knowledge and habitual thought. They were not yet publicly prosecuted by
any school of politicians, or any section of the public press. They had
not a local habitation or a name. They were whispered in conversation by a
few. A tutor would speak of them in an esoteric vein to a favourite pupil,
in whose abilities he had confidence, and whose future position in life
would afford him the opportunity of influencing opinion. Among others,
they fell upon the ear of Coningsby. They were addressed to a mind which
was prepared for such researches.

There is a Library at Eton formed by the boys and governed by the boys;
one of those free institutions which are the just pride of that noble
school, which shows the capacity of the boys for self-government, and
which has sprung from the large freedom that has been wisely conceded
them, the prudence of which confidence has been proved by their rarely
abusing it. This Library has been formed by subscriptions of the present
and still more by the gifts of old Etonians. Among the honoured names of
these donors may be remarked those of the Grenvilles and Lord Wellesley;
nor should we forget George IV., who enriched the collection with a
magnificent copy of the Delphin Classics. The Institution is governed by
six directors, the three first Collegers and the three first Oppidans for
the time being; and the subscribers are limited to the one hundred senior
members of the school.

It is only to be regretted that the collection is not so extensive at it
is interesting and choice. Perhaps its existence is not so generally known
as it deserves to be. One would think that every Eton man would be as
proud of his name being registered as a donor in the Catalogue of this
Library, as a Venetian of his name being inscribed in the Golden Book.
Indeed an old Etonian, who still remembers with tenderness the sacred
scene of youth, could scarcely do better than build a Gothic apartment for