Memorials of Old Haileybury College. By Frederic Charles Danvers and
Sir M. Monier Williams. (Archibald Constable.)— It is possible that some of the present generation may not know that Old Haileybury College, as distinguished from the New (a prosperous public school), was the alma mater of Indian Civil Servants. It was opened in 1806 at Hertford Castle, and was transferred to Haileybury about three years later. It is not difficult to see that an institution of this kind had serious dis- advantages. All the pupils were nominees (of members of the Board of Directors) ; they had a lucrative career before them ; the power of expulsion, an ultima ratio which is essential to the good discipline of such a gathering, could hardly be exercised. Pity discountenanced the idea of inflicting so heavy a fine on the nominee; Toney was opposed to offending the nominator. Sir M. Mother Williams expresses himself in a guarded manner, but it is clear that the contrast between Haileybury and Balliol, from which he went on receiving his nomination, was not in favour of the former. The staff was not altogether effective; the in- struction seems to have been good; other interests were less carefully attended to. There are a few good stories scattered here and there, and some interesting sketches of principals and professors, among whom Sir J. Macintosh, C. W. LeBas, Melvin, and H. H. Wilson, and 'we may add Sir M. Monier Williams himself, were the best known to fame. Not the least interesting item in the miscellanea of the volume is the account of the closing ceremony. The Old College came to an end on December 7th, 1857, when, curiously enough, the Visitor, the Bishop of London (then Dr. Tait), was present for the first time.
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