It is a democratic age, and if you fight at all, you are reduced to fists; and if Kenelm Digby learned to fence, so Kenelm Chillingly must learn to box; and if a gentleman thrashes a drayman twice his size, who has not learned to box, it is not unfair; it is but an exemplification of the truth that knowledge is power.

Come and take another lesson on boxing to-morrow." Kenelm remounted his pony and returned home.

He found his father sauntering in the garden with a book in his hand.

"Papa," said Kenelm, "how does one gentleman write to another with whom he has a quarrel, and he don't want to make it up, but he has something to say about the quarrel which it is fair the other gentleman should know ?" "I don't understand what you mean." "Well, just before I went to school I remember hearing you say that you had a quarrel with Lord Hautfort, and that he was an ass, and you would write and tell him so.

When you wrote did you say, 'You are an ass'?
Is that the way one gentleman writes to another ?" "Upon my honour, Kenelm, you ask very odd questions.