Part 21

Another grave-looking character of this period was Solomon, who all day long stood in a minute room at the back of Brown’s, the hosier, ironing hats. Solomon’s appearance and demeanour did not accord ill with his appellation. He was a white-headed old man who always wore a paper cap somewhat resembling the traditional head-dress of a French cook. Standing in his shirt-sleeves gently working his iron over the nap of ill-used “toppers,” his favourite topic was the Turf, of which surely no more ardent votary ever lived. All day long he would discuss with the various boys who streamed into his little workroom the chances of the horses entered for the next classic race. Solomon was essentially an old-fashioned turfite in his ideas, and knew nothing of starting-price jobs or other new-fangled manœuvres. He was, however, acquainted with the form of all the more prominent race-horses, and in his conversation laid gentle stress upon the value of a judgment which no one wished to dispute. In spite of the old man’s ardent affection for racing, I cannot help thinking that during his long life he had seldom seen any races run. On this subject, however, it was best to hold one’s peace. Though Solomon’s sanctum was the scene of such eternal confabulations as to the great question of first, second, and third, I cannot remember that much betting arose from it. As far as my memory serves me, the majority of Solomon’s visitors remained purely academic in their patronage of racing. Perhaps this was owing to the fact that the Lower boys, of whom his ever-changing audience was for the most part composed, had very little money, and preferred to spend what they had in substantial dainties rather than risk it in speculations of a visionary kind. I do not recollect Solomon doing any serious betting for boys, but have a vague idea he occasionally put shillings on. I was therefore surprised when told some years ago that the old man had been driven out of his place owing to the action of the College authorities, who objected to him as demoralising the boys by assisting them to bet. I can only hope that this report was untrue, for in my day, at least, his influence was quite harmless.

[SN: BETTING]

In the sixties, I believe, there used to be a school Derby lottery every year, the winner of which generally got about £25. The arrangements for this seem to have been placed in the hands of a well-known character about the “wall” named “Snip,” but he had died or disappeared long before my day, and the only lottery I remember was a tiny private affair, the tickets of which cost sixpence or a shilling. In connection with this subject it is said that of late years betting amongst the boys has become a serious evil. If this is the case, the school must have undergone a considerable change in its ideas within the last quarter of a century. In the late seventies and early eighties there was practically no betting at all amongst the boys, chiefly for the reason just given, but also because there existed a widespread idea that any attempt at speculation would eventually lead to loss of money. A good many boys, no doubt, who had a love for the Turf looked forward to gratifying a taste for speculation in time to come, whilst others told extravagant tales of Turf triumphs during the holidays, but few took racing seriously, their interest being limited to flocking to the post-office to hear the first news as to the winner of any great race. A salient proof that at that date no real betting existed was the sensation caused amongst us by the rumour, based on truth, that a new boy (the son of the Maharajah Duleep Singh, whose arrival at Eton created some sensation), on being spoken to by a member of the eight in the school-yard, had offered to bet him a fiver against a certain horse, which wager had been accepted. This was the largest wager we ever heard of as being made at Eton, and it was looked upon as extraordinary.

On the other side of the High Street, opposite to the establishment where Solomon ironed hats and gave forth his wisdom, a younger rival also doctored battered “toppers.” As far as I can remember, he was a far rougher individual than the racing sage, and possessed a tendency towards familiarity which was not universally popular. He and Solomon both resembled each other in one respect, which was their taste for plastering every available inch of their walls with cuts and paragraphs from cheap papers of a comic order.

A curious character amongst the sock shopkeepers of that period was an old Italian confectioner, who owned rather a spacious shop with very little in it up the High Street, on the right-hand side going from Eton towards Windsor Bridge. This worthy, who was always attired in a cook’s dress--white cap, apron, and all--made and sold most excellent ices, which procured him a fair amount of custom from the Eton boys in spite of the fact that his shop was considered rather “scuggish.” According to common report, the proprietor had once been employed at Windsor Castle, where his skill as an ice-maker had won the favour of Queen Victoria, with whom for a time he had become a particular favourite. One day, however, the Queen had caught him administering a thundering thrashing to his wife, in consequence of which she had very rightly at once turned him out of his post. This story, though resting upon no credible evidence, was generally believed by Lower boys, and some of them made a practice of infuriating the old man by hurling taunts at him as they were going out of his shop. “What a pity, ‘Cally,’ you got kicked out of the Queen’s kitchen!” they would call out, and the little Italian never failed to fly into a great rage at their chaff. Indeed, on more than one occasion he was said to have pursued boys into the street with a knife in his hand, but this in all probability was mere exaggeration. Nevertheless he had a violent temper, and for this reason was constantly being drawn by mischievous boys.

