Date: Sat, 17 Aug 2013 18:47:55 +0000
From: Jo Vincent <joad130@hotmail.com>
Subject: Tom Browning's Schooldays ch 62

			 Tom Browning's Schooldays

				    By

				   Joel

			     Chapter SixtyTwo



 On Sunday morning I woke early and having consumed more liquid the night
before than was advisable I required the pot most urgently.  I pissed as
silently as possible for both George and Theo were still fast asleep.  I
crept back into my warm bed and let my thoughts wander.  It would be my
fifteenth birthday soon and I was sure there would be celebrations for that
with Robin and with Aubrey Bayes as we were all born within three days of
each other. I would have to talk to the Johnson twins tomorrow to find if
their father might be willing to aid Lancelot's venture into France.  I
would have to tell them in some confidence the reason and that Robin and I
would be accompanying him.

     I had other tasks, pleasurable I was sure, such as escorting Freddy
Neville for his lessons with Mrs Dimbleby together with my own lessons with
Mr Skrimshire on the organ. I also remembered I had lent Freddy my other
flute but he had not mentioned that over our sojourn in London.  I would
have to enquire of him if he had brought it with him and spend more of my
time teaching him.  I also thought about what had happened the day before
and the number of my fellows I had treated for their hurts.  Was I rising
above my own competence?  I had a little skill but was it sufficient to
distinguish between a simple bruising and, perhaps, more serious damage?  I
would have to tell Dr Dimbleby of the confidence placed in me not only by
those in Ridley House but now in Carstairs' House.  I would have to do it
with expediency before he heard that I was, perhaps, poaching on his
preserve as physician to the school.  I could, of course, consult his
mother but did not want to put myself forward in such a way.  I also needed
to ride my Blaze and I must not neglect Natty though he said he was more
than happy to return to Ashbourne.  On the journey he said he had many
tales to tell and would entertain the stable-lads with his reports about
his second visit to London.

     With all this going on, I knew I must not neglect my Robin either.  We
must find time to be together but he had his own interests to pursue as
well especially with Aubrey Bayes.  Then there was Henry Radcliffe.  He
could be a friend, a good friend I was sure but no more.  I knew I had a
certain yearning which must not be succumbed to.  He had a friend in Aubrey
Bayes, too.

     I heard George snort and then yawn.  He was waking.  I crept out of
bed and was donning shirt and britches ready for the morning run to the
privy before he had time to drag the coverlet off me.  Poor Theo received
that treatment but said he was more than ready to empty bowels and bladder
and was first out of the door as George could not readily find his shoes.
I carried enough soft paper for George for I was sure he was in such haste
to have forgotten his own.  Although we were noisy in rushing down the
stairs we did not wake Pullen even though Theo had to rattle his door to
take the key from the hook.  What a sot, I thought.

     Although I had fed and drunk well the night before I was ready for
breakfast and relished the new baked bread and the boiled hen's egg which
was very fresh as the serving- boy said for they came from his mother's
hens.  George was in an expansive mood and had liberally dusted our bowls
of porridge with his brown sugar.  "This in thanks for that good soft paper
you gave me," he said and made me smile as I thought that to be a fair
exchange.

     The morning passed quickly with breakfast then the service in Chapel
and a visit to the stables to see my Blaze at least.  There was no riding
out as the weather was poor and heavy rain had greeted us as we left the
Chapel. Mr Skrimshire had not beckoned either Robin or me to play but
afterwards a note was sent commanding us to stay after the afternoon's
service for arrangements to be made for lessons.  There was also a message
from Mr Pretyman to fetch Master Neville at half past two for his meeting
with Mrs Dimbleby.

