the sound of Bow Bells, constituted me a "cockney."

      My father, with his wife and child, resided for a season at Greens Norton, where, in course of time, another son was born (George Frederick). With an increase in family, my father felt that he must do something to maintain those naturally dependent upon him, and with a view to this he took an inn at Olney, Buckinghamshire. He was a Freemason, and as there was a Masonic Lodge at this inn, I suppose he considered that he would have the support of the "craft." I can just remember that the paraphernalia of the Lodge room excited my curiosity, but neither then nor since was I initiated into the "mysteries" of the order.

      While of tender age I was sent to a dame's school, held in the house once occupied by Cowper, the Poet. I do not think I was sent there so much for the purpose of commencing my education, as to be away from the inn and its associations. The only thing I can remember about this place was a rabbit-warren in the garden, and that it was on the banks of a river (the Ouse). The dame who conducted this establishment seems to have taken kindly to her little scholar, and ventured to inform my mother that she had an idea that he would become "a remarkable man." She did not indicate in what way he would become "remarkable," but I expect the suggestion was [8] gratifying to my mother, who was probably more proud of this predicted prodigy than she ought to have been.

      While at Olney my mother gave birth to a daughter, Catherine Frances (afterwards Mrs. C. A Bashan,), and after the birth of my youngest brother I had a little sister, born at Towcester, who died a year or two after. Thus my parents lost the last as well as the first of their children in infancy. Our stay at Olney was not for any great length of time, and I have an idea that it was shortened because my mother did not take kindly to the inn business.

      Leaving Olney, we removed to Towcester, in Northamptonshire, where my father entered into the wine and spirit trade, and my mother opened a shop for the sale of millinery and fancy goods. Here I was sent in the first place to a young ladies' school, and as I was a quiet boy I was allowed to remain a year longer than the usual period. I was then transferred to a boys' school, which was kept in good order; but I do not think I made much progress. Whether the fault was mine or, the teacher's I could not say. I think the schoolmaster must have been a rigid Sabbatarian, because I remember that on one occasion he offered a prize to any one of the boys who kept the Sabbath-day holy. This commended itself to my undeveloped mind, and when the school assembled on the Monday after the prize was offered I had the presumption to claim it. I was asked whether I had really kept the Sabbath holy, and in my simplicity replied that "I had only laughed to the baby!" This not being considered a very grave desecration of the day I was awarded the prize--the only one for which a claim was made--and have this precious proof of my righteousness or self-righteousness now in my possession. I may just mention that the baby referred to was my mother's third living son (Charles Henry), a well-known resident at Port Elliot, and at one time a member of Parliament for Encounter Bay.

      My mother was very particular about the behavior of her children, and kept a strict surveillance over them. I was allowed to go out for a walk in the fields with the servant, but I was not permitted to play with boys in the streets. There was another mother in the town, who in this respect, was very much like mine; and I was selected by this lady as a suitable companion for her only son. I was quite satisfied with this arrangement, and did not desire the extension of the companionship. This little fellow was plump and fair, with curly auburn hair; his limbs must have been badly bound together, because on two [9] occasions he was laid up with broken legs from very simple accidents. Though not his constant companion, I spent much of my spare time with him while he was recovering from his accidental slips or falls.

      After a time I was sent to a more advanced boys' school, and though not an apt scholar in acquiring a knowledge of what I ought to know, I found my schoolmates could add considerably to my knowledge of that which it would have been better for me never to have known. I suppose that in nearly all cases where boys (and also girls) congregate together in schools (whether boarding or day, but especially the former), "evil communications corrupt good manners." It is mostly during playtime that these communications take place, when the eyes of the master and his assistants are not upon the scholars, and when what is said is not heard by the guardians of the pupils.

      We resided at Towcester for four or five years, and on the whole I could look back to our stay there as a happy time. I attended with my parents the Parish Church, which was rather an ancient one; and in one part I remember seeing a large-sized Bible chained to a reading-desk, so that those who could not, when Bibles were costly and rare, possess a copy, could go there and read it. I also attended the Church Sunday-school, which was honored with a lady of rank (Lady Jane Ram) as one of its teachers. This lady was sister-in-law to the minister of the Parish (Rev. Abel). The minister and his wife and her sister were most exemplary Christians. They did a great deal of good to all, but especially to the poor; and it was done in such a kind and unostentatious manner that it could not fail to commend itself to all. With such a family taking the spiritual and temporal charge of the Parish, there was not much room for Dissenters (as they are usually called), and I think there was only a small Methodist Church in the town, the interior and exterior of which were as plain as could be. While here I attended a Sunday-school treat, the first of the kind at which I had been present. It was held at the residence of the Minister, a short distance from the town, and we, the scholars, marched in procession. The beautiful grounds were thrown open for our reception, we sang some hymns taught us by Lady Jane, and were regaled with cake and tea.