[SN: A POPULAR INSTITUTION]

A more improving occupation than chaffing tradesmen was reading books and papers at Ingalton Drake’s, the bookseller, who afterwards took over Williams’, where all the school books were sold. This establishment, owing to the good nature of the proprietor, was constantly thronged with a crowd of boys, who, seldom making any purchase, spent a good deal of time turning over the leaves of new books just fresh from London. The _Times_ could also be read there. As a matter of fact, the boys were very careful not to hurt or dirty the books they took up or touched, and I do not think the owner of the establishment had reason to regret his kindliness, which was the means of many Etonians acquiring an insight into branches of knowledge which the school curriculum made no attempt to include. Many a pleasant and not uninstructive half-hour was passed here by boys to whom cut-and-dried lessons made no appeal.

[SN: HOISTING]

The Eton traditions of three decades ago were not very many in number, most of them being concerned with minor points of dress, things which were to be done and were not to be done, and the like. Except hoisting, few old usages survived, though, no doubt, the opinions of many long-past generations still influenced the boys in their unwritten code of what was “scuggish” and what was not. Hoisting, I believe, still survives, though a very few years ago undue exuberance on the part of the boys nearly caused its abolition. At that time (1904-1905) the whole school would assemble along the wall on the evening of the School Pulling, which always takes place after Lord’s, and await the arrival of the members of “Pop,” who from Tap would walk arm-in-arm across the whole street to opposite their Club Room in the building of the old Christopher. They would then seize the winners of the School Pulling, and, according to traditional custom, run up and down along the wall with them, the whole school shouting at the top of their voices. If the eleven had won at Lord’s, or the eight at Henley, its members were also hoisted one by one. In the case of the School Pulling, the winners, after being hoisted, were taken to some prominent upper window in one of the houses which all could see, and water solemnly poured over their heads, the jugs and crockery being eventually thrown out into the street. This latter generally occurred just before Lock-up, all the boys being still out in the street. The end was that “Pop” canes were produced, arms linked, and everybody systematically driven into his tutor’s house. The ceremony of hoisting was not very popular with the public, for, in consequence of the noise, passing carts and carriages generally went by a good deal quicker than the drivers wished, and horses became alarmed, whilst no bicyclist was allowed to remain on his bicycle, every one who passed being booed or cheered. Thirty years ago the ceremony proceeded much in the same way, though there was more consideration shown to the drivers of horses which looked likely to become alarmed by noise; also the crockery-smashing ceremonial did not exist, and would have been resented had any attempt been made to institute it.

Like another custom of modern origin, “Lock-up Parade,” this very undesirable addition to hoisting has now been forbidden. Lock-up Parade, which did not exist in the writer’s Eton days, took place in the Summer Half, just before the hour of Lock-up, when the boys walked backwards and forwards within very narrow limits to the strains of musicians stationed outside “Tap.”

Tap is, if possible, more flourishing than ever, being, as of old, crowded on summer evenings. At such a time whilst the wet bobs on their way home from the Brocas fill it to overflowing, a number of swagger dry bobs also put in an appearance. In addition to the traditional refreshments procurable at Tap, chops, steaks, bread and cheese, beer and cider, coffee, chocolate, cakes, fruit, and other good things of the same kind may now be got there, with the result that it is also much frequented after twelve, though, of course, not by Lower boys, who are still excluded as of old. A modern Eton fashion is the giving of a breakfast under a tent in the garden of Tap during the summer term. This is a very “swagger” affair, most of “Pop” putting in an appearance. A few years ago, when some of the members of the Eton Society were more than usually vivacious in disposition, the return from Tap in the evening just before Lock-up was occasionally very noisy, top-hats flying about in all directions, and passers-by finding it difficult to proceed on their way without being playfully held up. At present, however, the summer evenings are once again peaceful as of yore--a happy state of affairs which should delight every true lover of Eton, for it is beneath the rays of a setting sun that the tranquil charm of the old red-brick walls and weather-beaten buildings makes itself especially felt. [SN: SWINBURNE’S LINES] At this time of year is it, more than any other, that the crowning glory of the place--the playing fields fringed by the silver winding Thames--present such a superb scene of placid beauty, whilst College close by whispers from its towers “the last enchantment of the Middle Age.” No wonder that, in spite of altered ways and habits, the spirit fostered by such stately surroundings still remains alive--

