Untitled - Electric Scotland

22 LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP TAIT [CH. i.
result has been that no Academy boy ever learned any part of
scholarship there which he had afterwards to unlearn, go where
he might. Ten continuous months of as faithful teaching and
as hard a grind as any school in Britain ever knew, this is my
impression in looking back to four years spent
Academy walls."
within the
It was a day-school only. The boys lived at home
or boarded with Edinburgh families, their prepara
tion-work being carried on, in most cases, with the help
of a private tutor. But Archie had no such assistance.
His father s affairs were becoming more and more em
barrassed, and it was thought necessary to practise the
most rigid economy.
"
In his earlier school-days," says Lady Wake,
"
the faithful
Betty was his only help in learning his lessons. She used to hold
the Latin books close to her eyes, diligently following each word
as he repeated page after page. Ay, it maun be richt ;
it s just
word for word, and it sounds like it, was his encouragement, or
else a sudden lowering of the book, with Na, na, it s no that
ava , would warn him that he was wrong. Of one principal part
of his education she was absolute mistress, and none could have
been better. She took care that he was out of bed early in the
morning, and allowed no relaxation on this point. This was no
unimportant help, for had he been left to himself, delicate as he
was, the little fellow would hardly have had the resolution
required."
The school-year lasted from the beginning of October
to the end of July, and at its close the results of the year s
work and examination were announced, and the prizes
given by some public man, in the presence of an immense
assemblage of parents and friends. It is difficult for those
unacquainted with Scottish life, and especially the Scottish
life of fifty years ago, to realise the importance attached,
not in Edinburgh alone, but throughout Scotland, to the
doings and the speeches of, this annual Exhibition Day.