34 RECORDS OF OLD TIMES 



an end. Thus concluded one of the most delightful 

 customs handed down to us from the middle ages. 

 When the list of English worthies in learning, politics, 

 and war is scanned, a large majority will be found 

 to have had their educational career commenced at 

 Eton. Well might it be recorded that the Duke of 

 Wellington, in allusion to the great athletic feats 

 performed by Eton boys, and by the inculcating to 

 them of those noble principles of honour, patriotism, 

 and self-reliance, taught there, say, ' The battle of 

 Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton.' — 

 ' Floreat Etona.' 



Whilst writing of the Eton Montem, the dear 

 old provost. Dr. Goodall, is brought to my recollec- 

 tion. In my boyhood 1 well remember his genial, 

 benevolent countenance, often lit up with a 

 humorous smile, when he changed horses at my 

 father's house at Aylesbury, on his way from Eton 

 to his brother, who resided at Dinton Hall, which 

 was about five miles from the town and three from 

 Hartwell. I was always glad to see the Provost, 

 as he had generally some kind remark to make, 

 adorned with some simple Latin quotation, as it 

 struck me, to discover if I kept up my school classics, 

 which fortunately I did. Doctor Goodall's brother 

 was vicar of Dinton. He was a very aged man, 

 who, many years before, had married a daughter of 

 Sir John \^an Hattem,' who was a member of the 

 ' Hell-Fire Club,' with the Earl of Chesterfield, who 

 had a fine house at Eythrope, about three miles 



' N.B. — He came over with, and was Xa\al A.D.C. to William 

 and Mary. 