     There were letters to write home to my mother and father, to Aunt and
Uncle Dodd and to my Aunt and Uncle in London so I was not idle before or
after luncheon.  Then it was time to collect young Freddy to take him to
see Mrs Dimbleby.  I think we were both a little apprehensive but we were
greeted most warmly and Freddy was set to play.  He delighted Mrs Dimbleby
who said he was to come on two afternoons each week and she was sure she
would be able to teach him though he would have to practice many scales and
arpeggios to make sure his fingers were fleet and supple.

     While Freddy was playing Dr Dimbleby poked his head round the door
and, though it might be considered presumptuous, I stood and went to the
door and followed him out.  He smiled as I asked if I might speak with him.

     "Is it about all the wounded from that so-called game yesterday?" he
asked with a laugh.

     I said it was and that I had apologies to make but also I needed to
ask his advice.  He took me into his father's study where Mr Dimbleby was
busy writing and Ptolemy was cawing in his cage.  I was flummoxed though Dr
Dimbleby told me to sit while he went over to his father and whispered in
his ear.  He turned round not having realised I had followed his son into
the room.  I immediately stood and bowed my head.

     "Ah, young Browning, musician, physician and excellent judge of names
for horses, what have we here?"  He laughed as I reddened.

     I rather stammered as I said I needed to consult Dr Dimbleby but he
just laughed more and said I didn't look ill so he must assume it was
professional business and not to mind him.

     "Father, you embarrass the boy.  Come, Tom, take no notice.  What is
the trouble?"

     I was not aware he knew my Christian name and for someone in eminent
authority to address a youngster in that way was not common for it usually
meant a certain amicable relationship as between close family friends.  I
thought I had better be forthright.

     "Sir, there are two matters.  First, I apologise if I have been in
error but I was consulted by a number of Ridley House but also some from
Carstairs' House after a very rough game of football yesterday.  I did no
more than attend to bruising and anointed some with a salve my cousin had
given me."  I did not dare say yet about the battered cods and the cold
compresses.  "I was sure there was no greater damage or I would have
advised them to go to the Sick Room for you to make a judgement."  He heard
me out and just nodded as I reached that point.  I thought it best to
continue.  "The second matter is the level of my own competence.  I have
observed my cousin Lancelot with his patients and he has instructed me on
simple remedies such as I used yesterday.  However, am I doing wrong in
treating those who ask me?"

     He looked at me straightforwardly.  "Tom, you have done no wrong.  I
was impressed when you told me how you would have treated Master Bayes with
his fever and cough and then this morning on my way to Chapel I saw two
fellows with black eyes and asked if they needed treatment.  Both said they
bore the black eyes with pride but their other hurts had been more than
satisfactorily dealt with.  I knew the pair well as their families are old
friends of ours so they were quite at ease with me when they said they had
good faith in the young doctor.  I might say they were from Mr Carstairs'
House which made me smile knowing who they were referring to.  So, Tom, as
to your first point I am not displeased.  In fact I would have been more
than short-tempered if a host of roughs had appeared yesterday at the Sick
Room for I had three more patients to reassure over their spots and itches
with the measles and that spotted pox."

     Mr Dimbleby turned in his chair.  "My dear friend Carstairs told me
this morning he was more than amused when he surveyed his battle-scarred
rabble at dinner last night.  They did receive a tongue-lashing though for
not winning.  However, he informed me of the praise for one from another
House who had even made a house-call without charging three guineas for the
privilege of his attendance."  Both he and his son laughed at this while I
tried not to grin thinking of Villiers on his bed with his ballocks swathed
in a cold damp rag!  Did they know of that?  That matter was not alluded to
but Mr Dimbleby rang the bell and ordered tea for us as I sat and was
questioned by his son most thoroughly on what I knew.  He was satisfied, he
said, that my knowledge was well-grounded and that I should continue with
such injuries as might occur in games.  However, if I was puzzled I should
immediately send the enquirer to the Sick Room.  He would be most willing,
with Mr Ridley's permission, for me to accompany him at times when he had
patients in the Sick Room.  I asked if I should not also have their
permission.  He smiled and said most would rather have a boy with him than
Matron.  As he looked pointedly downwards I assumed those consultations
would be for somewhat private boyish matters which would extend my
knowledge though I knew what he meany by 'the itch'.

