Bernard underwent all the initiatory school ceremonies
and
~26~~
humiliations with great coolness, but not without some display of that
personal courage and true nobleness of mind, which advances the new
comer in the estimation of his school-fellows. First impressions are
almost always indelible: there was a frankness and sincerity in
his manner, and an archness and vivacity in his countenance and
conversation, that imperceptibly attached me to the young stranger. We
were soon the most inseparable cons,{1} the depositors of each other's
youthful secrets, and the mutual participators in every passing sport
and pleasure.
Naturally cheerful, Bernard became highly popular with our miniature
world; there was however one subject which, whenever it was incautiously
started by his companions, always excited a flood of tears, and for a
time spread a gloomy abstraction over his mind. Bernard had from his
very infancy been launched into the ocean of life without a knowledge of
his admiral{2} but not without experiencing all that a mother's fondness
could supply: when others recapitulated the enjoyments of their paternal
home, and painted with all the glow of youthful ardour the anticipated
pleasures of the holidays, the tear would trickle down his crimsoned
cheek; and quickly stealing away to some sequestered spot, his throbbing
bosom was relieved by many a flood of woe.
Pages:
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60