But busy Monday
arrives, and hundreds of Oxonians and Cantabs pour in to witness the
speeches of the boys, and pay a tribute of respect to their former
masters. The exhibition this day takes place in the upper school, and
consists of sixth form oppidans and collegers. How well can I remember
the animated picture Eton presents on such occasions: shoals of
juvenile oppidans, who are not yet of an age to have been elected of any
particular school-party, marching forth from their dames' houses, linked
arm in arm, parading down the street with an air and gaiety that implies
some newly acquired consequence, or liberty of conduct. Every where a
holiday face presents itself, and good humour lisps upon every tongue.
Here may be seen a youthful group, all anxiety and bustle, trudging
after some well-known _Cad_, who creeps along towards the Windsor
coach-office, loaded with portmanteaus, carpet bags, and
~53~~
boxes, like a Norfolk caravan at Christmas time; while the youthful
proprietors of the bulky stock, all anxiety and desire to reach their
relatives and friends, are hurrying him on, and do not fail to spur the
_elephant_ with many a cutting gibe, at his slow progression. Within
doors the dames are all bustle, collecting, arranging, and packing up
the wardrobes of their respective boarders; servants flying from the
hall to the attic, and endangering their necks in their passage down
again, from anxiety to meet the breathless impetuosity of their parting
guests.
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