- The usher, encouraged by these acquittals,
had persisted in persecuting young Hamilton. One day the boy, now turned of twelve, having finished an exercise, in which he had translated into English verse the storm in the first Æneid, had betaken himself to Tom Jones, which he was reading at his leisure hours with a devouring eagerness. He had before pointed out parson Thwackum to his schoolfellows, as the representative of Mr. Scourge, and the usher, was not without an intimation of William's comments, but had not a plausible pretext for venting his gall. Now perceiving that Hamilton was engaged with this novel, while those about him were occupied at their exercises, he imperiously demanded why he was not at his task. "The task is finished," answered the other, without the reverential preface of, sir.—"What
