I certainly acquired here a considerable insight in the Latin tongue; and, to the scandal of my father and horror of my mother, a thorough proficiency in the Scotch, which, in less than two months, usurped the place of the English, and so obstinately maintained its ground, that I still can occasionally detect its lingering remains.

I did not spend my time unpleasantly at this school, though, first of all, I had to pass through an ordeal.
'Scotland is a better country than England,' said an ugly, blear-eyed lad, about a head and shoulders taller than myself, the leader of a gang of varlets who surrounded me in the playground, on the first day, as soon as the morning lesson was over.

'Scotland is a far better country than England, in every respect.' 'Is it ?' said I.

'Then you ought to be very thankful for not having been born in England.' 'That's just what I am, ye loon; and every morning, when I say my prayers, I thank God for not being an Englishman.

The Scotch are a much better and braver people than the English.' 'It may be so,' said I, 'for what I know--indeed, till I came here, I never heard a word either about the Scotch or their country.' 'Are ye making fun of us, ye English puppy ?' said the blear-eyed lad; 'take that!' and I was presently beaten black and blue.