Page:The Leadbeater Papers (1862) Vol 1.djvu/56

continued this affectionate office while he was able. He had been a soldier, was tall, thin, and upright, and much older than he appeared to be, cheerful, lively, and quick in temper; yet during his occasional fits of illness he felt much distress of mind, approaching to despair. His duties were to assist in cleaning the shoes and knives, to cut the bread, attend the boys' table, and announce at the schoolroom door when the meals were ready. His age was considered with tenderness; indeed no burdens were laid upon any; and I believe it was thought Elizabeth Shackleton was too indulgent a mistress. When Johnny grew very old and feeble, she thought proper to make him a bowl of salop every evening, which at first was grateful to his failing appetite; but I was once greatly surprised when I brought him the well-seasoned draught, that he took it from me in a pet, and hastened to the scullery. I followed, enquiring what he meant to do with it. "To throw it down the sink," said Johnny, "for I am tired of it.” Of course no more salop was made; but the peevishness of age and infirmity was passed by without exciting resentment.

The inferior servants, who were generally Roman Catholics, often lived in the house until they were married, when they were treated to a wedding supper, and continued to be friends after they ceased to be servants.

The school mostly consisted of fifty, and sometimes sixty boarders, besides day-scholars. There were generally a few parlour-boarders, who were, for the most