AGS Magazine February 1912 by AGSFP Association

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CONTENTS. - Frontispiece PORTRAIT OF JOHN SMITH PIGGE - Facing p. 80 PORTRAIT OF SIR JAMES C. INGLIS SKETCH OF SIR DAVID FERRIER - Facing p. 116 -• SCHOOL NOTES - 57 . _ IN MEMORIAM: JOHN SMITH PRAM - 61 _ RANDOM NOTES - 62 OUR CONTEMPORARIES - 64 65 NOTES ABOUT OLD BOYS 78 A GOOD SOUL 80 SIR JAMES C. INGLIS 83 OUR LETTER-BOX MY GRAMMAR SCHOOL. EXPERIENCES, BY J. F. KELLAS JOHNSTONE - 85 92 THE " GRAMMAR" IN 1874-78 GRAMMAR SCHOOL OLD BOYS IN CANADA 96 THE MUSEUM, THE LIBRARY, SCHOOL FOOTBALL - 102 MINUTES OF DEBATING SOCIETY - 108 ANNUAL JUDICIAL NIGHT 111 THE FORMER PUPILS' CLUB 113

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Orammar School graga3ine. Vol. XV.

FEBRUARY, 1912.

No. 2

ONCE again, after the space of three months, we emerge, as it were, from the realms of gloomy winter, fast leaving behind the Old Year and hastening forward into the New, to greet our readers, and to send forth the record of all that has happened in that time—our joys and cares, our hopes and aspirations—and to express the oft-repeated but fervent wish that during another year the old School may continue to live and flourish. a. Cg5 1 That perpetual source of pleasure, the Christmas Holidays, passed off with all the usual accompaniments except that of Christmas weather. So, since skating and sledging were not to be had, hockey, the next-best diversion, claimed the most attention, and matches took place nearly every day. The School Rugby team, transformed for the time being, excelled as hockey players, and easily succeeded in defeating the. 2nd Former Pupils' hockey team, and even managed to beat the formidable Firsts. .

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We have the pleasure of welcoming Mr. J. A. King, M.A., our new master, who joined us in the end of last year. He has been appointed as teacher of the new class which was formed this session, and which Mr. Ewing taught until Christmas. Mr. King has had a distinguished career both as student and teacher. His earlier education he received at

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

Fordyce Academy, where he was first bursar in the Redhyth Pursuing his studies at Aberdeen Bursary Competition. University, he graduated M.A. there with honours in classics. Our new master has already received valuable experience as interim English master in Buckie Higher Grade School, and also for two years as classical and English master at Cullen H.G. School. He has fallen quite naturally into our School routine, and is already exceedingly popular among his pupils. 5 With the prospect of spring there comes also that of the University Preliminary and the Leaving Certificate Examinations—those ordeals which chill the schoolboy heart. Ever and anon as he passes the notice-board in the corridor where the dates are posted up he casts a furtive glance, and calculates the time yet to elapse before those days of trial are at hand. The reputation of the School in these examinations has always been high, and we express the hope that this year also everyone will do his best to uphold it. 0 0 The Football XV. has had, so far, a fairly good season considering the disadvantages natural to a team almost entirely new. Rather a poor beginning was made, but we are glad to say that recently things have been looking brighter and that the School seems to be again following in the footsteps of the teams of the last two years. Of eight League matches, six have been won and two lost : so that now that our XV. are properly started on their career of victory, we hope to see them still a third time Junior Champions. Much of the credit is due to G. R. Stewart, who makes an admirable captain for the team. The match arranged with Montrose Academy did not take place, but our XV. will visit Montrose in spring to play the second match. This year Heriot's came north, and after a hard fight, managed to beat the combined Schools' team. 6 The distribution of the prizes won at the annual Athletic and Swimming Sports took place in the School Hall last The Rev. W. W. Reid, after presenting the November. prizes, made an exceedingly interesting and humorous speech to console those who had not the good fortune to win the laurel wreath of Athletic renown. The proceedings terminated with a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Reid. cf3 We offer the Literary and Debating Society our warmest congratulations on a most successful and enjoyable season. The membership, though still below a hundred, is very large indeed, and shows that the " Debater " is still the most imporThe lectures have been especially intant School society.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

teresting, and we hope that those who delivered them will be kind enough to retain an interest in the Society. The debates and papers arranged by the members of the Committee have also been carried out successfully. We are inclined to think that these debates should be held extempore, or, at any rate, with the least possible writing. Though brilliant oratory is not usually discernible, there are several promising speakers, and the rest make up by a pleasing enthusiasm. We look forward to seeing the Society bring to a close a most prosperous season. 0 Judicial Night, that is, our annual Assizes, took place on Friday, the 22nd December, the date on which the Christmas The result was a great hilarity apHolidays commenced. parent on the countenances of everyone present—on all, we should say, except the unfortunate prisoner, who, strange to say, was the same culprit as appeared in last year's trial, and who seemed to feel the qualms of conscience that followed his shameless crime. The most entertaining figure was, without doubt, F. M. Rorie in the character of an inn landlord, who confused the learned counsel and caused much amuseWe owe him our thanks for a ment in the " court-house." detailed account of the case, and also Mr. W. G. Walker, who so ably played the difficult part of judge. 0 0 * Sing-Song, the " Debater " concert, followed the evening after Judicial Night, and, as usual, proved a great success. Though the attendance was large, much of the usual rowdiness was absent, and thus several solos could be given in addition to the choruses. Piano selections and flute solos also figured among the items of the entertainment. On the whole, we should say that the School lungs are not deteriorating, and that is saying a great deal, as anyone who knows their power will agree. We desire to thank Mr. A. F. Hyslop, who once again consented to play the accompaniments, and did so with his usual grace and skill. • * Some of the most enterprising spirits of the Debating Society arranged a dramatic entertainment which took place in the Hall on Friday, 9th February. The play was " Area Belle," an old but very amusing one-act production. There was a large turn-out of patrons and friends, and the evening was passed very enjoyably. Previous to the play a concert was held, in which many ladies and gentlemen very kindly took part. For several years these entertainments have been discontinued, but the success which has attended this one should certainly encourage the Debating Society to hold one each year as formerly.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

The Lending Library is flourishing, with a membership of thirty-five. In proportion to the number of boys in the School, this is certainly not what one would call a large membership, but it is decidedly better than in some former years. Several new books of fiction of the most stirring type have been added since the beginning of the season. Though the session is now half over, the Librarians will welcome any who may yet desire to become members. With regard to the School Museum we acknowledge still another valuable gift of eggs, including some new species, from Mr. R. Hay Fenton. The ancient Chinese paintings which now adorn the walls of the Museum are of very great interest, and will repay a careful study. As each year passes, the Museum becomes more valuable not only for its precious relics of the School in by-gone days, but also for the number of curiosities sent us by Former Pupils and other friends of the School.

e o

The golf match, masters v. boys, was played last November. Nine couples in all took part in it, and the result was a win for the masters. The match was played on various courses. Of the nine, the masters won five and lost three ; the other was a draw; even a second and a third attempt failed to change the draw to a win for either side. The contest was then abandoned, and, once again, we have to acknowledge defeat at the hands of the masters. Nil desperandum, however, is our motto, for in spring we hope to make yet another effort to win. 5 In this number we reproduce the photograph of our late schoolfellow, John S. Pigge, who died last November as the result of an accident which happened in the School grounds. One of his many friends has been kind enough to write an appreciation of him to testify, at least, that his memory still remains fresh in the thoughts of his comrades.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

In Memoriam. JOHN SMITH PIGGE. Born 21st May, 1893.

Died 5th December, 1911.

Seldom has the School felt such deep sorrow as when the sad news of Jack Pigge's death was announced. Nothing could have been more unexpected, and, even now, many forget that they will never see him again. Truly, until he was taken away we never knew how much we loved him—one of the School's most promising, most loyal, most likeable pupils. Jack was a universal favourite, loved alike by old and young, by masters and scholars; he was the life of every company—nobody could be dull or uninterested while he was present. He was possessed of personal magnetism both in appearance and manner which at once attracted all whom he met. His straight-forward nature and his little acts of unselfishness and kindness caused him to be without a single enemy. He loved a joke, and not one was ever played on him which he did not enjoy as much as if he himself had been the perpetrator. He was the truest of friends, always ready to believe good of his companions just as he was ready to disbelieve and to contradict evil of them. His love for the School was apparent to all, and his loss is keenly felt not only by his classfellows, but also by many in the lower classes ; especially will it be felt by the Rugby XV. and the other Rugby teams in town, for when playing he centred all his attention on the game, and was regarded as a rising player. This was the second season he had played for the School, and he was one of her staunchest supporters. Outside School matters he was extremely patriotic. Two years ago he joined the F.P.'s Company of Gordon Highlanders, by the members of which he has been deeply mourned. He never tired of speaking about the glories of camp life, for he enjoyed " roughing it." It was in the School grounds that he met with the accident which was to prove fatal. At first it seemed to be nothing more serious than a dislocated collar-bone. Every precaution, however, was taken, but all in vain. He died in little over a week from complications which had set in, and was buried with full military honours. On the day of his funeral so many pupils wished to attend it that School work was suspended for the afternoon. We can now only convey to his sorrowing parents our deepest sympathy in their grief for the loss of one so lovable and unassuming, so bright and lively, so sportsmanlike and true. J. G.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

Random Notes. SINCE the last " Random Notes " were written a great calamity has happened. It is only with the greatest difficulty that we can bring ourselves to refer to it even now. Our pen splutters and our eyes weep with indignation. The thing we thought impossible has happened, and the Sixth now find themselves banished from their ancestral halls and confined in a little den of a room, where their dignity suffers in consequence. One almost shudders to think of the sacrilege, and wonders what the shades of the departed think about it. Gone for ever are the echoes of Plautus and Propertius, Aristophanes and Aristotle. Ochone! Alas! Ichabod! Its glory and the only decent chair have departed. This epoch-making event was not allowed to pass unnoticed. A day or two afterwards, the bust of Omar in Room I. was observed to have been turned face to the wall, doubtless so that it might indulge its grief in private. Several other prodigies occurred worthy of the pages of Livy. Chief among these comes the fact that two members of the Sixth made a resolution. Now, this in itself is remarkable. Members of the Sixth are not noted for making resolutions (except in the Debating Society). These two gentlemen were standing one day leaning against the partition windows of their new room commiserating and sympathising with each other on the frightful bad luck they had to be in such a School, in such a class, in such a room, with such awful seats and such awful pictures. At the mention of the pictures each gave a shudder, and two crashes followed. The delighted class next door then got an idea of what happens when eggs are hatched. Resolved : " We are not to lean on windows. It is too expensive a luxury." The Sports Prize-Giving passed off as usual, and did not differ much from those of former years. Perhaps the speeches . were listened to with an apathy a little less frenzied than usual. There was a fairly large attendance of friends and those interested in School athletics, including a dog, which has been a regular patron for some years. Why it should honour us with its presence is not quite clear, but it is undoubtedly a most popular visitor. The interest taken in the school by members of the animal world is really most gratifying. Are we never to hear the end of the Durbar? One youth recently declared that " the Spartans then consulted the oracle at Delhi." (We are relieved to learn that the teacher is progressing as favourably as could be expected under the circumstances.) Another youth translated the opening lines of a

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

choral ode of Sophocles as, " Sweet sound of sleep . . ." This, presumably, is what we in modern times would call " snoring." A third youth rightly translated curculio as " weevil," but, being asked what that was, he answered, " A sort of weasel." It is evidently high time that the School Natural History Society should be resuscitated. Theories such as the above are too original to be encouraged. There was a grim smile on the face of a certain master of Classics as he dictated, on the first day after the Christmas holidays, a version beginning, " In the midst of all this revelry business was not neglected . . ." That is what is known as pawky humour. FOR THE CLASSICALS ONLY. .tool pinoee suaapoN noS AtouA oAik The Sixth wish to tender their thanks to their neighbours, the Fifth, for having recently favoured them with excerpts from comic opera. As the selections were rendered by them en mane, the effect was very fine—indeed, soothing. The " sounds " floating through the partition called up to our minds visions of serenades, and we have no doubt that this illusion was heightened by the delicate cat-call obbligato which was very insistently given by several gentlemen. It is to be devoutly hoped we shall be warned in time for the next recital. The Debating Society is now drawing to the close of another season, but there is not very much to remark about this one. The behaviour has been quite up to the usual standard (and we all know what that is). It is an actual fact, however, that only one window has been broken this season; a fact which shows that we are " indubitably coming on." There has also been less this year of outside interruption, such as the volleys of sand and slime which used to enliven the proceedings in previous years. On one occasion, we remember, the window-blind got into such a disgraceful condition that no amount of cleaning or even excavating could have made it right again. But there is one feature of this season's debates which ought to be mentioned. The highly Socialistic and revolutionary sentiments of a certain member of Committee have much endeared him to the hearts of the proletariate. We refer, of course, to Mr. Loud-George. TO CORRESPONDENTS. CURIOUS .—There is no truth in the rumour that the song " Clementine " has any connection with the person you mention. Its recent popularity is due, we suppose, to the Sing-Song.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

NERVOUS.-Boxers were certainly the especial care of Pollux. Whether or not the " loud-voiced Achilles " practised boxing we cannot say. LOCAL NUT.—The quantities in quasi are short. We are surprised that this has not already been impressed upon you. Do You Kikrow— That the Sixth (this is no idle gossip) once had the attendance flag ? That one of the most distinguished members of that class has a double-barrelled name of five syllables ? That he is very proud of it? That there is a disgraceful crush of librarians in the School Library as usual. That excellent person, Locke John ? AN IDYLL. He met her in the meadow As the sun was sinking low, And they walked home together In the twilight's evening glow. She waited patiently while he Let down all the bars, And her eyes shone upon him. She did not smile and thank him, Indeed, she knew not how ; For he was but a farmer's lad And she—a Jersey cow. Ex.

Our Contemporaries. The Editor begs to acknowledge, with thanks, the following magazines, several of which should have been acknowledged in last number :—" Fettesian " (3), " Herioter " (2), " Glasgow Academy Chronicle " (2), " Glasgow High School Magazine," " Edinburgh Academy Chronicle" (6), " Stewart's College Magazine," " Boltonian " (2), " Portmuthian " (4), " Scotch Collegian" (3), " Black and Magenta" (4), " The Boononian " (Boon Creek Seminary, U.S.A.), " Erasmian," " Watsonian " (2), " Nelsonian " (2), " Westovian," " Royal Belfast Academical Institution School News " (2), " Mercers' School Magazine," " St. Andrew's College Magazine " (Dublin) (2), " St. Andrew's College Magazine " (S. Africa) (3), " Olavian " (4), " Courier " (3), " C.A.I.," " Bero " (High School of Commerce, Columbus, Ohio), (2) " Sligo Grammar School Magazine " (2), " The Anglo-Chinese Own " (Penang), " The Yellow Dragon" (Hong-Kong) (3), " Foyle College Magazine " (Londonderry), " Handels-Hochschule " (Berlin).

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

*Indicates Member of the Former Pupils' Club. Once more we have the pleasure of recording an accession to the number of School knights. Since the appearance of the last Magazine in October, three former pupils have received knighthoods. In the list of honours conferred in connection with the recent visit of His Majesty to India appeared the name of JAMES SCORGIE MESTON* (1876-80), who has been made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India. He was Dux and Gold Medallist of the School in 1880, and at present holds the office of Secretary to the Finance Department of the Government of India. The New Year Honours List contained among the knights the names of two other Old Boys, these being WILLIAM DUFF GIBBON* (1848-51), and The former is the ROBERT JOHN COLLIE,* M .D . (1873-76). veteran tea planter, a contribution from whom appeared in the last issue of the Magazine. He has now retired, after spending more than half a century in Ceylon, and has taken up residence at Bournemouth. Sir R. J. Collie is Medical Examiner to the London County Council and Home Office Medical Referee under the Workmen's Compensation Act. To all three knights, who are members of the Club, we offer our heartiest congratulations. Sir James Meston has just been appointed to the very important post of Lieutenant-Governor of the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh. Lieut.-Colonel DAVID BRAIN, C . I .E . (1872-73), Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, was made at the New Year a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George (C.M.G.). CLAUDE ALEXANDER BARRON* (1881-87), who, as a member of the Indian Civil Service, is Deputy Commissioner at Delhi, received at the time of the Durbar the honour of Companionship of the Order of the Star of India (C.S.I.). The next step, we hope, will be the knighthood of the Order. ALEXANDER HENDRY,* M.D. (1883-86) of Ballater, who holds the Royal appointment of Surgeon-Apothecary to the Household at Balmoral, has been made a Member of the Royal Victorian Order.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

Sir JOHN MACDONELL,* C.B., LL.D. (1860-61), has just become King's Remembrancer and Senior Master of the Supreme Court of Judicature. He has been one of the Masters since 1889, and is also Quain Professor of Comparative Law in University College, London. The folic wing is extracted from the " Times " : " Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem. To be Knight of Grace—His Excellency Sir WILLIAM MACGREGOR,* G.C.M.G." (1865-67). Once more an Old Boy has been made a Bishop. Rev. ANTHONY MITCHELL, M.A., B.D. (1882-86), Principal of the Scottish Episcopal Church Theological College, Edinburgh, and Chancellor and Canon of St. Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh, has been unanimously elected to the Episcopal See of Aberdeen and Orkney. When at the School he was Captain of the Cricket Eleven and a member of the Rugby Fifteen. He left for the University in 1886 as Dux and Gold Medallist of the School. He was editor of the School Magazine, and so great was his editorial zeal that he compiled a strange story of the buccaneers, to which every member of the highest class contributed a chapter. It would be amusing if his lordship were now to publish that exciting composition. GEORGE HERBERT MAIR,* M.A. (1899-1902), who is a member of the literary staff of the " Manchester Guardian," is acting as representative of that paper in the Lobby of the House of Commons during the present session. He is not only a journalist, for he finds time to write books. Some years ago he edited for the Clarendon Press Wilson's " Arte of Rhetorique," and now he has contributed a review of " Modern English Literature" to Messrs. Williams and Norgate's " Home University Library." To have been chosen to undertake this work at his age is no small honour. The choice, however, has been thoroughly justified by the way in which he has executed the commission. ARTHUR JOHN WATT, M.B., Ch.B. (1889- 7 ), has been appointed medical officer for South Camberwell, London. DAVID ERNEST RAE,* M.B., Ch.B. (1889-1900), was appointed in November resident house physician and surgeon of the Battersea General Hospital, London. ROBERT WILLIAM MACPHERSON, M.B., Ch.B. (1896-99), has been appointed assistant medical officer of health and assistant medical inspector of school children for the city of Chester. He is under another Old Boy, Dr. DAVID RENNET* (1877-79), whose appointment as medical officer of Chester was recorded in last Magazine. Captain FARQUHAR MCLENNAN,* M.B., Ch.B. (1888-90), has been appointed adjutant of the Royal Army Medical Corps

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

at Aberdeen. He is succeeded in his former post at Castlehill Barracks by Captain WILLIAM G. MAYDON (1882-95), R.A.M.C. JAMES TAYLOR LAWRENCE, M.A., who recently passed into the Indian Civil Service, has been assigned to the Bombay Presidency. He is spending his year of probation studying Indian law, languages, and history at University College, London. GEORGE FREDERICK Cox, M.A. (1899-1906), Dux of the School in 1906, who graduated at Aberdeen University with first-class honours in classics in 1910, has gone to study divinity at St. Andrew's University, where he was successful in obtaining a bursary of £40, being first in the competition. ALFRED JAMES FINDLAY, M.A., B.Sc. (1897-1901), assistant lecturer in Agricultural Chemistry, Aberdeen, has received the appointment of Assistant Superintendent of Agriculture for Southern Nigeria under the Colonial Government. DOUGLAS C. WATSON* (1892-1900), had no sooner taken up his duties on his appointment with the Westminster engineering company (recorded in last Magazine) than he received the post of chief assistant to the water engineer, Colombo, Ceylon. He sailed for the East at the end of November. The Club Secretary, JAMES W. MILNE,* C.A. (1884-95), has been appointed a public auditor under the Friendly Societies' Acts. ROBERT YOUNGER HUNTER* (1895-1904), received in October, in absentia, the M.A. degree of Aberdeen University. Rev. THOMAS MEIKLE WATT, M.A. (1889-94), Lecturer on the Philosophy of Religion at Mansfield College, Oxford, for five years, has been appointed assistant to Rev. Dr. Hunter, Trinity Church, Glasgow. Rev. GEORGE MACKAY (1890-92), minister of Kilcalmonell, Kilberry, and South Knapdale, Argyllshire, was recently inducted to the charge of Drumblade U.F. Church. JOHN LAIRD, M.A. (1901-03), who graduated at Edinburgh University in 1907 with first-class honours in philosophy, and subsequently studied at Trinity College, Cambridge, is now, at the age of 24, lecturer on ethics at St. Andrew's University. During his university career he carried off scholarships of a total value of £1,500. ARNOLD F. MACLEOD (1897-99), who is on the staff of the London and River Plate Bank at Monte Video, has recently devised an ingenious system for reducing Uruguayan gold into English pounds, shillings, and pence at various rates of exchange. The tables he has compiled are the first of their kind, and are declared to be exceedingly useful.

