Hyde Abbey School, near Winchester. The master was one of those rigid disciplinarians who, in the fashion of the day, spared not the rod; but it has been supposed that Canning's studious and regular habits saved him from the inconvenience of such a system. At all events, unlike some of the other pupils, he entertained throughout life a grateful sense of the advantages derived at the establishment; and, when at the height of his power, showed his appreciation of them by presenting his old preceptor with a prebend in Winchester Cathedral.

Even at this early season of youth he possessed great skill in versification; and when sent to Eton, at the age of twelve, was at once placed as an Oppidan. He immediately acquired distinction, from the ease and elegance of his Latin and English compositions, and by the manliness of his habits. He never played at games like other boys, but at once assumed the sober dignity of manhood. Indeed he prosecuted his studies as if prescient of the career before him; and endowed, as he must have felt himself to be, he was so far from placing his trust entirely in the inspirations of genius, that he was remarkable for the assiduity and industry with which he applied himself to mental improvement. His reputation grew rapidly, and the more choice spirits began to gather round him. At that time a society existed at Eton for purposes of discussion, and used to meet periodically in one of the halls. The pro

ceedings were conducted in imitation of the House of Commons; the speaker was elected according to rule; the ministerial and opposition parties were regularly formed; and the subject of debate was entered upon with due gravity, decorum, and solemnity. In this arena Canning soon gained celebrity by the clearness and vigor of his speechespledges slight indeed, but in his case sure, of those magnificent powers he was to exhibit in Parliament, where, in the words of a living orator, he "ruled the House as a man rules a high-bred steed, as Alexander ruled Bucephalus; of whom it was said, that the horse and the rider were equally proud."

The friendships he now formed led to an enterprise laudably characterized by spirit, courage, and ambition. This was the publication of the famous boy-periodical called the "Microcosm," projected by the more accomplished Etonians, with Canning at their head. It issued weekly from Windsor, and was after the plan of the "Spectator;" the design being to treat the characteristics of the boys at Eton as Addison and his friends had done those of general society. The scheme was devised with care and deliberation, and entered on with exemplary energy. The first number appeared in November, 1786; and in it the juvenile editor wrote

"The curious observer may here remark in the bud the different casts and turns of genius which will, in future, strongly characterize the leading feat

ures of the mind. We see the embryo-statesman, who may hereafter wield and direct at pleasure the mighty and complex system of European politics, now employing the whole extent of his abilities to circumvent his companions at their plays, or adjusting the important differences which may arise be tween the contending heroes of his little circle; or a general, the future terror of France and Spain, now the dread only of his equals, and the undisputed lord and president of the boxing-ring. The Grays and Wallers of the rising generation here tune their little lyres; and he who hereafter may sing the glories of Britain must first celebrate at Eton the smaller glories of his College."

Canning was not the editor, but contributed a larger share to the work than any other boy. Another of the writers was Mr. Frere, who afterward shone so conspicuously in the pages of the "Anti-Jacobin." Canning's essays were, however, by far the best. They quite surpass any other specimens of English prose written in boyhood, and were specially praised by the critics of the period for that refined humor which, in after years, was so often and with so much effect employed against his Parliamentary antagonists. His poem on the slavery of Greece, in one of the early numbers, was also a creditable effusion. The work continued to appear till July, 1787, when the copyright was sold for fifty guineas. Several imitations of it have been unsuccessfully attempted at different schools, the