ILLUSTRATIONS.

PAGE
“The Boy-king”[Frontispiece.]
Statue of William the Conqueror at Falaise[Half-title.]
It is Vacation[3]
Tommy and the Bear[9]
Tommy’s Adventure[10]
Norman Fisher-Girl[13]
King Charles’s Hiding-place[14]
White Horse Hill[15]
Street Scene in Normandy[16]
Colonnade of the Louvre[17]
Harold’s Oath[23]
Finding the Body of Harold[26]
The Death of the Red King[27]
St. Stephen’s Church at Caen[30]
Robert Throwing Himself on his Knees before his Prostrate Father[31]
William the Conqueror Reviewing his Army[35]
Mont St. Michel[37]
Amazement of Christopher Sly[46]
Norman Peasant Girls[49]
Pilot-Boat[53]
Two of our Fellow-Travellers[55]
A Steerage Passenger[56]
Joan of Arc[59]
Joan of Arc Recognizing the King[63]
Joan of Arc Wounded[67]
Signals[70]
The Boys Consult the Barometer[72]
Birthplace of Robert Burns[73]
Edinburgh Castle[77]
Holyrood Palace[79]
Mary Stuart[80]
Murder of Rizzio[81]
Francis II. of France[86]
Francis II. and Mary Stuart Love-making[89]
At the Death-bed of Francis II.[93]
Mary Stuart Swearing she had never sought the Life of Elizabeth[97]
The Black Douglas Surprising an Enemy[100]
Cæsar’s Legions Landing in Britain[104]
Romans Invading Britain[105]
Massacre of the Druids[106]
Druid Sacrifice[107]
The Hermit[111]
Shamble Oak[121]
Greendale Oak[122]
Parliament Oak[123]
Mortimer’s Hole[124]
Murder of Thomas À Becket[125]
Richard’s Farewell to the Holy Land[129]
Limestone Dwellings[133]
Peveril of the Peak[137]
The Boy at the Wheel[138]
Boscobel[139]
The Tomb of Richard Penderell[139]
King Charles’s Hiding-place[140]
Shakspeare[141]
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage[144]
Ruins of Kenilworth Castle[145]
Portrait of Elizabeth[149]
Alfred and his Mother[153]
Canute and his Courtiers[154]
Flight of Empress Maud[155]
Death of Latimer and Ridley[156]
Rosamond’s Bower[157]
A Studious Monk[157]
An Old Time Student[158]
House of a Migrating Citizen[162]
Fac-simile of the Bayeux Tapestry[163]
St. Augustine’s Appeal to Ethelbert[169]
The Saxon Priest Striking the Images[171]
Westminster Abbey[174]
Trial of Charles I.[177]
Burial of Richard[180]
The Tower of London[181]
Wolsey Served by Nobles[185]
Whitehall[187]
Wolsey’s Palace[188]
Death of Cardinal Wolsey[189]
Children of Charles I.[190]
Oliver Cromwell[191]
Queen Henrietta Maria[193]
Street Amusements[195]
Street Amusements[196]
“’Ave you got a Penny?”[197]
Victoria at the Age of Eight[200]
Anger of King John[203]
A Dutch Windmill[206]
Dog-Carts[207]
Street Scenes in Brussels[208]
Hotel de Ville, Brussels[209]
Charlemagne in Council[210]
Charlemagne at the Head of his Army[211]
Hotel de Ville, Ghent[212]
Van Artevelde at his Door[213]
Charles the Rash Discovered[217]
Capture of King John and his Son[227]
Tower of Joan of Arc, Rouen[229]
The Maid of Orleans[230]
“It is Rather Hard Bread”[233]
Death of St. Louis[235]
Interior of St. Ouen[236]
Palais de Justice, Rouen[237]
Northmen on an Expedition[238]
The Barques of the Northmen before Paris[239]
Catharine de Medici[241]
Coligny[243]
Charles IX. and Catharine de Medici[247]
The Goddess of Reason carried through the Streets of Paris[251]
Garden of the Tuileries[255]
Fountain in the Champs Elysées[257]
Place de la Concorde[258]
Entrance to the Louvre[259]
Fountain, Place de la Concorde[261]
Man of the Iron Mask[263]
Versailles[267]
Little Trianon[268]
The Dauphin with the Royal Family in the Assembly[269]
Forest of Fontainebleau[273]
In the Wood at Fontainebleau[274]
“Je ne comprends pas”[277]
At Prayers[278]
Clock Tower at Vire[283]
Revoking the Edict of Nantes[291]
Fénelon and the Duke of Burgundy[295]
The Cathedral at Nantes[298]
Louis XV.[299]
Molière[306]
The Reading of “Paul and Virginia”[307]
Racine[309]
Racine Reading to Louis XIV.[310]

