The Henson Journals

[6]

Monday, January 14th, 1901.

The Bishop of London died this day about 1 a.m. The news was brought to me during service by my verger & I sent him to the minor Canon to stop the prayer. Then I went to Oxford to take part in the queerest orgy in the world. The railway carriage was filled with Socii: & we journeyed merrily enough. After dinner at 11 p.m. we assembled in the large quadrangle & formed a procession. The probationer fellows, without gowns led the way, Liddell carrying a dead mallard on a pole followed, the Lord Mallard was borne on a throne, & the Fellows & quondams carrying torches came after him. Singing the Mallard Song most lustily, the procession went round the quadrangles, & then, by the newel staircase in the ante-chapel mounted to the roof. There the procession was reformed, & proceeded round the roofs. A halt was made between the twin-towers, & the whole Mallard Song was sung in full. Then the return to the quadrangle was effected by way of the Library. A bon-fire was formed with the torches, and we danced about it singing "Auld lang syne". Then we went to the Buttery, & drank the [7] Mallard potations. A silver mallard filled with port-wine was given to the Lord Mallard, and he poured a few drops into the glass of madeira which every one had. So the solemn common potation was effected. Then followed sports in the Hall.

---