     We had been supplied with tea and small cakes during this questioning
and as we finished so Mr Dimbleby said he must go to the Chapel for the
afternoon service but I should remain as he would tell Mr Ridley where I
and Neville were.  I said I was to see Mr Skrimshire after the service.  Mr
Dimbleby was most amused at this.  "My boy, he is another who has mentioned
you and my other young mathematician..."  I knew he meant Robin.  "...and
enjoys the time he spends with his unsuspected discoveries as he calls you.
He is a well-respected musician who might have graced a cathedral organ but
prefers a less arduous position as a schoolmaster.  Why less arduous I do
not comprehend but that is what he says."  He turned to his son.  "Take
care you do not overburden this young man with too many of your
enthusiasms.  What I have heard gives me confidence in predicting he has
chosen his destiny and I can do no other than wish him well." He then
addressed me.  "I will no doubt see you here often and you are most
welcome."

     As he left I stood and bowed my head again.  My thoughts were racing.
I had much to do to succeed and I could see I had a particular path to
follow.  However I had other interests as well.  I did enjoy the mental
exercise of wrestling with those sometimes more than stubborn languages of
Latin and Greek and I was curious of our heritage and our place in this
expanding world.  I had to add my love of music and the demands it put on
my time in its practice.  I could then but conclude I was so privileged to
be in such a station of life to be able to choose to such an extent my
future.  What of others?  Robin was now in such a position but those I
could call friends as Benjy, Jabez and even Natty, would they be able to
decide their own destinies?  So much indeed depended on a privileged
education which was provided for so few.

     My reverie was broken as a manservant appeared with the summons for me
to wait on Mrs Dimbleby.  I thanked Dr Dimbleby for his forbearance and he
just smiled and waved me on my way saying I would no doubt hear from him
soon.

     Freddy was sitting by Mrs Dimbleby's side and they were perusing a
volume of music.

     "Ah, Thomas, we are deciding what Frederick might learn next," she
said indicating I should sit by her, too, on the chesterfield.  "These are
several Sonatas by Signor Clementi.  I have played two which I think we may
start with."  She pointed to another volume.  "These are Sonatas by Franz
Haydn and we will try those as well.  However, I have also set Frederick
the task of playing scales in C, G, and D first and he may come and play
these whenever he has no other studies.  I will arrange with Mr Pretyman
for suitable times and someone to escort him here.  He says there is a
serving-boy who is Mistress Williams' son who might be chosen for that
task."

     "That would be either Ham or Japhet, ma'am," I said.

     "'Tis Ham," Freddy said, "He keeps our room tidy for us though Matron
says that is an uphill task."  I think Mrs Dimbleby smiled at that
statement.

     "Then I will send a note to Mr Pretyman for it to be arranged."  Mrs
Dimbleby must have noted a crumb or two on my jacket.  "Oh dear, we have
been so busy I have been so remiss.  Frederick, please pull the bell-rope
and we will have some tea, I see Tom has already been served."  She smiled
at me.  "I am sure you would be able to manage another tidbit or two."

     I just bowed my head in response.  The young footman who then appeared
had already prepared a tray and we were soon served.  We were asked about
the wedding and Freddy proudly told of his part in the ceremony even though
it was just as a helmet-bearer.  Mrs Dimbleby confessed she had never been
inside the cathedral and had only visited London twice.  "It is much too
far and I prefer our countryside here," was her opinion.

     We were then ready to depart and both of us thanked Mrs Dimbleby for
her hospitality and kindness.  She said she enjoyed young people's company
and now her sons were grown she had time for others.

