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.