ontague says: "Mr. Beecher submitted to Mr. Lovell's drilling and
training with a patience which proved his interest in the study to be
great. The piece which was to be spoken was committed to memory from
Mr. Lovell's mouth, the pupil standing on the stage before him, and
every sentence and word, accent and pronunciation, position and
movement of the body, glance of the eye and tone of voice, all were
subjects of study and criticism. And day after day, often for several
weeks in continuance, Mr. Beecher submitted to this drilling upon the
same piece, until his teacher pronounced him perfect."

His dramatic power was displayed and noted at this early period. Dr.
Thomas Field, a classmate in the school, says: "One incident occurred
during our residence in Mount Pleasant which left an abiding impression
on my mind. At the exhibition at the close of the year, either 1828 or
1829, the drama of 'William Tell' was performed by some of the
students, and your father took the part of the tyrant Gessler.
Although sixty years have passed, I think now, as I thought then, that
it was the most impressive performance I ever witnessed. . . ."

In a letter dated December 24, 1828, addressed to his sister
Harriet--the first that has come to our hands from Mount Pleasant--he
gives some account of his manner of life at school, and various
experiences:

DEAR SISTER:

. . . . I have to rise in the morning at half-past five o'clock, and
after various little duties, such as fixing of room, washing, etc.,
which occupies about an hour, we proceed to breakfast, from thence to
chapel, after which we have about ten minutes to prepare for school.
Then we attend school from eight to twelve. An hour at noon is allowed
for diversions of various sorts. Then dinner. After that school from
half-past one to half-past four. At night we have about an hour and a
half; then tea. After tea we have about ten minutes; then we are
called to our rooms till nine.

Now I will tell you how I occupy my spare time in reading, writing, and
playing the flute. We are forming a band here. I shall play either
the flute or hautboy. I enjoy myself _pretty_ well. In Latin I am
studying Sallust. As to ease, all I have to do is study straight
ahead. It comes _pretty_ easy. My Greek is rather hard. I am as yet
studying the grammar and Jacob's Greek Reader. In elocution, we read
and speak alternately every other day.

. . . . I find it hard to keep as a Ch