Chapter VII · Sport and Work

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Nor have I time to repeat the humorous stories I have heard him tell about the queer characters who could then be met at St. Ives Fair (said to have been the largest cattle fair in England), and at another favourite resort of his, Stourbridge Fair, near Cambridge.

inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense

From this reading IT was at this period that, like so many young Englishmen who were his contemporaries, he gave attention to field sports, and took interest in that athleticism which, to judge from Wilkie Collins’s scathing pictures, was quite as rampant and absurd then as it is in our own time.

gotten through environmental forces

From this reading It was then too that he acquired that familiarity with the figures prominent in the ring which startles one in his reminiscences of George Borrow.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading IT was at this period that, like so many young Englishmen who were his contemporaries, he gave attention to field sports, and took interest in that athleticism which, to judge from Wilkie Collins’s scathing pictures, was quite as rampant and absurd then as it is in our own time.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading Nor have I time to repeat the humorous stories I have heard him tell about the queer characters who could then be met at St. Ives Fair (said to have been the largest cattle fair in England), and at another favourite resort of his, Stourbridge Fair, near Cambridge.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading IT was at this period that, like so many young Englishmen who were his contemporaries, he gave attention to field sports, and took interest in that athleticism which, to judge from Wilkie Collins’s scathing pictures, was quite as rampant and absurd then as it is in our own time.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading IT was at this period that, like so many young Englishmen who were his contemporaries, he gave attention to field sports, and took interest in that athleticism which, to judge from Wilkie Collins’s scathing pictures, was quite as rampant and absurd then as it is in our own time.

intense energy

From this reading IT was at this period that, like so many young Englishmen who were his contemporaries, he gave attention to field sports, and took interest in that athleticism which, to judge from Wilkie Collins’s scathing pictures, was quite as rampant and absurd then as it is in our own time.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading IT was at this period that, like so many young Englishmen who were his contemporaries, he gave attention to field sports, and took interest in that athleticism which, to judge from Wilkie Collins’s scathing pictures, was quite as rampant and absurd then as it is in our own time.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Nor have I time to repeat the humorous stories I have heard him tell about the queer characters who could then be met at St. Ives Fair (said to have been the largest cattle fair in England), and at another favourite resort of his, Stourbridge Fair, near Cambridge.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Nor have I time to repeat the humorous stories I have heard him tell about the queer characters who could then be met at St. Ives Fair (said to have been the largest cattle fair in England), and at another favourite resort of his, Stourbridge Fair, near Cambridge.

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading But it will scarcely interest the readers of this book to dwell long upon this subject.

get temporarily

From this reading It was then too that he acquired that familiarity with the figures prominent in the ring which startles one in his reminiscences of George Borrow.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But it will scarcely interest the readers of this book to dwell long upon this subject.

a university in England

From this reading Nor have I time to repeat the humorous stories I have heard him tell about the queer characters who could then be met at St. Ives Fair (said to have been the largest cattle fair in England), and at another favourite resort of his, Stourbridge Fair, near Cambridge.

domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age

From this reading Nor have I time to repeat the humorous stories I have heard him tell about the queer characters who could then be met at St. Ives Fair (said to have been the largest cattle fair in England), and at another favourite resort of his, Stourbridge Fair, near Cambridge.

plural of “character” — an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading Nor have I time to repeat the humorous stories I have heard him tell about the queer characters who could then be met at St. Ives Fair (said to have been the largest cattle fair in England), and at another favourite resort of his, Stourbridge Fair, near Cambridge.

possessive form of “collins” — English writer noted for early detective novels (1824-1889)

From this reading IT was at this period that, like so many young Englishmen who were his contemporaries, he gave attention to field sports, and took interest in that athleticism which, to judge from Wilkie Collins’s scathing pictures, was quite as rampant and absurd then as it is in our own time.

all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age

From this reading IT was at this period that, like so many young Englishmen who were his contemporaries, he gave attention to field sports, and took interest in that athleticism which, to judge from Wilkie Collins’s scathing pictures, was quite as rampant and absurd then as it is in our own time.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Nor have I time to repeat the humorous stories I have heard him tell about the queer characters who could then be met at St. Ives Fair (said to have been the largest cattle fair in England), and at another favourite resort of his, Stourbridge Fair, near Cambridge.

well in the past; former

From this reading Stourbridge Fair still exists, but its glory was departing when Mr. Watts-Dunton was familiar with it; and now, possibly, it has departed for ever.

