kshire schools,
when I was not a very robust child, sitting in by-places near Rochester
Castle with a head full of Partridge, Strap, Tom Pipes and Sancho Panza,
but I know my first impressions of the schools were picked up at this
time." We can imagine how deeply the wrongs must have sunk into the
sensitive heart of the child, rankling there through many years, to bear
fruit in the scourging of them and their abuses from the land. While he
was at work upon "Nicholas Nickleby," he sent one of his characteristic
letters in reply to a little boy--Master Hasting Hughes--who wrote to ask
him to make some changes in the story. As some of you may not have read
this letter, and as it is so extremely amusing, I shall quote part of it:

"DOUGHTY STREET, LONDON.
"December 12th, 1838.

"Respected Sir: I have given Squeers one cut on the neck, and two on
the head, at which he appeared much surprised, and began to cry,
which, being a cowardly thing, is just what I should have expected
from him--wouldn't you?

"I have carefully done what you told me in your letter about the lamb
and the two 'sheeps' for the little boys. They have also had some
good ale and porter and some wine. I am sorry you did not say what
wine you would like them to have. I gave them some sherry, which
they liked very much, except one boy who was a little sick and choked
a good deal. He was rather greedy, and that's the truth, and I
believe it went the wrong way, which I say served him right, and I
hope you will say so too. Nick has had his roast lamb, as you said
he was to, but he could not eat it all, and says if you do not mind
his doing so he should like to have the rest hashed to-morrow with
some greens, which he is very fond of, and so am I. He said he did
not like to have his porter hot, for he thought it spoilt the
flavour, so I let him have it cold. You should have seen him drink
it. I thought he never would have left off. I also gave him three
pounds in money, all in sixpences to make it seem more, and he said
directly that he should give more than half to his mamma and sister,
and divide the rest with poor Smike. And I say he is a good fellow
for saying so; and if anybody says he isn't, I am ready to fight him
whenever they like--there!

"Fan