DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70266#0338
298 kirby's wonderful museum.
This frugal plan was not adopted by young Cooke, who was
resolved to live cheaper, by providing his own meals. A
penny loaf would serve him through the day, and a half-
penny-worth of apples was a treat ; when the rest of the
boys therefore would go to dinner, Thomas would separate
himself from them, and retiring to the side of a brook, made
his breakfast and dinner, at one meal, upon the half of his
penny loaf, and one of his apples, finishing this delicious
repast by a draught of water from the running stream,
taken up in the brim of his hat, which served as a vessel on
the occasion.
At this tiipe, however, young Cooke was both industrious
and economical for a good purpose; for the little education
which he had acquired, was entirely at his own expence,
and this he considerably improved as he advanced in lifec
The money which he saved by his frugality in living, he em-
ployed in paying one of the head boys of a small school,
who acted as usher to a village school-master, to instruct
him, at leisure hours, in reading, writings and the first rules
of arithmetic.
As soon as Cooke had attained the years of maturity, he
was employed as a common porter, by a Mr. Postle, a
respectable character, resident in or near Norwich, who,
in addition to the business of a dry-salter, carried on
an extensive paper manufactory. Cooke’s activity, industry,
and sobriety, attracted the notice of his master, who, in
the course of time, raised his wages, and gave him the situa-
tion of a journeyman.
During the visits of the excisemen, young Cooke gave an
eager ear to all the histories of the frauds committed, the
seizures made, and the penalties incurred, which were fre-
quently the topics of conversation among these officers.
Conceiving that the business of an exciseman was attended
with great emolument, Cooke was inspired with the idea of
becoming one, and communicated his wish to Mr. Postle.
This frugal plan was not adopted by young Cooke, who was
resolved to live cheaper, by providing his own meals. A
penny loaf would serve him through the day, and a half-
penny-worth of apples was a treat ; when the rest of the
boys therefore would go to dinner, Thomas would separate
himself from them, and retiring to the side of a brook, made
his breakfast and dinner, at one meal, upon the half of his
penny loaf, and one of his apples, finishing this delicious
repast by a draught of water from the running stream,
taken up in the brim of his hat, which served as a vessel on
the occasion.
At this tiipe, however, young Cooke was both industrious
and economical for a good purpose; for the little education
which he had acquired, was entirely at his own expence,
and this he considerably improved as he advanced in lifec
The money which he saved by his frugality in living, he em-
ployed in paying one of the head boys of a small school,
who acted as usher to a village school-master, to instruct
him, at leisure hours, in reading, writings and the first rules
of arithmetic.
As soon as Cooke had attained the years of maturity, he
was employed as a common porter, by a Mr. Postle, a
respectable character, resident in or near Norwich, who,
in addition to the business of a dry-salter, carried on
an extensive paper manufactory. Cooke’s activity, industry,
and sobriety, attracted the notice of his master, who, in
the course of time, raised his wages, and gave him the situa-
tion of a journeyman.
During the visits of the excisemen, young Cooke gave an
eager ear to all the histories of the frauds committed, the
seizures made, and the penalties incurred, which were fre-
quently the topics of conversation among these officers.
Conceiving that the business of an exciseman was attended
with great emolument, Cooke was inspired with the idea of
becoming one, and communicated his wish to Mr. Postle.