School-life at Winchester College

The duties of a Fag, in the days of which I write, may be more easily described by informing the reader what he had not to do, than by endeavouring to make out a list of his positive duties. I believe when I say that he had not to make the beds, nor to clean shoes, I have exhausted the negative catalogue.

The degree of awe with which we Juniors used to regard the Præfects seems to me, looking back, most mysterious; and it would be impossible to make a stranger realise the peculiar sensation. It was entirely a moral feeling, not being in any way connected with muscular power—many of the Præfects being, in physical strength, inferior to their fags; and it was by no means uncommon to see a small Præfect rising on his toes to reach the proper height for administering an effective “Clow” (box on the ear) to an offending Junior some inches taller, and a stone heavier, than himself. Nor was there the slightest imputation of cowardice on the part of the bigger boy,—I cannot explain it, but it seemed simply impossible to resist.

I never was a Præfect myself; and when I was a big Inferior, I have more than once received, with perfect meekness, a “Tunding” (thrashing with a stick) from a boy who, had he been an Inferior, would have treated me with the greatest respect. I remember, on one such occasion, the operator, indignant at not being able to make me feel, searched underneath my waistcoat to see if I was not padded for the occasion, (not an uncommon proceeding by any means;) and on finding such was not the case, took the small end of the stick in his hand, and finished the performance with the butt end, and principally on my head. Nor, when ordered to “hold down” (i.e., put your head in a convenient position) for a “Clow,” would the victim dare to ward off the blow, or cease offering his cheek to the smiter till it pleased the latter to desist.

Indeed, the moment a boy was made a Præfect, he seemed immediately to become invested with a supernatural power that changed the familiar intercourse with his former companions into awe or respect on the one side, and tyranny or condescension on the other, according to the nature of the individual promoted. I remember, soon after my first arrival, and before I had quite realised the great gulf between a Præfect and an Inferior, during breakfast-time in hall, I saw one of the Fags put aside his master’s frying-pan, it being required no longer. As I was in want of one at the moment, in the innocence of my heart, I politely asked the Præfect, who was its owner, if he would be so good as to lend it to me. I thought he looked rather queer, but, being a good-natured youth, he said, “Yes;” when the loud burst of laughter from the other boys proclaimed that something unusual had happened. On inquiry, I found that it was my astounding impertinence in making such a request of a Præfect that had caused the excitement, and for some little time I was looked on as quite a hero.

Though, at first sight, this kind of superstitious awe of the Inferiors towards the Præfects may seem unprofitable, yet I am inclined to think that, on the whole, it was not without its advantages. Certainly, in some exceptional cases, a Præfect used to take advantage of his position, and treat those beneath him cruelly; but such, at any rate, was not the general character of the Præfects in my time; and most of them used their power far more in preventing the big Inferiors from bullying their companions, than in inflicting torture themselves.

The Præfects had the entire charge of the boys out of school, and were responsible to the masters for all breaches of discipline committed by the others, for which they (the Præfects) were punished; it was, therefore, their interest as well as duty to see the laws carried out. When a delinquent was discovered, he received his punishment at once from the Præfect under whose jurisdiction the offence fell. This generally consisted of any given number of stripes on the back, varying from a dozen to about fifty, according to the character of the offence, or the disposition of the performer. The sticks used for this purpose were supple young ash plants, familiarly called “Ground Ashes,” and the supplying them to the Præfects formed quite a profitable branch of trade to some individuals in the town, as the consumption was considerable.

As I mentioned above, this kind of thrashing was called “Tunding,” and, for any grave offence, it was administered by the Præfect of Hall on the raised dais at the end of hall, in presence of all the boys, and was then called “a Tunding on top of Hall.” I believe the system worked well. It would have been impossible for the Masters to have been continually spying after the boys; and the confidence placed in the Præfects strengthened their character, inasmuch as, for the most part, they felt proud of the trust confided to them, and conscientiously endeavoured to fulfil their duties. The public Tundings were almost always fairly conducted, being generally adequate, but not excessive, and could not be classed with the severe bullying that some few Præfects carried on behind the scenes, where there was no public to control either the manner or the quantity of punishment administered.

