whilst sitting at the desk of the junior first in the upper school, and
beginning the Greek verb

[Illustration: greek1.jpg]

My eldest grandson makes bold to say that I never could have learned

[Illustration: greek2.jpg]

ten pages further on, being all he himself could manage, with plenty of
stripes to help him. I know that he hath more head than I--though never
will he have such body; and am thankful to have stopped betimes, with a
meek and wholesome head-piece.

[Illustration: 002.jpg John Ridd's School Desk]

But if you doubt of my having been there, because now I know so little,
go and see my name, "John Ridd," graven on that very form. Forsooth,
from the time I was strong enough to open a knife and to spell my name,
I began to grave it in the oak, first of the block whereon I sate, and
then of the desk in front of it, according as I was promoted from one to
other of them: and there my grandson reads it now, at this present time
of writing, and hath fought a boy for scoffing at it--"John Ridd his
name"--and done again in "winkeys," a mischievous but cheerful device,
in which we took great pleasure.

This is the manner of a "winkey," which I here set down, lest child
of mine, or grandchild, dare to make one on my premises; if he does,
I shall know the mark at once, and score it well upon him. The scholar
obtains, by prayer or price, a handful of saltpetre, and then with the