’Do not distress yourself about this unfortunate failure as to the Newcastle.  We cannot always command our best exertions when we want to do so, and you were not able on this occasion to bring forward all you knew.  It was not from idleness or want of attention to school business.  Work on regularly, and you will do well at Oxford.  I have a line from your tutor, who seems to think that it was in Juvenal, Cicero and Livy, and in Iambics, that the faults principally were.  I cannot say that I am not disappointed; but I know so well the uncertainty of examinations and how much depends on the sort of papers put, and on the spirits and feeling one is in, that I am never surprised at such results, and I do not blame you at all.’  Those who knew Coley best agree in thinking that this reverse took great effect in rousing his energies.  This failure evidently made him take himself to task, for in the summer he writes to his father:—­

There are things which have occurred during my stay at Eton which cannot but make me blame myself.  I mean principally a want of continuous industry.  I have perhaps for one half or two (for instance, last Easter half) worked hard, but I have not been continuously improving, and adding knowledge to knowledge, half by half.  I feel it now, because I am sure that I know very little more than I did at Easter.  One thing I am improved in, which is writing themes; and you will be pleased to know that Hawtrey has again given me the School Theme prize, worth 5L., which counts for another sent up exercise.’

In reply, the Judge, on July 22, wrote in the midst of the circuit, from Stafford, a letter that might well do a son’s heart good:—­

’I rejoice in your finale, and shall be glad to see the exercise.  You have gone through Eton with great credit and reputation as a scholar, and what is of more consequence, with perfect character as to truth and conduct in every way.  This can only be accounted for by the assistance of the good Spirit of God first stirred up in you by the instructions of your clear mother, than whom a more excellent human being never existed.  I pray God that this assistance may continue through life, and keep you always in the same good course.”

A few days more and the boy’s departure from the enthusiastically loved school had taken place, together with his final exploits as captain in the cricket-field, where too he formed an acquaintance with Mr. C. S. Roundell, the captain of the Harrow eleven, which ripened into a lifelong friendship.

‘You may suppose,’ writes Coley, ’that I was really very miserable at leaving Eton.  I did not, I assure you, without thanking God for the many advantages I have there enjoyed and praying for His forgiveness for my sin in neglecting so many.  We began our match with Harrow yesterday, by going in first; we got 261 runs by tremendous hitting, Harrow 32, and followed up and got 55:  Eton thus winning in one innings by 176 runs, the most decided beating ever known at cricket.’