A high tone of honour was kept up in the school, truth being scrupulously adhered to between the boys themselves, and by them towards the Masters, except in one particular, (which exception, indeed, was caused by an honourable feeling crookedly developed,) and this was when telling the truth would bring another individual into trouble.

On these occasions, the most tremendous lies were sometimes considered justifiable:—e.g., The Doctor comes suddenly round a corner, and finds Tibbs mopping the rosy fluid from his nose with a rueful countenance, having just received a sharp back-hander from one of his lords and masters, whose basin he has broken:—

“Pray, what may be the matter with you?” inquires the Doctor.

“Fell down and hurt my nose, sir,” whimpers Tibbs.

Dr. “But the ground is muddy, and your clothes clean.”

T. “Only touched the ground with my nose, sir.”

But I can give a more comprehensive example in an occurrence that I well remember. One night, in one of the chambers, the boys were up and amusing themselves with the operation of a “Toefitying,” which consists in noosing the toe of a sleeper in a piece of string, and then pulling, concerning which pastime more anon. Badger was trying to operate on Reynard, who, (though pretending to be asleep, was really wide awake,) gently stealing his hand from under the bedclothes, clutched a Donnegan, and launched it at Badger’s head, who, being thereby floored, mechanically replied with his extinguished candlestick, extinguisher, snuffers, and all, which unfortunately took effect, and inflicted a deep cut on Reynard’s lip. The next morning, as Reynard was not producible, one of the Masters made affectionate inquiries respecting him. On hearing that he had cut his lip, he inquired, “How?” No one had an idea.

Master. “Send for Reynard.”

[Appears Reynard with his head in a sling.]

M. “How did you cut your lip?”

R. “Woke in the night, sir, and found my lip bleeding; think something must have struck it.”

M. “Tell the Senior Præfect in the chamber to come to me.”

[Præfect appears.] M. “Toller, what was going on in your chamber last night?”

T. “Don’t know, sir, as I was fast asleep.” (N.B.—He was eating toasted cheese at the time immediately opposite the scene of action.)

The other boys of the chamber being sent for in proper order, some thought they heard a noise, but were certain it was caused by boys from another chamber, (the latter part being true for a wonder;) another thought he detected Pudding’s voice; by a curious coincidence, Pudding happened to have been sleeping at sick-house on that particular night; and so on.

But if by any chance an individual was likely to receive punishment in consequence of any self-sacrificing fiction, I need not say that the real delinquent always stepped forth at once and claimed his right to the infliction. I never knew an instance of a boy spontaneously informing a Master of any misdemeanour committed by another. This, although commendable as a general rule, might, on some rare occasions, (in cases of bullying by Præfects for example,) be infringed with advantage. In the matter of certain articles, which were strictly defined, and which, if I remember rightly, consisted of stationery, knives, faggots, crockery, and eatables supplied by the College, we used to put a liberal interpretation on the eighth commandment, these being looked upon to a certain extent as common property; and it was considered fair “to make” (i.e., take) them if you could. Of course, if discovered, certain results would follow, but no moral offence was imputed. All other articles were governed by the usual laws which define the difference between meum and tuum; and I need not say that, as regards money, the most rigid probity was enforced; and if a boy was ever suspected of improperly meddling with another’s capital, the affair was diligently inquired into, and, if found guilty, the punishment of the delinquent was condign, and the disgrace ineffaceable.

Popjoy and Hopper on one occasion made a bet, the subject of which was that, during the ensuing fortnight, each should endeavour to “make” as many knives as possible, the possessor of the greater number at the end of the appointed time to be the winner. They set to work diligently, and, by the end of the time, had nearly collected all the knives in the school. On comparing their booty, Hopper was found to have a small majority. Popjoy, discontented at the result, proposed another trial, which being assented to, just before the final day Hopper found that the whole of his stock had disappeared, having been successfully swept off by his now triumphant antagonist.

The Winchester slang is very peculiar and expressive, and I confess that I regard it with much affection. Some of the words can hardly be expressed in English without considerable periphrasis; (vide Glossary-words, “to junket over,” to “thoke upon,” &c.) Besides the slang, there are other peculiarities in the language. The definite article is never used in connexion with any of the institutions, buildings, or localities connected with College; e.g., one never spoke of “the Hall, the Election, the Warden’s Stream;” it was always “Election,” “Hall,” “Warden’s Stream,” &c. When speaking of persons, it was permitted, as “the Doctor, the Warden.”

