Subtle Scheme?

Generation after generation with but minor variations, the drama was repeated in Oxford's pubs. Students bending the elbow in a taproom would hear a sudden whispered warning, scuttle for the back exits. The slow were overtaken by hard-breathing "bullers" (bowler-hatted, black-coated Oxford cops) who tipped their hats and inquired "Are you a member of the university, sir?" After the inevitable admission, the guilty were led to a solemn and unhurried figure standing nearby in cap & gown--a university proctor--who demanded "Name and college, sir?"

Next day, in dark suits, white bow ties and black gowns, the culprits would present themselves at the proctorial office in Broad Street for punishment--anything from a small fine to "rustication" (suspension) for breaking one of the university's oldest laws.

"Ne aliquis scholares ingrediatur tabernas . . . [No students shall enter taverns]" began Oxford's 14th Century rule designed "to further the honest pursuit of studies and to restrain the arrogance of those in whom the energies of their stomachs exceed those of their minds." Since 1355, when carousing Oxonians at the Swyndle-stock Tavern precipitated a three-day riot by hitting their host on the head with a beer tankard, it had been as scrupulously enforced as it had been ingeniously flouted. But by last week, some of the fun had gone out of Oxford's drinking. Prompted by the demands of a changing world and an older student body ("How could you stop a lieutenant colonel from drinking in a pub?" asked an official), Oxford's authorities had quietly dropped the old law from the books.

Without fear of proctor and bullers, Oxford's students could drop in at any tavern they pleased, but there was no mad rush. "It's a subtle scheme," complained one undergraduate, "to undermine our illicit pleasures."

Some grumblers were out to persuade the august Oxford Union to debate the whole proposition: "That this house condemns the action of the proctors in denying the members of this university the excitements of illegal drinking."

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