ged in settling the fashion of their costume
for the approaching gala; in receiving a visit from an elder brother, or
a young Oxonian, formerly of Eton, who has arrived post to take _sock_
with him, and enjoy the approaching festivities. Here a venerable
domestic, whose silver locks are the truest emblem of his trusty
services, arrives with the favorite pony to convey home the infant heir
and hope of some noble house.

Now is Garraway as lively as my lord mayor's steward at a Guildhall
feast-day; and the active note of preparation for the good things of
this world rings through the oaken chambers of the Christopher. Not even
the _sanctum sanctorum_ is forgotten, where, in times long past, I have
quaffed my jug of Bulstrode, "in cool grot," removed from the scorching
heat of a July day, and enjoyed many a good joke, secure from the prying
observations of the _domine_. One, and one only, class of persons wear
a sorrowful face upon these joyous occasions, and these are the
confectioners and fruitresses of Eton; with them, election Saturday
and busy Monday are like the herald to a Jewish black fast, or a stock
exchange holiday: they may as well _sport their oaks_ (to use an Oxford
phrase) till the
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return of the oppidans to school, for they seldom see the colour of a
customer's cash till the, to them, happy period arrives.

On the succeeding days the examinations of the collegers proceed
regularly; then follows the election of new candidates, and the severe
trial of those who stand for King's. These scholastic arrangements
generally conclude on the Wednesday night, or Thursday morning, and
then Pleasure mounts her variegated car, and drives wherever Fancy may
direct. Formerly I find seven or eight scholars went to King's;{*} but
in consequence of the fellows of Eton holding pluralities, the means are
impoverished, and the number consequently reduced to two or three:
this is the more to be regretted, on account of the very severe and
irrecoverable disappointment the scholars experience in losing
their election, merely on account of age; as at nineteen they are
superannuated, and cannot afterwards receive any essential benefit from
the college.

Not the blue waves of the Engia, covered with the gay feluccas of the
Greeks, and spreading their glittering streamers in the sun; nor the
more lovely

* This noble seminary of learning was founded by Hen. VI. in
1440. Its establishment was then on a limited scale