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taught to move at a pace of suitable decorum； at least a quarter of
an hour elapsed from the commencement of the march before the last
boy could make his exit。 The office of bell…ringer was performed
by every boy successively； and it so happened that； the very first
day of my attendance at the school； the turn to ring the bell had；
by order of succession； arrived at the place which had been
allotted to me； for the master； as I have already observed； was a
man of method and order； and every boy had a particular seat； to
which he became a fixture as long as he continued at the school。
So； upon this day； when the tasks were done and completed； and the
boys sat with their hats and caps in their hands； anxiously
expecting the moment of dismissal； it was suddenly notified to me；
by the urchins who sat nearest to me； that I must get up and ring
the bell。 Now； as this was the first time that I had been at the
school； I was totally unacquainted with the process； which I had
never seen； and； indeed； had never heard of till that moment。 I
therefore sat still； not imagining it possible that any such duty
could be required of me。 But now； with not a little confusion； I
perceived that the eyes of all the boys in the school were fixed
upon me。 Presently there were nods and winks in the direction of
the bell…rope； and； as these produced no effect； uncouth visages
were made； like those of monkeys when enraged； teeth were gnashed；
tongues thrust out； and even fists were bent at me。 The master；
who stood at the end of the room； with a huge ferule under his arm；
bent full upon me a look of stern appeal； and the ushers； of whom
there were four； glared upon me； each from his own particular
corner； as I vainly turned； in one direction and another； in search
of one reassuring look。
But now； probably in obedience to a sign from the master； the boys
in my immediate neighbourhood began to maltreat me。 Some pinched me
with their fingers； some buffeted me； whilst others pricked me with
pins； or the points of compasses。 These arguments were not without
effect。 I sprang from my seat； and endeavoured to escape along a
double line of benches； thronged with boys of all ages； from the
urchin of six or seven to the nondescript of sixteen or seventeen。
It was like running the gauntlet； every one； great or small；
pinching； kicking； or otherwise maltreating me； as I passed by。
Goaded on in this manner； I at length reached the middle of the
room； where dangled the bell…rope； the cause of all my sufferings。
I should have passed it … for my confusion was so great that I was
quite at a loss to comprehend what all this could mean； and almost
believed myself under the influence of an ugly dream … but now the
boys； who were seated in advance in the row； arose with one accord；
and barred my farther progress； and one； doubtless more sensible
than the rest； seizing the rope； thrust it into my hand。 I now
began to perceive that the dismissal of the school； and my own
release from torment； depended upon this selfsame rope。 I
therefore； in a fit of desperation； pulled it once or twice； and
then left off； naturally supposing that I had done quite enough。
The boys who sat next the door no sooner heard the bell； than；
rising from their seats； they moved out at the door。 The bell；
however； had no sooner ceased to jingle； than they stopped short；
and； turning round； stared at the master； as much as to say； 'What
are we to do now？' This was too much for the patience of the man
of method； which my previous stupidity had already nearly
exhausted。 Dashing forward into the middle of the room； he struck
me violently on the shoulders with his ferule； and； snatching the
rope out of my hand； exclaimed； with a stentorian voice； and
genuine Yorkshire accent； 'Prodigy of ignorance！ dost not even know
how to ring a bell？ Must I myself instruct thee？' He then
commenced pulling at the bell with such violence that long before
half the school was dismissed the rope broke； and the rest of the
boys had to depart without their accustomed music。
But I must not linger here； though I could say much about the
school and the pedagogue highly amusing and diverting； which；
however； I suppress； in order to make way for matters of yet
greater interest。 On we went； northward； northward！ and； as we
advanced； I saw that the country was becoming widely different from
those parts of merry England in which we had previously travelled。
It was wilder； and less cultivated； and more broken with hills and
hillocks。 The people； too； of these regions appeared to partake of
something of the character of their country。 They were coarsely
dressed； tall and sturdy of frame； their voices were deep and
guttural； and the half of the dialect which they spoke was
unintelligible to my ears。
I often wondered where we could be going； for I was at this time
about as ignorant of geography as I was of most other things。
However； I held my peace； asked no questions； and patiently awaited
the issue。
Northward； northward； still！ And it came to pass that； one
morning； I found myself extended on the bank of a river。 It was a
beautiful morning of early spring； small white clouds were floating
in the heaven； occasionally veiling the countenance of the sun；
whose light； as they retired； would again burst forth； coursing
like a race…horse over the scene … and a goodly scene it was！
Before me； across the water； on an eminence； stood a white old
city； surrounded with lofty walls； above which rose the tops of
tall houses； with here and there a church or steeple。 To my right
hand was a long and massive bridge； with many arches； and of
antique architecture； which traversed the river。 The river was a
noble one； the broadest that I had hitherto seen。 Its waters； of a
greenish tinge； poured with impetuosity beneath the narrow arches
to meet the sea； close at hand； as the boom of the billows breaking
distinctly upon a beach declared。 There were songs upon the river
from the fisher…barks； and occasionally a chorus； plaintive and
wild； such as I had never heard before； the words of which I did
not understand； but which； at the present time； down the long
avenue of years； seem in memory's ear to sound like 'Horam； coram；
dago。' Several robust fellows were near me； some knee…deep in
water； employed in hauling the seine upon the strand。 Huge fish
were struggling amidst the meshes … princely salmon； … their
brilliant mail of blue and silver flashing in the morning beam； so
goodly and gay a scene； in truth； had never greeted my boyish eye。
And； as I gazed upon the prospect； my bosom began to heave； and my
tears to trickle。 Was it the beauty of the scene which gave rise
to these emotions？ Possibly； for though a poor ignorant child … a
half…wild creature … I was not insensible to the loveliness of