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AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE certain days in the week he left his Omega at school to learn new derivations in London from another. After the erudite abilities of the names of Burney, the Tourist, the Grecian, and Novelist, my feelings caused no alarm; however proud I may have been of my name, which to many, looking up to theirs, have been a "tower of strength," a father's previous abilities, the son following his profession. Like Dr. Burney's scholar, so it was with me; my instruction alone was not sufficient; the fencing schools in town were such inducements, my lessous were not enough to keep him to myself. At that time there were many academies (previous to the Revolution), continual new visitors making their dibut, soi-disant fencers of the première force from Paris, merely les oiseaua de passage, who, boasted of their abilities; my young éleve was the first in these schools to put their abilities to the test, especially at Olivier's, who taught in Bell Yard, Lincoln's Inn, a favourite with the benchers, where he was much encouraged. Lord Macdonald (who for years attended mine) was considered the strongest fencer, and occasionally exhibited an assaut to the visitors; his lordship was above six feet, and a difficult antagonist (un peu barogue). On those occasions, Barrett was always his opponent; yet, whatever his pursuits were to improve himself abroad, nevertheless, he was a constant attendant to my fencing room, at that time at the Opera House, a favourite with all, where Sir Francis Burdett gave him the preference, and who was the best fencer I ever instructed, particularly for that coolness and presence of mind so very necessary when depending on science and judgment. When opposed to these vaunting foreigners, with their fan- faronade, and intimidating noises, nothing could lurry him, or put him off his guard; and though not from quickness, but 26