When viewed in the daytime, and devoid of its occupants, the tout ensemble is somewhat dreary; but when the boys are there, and the fire blazing, a great change comes over the scene, and whether prejudice or what, I will not pretend to say; but I can call to mind no scene so cosy and cheerful, especially when, having turned into bed after a hard day’s work, I used drowsily to watch the darting flames till I gradually sunk into dreams of quiet home, or of a paradise of everlasting cricket and football, where there was no “Watching out” or “Kicking in.”
Chambers were chosen at the beginning of each half year by the Præfects, in order—the Præfect of hall always being, in Sixth, ex officio. Every chamber had two Præfects, and to four three were allotted. There was also a Candlekeeper to each chamber, who made their selection in rotation; the other boys were chosen by the Præfects. Each of the Præfects and the Candlekeepers had a Fag for his “Valet,” whose duty it was to prepare his tea or coffee in the evening, get him water of a morning, carry his washing things and books through to school after morning Chapel, and back again in the evening. The second Junior in Chamber had the charge of the crockery, and was bound to produce a pint-cup at any period of the day if one was demanded by a Præfect.
The Junior in Chamber had a hard time of it; for, in addition to being the Candlekeeper’s Valet, he had to get up in the morning when “Rat Williams” came and rattled at the door, call the other boys, light the fire, clean candlesticks, get in his Master’s water, clean his basin when it so required, (a tedious and disagreeable process, done by rubbing it with earth picked up from between the flints of Quad,) and wash himself,—this last was not a luxurious occupation at six o’clock on a cold winter’s morning, inasmuch as he had to go out in the dark, rain, snow, or frost, and perform his ablutions in the open air at “Conduit,” which was the name given to half a dozen brass cocks fixed in the west wall of Chamber Quad, and the water in which not seldom required thawing with fire before it could be persuaded to flow. While endeavouring to get through his multifarious duties, he had to keep a sharp ear on the performance of the Chapel bell, and to call out accordingly, “First peal!” “Second peal!” and “Bells down!” Then the advent of the Head or Second Master had to be duly announced by shouting, “Willerly or Ridsworth going in,” as the case might be; and lastly, when they had gone in, to give the final call, “Willerly or Ridsworth in.” Then there was a rush into Chapel, where names were called, and all too late to answer “Sum” got an imposition of thirty lines. Before going into Chapel, the Doctor used generally to walk up and down “Sands,” (i.e., the flags on the south side of Quad, under the Chapel windows;) this was to give an opportunity to those who wished to “go Continent,” (i.e., go to hospital,) to send for permission, and, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, to the Prefect of hall to ask for a “Remedy.”
THE OLD CONDUIT—WASHING IN COURT.
After Chapel, all the boys (the Valets laden with their Masters’ goods and chattels) left Chambers for school quad. After this, till about half-past six P.M., Chambers remained deserted. From seven till eight P.M., the boys had to sit at their toys, to learn their lessons, and do their “Vulguses;” quiet was kept, and sometimes one of the Masters looked round. During this period of “Toy-time,” as it was called, the Præfects sat at their washing-stools on each side of the fire; and when from time to time a fresh faggot was put on, and the warmth became oppressive, a Junior was sometimes summoned to stand between their majesties and the blaze. The living screen was obliged to keep continually revolving, and to pull out his trousers from the more fully developed parts of his person, or he ran a risk of being scorched. Fortunately the fierceness of the blaze soon subsided, when the screen was permitted to withdraw.
Toy-time over, the Valets set to work to make their Masters’ coffee or tea, (“Mess.”) We used to make the former very good, our plan being to let it simmer for a long time, but on no account to boil over. In Belgium and France, however, where it is still better, I find they never boil the coffee, but simply pour scalding water over it.
In summer, the Præfects’ washing-stools were often set out in Quad, under the shadow of the Chapel buttresses, and the repast would consist of “Made beer,” (College swipes bottled with rice, a few raisins, sugar, and nutmeg to make it “up,”) bread, cheese, salad, lobsters, &c.
The Juniors got their tea (“Sus”) anyhow,—generally in bed,—and swigged it out of a pint-cup; and how delicious it was! Not unfrequently it was accompanied by a “Thoker,”—i.e., the evening ration of bread soaked slightly in water, and then put down to bake near the hot ashes.