fter the ecclesiastical fashion. One of
the sides had windows similar to those at the end. The school-room was
entered from the house by a lobby, up into which lobby, terminated a
wide staircase, from the play-ground. The school-room was therefore
entered from the lobby by only one large folding door. But over this
end there was a capacious orchestra supported by six columns, which
orchestra contained a very superb organ. The orchestra might also be
entered from the house, but from a floor and a lobby above that which
opened into the school-room. Consequently, at the door-end of the
school-room, there was a space formed of about twelve or fourteen feet,
with a ceiling much lower than the rest of the building, and which space
was bounded by the six pillars that supported the gallery above. This
low space was occupied by the masters and assistants--certainly a strong
position, as it commanded the only outlet. The whole edifice was built
upon rows of stone columns, that permitted the boys a sheltered
play-ground beneath the school-room in inclement or rainy weather. The
windows being high from the floor within doors, and very high indeed
from the ground without, they were but sorry and dangerous means of
communication, through which, either to make an escape, or bring in
succours or munitions should the siege be turned to a blockade. It was,
altogether, a vast, and, when properly fitted up, a superb apartment,
and was used for the monthly concerts and the occasional balls.

Time elapsed. It seemed that we were the party barred in, instead of
the master being the party barred out. The mass of rebellion was as
considerable as any Radical could have wished; and, as yet, as
disorganised as any Tory commander-in-chief of the forces could have
desired. However, Mr Root did not appear; and it having become
completely dark, the boys themselves lighted the various lamps. About
six or seven o'clock there was a stir among the learned guard at the
door, when at length Mr Reynolds, the head classical master, having
wrapped the silver top of his great horn snuff-box, in a speech,
mingled, very appropriately, with Latin and Greek quotations, wished to
know what it was precisely that the young gentlemen desired, and he was
answered by fifty voices at once, "Leave to go into the fields, and let
off the fireworks."

After a pause, a message was brought that this could not be granted;
but, upon the rest of the school going qui