208 THE STORY OF MY LIFE [1848
in the hollow of a wooded valley about a mile from Bath, behind the well-known Beechen Cliff. At the back of it was a lawn with very steep wooded banks at the sides, and a fountain and pool, showing that the place had once been of some importance, and behind the lawn, meadows with steep banks led towards the heights of Combe Down. We all had rooms to ourselves at Lyncombe, scantily furnished, and with barely a strip of carpet, but we could decorate them with pictures, &c., if we liked. We did our lessons, when we were supposed to do them, at regular hours, in the dining-room, where we had our meals, and after work was finished in the evening, and eight o'clock tea, we were expected to sit with Mrs. K,. in the drawing-room.
But we had an immense deal of time to ourselves — the whole afternoon we were free to go where we liked; we were not expected to give any account of what we did, and might get into as much mischief as we chose. Also, we too frequently had whole holidays, which. Mr. R.'s idle habits made him only too glad to bestow, but which I often did not in the least know what to do with.
Eagerly did I survey my new companions, who were much older than myself, and with whom I was likely to live exclusively with none of- the chances of making other friendships which a public school affords. Three of them were quiet youths of no especial character: the fourth was Temple Harris,1
1 Hon. R. J. Harris Temple, eldest son of the second marriage of the second Lord Harris with Miss Isabella Helena Temple of Waterstown,er to Jevington in the Downs, or to Wilmington with its old ruin and yew-brandy in. it was provided instead of meat forwhat I disliked; buttely he forgot about that." lii.iHV