Tom Brown at Oxford

e kitchen, and you had to ask leave of the Dean before you could have it at all. In those ponderous feasts the most hum-drum of the undergraduate kind might rival the most artistic, if he coul

eggs, with a dish of broiled ham, or something of the sort, with a marmalade and bitter ale to finish with; but

's eggs; or, at the worst, there was a dainty omelette; and a distant baker, famed for his light rolls and high charges, sent in the bread-the common domestic college loaf being of course out of the question for anyone with the slightest pretension to taste, and fit only for the perquisite of scouts. Then there would be a deep Yorkshire pie, or reservoir of potted game, as a piece, de resistance, and three or four sorts of preserves; and a large cool tankard of cider or ale-cup to finish up with, or soda-water and maraschino for a change. Tea and coffee were there indeed, but merely as a compliment to those respec

desirable that the young gentlemen should make good connexions. In fact, the fathers looked upon the University as a good investmen

th whom he associated, provided they were pleasant fellows, and gave him good food and wines. His whole idea at present was to enjoy himself as much as possible; but

mself chiefly to the society of the rich freshmen, for somehow the men of his own standing seemed a little shy of him. But with the freshmen he was always hand and glove, lived in their rooms, and used their wines, horses, and other movable property as his own. Being a good whist and billiard player, and not a bad jockey, he managed in one way or another to make his young friends pay well for the honour of his acquaintance; as, inde

ds. No one was in the rooms when he arrived, for none of the club had finished their toilettes. Morning chapel was not meant for, or cultivated by gentlemen-commoners; they paid double chapel fees, in consideration of which, probably, they were not expected to attend so often as the rest of the undergraduates; at any rate, they didn't, and no harm came to them in consequence of their absence. As Tom entered, a great splashing in an inner

of the glass hung small carved oak frames, containing lists of meets of the Heyshrop, the Old Berkshire, and Drake's hounds, for the current week. There was a queer assortment of well-framed paintings and engravings on the walls; some of considerable merit, especially some watercolor and sea-pieces and engravings from Landseer's pictures, mingled with which hung Taglioni and Cerito, in short petticoats and impossible attitudes; Phosphurous winning the Derby; the Death of Grimaldi (the famous steeple-chase horse, not poor old Joe); an American Trotting Match, and Jem Belcher and Deaf Burke in attitudes of self-defense. Several tandem and riding

is head, and otherwise gorgeously attired. He was a pleasant-looking fellow of middle size, with dark hair, and a merry brown eye, with a twinkle in it, wh

ontents, having, as he said, "'a whoreson longing for that poor creature, small beer.' We were playing Van-John in Blake's rooms till three l

massive, his skin was as fine as a lady's, and his tail taper and nearly as thin as a clay pipe. His general look, and a way he had of going 'snuzzling' about the calves of strangers, were not pleasant for nervous people. Tom, however, was used to dogs, and soon became friends with him, which evidently pleased his host. And then the breakfast arrived, all smoking, and with it the

re. It is wonderful, though, how you feel drawn to a man who feeds you well; and, a

dressed, but with the drawing up of his nostril, and a drawing down of the corners of his mouth, which set Tom against him at once. The cool, supercilious half-nod, mo

in attendance, seating himself, and inspecting the

bout, and hande

ld things; haven't you

nly two dozen this morning, and Mr

ach of us four: they were first-rate. If you can't get here

e a broil from the

ithout deigning an

tchen's shut by now,

ton's, and orde

he retreating scout; "not to my tick,

o his waiting; and the Honorable Piers set to work upon his breakfast, without showing any further ill temper certainly, excep

le's first term, the other had lived on him-drinking his wine, smoking his cigars, driving his dog-cart, and winning his money; all which Drysdale, who was the easiest going and best tempered fellow in Oxford, had stood without turning a hair. But St. Cloud added to these little favors a

n the table, and the company betook themselves to cigars and easy chairs. Jack came out of his corner to be gratifie

rs. "I've ordered a leader to be sent on over the bridge, and mea

besides?" a

Farley here. There's lot

ng's slow work on th

ised to go dow

r. "Why, you don't mean to say

ng and doing the High Street, and playing cards and billiards al

t of you taking to reading, or going t

r see such a set, St. Cloud? with their everlasting flan

ut in Chanter, whose father could just write his name, and was making a

know they're a deal more amusing than you fellow

omical!" snee

t, and blistering one's hands, only to get abused by

"and the captain will make you dine at one, and fetch you out of anybody's rooms,

y, and a pint and a

cod fish face into

n training

taking the office from their mentor, stared at him through their smoke, and, after a minute or two's silence, and a few rude half-whispered remarks amongst themselves, went off t

m had to go to lecture, where we cannot follow him just now, but must remain with Drysdale and Saunders, who chatted on very pleasantly for some twenty minutes, till a knock came at the door. It was