      My mother, who succeeded better with her business than my father did with his, went up to London at least once a year to purchase goods and keep herself posted up as regards the fashions: She travelled by stage-coach, and on one occasion to her great [10] surprise and annoyance she found that an incision had been made in her dress, and the purse with its contents had been very cleverly abstracted. As there was a considerable sum of money in her pocket, this was a serious loss, and it shows that there were some skilful scoundrels in those days as well as at the present time.

      I remember one of my father's trips to London, which was far more successful than the one just mentioned. He had kept and trained a fast-trotting horse, and determined to drive it in a gig to the metropolis, about sixty miles from Towcester. With this horse, without a change on the road, he kept up with the mail coach, and when putting up at an inn on arrival some gentlemen could scarcely believe that he had accomplished such a feat, as the animal did not appear distressed with the journey. Being assured, however, that the statement was correct, he was offered £60 for the horse, which offer was accepted. I was sorry when I heard of the sale, because I concluded that I should be deprived of an outing occasionally in the horse and gig.

      When about nine or ten years of age I was sent up to London in a stage-coach. I was booked for the inside, and was to be met on arrival by those of my relatives to whom I was consigned. This was my first journey alone, and one incident that occurred on the road taught me a lesson that I found useful in my travels in after years. When the coach stopped to allow the passengers to partake of refreshments, I went in with them to the spread. Child-like, I was rather long in deciding what I would take, and just as the decision was arrived at, the horn sounded as a signal for the passengers to take their places. I was surprised and disappointed, but the waiter was inexorable and demanded half-a-crown for the privilege of entering the luncheon-room. One of my uncles was a commercial traveller, and he had some very amusing tales to tell about the way in which the knowing ones would act in certain cases of emergency. If time would not allow of even a stand-up attack upon the refreshments, one would seize a part or even a whole fowl, and others that which they considered was the worth of what they would have to pay. The only other thing I remember of this, to me, memorable journey was the sight of the lights as we approached the great metropolis, which, compared with the darkness of Towcester, was very remarkable.

      Our removal to London was not a source of pleasure to me, and I think my mother did not like to leave the connection she bad formed at Towcester. I know she was much respected there, [11] and was like a "mother in Israel" to many, who would feel that they were losing a friend in time of need. Ladies would come to her for counsel and advice, and among those who visited her establishment were Lord and Lady Southampton, whose country seat was not far from the town. I remember an amusing anecdote about his Lordship, who could enjoy a joke as well as anyone in the ordinary walk of life. On one occasion he decided to take the servants by surprise, and did not let them know when or how he was coming. Driving in a hired carriage to his mansion, on drawing near he saw some of his servants taking an airing in his own carriage, and their feelings as he drew near can more easily be imagined than described. When they discovered who it was driving towards them they had no time to beat a retreat, so on they went and, on passing, his Lordship politely lifted his hat--a salutation which of course was not returned. This, no doubt, had a more lasting effect than any outburst of indignation and displeasure, and I do not think any of them lost their situations in consequence of the unwarrantable liberty they had taken. In after years it occurred to me that, if the Lord Jesus Christ were to come suddenly and unexpectedly, He would find some of His servants taking even greater liberties than those indulged in by the servants of Lord Southampton.

