_VALET_—Every Præfect had a Junior in Chambers who acted in this capacity, made his tea or coffee, carried his things through from Chambers to School and back again, and looked after him in general. _VARYING_—A short extempore composition in Latin verse, done without the aid of any books. It was always the last thing done at the close of the Election examination. _VERSE TASK_—A composition of Latin verse done once a week by all the boys. _VESSEL OF PAPER_—Half-a-quarter of a sheet of foolscap paper. _VOLUNTARY_—A copy of verses written occasionally by some of the boys in Sixth Book and Senior Part _ex proprio motu_. W. _WARDEN’S PROG_, (_Progress_)—The visitation of the College estates by the Warden and Fellows. _WASHING DRAWER_—An oaken dressing-case. _WASHING STOOL_—The table at which each Præfect sat in Chambers. [Illustration: WASHING STOOL.] _WATCHING OUT_—Fielding at Cricket. When a Junior made a catch, he was let off for the rest of the day. _WORSTEDERS_—Very thick worsted stockings, worn at Football. Y. _YOLLY_—Yellow; also, a Postchaise, from that being their usual colour. [Illustration: YOLLY.] FOOTNOTES [1] Three masters’ houses, for the reception of boys, have recently been opened outside the college walls. [2] Since the above was written, I have been shown a little book, entitled “Ups and Downs of a Public School,” in which many of the incidents alluded to by me are very graphically described, especially “the play,” “the town and gown row,” and “the examination in election week.” [3] This word being hitherto unwritten, I have endeavoured, unsuccessfully, to spell phonetically. It is derived from the French _proteger_, and the last syllable is pronounced as in that word. Its meaning is somewhat the same as that of the French word, but implies rather a greater amount of care and interest. [4] The beds in Seventh were different from those described in Fourth, being made of iron, without any canopy, with deal boards at the side to keep the mattresses in their places. [5] See “Ups and Downs of a Public School.” [6] On Sundays the boys went to Cathedral, instead of Chapel, at half-past ten A.M. [7] This refined method of tossing up was arranged as follows:—A certain letter (say the first of the third line) was fixed on, and each boy turned over a page in succession; he who turned over that one in which the corresponding letter was nearest to A, won; and _vice versâ_. [8] See “Ups and Downs of a Public School.” [9] See the full-page illustration of a “Hot,” drawn by Mr R. Holmes. [10] I believe the word “continent” is derived from the Latin _contineo_, to keep in. [11] See “Ups and Downs of a Public School.”