The English Spy: An Original Work Characteristic, Satirical, And Humorous. C. M. Westmacott

Advanced, and met a cheerful greeting

       From all who glorify good eating.

       MRS. W. H****R.

       With a smile, à la confident, came Mrs. H, Whose Domine writing to Eton's sons teach: In college, the handiest man you can find For improvements of all sorts, both building and mind: He seem'd on good terms with himself, but the Muse Said, "the Dame claim'd a welcome which none could refuse." DAME A****S. Dame A****s, respected by all, made her way Through the throng that assembled at Eton that day. Old Chronos had wrinkled her forehead, 'tis true; Yet her countenance beam'd in a rich, mellow hue Of good humour and worth; 'twas a pleasure to mark How the dame was applauded by each Eton spark.

      MISS b*******K.

       Long and loud were the plaudits the lady to cheer,

       Whom the doctor had treated somewhat cavalier:

       "Too young," said the ancient, "the proverb is trite;

       Age and wisdom, good doctor, not always unite."

       "For prudence and worth," said Truth, "I'll be bound

       She may challenge the Dames of old Eton around."

       A crowd pressing forward, the day growing late,

       Truth whisper'd the Muse, "we had better retreat;

       For though 'mong the dames we are free from disasters,

       I know not how well we may fare with the masters.

       There's Carter, and Yonge, Knapp, Green, and Dupuis,*

       All coming this way with their ladies, I see.

       Our visit, you know, was alone to the belles;

       The masters may sing, if they please, of themselves.

       Truth mounted a cloud, and the Poet his nag,

       And these whims sent next day by the post-office bag.

       * Lower, and assistant masters, who keep boarding-houses.

       Until lately this practice was not permitted; but it must be

       confessed that it is a salutary arrangement, as it not only

       tends to keep the youth in a better state of subjection, but

       in many instances is calculated to increase their progress

       in study, by enabling them to receive private instruction.

       ENLARGE TO FULL SIZE

       ELECTION SATURDAY.

      A Peep at the Long Chambers—The Banquet—Reflections on

       parting—Arrival of the Provost of King's College,

       Cambridge, and the Pozers—The Captain's Oration—Busy

       Monday—The Oppidan's Farewell—Examination and Election of

       the Collegers who stand for King's—The aquatic Gala and

       Fireworks—Oxonian Visitors—Night—Rambles in Eton—

       Transformations of Signs and Names—The Feast at the

       Christopher, with a View of THE OPPIDAN'S MUSEUM, AND ETON

       COURT OF CLAIMS.

       Now from the schools pour forth a num'rous train,

       Light-hearted, buoyant as the summer breeze,

       To deck thy bosom, Eton: now each face

       Anticipation brightens with delight,

       While many a fancied bliss floats gaily

       O'er the ardent mind, chaste as the Nautilus,

       Spreading her pearly spangles to the sun:

       The joyous welcome of parental love,

       The heart-inspiring kiss a sister yields,

       A brother's greeting, and the cheering smiles

       Of relatives and friends, and aged domestics,

       Time-honor'd for their probity and zeal,

       Whose silvery locks recall to mem'ry's view

       Some playful scene of earliest childhood,

       When frolic, mirth, and gambol led the way,

       Ere reason gave sobriety of thought.-

       Now bear the busy Cads the new-lopt bough Of beech-tree to the dormitories, While active Collegers the foliage raise Against the chamber walls. A classic grove Springs as by magic art, cool and refreshing, A luxury by nature's self supply'd, Delicious shelter from the dog-star's ray. In thought profound the studious Sextile mark In learned converse with some ancient sage, Whose aid he seeks to meet the dread Provost. The captain fearless seeks the ancient stand, Where old Etona's sons, beneath time's altar-piece,* Have immemorial welcomed Granta's chief. In College-hall the merry cook prepares The choicest viands for the master's banquet: A graceful, healthy throng surround the board, And temp'rance, love, and harmony, prevail. Now busy dames are in high bustle caught, Preparing for each oppidan's departure; And servants, like wing'd Mercury, must fly O'er Windsor bridge to hail the London coach. Adieus on ev'ry side, farewell, farewell, Rings in each passing ear; yet, nor regret Nor sorrow marks the face, but all elate With cheerful tongue and brighten'd eye, unite To hail with joy Etona's holiday. Now comes the trial of who stands for King's, Examinations difficult and deep The Provost and his pozers to o'ercome. To this succeeds the grand aquatic gala, A spectacle of most imposing import, Where, robed in every costume of the world, The gay youth direct the glittering prow; A fleet of well-trimm'd barks upon the bosom Of old father Thames, glide on to pleasure's note:

      The expert victors are received with cheers,

       And the dark canopy of night's illumin'd

       With a grand display of brilliant fires.

      * Shortly after the arrival of the Provost, he proceeds

       through the cloisters, where he is met by the captain, or

       head boy of the school, who speaks a long Latin oration

       before him, standing under the clock.

      To an old Etonian the last week in July brings with it recollections of delight that time and circumstances can never wholly efface. If, beneath the broad umbrage of the refreshing grove, he seeks relief from care and sultry heat, memory recalls to his imagination the scenes of his boyhood, the ever pleasing recollections of infancy, when he reclined upon the flowery bosom of old father Thames, or sought amusement in the healthful exercise of bathing, or calmly listened to the murmuring ripple of the waters, or joined the merry group in gently plying of the splashing oar. With what eager delight are these reminiscences of youth dwelt on! With what mingled sensations of hope, fear, and regret, do we revert to the happy period of life when, like the favorite flower of the month, our minds and actions rivalled the lily in her purity! Who, that has ever tasted of the inspiring delight which springs from associations of scholastic friendships and amusements, but would eagerly quit the bustle of the great world to indulge in the enjoyment of the pure and unalloyed felicity which is yet to be found among the alumni of Eton?—Election Saturday—the very sound reverberates the echo of pleasure, and in a moment places me (in imagination) in the centre of the long chambers of Eton, walking beneath the grateful foliage of the beech-tree, with which those dormitories are always decorated previous to election Saturday. I can almost fancy that I hear the rattle of the carriage wheels, and see the four horses smoking beneath the lodge-window of Eton college, that conveys the provost of King's to attend examination and election. Then too I can figure the classic band who wait to receive him; the dignified little doctor leading the way, followed by the steady, calm-visaged lower master, Carter; then comes benedict Yonge, and after him a space intervenes, where one should have been of rare qualities,