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WILLIAM G. CRAIGEN,* M.A., LL.B. (1894-1902), is coming out as an inventor. He has been granted a patent (No. 19383> for a buckle for straps, etc. The specification might be given here, but it sounds somewhat complicated when one has not a. model to work with. With reference to the note which appeared in last Magazine regarding the action which had been brought by WILLIAM FRASER, M.A. (1893-96), until recently an inspector of schools for the Orange River Colony, against General Hertzog, to recover £10,000 damages for alleged slander in an election speech, judgment was delivered at the beginning of November. The jury gave a verdict for the plaintiff, awarding him £25 damages and costs. JOHN BREMNER INNES,* M.A. (1862-64), who has been schoolmaster of Strathdon for forty years, retired in December. The occasion was appropriately marked by a presentation. Rev. BENJAMIN ALcock (1864-66), a licentiate of the Church of Scotland, who has been schoolmaster of the parish of Cruden since 1872, has also retired, and likewise been honoured with a presentation. The Very Rev. WILLIAM MAIR,* M.A.; D.D. (1843-44), exModerator of the General Assembly, recently celebrated his jubilee as a minister of the Church of Scotland. Rev. GEORGE WISELY,* M.A., D.D. (1840-42), of Valletta, Malta, who is now in his eighty-seventh year, in the course of a letter just received says: " I have been about sixty years out of my native country, so that you will understand that I am getting out of touch with Aberdeen Grammar School." Yet he sends a substantial donation to the Club funds ! Speaking about the Byron Statue and Byron, he mentions that in Malta. half a century ago he fell in with a decent-looking Maltese man who had been Byron's servant. He was with our famous Old Boy at Missolonghi when he died, and took his body home to England. The servant spoke of his master with great affection. " Seventy years ago," Dr. Wisely concludes, " we were proud that Lord Byron had been at our School! " Rev. Principal PETER TAYLOR FORSYTH,* M.A., D.D. (1859-64), has added to his list of published works a volume entitled " Christ on Parnassus: Lectures on Art, Ethic, and Theology." The late Rev. JAMES GORDON WATT, M.A. (1882-85), who before his death in 1900 was Editorial Superintendent of the British and Foreign Bible Society, was successful in discovering among the archives of the Bible House the long-lost letters which George Borrow wrote to the Bible Society during his residence in Russia and Spain as the Society's agent. The

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine. death of our Old Boy caused a postponement of the publication of the letters, but they have now been reproduced in a volume by Mr. Watt's successor recently published. Rev. GEORGE GARDEN GREEN, M.A. (1854-56), senior minister of Lancefield U.F. Church, Glasgow, who died in June of last year, was the author of a book entitled " The Immortal Hope," which has been published posthumously. Two books of no little interest to the School appeared in the autumn. One is " Memories of Two Cities—Edinburgh and Aberdeen," by the late Professor DAVID MASSON, LL.D., Litt.D. (1831-35). This contains a reprint of his famous sketch of Dr. James Melvin and the Grammar School, which appeared in " Macmillan's Magazine " for January, 1864. The other book is Sir WILLIAM ROBERTSON NICOLL'S* republished memoir of Professor WILLIAM GRAY ELMSLIE, M.A., D.D., who was at the School in the early 'Sixties. A recently-published book compiled by Professor Harrower, dealing with Aberdeen University Alumni who continued their studies at Oxford and Cambridge, contains the names of a large number of Old Boys, together with a brief account of their careers. The volume will be perused with pleasure by all who are interested in the doings of Former Pupils. From the annual report of the New Spalding Club we note that several Old Boys are contributing to its activities. JOHN MALCOLM BULLOCH,* M.A. (1877-80), editor of the " Graphic," is busy piecing together the history of the House of Gordon; Rev. JAMES BRUCE DUNCAN, M.A. (1862-65), minister of the U.F. Church, Lynturk, is joint-editor of " Folk Music and Song of the North-East of Scotland," the production of which was suggested by Surgeon-General GEORGE BIDIE* (1845-47) ; and J. F. KELLAS JOHNSTONE (1858-60) is progressing very well with the " Bibliography of the Shires of Aberdeen, Banff, and Kincardine," in the editing of which he succeeded his schoolfellow, the late ALEXANDER WEBSTER ROBERTSON, M.A. (1856-62). DOUGLAS HARPER,* M.A., B.L. (1888-98), was admitted a barrister in Canada in September, and is now a partner in the firm of Corbett & Harper at Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. He had a very busy time during the recent Canadian elections. HENRY A. RICHARDS* (1901-05), who is in the service of Messrs. F. J. Scott & Morrison, advocates, Aberdeen, passed his final examination in law in October. THEODORE G. GRAY,* M.B. (1895-1901), who recently went out to New Zealand, holds a Government appointment at the Mental Hospital, Porirua, about fourteen miles out of Wellington. The medical superintendent of the Hospital is an-

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other Old Boy, GRAY HASSELL,* M.D. (1874-76). A classfellow of Gray's, RODERICK MACKENZIE GUNN, M.D. (1901), is in practice at Carterton, which is no great distance from Porirua. JOHN D. MURRAY* (1878-84) has been engaged in fruit-growing at Kinkell Ranch, Proctor, British Columbia, since March, 1910. For nineteen years before that date he was in the service of the National Bank of India, being for the greater part of the time in India and Ceylon. Two brothers who, through their distance from Aberdeen, had completely lost touch with the School, have recently accepted with alacrity the invitation to become members of the Club. These are ARCHIBALD YOUNG* (1885- 1 ), who, since 1897, has been in the service of Messrs. Geo. R. Alston & Co., Port of Spain, Trinidad; and JOHN YOUNG* (1889-94), who is an accountant• with Messrs. Arthur Young & Co., New York. The latter says that it was refreshing to find in the last Magazine the face, not much changed, of his old teacher, Mr. Maxwell H. Mackie, for whom he has entertained at all times a deep-rooted respect. ALEXANDER TAYLOR* (1890-93), who went out to Toronto last year, has recently been appointed secretary of the Prudential Trust Co., Ltd., Montreal. In Toronto he met several Old Boys, including Robert Fleming and Leonard J. Smith. Rev. JAMES YOUNGSON, ,B.D. (1899-1905), was recently ordained a missionary of the Church of Scotland in Vikuyu, British East Africa. JAMES S. GILES* (1901-06), who is in the service of the Dominion Bank at Brandon, Manitoba, has been revelling lately in skating and hockey. He says that cricket is catching on fast in Brandon. Last season he managed to top the batting averages for the city. HERBERT LOUIS WATSON,* B.Sc. (1895-1907), is now works chemist with Messrs. Lever Brothers, of Sunlight fame. GEORGE TAYLOR BRUCE,* M.A. (1870-71), of Kelliher, Saskatchewan, has recently become a member of the Club. He is a partner of the firm of Messrs. Bruce & Bryce, agents for farm implements, etc. His year at the School, he says, was very pleasant. FRANCIS JOHN QUIN* (1905-1910) is now at Singapore, in the service of Messrs. Guthrie, Ltd. HERBERT F. C. SHINNIE (1902-07) recently completed his naval training on H.M.S. " Africa," and, having been appointed a junior officer in the service of the British Indian Steam Navigation Co., joined s.s. " Ekina " as fourth officer in December. He served his apprenticeship on s.s. " Aberlour," making three voyages round the world.

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•

Rev. ALBERT A. TURREFF (1883-88), vicar and surrogate of the diocese of Lichfield, recently acknowledged himself " unearthed" by the Club. He marvels at its detective instincts! PATRICK GRANT MARGETTS* (1896-99), who was on the staff of the Caledonian Insurance Company, Edinburgh, has entered the service of Messrs. Coulson, Hay Sr Co., merchants, Melbourne, Australia. Rev. E. D. LOGIE DANSON,* M.A. (1892-94), of Dundee, recently left for Singapore, where he has been appointed to the Cathedral staff. JAMES MESTON REID* (1896-1907) is spending some months in Saarbriick, Prussia, on business. JOHN ADAM,* M.A. (1862-64), Crown and Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras, has just. joined the Club. He had never heard of its existence until he received a specimen copy of the Magazine! THOMAS WEMYSS REID (1897-1900), after trying railway work for a few years, has gone in for banking, which he considers an ideal profession, especially in an Irish county town. He is in the Carlow Branch of the Bank of Ireland. JOHN FORBES FRASER (1879-83), after spending twenty-one years in Ceylon, is now in the service of the Travancore Tea Estates Co., Ltd., at Peermade, Southern India. The climate there, he says, is splendid, the scenery magnificent, and the sport grand. The game includes elephant, bison, ibex, tiger, leopard, and sambur. WALTER THEODORE YOUNG* (1887-95), traffic superintendent of the Aberdeen Corporation Tramways, has just been appointed traffic superintendent of the Corporation Tramways of Oldham, Lancashire. GEORGE W. JOHNSTONE CHREE (1900-08) has just entered Sandhurst. GEORGE COLLIE CHEYNE,* M.A., B.Sc. (1900-04), on the completion of his forestry course at Oxford University and in Germany, has gone out to Burmah to take up the duties of assistant conservator of forests. JAMES S. WALKER* (1880-83), architect and engineer, Liscard, Cheshire, when recently joining the Club sent an interesting letter, in the course of which he says :— " I have always taken credit to myself for being instrumental in starting the F.P.'s Rugby team. It was in the year 1893, if I mistake not, that I suggested to some F.P.'s to arrange a team of Old Boys to play the Thistle (now playing under the name and colours of the 'Shire), of which, along with many

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other F.P.'s, I was a member. A fine XV. was got together, viz., G. O. Gauld ; J. Rae, Cameron, and Smith ; Milligan and Gillanders; Thomson, McQuarrie, Cornwall, Justice, Watson, J. E. Rae, P. McLeod, Jones ( ?), and Thomson. Well do I remember the game (a report of which I have by me), and they beat us by a goal to 2 tries (a try being 2 points). Encouraged by their success, a regular team was started to meet and beat them if possible." ERIC W. H. BRANDER,* M.A., LL.B. (1894-1901), and CHARLES D. PETERKIN,* M.A., LL.B. (1893-1905), are both at present studying law in Edinburgh. Brander expects to be back in Aberdeen in May, and is looking forward to taking an active interest in the dramatic section of the Club in the autumn. ALEXANDER BANKS* (1903-09), who recently entered the service of the Canadian Bank of Commerce, is at present stationed at Kerrobert, Saskatchewan. ARCHIBALD A. BISSET* (1888-96) has recently taken a large farm at Golden Kopje, Lomagundi, Southern Rhodesia: He was previously farming at• Thabanchu, in Orange River Colony. The advertisement• inserted in the last Magazine regarding openings in Chile brought in a shower of applications from F.P.'s and others. It was difficult to choose from so many suitable candidates. Finally three Old Boys were appointed— HUGH RODGER LAMBIE* (1906-08), JAMES ALEXANDER RHIND* (1902-04), and DAVID H. HALLIDAY* (1904-07). Just when our readers are getting their magazines these three young men will be landing in Chile to take up their appointments in the Anglo-Chilian Railway and Nitrate Company. LOUIS FRANCIS MERRYLEES* (1896-1905), who 1S in the service of the Canadian Pacific Railway at Farnham as a civil engineer, paid a visit home in November. Other three Old Boys recently home on holiday and present at the Club Ball in December are GEORGE E. SCROGGIE* (190105), Canadian Bank of Commerce, Dundas, Ontario ; WILLIAM RAE, Jun.,* M.A., B.L. (1888-1900), who is with a large Investment Trust in Vancouver; and Captain ARCHER IRvINE FORTESCUE,* R.A.M.C. (1892-97), who is attached to the Second Battalion Gordon Highlanders. DOUGLAS STEWART M`MILLAN* (1896-1901) recently entered the service of the Canadian Pacific Railway and is stationed at. Lytton, British Columbia. DOUGLAS PORTER,* M.B., Ch.B. (1897-1902), is at present Resident Physician at the West Ham Hospital, London.

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CHARLES COOK REID* (1895-1906) is with the firm of Messrs. Jackson, Taylor, Abernethy, and Co., chartered accountants, London. CLIFFORD C. CHANCE,* M.B., Ch.B. (1906), has started in medical practice at Chorley. ROBERT C. B. HAY (1900-06), JAMES SIMPSON (1902-06), and MAURICE J. WILLIAMSON* (1894-1903) played in the Rugby Trial International Match for the South v. the North at Galashiels in December. Williamson, who is in the R.A.M.C., left for Durban on the morning after the Club Ball, at which he was present. RONALD CUMMING* (1899-1904) is now in the employment of the Irrigated Footlands, Ltd., Wolmer, British Columbia. WILLIAM S. DAVIDSON* (1882-89) has been appointed District Secretary of the Scottish Union and National Insurance Co. in Aberdeen. FRANCIS WILLIAM FALCONER,* M.B., Ch.B. (1889-1900), has joined the Colonial Medical Service, and is stationed at Penang, F.M.S. ALEXANDER MARE GEDDES,* M.B., Ch.B. (1897-1903), is in medical practice at Woodstock, Cape Town. JAMES SIMPSON GREEN* (1897-1906) has gone out to a sugar plantation at Honokaa, Hawaii. JAMES GRAY KYD,* F.I.A. (1891-98), has been transferred from Aberdeen to the London Office of the Northern Assurance Company. HAROLD EDGAR SMITH,* M.A., M.B. (1889-97), was appointed some months ago senior assistant at the Glasgow Eye Hospital. JAMES STRACHAN,* M.A., B.Sc. (1885-1895), who was for several years on the staff of the Royal Naval College, Osborne, is now resident at Darlington, having been appointed one of His Majesty's Inspectors of Schools. WILLIAM GEORGE SMITH* (1897-1904), who has been in many adventures, has now settled at Cairn-na-Cuihme, Victoria, Southern Rhodesia. ANDREW J. SHINNIE,* M.B. (1897-1903), is one of the resident physicians at the Hampstead General Hospital, London. ANDREW SMITH* (1897-1905), who has been farming in New Zealand for five years, is at present home on holiday. JOHN MARTIN ELLIS* (1895-1901) is also farming in New Zealand. WILLIAM WILSON JAMESON,* M.A., M.B. (1892-1902), who has been for some time resident physician at the Victoria Park Hospital, London, has entered into partnership with a cli-known Eastbourne doctor.

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CORNELIUS AGNEW SUVOONG, M.A. , M.D. (1894-97), is one of the Old Boys who has been in the thick of the Chinese Revolution. He was the first Chinaman to become a pupil of the School, and after graduating in arts and medicine at Aberdeen University, studied in Vienna and the London hospitals, becoming for a year medical attendant and assistant to the Chinese Director of Instruction in London, Lord Li, with whom he returned to China in 1910. He was Government Medical Supervisor of the Nanking Exhibition, and thereafter was appointed to the medical charge of the Hanyang Arsenal, with its 3,500 employees. Dr. Suvoong was also raised to the rank of mandarin, and thereupon changed his name (as is customary in China), being now known as Dr. H. J. Shu. Another of our Chinese Old Boys is YOUNG WONG (1905-06), who is now a mining engineer and is understood to hold an official appointment in the province of Hunan. After leaving the School, he studied engineering at Glasgow University, filling in his summer vacations with work at one of the Clyde shipyards and with Messrs. Armstrong, Whitworth, & Co., at Newcastle. He also spent some time in France, Belgium, and Germany, learning French and German. Doubtless the Chinese Revolution has affected him also.

OBITUARY. Since the last issue of the Magazine the loss to the School and the Club by the death of Old Boys has been very heavy, as the following list testifies :— ALEXANDER FORBES* (1845-49) died at 1 Albyn Terrace, Aberdeen, on 10th January, in his 77th year. By his death the Club has lost one of its most enthusiastic members. Mr. Forbes was intensely interested in all matters concerning the School, and retained a very vivid recollection of his own School days. In this connection readers of the Magazine will not need to be reminded of his recent contribution to it, entitled " School Life under Melvin," in which he gave so racily his reminiscences of the School as he had known it, and depicted so graphically the Rector under whom he was proud to have studied. In the various activities of the Club Mr. Forbes took a deep interest, and in particular the work of annotating the School Registers appealed to him and called forth his valuable assistance. At the Club Dinner in the autumn of 1910 he was by a long way the oldest member present, and as such proposed the toast of " The School." That his thought-

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fulness for the club continued to the end is attested by the fact that within a fortnight of his death he wrote a letter (in pencil) to the Secretary enclosing the subscription of a School contemporary of his own, whom he had induced to become a memMr. Forbes was for a long time a warehouseman in ber. Aberdeen, but latterly lived in retirement. An appreciation of him by a well-known London Old Boy is given in another part of the Maga:ine. JOHN GERARD ANDERSON, M.A., I.S.O. (1845-50), formerly Permanent Under-Secretary to the Education Department of Queensland, diei at Brisbane in October. After graduating at King's College in 1854, he went out to Queensland in 1862, becoming a District Inspector of State Schools in the following From this position he rose to be successively Senior year. Inspector, Acting General Inspector, General Inspector, and in 1878, Under-Secretary. He was made a Companion of the Imperial Service Order in 1903, and retired in 1904. GAVIN CATTO (1846-47) died at Foulpeel, Balgownie, Bridge of Don, on 5th February, in his 78th year. WILLIAM WATTLE (1849-50), who for 44 years was a teacher and later an inspector of schools in Australia, died at Carron in the middle of November. He retired in 1897, and, returning to this country, settled at Carron. Rev. ALEX. BREMNER, M.A. (1851-53), headmaster of the Higher Grade School, Fyvie, died on 3rd December at the age ,of 76. He graduated in arts at Marischal College in 1857, and was appointed schoolmaster at Fyvie in 1860. Rev. SIMEON Ross MACPHAIL, M.A., D.D. (1852-55), minister of the English Presbyterian Church, Canning Street, Liverpool, died very suddenly in Glasgow, just• before holding a service, on 19th January. After graduating M.A. at Aberdeen University in 1861, he was ordained minister of the Free Church, Forfar, in 1866, removing to Elgin in 1869 and to He was Moderator of the Synod of the Glasgow in 1878. Presbyterian Church of England in 1903, and was the author •of several books, the chief being " The History of the Religious House of Pluscarden." ALEXANDER WEBSTER ROBERTSON,* M.A. (1856-62), formerly Librarian of the Aberdeen Public Library, died at Coillin, Banchory, on 14th November. He was one of a distinguished family of Old Boys, which included Charles Robertson and John Grant Robertson, both members of the Indian Civil Service, and Professor George Croom Robertson, of University College, London. After graduating in arts at Aberdeen University in 1866, he suffered from a breakdown in health, but later devoted himself to the study of library organi-

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sation and administration. For a number of years he was in charge of the portion of the Aberdeen University Library in Marischal College, and, after being engaged in work in several other libraries, he was appointed librarian of the Aberdeen Public Library when it was instituted in 1884. This position he held until 1900, when he retired, having brought the Library from small beginnings in the Mechanics' Institute into a condition of thorough efficiency in the present building on the Viaduct. Shortly after his retirement he was commissioned by Queen Victoria to rearrange and catalogue the Royal Library at Balmoral Castle, and this work he concluded early in As mentioned by Mr. Kellas the reign of King Edward. Johnstone in his article in the last Magazine, Mr. Robertson was the author of several works of usefulness and importance to librarians and book-lovers, and also of very extensive collections towards a bibliography of North-East Scotland. He was a Life Member of the Club, in the welfare of which he was keenly interested. ROBERT BEVERIDGE* (1858-60), of the firm of D. Mackie & Co., wincey manufacturers, Aberdeen, died on 23rd October, He was an active member of the Convener aged 65 years. Court of the Seven Incorporated Trades. JOHN SHIVES, M.D., (1859-61), died at Arnage, Victoria Park, Shipley, on 5th January, aged 67 years. He engaged in medical practice successively in Liversedge (Yorks), in London, and in Shipley. He was called to the bar at the Middle Temple in 19'02. CHARLES DAVIDSON, M.D. (1859-64), who for a time served as a surgeon in the Navy and for more than thirty years was in practice in Coventry, died there on January at the age of 62. Sir JAMES CHARLES INGLIS* (1863-67), general manager of the Great Western Railway, died at Rottingdean, near Brighton, on 19th December, aged 60 years. As an excellent appreciation of him by, perhaps, his most intimate friend appears on another page, little need be said here. An outline of his career, however, may be given. After leaving School and the University, he was trained as an engineer, being for a term of three years a pupil in the office of Sir James Abernethy. At the end of this term he was acting as assistant engineer on the Alexandra Docks, at that time under construction. He then received the post of assistant engineer on the South Devon Railway at Plymouth, and after a few years went into private practice as a civil engineer in that town. In June, 1892, he was appointed by the Great Western Railway Company assistant engineer at Paddington, and only four This post he held months later chief engineer of the line. until June, 1903, when he was appointed general manager.

