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I don't believe there ever was a child in whom the sentimental was earlier developed than in me.
When a freshman, he records meeting an old friend, ‘now a fine-looking girl of sweet sixteen.
I think I will fall in love with her in vacation!’
Of another damsel, met when away from home, he says:—
It is not exactly love I feel towards M. C. D.— it is rather a Platonic affection, if there is any such thing—or a connubial one.
When he was introduced to
Mr. Papanti's ‘best scholar and very agreeable girl,’ he escorted her home from dancing-school and then wrote:—
To bed at 11 1/2.
Smitten.
Apparently the impression lingered as this reproach follows later:—
Felt sentimental and loafing.
Oh M. C.!
and
Dulcinea absent for which I am glad, for to have seen her would have used me up for some days.
Then he confides to his journal:—
By the way, I am getting quite susceptible to female charms.
Again, he reports.—
Had a glorious flirtation with H. & P. in the Study, first reading sentiments in the parlour, &c.
