, 'you would make upon this noble animal, at
the head of the regiment!' Saying this, he attempted to leap upon its
back, but was not able. Scourhill, in order to show his agility, made a
spring, and easily accomplished what his companion had tried in vain.
Instantly Falsesight took off his hat, and gave the animal a few slaps,
and away it cantered into the village, pursued by the young men, urging
it to full speed, while every boy whom they met joined in the pursuit,
and every cottage poured out its matrons and children and dogs.

In the midst of this uproar, the Rector entered the village, and was
coming full upon Scourhill and his retinue when the ass made a sudden
halt before the door of a tinker, its master, and threw its rider upon a
large heap of mire. The youth instantly started up, and, without ever
looking behind him to thank his attendants for the procession, he ran
home to the Academy.

He retired, and some time after his arrival he wrote a small note to the
Rector, expressive of sorrow for his conduct, and requesting permission
to keep his room for the evening. Mr. Macadam granted the request, and
at the same time desired the servant to say that he was assured that
Master Scourhill would find himself much fatigued after his brilliant
display of assmanship, which so much astonished the village.

The errors of a boy must be corrected by corporal punishment, or by the
deprivation of something which he values, or by his own self-reproach.
The whole aim of Mr. Macadam, in the education of his pupils, was to
raise them to that dignity of character which renders the last mode of
punishment efficient for right conduct. To raise youth, however, to such
a character requires knowledge, vigilance, affectionate severity, and
prudent indulgence; and if few boys possess it, let us not complain of
human nature. Will the husbandman who in spring has neglected his fields
meet with commiseration when he complains that his harvest has failed?

Scourhill received no punishment, excepting what arose from his own
sense of shame; but next day the Rector spoke to his pupils, and he
particularly cautioned them against those pursuits which tend to debase
the character. 'The rich,' said he, 'owe their virtues and talents to
society as much as the poor man does his industry; and if the former
fall into low amusements, they do not become useless only; they
frequently become vicious, and sometimes they make as honourable an
exhibition