in which we took great pleasure.

This is the manner of a 'winkey,' which I here set down, lest child

of mine, or grandchild, dare to make one on my premises; if he does,

I shall know the mark at once, and score it well upon him. The scholar

obtains, by prayer or price, a handful of saltpetre, and then with the

knife wherewith he should rather be trying to mend his pens, what does

he do but scoop a hole where the desk is some three inches thick. This

hole should be left with the middle exalted, and the circumfere dug more

deeply. Then let him fill it with saltpetre, all save a little space in

the midst, where the boss of the wood is. Upon that boss (and it will be

the better if a splinter of timber rise upward) he sticks the end of his

candle of tallow, or 'rat's tail,' as we called it, kindled and burning

smoothly. Anon, as he reads by that light his lesson, lifting his eyes

now and then it may be, the fire of candle lays hold of the petre with

a spluttering noise and a leaping. Then should the pupil seize his pen,

and, regardless of the nib, stir bravely, and he will see a glow as of

burning mountains, and a rich smoke, and sparks going merrily; nor will

it cease, if he stir wisely, and there be a good store of petre, until

the wood is devoured through, like the sinking of a well-shaft. Now well

may it go with the head of a boy intent upon his primer, who betides to

sit thereunder! But, above all things, have good care to exercise this

art before the master strides up to his desk, in the early gray of the

morning.

Other customs, no less worthy, abide in the school of Blundell, such as

<<BackPagesTo menuNext>>