This tutor, whose name was Jennings, began with Perry, according
to his constant maxim, by examining the soil; that is, studying
his temper, in order to consult the bias of his disposition, which
was strangely perverted by the absurd discipline he had undergone.
He found him in a state of sullen insensibility, which the child
had gradually contracted in a long course of stupefying correction;
and at first he was not in the least actuated by that commendation
which animated the rest of his school-fellows; nor was it in the
power of reproach to excite his ambition, which had been buried,
as it were, in the grave of disgrace; the usher, therefore, had
recourse to contemptuous neglect, with which he affected to treat
this stubborn spirit; foreseeing that if he retained any seeds of
sentiment, this weather would infallibly raise them into vegetation;
his judgment was justified by the event; the boy in a little time
began to make observations; he perceived the marks of distinction
with which virtue was rewarded, grew ashamed of the despicable
figure he himself made among his companions, who, far from courting,
rather shunned his conversation, and actually pined at his own want
of importance.

Mr. Jennings saw and rejoiced at his mortification, which he suffered
to proceed as far as possible, without endangering his health. The
child lost all relish for diversion, loathed his food, grew pensive,
solitary, and was frequently found weeping by himself. These
symptoms plainly evinced the recovery of his feelings, to which his
governor thought it now high time to make application; and therefore
by little and little altered his behaviour from the indifference
he had put on, to the appearance of more regard and attention. This
produced a favourable change in the boy, whose eyes sparkled with