What he answered is not reported; but they proceeded to make a bonfire in Peckwater, while he judiciously escaped to bed.
So for a home-bred boy, thrown into rather difficult surroundings, his first appearance at Christ Church was distinctly a success.
"Collections" in March, 1837, went off creditably for him.

Hussey, Kynaston and the Dean said he had taken great pains with his work, and had been a pattern of regularity; and he ended his first term very well pleased with his college and with himself.
In his second term he had the honour of being elected to the Christ Church Club, a very small and very exclusive society of the best men in the college: "Simeon, Acland, and Mr.Denison proposed him; Lord Carew and Broadhurst supported." And he had the opportunity of meeting men of mark, as the following letter recounts.

He writes on April 22, 1837: "My Dearest Father, "When I returned from hall yesterday--where a servitor read, or pretended to read, and Decanus growled at him, 'Speak out!'-- I found a note on my table from Dr.Buckland, requesting the pleasure of my company to dinner, at six, to meet two celebrated geologists, Lord Cole and Sir Philip Egerton.

I immediately sent a note of thanks and acceptance, dressed, and was there a minute after the last stroke of Tom.

Alone for five minutes in Dr.B.'s drawing-room, who soon afterwards came in with Lord Cole, introduced me, and said that as we were both geologists he did not hesitate to leave us together while he did what he certainly very much required--brushed up a little.