Life of Sheridan, vol 1 | Page 3

they could devise, to awaken in Sheridan a consciousness
of those powers which, under all the disadvantages of indolence and
carelessness, it was manifest to them that he possessed. But
remonstrance and encouragement were equally thrown away upon the
good- humored but immovable indifference of their pupil; and though
there exist among Mr. Sheridan's papers some curious proofs of an
industry in study for which few have ever given him credit, they are
probably but the desultory efforts of a later period of his life, to recover
the loss of that first precious time, whose susceptibility of instruction,
as well as of pleasure, never comes again.
One of the most valuable acquisitions he derived from Harrow was that
friendship, which lasted throughout his life, with Dr. Parr,--which
mutual admiration very early began, and the "_idem sentire de re
publica_" of course not a little strengthened.
As this learned and estimable man has, within the last few weeks, left a
void in the world which will not be easily filled up, I feel that it would
be unjust to my readers not to give, in his own words, the particulars of
Sheridan's school-days, with which he had the kindness to favor me,
and to which his name gives an authenticity and interest too valuable
on such a subject to be withheld:
"Hatton, August 3, 1818.
"DEAR SIR,
"With the aid of a scribe I sit down to fulfil my promise about Mr.
Sheridan. There was little in his boyhood worth communication. He
was inferior to many of his school-fellows in the ordinary business of a
school, and I do not remember any one instance in which he
distinguished himself by Latin or English composition, in prose or
verse. [Footnote: It will be seen, however, though Dr. Parr was not
aware of the circumstance, that Sheridan did try his talent at English
verse before he left Harrow.] Nathaniel Halhed, one of his
school-fellows, wrote well in Latin and Greek. Richard Archdall,
another school-fellow, excelled in English verse. Richard Sheridan
aspired to no rivalry with either of them. He was at the uppermost part
of the fifth form, but he never reached the sixth, and, if I mistake not,

he had no opportunity of attending the most difficult and the most
honorable of school business, when the Greek plays were taught--and it
was the custom at Harrow to teach these at least every year. He went
through his lessons in Horace, and Virgil, and Homer well enough for a
time. But, in the absence of the upper master, Doctor Sumner, it once
fell in my way to instruct the two upper forms, and upon calling up
Dick Sheridan, I found him not only slovenly in construing, but
unusually defective in his Greek grammar. Knowing him to be a clever
fellow, I did not fail to probe and to tease him. I stated his case with
great good-humor to the upper master, who was one of the best
tempered men in the world; and it was agreed between us, that Richard
should be called oftener and worked more severely. The varlet was not
suffered to stand up in his place; but was summoned to take his station
near the master's table, where the voice of no prompter could reach him;
and, in this defenceless condition, he was so harassed, that he at last
gathered up some grammatical rules, and prepared himself for his
lessons. While this tormenting process was inflicted upon him, I now
and then upbraided him. But you will take notice that he did not incur
any corporal punishment for his idleness: his industry was just
sufficient to protect him from disgrace. All the while Sumner and I saw
in him vestiges of a superior intellect. His eye, his countenance, his
general manner, were striking. His answers to any common question
were prompt and acute. We knew the esteem, and even admiration,
which, somehow or other, all his school-fellows felt for him. He was
mischievous enough, but his pranks were accompanied by a sort of
vivacity and cheerfulness, which delighted Sumner and myself. I had
much talk with him about his apple-loft, for the supply of which all the
gardens in the neighborhood were taxed, and some of the lower boys
were employed to furnish it. I threatened, but without asperity, to trace
the depredators, through his associates, up to their leader. He with
perfect good-humor set me at defiance, and I never could bring the
charge home to him. All boys and all masters were pleased with him. I
often praised him as a lad of great talents,--often exhorted him to use
them well; but my exhortations were fruitless. I take for granted that his
taste was silently improved, and that he knew well the little which he
did know. He was