Just Before I Got To Windsor I Passed Eton College, One Of The First
Public Schools In England, And Perhaps In The World.
I have before
observed that there are in England fewer of these great schools than
one might expect.
It lay on my left; and on the right, directly
opposite to it, was an inn, into which I went.
I suppose it was during the hour of recreation, or in playtime, when
I got to Eton, for I saw the boys in the yard before the college,
which was enclosed by a low wall, in great numbers, walking and
running up and down.
Their dress struck me particularly. From the biggest to the least,
they all wore black cloaks, or gowns, over coloured clothes, through
which there was an aperture for their arms. They also wore besides
a square hat or cap, that seemed to be covered with velvet, such as
our clergymen in many places wear.
They were differently employed - some talking together, some playing,
and some had their books in their hands, and were reading; but I was
soon obliged to get out of their sight, they stared at me so as I
came along, all over dust, with my stick in my hand.
As I entered the inn, and desired to have something to eat, the
countenance of the waiter soon gave me to understand that I should
there find no very friendly reception. Whatever I got they seemed
to give me with such an air as showed too plainly how little they
thought of me, and as if they considered me but as a beggar. I must
do them the justice to own, however, that they suffered me to pay
like a gentleman. No doubt this was the first time this pert,
bepowdered puppy had ever been called on to wait on a poor devil who
entered their place on foot. I was tired, and asked for a bedroom
where I might sleep. They showed me into one that much resembled a
prison for malefactors. I requested that I might have a better room
at night; on which, without any apology, they told me that they had
no intention of lodging me, as they had no room for such guests, but
that I might go back to Slough, where very probably I might get a
night's lodging.
With money in my pocket, and a consciousness, moreover, that I was
doing nothing that was either imprudent, unworthy, or really mean, I
own it mortified and vexed me to find myself obliged to put up with
this impudent ill-usage from people who ought to reflect that they
are but the servants of the public, and little likely to recommend
themselves to the high by being insolent to the low. They made me,
however, pay them two shillings for my dinner and coffee, which I
had just thrown down, and was preparing to shake off the dust from
my shoes, and quit this inhospitable St. Christopher, when the green
hills of Windsor smiled so friendly upon me, that they seemed to
invite me first to visit them.
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