School-life at Winchester College : $b or, the reminiscences of a Winchester junior under the old régime, 1835-40.Mansfield, Robert Blachford
History
School-life at Winchester College : $b or, the reminiscences of a Winchester junior under the old régime, 1835-40.
Mansfield, Robert Blachford
Students -- England -- Winchester; Winchester College -- History
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.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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