ZIGZAG JOURNEYS;
OR,
VACATIONS IN HISTORIC LANDS.

CHAPTER I.
THE JOURNEY PROPOSED.

THE school—is—dismissed.”

The words fell hesitatingly, and it seemed to us regretfully, from the tutor’s lips.

The dismission was for the spring vacation. It was at the close of a mild March day; there was a peculiar warmth in the blue sky and cloudless sunset; the south winds lightly stirred the pines, and through the open window wandered into the school-room.

“Dismissed!”

Usually at this word, on the last day of the term, every boy leaped to his feet: there would be a brief bustle, then Master Lewis would be seen seated alone amid the silence of the school-room.

But to-day there was something in the tone of the master’s voice that checked the usual unseemly haste. Every boy remained in his seat, as though waiting for Master Lewis to say something more.

The master saw it, and choked with feeling. It was a little thing, the seeming unwillingness to part; but it indicated to both teacher and school an increasing respect and affection.

Master Lewis had learned to love his pupils: his hesitating words told them that. Every boy in his school loved Master Lewis: their conduct in remaining in their seats told him that.

The master stepped from his desk, as was his custom when about to say any thing unusually social and confidential.

“Boys,” he said, “I wish to tell you frankly, and you deserve to know it, that I have become so attached to you during the winter term that I am sorry to part from you, even for a week’s vacation.”

“I wish we might pass the vacation together,” said Frank Gray,—meaning by “we” the teacher and the school.

“I once read of a French teacher,” said Ernest Wynn, “who used to travel with his scholars in the neighboring countries, during vacations.”

“Wouldn’t it be just grand if we could travel with Master Lewis during our summer vacation!” said Tom Toby, who, although the dullest scholar in the school, always became unexpectedly bright over any plan that promised an easy time.

“We might visit some country in Europe,” said Ernest. “We should then be learning geography and history, and so our education would go on.”

“It would help us also in the study of modern languages,” said Frank Gray.

Tom Toby’s sudden brightness of face seemed to be eclipsed by these last remarks.

“I think we had better travel in places nearer home, then.”

“Why?” asked Frank.

“I was seasick once: it was orful.”

“The sickness is a short and healthy one,” said Frank.

“You will find it a healthy one, if you ever are rolling on the Atlantic, with

‘Twice a thousand miles behind you, and a thousand miles before.’

I wouldn’t be sick in that way again for any thing. I tell you ’twas orful!”

Master Lewis laughed at Tom’s pointed objection.

“As to learning the languages,” continued Tom, “I’ve noticed all the Frenchmen and Germans I have tried to talk with speak their own language very poorly.”

Tom’s percentages in the modern languages were the lowest of his class, and Master Lewis could not restrain a smile.

“I once tried to make a Frenchman understand that I thought Napoleon Bonaparte was the greatest man that ever lived. He kept saying, Cela va sans dire, cela va sans dire! [That is a matter of course.] I never knew what he meant, to say: all I could make of it was, That goes without saying any thing.”

“The French teacher of whom I spoke,” said Ernest Wynn, “used to allow his pupils to travel much on foot, and to visit such places as their love of history, geography, and natural science, made them most wish to see. So they journeyed in a zigzag way, and published a book called ‘Voyages en zigzag.’”