Still the reaches of the river, still the light on field and hill, Still the memories held aloft as lamps for hope’s young fire to fill, Shine, and while the light of England lives shall shine for England still.

It is to be hoped that these lines, written by the last great Etonian poet to celebrate the 450th anniversary of the foundation, will be as applicable to the school five hundred years hence as they are to-day. May those yet to come continue to bear the torch of Eton, handed down from distant generations, bravely aloft, whilst never ceasing to keep before their eyes the duty of delivering it to their successors, its flame bright and brilliant as of old.

FOOTNOTE:

[12] Captain of the eleven 1883-1884, Unionist member for Portsmouth 1900-1906. In more recent years Mr. Lucas has become known to many as a writer with a particularly pleasant style, who is also possessed of a gift for delicate versification.

INDEX

Abingdon, Lord, 77

Absence, 77, 259, 261, 283

_Adventurer_, the, 246

Agar’s Plough, 280, 281

Ainger, the Rev. A. C., 121, 127

Ainslie, Mr. Douglas, viii, 305

Albert, Prince, 148

Alford, Lord, 88

Allen, Anthony, 136

Allestree, Provost, 14

Angelo, Miss, 64

Ante-Chapel, 5, 187

Army class, 231

Athletics, modern admiration for, 241, 242

Atholl, Duke of, 41

Austen Leigh, Mr. R. A., 191

Austen Leigh, William, 225

“Bacchus verses,” 163, 164

Badge-giving, 38-40

Balston, Dr., 189, 290-292

Barnard, Dr., 21, 22, 218, 264

Barnes Pool Bridge, 52, 205, 293

Bayley, Emilius, 275

Beagles, the, 283-285, 296

“Beaks,” 298

Bear, Johnny, 217

Benson, Mr. A. C., 166, 270

Benthall, E. C., K.S. (Keeper of the Wall, 1911), 266

Bethell, Mr., 150, 207

Betting, 323

“Bever,” 166

Bircham, Mr. F. T., 90

“Bishop,” 114

Blake-Humfrey, Mr. R. H., 261

Blandford, Lord, 41

Bligh, the Hon. Arthur, 219

Block, the, anecdotes concerning, 89, 90, 92

Blomfield, Sir Arthur, 190

Boating song, the Eton, its history, 121, 122

Bogle Smith, 219

Boland, Billy, 274

Bott, College constable, 206

Boudier, G. J., 280

Bourchier, Mr. Arthur, organises theatricals at Eton, anecdotes, 219-221

Brinsley Richards, Mr., 24, 85

Brocas, 104, 262, 284, 327

Brown, Tom, Eton tailor, 206

Brown’s, little, 312

Browning, Mr. Oscar, 291

Brownlow North, Mr., 97

“Brozier,” 62, 63

Bryant, Jacob, 264

Bryant or Brion (sock cad), 109

Bulkeley-Johnson, Mr. Vivian, viii

Bullying, anecdote of, 59

“Burry,” 62

Butler, Dr., 277

Byron, 75

“Cally,” 325

Campbell, Lord Archibald, 41

Captain of the boats, 249, 250, 261, 263

Carnegie, Mr. Andrew, his opinions concerning Greek, 232

Carrington, Lady, 293

Carter, the Rev. W. A., 4, 39

Carter’s Chamber, 200, 203

Carvings, elaborate, upon old organ case of Eton Chapel, 178

Castle (inn), 142

Champeau, French swimming instructor, 263, 264

Chapel, 5; its architectural history, 173-175; so-called restoration, 181, 182; old woodwork and organ loft, 175, 176; new stalls, 182; present condition, 184-186

