Mr. Midleton--he was Mr. Midleton then--very soon
determined to alter this state of things. Jackson went about sneering
at the newcomer who was going to turn the place upside down, and having
been accustomed to interfere in the debates in the Board-room,
interrupted the Rector at the third or fourth meeting.
"You'll get yourself in a mess if you do that, Mr. Chairman."
"Mr. Jackson," replied the Rector, rising slowly, "it may perhaps save
trouble if I remind you now, once for all, that I am chairman and you
are the clerk. Mr. Bingham, you were about to speak."
It was Dr. Midleton who obtained the new Act of Parliament remodelling
the trust, whereby a much larger portion of its funds was devoted to
education. Jackson died, partly from drink and partly from spite and
vexation, and the headmaster was pensioned. The Rector was not popular
with the middle class. He was not fond of paying visits, but he never
neglected his duty, and by the poor was almost beloved, for he was
careless and intimate in his talk with them and generous to real
distress.
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