thus
particularised, I was proceeding to help him, when Echo inquired if he
should send me the breast of a swiss {35} and the facetious Eglantine,
to increase my confusion, requested to be allowed to cut me a slice off
the wing of a wool bird.{36}

31 A Paddyism is called in this university a "Thorpism" from
Mr. Thorp, formerly a hosier of some note in the city. He
was famous for making blunders and coining new words, was
very fond of making long speeches, and when upon _the toe_,
never failed to convulse his hearers with laughter.

32 Crossed in the buttery--not allowed to battel, a
punishment for missing lecture. By being frequently crossed,
a man will lose his term.

33 Battels--Bread, butter, cheese, salt, eggs, &c.

34 A lion--a hare.

35 Siciss--a pheasant.

36 Wing of a wool bird--Shoulder of lamb.

~140~~ To have remonstrated against this species of persecution would,
I knew, only increase my difficulties; summoning, therefore, all the
gaiety I was master of to my aid, I appeared to participate in the joke,
like many a modern _roue_, laughing in unison without comprehending the
essence of the whim, merely because it was the fashion. What a helpless
race, old father Etona, are thine (thought I), when first they assume
the Oxford man; spite of thy fostering care and classic skill, thy
offspring are here little better than cawkers{37} or wild Indians. "Is
there no glossary of university wit," said I, "to be purchased here,
by which the fresh may be instructed in the art of conversation; no
_Lexicon Balatronicum_ of college eloquence, by which the ignorant
may be enlightened?" "Plenty, old fellow," said Echo: "old Grose is
exploded; but, never fear, I will introduce you to the _Dictionnaire
Universel_,{38} which may always be consulted, at our _old grandmammas_'
in St. Clement's, or Eglantine can introduce you at Vincent's,{39} where
better known as the poor curate of H----, crossed the channel.

37 Cawker--an Eton phrase for a stranger or novice.

38 Dictionnaire Universel--a standing toast in the common
room at-----College.

The origin of the toast is as follows: When Buonaparte was
at Elba, Dr. E-, one of the wealthy senior Fellows of ----
College.

Soon after his arrival at Paris, as he was walking through the streets
of that city, he was accosted by an elegantly dressed Cyprian, to whom
he made a profoun