"Residence, with or without board, for a gentleman, in a healthy
suburb of London. Charming house, with creepers, large garden;
cheerful home. Use of piano, etc."
"Without board" is what I want. Must go and see the place.
6 P.M.--I have seen the house with creepers, and engaged a bedroom and
sitting-room. Will go there to-night. My bed is provided with a spring
mattress. Won't I sleep to-night, that's all!
* * * * *
_21st July, 1872._
I remove my goods and chattels from the charming house. I found the
creepers were inside.
It will take me a long time to understand English, I am afraid.
* * * * *
_8th August, 1872._
I examine my financial position. I came to England with fifty pounds;
have been here thirty days, and have lived at the rate of a pound a
day. My money will last me only twenty days longer. This seems to be a
simple application of the rule of three.
The thought that most Lord-Mayors have come to London with only
half-a-crown in their pockets comforts me. Still I grow reflective.
_25th September, 1872._
I can see that the fee I receive for the weekly letter I send to my
Parisian paper will not suffice to keep me. Good living is expensive in
London. Why should I not reduce my expenses, and at the same time
improve my English by teaching French in an English school as resident
master? This would enable me to wait and see what turn events will
take.
I have used my letters of recommendation as a means of obtaining
introductions in society, and my pride will not let me make use of them
again for business.
I will disappear for a time. When my English is more reliable, perhaps
an examination will open the door of some good berth to me.
* * * * *
_3rd October, 1872._
Received this morning an invitation to be present at a meeting of the
Teachers' Association.
Came with a friend to the Society of Arts, where the meeting is held in
a beautiful hall, and presided over by Canon Barry.
What a graceful and witty speaker!
He addresses to private school-masters a few words on their duty.
"Yours," he says, "is not only a profession, it is a vocation, I had
almost said a ministry" (hear, hear), "and the last object of yours
should be to make money."
This last sentence is received with rapturous applause. The chairman
has evidently expressed the feeling of the audience.
The Canon seems to enjoy himself immensely.
Beautiful sentiments! I say to myself. Who will henceforth dare say
before me, in France, that England is not a disinterested nation? Yes,
I will be a school-master; it is a noble profession.
A discussion takes place on the merits of private schools. A good deal
of abuse is indulged in at the expense of the public schools.