Sfcl^VaS 8 ^ r< r V. c c HUGH EUSSELL AT HAKKOW. ^KETCH of SCHOOL AN OLD HARROVIAN. ' Forty years on, when afar and asunder, Parted are those who are singing to-day, When you look back, and forgetfully wonder What you were like ha your work and your play, Then, it may be, there will often come o'er yon, Glimpses of notes like the catch of a song, Visions of boyhood shall float them before yon, Echoes of dreamland shall bear them along." SCHOOL Soso. PROVOST AND CO., 40, TAVISTOCK STEEET, COVENT GAEDEN. 1880. TO ALL OLD HARROVIANS THIS LITTLE BOOK IS HUMBLY NOT WITHOUT A HOPE THAT IT MAY RECALL, TO SOME AT LEAST, THE BHIGHT DAYS OF AULD LA.XG SYN'E. 205215'? PREFACE. [HE writing of this little book has been the occupation of a period of enforced confinement to the house, and has re- called to the Author many a pleasant memory. Those who take up this book, expecting to find it an exciting narrative, or a highly finished picture of school life, with delicately drawn characters, will, it is feared, be very greatly disappointed. It pre- tends to be nothing more than a rough sketch of life at Harrow, while the characters are at best but mere shadowy outlines. It should once for all be stated that it has been the Author's aim to avoid taking, so to speak, the portrait of any Harrovian, past or present, in the VI PREFACE. pages of tliis book, and his readers are assured that by " Mr. Kingsford's," no house in particular is meant. The glossary (for the use of any non-Harrovian readers who may look at this book) cannot lay claim to be by any means a complete vocabulary of Harrow slang; still the Author ventures to hope that it will fulfil its purpose. The Author's thanks are due to an old Harrovian for several valuable suggestions, and other aids. CONTENTS. CHAP. PAGE I. FIRST IMPRESSIONS 9 II. HOUSE LIFE 16 HI. EASTER TERM 24 IV. RUNNING EXPERIENCES ... 30 V. CONCERNING WORK 38 VI. SUMMER TERM 43 VII. COUSIN CHARLIE 51 VIII. THE "EX" 61 IX. COCK-HOUSE MATCH 68 X. TRIALS , 74 Till CONTENTS. CHAP. PAGE XI. BATS 84 Xn. DECORATIONS 90 Xm. ANOTHER SUMMER TERM 96 XTV. LORDS 108 xv. RUSSELL'S "FIND" 105 xvi. A "STOPPED EX" 116 XVH. SIXTH-FORM DIGNITY 124 xvm. CONCLUSION... .. 181 HUGH RUSSELL AT HARROW. CHAPTER I. FIRST IMPRESSIONS. "My boy, th' unwelcome hour is come, When thou, transplanted from thy genial home, Must find a colder soil and bleaker air, And trust for safety to a stranger's care." COWPBB. NE September afternoon a fly might have been seen crawling up the hill from the Harrow station. Outside was a port- manteau, a hamper, and a large wooden box ; inside, a hat-box, a large bag, an umbrella, and a small boy. The fly drew up before the front door of one of the masters' houses. With some diffidence, the small boy, after extricating himself from his baggage, proffered the flyman three shillings, but was promptly informed by that worthy that six was always the fare. What was the good of arguing ? 10 HUGH RUSSELL AT HARROW. Besides, there stood the obsequious footman waiting- to admit him, and it wouldn't do to look stingy now he was a Harrow fellow. So, giving the flyman what he demanded, though secretly determined to- have it out with that same individual when he got the chance, our hero followed the footman through the entrance-hall, after seeing his luggage taken in at the hoys' door. "Perhaps you'd like to see master first, sir ? " said his conductor, ushering him into a cheerful study. '' I'll tell him you've come.'' So saying, he closed the door, and left the new-comer to his own reflections. Hugh Eussell, for that was his name, was the only son of a well-known harrister, who had himself heen at Harrow, and whose fond wish was that his son should go there too. So he had sent him, about two years before this narrative commences, to a private school of some reputation, most of whose pupils went to Harrow. Our hero therefore knew several now in the school, though, by a curious chance, none in the house which he was entering. He had passed his entrance examination at the end of the previous term. As he stood in the study looking about him, I am afraid he was by no means the ideal ' new boy " of the story-books. He was not overwhelmed with home sickness, starting at even* sound, and gazing with misty eyes out of the window, wishing himself back in the train on his way home, or anywhere except where he was. No ; he had been brought up to look forward to his Harrow days as pleasant ones, and now the .eventful time had come, though it might seem a little strange and sudden, he had made up his mind to enjoy himself. In a few moments FIKST IMPRESSIONS. 11 the door opened, and Mr. Kingsford, a kind-looking elderly man, advanced and sliook hands, saying, " I remember your father well ; he was in this house many years ago, when I was one of the junior masters, and an honour he was to it, in work and play alike." Then after a few inquiries about his- parents, he moved towards the door, saying, " I'll introduce you to the matron, Miss Browne, and then you can find out your room, and so on, before the rush of fellows comes. They don't return till the evening generally like to make the very most of their holidays, you know." In a few moments our hero was sitting in a snug little room, discussing a cup of tea with a pleasant old lady. He did not know it then, but Miss Browne had quite a mania for offering tea to her guests, and was deeply offended if they would not take any, whether it was morning, noon, or night. " Now, my dear boy," she began, as if she had known him all her life, ''I may as well take the opportunity to give you a few Avords of advice about several things which you will find it hard to resist in this place. They will ask you nay, command you to play at football, whether it is wet or fine, and whether you are well or not. My dear boy, never you play football except on nice. /inc. it-arm ilaijs, and always wear your thickest coat and comforter, both in going down, and coming up. Then again, never lc led into playing rackets ; it is a dangerous game. Last term a boy in this house slipped and fell; and though he did. not hurt himself outwardly, yet the shock to his nervous system was so great that he was unable to resume his studies for a week." Much more whole- some warning did the good old lady administer, and. 12 HUGH RUSSELL AT HARROW. to hear her, few would have thought how keen she really was for the honour of the house, and how on the day of a "house-match" she would hurry down through the mud, and stay from beginning to end, hardly restraining herself from shouting when a base was gained. " Your room is No. 10," she said, after her little lecture was ended; " it is a dormitory with five beds, but in a term or two you will get put into one of the regular rooms with the cupboard beds, and only one boy besides yourself, where you will be more com- fortable. At present your sitting-room will be with Adams and Drake senior, in No. 7." So saying, she rang the bell, which was answered by a maid-servant who conducted Eussell to No. 10, where we will leave him to unpack and secure for himself the snuggest of the five beds before any one else arrives. Passing over the events of the following day, which for our hero were unimportant a French examination taking place in the afternoon let us imagine ourselves in No. 10 early the next morning. All except one, Burton by name, are new fellows, and they are all naturally, except him (for he has no chance of a remove), rather anxious to know then- places in the school. Although none of the four (for number five has not turned up yet) had ever seen each other till the night before last, they seem very good friends. " Wonder when we've got to get up," said Eussell, drowsily; then, raising his voice, " I say, Burton, what time did you say ' Speecher ' was?" " bother you," exclaimed that party, who was trying to doze, " can't you let a fellow take his ' froust ' the very second morning? I believe it's at eight, at least it usually is." To hear him talk you FIEST IMPRESSIONS. would think Burton had been three or four years at Harrow, whereas really he was only one term old. Suddenly a bell begins, an impatient- sounding, rest- less bell, and at its sound Eussell and the two other new fellows, Vernon and Leigh, jump out of bed, thinking they are late. " You'd better get up, Burton," says one of them, "bell is going!" (this from the depths of a basin of cold water). No an- swer. "I say, you fellow, you'll be late!" cries another, as he hurries on his clothes. " No fear," replies the veteran, "only first bell!" It is pro- voking, but as they are so far dressed, it is no good going to bed again, so after completing their toilet, they saunter downstairs, encountering numbers of sleepy fellows in their nightshirts rushing to the hot water tap with jugs. By the time the three reach the school-yard a sprinkling of fellows is beginning to collect, while every few minutes a master sweeps up the street in cap and gown. In a few moments the sprinkling becomes a crowd, and the crowd a crush, as every one hurries up the steps into the old speech-room. Here the new fellows crowd into the space under the gallery, behind the masters, known as the " sheep- pen." A great hum of voices and trampling of feet fill the room, but as the clock strikes, a sudden silence takes place. Then, after prayers, the head master rises to read the new order for the term, be- ginning at the bottom of the school. How many hearts are beating ! Fellows try to look in- different, but it is a time of suspense for not a few. Russell listens, visibly anxious, as he hears the lists of the Third and Second Fourth forms read, then the Upper Fourth. " New boys in the Upper Fourth 14 HUGH RUSSELL AT HARROW. form," continues the head master, " Leigh, Vernon, " Ah ! there are his companions, but still not Eussell. At last it conies ; he is in the Middle Shell. He cannot help turning to his neighbour to ask if he too has been read out ; but one of the masters turns in his seat and frowns, so our hero is hushed into silence. Soon after, he finds himself following his new master to his schoolroom, where a short time is spent in giving out the work for the term, and pre- paration for eleven o'clock school, after which the form disperses. Burton is in this form, and he at once pounces upon Eussell for a promise to do his work with him. After breakfast in the hall, Eussell strolls up town to post a letter, and coming back he meets several of his old schoolfellows, who all seem to envy him the lofty position he has taken in the school. Nothing remarkable took place that day, but next morning our hero met with a little adventure that is perhaps worth recording. Hearing that ho was in Mr. 's " Teek Div.," and that the exercise was such-and-such a number in " Colenso," he studiously worked out the sums overnight, and next morning repaired in his in- nocence to his form room. On entering the room, he found his form master surrounded by a lot of big fellows, so he beat a hasty retreat. He asked some one who was standing outside where he ought to go to, but this fellow happened to be a wag, so he sent him to a room under the ' ; Vaughan," where he disturbed a form that was just beginning work. Altogether it was late before, with the help of " Noggs," he found his way into a dingy attic, at FIRST IMPRESSIONS. 15 the very top of the old schools. Everybody turned at his entrance, and the master stopped writing on the black-board to ask his name and what made him so late. " Speak to me afterwards," he said, as our hero began to stammer out an explanation. The " speaking" consisted in a " pun " of fifty lines, for absenting himself from "Fourth-form prayers," an institution the existence of which he was alto- gether ignorant. However, after a few such little mistakes and troubles, Eussell shook down into his new life, and before a week had passed, found himself rarely at a loss as to what he ought to do, and where he ought to go to. Altogether, as he wrote in a letter home, he liked Harrow very much, and got to know some very nice fellows, and he was sure he should be very happy. CHAPTEB II. HOUSE LIFE. " The Alps and the white Himalayas Are all very pleasant to see ; But of right little, tight little, bright little hills, Our Harrow is highest, say we." SCHOOL Soxo. ' B. KINGSFORD'S house numbered about 40. The head of the house during Bussell's first year was Hawkins, a monitor, and in both house elevens, being captain of the football. The cricket captain was Belfield, a fellow rather low down in the school, but very good at games, and in the school cricket eleven. He was a general favourite, having made cock-score at Lord's last summer, and thus contributing in no small degree to a glorious victory. "Jimmy "was the name he usually went by nobody knew why, as his real name was Arthur. The two other notabilities in the house were Brydges, who was captain of the School Bifle Corps, and mad about recruiting ; and Charlton, the great " swot," not that he did " swot " so very much, but he was very clever, and very young. BOUSE LIFE. 17 He was second in the house, being in the Upper Sixth; he had won nearly all the schcol medals, .scholarships, and prizes, and was altogether a regular prodigy, looked upon as a certain senior wrangler of the future. Fagging was by no means as formidable as Eussell had expected. He was " find-fag " to Brydges' " find," consisting of four, and as the party almost always went up town for their own hot meat, and rarely had company, he had very little to do, beyond filling the tea-pot and clearing away. "Day-boy" was a less trivial post, especially if his day fell in the week when he was also find-fag. Lighting and attending to all the Sixth-form fires, runaing messages, filling seven baths after " footer," taking the balls up to be blown ; all these duties were a little burdensome. The fire-lighting bothered him most : very little wood, no paper, and lots of coal-dust were his materials, and as fast as he lighted one fire, an irate Sixth-form fellow would enter to demand why his had been allowed to go out ; then he found it was ten o'clock, '' pupe-time," after which he had school till dinner-time. In those unmerciful days the day- boy was not excused footer, and he had all the Sixth- form baths to fill afterwards. Then, afternoon school probably a row with his master, owing to his having had no time to prepare his work. Then all the evening had to be spent in endeavouring to relight the defunct fires, without wood or paper, while for his negligence in letting them, go out, he was probably " put on " for an extra day or two. He tried roveral dodges to lighten his work, such as " tipping ' one of the servants to keep the fires going while he was "up," and laying in a large 2 18 HUGH RUSSELL AT HARROW. stock of patent fire-lighters from the ' ' Harrow Stores, ' ' but both these systems proved expensive, and did not answer as well as he expected, siuce the menial was in the employ of others besides himself, and the fire- lighters, which he secreted under his bed, were xisually bagged in his absence by unscrupulous fellows, who appreciated a good fire. Still there was not that amount of hardship and physical pain to be endured which outsiders usually associate with the mention of fagging at a public school ; and if a racket did occasionally appear on the scene, what a hero and a martyr did the negligent fag appear among his equals. Of course, during his first term, Eussell was of no great importance, except in his own little circle of acquaintance, chiefly consisting of those who had come with him into the school ; and in those good old days no new fellow ever thought of whistling about the passages, or skylarking at the house-door, or if he did, he was soon taught his position. With very few exceptions, the only big fellows he knew to speak to were Adams and Drake senior, in whose room he sat, or rather stood, for it was one of those untidy sort of rooms where a chair is never to be found, being either broken or borrowed, so that our hero did most of his work either standing, kneeling, or sitting on the edge of the coal-scuttle. The occupants of No. 7 rejoiced in the possession of an electric machine, with which they delighted to administer shocks to the uninitiated. Of course Russell was usually the subject of their experiments, which he underwent with exemplary submission and good-nature. One night, Adams and Drake applied the machine to their door handle, in the expectation HOUSE LIFE. 19 of surprising the servant who came to see the lights out : by and by steps were heard