THE AMALGAMATION. 25 



school-time. In January 1867 the following entry is to be 

 found in the Journal Book (p. 236) : 



"January 1867. The Beagles have been amalgamated with 

 the Oppidan pack, and the following are the Articles of 

 Agreement : 



I. In consequence of the wishes of both parties, it has been 

 resolved to amalgamate both packs of Beagles. 



II. No one will be allowed to run who has not paid his 

 subscription. 



III. That a board be put up at the beginning of the Easter 

 Half for fellows to enter their names. 



IV. That no one below Remove will be allowed to enter, 

 and that the number be limited to 70, Fifth Form receiving the 

 preference. 



V. Of which there may be 20 Collegers. 



VI. That one pound subscription be paid throughout. 



VII. That the appointment (of Master) is in the hands of 

 the Captain of the Boats, who may be guided in his choice by 

 the result of the Steeplechase. 



VIII. That when a Colleger is huntsman an Oppidan shall be 

 first whip, and when an Oppidan is huntsman a Colleger is first 

 whip." 



Thus did the amalgamation become an accomplished fact. 

 It had been brought about not without some manoeuvring and 

 considerable difiiculties. Certainly, however, from the rules 

 which we have just quoted from the Journal Book, it seems as 

 if College, as well as the remainder of the School, welcomed the 

 change. " By the wishes of both parties " seems fairly to put 

 the point beyond dispute, even though it was written by an 

 Oppidan, W. C. Calvert. 



The terms of the treaty seem eminently just. The 

 suggestions of the Chi'onicle were obviously considered and were 

 to a large extent adopted. The disparity of numbers 

 (50 Oppidans, 20 Collegers) seems perfectly fair on reflection. 

 The clause (VIII.) allowing either a Colleger or an Oppidan to 

 be huntsman, but ensuring that if the huntsman be an Oppidan 

 the first whip must be a Colleger, seems fairer than the 

 Clironicle^s proposal that the huntsman should always be an 

 Oppidan and the first whip a Colleger. The only peculiarity of 

 the treaty is contained in Clause VII. ; that the appointment of 

 the Master should rest in the hands of the Captain of the Boats 

 seems a mistake. Obviously the fittest person to choose the 

 Master was the previous Master. The Captain of the 

 Boats could not have known whether a boy possessed the 



