Mr. Spencer Walpole remarks:—“Of Mr. Buckland’s Christ Church days many good stories are told. Almost every one has heard of the bear which he kept at his rooms, of its misdemeanours, and its rustication. Less familiar, perhaps, is the story of his first journey by the Great Western. The dons, alarmed at the possible consequences of a railway to London, would not allow Brunel to bring the line nearer than to Didcot. Dean Buckland in vain protested against the folly of this decision, and the line was kept out of harm’s way at Didcot. But, the very day on which it was opened, Mr. Frank Buckland, with one or two other undergraduates, drove over to Didcot, travelled up to London, and returned in time to fulfil all the regulations of the university. The Dean, who was probably not altogether displeased at the joke, told the story to his friends who had prided themselves in keeping the line from Oxford. ‘Here,’ he said, ‘you have deprived us of the advantage of a railway, and my son has been up to London.’” SCENE BEFORE A SUB-COMMITTEE ON STANDING ORDERS. PETITIONING AGAINST A RAILWAY BILL, 1846. “Well, Snooks,” began the Agent for the Promoters, in cross-examination, “you signed the petition against the Bill—aye?” “Yees, zur. I zined summit, zur.” “But that petition—did you sign that petition?” “I do’ant nar, zur; I zined zummit, zur.” “But don’t you know the contents of the petition?” “The what, zur?” “The contents; what’s in it.” “Oa! Noa, zur.” “You don’t know what’s in the petition!—Why, ain’t you the petitioner himself?” “Noa, zur, I doan’t nar that I be, zur.” [“Snooks! Snooks! Snooks!” issued a voice from a stout and benevolent-looking elderly gentleman from behind, “how can you say so, Snooks? It’s your petition.” The prompting, however, seemed to produce but little impression upon him for whom it was intended, whatever effect it may have had upon the minds of those whose ears it reached, but for whose service it was not intended]. “Really, Mr. Chairman,” observed the Agent for the Bill, who appeared to have no idea of _Burking_ the inquiry, “this is growing interesting.” “The interest is all on your side,” remarked the Agent for the petition (against the Bill). “Now, Snooks,” continued the Agent for the Bill, “apply your mind to the questions I shall put to you, and let me caution you to reply to them truly and honestly. Now, tell me—who got you to sign this petition?” “I object to the question,” interposed the Agent for the petition. “The matter altogether is descending into mean, trivial, and unnecessary details, which I am surprised my friend opposite should attempt to trouble the Committee with.”