 Although by all accounts his scholarship in Classics was impressive, Howe's successes were offset by his eccentricities.He was not an engaging instructor, and typically spent the school day seated at his desk reading a newspaper and inhaling snuff while his students taught made the effort to teach themselves.According to his students, Howe was only energetic when it came to discipline; he frequently used the strap to enforce obedience for the slightest infraction.