-ing form of “depart” — move away from a place into another direction

From this reading Stourbridge Fair still exists, but its glory was departing when Mr. Watts-Dunton was familiar with it; and now, possibly, it has departed for ever.

think moodily or anxiously about something

From this reading But it will scarcely interest the readers of this book to dwell long upon this subject.

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading Nor have I time to repeat the humorous stories I have heard him tell about the queer characters who could then be met at St. Ives Fair (said to have been the largest cattle fair in England), and at another favourite resort of his, Stourbridge Fair, near Cambridge.

plural of “englishman” — a man who is a native or inhabitant of England

From this reading IT was at this period that, like so many young Englishmen who were his contemporaries, he gave attention to field sports, and took interest in that athleticism which, to judge from Wilkie Collins’s scathing pictures, was quite as rampant and absurd then as it is in our own time.

at any time

From this reading Stourbridge Fair still exists, but its glory was departing when Mr. Watts-Dunton was familiar with it; and now, possibly, it has departed for ever.

third-person singular of “exist” — have an existence, be extant

From this reading Stourbridge Fair still exists, but its glory was departing when Mr. Watts-Dunton was familiar with it; and now, possibly, it has departed for ever.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading Nor have I time to repeat the humorous stories I have heard him tell about the queer characters who could then be met at St. Ives Fair (said to have been the largest cattle fair in England), and at another favourite resort of his, Stourbridge Fair, near Cambridge.

well known or easily recognized

From this reading Stourbridge Fair still exists, but its glory was departing when Mr. Watts-Dunton was familiar with it; and now, possibly, it has departed for ever.

personal knowledge or information about someone or something

From this reading It was then too that he acquired that familiarity with the figures prominent in the ring which startles one in his reminiscences of George Borrow.

a competitor thought likely to win

From this reading Nor have I time to repeat the humorous stories I have heard him tell about the queer characters who could then be met at St. Ives Fair (said to have been the largest cattle fair in England), and at another favourite resort of his, Stourbridge Fair, near Cambridge.

a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed

From this reading IT was at this period that, like so many young Englishmen who were his contemporaries, he gave attention to field sports, and took interest in that athleticism which, to judge from Wilkie Collins’s scathing pictures, was quite as rampant and absurd then as it is in our own time.

plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading It was then too that he acquired that familiarity with the figures prominent in the ring which startles one in his reminiscences of George Borrow.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Stourbridge Fair still exists, but its glory was departing when Mr. Watts-Dunton was familiar with it; and now, possibly, it has departed for ever.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading IT was at this period that, like so many young Englishmen who were his contemporaries, he gave attention to field sports, and took interest in that athleticism which, to judge from Wilkie Collins’s scathing pictures, was quite as rampant and absurd then as it is in our own time.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading IT was at this period that, like so many young Englishmen who were his contemporaries, he gave attention to field sports, and took interest in that athleticism which, to judge from Wilkie Collins’s scathing pictures, was quite as rampant and absurd then as it is in our own time.

Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)

From this reading It was then too that he acquired that familiarity with the figures prominent in the ring which startles one in his reminiscences of George Borrow.

a state of high honor

From this reading Stourbridge Fair still exists, but its glory was departing when Mr. Watts-Dunton was familiar with it; and now, possibly, it has departed for ever.

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Stourbridge Fair still exists, but its glory was departing when Mr. Watts-Dunton was familiar with it; and now, possibly, it has departed for ever.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Nor have I time to repeat the humorous stories I have heard him tell about the queer characters who could then be met at St. Ives Fair (said to have been the largest cattle fair in England), and at another favourite resort of his, Stourbridge Fair, near Cambridge.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading IT was at this period that, like so many young Englishmen who were his contemporaries, he gave attention to field sports, and took interest in that athleticism which, to judge from Wilkie Collins’s scathing pictures, was quite as rampant and absurd then as it is in our own time.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading Nor have I time to repeat the humorous stories I have heard him tell about the queer characters who could then be met at St. Ives Fair (said to have been the largest cattle fair in England), and at another favourite resort of his, Stourbridge Fair, near Cambridge.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Nor have I time to repeat the humorous stories I have heard him tell about the queer characters who could then be met at St. Ives Fair (said to have been the largest cattle fair in England), and at another favourite resort of his, Stourbridge Fair, near Cambridge.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading IT was at this period that, like so many young Englishmen who were his contemporaries, he gave attention to field sports, and took interest in that athleticism which, to judge from Wilkie Collins’s scathing pictures, was quite as rampant and absurd then as it is in our own time.

