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

persons educated at

       Eton would be no easy task; many of the greatest ornaments

       of our country have laid the foundation of all their

       literary and scientific wealth within the towers of this

       venerable edifice. Bishops Fleetwood and Pearson, the

       learned John Hales, Dr. Stanhope, Sir Robert Walpole, the

       great Earl Camden, Outred the mathematician, Boyle the

       philosopher, Waller the poet, the illustrious Earl of

       Chatham, Lord Lyttelton, Gray the poet, and an endless list

       of shining characters have owned Eton for their scholastic

       nursery: not to mention the various existing literati who

       have received their education at this celebrated college.

       The local situation of Eton is romantic and pleasing; there

       is a monastic gloom about the building, finely contrasting

       with the beauty of the surrounding scenery, which

       irresistibly enchains the eye and heart.

FAREWELL TO ETON.

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      Horatio had just concluded the last sentence of the description of the Eton Montem, when my aunt, who had now exceeded her usual retiring time by at least half an hour, made a sudden start, upon hearing the chimes of the old castle clock proclaim a notice of the midnight hour. "Heavens! boy," said Lady Mary Oldstyle, "what rakes we are! I believe we must abandon all intention of inviting your friend Bernard here; for should his conversation prove half as entertaining as these miscellaneous whims and scraps of his early years, we should, I fear, often encroach upon the midnight lamp." "You forget, aunt," replied Horatio, "that the swallow has already commenced his spring habitation beneath the housings of our bed-room window, that the long summer evenings will soon be here, and then how delightful would be the society of an intelligent friend to accompany us in our evening perambulations through the park, to chat away half an hour with in the hermitage, or to hold converse on your favourite subject botany, and run through all the varieties of the camelia japonica, or the magnolia fuscata; then too, I will confess, my own selfishness in the proposition, the pleasure of my friend's company in my fishing excursions, would divest my favourite amusement of its solitary character." My aunt nodded assent, drew the cowl of her ancient silk cloak over the back part of her head, and, with a half-closed eye, muttered out, in tones of sympathy, her fullest accordance in the proposed arrangement. "I have only one more trifle to read," said Horatio, "before I conclude the history of our school-boy days." "We had better have the bed-candles," said my aunt. "You had better hear the conclusion, aunt," said Horatio, "and then we can commence the English Spy with the evening of to-morrow." My aunt wanted but little excitement to accede to the request, and that little was much exceeded in the promise of Horatio's reading Bernard's new work on the succeeding evening, when she had calculated on being left in solitary singleness by her nephew's visit to the county ball. "You must know, aunt," said Horatio, "that it has been a custom, from time immemorial at Eton, for every scholar to write a farewell ode on his leaving, which is presented to the head master, and is called a Vale; in addition, some of the most distinguished characters employ first-rate artists to paint their portraits, which, as a tribute of respect, they present to the principal. Dr. Barnard had nearly a hundred of these grateful faces hanging in his sanctum sanctorum, and the present master bids fair to rival his learned and respected predecessor. My friend's Vale, like every other production of his pen, is marked by the distinguishing characteristic eccentricity of his mind. The idea, I suspect, was suggested by the Earl of Carlisle's elegant verses, to which he has previously alluded; you will perceive he has again touched upon the peculiarities of his associates, the dramatis persono of 'the English Spy,' and endeavoured, in prophetic verse, to unfold the secrets of futurity, as it relates to their dispositions, prospects, and pursuits in life."

MY VALE.

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      In infancy oft' by observance we trace

       What life's future page may unfold;

       Who the senate, the bar, or the pulpit may grace,

       Who'll obtain wreathe of fame or of gold.

       My Vale, should my muse prove but willing and free,

       Parting sorrows to chase from my brain,

       Shall in metre prophetic, on some two or three,

       Indulge in her whimsical vein.

       First Keate let me give to thy talents and worth,

       A tribute that all will approve;

       When Atropos shall sever thy life's thread on earth

       Thou shalt fall rich in honor and love.

       Revered as respected thy memory last,

      Long, long, as Etona is known,

       Engraved on the hearts of thy scholars, the blast

       Of detraction ne'er sully thy stone.

       Others too I could name and as worthy of note,

       But my Vale 'twould too lengthy extend:

       Sage Domine all—all deserving my vote, Who the tutor combine with the friend. But a truce with these ancients, the young I must seek, The juvenile friends of my heart, Of secrets hid in futurity speak, And tell how they'll each play their part. First Heartly, the warmth of thy generous heart Shall expand with maturity's years; New joys to the ag'd and the poor thou'lt impart, And dry up pale Misery's tears. Next honest Tom Echo, the giddy and gay, In sports shall all others excel; And the sound of his horn, with "Ho! boys, hark—away!" Re-echo his worth through life's dell.

      Horace Eglantine deep at Pierian spring

       Inspiration poetic shall quaff,

       In numbers majestic with Shakespeare to sing,

       Or in Lyrics with Pindar to laugh.

       Little Gradus, sage Dick, you'll a senator see,

       But a lawyer in every sense,

       Whose personal interest must paramount be,

       No matter whate'er his pretence.

       The exquisite Lilyman Lionise mark,

       Of fashion the fool and the sport;

       With the gamesters a dupe, he shall drop like a spark,

       Forgot by the blaze of the court.

       Bob Transit—if prudent, respected and rich

       By his talent shall rise into note;

       And in Fame's honor'd temple be sure of a niche,

       By each R.A.'s unanimous vote.

       Bernard Blackmantle's fortune alone is in doubt,

       For prophets ne'er tell of themselves;

       But one thing his heart has a long time found out,

      'Tis his love for Etonian elves.

       For the college, and dames, and the dear playing fields

       Where science and friendship preside,

       For the spot which the balm of true happiness