; it has
long since been enlarged, and now consists of a provost,
vice-provost, six fellows, two schoolmasters, with their
assistants, seventy scholars, seven clerks, and ten
choristers, besides various inferior officers and servants.
The annual election of scholars to King's College,
Cambridge, takes place about the end of July, or the
beginning of August, when the twelve senior scholars are put
on the roll to succeed, but they are not removed till
vacancies occur; the average number of which is about nine
in two years. At nineteen years of age the scholars are
superannuated. Eton sends, also, two scholars to Merton
College, Oxford, where they are denominated post-masters,
and has likewise a few exhibitions of twenty-one guineas
each for its superannuated scholars. The scholars elected to
King's succeed to fellowships at three years' standing.

~55~~
Adriatic, swelling her translucent bosom to the gentle motion of the
gondolier, and bearing on her surface the splendid cars and magnificent
pageant of the Doge of Venice, marrying her waters to the sea, can to
an English bosom yield half the delight the grand aquatic Eton gala
affords; where, decked in every costume fancy can devise, may be seen
the noble youth of Britain, her rising statesmen, warriors, and judges,
the future guardians of her liberties, wealth, and commerce, all vying
with each other in loyal devotion to celebrate the sovereign's natal
day.{*} Then doth thy silvery bosom, father Thames, present a spectacle
truly delightful; a transparent mirror, studded with gems and stars and
splendid pageantry, reflecting a thousand brilliant variegated hues;
while, upon thy flowery margin, the loveliest daughters of the land
press the green velvet of luxuriant nature, outrivalling in charms of
colour, form, and beauty, the rose, the lily, and the graceful pine.
There too may be seen the accomplished and the gay youth labouring for
pleasure at the healthful oar, while with experienced skill the expert
helmsman directs through all thy fragrant windings the trim bark to
victory. The race determined, the bright star of eve, outrivalled by the
pyrotechnic _artiste_, hides his diminished head. Now sallies forth the
gay Oxonian from the Christopher, ripe with the rare Falernian of mine
host, to have his frolic gambol with old friends. Pale Luna, through her
misty veil, smiles at these harmless pleas