clubs going, for Yule-tide,[90] when the bands of
mummers[91] came round dressed out in ribbons and colored paper caps,
and stamped round the Squire's kitchen, repeating in true sing-song
vernacular[92] the legend of St. George and his fight, and the
ten-pound doctor,[93] who plays his part at healing the Saint--a
relic, I believe, of the old middle-age mysteries.[94] It was the
first dramatic representation which greeted the eyes of little Tom,
who was brought down into the kitchen by his nurse to witness it, at
the mature age of three years. Tom was the eldest child of his
parents, and from his earliest babyhood exhibited the family
characteristics in great strength. He was a hearty, strong boy from
the first, given to fighting with and escaping from his nurse, and
fraternizing with all the village boys, with whom he made expeditions
all round the neighborhood. And here in the quiet, old-fashioned
country village, under the shadow of the everlasting hills, Tom Brown
was reared, and never left it till he went first to school when nearly
eight years of age, for in those days change of air twice a year was
not thought absolutely necessary for the health of all her majesty's
lieges.[95]

[87] #J. P.#: justice of the peace.

[88] #Calico#: white cotton cloth called calico in England,
to distinguish it from print.

[89] #Smock frocks#: coarse white frocks worn by farm
laborers.

[90] #Yule-tide#: Christmas. Clubs are formed by the poor
several months in advance, to furnish coal, clothes, and
poultry for Christmas time,--each member contributing a few
pence weekly.

[91] #Mummers#: maskers, merrymakers in fantastic costumes.

[92] #Vernacular#: one's native tongue.

[93] #Ten-pound doctor#: a quack doctor.

[94] #Mysteries#: rude dramatic plays of a religious
character, once very popular.

[95] #Lieges#: loyal subjects.

THE OLD BOY ABUSETH MOVING ON.

I have been credibly informed, and am inclined to believe, that the
various Boards of Directors of Railway Companies, those gigantic
jobbers[96] and bribers, while quarrelling about everything else,
agreed together some ten years back to buy up the learned profession
of medicine, body and soul. To this end they set apart several
millions of money, which they continually distribute judiciously among
the doctors, stipulating only this one thing, that they shall
prescribe change of air to every patient