LITTLE JACK. 167

which Jack looked after: and, not contented with looking after
him in the best manner, he used to ride him at his leisure
hours, with so much care and address, that ina short time he
made him the most gentle and docile little animal in the
country. Jack had acquired this knowledge, partly from bis
own experience, and partly from paying particular attention to
an itinerant riding-master, that had lately exhibited various
feats in the neighbourhood. Jack attended him so closely, and
made so good a use of his time, that he learned to imitate
almost everything he saw, and used to divert the servants and
his young master with acting the tailor's riding to Brentford.
The young gentleman had a master who used to come three
times a week to teach him arithmetic, writing, and geography.
Jack used to be sometimes in the room while the lessons were
given, and listened, according to custom, with so much attention
to all that passed, that he received very considerable advantage
for his own improvement. He had now a little money, and he
Jaid some of it out to purchase pens and paper and a slate, with
which at night he used to imitate everything he had heard and
seen in the day ; and his little master, who began to love him
inecrely, when he saw him so desirous of improvement,
contrived under one pretence or other to have him generally
in the room while he was receiving instruction himself. In this
er he went on for some years, leading a life very agreeable
elf, and discharging his duty, very much to the satisfac
tion of his mistress. An unlucky accident at length happened
to interrupt his tranquillity. A young gentleman came down
to visit Master Willets, who, having been educated in France,
and among genteel people in London, had a very great taste for
finery, and a supreme contempt for all the vulgar. His dress
too was alittle particular, as well as his manners; for he spent
half his time in adjusting his head, wore a large black bag tied