down the passage; the handle was turned a pause a struggle a cry as of some one in pain. The conspirators with difficulty restrained their laughter. The plan had succeeded beyond expectation. In a minute or two the com- passionate Drake said, " Corne now, the poor fellow has had enough of it ; let him go ! " So they " broke the connection," as they called it, and awaited the entrance of the irate servant. The door opened and in walked the House-master, not a little nettled at the joke which had been played on him ! He threat- ened to forfeit the machine. Drake and Adams pleaded their love of scientific research, but he didn't seem to see it, and, repeating his threat, left the room, after giving the science-loving pair a Georgic apiece. The machine was eventually taken from them, being the result of an experiment on a small terrier belonging to the " private side." After this misfortune the philosophers invested in an air-pistol, with which they practised target -shoot- ing at the door panel, to the danger of anybody coming suddenly into the room ; but one day one of the darts narrowly missing the eye of one of the maids, she made a complaint, which resulted in the abstraction of the weapon. Adams was in the Third Fifth, and Drake in the Upper Eemove, though, by reason of his stature, he wore " tails," " Charity tails," as Adams called them ; but Drake was highly offended if he heard such a thing said. " Can't you fellows understand," he would say, "that 'Charity-tails' are only when fallows below the Eemoves stick on tails ; in the lieraoyes they are ' Voluntary-tails,'' put on at the will 20 HUGH RUSSELL AT HARROW. of the -wearer ; nobody can stop his having them.'' To this doctrine Drake stuck, and never lost an opportunity of impressing it on his friends. In consequence of this he obtained the nickname of " Tails," -which clung to him ever after. One Saturday evening Eussell came into No. 7 with a pensive air, and stopped before his book-shelf for about five minutes before he took down an atlas, and, placing it on the table, drew up the coal-scuttle and settled himself to turn over its leaves. By and by he began rather timidly, " Oh, Adams, are you very busy ? " " No," replied Adams, who was concocting a brew over the fire, " what is the row ? " " Well. I've got a beastly map to do, and I've never done one before, and I don't know how to set about it." " Oh, I'll soon show you," replied Adams, jumping up, and upsetting the brew into the fire in his haste ; "have you got any cardboard?" "No." "Well then, go and borrow a bit." In a few minutes Kussell returned with the required article. " Now then," said Adams, "what map is it?' ; "India." " All right, capital ; you ought to trace it by rights, but this will do as well." So saying, he dashed oft" an outline (in the shape of a V slightly rounded at the bottom), drew a wavy line or two for the chief rivers, and then said, " Fill my tooth-glass with water, while I go and bag somebody's paints ! " In a few minutes he returned with a paint-box and a brush, and proceeded to render the map gaudy, if not artistic. " Now then, the rest you can do yourself. Just run a pen over the rivers I have marked in pencil, then put in half a dozen big towns from the atlas, and fill up any blank or bare-looking places, with small rivers, lakes, mountains, and towns.'' HOUSE LIFE. 21 With this parting advice, and the request to " keep the fire going, I shan't be back till prayers," he went off to spend the evening in a room downstairs, where mi Saturday nights the members of a " Biscuit and Cocoa Club " were wont to congregate. Kussell went on quietly with his map. In a few minutes Drake came in and settled himself in a " frouster " which he had bagged from the next room. " Map ? " he asked laconically. " Yes," replied Kus- sell. Then a silence, only interrupted by the scratch- ing of the pen on the map, and the occasional dropping of a coal from the fire. At last ; " I say ; this part of the map looks so bare, what shall I do ? " " Oh, stick in towns !" "But there aren't any in the atlas within miles." " Well, never mind, I'll tell you some. India is it ? Very well, fire away ! Botherabad, Humbugee, Punchistan, Walloppore, Ficldleabad any more ?" " No, thanks, that'll do. Now about these mountains ; I don't know how to draw them." " Oh, I'll try and help you," said Drake, getting up and seizing the pen. "Look here, like a caterpillar, so, you know, or else " " Oh, I say," interrupted the learner, "you've put a range right across where the mouths of the Ganges come ! " " Oh, have I ? what's the odds ? you can cut through, or go round the other side, or don't bother about the Ganges at all ; but, as I was saying, there's another way in fact, several of doing mountains. Besides the caterpillar-pattern there's the zigzag; just back- wards and forwards like this " (drawing a chain of mountains promiscously in the sea), "and then there's the coal dodge, vary effective, see ; it ought really to be done with a stump, but this does quite AS well," and so saying, he seized a bit of coal, 22 HUGH RUSSELL AT HARROW. moistened it, and proceeded to make a grimy line with his little finger, having first rubbed it on the- coal. Russell was much obliged, but declined to learn any more ways of doing mountains three sepa- rate styles on one map (including a range in the sea, to contain which he had to draw an imaginary island) were quite enough, so at least thought the master to whom the production was shown up. " House-singing " was not very delightful to Rus- sell in these younger days, as his voice was n>>t melodious, which was a very good reason why he should always be " put on " for a solo, which amused others more than himself. He didn't mind it to- much when it was in the house, but when they joined other houses down in the music-room (as they did then every other week), the publicity became rather trying. Besides this, he had (as a new fellow) to- attend compulsory singing on half-holiday afternoons, so altogether for him music had but few charms. With regard to this compulsory class-singing we may notice a little incident not altogether pleasant. The first whole holiday that our hero spent at Harrow, he " cut " singing in the afternoon. Next day his name was read out at first school to go to tho head master at nine o'clock. He couldn't imagine why he had been " sent up," and of course every- body grinned and went through an absurd panto- mime strongly suggestive of corporal punishment. At nine o'clock he made his way to the head master's room for the dreaded interview. When he was charged with absenting himself from singing, his indignation was very great. His line of argument was singing is looked on as a lesson ; a holiday is. a day when no lessons are done ; therefore there is no- HOUSE LIFE. 23 singing on a whole holiday. But the head master failed to see it in the same light, and dismissed him with a hundred Greek lines. From the very first, our hero had gone in for " footer " with a will. He refused to take advantage of the respite customary to new fellows, and every house-game saw him down. At " compul." he was very regular too, and he was a most enthusiastic spectator at house matches. In the latter his house had been singularly fortu- nate, and succumbed only in "cock-house match," on which occasion Kussell spent all his "allows," and the remainder of his pocket-money, on lemons, for the gallant players of his house, and was hoarse for days after from shouting. Another pastime in which he indulged a good deal was " squash-rackets." There was a very good " squash-court " attached to the house, and whenever he could get a " place," Eussell was to be seen there. And so, it will be seen, our hero's first time was by no means unhappy, and when the Christmas holidays began, he drove down to the station with a, half- feeling of reluctance to part from his friends, even for a few weeks, so pleasantly had the time passed. CHAPTEE ni. EASTER TERM. " It was not many days beyond the Feast "of Valentine, When to be a gallant Torpid I fervently did pine. ' ' FEOM "THE HABEOVIAN." *OT your remove?" said Hawkins, the head of Russell's house, touching our hero on the shoulder. " Yes ; just scraped through, only one below me." It was the second morning of the Easter term, after " Speecher," and Russell happened to be in the hot-meat room at Winkley's when Hawkins came in. It was a cold morning, and the place was crowded. " Six of sausages, without ! " gently suggested the modest Fourth -form boy. " Now then, look sharp, three bob of steak and cutlets ! " roared the impatient representative of a hungry " find." " I've been here this last hour ! " cried some one who had just stepped in " a bob of fish-cutlets with ! " " Oh, I say, it's no good waiting, come round to the eggs-and-bacon place," said another to his EASTEB TERM. 25 companion. It seemed as if Eussell would never get the meat for his " find." At last he got it, and started off at a run along the street, As he neared the house, he heard " Bo-o-o-o-o-oy," and recognised Brydges' call. He hurried upstairs, and found the "find " in a great state of impatience. " Why was he so late ? Had he been able to get salmon? Had he brought rolls?" As soon as he had answered these questions satisfactorily, and made the tea, he hurried down to hall, to partake of his own meal, but had hardly sat down before he heard another call from Brydges. What had he forgotten ? he wondered. Salt ? No. Mustard ? No. There was nothing for it but to go ; so he left his " six of sausages " untouched, and ran upstairs. " What is it ?" he breathlessly inquired, putting his head in at the door. " Come in," said Brydges solemnly. (No hope of his getting down before the breakfast in the hall was cleared.) " I have put down your name," continued Brvdges, " for the Rifle Corps, and I am going to tell you what you are ex- pected to do." So saying, he proceeded to describe the various drills, practices, &c., which were necessary to be attended. This was all very well, and no doubt it was a great honour to be thus familiarly instructed :by the captain of the corps ; still, to be enlisted without his knowledge, was too much of a good thing. However, resistance was useless ; the considerate captain had ordered the tailor to come and measure Kussell and several others for their uniforms, and had had their names duly entered. So Private Eussell resolved to make the best of it, and before long was very proud of his military position ; and he was most industrious in persuading his Mends to join the corps. 26 HUGH RUSSELL AT HARROW. Before long " Torpids " began, and Eussell played for liis bouse. In tbeir first tie tbey were easily successful, but in tbe next draw tbey were confronted with a very good team, and played a game worth recording. Great was tbe excitement among tbe players ou the eventful day. Eussell played " half-back," which was not his usual place, a change having been caused by one of tbe "torpids " having got hurt in the last match. He was therefore, naturally, not a littlo nervous. For the first quarter of an hour the ball was kept well down by the enemy's base, but at last Irving (the captain of the other side, and a "fez'') got hold of it, and began a smart " run-up." On he came like the wind, keeping the ball close in front of him, dodging first one and then another. He was a big heavy fellow, and Eussell didn't like the looks of him. However, he saw that he must tackle him, and accordingly prepared to charge him. 0: course it was like running against a house, but still it checked his progress ; and before he had recovered himself, Eussell had picked himself up, and was taking the ball down the side. Irving was soon up with him, and " skied " him, but not before our hero had sent the ball flying right down to the other end, where, after a little knocking about, it soon found its way between the poles. It was the only base gained that day, and the victory was considered as in a great measure due to Eussell's plucky play. In tbe next tie he played " forward," and had the satisfaction of getting a base himself. It will be remembered that he had secured his remove, but the increase of work was not burden- some. However, somehow he was not so high in EASTEE TEB5I. 7 week's order as he wished, and this term lie found' his way into the realms of "extra." Not that ho became a regular denizen of the room over Old Speecher, one of those phlegmatic mortals who turn up there every time as regular as clock-work, and who know exactly what master is taking " extra," and whether it is safe to eat apples or chocolate under his nose. Eussell went to " extra," but only twice that term, and he failed to form the attachment to that institution which some regular goers profess. Time passed quickly, and the races were soon on. New fellows, as a rule, do not go out running much,, nor was Eussell an exception. However, he started in all the house races, getting second in the " small hundred; " and managing to pull off the half-mile,, owing in some measure to his good handicap. His house did not have house sports, an institu- tion now kept up by only one or two houses ; but they had a house steeple-chase, in which everybody, big and small, started ; all, except a few of the- older fellows, going head first into the water-jump, which the late rains had swelled. In this race our hero had the misfortune to hurt his ankle, which laid him up in " sicker " for a little time. However, he didn't mind, as he saw plenty of company, and had no work to do. One evening, as he was lying reading a book, during Fourth school-time, he heard somebody com- ing upstairs, and iii a moment Burton entered the room. "Hullo!" said Kussell, "I thought you were up in school." " So I ought to be," he re- plied, "but I've only just got out of *pupe.' ? ' " "What ? why it's half an hour since Fourth school 28 HUGH RUSSELL AT HARROW. began! " <: Yes, I know, but I left my hat in * pupe,' and ran back to fetch it, and while I was there, the ' old man ' (Mr. Kingsford) came to lock the door, which he had forgotten to do ; I sung out, tut he didn't hear, and so I've been bottled up there ever since." " How did you get out ? " " Oh, Hopper came in to see about the fire " (Hopper was one of the footmen), "and after being nearly frightened out of his life on seeing me, he released me. As it is, I've ' cut ' school, so I may as well set to and do some of my poetry for to-night. Help me, there's a good fellow." So saying, he got out a pen, and, after finding a piece of paper, said : " Now ; English verses on Magna Charta ; come, give us an idea." " Well," said Kussell, after pondering a few minutes, u couldn't you begin something like this : ' ' O glorious Magna Charta, The noble and the " " No, that won't do ; try something else, something about King John." After some deliberation they produced between them the following spirited lines, with which I will conclude this chapter. THE MAGXA CHARTA. King John did sit upon his throne In famous London town, When nobles did a glorious deed For signature bear down. The king he sat, aud held his pen, .And smiled so bland around ; And smiled again, and called for ink, And made a pleasing sound : A sound of laughter and of mirth, Whereat all did applaud, For all rejoiced to see this smile Come from their sovereign lord. EASIER TEEM. 29* The king, he graciously did sign The paper that he saw, And vowed that, for all time to come, It should be British law. The people cheered, and cheered again ; The king, he laughed for glee, For he was always well content His people glad to see. And now, when years have passed away,. There still lives in our minds The Magna Charta, with its laws Of many different kinds. And we still boast of liberty Which it has brought about ; So many privileges great, We could not do without. And still in feast and revel, With shouting and with wine, We sing of the great Charta, Which good King John did sign. (I -was never myself at a dinner-party where they sang songs about the Magna Charta, but still to- conclude) : And still we tell our children The story handed down, How this great deed was signed of yore, In famous London town. Worthy of Macaulay, that last bit ; nevertheless I had some idea that the Magna Charta was not signed in the metropolis, but I suppose I must have been* mistaken. CHAPTEE IV. EUNNING EXPEEIENCES. "Ho ho! ha ha! Tralalala! So sound the fairy voices. From all the lowland western lea, The Uxbridge flats and meadows, From where the Ruislip waters see The Oxhey lights and shadows ; From Wembley rise and Kenton stream, From Preston farm and hollow, Where Lyon * dreamed, and saw in dream His race of sons to follow ; They tell of rambles near and far, By hedge, and brook, and border." SCHOOL SONG. MUST ask my readers to suppose a year to have elapsed since the events recorded in the last chapter. It is again Easter term ; " torpids " are over, and running is in full force. Our hero is now an indi- vidual of some importance, having got his " fez," and being in the Upper Eemove. He is in a room with a fellow called Lyon, who is in the Upper Shell a pleasant companion when you once know him, but * John Lyon, the founder of Harrow School, lived at a hamlet called Preston, a few miles from Harrow. KUNNIXG EXPERIENCES. 