     No sooner had I left Freddy with Matron than I had to hurry to the
Chapel as the service would be ending.  I only had a minute or two to wait
in the porch before the inside doors opened and an orderly rush of pupils
emerged.  I slipped in and made my way down to where the organ stood. Mr
Skrimshire was still playing so I was not late and joined Robin who was
already standing there.  We were not to play today but to appear at four
o'clock on Monday and on Wednesday and as well as progressing to Johann
Sebastian Bach and his 'Chorale Partitas' we would learn to accompany the
hymns, too.

     There was time now to make our way to the room next the washroom.  Two
happy boys emerged from there some fifteen minutes later having once again
pledged their love for each other with actions we now knew so well.  A
final expression of that was the tapping together of our signet rings to
signify our togetherness in both mind and spirit.

     Time flowed quickly.  First though there had to be discussion of the
journey to France.  At the break in the lessons on Monday morning Robin and
I were able to talk to the Johnson twins.  They were most intrigued with my
story especially when I said the purpose was to take the severed head of a
Duke to a suitable resting-place.  They said their father would, no doubt,
be most pleased to assist.  I asked that they should forewarn him that my
cousin Lancelot would be writing and would also need information about the
supply of certain plants.  They said they had not finished the letter to
their parents the day before and would do that this evening.  I wondered if
there would be two more on that excursion as their French was so much
better than even Lancelot's!  A letter was hastily written to Lancelot that
evening with a full address for Mr Johnson in a village just outside Calais
named Coquelles.

     Our birthdays were celebrated with great feasting and much merriment.
Although we three were but fags to our elders and betters, or so they said,
our fag-masters and others did us proud.  My birthday came first on March
the thirtieth which was, fortuitously, a Saturday, with Robin's the next
day and Aubrey Bayes' on the Monday. There were three more birthdays that
week to celebrate, including the eighteenth for Frobisher who said that
there was only one birthday to venerate and that his and any other mortal's
were quite insignificant.  His strictures were ignored!

     It was decreed that we have the festivities for all on the Saturday.
This was but a week after we had all returned to school and a week after
that combative football game.  There was no football that day as a great
thunderstorm occurred.  One wag said it was Divine Providence to ensure
that my skills were not required and I could enjoy the feasting without
bathing bruised ballocks.  Another said that was fine alliteration and
could be added to as 'Browning's beneficial bruised ballock bathing'.  Ah
well, it only added to the jollity of a most memorable evening with six,
even the absent Frobisher, being toasted more than six times I was sure.
Two of the hams Robin and I had brought back were added to the festive fare
together with two roast duck from the kitchens donated by Aubrey Bayes with
piles of pastries, tarts and cakes from the others and all agreed that more
birthdays were required to celebrate.  Needless to say there were more
occasions before the end of term including Theo's own seventeenth.

     The next week saw a conference between representatives of each of the
Houses with Winstanley in the chair to decide proper rules for our game of
football.  These were admirably few with 'no deliberate kicking or punching
of opponents allowed' being foremost.  Any foul, as these were designated,
would be adjudicated by an umpire whose decision would be final and the
side penalised would forfeit a kick at goal by the other side.  As the
weather improved so there were fewer football contests and cricket became
the game of choice.  I spent many a hot, happy hour during a more than warm
Summer watching my Robin both bowling and batting as he was most
enthusiastic in his playing which I was not!  Someone who became a good
friend to Robin and helped him improve his skills at cricket was Collett
who said his own ambition was to become a gentleman player for his county.
Another summery pastime which I enjoyed was the bathing in the pool filled
from the river.  On a hot Summer's afternoon there were many of us
frolicking quite naked and unashamed splashing and swimming.  Angus Gordon
was most enthusiastic as he said it was much too chill in the burns and
lochs in his native Scotland to disport as we could though even the pool
was cool when first entered.  As Mr Pretyman judged that Robin and I were
good swimmers we were asked to supervise those Pups and Whelps who wanted
to learn.  Branscombe was also enrolled for that task and between us a
number of the younger ones made good progress.  Maitland said he wasn't
interested in swimming but just in those good fish which could swim by
nature so he and Farquar took themselves off with rods and lines and on
several occasions added to our evening sustenance in the Dining Hall.  At
other times numbers of us laid naked in the sun and tickled each other with
fronds and had al fresco afternoon teas with fruit and buns bought from Mrs
Williams' shop though none dare go there unclothed!

