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Scarcely a word was spoken for some minutes, and then the younger man broke out suddenly: "Robert Penfold is the best friend I ever had; I should have been expelled but for him, and I should never have earned that Testamur but for him." The old merchant interrupted him. "You exaggerate. But, to tell the truth, I am sorry now I did not lend him the money you asked for.
It was a clumsy system, but it had strong claims of sentiment; most old Oxford men will remember the rush to get the 'testamur' for self or for friend, and the triumph with which the visible symbol was brought home.
He took it up with a sort of shiver, and bent his head very low over it; then handed it back in silence. Adams took it to Wardlaw senior and laid it before him by the side of Arthur's Testamur. The merchant inspected it with his glasses. "The writing is mine, apparently." "I am very glad of it," said the bill-broker, eagerly. "Stop a bit," said Mr. Wardlaw. "Why, what is this?
Try one more glass of the '47 port. Stop; you'll excuse me; I am a man of business; I don't doubt your word; Heaven forbid! but, do you happen to have any document you can produce, in further confirmation of what you state; namely, that you have passed your final examination at the University?" "Certainly, sir;" replied young Wardlaw. "My Testamur." "What is that?"
The young gentleman put his hand in his pocket and produced his Testamur, or "We bear witness"; a short printed document in Latin, which may be thus translated: "We bear witness that Arthur Wardlaw, of St. Luke's College, has answered our questions in humane letters. "GEORGE RICHARDSON, "ARTHUR SMYTHE, "EDWARD MERIVALE, "Examiners."
I was not born under such a planet, neither did it ever befall me to lie, or affirm a thing for true that was not. Quod vidimus, testamur. It is of the horrible and dreadful feats and prowesses of Pantagruel, whose menial servant I have been ever since I was a page, till this hour that by his leave I am permitted to visit my cow-country, and to know if any of my kindred there be alive.
Caius, equally mendacious but more reputable, the pious 'second founder' of a great Cambridge college. It is only recently, however, that this system has been adopted; less than twenty years ago each candidate for a degree had to produce his 'testamur', the precious scrap of blue paper issued after every examination to each successful candidate, pass-man and class-man alike.
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