All in a garden fair; the simple story of three boys ... - University Library

ALL L\ A GARDEX FAIR. 43
the prowess of the three was bruited abroad,
and the cliivalry of the East-end came fortli.
When the worsted combatants went home again
they always boasted of a victory and egged
their friends to go too, and try their luck. But
it was observed by the thoughtful that no one
went twice.
The school wa.^ an ancient foundation, and
tlie boys were well taught. It was not wholly,
for instance, a school for the training of the
Perfect Clerk, whirli is simple, and means
handwriting, spelUng, and book-keeping. The
Perfect Clerk needs little more. It was rather
a school for tlie training of the ambitious clerk
who aspires to a partnership. Most of the boys*
fathers were already partners, and intended
that the boys should follow after them. There
were many things tauglit in the school, and it
was the fault of the masters if the Literce
humaniores were generally regarded by the
boys as encumbrances, or perhaps useless orna-
ments, to their possession. The masters, for
instance, knew quantities of Latin— a fact most