“I would not object to learning history, geography, and natural science in that way,” said Tom Toby. “I should rather walk after history than study it the way I do now. I should prefer riding after it to walking, however. I wouldn’t be cheated out of having a real good time during my summer vacation for any thing.”

A shadow fell on Master Lewis’s face, as though his feelings were hurt by something implied in Tom’s remarks. Tom saw it.

“But—but I should have a real good time if I were with you, Master Lewis, even if it were on the Atlantic, or studying French in France.”

“I have often thought I would like to travel with my boys abroad. I could take my first class, if I could secure their parents’ consent, the coming summer.”

“Good!”

Every boy joined in the exclamation. Tom’s voice, however, was a little behind the others,—“-o-d.”

“Let me suggest to the class,” said Master Lewis, “that each member speak to his parents about this matter during the present vacation; and let each boy who can go send me in a letter during the week a map of the country and the places he would most like to visit. He can draw it in ink or pencil, and he need only put down upon it the places he would most like to see.”

“Good!”

The exclamation was unanimous.

The boys left their seats.

Tom Toby’s face had become very animated again. Presently the boys of the class were all gathered about him.

“I have a plan,” said Tom. “It is just grand. Let us form a secret society, and call ourselves the Zigzagers!”

“Good!” unanimously.

“But why a secret society?” asked Frank Gray.

“There is something so mysterious about a secret society,” said Tom. “Gives one such a good opinion of himself. Have a constitution, and by-laws, and wear a pin!”

The first class in Master Lewis’s school parted in high spirits, their faces bright with smiles as they went out into the light of the March sunset.

Tom’s last words on parting were: “Try to think up a secret for the society: it should be something surprising.”

The first class in Master Lewis’s school numbered six boys:—

Frank Gray,
Ernest Wynn,
Wyllys Wynn,
Thomas Toby,
George Howe, and
Leander Towle.

Frank Gray was the oldest boy and finest scholar in the school. He was about fifteen years of age; was tall and manly, and was more intimate with Master Lewis than with any of his schoolmates. Thomas Toby, who disliked Frank’s precise manners and rather unsocial ways, used to call him “Lord I.” Frank, however, was not intentionally reserved: he was merely studious in his leisure, and best liked the society of those from whom he could learn the most.

Ernest and Wyllys Wynn were brothers. Ernest had made himself popular at school by his generous, affectionate disposition, and his ready sympathy for any one in distress. He lived, as it were, a life outside of himself; and his interest in the best good of others made for himself unconsciously a pure and lovable character. He was fond of music, and an agreeable singer: he liked the old English and Scottish ballads, and so sung the songs of true feeling that every one is eager to hear.

He often went to an almshouse near Master Lewis’s to sing to the old people there. The paupers all loved him, and clustered eagerly around him when he appeared. His songs recalled their childhood scenes in other lands. On fine summer evenings he might often be seen on the lawn before the charitable institution, with a crowd of poor people around him, whom he delighted with “Robin Ruff and Gaffer Green,” “The Mistletoe Bough,” “Highland Mary,” “The Vale of Avoca,” “Robin Adair,” or something aptly selected to awaken tender feelings and associations.

Nearly all the children of the town seemed to know him, and regard him as a friend, and used often to run out to meet him when he appeared in the street. Master Lewis, in speaking of Ernest, once quoted Madame de Sévigné’s remark, “The true mark of a good heart is its capacity for loving.” It was meant to be a picture, and it was a true one.

Wyllys Wynn was much like his brother, and a very close friendship existed between them. He was fond of history and poetry; he wrote finely, and usually took the first prize for composition.

Tom Toby was quite a different character. He was just a boy, in the common sense of the word. In whatever he attempted to do, he was sure to blunder, and was as sure to turn the blunder to some comical account. He had a way of making fun of himself, and of inciting others to laugh at his own expense, which Master Lewis was disposed to censure as wanting in proper self-respect.

Tom had no particular friend. He seemed to like all boys alike, except those whom he thought insincere and affected, and such were the butt of his sharp wit and ready ridicule.

