I affected a quieter Companion in the Attick; and one not without his Teaching, for he was letterish after his Fashion, and had been in _Paul's_ School. And, among his much used Books, there was _Lilly's_ Grammar, and even _Prudentius_ and _Lactantius_; and another, in his Eyes worth all the Rest, calling it "real Literature," and the others "mere Blotterature," a Joke of old Dean _Colet's_. This precious Volume looked to me mighty dull, being full of algebraic Signs; but he earned many a Headache over it, and gave me a Headache too, sometimes, in trying to help him. Pleasant Hours those were! in that quiet Attick, with the _Thames_ trembling in silver Light far below, while the Watermen clave it with their Oars to the mellow Song of "Heave ho, rumbelow!" and "Row the Boat, _Norman_!" The Blackbird sang as cheerily as if he were in the green Woods of _Kent_; and ever and anon the pretty Laugh of Mistress _Anne_ would be heard from the Green Lattice, or she would peep in and say, "Have a Cake, _Edward_?" "Have a Cherry?" and leave her little Gift and run away. CHAPTER IV _Noteworthy Deed of a Boy taught of a Woman_ I am now coming, _Hew_, to what hindered me of seeing the Shew in _Clerkenwell_ on St. _Bartholomew's_ Day. Man proposes, but GOD disposes: all Things are overruled for Good to them that love him—I'm sure I found it so in this Case. The Weather was now excessive hot: _Miles_ and I used to take Boat whenever we had a spare Evening, and practice Swimming off _Battersea_. Also, we sometimes bathed in _Perilous Pond_, wherein many 'Prentices are yearly drowned; hard by the Well of Dame _Annis_ the Clear. As for _Tomkins_, his whole Soul was in the making of the queerest Watch that ever was seen; howbeit, clumsy as it was, he at last made it go; though it never could keep up with St. _Magnus_' Clock.