AGS Magazine February 1914

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H61 'Ativatibad

Z .°N "ILAN 'tOA

Educational Books.

JAMES G. BISSET ONTINUES to supply at' the Class Books (New or Second-hand) suited for the Requirements of the Higher Educational Institutions in the City, at the Lowest Prices.

C

N.B.—BEST VALUE IN STUDENTS' NOTE BOOKS.

JAMES G. BISSET, Classical, feebteal, ant) Ebscational Zookseller,

85 BROAD STREET (Opposite Sterisohal College).

J. & A. MARK. »' Pianos. Organs. Gramophones.

Violins. Mandolines. Melodeons.

Cornets. Bugles. Autoharps. Banjoes.

Concertinas. Flutes. Piccolos.

Music. Music Rolls and Portfolios.

Strings, and all Musical Fittings and Repairs.

Best and Keenest In the Trade.

J. & A. MARR, 58-60 ST. NICHOLAS STREET, ABERDEEN. Telephone No. 89.

ENGAGEMENT RINGS. Finest Quality Diamonds.

£65

£85

A. & J. SMITH,

Rings of JEWELLERS, SILVERSMITHS, every WATCHMAKERS, OPTICIANS description 191 UNION STREET, AND from £1 to £100. 23 AND 25 ST. NICHOLAS STREET. ABERDEEN.

Selections sent on Approval at our risk.

THE

SHOP

FOR

Fruit, Chocolates, and Sweets 0

ttf jta V 1 t

.._

'

'

U)

I

:B . HERE PO P BEACH CARS

BEACH

m 0

cc -

Z 0 Z D 4 w

)

Where the Beach Cars start from.

ELLIS & NI‘HARDY3 18 REGENT QUAY & 130! UNION STREET.

I

Importers of Household and Steam Coals.

IL lir,

Telephone 2889.

l,y Crtoirri

rrrd

Arprrirrrrol

/),' E' r .

Patronise() by 'Royalty)

for over twenty clears.

SPICER & KIDD, HAIR SPECIALISTS,

%able's' ant Oentlemen's lbiob.class lbairbressers anb Perfumers, 10 BRIDGE STREET, AND PALACE HOTEL, 7XESERDEE •

N.

The Largest Ladies' Saloons in Scotland.

Face Massage—French and American Methods. and Manicure.

Telephone No. 2995.

Electrolysis, Chiropody,

1Y

DINE AT • . .

APPOINTMENT.

The Royal Athenaeum Restaurant and Grill Room

(OPPOSITE TOWN HOUSE).

'a/d.

THE PREMIER DINING HALL IN THE CITY.

)?cttronised by the elite of the Gown ck County.

— . -CHOICE SELECTION OF

OLD VINTAGE CHAMPAGNES AND OTHER WINES. HIGH-CLASS PURE HIGHLAND POT-STILL WHISKY. Tel. No. 2273.

John Mitchell, Proprietor.

Established 18S9.

Telephone 1750.

FOR

MILK and CREAM, BUTTER, EGGS, TEA CAKES, SCONES, & OATCAKES, TRY -_--

FI

DAIRY,

457 UNION STREET, & BRANCHES, ABERDEEN;

Also, THE SQUARE. CULTS. Established over a Century.

DAVIDSON BROTHERS, Cabinetmakers ant) lapbolacrere, CARPET WAREHOUSEMEN,

Removal Contractors & Complete House Furnishers,

131; UNION STREET, ABERDEEN. Works-45 and 47 CHAPEL STREET.

,

r l i'SW".

1~ 1,0111611. 110Wt/S4

11111SWOWS•iirsi

PURVEYORS TO

BY

HIS MAJESTY.

APPOINTMENt

The Unprecedented Demand for our

•. s ;

'DUX'OAT HAS MADE AN EXTENSION OF THIS DEPARTMENT ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. Our Increased Facilities will Ensure Prompt Attention to all Orders.

•

l i

sis4i4s4midrisisinowt,:a.

SIGNS.

soliAll,• 11.411114.

Established 1893.

4.4.e.-.1

LETTERING.

CHARLES F. BENZIES, ENGRAVER,

DESIGNER,

AND

DRAUGHTSMAN,

15 Correction :Wynd, ABERDEEN. Artistic Productions of BRASS PLATES for all Trades and Professions.

Door Plates, Office Plates, Window Plates, Monumental Church Brasses. liaised Letter Work, and all classes of Metal Signs.