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Under his managership the Great Western made tremendous strides, and took the premier place among British railways. His career, from humble engineer to railway king, will be remembered in the School annals as one of extraordinary brilliance. Professor GEORGE CHRYSTAL, M.A. , LL.D. (1863-67), Professor of Mathematics in Edinburgh University, died in Edinburgh on 3rd November. After graduating in arts at Aberdeen University with first-class honours in mathematics and carrying off the Town Council Gold Medal as the most distinguished student of his year, he proceeded to Cambridge, where Two years later, at the in 1875 he was Second Wrangler. very early age of 26, he was appointed Professor of Mathematics at St. Andrew's University, and in 1879 he succeeded to the Mathematical Chair in Edinburgh University. As a mathematician he was world-famous, and the School may well be proud of having his name upon its Roll. Two well-known text-books written by him are "Elementary Treatise on Algebra," and " An Introduction to Algebra." EWEN MACDONALD* (1880-81) died in Aberdeen on 16th January, aged 45 years. JAMES LITTLEJOHN (1881-84) died at Ambadeniya Estate, Kadugannawa, Ceylon, on 6th November, at the age of 41. After being trained in the North of Scotland Bank, Aberdeen, he went out to Ceylon in 1891 and learned tea-planting on various estates. Latterly he was engaged in planting and opening out rubber estates for the Ceylon Para Rubber Co., Ltd. The death was announced in January of PETER CHARLES FARQUHARSON (1881-89), who was drowned at Sinoia, Rhodesia, South Africa. He served his apprenticeship as an architect in Aberdeen, and about twelve years ago entered the service of the British South Africa Company, being employed in the Salisbury and Bulawayo districts. At the time of the South African War he served in Plumer's Horse. Latterly he was engaged in prospecting and mining in Mashonaland. GEORGE LILLIE STEWART (1886-87) died suddenly at Winnebah, Gold Coast, on 20th September, at the age of 36. He went out to the Gold Coast in 1903, and since then was engaged in important work for the Government• and for private companies, superintending the construction of roads, surveying mines, cutting boundaries, etc. He was at the School only for a short time. •

We have received a copy of the appreciative obituary notice of GEORGE BARCLAY, M.A. (1828-33), contributed by Dr. George A. Berry to the Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine. MARRIAGES.

In our anxiety to give a full list of the marriages of Old Boys we allowed an error to creep into the last Magazine, having unfortunately mistaken the wedding of a father for that of a son! FINLAY GEORGE M`LEon Ross, M.B., Ch.B. (18981904), who is at present in South Africa, is not the Finlay M`Leod Ross whose nuptials we recorded. With regard to the former, the announcement was premature, and, as Mark Twain would have said, greatly exaggerated. M`GREGOR (1880-81).—At the Imperial Hotel, Aberdeen, on 27th January, JAMES M `GREGOR, merchant, Stonehaven, to Jeannie Whyte, third daughter of John Johnston, Aberdeen. BREMNER (1893-95).—At Murielee, Brunswick, Victoria, Australia, on 4th October, HERBERT ARTHUR BREMNER,* son of Rev. A. Bremner, Fyvie, to Margaret Murray, daughter of J. Westwood, Brunswick. GALLOWAY (1893-97).---At the West United Free Church, Aberdeen, on 9th November, FREDERIC W. GALLOWAY,* Indian Police, barrister-at-law, son of the late Rev. Andrew Galloway, U.F. Church, Oyne, to Edith A. Smith, M.A., daughter of the late• John Smith, 24 Gladstone Place, Aberdeen. ROBERTSON (1893-94).—At 22 Watson Street, Aberdeen, on 1st January, ALEXANDER M. ROBERTSON, civil engineer, to Agnes, second daughter of Robert Durward. MYERS (1895-99).--At the Prince Alexis Commercial College Chapel, Harbin, Manchuria, on 19th November, WILLIAM ROBERTSON MYERS* to Olga, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Skvortzoff. BRUCE (1896-1901).—At St. Paul Street Congregational Church, Aberdeen, on 2nd December, ROBERT BRUCE,* M.A., B.L., " Aberdeen Free Press." to Lucy Ross, second daughter of Robert Lamb, advocate, Aberdeen.

A Good Soul. ALEC —even Alicky ! . . . When a schoolboy carries into middle life and old age the diminutised Christian name by which he was known to his schoolmates, it affords a strong presumption that he is a man of great personal popularity, a very likeable man—in short, a " good sort." Such a man was the Old Boy who passed away in his 77th year on 10th January, though the impersonal tradition of daily newspaper journalism could permit itself to biograph him only under the heading, "The late Mr. Alexander Forbes, J.P." I had known his brisk, boyish figure all my life, though I came to know him personally only during the last dozen years or so. Even if I had not known him by sight, he was recalled to me by many traditions, for he had been at a writing school

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with my father and at the Grammar School with my uncle, William Malcolm, of whom he wrote so appreciatively in these pages on a recent occasion ; and the Corner House in which he dwelt was always a familiar landmark, if only that it was reached by Prince Arthur Street, and that always reminded me of " Little Arthur's History of England," the curious High Anglican pap of my Nonconformist childhood. I have called him an " Old Boy " : but I use the epithet only in its school-sense. A Boy he remained to the end—a bright, happy boy, who, you knew instinctively, even if he had not told you mirthfully, had been a bit of a " nikkum ;" but Old he never could become. He was perhaps the happiest soul I ever met; and his happiness was wonderful in that he was a man of very strong, very vital convictions on essential problems, notably religion and politics; who saw a world gradually drifting from his standpoints. But there was He was nothing of "the-end-of-all-things" about him. essentially an optimist ; a man with a big, loving heart, who had a genius for friendship. Not only did he retain his old friends, but he made young ones, and was surrounded by men to whom he might have been grandfather. He had a special liking for men who had left Aberdeen and who looked him up whenever they returned on holiday, for, though he was rooted in Aberdeen himself, his brother, John, the Recorder, and his sister, Mrs. Simpson, had established associations with divers " arenas of the south." That was really how I came to know him well, and why I can never forget the delightful symposia —he was the very soul of hospitality—which he organised in the big old-fashioned parlour in the Corner House on my behalf, when he would gather together a number of congenial souls and entertain them with his reminiscences, his stories, and his happy (and never bitter) jokes by the hour. While he was young of heart, he had all the courtesy of an older age, for he was born into one of the old burgher families and had inherited a wealth of tradition and memory, which he had hoped to turn to autobiographical purposes, and would have done so but for the preoccupations of his political views, which were peculiarly devoid of parochialism. As it was, only in his later years did he turn in earnest to those family and local associations in which he was grounded, as his interesting little book on his own immediate line (of which he was intensely proud) and his reminiscences in these pages remind us. A writer of the eighteenth century—a period he greatly liked and wrote about—would undoubtedly have described him metaphorically as an " amiable rattle," and the epithet would have been literally true of Alec Forbes, for he pronounced his " r's " with an actual rattle; but he always

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" rattled " to some purpose, showing the keenest interest on all questions of the day and on many sides of literature. And how he could laugh! It did one good to hear him: to 4,ee him was like the return of sunshine after a spell of gloomy weather. It seemed as if he were never to grow old, just• as most of us believed that Queen Victoria could never die. Even when ill, his resilience was amazingly fortifying. On my latest visit to Aberdeen I found him in bed, a little, shrivelled old man, with his thin hand feebly grasping the Book of Isaiah on the white coverlet. His doctor, in private, looked serious, and the patient himself was clearly fading; but he insisted on having a night of it as in the old days, and his wish was gratified, though we all left early. He was even more-reminiscent than usual, for he felt the Future clearly and unflinchingly : but he made a brave show of courage for the sake of his guests. Those of us who saw him that October night felt that there would be no more such meetings, but when the end actually did come in January, that knowledge did not assuage our sorrow, for we knew that he marked almost the last of a delightful, vanishing type—the warm-hearted Gentleman of the North Countrie. The Grammar School had no warmer supporter than Alec Forbes. No man ever had a better friend. J. M. B. 123 Pall Mall, S.W.

Sir James C. Inglis. An Appreciation. I have been asked by the Editor to write a short appreciation of my late friend, Sir James C. Inglis, and although it is not easy for me to speak of one who stood so near to myself in the bonds of a long and intimate friendship, I am complying with his request in the hope that such a sketch may prove of interest to the readers of this magazine. Sir James entered the Grammar School at the age of 13, and his schooldays there—three years in all—remained with him to the last as a very happy memory. At the age of 16 he went to the University, where he excelled as a student and formed many ties of an enduring character. While at the University, Sir James evinced a strong inclination for mechanics and engineering, and his long vacations were invariably spent in the making of mechanical contrivances in the workshop of a millwright, who gave him every encouragement

SIR JAMES C. INGLIS.

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to develop his talents in this direction. It may be mentioned that one of his most intimate friends of those days was George Chrystal, who eventually became Professor of Mathematics in the University of Edinburgh, and whose friendship continued unbroken through life. At the close of his third year at King's he indicated to his parents that he wished to be a civil engineer—a profession to which his father was at first much opposed—and in a very short time thereafter he exchanged, to use his own words, " the red cloak of the University student for the blue ducks of the engineer." Sir James rose to high eminence in the profession of his choice: his energy and abilities commanded singular success in it ; and while General Manager of the Great Western Railway he was elected for two consecutive terms to the high office of President of the Institute of Civil Engineers. The life and work of such a personality are an interesting and stimulating study, and although one may fail in divining their true secret and significance, one is yet tempted to hazard a few observations based on a fairly wide induction of facts. Sir James, it is evident, exhibited from his earliest days great originality and independence of character. His intellectual powers, too, were in many respects exceptional, and they were so disciplined and directed as to promise for their possessor, a long way in advance, an assured position in the world of affairs. His mastery of great principles and his rare instinct for their practical application quickly gave him a commanding position in his own profession, and in the consideration and adjustment of problems of complexity and difficulty his judgment was as swift as it was unerring. Everything he touched bore the impress of a trained, independent intelligence, operating on a comprehensive and unfettered plane, which in its conception of things possible of realisation was slightly, if at all, influenced by convention or precedent. I do not doubt that he was a creative genius of the highest order, and it is further clear to my mind that the various schemes with which his name is associated were but a fractional part of the unrealised stock of ideas which crowded his fertile and restless brain. His eye got to the heart of things as by the magic of intuition, and his speech, always direct and incisive, measured his thoughts with a precision which made for perfect lucidity. In the giving of commands his words were few, but in the unfolding to others of projects of magnitude and novelty his expositions were masterly, arguing the possession of powers of imagination and a faculty and cogency of utterance seldom combined in a mind so deeply absorbed in concrete things. During his later years Sir James had traversed a considerable part of the globe, both for purposes of business and plea-

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sure: he loved travel for its own sake and for what it could bring him of climatic change and of variety of scene ; and his letters from abroad, showing the man in repose, were always laden with picture and suggestion. His observant eye missed no object or incident of interest or value, and his pen-portraits of men and things and customs were remarkable for their picturesque and impressionist characterisation. Sir James was an exceedingly broad-minded man, tenacious of his own view, yet tolerant and considerate withal. He strongly disliked things parochial and provincial, and was the sworn foe of all pretence and snobbery. In the performance of his duties and in all his relations with his fellowmen he displayed a frankness of disposition and a sincerity of character which were natural to him, and which secured for him the immediate confidence of robust and healthy temperaments. There were, it is true, inscrutable reserves in his nature, as there are in most strong and self-reliant men, but these were not perceptible in any marked degree, and certainly did not detract from the general tone and bearing of the man, which were gentlemanly, chivalrous, and upright. Although he had made his way in the world by the persistent exercise of his own powers directed against many obstacles, he was never known to have promoted his own interests to the prejudice of any of his rivals; and he was generosity itself to those who showed brains and capacity, being ever ready to give a helping hand to faithful endeavour and struggling talent. If ever there was a strenuous life anywhere it was found in Sir James. His activities were incessant, and whatever he took in hand he performed up to the limit of his capacity. The one great absorbing interest for him was the Great Western Railway, of which he was from 1903 both General Manager and Consulting Engineer. To its service he gave the best that was in him. Of its traditions he was proud ; of its honour he was jealous. In the month of August last he left his room at Paddington—the scene of his many labours—for a restful holiday ordered by his medical adviser, and coming to Aberdeen and visiting at intervals his old favourite haunts on Deeside and Donside which he loved intensely, he soon discovered that the malady from which he suffered precluded all idea of his ever being able to resume his official duties. At the end of October he longed to get South to a more genial climate, and selecting Rottingdean—a beautiful rural village a few miles distant from Brighton—as his residence, he put up a brave fight with his malignant infirmity until 19th December, when he passed peacefully away in the presence of his devoted wife and daughter. THOMAS JAFFREY .

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Our Letter-Box. A Glimpse of California. The following letter is from George Westland (1865-66), who was formerly in the service of the Bank of British North America, and now lives in retirement in Berkeley, California :3025 Hillegass Avenue, Berkeley, California, 28th December, 1911. Dear Sir,—It is so long since I was connected with the Grammar School that any recollections of mine would be rather hazy and uninteresting. I was there during the Rectorship of Mr. Barrack, and my class teacher was Thomas Still. With reference to a possible field for boys out here, it would be unwise for a boy to come on chance, as the local supply is quite equal to the demand, but for a youth with some money and a fancy for country life, fruit-growing in California may be both attractive and profitable. Berkeley is one of several towns which are, to a. great extent, dwelling-places for people doing business in San Francisco, but, of course, they all have their own individuality. We consider Berkeley rather a model town. It is beautifully situated at the foot of a range of hills rising some 1,700 feet, and directly faces the Golden Gate, the entrance to San FranThe distance to San Francisco is cisco Bay and Harbour. about five or six miles, three miles of the way being across the Bay, which is liberally provided with large and swift ferry steamers. Perhaps Berkeley's chief attraction is the University of California, a flourishing institution with over 3,000 students, men and women, destined to become one of the great univerBerkeley is sities of the world in the not distant future. rather proud to be classed as a Prohibition town, and recently adopted the commission form of local government, headed by a Socialist mayor. Like many other California towns, the population has doubled within the past ten years and there is every reason to believe this rate of increase will continue, especially in view of the completion of the Panama Canal, which will undoubtedly Even San Franbenefit the whole Pacific coast materially. cisco, notwithstanding the great fire of 1906, has made a substantial gain in population during the past ten years. The California climate is perhaps as reliable as you can get anywhere. During six months of the year it is practically rainless, and the other six months gives us, on the average, It is seldom oppressively warm in about 22 inches of rain. summer, and in winter we rarely see ice and hardly ever snow, and thunder storms are almost unknown ; but we must own up to an occasional earthquake.

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Most modern houses here are provided with sleeping porches where many sleep all the year round, while others sleep out during the long dry summer months with no roof over them save the blue sky. This is my plan, and I find it quite fascinating to watch the stars in my waking moments and then see them gradually fade out at the approach of the sun from over the hills. . . . Yours very truly, G. WESTLAND. A Chinese Refugee. A particularly interesting letter has been received from Siang Hye Eu* (1903-05), who has charge of the Mining Department of the Imperial Polytechnic College, Nanking :— World's Chinese Students' Federation, 42 Bubbling Well Road, Shanghai, China, 3rd Dec., 1911. Dear Sir,—No doubt you will be glad to hear that I am safe and well after such a long silence. Many friends of mine had given me up for being murdered by the Manchu soldiers in Nanking, but I managed to slip through the city gate with a colleague of mine, an American mining engineer, three days after the real trouble began. Well I must say that I had the fright of my life, as I was the last foreign educated person to leave the city. All communications were cut off, police withdrawn, and city gates closed. Rumours were frequent about beheading queueless Chinese! The principal gate was opened for about an hour two days after the trouble, and I managed to send a note to my colleague to escort me out of the city, where I boarded a train for Shanghai ! News has just• been received of the capture of Nanking, the ancient capital, by the revolutionaries, after a week's fierce fighting, in which both sides suffered great loss of lives, so the whole of the Yangtze Valley is revolutionary with the exception of Hankow and Hanyang, which will soon be recaptured, as reinforcements can now be sent direct from Shanghai and other places. Although Nanking has fallen, I shall not return for my belongings, which are all there, but send a friend of mine to help me, as I think it is still unsafe for me to go back. As soon as I get my things I intend to return to Penang to settle my late father's estate, and may return to Nanking after the Chinese New Year. All the schools and colleges, both Government and foreign institutions, have suspended work for the time, and they will not commence work until next year at the earliest. . . . Yours very sincerely, S. H. Eu.

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My Grammar School Experiences. August, 1858—June, i860.

Barring out the Rector, November, 1859. By JAMES FOWLER KELLAS JOHNSTONE. (Continued from October issue of the Magazine.)

