OLD CUSTOMS. 193 



evening. He assured me that it was one of no 

 frequent occurrence, but that on two or three par- 

 ticular days of the year, the senior fellows kept up 

 the old customs of the college, and on those occa- 

 sions infringed a little on their usual regular habits. 

 I had been too well entertained, and had enjoyed 

 myself too much, to think any apology necessary, 

 although I could not help admiring the anxiety of 

 my companion for the character and discipline of a 

 college, of which he was so distinguished an orna- 

 ment. After all, the bounds of propriety had been 

 but little infringed upon. There was excitement 

 without intoxication, and mirth and laughter, with- 

 out either vulgarity or indecorum. 



As for myself, I must confess that I am one of 

 those who delight in witnessing old customs, espe- 

 cially in times li ke these w hen all our ancient habits 

 and institutions are undergoing a change. Who- 

 ever has read an amusing life of Anthony a Wood, 

 the Oxford antiquary (and those who have not, 

 ought to do so) will find many interesting details of 

 Oxford habits and customs in the good old times. 

 To be sure young gownsmen are not now subject 

 to be flogged at the Buttery Hatch, as they were 

 formerly, but the golden age of study then existed, 

 and ponderous and learned works were produced 

 of which we have few instances in these degene- 

 rate days. Some of the learned antiquary's state- 

 ments are droll enough. For instance, he mentions 

 K 