     Of course, there was no let-up in our learning.  Mr Martin's lessons
were filled with interest for he not only set us translating but also
explored with us the history of ancient Greece and of Rome.  I vowed that
when I was older I would try to visit those other parts of Europe which
Rome had conquered and ruled.  Perhaps, one day I might be able to visit
Athens and see the Parthenon which Mr Martin showed us in drawings.  Our
own English history was not neglected and we heard even of Scotch, Welsh
and Irish happenings.  Mr Martin was quite forthright in his opinions about
the Highland clearances as he said many had been dispossessed.  He said he
was glad there were no sons of Scotch landowners in his room as he had had
many arguments about the consequences of such happenings.  I was tempted to
ask Angus Gordon about his opinions but thought better of it in case it
caused a rift in any friendship we might have.  Mr Martin read to us some
of Dr Johnson's account of his journeys to the Highlands which made the
place sound both desolate and grand.  We were set to read one of two of Sir
Walter Scott's novels, 'Rob Roy' and 'Redgauntlet'.

     Both Robin and I had read the first so concentrated on the second
which we found rather protracted and somewhat rambling.  The kidnapping by
Redgauntlet of his nephew to attempt to increase the support for Prince
Charles Edward was exciting reading as the quest for his release proceeded.
However we found many rather boring passages even though there was humour
in the Edinburgh descriptions.  I think Mr Martin agreed with us though he
pointed out the immense popularity of Sir Walter's many novels, poems and
plays.  We still did not begin our study of the Greek New Testament and
were promised that for next term together with mathematics from Mr
Dimbleby.

     Mr Ridley's classes were a special time in each school week.  We
discussed government more than once and I began to understand the
differences between the Tories and the Whigs but it seemed that the Corn
Laws were the great divide in our ranks.  I kept silent during these
exchanges as I would wait to consult my father for his opinion.  Aubrey
Bayes and Robin were congratulated when they set up their telegraphic
mechanism.  As a key was pressed so electricity from a chemical cell was
made to flow along wires ending in a box in which a pencil was suspended.
The pencil moved and made marks on paper.  Aubrey said he wanted to improve
on this with the paper moving under the pencil so that the marks would be
more distinct and separated.  Megson, of course, derided this and said it
seemed to be no use unless the pencil was made to write proper words.
Winstanley said it might be possible to make one mark for A, two marks for
B and so on.  Even so, he decided this would be most cumbersome and Megson
sneered even more.  Much interest came towards the end of term when I
displayed my apothecary's box one Friday afternoon and explained the use of
each of the contents including 'Senna', 'Tinc. Papav.', 'Paregoric',
'Laudanum' and, finally, 'Lancelot's Balm'.  This last had received general
approbation as it had been administered to even some present when a
sickness had made its appearance one hot summer's weekend and too much
over-ripe fruit had been consumed.

     More great interest, and some merriment, came from Robin with his
displaying of a plan to diminish, or obviate, the use of chamber-pots at
night.  The nuisance which brought this about was the accident when poor
Japhet tripped and the contents of the full chamber- pot he was carrying
cascaded down the stairs in Ridley House.  Unluckily for him, Frobisher the
Praepostor was waiting below for his companion Prig - I mean Praepostor -
Porter when this occurred so he received more than his fair share of the
contents and Japhet felt more than a fair share of blows from Frobisher's
cane.  Frobisher did have the heart to say it was no doubt an Act of God
and he would pray that no further incidents of the kind occurred.