If you have had, wasn't he always in your rooms or company whenever anything happened to show your little weak points? Sanders, at any rate, occupied this position towards our young friend Drysdale, and the latter, much as he liked Sander's company, woul

e carried a large parcel, which he proceeded to open, and placed upon a sofa the contents, consisting of a couple of coats, and three or four waistcoats and a pair of trousers. He saluted Sanders with a most o

ing them on now," said Drysdal

rysdale's orders had been executed to his satisfaction. He had also some very beautiful new stuffs with him, which he sh

fing his cigar, and watching Schloss's proceedings with a look not u

said Drysdale; "I tell you I have

worn in London," went on Schloss, without heeding

ale; "you seem to think a f

iled Schloss; "but, to be in the

r any now, that's f

le that he should not have some plush waists; the f

oss; will you go if

he sees how tasteful t

bsequious Schloss held out. "But it seems nice stuff, too," he went on; "I shouldn't mind having a couple of waistcoats of it of this

at; "but it shall not hinder. I shall have at on

if you like," said D

roke in Sanders, "what it w

or perhaps fourteen pounds." Sanders gave

ack, who went trotting about the room, and snuffing at Schloss's legs; "do you mea

n Monsieur is more at leisure." And Schloss gathered up his cards and beat a hasty retreat, followed

at a funk the fellow was in. Well, you've saved your maste

at the tankard, and then threw himself down on the sofa again, as Jack jumped up and coiled himself round by his ma

ue trousers, with a red stripe across them, Drysdale looking on from the sofa. "I say, D

d order a full suit cut out of my grandmother's farthing

would mob you. Why don't you kick him down stairs?" suggeste

know-my name's Easy-besides, I don't want to give up the

t your weddings. You may be married the first time in the peach or fawn-color; and then, if you have luck, and bury your first wife soon, it will be a delicate comp

ne, who had general orders to let Drysdale have his fair share of anything very special in the cigar line.

ng supplied three previous pairs in October), had retained the present pair for show in his window; and everyone knows that boots wear much better for being kept sometime before use. Now, however, as the hunting season was drawing to a close, and the pla

kless Drysdale: and new hats, and ties, and gloves, and pins, jostled balsam of Neroli, and registered shaving-soap, and fancy letter paper, and Eau de Cologne, on every available table. A visit from two livery-stable-keepers in succession followed, each of whom had several new leaders which the

and a shock head of hair entered the room, from which one lively little gimlet eye went glancing about into every corner. The other eye was closed, but as a perpetual wink to indicate the uns

ly discharged at it. As the spur fell to the floor, the head reappeared in the room, and as quickly disappeared again, in deference to the other spur, the top boots, an

t of laughter, in which Sanders and the head heartily joined, and shouted, "Come in, Joe, you

-looking body it was, of about fifty years standing, or rather slouching, clothed in an old fustian coat, co

the turf of which a match at rat-killing had come off between the terriers of two gentlemen-commoners. This little event might have passed unnoticed, but that Drysdale had boug

to the buttery to get his mornin', and then I tips a wink to the under por

'ed if you're caught!

rd with a fighting chap from town, Mr. Drysdale-in the fancy, sir, he is, and hev got a matter of three dogs down a stoppin' at Milky Bill's. And he says, says he, Mr. Drysdale, as arra one of he's dogs'll draw the

what then?"

he, 'agin any Lonnun dog as ever was whelped; and Mr. Drysdale' says he, 'ain't the man as'd see two poor chaps bounced out of their ho

Jack for a match, an

sir, that was what

nd I'll think about it." Drysdale was now in a defiant humor, and resolved not to let Sand

ack, who quietly followed Joe out of the room, when that worthy disappeared. Drysdale only laughed when he f

making fools and blackguards of themselves up here," thought Sanders, as he strolled back to his college. And it