"Oh, dear no!" replied Verdant; "I much prefer a quiet party; indeed,
I have always been used to quiet parties; and I shall be very glad to
come."

"Well, that's settled then," said Charles Larkyns; "and, in the
mean time, Verdant, let us take a prowl about the old place, and I'll
put you up to a thing or two, and shew you some of the freshman's
sights. But you must go and get your cap and gown, old fellow, and
then by that time I'll be ready for you."

Whether there are really any sights in Oxford that are more
especially devoted, or adapted, to its freshmen, we will not


[66 ADVENTURES OF MR. VERDANT GREEN]

undertake to affirm; but if there are, they could not have had a
better expositor than Mr. Charles Larkyns, or a more credible visitor
than Mr. Verdant Green.

His credibility was rather strongly put to the test as they
turned into the High Street, when his companion
directed his attention to an individual on the opposite side of the
street, with a voluminous gown, and enormous cocked hat profusely
adorned with gold lace. "I suppose you know who that is, Verdant?
No! Why, that's the Bishop of Oxford! Ah, I see, he's a very
different-looking man to what you had expected; but then these
university robes so change the appearance. That is his official
dress, as the Visitor of the Ashmolean!"