     Robin described the accident first without mentioning the unhappy
outcome, especially for Frobisher, but most had heard of it and there was a
general snicker as he said it was something which could occur even in the
most well-run House.  I noted Mr Ridley reached for his handkerchief and
held it to his nose and held it there for some little while.

     Three pieces of paper were passed around to be shared.  Each had the
same well- executed drawing of the small room by the head of the stairs on
our second floor which at present held an assortment of discarded bats,
clothing, pots and pans and other once useful articles.  In the drawing
there were none of these but the depiction of a kind of trough as found in
the stables for placing oats and feed so they would not fall out.  From the
bottom of this was a pipe but also above the trough was a small cistern.
Robin then explained that the trough would act as a fixed chamber-pot
cleansed by water from the cistern above and the pipe would lead down and
out of the building where the liquid could be disposed of.  Although he had
drawn up the system for just one of the troughs he said he thought space
might be found on the first and ground floors for others to be installed.
There was a deal of merriment at this but Mr Ridley, who was also amused,
said it was a modern version of the urinals which the Emperor Vespasian had
erected in Rome to sell off the liquid produced to the tanners.  Heads
nodded as this was common knowledge for schoolboys who delighted in such
matters.

     Baring was first to comment.  "That is a most admirable and sensible
idea," he said then smiled.  "Would it not also provide a source of income
for the school."

     It was then that we heard that those pots were not poured away.
Winstanley said most of that liquid was already collected and sold to a
tannery on the other side of Ashbourne.  Mr Ridley smiled at this and I
think the rest of us received that statement with a nod of recognition as
we had all seen tubs being wheeled away.  Winstanley commented that there
were also other uses for that substance which made us sit up.  We heard
then that he had thought at some point to try and extract an element named
phosphorus but he would have required a great deal of the excreted liquid
to accomplish this.  He remarked that he would have needed a good three
hundred gallons to extract a reasonable amount which caused a burst of
merriment.  He explained that phosphorus was first discovered in the 1660's
by an alchemist evaporating quantities of urine thinking this might be a
method of creating gold but had found something which glowed in the dark.
Dennison immediately said the name must be from the Greek, was it not the
Greek name for the morning-star, the 'bringer of light'?  Mr Ridley said
this was so.  Winstanley continued saying that it was then found that
phosphorus could be extracted from large amounts of bone ash which was the
common method now.  Megson, of course, was getting agitated.  He declared
in the end that this was all nonsense for he knew he did not glow in the
dark and he had bones and...  I think we all sniggered as he refrained from
saying he was full of piss!

     Winstanley carefully said that considerable quantities of both the
liquid and the ash were needed and that some might know of the use of
phosphorus as Vestas, small wooden sticks dipped in the substance, which
could then be used to light fires or cigars by rubbing the tip on a rough
surface.  Both Graves and Baring remarked that they had seen these but
Baring's father had said they were dangerous as they might spontaneously
burst into flame.  Everyone agreed that Robin's proposals were worthy of
consideration and were amused when he said his ideas had been inspired by
the diagrams and plans for the new water closets being installed at Careby
Hall for the use of Master Browning and his family.

     Robin was called to Mr Ridley the last week of term and told that the
sketches had been discussed with Mr Dimbleby and he had said he would be
responsible for the installation of at least one trough which could take
place over the summer holidays.

     Robin was most pleased that he might be contributing to lightening the
burden on the serving-boys.  George, of course, grumbled that we still had
the dash to the privy in the mornings and if Careby Hall had the luxury of
water closets surely Ashbourne School should have them as well.  He did
confess that Garthorpe Hall relied on commodes and there had been accidents
through clumsy or careless servants numerous times.  Theo said he was sure
Japhet was neither clumsy nor careless but had merely tripped where the
floorboards were uneven.  Anyway, he said, there was a difference between
Japhet's small feet and the giant clodhoppers of some of the inhabitants of
Ridley House.  George gave a good-natured wave of his hand at this sally as
it was well-known whose boots needed the longest time to clean.

