120 MEMOIR OF GEORGE WILSON. CHAP. III. 



and I am sure a refreshing account of the College bicker and its 

 consequence. 



" Last Thursday was the first good snow storm we have had, 

 and a goodly quantity bespread the ground. We, the students, 

 began to bicker each other as usual. A posse of students set 

 themselves in the quadrangle, so as to command each class door, 

 and pelt the sober fellows, who had to run the gauntlet as they 

 came in or out ; then the pelters divided into two parties, and 

 bickered each other. And it was most amusing to see one event 

 of the skirmish. While throwing at each other, a host of idle 

 shop-boys, bakers, servants, etc., had placed themselves in the 

 College gateway, and were amusing themselves gazing on, when 

 all of a sudden the two parties, without laying their heads to 

 gether, raised the war-whoop, and rushed on the spectators. 

 What a scene ! tumbling over each other, knocking, driving, 

 letting fall candles, and other contents of baskets ; while a mer- 

 ciless shower of snow grapeshot thwacked them soundly. 



" This, however, was an episode in the day's deeds, and not in 

 any way necessarily connected with them ; for, meanwhile, a 

 set of idle apprentice lads had begun attacking the students as 

 they went to their classes, and soon the fight became warmer. 

 And now the first element of riot began, namely, that the police 

 would not take up the idlers, while they came into College and 

 apprehended students. This was a double affront : first, the 

 police showed partiality in only taking students ; second, they 

 came into the quadrangle, which the students believed (it after- 

 wards appeared wrongly) was sacred from their intrusions. 



" So they had a meeting on the Mound, swore to avenge their 

 affronts, and agreed to meet, each with an old hat and a short 

 stick. Away then they went ; a procession, four abreast, fine 

 gallant young fellows (Medicals, I need scarcely say) ; and after 

 wandering through all the streets, they parted. Next morning, 

 they provided themselves with chapeaux and shillelahs. Little 

 was done in the first part of the day, but it is notorious that even 

 on the second day it began with the misconduct of the police 

 in refusing to take up blackguards who assaulted students. A 

 regular bicker began against all who passed ; the middle gate 

 being shut, and the Meds crowding on the stairs, showered away. 



