His was but a short course. I have since read in Laxfield Churchyard, near the porch, upon a stone, this inscription: ROBERT BULLOCK SCACE, Born September 17th, 1806; Died March 30th, 1853. How quickly the four dozen years passed away! The joyful harvest being completed, it was arranged that I should be further detained to keep pigs and other stock in the fields from off which the corn had been taken. This employment I was engaged in for several weeks, being always supplied with a good dinner on each Sunday, sent to the field from the farmer’s table, which was very much enjoyed and welcomed, these and such-like comforts which came to me on the Day of Rest. I know not how long I might have continued here, but Michaelmas drew on, and it was agreed that I should go into service, at a farm-house in the parish. This did not give to me at first a very favourable impression, but undoubtedly it was the right way into a “city of habitation.” Thenceforth, on the 11th day of October, 1820. I was received into the family of Mr. John Garrard, of Laxfield, to be trained and disciplined as a veritable farmer’s boy, and held myself ready to obey any instructions and orders that might be presented. My training commenced, I did not at all dislike my new acquaintances, and after a few days felt quite at home in my new position. There was plenty of work, plenty of food, and a goodly supply of company. The family consisted of the master, mistress, four sons, and five daughters. There were also a man-servant, a maid servant, and myself. Later on there came into the family a nephew, who was called Jonathan, and frequently the master called him “Jonter.” His father was brother to the master, and having died April 22nd, 1811, aged 29 years, left him and a sister to the frowns of an ungodly world, as also to the care of their mother, who removed from Laxfield, to a place called Hartley Row, in the county of Hants, there to revive old associations or to form new ones, and in those engagements it did seem Jonathan could be spared from his mother, then being about sixteen years of age when he came to live with his uncle. As regards myself, my business was to do what every one of the others left undone, and bear the blame for all; but was so far favoured, there was a standing rule that no stripes were to be administered but by the hands of the master, so that, on the whole, amongst bulls and cows, pigs and sows, children and chickens, and other bipeds, and quadrupeds, I was not very lonely, and sometimes felt, after having to endure some pain and privation, occasioned by the terrible sharp wintry storms that prevailed, I could go on my way rejoicing.