There stood we, three raw lads of the dale, setting out in the world for the first time, and certainly looking out upon as bright a prospect before us, as ever cheered the sight of any adventurous youths, going forth to seek their fortunes in the world! Alas! the prospect has often been sadly dimmed since then! On many a dark scene have I looked, and many a melancholy pang has shot through my heart since I gazed down, as I did then, in such bright hopes and high spirits, from the top of that hill, upon the lowly roof of Hawkshead School! But what of that? Sorrow would have come, even if joy had not come before it! and the recollections of my youth, instead of being a ground of repining at my after-lot, have a thousand times been a subject of heartfelt comfort; as I have ever felt that GOD did not intend me to be miserable; but that all my sorrow has arisen, either from my own vices and follies, or from those of my brother-men. I have often thought, sir, what a contrast does my first school-day present with that of thousands of the poor children in this wretched town of ours, who go for the first time to their Infant or Sunday school, with no such brilliant sun to light them on their way,—with no such mountain prospects and bracing air to gladden their hearts, and breathe health into their sickly frames,—with no such well-filled satchel prepared by the hands of a watchful and pious mother; but through dingy and soot-discoloured streets, without a single ray of the sun, unless it be as yellow as a marigold, with but a crust of dry bread for breakfast, which the mother puts into her child’s hand that she may at once indulge herself in her bed, and get rid of the care of her offspring for the remainder of the day.—Oh, sir! too truly has it been said by the poet, “‘GOD made the country, but Man made the town.’” “I fear, my good friend,” said I, “that your recollections of early youth have prejudiced you against the manifold benefits arising to society from the manufacturing system.” “By no means,” said he, “by no manner of means; as you shall hear by and by. But here have I been talking about myself in a most unreasonable way, and kept you waiting all the while, at the door of Hawkshead school! Let us walk in, if you please!” CHAPTER IV. But come,—I have it: Thou shalt earn thy bread Duly and honourably, and usefully. Our village schoolmaster hath left the parish, Forsook the ancient school-house with its yew-trees, That lurk’d beside a church two centuries older,— So long devotion took the lead of knowledge; And since his little flock are shepherdless, ’Tis thou shalt be promoted in his room; And rather than thou wantest scholars, man, Myself will enter pupil. THE AYRSHIRE TRAGEDY.