We learn from another reminiscent, that in the play at Wolverhampton Abernethy took a "principal part." He certainly had a good deal of dramatic talent, in the highest sense of the word; and, as will be seen in the sequel, could light up a story with rich humour, or clothe it with pathos, as suited the occasion, with equal facility. Scanty as they are, there is much in these school reminiscences significant of his future character. As we have observed, Abernethy left Wolverhampton in 1778. He was then head of the school, a quick, clever boy, and more that an average scholar. He returned to London, that world of hopes, fears, and anxieties; that spacious arena, on which all are desirous of entering as competitors who are ambitious of professional or commercial distinction. [Footnote 6: We allude to his first speech on the trial of Warren Hastings.] [Footnote 7: Wolverhampton School, founded by Sir Stephen Jermyn, Alderman and Knight of the City of London, in the reign of Henry VIII, for the "Instruction of youth in morals and learning." Many distinguished men were educated at the School; as Abernethy; Mr. Tork, fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge; Sir William Congreve; and others.] [Footnote 8: Kindly sent us by Mr. Fowler, of Datchet.] [Footnote 9: This gentleman died last year. He had retired to his seat at Muchall, from Wolverhampton, where he had practised as a solicitor of great eminence and respectability.] [Footnote 10: Since the last edition, I have to regret the death of this gentleman. He was an excellent man, a good mathematician, and an accomplished scholar. He graduated at Cambridge, and took honors in 1815.] CHAPTER III. "Nunquam ita quisquam bene subductâ ratione ad vitam fuit Quin res, ætas, usus, semper aliquid apportet novi Aliquid moneat; ut illâ quæ te scire credas, nescias: Et quæ tibi putâris primâ, in experiundo repudias." TER. AD. A. 5, SC. 4. "Never did man lay down so fair a plan, So wise a rule of life, but fortune, age, Or long experience made some change in it, And taught him that those things he thought he knew, He did not know, and what he held as best In practice, he threw by." COLMAN.