STENCIL PLATES, Stencil Inks and Stencil Brushes, Swing Signs, Iron Enamelled Signs, Iron Brands, Steel Punches, Seals, Lever Embossing Presses and Dies.

INSCRIPTIONS and MONOGRAMS on Gold, Silver, and Ivory, etc.

LETTERING for Windows, Doors, Fanlights, in Gold, White Enamelled Copper, etc., supplieil and fixed RUBBER STAMPS, Inks and Pads. Name Stamps specially made for marking Linen.

ESTIMATES GIVEN.

W. & J. HAY, Wine !fnercbant6,

199

UNION

STREET.

Cigar Importers and Cigarette Specialists.

Telephone 2274.

a serious weapon.

a B.S.A. Air Rifle Not a toy, but LEARN TO SHOOT with (Guaranteed accurate up to 50 yards.) Made in various Weights tok

and Bores.

" Junior" Model, for Boys and Ladies, 40/- ea( h.

Heavy Model for Adults, 45/- and 50/- each.

Ammunition, No. 1 Bore, 1/3 per 100.

Accurate .22 Rifles (for 50 and 100 yards) 10/6.

Inspection Invited.

Catalogues Free.

Intending Purchasers can Shoot Rifles on our Underground Rifle Range in Aberdeen.

-

ALEXANDER MARTIN, Gunmaker, Tel. No. 480.

4

128 UNION STREET, ABERDEEN. Agents for the Ariel, Rover, Any other and Hazlewood. make supplied at Liberal Discounts.

a

Repairs a speciality by experienced Cycle and Motor Mechanics at Moderate Charges, -

GEORGE BRUCE & SONS,

(Pereonal attention given.)

_

Holburn Motor and Cycle Works,

18 II.OLBIJRN STREET.

1;ADAta: AND WORKS—I

leph, one N,o. 1524.

ALFORD LANE.

Get your Photographic Requirements at

D. SOUTER ALLAN'S PHARMACY, Holburn\ 35 Holburn Street (Near J9 Junction

Photographic Departmeht.

A Large Stock of Cameras, Plates, Films, Papers, & Accessories.

DepOt for

Kodaks and Kodak Supplies.

Developing and Printing executed by an Expert and delivered. in 24

hours.

For really reliable Indiarubber and Waterproof Goods, try the Actual Makers, •

Campbell & Company, 18 Bridge St., ABERDEEN. Telephone No. 157.

Natal).

1878.

Telegrams : " RuBBER."

Established

1847.

tocian'

Zatoomi,

349 Union Street, Aberdeen.

PIANOS and OROANS.—A Large and Varied Selection of the Best Models always on hand.

An Inspection Invited.

Cash or Instalments.

MUSIC.—Up-to-date Music of all kinds always on hand.

Examination and Educational a Speciality.

Any kind of Music sent on approbation. Music specially ordered delivered in Three days.

MISCELLANEOUS.—Violins, Bagpipes, Mandolins, Strings, and all Musical Accessories of the Best Quality.

OEO. T. CANTLAY, Proprietor.

CONTENTS. PORTRAITS OF MESSRS. LESLIE MILLER, W M. M. HENRY, AND J. MACKENZIE FORBES PORTRAIT OF THE HIGHEST CLASS IN 1876-77

PORTRAIT • OF THE RT. HON. ROBERT MUNRO, K.C., M.P.

SCHOOL NOTES

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RANDOM NOTES -

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Frontispiece Facing p. 85 „ 132

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OUR CONTEMPORARIES NOTES ABOUT OLD BOYS CULBLEEN

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PROPOSED PLAYING FIELD FOR THE SCHOOL "ALL-ROUND TROPHY" FOR THE SCHOOL

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RECOLLECTIONS OF THE EARLY 'NINETIES SOME IMPRESSIONS OF SWEDEN THE LATIN " VERSION "

" DEBATER " NOTES .JUDICIAL NIGHT

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SCHOOL FOOTBALL

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THE FORMER PUPILS' CLUB

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73 76 78 i9 91 92 96 101 106

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118 121 123 128

BREAKFASTS, LUNCHEONS,

WEST END eAPE,

CONCERTS, DANCES, and AT HOMES

TEAS,

LIMITED,

Purveyed in Cale.

DINNERS, Finest in City.

Prices

Moderate. Everything First-Class.

SWIFT .

CYCLES. a S

O w

.