The work of the third class required some new books: " Caesar de Bello Gallico," Virgil's " Georgics," with more Melvin rules for scanning the lines of Latin verse, Geddes' " Greek Grammar," White's " History of Rome;" and, resorting again to the old bookstalls, I made no further mistakes. There were very few new faces to note, but I now recall two first faction boys whom I omitted to mention : George Mann, second in the prize list of 1857, but only 41st bursar in 1861, a dapper little fellow, the shortest in stature of my schoolmates, whose subsequent career is unknown to me, and James Allan Philip, a dark-haired, pale, but well-built youth, and an excellent student, who for many years has flourished as a physician at Boulogne-sur-Mer. His father combined the professions of surgeon and apothecary in that double-fronted shop at the Causewayend corner of Mounthooly, where the same business is still carried on, and I observe that although fifty-three years have elapsed, the quaint-looking premises are quite unimproved. Among the newcomers were John Davidson, a tall, dark, swarthy-complexioned young man of quiet, gentlemanly bearing, who was out of his element, and probably preferred commerce to classics; John Whyte, a fair, bright-complexioned boy of good attainment, who became an advocate and principal partner in a leading firm of legal practitioners in Aberdeen ; and a tall, handsome young Boer named Fehrsen, who boarded with the master, whereby, possibly, began the connection with South Africa which led to John Brebner becoming, some years later, Minister of Education in the Orange Free State at Bloemfontein. An even more remarkable accession was Robert Macdonald Conley (M.A. 1864), a handsome youth of 17, with dark eyes, curly brown hair, and healthy-looking, intelligent features, who spoke English well. As he pronounced Latin words after the English method, his class performances greatly amused us, and were roundly denounced by the master, who tried to cure the defect by calling upon him more frequently than the others. The boy explained that he had been trained at the Grammar School of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, but the master insisted he must acquire the Scottish and only correct method, everywhere followed except in England. His efforts to comply were manifest enough but marred by occa-

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sional lapses, and, although warned he would be punished unless he took greater care, it was not long before he tripped very grievously over some a, e, or i, and was ordered to the floor. But he was high-spirited and of good address, and would not dumbly suffer an unmerited assault, and when the master fronted him with the tawse, he said, " If you please, sir, I don't think you should punish me for this. I was taught in that way and cannot help a slip sometimes. I think you should get hold of my old schoolmaster and flog him." The idea of a mill between Fordoun " Cuddie " and Newcastle " Cuddie " so tickled the class that it burst into a spontaneous and irresistible fit of laughter, which the master could hardly refrain from joining as he ordered Conley back to his seat and resumed his own place at the desk. Then all the boys cheered with their feet by beating the floor with the soles of their shoes, a method of signifying approval called " ruffin'," peculiar to byegone Aberdeen. Mr. Keith Leask has some interesting historical notes regarding this dust-raising applause in his edition of " Life at a Northern University," 1906. Robert Conley did not remain long in the class, for its work was really below his attainment, and I believe he went to Old Aberdeen Grammar School, for, upon the appointment of its rector, Mr. William Barrack, to our School, he reappears on the roll of the fifth class for three months. He gained the 3rd bursary in 1860, severely defeating our dux, John Scott, and, after taking his degree, became a classical tutor in England. I may add here that corporal punishment was not very frequent in the class, and was never unfair, for the best scholar was as liable to receive it as the worst for any infringement• of discipline. Nor should I call it severe, for I remember only two or three occasions when its infliction caused the sufferer to shed unwilling tears. Only once did I incur the penalty for some petty class offence; six strokes upon the palms, which " dirled " for the next half-hour, the master's downward blows having been delivered with a hammer-like force indicative of early practice upon the paternal anvil at Fordoun. Entered the classroom two minutes late upon a sunshiny afternoon, and shuffled as quietly as possible to his place, the writer, his face and hands and little handkerchief besmeared with blood, which still trickled slowly from one of his nostrils. " Have you been fighting, Johnstone ? " said the master, interrogatively. " Yes, sir; but he was a Sillerton boy," replied I, communicatively and extenuatively. No further question being asked, I concluded it was still a venial offence to fight a Gordon's Hospital lad, and that pursuit of the subject was left in the hands of the class. Which proved to be so, for no sooner were we released than I was surrounded by an inquisitive crowd, to whom I explained that

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my brass-buttoned assailant had attacked me for no other apparent reason than that I had stared with astonishment to see him climb, cat-like, over the high wall of his recreation ground and drop unhurt beside me on the pavement of St. Andrew Street. For he was a truant, and his " Fat are ye glowrin' at me for ? " and my defiant answer began the fight, from which we emerged when separated by superior neutral force, the one bleeding from the mouth, the other from the nose. Isolated conflicts of this kind were not uncommon, but the pitched battles of school versus school, in which crowds of boys engaged with sticks and missiles of various kinds, had become rare. Happier are the present days of school rivalries in the pleasures of legitimate sports with their rewards of glory and honour. Before separating for the Midsummer Holidays, we had a school excursion to the country, an annual event begun in the previous year by a trip to Benachie, of which favourable memories now pervaded the class. This year's trip was to Fordoun, our master's birthplace, and in the morning of 15th June, 1859, a merry crowd, embracing almost every scholar, assembled at Guild Street Station. Led by a bagpiper and a town's sergeant in scarlet livery with Bon-Accord and the city cats and castles on his buttons, sent by the Lord Provost to symbolize the magisterial authority and ancient civil patronage, we marched from Fordoun Station to the old house of Monboddo, whence, after a short stay, we proceeded through picturesque Auchinblae to the modern castle of Drumtochty, beautiful in its setting of wooded hills, where we enjoyed most hospitable welcome and entertainment for many hours. Towards evening we returned railway-station-wards, and at Kirk of Fordoun the Rev. Dr. Buchan told the traditional story of With many others I the shrine and well of Palladius. ascended the church tower and enjoyed the delightful view it commands of the Howe o' the Mearns stretching to the Carse o' Gowrie. As we hurried forward a little later we had the dismal luck to see the last train for Aberdeen leave the station before we could quite reach it. There ensued some hot talk between the masters and the station officials over our misadventure, but after waiting nearly an hour we were sent forward by a passing goods train, and reached home very late and very tired, but well pleased with the day's enjoyment, the cost of which, including food, was, if I remember rightly, only one shilling. Then came the vacation, followed by another quarter's diligent study : an eventful time filled with rumours that Rector Evans, whose two classes numbered only a dozen scholars, was to be dismissed by the Town Council if they had the power, which some doubted ; a time of crisis in our educational annals,

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for greater than the ruin in our school was the overwhelming calamity, as it was then considered, of the new Act of Parliament uniting the two Universities, directing the faculties of arts and theology to be taught only at King's College, and leaving to Marischal merely scientific instruction. The city was overcast with a general gloom, through which the swiftlyincreasing importance of science was invisible and unsuspected, and the approaching glories of Marischal undreamed. Being only a little Grammar School boy bewildered by Latin rules bristling with exceptions and versions seldom lacking a maxi, the woeful predictions of the living were as unheeded as the murmurs of the ghaists in Editor Forsyth's jeremiad, " The Midnicht Meetin'." When the class examinations took place I ranked 11th in Greek, the nearest approach to the upper factions I ever attained in classics. The general examination prior to entering the 4th class left more than a dozen disqualified, for the master had no further interest in the fees, as he now passed downward by rotation to teach the new first class of 1859-60, the story of which has been beautifully described by Principal Forsyth in " Bon-Record." My fifteen months under John Brebner were sadly misspent, although not entirely wasted : the system more at fault than the teacher, then very inadequately remunerated for his arduous work. Had I entered the school on even terms with my classfellows I could never have emulated the brilliancy of John Scott, the fine capacities of Robert Watson, or fought with such perseverance the uphill battle of the gifted William Malcolm. Qualified only for the work of a lower class, the handicap was altogether too heavy for me, especially as at home I had neither advice nor assistance, and was uncontrolled in the preparation of my work. An early passion for reading was encouraged, and with the run of two libraries and a small collection I had begun to gather, time was occupied which could have been more profitably devoted to the studies which had engaged the class during the twenty-one months before I joined it. The progress made was insufficient to encourage, and, holding but a middle position, with Lat•inity hopelessly inadequate, I now passed forward to the Rector's class. Before assembling in the 4th classroom I believe we all knew that Paddy Evans was leaving Aberdeen with £1,500 of Town Council compensation money in his pocket, and that we were to have a new Rector. In perfect silence and with feelings of inexpressible curiosity, we now saw the very tall, spare, slightly-stooping figure, ashy-pale close-shaven visage, and stony eyes of James Maclachlan as he strode solemnly into the classroom for the first time with the faint ghost of a smile directed towards us. Nine years before he had been first bursar at King's College, and he was schoolmaster of Insch, but• had accepted the

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appointment of pro-Rector until the position could be filled by the man to whom popular opinion had assigned it. He was dressed in solemn black, even to neck-tie and shirt-studs, as for a funeral, and in a most unmistakable although well-fitting tie-wig of a deep brown colour, which contrasted awfully with his ghastly complexion. His voice was clear, even, and pleasant, his manner firm yet sympathetic, and for the first time we heard ourselves addressed as " gentlemen." He gave immediate evidence that he knew well how to teach, and that he was a good classic. As a teacher, from the very first hour, the class did not dislike him ; rather the reverse ; but he was novel, his appearance was at least peculiar, and very soon that spirit of mischief which abideth for ever in Aberdeen boys began to manifest itself, for one afternoon, when he took his seat at the high desk from which he conducted the work of the class, he became painfully aware that the upholstery of his chair had been effectively fortified against such aggression by the insertion of sharp tacks and bent pins with their business ends pointed in the most promising directions. His pallid face flushed slightly as he hastily resumed an erect position, pushed the chair into a corner, stood to the desk, and began the lesson with an admirable show of complete indifference which was rather discomfiting to the mischief-makers, who had hoped to create a disturbance. But they were comforted and amused next morning when snuffy old John Gray, the janitor, told of the busy half-hour he had spent with the Rector extracting the thistles. Immediately they set to work anew, and when the Rector sought to open his desk to bring out the muster roll, he found its keyhole so tightly packed with small pieces of paper that it took him quite fifteen minutes to pick them out with his pocket knife. He remonstrated quietly in denunciatory language, well-chosen and appropriate, but, strange to say, still calling us " gentlemen." A day or two afterwards, when he entered the classroom he found its atmosphere rather peppery from the fumes of capsicum powder well circulated by a heated fire-shovel, and joined vigorously in the chorus of sneezing which prevailed until they subsided. The fumes of gum asafoetida similarly produced were less effective upon another occasion, for he made no remark. Then came the climax, for next afternoon, on reaching the classroom door, I found it surrounded by a small but rapidly-increasing crowd of boys unable to find admission. We were joined in a minute or two by the Rector, who vainly tried the door and shouted to Everything short of actually breaking the those within. panels was tried, but the oak was as obdurate as the now besieged rebels. The classroom windows, which overlooked an enclosed grass plot and faced those of the third classroom, were tried and found impossible. Finally, after an hour's unavail-

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ing effort and remonstrance, the Rector took a note of our names and dismissed us. I ran home at once with my mouth full of the news, and know nothing of the subsequent emergence of the self-besieged; nor did I ever learn, so far as I remember, by what means the barring-out was contrived and performed so effectively. During the next• day or two the class was unwontedly quiet and subdued, for we felt that something very serious was impending of which the Rector gave no hint whatever, and our boyish intercourse became stifled and curtailed. Then came a morning when all the classes assembled in the public school before the Rector, masters, and a deputation of the Council, and seventeen members of the fourth class were called out and stood together in a long row. A speech was delivered from which we gathered that it had been decided to punish the gross insubordination of the class by the expulsion of those seventeen " gentlemen " unless they each made a personal apology to the Rector, who was willing to accept it rather than allow them to be so heavily disgraced. " John Davidson, what do you say? " " I am very sorry, sir? " " William Williams ? " " I am very sorry, too, sir." So replied they all, and I believe they felt it, and that the feeling was shared by their unconvicted confederates, including myself, who only escaped by arriving too late upon the fateful afternoon. We were humbled and contrite, for the Rector was an excellent teacher, his temper well controlled, his conduct at a difficult juncture unexceptionable, he proved in wisdom a Triton among the minnows. Henceforth the work proceeded with perfect smoothness during his nine months administration, and I feel sure that the respect I shall always cherish for him is shared by every survivor of the class. He afterwards became minister of Inveravon. The 5th class was small, but the 4th was very large and included some newcomers, mostly from the country—Alexander John Forsyth Reid (M.A. 1865, LL.D. 1904), a general of the Indian Army, knighted 1900; John Macdonell (M.A. 1865, LL.D. 1892), a successful barrister, a Master of the High Court of Justice, and Professor of Law in London University, knighted 1903 ; Richard Gavin Brown, 70th on the bursary list of 1860, and after another year at the School under Rector Barrack, 6th bursar in 1861, became deputy-inspector-general in the naval medical service. Our new books were Cicero, Ovid, Xenophon's " Anabasis." In June, 1860, we had another excursion to the country, this time to Aboyne, the railway having been recently extended so far. Many of us had never before seen so much of the highland beauties of Deeside, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. With two bagpipers, we visited the castle and roamed over its policies; then to the charming village green of Charleston, where we had all kinds

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of sport during the long afternoon. When the vacation arrived we bade farewell to pro-Rector Maclachlan, and I to the School as well, for before the class resumed its duties in August I had begun to learn how to earn my own living. In the nine months under Maclachlan I had made more satisfactory progress than in the preceding fifteen months, but as it was doubtful whether I could gain a place in the University bursary list, it was decided that I should accept an opportunity which offered of learning a profession. I have always regretted the unfinished 4th but my love of books enabled me to educate myself, almost all my leisure being spent in reading—a wretched training for one who has to make his way in the world, for books cannot teach how to fight the battles of commercial and social life. Fortythree of my subsequent years were spent far from Bon-Accord, and to-day, as I traverse streets in her western suburb where once were green fields and fruitful gardens and see never a face that I know, I feel much more a Londoner in exile than an These reminiscences have not been Aberdonian at home. written without awakening old disappointments, and although it may perhaps be well sometimes to stay the monotony of triumph by relating the experiences of failure, I trust I have not made any unjust reflections. It is singular that the only similar instance in the reminiscent pages of " Bon-Record " should have been related by a namesake of my own, like whom I also had much happiness during the two years I spent in the old School : wherefor, on whatever sod I kneel, I shall ever pray with all my heart, FLOREAT ABERDONENSIS ACADEMIA.

The School and the University. Analysis of the Students' Handbook (unofficial) gives 976 students, of whom some 682 are male. Of the latter, our Former Pupils number 46 = 15.3 per cent. in Arts; 1 = 4.5 per cent. in Divinity ; 41 = 17.6 per cent. in Medicine ; 10 = 62.5 per cent. in Law ; 13 = 27.7 per cent. in Science; and 7 = 12.1 per cent. in Agriculture : in all 118 = 17.2 per cent. of the male students.

The Hall. Presented by Miss Constance Barclay, portrait of her father, the late Mr. George Barclay, Edinburgh, who at the time of his death last year was the oldest graduate of Aberdeen University, M.A. of Marischal College in 1837. This portrait is doubly welcome as a fine photogravure of the painting by Sir George Reid (F.P.).

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The "Grammar" in x874-78• ONE Sunday as I was passing the old School in company with our enthusiastic Editor he made the remark that it was about time some one had written reminiscences of the period during which I was a pupil, and he added, rather unkindly as I thought, that it was fully thirty years ago—a fact which I often painfully remember. I should have much preferred that some one who had added lustre to the School, either during his curriculum or since, had undertaken the task, and certainly many of my classfellows are more capable of giving some account of the years 1874-78. None of them, however, can have a greater love for the old School or feel more interested in her history and continued prosperity. When I joined the School in 1874 " Sandy " Martin was at the head of affairs, but I saw very little of him, not even being distinguished enough to be taken in front of him for corporal punishment A former master, " Dick " Beverley, used to visit periodically, and some of us by no means looked forward to those days of inspection, as our work was of the nature better appreciated by kindly home people than by the sterner critics as represented by Beverley. The first class I attended was that taught by Mr. Still, and I can yet remember his warm welcome. I am afraid he did not then realise the herculean task in front of him of trying to impart knowledge of the ancient language he was there to teach. Although he was wonderfully patient, I feel sure I experienced a good share of the particular punishment which earned for him his sobriquet, " Boxer " ; but I retain nothing but the kindliest memories of him, and was delighted to see that his son, who sat on the same bench as I did, had recently been honoured by his fellows in the profession he adorns. The English class during the first period of my attendance was under the charge of Mr. A. F. Murison, who has long occupied a position of eminence in London. I think Bain's Grammar—at that time only half its present size—had been recently introduced, and " Poker," so called from his erect bearing, was full of its praises; but we boys did not agree as to the excellence of the work—although we may have altered our views since. There were stiff times ahead, and, considering the amount of brain power which had to be expended by the master in trying to instil the principles into our craniums, one is surprised that our good friend's mental abilities have for so long maintained such a high standard. The " tawse " he used was not kept in the classroom, but had to be sent for when occasion required, and it is hardly possible to conceive

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the time taken by the youths—usually impetuous—who were commissioned to bring the instrument of correction. There were to be noted on the face of the master certain signs by which we judged how far it was safe to go in the matter of wrongdoing, and by these we decided whether discretion were the better part of valour. Sometimes, alas, we did not accept the warning, and consequently suffered. Later, Mr. James Macdonell, a member of a family long distinguished for erudition, took charge of the English class. I remember him as a cultured gentleman with perhaps too keen sensibilities for the exacting duties pertaining to the training of youths such as we were. The arithmetic hour was somewhat of a terror, and the presiding genius got full scope for his biting sarcasms, but I fear these, and later on, " Davie " Rennet's withering remarks, were lost upon me, and to this day the poet who sings " Multiplication is a vexation, Division's twice as bad, The rule of three it puzzles me, And fractions drive me mad "— still best expresses my feelings. The use of the " tawse " was not very frequent in the arithmetic classroom, and I was an eye-witness of it only twice and a hand-witness once, and the sight and feel of it were awesome in the extreme. At the date I am dealing with the ground to the east of the front gate was not made up as at present, but there were high walls, over which we peered into gardens far below the street level, and it is a wonder to this day that many a neck was not broken by the reckless youths who climbed the giddy heights. One of the gardens belonged to the genial and delightful teacher of writing, still happily on the staff, who seems to have the blessing of perennial youth. All his spare hours were spent in the garden referred to, and doubtless his love for it enabled him to forget the distractions of the day. As some one said with regard to another teacher, " The impression on our hands has long since been removed, but the impression on our minds still remains." Who can forget his winning smile even when coming to punish, and how, when we sought to remonstrate with the remark, " What for, sir ? " all the satisfaction we got was the rejoinder, " Not for being good, sir " ? My boy has asked me why my name is not painted on the walls of the Hall, and what can I say in answer to such an awkward question except that it was left out to make room for his ? It may be, however, that merit does not always get rewarded, just as the opposite is true, and I remember being greatly surprised at getting a certificate for drawing. I really

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think some mistake must have been made—perhaps there was no one else to give it to—certainly those who have had the best. opportunity of judging take a, very mean view of my capabilities. One incident stands out very clearly in my memory. It has reference to a member of the staff whose family was larger than his salary could well provide for, and who therefore had to be careful. He always wore a frock coat over rough tweed trousers, and I recollect as if it had happened yesterday the levity displayed when on one occasion, while standing upon a chair to fix something on the wall, he slipped and fell face downwards, causing the frock coat to fall apart. There was thereby exposed to our irreverent view the traces of careful patching on the nether garment—the patching having received more attention than the matching. Had it not been the case that this gentleman lived to a good old age we should have felt ourselves personally liable, as we gave him rather a bad time. Looking back, I am convinced he was a really good fellow, and one worthy of all honour. He represented a type of man now in these days of free education and Carnegie benefits practically extinct, who denied himself not only comforts but necessaries in order to educate himself and his family. If this recognition of his worth is somewhat tardy, it is not the less genuine. I remember great excitement being caused by three boys running away from home, and for some days the matter was discussed with bated breath, but the excitement soon subsided, and the parties concerned settled down as good, lawabiding citizens. How some of us used to envy the boys who were " flush " of money! We fancied a great future was before them, but some of them are still walking our streets and have certainly not gained more fame or honour than those who could rattle in their pockets only a farthing and an old key. Customs have changed in many ways, and one remembers how we boys used to visit the harbour when a ship with locust beans arrived. The word soon passed and a raid being made, we returned with pockets bulging out—whether the mode of getting supplies would have passed the moral or civil law I leave readers to decide. I can remember yet my feelings of disappointment when my digestive organs refused to welcome nearly so large a supply as those of most of the other boys. Then there was the day, long looked forward to, when our writing books were finished and we hied to the New Market to exchange them for pieces of candy. This was a great event, and I should not be surprised if our flourishing dentists have owed a great deal of their success to this practice. Now, for-

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sooth, the vendors refuse to barter, and demand a coin of the realm. Spelling Bees were then in full swing, and I recall that two Grammar boys, Thomson and Leslie, won great distinction in these competitions. If one may judge from one's own experience of youths fresh from School, it would not be a bad idea to have these tests revived. It is not easy making comments upon individuals who attended School in 1874-78. We seem to have been a fairly healthy set, and many are still alive, although a few, alas, have joined the great majority. Belonging to the latter class are Alexander de Faye, with a brilliant brain but a fragile body ; John Couper, quiet, shy, but capable; John A. Smith, with a handsome face, soft voice, and engaging personality ; James Dalgarno, a good student and a pleasant fellow; Cecil Robertson, small in stature, witty, full of mischief, but clever and likeable; and many others whom, evidently, the gods loved. Of the living, several have risen to eminence—Sir R. J. Collie, Sir James Meston, Major-General Sir James R. L. Macdonald, of Uganda fame, all attended School during the years under review. In looking over the Roll of Old Boys and referring to the notes regarding them, one is struck by the fact that many have become what it seemed they were quite unsuited for. Some are now ministers who appeared in the old days more fitted for comedians, and others who piled up knowledge of ancient languages and learning of all sorts have chosen occupations in which such acquisitions can have been of little All the same, many have had successful value to them. very useful parts, not only at home but in played and careers making history in many lands. Before bringing these very rambling remarks to an end, I should like to express my great appreciation of the way in which the Former Pupils' Club is conducted. The enthusiasm of the chief officials is worthy of all praise, and, personally, I have derived much pleasure in attending the various gatherings and meeting friends of long ago, while the perusal of the Magazine is a recurring delight. JOHN CROMBIE.

