Tom Brown at Rugby

152

Purely: nicely.

153

Minds: remember.

154

Wench: a young peasant girl.

155

Martinmas: the feast of St. Martin, Nov. 11.

156

Aim: intend.

157

Tuppence: two pence or four cents; the English penny, being equal to two cents.

158

Quaint: odd, old-fashioned.

159

Muzzling in a flour-tub: running their heads into a tub of flour to fish out prizes.

160

Half-sovereign: ten shillings ($2.50).

161

Down shepherd: a shepherd on the downs or chalk hills.

162

Chaff: make fun, ridicule.

163

Wooy: why.

164

He: here, him.

165

Arra: any.

166

Poaching: game-stealing.

167

Wordsworth's "Peter Bell."

168

Castor: a tall silk hat.

169

Basket-handle: a handle protected by wicker-work.

170

Feint: to pretend to make a thrust or to give a blow.

171

Umpire: judge or referee.

172

'ee: thee, you.

173

A'nigst: near.

174

Summut: something or somewhat.

175

Vlush: flush.

176

Twod: a toad.

177

Veathers: feathers.

178

Blethering: talking nonsense.

179

Shovel: a broad-brimmed hat turned up at the sides. It was formerly much worn by clergymen of the Church of England.

180

Wos-bird: a bird that steals corn.

181

Sir Roger de Coverley: a typical old country gentleman of delightful simplicity of character. See Addison's "Spectator."

182

Gi's: give us.

183

A: he.

184

Wur: where.

185

Tie: a contest in which neither side gains the victory.

186

Life-guardsman: one of the Queen's body-guard.

187

"Vizes": a contraction of Devizes, a town in Wiltshire.

188

Yeast: a novel by Charles Kingsley.

189

Grapnel: a grappling hook.

190

Bona fide: real.

191

Priggism: affectation, conceit.

192

Skittles: the game of ninepins.

193

Palaver houses: talk houses – the Houses of Parliament.

194

West-End Clubs: clubs in the fashionable quarter of London.

195

Old John: John Bull.

196

Red-tape: official routine and formalism.

197

Toady: flatter.

198

Costermonger: a fruit and vegetable pedler.

199

Country-sides: country districts.

200

Turnspit: a kind of dog, formerly trained to turn a spit for roasting meat.

201

Occult: secret or magical.

202

Manor: the estate of a lord.

203

Publican: an innkeeper.

204

Dingle: a narrow valley.

205

Wicket: gate.

206

Lurcher: a dog that lies in wait for game, more used by poachers or men that steal game than by sportsmen.

207

Lissom: limber.

208

Nother: neither.

209

Dresser: a sideboard or cupboard.

210

Settle: a bench.

211

Sampler: a pattern for needlework.

212

Flitch: a side of bacon.

213

Ingle: chimney-corner.

214

"Mute, inglorious Miltons": see Gray's "Elegy."

215

Stolid: dull.

216

Embrangle: mix up.

217

Crichton: a Scottish gentleman of the sixteenth century, called for his learning and skill "The Admirable Crichton."

218

True blue: genuine.

219

Tory: a member of the conservative party in politics.

220

Corollary: an inference from something before stated.

221

Vestry: parish meeting.

222

Progenitors: forefathers.

223

Close: any inclosed place; here, probably a field.

224

Mullioned: subdivided by slender, upright bars or columns.

225

Swiss Family Robinson: a story of the adventures of a shipwrecked family on a desert island.

226

Choleric: inclined to anger.

227

Reconnoitered: here, examined in a general way or at a little distance.

228

Forms: benches.

229

Servants' hall: the servants' dining-room.

230

Nether: lower.

231

Integuments: garments.

232

Prisoner's base, etc.: boys' games.

233

Green rides: roads cut through woods or pleasure grounds.

234

Raven: a large black bird of the crow family.

235

Footman: a man-servant in livery.

236

Public schools: a name given to certain large and richly endowed schools in England which are chiefly patronized by wealthy men. They are wholly unlike the public schools of the United States. Eton, Harrow, Winchester, Rugby, and Westminster are among the best known of this class of schools.

237

Belauded: praised.

238

Usher: an under-teacher.

239

Missive: anything to be sent; hence, a letter.