V)

-z

-zw

U

BILLIARD ROOM, and SMOKE ROOM.

TELEPHONE 2309.

BON-ACCORD CYCLES. • •

THE

CITY

CYCLE CO.

,

• I

td

• I

WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED (111--1

BON-ACCORD CYCLE CO. 62 BRIDGE STREET.

SPARKBROOK CYCLES.

DRAWING-ROOM,

154 UNION STREET.

Cycles from £3 15s.

• g zs

•adoCD I: fD

2o tom 2

ENFIELD CYCLES.

NEAT. CHEAP. QUICK.

Printing.

ESTIMATES GIVEN.

**

THE CENTRAL PRESS (John Milne), GENERAL

PRINTER, LITHOGRAPHER, AND STATIONER,

61 BELMONT STREET, ABERDEEN. Telephone No. 809.

Telephone

431.

B0W1V1141\1 & SON, 'Picture iframers, 187 UNION STREET, AND

79 HOLBURN STREET.

The Ideal Schoolboy's Watch : 5/- "THE ENIGMA" 5/In Oxydised and Nickel Cases.

To be had from THE

City Goldsmiths' Co.I 98 Union Street, ABERDEEN. Will be sent to any Address on receipt of P.O. for 5/6.

A large selection of Wristlet Watches also kept in stock.

V The

Rosemount Press SUPPLY EVERY DESCRIPTION OF

LETTERPRESS AND :: LITHOGRAPHIC ::

PRINTING On the Most Reasonable Terms.

ESTIMATES ON APPLICATION.

Farmers' Hall Lane, Aberdeen.

Telephone No. 1035.

"To shorten time is to lengthen life."

THE GAZETTE FOUNTAIN PEN

ought to be one of the most cherished possessions of every student. It will materially aid him in his studies, will make writing a pleasure, and will tend to increase his leisure for recreation.

It is well worth Half-a-Sovereign, and only costs

HALF—A—CROWN, With 14-carat Gold Instructions.

Nib, in box with

Filler and

STILOS, with Gold Spring Needle, 3s. 6d. = 5s. 6d.

POST FOUNTAIN PEN, Filling for a day or a week.

As easy as dipping once

Secilre one now at the

"GAZETTE" OFFICE, UNION STREET, ABERDEEN.

S

MR. C. R. LESLIE MILLER.

k*

•

MR. WILLIAM M. HENRY.

MR. J. MACKENZIE FORBES.

Orammar &1-)oot Maga3ine.

Vol. XVII.

FEBRUARY, 1914.

No. 2.

+1l►

Once more, now that we have left the old year behind and are fast hastening forward in the new, we venture to send out our Magazine to Grammar School boys, past and present, in every quarter of the globe, to convey to them our wish that they may enjoy all good fortune during this year; and we feel sure that all our readers will join with us in expressing the fervent hope that another year of growth and prosperity may be added to the long life of our old School.

With this number we •reproduce photographs of Mr. Miller, our drawing master, and of Mr. Henry and Mr. Forbes, who joined the School staff in October. We are greatly indebted to them all for very kindly lending us their photographs for the occasion.

Mr. William M. Henry was educated at the Central School, Aberdeen, and graduated in Arts at Aberdeen University. He has since been teaching at Inverurie Academy and then at Grangemouth High School. Mr. Henry is also a first-rate cricketer, tennis-player, and musician.

74

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

Mr. John Mackenzie Forbes is a former pupil of Gordon's, College. After leaving school he was a pupil teacher forsome time, and then passed through the Normal Training College, after which he was a teacher at Lossiemouth. He returned and graduated M.A. at Aberdeen, and has since taught at Johnshaven and at Victoria Road School, Torry.

He is an excellent golfer and singer, gaining while at Lossiemouth a gold medal for singing. .7.

7.

It is with great pleasure that we welcome Mr. Henry and Mr. Forbes to the School, and wish them every success while with us.

The Christmas holidays, which form so pleasant a break in the middle of the School year, are long past, but still fresh in our memories. They passed off with all their usual accompaniments, and also the unusual one of Christmas weather, for part of the time. There was a spell of hard frost and snow, during which sledging was the favourite pastime, but unfortunately there was no skating, at least not out-of-doors.

6;3

With the new year comes the prospect of examinations.

