{"id":241,"date":"2016-03-09T00:00:21","date_gmt":"2016-03-09T00:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/townboyledger.westminster.org.uk\/?p=241"},"modified":"2016-03-18T13:06:13","modified_gmt":"2016-03-18T13:06:13","slug":"no-32-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/townboyledger.westminster.org.uk\/?p=241","title":{"rendered":"No 32*"},"content":{"rendered":"

I have decided to post this entry, No 32*, after No 44 which appears to be its rightful place – ECW 08\/03\/2016<\/em><\/p>\n

The papers from which this number is copied having for some time lain loose in this book I have thought it right to copy them into it for the benefit of posterity.\u00a0 As no exact date is applied to them the list of the Sixth has been my guide as to the place for their insertion, the names of some who are mentioned in them, being in the list mentioned.<\/p>\n

C. Osborn Head Boarder<\/p>\n

Copy<\/u><\/p>\n

About the middle of October 1821 a proceeding was set on foot, which as it maybe of importance hereafter it has been thought fit to transcribe.\u00a0 It had been the immemorial privilege of the Sixth Form of West. to conduct among themselves, and determine, by their own voice, alone (and which power was acknowledged by Dr Page the late Head Master) (vide No. 7) everything relating to fagging.\u00a0 To the astonishment of the whole body Mr Knox (the Usher of Mrs Du Brieux) gave out regulations relating to shoe blacking, cleaning candlesticks, knives etc none of which (as his orders [professed] to imply) were after Michaelmas day, to be done by the fags.\u00a0 Upon this being communicated to the Sixth Form it was settled that the Prin Op should mention to Dr Goodenough their wish that some security should be given them that he should proceed no farther in such alterations.\u00a0 Before this communication was made to him he told part of the Sixth to come to his house to hear something for their benefit, on their going thither he entered at full length upon the business and asked them their opinion on the point and on their disinclination being made known to him, he paid no attention to it whatsoever.\u00a0 Great dissatisfaction was felt through the school but no further proceedings were instituted till the following Monday when a Committee was appointed to consider the case consisting of the following members \u2013 Mansel [P. Op] Morgan Mrs Stelfoxes Phillpotts, Wood Mrs Bests Wyld, Maurice Mrs Grants Shell Monk, Paget, Barton, Tryon, Dowdeswell jr Ridley.<\/p>\n

It was then submitted to them that Mr Knox had forbidden the use of Blacking Brushes, Jack baskets or even potatoes the night before. Upon this it was resolved that a remonstrance signed by all the Upper School should be given to Dr Goodenough that if he paid no attention to their wish that no Sixth Fellow should take leave of him, on leaving, that no fellow should touch his hat to him, the other Masters or particularly Knox.\u00a0 The remonstrance afore mentioned was ordered to be prepared which was to the following effect –<\/p>\n

