When about nine years of age, I was sent to Amberley School. To reach this School I had to cross Minchinhampton Common, nearly two miles from my home; this distance I traversed sometimes four times a day. At that time home lessons were considered of great importance, but the weariness of them made a lasting impression upon me. However, it was at this School that I obtained the best part of my education. With Amberley I have many associations never to be forgotten. I remember how when nearing the School I listened for the Master's whistle which he always appeared in the open to blow, and how considerate he was with the boys who came from a distance before marking them late. How on occasions when the hounds on a wintry day came at full speed past our School leave was given to some of us boys to chase with them. Many a good run I have had following them over hedges and ditches until outdistanced, but the excitement left behind very pleasant recollections, and was the cause of my writing the following verses: Hurrah for To-morrow! 'Tis the first hunting day, And with the good hounds we'll hark hark away, For the Fox will be drawn from the thick bushy wood, It's the rascal that stole the grey duck's little brood. You remember the time, 'twas one bright summer morn, When the hens had their chicks and the bees had a swarm, And the duck had her ducklings, and fine ones were they, As e'er swam on a pond, or play'd pranks in the hay. Farmer Giles was out early, the sheep had gone wrong, And old Towler was with him, they scarcely had gone When that crafty old Reynard, who had watched them away, Stole the ducks and he had them for dinner that day. How he must have enjoyed each tender young bone As he scrunched and he scrunched till each tit-bit was gone; But who would begrudge him a feast in his den, I dare wager a bet he won't do it again. For we're off in the morn, while the true scent is strong, To capture his brush and it won't take us long, For the horses and hounds are all fit for the fray, So Ahoy! Tally Ho! Tally Ho! Harkaway! Close by the Schools stands Rose Cottage where Mrs. Craik, then Miss Muloch, wrote her most successful novel "John Halifax, Gentleman." This was published in 1857, the year I was at school, and I have no doubt I must often have seen Miss Muloch when she was writing her great novel. The background of this story runs from Tewkesbury through Nailsworth to Amberley Common; the latter, figuring in the novel as Enderly Flats, is described as the highest tableland in England. The whole neighbourhood is identified with incidents delineated in the book, and in Amberley Churchyard the little blind daughter of John Halifax and Ursula lies at rest.