81 always very quiet, and certainly not a brilliant con- versationist. At work lie is not very bright, but ho is a good cricketer, and fair player at football. His great strength lies in running, and of nothing is he fonder than a good trot over the country on a half- holiday afternoon ; not one of your little runs a mile d:>wn the Pinner road and back, or over to Kenton, but a regular steady grind over to Elstree or Ealing. Xot that he is above an afternoon at Kenton Brook now and then, but that is not his idea of a run. Naturally Russell is most frequently his companion. Lyon never runs out with more than two others. Those big parties usually do more humbugging than running. When he can get no one to come with him, he starts off alone ; but most often he is with Russell, who has fallen into his paces, and the two are a very good pair. One or two of their runs may prove interesting to the reader. It was a cold dull day in the beginning of March, when Russell and Lyon sauntered up town after breakfast. They strolled up to the school gates to read the notices. One was to the effect that Mr. and Mr. (farmers over Kenton way) had consented to fellows running over their ground so long as they did not smash the fences. It was all very well, but how was anybody to know which was Farmer Brown's, and which was Farmer Smith's ? So remarked Lyon on reading the notice. " Oh, it's no odds," replied Russell, " if we do get on some- body's landwho hasn't given his consent, we can but say we didn't know." That afternoon, after two bill, they started off together over the Footer-field, past the back of Ducker, and away across the fields to the railway, 32 HUGH RUSSELL AT HARROW. then over the level-crossing, and across more fields to " the Brook " a run known to most Harrovians. The floods had been out, and the water was unjump- able, so they waded across by a dam, more than knee deep, and proceeded up the hill which overlooks the Kingsbury race- course. Then away over more fields, until at last they lost their bearings, and' began to wonder how they should find their way back again. " What's the time ? " asked Lyon of Russell, who carried the watch. "Twenty to four," he replied. "Oh, we'll never be back to four bill :. let's cut it, and go a long run." Accordingly they ran on, until at last they came out on a road which landed them at Hendon. Here they got some slight refreshment, and prepared to return by the road. However, when they reached Kingsbury, they thought they would try a short cut home over the race-course., and accordingly started in that direction. Before- they had gone very far they heard a shout, and looking behind, saw a man a few fields off, signalling to them. It was too late to stop and explain, besides, he appeared savage, so they increased their pace the man after them ; they expecting that he would soon give in. Not a bit of it ; the rustic seemed determined to nail them. On they went, hiding their caps to prevent his seeing what house they belonged to. At last they gained the railroad, and resolved to skulk down behind the hedge along the line, hoping their pursuer would cross it and get on the wrong scent. So he did ; but they had not got far before a new difficulty presented itself in the shape of three irate navvies, who wanted to know why they were trespassing on the line. In a few minutes they, too, were in full ehase r nor did they RUNNING EXPERIENCES. 33 give in till Eussell and Lyon were a good way down the Kenton road. No sooner were they rid of these pursuers, however, than they saw coming towards them, evidently disgusted at his failure, returning by the road, their former enemy, the rustic; who, on seeing them, at once attempted to cut oft* their retreat. However, by a long roundabout way over the fields in the direction of the station, they eluded him, but he was not slow to follow them up the hill. Lock-up bell was ringing as they went through the town, and everybody stared to see two fellows at such a time in running-clothes. They had to go in to answer their names at " lock-up " without chang- ing, but, thanks to long Ulsters, their garb was not detected ; and they afterwards had the satisfaction of seeing their baffled pursuer, from their window, telling his story to a group of " chaws," who seemed vastly diverted at his expense. A week or two after this adventure, Lyon got him- self, Kussell, and Burton " signed" for dinner and two bill. It was a whole holiday, and they had re- solved to run over to Uxbridge, where Lyon had some friends, lunch there, and return in time for four bill. Most fellows who heard of the plan were incredulous said it could not be done in the time, and so on. However, nothing daunted, they started off imme- diately after eleven bill (having in fact previously changed, and slipped on great coats and trousers over their running clothes, for bill), and were soon in full swing. They were not very clear about the way, and the road they took was perhaps not the shortest. After passing the top of the cricket-field, they kept along the Northolt road, till they came to the turn on the right which leads into the straight 8 34 HUGH RUSSELL AT HARROW. stretch known as the " Uxbridge Mile." Having walked over the little piece of connecting road, they were able to do the mile at racing speed, Lyon being first by a little, and Eussell second, Burton having given up a little more than half way. The two others rather regretted having asked Burton to join them, as he seemed likely to be somewhat a drag. However, on the whole, he kept up pretty well till they reached Ickenham, where he seemed very grate- lul for a lift in a countryman's cart, which was going into Uxbridge. The others kept \ip with the cart most of the way. The party reached their des- tination at a quarter to one, and after washing off the dust of their journey, appeared at lunch. They must have looked strange sitting down in such a garb with ladies, in a civilised room ; but notbing else could be expected, and their entertainers seemed rather to enjoy the novelty than otherwise. Lyon was very abstemious, for fear of not being able to run afterwards ; but the unwary Burton was be- guiled into making rather a hearty meal, and did not refuse cake, the result of which imprudence was that lie was not in the best form on the return journey. Xot so very far from home, somewhere in the region of the Pdfle Butts, he complained that he was dead beat ; the others said they would walk the rest of the way with him, but he would not hear of it ; and :is Lyon was especially anxious to convince certain unbelievers by turning up at four bill, they yielded to Burton's wishes without much pressing, he saying that he would follow quietly. As they reached the foot of the hill the bell was ringing, but they man- aged to be just in time for bill, and afterwards returned to the house to enjoy a bath after their ex- RUNNING EXPERIENCES. JJ5 ertions. This done, and some time having been spent over the fire, telling their adventures to a few idlers who came into the room, lock-up hell began to ring, and (the next day being Sunday) they hastened out to lay in provisions. About seven o'clock, as Eussell and Lyon were sitting over their exercises, in came " Jimmy " Bel- field. "I say, didn't Burton start with you fellows out running to-day ? " he asked. " Yes," replied Puissell, " but he got rather pumped, so we left him on the way home to follow at his leisure. Why do you ask ? " " Because the old man is in his study wanting to know why he didn't come to lock-up." 'Didn't he?" said Busscll in surprise; "why, I made sure he'd turn up all right ; but I'll go and have a jaw with the old man about it," So saying, he left the room, and was soon in the study telling all he knew of the matter to Mr. Kingsford. " Where did you leave him ? " asked the master. " On the road, just near the Butts," replied Eussell. " Well, .something must have happened ; he is a steady sort of fellow; not likely to absent himself like this on purpose. Perhaps he has sprained his ankle, or got into a bog, or something." So saying, he rang the bell, ordered his carriage, and telling Kussell to get ready to accompany him, went to prepare a lantern and get on his hat and coat. Before very long the carriage was on its way along the road, the coachman keeping a sharp look-out on the sides of the road illuminated by the carriage lamps. When they got near to the spot where Eus- sell said they had left Burton, they alighted, and with the aid of a big lantern investigated every likely place, expecting every moment to come upon a 36 HUGH RUSSELL AT HARROW. huddled mass of humanity, or to hear a moan pro- ceeding from the ditch. No : nothing met the eye or ear. A cottage was near at hand, but all in- quiries there were fruitless ; nothing had been heard or seen of the missing Burton. After a long search they returned, giving up all hope of making any discovery till the morning. It was nearly ten o'clock by the time they pulled up before the house. The door was opened by Crabbe r the butler, who said, " Mr. Burton's all right home, sir ; he came back not very long after you left.'' Burton was soon in the study, giving an account of his misfortunes to Mr. Kingsford and Russell. He had told his story already to most of the fellows in the house, who naturally had been in some excite- ment before his return. 11 After you left me," he began, turning to Eussell r " I went on all right, at a walk, for some little way. However, before very long, a blister on my heel. which I had felt slightly for some time, became so ranch worse that I could hardly get along. At last I had to sit down by the roadside to rest. Then I went on for a bit, but soon I had to stop again, and so on ; so that it was pretty dark by the time I got on to the Northolt road. Just then there came by a great lumbering covered cart, which I hailed,, and asked the fellow who was driving if he couhl give me a lift to Harrow. He said, ' Yes ; ' but added that there was no place where I could sit comfortably except on some sacks in the back part of the cart. There it was quite dark, so that I could not see whereabouts we were. However, I was well content to get a place to rest myself ; and in spite of the jolting of the cart, I managed by some ill luck RUNNIN3 EXPERIENCES. 37 to fall asleep ; I suppose I was rather tired. The next thing I remember is being Avolce up by a gruff voice saying, close to me, ' Hullo, master ! bless'd if I didn't forget all about you ! ' I started up, and waw it was the driver spealiing. ' Where are we ? ' I asked. ' Why, down at 'Arrer station,' he replied. I must have slept long and soundly, for it seems that he went up the hill, and stopped at the ' Crown :iud Anchor ' to get a drink (which probably in part ;iccouuted for his forgetting me) ; then he called at a shop where he had to leave a parcel, and then drove on clown past ' The Grove ' to the station. I got out, rubbing my eyes, and began to wonder how to get home. Walking was out of the question, as my foot was very painful. I managed, however, to get a fly (by the way, the man charged seven shillings in a tone of vexation, as each mistake was pointed out. As to the translations from French into English, I am afraid they were rather literal, and showed but few traces of the dictionary's use whenever a " shot " at the meaning of a word would do instead. As, for instance : " Mr. Crow, over a tree perched, held in his beak a cheese. Mr. Reynard by the odour disgusted, to 40 HUGH RUSSELL AT HARROW. liirn a tint to a little near this language : ' Hi ! good day, Mr. of the crow ! That you are jolly, that you resemble a fiiie (man). Without mentioning it, if your rummage reports itself to your plumage, you are the phoenix of these hostile woods.'' I refrain from copying more from BusselPs ex- ercise, hut the above will show the talent and labour expended on this part of his work. Essays he revelled in, " because," as he would say, "you can write such glorious bosh!" To fill sixty or a hundred and twenty lines of exercise paper was his chief ambition, and that done, what re- mained on a Saturday night but to take his pleasure? This last usually consisted in roasting chestnuts in a neighbour's room, or, better still, in getting up a concert of combs, or a game of "high-cockalorum' 1 in the passages. Co-operation, and assistance from the Cyclopaedia were freely resorted to in the production of essays. As, for example, on the subject of "Astronomy ;" the Cyclopedia would be bagged from the house-library early in the evening, and, at seven or eight o'clock the essayists in the same form would appear in the room of one of their number. Biscuits would be produced, and the one who had. the Cyclopaedia would read out, " Astronomy is the science which treats of the heavenly bodies, their motions, positions, and changes," and then add, " that'll do for ten lines at least." Accordingly a busy scratching of pens for a few minutes, each one spreading out the idea into as many words as possible, sometbiug in this style : " Astronomy may be defined as a science rather than as an art, and treats, for the most part, of the stars which are distributed in such countless CONCERNING WORK. 41 numbers over the surface of the great canopy of sky \vhich covers the earth on which we live. Astronomy teaches us much concerning the movements of these heavenly bodies, and also of the varied and wonder- ful positions which Nature has destined them to occupy ; moreover, it is by the science of astronomy that we learn the changes to which these heavenly bodies are subject." Then another piece would be read and similarly expanded, and so on, till the article in the Cyclopaedia became too deep for the ordinary mind. Then recourse would be had to invention. "Oh, say something about a fellow with si telescope ! " suggests somebody. Whereupon, down goes the idea, in this form, perhaps : " And so it is that many a pleasant and instructive hour may bo spent with a telescope. By applying the eye to one ud of a tube, the wonders of the stars are revealed to the man with the telescope. This is indeed a ^wonderful thought, and one which ere now has caused master-minds to stagger. To reflect that by means of the telescope may be seen " (here the writer seems to be at a loss for particulars, as he goes on to say) " many wonderful things which could not be seen with the naked eye this is a thought that few can thoroughly regard with calm- ness." By this time the necessary number of lines -\vould be nearly filled up, and the essayist would abruptly conclude with the following brief but mas- terly peroration. " Astronomy, then, is the science of the stars, and it is a very wonderful science, and deserves encouragement. Long may it prosper! (This last was encouraging, at least to the philoso- pher.^ Xiatin prose bothered Russell terribly, and his 42 HUGH RUSSELL AT HARROY.'