full of or characterized by humor

From this reading Nor have I time to repeat the humorous stories I have heard him tell about the queer characters who could then be met at St. Ives Fair (said to have been the largest cattle fair in England), and at another favourite resort of his, Stourbridge Fair, near Cambridge.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading Nor have I time to repeat the humorous stories I have heard him tell about the queer characters who could then be met at St. Ives Fair (said to have been the largest cattle fair in England), and at another favourite resort of his, Stourbridge Fair, near Cambridge.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading IT was at this period that, like so many young Englishmen who were his contemporaries, he gave attention to field sports, and took interest in that athleticism which, to judge from Wilkie Collins’s scathing pictures, was quite as rampant and absurd then as it is in our own time.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading IT was at this period that, like so many young Englishmen who were his contemporaries, he gave attention to field sports, and took interest in that athleticism which, to judge from Wilkie Collins’s scathing pictures, was quite as rampant and absurd then as it is in our own time.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading IT was at this period that, like so many young Englishmen who were his contemporaries, he gave attention to field sports, and took interest in that athleticism which, to judge from Wilkie Collins’s scathing pictures, was quite as rampant and absurd then as it is in our own time.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading IT was at this period that, like so many young Englishmen who were his contemporaries, he gave attention to field sports, and took interest in that athleticism which, to judge from Wilkie Collins’s scathing pictures, was quite as rampant and absurd then as it is in our own time.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Stourbridge Fair still exists, but its glory was departing when Mr. Watts-Dunton was familiar with it; and now, possibly, it has departed for ever.

United States composer noted for his innovative use of polytonality (1874-1954)

From this reading Nor have I time to repeat the humorous stories I have heard him tell about the queer characters who could then be met at St. Ives Fair (said to have been the largest cattle fair in England), and at another favourite resort of his, Stourbridge Fair, near Cambridge.

determine the result of (a competition)

From this reading IT was at this period that, like so many young Englishmen who were his contemporaries, he gave attention to field sports, and took interest in that athleticism which, to judge from Wilkie Collins’s scathing pictures, was quite as rampant and absurd then as it is in our own time.

superlative of “large” — above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Nor have I time to repeat the humorous stories I have heard him tell about the queer characters who could then be met at St. Ives Fair (said to have been the largest cattle fair in England), and at another favourite resort of his, Stourbridge Fair, near Cambridge.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading IT was at this period that, like so many young Englishmen who were his contemporaries, he gave attention to field sports, and took interest in that athleticism which, to judge from Wilkie Collins’s scathing pictures, was quite as rampant and absurd then as it is in our own time.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading But it will scarcely interest the readers of this book to dwell long upon this subject.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading IT was at this period that, like so many young Englishmen who were his contemporaries, he gave attention to field sports, and took interest in that athleticism which, to judge from Wilkie Collins’s scathing pictures, was quite as rampant and absurd then as it is in our own time.

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading Nor have I time to repeat the humorous stories I have heard him tell about the queer characters who could then be met at St. Ives Fair (said to have been the largest cattle fair in England), and at another favourite resort of his, Stourbridge Fair, near Cambridge.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Stourbridge Fair still exists, but its glory was departing when Mr. Watts-Dunton was familiar with it; and now, possibly, it has departed for ever.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading Nor have I time to repeat the humorous stories I have heard him tell about the queer characters who could then be met at St. Ives Fair (said to have been the largest cattle fair in England), and at another favourite resort of his, Stourbridge Fair, near Cambridge.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading Nor have I time to repeat the humorous stories I have heard him tell about the queer characters who could then be met at St. Ives Fair (said to have been the largest cattle fair in England), and at another favourite resort of his, Stourbridge Fair, near Cambridge.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Stourbridge Fair still exists, but its glory was departing when Mr. Watts-Dunton was familiar with it; and now, possibly, it has departed for ever.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was then too that he acquired that familiarity with the figures prominent in the ring which startles one in his reminiscences of George Borrow.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading It was then too that he acquired that familiarity with the figures prominent in the ring which startles one in his reminiscences of George Borrow.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading IT was at this period that, like so many young Englishmen who were his contemporaries, he gave attention to field sports, and took interest in that athleticism which, to judge from Wilkie Collins’s scathing pictures, was quite as rampant and absurd then as it is in our own time.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading IT was at this period that, like so many young Englishmen who were his contemporaries, he gave attention to field sports, and took interest in that athleticism which, to judge from Wilkie Collins’s scathing pictures, was quite as rampant and absurd then as it is in our own time.

