CHAPTER III. 



Eton. 



In January 1859 I went to Eton, remaining there until 

 December 1865, during a momentous period in the history 

 of the college. Those years witnessed the commencement 

 of the Volunteer Force, the Beagles, and practically of the 

 " Eight," as it is now constituted, and marked the beginning 

 of the epoch of change in the life of an Etonian, that has 

 since made gigantic strides. It was then still the fashion 

 for all boys to " shirk " a master, going through the streets 

 of Eton to the Eafts, though when once arrived at 

 the river they were again safe " in bounds." Present 

 Etonians could hardly realise what Eton was in those days, 

 before the birth of the above three great institutions. At 

 that time the Eton Eight had no annual race to look for- 

 ward to, and boys were made members of it for various 

 reasons, and who had no claim at all on the score of 

 merit. 



Sometimes they got into the Eight because they were 

 popular boys in the Sixth Form, the cricket, or other 

 eleven, who could pull a fairly good oar ; and it was not 

 till the advent of Dr. Warre, as a lower master, that this 

 was all altered. When he took the Eight in hand, 

 dire was the dismay and discontent amongst those who 

 had hitherto mismanaged matters to their hearts' content. 

 After Dr. "Warre received permission to train the Eight and 