. anger knew no bounds when one day, after finding a piece in Cicero, and copj'ing it out rcrlatitn, be bad it returned full of corrections, and with tbe remark that tbe style was " canine." Tben again, masters had sucb different ideas on tbe subject. His form master would -tell birn always to put tbe inftnitirc after " ner/ari non potest," whereas sucb a proceeding in bis pupil-room prose would bring down tbe dis- pleasure of bis tutor, who declared tbat quin followed by subjunctive was the correct tbing. One day his. tutor said tbat it was convenient in many cases to Latinise an English name ; to put, for in stance , " Promontorium Septentrionale " for " North Fore- land," and even occasionally "Faber" for "Mr. Smith." However, when our hero next week dubbed Francis Bacon ' Lardurn," bis tutor didn't seem to- see it, which sadly puzzled poor Russell. Tben tbe "reps" were a source of trouble. Not that he was positively unable to remember them, but it cost him more trouble to do so than he usually cared to expend. There are some fellows who can read an ode of Horace through once or twice and know it. There are others who cannot remember two consecutive lines. " Odi profanum vulgus et arceo," begins one of these unfortunates, then stops- dead. " Favete linguis," says the master, adding " Why don't you think of the English ? " Accord- ingly be does ; " I, a priest of tbe Muses " he knows it goes on, so be continues, "Ego sacerdos musarum." "Does tbat scan?" asks tbe exasperated master. Of course it does not, only be went by tbe English. And so be "skews" his "rep" daily; goes after dinner to the master's house ; spends an hour, or often two, saying it line by line; gets "puns" for CONCERNING WOKK. 43 every mistake (as it is all counted for obstinacy) ; and lias to write out the English of every " rep " through the term. Oh, and then the trial " rep ! " If it is old work , it is just like new to lain ; ho blunders, gets " skewed ; " sent to " extra ; " and goes home for his holidays hours after every one else has left, except a few martyrs like himself. If masters would only reflect, they would surely cease- to imagine that any one would be such a fool as to go through all these tortures out of sheer obstinacy. Eussell was not one of these hopeless cases, but he " skewed " pretty often, and was frequently to be seen in his form-master's study in the early part of the afternoon. However, a quarter of an hour usually saw him free. Sometimes, after four bill, he would saunter into- the " Vaughan," to which he had a ticket, which he rather regretted having paid for, as it was never once- demanded. He would peep into one book and another, chiefly the illustrated editions of Scott's- novels and the poets. Then he delighted, for a change, to lug out some huge volume, atlas 01- Cyclopaedia, and lay it on the superannuated chapel- lectern, where he would stand to peruse it ; this had an air of importance, he thought. A great book,, with horrible coloured plates of the tortures of the Inquisition, often occupied the lectern -when he was there. Occasionally, he would look over the bound numbers of the " Harrovian," or the old " House- lists." Once he got hold of the " Evidence before the Commission on Public Schools," in the Harrow sec- tion of which he saw it stated that " first school '' lasted only an hour, whereat he raved ah 1 the evening. Altogether, he found a good deal to occupy his HUGH RUSSELL AT HARROW. attention in the " Vauglian,'' and came to the con- clusion that it wasn't half a bad place to go to when time hung heavy. The chairs were comfortable, and the soft seat round the bay window was delight- ful. Besides, there were lots of things to see the racquet cup ; the Ashburton shield (it was there then) ; the old silver arrow and shooting costume ; the Wilkinson collection of antiquities and coins ; the Indian curiosities ; the portraits of celebrities ; and no end of things besides ; without mentioning the books. At work altogether, as a rule, he was not lazy ; fthat is, not lazier than many ; and, as I have said before, he managed to keep a respectable place in form, and usually succeeded in obtaining a very fair report, whereby his people were kept satisfied, for they never expected him to turn out a genius ; and liis father was well pleased to see that he did not take to work to the exclusion of play, a proceeding he had a horror of, having visions of brain-fever and the outh of France, as the results of a book-worm's .mode of life. CHAPTEK VI. SUMMER TEEM. " If in the cricket-field sullen you've sat, Doubting the value of ball and of bat, Stray for a moment beneath the elm trees, Nodding their heads to the tune of the breeze ; Then, if you listen, their song you will hear Rising in harmony measured and clear : ' This be your motto, ye sons of the hill, Play with a purpose, and work with a will.' " SONG OF THE HAEBOW CRICKET- FIELD ELM: TEEES. \ Twas Russell's second summer at Harrow. The last he had enjoyed after the fashion of small fellows he had revelled in the ices of "Winkley, and the justly-famed lemonade of Hance ; he had paddled and splashed in the shallow end of "Dncker;" he had Jain on the grass in the cricket-field on match days, consuming cherries by the hundred ; he had made his debut at house games and in the school-yard ; he had eaten voraciously on " Speecher ; " he had shouted at Lord's till he was hoarse, and had trodden- on the toes of an irate old gentlemen (an old Etonian) in his excitement ; he had, in short, done all that 46 HUGH RUSSELL AT HARROW. was right, and proper, and pleasant, for a fellow spending his first summer term at Harrow. But this term he enjoyed himself even more than last j-ear ; he knew more fellows, felt himself of more importance, swam better, played cricket better, did most things better, and felt more at home. So, it may be imagined, he was supremely happy. What more delightful than a whole holiday. The delicious " froust; " nine bill; breakfast (perhaps up at "Winkley's a luxurious and protracted meal) ; eleven bill ; "Ducker;" dinner; two bill; then the whole afternoon down in the cricket-field, either playing or watching the match ; then six bill ; and then the cool evening to stroll up town, and sip iced lemonade was not all this the height of bliss ? Then Sundays in the summer term ; the stroll down to the fields before second chapel ; the lying there in the new-mown hay, under the shade of the trees, when it was too sultry to go far ; the walk after evening chapel down the London Koad, where one seems to meet the whole school these sunny memories are sweet to many an old Harrovian, strange as it may seem. Eussell was at this time a great enthusiast at the ; Gym." At first he had not liked it much, that is, the regular routine, and was generally to be heard answering his name from some remote beam in the roof, where he would remain eating chocolate or some other delicacy, till he was chased from his position. However, he soon got to like the exercises, especially the horizontal bar, round which he spun in a most alarming manner, hanging by his eyelids, it seemed. At " Ducker," too, he was singularly active ; always going off the running board, or the top place, or the SUMMER TEEM. 47 spring-board, or the bridge, or the top of a shed ; never in the same place two moments together, always turning up where least expected. He had a supreme contempt for the type of fellow who goes down, languidly undresses, puts his finger in to see if the water is cold, and then, after a long period of iiresolute shivering, crawls feet foremost down the .steps, splashes, gets out again, and then, swathed in towels from head to foot, basks in the sun for half an hour, never attempting to go ia a second time. Russell's plan of action was very different ; he de- lighted in egg-diving, and swimming under water, and all sorts of feats. He had a great dislike to the X^ractice of " ducking," and was only once known to resort to it, namely, one day when he saw a great bully of a fellow swira down, ducking every small beginner he came to, whereupon our hero deliber- ately swam up to him, laid hold of him by the shoulders and dived, detaining him at the bottom, till such time as the bully was on the point of drown- ing, when he released him, and went on his way as if nothing had happened. Russell would probably have won some swimming prizes that year, had he not been taken ill before the end of the term. Being free from cricket fagging, he had more time to himself than the year before. At cricket he began to distinguish himself, and was a leading member of the "shell game." But his cricketing renown was nipped in the bud that year. One day he found himself in " Sicker," not feeling very well, and the next in the " Sanny," with the scarlatina. Ho was, unfortunately, the only patient there, and so was not so merry as he might have been, had there hap- pened to be any companions in trouble. However, he 48 HUGH RUSSELL AT HARROW. managed to amuse himself perused more novels than he ever had before ; worked himself a pair of slippers ; imbibed much lemonade, and altogether was not overwhelmed with his misfortune. Still, it was hard to be in bed when he knew that there wat; some match going on in the cricket-field, or that the festivities of " Speecher " were at their height ; and his excitement on the day of the match at Lord's was only equalled by his rage at being prevented from being there. Telegrams, it is true, reached him about six each day from various friends, but they only increased his excitement. Company, of course, during those weary weeks he saw none, and his intercourse with the world was confined to grins, through a closed window, at fellows- who came over to strawberries and tea in the " Sanny" garden on Sunday afternoons. The visit of the doctor was the great event of the day, and to this was added, on Sundays, one from a kind friend (one of the masters), whom every Har- rovian knows and respects. Now and then a> rumour that another patient was coming to the- "Sanny" would form a little excitement; but these reports were never confirmed by the event. At last, Kussell was well enough to move about the house, the mysteries of which were new to him. The various rooms the dining room, the doctors' room, the disinfecting room, the sitting room, were all explored, and in the last mentioned he was able to spend a good part of each day. Then came pre- parations for departure, among which was the- custom of inscribing his name (and possibly some- thing else) in the " book." He was asked to com- pose some poetry to write in it, at which he demurred. SUMMEB TEEM. 49 Others had written their names only, or copied something from Scott or Longfellow ; why should lie do more ? However, after mature consideration, he resolved to try, at all events : it would be some- thing to do. So he provided himself with a selection of steel pens and poetical epithets, a sheet of paper for the fair copy, and lots of foolscap for the rough, and began. No ; the ideas would not flow. Closeted for hours alone, or walking up and down from one place to another, the poet laboured, but with slow result. He grew quite pale under the mental pres- sure. T-iddle-de \ tiddlc-de \ turn || tiddle-tum-tum \ tiddlc-de \ tuin-tt/m.\\ he would mutter desperately. Then, changing the metre Titlddle \ tiddle \ fiddle \ turn \\ fi-tulcHe, \ tiddlc \ ti.\\ At last, patience and trouble were rewarded, and he one day laid on the table, with no little triumph the following lines " 'Twas summer, and the little birds- Were hopping on the trees ; The sultry atmosphere was full Of little flies arid bees. The sun rose early in the East, And sank into the West, And we poor fellows sat in school, With ' phug ' and heat oppressed. And still the cruel master sat, In cap and gown arrayed, He would not let us d'off our coals, However hard we prayed. It was not ' dignified,' he said, To sit without a coat ; We languid sat, too hot by far To write a single note. 4 60 HUGH RUSSELL AT HARROW. I more than all (I know not why), Felt the oppressive heat ; I melted inch by inch, I'm sure, While lolling in my seat. ruthless master ! why did he Refuse so small a l>oou, To sit in shirt-sleeves, in the hot Ajid broiling summer noon ': At last, to aid me in my woe, There came, one melting day, One of those ruminy things they have, You know, in a Greek play * 1 know the English of the phrase Is ' god from a machine ' ^Some sort of lucky chance, you kuow) ; I caught the ' Kcarlatlne ! ' And now I live in realms of joy, Where I can sit at ease, And wear my coat, or take it off, Exactly as I please. I drink the soothing lemonade ; Xo work assails my head, And I can spend much of my time In ' froustiug ' in my bed. O ' Sanny,' in the future days, When I am very hot, And can't take off my coat in school, And want a cooler spot, And when with lessons sore beset, And bothered is my brain, O ' Sauny,' if I only can. I'll turn up here again ! " The poein was rather lengthy ; but after trying i n vain to cut it down, the writer entered it, in his best fist, in the "book;" but his modesty prevented his putting more than his initials after it. About a week afterwards he left the " Sanny," and went to recruit his strength at the seaside, where we will leave him, in the hope that he will be all right next term, to begin his third year at Harrow. CHAPTER VII. COUSIN CHAELIE. Conic o'er the stream, Charlie, dear Charlie, brave Charlie, Come o'er the stream, Charlie, and dine \vi' Mac Lean ; And though you be weary, we'll make your heart cheery, And welcome our Charlie and his loyal train." SCOTCH SONG. OILING down to see the match ? '' asked Russell of Acton, a fellow in another house. " Yes ; are you ? let's go down quietly, and we shan't be too soon." Two bill was just over, one day in footer term, when the above question and answer were exchanged. They went down ac- cordingly past the New Schools, another fellow from Acton's house Fit/James joining them. " By the way," said liussell, " what was the row last night at your house ? Devereux says you could be heard a mile off; he was at his window half the evening trying to make out what it was, and only heard a norse like a regiment of tipsy men, bawling and yelling like fury. Ho saw lights in your ' Pupe ' windows, and the row seemed to come from there." " Oh, that was ' Chori,' " replied Acton ; " don't you 52 HUGH RUSSELL AT HARKOY,'. know what ' Chori' is ?" " Well, I've heard of it ? I don't think any house has it but yours. What's it like ? " " Oh, it's an awful lark ; every one goes into ' Pupe,' and there's a table with a chair on it, put for fellows to stand on. Then all the ' fezes ' come in with red dressing-gowns, and wearing their ' fezes.' They all sit down, facing the table, and then the fun begins. They call out all the fellows who have come into the house since last ' Chori,' (it's only once a year, you know), and they come up, one by one, and have to stand upon the chair that is put on the table. Then the ' fezes ' question the fellow that's up about the footer rules, which he's supposed to have learnt. There are two fellows in house-shirts, one with a racket, and the other with a toasting-fork, who lay into the unfortunate fellow from below, whenever he makes a mistake." "But what if he knows the rules perfectly ? " suggested Eussell. " Oh, it's no odds ; they ask humbugging questions : ' What's the fourth letter in the second word of the third rule ? ' or, ' What's the last word on the sheet of the rules ? ' Sometimes the fellow has got up even that, and says at once the last word in the last rule ; but he's dodged there, because the last thing on the sheet is the printer's name ! " " It's best fun/' broke in FitzJames, " when they have a great fat fellow up, or some big chap that's migrated from a ' small house.' " " Yes, and then," continued Acton, " after that, every one in the house, beginning at the ' lag,' has to get up and sing a song, holding a ' tolly,' standing upon the same chair, on Hie table. Some fellows can't sing a bit, but it's no matter ; they have either to yell out some song, or chant a house-list, and nobody is such a muff as COUSIN CHARLIE. 