
that it concerned the common cause, desired him to obey the summons. He followed
the messenger accordingly; and no sooner set his nose within the room to which
he was directed, than the constable and his posse sprung upon him, before he had
the least intimation of his design, or any opportunity of acting in his own
defence.
    Thus overpowered, he was made acquainted with the cause of his being
arrested, which, in all appearance, did not give him a great deal of concern,
and in private committed to jail, where he was left to his own meditations.
    This previous measure being successfully taken, the tutors went into
separate apartments, and sending for their respective pupils, each plied his own
charge in particular with such arguments as he judged most conducive to dissuade
him from persevering in the imprudent scheme which he had already prosecuted too
far. No great eloquence was required to accomplish this aim, which was already
more than half effected by their own reflections; and therefore the greatest
part of them yielded to such reasonable remonstrances, and consented to return
to school, provided they might be indulged with a general amnesty for what they
had done. This they were impowered to promise to all of them, except Peregrine,
whom, as ringleader and first cause of this disturbance, the master had marked
out for a public example. For this reason he stood out against all the
admonitions of Mr. Jolter, who in vain conjured him to put up with a little
correction, rather than run the risk of being ignominiously expelled, and of
forfeiting the friendship of his uncle, on whom he knew his chief dependance was
built; till at length, seeing his adherents persuaded out of their allegiance,
and himself bereft of all company and means of subsistence, he with great
reluctance resigned himself to his fate; and having obtained the discharge of
Pipes, was reconducted to the college, where, notwithstanding the intercession
of his governor, who begged earnestly that his punishment might be mitigated,
our unfortunate hero was publickly horsed, in terrorem of all whom it might
concern.
    This disgrace had a very sensible effect upon the mind of Peregrine, who
having, by this time, passed the fourteenth year of his age, began to adopt the
pride and sentiments of a man. Thus dishonourably stigmatized, he was ashamed to
appear in public as usual; he was incensed against his companions for their
infidelity and irresolution, and plunged into a profound reverie that lasted
several weeks, during which he shook off his boyish connections, and fixed his
view upon objects which he thought more worthy of his attention.
    In the course
