1833-36 ETON FESTIVITIES 73 



observed, however, that the unfortunate bones 

 were not released from maxillary exactions when 

 the fags had done picking them, but were eagerly 

 fought for — true bones of contention — by nume- 

 rous smock-frocked urchins who surrounded the 

 tables at more humble distance, a distance 

 which the fags preserved by bestowing hearty 

 aristocratic kicks on any intruder of the latter 

 class. . . . The boats came racing down, the 

 crews vociferating and taunting each other, elated 

 with wine, and emancipated from restraint. Just 

 above Eton Bridge there is a little island ; here 

 they had erected a stage for fireworks, and a 

 triumphal archway, lighted with coloured lamps, 

 bearing the Eton arms and motto, Floreat Etona ! 

 While the fireworks were let off the ten-oared 

 boats continued to row round the island, passing 

 at each circuit through the arches of the bridge ; 

 sixteen times these boys continued to pull round, 

 and as they floated past the island every boat's 

 crew stood up with their oars raised and cheered 

 the insignia of their school. During this time the 

 little island was illuminated by different coloured 

 lights, red, blue, green, &c, the effect of which, 

 upon the boats and the crowds which lined the 

 river banks, was strangely beautiful. We could see 

 lights in the apartments of the Castle (Windsor), 

 where the royal party were watching the opera- 

 tions of the boys. . . . Next morning we break- 

 fasted together in George's room, after which we 



