Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1894-03-27
sone OLD Rugby Customs.


The end of the term at Rnsby school
twenty years ago was enlivened by three
functions, viz: :house-cheerfpg, hall serum
mAging and parishsorummsgins;t the two
former taking place on the last three Sat-
urdsys, and the latter on the last night Of
the term.
Az soon as prayers were concluded the
boys would Aock into the qucd. on to which
the large hall opened, and cheer the names
of the popular masters and of those boys
who had attained renown at work or games
the latter preferably-with unrestrAined
vshemence, to the suszsment of any
stranger stopping at the George, whittier
the sound, floating over the school gate,
must have infAllibly reached. As soon as
their lungs had been sufficiently exercised
hall-scrummsging was instantly COM
menoed. This consisted of the minority
of the upper boys endesvoripg to keep
the hsll-door against the remainder Of
the house, which, aided by the leverage
obtainsbie from the fixed forms placed
around the middle table, and q arm grip
previously obtained on the door-iambs,
they generally successfully accomplished.
Those boys who were in the house foot,
ball twenty-in thoee days the game was
not, as il now Is, played with fifteen q
side-in the cricket eleven, or In the
sixth form, were allowed to don athletic
costume; but the others, who had not
attained to any of theee dignities, were
Obliged to 'scrummsge" In their ordina-
~ clothes, being allowed only to divest
themselves of their coats and waistcosts.
When, therefore, as was often the case,
these latter unfortunates, either through
esgerpess or compulsion. attained the
center of the crush, they experienced,
especially on q sultry July evening, q very
warm time, being almost totally deprived
Of air, and subjected to numerous kicks,
which, In the excitement, were freely
and Unfortunately bestowed on friend
and foe alike. Yet, despite certain incon
veniencss, there were few who did not
look forward to the fun, and while it
| lasted thoroughly enter into its spirit.
On the night previous to the departure
for the holidays psrish-tcrummaging took
place. TIE parrish" was the tin candle
stick, usually hung on q nail in each bed
room, containing the ''tolly"-our eupho-
nious school-name for csndle-by tie
light of which the boys undressed, and,
on the winter mornings, dressed hurried
ly to be in time for ohspel. But on this
special night It was put to another and
hnal use. After every one had gone up
stairs the parishes were placed on the
ground in q row along the corridor upon
which the bedrooms opened. Now the
great aim of each dormitory was to Sc
cure the greatest number of candle-hold-
ers, 90 that, at . given signal, through
each door issued an excited throng, who,
pouncing upon the nearest prey, hastily
conveyed II to their room, and CALLED
forth again In search of fresh booty. As
can well be imagined, rivals often came
into collision, when 8 tug-of-war for the
possession of the parish would at once
take place. On these occasions it was sp-
parent how bene fetal were thick gloves.
for the jagged edges of the twisted and
torn tin would somstimes ipfiict an un-
pleasant cash on hands unprotected. At
ter q time, all the parishes having been
captured by one or other of the rooms,
lights were broueht-the scrummsging
having bsen carried on in darkness, the
candles having been extinguished a. the
hrst rush-snd the dormitory found In
posse ,sion of the most piunder sdjudged
the champion LAtterly all these games
have been discontinued. Why, i know
not, as In the main they were perfectly
harmless, and afforded capital amusement
both TO senior and Junior.