“The following effusion was penned the day after the memorable 13th of November, 1820, which must be a day of pleasant recollection to all CANTABS, as long as there shall be a SNOB or _Radical_ amongst them, or a fist to bate them with. This is the only _Matriculation Day_ which is registered in _letters_ of blood in the archives of the Vice-Chancellor; and we are sure there never was, nor ever will be, such an occasion for calling FRESHMEN from the science of _mechanics_ to the application of its _theory_ in the _science of war_.” On Granta, when the sun was low, No symptoms lower’d of fearless row, But all was silent as the flow Of CAMUS rolling _tardily_. But Granta saw another sight, When Radicals presumed at night, With _Carter’s_[17] mutton-wicks to light Their Caroline’s base treachery. Round Hobson’s conduit quick array’d, Each GOWNSMAN rush’d the cause to aid, And fast about him each one laid, With blows that told most terribly. Then rushing forth the SNOBS among, Fierce from the ranks the Johnian sprung, And loud and clear the market rung, With shouts of dreadless liberty. But redder yet shall be each cheek, And louder yet each tongue shall speak, And fiercer yet each soon shall wreak His vengeance most undauntedly. ’Tis rushlight all――but what can shew The GOWNSMAN from the GOWNSMAN’S foe, As shouting in thick files they go To battle all so merrily? No banners there were waving high, To cheer the brave to victory, No pennon floating to the sky, With rare device wrought curiously. No plumes of crested pride were seen, But tassels black of silken sheen, With gold and silver mix’d between, Emblems of unanimity! No sound was heard of martial drum, No bugle blast, but one wild hum Floated o’er all: “The SNOBS! they come, On! on! and meet them cheerily.” And then was shout, and noise, and din, As rallying forwards poured in, Hundreds and hundreds to begin The work of fame so gloriously. Then rush’d undaunted, to the fight, The tall――the low――the strong――the light; And, oh! it was a glorious sight, That strife of TOWN and GOWN to see. As fist to fist, rais’d high in air, And face to face opposed were, As shone the conflict in the glare Of lights that told of Bergami. Then rushed to fight the hardy SOPH, Regardless of the townsmen’s scoff, As one by one they sallied forth To war in ambush warily. Then rush’d the FRESHMAN to essay His maiden valour in the fray, And who that valour shall gainsay, And wrong not such effrontery? Then with one cry so loud and shrill, It echoed to the CASTLE HILL, They charged the SNOBS against their will, And shouted clear and lustily.