New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-09-06


whose name is well spoken of, and not he that
elects to stand upon title or wealth. These
English arIstOcratlC colleges are alter all very
democratic IN sentiment, as the young noble
finds when hailed by a nickname that is more
characteristic than complimentary.
The Eventfu1 Second Term
RUT it is when he returns for his second term
IL that he makes his real entry into college
life. He is now presumed to know the way OF
things and presently he will find himself
assigned as flag" to some project or upper
class boy. This system of tagging differs
slightly in the various colleges; but IN the
main the fag's duties are to keep his master
study or private room in order, possibly cook
his breakfast or supper, run errandS, and be
on hand when needed on the field. In the old
days at some colleges he was called upon to
execute such mental tasks as polishing shoes,
brushing clothes, and carrying water; but Tor
the most part such have been abolished.
In return for his service the flag enjoys his
masters protection from possible bully, IS
assisted over the P0HS ds1nOrnM and similar
problems, has the use of his masters study,
and shares in his good fortune. Thus the
obligation is far from being sided, and 1t
happens more often than otherwise that the
relations between the flag and his master are
of the happest, developing into lasting TREND
ship when college days are over. In tact, SO
far from the flag resentlng his position, ne gen
orally takes great pride in his masters schoi-
astic achievements, being ready to hight any
other flag who questions his master S reputation.
The fag whose master IS the captain OF cricket
or football walks with no little reflected glory
among his companions, and this 1t must be
remembered while the flag may be peer IN ms
own right and the master the son OF a COM
parative1y poor clergyman.
Apart from this form of tagging, some
colleges enforce it at games. e., a certain
number of lower school boys are told off out
of class hours to field for the cricket eleven,
roll pitches, etc. As any Sinking OF THIS duty
means a Gaming from the captain OF games
whether the delinquent has done so OF his own
yolition or been kept in for an oVertaSk, game
fagring is not regarded with any degree OF
feryor. Herein we may find the germ OF KIP
1ino's TRADE against " Flanneled Fools, as the
future author. with no enthusiasm for sports,
was particularly averse to dragging roner
over a cricket pitch on a warm afternoon.
With the cane the average English school
how is so familiar that he thinks very little OF
its use. Being caned by either a master or a
project carries with 1t disgrace; and 1t IS re-
Jarded much in the light OF humorous pro-
6eeding. particularly if he is forewarned SO that
he NAV take measures to mitigate its painful
effect At an English college a boy that COM
I1ained of a Gaming would be ridiculed by his
school fellows, and told by his parents that he
DrobaIlv deserved it. For all that, the master
that carries a cane in the sleeve of his gown for
emergencies and chal<s it for better aim at the
second cut, is not overpOpular, even though
he is entitled TO the prefix OF reverend.
But a birching is quite another matter
The birch IS welded only by the head master,
generally before the whole college, and Tor
Some grave offense short of expulsion So that
the c1lprit's parents may be fully informed
of what has taken place, IT IS customary to
charge two dollars in the bill for birch, Thus
the subsequent explanation in his fathers
dressing room is likely to be quite as distressing
as his previous experience at college
At Winchester College there IS st1li to be seen
,I,, ola Iircbinq stool a kind of desk at which
the offender kne1t; but there as elsewhere a
birching is now so rarely witnessed that 1t may
be said to have passed out of existence as
form of punishment.
When Tagging Ends
THE disciplinary period lasts as long as boy
remains in the lower school, perhaps two