"Jacob Faithful, draw near," were the first words which struck upon my tympanum the next morning, when I had taken my seat at the further end of the school-room. I rose and threaded my way through two lines of boys, who put out their legs to trip me up in my passage through their ranks; and surmounting all difficulties, found myself within three feet of the master's high desk, or pulpit, from which he looked down upon me like the Olympian Jupiter upon mortals, in ancient time.
"Jacob Faithful, canst thou read?"
"No, I can't," replied I; "I wish I could."
"A well-disposed answer, Jacob; thy wishes shall be gratified. Knowest thou thine alphabet?"
"I don't know what that is."
"Then thou knowest it not. Mr Knapps shall forthwith instruct thee. Thou shall forthwith go to Mr Knapps, who in
