The two proctors are next in authority to the Vice Chancellor.  Their costume is a full dress gown, with velvet sleeves, and band-encircled neck.  They are assisted by two deputies, or pro-proctors, who have a strip of velvet on each side of the gown front, and wear bands.  The proctors have certain legislative powers; but are most conspicuous as a detective police force, supported by “bulldogs,” i.e., constables.  A proctor is regarded by an undergraduate, especially by a fast man, with the same affection that a costermonger looks on a policeman.  In the evenings, it is their duty to prowl round, and search, if necessary, any house within three miles, for so far does their authority extend.  The dread of the proctor compels tandem drivers to send their leaders a distance out of town; and many an excited youth, on the day of a neighbouring steeplechase, is stopped, when driving out of the city, with—­“Your name, sir, and of what college?”

“Lord R. Christchurch.”

“Go back to your rooms, my lord, and call on me in an hour at Worcester.”

The members of the University are divided into those who are on the foundation and those who are not.  Those on the foundation are the dean, president, master, warden, according to the charter of the College; the fellows, scholars, called demies at Magdalene, and post-masters at Merton; chaplains, bible-clerks, servitors, at Christchurch and Jesus.  The qualifications for these advantages vary; but leading colleges—­Oriel and Balliol—­have set an example likely to be followed of throwing fellowships and scholarships open to the competition of the whole university, so that the best man may win.  The disadvantage of the system lies in the fact, that having won, the incentives are all in the direction of idleness.

The degree was formerly obtained by passing first through a preliminary examination termed a “little go,” and afterwards through the “great go.”  The latter, successfully performed, entitles, at choice, to the title of B.A.  (Bachelor of Arts), or S.C.L. (Student of Civil Law).  With time and money, the degrees of M.A. or B.C.L., and eventually D.C.L., may be obtained, without farther examination.  But very recently an intermediate examination has been imposed.

A candidate for a degree in music has only to perform an exercise previously approved by the professor of music in the music schools.

Doctors of Divinity and Masters of Arts wear a stuff gown, with two long sleeves, terminating in a semicircle.  The full dress of Doctors of Divinity is scarlet, with sleeves of black velvet—­pink silk for Doctors of Law and Medicine.

Bachelors wear a black stuff gown, with long sleeves tapering to a point, and buttoned at the elbow; noblemen undergraduates a black silk gown, with full sleeves, “couped” at the elbows, and a velvet cap with gold tassel; scholars the same shaped gown, of a common stuff, with ordinary cloth cap; gentlemen commoners a silk gown with plaited sleeves, and velvet cap; if commoners, a plain black gown without sleeves, which is so hideous that they generally carry it on their arm.