I have not yet done with my old friend Benjamin; perhaps he did not trouble about my being absent for a week or two, if I did not return a bigger dunce. He usually had some of that class to try his patience. He appointed me many jobs, more to my mind than studying in the school. The town clock required to be wound up, the dial of which was at an elevation of about fifty feet, adorning the south side of the old tower, with its four neat pinnacles. I was appointed often to wind up the weights of that clock: the larger weight requiring the power of two boys, with a crank as large as a grindstone. Then, again, at funerals, the master would set me to toll the church bell, the rope being so fixed upon its tongue that an easy jerk would cause it to strike against the bell’s side, instructions being given that when the procession arrived, and at a signal from the master, ten strokes were to be given in quick succession, and then immediately to cease. Then, again, after the funeral service was over, the grave had to be filled in by willing hands, which was after a time accomplished, the implements being afterwards stowed away, and thus ended the school service of another day. Four schoolboys were usually selected to convey the funeral bier to the late residence of the deceased, sometimes half-a-mile or more distant. Regardless of the solemnity of the occasion, we enjoyed the outing, and were not in a very great hurry to return to our studies; and perhaps the master did not trouble that we should, for I do not remember to have heard him express much sorrow or inconvenience respecting the absentees. I continued to attend Benjamin’s school until I was about ten years of age; at that time my parents thought they would like me to attend the larger school, that my education might be forwarded thereby. I learnt the inscription on the fly-leaf of master’s book, which I had often read through. I could not remember the title. The lines were these: Whose book I am, if you wish to know, By letters two I will you show; The first is B, to all men’s sight, The next is C, to spell it right; But if you chance to spell amiss, Look underneath, and here it is: BENJAMIN CHENERY. Farewell! to my first schoolmaster, and gooseberry-pie book.