He came to school young,--a pretty, gentle, and rather timid boy.

I think his experience there was not generally pleasant.

Though he had afterwards a scholarlike knowledge of Latin, he did not attain distinction in the school; and I should think that the character of the head-master, Dr.Russell, which was vigorous, unsympathetic, and stern, though not severe, was uncongenial to his own.

With the boys who knew him, Thackeray was popular; but he had no skill in games, and, I think, no taste for them....

He was already known by his faculty of making verses, chiefly parodies.