Beyond the reach of authentic history, we find from scattered notices and half extinct tradition, that a consciousness of the debateable nature of things first dawned in the minds of a few students of Caius College. They were sitting once upon a time, as was their wont, in friendly conversation, when it was proposed that they should form themselves into a club and begin their proceedings with a debate; and so the club was formed and the debate proceeded: but its subject and its result are lost. Nor has it been found possible to ascertain the name of the society, though it would perhaps be hardly too rash if we were to suggest as its probable appellation “The Gonville and Caius Debating Society.” Now, about the same time arose, perhaps under circumstances not dissimilar, a Society at St. John's, named the Fustian, an ill-omened title which argues but little taste or foresight in its founders. Bad judgment, which seldom confines itself to words, seems at an early period to have brought the Fustian into decay; but from utter dissolution it was preserved by a timely and happy coalition with the ‘Gonville and Caius Debating Society;’ which now with the united resources of St. John's and of Caius increased rapidly in vigour and reputation, and proceeded to secure for its purposes a room in the neighbourhood of Trinity Church, instead of holding its meetings in succession at the rooms of the members.