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Grammar School Old Boys in Canada. Notes on a Journey through the Dominion. THERE are men, doubtless, and many of them, who could travel from Dan to Beersheba and say, " 'Tis all barren! " But there can be none who could travel through Canada to-day from Halifax to Vancouver and say the same thing of the great Dominion. They might remark that the country was very sparsely inhabited, judged by European standards, and that by far the greater part of its area remains in a primeval state; but all across the continent the evidences of prosperity in every direction are far too persistent to permit of any doubt whatever as to the economic condition of Canada at the present time. And more important still, there is borne in on anyone travelling through Canada to-day not only a sense of present prosperity, but a sense of a vastly greater country of which at present only the beginnings are to be seen, of untold wealth, in short, which is still latent there. Even at the rate at which settlement is proceeding at present, it will take some generations before Canada can be anything like fully developed. For to the Canadian new horizons are constantly opening up; regions once remote are becoming available for settlement, and new territories are revealing unexpected resources ; so that the Canadian himself, much as he likes to put things into exact figures, can predict no conceivable time at which his country will reach full development. So Canada will remain for many years, above everything else, a land of opportunity. It is a land where every man, without exception, has a chance, and a great chance, of doing well. It will be the object of this article to sketch what some of the features of Canada are, so far as they reveal themselves to ordinary observation, and to note how some of the former pupils of the Grammar School of Aberdeen are availing themselves of the conditions there. Scotchmen, it may be said at the outset, are popular in Canada,. Whatever material success the old Scotch settlers of the country won, there is little question but that they took with them qualities which have brought honour to old Scotland. No Scotchman can travel in Canada without gaining an increased respect for his native country, and for its sons who spread themselves across the northern half of the American continent long before it could offer them a tithe of what it offers their descendants to-day. Their names, or some of their names, are written far and wide on the map of Canada— Mackenzie, Fraser, Macleod, and so forth. Whole counties of the province of Ontario are inhabited by people of whom the majority can claim Scotch ancestry. In the extreme east,

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too, particularly in Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia, Scotch names abound everywhere. In the last-named province the writer remembers speaking to a little girl in a harvest field and asking her name. " Nellie Christie," was ti2e reply. She was the fourth generation from the original settler of that surname who had come from Scotland, probably Aberdeenshire; but neither she nor her father, who was at hand, were anything else than thorough Canadians. Such Scotch-Canadians as these of the second, third, or fourth generation are more frequent in Eastern Canada than new Scotch settlers. Fervent Canadians as they are, the Scotch tradition remains very much alive amongst them. In the towns they form strong St. Andrew societies, whose membership includes many very prominent men ; and when they meet a Scotchman from the old country they readily clai,m kinship with him, saying, " My grandfather came from Inverness " (the Canadian rolls the " r " like an Invernessian), or " My mother came from Aberdeen." One of the most fervent of Canadian Scots whom I met was a gentleman who was standing as Conservative candidate for one of the divisions of New Brunswick and who was successfully returned in that interest to the Dominion Parliament a week or two later. His name was Crocket ; his father, who is still living in Canada and who came from Aberdeen, having been, if I am rightly informed, a pupil at the Grammar School about the year 1855. The St. Andrew societies referred to above—one of the biggest is in the city of Toronto—carry on, I understand, a considerable amount of philanthropic work, looking after cases where Scotchmen or their dependents come to be in need of assistance of one kind or another. Besides this, of course, they maintain the social functions appropriate to Scotch societies. In particular, there are the rites connected with the 30th of November and the 25th of January ; these, I am credibly informed, they in no wise leave undone, for Scots abroad do not let the festivals of St. Andrew and Robert Burns pass without seeing the steaming haggis arrive to the sound of the bagpipes. This, however, is only the " desipere in loco " of the Scot in Canada. For the rest, the Scotchman there, take him on the average, is a busy, hard-working man. He is not, in the average case, afraid of work, and there is a tribute to his efficiency in the welcome which Canadians give him, and the respect in which he is held by the strenuous and keen-witted Americans with whom, particularly in the west, he frequently comes in contact. As to the particular qualities which have made the Scotchman respected in Canada, it is difficult for one of the same race to pronounce. The chief element appears to be that the Scotchman going to Canada readily adapts himself to his new environment; he does not " know better " than the Canadians

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—that is a thing which Canadians cannot tolerate at any price. He gets down to work, and in some way or other he " makes good," as they say. The bearing of the Scotch immigrant arriving in Canada was thus described to me by a gentleman who has had much to do with the immigration into the West. " A man arrives, says his name is Alexander Macdonald, describes himself, we will say, as a joiner from Scotland. He is asked what sort of a job he wants out here—at joinery work or otherwise. He asks in return, ' What have you got?' And he will take anything. He will take a job digging drains, or he will take the presidency of the C.P.R., if that is available. Now that is what we Canadians like : a man who will take up anything. That man will start in and work with a shovel for a week or two. Then he will be off after something better ; and in a year or two you may find him running some big business of some kind of other." I have put down these words as I heard them, and would only add the general conclusion arrived at after a visit to Canada: that a Scotchman going out there must bring to bear all the industry and hard work which is in his power; but, besides this, he must retain every ounce of adaptability, resource, and receptivity to new ideas which may be in his composition. At any rate, in Canada, the man who has his share of these qualities does not seem to want for an opportunity of utilising them. " The qualities necessary in Canada," said an Ontario business man to me, " are health, industry, sobriety, and ' lots of ginger ! ' " The last phrase I thought rather a graphic one. I was not long in Canada, I may say, before I ran across men from Aberdeen; and the first old Grammar School boy whom I met was G. M. Wood, in the city of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Wood was at the Grammar School in the early 'eighties, and had many kindly recollections of his schoolmates of that time, and of the masters whom we both had known. He asked, I may say, particularly after Mr. Pope. Halifax is one of the chief seaports of eastern Canada, and its shipping interests, with which Wood is actively concerned, are of very great extent. For Halifax is an ice-free port, and when the St. Lawrence is closed by ice, as it is for several months during the winter, the stream of Atlantic traffic flows into the ports of Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and St. John, in New Brunswick. Halifax is the capital of Nova Scotia; and, as showing that Nova Scotia is really a " New Scotland," it may be added that the present Premier of the province is a Murray, the AttorneyGeneral a Maclean, the Secretary for Agriculture a Cumming, and the Mayor of Halifax a Chisholm. When you go from Halifax to Montreal you pass through what are called the " Eastern Townships," which embrace the English-speaking portion of the province of Quebec. F.

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Merrylees is, or was, located there. For the rest, the province of Quebec is French, and French, it is important to remember, is one of the official languages of the Dominion. CanadianFrench—one comes across it not only in the east of Canada, but also here and there on the prairies—is spoken with a less clear enunciation than European French, and is consequently rather hard to follow in ordinary conversation. But in any case, a knowledge, however indifferent, of the French language by no means comes amiss in Canada; it will be found handy on quite unexpected occasions, and there is no better way of getting really into touch with French-Canadians than by speaking their own language to them. The city of Montreal, which is the biggest commercial town in Canada, is very largely French. In Montreal, however, the big influential element is the English-speaking population. These belong very largely to the Presbyterian communion, and at the Presbyterian College of Montreal an important professorial post is occupied by a former dux of the Aberdeen Grammar School, Rev. A. R. Gordon. Toronto, the busy capital of Ontario, a city with 300,000 inhabitants, also contains a big old-country element. One of the first old Grammar School boys I met there by chance was one who has recently gone out, Leonard Smith. Smith is in the architectural department of the Canadian Bank of Commerce, and a very busy department, I should think, it must be. For the Bank of Commerce, along with all the other Canadian banks, is erecting new buildings at a phenomenal rate throughout Canada. In the West, in particular, where new towns are springing up every day, the bank buildings are generally the chief architectural features which the visitor notices in the streets. The Canadian banks, speaking generally, are full of Scotchmen, who hold all sorts of posts there from the highest downwards. The manager of the Bank of Commerce is an Aberdeenshire man ; and besides him there are in Toronto at least two old Grammar School boys who occupy very important positions in the banking world : James Brown, manager of the Bank of Montreal, and Robert Inglis, manager of the Bank of British North America. In Toronto, moreover, it is worth while remembering, is one of the most distinguished sons of the Aberdeen Grammar School—Sir W. Mortimer Clark, formerly Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of Ontario; while in the same city the Aberdeen firm of T. Ogilvie and Sons has a large Canadian branch, the name of Ogilvie being, needless to say, a well-known one amongst Grammar School F.P.'s. There are two Canadas—the East and the West, and they differ strikingly from one another in character and temperament. Once you get west of Lake Superior you are in a

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wholly new atmosphere. Life out there is breezier and more exuberant than it is in the east, and the westerner, metaphorically speaking, is a man with his hat on the back of his head. Men in the west have not yet settled down, as they have in our old country, to fixed occupations. They take up whatever work pays them best; and so it happens that a man who is following some particular calling one day may jump into some quite different work the day after. Opportunities in the west are so plentiful that to " throw up a job "—a serious step in our country—is there an everyday proceeding. So much is this the case that in the west a desire to strike out for oneself and an aptitude for doing so at the right time seems to be the surest secret of success. A man who, amongst many others, has thoroughly entered into the spirit of the Canadian west, is a former classmate of the writer's at the Grammar School, namely, Edward Legge. Legge is " located," as he doubtless would call it now, in Winnipeg, the capital of the prairie region, and is very much at home in that thriving city. Interested, as he always was, in sport, he is one of the leading golfers at the county club, which is situated on the banks of the Assinaboine River, some miles out of the town. Besides this, " Ned " is a supporter of base-ball, which, he declares I think rightly, to be the best of all games to watch. He can tell you about all the leading " pitchers," " catchers," and so on, and joins, doubtless, in the " rooting " which is the practice of baseball spectators—that is, the keeping up of a running fire of loud-voiced criticism directed mostly at individual players. Fine spectacle, however, as " ball game " is when played by expert professionals, I doubt very much if it is such good sport for amateur players, and particularly school players, as cricket. From Winnipeg the prairies stretch to the west for hundreds of miles till they come to an abrupt ending with the Rocky Mountains. Three big provinces are cut out of this territory, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, and all over them towns are springing up with great rapidity. They are lively, go-ahead places, every one of these prairie towns, and all of them invite the new-comer with the utmost confidence to " come and grow with us." Numbers of Grammar School boys are scattered over the prairies and all of them, I assume, are sharing in the great prosperity of that region. I see from a list of members of the F.P. Club that several have settled in the smaller places which are just in their infancy, so to speak, but which are likely to grow very rapidly ; while several are in one or other of the Canadian banks, all of which are pushing business in the north-west with the utmost enterprise. Nothing is more symptomatic of the confidence which Canadian capitalists have in the north-west than the manner in

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which the Canadian banks are extending their branches there, unless it be the enormous building of new lines by the three leading Canadian railway systems, the Canadian Pacific, the Grand Trunk, and the Canadian Northern. Railways are laid out there with what are called track-laying machines, that is to say, contrivances which put down sleepers and rails mechanically ; in favourable circumstances they can put down as much as a mile a day of new line. I notice from the list referred to that Robert Fleming, amongst other F.P.'s, is railway engineering in Canada. Garland C. Milne, I notice, is connected with the Canadian Pacific Irrigation Department in Southern Alberta. This department deals with one of the most interesting regions of the prairie country, the semi-arid portion of Alberta. This region is the northern end of the great dry belt of the North American continent, but it has the advantage of being furnished with several big rivers. So irrigation is called in to compensate for a scanty rainfall, and by means of great irrigation works carried out by the Canadian Pacific Railway and several land companies, vast areas of this dry belt have now been made available for cultivation. It is interesting to note that one of the leading irrigation engineers in America, who has had the management of some of the most important work of that kind in Alberta, is an Aberdeen man, namely, George Anderson. British Columbia, as regards topography and climate, is a very different country from the prairie provinces; but it has the same atmosphere of intense and rapid progress. Vancouver city is growing very fast, and it is not surprising that several Grammar School boys are to be found there sharing in the general prosperity. W. Rae, Jun., and Douglas Jamieson, for instance, are engaged in the finance and real estate business in that city. This is a class of business which has been very profitable of recent years all over the west, and is likely to continue profitable, though the present " boom " conditions must demand men with cool heads and dispassionate judgment. Such are some general impressions of Canada, and of what some Grammar School boys are doing there. The writer did not make his journey in search, so to speak, of Grammar School boys, but the frequency with which he came across them here and there, and the ready kindness of such as he met, encourage him in thinking that any former pupil of the Grammar School going to Canada to-day will find a hearty friend in any of the Old Boys who are there. Not that he will not experience the utmost friendliness at the hands of Canadians in general, but that by reason of the place where he had his schooling, he may count on a personal link with men in every station of life in nearly every part of the Dominion. W. M. ALEXANDER.

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The Museum. Recent additions :—From Mr. R. Hay Fenton-1-3 whiskered tern, 1-12 long-tailed duck, with down, 1-10 long-tailed tit, 1-4 and 1-4 sociable plover, 1-3 herring gull. The first four species are new to our collection, which now contains 1,410 eggs, of which 1,373 are British, including 367 clutches. and 195 species, or about half the species recognised as British. From Mrs. Beveridge—white crow, shot near Alford. From John Foster—large wasps' nest. The set of twenty Chinese paintings presented by Mr. Alex. Reid, A.M.I.C.E., illustrating an old love romance and dating from the Ming Dynasty, some 400 years ago, has been framed and hung in the Museum. From the Rev. R. Billington, Congo missionary27 articles as an addition to our present Congo loan collection..

The Library. Presented by the Editor, Rev. Alexander Warrack (F.P.)— Chambers's Dictionary of the Scottish Dialect.

School Football. ist XV. Matches. 14th October, 1911.—Versus Gordon's College.—That the interest in this fixture is not declining was evident from the large number of boys who visited the School grounds on this date. From start to finish the game was very keen, and play was not confined to any particular part of the field. Gordon's had a. heavier team than the School, with the result that the School forwards found great difficulty in letting the ball out to the backs. When the backs did get the ball, they frequently broke clear away, and Joss and Stewart had some splendid runs. During the first half Gordon's scored off a free-kick. Next half, the School played harder; and soon, after a tussle near the goal, Lyon scored a try, which Stewart converted. Some time later Gordon's got the lead again, one of the team securing the ball when thrown from touch. Soon, however, the School pressed down towards their opponents' goal. They were awarded a free-kick and scored. At time the scores were—School, 8 points ; Gordon's, 6 points. 14th October, 1911.—Fersus Gordon's College F.P.'s.—On the same date the School, with a team slightly changed, played Gordon's Former Pupils. The F.P.'s were much superior in weight, and althruch the School claimed a fair shale of the play, the

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though rather light, F.P.'s did most of the scoring. Ferguson, cleverly brought down played very well for the School at back, and however, in spite of his opponents. The F.P.'s scored quickly, 3. to points 29 by easily won all resistance, and School met with 'Shire.—The 1st 1911.—Versus 21st October, The game had match. this of beginning the at surprising success before the and field, the up kicked Joss scarcely begun, when converted. Soon 'Shire were aware, scored a try, which was not try, again unconafter, Farquhar broke away and scored another and play was kept verted. The 'Shire roused themselves now, 'Shire often got near the middle of the field. On their left the they again later little A there. try a scored length away, and at half-time before Just try. another scored and came down the field brought down another rush was made ; Ferguson, the School back, half-time the his man, who managed to score, however. After ball in the School forwards had more success in securing the sides. Two or scrums. Some splendid runs were stopped on both try-line. For three times the 'Shire were surrounded almost on the the ball was when scored, nearly once had Carroll the School, ball, and, the got Maxwell however, length, At kicked into touch. Among though tackled, managed to pass to Farquhar, who scored. None of the the School forwards, Smith played well throughout. in a draw, tries on either side were converted, and the game ended each team 9 points. 28th October, 1911.—Versus 2nd Grammar School F.P.'s.—The on School's first League fixture was played on the School grounds felt greatly, was Stewart and Joss of absence The date. above the away. and during the first half of the game the School seldom got F.P.'s Carroll once reached half-way, but was stopped. On the A right, Johnstone made several rushes, but scored only once. brought few minutes later Watson ran down the left. Ferguson scoring. him sharply to the ground, but could not prevent his field, Neither try was converted. The School now pressed up the stopped, was He down. quickly ran and ball the secured Knox but but managed to pass out, and a try was scored. Later, Watson again scored. Immediately after half-time the F.P.'s played hard, but never could score. Then Macleod sent the ball down the field, Play and the School followed, but did not get near the goal. became much more lively now, but no further score was added. Scores-2nd G.S. F.P.'s, 12 points; School, nil. 1st November, 1911.—Versus 'Varsity.—This match was played on Wednesday at 3.15. On this occasion the School again enjoyed their usual success, and were beaten by 23 points to nil. 11th November, 1911.—Versus 1st A.G.S.F.P.'s.—As soon as - the game started, the School attacked and almost scored, but after this they seldom got past centre. At half-time the scores were 19 points to nil for the F.P.'s. The second half was worse for the The absence of Stewart was keenly felt, School than the first. and although Ferguson played brilliantly at back, tackling with wonderful skill and pluck, the F.P.'s did practically as they pleased. It was not until about five minutes to time that the School got past centre. Joss secured the ball and scored, but Garbutt. failed to convert. An extra quarter of an hour was

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allowed, and the School seemed to have the best of the game for a time, but the only score was made by the F.P.'s. Scores-1st F.P.'s, 51 points; School, 3 points. 18th November, 1911.—Versus 2nd Queen's Cross.—The School turned out a strong team to face Queen's on this date. The game began briskly ; for Joss soon got the ball and ran up the field. He was tackled, but passed to Stewart, who raced along a clear field. Just before he reached the try-line, however, he was brought down. Play was kept in the Queen's half now, and after a time Smith succeeded in scoring. Lyon scored the second try during a tussle behind goal ; Simmers converted. Carroll, who had been watching his opportunity, nearly got past now, but M'Kenzie stopped him. He succeeded a few minutes later, however, and at half-time the School led by 11 points to nil. Queen's roused second half, but the School team was' in splendid form, and their opponents had no success. Joss broke away and scored soon after half-time. Before long, Stewart secured the ball and cleverly brought it down the right wing. Then he passed out, but the ball was missed. Just before time, Pigge managed to score on the left. Scores--School, 17 points ; 2nd Queen's Cross, nil. 25th November, 1911.—Versus 'Varsity Wanderers.—When the game opened, the School attempted to get the play into their opponents' half, but found this impossible. The 'Varsity were superior in weight and played vigorously, so that, although keen, the School had great difficulty in passing centre. Once or twice Stewart kicked up the field, but the ball was always returned. Johnston opened for the 'Varsity. Securing the ball, he tricked Elmslie at back and scored a try. At length Glegg kicked the ball up close to touch. Pigge quickly got it and ran up the field. At the try-line he was surrounded, and a scrum took place, but the 'Varsity got the ball away. A little later they again scored, Johnston and Cowie passing down the field. Before halftime a third try was scored, and the score stood 11 points to nil. Early in the second half Pigge injured his shoulder in tackling, and had to leave the field. The 'Varsity were not long in raising their score to 14 points, but the School now kept the ball well down. On the right, Carroll and Conner made several attempts to score. At length. Elmslie caught the ball, dribbled a short distance, then picked it up, and, racing down the left, managed to score. Some time later Stewart made a splendid attempt. He rushed through the 'Varsity and had almost scored before he was brought down. At time the score was unchanged—'Varsity Wanderers, 14 points ; School, 3 points. 2nd December, 1911.—Versus Gordon's College.—On this date the first League match was played against Gordon's, and additional interest was given to the game since the combined team to play Heriot's was to be chosen. The weather was ideal for football, but the pitch was a little too soft for fast play. At the start Gordon's pressed, and for some time the game was very close, the forwards on each side having plenty hard work. At length, Stewart, who was playing a splendid game for the School, broke away and scored. Milne took the kick but failed to convert. The School made now several clever runs, and were very unfortunate in not scoring again. For Gordon's, Lyon was playing brilliantly.

