It was apparent upon all occasions; when he was to choose his
reading as a private study, in the sixth form, Caesar was his first book;
and so continuing through most of his leisure time addicted to this
sort of inquiry, the archbishop was afterwards able to talk war with any
soldier in England. But, indeed, what is there he could not talk
equal to any competitor? To the Archbishop Markham, and through him to
Westminster, attach the credit of the good scholarship of the present
king. This is little less than a credit to the country.
The Marquis of Stafford had fame for his English exercises; and after
saying this of his Wednesday nights' themes, let it also be noted, that
he had fame for other exercises of old England. He could ride, run, row,
and bat better than most of his comtemporaries; in his potations, too,
he was rather deep; but though deep, yet clear; and though gentle, yet
not dull. At once a most jolly fellow, and the most magnificent of his
time,--and so "_ab incepto processerit_."
The Duke of Dorset, then Sackville, (since dead) was good-humoured,
manly, frank, and passionately fond of various school ~77~~exercises; as
billiards, at the alehouse in Union-street, (then perhaps a tavern)
and _double-fives_ between the two walls at the school-door. For
Tothill-fields fame as to cricket, he was yet more renowned: there he
was the champion of the town-boys against those in college; and in the
great annual match, he had an innings that might have lasted till the
time Baccelli _run him out_, had not the other side given up the game.
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