     It was after Robin and I had made use of the small room next to the
washroom for one of those occasions where we could be together and share
that great fondness we had for each other that Robin remarked he was sure
we were not the only ones who frequented the space.  He pointed to what
appeared to be a hastily rubbed cleaner patch on the rather begrimed wall.

     "That was not there on our last visit here," he said and pointed to
another further along.  "I noted this one and footprints in the dust on
that occasion.  Here, look!"  He was looking down into the dust by the more
recent one.  I could also see what was there.  The dust had received some
drops of liquid which had dried and made quite a discernible trail.  It was
quite evident what that liquid was.

     "Is it one or two?" I asked.

     "I would infer it is one," Robin said slowly and deliberately.  "The
footprints were from one person I would say.  I suggest we keep watch."

     It was just a few days later we were returning in the dusk from an
organ lesson with Mr Skrimshire and saw a furtive figure emerge from near
the washroom door.  He did not see us but we both recognised him.  It was
Laidlaw, Frob and Prot's fag.  This was confirmed within the week for
George, returning from a hasty visit to the privy one afternoon, heard
sobbing.  He found Laidlaw hunched up behind the bushes and though fifteen
was crying like a small child.  Good-hearted George was most tender with
him and found he had been beaten by Frobisher as he had been found in their
room rubbing his engorged pizzle still within his britches.  As this was a
heinous sin in Frobisher's eyes his britches had been lowered and he had
received twelve cuts with the cane, which all Praepostors carried, while
Porter held him over the back of a chair.  George then noted that the lad
had red marks around his wrists and Laidlaw confessed that the pair tied
his wrists together at night with a leather thong for he had also been
found pleasuring himself more than once in his truckle bed.

     I knew all this as George had brought a red-eyed Laidlaw to our room
where he asked me to see if the poor lad's arsecheeks were bruised and
bleeding.  They were bruised with heavy dark welts though the skin was not
broken.  Again my pot of arnica was retrieved from my box and Laidlaw
winced as I painted over the weals which were red and angry-looking.
George was also angry-looking and it was all Theo could do to constrain him
from going down immediately to give Prots and Frobs a taste of their own
medicine.  We found that Laidlaw wished to play cricket but the bigoted
pair had said it was a pastime of the Devil.  George put Laidlaw's name on
the list of players for the next game which was between Ridley House and
Parker's House.  Although a muted protest was made George said it was the
first time his aristocratic station in life had been of use as he certainly
outranked the sons of minor clergy.  We celebrated that small triumph with
a beaker of rum posset that evening as I treated George for the bruise he
had received when the ball he was running for caught him on his right
shoulder.  I received a little more than the rum posset when I commented he
should rest his right arm that night though it was only his tongue which
delivered his chastisement of an unruly fag!

     Theo was also a comforter for Laidlaw for he pointed out that both of
his tormentors, rather than mentors, would be leaving Ashbourne at the end
of term and he would be coming to an age to have a fag of his own. "I would
wish to share a room with Crawford Minor if that is possible," Laidlaw
said, "We know each other as his father is squire of the next village to us
and my father hunts with him."  George said that might be arranged for at
least five would be leaving when term ended and as one was Winstanley, who
had the younger Crawford for his fag, new pairings would be made.  We found
that although Mr Laidlaw was a clergyman he spent a deal of his time with
local Hunts and left the running of his parish to his nephew who was his
curate.  Laidlaw was adamant he was not going into the Church.  "I will
decide on my own path when I am of an age," he averred.

     Young Freddy progressed well under Mrs Dimbleby's tutelage and, I
think, I improved, too.  There was great fascination when Mrs Dimbleby
received a letter from Mrs Neville saying she was much obliged to her for
her interest in her son and saying that she was most pleased some talent
had been discovered for which she was most thankful.  Mrs Neville added
that Lady Digby Wright had also corresponded with her expressing the same
sentiments and arrangements would be made for his future at a suitable
music establishment perhaps in two year's time.  I could see that Mrs
Dimbleby was not impressed with Mrs Neville and her sentiments!  Still,
Freddy was happy and he said his friends were pleased for him.  He did
confess he did not seem to have time to practice the flute.