Chapel sock, 41, 42, 175

“Check nights,” 256, 257

Chitty, Right Hon. Lord Justice, 275

Christopher, the, 53, 57; anecdotes concerning, 110, 119, 257

Christopher yard, 213

Churton, Henry Norris, declines scholarship at King’s, 226

Cloister Pump, 162

Cloisters, 159, 161

Cobbold, Felix Thornley, last Eton scholar under old statutes, 225

College buildings, account of alterations and restorations in, 156-191

College, horse-play in, 208-210

College in past days, 196-218

Collegers, their food in old days, 203-205

Collet, 219

“Colours,” 282, 283

Colours of “boats” at present day, 263

Costume, old Eton, 34-36

Coventry, Lord, 258

Cradock, Zachary, 15

Craven, Lord, 40

Creasy (the historian), 125

Creasy, 269

Culliford, James (chief butler), 205; his son, 206

Cumberland, Duke of, 16, 18

Curfew tower, vulgarisation of, 193, 194

Curraghmore, 89

Curzon, Lord, 127, 249

Cust, family of, 182

Dalmeny, Lord, 170

Dalton, the Rev. T., favourable to theatricals, 219, 220

Daniel (captain of Harrow eleven), 276

“Deadman’s Hole,” 265

Deeson, architect and “restorer” of Chapel, 182, 183

De Foix, 12

De Quincey, 227

Douro, Lord, 76, 137

Drury’s, 247

Duleep Singh, the Maharajah, 323

Dupuis, the Rev. G., a Vice-Provost, 28, 29, 150

Durnford, the Rev. F. E. (Judy), 286

Durnford, Richard, first Eton scholar to go to King’s under new statutes, 226

Durnford, Mr. Walter, 309

East window, 185

Educational system at Eton, reflections upon, 227-242

Election Chamber, 159, 160, 223

Election Saturday, 84, 202, 222-224, 257, 258

Elizabeth, Queen, relics of her visit to Eton, 8, 167, 319

Elliot, Mr. Willie, 221

“Estaminet,” the, 116

Eton and Harrow match, 275-279; incident after, 278, 279

Eton Mission, 296

Evans, Miss, 64

Evans, Mr. William, 41

Fagging, 59, 309-311

Fight, a fatal, 96, 97

Fighting, anecdotes concerning, 92-98

Finlay, 269

Finmore (Dr. Hawtrey’s servant), 91

“Fire-place,” 216, 217

Fives, 244; first regular court, 245, 281, 282

Floods, 105

Flowers, Jimmy, 104

Font, new, 186; old, 187

Football, 244, 245

Foote, his remark at the Castle Inn, 142

Fourth of June, 222

Fox, Charles James, 22, 169

Frampton Court, viii, 175

Frescoes in Chapel, 179, 180, 181

“Furking,” 267

Games popular in 1770, 240

George the Third, 30-33

Giles, 320, 321

Gilmer, 219

Gladstone, 57, 127, 169, 170, 233, 247, 248; as an Eton boy at Montem, 137

Godolphin, Provost, 89, 173, 176

Goodall, Dr., 26-29, 68, 72, 95, 187

Goodford, Dr., 85, 86, 91, 117, 237, 256, 292

Gown, changes concerning, 210, 211, 215

Gray, 242

Green, “Polly,” 284

Grieve, an Eton boy burnt to death, 45

Groves, Barney, 104

Hale, the Rev. E., 293

Hall, Jack, 103

Hall, the College, 15, 140; remodelling of western end, architectural history, 162; drastic restoration in 1858, 163; present condition, 165

Harcourt, the Rt. Hon. Lewis, vii, 127, 128, 201

Harding, 80, 273

Harris, Mr., 234

Harrow, 240

Hatecliffe, William, first Eton scholar (1443), 225

Hatton, Mrs., her “sock shop,” 247

Haverley, Jack, 254

Hawtrey, Dr., 40, 41, 58, 65, 66, 81, 84, 87, 95, 111, 118, 143, 149, 150, 160, 255, 267, 274, 288-290; his monument in Chapel, 189

