It will be readily imagined that this oration of Jack, pronounced as it was with some of his old unction, and accompanied with that miraculous and subtle twist of the tongue which we have described in a former chapter,[47] produced exactly the effect upon his audience which might be expected.  The boys were delighted—­tossed up their caps—­gave Jack three cheers, and told him if he stood by them they would stand by him, and that they were much mistaken if they did not contrive to make the schoolhouse too hot for any usher whom Squire Bull might think fit to send them.

     [47] Tale of a Tub.  Sect. xi.

It happened not long after, as Jack had anticipated, that one morning a young man called upon with a letter from the Squire, intimating that he had named him to the vacant ushership; and requesting Jack to examine into his qualifications as usual.  Jack begged him to be seated, and (having privately sent a message to the schoolboys) continued to entertain him with enquiries as to John’s health and the state of the weather, till he heard, by the noise in the court, that the boys had arrived.  In they marched accordingly, armed with horn-books, primers, slates, rulers, Gunter’s-scales, and copy-books, taking up their station near the writing-desk.  The young usher-elect, though he thought this a whimsical exhibition, supposed that the urchins had been brought there only to do honour to his examination, and accordingly begged Jack, as he was in a hurry, to proceed.  “Fair and softly, young man,” said Jack, in his blandest tones; “we must first see what these intelligent young gentlemen have got to say to that.  Tom, my fine fellow, here is a gentleman sent by Squire Bull to be your usher.  What do you say to him?” “I don’t like him,” said Tom.  “May I venture to ask why?” said the usher, putting in a word.  “Don’t like him,” repeated Tom.  “Don’t like him neither,” said Dick.  “And no mistake,” added Peter, with a grin, which immediately circulated round the school.  “It is quite impossible,” said Jack, “under existing circumstances, that the matter can proceed any further; it is plain the school can never be edified by such an usher.  But, stop, that there may be no misconception on the subject.  Here you, Smith—­do you really mean to say, on soul and conscience, you don’t think this respectable gentleman can do you any good?” Of course, Smith stated that his mind was quite made up on the subject.  “Come here, Jenkins,” said Jack, beckoning to another boy; “tell the truth now—­honour bright, remember.  Has any body given or promised you any apples, parliament, or other sweetmeat unknown, to induce you to vote against the usher?” Jenkins, who had just wiped his lips of the last remains of a gingerbread cake, which somehow or other had dropped into his pocket by accident, protested, on his honour, that he was quite above such a thing, and was, in fact, actuated purely by a conscientious zeal for the cause of flogging all over the world.  “The