Stockwell.
_Horace Walpole at Eton._--The following anecdote of Horace Walpole
while at Eton was related by the learned Jacob Bryant, one of his
school-fellows, and has not, I believe, been printed; it is at all
events very much at your service.
In those days the Etonians were in the habit of acting plays, and
amongst others _Tamerlane_ was selected for representation. The cast of
parts has unluckily not been preserved, but it is sufficient for us to
know that the lower boys were put into requisition to personate the
mutes. After the performance the wine, which had been provided for the
actors, had disappeared, and a strong suspicion arose that the lower
boys behind the scenes had made free with it, and Horace Walpole
exclaimed, "The mutes have swallowed the liquids!"