MEMORIALS OF A THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE. CHAPTER I. A DRIVE TO W- AND ITS CONSEQUENCES. "If mankind in the present day were strictly to adhere to those practices which promote the health and well-being of their minds and bodies, and as strictly to abstain from those which tend to injure them, there would be little or no cause to complain that our race is degenerating, and that the men of modern days scarcely possess the sixth part of the strength of their forefathers."-Dr. Hodgkin. COME, Bennett, look sharp," said Spearman, testily, "here we have been waiting for you the last twenty minutes." My friend, restrain thine anger," returned Ben nett, "know the words of Solomon; 'a wrathful man, says he, stirreth up strife;' but have I not hastened? yea, I have sped, and that right quickly." "Very well, all right; now jump up." "I will do so, but in the words of the good old "Confound your nonsense, man; let's be going, I tell you; are we to stay here all day?" "Spearman is right," said Rogers, "don't be so foolish; but let's get on, we are only wasting time stopping here." "As thou wilt, are the words I utter; but ere I ascend to the left hand of my friend, I would ask of thee, goest thou by the way of the hill?" "Yes, by the hill; round by Turner's." "It is satisfactory, drive on: quickly." 66 Now, my friend, I said quickly, but not recklessly. You are going at a fearful rate; I beseech thee to shorten thy rein, or else surely the result will be extinction of the light of life, or at least mutilation of the human frame." "Never fear, man; this I call a nice pace; what more can you want?” "How was it, Bennett," said Rogers, "you didn't come at the proper time?" ""Tis a fair question, Sir, and I will answer thee ; thou must know that I was delayed." “Delayed, yes, but in what ?" way when a most "Why, I cannot enter minutely into all the particulars, but it will be sufficient if I tell thee that thy humble servant was about to depart to have the honour of riding with thee to Wterrible looking individual unceremoniously entered his rooms, and in a deep toned voice, said, 'Give us a swig.' 'Give us a swig, Sir,' said I, 'what meanest thou?' 'I mean exactly what I say,' said he, 'give us a swig, but 'a done with your thees and thous; you can speak as plain as any man if you like, only you want to be thought a witty fellow and all that sort of thing, and you think yourself mighty fine, I dare say, but I don't.' 'If thou wilt have the condescension, Sir,' I replied, ' to explain to me, who am a man of little learning, the meaning of the theological term thou hast made use of, I may be enabled perhaps to satisfy thy requirements.' 'Swig a theological term!' replied he, 'come, that is good; well, after all you are not a bad un; you've got brass in ye if any one have, that's certain.' Then am I to understand, Sir,' said I, 'that it is brass that's required?' 'Brass! no,' said he, 'what the deuce next? beer; have ye got any beer? I am thirsty; that's not a lie either.' 'Now, Sir,' I replied, 'I think I apprehend thy meaning. Thou art in want of a draught of liquor made from certain grains called malt, the nature of which is so peculiar, that he who imbibes a sufficient quantity is blessed with the faculty of double perception: to him things animate and inanimate assume new relations, so that before its reception he thought he could see, but now he confesses he was blind.' 'Well, I'll be blowed if ye are not a stunner after all,' said he; 'I came 'ere 'alf screwed on purpose to abuse you: but, upon my word you have stopped my mouth; you are a clever un, that's truth, and I am like the queen of Sheba in the chapter I read in the church the other morning, 'I heard about ye and your sayings, still I confess the 'alf wasn't told me.' I don't want your beer now; wouldn't have it if you gave it to me.' Upon saying this, the awful creature, with a growl which I understood to mean 'Good morning,' took his departure. Immediately, and without a moment's delay, I seized my hat, and hastened to thine august presence. Now gentlemen, if I have not given good cause for being late, then let me be دو "For my own part, Ben, I'm delighted with your explanation; what say you, Spearman ?” "Very good," replied Spearman, "I'm perfectly satisfied." The country through which our students were driving was not of such a nature as to call forth any particular description. The road was similar to many of the roads in the country, and enclosed on either side for some distance by a well-clipped hedge of black thorn. About two miles from their starting point was rather a serious impediment to their progress, in the shape of a hill of considerable height, and to any vehicle at all heavily laden, the ascent would be somewhat difficult. To our travellers, however, it was a cause of little uneasiness; a slight application of Spearman's whip to the sides of the horse (which was a good one) soon settled the difficulty. From the brow of the hill to the town to which they were going, the road was comparatively level. A few particulars with reference to this town may not be unacceptable. W is a seaport town of |