Unhappily things went the reverse of well.

In his anxiety to improve his business, Mr.Kirkwood invented a new kind of 'composition' for printers' use; he patented it, risked capital upon it, made in a short time some serious losses.

To add to his troubles, young Sidney was giving signs of an unstable character; at fifteen he had grown tired of his drawing, wanted to be this, that, and the other thing, was self-willed, and showed no consideration for his father's difficulties.

It was necessary to take a decided step, and, though against his will, Sidney was apprenticed to an uncle, a Mr.Roach, who also lived in Clerkenwell, and was a working jeweller.

Two years later the father died, all but bankrupt.