53 to do the house-list." " Wasn't McFarlane's song good?" said FitzJames. "Oh, yes, awfully; he wanted it to be awfully sentimental, and the fellows got tired, so they came in with a chorus of ' He's a. jolly good fellow ! ' hetween each verse ; McFarlane was awfully savage ! " " Jackson's song was rattling good, too," said FitzJames ; " but then that was meant to be comic, and had a splendid chorus ; and * God save the Queen ' was fit to bring the roof down. By Jove ! didn't we yell, just ? I should think Devereux heard that, and fellows in houses amich further off than his." By this time they had reached the ground. It was awfully muddy and slippery. Play had not l>egun, but the two elevens were seen coming down the hill, and there were a good many spectators -already. It was the first house match that year, and was expected to be a close thing. Russell and his two companions were not personally interested, .as their respective houses were neither of them going to play. At last the players were ready, and the ball was kicked off. The opposite side soon ran it down to their enemy's base, but met with no little resistance; and an interesting match was just com- onencing, when Russell heard a voice, and turning, saw a Fourth-form boy from his house, who breath- lessly informed him that there was some one waiting to see him up at the house. " Who is it ? " inquired Russell. "I don't know; but I was just coming down, when Bardale told me to look sharp down, and find you, and say you were wanted." It was provoking, after our hero had just come down, and it was going to be such a good match too. However, he couldn't help it, so he started off up 54 HUGH RUSSELL AT HARROW. the hill. How he wished, as he plodded up through the mud, that there were a tramway or something ; but it was no good thinking of impossibilities. When he arrived in his room, he found his " frouster '' occupied by a stout party reading the paper. His back was turned to him as he entered, but as soon as lie heard a step, the gentleman rose with a bounce, and proceeded to shake hands cordially, wringing Russell's hand nearly to a pulp in his vehemence. He was a youngish man with dark whiskers and a large moustache. As I have said, he was inclined to corpulence ; and he was dressed in the height of the fashion. " Ah ! so glad to see you, old man ; hope you're quite well." (Russell hadn't a notion who he was.) " Don't suppose you know me," he continued, " as we've never met. Your cousin Charlie, I arn ; ha, ha ! thought I'd run down from town and look you up. Hope your family are quite well I don't know much of them ; I'm only a fourth cousin, you see ! " Russell had heard of a cousin Charlie, but he never thought he was a fellow like this. His cousin Charlie, he had always under- stood, was such a quiet sort of cove, not at all like the flashy individual before him. He began to think he was a swindler, and looked round the room to se& if anything was missing ; not that it would have been worth any one's while to steal any of his books or ornaments. He could but be polite ; still, h& must be on his guard. " Let's come down and sec the football, eh ? '* continued Charlie, slapping him violently on the back. RusseU followed the stranger diffidently, taking the opportunity of being behind, to see that his watch and money were ah 1 safe. The fellow had COUSIN CHARLIE. 55 a very loud voice, as "well as appearance. Six years in Australia had not improved his manners. As they neared the footer field, lots of fellows stared, and looked as if they were making remarks. Eussell wished himself well out of it. To be seen walking with a great fat fellow, dressed in " three-man - checks," with enough jewellery for six, smoking a cigar, and talking, every now and then, loud enough to be heard at Pinner this was altogether most unpleasant. Still he could not shake him off, and if it were really his cousin, it wouldn't do to be rude. " Aw, I was here years ago, don't ye know ? Place altered wonderfully ; hardly knew it, except for the Old Schools, and a few other places." Everybody could hear all he said, and Eussell felt that hie and his companion were objects of universal atten- tion. "Aw, by Jupitaw! that was a good bit of play ? I remember a fellow in my day, who used to ' sky ' every man in the field, like so many nine- pins, and then do just what he liked with the bah 1 ! " With such remarks the stranger passed away the time until the footer bell sounded, when every one began to make their way up the hill. As fellows passed, Kussell felt that Charlie was being narrowly scrutinised, and his feeling of awkwardness did not diminish when, on reaching the house, they had to elbow their way through a lot of fellows in the passages, who stared, open-mouthed., at the stranger. Once in his room, our hero began to feel more at ease ; but soon Lyon (his room- fellow) sloped in, quite unconscious that a visitor was present, with a " tosh " full of water, in " footer " clothes. " Oh, er this is a a cousin of mine, who has er come to see me," stammered 56 HUGH RUSSELL AT HARROW. Russell, hoping Lyon would either postpone his ablutions or perform them elsewhere. But Lyon was much too dense to take the hint, and, after giving a sort of awkward how in Charlie's direction, proceeded to divest himself of his muddy garments, utterly regardless of Eussell's imploring glances. " Well," said he at last, in despair, " shall we come up to the school-yard? It's nearly time for bill." " All right," said his guest, " must see old Sam, don't ye know? Wonder if he remembers me?" So saying, he swaggered down the passage, followed by Russell. " If Sam remembers him, he can't be a swindler," thought he, more puzzled than ever. Oh dear, yes, Sam remembered him ; that is, when he gave his name, which, by the way, did not sound like that of Russell's cousin Charlie. Our hero was about to take the bull by the horns, and ask his visitor if there wasn't some mistake ; but bill was just begin- ning, and he didn't want to have a scene, as the stranger was talking loud enough already. During bill, Charlie distinguished himself by swag- gering up and down in the open space in the middle, until the bill-master, after eyeing him savagely for some time, sent the monitor to ask him kindly to retire, whereat he strode out of the yard in a rage, muttering angrily. Of course this episode took place before the whole school, and Russell felt more ashamed of him than ever, and determined to avoid him if possible. Accordingly, he watched him down the street, and then turned into Davies' to get his hair cut. After tbis he was at a loss where to go ; he could not go to the house, for the awful Charlie might be in his room, and he dared not go into COUSIN CHABLIE. 57 the school-yard or anywhere for fear of meeting him. At last, after cautiously looking up and down the street, he ventured to Winkley's, and ordered muffins and chocolate. The shop was crowded, and it was ,some time before he got what he had ordered ; but at last it came, and being lucky enough to secure a chair, he was just going to enjoy it, when the door was opened, and in swaggered Charlie. Of course every one looked up, and several might be seen whis- pering that that was the fellow that made such a row up at bill. " Aw give me some chocolate, will you?" he said. Kussell was just behind him, and was debating whether he ought to show himself, or whether he could slip out unobserved, when tho difficulty was solved by Charlie, who, catching sight of him, exclaimed, "Oh, here you are, you young dog! Where have you been ? I couldn't find you anywhere ! Wasn't that impertinence of that fellow to order me off, up in the school-yard ? Aw I'd a good mind to punch his head for him, the insolent hound ! " IHussell felt ready "to sink into the ground ; of course every one was listening, as they couldn't help it. "Aw let's come upstairs; nobody in the room, is there ? " So saying, he walked up, Russell follow- ing. " Now then," said he, as soon as they had reached ihe room, "just cut out, and bring in a few of your Mends, and I'll stand you all a regular high tea ! " Piussell couldn't refuse, of course, so he went down- stairs. Who should he ask ? He couldn't introduce So-and-so, because he'd get so unmercifully chaffed about his noisy visitor. Lyoii might do ; he was so dense, he'd never see anything to laugh at in the 58 HUGH RUSSELL AT HARROW. -whole affair. But then he'd been such a fool, be- ginning his " tosh," when the stranger was in the room. Never mind ; perhaps he wouldn't be recog- nised. " Look here, come up to tea at "Winkley's with me and that cove you saw ; look sharp ! " said he, entering his room, where Lyon was writing " lines." ' Oh, I can't be bothered ; I've got 'puns ' by lock-up." " Oh, cut them ; I'll do you some lines someday; come on, there's a good chap!" "Oh,. well, I don't mind, once in a way,' 3 said Lyon, good naturedly, preparing to come. "Now for another fellow," thought Eussell. He couldn't think of a, suitable one. So, in despair, he collared the first Fourth-form boy he met, and said imperatively, " Now then ; you're coming out to tea with me ; just brush your hair and come ; be sharp ! " The small boy was surprised and delighted ; he- had never been taken so much notice of before, and a good feed for nothing was not to be despised ! So he came very willingly, and soon afterwards Eussell, with his two recruits, was seated with Charlie, doing justice to a sumptuous meal in "Winkley's upper room. There was no doubt as to the stranger's liberality fish, hot meat, eggs, cold meat, tea and coffee, pastry, all put in an appearance ; and the guests made up for their dearth of conversation by feeding heartily. Before they had finished, lock-up bell rang, and bidding a hasty good-night to their host (who ob- served that he would see Russell next day), they de- parted, arriving at the house just as the door was being shut. That evening Russell pondered over the adventures of the afternoon, but could make nothing of them. There must be a mistake. He had dropped his sus- COUSIN- CHAHLIE. 50 1 " ])icious view of tlie stranger. To be sure, lie was n regular brick to stand such a tea, but lie wished ho Avere not quite such a remarkable character, and didn't talk so awfully loud. Next day Avas Sunday At first chapel, coming in late, with very creaky boots, and v/ading among the * ; toppers," Charlie Avas to be seen swaggering up the nisle. His personal charms were enhanced by a frock coat and a gorgeous crimson tie, while ho carried a white top hat, and Avore an eyeglass. (This last ornament he had not Avorn on the preceding day, so it must have been part and parcel of his Sunday attire.) After service, coming doAvn the aisle, he caught sight of Russell, to whom he gave a familiar nod, making our hero wish himself anyAvhere but where he was. Nothing more was seen of Charlie till about ten o'clock, when he appeared in Russell's room and pro- posed a walk before second chapel. While they Avere out, the conversation turned on home affairs. " Let's see ; you must be about sixteen. Ah ! yes. I remember, your poor brother was two years older." Russell stopped dead, and looked him in the face. " I never had a brother," he said ; " there must be u mistake." " Mistake ! nonsense ; why you'll be telling me next that your name isn't Bertie Russell, I suppose !" " My name is Hiir/h Russell," replied he. "Why, then, aren't you the son of old John Russell, of Dellinghurst ; and Avasn't your mother a Miss Grove ?" "No, I'm the only son of Mr. Russell, the Q.C., of whom you may have heard." The " Comedy of Errors" was soon cleared up. Of course our hero was not Charlie's cousin. That worthy produced a letter in which the John Russell 'CO HUGH RUSSELL AT HARROW. lie bad spoken of wrote, " Bertie is getting on well at school ; I am sure a public-school life is doing Jiim good. Perhaps if you are in. town, you could run down and see him ; it is not far by rail." And to this alone was traceable the whole series of mis- takes. The impetuous Charlie, being a Harrow man himself, never doubted that the public school near London referred to, was the " ancient school on the hill ; " but now he thought it over, he fancied it must be Eton ; and, in fact, he had some recollection, now he tried to remember, that Bertie Kussell wax at Eton ; and as there was no one of the name at Harrow, besides our hero, he supposed it must be so. On his arrival at Harrow, he had asked the first fellow he met if he knew any one of the name of Eussell, and if so, where he boarded, and the result we know. Eusseli was long afterwards "chaffed" about his pseudo-relative, and at house-singing a solo was -always demanded of him of " Come o'er the stream, Charlie!" CHAPTEK VIII. THE "EX." ' A glimpse of home, and then away, Back to the round of work and play A happy dream that soon was fled Things that were done, and thought, and said : Was it for thin we sighed and strained, Of which the memory scarce remained ': Nay, say not so ; those few short hours Eefreshed us, roused our flagging powers ; To duty we returned once more, Still heartier, stronger, than before." Axox. [OURTH school on tbe Friday evening of the "Ex." All the bother of getting "Ex-letters" and "Ex-papers" was- over ; all the suspense, all the threats of stopped "Exes," all the hopes and fears dependent on the discretion (or what the fellows thought caprice) of masters, were at an end. Even the formal entry of the monitor, followed by the reading out the names of those whose papers- were signed, had taken place, and nothing remained for the Ex-goers in Russell's form but to sit quiet till the clock struck. The master had hit on this 132 HUGH RCSSELL AT HARROW. peculiarly tantalising way of making the time seem longer. At the beginning of school, lots of questions had been asked among the fellows. "I say; I've been packing my bag, and cut the ' con ' dead ; d'you think he'll stop my ' Ex ' if I skew it '?" asked one, anxiously. " Is there any chance of his letting us out early ? " inquired another, though he well knew that masters arc never so aggravatingly punctual as :ut the school before the "Ex." At last the master came up, and soon every one was in his place. One after another had been " put 011 ; " nobody ' skewed ; " and they got through the lesson before the hour was over. Glances were exchanged, clearly denoting a hope of an early release. Not a bit of it. The master sat still, took out his watch ; ten minutes more. Fellows grabbed at their hats and books, and sat on the very edges of the forms, like cats about to spring. Then the master gave out in a provokingly deliberate way, the small amount of work expected in the " Ex " from those who were not going. How- uninteresting it seemed to the anxious Ex-goers ! Somebody thought he heard the clock strike, and accordingly stirred, whereupon half a dozen fellows made a stampede for the door, one sprawling in the middle of the floor in his anxiety to depart. But they had to return to their seats, looking foolish enough. ' Four minutes and a half," quoth the master," killing an animal which had crept from his book. Then he began to mend a pen ; after which he again consulted his watch, announcing that in " three minutes and a quarter " they might go. Kussell was among the happy " signed," and wa* to spend the % -Ex r with Lyon, in London, his own THE ' EX." 63 people being out of town. He had had several narrow shaves of having his "Ex"' stopped by various masters, who had seemed to take a peculiar delight in holding out this threat ; so much so that our hero had been pro voiced on one occasion, after the oft-repeated threat had been brought out, to observe that the joke was a trifle stale, which piece of im- pertinence nearly cost him his " Ex." But, as I have said, suspense was now at an end, and at length the wished- for moment arrived, and a second rush was made to the door (that is by the Ex-goers, the others taking it more leisurely). It was a foggy November evening as Russell and Lyou, bags in hand, sped down the hill. Many were the invita- tions from passers-by to take a place in a fly (already containing five fellows, and two on the box), but they heeded not. On they ran, passing and being passed by other foot passengers. It was very dark, and once Lyou ran head first into a ditch, where he lay sprawling till pulled out by the legs by Eussell ; -other fellows were much too hurried to stop and assist. Luckily, the ditch was comparatively dry, so a small portion of mud, a battered hat, and a torn umbrella, were the sole results of the fall. At last the station was reached, and after the usual bustle for tickets, the two found themselves on the crowded platform. In a few moments the train came up, and a rush was made. Eussell and Lyon were fortunate enough to get places in a first-class carriage, and by the light of its lamp Lyou brushed his garments which had suffered in the ditch. AVillesden was soon reached, and here they got out and went up the stairs to the upper station, where a quarter of an hour was spent in reading the adver- tisements. 