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CHAP. VI. j PEOKHAM SCHOOL AND GEUB STREET.
This had the seeming effect of a sudden triumph over the 1757
challenger, which made the kitchen ring with laughter; and ^ 29 William, less distressed with his real sufferings, now that all was over, than elated by his fancied victory, took upon him. to express sympathy for the defeated usher, and really wondered why he had not, like himself, swallowed so nauseous a morsel all at once. " Why truly," replied the usher, with undisturbed gravity, " rny bit of candle, William, was no " other than a bit of very nice Cheshire cheese, and therefore, " William, I was unwilling to lose the relish of it."
Nor were these the only stories related of the obscure
usher at Doctor Milner's school. Others were told, though less distinctly remembered, having less mirth and more pathos in their tone; but the general picture conveyed by Miss Milner's recollections was that of a teacher as boyish as the boys he taught. With his small salary, it would seem, he was always in advance. It went for the most part, Miss Milner said, on the clay he received it, in relief to beggars, and in sweetmeats for the younger class. Her mother would observe to him. at last: " You had better, Mr. Goldsmith, " let me keep your money for you, as I do for some of the " young gentlemen:" to which he would good-humouredly answer, " In truth, madam, there is equal need." *
All this, at the same time, is very evidently putting the
best face upon the matter, as it was natural Miss Milner should. But in sober fact, and notwithstanding the tricks on William, notwithstanding these well-remembered childish or clownish games, and a certain cheerfulness of temper even in gravest things, it was Goldsmith's bitterest time, this Peck- ham time. He could think in after years of his beggary, but not of his slavery, without shame. " Oh, that is all a holiday
* "Watldns's Literary Anecdotes, 515,
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