Charm his fond ear as he walked slow along.
Sometimes through well-fenced fields of new-mown hay--
Breathing out fragrance--he was wont to stray;
Or climb a bill with firm, elastic tread,
While Sol his early beams in radiance shed.
The Castle hill he mostly did prefer,
As quite accordant with his character.
Upon its ruins he would musing sit,
Till he was seized with a strong rhyming fit;
Then frame his welling thoughts to some rude verse--
Which friends were anxious he should oft rehearse.
If thus his leisure was not always spent,
He read what books his friends had to him lent.
Of such good things he owned but very few--
And parents needed all the _cash_ he drew.
Thus was his time most constantly employed,
While life passed smoothly on--not unenjoyed.




BOOK III.


THE ARGUMENT.--Holidays: the Schoolboy's anticipations in regard to
them. Improper use made of such times by some Apprentices. Evil
consequences of their conduct. An appeal to them on the subject. The
sad tale of young DAYCOURT. Address to Liquor: its evils. WILLIAM'S
holiday rambles. Father's birth-place. Tragic scene there. Farleton
Knot. Glance back to Grandfather, etc. Joins Temperance movement. Visit