e will start about the time of the
equinoctial gales. If anything _should_ happen to her, it would be as
well that the firm should have a margin on the right side."

CHAPTER V.

MODERN ATHENIANS.

Edinburgh University may call herself with grim jocoseness the "alma
mater" of her students, but if she be a mother at all she is one of a
very heroic and Spartan cast, who conceals her maternal affection with
remarkable success. The only signs of interest which she ever designs
to evince towards her alumni are upon those not infrequent occasions
when guineas are to be demanded from them. Then one is surprised to
find how carefully the old hen has counted her chickens, and how
promptly the demand is conveyed to each one of the thousands throughout
the empire who, in spite of neglect, cherish a sneaking kindness for
their old college. There is symbolism in the very look of her, square
and massive, grim and grey, with never a pillar or carving to break the
dead monotony of the great stone walls. She is learned, she is
practical, and she is useful. There is little sentiment or romance in
her composition, however, and in this she does but conform to the
instincts of the nation of which she is the youngest but the most
flourishing teacher.

A lad coming up to an English University finds himself In an enlarged
and enlightened public school. If he has passed through Harrow and Eton
there is no very abrupt transition between the life which he has led in
the sixth form and that which he finds awaiting him on the banks of the
Cam and the Isis. Certain rooms are found for him which have been
inhabited by generations of students in the past, and will be by as many
in the future. His religion is cared for, and he is expected to put in
an appearance at hall and at chapel. He must be within bounds at a
fixed time. If he behave indecorously he is liable to be pounced upon
and reported by special officials, and a code of punishments is hung
perpetually over his head. In return for all this his University takes
a keen interest in him. She pats him on the back if he succeeds.
Prizes and scholarships, and fine fat fellowships are thrown plentifully
in his way if he will gird up his loins and aspire to them.

There is nothing of this in a Scotch University. The young aspirant
pays his pound, and finds himself a student. After that he may do
absolutely what he will. There are certain classes going on at certain
hours, wh