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In the second half the School claimed most of the play. Mackintosh, who was working hard at three-quarters, ran through and scored, but he did not convert. Booth replied by an excellent run, but nothing came of it. A third try was soon added ; from a freekick by Garbutt, R. Lyon secured the ball and scored. Stewart converted the try. The School were still pressing closely when the whistle blew. Scores—School, 11 points ; Gordon's, nil. 9th December, 1911.—Aberdeen Combined Schools XV. v. George Heriot's College.--This year the Edinburgh team travelled north to play a team composed of seven Gordon's and eight School players.. The Combined Schools team had had no opportunity of practising, Unfortunately, the but, on the whole, worked together well. weather was very wet, and after quarter of an hour's delay the The Schools played down game commenced on sodden ground. first half, and were fairly aggressive. Early in the game they frequently made off with the ball, but were always stopped before scoring. The Edinburgh team were playing steadily, and their They soon succeeded in smart passing won great admiration. getting the ball past Elmslie, and a try seemed certain, but Carroll rushed in and prevented a score. Soon after this, Booth took the ball down for the Schools, and Mitchell scored, but the try was not converted. Before long Mitchell again attempted, but was brought down near the goal. Just before half-time, Heriot's came They failed to score off a free-kick ; but a little up the field. later Cooper secured a try, and the score stood level. Next half, when playing down, Heriot's pressed hard, and the Schools had to defend. Stewart's tackling was splendid, and he often broke up the enemy's attack. Elmslio, too, was very careful and trustworthy at back ; one slip he made was saved by Carroll, who ran quickly back. It was not . long, however, before Heriot's again scored, and the try was converted. The ball soon came across to Carroll, who raced up the left till Heriot's kicked to touch. For some time now the game was confined to the right wing near Heriot's goal. Here Booth, backed by Mackintosh and Stewart, made frequent vain attempts to score. At length Heriot's broke away, and almost succeeded in scoring again. From now the play was kept near centre. The wet ground caused the forwards on both Scores— No further score was added. sides great trouble. Heriot's, 8 points ; Combined Schools, 3 points. 23rd December, 1911.—Verms 2nd Gordon's College F.P.'s.— This match was played at the School on hard, frosty ground. The School team was without Smith and Lyon, but throughout played a pressing game. Before very long Macleod had two marks quite near the F.P.'s goal, but nothing was scored. Soon the F.P.'s got the ball, and the forwards rushed down the right in a body. Ferguson was borne down, but Macleod kept the ball till the School forwards gathered round and the ball was sent up-field again. The F.P.'s were keen, however, and now came along the left. A score seemed certain, but Carroll and Joss came to the rescue. Joss caught up the ball and raced through the opposing team before they had recovered. The game now remained in the F.P.'s half, and Macleod nearly scored. At length the ball was kicked from a scrum ; Stewart caught it, and with a neat, leftfoot kick dropped it over the bar. After a little more play,

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Joss again secured the ball and raced up the left. Stewart followed, and when Joss was tackled he passed to Stewart, who scored The School were now awarded a free-kick ; Mackintosh easily. Campbell kicked well up, and the School forwards followed. M`Kenzie got the ball and scored. A good kick brought the ball down to our half, where it was kept for some time. At length the ball was kicked across to the right, and Carroll tried to get away but was surrounded. Soon, however, Stewart raced up the left and added another try. At half-time the School led by 22 points. The game was as hard in the second half. Milne and Mackintosh worked well among the forwards, but scoring was left to the backs. Early in the half the School carried the ball towards the goal, but the F.P. back, breaking through them, kicked away. The ball was quickly returned. Carroll made a determined effort to score, but had to kick back. He scored later. A free-kick added three more points, and Stewart had a difficult score on the extreme left ; his kick, considering his position, was brilliant although he did not convert. Only once did the F.P.'s really get away, when they scored a try, but failed to convert. Darkness was falling quickly, and the game became less accurate. The School threw away two easy free-kicks, but with little trouble kept well ahead. Scores—School, 34 points; Gordon's F.P.'s, 3 points. 6th January, 1912.—Versus 2nd 'Shire.—The weather on this date was very wet, and the game was delayed for nearly an hour. •On taking the field, both teams were short of the complete number ; the 'Shire gradually filled up, but the School played twelve men throughout. At the commencement the School pressed hard, and Joss soon scored a try. In spite of superior numbers, the 'Shire failed to keep the ball among themselves, and Carroll scored another try, which Mackintosh converted. At half-time the School led by 8 points to nil. For the first part of the second half the School still claimed the game. Early in the half Carroll scored again. Shortly afterwards a free-kick was awarded to the School, and Mackintosh scored neatly. The 'Shire now began to press, but they were too late ; the School defence was sound, and, in spite of hard play, the 'Shire were unable to open. Scores—School, 14 points ; 2nd 'Shire, nil. 13th January, 1912. — Versus 2nd Gordon's College Former Pupils.—This return match was played on the School grounds on a damp field. As usual, the School started vigorously ; the forwards worked steadily, and the backs frequently attempted to score. Macleod made two splendid attempts, but each time was prevented. At length, he passed quickly towards Joss, who caught the ball and scored. The game was continued in the Gordon's half. Soon Carroll received the ball, and, dodging cleverly down the right wing, scored. The referee now awarded the School a free-kick, by which Garbutt added three points. Garbutt took all the place-kicks during the game, and only twice failed to convert; his judgment was excellent. Before the whistle blew for half-time, Carroll scored another try. Next half Gordon's roused greatly ; in spite of hard work, the School found scoring slower. Frequently, too, Gordon's broke away, and but for Ferguson's care at back must have had several tries. For the School, Carroll at length succeeded in getting through and scored easily. There now

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followed another long period of equally-shared play. Milne once raced up the right, but was unable to score. At length Hunter passed the ball to Stewart, who pretended to pass further left, A little later, but suddenly ran across the try-line himself. Hunter, with his usual smartness, picked the ball from the scrum and again passed to Stewart, who without a moment's hesitation dropped the ball between the posts. The School still pressed, and Joss again scored on the left. But Gordon's now came down the field and kept play there for some time. Gradually, however, the ball was carried up again, in great measure through Smith and Milne. Gordon's quickly returned it, and at last, just before time, Sim broke through and scored a try, which was converted. Scores—School, 35 points; 2nd G.C. F.P.'s, 5 points. 20th January, 1912.—Versus 2nd School F.P.'s.—Owing to an alteration in the fixtures, this date was open, and a match was arranged with the 2nd F.P.'s. The teams were very even, and play was interesting during the whole game. It seemed at first as if the F.P.'s would have the best of it, but two dangerous runs were stopped by Joss. At length they did force their way towards the School goal ; Carroll, however, captured the ball, and, crossing to the left wing, raced quickly up-field before he was driven into touch. The game was now kept in the F.P.'s half for a little, but, although the School attacked again and again, they could not score. Conner worked very well on the right, while among the forwards Mackintosh and Milne were very busy. Once more the F.P.'s came down the field, and the School were unable to get the ball away. At length, however, Hunter caught it and kicked well up the pitch. Play remained here till half-time, when neither team had scored. In the early part of the second half, play was very similar to that of the first half, but soon the teams determined to open their scoring. Lyon " soccered " the ball down the middle of the field, but in vain. Once again, however, play was confined almost exclusively to the F.P.'s half. The F.P.'s made one attempt on the right; Ferguson kicked away the ball, but in doing so left back unprotected, and offered the F.P.'s an opportunity. The School forwards surrounded the ball, however, and Mackintosh kept a look-out behind. Macleod got the ball, and, taking it well down, passed to Stewart, who, in turn, passed to Joss. Joss ran smartly down and scored. The renewed efforts of the F.P.'s were useless; the School still pressed. Stewart soon came along the left again and kicked across. Milne seized the ball and scored easily. The F.P.'s now succeeded in bringing the game up the field, and after a short struggle scored on the right. None of the tries were converted, and the School led by three points. A " mark " gave an opportunity to wipe these off, but T. Maenzie failed to send the ball between the posts. At time the score stood— School, 6 points ; 2nd F. P.'s, 3 points. 2nd XV. Matches. 21st October, 1911.—Versus 2nd Gordon's College.—Both teams

were very equally matched, and neither side found scoring easy. At length Gordon's scored, and the try was converted ; but Petrie,

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for the School, soon got through, and scores were equal again, and remained so. Scores-2nd Gordon's, 5 points ; 2nd School, 5 points. 11th November, 1911.—Versus 2nd Gordon's College.—The two rival teams played this match at King's on very wet ground. Although play was not confined to either team, Gordon's were most successful during first half, and scored twice. Neither try was converted. During the second half the School kept the game in their opponents' ground. Glegg nearly got through twice ; then Hay succeeded in scoring. In a short time M`Kenzie scored, and just before time Glegg broke through and scored. Scores-2nd School, 9 points ; 2nd Gordon's, 6 points. 2nd December, 1911.—Versus 2nd Gordon's College.—For the third time within two months these teams met. On this occasion Gordon's had a very heavy team, and defied the School's opposition. The School were unable to score any try, but Farquhar made three points off a neat free-kick. Scores-2nd Gordon's, 11 points; 2nd School, 3 points. 3rd XV. Matches. 4th November, 1911.—Versus 3rd Gordon's College.—On the above date these two teams met at the School grounds. During the first half each side claimed an equal share of the play, and nothing was scored. Next half, however, the School got everything their own way, and scored quickly, Anderson and Hay getting through several times. Scores-3rd School, 29 points ; 3rd Gor. don's, nil. 23rd December, 1911.—Versus 3rd Gordon's College.—It was seen from the commencement of this game that the School team was superior. Gordon's put up a strong fight, however, and play was very hard. The School slowly raised their score, and by their sound defence prevented Gordon's scoring. Scores-3rd School, 20 points ; 3rd Gordon's, nil.

Minutes of Debating Society. 13th October, 1911.—The first meeting of the Society for the session was held on the above date in Room I. at 7 o'clock, when Mr. Alexander Mackie, M.A., delivered a lecture on " The Vicar of Wakefield." Mr. Middleton presided over a large attendance. At the outset, Mr. Mackie gave an account of the circumstances under which the book came to be published. He then went on to show the charm of Goldsmith's style and the general qualities of the novel. The lecturer from time to time gave readings, which were greatly enjoyed. The argument of the Squire with Moses on Church Tithes, the return of Moses from the fair, and the uselessness of learning Greek were all received with great applause. Votes of thanks ,to the lecturer and to Mr. Middleton, the Chairman, were both enthusiastically responded to. A " Hat Night " was afterwards held. The most interesting debates were : " Should school-boys be Territorials? " and " Should there be inter-school snorts? " The chief speakers were Messrs. Thomson, Pigge, and Rorie.

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20th October, 1.911.—This evening the Society met in Room I. at 7 o'clock, the business being " Impromptu Debates." Mr. J. Grant was in the chair. The debates were very good and spirited, and interest was sustained throughout the evening. The best were as follows : " Old-Age Pensions," " Vegetarianism„" " Have The chief dreams a meaning?" and " The Insurance Bill." speakers were Messrs. Patterson, Thomson, Troup, and Rorie. There were seventy members present. 27th October, 1911.—The Society met on the above evening to The "School Notes," the "Random criticize the Magazine. The Notes," and the sporting pages were all gently criticized. little criticism there was testified to the excellence of the Magazine. The different editors then answered their questioners, and all acquitted themselves extremely well. A " Hat Night " followed. The most notable debates were: " Should railways be nationalized? " and " Payment of members." Towards the close of the meeting Mr. V. O. Bisset took the chair. 3rd November, 1911.—On this evening the Society met in Room I. to listen to a debate between Mr. E. B. Boyd and Mr. A. It. D. M`Kenzie, entitled, " To which does Scotland owe most—Scott or Mr. Boyd, who Mr. J. Grant occupied the chair. Burns? " •spoke first, supported Scott. He said that Scott had made our .country illustrious through his writings, which had also a great He has supplied us with an extraeffect on Scottish history. ordinary amount of literature. In concluding, Mr. Boyd said that we could draw two great lessons from Scott's life, namely, his goodness and his patriotism. Mr. M`Kenzie then gave his paper in favour of Burns. He said that Burns had touched and elevated every branch of Scottish life. His patriotic songs had a great influence. He had made the Scottish dialect famous. The voting resulted in a win for Burns by 16 votes to 13. 10th November, 1911.—This evening the Society met in Room V. at 7 o'clock to hear a lecture from the Rev. D. Ritchie Key, entitled " Under the Southern Cross." There was a large attendance, presided over by Mr. Dawson, who introduced the lecturer. Mr. Key began by describing the approach to Australia, and giving some interesting details about the south coast. He then went up the east coast and gave us descriptions of the planning, industries, and buildings of the more important towns. We were shown excellent slides of Adelaide, Sydney, and Melbourne, also of the inhabitants. The lecturer at times was very humorous. Mr. Dawson called for a vote of thanks to Mr. Key, which was heartily accorded. A vote of thanks to Mr. Dawson finished the meeting. 17th November, 1911.—On the above evening the Society met in Room I. at 7 o'clock. Mr. J. Grant was in the chair. The business was " Papers " by Mr. V. O. Bisset and Mr. J. L. Irvine. Mr. Bisset gave a very interesting and humorous paper on " Popular Superstition." Mr. Irvine then delivered an inspiring discourse on the " Life, Works, and Character of Oliver Goldsmith." There was no criticism, and the members were thanked for their papers. Afterwards a " Hat Night " was held.

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24th November, 1911.—The Society met in Room I. on this evening at 7 o'clock. Mr. J. Grant was in the chair. The business was "Impromptu Debates." There were many good debates. " Is there likely to be a war with Germany? " was discussed enthusiastically. For the affirmative Mr. Charles Walker gave a capital speech. Other speakers for this subject were Messrs. Thomson and Rorie. " Have the suffragettes a right to be militant? " was kept up for some time. The chief speakers during the evening were Messrs. Thomson, Walker, Troup, and Rorie. There was considerable excitement for a short time, many of the members shouting for a " Sing-Song." No meetings of the Society were held on the 1st and 8th December, owing to the performances of the " Beauty and the Barge," which took place in the School Hall. 15th December, 1911.—On the above date the Rev. W. M. Grant, M.A., delivered a lecture on " Norway" in Room V. at 7 p.m. Mr. Munson was in the chair. In introducing the lecturer, he said that he had great pleasure in presiding for three reasons. Mr. Grant was a school-fellow of his own; he was a member of that class, two of which had been knighted that week ; and, besides, he was the father of one of the scholars. The lecturer commenced his subject by giving a very humorous description of the voyage across the North Sea. He showed many excellent slides of the wonderful scenery of Norway. He also described impressively the customs and manners of the people. The lecture was interesting throughout, and, combined with the humour of the lecturer, who told some amusing experiences, was greatly enjoyed by all. At the close, Mr. J. Grant, in a very neat speech, proposed a vote of thanks to the lecturer. Mr. Munson also thanked Mr. Grant. A vote of thanks was then accorded to Mr. Munson. A " Hat Night " was then held, and the debates were taken up in an enthusiastic manner, though, owing to the weather, the attendance was poor. 22nd December, 1911.—" Judicial Night" was held on this evening. On another page an account is given by Mr. F. M. Hone, one of the witnesses. 23rd December, 1911.—The " Sing-Song " was held on Saturday instead of Friday, but it was a great success in every way. Mr. J. Grant presided over a splendid attendance. Songs were given by Messrs. Newton, Mackintosh, and many others, while several choruses were also rendered. Mr. Boyd Finlayson gave some selections of his own composition on the piano. Mr. Charles Walker delighted the audience by his songs on the whistle. A special vote of thanks is due to Mr. Hyslop for playing the accompaniments. The meeting broke up at 9.30 p.m., when the members set out to serenade the masters. 12th January, 1912.—The Society met on this evening to hear a lecture on " America " by Mr. Middleton. Mr. H. R. Macdonald occupied the chair. The lecturer commenced by giving a description of the voyage from Liverpool to New York. He then described in a graphic manner New York with its " sky-scrapers," its neverceasing roar of traffic, and its busy citizens. He next gave us his

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journey to Denver, the great mining centre, with special allusions to the trains and their conductors. He told us many interesting and notable facts about this city. His frequent references to a certain class were much applauded. Mr. Macdonald called for a vote of thanks to Mr. Middleton, which was heartily accorded. A vote of thanks was then awarded to Mr. Macdonald for presiding. 19th January, 1912.—This evening the Society met in Room I. at 7 o'clock, with Mr. E. B. Boyd as Chairman. The first part of the business was a debate between Messrs. M`Bain and Patterson : " Is Queen Elizabeth's character worthy of admiration? " Mr. M`Bain supported the affirmative, and Mr. Patterson the negative. The former spoke first, and gave a splendid paper. Mr. Patterson then replied, and put forth some convincing arguments. The vote resulted in a win for Mr. M`Bain by 17 votes to 15. The second debate was one postponed from November, between Messrs. Grant and Alexander: " Does Britain treat India justly? " For the affirmative Mr. Grant gave a fine speech, and kept the audience interested for a considerable time. Mr. Alexander gave his paper for the negative. When the vote was taken, Mr. Grant won by During the remainder of the evening Mr. G. M. 15 to 12. Thomson delighted the meeting with an extempore speech on " Advertisements."

Annual Judicial Night. The Trial of Jim McGroggy. On the eve of the 22nd day of December, 1911, the unfortunate Jim M`Groggy was brought before " the beak," as he himself poetically expressed it, on a charge of burglary. It appears that on a wild night in November, while thunder and lightning raged in the murky gloom (thunder and lightning are the usual accompaniments of crime), M`Groggy had entered the hallowed abode of one Josias Stuggins, a staid (though by no means corsetted) member of the sect of Quakers or " Friends," and, having kissed the cook and then locked her in the flour-bin, had proceeded to gag the housemaid with a red-spotted handkerchief. This done, he ransacked the house for booty, and, entering the Quaker's chamber, he had lifted a gold timepiece, when several raucous snores rent the air, causing him to beat a hasty retreat. Perturbed in spirit, the erring James dashed for the back exit, all thoughts of plunder banished from his mind; but such is the force of habit that on his way he possessed himself of one umbrella (from the cloakroom), one box of tooth-picks (from the Quaker's sitting-room), and also one packet of hair-pins (from the servants' bedroom), which, it is to be supposed, he took home to his spouse. Such dark deeds cannot go unpunished, and M`Groggy's arrest was finally accomplished by the excellent and wholly desirable

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Inspector Flatfeet, who had happened to be serenading the cook on the night of the crime. Much interest was displayed in court on the evening of his trial. The awful solemnity of the judge was contrasted with the frivolous levity of the witnesses, while counsel for the prosecution and counsel for the defence became so enthusiastic that they could only be separated after the trial was over. The usher presented a very careworn countenance, and was only seen to smile when some peculiarly offensive insult was thrown at him by the witnesses. The affectionate regard with which he gazed at the prisoner's precocious daughter, Wee Sophonisba to wit, denotes, however, that he is essentially a family man with a strong affection for the little ones. The prisoner was dragged in by a couple of stalwart constables amid the hooting of the multitude, his unshaven and villainous appearance causing a shudder to run through the court. M`Groggy's appearance could not have been more calculated to prejudice the judicial mind: he had an unhealed wound over one eye, his nasal organ suggested alcohol, while his walk was the slouching and unsteady gait of a man influenced by deep emotion. The prisoner pleaded not guilty, and presently the usher introduced Josias Stuggins. Another shudder ran through the court, Josias not being beautiful in the eyes of the mob. The witness mounted the witness-box, and leered around in a manner hideous to behold. Unfortunately, he was able only to mumble indistinctly his wrongs, for he had been waitzing in the " waiting-room " with the fascinating Jane Anne Smut, his own cook. He may have been breathless, or perhaps he was suffering from palpitation of the heart! One of the principal witnesses was Moses Shave-the-Wind,* to whom M`Groggy had attempted to sell the gold watch, while other witnesses were—Jane Anne Smut (the cook), Abigail Spoozlespunk (the housemaid), Dr. Augustus D'Arcy (a notorious quack), Rev. Hang-the-Consequences (whose lamb-like and innocent expression provoked much admiration), and Porter O'Beary (a landlord who showed a decided inclination to stray from the point). When all these important personages had said their say, the jury retired to consider the verdict, and returned in about two seconds with the awful word " Guilty! " written on their faces. The judge imposed a sentence of fourteen years hard labour, with the option of a fine of 1/4. The option was gratefully received. The court dismissed amid great excitement, and the last sound which was heard on leaving was the smack of a kiss upon the blushing cheek of Jane Anne Smut. No need to ask the name of the perpetrator—you have guessed aright it was the usher! F. M. RORIE. * Our congratulations are due to Mr. G. M. Thomson for his excellent impersonation of this character, which displays an intimate and practical study of his subject.

