Frank Fairlegh | Page 3

the fact that my
preconceived notions of the metropolis had led me to imagine it
perhaps might be twice the size of the town nearest to my father's house;
in short, almost as large as Grosvenor Square.
Here, then, I parted company with my fellow-traveller, who took leave
of me thus:--
"Umph! well, good-bye; be a good boy--good man, you'd like me to
say, I suppose; man, indeed! umph! don't forget what your parents told
you"; then adding, "Of course he will, what's the use of telling him not?

just like me";--he dived into the recesses of a hackney-coach, and
disappeared.
Nothing worthy of note occurred during my journey to Helmstone,
where we arrived at about half-past four in the afternoon. My feelings
of surprise and admiration were destined once more to be excited on
this (to me) memorable day, as, in my way from the coach-office to
Langdale Terrace, where Dr. Mildman resided, I beheld, for the first
time, that most stupendous work of God, the mighty Ocean; which,
alike in its wild resistless freedom, and its ~4~~miraculous obedience
to the command, "Thus far shalt thou come, and no further," bears at
once the plainest print of its Almighty Creator's hand, while it affords a
strong and convincing proof of His omnipotence.
On knocking at the door of Dr. Mildman's house (if the truth must be
told, it was with a trembling hand I did so) it was opened by a
man-servant, whose singularly plain features were characterised by an
expression alternating between extreme civility and an intense
appreciation of the ludicrous.
On mentioning my name, and asking if Dr. Mildman was at home, he
replied:--
"Yes, sir, master's in, sir; so you're Mr. Fairlegh, sir, our new young
gent, sir?" (here the ludicrous expression predominated); "hope you'll
be comfortable, sir" (here he nearly burst into a laugh); "show you into
master's study, sir, directly" (here he became preternaturally grave
again); and, opening the study door, ushered me into the presence of
the dreaded tutor.
On my entrance Dr. Mildman (for such I presumed a middle-aged
gentleman, the sole tenant of the apartment, to be) rose from a library
table, at which he had been seated, and, shaking me kindly by the hand,
inquired after the health of my father and mother, what sort of journey I
had had, and sundry other particulars of the like nature, evidently with
the good-humoured design of putting me a little more at my ease, as I
have no doubt the trepidation I was well aware of feeling inwardly, at
finding myself tête-à-tête with a real live tutor, was written in very

legible characters on my countenance. Dr. Mildman, whose appearance
I studied with an anxious eye, was a gentlemanly-looking man of
five-and-forty, or thereabouts, with a high bald forehead, and good
features, the prevailing expression of which, naturally mild and
benevolent, was at times chequered by that look which all
schoolmasters sooner or later acquire-a look which seems to say, "Now,
sir, do you intend to mind me or do you not?" Had it not been for this,
and for an appearance of irresolution about the mouth, he would have
been a decidedly fine-looking man. While I was making these
observations he informed me that I had arrived just in time for dinner,
and that the servant should show me to my sleeping apartment, whence,
when I had sacrificed to the Graces (as he was pleased to call dressing),
I was to descend to the drawing-room, and be introduced to Mrs.
Mildman and my future companions.
My sleeping-room, which was rather a small garret than otherwise, was
furnished, as it appeared to me, with more ~5~~regard to economy than
to the comfort of its inmate. At one end stood a small four-post
bedstead, which, owing to some mysterious cause, chose to hold its
near fore-leg up in the air, and slightly advanced, thereby impressing
the beholder with the idea that it was about to trot into the middle of the
room. On an unpainted deal table stood a looking-glass, which, from a
habit it had of altering and embellishing the face of any one who
consulted it, must evidently have possessed a strong natural taste for
the ludicrous: an ancient washing-stand, supporting a basin and towel,
and a dissipated-looking chair completed the catalogue.
And here, while preparing for the alarming ordeal I was so soon to
undergo, let me present to the reader a slight sketch of myself, mental
and bodily; and, as mind ought to take precedence of matter, I will
attempt, as far as I am able after the lapse of time, to paint my character
in true colours, "nought extenuating, nor setting down aught in malice".
I was, then, as the phrase goes, "a very well-behaved young gentleman";
that is, I