64 HUGH RUSSELL AT HARROW. When the train came up, it \vas no easy thing to- find a place. It seemed to be full of people return- ing from their day's work. Trains do not wait long- on the Metropolitan lines, so the two had hardly got into a third-class carnage before they were off. Xittiny room there was none, as the occupants already consisted of four labourers, three volunteers, a snuffy old gentleman, evidently of Jewish extrac- tion, with his son (a youth of unwashed appear- ance), and an old lady, who was the very ideal of Mrs. Gamp, umbrella and ah 1 . Lyon declined with thanks this kind old lady's offer of a seat on her knees ; while Eussell, with equal firmness and politeness, resented the efforts of the Jewish gentle- man to make a place into which he might squeeze between him and his hopeful soa. So they stood up, one at each window, trying to catch a little- fresh air, as the atmosphere of the compartment was close, to say the least of it. At last the train stopped suddenly, sending Eussell into the arms of one of the labourers, who received him with a volley of the abuse for which the British workman is so- justly famed, while Lyon was soon receiving a hardly more polite reprimand from the old Jew, on whoso toe the sudden stoppage of the train had caused him to tread. But all troubles have an end, and 1 before many minutes had passed, the two found themselves driving in a hansom through the streets of South Kensington. At length they pulled up before Sir Walter Lyon's- house. The family were dining out, so the two- were left to their own devices. After a solemn dinner, the solemnity of which was increased by the presence of the solemn butler, the two young THE "EX." 65 bachelors sallied forth in a hansom to the Gaiety Theatre, where they found a capital farce, and met several of their schoolfellows. On their return home, Eussell was introduced to his host and hostess, their eldest son, Harry, and their two daughters, grown-up young ladies. Next day, after breakfast, the two friends set out in search of amusement ; and, after doing some of the South Kensington Museum, and some shopping, went to lunch at the Criterion, from whence they made their way to the Christy Minstrels' afternoon performance. It was some time since either of them had witnessed the ever new and varied extra- vagances of this company, and for weeks afterwards their room at Harrow would resound, while they were dressing, with choice duets they had picked up at the St. James's Hall. The jokes too, and the farce at the end, were as good as ever, and Kussell acquired the art of alighting sittingwise on a chair, with his legs rigidly stuck together up in the air, and his name not seldom appeared in the "break- age-list" for the remainder of the term in conse- quence. They returned home for dinner, after which they went off together, in company with Harry Lyon, to see " Our Boys." They had a box to themselves, from whence they got a good view of the stage and audience. Among the latter, Eussell saw no less a person than "cousin Charlie;" and what was more, Charlie saw him, and made frantic efforts to catch his eye. At last, between the acts, Charlie was seen to leave his seat, and soon the door of their box opened, and a well-known voice was heard, saying, " Hullo, youngster, how are you?" and, taking possession of the remaining 5 06 HUGH RUSSELL AT HARROW. chair, Charlie sat down, and stayed till the end of the piece. He had found out his real cousin at Eton, he said, and thought him a slow young ass, and wished he'd stuck to his first-found relative. This he seemed fully determined to do now at any rate, and would only reluctantly take an excuse from Russell for not coming to supper with him at his club. However, they managed to shake him off at last, and returned home. Next day was Sunday, which was spent in the morning by going to church, and in the afternoon by visiting the Zoo. Monday morning saw the two once more at Harrow, racing up the hill, late for second school. They had to get their books, and change their coats, and, on reaching their room, they found most of the former had disappeared. This, they subsequently ij on the subject ; perhaps the weather had something to do with his melancholy frame of mind. It will be remembered that he had got his " fea " the year before, so a house match was a familiar thing to him. But a cock-house match that meant something more. If only he felt up to it, what wonders he would do ; but somehow it seemed that his wind, his running, and his powers altogether had been declining the last few days. So at least, in his present state of mind, he fancied ; for no one had found fault with his play of late. By and by Lyon came out, on his way up town, and Russell, discovering that he ha,d borrowed his umbrella, had to remonstrate, as he would soon want it himself. This little event turned the train of our hero's thoughts, and after he had seen Lyon off the premises with an umbrella other than his own, he returned to his room to prepare his garments for the great contest. He was not usually particular as to his dress at " footer," but on such a great occasion he felt it his duty to the house to present as smart an appearance as possible ; so he selected the most spotless pair of duck-knickerbockers, and the least faded house-shirt, after which he took down his " house-match fez " from its peg of honour over the mantelpiece (he had three, one for house matches, another for ordinary use, and a third for \vut weather), brushed it carefully, and combed its silken tassel. Then he took out a woollen comforter of house colours, to ''go down " in, and a " fez-belt," and next proceeded to see to the stockings and boots. After all his preparations were finished, he went " up town " to gather intelligence of the enemy's forces. 70 HUGH RUSSELL AT HARBOW. At dinner lie eat of the beefsteak, which the fore- thought of the matron had provided, and of course abstained from pudding. After the meal he re- paired to his room, where he beat up an egg he had previously procured, with hot water and a little sherry that had been in his travelling flask since the holidays. This strength-giving mixture he drank out of his tooth-glass, and gave some to Lyon, who pronounced it " beastly," but, nevertheless, seemed to place un- limited faith in its powers. After bill they " changed " as quickly as pos- sible, and marched down to the field in proces- sion, headed by " Jimmy " Belfield, who was captain of the " footer," as well as cricket that year, and whose popularity was greater than ever. Amongst the players whose names are known to the reader were Burton, Leigh, and Vemon. The last of these had not got his " fez," but was first " choice," as the list now stood. The rain had ceased, but the ground was in a fearfully slippery state. Their opponents were on the ground before them, and there was some dis- cussion as to whether this was a good omen or not. The whole school seemed to be on the ground, to say nothing of masters, old Harrovians, and a fair sprinkling of ladies. Then there was the usual knot of school-servants, tradesmen, and "chaws." Altogether Russell, as he stripped, thought he had never seen the ropes so crowded, and he felt on his mettle. Play soon began, Russell's house (which, for convenience, we shall call the " black and white "} defending the base furthest from " Ducker." The wind was in their favour, and before long Burton COCK-HOUSE MATCH. 71 managed to run the ball between the enemy's poles. The cheers were tremendous ; one would have thought that the shouts would never stop. But now a harder task lay before the " black and white " side. The wind right in their teeth, to which was now added driving rain, made it no easy matter to work the ball up to their opponents base, and after a long and hard struggle, during which it was difficult to say who were getting the best of it, so exactly in the middle region did the ball keep, a well-directed kick by the captain of the other side made the state of affairs equal. And it seemed as if the day's play would result in a tie. Half-time passed, but still no more bases for either side were kicked. The excitement grew intense. Every "run-up," every fall, every catch, was made the subject of deafening applause. The ground was literally covered with lemons. " Ten minutes more," shouted some bystander, "play up!" "Five minutes only!" was soon the cry, and it seemed as if it were too late for any decision of the match that day. Some fellows, indeed, among the onlookers, began to make their way up the hill, thinking nothing more was to be seen. But they were mistaken. A final effort was made by both elevens ; the play got faster than ever ; not a laggard was to be seen in the field. In a lucky moment Kussell took the ball from an advancing foemau, and succeeded in making a splendid "run-up," dodging one after another of his opponents. He was well followed up, and when, almost dead beat, he stumbled and fell, " Jimmy " Belfield took the ball on till he was up again, when he gave our hero a catch. The suspense was breath' 72 HUGH RUSSELL AT HARROW. less. " Be quick ; no time to lose ! " cried somebody. All depended on him. To "be quick " without getting flurried, is no easy thing, especially when the result of " cock-house match : ' depends on your success or failure. A dead silence ; every eye is upon him. One quick glance, and he runs forward; the ball soars in the air, and falls between and behind the poles. Not a moment too soon. Before the ball has stopped rolling, before every one has realised what has happened, the bell begins, all doubt is at an end, and Kiugsford's is cock-house for the year. For a few moments our hero hardly realised the feat he had performed, but he was soon roused to a sense of it by the congratulations and praises that poured in from all sides. As the players went up the hill, too, he received sundry slaps on the back from enthusiastic friends ; and when they neared the House, the scene of triumph came to its climax. The street was full of fellows ; the house door was crowded ; and as each player entered the house, he was received with loud applause. When the fellows caught sight of Kussell, nothing would satisfy them but to carry him into the house in triumph ; nor did they release him till they had lauded him, clothes and all, in a hot bath in his room, which they had prepared for him. After his ablutions, the old butler showed his loyalty by bringing him some hot cocoa. After four he received company in his room, sitting enthroned in his " frouster," which, rickety at all tunes, succumbed under the weight of our hero's newly -acquired honours, and let him down on the carpet, in the midst of the Levee. That evening a grand spread was given in the COCK-HOUSE MATCH. 73 Hall; speeches were made, and sherry-glasses broken. Of course, Eussell was the hero of the evening, though many others of the players were " toasted." After the spread, Kussell was invited on to the " private side," to be shown off and patted on the back by the ladies, and this ordeal was the worst of any to him, as he was never brilliant in company, and on this particular evening he felt more than usually awk- ward, submitting to his pattings and compliments with that air of resignation peculiar to small dogs and school-boys who have done something out of the ordinary. He was altogether glad to escape from the drawing-room to his own humbler apartment, which he found crowded with fellows, all talking at once, the subject of conversation being, of course, the house match. " Did you see 's run up ? " ' ; Who was it that got hurt, about half-time ; one of the ites ? " " Wasn't that a good kick of Bus- sell's? " &c., &c. Our hero's entrance was the signal for another violent demonstration of approval, from which he barely escaped with his life. On the whole, he wa.- not sorry, on a by-no-means-invented plea of fatigue, to retire early to bed, with leave to " stop out " next i." [T was the middle of Easter term; " footer" just over, and running, about to begin regularly. Our hero stood at the house door in deep thought. The previous night he had had his patience sorely tried by a rat hunt in his room. Just as he was going to his press to get out a clean shirt for next day, a big piebald rat had jumped out of the lowest shelf, and run off under the bed. Just then- the gas "went out suddenly (as it always did about 10.15), so Russell, fearing to tread with bare feet on the floor, and having no matches, had sat, half un- dressed on his bed, in terror of an assault. At last, in walked his tutor, caudle in hand. The two, aided by Lyou,had had an unsuccessful hunt, and the master, half suspecting that the rat was imaginary, and an excuse for Russell's not being in bed, went off, leaving our hero still in a deadly funk. He had passed a wretched night ; for the animal kept scram- bling about, now here, now there, and whenever our hero dropped asleep it was to dream of rats. At last he took courage to climb over the table to the door, which he set open, in the hope that his visitor would take the hint. Not a bit of it ; and after an hour or so, Lyon, whose bed was nearest the door, declared he wouldn't stand the draught any longer. The rat had not been found yet. " What if it should die, and make a stink behind my hat-box ! " thought Russell. But greater troubles were in store for him. The animal, it seemed, had escaped from No. 18, a room belonging to two small fellows who kept quite a menagerie. They had a guinea-pig, three white rats, two piebald rats (of which Russell's dis- turber was one), a cage full of white mice, and a family of dormice, which lived in Henderson's " Ex- bag." None but the owners, Henderson and Scrap- field could enter the room, without being nearly .knocked down ; the monkey-house at the Zoo was nothing to it. It was stated that Scrapfield always Jiad three or more mice in his jacket pocket, and it was quite certain that one had walked out one evening on to the hall-table at prayers. Henderson 86 HUGH RUSSELL AT HAKEOW. once took a white rat into school, but the Master "twigging" it, watched his opportunity, "nailed" it in the paper-basket, and sent its owner home with his rat, plus two hundred lines. The rat and mouse nuisance was getting too much of a good thing in the house. " Find "-cupboards were infested and pillaged, rooms scented, fellows tormented, boots nibbled, collars devoured. But the whole affair came to a climax when Eussell, the night after his rat-hunt, having satisfied himself that the room was clear, got into bed, and found something gnawing at his toes. Whether by acciclent or design, two white- rats' had found their way between the sheets. Next day, roused by complaints on all sides, a council of Sixth-form fellows was held, to determine wiiat steps should be taken to abate the nuisance. The Head of the House presided, and in his room the council met. Before long they resolved them- selves into a committee of inquiry, and in the evening marched in state into No. 18, holding their noses. They found the room in a fearful state of untidiness. The table was thrust into a corner ; a broken chair lay in the fender ; and Henderson sat in the middle of the floor, trying to force something that looked like mud into the guinea-pig's mouth, with a spoon. He looked rather startled on the entrance of the authorities, but continued his efforts with the struggling animal. " What are you doing to that poor brute ? " asked the Head of the House, speaking from behind a handkerchief saturated with eau-de-cologne. " Oh, I didn't think Samuel had been quite well lately," replied Henderson, " so I'm giving him some medicine." " What is your beast- liness made of'?" interposed another of the Sixth RATS. 87 form. "Ob, it is bread and mustard and sugar and water, with some camphor." " No wonder the beast won't eat it, then ! " replied the questioner ; "Where is Scrapfield?" "He is gone to the tap for hot water, because it is Arthur's bath-night." " Who may Arthur be ? " asked the Head of the House. " Why, Arthur is the biggest piebald rat." " Oh, the brute I caught in my coal-scuttle ! " re- marked some one. " How many beasts have you altogether ? " continued the Head, sniffing at his handkerchief. " Well, let's see ; five rats and the guinea-pig, thirteen white mice, and seven dormice. And then Scrapfield has bought a rabbit, which is to live under his bed." " Where do the rest of the brutes live ? " " Oh, the mice have a cage, and the dormice are in an ' Ex - bag,' and the rats are in the wash-hand-stand cupboards, and the guinea- pig the guinea-pig ." "Well, speak out; where does the guinea-pig live ? " " Why, he used to live in my clothes-press, before he was ill." "Yes, and where does he live now?" "Well," (this reluctantly), " he sleeps in my bed now ! " A roar of laughter greeted this confession. " Where did you get all the beasts ? " pursued the Head. " Oh, chiefly through the Exchange and Hart ; we answer the advertisements.'' " Are all the brutes in the room just now ? " asked one of the Sixth form, with a sort of shudder. "All except one of the white rats, and we don't know where he has got to." "I do, though!" exclaimed a new-comer, catching the words ; " he is down in your 'Find '- cupboard, eating ham," turning to the Head of the the House. " By jove ! is he though ? " and with that the irate Head turned, followed by the others, 88 HUGH