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The Former Pupils' Club. The Aberdeen Dinner. The Annual Club Dinner was held in the Palace Hotel on the evening of Saturday, 4th November, Mr. Alexander Spence Macdonald, President of the Club, presiding. The attendance at the Dinner was the largest since the formation of the Club, the company numbering between ninety and a hundred. The special guests. of the evening were Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Alexander B. M`Hardy,. K.C.B., and Mr. Alexander Duffus, advocate, President of theOwing to the limited space available, it is Club for 1910-1911. impossible to give anything like a full account of the proceedings, but the report of Dr. Morland Simpson's speech is given fairly fully, as it contains much that will interest readers of the Magazine.. After the toast of " The King," Mr. Charles Davidson proposed "The Imperial Forces," and Colonel Sir Alexander M`Hardy responded. Mr. Thomas Ogilvie, Jun., proposed the toast of " TheCity of Aberdeen," which was replied to by Lord Provost Wilson. Professor William L. Davidson proposed "The Guests of the• Club," and Colonel Sir Alexander M`Hardy replied, giving some interesting reminiscences of his school-days. " The School " was proposed by Mr. R. Gordon Nicol, C.E. DR. MORLAND SIMPSON'S SPEECH. Dr. Simpson, when rising to respond, was cheered again and! again. He expressed the pleasure he had, as Rector of the School, The members, in attending the annual gathering of the Club. he claimed, were rightly proud of the School, which had during the last 650 years or more done so much good work in Aberdeen. As to the present condition of the School and its staff, they were in a thoroughly sound and flourishing condition. At the previous dinner he had had occasion to point out that the School numbers. had considerably increased, and he was glad to say they still showed a further upward tendency. Indeed, part of his work had been to try to find classrooms enough to put the pupils into. He had been obliged to form three new classes, and was looking forward shortly to an additional class to meet the increase. Noc for. twenty-seven years past had the numbers at the School been so great as at that moment. He thanked Mr. Nicol particularly for the kind references to the great honour conferred on him by the University of Aberdeen. That had been taken out of the field of purely personal pleasure by observing that the honour conferred on him had been appreciated by former pupils and friends of theSchool. Many proofs of this had reached him from all parts of the world, and for weeks after he had received the honour he had been kept very pleasantly busy in answering letters of congratulation. He looked upon the honour more particularly as a recognition of the famous old School over which he had the honour to preside. He congratulated the energetic Secretary of the Club, Mr. Milne, on having the largest gathering of its kind they had ever yet.

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had, at least in his memory, there being, he was informed, over ninety present. He took that as a good augury for the increase of the membership of the Club, which at the moment reached some 1,200. It was a very happy thought to have a School magazine issued in connection with the membership, and to the Grammar School Magazine he referred in highly complimentary terms, remarking that he knew of no magazine which so loyally and heartily looked after the interests of former pupils. Though he had been eighteen and a half years Rector of the School, he had never yet had the pleasure of enrolling the son of an Old Boy who had been .a pupil of his own. He had been noticing recently, however, that there had been a long list of marriages amongst the former pupils, so he thought there ought to be a very keen competition for the honour of enrolling the first of those pupils. THE ROLL OF OLD BOYS.

Dr. Simpson, continuing,• said one of the activities of the Club was a matter he had himself contemplated when some years ago he issued the records of the School in a volume. He had been hopeful of issuing a companion volume, including the names of all former pupils as far back as the registers could go. Through the enthusiasm of an old pupil, he thought that project was in a fair way to being realised. The Club benefited occasionally by the visits of former pupils, and recently one of them on a visit had eaid to him that if £50 would help to carry out the work of completing the proposed Roll of Old Boys, he would be most happy to give that amount. He had informed the gentleman that the work was in very skilful hands and on the highway to completion, and the gentleman had said that if the work could be brought out as .a companion to the previous volume he would give the amount mentioned. That evening just before leaving the house he had received a letter in which were the words, " Bis dat qui cito dat " —" He gives twice who gives quickly "—and enclosing a cheque for £50. THE BYRON STATUE.

Concluding, Dr. Simpson said it would be ungrateful for him to sit down without referring to that other scheme which had long been before the Club, and for which the Club had done so much in the way of having it accomplished—the Byron Statue. A year and a half hence the School would celebrate, as might seem best in the Club's wisdom, the fiftieth anniversary of the entry into the present School buildings-1863-1913. Partly for this reason, and partly because they thought it high time the Byron statue was up, a request had been made to the distinguished sculptor who had been entrusted with the work that he would have the statue completed by that time, and a promise to that effect had been given. He hoped that in the meantime the final one-third of the sum required would be wholly secured, for they had still a little of the sum to obtain, and he hoped it might be obtained through the efforts of the Club, which had done so much for the scheme. He thanked the members most heartily for the interest they retained in the old School, and hoped it would continue in the future as in the past to deserve their loyalty and to make them thoroughly proud of it.

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Mr. Edward W. Watt proposed "The Chairman," and the President of the Club responded. In the course of the evening songs were rendered by Mr. G. C. Fimister, Mr. Henry A. Davidson, and Mr. W. G. Craigen. Clever lightning sketches were given by Mr. J. H. N. Craigen, and dramatic sketches, illustrative of the methods of the late Mr. Charles Sleigh, one of the masters of the School, were given by Mr. J. W. Monro. A very pleasant evening was brought to a close by the company joining in singing " Auld Lang Syne."

The London Dinner. The Annual Dinner of the London Section of the Club was held in the Waldorf Hotel on 7th February. Sir David Ferrier acted as Chairman, and proposed the toast of the evening, " Prosperity to the Aberdeen Grammar School and Former Pupils' Club." SIR DAVID FERRIER'S SPEECH.

The following report of the Chairman's speech is reproduced from the " Aberdeen Free Press " :— Sir David said that as an old Grammar School boy in more senses than one he felt it a great compliment to have been invited to preside at the gathering. But however old they might be, and whatever position in life they might occupy, they all became boys again in fancy when they thought of their early school-days. In that respect they were bound together by a tie which was particularly strong among Aberdonians, who were regarded as the most clannish of the Scotch. He was transported back in fancy to the early days of the Crimean War, to 1854, when he entered the Grammar School—not the palatial building which he supposed was familiar to most of them, but the old building at the top of the Schoolhill. He had a vivid recollection of the His master was Beverley. dreary loneliness and misery of it. He was a very busy man, and, he believed, a very excellent scholar, but he had a very erroneous belief in the educational value of the cane. He wielded it too vigorously and too often for Sir David's peace of mind. Among those of his class-fellows who had passed away were Hugh Stirling, the brother of Sir James Stirling, and Jonathan Grant. Through all the years they were together at the Grammar School they were either first, second, or third in the class, and though they separated at the third and fourth years, at the Bursary Competition they were first, second, and third again. Another class-fellow was the late Dr. James Rodger, Aberdeen, and among those who survived one was Colonel Johnston, the genial chronicler of the graduates of Aberdeen, and a very able Assessor to the University Court. Besides Beverley, the other masters were Legge and Brebner. The Rector was Geddes, afterwards Sir William Geddes, Principal of the University of Aberdeen. What enthusiastic cheers were given when he was elected

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

Professor of Greek at the University. The removal of Geddes was very disastrous to the Grammar School, for he was succeeded by Mr. Evans, who was a very lax disciplinarian. Sir David did not think that he ever misspent a year so much as he did his fourth year at the Grammar School. The result was that when he went up to the Bursary Competition he was nowhere. This led to his going to the Gymnasium, where he came under the influence of Mr. Martin, who afterwards became Rector of the Grammar School. Under him he made up for lost time, and on the next occasion when he went to the Bursary Competition much to his astonishment he came out first. EveryThe subjects taught were almost entirely classical. That thing was made subservient to the Bursary Competition. They were exercised was the aim and end of their school life. specially in Latin prose compositions, and the version was the great thing. Their text-book was Melvin's Latin grammar, and He its very uncouth Latin rules they had to learn by heart. thought they learnt them as much by heart as Bunty's brother learnt his Shorter Catechism—without understanding them. But although they did not understand their meaning at the time, the rules had stood them in good stead, and he had never forgotten them. Though he learnt a great deal which was of use to him in after years, he often regretted the narrowness of the education. He was quite convinced in his own experience that a classical training was the best training for any occupation whatever. In conclusion, Sir David referred to the lack of facilities for games. Perhaps the cult of athletics in modern schools was carried too far, but its total neglect at the Old Grammar School was a mistake. Yet he still thought that his training at the Grammar School formed an important part of the training that helped him on his way in life, and it was with affection for the School that he asked them to drink the toast. Mr. Charles Watt, a member of the Aberdeen Executive of the Club, responded to the toast. In the course of his speech he referred to the progress of the Club, and to a proposal for the acquisition of a recreation ground. Other speeches followed, and altogether the gathering, if not so largely attended as it might have been, was a very happy one.

F.P. Hockey Club. BY A MEMBER.

The Former Pupils' Hockey Club was successfully launched at the beginning of the Season 1911-12, and if it has not yet won many laurels, its record is not one which a new club, with all its difficulties, has any need to be ashamed of. The difficulties included scarcity of players, for as there is no regular hockey at the School itself, the new men were for the most part beginners, while the older F.P. players in town had generally formed too strong ties with other clubs to join the new venture. Thus we had to begin our series of Northern District Championship matches with

SIR

DAVID

, i 2_

FERRIER.

(From pencil sketch by Mr. James .W'Bey, drawn at London Club Dinner on bath of menu card.)

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

117

several places still lacking permanent occupants, and also without practice. The want of practice was due to the impossibility of getting a pitch ; our matches are played on pitches in the public parks rented by the District Association for the purpose. A minor difficulty was that of colours, as it was not found easy to get a combination of the School red, white, and blue that was not too like the colours of other local clubs. Both the F. P. and the School Rugby colours were for this reason impossible, and the choice therefore fell on a harlequin navy-blue and white shirt, with a large School badge, navy-blue shorts and belt, and scarlet stockings. Owing to the impossibility of getting such a shirt " fast," this has since had to be altered to an all navy-blue shirt, with School badge and white collar, white shorts, with navyblue belt and scarlet stockings. The cap resembles the F. P. Rugby cap in being of navy-blue velvet with a silver tassel and white silk monogram (" A.G.S.") and season dates, but differs in having scarlet instead of silver braid ; the 2nd XI. cap, like the 2nd XV. cap, has a scarlet instead of a silver tassel, and also scarlet silk season dates, so that these may be retained without confusion on the cap being transformed into a 1st XI. cap by the changing of the tassel. The colours are worn by all members, but the caps are awarded by the Selection Committee for regular play in the 1st XL, but more sparingly in the 2nd XI. at present. The forward line of the 1st XI. has played a fast and often clever game in mid-field, but weakness in front of goal has kept them from getting full value for this. R. Forgan, at centre, has scored five of our twelve championship goals. At right-inside, J. S. Thomson, the 2nd XI. left-wing, played in the first two championship games till G. W. Rose was got for the position. J. T. Soutter and H. W. Cook each played right wing in one championship match, but the regular occupant of the place has been J. S. G. Collie, whose speed has twice allowed him fine individual goals. Before Christmas, J. Ewing and E. Main played regularly at left-wing and left-inside respectively, but on Main having to give up playing, Ewing was moved inside and J. S. Thomson brought in on the wing as a regular player. We have thus capped six forwards this season. A. J. Hawes has played a very clever game at centre-half, and fully deserved the position he was awarded as reserve half for the North in the first International Trial. G. Dawson, the Vice-Captain, has played a steady game at right-half, and J. S. Hastings has well filled the difficult left-half position since the third championship match, Collie and G. W. R. Stewart playing there in the first and second respectively. The two backs, A. G. Davidson, the Captain, at left, and H. Mortimer, at right, have undoubtedly formed the strongest line in the team throughout the season. They are thought by many to be the best pair in town, and their skill is at least equal to that of several players of greater reputation who were preferred by the selectors of the North team. The lack of a goalkeeper has, however, been a great drawback ; before Christmas, J. S. B. Forbes, 3 : S. Ogg, A. R. Melvin, and W. Main each played in one championship game, after which A. L. Thomson, who had been unable to play earlier, took up the position, though without any claims

118

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

to be a real goalkeeper. From this cause our " goal average " has been poorer than the rest of the defence merited. It is to be hoped that someone who has the qualification for this responsible place will be found before next season. This, and some more scoring power forward, is what the team needs, the mid-field play having already reached a high level. Our first championship match was played against Gordon's College F.P.'s (Duthie Park, Nov. 11), and resulted in a victory of 4-1 ; as both clubs have greatly improved since then, the return game should be a very keen one. In the next game (Duthie Park, Nov. 18) this score was exactly reversed by Bon-Accord, who are much stronger than they have been for several years. The game with Aberdeen (Duthie Park, Nov. 25) was said by the ' Gazette's " hockey critic to have been the " fastest and cleanest game seen locally for some years " ; the result was a 5-2 defeat for us. The first match with Fraserburgh had to be postponed. A defeat by 9-3 by the 'Varsity (King's College, Dec. 16) was no great discouragement, considering that that team has been unbeaten for several seasons, and had just defeated the Bon-Accord team (which beat us) by 12—0 ! Moreover, our three goals were the only ones scored against the 'Varsity before Christmas ; they were the result of individual efforts rather than of combination—Rose 1, Forgan 2. Our second match against Gordon's had to be postponed, and our first return game was against Bon-Accord (Stewart Park, Jan. A 4-2 defeat was very disappointing, as the game was 20). very even, and the score stood at 2-2 at a late stage. Our men were, if anything, superior to their opponents in the open, and the unfortunate finish must be attributed to weakness in our own goal and in front of theirs, but their third goal was from a The muchpenalty-corner awarded for " sticks " in the circle. improved Aberdeen team (Duthie Park, Jan. 27) beat us 5- 0 in the return game, the only match in which we have not scored. The first half was very even and mostly in mid-field, only one goal being scored. But in the second half the Aberdeen men wore able to take the offensive, and, this accomplished, were further favoured by the treacherous state of the pitch. It was certainly the least creditable display we had made for some time. Our match with Fraserburgh (Feb. 3) had to be again postponed owing to the weather. •

The Badminton Club. The first Annual General Meeting of the Club was held on 11th October, 1911. Mr. Alfred Smith, the Secretary, read the annual report, which showed that the Club was in a flourishing condition There were 67 members-32 ladies and 35 in every respect. gentlemen. Throughout the Season 1910-11, except for the fortnight about Christmas, the courts were well patronised. Several matches were played, and although the F.P.'s were unsuccessful in winning any of these, the results were most satisfactory and encouraging. The season ended with the Club in a sound financial position, having a balance of about £5. This winter everything is

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

being carried out on the same lines as before. The following are the office-bearers :— Captain—Mr. C. J. Davidson; Committee—Messrs. E. W. Watt, W. Mackintosh, and J. D. Cook ; Secretary and Treasurer— Mr. Alfred Smith ; Representative for the Scottish Badminton Union—Dr. James Crombie. The Club is fortunate in having as a member Dr. James Crombie, who is one of the best players in Scotland, and who does so much for Badminton in all quarters. In the local tournament last month the F.P.'s showed up very well, and in the recent tournament held in Edinburgh the F.P.'s were represented in the winning list by Dr. Crombie. In the Welsh tournament in the end of January, Dr. Crombie and Mr. C. J. Davidson showed their opponents that the " Grammar" could make a firm stand against most corners. In the Scotland v. Ireland match, also in January, Dr. Crombie proved himself a player to be reckoned with.

F.P. Rugby Football Club. 1st XV. Results. . . Sept. 25.—Drum Chapel . . . Oct. 7.—'Shire . . „ 21.—Queen's Cron... Nov. 11.—School . . . Dec. 2.—'Shire (League) . . 9.—'Varsity (League) . „ . „ 16.—Queen's Cross (League) . „ 23.—Gordon's College F.P.'s (L.) . . „ 30.—Greenock Wanderers . 1912. . . . Jan. 13.—'Shire (League) . . „ 20.—'Varsity (League) . . • „ 27.—Queen's Cross (League) . Snd XV. Results.

Points. For. Against.

... 8 ... 11 ... 6 51 ... 16 ... 0 ... 5 ... 13 ... 0

14 0 18 3 5 9 0 0 5

Won ... 28 ... 3 Lost Drawn ... 8

3 8 8

Lost Won Lost Won Won Lost Won Won Lost

Points. For. Against.

0 11 . . Oct. 21.—Gordon's College (League) . 0 12 . . . . . „ 28.—School (League) 0 3 Nov. 4.-2nd Gordon's College F.P.'s (League) . 8 6 . . „ 18.—'Varsity Wanderers (League) „ 25.—Practice. 0 . 0 . . . Dec. 2.-2nd 'Shire (League) 9.-1st Queen's—Queen's scratched. „ „ 16.-2nd Queen's (League)—Queen's scratched. „ 23.—Gordon's College—Gordon's scratched. 14 11 ..... . „ 30.-1st 'Shire . 1912. Jan. 6.-2nd G.C. F.P.'s—Gordon's did not turn up. 14 . 17 . „ 13.—Gordon's College (League) . 6 ..... 3 . . „ 0 . 13 . „ 27.-2nd Gordon's College F.P.'s . Played 9. Won 6. Drawn 1. Lost 2. Points in Junior League, 11—out of possible 14. Scores—For 79; Against 39. In League—For 49; Against 22.

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

Notes. The Magazine. Contributions from Old Boys, either in the form of articles or letters, are always most welcome, and should be sent to the Editor, through the Secretary of the Club. Many of the readers of the Magazine scattered all over the world must have met with experiences which would make excellent " copy." Probably they have never thought of relating these to their old school-fellows, but now that the Club is so firmly established and the circulation of the Magazine so wide, let them put pen to paper and record whatever they think would be read with interest. There should be no diffidence about this, for Old Boys always like to hear about each other's doings. The Membership. As will be seen from the lists published on another page, over one hundred new members have been enrolled since the last issue of the Magazine. The total membership is now well over 1,200, and it cannot have nearly reached the limit. A further increase would be greatly facilitated if members of the Club were to inform the Secretary of all old school-fellows who would be likely to join on receiving an invitation to do so. Annual Subscriptions. The Treasurer reports that there is a considerable number of members resident outside Aberdeen who have not yet paid their subscriptions (2/6) for the current year, which ends on 15th April. These members presumably have only to be reminded that their subscriptions are past due to ensure that they are sent to the Treasurer without delay and without causing him further trouble that should really be unnecessary. Country and foreign members may be reminded that subscriptions may be paid for a few years in advance, a plan which obviously saves trouble both to themselves and to the Treasurer. The Secretary would feel greatly obliged if members would notify him of any change in their address, as recently the magazines sent to several members who have paid their subscriptions have been returned. Although most of these members have been traced, this has taken some time to do. London members should pay their subscriptions to Mr. T. J. Wilson, C.A., 59 Old Bailey, E.C. Various Social Events. •The Dramatic Section deserves very hearty congratulations on the success that attended its performances of " Beauty and the Barge." So successful were the three performances originally arranged for that the play was, by special request, repeated on a fourth occasion. The performances of the Section have now reached Continueel on page 121.

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a very high level, and are looked forward to not only by members of the Club but by the general public of the city. Bridge Tournaments, open to members of the Club and their friends, were held in the Palace Hotel on 21st October and 9th December. Bridge Tournaments were also played with Gordon's College Former Pupils' Association in the Imperial Hotel on 18th November, and with the Innocents' Club in the Palace Hotel on 23rd January. The former match resulted in the first defeat by our rivals, who, it is hoped, will be met again in March, and the latter match resulted in a victory. The Annual Ball was held in the Music Hall Buildings on 26th December. It was very well attended, and as successful as usual.

Coming Events. The Annual " At Home " is to be held in the Palace Hotel on Tuesday, 27th February, at 8 p.m., when during the evening there

Excellent will be a Progressive Whist Tournament and Music. arrangements have been made to attract both older and younger members, and it is fully anticipated that the success attained last year will be repeated this year. In place of the Annual Concert, the Rugby Football Section of the Club is arranging, in conjunction with the Dramatic Section, to hold a Concert and Dramatic Performance in aid of its funds in the School Hall on 8th March. The Rugby Section has to pay a very heavy rest for the pitch at Mannofield, without which it could not exist, and the general members of the Club are asked to give their patronage to what will undoubtedly be a splendid entertainment. Let us hope that at no very distant date it may be possible, through the generosity of members, to provide a proper playing field for the School and for the athletic sections of the Club.

Situations for Old Boys. It is a pleasure to be able to state that through the influence of some members of the Club several Old Boys have recently obtained good situations. This is a branch of the Club's activities which the Executive desires particularly to encourage, and Old Boys who have or know of any vacancies should at once inform the Secretary, who is in a position to recommend either present or former pupils for almost any kind of employment, whether professional or commercial.

The Roll of Old Boys. The Editor of the Roll has been greatly encouraged by the announcement of further donations to the Scheme, and, in particular, by the sending of a cheque for £50 by an Old Boy who wishes to remain anonymous. While thanks are due to all who have already sent contributions, it may he mentioned that before the compiling and printing of the Roll are complete, a considerably larger sum of money than what is at present in hand will be required, so that other Old Boys who may feel disposed to give assistance need not restrain themselves.

