CHAPTER I.

CHILDHOOD AT HOME AND AT SCHOOL, 1827-1838.



So much of a man's cast of character depends upon his home and
parentage, that no biography can be complete which does not look back
at least as far as the lives of the father and mother, from whom the
disposition is sure to be in part inherited, and by whom it must
often be formed. Indeed, the happiest natures are generally those
which have enjoyed the full benefit of parental training without
dictation, and have been led, but not forced, into the way in which
they should go.

Therefore it will not be irrelevant to dwell on the career of the
father whose name, though still of great weight in his own
profession, may not be equally known to the younger generation who
have grown up since the words 'Mr. Justice Patteson' were of frequent
occurrence in law reports.

John Patteson, father of the subject of the present memoir, was son
to a clergyman of a Norfolk family, and was born at Coney Weston, on
February 11, 1790. He was educated at Eton, and there formed more
than one friendship, which not only lasted throughout his life, but
extended beyond his own generation. Sport and study flourished alike
among such lads as these; and while they were taught by Dr. Groodall