THE EXAMINATION. 189

it’ more difficult to exercise strict impar-
tiality, if he knew that one or two addi-
tional marks might change the fortunes
of the day. When, therefore, the boys
took their places for examination, all eyes
were turned on Mertoun and his antago-
nist; while the feelings of the two boys
themselves were raised to the highest
pitch of anxiety.

“I shall examine you first,” said Dr,
Young, as soon as the boys were all ar-
ranged in order, “in Homer and Xeno-
phon; then in Cesar and Virgil; and
lastly, with Mr. Powell’s assistance, in
ciphering. The Greek, the Latin authors,
and the arithmetic, will each occupy about
an hour; so that by twelve o'clock the
whole will be concluded, I propose to
add up the marks this evening, and to-
morrow morning shall acquaint you with