122

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

Roll of Old Boys Scheme. The following additional subscriptions have been received, and further subscriptions will be most acceptable. They should be sent to Mr. James W. Milne, C.A., 46A Union Street, Aberdeen:— Anonymous . . . . . . . . £50 0 0 William Dunn, Mnrtle . . . . . . 1 1 0 Frank Cooper, King's Heath . . . . . 1 1 0 James M'Aldowie, Midlothian . . . . . 0 5 0 J. C. Richards, 15 Frithside Street, Fraserburgh . 0 5 0 Sir Wm. D. Gibbon, Birtley, Crescent Road, Bournemouth . . . . . . . 1 0 0 Alex. Duffus, 11 Queen's Gardens, Aberdeen . . 5 5 0 W. B. Allan, 5 Halkyn Avenue, Ullet Road, Liverpool 0 2 6

The Byron Statue. The following subscriptions have been received :-Principal W. S. Littlejohn . James M'Aldowie, Midlothian . George E. Scroggie, Canada . •

•

. . .

£2 0 0 10 2 2

0 0 0

List of New Members. Life Members. The following have become Life Members of the Club since the last issue of the Magazine :— Ernest A. Marr (1899-1903), Halgolla, Nawalapitiya, Ceylon. George Gordon Whyte, C.A. (1869-70), 4 Carden Terrace, Aberdeen. George James Robertson, M.B. (1865-67), 61 Queen's Road, Oldham. Alex. Souttar (1864-67), Ardenmead, Meads Road, Eastbourne. William Crombie (1874-78), 36 Morningfield Road, Aberdeen. George S. M. Milne (1901-11), 16 Rubislaw Den North, Aberdeen. William C. Milne (1900-04), 73 Forest Road, Aberdeen. John Young (1889-94), c/o Arthur Young & Co., Certified Public Accountants, Wall Street Exchange Buildings, New York, U.S.A. James Strachan, M.A., B.Sc. (1885-95), The Poplars, Grange Road, Darlington. Major-General Sir James Ronald Leslie Macdonald, K.C.I.E., C.B., LL.D. (1873-76), c/o Messrs. Grindlay, Groom & Co., 54 Parliament Street, London, S.W. George E. Scroggie (1901-05), Canadian Bank of Commerce, Dundas, Ontario, Canada. W. A. Henderson, C.A. (1879-90), 376 Finchley Road, London, N.W. Professor Alex. Findlay, D.Sc., Ph.D. (1882-91), The Edward Davies Chemical Laboratories, Aberystwith, Wales. Lieut.-Colonel David Macdonald Davidson (1880-82), I.M.S., Delhi, India. Continued on page 123.

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123

Ordinary Members. The following have become Ordinary Members of the Club since the last issue of the Magazine :— Donald M. Maclver, M.B. (1891.93), Petrusville, Cape Province, S. Africa. George T. Wright (1901-06), 123 Hamilton Place, Aberdeen. William A. Ogg, C.A. (1897.1900), Room 400, 55 Congress St., Boston, Mass. Hugh G. Stracban, M.A., B.L. (1882.87), 81 High Street, Nairn. Robert G. Wilson, Jun. (1885.91), 1811 Union Street, Aberdeen. Gordon J. Key (1900-11), 152 Hamilton Place, Aberdeen. Thomas O. Robson (1902.11), 46 Belgrave Terrace, Aberdeen. John H. Stephen, M.B. (1899.1900), Sunnyside, Stricken. J. Augustus Souttar (1877-82), Architect, 52 Bishopsgate, London, E.C. Robert R. Cook (1899-1908), The Birches, Milltimber. William S. Benton (1904-11), 178 Mid Stocket Road, Aberdeen. Ewan Ross Smith (1894-95), Thames Haven, Essex. Rev. Alex. Warrack, M.A. (1847.51), 2 Moreton Road, Oxford. Douglas Lyon (1900-11), 10 Carden Place, Aberdeen. Rev. Wm. Dunbar Dey, M.A., B.D. (1865-66), The Manse, Tomintoul. John Brodie (1906-11), 18 Polmuir Road, Aberdeen. William Stephen, M.A. (1896-99), 77 Saltoun Place, Fraserburgh. -Thomas Menzies (1905-10), 13 Springbank Terrace, Aberdeen. James E. Fowler, M.D. (1855-57), 73 Fountainhall Road, Aberdeen. James Stephen, M.A., M.D. (1861.65), Clifton House, Peterhead. Douglas S. Scott (1907-11), 3 Carden Terrace, Aberdeen. Wro. Elder Levie (1889- ?), 23 Market Street, Aberdeen Hugh Grant Adam (1907-08), 37 Church Street, Brechin. Rev. Wm. Walker Reid, M.A., B.D. (1889-90), 9 Louisville Ave., Aberdeen. Alex. G. Walker (1907-10), 16 Queen St., Woodside, Aberdeen. William Murray (1878-84), Ugieside, Undergoda, Ceylon. William Sinclair, M.B. (1872.77), 9 BonAccord Crescent, Aberdeen. George F. Durno (1909-11), 17 Stanley Street, Aberdeen. David G. Larg (1905-11), 22 Belgrave Terrace, Aberdeen. George T. Bruce, M.A. (1870.71), Kelliher, Saskatchewan. Canada. James R. Murray, M.B. (1895.1906),Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen. Walter S. Semple (1905.08), 24 Balmoral Place, Aberdeen. Alex. G. Tindall (1902-11), 157 Crown Street, Aberdeen. William C. Warrack (1898-1909), 108 King's Gate, Aberdeen. Patrick A. Cooper (1896-1901), 9 Rublelaw Den North, Aberdeen.

Robert W. Lyall Grant, M.A., LL.B. (1884-91), 5 Howe Street, Edinburgh. Robert Walker, M.A., LL.D. (1852-57), Tillydrone House, Aberdeen. Henry Laird (1882-85), 36 Belgrave Terrace, Aberdeen. Wm. J. Woodman Smith (1871-74), 1 Queen's Gardens, Aberdeen. William A. M`Robbie (1893-97), 32 Belgrave Terrace, Aberdeen. James E. H. Watt (1881-82), Homelands, 60 Highbury New Park, London, N. Patrick G. Margetts (1896-99), c/o J. S. Margetts, North of Scotland and Town & County Bank, The Square, Ellon. Arthur A. Williamson (1904-07), 20 Beaconsfield Place, Aberdeen. James Barnet (1863-66), 15 Dee Place, Aberdeen. Gray Hassell, M.D. (1874-76), Medical Superintendent, Porirua, Wellington, New Zealand. John Ledingham (1884.88), 40 Carlton Place, Aberdeen. Robert G. Gibson (1881.86), c/o The Neuk, Rodway Road, Roehampton, London, S.W. Alexander Lawrence. M.D. (1861.62), 26 Hough Green, Chester. Noel W. J. Miller (1906-11), 31 Brighton Place, Aberdeen. Alex. Ogilvie (1866-67), 119 Hamilton Pl., Aberdeen. George A. Smith (1888-91), Solicitor,. 147 Union Street, Aberdeen. Frederick Charles Wallace (1901-04), c/o The Northern Crown Bank, Head Office, Winnipeg, Canada. Herbert L Watson, B.Sc. (1895-1907), Bebington, Thorns, Lower The Cheshire. William Anderson (1907.10), 41 Braemar Place, Aberdeen. James Wilson (1903-08), 12 Urquhart Road, Aberdeen. George R. Laing, M.A. (1877-80), 202 George Street, Aberdeen. Royan Middleton (1898.1900), 28 Adelphi, Aberdeen. James R. Gray (1885.93), 371 Great Western Road, Aberdeen. Arthur P. Spark (1905-11), c/o 16 Union Terrace. Aberdeen. Charles A. Masson, M.A., M.B. (19001902), c/o Wideford. Peterhead. Robert P. Masson, M.A., LL.B. (19031904), c/o C. & P. II. Chalmers, Golden Square, Aberdeen. James A. Rhind (1902.04), 172 Mid Stocket Road, Aberdeen. Peter J. Rhind (1902-04), 172 Mid Stocket Road, Aberdeen. George Westland (1865-66), 3025 Hillegass Avenue, Berkeley, California. Chas. Mann, M.A. (1903-08), 102 Bonnymuir Place, Aberdeen. Thomas D. Macintosh (1904-11), 56 Elgin Street, Glasgow

124

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

Thomas G. Thomson (1894-1900), c/o Craigielea, Mannofleld, Aberdeen. Andrew Smith (1897-1905), Craigielea, Mannofield, Aberdeen. George Forbes (1902.04), 2 Roslin Place, A berden. Frank Cooper, R.N.R. (1867.70), Heathcote, Cambridge Rd., King's Heath. Archibald Young (1885. 5), clo Messrs. G. R. Alston & Co., Port of Spain, Trinidad. James M'Aldowie (1869-71), 3 Elms, Juniper Green, Midlothian. James Horne (1845-49), 203 Camden Rd., London, N.W. Fred. W. Hardie, M.A. (1903-05), 6 Buchan Road, Macduff. John D. Murray (1878.84), Kinkel) Ranch, Proctor, B.C. Chas. Cook (1846-48), Carden House, Carden Place, Aberdeen. Andrew A. Willox (1893-1900), c/o Messrs. Harrisons & Crosileld, Ltd., Kuala Lumpur, F.M.S. Walter A. Reid, Jun. (1897-1909), Woodbank, Pitfodels, Aberdeen. James D. Brown (1907.10), Burnside House, Westburn Road, Aberdeen. John Adam, M.A. (1862-64), Crown Prosecutor, High Court House, Madras, India.

Thomas S. Slessor, M.A., M.B. (1889-94), Glamis, Forfarshire. Edward G. Marr (1899.1901), c/o London and River Plate Bank, Monte Video. John Walker (1900-02), Mora, Kanabec Co., Minn., U.S.A. John F. Fraser (1879-83), Koliekanam Estate, Peermade, South India. James Murray Tomory (1883-85), Parklea, Helensburgh. Peter Tytler, M.D. (1863-66), 114 Cheetham Hill Road, Manchester. Charles Shirres (1864-69), 15 Bon-Accord Crescent, Aberdeen. David S. Cramond (1900.02), 45 Oakland Road, Dovercourt, Essex. Hugh B. M'Lean (1889-94), c/o J. R. Ford, R.M.D., Route 4, Courtright, Ontario, Canada. Alex. Craigmyle, M.A., M.D. (1862-67), Cluny, Manor Rd., Liscard, Cheshire. William C. Welsh (1895-96), 17 Dongola Road, Ayr. James S. Walker (1880.83), Ardoe, Torrington Road, Wallasey, Cheshire. A. E. Quin (1905-11), 3 Thornfield Road, West Park, Leeds. Charles A. Watson (1886.90), c/o Mrs. G. Watson, 138 Hamilton Place, Aberdeen. Leslie P. Shirres (1871-76), Rockside Hydropathic, Matlock.

Faulty Addresses. The following addresses having been found unsatisfactory, the Secretary will feel indebted to anyone,who may inform him what the correct addresses are :— Robert J. Arbon, 58 Barkston Gardens, Kensington South, London. Roy F. Bayspoole, 129 Balgray Hill, Springburn, Glasgow. James J. Brander, c/o Mundy, Leonard, & Co., 60 Mark Lane, London, E.C. J. Cooper Clark, Ladyhill House, Elgin. Alex. L. Hay, c/o Mrs. Davidson, Overlook, Bancbory. G. S. Johnston, 9 Prince of Wales Road, Hendon, London, N.W. John M`Pherson, 162 Skene Street West, Aberdeen. Alastair M. M`Leod, 1 Cairnfield Place, Aberdeen. Bernard E. Smyth, P.O. Box No. 1822, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. A. S. Stewart, 17 Devonshire Road, Aberdeen. Renton P. Walker, 7 Grove Road, Norwich.

TELEPHONE No. 1891.

ARCHIBALD MIELLAR, familp Grocer and Wine Merchant,

456 UNION STREET, WBERDEEN. * Excellent Value given in 2,'- Tea. English Bottled Fruits, in globe-shaped bottles, 1/- each. Glass Shapes, Chicken, Ham and Tongue, etc., etc., 1;6 each. Glasses Potted Grouse, 6d. each. Glasses Potted Wild Duck, 6d. each. White's Crystal Jellies, per pint packet, 31,d. each.

Medicinal Wines—Yibrona, Hall's, Wincarnis, Glendenning' s.

W. J. MILNE, batter, hosier, anb Zbirtmaker, 251 UNION STREET,

ABERDEEN. Slightly West of, but nearly Opposite, the Royal Northern Club. Telephone 1293.

Messrs. MORGAN, 11)botograpbic artists, /Miniature 'painters, an0 Makers of artistic frames. . . . .

393

UNION STREET, 11BERDEEN. Cp, ,:".7,,

Special Cerais to Grammar School Stuaegts.

10 A.M. TILL 5 P.M.

TELEPHONE No. 603.

WILLIAM RITCHIE, fruiterer,

Cori t, an Confectioner.

Magnificent Selection of Choice Fruits.

Confections of every descrifition. WREATHS, CROSSES, BOUQUETS Made up on the shortest of notice.

Note Address-

34 MARKET STREET, ABERDEEN. 'Phone 798.

SPECIAL PURCHASE OF

400 SUPERIOR FOUNTAIN PENS Fitted with 14 ct. Gold Nib and Pocket Clip Complete. Original Price, 5/- each; now offered at 2/6 each.

A. C. EDWARD, 21 St. Nicholas Street and 395 Union Street,. ABERDEEN. FOR

. .

Drawing Instruments and Materials, picture fframer anb R 9 Etat:A:3' Colourman, TAYLO SCHOOLHILL, ABERDEEN. Telephone 2870.

HIGH CLASS

Tobaccos, Cigars, and

Cigarettes.

" DIVAN " CIGARETTES

and MIXTURES

All kinds of Smokers' Requisites. Large Assortment of Walking Sticks.

478 UNION STREET. J. GEDDES, Proprietor. TELEPHONE 989.

Established over Half a Century.

TRAVELLING

REQUISITES.

GLADSTONE BAGS, l2S. and upwards. TRAVELLING TRUNKS, los. to 3os. Solid Leather PORTMANTEAUX. SCHOOL BAG BOOK STRAPS.

IMMENSE

SELECTION.

REPAIRS neatly executed by practical workmen on the premises.

GAUL & WILSON,

SADDLERY, TRUNK, AND PORTMANTEAU MANUFACTURERS,

BON-ACCORD STREET, ABERDEEN.

.M`C0MBIE'S CYCLE DEPOT,

467.

344 KING STREET,

ABERDEEN.

TO CYCLISTS.

A chance in a lifetime to secure one of these High-Grade Cycles, Ladies' or Gent's. All fitted with 3-Speed Gears, Oil Bath Gear Cases, Dunlop Tyres, and Brooks' Saddles. To be cleared out at cost rather than keep them through the winter. INSPECTION INVITED. Cycles Cleaned and Stored through the Winter.

Repairs and Accessories. including Tyres, at the very Lowest Prices.

Best Quality of DRUGS, etc., at Lowest Cash Price.

JAMES D. DUNCAN, M.P.S., Cbcmit3t, Pbarmacit3t,

231---UNION STREET

231

Telephone 311.

DAVID WYLLIE & SON (Established 1815).

" Fountain Pen Empor,iurn," 247 UNION STREET, ABERDEEN. EVERYONE WRITES—more or less: hardly a day passes without frequent occasions for it. Now, to write with any degree of comfort and rapidity, one wants a pen thoroughly suitable and always reliable. The "SWAN" Fountain Pen combines all the advantages of the perfected pen, with a reservoir of ink sufficient to write continuously for hours. Prices lo/6 and s6/6. Satisfaction guaranteed. Repairs speedily executed. Ink and other accessories. Fountain Pens by other makers also Telephone No. 402. stocked. Prices i/- upwards.

1-tome Beautiful (v LOOSE COVERS

UNIMPEACHABLE CUT AND FIT ARE A LEADING SPECIALITY

WATT BROTHERS. (ESTIMATES FREE.)

WATT BROTHERS, Furnishing & Decorating Specialists, 412

UNION STREET

(WEST).

M. GERARD, JEWELLER AND SILVERSMITH,

411 UNION STREET (WEST) Engagement and Wedding Rings. acweilerv of ereog teocription; ALSO

WATCHES, CLOCKS, SILVER AND ELECT KOPLAT'ED GOODS In Newest Designs, .and Large Selection to choose from. * Telephone 2533Y5.

ABERDEEN GRAMMAR SCHOOL. (Founded previous to 1256.) Rector— H. F. MORLAND SIMPSON, M.A. (Cantab.), LI.D., F.S.A. Scot. The School, which is one of the Secondary Public Schools of Scotland, provides for Boys at complete course of study—Elementary and Secondary, Classical and Modern. The Lower School receives Bbys of the Infant stage and upwards. The School contains excellent Laboratories—Chemical and Physical, Art Room, Workshop,. Botanical Garden, Gymnasium, Library, and Reading Room. The situation of the School is open and healthy, within ten minutes of the Railway Station. There is a Cricket Field, and there are separate Playgrounds for the various departments. Boarders are received by several of the Masters. Information as to Fees, Scholarships, etc., is given in the School Prospectus, which may he had free on application to the CLERK of the SCHOOL BOARD, 22 Union Terrace, or to the RECTOR_

ABERDEEN HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS. Head Master—JOHN M'BAIN, M.A. Lady Superintendent—Miss LUCY L. WARD, B.A. (Lond.) The School, which is one of the Secondary Public Schools of Scotland, is organised in ThreeDepartments —a Junior, an Intermediate, and a Secondary—the last combining Modern and University Sections. The Art and Music Departments are under highly qualified Masters and Governesses. Pupils are received from the age of Five Years. The recent additions, consisting of an elegant Hall, Cookery and Laundry Rooms, and a Suite of Laboratories of the most approved description for the teaching of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, make the School one of the best equipped in the country. A Library and Reading Room and Luncheon Rooms are provided. The School occupies a spacious site in the West End of the City, within twelve minutes of the Railway Station. The Lady Superintendent can arrange for the Boarding of Pupilit from a distance. Information as to Fees, Scholarships, etc., is given in the School Prospectus, which may be had free on application to the CLERK of the SCHOOL BOARD, 22 Union Terrace, or to the HEADMASTER.

PIANOFORTES, ETC. Upright and Horizontal Grand Pianos, by excellent makers, from £15 to £150 ; also Second-hand Pianos. Bargains may be had on 3 years' Instalment System. Kimball Organs, Panorma, Cramond and Ruddiman Violins, also Violas, 'Cellos, all of high-elass make and cheap. De Meglio and other Mandolins, Guitars, Banjos, Cornets. Violin Repairs, Strings, Sows, Bridges. Pianos Tuned, Exchanged, and Repaired. Teachers Supplied. AGENT for Skidmore's Bent Steel Fire-proof Safes, and Hobbs & Co.'s Fire- and Burglar-proof Steel Safes, Doors, and Looks; Makers to the King, and Bank of England, etc.

JOHN G. MORISON, 48 Netherkirkgate. Jewellers' Windows are always Interesting ! Please have a look at mine. If you are contemplating a Purchase I can suit you well. As regards Quality and Price, everything first-class and keen cut.

FREDK.

LAWSON,

the Casb 3cweller,

7 ± 0SE

S T

We specialise in Repair Work.

Tel. No. 2523Y2.

FRED HARDIE, Vbotograpbic Artist,

L16 UNION ST., RBERDEEN, For every style of In- and Out-door Group, Composite Groups, and General Portraiture, etc., Telephone 851.

At Popular Prices.

PIANOFORTES. STEINWAY. STEINWAY. STEINWAY. BECHSTEIN, BECHSTEIN. BECHSTEIN. BRINSMEAD " ANGELUS,""Piano and Piano Player combined." Sole Importers for Scotland—

PATERSON & SONS, Music Sellers, 116 UNION STREET. ABERDEEN.

" BE PREPARED." Anything and

Scouts'

Everything the Boy Scout

Uniform

requires.

and Complete List on

Equipment.

Application.

BUILDINGS, R. K. SMITH, 113THEto 119KING'S Union St., ABERDEEN. Telephone No. 677.

Telegrams—"Clothing, Aberdeen."

JOHN A. DUNN'S New Spring Styles in Footwear for Ladies and Gent.'s, Boys and Girls. Patterns and Styles specially suitable for Town and Country wear. Light and heavy makes of Boots and Shoes in Black and Tan Leathers. All Prices. •

Boots and Shoes Made to Measure, Splendid Pit Guaranteed. . •

We do repairing, either with Leather, Rubber, or Gutta Percha. --~c~.b'v--LETTER ORDERS HAVE PROMPT ATTENTION.

26 & 175 UNION STREET, ABERDEEN. TELEPHONE No. 158.