come to a spot where, almost covering the hedge, hung clusters of
what seemed fruit, deliciously-tempting fruit--something resembling
grapes of various colours, green, red and purple. Dear me, thought I,
how fortunate! yet have I a right to gather it? is it mine? for the
observance of the law of _meum_ and _tuum_ had early been impressed upon
my mind, and I entertained, even at that tender age, the utmost horror
for theft; so I stood staring at the variegated clusters, in doubt as to
what I should do. I know not how I argued the matter in my mind; the
temptation, however, was at last too strong for me, so I stretched forth
my hand and ate. I remember perfectly well, that the taste of this
strange fruit was by no means so pleasant as the appearance; but the idea
of eating fruit was sufficient for a child, and, after all, the flavour
was much superior to that of sour apples, so I ate voraciously. How long
I continued eating I scarcely know. One thing is certain, that I never
left the field as I entered it, being carried home in the arms of the
dragoon in strong convulsions, in which I continued for several hours.
About midnight I awoke, as if from a troubled sleep, and beheld my
parents bending over my couch, whilst the regimental surgeon, with a
candle in his hand, stood nigh, the light feebly reflected on the
whitewashed walls of the barrack-room.

Another circumstance connected with my infancy, and I have done. I need
offer no apology for relating it, as it subsequently exercised
considerable influence over my pursuits. We were, if I remember right,
in the vicinity of a place called Hythe, in Kent. One sweet evening, in
the latter part of summer, our mother took her two little boys by the
hand, for a wander about the fields. In the course of our stroll we came
to the village church; an old grey-headed sexton stood in the porch, who,
perceiving that we were strangers, invited us to enter. We were
presently in the interior, wandering about the aisles, looking on the
walls, and inspecting the monuments of the notable dead. I can scarcely
state what we saw; how should I? I was a child not yet four years old,
and yet I think I remember the evening sun streaming in through a stained
window upon the dingy mahogany pulpit, and flinging a rich lustre upon
the faded tints of an ancient banner. And now once more we were outside
the building, where, against the wall, stood a low-eaved pent-house, into
which we looked.