ry one to them who have the honour of being admitted into their
presence, without losing one particle of dignity, by their courteous
manner. This agreeable qualification the doctor appeared to possess in
an eminent degree. I had not been five minutes in his company before
I felt as perfectly unembarrassed as if I had known him intimately for
twelve months. It could not be the result of confidence on my part, for
no poor fellow ever felt more abashed upon a first entrance; and must
therefore only be attributable to that indescribable condescension of
easy intercourse which is the sure characteristic of a superior mind.

~124~~ After inquiring who was to be my tutor, and finding I was not yet
fixed in that particular, I was requested to construe one of the easiest
passages in the AEneid; my next task was to read a few paragraphs of
monkish Latin from a little white book, which I found contained the
university statutes: having acquitted myself in this to the apparent
satisfaction of the doctor, he next proceeded to give me his advice upon
my future conduct and pursuits in the university; remarked that his old
friend, my father, could not have selected a more unfortunate person to
usher me into notice: that his habits were those of a recluse, and his
associations confined almost within the walls of his own college; but
that his good wishes for the son of an old friend and schoolfellow
would, on this occasion, induce him to present me, in person, to the
principal of Brazennose, of whom he took occasion to speak in the
highest possible terms. Having ordered me a sandwich and a glass of wine
for my refreshment, he left me to adjust his dress, preparatory to our
visit to the dignitary. During his absence I employed the interval in
amusing myself with a small octavo volume, entitled the "Oxford
Spy:" the singular coincidence of the following extract according
so completely with the previous remarks of the doctor, induced me to
believe it was his production; but in this suspicion, I have since been
informed, I was in error, the work being written by Shergold Boone, Esq.
a young member of the university.

"Thus I remember, ere these scenes I saw,
But hope had drawn them, such as hope will draw,
A shrewd old man, on Isis' margin bred,
Smiled at my warmth, and shook his wig, and said:
'Youth will be sanguine, but before you go,
Learn these plain rules, and treasure, when y