In a month's time the Leaving Certificate Examinations will be upon us, followed by the University Preliminaries. As the School's reputation has always been very high in these examinations, we trust that everyone is going to do his best, as well for the sake of the School as for his own. Finally, to Classes VI. and V. comes the Bursary Competition. Both classes are determined to do well and uphold the School's reputation; and may their efforts be crowned with success!

The School Football Team is to be congratulated on its excellent performance this season. The Sports Editor informs us that out of the eight League matches already played, seven have been won and one drawn. The School now heads the League with several points in hand, and there is every expectation of their remaining in this position and coming out Junior Champions again this year.

The Debating Society has had a very sucePssful season, thanks to its enthusiastic President, energetic and hardworking Secretary, and the other office-bearers. Several very good lectures have been delivered, and others are to follow.

A grand finale has been arranged, in the form of an enter-

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

75

tainment containing a farce entitled " Chiselling," to be acted by members of the Society.

The performers are diligently rehearsing, and the entertainment has been fixed for 6th March.

The Annual " Judicial Night " was held on 5th December in Room I., attended by a large audience. This year a German spy was tried before Mr. R. Forgan, who ably occupied the position of judge, his final summing up being a masterpiece of eloquence. All the witnesses were very good; perhaps the best were Messrs. I. McBain, and R. I. Maxwell.

Full particulars of the trial will be found elsewhere.

On 19th December the Debating Society held its Christmas " Sing-Song," with Mr. I. McBain in the chair. The attendance was not so large as usual owing to counterattractions. Those who were there, however, joined heartily in the choruses. The chief soloists were Messrs. Hendry and Robson.

Mr. Hyslop very kindly consented to play the piano, which he did with his usual skill. After the meeting a large number went round to serenade some of the masters, and did so with great vigour.

The Golf Match against the masters was played in October, and resulted in the almost complete annihilation of the pupils, who won only two matches against the masters' ten. The new masters have strengthened the masters' team considerably, each accounting for his mah. Woeful are the hearts of the pupils. Still, better luck next year !

0 The Former Pupils' Club has lately added another to its many acts of generosity to the School by presenting to it a silver trophy, to be held by the best all-round pupil of each year—the boy who is best in the work, games, and social life of the School. An illustration of the trophy and the rules with regard to it will be found on another page. The School cannot be too grateful to the Former Pupils' Club for this generous gift, and on behalf of the School we express our warmest gratitude to the donors of the trophy.

76

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

Random Notes.

Thank you! Same to you! (As a result of an overdose of Homer, we suffered from nightmare last night, and woke up with these words on our lips. Having nothing better to begin with, we decided to begin with them.)

The members of the School returned, after the Christmas holidays, with renewed zest, to the twelve weeks' hard labour which lay before them. It was unfortunate that some, including, we regret to say, four members of the Sixth, and the School's best boxer, failed to turn up till ten o'clock. We understand that they wished to show their belief in the proverb: " Procrastination is the politeness of princes."

We noticed a curious fact while the snow lay on the ground. It is, of course, well known that nobody ever dreams of cycling in the School grounds. It is forbidden.

On the occasion we speak of, we saw distinctly the marks of the wheels of some dozen bicycles crossing the field, but not a footprint beside them. What can be the explanation of this strange phenomenon, we know not. (N.B.—We should like to state that we are not a Boy Scout.)

Clank—clank--clank Goes the sound of that oil-less crane, Chip—chip—chip Go chisel and hammer twain.

We refer, of course, to the pandemonium caused by the hired gangs engaged on the School extension. From nine till four this din goes steadily on. There is, it is true, a half-hour's respite while the gentlemen partake of their sumptuous repast at mid-day, but even during this time, we are reminded of their presence by the scraps of their conversation which flow in at the window, or by the champing of many jaws. " A purse, containing some disused railway tickets, two foreign coins, and one farthing sterling, has been found in the grounds. If anyone has lost such, will he please come forward? " Such was the announcement which fell upon our startled ears one morning last November. Can it be that we have a miser in the School? We wonder if this is the gentleman who paid for admission to " Judicial Night " with a Canadian five-cent piece instead of a threepenny bit?

A most lamentable incident occurred some weeks ago. At about 3.45 one afternoon, while all the classes were engaged in study, the lights in several of the upstairs classrooms

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

77

suddenly went out. The seniors, hardened by many a conflict with man and beast, bore it with characteristic fortitude; but not so the lower classes. In one room, we believe, there was almost a panic. Many thought that the end of the world was at hand. One would have imagined that they were playing bridge, so expectantly did they await the last trump.

