e way you treat your
themes. Your elocution is still open to amendment. I commend your
regular adherence to the beneficial habit of early rising. I would
caution you against quarrels amongst yourselves, arising from the use of
intemperate speech or inapt quotation (_Masters_ DERBY _and_ OXFORD
_blushed_); and I would remind you that no social position occupied by
your papas and mammas exempts any of you from the duties which are
imposed upon others (_Master_ WINCHELSEA _began to cry_). But, as a
whole, you have pleased me this year, and I will add that the politeness
with which you behave to ladies who may look in upon the establishment
reflects great credit upon you, not unincreased by contrast (_Sensation
among the Lower School_).

"ABERDEEN, you are leader of the school, and I could wish you to display
more energy. I applaud your love for a peaceful life, but remember that
there is one thing better than peace, and that is, honour. In the map of
Russia, which you have drawn, you have not defined the boundaries
strongly and well, and you do not seem to know where Turkey begins and
Russia ends. You will lose credit unless you exert yourself.

"MALMESBURY, your English is exceedingly bad, and your logic very
unsatisfactory. I understand that you are proud of your intimacy with a
French person, who at one time bore no good character. Take care, sir.
And be more guarded in your assertions as to what feats you have
accomplished, and of which I find few traces in the school records.

"LANSDOWNE, I give you much credit for having just exerted yourself to
put down the practice of smoking--the rather, as you have reached an age
at which you are entitled to all due indulgence. You are a very
excellent member of the school, and I wish you regarded as a model.

"MONTEAGLE, you talk a great deal too much in school hours, and are said
to busy yourself in matters with which you have no concern. You have
been a lucky boy--be an agreeable one.

"BOYS OF THE LOWER SCHOOL,

"I am sorry to have had to expel so many of your number this half, but I
hope it will be a warning. Once for all, I will not permit you, by gifts
of money or beer, to induce your inferiors to misconduct themselves for
your gratification. I can use no adequate word of contempt for the
meanness which sought to shift the guilt upon servants. In other
respects I am tolerably satisfied with most of you. A good deal of work
has been done, but there is far too much tal