Hawtrey brothers, 219

Hawtrey, Mr. John, 51

Hawtrey, Mr. Stephen, 233

Heath, Dr., 25

Henley, 240, 263

Henry VI., 3, 5, 212, 225, 226

Henry VIII., 6, 7

Hexter, Major, 233

Hill, Mr., saves old Eton organ case, 177

Hoaxes, 100, 317; an elaborate modern one, 317-320

Hockey, 245, 246

Hodgson, Provost, 150, 196, 197, 203; his reforms in College, 215

Hoisting, 326, 327

Hoop, its former popularity at Eton, 242, 243

Hoppie (sock cad), 110

Hornby, Dr., 11, 65, 87, 92, 105, 169, 279, 288-290, 291, 294, 307

_Illustrated London News_, 140, 211 (_note_)

Ingalton Drake’s, 320, 325

James, the Rev. C. C., 292

Jesse, Mr. J. H., 88, 89

Jobey Joel, 110, 219

Johnson, William (afterwards William Cory), anecdotes of, 119-123

Joynes, the Rev. J. L., 87, 287, 288

Joynes, young Mr., 291

Keate, Dr., 35, 50, 57; anecdotes of, 68-82, 102, 116, 214, 219, 231, 252, 255, 281, 282, 294

Keate’s Lane, 281, 282

Kenyon, Lord, 219

King’s, 132, 134; arms of, on old Eton organ case, 178, 223; dissolution of ancient bond with Eton, 225, 226

Kintore, Lord, 97

Ladas, 248

Lanesborough, Lord, 284

Langford, Lord, 39

Layton’s, 59

Leaving Books, 64, 65; Money, 65, 66

Lectern, ancient, 187

Leveson-Gower, Lord Ronald, 41

Levett, Berkeley, 219

Levi (sock cad), 109

Lewis, Dr., 90

Lock-up, 93, 305, 327

Lock-up Parade, 327

Lomax, 137

Long Chamber, 158, 172, 197; description of, 200-202; remodelling of, 221-222

Long Glass, 66, 67

Long-morning, 60

Lord’s, 276, 279, 326

Lord’s (old), 274

Lorne, Lord, 41

Lotteries, 322, 323

“Lower College” (obsolete form of football), 267

Lower School, 8, 170-172

Lubbock, Mr. Alfred, 277

Lubbock, Mr. Robin, 278

Lubbock family, 278

Lucas, Mr. Reginald, 220, 319 (_note_)

Lupton’s Chapel, 13, 185

Luxmoore, Mr. H. E., 185

Lyte, Sir Henry Maxwell, 3, 180

Lyttelton, the Hon. and Rev E. (Headmaster), 295-297

Lyttelton family, 278

Lytton, Phil, 204

M’Niven minor, 276

Malim, William, 6, 7, 134

Map-making, 49

Marcon, W., 269

Memorial Hall, 191, 192, 247, 248

Miller, Jem, 272

“Missis” (sock seller), 110

Mitchell, Mr. R. A. H., 221, 276

Monckton, George (afterwards Lord Galway), 41

Montem, 33; description of and anecdotes, 129-156; waving the flag at, 144, 149; costumes worn at, 145, 146; last celebration, 148, 149; abolition, 150; relics of, 152, 156

Montem poet, 152-156; odes, 153

Mordaunt, H. J., 269

Moultrie, John, 3, 40, 41

Mowbray Morris, the late Mr., 2

Mozley, Mr. H. W., 223

Muttlebury, S. D., 263

Naylor’s, Miss, 125, 127

Newcastle scholar, 223, 240

Nicknames, 60-62

Noblemen, 38, 41

Noblemen’s stalls (torn down at restoration of Chapel), 175, 182

Officers’ Training Corps, 293

Okes, Dr., 197

Oppidan Dinner, 259-261

“Oppidan scholars,” 231

“Oppidans’ Museum,” 115

“Orders,” 313, 314

Organ case, description of old, 176; its history after being discarded by Eton authorities, 177, 178

