derful alteration in my appearance, so that although I continued dwarfish, I had still the appearance of a wellconditioned lady's page. After a fortnight's sojourn at the hotel, servants were engaged, and we returned to Blackheath; where, we had hardly time to domesticate ourselves, when the count was summoned to Holland, and the countess resolved to accompany him; so the establishment was broken up. But the countess told me, as I had been a good boy, she would see me in a good situation, and she spoke to a son of hers by a former marriage, who was a captain in the army. His name was N He had a cottage on Blackheath, where he resided when off duty, and he took me on the same terms as her ladyship. But the duties were very different. I had now for the first time to make myself acquainted with a horse; but I never went out with the captain, and did not leave the cottage while in his service. He was a very passionate man, and used very shocking language when irritated. But his passion very soon subsided, and a more generous man to his servants and to the poor I never knew. He had given me strict charge never to mount his mare, of which he was very fond, and she was a most beautiful but spirited animal. But after I had led her several times to the stables, always being jeered by the grooms for my timidity, I on one occasion thought I would try to ride her; so I mounted her, and the mare, doubtless wondering what awkward creature she had got upon her back, and finding I gave her plenty of rein, at once galloped off at a furious pace across the heath, until she suddenly came to a stop at the rails of a mill, and pitched me clean over. Fortunately, I retained the reins in my hand, and falling on the soft turf, was little hurt. I was perfectly ashamed, and had to lead her—I on one side of the rails, she on the other—till I got to the gate, where the miller met me, and told me I made a good jockey. I made an apology, and said I was not accustomed to horses, but I would lead her to the stable. 'Lead her to the stable, boy,' said he; 'why, you little fool, that will be the ready way to make her serve you so again! No, no, that will never do! Come, give me a leg;-now, jump up. Stay !-there, don't give her a loose rein. There! cross the bridle-hold tightnow be off!'—and I went off, she trotting quietly to the mews. All this time the Captain had been viewing my Gilpin-like expedition from the drawing-room window of the cottage, of which I was in total ignorance. But, on my return, I was instantly ordered into his presence, and told, if I ever mounted her again, and escaped with my life, he would discharge me instantly. I made a very humble apology, and was forgiven. I remained with the Captain till he was ordered to India. Had I been at all acquainted with the management of horses, it is possible I should have accompanied him. On leaving him, he made me a handsome present, and left with a brother of his, a solicitor, a character such as would obtain me another situation. I now returned to my cousin's. I had nearly ten pounds (which to me was a large sum), plenty of good clothes, and a well-stocked trunk of linen. I did not immediately seek for another situation, but I was very desirous of ascertaining whether inquiry had been made for me by my master; and I ventured into the neighborhood of Saffron Hill to ascertain whether Mr. Fleming was still in being. I confess it afforded some satisfaction to learn that he had ruptured a blood-vessel, and was believed to have departed this life. This report induced me to visit Westminster, and upon inquiry I found it true. His continued fits of drunkenness, and the violence of his passions while under the influence of liquor, had at length terminated his existence. I was free! I might now show myself anywhere. I returned to my cousin's house, and she also rejoiced that there was no danger of my being captured and carried back to the slavery of the brushmaking. I thought I would now visit my brother, who at this time resided in Charles Street, Westminster, and who, besides keeping a circulating library, and dealing in stationery, had commenced business as a printer. I visited him accordingly, told him of my emancipation from the tyranny of Mr. Fleming-told him how I had employed myself from the time of my second absconding, and asked him what he would advise me to do whether to seek for another service, or to turn my attention to the acquisition of a new business; for I hated the brushmaking, and declared I would never follow it. I was all along conscious that the recent situations I had filled were what was called menial, and my brother did not seem pleased with them. I reflected, however, that I had no friend capable of helping me in my distress, and that, notwithstanding the menial positions I had filled, I had been kindly treated, had plenty of good and wholesome food, and had saved money. Then there was no one who knew me, and what did it matter to me where or how I was employed so long as it was honest and respectable, however humble? So I had determined in my own mind to wait a few days, and, if nothing more advantageous offered itself, to return to the situation of a lady's page. I promised, however, that I would visit my brother again before I accepted any other place, and then returned to my cousin's. At the end of a week I again called upon my brother, when he asked me how I should like to be a printer. I started: there was nothing I should like better; it would, bring me among books; it might lead to a means of enabling me to complete my studies; and, after all, I might obtain the object I so ardently desired, and become a clergyman. My brother told me I could not become a printer without serving a seven-years' apprenticeship, and if I did so, I should be nearly 25 years of age before I completed my term. But I looked then so young that I did not mind the length of the servitude, provided that I could live by my earnings; and I had what I then conceived something very handsome in hand. So I asked my brother what were the terms; and he told me that I should have to provide for myself, and should receive half my earnings. I hesitated at this; for I had the business to learn, and I thought it would be some time ere I could earn sufficient to keep myself. My brother told me he could not take me into the house, as he had his wife's brother and sister residing with him, and the brother was learning the business also; he had not, therefore, accommodation for me but I could, if I pleased, go up into the office for a few days, and see how I should like the business. This I acceded to, and went up into the office. I watched the proceedings with a careful eye. I was amazed at the simplicity of the process, and I felt satisfied that I should soon be able to accomplish as much as the then apprentice at the case. My great difficulty seemed the press, which was then very cumbrous in its construction, and very laborious to work. My brother's press was then of wood, and the inking apparatus was made of pelt, stuffed with wool-most difficult and most laborious for a small boy like myself. However, my brother told me that I should be principally confined to case for the first year; and if 'called to the bar,' the work should be light, such as cards and bills. So I determined upon venturing, and was again under articles for seven years; and with this agreement I close my Third Period, Fourth Period: FROM EIGHTEEN TO TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF AGE. 1814 TO 1821. 'Oh, Albion! still thy gratitude confess "THE PRESS.' M'CREERY. I BEGAN my novitiate as a printer in the beginning of 1814. I was free from all anxiety of my old master, and anticipated much pleasure from my new profession, which my brother also seemed pleased with, inasmuch as it rescued me, according to his view, from menial servitude. About the end of 1813, the Society of the New Church (Swedenborgians), under Mr. Proud's ministry, having by the expiration of their lease of York Street Chapel, St. James's Square, been obliged to leave, fitted up a large room in Lisle Street, Leicester Square, which was opened by Mr. Proud, on the 2nd February, 1814. The situation was very obscure when compared with that of the chapel in York Street, and, in consequence, the congregations rapidly declined in number; while in York Street |