being the most thinking set in the school: but they have formed their opinion either by that which prevailed in the last party they are at, or which they heard when they were last at home, or which some infallible review had given, or by the vox publica:-not that which decides the characters of men in reality, but such as only raises or degrades their credit for the day, and which is in fact only the echo of a few leading voices, (which, as an ingenious writer says, having gained the confidence, direct the opening of the whole pack ;) and is not to be considered as either reverend or divine. After this not Socrates himself with all his clearness and plain reasoning could convince them, or make them abandon even the least point in the character or writings of any favourite Statesman, General, or Author which they have undertaken to defend. If any correspondents would oblige me by explaining the motives by which these persons are led to this strange incon T sistency, it would greatly gratify my curiosity. Pride is certainly not the explanation, for I am persuaded that many of friends at Westminster would sooner allow themselves to be absolute blockheads than give up one iota of what they had advanced. my I hope my readers will be as much amused as I was, by the perusal of the following strictures of an ingenious correspondent: at the same time I cannot help reminding him, that although as one of the King's Scholars I may have no objection to participate in his prejudices in their favour, yet as the Editor of the World at Westminster, I am in duty bound to decline it. Tros Rutulusve fuat, nullo discrimine habebo. SIR, Sunday. On Sunday morning at my breakfast, instead of reading the Observer like many of my neighbours, I took up your amusing paper, to see what was going on in that part of the world to which I more immediately belong. Your dream amused me exceedingly, and I felt a gratification that the Editor of a newspaper should get on as well with his work when asleep as when awake. I came to your remarks "of boys at Westminster being frightened into uttering what their hearts revolted at." I said this must be a hit at some of the Town-boys, it never could be intended for the King's Scholars, and for fear the World at Westminster should form a different opinion, I will send the Editor the reasons which have led me to this conclusion. In St. Peter's College, the King's Scholars are placed in a little world of their own, composed of four different classes; the Lords, Commons, Yeomanry, and Tenants at Will. This commonwealth is not too large to distract the attention of the individuals of which it is composed; each of them has abundant opportunity and time enough to examine all its different parts. I ask then, in which of the stages in this progress can any one put on the frivolous character of pursuing false praise? not in the junior year: No.-They have something else to do; and that occupation (however much some mothers condemn it) makes boys think and reflect, compare and appreciate it makes them to accommodate themselves to their situation by this practical lesson, taught by their equals, who have themselves gone through the same duties that their own comfort depends upon doing so. While Juniors, the seeds of judgment receive manurement, and their roots begin to strike :-in the second and third year, they improve in length, and take a faster hold, so that in the senior |