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 lattei 
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, heie 
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 
