The Caxtons, Complete

es set down in my former chapters. But my father's conduct on the occasion of my birth made a notable impression upon all who witnessed it; and Mr. S

pedant who had no more gallantry than a stock or a stone. The poor loved him for his charities, but laughed at him as a weak sort of man, easily taken in. Yet the squires and farmers found that, in their own matters of rural business, he had always a fund of curious information to impart; and whoever, young or old, gentle or simple, learned or ignorant, asked his advice, it was given with not more humility than wisdom. In the common affairs of life he seemed incapable of acting for himself; he left all to my mother; or, if taken unawares, was pretty sure to be the dupe. But in those very affairs, if another consulted him, his eye brightened, his brow cleared, the desire of serving made him a new being,-cautious, profound, practical. Too lazy or too languid where only his own interests were at stake, touch his benevolence, and all the wheels of the clock-work felt the impetus of the master-spring. No wonder that, to others, the nut of su

nent part, was at hand. Abstracted as he was, and conveniently deaf at times, he had heard such significant whispers about "taking advantage of the bishop's being in the neighborhood," and "twelve new jelly-glasses being absolutely wanted," as to assure him that some deadly festivity was in the wind. And when the question of godmother and godfather was fairly put to hire, coupled with the remark that this was a fine opportunity to return the civilities of the neighborhood, he felt that a strong effort at escape was the only thing left. Accordingly, having, seemingly without listening, h

book-sale also. Of one thing I am quite sure, that the sale and the christening will take place at the same time." There was no getting over this; but I am certain my dear mother had much less heart than before in uncovering the chintz chairs in the best drawing-room. Five years later this would not h

, "my love, there is one thing you have quite forgot to settle,-I beg pardon for

father, dreamily,-"

like your boy's

should catch myself learning the Latin accidence, or playing at marbles. I

oulder, and looking at him tenderly, she said: "There's no fear of mistaking you for a

father. "Dr. Parr'

Samuel is the

in his books. Presently he started up: "Barnes says Home

upted my mother. "But

remo-Solem

ocking!" sa

after glancing again over his books, he broke out musingly: "But, after

r, mechanically. My fat

rthur is a pretty name. Then there 's William

had hung fire till then), in a tone

mother, joyfully,-"Pisistratus Caxton. Th

fe and Heyne and that pragmatical fellow Vi

pted my mother. "My d

mself back in his chair. My mo

name too! Still, one

muttered my fathe

self-short. Than

to my father's inexpressible bewilderment, he was inform

nd the disputed arranger of Homer,-and it was asserted to be a name that he himself had suggested,-he was as angry as so mild a man could be. "But it is infamous!" he e

remediable. An anachronism I was, and an anachr