 every method he could invent for curbing his licentious
conduct, without depressing his spirit, he contracted a large proportion of
insolence, which a series of misfortunes that happened to him in the sequel
could scarce effectually tame. Nevertheless there was a fund of good nature and
generosity in his composition; and though he established a tyranny among his
comrades, the tranquillity of his reign was maintained by the love rather than
by the fear of his subjects.
    In the midst of all this enjoyment of empire, he never once violated that
respectful awe with which the usher had found means to inspire him; but he by no
means preserved the same regard for the principal master, an old illiterate
German quack, who had formerly practised corn-cutting among the quality, and
sold cosmetic washes to the ladies, together with teeth-powders, hair-dying
liquors, prolifick elixirs, and tinctures to sweeten the breath. These nostrums,
recommended by the art of cringing, in which he was consummate, ingratiated him
so much with people of fashion, that he was enabled to set up school with five
and twenty boys of the best families, whom he boarded on his own terms, and
undertook to instruct in the French and Latin languages, so as to qualify them
for the colleges of Westminster or Eaton. While this plan was in its infancy, he
was so fortunate as to meet with Jennings, who for the paultry consideration of
thirty pounds a year, which his necessities compelled him to accept, took the
whole trouble of educating the children upon himself, contrived an excellent
system for that purpose, and by his assiduity and knowledge executed all the
particulars to the entire satisfaction of those concerned, who by the bye, never
inquired into his qualifications, but suffered the other to enjoy the fruits of
his labour and ingenuity.
    Over and above a large stock of avarice, ignorance and vanity, this superior
had certain ridiculous peculiarities in his person, such as a hunch upon his
back, and distorted limbs, that seemed to attract the satirical notice of
Peregrine, who, young as he was, took offence at his want of reverence for his
usher, over whom he sometimes chose opportunities of displaying his authority,
that the boys might not misplace their veneration. Mr. Keypstick, therefore,
such as I have described him, incurred the contempt and displeasure of this
enterprising pupil, who now being in the tenth year of his age, had capacity
enough to give him abundance of vexation.
 

                                  Chapter XIII

He exercises his Talents at the Expence of the School-Master, whose Character
and Business declining, he desires to be recalled
 
As
