The Schoolboy's Pilgrimage by Jane
Taylor
Nothing could be more easy and agreeable than my condition when I
was first summoned to set out on the road to learning, and it was not
without letting fall a few ominous tears that I took the first step.
Several companions of my own age accompanied me in the outset, and we
travelled pleasantly together a good part of the way.
We had no sooner entered upon our path, than we were accosted by
three diminutive strangers. These we presently discovered to be the
advance-guard of a Lilliputian army, which was seen advancing towards
us in battle array. Their forms were singularly grotesque: some were
striding across the path, others standing with their arms a-kimbo;
some hanging down their heads, others quite erect; some standing on
one leg, others on two; and one, strange to say, on three; another
had his arms crossed, and one was remarkably crooked; some were very
slender, and others as broad as they were long. But, notwithstanding
this diversity of figure, when they were all marshalled in line of
battle, they had a very orderly and regular appearance. Feeling
disconcerted by their numbers, we were presently for sounding a
retreat; but, being urged forward by our guide, we soon mastered the
three who led the van, and this gave us spirit to encounter the main
army, who were conquered to a man before we left the field. We had
scarcely taken breath after this victory, when, to our no small
dismay, we descried a strong reinforcement of the enemy, stationed on
the opposite side. These were exactly equal in number to the former
army, but vastly superior in size and stature; they were, in fact, a
race of giants, though of the same species with the others, and were
capitally accoutred for the onset. Their appearance discouraged us
greatly at first, but we found their strength was not proportioned to
their size; and, having acquired much skill and courage by the late
engagement, we soon succeeded in subduing them, and passed off the
field in triumph. After this we were perpetually engaged with small
bands of the enemy, no longer extended in line of battle, but in
small detachments of two, three, and four in company. We had some
tough work here, and now and then they were too many for us. Having
annoyed us thus for a time, they began to form themselves into close
columns, six or eight abreast; but we had now attained so much
address, that we no longer found them formidable.
After continuing this route for a considerable way, the face of
the country suddenly changed, and we began to enter upon a vast
succession of snowy plains, where we were each furnished with a
certain light weapon, peculiar to the country, which we flourished
continually, and with which we made many light strokes, and some
desperate ones. The waters hereabouts were dark and brackish, and the
snowy surface of the plain was often defaced by them. Probably, we
were now on the borders of the Black Sea. These plains we travelled
across and across for many a day.
Upon quitting this district, the country became far more dreary:
it appeared nothing but a dry and sterile region, the soil being
remarkably hard and slatey. Here we saw many curious figures, and we
soon found that the inhabitants of this desert were mere ciphers.
Sometimes they appeared in vast numbers, but only to be again
suddenly diminished.
Our road, after this, wound through a rugged and hilly country,
which was divided into nine principal parts or districts, each under
a different governor; and these again were reduced into endless
subdivisions. Some of them we were obliged to decline. It was not a
little puzzling to perceive the intricate ramifications of the paths
in these parts. Here the natives spoke several dialects, which
rendered our intercourse with them very perplexing. However, it must
be confessed that every step we set in this country was less
fatiguing and more interesting. Our course at first lay all up hill;
but when we had proceeded to a certain height, the distant country,
which is most richly variegated, opened freely to our view.
I do not mean at present to describe that country, or the
different stages by which we advance through its scenery. Suffice it
to say, that the journey, though always arduous, has become more and
more pleasant every stage; and though, after years of travel and
labour, we are still very far from the Temple of Learning, yet we
have found on the way more than enough to make us thankful to the
kindness of the friends who first set us on the path, and to induce
us to go forward courageously and rejoicingly to the end of the
journey.
JANE TAYLOR.
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