they came to smoke a pipe with him, in the evening, I petitioned to sit up, that I might hear the conversation. Now and then I ventured to interpose a question, which was kindly answered. This gratified me and strengthened my confidence.

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A book on Trigonometry fell in my way; the lined circles greatly excited my attention; and when I found it was a branch of study, by which the distance of the heavenly bodies could be ascertained, I teased my ther to let me be taught what appeared so curious and strange. No master, however, could be found except William Ward, a stocking-maker, who lived opposite to us. We began with Algebra, but so deficient was he in the knack of explanation, that he failed in communicating to others what was familiar to himself, and I gave it up in despair. A man of this sort the Egyptians represented by the figure of a dark-lanthorn, closed on all sides; though illumined within, it afforded no light to others.

Some years afterwards, Arthur Kershaw, a teacher of languages, came to Leicester, well recommended. Mr. Coltman's two sons, Mr. Harley Vaughan, and I, were sent to him, as scholars, to set him a going. I began with Latin, and had I been intended for a learned professon, my master could not have laboured more to drive into me all the niceties of Lilly's Grammar. Tired of the endless rules and exceptions, I begged to relinquish it for the French, and launched into the more fathomable sea of Cham

baud. The pronunciation of the French, so very unlike the English, took my fancy. I had an ear for all sorts of sounds; and what was difficult with many, was comparatively easy to me. For acquiring a language by rote I had no talent; but to acquire it by. ear, was natural. In after life I visited Paris with a learned friend who well understood the language, but could not hit off the pronunciation. He was vexed upon asking a question to hear the reply "Je ne vous entende pas" (I don't understand you). The plan we adopted was this: my friend formed the sentence, and

I

gave the pronunciation, and thus we got on very well. Though our language-master had arrived at middle age, he was so sheepishly bashful that he could not look any one in the face. When he was talking (which he did in a very pompous manner), he constantly turned his head away, looking over his shoulder, as if apprehending an attack from behind. In the street his shuffling gait was so rapid and sneaking, that he appeared like a thief running away from his pursuers. Though well informed, he was highly superstitious, and believed in ghosts. Early one morning I was at school before my companions had arrived. On his going down stairs to let them in, I contrived to get out of the window and joined them at the door. On seeing me he was amazed, and said "I thought I had left you up-stairs." "You must be mistaken, Sir,” said, "I am often troubled

I replied. "Well," he

with such hallucinations"!! In the evening, to play