"Haven't I?" said the dear child, and he burst into tears. Then he handed me a letter, which was addressed to the head-master.
It was a supplication from his mother. Her little boy was very clever, she said, and she hoped he would not be judged by what he actually knew, but by what she was sure he would be able to learn if admitted into the school.
Poor child! we comforted him as well as we could, and sent him back to his mamma. He was very miserable.
Ladies are sometimes great at testimonials, and they must think it very ungentlemanly of men not to favor their candidates.
When our head science mastership was vacant, over a hundred applications were lodged with the head-master for his consideration. I remember that among the candidates there was one who was only provided with a single testimonial, and this from a lady (an old lady, I imagine). The testimonial was to the effect that "she had known Mr. P. for many years. He was a good and steady young man, and she knew he was very fond of science."
This testimonial failed to secure the appointment for its owner.
XVII.
The Origin of Anglomania and Anglophobia in England. — A Typical Frenchman. — Too Much of an Englishman. — A Remarkable French Master. — John Bull made to go to Church by a Frenchman. — A Noble and Thankless Career. — A Place of Learning. — Mons. and Esquire. — All Ladies and Gentlemen. — One Exception. — Wonderful Addresses.