Blair Collection > Rhys Lewis, minister of Bethel

JRITYS LEWIS. 47
A heavy load of guilt was laid upou my conscience on account
of Beck's punisliment, and I was in great haste to go to bed, so
that, as I had been brought up to do, I might ask forgiveness
for the day's transgression. Fortunately the affair never came
to mother's ears, and for all I know Abel Hughes never heayd
of it. either. Nothing particular happened that afternoon. I am
positive I got no more than one lesson — and that was one in
spelling — the day I first went to school ; and I don't much fancy
the other boys got any more. Speaking generally, I can certify
they all got more canings than lessons. One thing happened
that day which eased my conscience very considerably, and
which is a source of great comfort to me, even at this moment.
"When I went home to dinner a relative of mine gave me a half-
penny for my pluck in going to school. I lost no time in
informing Jack Beck of the happy occurrence, and in making
a covenant of peace with him. He, on his part, accompanied
me to the shop where the prodigious ha'porth was to be had,
and got the greater share of the purchase, so that the sun did
not go down upon our wrath. In my innocence I fancied that
things having ended so happily, there was no necessity for me to
pray for forgiveness before retiring to rest. And I did not. As
far as I can remember them, the occurrences of my first day in
the school of Soldier Eobin were suck as they are here narrated.
CHAPTER IX.
CHUECH MATTEKS.
The other day I had the pleasure of paying a visit to the British
School of this town ; and on remarking its excellent order, the
good and useful instruction imparted, the strict yet easy disci-
pline, and the clean and happy appearance of the children, I could
not help calling to mind the immense disadvantages I laboured
under in the school of Soldier Eobin. My blood boils within me
this minute at the thought of his hypocrisy, his stupidity, his lazi-
ness, and incomparable cruelty. To do justice to the narrative,
I am bound to say something farther about him in the present