, in which, I fear, he has not been
generally imitated by those of his profession.

"Mr. {p.094} Scott's family consisted of six children, all of
which were at home except the eldest, who was an officer in the
army; and as they were of an age fit for instruction, they were
all committed to my superintendence, which, in dependence on God,
I exercised with an earnest and faithful regard to their temporal
and spiritual good. As the most of them were under public
teachers, the duty assigned me was mainly to assist them in the
prosecution of their studies. In all the excellencies, whether as
to temper, conduct, talents natural or acquired, which any of the
children individually possessed, to Master Walter, since the
celebrated Sir Walter, must a decided preference be ascribed.
Though, like the rest of the children, placed under my tuition,
the conducting of his education comparatively cost me but little
trouble, being, by the quickness of his intellect, tenacity of
memory, and diligent application to his studies, generally equal
of himself to the acquisition of those tasks I or others
prescribed to him. So that Master Walter might be regarded not so
much as a pupil of mine, but as a friend and companion, and, I
may add, as an assistant also; for, by his example and
admonitions, he greatly strengthened my hands, and stimulated my
other pupils to industry and good behavior. I seldom had occasion
all the time I was in the family to find fault with him even for
trifles, and only once to threaten serious castigation, of which
he was no sooner aware than he suddenly sprung up, threw his arms
about my neck, and kissed me. It is hardly needful to state, that
now the intended castigation was no longer thought of. By such
generous and noble conduct, my displeasure was in a moment
converted into esteem and admiration; my soul melted into
tenderness, and I was ready to mingle my tears with his. Some
incidents in reference to him in that early period, and some
interesting and useful conversations I had with him, then deeply
impressed on my mind, and which the lapse of near half a century
has not yet obliterated, afforded no doubtful presage of his
future greatness and celebrity. On my going into the family, as
far as I can judge, he might be in his twelfth or t