240

Gaby: a dunce.

241

Felony: a serious offence or crime.

242

Primum tempus: first time.

243

Bulls'-eyes and toffee: the former are hard balls of sugar, the latter a kind of candy made of brown sugar and butter.

244

Bulls'-eyes and toffee: the former are hard balls of sugar, the latter a kind of candy made of brown sugar and butter.

245

Humble bees: "bumble-bees."

246

Bounds: the school limits, beyond which boys are not to go without permission.

247

Necromancer: (one who communes with the dead) a conjurer.

248

Phosphorus: the yellowish, inflammable substance used in making common matches – in a pure state it burns on exposure to air. Matches – called "Lucifers" or "light-bringers" – were invented in England about 1829. Previous to that time the only way of striking a light was by flint and steel, the spark being caught on a bit of tinder (half-burnt rag) which was then blown into a blaze.

249

Rugby: a small village in Warwickshire on the river Avon, nearly in the centre of England. It is the seat of Rugby School, – one of the great public schools, – and was founded by Lawrence Sheriff, a native of the neighboring village of Brownsover, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. The school owes its fame chiefly to Dr. Arnold, who became head master in 1827, and held the position until his death in 1842.

250

Doctor: Dr. Arnold.

251

Kit: here, clothes.

252

Tally-ho: the cry with which huntsmen urge on their hounds; here, a name given to a fast coach.

253

Boots: a servant in an inn who blacks boots, etc.

254

Islington: a northern suburb of London.

255

Post-chaise: a hired carriage.

256

Belle Sauvage: a famous old inn, formerly in the centre of London.

257

Star: the name of the coach which brought the Squire and Tom to London.

258

Boxes: inclosed places for eating.

259

Brown study: meditation without any particular object of thought.

260

Buxom: rosy with health, merry.

261

Cheroot: a kind of cigar.

262

Digamma: an ancient letter of the Greek alphabet. Greek particles are prepositions and conjunctions – hence nice or difficult points of Greek grammar.

263

Hard biscuit: cracker.

264

Drag: a four-horse coach.

265

Guard: a person having charge of a mail-coach, a conductor.

266

Hamper: a large, strongly made packing basket.

267

Hind-boot: a place at the end of a coach for luggage.

268

Portmanteau: travelling bag.

269

Rug or plaid: a thick shawl or other wrap.

270

Caloric: here, heat of the body.

271

First-class carriages: in England the railway cars (called "carriages") are divided into first, second, and third class.

272

Hoar-frost: frozen dew.

273

Pikeman: the man who takes toll on a turnpike.

274

St. Albans: about twenty miles north of London.

275

Stage: division of a journey.

276

Purl: a hot drink made of beer and other ingredients.

277

Tackle: stuff.

278

Meet: a gathering of huntsmen for a hunt.

279

Hack: here, nag or horse kept for rough riding.

280

Old pink: a red hunting-coat.

281

Lodge: a gentleman's house.

282

Wainscoted: lined with boards or panels.

283

Bagmen: commercial travellers.

284

Trencher: a large wooden plate.

285

Rashers: thin slices of bacon.

286

Way-bill: a list of passengers in a public vehicle.

287

Tap: bar-room.

288

Pinks: huntsmen.

289

High Street: the main street.

290

First-floor: the floor above the ground-floor, – the second story.

291

Burgess: a citizen or voter in a town.

292

Van: a large light-covered wagon.

293

Nor: than.

294

Regulator: the name of the rival coach.

295

Half: the half year.

296

Arter: after.

297

Pig and Whistle: as Oxford lies on the direct road between Rugby and White Horse Vale, Tom would naturally return by this coach.

298

Pea-shooters: tin tubes used by boys for blowing peas at a mark.

299

First-day boys: probably those that went up at the beginning of the term.

300

Act'ly: actually.

301

Tip: here, mark.

302

Rum un: here, a hard blow.

303

Box's head: that is, the head of the "young gent" sitting on the seat ("box") with the driver.

304

Cob: a short, stout horse.

305

Bi'st: "beest," art.

306

County members: members of Parliament.

307

File: a shrewd person.

308

Quoits or bowls: quoits are iron rings pitched at short stakes set in the ground. Bowls are tenpins.

