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THE SECRET OF ETON 4.7
in the race : capacity for self-government. But the
consideration of that endowment of character would be
premature at present. It was a power which began to
assert itself very quietly under the influence of the two
Miss Evanses about the year 1862 ; but which was olily
gradually understood and generally adopted between
1880 and 1900.
Eton from its foundation has enjoyed the favour of
successive sovereiins. This of course means that for
centuries it has been esteemed and loved by that powerful
section of society which all the nation during those centuries
agreed to regard as the "best "-the aristocracy.
The esteem for the school which was rooted in that fact
was doubtless more noticeable among adults than among
the boys; but its reaction has been always most telling ;
so that till about 1885 any criticism of Eton has always
savoured of disloyalty. Yet criticism has been beneficial,