Mr Riddell would probably answer for himself--( laughter)--but he (Mr Porter) was pretty sure the school would not degenerate under him.

The fellows seemed to think the only thing in the world was brute strength.

He had no objection to brute strength--( cheers and laughter)--in fact he fancied he had a little of his own--( "Hear, hear," from Telson whose ears Porter had boxed only that morning)--but Willoughby wanted something better than that; and he meant to say there were plenty of fellows in the school who didn't make much noise, but who did as much to keep up the school as all the rowdies put together.

And when things have quieted down, as he hoped they would, these fellows would get more thanks than they did now.

(Cheers from a few, who apparently considered this last allusion referred specially to them.) Porter was not a good speaker, and the little he did say was a good deal bungled.