Election, the process of of selecting boys for scholarship began earlier this week. Although boys usually sit the exams in person at Winchester College, this year they are being held remotely.
200 years ago, in 1821, as usual, Election was held. 12 scholars were elected – their names are listed here. The names on the left are of the boys joining the College; the names on the right are the names of the departing boys whose places are being filled. Note that vacancies had not yet been found for either Mills or Waddington.
A notable entrant to the College in 1821 was Henry Trollope, the older brother of future Victorian-novelist and Old Wykehamist Anthony Trollope.
Isaac Spooner, who I must assume is in some way related to William Archibald Spooner, namesake of 'spoonerisms' and long-term resident of New College, Oxford, William of Wykeham's other great educational institution, is also in the roll.
In addition to the roll there is a letter in the archives at Winchester College, from George Huntingford, the warden, to Mr Heathcote, the sub-warden.
My Dear Sir, You will herewith receive the names of the new scholars, for whom there are vacancies. From the parents of all, except “Johnson”, have been sent acknowledgments of the official notification. I beg the favour of you to tell the Porter the hour at which you will admit the boys; soon after Eight would be the most desirable, if convenient to yourself. I hope Mrs Heathcote, yourself, & family have been all well, since I had the pleasure of seeing you. My best respects to Mrs H & best wishes for all. Your ever affectionate friend G. I. Hereford. Hereford Aug. 20. 1821. P.S. Notification has been acknowledged by Johnson’s relation. No boy should be permitted to sleep in the College previous to admission.
Transcript of the above letter
This comment, written on some blank space on the letter, is a note to remind Heathcote of the contents of his response. Notably, he is asks what to do about William Mills, one of scholars chosen, but without a corresponding vacancy, in the event that a vacancy arises. Mills, born on 11 May, 1812, alongside William Hurlock, born on 27 Jan, 1812, was relatively young, being 9 years old - the age of entry into the College in the present day is 13. This was not unusual at the time.
In William Tuckwell's 'Winchester Fifty Years Ago', he writes about how election was a 'farce'. The 'candlesticks', a notion for boys taking election, were comprised of boys whose fathers were well-connected Old Wykehamists, and those hoping that there would not be enough of the former. Tuckwell, whose father was at New College upon his birth, writes the following about his election interview:
I had prepared with great care 100 lines of Virgil, but had not construed three before the examiner said, "That will do; can you sing?" I stared, and answered, "Yes." "Say," he continued, "'All people that on earth do dwell.'" I recited the line. "Thank you, you may sit down." My examination was over, and I was elected.
William Tuckwell
History of Election Tweets: https://twitter.com/i/events/1389145420958470144
Election - Winchester College: https://www.winchestercollege.org/admissions/election
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