Tom was famous among the boys for telling stories, and these often related to his own mishaps. A knot of boys was often seen gathered around him to listen to his random talk, his wit, and his day dreams. Though a poor scholar, he was an apt talker, and almost any subject would furnish him a text.

His father was a Maine lumber-dealer, and he had spent much time with his father in the logging camps and backwoods towns of the Pine Tree State. His adventures in these regions, told in his droll way, often excited the wonder of his companions.

“Did you ever see a bear in the backwoods?” one of the boys asked him one day.

“I never saw a live one but once.”

“What did you do?”

“Do? I received a polite bow from him, and then I remembered that I was wanted at home, and went home immediately.

“It was this way.”—All of the boys of the class now gathered around Tommy, as was the custom when he seemed about to tell one of his odd stories.

“I attempted one day to rob a pigeon-woodpecker’s nest which I had found in one of the old logging roads that had not been used for several years. The nest was in a big hollow tree. The top of the tree had blown off, leaving a trunk some twelve or fifteen feet high.

“These woodpeckers make a hole for their nest so large that you can run the whole length of your arm into it. I had long wanted a few eggs from one of these birds’ nests. I had heard the lumber-men tell how white and handsome the eggs are.

“I was climbing up the tree very fast, my heart beating like a trip-hammer, when I heard a scratching sound inside the big trunk, and then a shaking at the top. I thought it very mysterious. I stopped, and looked up. I saw something black, like a fur cap. I opened my eyes and mouth so as to take a big look, and just then out popped a bear’s head from the top of the trunk, and looked over very inquiringly. I just looked once. He seemed to recognize me. He bowed. Then I remembered that father had said I must come home early. I dropped to the ground, and I never picked up my feet so lively before in my life. I flew. When I got safely out of the woods, I thought of the woodpecker. I never felt so glad for any bird in my life. What a narrow escape that bird had! I had been there myself, and knew. I wouldn’t have robbed her nest for any thing after that.

“‘No, not I.’”

When Tommy first came to the boarding-school, he greatly amused his companions one day by attempting to ride on the hose of a street-sprinkler’s cart, when it was not in action. He had never seen such a carriage, and thought it offered a wonderfully convenient arrangement for riding behind. Presently the driver raised the lever, and the amazed lad found himself caught in the shower, and tumbled into the dirt.

“Why didn’t you tell me the thing was bewitched?” said he, as the boys gathered around him.

But his indignation immediately subsided, and rubbing off the water and dirt, and discovering the use of the cart, he was soon found laughing as heartily as the others, and quite outdid them in relating to Master Lewis the odd adventure.

George Howe and Leander Towle were cousins and very intimate friends. They were unlike Frank Gray and the Wynns. They cared little for poetry, art, or music. They stood well in their classes in mathematics and the exact sciences, were fond of boating and out-of-door sports, and both were warm friends of Tom Toby.

The pleasant relations that existed between the teacher and the school also prevailed to a great degree among the lads themselves. Frank Gray and Tommy Toby, being quite unlike, sometimes had a tilt in words; but, as Frank was a gentleman by nature and training, and as Tommy had tender feelings, their differences were easily harmonized. The mild manners and good sense of Master Lewis seemed to impress themselves strongly on the characters of his pupils. Tommy Toby, who was often thoughtless in his conduct, was almost the only exception to the rule.

CHAPTER II.
TOM TOBY’S SECRET SOCIETY.

Plans for the Journey.—The Boys’ Letters to Master Lewis.—Tom Toby’s Plans.—The New Society.—Master Lewis arranges a Cheap Tour for George and Leander.—What may be seen for $100.

FROM Frank Gray, Master Lewis received the following letter early in vacation-week:—

Cambridge, Mass., March 20.

My Dear Friend and Teacher:

My good father has consented for me to go.

He thinks that the tour, to be a really profitable one, should be short, and that it would be better to attempt to visit only a portion of a single country.

I have decided what country I would most like to visit. It is “fair Normandy,” the scene of the most romantic events of both English and French history.