RUSSELL AT HARROW. Henderson bringing up the rear, praying that mercy might be shown to the culprit. Sure enough, there was the white rat in the cupboard. Nobody would touch it but Henderson, who embraced it tenderly, and retired with it in his arms. Then, after burning a pastille in the " Find "-cupboard, the committee sat, and called in witnesses, one by one. First came Russell, who recounted both his experiences. Then came Crawdou, who deposed that on Saturday night he had come into his room, and (in the fullest sense of the words) had " smelt a rat." That on his going for the fire-irons to attack the animal, if he could discover it, he had found one of his slippers entirely spoilt by being torn and gnawed. The next witness E roved that on three separate occasions his sleep ad been disturbed by mice, while a fourth alleged that the contents of his " Find "-cupboard, viz., a chicken, a tongue, two pots of jam, some tinned meat, and a packet of sugar, had been rendered " unfit for human food," by the depredations of rats. Other witnesses told of the destruction of books, clothes, etc. After all the witnesses had retired, the council laid their heads together, finally deciding that the obnoxious animals must be removed. Hoic, was the question. To take them by force from the owners would be no easy matter ; besides, no one liked touching them. It was a case requiring deep consideration. That night, the Head of the House, having put some more eau-de-cologne on his hand- kerchief, paid another visit to the room, and told Henderson and Scrapfield that if the menagerie was not disposed of in twenty-four hours, the Sixth form would forfeit the whole stock of animals. But two days having passed, and the offenders EATS. 89 having disregarded the warning, another council was held, which resulted in a plan of selling the animals to a respectable old pedlar, who said that he could dispose of them easily in the villages through which he passed. He was to come one day during first school, while Henderson and Scrapfield were "up ; " one of the Sixth form was to stay out on that day to receive the man, and make the bargain. And so it was that the owners of the animals one day returned from first school to find their room untenanted by a single guinea-pig, rat, or mouse. That night the Head of the House came round, and forbidding them to get any more beasts, on any pretence whatever, paid down half the sum realised by the sale, saying that the other half would be given to the cricket fund, after compensation for devoured food, etc., had been made to those who had suffered by the rats and mice. Long afterwards Henderson and Scrapfield went about, mourning for their lost pets, but the house has not since been troubled with vermin. Eussell, for weeks afterwards, made his bed afresh every night, to see if anything was to be found between the sheets. And, till the day he left, there stuck to him (the chief sufferer from the great nuisance) the nickname -of "Eats." CHAPTER XII. DECOEATIOXS. " Nay sir ; but verily, as a garden without plants, as a hearth without a fire, as a speech without meaning, so is an apartment destitute of embellishment. " I like it not ; for, be it never so spacious, it lacketh comfort, and it is comfort that maketh the home." SAYINGS OP SIB TITUS TEUTHSOME. ?YON and Russell were determined to make their room respectable, and net only respectable, but really handsome. It -was the beginning of the summer term (following the term in which the events recorded in the last chapter took place) ; and, as Russell said, " It's worth while making your room jolly for summer term ; partly because it is a long^ term, partly because there are no fires to make a mess ; and then there is ' Speecher ' too ; one always likes the place to look decent on ' Speedier,' you know/' Accordingly, the first few days were in great part spent in getting the room respectable. It is won- derful how little things mount up. One buys a few DECORATIONS. dozen brass nails and tin tacks, but soon finds that more are wanted ; the deficiency has to be supplied : about a score of fresh packets of these nails and tacks alone have to be bought before all is done. Then there is picture-cord and picture-nails, and baize and fringe, and perhaps a new niantel-board and a few new brackets to fill up odd spaces. So that, by the time Russell and Lyon had finished their deco- rations, they found that the money had flown won- derfully. Still, they had reason to be satisfied with the result. To begin with, at the end of last term they had made a petition to the Matron, that had resulted in their having an almost new carpet, and a respectable cloth for the middle table. Then Lyon had a small side-table, a legacy from some fellow who had left, and he had brought a table-cloth from home for it. They were well off for pictures, Eussell having half a dozen hunting scraps, neatly framed, a few photographs of scenery, several heads of dogs and horses, and three of those large prints of Landseer's best known paintings, which cover a great space, but are regular " art-murders." Lyon had brought several very good oleographs from home, as well as some water-colour drawings done by his people. He also had four sporting pieces, and one or two good prints. Lyou did the picture hanging (with Russell's assistance when needed), while Russell undertook what he called the "tapestry and drapery department." He was deter- mined not to confine himself to the unvarying monotony of red or green baize and fringe, so he went about the town to find something more out of the common. The shopkeepers, he thought, were- 92 HUGH RUSSELL AT HARROW. very stupid. He asked to see baize of other colours than red or green. No, they had none. Well, he was not particular about its being baize ; had they any cloth or other material ? No, none. He ex- plained it was for covering mantelpieces or bed-door panels. No, they had nothing that would do. At last he turned to leave the shop in despair. Just then, his eye lighted on something which looked like dark-blue baize. "Hullo! what's this?" he exclaimed. " That, sir, is blue flannel," replied the shopman, rubbing his hands together. " Well, why won't that do ? " All the shopman could answer was, that it wasn't usual to cover mantel-boards with ilannel, and that most gentlemen used baize. " Didn't I tell you that I wanted something unusual and different from what most gentlemen use ? " cried Hussell. So he purchased some blue flannel, and the shopman, with the air of one who is amusing a child or humouring an idiot, then produced some material of a rich violet hue, though he stated that lie didn't think gentlemen had ever asked for it -before. Russell was much taken with it, and bought some. He returned in triumph to the house. When .all was finished it looked very well. The inside window sill, which was very unsightly, being cut and stained with ink, was covered with blue flannel with red fringe (he could not get blue) ; and the bed-door panels were covered with violet stuff fastened on with grand star-pattern brass nails. The mantel-board was covered, later on in the term, with a worked iiffair from home, but, for the first few weeks, it was done in violet with red fringe. Then they got several brackets, and on them and the mantelpiece placed various ornaments, of which DECORATIONS. 93" the most striking was a china figure of a gentleman in blue, sitting on the edge of a large gilded shell of fabulous shape. Next they purchased a fire-orna- ment one of the " cascade" pattern ; but the very night it was put up, Russell thoughtlessly, from sheer habit, flung the match he had struck to light the gas with into the fender, and in a moment the fire-orna- ment was in a blaze, nearly setting the chimney on fire, and singeing the fringe of the mantelpiece. However, after three or four ornaments had perished in this manner, they were cured of the trick, and managed to keep one unhurt till tho end of the term. Russell wrote home for muslin curtains, which were not, however, put up till a little before " speecher," lest they should get dirty before that eventful day. After all the decorations were completed, Eussell and Lyon bound themselves to abide by the following regulations : (1.) That they should take it in turns to sweep the floor (maid's sweeping goes for nothing), shake the table-cloths, and eradicate grease spots from the mantelpiece once a week. (2.) That neither of them should leave his books, clothes, etc., about the room. (3.) That they should, as much as possible, pre- vent other fellows from smashing their ornaments, or making a mess about the room. But, faithfully as they kept to these agreements, accidents did occur. Fellows u-ould come and play "footer" in the room during their absence, or borrow books from the shelves and pull down all the rest to get at the particular ones they wanted. So '94 HUGH RUSSELL AT HARROW. that a broken picture-glass or ornament, or an upset of ink on the table-cloth, were not rare occurrences. Then the rnaid would always arrange their furniture to her own taste, which was not identical with theirs. Nevertheless, on " Speecher" the room presented a truly gorgeous appearance. Besides their own ornaments they had borrowed several from fellows -whose people were not coming down. Then the muslin curtains and worked mantel-cover were in their glory. Cleanliness aud neatness reigned .supreme. Pots of ferns stood in the fender in front of the fire-ornament. As " Speecher " was a blazing hot day, it was quite a treat to come into the room. By a judicious arrangement of opening the windows in the morning (when the sun was on the other side of the house), and with the help of blocks of ice in the washhand-basius,the temperature was delightful. As to flowers, the table appeared to be one mass of them ; they had spent quite a fortune at Naylor's. They were most artistically arranged in vases, tooth-glasses, and soap-dishes, and even in the cup belonging to a travelling flask, which had been pressed into the service. On each bouquet hovered gorgeous butterflies (tropical ones, secured by a little gum in natural positions on the flowers), while a refreshing little fountain occupied one of the presses. This was Lyon's idea ; it was supplied from a jug on the top of the bookshelf above, by an indiarubber tube. Their people were quite enchanted, and seemed to think that their hopeful sons did all their work amid this blaze of flowers and butterflies and fountains in fact, in a sort of fairyland. If they had looked into the next room (which belonged to DECORATIONS. 95 fellows whose people were not expected), a broken table, a three-legged chair lying on the ground, a smashed jug, a pool of ink, and an accumulation of jam-pots, would have met their eyes, and their ideas of life at Harrow would have been rudely dispelled. CHAPTER XIII. ANOTHER SUMMER TERM. " When BUI plays at cricket, No ball on the green Is shot from the wicket So sharp and so clean ; He stands at his station As strong as a king, "When he lifts up a nation On Victory's wing." FBOM " MUSA BUESCHICOSA. pleasure. Summer Term was peculiarly de- lightful to our liero. His last summer, it will be remembered, was spoilt by his sudden removal to the " Sanny." But this year no such calamity marred his At cricket he greatly distinguished him- go He had no chance of his " flannels " that year, but many looked on him as a future player at Lords. He was one of the house bowlers, bowling being his strong point. The first house match was played on a whole holiday, and began after " eleven bill" Great was ANOTHER SUMMER TERM. 97 the excitement. Belfield was still the captain of the Kingsfordites, and a very good captain he made. In the first innings he made 63, not out ; their total being 149. Then the other side went in, and came out for 150. In his second innings, Belfield was unlucky, and got run out for seven. Eussell was the man who was expected to make up for this mis- fortune. The first ball he made a fine hit to leg, followed by another and another. The score was running up. The enemy put on other bowlers, but to no purpose. By the time five wickets were down he had made 52. Fellows came from all parts of the field to look on. The shouting was tremendous. Mr. Kingsford, himself a good player in younger days, paces excitedly up and down, ever and anon giving vent to his feelings by a shout of " Well hit, sir ! " Russell seems invincible. At last, playing perhaps a little carelessly, he sends the ball flying right up in the air. " Whew ! " exclaims Mr. Kings- ford, stopping in his walk, as he follows the ball with his eyes, "out for certain!" One of the "fields" runs forward and catches it No! he juggles with it for a moment and then drops it. Kussell is still safe. A roar of derision and dis- appointment bursts from friend and foe respectively, at this incident. Then another steady spell of luck for our hero, and he carries his bat for 72, no mean contribution to the total score of 197. It was too late to play out the match, but on the Monday evening after, play was resumed. Russell's bowling proved deadly. Five wickets fell to him, including the adversary's best man, cut off in his prime. Their total score was 98, leaving Kings- ford's easily victors. Nor was Russell less dis- 7 98 HUGH EUSSELL AT HAKKOW. tinguished in the next house match, which, however, they just lost. Time passed wonderfully quickly, and soon came the little succession of events that proclaims the approach of " Speecher. " First " Governors' Speecher," that time-honoured ceremony. What Harrovian recalls it not ? The whole school assem- bled in " Speecher ; " a sort of irregular bill called ; the announcement from the head master that "it is our custom to receive the governors standing, and in perfect silence." Then the Head of the School, arrayed in evening dress, goes to summon the governors from the room where they are kept, and, after they have entered and are seated, he begins his Latin speech. It is a beautiful sight to see the faces of those among the governors and masters who care to follow the discourse in the book, how their countenances light up at a joke or a happy allusion ! Then to watch the Sixth form, who, for the most part, listen with a dignified grace, as if they took it all in as easily as English. Then, when the " Contio " is over, come the long-suppressed cheers, and the hand-shaking among the governors and masters. In a few days, after the rehearsals of the actual " Speeches " before the townspeople and the school, comes the great day itself. Kussell was up early that day seeing to his room, the decorations of which have been described in the last chapter. His people came down pretty early, and were enchanted with the room. Then they were conducted by our hero to the various "lions" of the place. On the green, in front of the " Vaughan," played the Eifle Corps band, in uniform, with colours flying. After visiting the chapel, schools, terrace, " Yaughan," ANOTHER SUMMER TERM. 99 etc., it was time to go into " Speecher." "When he had seen his people safely into seats, our hero came out and strolled about with a few others, sat in the chapel to hear the organ, and in various ways killed time. He met several old Harrovians, to some of whom he merely nodded ; while with others he walked about, according to his acquaintance with them. There is Bowbury, who used to be in Kings- ford's, he is at Cambridge now ; and Brydges (by Jove ! what a moustache he has grown !) ; and Pilton who looks like a man of thirty, though he only left last term ; and there (the fellow with the white top hat and eye-glass) is " fop " Frankland ; and there, yes, there ! is " Cousin Charlie," in great force, with an alarming bouquet in his button-hole. How happy they all look ! Nobody can say that old Harrovians lose their love for the old place. At last it is time to go and cheer the visitors up in the school-yard. (This was before new " Speecher" was completed.) Kussell, with several others, strolls up and joins the throng of loungers sitting and standing under the temporary awnings against the big wall. At last the door of " Speecher " opens, and the com- pany begins to pour out. The Head of the School takes up his position on the steps, supported by one or two masters, who nudge him when a "swell" appears. Then the fun begins. " Three cheers for Lord ! Hip, hip, hip, hurrah ! ;> cries the Head, and ere the shouting has died away, " Three cheers for the Bishop of ." How pleased the good Bishop looks as he smiles round on the sea of young faces, and bows his thanks for