A HISTORY OF HAMPSHIRE 



Prefects ; by their example and warning (monitu) they preserve the disci- 

 pline of the school, but should they turn mad or be spree their names 

 are placed on a roll, and the roll is handed to the Master who sets all 

 right with the four-fold rod.' 1 



The poet carries us through the day. At 5 a.m. is first peal. 

 '"Get up," (surgite) shouts the prefect'; not, be it noted, the junior 

 as in later days. We have to get up; doublets, hose and shoes are 

 snatched up. They 2 hurry to their class, and if the bell has done begin 

 the Latin hymn half dressed. Afterwards chambers are swept, hair 

 brushed, beds made, face and hands washed, and at 5.30 second peal 

 calls to chapel. Two prefects of chapel overlook the children to see 

 that they do not talk, that they have their own books, do not recite any- 

 thing wrong, and are not absent without leave. At 6 the small bell 

 calls to the Muses. But there are prayers first A Jove principlum 

 ' to ask God to wipe away the clouds of ignorance.' Then a 

 ' vu/gus ' is done. 'We rack our brains for a verse which will fit 

 the subject, each bound as tightly to his scob (cistce) as God-like 

 Prometheus was of old to the rock on the Caucasus.' 



At 9 was breakfast, preceded by grace. The butler serves the 

 drink, the bread-butler (artopta] the bread. Both consumed, prefect 

 of hall calls ' Down,' and at once we all go down. Till 1 1 we are 

 intent on our studies, i.e. ' Books Chambers.' School is from 1 1 till i 2. 



From school the small bell calls to hall. One of the ten prefects 

 says grace ; another, then called Bible clerk, reads a chapter of the Old 

 Testament. He has a week for his proper muses. 3 The prefect of 

 tub sends prefect of hall a portion of beef, and during hall walks about 

 and afterwards has his dinner with the servants. He gives the 'children' 

 their portions ; the junior cuts it into four equal parts. The junior 

 also fills the cup ; a leather jug, ' Black-jack,' stands by. ' When we 

 have satisfied our howling stomachs,' Bible clerk goes to the round 

 table, bows to the warden (dominus)^ who nods his head. The table- 

 cloths are thrown into tub. Then we say grace, singing a psalm in 

 alternate voices. After this the Muses summon us. The old women 

 gather up the broken meats, the servants and choristers have their 

 dinners. 



In summer at 3.30 is ' Bevers,' when the boys may quench their 

 thirst after showing their tasks to the master. At 5 there are prayers, 

 and then you may go circum. At 6 is supper in hall. From hall to 

 chambers. A little while after a late supper is given. At 8 is chapel 

 in which a psalm is sung. ' And so to bed,' as Mr. Pepys says. 



1 ' Qui quadripartita bene corrigit omnia virga.' This ' bibling-rod,' four apple-twigs tied on a 

 wooden handle about 3 feet long, was supposed to have been invented by Warden Baker, and was 

 in use till 1880. 



2 The poet throughout changes, presumably according to the exigencies of metre, from the first to 

 the third person. 



1 This seems to be an obscure way of expressing that he was in course for a week and during that 

 time did not go ' up to boob,' i.e. did not do lessons in form. This custom prevailed till the summer of 

 1869. 



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