(_Extracted from the "Poppleton Academy College Gazette."_)
DEAR THOMAS,--As September advances, the wave of fashion is
once more filling our best academies, so that a few hints as to the
latest _modes_ may well be of service to you. Have you seen the new
double pocket? It is quite _chic_. It is constructed simply enough
by making a large hole in the side-pockets of your coat, thereby
you will find there is an useful space beneath the lining, in which
such necessary trifles as a lump of toffee or a Jew's-harp can be
comfortably disposed of. Buttons will not be much worn, especially as
the term advances. It is rumoured that FORKER _major_ has
gone into tails; and if this be true, probably others will follow his
example before long.
My old friend RICHARD--a well-known connoisseur in such
matters--strongly recommends the new confectioner's shop near the
school. The Turkish Delight sold there is quite admirable, I am told,
and a single bar of the stick-jaw, if used carefully, will last for
an entire day. Talking of shopping, I have been to the bookseller's
lately. What a misfortune it is that the publishers do not issue
Messrs. BOHN'S Classical Library at a lower price! The present
one is almost prohibitive to those of us who wish to avoid a certain
amount of drudgery, and to please our excellent pedagogues at the same
time.
Have you heard rumours of a boom in marbles? Hitherto one has
associated the game with the lower classes, but I understand that two
Upper-Fifth gentlemen were seen to play it last week. If so, it will
soon be widely popular. By the way, the report that JOHNSON
_minor_ is seriously ill is absurd. The truth of the matter is, that
this dashing sportsman had undertaken to eat thirty cracknels in ten
minutes, without drink of any kind. The result--he lost by half a
cracknel--was to cause him some temporary inconvenience, but he is now
completely restored to health.