I have forsaken several years of knowledge in this book, for after writing my last entry, I realized that each time I wrote it would take away from the time spent in preparation for athletics. My preparation has paid off, as I am now on the St. Regis football team. I am both the youngest and lightest participant on the team, and I am a good as a player as ever. I am currently attending the St. Regis preparatory school.
I had to arrive at school earlier than others to take examinations, but after they were concluded, I went up the Hudson River as Beatrice suggested to, visit a friend of hers. His name is Monsignor Darcy. He sounded interesting even before I met him, as he had written two books, one before he was converted into Catholicism, and one after. The book written before spoke strongly against Catholics and was filled with many jibes against it. The book written after was where he attempted to turn said jibes into clever innuendoes against Episcopalians. Though he was a clergyman, I felt a strong connection towards him, and he felt the same as I on many subjects. We talked together on many subjects agreeing on most including colleges and my wish to become a Princetonian, and of other school subjects. The Monsignor is a very interesting fellow and I do hope to have the pleasure of conversing with him again.
From this school I have learned many things already. One is to have a gentlemanly sense of bravery, for I was disinclined to fight a boy of my own size, and was ridiculed and mocked for it. However to make up for it I engaged in a fight with a boy much larger than myself, and though I emerged beaten physically, my pride couldn't have been stronger.
There are many figures in the school who believe themselves to be much higher than I and try to control my behavior and what I choose to do. They request me to do things in their own specific ways and mannerisms, but I do believe that my ways are just as good, and perhaps even better, so I choose to ignore them and do what I would have done in the first place. I also choose not to do much of my work for the same basic reasons; I find it demeaning to adhere to such common customs. I started to become quite cold, until I realized that I was isolating myself, and soon none would dare to approach me. I quickly found some friends. To them they might see me as a close friend and confident, but as they are not among the acknowledged in the school, so I only use them to practice my various faces of appearance, so to see which is taken the most cordially.
Even though I am not praised by my peers yet, I have indeed gained the praise of several others in this establishment. As I said before I am both the lightest and youngest of those on the football squad. Also last week, the elderly housekeeper said that I was the best looking boy she had seen or had yet to see. Then Doctor Dougall said that I could get the best grades of all those here. I do not want to exert the effort to try, but knowing that I could reassures me. This is only my first term though and I vow that I will become acknowledged by my fellow peers as one of the best if not the best.
Cordially
Amory