Organ screen, modern, 184

Pass, Charley (sock cad), 108

Pepys, 15, 164, 172

Phillott, 269

Pinnacles, rebuilding of old, 189, 190

Plumtre, Mr., 150, 173

Poaching, 101

Pop, 77, 119, 247-249, 297, 328

Porson, 213, 216

“Poser’s child,” quaint usage, 223

“Posers,” 222, 223

Powell, Jem, 102, 103

Powell, well-known character at the Wall, 268

Poyntz, Stephen, captain of Montem in 1706, lines by, 136

Praepostors, 6, 9, 306, 307

“Private Tutors,” 41; nickname for “cads,” 102

Private Tutors, 105

Prose, 46

Protestant Etonian martyrs, 7, 8

Provost’s Lodge, 160

_Punch_, 149

Rackets, 281

Rattee, contractor for “restoration” of Chapel, 183

“Ripping,” quaint usage, 224

Roberts, Lord, 170

Rosebery, Lord, vii, 127, 171, 248, 258

Rouse, Provost, 13

Rowing, notes upon history of, at Eton, 252-263

Rowland’s (sock shop), 205

Rugeley, chapel at, 178

Rushes, the, 122, 256

St. Aldwyn, Lord, 258

St. Andrew’s Day, 38, 265, 268, 269

St. Thomas, Dominican Monastery of, 177

Salt Hill, 130 _et seq._; present condition of, 156

Salvin, architect, 194

“Saps,” 239

Savernake, Lord, 83

Savile, Sir Henry, 9, 10

School Magazines, 25, 26, 41

School Pulling, 326

Scrulton, F. F. V. captain of the boats, 1911, 263

“Scug,” 62

Second Upper Club, 280

Selwyn, George Augustus, 264

Selwyn, Thomas, diary of, 253

Seymour, Berkeley, 136

Sharpe, S. S., 263

Sheep’s Bridge, 273

Shelley, 94, 95, 123, 169

Sheridan, Mrs., viii

Shirking, 52, 53

Shore, Jane, 5

Simmonds, Mr. Robert, viii

Sir Galahad, picture in Chapel, 185

Sixpenny, 97, 280

Sixpenny Corner, 97

Slang, 62

Smoking, 17, 305

“Smut,” 117

Snape, Mrs., 63

“Snip,” 322

Sock, 62

Sock cads, 106-110

Solomon, 321, 322

Spankie (the celebrated sock cad), 106-109

Spode, Mr. Josiah, 177

_Sporting Magazine_, account of Etonian in 1799, 99-100

Spottiswoode’s, 320

Stafford, Lord, 39

Stage coachmen, 113

Statutes, their violation about 1834, 198-200

Statutes, new, 225, 226

Stephen, J. K., 166, 270

“Stiggins” (see Rev. C. C. James), 292

Stockhore, Herbert, the Montem poet, account of, 153-156

Stone, Mr. Christopher, 62

Stone, the Rev. E. D., 61, 244

Stratford de Redcliffe, Lord, 94, 275

Street, Mr. G. E., architect, 184

Strugnal, 271

Studd family, 278

Sunday questions, 237

Surly, 222, 256, 257

Sutherland, Duke of, 39

Swimming, 263, 264

Swishing, 9, 82-88

Tap, 66, 326-328

Tapestry formerly in College Hall, 165

Tarver, Mr. F., 219

Teape, A. S., 277

Theatricals at Eton, 218-221

Thompson, Theophilus, 136

Threepenny day, 206, 207

Timbralls, the, 270

Townshend, Charles Fox, 77, 78, 247

Training Corps, Officers’, 26, 293, 294

Trials, 24, 47, 236, 241

Trotman (sock cad), 109

Trotman’s gardens, 247, 282

Tuck, a Colleger, 224

“Tug,” supposed origin of term, 210

Tutorial system, 229, 230

Tutors, private, 41

Udall, Nicholas, 7

_Under the Clock_, dramatic sketch given by Mr. Bourchier when at Eton, 221

Upper Club, 273, 276, 281

Upper School, 168

“Upper Sixpenny,” 280

“Ushers,” 298

Vaughan, Mr. E. L., 156

Verses, Latin, 49, 238, 239

Victoria, Queen, 33, 150, 324

Volunteers, 293

Wall game, notes upon, 265-270

Walpole, Horace, 111, 112, 242; Sir Robert, 16, 19; Lord Walpole of Walterton, 16; Lord Walpole, 254

Warre, Dr. (Provost), 253 (_note_), 294, 295