      Our destination for a time in London was the British Coffee House, situated in Agar Street, Strand, opposite Charing Cross Hospital. I understood that this place was represented as a good paying concern, and I suppose my father considered that in its management he would find some employment. He had not been successful in the wine and spirit trade, and may have thought that he would do better in the tea and coffee line. My services were not required in this establishment, and I was accustomed to take my little brother Charles for a walk in the Park, where we had the pleasure of seeing some of the finest of the troops, horse and foot, with their bands playing, as they went daily to relieve guard. Another of my amusements was the rearing of some white mice, which I trained to perform sundry feats in going up and down a line suspended from the ceiling; and occasionally I went with the waiter to the theatre, which I have sometimes wondered that my mother allowed. Her time, however, was so much taken up with the business, early and late, that I suppose she could not always do as she would. One of the visitors to the Coffee House was an elderly Jewish gentleman, Aaron by name; and, being blind, he wanted someone to lead him about the streets of London. It was arranged that for a consideration I [12] should undertake this important duty, which I performed to the satisfaction of my employer. This enabled me to attend one or more of the Synagogues occasionally, and it also enabled me to add to my many avocations in life that of leading about an old blind Jew. I think we had only been about a year at the British Coffee House when my father's brother James paid us a visit on very important business. He had erected some large houses at Swanage, Isle of Purbeck, and wanted to make this pretty and salubrious bay a favorite sea-side resort. The houses would not let, and he had such a high opinion of my mother's business capabilities, that if he could get her down there to start a boarding-house the place was bound to go ahead. His representations or misrepresentations led both my father and mother to decide that if they could dispose of the London business they would go and give the new seaside venture a start. Before long a customer was found for the British Coffee House, which had greatly improved, mainly under my mother's management; and preparations were made for another move. During our stay in London I remember an amusing incident that occurred, in which I was the actor. Not far from Agar Street was Maiden Lane, a place where several cows were kept and milk sold. Some of these cows were kept upstairs, and I suppose they had to be kept there when they succeeded in getting them up in this elevated position. One day we were short of milk, and I was sent out to get some; but instead of turning to the right when I got to the top of the street, I turned to the left. T could see no signs of any milk-shop, and when about to give up the search I looked into a gin-palace, and my eye caught sight of the words in gold letters on a barrel on the shelf, "Cream of the valley." I concluded I was right at last, but on enquiry I found that there was no connection between the milk I required and the cream that was sold at this establishment. On my return an explanation was given as to the cause of delay in obtaining the article, and a laugh followed at my expense.

      When matters were arranged for our departure from London, I was to return with my uncle as the pioneer of the family. The first part of our journey was to Portsmouth by stagecoach, and I was again an inside passenger. We had to travel through the night, and no light was provided, probably with the idea that the traveller could more easily enjoy a snooze. I was allowed to take my pets, the white mice, with me; and they caused me much trouble and annoyance. They did not like the place in which [13] they were confined, and contrived to nibble away the cloth placed around them till they obtained their liberty; and to my dismay I saw now and again, when light shone into the coach, these little creatures moving about. If I had been the only observer of their movements it would not have mattered much, but some ladies in the coach saw them and with certain feelings of curiosity and alarm wondered whatever they could be. I could have explained, but not knowing what the consequences might be, I kept my counsel; and took the opportunity while the passengers were taking their refreshments at a wayside hotel, to catch as many as I could and throw them out of the coach.

      The next stage in our, journey was by steamer from Portsmouth to Southampton, and this was my first experience of travelling by sea. Being desirous of seeing all that was to be seen, I made for the bow of the vessel, but soon found I had made a mistake, as the splashes of water came over me and led me to beat a retreat from that exposed position.

      From Southampton we proceeded by land to Poole, and thence by water to Swanage. I quite enjoyed this trip, and had no idea that my relative, knowingly or otherwise, was leading my parents into trouble and expense. When the other members of the family reached Swanage, one of the large houses belonging to my uncle was furnished and made ready for the reception of boarders, but after due notice was given of the fact, not one of these put in an appearance. I liked the place and enjoyed the sight of the big waves rolling in and sending the spray against our front windows; and I was delighted with standing on the rocks and seeing the breakers dash up against them--a sight that was to me truly grand. From the elevated rocks at the entrance of the Bay, the Isle of Wight could be seen on a clear day, and there was an extensive view of the English Channel. But our removal to this place was not for my special pleasure and enjoyment, consequently I was not consulted as to whether we should remain or go elsewhere. The stone quarries afforded employment for a limited number of men, but beyond this there was nothing to lead to any profitable business. The place could boast of a small Primitive Methodist Chapel, and this was well suited to the primitive population residing there. My uncle was the preacher and was a kind of factotum, in fact, he was "the chief man of the Island"; and if with such a clever man, and such a clever business woman as my mother, the place did not go ahead, it was a hopeless case. The people occupied an isolated position, and were both ignorant and superstitious, notwithstanding the efforts of my uncle to teach [14] and enlighten them. It is said that on one occasion Moreton Pitt paid a visit to the place, having, I suppose, an interest in the quarries; and the people were so delighted at having a visit from such a distinguished visitor that they could scarcely believe that it was really the man himself. To remove all doubts one of the inhabitants on this important occasion addressed himself to the visitor in these words, "And be'st thou Moreton Pitt?" and this personal enquiry elicited a satisfactory answer.

      My father was annoyed at his brother inducing them to come to such a place, but my mother was not only annoyed but disgusted at the conduct of my uncle. She let him know her mind pretty freely, and as he had not been accustomed to be spoken to in such a manner, especially by a woman, there was a decided breach in the family relations that had previously existed. It resulted in an open rupture, and after clearing out from Swanage I heard very little of my uncle James. My parents being convinced that the longer they remained at Swanage the faster their little capital would dwindle away, decided to remove to Poole, and see what they could do there. This was a seaport, at one time doing a large trade with Newfoundland, but a variety of causes led to a diminution of shipping visiting the port.

