How constantly did worthy preachers at Eton tell the story
of how Bishop Selwyn, as a boy, rose and left the room at a boat-
supper because an improper song was sung! That anecdote was
regarded with undisguised amusement, and it was simply thought to
be a piece of priggishness. I cannot imagine that any boy ever
heard the story and went away with a glowing desire to do likewise.
The incident really belongs to the domain of manners rather than to
that of morals.
The truth is really that boys at school have a code which resembles
that of the old chivalry. The hero may be sensual, unscrupulous,
cruel, selfish, indifferent to the welfare of others. But if he
bears himself gallantly, if he has a charm of look and manner, if
he is a deft performer in the prescribed athletics, he is the
object of profound and devoted admiration. It is really physical
courage, skill, prowess, personal attractiveness which is envied
and praised. A dull, heavy, painstaking, conscientious boy with a
sturdy sense of duty may be respected, but he is not followed;
while the imaginative, sensitive, nervous, highly-strung boy, who
may have the finest qualities of all within him, is apt to be the
most despised.
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