From his earliest years his superiority was perceived and acknowledged.
He was from the beginning [Greek text omitted], a king of men. His
school-fellow, Mr. Hector, has obligingly furnished me with many
particulars of his boyish days: and assured me that he never knew him
corrected at school, but for talking and diverting other boys from their
business. He seemed to learn by intuition; for though indolence and
procrastination were inherent in his constitution, whenever he made an
exertion he did more than any one else. His favourites used to receive
very liberal assistance from him; and such was the submission and
deference with which he was treated, such the desire to obtain his
regard, that three of the boys, of whom Mr. Hector was sometimes one,
used to come in the morning as his humble attendants, and carry him to
school. One in the middle stooped, while he sat upon his back, and one
on each side supported him; and thus he was borne triumphant. Such
a proof of the early predominance of intellectual vigour is very
remarkable, and does honour to human nature.
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