      Arriving at Poole my father tried his hand at two or three lines of business, but was not very successful at any of them. My mother took a shop with a double front, and in one window displayed millinery and in the other groceries. I took kindly to the latter on account of the plums, currants, and other nice things which boys have a special weakness for. I remember one or two little fellows that were sent occasionally to the shop to obtain supplies, and it could be seen at a glance that the clothes they wore were never made for them. I was an object of envy to them, and they would stand at the window and watch my movements; and not only so, but they took notice of my wearing apparel. One day I heard one of them, a sharp little fellow, soliloquising and criticising me thus:--"Striped waistcoat--picking the currants." This address was delivered in a very deliberate style, becoming the gravity of the occasion; and I felt that the criticism was quite correct. On one occasion two little boys entered the shop entrusted with an order of some magnitude from the mother of one of them. The order was somewhat as follows:--Half-an-ounce of tea, two ounces of sugar, and a penn'orth of butter-scrapings, "cause mother's going to have a Party." The mother had evidently gone into the calculation of [15] the cost of the order very carefully, and told her son that he was to receive a farthing back. This part of the transaction the boy seemed to have forgotten, but his vigilant companion had a good memory; and after the order had been duly given he added "Fardin' out, Jack." Ever after this we dabbed the boy who had omitted to mention the change he was to receive "Fardin' out Jack." This incident will give some idea to the more favored in this highly-favored land of the poverty of the poor in England.

      It was well that I was not always exposed to the temptation of "picking the currants," and helping myself to sweets, etc., as it would have lessened the small profits on the goods sold. I was sent to a boys' school, where there were a number of out-and-out boys, who wanted me to join them in their play, and even in their fighting. I was what might be called by some a "namby-pamby" boy, as I did not take much interest in games, and certainly not in fighting, which most of my schoolmates considered an almost necessary part of a boy's education. Because I could not or would not fight I was set down as a coward, deserving a severe drubbing; and this I received occasionally without a single blow in return. It was a case of might against right, an assault without any provocation; and an act of despotism decidedly infringing upon the proper liberty of the subject. This reminds me that while we were residing at Towcester I was walking alone along a lane leading to the village of Greens Norton, and was set upon by some naughty boys, who rolled me into a bed of stinging-nettles; and left me to get out the best way I could. I suppose other boys have had similar experiences, and it only shows that "boys will be boys" wherever they may be.

      One of my delights while at Poole was to get down to the wharf (where my father had a store of some kind) and get among the shipping, which had great attractions for me. If I could not get a row or a sail in a boat I would content myself with getting into one and pulling myself backwards and forwards to the length of the painter. I wanted very much to go to sea, and though my father said that he would not send a dog of his to sea, I importuned him very much to let me go. At length he went to one of the principal shipping houses doing business with Newfoundland, and enquired if there was any opening for a cadet; and not meeting with a favorable reply I had to be content to remain a "land lubber."

      Up till twelve years of age I made very little progress with my scholastic duties, and was almost indifferent about them. I liked writing, but did not care about arithmetic and grammar, [16] especially the latter. I could almost appropriate the well-known school ditty:--

      Instead of "Practice," however, I would substitute "Grammar," because I felt a decided dislike to this exercise. It seemed to me a jumble of words, especially the declensions of the verbs; and I could make neither head nor tail of the "I love," etc. The fact is I neither could, would, nor felt that I should love this, to me, meaningless jargon. In after years I met with "Weedon's Practical Grammar," giving practical illustrations of the art, and this led me to entertain more friendly feelings towards this necessary branch of education.

      An office-boy being required in a large brewing establishment, I left school and was placed in this situation, the duties of which were very light. At the time referred to the firm consisted of an elderly gentleman (who was blessed with eleven daughters), and a nephew, a young man of rather a rakish character. The former was rarely in the office, except at lunch-time, when I was sent to one of the cellars to bring him a glass of ale upwards of twenty years of age. I was often in the company of the young man, whose conversation was not calculated to improve my morals; but he was married soon after I went to the office, and I believe he then improved in his behavior. I do not think that this, my first situation, was any advantage to me; but shortly after I took it, my father's attention was directed to emigration. He heard and read a great deal about the Colony of South Australia, and he came to the conclusion that it presented a desirable opening for himself and family. A fellow-townsman of the name of Cathery likewise decided to proceed with his family to this "Land of Promise," as it was called; and arrangements were accordingly made for our embarkation. [17]

[CLACE 1-17]