formists from the national seats of learning; and therefore they had to provide for the further instruction of their sons, after leaving ordinary schools, as best they could. Hence arose Academies, as they were called-not like our boys' schools, not like colleges of the present day; but of an intermediate kind, generally, if not always, so conducted as to include ministerial and lay pupils. Several Institutions of this kind existed in the country; those of the first period were, with two exceptions, under the care of Puritan clergymen ejected from the Establishment. Those of the second period, down to the middle of the eighteenth century, had presiding over them ministers educated in Scotch and other Universities, or trained in private for the office they fulfilled. Academies had no Councils or Committees to support them, though help might be afforded by affluent friends. It is a misnomer to dignify the instructors with modern titles. In some cases there was only one tutor; in others, there were not more than two.

Misapprehensions of their nature are followed by defective notions of the education they could afford. Theology was by no means an exclusive study. Greek, Latin, and mathematics came within the curriculum. At Kibworth, where Dr. Doddridge was educated, a liberal course was pursued. "The Greek poets," says that accomplished scholar, "which gave us the most employment, were Theocritus, Homer, and Pindar."

More than one of these Academies existed in London, and that which is connected with the history of Howard, was for a time under the care of Thomas Rowe, of Newington Green, son of John Rowe, one

of the ministers at Westminster Abbey during the Commonwealth. Among Thomas Rowe's pupils was Dr. Watts. Rowe's successors included Dr. Ridgley, with whom was associated, as tutor in philosophy and languages, John Eames. He is described as Howard's tutor. Eames was a man of singular ability and of unusual attainments. After passing through Merchant Taylors' school, he prepared for the ministry, but did not enter a pulpit more than once nervousness, coupled with defective utterance, produced an utter failure on the occasion. He consequently gave up all idea of being a preacher. His talents and attainments, however, fitting him for educational work, he assisted, and then succeeded, Dr. Ridgley, who died in 1734. He continued tutor until his death, in 1744. He distinguished himself in scientific pursuits; and being favoured with the acquaintance of Sir Isaac Newton, that philosopher introduced him to the Royal Society, of which he was elected member. So great was his scholarship, that Dr. Watts said to one of his students, "Your tutor is the most learned man I ever knew." He numbered amongst his pupils, Dr. Furneaux, Dr. Savage, and Dr. Price; and he is said also, at one time, to have had under his care Thomas Secker, afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury.

Certainly Howard was placed for a short time under the tuition of Mr. Eames; but whether as private pupil or as one in common with others under his care, I cannot say.1 Dr. Price, one of the theological stu

1 Dr. Brown has confounded the Institution presided over by Mr. Eames, with the Academy supported by Mr. Coward, a London Merchant. Howard did not study there.

dents, is known to have been his companion; and companionship between them ripened into friendship. What exactly were Mr. Eames' opinions I cannot ascertain, but he is described as of "a candid and liberal disposition, and a friend to free inquiry, which exposed him to much opposition and uneasiness from some narrow-minded persons." His piety, however, is attested by Dr. Watts, in a singular remark, after his friend's death,-“What a change did Mr. Eames experience, but a few hours between his lecturing to his pupils, and his hearing the lectures of angels." Nevertheless, I question whether this excellent man had quite the same cast of religious sentiment as we shall find strongly expressed in the correspondence of his distinguished pupil.

What Mr. Eames did for Howard's education, I am at a loss to determine; for Dr. Aiken says, "he was never able to speak or write his native language with grammatical correctness, and that his acquaintance with other languages-the French perhaps excepted was slight and superficial." On the other hand, Dr. Stennett, on whose ministry Howard attended when in London, affirmed that his understanding and judgment "were enriched and improved by a variety of useful knowledge. And, as he had a taste for polite literature, so he was well versed in most of the modern languages, which he took no small pains to acquire, that he might be the better enabled to carry his benevolent purposes into effect.” 1 What Aiken says respecting Howard's mode of writing English is per1" A Sermon occasioned by the death of John Howard, Esq." What opportunities the two authors had of forming these opinions, will appear hereafter.

fectly correct; but I feel some doubt, as to what he tells us about Howard's acquaintance with languages, since Dr. Stennett, who knew him intimately, gives a different account; surely Howard must have known much of other tongues besides his own, or he could never have conversed with foreigners in the way he did. Instances of such conversation we shall meet with in future chapters. Moreover, I should infer from Stennett's statement, that Howard must in early life have laid the foundation of subsequent attainments. My impression is, when the two testimonies are balanced, that his education was not so imperfect as appears from the one, nor so complete as we might conclude from the other. Perhaps he was one of those who, with plenty of mental vigour in other directions, have a natural incapacity for acquiring much "school learning," but who nevertheless learn enough to form the basis of subsequent acquirements.

The school-boy was bound apprentice to Alderman Newnham, a grocer in Watling Street; and hence, to other memories which pleasantly haunt the streets of London, we may add this of the grocer's apprentice passing along that thoroughfare. The old city near London Bridge, has become familiar through engravings and descriptions; and we are at no loss to picture the apprentice looking about him and making his observations, as he rambled under the shadow of the Monument and past the Boar's Head in Eastcheap.

CHAPTER II.

SELF-EDUCATION.

1742-1751.

HOWARD'S father died in September, 1742; and

being left without parents, with no relation near enough to exercise a strong personal influence over him, the son to a great extent became his own master. He was entitled to a fair fortune for those days-seven thousand pounds in money, with plate and furniture falling to his share. That sum was to be paid when he came of age; and being residuary legatee of his father's property, after payment of eight thousand pounds to his only sister, he had the prospect of temporal prosperity. The executors were Lawrence Channing, husband to the testator's sister; Ive Whitbread of Cardington, related to the deceased; and Lewin Cholmley, a friend and connection of Howard's mother. These gentlemen had so much confidence in the youth, then only seventeen years old, that they gave him considerable power over the management of his possessions.

He was now his own master-a perilous position for most young men of his age; but it is evident that those who knew him best were convinced he would not abuse the freedom they entrusted in his hands. It would seem as if he had been well schooled in filial obedience, if not in other things, for he had sub