309

Wickets: stakes which are driven into the ground as a mark for the ball in playing cricket.

310

Po-chay: a post-chaise; a hired chaise.

311

Oriel window: a bay-window. The great window over the arch is a striking feature of the Rugby gateway.

312

Lift: assistance of any kind.

313

Quadrangle: a square piece of ground inclosed by buildings. English schools and colleges are quite generally built round a quadrangle or "quod" as it is commonly called.

314

Regulation cat-skin: the hat prescribed by custom or school law.

315

Tile: a tall silk hat.

316

Mentor: a wise counsellor. See Homer's Odyssey.

317

Two seven-and-sixers, etc.: i. e., two hats, for each half year, costing seven shillings and sixpence ($1.80) each.

318

Half-a-sov.: half a sovereign ($2.50).

319

Keep in her good books: keep on good terms with her.

320

Bumptiousness: domineering manner.

321

Cicerone: guide.

322

Form: here, class.

323

Studies: small private rooms occupied by the Rugby boys (two in a room) for study. They are distinct from the bed-rooms.

324

Calling-over: roll-call.

325

Convoy: literally, a merchant-vessel protected by a ship-of-war; here, a person under the care of another.

326

Grimaldi: the name of a race-horse.

327

Steeple-chase: a race between horsemen across country to see which can first reach a certain distant object, as a church steeple.

328

Amy Robsart: the heroine of Scott's Waverley novel, "Kenilworth."

329

Tom Crib: a noted pugilist.

330

Science: boxing or pugilistic science.

331

Windsor Castle: the principal residence of the English monarchs. It is on the Thames, about twenty miles west of London.

332

Præpostors: the members of the sixth form, the highest class in the school. They were charged with the duty of looking after the other boys.

333

Reading: studying.

334

Verger: here, the porter.

335

Pellets: wads of paper.

336

Close: this close or play-ground contains something over thirteen acres.

337

Fives' court: the space set apart for playing fives, a game resembling tennis.

338

Island: the island no longer exists.

339

Fagging: the power given the sixth form, by authority and the custom of the school, to require the boys of the lower forms or classes to do errands, and act as servants generally. The system still has its defenders who regard it as a means of discipline.

340

Foot-ball: foot-ball is the great game at Rugby. It first became popular in America under the Rugby rules, which, though modified, are still the basis of the game as now played.

341

Hacks: kicks on the shins.

342

Technicalities: here, phrases peculiar to foot-ball.

343

Cap and gown: It is customary in England for holders of academic degrees to wear at times the appropriate cap and gown indicating their grade and college.

344

The Big School: the name of one of the school buildings at Rugby.

345

Canes: light, limber rattans used as rods.

346

Shell: the lower fourth form or class.

347

Will-he, nill-he: willing or not.

348

Carte blanche: literally, a white card to be filled up as one pleases; hence, unlimited power.

349

Cut the match: refuse to be present at the game.

350

Cut him: drop his society.

351

Impounded: locked up.

352

Braces: suspenders.

353

Larking: frolicking.

354

He of Russia: the Czar.

355

In the consulship of Plancus: meaning, perhaps, at the time when "old Brooke" was leader.

356

Toco: probably kicks and cuffs.

357

Lombard Street: the centre of the banking business in London.

358

China orange: a sweet orange.

359

Fond: here, foolish.

360

Itinerant: wandering.

361

Pyrenees: an allusion to the French and English wars in Spain.

362

Waterloo: (in Belgium) the scene of the crushing defeat of the French in 1815, by the allied forces under the Duke of Wellington, by which the power of Napoleon was finally broken. The Old Guard was the emperor's favorite body of troops, and was considered irresistible.

363

No side: a drawn game.

364

Opodeldoc: a liniment.

365

Tuck-shop: cook or pastry shop.

366

Tick: credit.

367

Bore: an annoyance.

368

Sedan-chair: a kind of covered chair for carrying a single person, borne on poles by two men.

369

Louts: here, town men or boys, "outsiders."

370

Jugs: pitchers.

371

Fugle-man: leader.

372

Chesapeake and Shannon: a song on the famous naval duel off Boston Harbor, in 1813, between the American frigate Chesapeake, and the British ship Shannon. The English gained the victory; but later, the Americans effectually beat them.