Through the mill: The life of a mill-boy

" My tenth birthday was celebrated in northern England, almost within hailing distance of the Irish Sea. Chaddy Ashworth, the green-grocer's son, helped me eat the birthday cake, with the ten burnt currants on its buttered top. As old Bill Scroggs was wont to boast: "Hadield was in the right proper place, it being in the best shire in the Kingdom. Darby-shir (Derbyshire) is where Mr. George Eliot (only he said 'Helliot') got his 'Adam Bede' frum (only he said 'Hadam Bede'). Darby shir is where Hum fry Ward (he pronounced it 'Waard') placed the 'Histry o' Davvid Grieve.' If that don't top off the glory, it is Darby shir that has geen to the waarld Florence Nightengale, Hangel of the British Harmy!" "