The names of many of the College employées were hereditary nicknames, which often passed on to the new-comer with his office. I dare say there still exists a Dungy, Whitesman, Purver, Long John, &c. &c., though the original owners of the names, or the derivations of the nicknames, (if they were so,) have long since been forgotten. There was an exception to this in the case of the Under-Porter, the nomenclature of the occupant of which office was settled on a different principle. When I first came to Winchester, he rejoiced in the name of Obadiah. I suppose the original Under-Porter’s name was Malachi, and that, after him, the catalogue of books of the Old Testament was followed up in due order; for when Obadiah relinquished his post, his successor was named Amos; and, on Amos’s retirement, Joel stepped into his vacant shoes; and as I was there five years, and during that time three different Under-Porters wielded the keys,—if they have since succeeded at the same rate, the name of the present officer would be Esther.

In the times I write of, we had a good deal of relaxation from our studies,—rather too much, indeed, I used to think, during my first year; for at that time I considered school-time a decided change for the better from my very arduous duties, when we were supposed to be amusing ourselves. As time wore on, I found these labours rather alleviated, and I ultimately began to think a whole holiday not such a bad institution after all. We had plenty of them. In the short half, we had at least one “Remedy” and a half every week, and in summer two always; they were on Tuesdays and Thursdays. These “Remedies” were a kind of mitigated whole holidays. We were supposed to go into school for an hour or two in the morning and afternoon; but as no Master was present, it didn’t come to much. This was called “Books Chambers.” Remedies were not a matter of right, but were always specially applied for by Præfect of hall on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The custom was for him to waylay the Doctor on his way to morning Chapel, and make the request, when, if granted, a gold ring was handed to the applicant, on which was engraved, “Commendat rarior usus.” This ring was worn by the Præfect of hall for the rest of the day, and returned by him to the Doctor at the beginning of middle school on the day following.

We had whole holidays on all Saints’ days and Founder’s anniversaries, on which occasions we were allowed to go out,—if invited by friends in the country, for the whole day; or if by friends in the town, for the afternoon. Of course when there was a Saint’s day in the week we only had one “Remedy.”

Half holidays were not unfrequent; whenever a distinguished Wykehamist visited Winchester, a deputation of boys waited on him, with a request that he would ask the Doctor for one; also, if any boy gained a scholarship at Oxford or Cambridge, or having been at Winchester, distinguished himself at the universities or in public life, or if there was an addition to the family of any of the masters, (an event which I have known to happen while I was at Winchester,) a half holiday was petitioned for, and generally with success.

Sunday was the Fag’s best holiday, for even he participated in some degree of the rest which is enjoined for the man-servant and maid-servant on that day. We had a “Thoke,” (i.e., we did not get up) till eight o’clock Chapel, and attended Cathedral service, which commenced with the Litany at half-past ten; we went into school from four to five to do Greek Testament, and to Chapel again at five. In Cloister-time, Sixth book, and Senior part went into school from seven to eight P.M., which period was called “Grotius time,” after the author whose work, “De Veritate,” was then substituted for Greek Testament.

On Holidays and “Remedies” we were turned out for a couple of hours on to “St Catherine’s Hill,” (a green eminence about a mile from College, with a clump of trees at the top, which was surrounded by a deep trench—the remains of a Roman camp,)—once before breakfast,(“Morning Hills,”) and again in the afternoon, (“Middle Hills.”) In summer we also went out after dinner, (“Evening Hills,”) when we did not ascend the aforesaid mountain, but disported ourselves in the water-meadows beneath. These outgoings were called “Going on to Hills” and “Under Hills” respectively.

Having now, I hope, put the reader pretty well au courant as to the scene of action, the authorities, and some of the institutions and customs of Winchester, I will endeavour to give as accurate an account as I can (considering the time that has elapsed since I was at school) of the inner life of the boys,—as it was in those days,—and will proceed to introduce the Fag on his first arrival, and then conduct you (kind reader) with him through our Chambers, Hall, Chapel, School, and Meads, and give a cursory sketch of his proceedings on a “Lockback Holiday, Hills, and Leave-out, and during Standing-up and Election weeks.”