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there imitations of Derbyshire spar, which have been effected by chemical process, as also various specimens of mineralogy. Around you are excellent prints, in neat frames, of the favourite works of the best

artists; and as often as you will step into his room, Courtenay will entertain you with a dissertation on "Raphael, Corregio, and stuff," and ask no price for his trouble, except a patient hearing.

These are the leading members, the literary phænomena of our excellent institution. We have besides sundry minor luminaries, of whom I will take at present a brief notice, leaving them to develope their own characters more fully by the part they will take in our proceedings.

ALEXANDER M'FARLANE is a Scotchman, possessed of all the characteristics of his countrymen. His habits, his manners, his prejudices, are all strictly national. His temper is by nature hasty, a defect which is not a little heightened by his deep sense of honour, and his overbearing pride of ancestry. He is possessed of considerable information on various topics; and as he is particularly deep read in the legends and superstitions of the Highlands, will occasionally indulge the reader with a narrative of the feud between the Macgregor and the M'Callummore, or a dissertation on the Brownie of Glenmore, or the Fahm of Glen-Avin.*

PATRICK O'CONNOR is the representative of the Irish part of our little community. His insur mountable good humour, and the utter unconsciousness which he evinces to the frequent sarcasms levelled at him by his brother members, render him a most agreeable addition to our party: but as his reading has not been very exten sive, nor his pen much exercised, he will be of little use to our readers, unless he may chance to strike out a new Bull, which we understand is much wanted for the next edition of Joe Miller.

ROBERT MUSGRAVE, if our characters had been arranged accord

ing to the amusement which each is likely to afford to our readers, would certainly have stood at the head of the list. Our young sportsmen will be glad to learn, that, although we present ourselves to their notice as a literary association, we have, in Robert Musgrave, a "knowing one," whom we can safely recommend to their notice as a model, and an oracle in all those matters for which they were formerly accustomed to refer to the "Sporting Magazine." His most remarkable peculiarity is his proficiency in the slang of the coach-box, as he seldom favours us with a speech which is not plentifully seasoned with what he himself terms "vehicular metaphors." The whole scope and tenor of his ideas may be collected from the humorous tone of indignant dis appointment with which he commenced his first letter to Sir Robert, after his arrival at Eton :

"Dam'me Father-why, they don't allow top-boots!"

JOHN BURTON is the only son of a substantial inhabitant of Ludgate-hill, in whose steps he treads with great assiduity. His very infancy afforded perpetual predictions of his future ciphering celebrity; for it is related of him that he always preferred the inspection of the Ledger to "The

* “Fahm is a little ugly monster, who frequents the summits of the mountains around Glen-Avin, and no other place in this world that I know of."-Notes to HOGG'S " Queen's Wake."

Cabinet of Birds and Beasts ;" and that he could utter quite distinctly, "twelve times twelve are one hun dred and forty-four," when the pronunciation of "Gingerbread" was productive of sundry stutterings and wry faces. His conversational powers are not great; but he has his use in making a good bargain for our Club dinners.

WILLIAM ROWLEY desires me to describe him as "Professor of Gastrology and Head Cook to the King of Clubs," an office for which he is certainly in every respect qualified. He understands to a nicety,

"Quo gestu lepores, et quo Gallina

secetur;"

and has spent some time at Paris for the purpose of mastering the theory of sauces. This affection for the good things of this world, though occasionally amusing, is often ill-timed and troublesome ; for we frequently hear him discuss ing the merits of rival patissiers, while Martin Sterling is on his right hand quoting from Paley,

and Le Blanc on his left elucidating the theory of atoms.

JOSEPH LOZELL aud MICHAEL OAKLEY afford so perfect a contrast to each other, that I shall take the liberty of introducing them hand-in-hand to the reader. The first is in the constant habit of assenting to the opinions of the last speaker; the latter is in the habit of assenting to no opinion at all. The first is a pliant courtier, disposed to keep in with all parties; the latter is a sturdy disputant, resolved to contend with the greatest pertinacity on every point which

is advanced. Their characters are touched with the hand of a master in Patrick's last "capital good song,"

"There's a wonderful likeness in Michael and Joe

For the one is allYes,' and the other all 'No.'"

