School-life at Winchester College

by Robert Blachford Mansfield

T. “Don’t know, sir, as I was fast asleep.” (N.B.—He was eating toasted cheese at the time immediately opposite the scene of action.)

The other boys of the chamber being sent for in proper order, some thought they heard a noise, but were certain it was caused by boys from another chamber, (the latter part being true for a wonder;) another thought he detected Pudding’s voice; by a curious coincidence, Pudding happened to have been sleeping at sick-house on that particular night; and so on.

But if by any chance an individual was likely to receive punishment in consequence of any self-sacrificing fiction, I need not say that the real delinquent always stepped forth at once and claimed his right to the infliction. I never knew an instance of a boy spontaneously informing a Master of any misdemeanour committed by another. This, although commendable as a general rule, might, on some rare occasions, (in cases of bullying by Præfects for example,) be infringed with advantage. In the matter of certain articles, which were strictly defined, and which, if I remember rightly, consisted of stationery, knives, faggots, crockery, and eatables supplied by the College, we used to put a liberal interpretation on the eighth commandment, these being looked upon to a certain extent as common property; and it was considered fair “to make” (i.e., take) them if you could. Of course, if discovered, certain results would follow, but no moral offence was imputed. All other articles were governed by the usual laws which define the difference between meum and tuum; and I need not say that, as regards money, the most rigid probity was enforced; and if a boy was ever suspected of improperly meddling with another’s capital, the affair was diligently inquired into, and, if found guilty, the punishment of the delinquent was condign, and the disgrace ineffaceable.

Popjoy and Hopper on one occasion made a bet, the subject of which was that, during the ensuing fortnight, each should endeavour to “make” as many knives as possible, the possessor of the greater number at the end of the appointed time to be the winner. They set to work diligently, and, by the end of the time, had nearly collected all the knives in the school. On comparing their booty, Hopper was found to have a small majority. Popjoy, discontented at the result, proposed another trial, which being assented to, just before the final day Hopper found that the whole of his stock had disappeared, having been successfully swept off by his now triumphant antagonist.

The Winchester slang is very peculiar and expressive, and I confess that I regard it with much affection. Some of the words can hardly be expressed in English without considerable periphrasis; (vide [Glossary-words], “to junket over,” to “thoke upon,” &c.) Besides the slang, there are other peculiarities in the language. The definite article is never used in connexion with any of the institutions, buildings, or localities connected with College; e.g., one never spoke of “the Hall, the Election, the Warden’s Stream;” it was always “Election,” “Hall,” “Warden’s Stream,” &c. When speaking of persons, it was permitted, as “the Doctor, the Warden.”

The names of many of the College employées were hereditary nicknames, which often passed on to the new-comer with his office. I dare say there still exists a Dungy, Whitesman, Purver, Long John, &c. &c., though the original owners of the names, or the derivations of the nicknames, (if they were so,) have long since been forgotten. There was an exception to this in the case of the Under-Porter, the nomenclature of the occupant of which office was settled on a different principle. When I first came to Winchester, he rejoiced in the name of Obadiah. I suppose the original Under-Porter’s name was Malachi, and that, after him, the catalogue of books of the Old Testament was followed up in due order; for when Obadiah relinquished his post, his successor was named Amos; and, on Amos’s retirement, Joel stepped into his vacant shoes; and as I was there five years, and during that time three different Under-Porters wielded the keys,—if they have since succeeded at the same rate, the name of the present officer would be Esther.

In the times I write of, we had a good deal of relaxation from our studies,—rather too much, indeed, I used to think, during my first year; for at that time I considered school-time a decided change for the better from my very arduous duties, when we were supposed to be amusing ourselves. As time wore on, I found these labours rather alleviated, and I ultimately began to think a whole holiday not such a bad institution after all. We had plenty of them. In the short half, we had at least one “Remedy” and a half every week, and in summer two always; they were on Tuesdays and Thursdays. These “Remedies” were a kind of mitigated whole holidays. We were supposed to go into school for an hour or two in the morning and afternoon; but as no Master was present, it didn’t come to much. This was called “Books Chambers.” Remedies were not a matter of right, but were always specially applied for by Præfect of hall on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The custom was for him to waylay the Doctor on his way to morning Chapel, and make the request, when, if granted, a gold ring was handed to the applicant, on which was engraved, “Commendat rarior usus.” This ring was worn by the Præfect of hall for the rest of the day, and returned by him to the Doctor at the beginning of middle school on the day following.

We had whole holidays on all Saints’ days and Founder’s anniversaries, on which occasions we were allowed to go out,—if invited by friends in the country, for the whole day; or if by friends in the town, for the afternoon. Of course when there was a Saint’s day in the week we only had one “Remedy.”

Half holidays were not unfrequent; whenever a distinguished Wykehamist visited Winchester, a deputation of boys waited on him, with a request that he would ask the Doctor for one; also, if any boy gained a scholarship at Oxford or Cambridge, or having been at Winchester, distinguished himself at the universities or in public life, or if there was an addition to the family of any of the masters, (an event which I have known to happen while I was at Winchester,) a half holiday was petitioned for, and generally with success.