But perhaps the most active part of his growth came outside his school life. Most of the other boys of their age had left school and gone out to work, and those few picked ones that remained were a small company and hardly numerous enough for games on a large scale. Thus it was that they took to walking instead of play; and during these walks David began to develop that habit of keen discussion which he has loved throughout his life. His favourite subjects in those days were Baptism and Tithe. Among the little company were two pupil-teachers who were a little older than the boys themselves. Both of these teachers were destined for the Church; one of them became a rector and another became a canon of St. David’s.[[11]] We can imagine the debates that took place within this little company of keen, honest, ardent youths!
Thus, in this varied life of work and play, the young David grew from infancy to youth, there in that distant little Welsh village, between the mountains and the sea.
[1] Here is his pedigree on the paternal side:
William George (farmer) and his wife (lived to 80 and 90 years respectively)
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David George (farmer, died at 33)
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William George (schoolmaster, died at 44)
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