On this day the Captain of Eton appears in a dress as martial as his
title: indeed, each sixth-form boy represents in his uniform, though not
perhaps according to the exact rules of the Horse Guards, an officer of
the army. One is a marshal, another an ensign. There is a lieutenant, too;
and the remainder are sergeants. Each of those who are intrusted with
these ephemeral commissions has one or more attendants, the number of
these varying according to his rank. These servitors are selected
according to the wishes of the several members of the sixth form, out of
the ranks of the lower boys, that is, those boys who are below the fifth
form; and all these attendants are arrayed in a variety of fancy dresses.
The Captain of the Oppidans and the senior Colleger next to the Captain of
the school, figure also in fancy costume, and are called 'Saltbearers.' It
is their business, together with the twelve senior Collegers of the fifth
form, who are called 'Runners,' and whose costume is also determined by
the taste of the wearers, to levy the contributions. And all the Oppidans
of the fifth form, among whom ranked Coningsby, class as 'Corporals;' and
are severally followed by one or more lower boys, who are denominated
'Polemen,' but who appear in their ordinary dress.

It was a fine, bright morning; the bells of Eton and Windsor rang merrily;
everybody was astir, and every moment some gay equipage drove into the
town. Gaily clustering in the thronged precincts of the College, might be
observed many a glistening form: airy Greek or sumptuous Ottoman, heroes
of the Holy Sepulchre, Spanish Hidalgos who had fought at Pavia, Highland
Chiefs who had charged at Culloden, gay in the tartan of Prince Charlie.
The Long Walk was full of busy groups in scarlet coats or fanciful
uniforms; some in earnest conversation, some criticising the arriving
guests; others encircling some magnificent hero, who astounded them with
his slashed doublet or flowing plume.