| Description | "Sends pamphlet on Eton School. Explanations relative thereto, and school events."
My dear Papa,
I have sent the little Pamphlet and the list of the school as you desired me, and have scratched out most of the names of those boys who have left, but it is not right, as most of the boys are a Remove higher, and there are alterations in some of their respective places. About a week ago two boys named Waring & Stanley (of whom Waring was in the same Remove as I am) having procured a pack of beagles went out hunting, and, being discovered by Mr Luxmoore, ran away. They were not heard of for two or three days after, but they came back on Monday, and were flogged and turned down, to the bottom of the Upper Remove Fourth Form. I began to fence about a fortnight ago, but can only have one lesson a week, for Mr. Angelo is in London except on Monday night, and Tuesday Morning, and on the latter time I cannot attend him, as I am always engaged with Mr. Chapman. I like being up to Mr. Chapman in school, better than to Mr. Coleridge, for he classes our exercises, Maps, &c. and for every exercise that obtains a certain class, he gives an exemption from the next punishment we get. His first class is also differently managed to Mr. Coleridge’s, as, any boy may get in who can answer a question, which none of the others can, but a boy also gets out for the first mistake he makes. In Mr. Coleridges, certain boys are put in the first class, and never go out, unless they are entirely excluded. The chief games are still foot-ball and hockey, but a great many go out in boats, which however are forbidden at this time. There are 10 boats, called “the boats,” one of which is a 10 oar, and the rest eight oar, the best rowers go in the first, and so on. A boy must pay 2£ 10s to get in them, but there are many other expenses, which make it more than double that price, there are not however many boys who like going in them, as they are obliged to go in them as often as they go out, unless they can get another boy to take their place. Their chief advantage for “Lower Boys” is that they get off cricket fagging . It was these boats that we saw at the Speeches. Most of the boys have “Lock ups” or private boats between two or three boys, The oppidans are only allowed to row above Windsor bridge, and the collegers are only allowed to row below it, for the oppidans, being much more numerous having taken the best part of the river, & left the collegers a very bad place, as the river below Windsor bridge is very shallow and has many locks. My new companion Fane is rather older than I am, as he will be 14 in May, he is rather good-natured, and is neither clever nor stupid. he has not removed me from the side-table, as there are still as many boys at the other table, so that there is no room for me there, unless some of the boys stay out. I have not spoken about changing my room, as none of the boys have left, and I do not know but what some rooms may be vacant worse than any present one. There is going to be a trial for the Scholarship before the Easter Holidays, and the Sixth Form in this house, Thring, Lyttelton, & Lonsdale, are preparing for it. It is thought that Kingdon, or Lyttelton will get it. There are going to be some lectures delivered here, 6 in number, on Ancient History, illustrated with Water-Colour-Paintings and Panoramic Views, by John Wood, F.A.S. There is a description of Pompeii in them, but it is not said when they will commence. Give my love to Aunt Bessy, and my Sisters, and to Miss Burgess if she has returned from Manchester & to Miss Keen, and believe me to remain
Your affectionate Son
M. P. W. Boulton
[Rev. James Chapman; assistant master, 1822-1834; fellow, 1862; later became a bishop. [Eton School Lists, pp. ix-x.]
“Lower boys, that is to say those below the Fifth Form, used to get very little enjoyment out of cricket. If summoned, it was their duty to field or to bowl by the hour for their seniors, without being allowed to handle the bat.” (Maxwell-Lyte, History of Eton College, 4th ed., p. 411.) The custom was discontinued soon after the date of this letter. (Ibid. p. 488.)] |