Page:The lives of the poets of Great Britain and Ireland to the time of Dean Swift - Volume 4.djvu/87

Rh

HIS gentleman was the ſon of John Pack, of Stocke-Aſh in Suffolk, eſq; who in the year 1697 was high ſheriff of that county. He had his early education at a private country ſchool, and was removed from thence to Merchant Taylor’s, where he received his firſt taſte of letters; for he always reckoned that time which he ſpent at the former ſchool as loſt, ſince he had only contracted bad habits, and was obliged to unlearn what had been taught him there.

At the age of ſixteen he was removed to St. John’s College in Oxford. About eighteen his father entered him of the Middle Temple, deſigning him for the profeſſion of the Law; and by the peculiar indulgence of the treaſurer, and benchers of that honourable ſociety, he was at eight Terms ſtanding admitted barriſter, when he had not much exceeded the age of 20. But a ſedentary, ſtudious life agreeing as ill with his health, as a formal one with his inclinations, he did not long purſue thoſe ſtudies. After ſome wavering in his thoughts, he at laſt determined his views to the army, as being better ſuited to the gaiety of his temper, and the ſprightlineſs of his genius, and where he hoped to meet with more freedom, as well as more action. His firſt command was that of a company of foot in March 1705. In