Business in the library that afternoon was carried on By a dwindling vesta's misty light, And a bike lamp dimly burning.

Some weeks ago we attended a lecture on " How Birds can help Scouts." In case some of our readers were not present, we pass on two pieces of information we gained there. The first is that a certain bird lines its nest with sheep's feathers! This is most interesting. The second is the schoolboy's definition of a cuckoo as " a lazy bird that does not lay its own eggs " ! We would not mention this but for the fact that several people who were at the lecture have not yet perceived wherein this statement is at fault. This reminds us of a story we once heard. An old lady, having missed some valuable fruit, was questioning her gardener on the subject. He suggested that the birds might have taken the fruit. To which the lady indignantly replied, " More likely two-legged birds, I'm thinking."

The Editors beg to acknowledge, with thanks, the receipt of the following contributions, which have been found in the Editors' Box:1 split pea.

4 granite chips.

1 broken biscuit.

1 piece yellow chalk.

1 bad penny. (They have not yet succeeded in disposing of this.)

1 woollen glove.

1 crocus " corm." (We believe this is the technical term.)

1 map of London (9 marks).

The following poem (sic):— Miya, Sama, miya sama, On' ma no maye ni Pira Pira suru no wa Nan gia na Toko tonyare tonyare na.

(No prize for solution.)

GEMS OF TRANSLATION FROM VARIOUS SOURCES.

" Tene ferunt geminos pressio.se tenaciter angues."— " Boldly they carry the twin lambs to perish."

(This by a member of the Sixth !)

78

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

" Lyra aurata."--" A brazen liar." " Il eut beau analyser."—" It was fine to analyse."

(For the benefit of the " mathematicians " we may add that the real meaning is, " In vain did he describe.")

We have heard— That a certain class does not like Roman History.

That the Sixth and Fifth have decided to wear rubber heels.

That the same two classes made New Year resolutions, viz: (1) Silence is golden.

(2) Let sleeping dogs lie.

That a gentleman in the Sixth is collecting pennies.

(It is surmised that he proposes to present a bronze trophy to the Tail of the School.)

That a librarian's life is not a happy one.

That one advantage of History is that, whereas other subjects have to be learnt by heart, history repeats itself.

That the Sixth and Fifth, on several occasions lately, have felt inclined to homologate the statement of the slothful man: " There is a lion in the way."

TO CORRESPONDENTS. V. RETCH.—We think you might know that quasi usually

apologises for a strong statement.

C. A. D.—To lighten the complexion we should recommend Pears' Soap.

FOURTHITE.-BOyS of your age usually get plenty of knocks, so that you must not worry.

PARTICULAR.—We do not know of any reliable method of removing ink stains from suet-pudding.

Our Contemporaries. " The Yellow Dragon " (5), " St. Andrew's College Magazine " (Dublin) (2), " St. Andrew's College " (Grahamstown) (2), " Glasgow Academy Chronicle" (2), " School Times" (Foyle College, Londonderry) (2), " Edinburgh Academy Chronicle" (4), " Nelsonian," " Olavian " (2), " Courier " (2), " Portmuthian " (2), " Fettesian," " Turriff School Magazine," " C. A. I.," " Herioter," " Mercer's School Magazine," " Harris School Magazine," " Erasmian," " Sligo Grammar School Magazine," " Fraserburgh Academy Magazine " (2), " Stewart's College Magazine," "The South African College School Magazine," " School News" (Royal Belfast Academical Institution), " Watsonian," " Boltonian," " Glasgow High School Magazine," " Under the Dome " (Montrose Academy), " Westovian," " AngloChinese Scholars' Own " (Penang).

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

79

The dates given in parentheses after names indicate the years of entering and leaving the School. * Indicates Member of the Former Pupils' Club.

ROBERT MUNRO* (1884-85), K.C., M.P., was, in the end of October last, appointed to be Lord Advocate for Scotland, and in December was sworn a member of His Majesty's Privy Council. As a consequence of his appointment, a by-election took place in the Wick Burghs, the constituency he had represented since the general election of January 1910, and after an arduous campaign he was declared the victor, having a record majority.

Mr. Munro, after graduating M.A. and LL.B. at Edinburgh University, was called to the Scottish Bar in 1893, and as a junior was engaged in many important cases. In 1907 he was appointed Counsel to the Inland Revenue Com missioners, in 1908 he became an Advocate-Depute, and in 1910 he took silk.

