Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-06

interest CnaC ne should not 90 SO, as De1nS sent
up to the head master from the lower school
would most likely mean he had committed
some exceptionally grave offense, and to be
upon noticeably friendly terms with the
college autocrat would lay him open to the
suspicion of being a sneak of which in British
schoolboy ethics there is no more despicable
character. Not even to save himself from the
birch may he inform on another, or the whole
college, including the masters will regard him
with contempt.
Fixing His Habits
Ply the house master the new boy is shown
- his cot in the dormitory his place at table in
hall, his locker for books in the class room, and
shelf for his play box-now filled with per-
sonal treasures and supply of jam, etc, but
later likely to be the receptacle OF such things
contraband as pistol white rats, or anything
prohibited simply because it is SO. The result
of this tour will impress upon the new boys
mind that no matter if he does bear an illus
trious name or is heir to millions, no special
arrangements have been made for his comfort.
He will be compelled to rise at early hour;
a shivery proceeding in winter when the dor
mitories are not heated and the water in the
wash bowls is literally cold as ice Then there
is wild scramble down to roll call, an hours
prep in bleak class room,-for new boy
he cannot hope for place near the kindling
fire,-then breakfast simplicity itself unless
supplemented from his play box. After that,
chapel, followed by work and recreation in the
meals, and bed at nine clock.
On Wednesday and Saturday he will have
half holiday mostly given over to cricket or
football, and on Sunday, except for morning
and evening attendance at chapel he may do
what he pleases within bounds.
The house master having given him general
outline of this, and further explained that the
breaking of certain rules will be followed in
evitably by the swish OF the cane, leaves the
new boy to his own devices. AS he has prob
al a lax hefOrp he
of the college, he then wanders about through
its ancient halls and corridors, explores the
cricket and football fields, and finds his way
to the authorized tuck" shop. There he
banishes awakened doubts of the immediate
future by reckless investment in cake and
pastry stuffs after his heart This spending of
money he pleases for the first time in his life
goes far to relieve him of homesickness.
A Memorable Day
THE next day is memorable one for the new
boy at an English college. Each train brings
several hundred of his school fellows; but
| amid the laughter and shouts of the general
| reunion he is entirely ignored. For once in his
life at any rate he knows what it is to be alone
in a crowd animated by fellow feeling in
which as yet he has no part. In fact, the
situation is made no better when some OF the
small fry do take notice of him; and unfor-
tunate is he if in his innocence of things he
should reply to their questions in such way
as to bring down their ridicule or by an assump-
ton of superiority fare worse. 1t is generally
pretty miserable and homesick new boy that
curls himself up in his cot that first night of
his school life, as from such tempering process
there is no escape and no appeal to anyone.
Sometime during his first day he will have
been introduced to his project, who has the
direct control him out of class hours.
For this project, who is one of the sixth form
or first class boys, he shortly comes to have
wholesome respect; as for all minor offenses,
such as being caught out of bounds, late for
rollcall, bolster fighting in the dormitory, and
so forth, the project has delegated power to
administer the cane.
Thenceforth out of class hours he sees little
of the masters. Some of them may say grace
and carve for him in hall; but they are far too
wise to partake of the same diet,-feasting
royalty, so it is generally understood, in the
" common ROOM or in their private apart
ments However, as long as his pocket money
lasts or the supply of his play box holds out,
he is permitted to supplement the college fare
as his taste suggests.
In day or two the college settles down into
its routine, classes are made up, and the lists
of sides at the compulsory games of cricket or
football are given out by their respective
captains. During his first term, however, the
new boy is regarded much a probationer.
For him the rules somewhat relaxed. He
does not enter into the real college life until it
is of what stuff he is fashioned.
This first term is a test of his qualities,
toward the end of which he will probably have