SHADOWS IN THE PICTURE. 183

The Ashdell Academy had been opened a few days
before Carl’s return, under the direction of Mr. Barry,
who was named principal. Besides other assistants, he
was to have the aid of Carl, who was able to teach
several branches of mathematics, and to render service
in regard to German, French, and music. The school
was to be visited at least once a week by Mr. Mill, who
acted as its rector and chief patron. Every Monday
morning, in particular, he engaged to be present, to
give religious instruction, The edifice, having been
built for the purpose, was admirably suited to the wants
of the institution. The school-rooms were spacious and
numerous, so that there was no necessity for crowding.
They were well lighted, and, what is quite as important,
well ventilated. No one cause operates so disastrously
on the health of teacher and scholars as corrupt. air.
In schools innumerable the atmosphere is perpetually
foul, if it may not rather be called pestilential. This
particular had been well cared for by Mr. Mill and Dr.
Smith ; and in this they had the hearty concurrence —
of Mr. Barry, who had had experience of the ill conse-
quences of a few hogsheads of air breathed over and
over. He told them the story of the Black Hole of
Calcutta, and declared that in many school-rooms the
greatest favour one could do would be to knock out
two or three panes of glass,

I will not deny that Carl felt a glow of some kind,
when he first saw the printed “ Circular and Prospectus