splitting with joy you cannot think, because now I have given you
some proof that I have been lately sapping and doing pretty well. Do
not, think that I am praising myself, for I am pretty nearly beside
myself, you may suppose.'

One of his cousins adds, on the same sheet: 'I must tell you it is
very difficult to be sent up in the upper fourth form, and still more
so in the middle remove.'

The subject of the Latin verses which obtained this distinction was a
wreath or garland, and there must have been something remarkable in
them, for Mr. Abraham preserved a copy of them for many years. There
was something in the sweetness and docility of the boy, and in the
expression of his calm, gentle face, that always greatly interested
the masters and made them rejoice in his success; and among his
comrades he was a universal favourite. His brother joined him at
Eton during the ensuing year, when the Queen's wedding afforded the
boys another glimpse of Royal festivity. Their tumultuous loyalty
and audacity appear in Coley's letter:--

'In college, stretching from Hexter's to Mother Spier's was a
magnificent representation of the Parthenon: there were three
pillars, and a great thing like this (a not over-successful sketch of
a pediment), with the Eton and Royal arms in the middle, and
"Gratulatur Etona Victoria et Alberto" It cost £150, and there were
5,000 lamps hung on it. Throughout the whole day we all of us wore
large white bridal favours and white gloves. Towards evening the
clods got on Long Walk Wall; and as gentle means would not do, we
were under the necessity of knocking some over, when the rest soon
jumped off. However, F--- and myself declared we would go right into