t
his dame's, and a very satisfactory apology must be offered
to prevent punishment.

manage the _Sextile_ with effect: Tom is always ready with a tart reply
to his sarcasm, or a _cut_ at his consequence. Tom is the eldest son
of one of the most respectable whig families in the kingdom, whose
ancestors have frequently refused a peerage, from an inherent
democratical but constitutional jealousy of the crown. Independence
and Tom were nursery friends, and his generous, noble-hearted conduct
renders him an universal favorite with the school. Then, after holidays,
Tom always returns with such a rich collection of fox-hunting stories
and sporting anecdotes, and gives sock{2} so graciously, that he is the
very life of dame ------'s party. There is to be sure one drawback to
Tom's good qualities, but it is the natural attendant upon a high flow
of animal spirits: if any mischief is on foot, Tom is certain to be
concerned, and ten to one but he is the chief contriver: to be seen in
his company, either a short time previous to, or quickly afterwards,
although perfectly innocent, is sure to create a suspicion of guilt with
the masters, which not unusually involves his companions in trouble,
and sometimes in unmerited punishment. Tom's philosophy is to live well,
study little, drink hard, and laugh immoderately. He is not deficient in
sense, but he wants application and excitement: he has been taught from
infancy to feel himself perfectly independent of the world, and at
home every where: nature has implanted in his bosom the characteristic
benevolence of his ancestry, and he stands among us a being whom
every one loves and admires, without any very distinguishing trait of
learning, wit, or superior qualification, to command the respect he
excites. If any one tells a good story or makes a laughable pun, Tom
retails it for a week, and all the school have the advantage of hearing
and enjoying it. Any proposition for a boat party, cricketing, or a
toodle into Windsor, or along the banks of the Thames

2 Good cheer; any nicety, as pastry, &c.

~35~~
on a sporting excursion, is sure to meet a willing response from him. He
is second to none in a charitable subscription for a poor _Cad_, or the
widow of a drowned _Bargee_; his heart ever reverberates the echo of
pleasure, and his tongue only falters to the echo of deceit.

Horace Eglantine is placed just opposite to Lily man Lionise, a
calm-looking head, with blue eye