194 THE COACHING ERA 



played on the guard's key-bugle, by Joining in with 

 his horn at improper times, and with discordant results. 



Further cause for disquietude had Mr. Green, for he 

 observed that the undergraduates who were destined 

 to be the innocent Verdant's friends evinced "a great 

 capacity for the beer of Bass, and the porter of Guinness, 

 and were not averse even to liquids of a more spirituous 

 description. Moreover, Mr. Green remarked that the 

 ministering Hebes were invariably addressed by their 

 Christian names, and were familiarly conversed with as 

 old acquaintances; most of them receiving direct offers 

 of marriage, or the option of putting up the banns on 

 any Sunday in the middle of the week." 



When Woodstock was reached, Four-in-Hand Fos- 

 brooke resigned the ribbons to the professional coach- 

 man, whilst Mr. Bouncer in deference to the scruples 

 of a sensitive University put away his post-horn, and 

 consoled himself by chanting the following song chosen 

 in compliment to the undoubted freshness of Mr. 

 Verdant Green: 



"To Oxford, a Freshman so modest, 



I entered one morning in March; 

 And the figure I cut was the oddest — 



All spedlacles, choker and starch, 



Whack fol lol, lol iddity, etc. 



From the top of the Royal Defiance, 



Jack Adams, who coaches so well, 

 Set me down in these regions of science 



In front of the Mitre Hotel, 



Whack fol lol, lol iddity, etc. 



