fault." He answered that I had committed an error very early. I could scarcely refrain from tears, but did, and in his usual harsh manner he said, "Go along, sir, go along."'
The epoch of fagging was at its height. One little despot has three attendants; one gets the milk, another the kettle, another the rolls and butter. Sometimes Gaskell has to run to 'Cripps for ham, bacon, bread, chocolate, &c.; then to receive several blows because I was not quick enough — then to boil eggs for Taunton, or employed in the servile offices of brushing Halifax's clothes and tying his shoes.' 'Rolles got spurs, and rode some of us over a leap, positively impossible to be leapt over with a person on one's back, and every time (which is every time) we cannot accomplish it, he spurs us violently; and my thigh is quite sore with the inroads made by this dreadful spur. My Poetae Graeci is destroyed, my new coat completely ruined.' In 1826 Gaskell writes of more agreeable themes. 'Now comes the most gratifying, transporting, edifying, delightful, charming piece of information. I will begin by telling you that Canning is very considerably below me in the school. It is true that I noticed him twice, I mean, invited him to breakfast. It is true that I have done him two copies of verses. From what I have seen of him I think him rather disposed to be idle, but clever, quick, spirited, affectionate. Canning was very much taken with these little civil offices, but, as Horace says, "Di exagitent