I would go from Boston to London; from London to Dieppe; and then I would make partly on foot a zigzag journey to the places indicated on the enclosed map of Normandy, and such others, including Paris, as you may suggest.

The old towns on the coast of Normandy are especially beautiful in summer, with their cool harbors, fine landscapes, and historic ruins. I am told that they are favorite places of resort of both the English and French people, and that they give one delightful insights of the best social life.

In this journey, we would have views of London and Paris, and would be able to study that part of France whose history is associated with old English wars, and that is most famous in romance and song.

I make the suggestion at your own request. You are the better judge in the whole matter, and it will give my father pleasure to adopt any plan for me you may think advisable.

I thank you again for the invitation, and father wishes me to express to you his sense of your kindness.

I wish you a most pleasant vacation, and am

Affectionately yours,
Frank Gray.

“Fan me with a feather!” Tom Toby used sometimes to say after reading one of Frank’s letters; and we are not sure but this careful note would have tempted a light remark, had he ever seen it.

NORMAN FISHER-GIRL.

Soon after Frank’s note, came a note from the Wynns:—

Concord, Mass., March 22.

Dear Teacher:

Father thinks so favorably of your kind invitation that we venture to express our preference for a route of travel.

It is a very simple one. We would go from Boston to Liverpool, and walk from Liverpool to London, en zigzag.

This would take us through the heart of England, and enable us to visit such historic places as Boscobel, where Charles II. was concealed after the battle of Worcester, old Nottingham, Kenilworth, Oxford, and Godstowe Nunnery, Stratford-on-Avon, White Horse Hill, and a great number of old English villages and ruins.

Or we would go to Glasgow, thence to Edinburgh, and then make short journeys towards London, visiting Abbotsford, Melrose, and the ruins on the Border.

We are reading Walter Scott’s “Kenilworth.” The book, as you may have guessed, has caused us to set our affections strongly on the middle of England as the scene of our proposed tour.

With kind remembrances of all your kindness to us.
Ernest Wynn.
Wyllys Wynn.

KING CHARLES’S HIDING-PLACE.

Later came a characteristic note from two of the other boys.

Dear Teacher,—Our parents are desirous for us to go, but can hardly afford the expense. We have permission to accept your invitation, if we will travel so cheaply that the cost to each will not be more than $100. Can this be done? We are willing to go and return in the steerage, travel third-class, and take shilling lodgings, and eat plain food. We would prefer a tour through the great manufacturing towns of Scotland and England.

Respectfully,
George Howe.
Leander Towle.

On Saturday of vacation-week, Master Lewis opened a much-blotted envelope, and read the following rather surprising communication:—

Master Lewis,—Father’s answer to me is, “You may go anywhere that promises any improvement.”

I have been thinking of it. One should see their own country first. This journey would about suit me: they are very interesting places,—Newport, Old Orchard Beach, White Mountains, Franconia Mountains, Adirondacks, Saratoga, Niagara.

Mother has been crying. She is afraid, if I go to Europe, I will never come back again.

Father thinks that there is no danger of that.

If I must go across the sea, I would prefer to go—anywhere you like, only take the shortest route and fastest steamer over the water.

Were you ever sick on the ocean?

I am going to organize a society of travellers in the school,—a secret society that will pledge each other never-ending friendship and assistance.

I may need assistance myself in my life. Father thinks I shall.

I am trying to think of a secret for the society. I can think of hardly any thing that the rest of the world do not know.

Hope you are well.
Tommy.

WHITE HORSE HILL.

The spring and summer term—the session lasted through April, May, and June—opened under unusually promising circumstances. The prospect of the journey of the first class seemed to stimulate the whole school: in fact, little else was talked of out of school-hours.

Master Lewis’s customary address at the close of the first day of the term was waited with impatient interest. When the time came for it, there was almost a painful silence in the school-room.

STREET SCENE IN NORMANDY.

“I shall speak first,” said Master Lewis, “on the subject about which your conduct tells me you are most eager to hear. I have decided to make the journey abroad with the first class this year”—

There was suppressed applause by the class.

