But our limits will not permit us to dwell longer on this early period of Mr. Repton's life. Two years were spent in a school at Rotterdam (as he was removed from that at Workum, at Mr. Hope's suggestion), from whence he was enabled to pass much of his time with the same invaluable friends. On his return to Norwich, now a youth nearly sixteen years of age, a considerable premium was advanced, that he might, during the next seven years, become initiated in all the mysteries of trade; and when we consider how utterly useless was all such knowledge to him in after life, it is somewhat amusing to find him learnedly descanting upon the nature of calimancoes, Mecklenburgs, worsted satins, and other articles which fashion has now discarded from the list of modern dress and furniture. The records of this part of his life, however, lead us to infer, that the exercise of his talents for poetry, music, and drawing, occupied more of his time than was quite consistent with the views of his affectionate, though, in this instance, not very discriminating, parent. A taste for the latter of these accomplishments seems to have been more especially a part of his nature; and he enumerates it amongst his many sources of gratitude to Heaven, that he was blessed "with a poet's feelings and a painter's eye;" for he says, "it was to my early facility, and love of the art of drawing, that I am indebted, not only for success in my profession, but for more than half the enjoyments of my life. When I look back to the many hundred evenings passed in the circle of my own family-drawing and representing to others what I saw in my own imagination, I may reckon this art among the most delightful of my joys."
