The Sun.
London, England, 1866-09-25 00:00:00

" Swishing" at Eton in the Olden Time.

Yonder is the block—not the headsman's—quite the re-
verse. If it were not so old and shabby, and if it had a bit
of carpet, it would look like a pair of bed-steps. In front
of it stand two collegers, to ' hold down'—not always a
sinecure. If the doctor, as he is rather apt to do, gets at
all over-excited, and delivers cuts analogous to wide-balls
at cricket, their fingers sometimes suffer, and then ho grins
at them as if it wero a good joke. Another colleger un-
locks a press, and takes out a few rods. Each consists of
three long birchen twigs (no branches), bound with
string for about a quarter of their length. You would
never guess, from the look of a wolf, how he can
bite ; neither would you from the look of an Eton rod.
They ought to be good for something. A charge of
half-a-guinea for birch was made in every boy's bill,
flogged or not. Say six hundred boys at ten shillings and
sixpence—a pleasant little sum in Practice' for the doctor.
But nothing, after all, in comparison of what John Bull
pays in his year's bill for the punishment of his naughty
boys.

Stop ! Kate gives a vigorous horn ! and proceeds to
business. Holding up the bill, ho calls out a name. A
meek and frightened little individual answers to it.
Compl:tinecl of by your dame! Now, sir !"

please, sir, my first fault!'
(This was a privilege of impunity for the first slight—
not great—offence.)
'Aro you sure you haven't had your first fault ?'
0 Yes. Quite, sir !'
Well, remember I keep a strict account. I shall know
you again. You'd better not attempt; any tricks with me ;
sure to suffer for it !' (Here a very fierce and omniscient
look.)

' 0 no, sir !' and away ho slinks. When he's safe and
well out of the doctor's hearing, you and I may hear a
chuckling whisper : ' Third time of asking, by Jove !'
Another name, and another apparition.
" Not saying ?'
" Yes, sir l'

' Kneel down !'
He kneels on the block. How may I, in sufficiently
dainty terms, express what follows ? He—he—lowers his
sails. The two collegers shake hands with him. You
hear four little swishes—just from the wrist only; just
enough to raise a blush, and all is over. No one takes
much interest in the matter; neither public nor performer,
hardly even the patient, who gets under sail again, and
moves off.

But see ; Keato is knitting his shaggy brows, and calls
the next name in an angry voice. A wiry-looking, big
follow appears, resolute, ..-Dade up for something serious.
Out with a gun and dogs, sir ?'
No answer.

A vicious nod—understood and obeyed at once. The
collegers take a wary hold. The doctor tucks up his gown,
receives a rod, and lays on in real earnest. Five savage
cuts—on a statue—and the executioner flings away the
stump of a rod ; gives a grunt —in compliance with which
a fresh weapon is handed to him. Four more cuts use it
up, and he leaves off. There, sir! remember that!'

The boy has stood it out gallantly (about as much as
he could do, though), and gets away as quick as he can,
probably to give vent to his feelings in private.—Cham-
bers's Journal.

MARKETS.---This Day.

HAY.

SMITHFIELD.—Iioadow hay, £4 Os to £5 5s ; clover,
£5 Os Od to .#6 6s Od ; and straw, .£1 16s to £2 5s per load.
Demand inactive.

CUMBEILLAND.-:—MORdOW hay, £4 Os to £5 85 Od; clover,
£5 Os to £6 Gs Od; and straw, £1 18s'to £2 5s per load.
Trade quiet.

WHITECHAPEL.—Meadow hay, .£4 Os to .£5 5s ; clover.
£5 Os Od to .£6 lOs Od ; and straw, £1 Hs to £2 5s p©r load.
Inquiry limited.

COLONIAL.

TEA.—At the public sales of China produce prices gene-
rally have been well sustained for superior qualities, but
inferior descriptions have been neglected.
SUGAR.—OnIy a moderate amount of business has been
done, but good grocery descriptions of West Indian fully
support previous prices. In the refined market there is
not much animation ; late quotdtions, however, are
current.

COPPEE.—The dealings have been to a moderate extent,
chiefly in Ceylon descriptions, only superior qualities of
which have maintained previous rates.
RlCE.—There has been an increased demand fox cleaned
for exportation, and holders again demand enhanced
rates.

TALLOW.—A large speculation business has been trans-
acted during the week, and prices, generally, have shown
a decline of about 3d. to Gd. per cwt. P.Y.C. on the spot is
quoted at 455. Gd.; last three months, 465. ; and December
only 465. to 465. 3d. per cwt.