“Next year I hope to visit Switzerland and Italy, with all the members of the school who can go, if this proposed journey should prove a success. I say this, so that the second and third classes may feel that they, too, have an interest in this general plan.”

There was a burst of applause by the whole school.

COLONNADE OF THE LOUVRE.

“I thank the boys of the first class for their letters and suggestions about the route to be decided upon. I think I have a plan that will be acceptable to you all. We will go first to Glasgow, will journey en zigzag to London; will there take the steamer for Antwerp, and will make a zigzag tour from Ghent to St. Malo, taking a glance at Belgium, a view of the whole of Normandy and the picturesque part of Brittany, including a visit to Paris and a view of its beautiful palaces and parks.

“As a preparation for this tour, I shall require the class to give special attention to the French language and to English and French history during the term.”

Every thing that Master Lewis said or did was popular with the boys, but no decision ever received more emphatic applause.

Tom Toby was busy at once, forming his secret society. He called a meeting of the boys on the evening of the very first schoolday, in his room. The Wynns entered willingly into his plan, and George Howe and Leander Towle warmly supported it. Frank Gray, however, treated the matter rather indifferently, a circumstance that Tommy quickly observed.

“The first question to be decided,” said Tommy, when the boys had met in his room, “is, Shall we organize a secret society?”

The Wynns asked Frank Gray his opinion.

“I should prefer to hold my opinion in reserve, until I understand what the object of the society is to be.”

“It is to have a grip just like that,” said Tommy, seizing Frank by the hand, “one that takes the conceit all out of you, and makes you remember who are your friends for ever.”

“Then I do not think I shall care to join,” said Frank, rubbing his crushed hand on his knee. “I shall probably remember you as long as I shall care to, without making any such arrangement.”

“I think a school society is a good thing,” said Ernest Wynn, mildly. “It promotes lasting friendships”—

“Good for you!” said Tommy. “That’s just what I wanted to say. ‘It promotes lasting friendship,’ and, like a salve, it takes the conceit”—

“It stimulates one to do his best, and”—

“That’s it exactly,” said Tommy. “I hope you all hear.”

“Let’s quit joking,” said George Howe, in a matter-of-fact way. “A society for the purpose of reading and studying about the places we are to visit and for correspondence with each other, when a part of us are abroad, would be an excellent thing. I hope we may have such a society, and shall make our very best boy President of it.”

“Who may that be?” said Frank.

“I,” said Tommy, teasingly. “I thought you knew.”

“I believe it is decided to call the society the Zigzag Travellers,” said George.

“A promising name,” said Frank, who was decidedly out of humor. “I would suggest the Zigzag Club.”

“I would nominate for President Wyllys Wynn.”

“I agree to the nomination,” said Frank.

“And so do I,” said Tommy Toby: “at last, Frank and I are agreed.”

“Who will prepare the rules for the society?” asked Frank.

“George Howe,” said Ernest.

To this all the boys agreed.

“Who shall decide upon a secret?” asked Wyllys.

“I would nominate Tommy Toby,” said Frank.

Tom was unanimously elected.

The next evening a second meeting of the society was held, to which all the boys in the school were invited. It was decided to call the society “The Zigzag Club.” Charles Wyman, one of the second-class boys, was appointed its Secretary, and general rules were adopted for the conduct of its meetings. All of the boys, sixteen in number, became members.

It was decided that the first formal meeting of the club for literary exercises should be held in a fortnight, and that on that occasion each boy of the first class should relate some historic story associated with one of the places he expected to visit, and it was suggested that the stories of the first meeting be confined to Normandy. Wyllys Wynn was asked to sing some French or Norman song on the occasion, and the Secretary was instructed to invite Master Lewis to be present, and to deliver an address.

Tommy Toby had been very reserved since the first meeting of the club. He had been quite ignored, and his feelings were hurt.

“Are you sure you treated Tommy quite right at the first meeting?” asked Ernest Wynn of Frank Gray, quietly, as he observed Tom’s injured look at the second meeting of the club.

