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The English Spy: An Original Work Characteristic, Satirical, And Humorous.: Comprising Scenes And Sketches In Every Rank Of Society, Being Portraits Drawn From The Life — John Shaqi

The English Spy: An Original Work Characteristic, Satirical, And Humorous.: Comprising Scenes And Sketches In Every Rank Of Society, Being Portraits Drawn From The LifeWestmacott, C. M. (Charles Molloy)

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The English Spy: An Original Work Characteristic, Satirical, And Humorous.: Comprising Scenes And Sketches In Every Rank Of Society, Being Portraits Drawn From The Life

Name: The English Spy: An Original Work Characteristic, Satirical, And Humorous.: Comprising Scenes And Sketches In Every Rank Of Society, Being Portraits Drawn From The Life
Author: Westmacott, C. M. (Charles Molloy)

Westmacott, C. M. (Charles Molloy)

England -- Social life and customs; Satire, English; University of Oxford -- Anecdotes

* The above _jeu-d'esprit_ made its appearance on one of
     those joyous occasions, when the sons of old Etona return
     from Oxford and Cambridge, filled with filial regard for
     early scenes and school-boy friendships, to commemorate a
     college election. It was, at the time, purposely attributed
     to some of these waggish visitors, a sort of privileged
     race, who never fail of indulging in numerous good-humoured
     freaks with the inhabitants of Eton, to show off to the
     rising generation the pleasantries, whims, and improvements
     of a college life. The subject is one of great delicacy, but
     it will, I hope, be admitted by the merry dames themselves,
     that my friend Bernard has in this, as in every other
     instance, endeavoured to preserve the strongest traits of
     truth and character, without indulging in offensive satire,
     or departing from propriety and decorum.--Horatio Heartly.
~44~~

          Let Cockney poets boast their flames,
          Of ' Vicked Cupit' patter:
          Be mine a verse on Eton Dames--
          A more substantial matter.
          I care not if the Graces three
          Have here withheld perfection:
          Brown, black, or fair, the same to me,--
          E'en age is no objection.
          A pleasing squint, or but one eye,
          Will do as well as any;
          A mouth between a laugh and cry,
          Or wrinkled, as my granny.
          A hobbling gait, or a wooden leg,
          Or locks of silvery gray;
          Or name her Madge, or Poll, or Peg,
          She still shall have my lay.
          Perfection centres in the mind,
          The gen'rous must acknowledge:
          Then, Muse, be candid, just, and kind,
          To Dames of Eton College.*

     * The independent students, commonly called _Oppidans_, are
     very numerous: they are boarded at private houses in the
     environs of the college; the presiding masters and
     mistresses of which have from time immemorial enjoyed the
     title of _Domine_ and _Dame_: the average number of
     _Oppidans_ is from three hundred to three hundred and fifty.




FIVE PRINCIPAL ORDERS OF ETON

~45~~

     PROEM.

     Said Truth to the Muse, as they wander'd along,
     "Prithee, Muse, spur your Pegasus into a song;
     Let the subject be lively,--how like you the Belles?"
     Said the Muse, "he's no sportsman that kisses and tells.

     But in females delighting, suppose we stop here,
     And do you bid the Dames of old Eton appear;
     In your mirror their merits, with candour, survey,
     And I'll sing their worth in my very best Lay."
     No sooner 'twas said, than agreed:--it was done,
     Wing'd Mercury summon'd them every one.

     MISS A***LO.

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The English Spy: An Original Work Characteristic, Satirical, And Humorous.: Comprising Scenes And Sketches In Every Rank Of Society, Being Portraits Drawn From The Life

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