We the undersigned protest against the alterations which Dr Goodenough is making, against the system of fagging, merely on the ground of having no security against further innovation and we are of opinion that the Princeps Oppidanus, should request Dr Goodenough to give his promise to that effect — \u00a0On Tuesday these papers were brought into School, signed, but just before they were to be given up \u2013 two or three of the sixth withdrawing their names, the whole<\/u> sixth! followed their example \u2013 it was too much odium to throw upon the shell alone and therefore the remonstrance was dropped, previous to this however, Mr Knox called in Mansel and told him, that he must be cautious how he acted in this affair, that he was watched, and that he (Mr Knox) was convinced that Mansel intended to oppose both Masters and Ushers, and that he should recommend Dr Goodenough expel him on the spot. But after some time, said that he would not mention it to Dr G \u2013 if Mansel would promise not to say, that he (Mr Knox) had threatened him, which was accordingly promised, the conversation (tho\u2019 not with whom) being mentioned, it was determined that Mansel could proceed no farther with safety – things were in this situation when the lists were deprived of the names of the 6th<\/sup>. It was then thought right to ask Dr G \u2013 to allow the head of the Boarding houses to wait on him, at 12 o\u2019clock \u2013 which he readily assented to, they first represented to him that the school were desirous for a promise to be made , and \u00a0that he would endeavour no further to alter the rules of fagging, in any way whatever \u2013 to wh[ich] he answered, that he could not fetter himself in anyway whatever, that he had no intention however remote, of doing so, but that still he left himself the discretion, if he found it necessary to use it.\u00a0 That with respect to Mr Knox in his Boarding House, he could give no redress.\u00a0 That if Mr Knox had used improper language, it would afford us an excellent opportunity of exhibiting an example of forbearance. At this time a report was spread by some fellows at Mrs Du Brieux\u2019s that Mr Knox had ordered the maids to tell him whenever they saw anything boiling at the Kitchen Fire \u2013 Previously to this Mr Knox had told Mansel that now it would be a double crime in him (Mansel) as Prin Op if he interfered in any of the rules of the house. This naturally acted as a preventative to Mansels\u2019 making any more objections, at this stage of the business it was determined that Dr Goodenough should be hissed, upon entering the school early in the morning, but an agreement being made overnight that Mansel should not but that Morgan 2d<\/sup>TB should represent first to Dr G \u2013 the pitch to which the feelings of the fellows were roused, this was accordingly done, Mansel having been requested, not to proceed any farther and an appointment made for 12 o\u2019clock it was then agreed that all plans agreed on before- should be suspended till then. Upon Morgan\u2019s going to Dr G he repeated his former communication merely adding that if any boy at Mrs Du Brieux\u2019s had a complaint to make, he would hear it (which consent, under existing circumstances, was considered nearly equivalent to a refusal) \u2013 Telling Morgan at the same time, that Mansel had wisely withdrawn himself, and that he placed himself in a very responsible situation, this threat, in terrorem, caused Morgan to withdraw himself entirely and thus the succeeding part of the affair was managed by the Shell, to whom the greatest thanks is due for coming forwards readily on an occasion of so much importance, the answer of Dr Gs having thrown no light upon the subject it was resolved that he should be hissed\u00a0 – it was accordingly done.\u00a0 The whole school being drawn up in a semi-circle to receive him, on his entrance he was received with some very warm hissing, upon his commanding them to desist the hissing was still more vigorously repeated, at length exasperated he ordered some fellows by name to sit down in their places which being complied with, the rest followed.\u00a0 After prayers the hissing was renewed, he more indignant ordered the monitor to stand at the door and not to let any one out and at the same time told every one who had a complaint to make to come out.\u00a0 No one came out and thus the affair was dropped. About \u00bd past 5 the same evening Mr Knox requested the Sixth to wait on him which they did and he represented to them that he had no intention of doing away, with any part of fagging and desired Mansel to state, what innovations, Mr Knox had been making \u2013 an explanation then took place and after some abusive language from Mr Knox to Mansel, Morgan (who with the assistance of 3 others had acted as judge) expressed his opinion that Mr Knox had completely cleared himself of all the charges and that Mansel had perverted whatever Dr. G said into the most glaring colours possible.\u00a0 Phillpotts immediately got up and said \u201cYes Sir, and I can prove it\u201d Mr Knox then shook hands with them and wished them \u201cGood night\u201d and immediately afterwards Morgan sent the following letter to Mansel \u2013<\/p>\n

\u201cMansel,<\/p>\n

Upon mature consideration, I think it necessary to retract as false, and unfounded that which I said in Mr Knox\u2019s apartment this evening.\u00a0 Concerning your having perverted what Dr. Goodenough said in his house, to us, as I have very good reason for so going \u2013 I likewise request you will show this to Mr Knox and request him, not to mention anything about it to Dr. Goodenough as I certainly shall not substantiate it if by chance I should be called upon to do so.\u00a0 I trust you will ever find my ready, when I have done an injury or said anything improper, to make ample reparation if you consider necessary let me have one.<\/p>\n

Yours,<\/p>\n

Morgan<\/p>\n

(A copy agreably to his request, this letter was shown to Mr Knox the next morning, Dr G. told the heads of house to come to him, at their coming, he asked Morgan, if the was not satisfied, that Mr Knox had cleared himself about the rules, innovations &c to which he answered, \u201cyes perfectly Sir\u201d sentence of expulsion from office was then passed upon Mansel.\u00a0 A charge was them immediately made against Morgan (44) in his own vindication by Mansel.\u00a0 Mr Knox submitted his conduct to the investigation of the Shell against the wishes of Masters, Ushers &c. but the Sixth declined it, Mr Knox as a last response sent an official letter to Dr Goodenough and by the advice of the Dean it was determined that Mr Knox\u2019s request should be agreed to, that he, Mr Knox, would not remain, if Mansel was not removed during the week other circumstances rendering it impossible for Mansel to go to any other house, and therefore his being about to leave Dr Goodenough, to prevent his leaving with any reflection on his character, restored him to his former station and placed him in the exercise of the official acts belong to it.<\/p>\n

This is all that is contained in the manuscript alluded to.\u00a0 Whether any other is missing, it is impossible to say.\u00a0 No names is affixed to it and in some places it is almost impossible to decipher it.<\/p>\n

Added by C.D. Osborn H Boarder<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I have decided to post this entry, No 32*, after No 44 which appears to be its rightful place – ECW 08\/03\/2016 The papers from which this number is copied having for some time lain loose in this book I have thought it right to copy them into it for the benefit of posterity.\u00a0 As…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[69,91,16],"tags":[92,34,93,90],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/townboyledger.westminster.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/241"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/townboyledger.westminster.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/townboyledger.westminster.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/townboyledger.westminster.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/townboyledger.westminster.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=241"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/townboyledger.westminster.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/241\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":242,"href":"http:\/\/townboyledger.westminster.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/241\/revisions\/242"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/townboyledger.westminster.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=241"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/townboyledger.westminster.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=241"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/townboyledger.westminster.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=241"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}