crumbs that fell from the rich man's table. The nurse distributed at a time just so much as would excite, not appease the appetite, and would occasionally give a slice to some favourite companion of the youth to whom it belonged at his request, and which was termed being asked for.

The size of the day-room, as well as of the sleeping apartments, was forty feet by fourteen. From this was a flight of stairs exactly opposite the entrance door, about half way up which, to the left, was a very snug little room, called the wardrobe, where the Sunday coats and yellows were deposited. Two boys were appointed on Saturday afternoons to distribute these to the owners, to be ready for the coming Sabbath; again, at the termination of the evening prayers it was their duty to collect them, and once more place them in security. Great was our delight, as we heaped coat upon coat on the head of the bearer, to see him stagger beneath the weight, and then by a further addition causing him to fall

with his unwieldy burden. The caps worn only on state occasions were likewise placed here, and within them, rolled neatly round, our leathern girdles. The initials of each boy were marked with yellow worsted inside his cap, for which once a year, (when new caps were issued,) sixpence was deducted from our weekly allowance; and great indeed was he considered, who could afford to pay an additional sum, and have his name marked at full length.

From the wardrobe a few steps brought us to the dormitory on the first floor: here beds were arranged at equal distances on each side, and afforded sleeping room for about five-andtwenty. In those days the beds were intended for two; but by a recent decision of the committee, each boy has now a bed to himself. The bedsteads were of iron; the bedding consisted of a feather-tick, three blankets, one of which we kept under the tick during summer, these, with the addition of a pair of sheets and a worsted counterpane, formed all the articles of

bedding. At the extremity of the room was a single lantern fixed against the wall; the boy sleeping nearest which usually read aloud to us at night some choice fairy-tale or romantic story, the more improbable the better. Often, during the recital of these products of imagination, have I crept near my bed-fellow, and as the horrors of some ghost-story increased, aroused him from his seeming listlessness with the question, Are you awake?' calling him by his name.

The chamber of the nurse was opposite the bed-room door, which, being of lattice-work, gave her an opportunity at any time during the night to see what might be passing within.

The room overhead was similar to the one below, with the exception of the roof, which slanted, and was consequently denominated the garret. The first-floor was viewed by many as superior to the garret; others gave the garret the preference, as they were out of the way of authority, the domestic who slept in the room

D

over that of the nurse not possessing in any

degree the sway of her mistress.

Through the kind interference of the matron The num

I was domiciled in the best room.

ber of my bed was 15; and the beds being double, No. 16 shared mine,-a youth who had been in the school some time, and who was calculated to soften the hardships that would naturally cross a spoiled child. No. 14, the bed preceding mine, was occupied by a new comer, between whom and myself an intimacy soon sprung up.

After inspecting the rooms and partaking of a cup of tea in the nice little parlour of Mrs. Smith, we repaired to the day-room, to join, for the first time, in the appointed evening prayers, to which the bell was now summoning the scholars, in number about four hundred.

A portion of the New Testament having been read by one of the monitors, a Psalm was sung,

and then on bended knee were offered

up

those

beautiful prayers* by the pious Bishop Compton,+ exclusively written for the use of this royal foundation, and which in simplicity and fervour are unsurpassed.

Prayers finished, the boys quickly divested themselves of their coats, which they hung on their hooks, and taking off their shoes, which

* See Appendix.

+ This excellent man, so remarkable for his piety, and spirited conduct during the reign of our second James, after passing through the minor offices of the church, was elevated to the see of Oxford, and subsequently to that of London. He had been formerly in the Horse-guards, and was disliked by the Papist James, on account of his attachment to the Protestant cause. In a conversation with that monarch he expressed sentiments which incurred his displeasure, and was told by the king that he talked more like a colonel than a bishop. "Your Majesty does me honour," replied the prelate, "in reminding me that I formerly drew my sword in defence of the constitution. I shall certainly do so again if required." -Jesse's Reign of the Stuarts. It was this divine who, when Bishop of London, in the glorious Revolution of 1668, fulfilled his threat, and putting himself at the head of a gallant troop, accompanied the Princess Anne in her flight to Nottingham. When Archbishop Sancroft refused to crown William and Mary, Bishop Compton performed that ceremony. He died in the year 1713.—Maunder's Biographical Treasury.