CHAPTER XIII.

THE "BOARD" OUT.

"Virum justum et tenaçem propositi,
Non ardor civium jubentium prava,
Non vultus instantis tyranni,
Quatit menta solidą."-HORACE.

THE examination being finished, and the term at an
end, most of the men make their preparations for
going down. A few only would remain up during
the vacation. These men were either those who
were studious, or those who had no home to go to.
None of them, however, would leave the place before
the "board" came out. On this board was the list
of the names of the students, in the order they passed
the examination, or, to speak more correctly, in the
order they were placed by the Principal; as it was
generally pretty well known that the list was not
the true result of the examination, that it did not
indeed correctly represent the respective merits of
each man.
This favouritism was the cause of much
unpleasantness and annoyance to some of the men.
They saw the injustice with which they were treated,
and yet were powerless to help themselves. They
saw men placed before them, whose attainments they
knew to be inferior to their own-men, indeed, in-
credulous as it may appear, who found a difficulty

in speaking their own language, and a much greater difficulty in writing it-men whose education might be dated from their admission to the college; while they themselves had received a good education before coming up. Gentlemen who had passed two or three years at a university, but who, for the sake of economy, or otherwise, were under the necessity of completing their education for the Church at a theological college-sons of clergymen, whose incomes were quite inadequate to enable them to send them to Oxford or Cambridge: these surely, in an examination in the Greek Testament, or in any other subject, were to be preferred above those whose previous lives had been spent in the workshop or behind the plough,

The list being out, the students were gathered in the hall to hear it read. The librarian entered from the library, and read the same aloud. Those who had passed the examination had their names called out in the order they stood; but those who had failed, were omitted from the list,-in other words, they were "plucked." The list having been read, and the usual amount of stamping and vociferation having subsided, opinions were freely exchanged. While some were secretly annoyed at the position they occupied, others openly avowed the satisfaction they felt. The librarian, who had gone into the library after reading the list, returned, and announced that Mr. Pylle was wanted. Now, Mr. Pylle, when

he found his name was not on the board, became very angry, and consequently followed the librarian in no gentle mood.

"He is plucked safe enough," said one.

"It is a great shame," cried another.

"I have no doubt he did very well," said a third. "It is a mean thing to do, I confess," exclaimed a fourth.

While such remarks are passing in the hall, we will introduce our readers to a scene in the library.

The Principal, addressing Mr. Pylle: "Mr. Pylle, we are very sorry, but we felt it our duty to

'Now, I know what you are going to say," said Pylle, interrupting him; "but you needn't say it; and the less you say the better, as I'll stand none of your humbug, or, sure as I am a man, I'll lay this stick about your back. I am disgusted with your hypocritical conduct; I denounce your paltry, underhanded ways."

"Mr. Pylle," said the Principal, who was astonished beyond measure at this unexpected language of the student, and really alarmed at his determined bearing, "Mr. Pylle, I was about to observe that we called you in here to tell you that you have failed to meet the requirements of the examination."

"Which means simply," said Pylle, "that I have failed to please you individually."

"We think," exclaimed the Tutor, "you have not come up to our standard of a third-term man."

"And when that happens," added the Principal, "it is usual for the term to be kept over again; it would have been so in your case, but as you have exhibited yourself in this violent way, you had better leave the college."

"You are very kind, I am sure," said Pylle, “having taken from a man more than thirty pounds, he may now go about his business; let me tell you Sir, that it is downright robbery, and every honest man would say the same thing."

"We are very sorry," said the Principal blandly, "that you should have been put to the expense of—”

"I have no doubt you are," exclaimed the student, interrupting him, "just as sorry as you were when you refused poor Ca testimonial, a man who was up here for more than ten terms, and who paid you at least a hundred pounds. If that was not dishonesty, then I know not what is.”

"Have you done, Sir," said the Principal tremulously, "if you have not, I have. Never, since I have been connected with this college, have I been spoken to in this manner."

"That is not at all surprising," returned Pylle, "the position and friendless condition of most of the men, prevent that, as you know quite well: and so they are fitting objects over whom you can exercise your authority."

"Are we," exclaimed the Principal, "to stand here all day to be insulted by this man in this way?"

"Certainly not," said the Tutor, "let me advise you now to go quietly to your lodgings, put your things together, and leave the village as soon as you can."

"That is just my intention Sir, I can assure you," answered Pylle; "that, I had decided upon under any circumstances. But before I leave I may be permitted to say, and I have no doubt you'll be glad to hear, that I shall ever retain a lively recollection of the excellent discipline of this college and the noble bearing of the Principal."

Upon saying this he left the room, but was immediately surrounded by some of his friends, who had waited to hear the result of the conference.

"And so Pylle," said Fripp, "you are really ploughed."

"I am really annoyed," returned Pylle.

"I don't wonder at that," said White.

"Has he been jawing you all this time," asked Fripp, "or have you been jawing him, which ?” "I have been telling him the truth," replied Pylle. "Now I am glad of that," returned Fripp, "as that is a matter I should think he knows little about." "Did you," enquired White "speak to him about the trick he played Tangle?"

"The trick he played Tangle! No: I know nothing of it."

"Nor I either," said Fripp.

"I am surprised you don't know," said White, "Tangle had got his title and all had been arranged,