The Bishop of St. Andrews, who kindly allowed me to use his engravings of the “Trusty Servant,” and of the large tablet at the west end of school with the inscription “Aut disce,” &c.; Mr. Mackenzie Walcot, who permitted me to use the cut of the old Commoners Buildings that appeared in his work on Winchester College, and my cousin, Mr. Elliot Blackstone, of New College and the British Museum, who greatly assisted me in bringing out the first edition, when I was abroad, have all passed away. But I must again (for the third time) give vent to my feelings of gratitude to the Rev. H. Moberly for answering the many questions I troubled him with, and to my cousin, the Rev. Algernon Simeon, for his valuable assistance in compiling the slang glossary, and to Mr. Wrench for the very great assistance he has rendered me in supplying me with information as to the alterations in the manners and customs of the School, which I have embodied in the last chapter.
CONTENTS.
| PAGE | |
| CHAPTER I. | |
| Introduction, | [17] |
| CHAPTER II. OF THE LOCUS IN QUO AND DRAMATIS PERSONÆ. | |
| Plan of College Buildings—Dons—College Præfects—Candlekeepers— Dress—Choristers—Commoner Buildings—Præfects—Coursekeeper, | [25] |
| CHAPTER III. TREATS OF SOME MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. | |
| A Fag’s Duties—His Respect for Præfects—Præfects’ Responsibilities—Code of Honour—Lying Scouted—Exceptional Anecdote—Certain Things considered Common Property—Slang—Nicknames of Officials and Under-Porter—Whole Holidays—Remedies—Half Holidays—Sundays—Hills, | [37] |
| CHAPTER IV. THE JUNIOR’S START IN COLLEGE LIFE. | |
| πεμπε—Tin Gloves—Test of Founder’s Kin—Tutor and Pupil—The Fag “in Course,” | [53] |
| CHAPTER V. THE JUNIOR IN CHAMBERS. | |
| Choosing Chambers—Furniture of Chambers—Junior’s Duties—Toy-time—Mess—Sound Sleepers—Sitting up—The Scheme—Toefitying—Spree Mess—Theatricals, | [58] |
| CHAPTER VI. THE JUNIOR IN HALL. | |
| Rush for Trenchers, &c.—Description of Hall—Toasting and Cooking—Receipt for Fried Potatoes—Tea—Luncheon—Conning for Bands—Beever Time—Dinner—Dispars—Fagging in Hall—Kitchen, | [77] |
| CHAPTER VII. THE JUNIOR IN CHAPEL. | |
| The Late Warden—The Antechapel—The Crimean Memorial—The New Tower—Hours of Service—The Oath—Cloisters, | [91] |
| CHAPTER VIII. THE JUNIOR IN SCHOOL. | |
| Description of School—Scobs—Officers—Division of Classes—Prizes and Medals—Long and Short Half—Easter Time—Commoners’ Speaking—Cloisters—Latin Composition—Flogging—Scraping and Shirking Out—Latin Verses—Pealing, | [100] |
| CHAPTER IX. THE JUNIOR ON A LOCKBACK HOLIDAY. | |
| Fagging Choristers—Crutch—Currell—Concerts—Fighting—How to Catch the Measles—“Books Chambers,” | [119] |
| CHAPTER X. THE JUNIOR IN MEADS. | |
| “Watching out”—Cricket Reminiscences—Lord’s Matches—Turf—Football—Six and Six—Twenty-two and Twenty-two—SS and Trees—Fines—Sick-House—Gooseberry Fool—“Going Continent”—Long Meads—Enlargement of Meads, | [128] |
| CHAPTER XI. THE JUNIOR ON HILLS. | |
| On—Mizmaze—The Badger—Swimming Lessons—Practical Jokes—Trial for Assault—Town and Gown Row, | [149] |
| CHAPTER XII. THE JUNIOR ON LEAVE OUT. | |
| Saints’ Days—Early Leave Out—Poaching—Rowing—A Dinner—Sunday Leave Out, | [161] |
| CHAPTER XIII. THE JUNIOR IN STANDING-UP WEEK. | |
| Standing-up—Commoners—Pealing, | [169] |
| CHAPTER XIV. THE JUNIOR IN ELECTION WEEK. | |
| “Ad Portas”—“Electors”—“Candlesticks”—“Founders”—Examinations—“Superannuates”—Medal Speaking—Election Dinners—Effects of Eating Ice when Hot—Resignation—“Domum”—“Ball”—“Jam Lucis”—“Batlings”—Last Breakfast, | [174] |
| CHAPTER XV. | |
| Conclusion, | [187] |
| GLOSSARY, | [197] |
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION.
It is now nearly half a century since, full of hope and spirits, I made my appearance at Winchester College, when I entered the gates, proud of my position as the junior Wykehamist; and more than forty years have elapsed since I doffed my gown, and stepped forth into the outer world.
Times have changed since then, and perhaps in no place are the changes more marked than in the old school. I was there at a remarkable period, as, during my residence, important and much required improvements and alterations were commenced in the system of internal economy, discipline, and education, which have continually advanced to the present day, till at last, in the opinion of some who are well fitted to form a judgment, the operation has been so roughly carried on, that, together with the customs that required extirpation, some institutions have been rooted up which might as well have been allowed to remain.