lf-gratification, be
our desires of what kind soever.

During the school hours, Natura, as well as the other young gentlemen,
was under too much awe of the master to give any loose to his temper;
but when these were over, and they went together into the fields, or
any other place to divert themselves, frequent quarrels among them
ensued; but above all between those who boarded in the same house;
little jealousies concerning some imaginary preference given to the
one more than the other, occasioned many bitter taunts and fleers,
which sometimes rose to blows and bloody noses; so that the good
people with whom they were, had enough to do, to keep them in any
tolerable decorum.

There is also another branch of _pride_ which is visible in all youth,
before consideration takes place, and that is, treating with contempt
whoever seems our inferior.--A boy who was allowed less money, or wore
plainer cloaths, was sure to be the jest of all the rest. Natura was
equally guilty of this fault with his companions; but when the
sarcasms became too severe, and the object of them appeared any way
dejected, his generosity often got the better of his arrogance, and he
would take part with the weakest side, even till he drew on himself
part of those reflections he averted from the other; but this never
happened without his resenting it with the utmost violence; for
patience and forbearance were virtues not to be expected in this stage
of life.

He was a great lover of gaming, whether of chucking, tossing up for
money, or cards, and extremely ill-humoured and quarrelsome whenever
luck was not on his side; which shews, that whatever people may
pretend, avarice is at the bottom, and occasions all the fondness so
many testify for play.

As for the other ordinary diversions of youth, none could pursue them
with more eagerness, nor was less deterred by any ill accident which
befel either himself, or any of his companions; one of whom having
been near drowning before his face, as they were swimming together,
the sight did not hinder him from plunging into the same stream every
day; nor could he be prevailed upon from ringing, as often as he had
an opportunity, though he had been thrown one day by the breaking of
the bell-rope, a great height from the ground, and in the fall
dislocated his shoulder, and bruised his body all over.--But it is not
to be wondered at, that boys should remember the misfortunes their
pleasures have brought on them