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.” [Illustration] CHAPTER IV. THE JUNIOR’S START IN COLLEGE LIFE. πεμπε—Tin Gloves—Test of Founder’s Kin—Tutor and Pupil—The Fag “in Course.”