“I fear I was not quite gentlemanly,” said Frank. “But I had no wish to join a society gotten up merely for fun.”

“Tommy’s suggestion was the beginning of the club,” said Ernest. “Let’s give him a vote of thanks.”

“I will offer the resolution,” said Frank.

“Let us close this meeting,” said Frank, “by recognizing the debt we owe to one of our members. Thomas Toby is the real founder of this club. I did not feel much interested in it at first. I do now. Let us give Thomas a vote of thanks.”

Every boy applauded the motion, which was passed enthusiastically.

Tommy’s face brightened, and his eyes filled with tears.

“O Frank,” he said, “how could you? Ernest Wynn was at the bottom of this, wasn’t he?”

“Yes,” said Frank.

“Well, Ernest is a better fellow than I.”

“Or I.”

“We both are all right now!”

“Yes.”

“Have you decided upon a secret?” continued Frank.

“I have thought much about it,” answered Tom.

“And what is the result?”

Tommy turned to the blackboard, and wrote,—

“All O!”

The boys looked at the characters mysteriously.

“Is that the secret?” asked Frank.

“Yes, and I myself am going to keep it for the club.”

Master Lewis had a private talk with George Howe and Leander Towle immediately on their return.

“I wish you to go,” he said; “and I think a most profitable tour can be made in the way you propose for $100. You can at least visit Glasgow, Edinburgh, Birmingham, London, and Paris, and spend three days each in the three great capital cities. The information you would thus gain would be of great value to you. I thus estimate the probable expense to each:—

Steerage passage to go and return$50.00
Glasgow to Edinburgh, 2s. 6d., or60
Edinburgh to London, and London to Paris by way of Dieppe, about £3, or14.40
Shilling lodgings and meals for fourteen days14.00
Miscellaneous expenses11.00
$90.00

“I will do my best to make your expenses as light as possible. I am told that one can live comfortably on four shillings a day in Scotland and England, and for five francs a day in Paris. You will not be able to enjoy our walks in historic places outside of the great cities, and you will probably be obliged to return before the rest of the party; but the very restraint you will have to use will be a good experience for you. As Franklin once said, ‘A good kick out of doors is worth all the rich uncles in the world.’ It is good for one to bear the yoke in his youth. You see what I mean,—self-reliance, independence! I am not altogether sorry that you will be compelled to make the journey in this way.”

The boys thanked their teacher.

When they had left him, George Howe said decidedly,—

“I never respected any teacher as much as I do Master Lewis. How nobly he has treated us!”

CHAPTER III.
FIRST MEETING OF THE CLUB.

Normandy.—Story of the New Forest and the Red King.—Story of Robert of Normandy.—Story of the White Ship.—Story of the Frolicsome Duke and the Tinker’s Good Fortune.—Master Lewis commends the Club.—The Secret.

WHEN the boys were allowed to go to Boston,—once a week,—they had access to the fine Public Library of which that city is justly so proud. It was observed that the whole character of their reading changed from merely entertaining to the most instructive books, after the forming of the Club. Such picturesque historical works as Guizot’s “France” and “England,” Palgrave’s “Norman Conquest,” Froude’s “England,” Agnes Strickland’s “Lives of the Queens,” became especial favorites. Even Tommy Toby read through Dickens’s Child’s History of England, several of Abbott’s short histories of the kings and queens, and a book of marvellous old English ballads.

HAROLD’S OATH.

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The Club met as appointed. Each of the six boys had made his best preparation for the exercises of the evening. All the boys were present; and Master Lewis and his little daughter Florence sat beside young President Wynn, on the platform.

Wyllys Wynn was the first speaker.

“Although President of the Club,” he said, “I am expected to take part in these exercises, and have been asked to present my story first. Normandy is our subject to-night, and there is no name that is so famously associated with the old Norman cities we expect to visit—Caen, Falaise, Rouen, Fécamp, St. Valery—as that of William the Conqueror. I will tell you the story of his life, and call it