The domestic arrangements were in many respects rough and comfortless, and so intensely conservative were the ruling powers in these respects that complaint or remonstrance scarcely received any attention.  On the other hand, the utmost liberality prevailed in most matters.  The foundation scholars’ dinner, for instance, was provided in a long, low, old-fashioned, oak-paneled hall, admirably adapted for the purpose.  The food was excellent in quality, unlimited in quantity, and very comfortably served.  The only drawback was want of variety, and the perennial reappearance of raspberry tartlets every Wednesday at length provoked a mutiny against that form of pastry, the order being passed down that no one was to touch it.

An upper boy had two fags, the inferior of the two being called his tea-fag.  A good feeling nearly always subsisted between master and fag, inasmuch as the former generally selected a boy he liked; and indeed in many cases the connection engendered a warm and lasting regard between the parties.  The fag had access to his master’s study, could retreat there to do his lessons in quiet, and not unfrequently was assisted in them by his master.

Those who came off worst were dirty boys:  no mercy was shown them.  One such we can recall—­now a very spruce, well-appointed government official—­whose obstinate adherence to dirt was marvelous, seeing what it cost him.

There are always some bullies among a lot of boys, but serious bullying was uncommon, and not unfrequently a hideous retribution befell a bully through some “big fellow” resolving to wreak on him what he inflicted on others.  We can recall one very bright, brilliant youth, now high in the Indian civil service, whose drollery when bullying was irresistible, even to those who knew their turn might come next.  “Come here, F——­,” we remember his saying to a fat youth of reputed uncleanness:  then dropping his voice to a tone of subdued horror and solemnity, “I was shocked to hear you use a bad word just now.”  “No indeed, B——­,” protested the trembling F——.  “Ah, well, I’m certain that you are now thinking it; and, besides, at any rate, you look fat and disgusting; so hold down your hands;” and poor F——­ retired howling after a tremendous “swinger”—­i.e. swinging box on the ear.

The school was divided into six forms, the sixth being the highest.  Below the first form were two classes called upper and lower petties.  Up to 1850, classics were the almost exclusive study, but the changes then made in the curriculum of studies at Oxford rendered attention to mathematics absolutely necessary.  Much less stress was laid upon Latin verses at Charter-House than at Eton, and a Latin prose composition was regarded as the most important part of scholarship, inasmuch as a certain proficiency in it is a sine qua non at Oxford.  French was taught twice a week by a master of celebrity, who, however, did not understand the art of dinning learning into unwilling boys.  It rarely happens in England that boys acquire any real knowledge of French at school:  those who gain the prizes are almost invariably boys who have resided abroad and picked up the language in childhood.  Music was taught by Mr. Hullah, and attendance on the part of gown-boys was compulsory.  Drawing and fencing were extras.