His University successes flattered him with the belief that he would go from triumph to triumph and be the exception proving the rule that the victor in the academic lists seldom repeats his victories on the battlefield of life.
It is not sufficiently understood that the learning of Latin and Greek and the forming of expensive habits at others' cost are a positive disability and handicap in the rough-and-tumble tussle of the great city, where greed and unscrupulous resolution rule, and where there are few prizes for feats of memory or taste in words.

When the graduate wins in life he wins as a rule in spite of his so-called education and not because of it.
It is true that the majority of English 'Varsity men give themselves an infinitely better education than that provided by the authorities.
They devote themselves to athletic sports with whole-hearted enthusiasm.

Fortunately for them it is impossible to develop the body without at the same time steeling the will.

The would-be athlete has to live laborious days; he may not eat to his liking, nor drink to his thirst.

He learns deep lessons almost unconsciously; to conquer his desires and make light of pain and discomfort.