Harrow

Abstract

Arrived at Harrow about half-past six [on 3 July 1827]: no one but Drury¹ himself (who received me most hospitably) and his family at dinner. Dr Butler² joined us in the evening. A good deal of desultory talk about Byron; his quarrel with Butler; could not bear his succeeding Dr Drury; organised a rebellion against him on his arrival; wrote up in all parts of the school, ‘To your tents, O Israel!’³ dragged the desk of the master into the middle of the school, and burnt it.⁴ Lived in Dr Butler’s house; pulled down the blinds of his study or drawing-room (?); when charged with it by Dr B and asked his reason, said ‘They darkened the room.’ Afterwards, however, when Butler threatened him, cried and blubbered like a child. Always at the head of every mischief. His lameness, they both agreed, was from an accident, being let fall when at nurse; might have been removed if he had not been obstinate at school, and resisted all the precautions and remedies adopted. Was very idle; learnt nothing. His mother a coarse, vulgar woman.

*The Journal of Thomas Moore, 1818–1841, ed. Peter Quennell (London: Batsford, 1964) pp. 153–4. The Journal was originally published in 1853–6.