26 PRÆTERITA-I

believe, some eleven words long; very exemplary, it seems to me, in that respect-and I still think must have been the purest gospel, for I know it began with, “People, be good.”

23. We seldom had company, even on week days; and I was never allowed to come down to dessert, until much later in life-when I was able to crack nuts neatly. I was then permitted to come down to crack other people’s nuts for them-(I hope they liked the ministration)-but never to have any myself; nor anything else of dainty kind, either then or at other times. Once at Hunter Street, I recollect my mother giving me three raisins, in the forenoon, out of the store cabinet; and I remember perfectly the first time I tasted custard, in our lodgings in Norfolk Street-where we had gone while the house was being painted, or cleaned, or something. My father was dining in the front room, and did not finish his custard; and my mother brought me the bottom of it into the back room.

24. But for the reader’s better understanding of such further progress of my poor little life as I may trespass on his patience in describing, it is now needful that I give some account of my father’s mercantile position in London.

The firm of which he was head partner may be yet remembered by some of the older city houses, as carrying on their business in a small counting-house on the first floor of narrow premises, in as narrow a thoroughfare of East London,-Billiter Street, the principal traverse from Leadenhall Street into Fenchurch Street.

The names of the three partners were given in full on their brass plate under the counting-house bell,-Ruskin, Telford, and Domecq.

25. Mr. Domecq’s name should have been the first, by rights, for my father and Mr. Telford were only his agents. He was the sole proprietor of the estate which was the main capital of the firm,-the vineyard of Macharnudo, the most precious hillside, for growth of white wine, in the

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