or,
calling out fire, and when he comes to the door, burning a
quantity of shavings, taken from halfpenny faggots dipped in
oil from the staircase lamps, so as to impress him with an
idea that the staircase, in which his rooms are, is on fire.
And when he is frightened almost out of his senses, setting
up a most hideous horse-laugh and running away. This joke
is practised chiefly upon quiet timid men.

43 An idle master--a Master of Arts on the foundation, who
does not take pupils.

~142~~

I was informed that a freshman was a scamp without seasoning--and a
fellow of no spirit till he had been pulled up before the big wig and
suffered imposition{44} fine, and rustication.{45}

It was now half an hour since old _Magnus Thomas_ had tolled his heavy
note, most of the party were a little cut,{46} and the salt pits
of attic wit had long since been drained to the very bottom--Sparkle
proposed an adjournment to the Temple of Bacchus,{47} while Echo and a
man of Trinity set forth for the plains of Betteris.{48} Pleading the
fatigues of the day, and promising to attend a spread{49} on the morrow
to be given by Horace Eglantine, I was permitted to depart to my inn,
having first received a caution from Echo to steer clear of the Don
Peninsula{50} and the seat of magistracy.{51}

On regaining my inn, I was not a little surprised to hear the smirking
barmaid announce me by my christian and surname, directing the waiter
to place candles for Mr. Bernard Blackmantle in the _sanctum_. How the
deuce, thought I, have these people discovered my family nomenclature,
or are we here under the same system of _espionage_ as the puerile
inhabitants of France, where every hotel-keeper, waiter, and servant,
down to the very shoe-black, is a spy upon your actions, and a creature
in the pay of the police{52} "Pray, waiter," said I, "why is this snug
little _larium__ designated the sanctum_?"

44 Imposition--translations set by the Principal for absence
and other errors.

45 Rustication is the term applied to temporary dismissal
for non-observance of college discipline.

46 A little cut--half seas over.

47 Temple of Bacchus--some favourite inn.

48 Plains of Betteris--the diversion of billiards.

49 A spread--a wine party.

50 The Don Peninsula--the range of all who wear long black
hanging sleeves, and bear the name of Domini.

5