Pages in red frocks, and marshals in their satin 100~~
doublets; white wands and splendid turbans, plumes, and velvet hats,
all hastening with a ready zeal to obey the call of the muster-roll. The
captain with his retinue retires to pay his court to the provost; while,
in the doctor's study, may be seen, gathered around the dignitary, a few
of those great names who honor Eton and owe their honor to her classic
tutors. Twelve o'clock strikes, and the procession is now marshalled in
the quadrangle in sight of the privileged circle, princes, dukes, peers,
and doctors with their ladies. Here does the ensign first display his
skill in public, and the Montem banner is flourished in horizontal
revolutions about the head and waist with every grace of elegance and
ease which the result of three months' practice and no little strength
can accomplish.
Twelve o'clock strikes, and the procession moves forward to the playing
fields on its route to Salt-Hill. Now look the venerable spires and
antique towers of Eton like to some chieftain's baronial castle in the
feudal times, and the proud captain represents the hero marching forth
at the head of his parti-coloured vassals!
The gallant display of rank and fashion and beauty follow in their
splendid equipages by slow progressive movement, like the delightful
lingering, inch by inch approach to St.
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