In recognition of his promotion to one of the chief Offices of State in Scotland, he was entertained to dinner by the Former Pupils' Club on 20th December. A full report of the proceedings will be found elsewhere in this issue of the Magazine.

Rev. JAMES SHEPHERD* (1859-64), M.D., D.D., missionary of the United Free Church of Scotland at Udaipur, Rajputana, received at the New Year the Kaiser-i-Hind Medal for Public Service in India of the First Class. He has been a missionary in Rajputana since 1872.

Rev. GEORGE REITH* (1854-57), M.A., D.D., of Glasgow, is the Moderator-Elect of the General Assembly of the United Free Church of Scotland. He was minister of the College Church, Glasgow, from 1866 to 1909, retiring when that 'church was united with K.elvingrove Church. Two other Old Boys have in the last thirty years been Moderator of the Free Church of Scotland—Dr. DAVID BROWN (1885), and

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

Dr. WALTER C. SMITH (1893); and recent Moderators of the Established Church include Dr. WILLIAM MAIR (1897), Dr. JAMES MITCHELL (1901), and Dr. ANDREW J. MILNE (1905).

The School can at present claim another Moderator. This is Rev. ALEXANDER SMITH, formerly minister of Townhead. U.P. Church, Dumfries, who presides over the Assembly of his Church in New South Wales. He was a pupil at the School in 1866-67.

ARTHUR M. CHALMERS (1881-82), who in 1912 was appointed Consul-General for Korea, residing at Seoul, has recently been appointed Consul-General for the District of Kanagawa (Yokohama).

Rev. JAMES BROWN CRAVEN (1862-63), D.D., Archdeacon of Orkney, has been appointed one of the Canons of the Cathedral Church of the Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney.

JAMES C. PHILIP* (1886-89), M.A., Ph.D., D.Sc., has been appointed to the new Chair of Physical Chemistry in the Imperial College of Science and Technology at South Kensington. Professor Philip, who is a brother of Mr. J. Bentley Philip, previously held the post of Demonstrator and Lecturer in Physical Chemistry at the Imperial College. He is one of the secretaries of the Chemical Society.

WILLIAM MACKINTOSH* (1893-96) was recently appointed secretary to the Royal Insurance Company, Ltd., in New York, and also secretary to the Royal Indemnity Company, a subsidiary company to the " Royal," having its head office in New York.

ROBERT G. `WILSON* (1885-91), architect, Aberdeen, has been admitted a Fellow of the Faculty of Surveyors of Scotland.

ROBERT P. MA SsoN* (1903-04), M.A., LL.B., solicitor,.

Aberdeen, has been appointed to the Lectureship on Agricultural Law in the North of Scotland College of Agriculture.

Professor ALEXANDER THOMSON* (1873-77), of the Scottish Churches College, Calcutta, has recently resigned owing to ill-health.

ALFRED J. WILLIAMSON,* M. A . , M.D., has been appointed tuberculosis medical officer for the county of Essex under the London County Council.

JAMES CUMMING (1882-89) was recently appointed Sanitary Inspector of Aberdeen.

FORTESCUE* (1892-97), Captain ARCHER IRVINE R.A.M.C., senior medical officer at Benares, India, has been seconded for service as a language student and intelligence• officer at the British Embassy, Tokio, Japan.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

81

Lieutenant JAMES W. FRASER CRUDEN, of the Black Watch, has been appointed Adjutant of the 6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders.

PERCIVAL R. KIRBY (1892-1901), M.A., A.R.C.M., was recently appointed Organising Instructor in Vocal Music for the Province of Natal, and has left for South Africa. Since 1910 he has been studying at the Royal College of Music, London.

DAVID S. ALLAN (1906-07), wh•o for the last three years has been in the service of the Aberdeen Corporation Electricity Department, recently left for India to take up the duties of engineer on a tea plantation in Bengal.

Rev. ALEXANDER R. SAUNDERS* (1871-77), of the China Inland Mission, who has been home on furlough for a year, recently returned to China.

JOHN STEWART (1898-1905), M.A., has been appointed by the Foreign Mission Committee of the United Free Church of Scotland a missionary in Manchuria.

IAN A. CLARKE* (1902-08), M.A., B.Sc., who is at present studying at Christ Church, Oxford, has been awarded his blue in rugby football. He has been playing for Oxford University throughout the present season.