     During the term letters had passed between Lancelot and us concerning
the proposed journey to France.  Mr Johnson had proved to be most helpful.
He had travelled several times down to Clermont Ferrand and knew the
village of Riom as there were plentiful vineyards around there. He would
supply a carriage with a driver and groom who had travelled with him in
that area.  They would be able to deliver orders to his various connections
for his business.  Business?  Perhaps not just wines, cheeses, I thought.
Perhaps I was getting suspicious having realised that Uncle Digby most
probably knew him!

     One thing he did note was that he was sure any chateau belonging to
the family would have been sacked and probably destroyed during the
Revolutionary Years but there was no doubt there would be memories handed
down.  He was able also to make a list of possible vendors of the herbs and
plants needed for the distillation.  He was willing also to supply
sufficient good brandy to which the resultant liquor could be added.

     Lancelot had also written to my grandmother in the village near
Chester to ask if she had any recollection of the village which she had
left at the age of eighteen some fifty or so years ago.  She said she had
lost touch with any surviving relations though there must be some in either
the families named Fontane or Le Ferreur.  She knew of the deaths of many
of the aristocracy and had been sent to England by her father the year
after the king was guillotined in 1793.  She thought her father was fearful
for his own life and that was why he had been insistent she found a
position in this country.  So we had names and places to explore.

     We shared our knowledge with the Johnson twins and it was agreed they
would accompany us.  Both were now sturdy seventeen-year-olds and said they
would be armed with pistols for their father never travelled anywhere
without his own pair and his coachmen were also chosen to be marksmen as
well.  Whether they said this to make us fearful we did not know but they
seemed quite open about possible dangers.  We heard there were many who had
been cast aside after the wars against Napoleon and if they knew we were
English might be ready to rob us.  The other advantage was that their
command of the French language and the dialects we would encounter was much
in advance of ours and, most probably, of Lancelot's though he had spent a
full year in Paris.

     So my first year at Ashbourne drew to a close.  We had a most
momentous final Sing- Song on the final Saturday at which even Winstanley
sang a solo.  He had been most gracious in his farewells to both Robin and
me at the last of Mr Ridley's classes he attended.  He was also presented
with a fine engraved silver tankard subscribed to by all the members of
Ridley House who been rather in awe of his learning but had appreciated his
fairness in all his dealings with us.  Little was said of Prots and Frob
who were departing for a Dissenting College in the north of England, much
to their parents' disapproval so we heard.  We heard also that Shem, the
senior stable-lad, was also leaving but he was going to a quite different
Dissenters' College at which his uncle now taught.  The most momentous
thing for me was the great acceptance of my Robin by all our fellows.  So
on those last days of the Summer Term of 1844 we said farewell to
classmates and members especially of Ridley House vowing we would all
return rested and raring to go!

     Rowley and the coach arrived ready for our journey back to Careby.
Both Branscombe and Freddy Neville would be accompanying us as we heard
that Major and Mrs Torquil Browning were in residence at Careby Hall but
would be returning to London a week or so hence with Cedric accompanying
them.  Freddy could visit his grandfather who was now up and about, his
gout not cured but in abeyance.  He would then be taken to Ipswich by a
young relative of his late grandmother who was at present at Moss Hall
waiting to take up a position in that town as a partner in a firm of
solicitors.  So all was arranged.  Lancelot would be ready to begin his
odyssey to France and his faithful Argonauts would be at his side.  I was
roundly told off by Robin when I said this as he said I was not likely to
find a Golden Fleece and Odysseus was on a different venture!

To be continued:

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Thanks, Joel.