the honour done him. Then more " swells " and more cheers ; now for a 100 HUGH KUSSELL AT HARROW. brave officer, now for a solemn judge, now for a learned College Don, now for a noble lord. See tbat dear stout old gentleman witb the benign spectacled face ; how deb'ghted be looks. How be bows, and smiles, and lifts bis bat, little thinking tbat the cheers are not for him, but for the thin, nervous- looking celebrity, who has hurriedly passed down the steps scarce noticed, but whose name it is that has been the key-note of the shouting. More lords and ladies, more bishops and judges, more officers and travellers ! The throng seems endless. The Head of the School is quite hoarse, and so is everybody. At last Eussell sees his people, joins them, and they go back to the house. A short time is spent in the gorgeous room described in Chapter XII. and then comes the " spread " in hall. The room looks quite gay, with garlands, etc., and over the fireplace is a grand scroll with " Stet fortuna domus," the school motto, emblazoned on it. Mr. Kingeford is busy " doing the host," while the clatter of knives and forks and the hum of conversation is incessant. Why linger to detail the proceedings ? After the "spread" and a little more lionising, the Russells go off in their carriage (for they have driven down from London). When he has seen them off, our hero meets more old schoolfellows, and contrives to pass the time till the sun gets low and the visitors scarce, when he joins the throng of bathers at " Ducker," and enjoys a dip after the heat and glare and excitement of the day. Summer term is a succession of excitements great and small, and as soon as " Speecher" is over, every one begins to think of Lords and Wimbledon. ANOTHER SUMMER TERM. 101 Of these the first deserves a separate chapter ; to the last Kussell, although a member of the Rifle Corps, was not going, having devoted his time to cricket, to the exclusion of the drills, etc., necessary before being put on the Wimbledon list. But although he was not going, he felt very patriotic on the morning of the day when he saw the 'busses, loaded with Rifle Corps fellows in uniform, start with colours flying and baud playing ; and when they returned that night with the glorious news that the Ashburton shield was still to adorn the walls of the " Vaughan," he felt as proud as if he had been on the spot. Quite at the end of the term, after Lords, came a spell of wet weather, such as even the oldest inha- bitants never recollected to have occurred at that time of year. The cricket pitches were a swamp, the open racket and fives courts were inundated ; nothing could be done, except, indeed, in the gym- nasium. Some one suggested " footer," and though the idea was novel, several " voluntary " games were well attended, and our hero was not slow to join them. Nor did a rush and a plunge in ' Ducker," clothes and all, at the conclusion of the game, lessen its attractions ; and this proceeding, supplemented, as it always was, by a run up the hill and a hot bath, failed to produce the " death of cold" which the worthy matron predicted. One day Russell, finding swimming in foot-ball boots rather hard work, took them off before he went into the water ; but his stockings were so wet after the immersion, that putting on the boots when he came out was out of the question ; so he had to run home 102 HUGH RUSSELL AT HARROW. without, -whereby his stockings and feet were not a little cut about. The -wet weather lasted till the end of the terra, but fortunately did not extend over the holidays, which our hero spent travelling on the Continent. CHAPTEE XIV. LORDS. " Willow the King is a monarch grand, Three in a row his courtiers stand ; Every day, when the sun shines bright. The doors of his palace are painted white, And all the company bow their backs To the King, with his collar of cobbler's wax. So ho ! so ho ! may the courtiers sing. Honour and life to Willow the King ! " HABBOW CEICEET SONG. CROWD of fellows the whole school, in fact upon the green, under the swinging sign of the " King's Head," one bright summer morning. The stranger asking the meaning of this concourse will he told that every one has turned out to see the Eleven start for Lords, whither they drive in the coach that stands hefore the inn-door. At length they appear, in twos and threes, and mount to their seats, ready to start. Strong, gentlemanly young fellows all of them, in their sombre, plain clothes ; you will hardly recognise them a few hours later, in their white flannels and dark-blue sashes, playing at Lords. Yet these humble-looking individuals are 10 i HUGH KUSSEJLL AT HARROW. the heroes of the two days, not only among their schoolfellows, but before fashionable London (perhaps Eoyalty), before the cricketing world ; their names will appear in every newspaper, thousands of eyes will be upon them, their every action will be the signal for a shout. (Courteous reader, if you are not an Harrovian, forgive the feeling which prompts this, perhaps, overdrawn description.) Off they go, and as the coach disappears down the London road, in a cloud of dust, a loud cheer rises from the crowd, heartily answered from the departing coach. Then every one goes back to breakfast ; then comes an early second school, and then a rush for the station. Over this scene of confusion let us pass, and imagine ourselves at the gate of Lords. A hansom drives up, and three youths alight. After the usual abuse from the cabman, they show their dark-blue tickets, and go on to the ground. Who is this in such elegant attire ? No other than our hero ; and his two companions are Lyon and Vernon, both equally spruce. Mark the white waist- coats and new trousers that have lately been the subject of grave discussion over Winkley's or Con- ways's counter ; mark, too, the kid gloves and fault- less top-hats ; and last, but not least, the fashionable sticks, with their dark-blue tassels, selected, no doubt, after deep deliberation, from the extensive stock laid in by the enterprising " Gus." " Come on ; let's try and get a seat in front," exclaims Russell ; and forthwith they make a rush for the ropes, where, after a short time, they get good places, and settle themselves to watch the play. Harrow is in, and some good hitting is taking place. "I wonder who the Eton wicket-keep is?" LORDS. 105 says Vernon. "Oh, that's let me see" (referring to his card) " that's Godfrey," answers Russell. " No, it isn't," says Lyon ; " Godfrey is that dark fellow at cover-point, because my brother knows his cousin, and well hit, sir ; well hit ! By Jove ! did you see that?" With such rambling conver- sation the time passed on till lunch-time arrived, when Eussell and Vernon went off in search of food, and Lyon, more fortunate, got his in a carriage belonging to some friends on the ground. After the two others had satisfied their hunger and thirst, they found that play had been continued. The ground was now too crowded to give any chance of their getting a front seat, and they commenced a fruitless walk round, in search of any place where they could get a glimpse of the wicket. At last the innings is completed, and the crowd spreads out over the greensward. Everybody meets everybody else, then everybody strolls up to see the pitch being rolled, and soon the bell rings, and in a marvellously short time the ground is once more clear. Then again the bursts of applause and the click of the bat continue, till the sloping rays of the sun warn the spectators that the day's play is at an end. Next day saw our hero driving with his people (who had places in the Grand Stand) to the scene of action. " Card o' the match, sir ? " asks a card- seller of Eussell. " Yes ! " He looks at it anxiously, almost forgetting to pay for the card in his excite- ment. Eton are all out, and the dark blue have just gone in. Why detail our hero's doings that day ? It was just yesterday over again, except a shower of rain, by way of variation, and the consequent rush for shelter. But it soon cleared up again, and Eussell 106 HUGH RUSSELL AT HARROW. was once more threading his way among the car- riages in search of some friends, when a hand was laid upon his shoulder, and, looking round, he saw " Cousin Charlie " standing by his side, resplendent in dark blue tie, and evidently much elated. " How d'ye do, young man ! " he began ; " saw you in the crowd yesterday, but couldn't catch your eye. All flourishing, eh ? grand match, isn't it ? " With such like exclamations, spoken in his loudest tones, " Charlie " went on, till an unfortunate engagement took him away leaving our hero to continue his peregrinations. Lots of old schoolfellows he met ; old Harrovians " most do congregate " at the Eton r. Harrow at Lords. Late in the afternoon the match is finished, leav- ing Harrow victors over a well-matched foe after a closely-contested game. Loud are the cheers, hearty the congratulations when all is over, and right proud is the dark blue of its hard- won triumph. I am fully aware that my description of a match at Lords is feeble in the extreme ; nevertheless, a book about Harrow, without mention of Harrow's greatest annual event, would be incomplete, and I must fall on the reader's forbearance, if my grovelling pen has in any way rendered tedious a subject which soars above my humble powers. CHAP TEE XY. RUSSELL'S "FIND." " Pctrtic/iio : What is this? mutton? 1st Servant : Ay. Pet. : Who brought it ? 1st Serv. : I. Fet. : 'Tis burnt ; and so is all the meat ! " SHAKESPEAEE'S " Taiiff of the Shrew." ET me explain to the uninitiated tho meaning of the word at the head of this chapter. A " Find " in Harrow parlance signifies a party of two or more who club together to take their breakfast and tea in the room of one of their number, instead of going for those meals, as the lower boys do, into Hall. In some houses, the Sixth form only are allowed to be on a "Find," but in others (of which Kingsford's was one), the Fifth form are also eligible. And so it came about that when our hero reached the second Fifth form, he was put on a " find" consisting exclusively of Fifth-form fellows, who had to do their own fagging ; and in the following term, having reached the first Fifth he was transferred to another which had a Sixth-form fellow on it, so that he, and the two 108 HUGH BUSSELL AT HABBOW. otlier Fifth-form boys on tlie "find," though unable actually to practise fagging, had all the benefit of using Elsworthy's fags. At least so they maintained, though the fags didn't see it in the same light. One of the fags, Smith minor, was especially rebellious, "lam not your fag, but Elsworthy's,' he would remark when Kussell told him to go up town for hot meat. " No, you're not ; you're the fag on No. 15 find," our hero would reply. But, in spite of these little disagreements, the members of the "find" got on very well with their fags, who were four in number, coming into office in order, for a week each. Elsworthy was a merry sort of fellow, who didn't do much work, and had taken his time to reach the sixth form ; the other members were Lyon, Yernon, and Russell. At the beginning of the term, they framed a set of rules, which were hung up inside the "Find'' cupboard, and of which the following is a copy. RULES OF No. 15 FIND. L That every member of the " find " shall pay to the Treasurer, at the commencement of the term, a subscription of 1, to be expended in hot meat, jam, potted meat, rolls, etc., for the use of the " find.'' H. That when this sum is all spent, there shall be a further voluntary subscription not exceeding 10s. per head, and the "find" shall take care to live more frugally for the rest of the term. III. That any member wishing to introduce a visitor to a meal, shall give due notice beforehand. IV. That any member misbehaving at table, or talking "shop" (except in "Trial" week) during RUSSELL'S "FIND." 109 meals shall be fined twopence, or rolls to that amount. V. That any member bringing anything except a newspaper to read at table, shall be fined one penny. VI. That the fags be kept in due order by the Sixth-form member, and that they be denied all " perquisites " except lump sugar in moderation. VII. That any member making a mess on the table-cloth, or buttering the furniture, shall be fined threepence. VIII. That all fines (if not paid in rolls) shall be handed over to the Treasurer. IX. That if any member smashes any furniture or crockery, he shall pay for it when it appears in the "breakage list." X. That members be expected occasionally (on whole holidays, etc.) to subscribe to a grand break- fast, to which visitors shall be invited. XI. That any member who persistently sings, shouts, whistles, talks bosh, or otherwise renders himself offensive, shall be kicked down the passage, and excluded from the next meal on the " find. ; ' XII. That the Treasurer every Saturday night take care to provide sufficient cold meat, etc., for Sunday. We the Undersigned do agree to abide ly these rules : G. F. ELSWORTHY (Sixth Form). W. E. LYON (Treasurer). H. EUSSELL. D. A. VERNON. These rules were most faithfully adhered to ; the 110 HUGH RUSSELL AT HARROW. seventh rule was always bringing our hero into trouble, but he paid up, each time he violated it, with a very good grace. Those meals on the < ; find," how luxurious they were ! Not as regards the food so much as the manner of taking it the genial conversation the discussion over the newspaper the total exclusion of all the cares of work the business-like concen- tration of all the energies on being comfortable. However cold the evening was, a roaring fire cheered the " find ''-room, before which lay (according to the state of the funds) steaming dishes of savoury fish, flesh, and fowl, or the more frugal plate of hot- buttered toast and crumpets. However much trouble had fallen on any of the members during school after one good grumble, all care was cast aside during the cheerful meal. The meat might be (but it was not often) tough, or the eggs antique ; but these trifles did not disturb the minds of the four philosophers bent upon jollity. " Give it to the fag," was the invariable formula spoken over any food unfit for human consumption. Never was there a pleasanter party : Els worthy the witty, Lyon the dense and good-natured, Eussell the boisterous, and Vernon the musical. Their little differences in politics were sufficiently keen to create discussion without animosity ; in this too, they were pretty well divided, two a side, Elsworthy and Eussell being Conservatives, and the other two Liberals. It was wonderful what a patriotic feeling they had for the old " find" room, with its red curtains and spacious " find "-cupboard ; it was Vernon's room, shared with a fellow in the Beniove, who took breakfast and tea in hall, and was promptly ejected if he showed his nose in the " find "-room during RUSSELL'S " FIND." Ill meal time. It was rather Lard lines on him being kept out of liis room, especially in the evening, for they rarely sat over their tea for less than two hours, talking and laughing. However, to make up for it, he was often invited to take tea on Sunday, on the " find." "Well," said Vernon, coming into the "find"- room for tea one miserable evening, putting his dripping umbrella in a corner, and proceeding to warm himself before the fire. " Well, this is enough to make a fellow vow that he'll never look at a ' con ' again 1 " " Why, what's the row ? " asked Elsworthy, who was making the tea. " Well, I did that ' con ' right through (it isn't often I do), and knew every word of it, and now I've got to write it all out, Greek and English, and do fifty lines besides, all because I couldn't parse some beastly verb ! " " Well," said Eussell, "I'm very sorry for you, but it's time for tea now, not grumbling ; so let's begin. There's cutlets and sausages to-night ! " So with a good grace, Vernon cast his care away, and soon they were hard at work on the hot meat. " I say," says Elsworthy at last, " what do you say to giving a fags' feast ? " "A fags' feast ? " exclaimed Eussell and Vernon in a breath. " Yes, a fags' feast; old Baker gave the fags on his ' find ' a spread last term, and they worked all the better for it." " Oh, it'll make them fat and lazy, and they'll get so familiar and cocky too," said Lyon. " We must pre- vent that," replied Elsworthy; "no need of our talking to them much, just let them feed well, that's all ; and as to its making them lazy, I don't believe it." "But are we to sit and watch them feed?" asked Vernon. "Well, that depends; it would be 112 HUGH RUSSELL AT HABBOW. rather infra di