WILLIAM HUTCHEON* (1882-84), of the Morning Post staff, is the editor of a volume recently published by Mr. John Murray, entitled " Whigs and Whiggism: Political Writings by Benjamin Disraeli."

Sir WILLIAM ROBERTSON NICOLL* (1866), M.A., LL.D., is the author of " A Bookman's Letters " published in November. Most of the papers in the book are " Claudius Clear's " letters to the readers of the British Weekly. In the course of a laudatory review The Times remarked: " His is a powerful voice in the determination who shall and shall not be read by the reading public of to-day; and it is well for the reading public that he uses it without prejudice or fear."

WILLIAM P. MILNE* (1897-99), M.A., D.Sc., has written a recently-published volume of nearly 600 pages on " Higher Algebra." Doubtless the highest class in the School will be making its acquaintance at no very distant date.

A. LANDSBOROUGII THOMSON* (1899-1908), M.A., is one of the contributors to " The British Bird Book," the publication of which in four handsomely-illustrated volumes, was recently completed by Messrs. T. C. Sr E. C. Jack.

GEORGE A. THOMSON (1903-06), who for the last two years has been in the London office of the Chartered Bank of India,

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

Australia and China, has been appointed sub-accountant in the Shanghai branch of the Bank.

With reference to the note which appeared in the last issue of the Magazine regarding FRANCIS RENTON BARRY* (1896-1902), we regret that the information given was entirely erroneous. Apparently there are at least two persons of the name of Francis R. Barry in this country, and the note did not apply to our Old Boy. Instead of being a Fellow of Oriel College, Oxford, he is studying architecture in London.

Rev. THOMAS MURRAY* (1862-68), M.A., Army Chaplain, First Class, ranking as Colonel, was placed on the Retired List of the Army on 18th April, 1913, on attaining the age limit of sixty years.

Captain MARCUS C. J. HARTLAND-MAHON* (1885-88), has recently become a member of the Club. He left the School and Aberdeen more than twenty-five years ago and is rather at a loss to know how he was traced ! He joined the Royal Artillery in 1897, went through the South African War, being mentioned in despatches, and is now serving with the 31st Battery, Royal Field Artillery, Woolwich. His brother, RICHARD F. H. HARTLAND-MAHON (1885-87) entered the Royal Navy and was promoted to the rank of Commander in 1908. He now holds a staff appointment at the Admiralty.

JOHN C. MACKENZIE* (1893-99), M.B., has left the staff of the Hereford County and City Asylum and is now at the County Mental Hospital, Lichfield.

ALEXANDER J. FINDLAY* (18984904), M.A., B.Sc., of the Department of Agriculture, Southern Nigeria, on returning from leave, was sent to Onitsha, a town about three days' journey by river launch up the Niger. There he is in charge of the Department in the Central Province.

ALASTAIR T. ADAM* (1898- ?) qualified as an Associate of the Royal Technical College, Glasgow, in July, 1912, and is now Metallurgical Chemist to Messrs. W. N. Brunton and Son, wire and wire rope manufacturers, Musselburgh.

WILLIAM M. KESSON* (1893-98), who was in the service of the North British and Mercantile Insurance Company, Aberdeen, for over eleven years, and thereafter chief clerk with the Caledonian Insurance Company, Aberdeen, went to Canada in May of last year. He is now in the service of Messrs. Fraser, Limited, at its head office, Fredericton, New Brunswick. This firm is one of the largest lumber companies in Eastern Canada. The office manager of the company at Fredericton is ALEXANDER BREBNER* (1897-1901).

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PETER THOMSON* (1864-65), who was Town Clerk and Treasurer to the Municipality of Uitenhage, South Africa, has recently joined the Club. He recalls that in the year 1865 the School secured four places out of the first five in the Bursary Competition.

The order was: 1st JOHN CooK* (1864-65); 2nd JAMES LEASK (1864-65); 3rd [Sir] JAMES REID* (1861-65); 5th PETER THOMSON* (1864-65).

Rev. GEORGE WISELY* (1840-42), M.A., D.D., of Malta, is now, we believe, the oldest member of the Former Pupils' Club.

He entered on his eighty-ninth year in January.

That his interest in the School is not diminished is shown by the fact that he recently signed a subscription form for the forthcoming " Roll of Pupils 1813-1913." Not only did he do this but he sent a remittance in payment, with the remark: " At my age I wish to have it off my mind."

GEORGE TOPHAM FORREST (1880-89), Education Architect to Northumberland County Council, has been elected the County Architect for Essex, at a salary of £800, rising to £1,000.

