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CHAPTER XLI.

Vox Populi !

"Look, as I blow this feather from my face,
And, as the air blows it to me again,
Obeying with my wind when I do blow,
And yielding to another when it blows,
Commanded always by the greater gust;

Such is the likeness of your common men !"

MAJOR THORNTREE having come a wearisome journey, from a love of justice and to promote the welfare of Woodville, (and so he always insisted)-our Board could but consent to a meeting; especially when the Major expressed his fears that certain statesmen* might unhappily influence the next Legislature to remove the College, unless the Faculty were better watched and governed. Beside, from the report of his son, who was a very honest boy and never said anything to a person's prejudice, and from what had been stated to himself since his arrival, by some worthy citizens of Woodville, the Major really believed,-(so he said) that there had been gross mismanagement in general by the Faculty, and much shameless, partiality, and at the expense of his son particularly. He thought, too, his son's punishment was for a very trivial offence, and had been rash, and perhaps, malicious; at all events, it was excesive and arbitrary, aristocratic and unconstitutional; hence, such things must be crushed and resisted now, or there would be a speedy union of church and state.

* The Major was himself a member of the Legislature; and hence had fair opportunites of knowing.

VOL. II.-9.

We, therefore, met. And, first, were canvassed and rejected many propositions suggested to us by different ones of our numerous lobby-members. Among these proposals were some remarkable for boldness, simplicity and ingenuity; such as "turn 'em rite out !"—" send 'em packin !" -“pay 'em and have done with 'em!" don't pay 'em no how!"-" sue for damejis!" But it was finally determined by our honourable visitor, the Major, that we should summon the Faculty and hear their defence! Nay—he was even willing to have a trial; as he said witnesses were in attendance from the citizens, and he thought it proper also to call on all the students for their opinion and testimony!

This was adopted, Mr. Carlton crying out in the negative; and so, likewise, would have done Dr. Sylvan; but unfortunately just at the time of our meeting, the Doctor. was forced to go and mix medicines and then to visit a patient in a remote part of the county!

About the same time, Charles Clarence was employed in castle building; or what was the same sort of architecture in the Purchase-in College building; being seated on "a cloud capt tower" of sublime and solemn view! But awaked by the braying discord of Woodville, he started from his dream! and spite of all past experience he was momentarily amazed! He had caught a new glimpse of a many headed-monster! and its enormous tail! He became sick at heart; and the warm blood of generous self-devotion in his heart congealed! He seemed in a vacuuтas if all the air was blowing from around him! Yet, soon he recalled important truths, such as-" cease from man, whose breath is in his nostrils !"" put not your trust in princes!"

And when the first bitterness of the soul was past, he remembered his Divine Master; who did good to the wicked and thankless! yea, to enemies! And he thought the very folly and ignorance and malice and idleness of a com

munity, were the very things Christ's servants must strive to enlighten, remove, correct, instruct! Ashamed then of his momentary alarm, he recalled the noble saying of an ancient statesman and warrior, who builded a wall in troublesome times; and he resolved to imitate, and like him said, "What! shall such a man as I flee !"

Meanwhile, rumour had been tramping about with her crescit eundô; and, long before the Faculty received our Scytala, they had heard her cry-" The Board has told Major Thorntree, the Faculty shall be tried and turned right out, and shall be sued for damages done the school and the State, and-Woodville, by their unconstitutional, high-hand, big-buggish, aristocratic yankee notions !!"

The accused had nearly a mile to walk to the place of execution; and along the path were strewed the sovereign people to see "the fellers go along to git it!" Yet instead of beholding "two fellers" sneaking along, like officeholders trembling about their bread and butter, they saw two gentlemen proceeding with a slow and somewhat studied gait, with heads erect, countenances serene, and not rarely illuminated with smiles of mingled pity and contempt, benevolence and indignation! Sneers, therefore, ready to curl on noses, and looks of vulgar triumph, with which П intended to greet their victims, were changed into remarks and looks of vexed admiration; for barbarians of all kinds pay involuntary honour to calm and fearless conduct in those destined to the torture. Indeed, the crowd to-day, was at a loss to say, whether the Faculty were going up town to be tried; or as lords and judges to give and interpret the laws.

On entering the court our gentlemen bowed, and then took stations where such could be found; for all the stools, backless chairs, and even bedsides of Dr. Sylvan's room, where we had convened, were filled; and like all ultra fashionables at a jam, some of us stood, till politeness, ne

cessity, or whim in those seated and reclined, gave others a temporary seat.

A dead calm ensued; we, of course, not knowing how to proceed with our prisoners, as we were in the predicament of the Pro-consul, who felt the awkwardness of sending a state prisoner to Cæsar and without any good accusation. But Mr. Clarence himself kindly relieved our embarrassment by breaking the ice thus:

"GENTLEMEN*-We are here, though not as delinquents. We come, however, not merely willing, but even desirous that our whole official conduct may be subjected to the most rigorous and minute investigation. We are confident, if popular clamour be disregarded, and improper interference be disallowed, we are confident we can make the College; and, if it must be a reason for the aid or silence of some, we can make the town. We are ready then, to give ample and minute explanations to the Board; or answer any question of any of its members about our plans, rules, maxims-in short-our whole discipline; and are sure that the more

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Here the Major and without rising broke in-"this is all very fair, Mr Clarence, but the Board-(the Major was no member)-think you have been hasty and partial; and I myself, think, as my son has been unjustly used, you ought to give some satisfaction

"I question, your right, Major Thorntree," rejoined Clarence, to speak thus in the Board; but we waive our objection; and if it will satisfy you or the Board, we submit to what you may be pleased to call and consider a trial."

"Well, sir, will you allow the students to appear as witnesses?"

*Paul himself said, "Most noble Felix ;" and so " often a title of office.

gentleman"

"Willingly even-that! And yet I know not that such a request ought to surprise us more than all the proceedings. Yes, call in all the students-let them say what is truewe invite the truth."

Some one here asked if the boys should take an oath !!

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No, sir! no, sir! no!"—said Clarence-" by no means -every consideration is against it! No! let them speak on honour what they know or even believe to be truth! And beside, we pledge our honour that we will never remember to their prejudice whatever disparaging things may be said by them as witnesses."

A whisper of approbation began to buzz around our lobbies; which sussurration reaching the People without, was answered by a gentle "hurrah! for the Fakilty!" At this the Major was a leetle disconcerted. But as he had a little modesty that was natural. He, then, remarked :—

"You seem in good spirits, gentlemen,"-(Clarence and Harwood,)" yet if I am allowed to bring in all the testimony, your confidence may be weaker. But how shall the boys give their testimony, sir?"

"I will tell you, sir," replied Clarence: "place a chair there :—now call in every boy, without exception, and in any order deemed satisfactory-do not omit even the two suspended boys. Then, let the boy in the chair for the time, first tell an uninterrupted story; then let the Major, or any member of the Board, ask any questions, leading or otherwise, that he may wish; and then let Professor Harwood and myself have the same privilege, and

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“That's fair! if it ain't, bust my rifle !"-was heard from without, manifesting a change in favour of the right. And that, as was always the case, had a corresponding effect on matters within. Hence I ventured now on no injudicious interference. The Major, too, was evidently awed by this voice of his masters: and, perhaps, certain of our young folks were thus aided in speaking the truth,

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