reek than most boys; his English exercises were
conspicuous for language and neatness of turn.

He was a very uncorrupt boy, and his manners were rather elevated; yet
it is not remembered that he lost popularity even with the worst boys in
the school; the whole secret of which was _specie minus quam vi_. He
was better than he seemed. There was no pride, no offending wish at
seclusion.

Though not so remarkable for book knowledge as his brother Sir James,
who thus, indeed, was nothing less than a prodigy, yet was M'Donald
extremely well and very variously read. In miscellaneous information,
far more accomplished than any boy of his time.

Markham, the master, had a high opinion of him; and once, in the midst
of strong and favourable prognostics, said, "There was nothing against
him but what was for him; rank and connections, and the too probable
event of thence advancing into life too forward and too early."

Markham spoke with much sagacity. The _rosa sera_ is the thing, for
safe and spreading efflorescence. Well as the wreath might be about
M'Donald's brow, it had probably been better, if gathered less eagerly,
if put on later.

Cock Langford was the son of the auctioneer--

And there never was an inheritance of qualities like it. He would have
made as good an auctioneer as his father; a better could not bo.

Cock Langford, so called, from the other auctioneer Cock, very early in
the school discovered great talents for ways and means; and, by private
contract, could do business as much and as well as his father.

His exercises were not noted for any excess of merit, or the want of it.
He certainly had parts, if they had been put in their proper direction:
that was trade. In that he might have been conspicuously useful.

As he was in college, and nothing loath in any occasion that led
to notice, in spite of a lisp in his speech, he played Davus in the
Phormio; which he opened with singidar absurdity, as the four first
words terminate in the letter s, which he, from the imperfection in his
speech, could not help mangling.

From the patronage of Lord Orford, Mr. Langford had one of the best
livings in Norfolk, L1000 a year; and afterwards, I understand, very
well exemplified the useful and honourable duties of a clergyman
resident on his benefice.

Hamilton. Every thing is the creature of accident; as that ~81~~works
upon time and place, so are the vicissitudes which follow; vicissitudes
that reach through th