In my time, the schoolboys, for want, perhaps, of English urchins to contend with, were continually fighting with each other; every noon there was at least one pugilistic encounter, and sometimes three.

In one month I witnessed more of these encounters than I had ever previously seen under similar circumstances in England.

After all, there was not much harm done.

Harm! what harm could result from short chopping blows, a hug, and a tumble?
I was witness to many a sounding whack, some blood shed, "a blue ee" now and then, but nothing more.

In England, on the contrary, where the lads were comparatively mild, gentle, and pacific, I had been present at more than one death caused by blows in boyish combats, in which the oldest of the victors had scarcely reached thirteen years; but these blows were in the jugular, given with the full force of the arm shot out horizontally from the shoulder.
But, the Scotch--though by no means proficients in boxing (and how should they box, seeing that they have never had a teacher ?)--are, I repeat, a most pugnacious people; at least they were in my time.