The life and letters of Benjamin Jowett, M. A., master of Balliol college, Oxford.

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Life of Benjamin Jowe#t

[CHAP. II

who were at St. Paul's with Jowett will be read with
interest:
i. The Right Rev. C. R. Alford, late Bishop of Victoria,
who was a class-fellow of Jowett's, writes (July 4,
I894):'His image as a youth is still before me, a slim weakly
figure, gentle and polished in manner, keen eyes, very intelligent countenance. In reading and construing he had a clear
expressive voice, and in class he spoke out as one who knew
what he meant to say. I only remember Jowett in the eighth,
i. e. in the first class of the school under Dr. Sleath. I think
he stood second boy, and was much associated with Arthur
Shelly Eddis, the captain of our year. Eddis and Jowett had
the charge of, and chiefly occupied together the School Library,
located in the old buildings, between the High Master's house
and the great schoolroom. They seldom appeared in school
except at prayer-time and when we assembled around and
before the table of the High Master in class. Eddis was
Chancellor's Medallist of his year (I839), Fellow of Trinity
College, Cambridge, Professor in Lincoln's Inn, and Judge at
Clerkenwell County Court. As captain, Eddis always took the
lead, daily reading the Latin school prayers from the step of
the dais on which the High Master's chair was placedDr. Sleath, in cap and gown, standing behind him-a figure
of great presence and commanding appearance.
'.. I can call to mind Jowett's return to school after his
successful competition for the Balliol Scholarship. We boys
held up our heads an inch or two higher than we did before,
and it was a sight worth beholding to gaze on the beaming
countenance of our dear old High Master, Dr. Sleath, whose
frown was dreaded, but whose smile of approval and encouragement, never grudgingly bestowed, was a joy and coveted
reward.
'I remember one personal circumstance with pleasure. On
my wedding-day (I841) I alighted at the Great Western Railway
Station, Paddington, with my wife, and as chance would have
it, as I got out of the carriage at the station Jowett was there!