"The prodigy of our school-days was George Sinclair (son of Sir John); he made exercises for half the school, (_literally_) verses at will, and themes without it.... He was a friend of mine, and in the same remove, and used at times to beg me to let him do my exercise,--a request always most readily accorded upon a pinch, or when I wanted to do something else, which was usually once an hour. On the other hand, he was pacific and I savage; so I fought for him, or thrashed others for him, or thrashed himself to make him thrash others when it was necessary, as a point of honour and stature, that he should so chastise;--or we talked politics, for he was a great politician, and were very good friends. I have some of his letters, written to me from school, still.[28]
"Clayton was another school-monster of learning, and talent, and hope; but what has become of him I do not know. He was certainly a genius.
"My school-friendships were with _me passions_,[29] (for I was always violent,) but I do not know that there is one which has endured (to be sure some have been cut short by death) till now. That with Lord Clare begun one of the earliest, and lasted longest--being only interrupted by distance--that I know of. I never hear the word '_Clare_' without a beating of the heart even _now_, and I write it with the feelings of 1803-4-5, ad infinitum."
The following extract is from another of his manuscript journals:--
"At Harrow I fought my way very fairly.[30] I think I lost but one battle out of seven; and that was to H----;--and the rascal did not win it, but by the unfair treatment of his own boarding-house, where we boxed--I had not even a second. I never forgave him, and I should be sorry to meet him now, as I am sure we should quarrel. My most memorable combats were with Morgan, Rice, Rainsford, and Lord Jocelyn,--but we were always friendly afterwards. I was a most unpopular boy, but _led_ latterly, and have retained many of my school friendships, and all my dislikes--except to Dr. Butler, whom I treated rebelliously, and have been sorry ever since. Dr. Drury, whom I plagued sufficiently too, was the best, the kindest (and yet strict, too,) friend I ever had--and I look upon him still as a father.