And now, reader, I have only one more character to introduce to your notice, viz. that of your humble servant, RICHARD HODGSON, Secretary, officially designated "Knave of Clubs." The description of one's own qualifications is to most persons a very difficult and a very invidious task; easily obviated, as I profess to but in my case the difficulty is have no character of my own, but must speak, write, and act, as my employers desire. Reporting by turns the sentiments of Montgomery, of Le Blanc, and of Sterling, I shall wear by turns the dress of the poet, the philosopher, and the divine; while occasionally I shall give you the pedigree of a hunter from the pen of Robert Musgrave, or a receipt of an inimitable soup from the scrap-book of William Rowley. In short, you will find that I understand all sciences, and take upon myself all dispositions,

"Grammaticus, Rhetor, Geometres, Pictor, Aliptes,

Augur, Schoenobates, Medicus, Magusomnia novi."

To continue my quotation, I will subjoin,

"in cœlum, jusseris, iho,”— which Dr. Johnson translates, "And bid him go to Hell, to Hell he goes;"

but which, in my case, may be rendered,

"I'll go to the Devil whenever you please."

I now hasten to resume the detail of the proceedings which ensued upon the Chairman's giving notice that there was business before the house. When the acclamations, with which the party received the patriotic toast, before recorded, had subsided, PEREGRINE COURTENAY rose, and opened the subject somewhat to the following effect :

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"GENTLEMEN,--The enthusiasm of the Musa Etonenses, were be

which I have just seen manifested by every member of our excellent institution, has convinced me that no flowers of rhetoric, no subtile arguments of logic, are here necessary in behalf of the good cause,— the real interests of Eton-(Hear, hear, hear.)-The reputation of our foster-mother should be handed down from generation to generation in undiminished lustre. The much-admired writings of Griffin and of Grildrig, and the rich stores

queathed to us, not merely as ornamental heir-looms for our libraries, but as spirit-stirring incitements for our imitation; and how have we answered the claims so justly made upon us? Where are the publications which are to support the renown earned in the olden time by the pens of our illustrious predecessors? Are we, Gentlemen, are we, I say, to look for them in the pages of The Saltbearer ?" "

(Here the President was interrupted by an universal murmur of indignation, in the midst of which MICHAEL OAKLEY rose, and, with much difficulty, succeeded in making himself heard.)

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، Mr. President,--I dissent from, in limine, and disapprove of, in toto, any mention of The Saltbearer.' "The Saltbearer' has done nothing,- (Hear, hear, hear,)—and

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MARTIN STERLING rose.-It was evident that strong scruples had pervaded the minds of the Meeting, as to the propriety of attacking their schoolfellow, and all appeared anxious to hear the opinion of a gentleman who bore so high a character for honour and integrity as Mr. Sterling. His speech was delivered nearly in the following words :"GENTLEMEN,-I will state to particularly disgusted with the you briefly the reasons which in- indecorous and unjust insinuation duce me to hope that our worthy conveyed by the letter of Senex, President may be allowed to con- in No. III., which attributes to tinue his remarks on the Eton the Etonians of the present day, Salt-bearer.' In the first place, I not merely a thoughtless foible, or think we shall act with perfect a casual error, but a malicious justice towards the Editor of that spirit of ill-nature, by which I am work, if we take his conduct as sure our schoolfellows are never the rule for ours. Has Mr. Book- influenced.--(Cries of Right,right, worm shown any regard for the never!)--But, independent of characters of his fellow-citizens? these considerations, I am of opiThe whole of his work is calculated nion that the President should to bring disgrace upon the school state at once the motives on which collectively, and upon each of us he grounds a design, which I unindividually. (Hear, hear.)-- derstand he is about to submit to His three Numbers appear to me us; that this design may stand or deliberate libels upon the abilities fall by those motives”–(Hear, of our generation; but I am more hear, hear.) Mr. OAKLEY attempted no reply, which the President resumed :upon "GENTLEMEN,--It is of course a disagreeable task to speak with severity of a schoolfellow; and I

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but preserved a sullen silence;

shall therefore only allude to 'The Salt-bearer' as far as is necessary for the prosecution of my own

design. The murmurs, which I have just heard, prove to me that your opinion of the work coincides with my own.-(Perfectly, from Lozell;-No, from Oakley.)-You think with me, that the work is not calculated to reflect credit on Eton. You may, perhaps, answer, that the publication was set on foot without the concurrence, or even the knowledge of the senior members of the School, and persisted in, notwithstanding the decided disapprobation of the community at large. (Hear,hear, hear.)--This, to be sure, is well known within the bounds of the College; and to some few at the Universities who keep up a direct communication with Eton. But it is not so with the majority of those, who, from old associations, or a respect for the school, interest themselves in its welfare; and were gratified with the annuncia

tion of the work, though disappointed and disgusted with the execution.- (Hear.)—By readers of this description it is believed, that the united efforts of Etonian talent are concentrated in 'The Salt-bearer.' Let it be remembered also, that the jealousy of other public schools is anxiously on the watch for an instance of our degradation in literature, and equally ready to take any advantage, as a certain one proved itself upou occasion of the paltry victory which it gained over us in the cricket field. The ، Salt-bearer, Gentlemen, has gone forth to battle in the name of you all!—(Murmurs.)–I perceive that you think

you feel-as I do; and I will therefore no longer delay the question which I propose for your discussion:-'What remedy is to be devised for the evil complained of?" "

