ed in the back numbers of the _Edinburgh Review_, though even
then I could not but feel the injustice which it did to what it called
the Lake school of poets, and more especially to Coleridge and
Wordsworth. Shakespeare also was almost a sealed book, and perhaps we
had a little too much of religious reading, such as Doddridge's 'Rise and
Progress,' or Baxter's 'Saint's Rest,' or Alleine's 'Call to the
Unconverted,' or Fleetwood's 'Life of Christ'--excellent books in their
way, undoubtedly, but not remarkably attractive to boys redolent of
animal life, who had thriven and grown fat in that rustic village, on
whose vivid senses the world that now is produced far more effect than
the terrors or splendours of the world to come.

The country round, if flat, was full of interesting associations. At the
back of us--that is, on the sea--was the village of Covehithe, and when a
visitor found his way into the place--an event which happened now and
then--our first excursion with him or her--for plenty of donkeys were to
be had which ladies could ride--was to Covehithe, known to literary men
as the birthplace of John Bale, Bishop of Ossory, in Ireland. In
connection with donkeys, I have this interesting recollection, that one
of the old men of the village told me. At the time of the Bristol riots,
he remembered Sir Charles Wetherall, the occasion of them, as a boy at
Wrentham much given to donkey-riding. In the history of the drama John
Bale takes distinguished rank. He was one of those by whom the drama was
gradually evolved, and all to whom it is a study and delight must
remember him with regard. His play of 'Kynge John' is described by Mr.
Collier as occupying an intermediate place between moralities and
historical plays--and it is the only known existing specimen of that
species of composition of so early a date. Bale, who was trained at the
monastery of White Friars, in Norwich, thence went to Jesus College,
Cambridge, and was expelled in consequence of the zeal with which he
exposed the errors of Popery. However, Bale had a friend and protector
in Cromwell, Henry VIII.'s faithful servant. On the death of that
nobleman Bale proceeded to Germany, where he appears to have been well
received and hospitably entertained by Luther and Melancthon, and on the
accession of Edward VI. he returned to England. In Mary's reign
persecution recommenced, and Bale fled to Frankfort. He again returned
at the commencement of Elizabeth