36 The Course, the Camp, the Chase 



and it was in vain pointed out that the money had been 

 subscribed for a totally different object, and that if an 

 official horn was desired, a special subscription should be 

 raised for it. Boys are but children, and argument is 

 lost upon them. Something fresh is apt to tickle their 

 imagination to the exclusion of other considerations, and 

 so, though the breakfast was held, no testimonial was 

 given for the year 1864. 



Two of the most exciting events, that stirred us all 

 to the highest enthusiasm, were the marriage of their 

 Eoyal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales, and 

 the visit to Eton of the popular hero. Garibaldi. For 

 weeks before the first event, we all assisted in making 

 huge quantities of artificial roses, for the immense wreaths 

 that connected the artificial towers erected over the 

 streets at Eton. Our excitement was at its height when 

 the carriage containing the bride and bridegroom passed 

 through the college for the first time, and we shouted 

 ourselves hoarse as we ran alongside the carriage, hat in 

 hand, as far as we were able to accompany it. At any 

 time it used to be the greatest pleasure to us, if any of 

 the members of the royal family passed through Eton 

 for a drive, but our especial favourites were Her Majesty 

 the Queen and H.RH. the Princess of Wales. There 

 are no more loyal subjects in the empire than the boys 

 of Eton College. 



When Garibaldi arrived in his well-known red shirt, 

 he received one of the greatest receptions possible. His 

 deeds, as reported in the newspapers of the time, had 

 raised our imaginations to the highest pitch, and we 

 crowded eagerly round his carriage for the honour of 

 shaking hands with him. He was extremely pleased. 