Here the confusion was so great, in consequence of the number of Gentlemen who delivered their opinions at the same time, that it is impossible for me to report the proceedings with any degree of accuracy. GOLIGHTLY wished to know in what manner the title of 'Salt-bearer' was applicable to the work in question?-Sir FRANCIS defended the name, as fit and appropriate, for Mr. B. B. had really acted the part of a Montem Salt-bearer; who gives you a bit of worthless paper in exchange for sterling money.-Sir Francis was proceeding, when his voice became inaudible, amidst loud shouts of applause, intermingled with faint cries of Order, order!—No politics! Mr. LoZELL chimed in with each member's opinion, with a "decidedly," "obviously," "no doubt;" to which Mr. OAKLEY subjoined his nonsense, " "ridiculous." absurd," The tumult having subsided, the PRESIDENT resumed :— "Gentlemen,-I will therefore " detain from you no longer the proposition I have to submit to you. It is my earnest recommendation that we should endeavour to efface by our own efforts, humble as they

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may be, the effects produced by the Eton Salt-bearer; and that for this purpose a periodical publication be immediately started, under the auspices of the King of Clubs."

The warmth and eagerness which had been evinced by several Honourable Gentlemen for an opportunity to express their sentiments, died into perfect silence; except that Mr. Musgrave continued to mutter, with a truly ludicrous nonchalance, strange new coach;""cursed rough road;"-" take care your cattle are in good condition before you leave the office." A mistrust of their own powers, ac

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companied by a due sense of the importance and difficulty of the attempt, prevented the other members from closing with the plan, and expressing the satisfaction they felt at the proposal of it. Each remained looking on his neighbour; and there were two or three murmurs of" interference with study;" danger of ridicule ;" 66 disapproved of by those in authority." Mr. COURTENAY, in a luminous and forcible manner,obviated these objections to his proposal. He represented, that the few hours which the prosecution of this design would occupy, need not interfere in the slightest degree with those studies, which ought, of course, to be our primary consideration; and that the advantages to be derived from the early cultivation of English composition would amply compensate for the inroads it would make upon our leisure hours. He argued that the world at large, and our fellowcitizens in particular, would be far from casting ridicule on a work begun from praiseworthy motives, and continued on honourable principles. (Hear, hear.)—He next pointed out the absurdity of the idea that our instructors, whose constant hope is for our welfare, whose constant study is for our improvement, should object to a work, whose principal design is to remove the obloquy which has been brought, by means of "The Salt-bearer," both on the talents of the School, and the attention The worthy President resumed his seat amidst loud and repeated cheering.

of its conductors.—(Hear, hear.) -The worthy Chairman then closed his remarks in the following manner:-" There is still one objection to my design which I deem it proper to notice; it has been frequently urged, that it is the province of boys rather to learn than to teach. I acquiesce, Gentlemen, in the justice of this remark; and I am of opinion that onr progress in learning would be very much furthered by the adoption of my proposal. For we shall find it necessary to read before we can write; before we discuss a subject, we must learn what has been said of it by older and wiser men: and we shall thus combine the improvement of ourselves with the amusement of our schoolfellows.-(Applause.)-I will now detain you no longer. If you think that I have successfully combated the objections which your diffidence has brought forward, I can assure you that you will find in the citizens of our little world a competent and an unprejudiced jury."

The Hon. GERARD MONTGOMERY supported the Chairman's arguments with great ability.

It is needless to pursue the Hon. Gentleman's arguments; his efforts, combined with those of the President, produced such complete success, that the feeling of the Meeting appeared to be unanimous, and even Oakley refrained from expressing his dissent,

The PRESIDENT then rose, and briefly addressed the assembly as follows:

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"GENTLEMEN,-Finding that you are agreed on the subject of my original proposal, I will beg your attention, while I submit to your consideration a list of Reso

lutions which I hold in my hand.
For this purpose I move that the
House do now resolve itself into a
Committee.

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