He had become acquainted with young Lord Westport, who invited him to travel with him about England and Ireland. While with Lord Westport he met King George III., who chatted with him, asking if he was of French descent. Thomas proudly assured his majesty that the English De Quinceys dated back to the Conquest. He met the king several times at fêtes to which he was invited with Lord Westport.
On his return home, De Quincey desired to attend the grammar school at Bath. He did not care for the private school, for there was no one there with whom he could contend. It was decided, however, that he should attend the grammar school at Manchester, where he studied for a year and a half, and then, after appealing in vain to his guardians, ran away.
He first intended to wander among the English Lakes. He had read some of Wordsworth’s poems and longed to meet the poet, but, recognizing that a runaway would hardly be looked upon with favor, returned to his home.
Here he found an uncle who furnished him with funds and gave him permission to travel about for a season and enjoy his liberty.
De Quincey traveled about North Wales from July until the late fall of 1802, and then went to London. Here he lived a wretched life,—his money gone,—and he was dependent on charity, living from hand to mouth.
He was finally discovered and reclaimed by some friends and went back to Chester, where his mother resided.
In the autumn of 1803 he accepted an offer made by his guardians and entered Worcester College, Oxford. Little is known of De Quincey’s life at college beyond the fact that he spent much of his time in quiet reading and study.
It was during these days as a student that De Quincey began to take opium,—first as a release from pain and later for its effect as a stimulant.
In 1807 lie made the acquaintance of Coleridge, whom he regarded with the love of a son. This friendship led to an introduction to Wordsworth. Two years later he took up his abode at the Lakes, in the pretty cottage at Grasmere, where Wordsworth had been living, and this was his home for more than twenty years.
Coleridge, Southey, and John Wilson (“Christopher North”) had their homes in this region, and De Quincey spent many hours in walks and talks with his friends.