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

on his taking possession of his rooms." "And every gentleman's scout claims upon his leaving, take notice" said I. Mark bowed assent.

      I had now both seen and heard enough of college comforts to wish myself safe back again at Eton in the snug, clean, sanded dormitory of my old dame. Looking first at my purse and then at the list of necessaries, I could not resist a sigh on perceiving my new guinea{3} to be already in danger, that it would require some caution to steer clear of the forest of debt,{4} and keep out of south jeopardy,{5} and some talent to gain the new settlements{6} or prevent my being ultimately laid up in the river tick{7} condemned in the Vice-Chancellor's court,{8} and consigned, for the benefit of the captors, to fort marshal.{9}

      1 The circumstance here alluded to actually occurred some

       time since, when G- C-n and Lord C-e nearly shot Dr.

       Capplestone of Oriel and his predecessor, Dr. Eveleigh: the

       former was expelled in consequence.

       2 A list of necessaries consists of all the necessary

       culinary articles, tea equipage, brooms, brushes, pails, &c.

       &c. &c.

       3 New guinea—First possession of income.

       4 Forest of debt—payment of debts.

       5 South jeopardy—terrors of insolvency.

       6 Next settlements—final reckoning.

       7 River tick—springing out of standing debts, which only==>

      8 Vice-Chancellor's court—creditor's last shift.

       9 Fort marshal—university marshal's post, charge themselves

       at the expiration of three years by leaving the lake of

       credit, and meandering through the haunts of a hundred

       creditors.

       "Rather romantic, but not elegant," said some voices at the door, which, on turning my head, I discovered to be my two friends, Echo and Eglantine, who, suspecting the state of the rooms, from the known character of the previous occupier, had followed me up stairs to enjoy the pleasure of quizzing a novice. "A snug appointment this, old fellow," said Echo. "Very airy and contemplative" rejoined Eglantine, pointing first to the broken window, and after to the mutilated remains of books and furniture. "Quite the larium of a man of genius," continued the former, "and very fine scope for the exhibition of improved taste." "And an excellent opportunity for raillery," quoth I. "Well, old fellow," said Tom, "I wish you safe through dun territory{10} and the preserve of long bills{11}: if you are not pretty well blunted,{12} the first start will try your wind." "Courage, Blackmantle," said Eglantine, "we must not have you laid up here in the marshes of impediment{13} with all the horrors of east jeopardy,{14} as if you was lost in the cave of antiquity{15}: rally, my old fellow, for the long hope,{16}shoot past mounts

      10 Dun territory—circle of creditors to be paid.

       11 Preserve of long bills—stock of debts to be discharged.

       12 Blunted—London slang for plenty of money.

       13 Marshes of impediment—troublesome preparation for the

       schools.

       14 East jeopardy—terrors of anticipation.

       15 Cave of antiquity—depot of old authors.

       16 The long hope—Johnson defines "a Hope" to be any sloping

       plain between two ridges of mountains. Here it is the symbol

       of long expectations in studying for a degree.

       Aldrich and Euclid,{17} the Roman tumuli{18} and Point Failure{19} and then, having gained Fount Stagira{20} pass easily through Littlego Vale,{21} reach the summit of the Pindaric heights{22} and set yourself down easy in the temple of Bacchus{23} and the region of rejoicing"{24} "Or if you should fall a sacrifice in the district of {sappers,{25} old fellow!" said Echo, "or founder in Dodd's sound,{26} why, you can retreat to Cam Roads,{27} or lay up for life in the Bay of Condolence."{28} "For heaven's sake, let us leave the Gulf of Misery," said I, alluding to the state of my rooms, "and bend our course where some more amusing novelty presents itself." "To Bagley wood," said Echo, "to break cover and introduce you to the Egyptians; only I must give my scout directions first to see the old bookseller{29} and have my imposition{30} ready for being absent from chapel this morning, or else I shall be favoured with another

      17 Mount Aldrich, mount Euclid—logic and mathematics.

       18 Tumuli raised by the Romans—difficulties offered by Livy

       and Tacitus in the studies for first class honours.

       19 Point Failure—catastrophe of plucking.

       20 Fount Stagira—fount named after the birth-place of Aris-

       totle.

       21 Littlego Vale—orderly step to the first examination.

       22 Pindaric heights—study of Pindar's odes.

       23 Temple of Bacchus—merry-making after getting a liceat.

       24 Region of rejoicing—joy attendant on success in the

       schools.

       25 District of sabers—track of those who sap at their quarto

       and folio volumes.

       26 Dodd's sound—where the candidate will have to

       acknowledge the receipt of a certificate empowering him to

       float down Bachelor Creek.

       27 Cam Roads—retreat to Cambridge by way of a change.

       28 Bay of Condolence—where we console our friends, if

       plucked, and left at a nonplus.

       29 A well-known bookseller in Oxford generally called

       imposition G-, from his preparing translations for the

       members of the university.

       30 Imposition—see prick bill.

       visit from the prick bill."{31} "Agreed," said Eglantine, "and Blackmantle and myself will, in the meantime, visit Sadler, and engage a couple of his prime hacks to accompany you."

      31 Prick bills—at Christ Church, junior students who prick

       with a pin the names of those gentlemen who are at chapel.

       Immediately after the service, the bills, with the noblemen

       and gentlemen commoners' names, are taken to the dean; those

       with the students and commoners' names, to the acting censor

       for the week; and the bachelors' bills to the sub-dean, who

       generally inform the prick bills what impositions shall be

       set those gentlemen who absented themselves from chapel:

       these are written upon strips of paper and carried to the

       gentlemen by the prick bill's scouts.

       Copy of an original imposition.

       "Sp 259 particular M M C. P. B."—Signifies translate No. 259

       Spectator to the word "particular" by Monday morning at

       chapel time.—Prick bill.

THE EXCURSION TO BAGLEY WOOD.