The Sun.
London, England, 1864-01-13 00:00:00

An Insurrection at Winchester College,

It took place on the 3d of April, 1793. Strict orders had
been issued by the warders that the boys should not attend
the parade of the Bucks Militia; that in the event of dis-
obedience on the part of an individual boy, he should be
individually punished; but that if any numbers were seen
there, the whole school should have their " leave out''
stopped for the following Easter Sunday, when many had
invitations to dine with friends. One boy only—a prefect
—was detected and reported by Mr. Goddard, the second-
master. The warden not oily severely punished the indi-
vidual, tut stopped the leave of the whole school, accom-
panying this with a quotation more irritating than appro-
priate, " Quidquid delirant reges plectuntur Achivi." The
boys resented this as a breath of faith ; and after holding
a meeting, in which they bound themselves by an oath (in
which, however, the younger boys were not allowed to
join) to stand by each otaer in their resistance to the
last, they drew up a series of resolutions, of which they
proceeded to put the first into execution at once. A Latin
note was sent to the warden, submitting to the present
punishment, but expressing a hope that in future he would
not punish all for the fault of one. To this note Dr.
lluntingford returned no answer. After three days a
second note was forwardet to him, very respectfully
worded, but requesting a reily. It was returned with an
endorsement charming the writers with "consummate arro-
gance," and forgetful of th,,ir position: and their duties.
Then the storm broke out. the keys of the college gates
were seized. Warning was lent both to the head and se-
cond masters not to make ther appearance in school. The
warning to Dr. Warton was accompanied by professions of
esteem; he was weak enough to comply, and kept
away. Goddard (though aware of his unpopularity as the
delator of the actual culprit) had a better appreciation of
his duty. He was received on entering the school with
groans and hisses, and with a shower of marbles from the
younger boys—an act censured by the prefects. A sum-
mons issued by the warden and masters to the 18 prefects
to appear before them met with no attention; the commu-
nication between the warden's lodgings and the rest of the
college was blocked up, and the college gates guarded night
and day by patrols of the scholars. The cry of " Liberty and
Equality" was raised (so coatagious were French revolu-
tionary principles), the " red cap" was assumed by all the
boys who could procure or contrive one, the bakers' and
butchers' shops ransacked for provisions, and bludgeons
and swords provided, in preparation for a siege. The war-
den, having gone out of his own house early next morring
to convene a meeting of his fellows at Dr. Warton's house
(in commoners), was not allowed readmission; and by con.
fining one of the fellows within the college walls, the rebels
effectually prevented a quorum of four being formed, which
is required for any official act of their body. Annessage
was then sent from the warden, to the effect that all the
boys might go home ; but in that case they were well aware
that exp
pood to the magistrates
ayion of the ringleaders would follow. The warden
then a
(who happened to be then
assembled to present an address to the King) to put him in
possession of his honse, from which he was still excluded
by the if surgents, by the aid of the civil power. The outer
gates of the college had by this time been barricaded, the
quadrangle unpaved, and the stones carried up to the top
oan entrance. Sir Thos. Miller,
of the rower above, part or the parapet of which they also
looser
,wtaossmupadpelytothfeomre with missiles to resist attack from
without. :
When summoned to surrender by the sheriff in
person, their reply was a threat to burn the college if any
atte
Mr Brereton, and Canon Poulter severally did their best
to aegociate ; but there was much excitement in the town
-street. At last Dr. Warton with
one or two of the anevella
genet ally, and so much for of the `+ roughs" taking part
mad gentlemen were admitted
within the gates ; and
Oh the boys, that three companies of militia were drawn
~p under arms in College
on their representation the boys
agreed to submit the whole
question to the arbitration of
the magistrates. The matter ended for the time in an en-
tire amnesty, or even tonne—the warden conceding the
original point of dispute by an engagement not in future to
punish the community for the sake of an individual.—
Blackwood's Magazine for January.

A HINT FOR DR. I.ococK.—A Madrid journal
---..5--
states that the Queen, being somewhat indisposed in conse-
to be transferred to her P
quence of pregnancy, has ordered the right arm of SL John
rivate chapel from one of the
churches in Catalonia,
Where it has long been kept. The
relic will not be sent back to Catalonia until after her Ma-
jesty's conftemat.