an amount of time

From this reading IT was at this period that, like so many young Englishmen who were his contemporaries, he gave attention to field sports, and took interest in that athleticism which, to judge from Wilkie Collins’s scathing pictures, was quite as rampant and absurd then as it is in our own time.

plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading IT was at this period that, like so many young Englishmen who were his contemporaries, he gave attention to field sports, and took interest in that athleticism which, to judge from Wilkie Collins’s scathing pictures, was quite as rampant and absurd then as it is in our own time.

by chance

From this reading Stourbridge Fair still exists, but its glory was departing when Mr. Watts-Dunton was familiar with it; and now, possibly, it has departed for ever.

having a quality that thrusts itself into attention

From this reading It was then too that he acquired that familiarity with the figures prominent in the ring which startles one in his reminiscences of George Borrow.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading Nor have I time to repeat the humorous stories I have heard him tell about the queer characters who could then be met at St. Ives Fair (said to have been the largest cattle fair in England), and at another favourite resort of his, Stourbridge Fair, near Cambridge.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading IT was at this period that, like so many young Englishmen who were his contemporaries, he gave attention to field sports, and took interest in that athleticism which, to judge from Wilkie Collins’s scathing pictures, was quite as rampant and absurd then as it is in our own time.

unrestrained and violent

From this reading IT was at this period that, like so many young Englishmen who were his contemporaries, he gave attention to field sports, and took interest in that athleticism which, to judge from Wilkie Collins’s scathing pictures, was quite as rampant and absurd then as it is in our own time.

plural of “reader” — a person who enjoys reading

From this reading But it will scarcely interest the readers of this book to dwell long upon this subject.

plural of “reminiscence” — a mental impression retained and recalled from the past

From this reading It was then too that he acquired that familiarity with the figures prominent in the ring which startles one in his reminiscences of George Borrow.

to say, state, or perform again

From this reading Nor have I time to repeat the humorous stories I have heard him tell about the queer characters who could then be met at St. Ives Fair (said to have been the largest cattle fair in England), and at another favourite resort of his, Stourbridge Fair, near Cambridge.

a hotel located in a resort area

From this reading Nor have I time to repeat the humorous stories I have heard him tell about the queer characters who could then be met at St. Ives Fair (said to have been the largest cattle fair in England), and at another favourite resort of his, Stourbridge Fair, near Cambridge.

sound loudly and sonorously

From this reading It was then too that he acquired that familiarity with the figures prominent in the ring which startles one in his reminiscences of George Borrow.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Nor have I time to repeat the humorous stories I have heard him tell about the queer characters who could then be met at St. Ives Fair (said to have been the largest cattle fair in England), and at another favourite resort of his, Stourbridge Fair, near Cambridge.

only a very short time before

From this reading But it will scarcely interest the readers of this book to dwell long upon this subject.

marked by harshly abusive criticism

From this reading IT was at this period that, like so many young Englishmen who were his contemporaries, he gave attention to field sports, and took interest in that athleticism which, to judge from Wilkie Collins’s scathing pictures, was quite as rampant and absurd then as it is in our own time.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading IT was at this period that, like so many young Englishmen who were his contemporaries, he gave attention to field sports, and took interest in that athleticism which, to judge from Wilkie Collins’s scathing pictures, was quite as rampant and absurd then as it is in our own time.

plural of “sport” — an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition

From this reading IT was at this period that, like so many young Englishmen who were his contemporaries, he gave attention to field sports, and took interest in that athleticism which, to judge from Wilkie Collins’s scathing pictures, was quite as rampant and absurd then as it is in our own time.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Nor have I time to repeat the humorous stories I have heard him tell about the queer characters who could then be met at St. Ives Fair (said to have been the largest cattle fair in England), and at another favourite resort of his, Stourbridge Fair, near Cambridge.

plural of “startle” — a sudden involuntary movement

From this reading It was then too that he acquired that familiarity with the figures prominent in the ring which startles one in his reminiscences of George Borrow.

not in physical motion

From this reading Stourbridge Fair still exists, but its glory was departing when Mr. Watts-Dunton was familiar with it; and now, possibly, it has departed for ever.

plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading Nor have I time to repeat the humorous stories I have heard him tell about the queer characters who could then be met at St. Ives Fair (said to have been the largest cattle fair in England), and at another favourite resort of his, Stourbridge Fair, near Cambridge.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Nor have I time to repeat the humorous stories I have heard him tell about the queer characters who could then be met at St. Ives Fair (said to have been the largest cattle fair in England), and at another favourite resort of his, Stourbridge Fair, near Cambridge.

the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading But it will scarcely interest the readers of this book to dwell long upon this subject.

express in words

From this reading Nor have I time to repeat the humorous stories I have heard him tell about the queer characters who could then be met at St. Ives Fair (said to have been the largest cattle fair in England), and at another favourite resort of his, Stourbridge Fair, near Cambridge.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading IT was at this period that, like so many young Englishmen who were his contemporaries, he gave attention to field sports, and took interest in that athleticism which, to judge from Wilkie Collins’s scathing pictures, was quite as rampant and absurd then as it is in our own time.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading It was then too that he acquired that familiarity with the figures prominent in the ring which startles one in his reminiscences of George Borrow.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading IT was at this period that, like so many young Englishmen who were his contemporaries, he gave attention to field sports, and took interest in that athleticism which, to judge from Wilkie Collins’s scathing pictures, was quite as rampant and absurd then as it is in our own time.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading IT was at this period that, like so many young Englishmen who were his contemporaries, he gave attention to field sports, and took interest in that athleticism which, to judge from Wilkie Collins’s scathing pictures, was quite as rampant and absurd then as it is in our own time.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading IT was at this period that, like so many young Englishmen who were his contemporaries, he gave attention to field sports, and took interest in that athleticism which, to judge from Wilkie Collins’s scathing pictures, was quite as rampant and absurd then as it is in our own time.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading IT was at this period that, like so many young Englishmen who were his contemporaries, he gave attention to field sports, and took interest in that athleticism which, to judge from Wilkie Collins’s scathing pictures, was quite as rampant and absurd then as it is in our own time.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading It was then too that he acquired that familiarity with the figures prominent in the ring which startles one in his reminiscences of George Borrow.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading IT was at this period that, like so many young Englishmen who were his contemporaries, he gave attention to field sports, and took interest in that athleticism which, to judge from Wilkie Collins’s scathing pictures, was quite as rampant and absurd then as it is in our own time.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading But it will scarcely interest the readers of this book to dwell long upon this subject.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading IT was at this period that, like so many young Englishmen who were his contemporaries, he gave attention to field sports, and took interest in that athleticism which, to judge from Wilkie Collins’s scathing pictures, was quite as rampant and absurd then as it is in our own time.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Stourbridge Fair still exists, but its glory was departing when Mr. Watts-Dunton was familiar with it; and now, possibly, it has departed for ever.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading IT was at this period that, like so many young Englishmen who were his contemporaries, he gave attention to field sports, and took interest in that athleticism which, to judge from Wilkie Collins’s scathing pictures, was quite as rampant and absurd then as it is in our own time.

at the time that

From this reading Stourbridge Fair still exists, but its glory was departing when Mr. Watts-Dunton was familiar with it; and now, possibly, it has departed for ever.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading IT was at this period that, like so many young Englishmen who were his contemporaries, he gave attention to field sports, and took interest in that athleticism which, to judge from Wilkie Collins’s scathing pictures, was quite as rampant and absurd then as it is in our own time.

which person or people

From this reading IT was at this period that, like so many young Englishmen who were his contemporaries, he gave attention to field sports, and took interest in that athleticism which, to judge from Wilkie Collins’s scathing pictures, was quite as rampant and absurd then as it is in our own time.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading IT was at this period that, like so many young Englishmen who were his contemporaries, he gave attention to field sports, and took interest in that athleticism which, to judge from Wilkie Collins’s scathing pictures, was quite as rampant and absurd then as it is in our own time.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading But it will scarcely interest the readers of this book to dwell long upon this subject.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was then too that he acquired that familiarity with the figures prominent in the ring which startles one in his reminiscences of George Borrow.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading IT was at this period that, like so many young Englishmen who were his contemporaries, he gave attention to field sports, and took interest in that athleticism which, to judge from Wilkie Collins’s scathing pictures, was quite as rampant and absurd then as it is in our own time.