ERNEST MAIN* (1903-08), M.A., represents the North District on the Scottish Hockey Association, and is a member of the International Selection Committee.

THEODORE THOMSON* (1867-73), M.A., M.D., C.M.G., Assistant Medical Officer of the Local Government Board, has resigned his post on account of ill-health.

HUGH GRANT ADAM* (1907-08), M.A., a former Editor of Alma Mater, the Aberdeen University magazine, is now on the staff of The Argus, Melbourne, Australia.

A. G. DONALD* (1896), M.A., has been appointed headmaster of Condorrat Public School, Glasgow.

JAMES

DURNO*

(1900-02) is now farming at Crichie,

Inverurie.

KENNETH A. M. TOMORY* (1899-1908) has been playing regularly as a three-quarter for Edinburgh University Rugby XV. He played in the first Scottish International Trial.

GEORGE A. COMBE* (1889-95), of the Chinese Consular Service, is now resident in Canton.

HUGH R. LAMBIE* (1906-08), who was for two years in Tocopilla, Chile, with the Anglo-Chilian Nitrate and Railway Co., Ltd., has had to return home through ill-health.

JAMES R. S. SCOTT* (1895-1902), of the Indian Military Accounts Department, is now stationed at Mhow, Central India,

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CYRIL G. J. STUART* (1904-09) recently received an appointment with the Palmadulla Tea and Rubber Company and arrived in Ceylon in December.

WALTER INKSTER* (1903-08), M.A., B.Sc.(Agr.), has recently been appointed to the Agricultural Offices of the Potash Syndicate in Sydney, New South Wales.

KENNETH McIvER (1899-1901), M.A., Dunfermline, is the prospective Liberal candidate for the West Perthshire parliamentary division, his opponent being the Marquis of Tullibardine, M.P. He left the School for Edinburgh University, and for the last ten years has been engaged as a teacher in Dunfermline.

CHARLES W. G. STUART (1897-99), who served for nineteen months in the South African War, is now farming in He was previously manager on an Northern Rhodesia. ostrich farm in Cape Colony, and later started (with a partner) an irrigation farm at Bayville, on the Sunday River, about fifty miles from Port Elizabeth.

Just as the printing of this number of the Magazine is being completed, a profound sensation has been caused both in this country and in the United States by the report of the killing of WILLIAM SMITH BENTON by, or at the orders of, General Villa, a Mexican revolutionary leader.

Mr. Benton

was a pupil in the Third Class of the School in 1871-72.

He

went to Texas about 1879 and for some years engaged in gold and silver mining.

Thereafter he went to Mexico and

started ranching, in which, until the outbreak of the present revolution, he was singularly successful.

Our series of reproductions of old class-groups is continued in this issue with a photograph of the class of 1872-77 as it was in its last year at the School. This is the furthest back group that has appeared so far, and we are not aware whether any older ones are in existence. If there are any, perhaps the owners would be willing to lend them with a view to their being reproduced in the Magazine. The present photograph does not represent quite the whole class, there having been apparently some half-dozen absentees. A brief note about

THE HIGHEST CLASS IN 1876=1877.

Harper, Janitor I kovson, Patrick W. Rzdtray, Jokn Thomson, John Jenkyns.

BACK ROW—William Sinclair, Wm. NI. ,‘IllittrN1,11, SucoNn Row—Irvine K. Reid, Jas. S. Shewan, John J. F. I. Ferguson, —?--, Andrew Angus Robert Cumming, Chas G. Maitland, John Kelly, Aex. U. Davidson.

THIRD R.ow — Thos. C. Still, Geo. D. Knight, Chas. T. D. Urquhart, David R. M`Kinnon, Alex. D. Gray. Peter Harrower, Hugh Ross, Wm. H. (:ualter, Nisian H. Barr.

FRONT ROW—Jas. R. L. Macdonald, Wm. Ii. Caird, Jac. Petrie, Alexander Thomson, Henry P. Shepherd.

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those members who are portrayed may be of interest.

WILLIAM SINCLAIR* is medical superintendent of the Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen ; WILLIAM M. ANDERSON is a doctor in Dulwich ; JAMES HARPER is a canon of the Episcopal Church at Culross, Fifeshire ; PATRICK W. RATTRAY* is a doctor in London; JOHN THOMSON is now resident at Cove Bay, near Aberdeen; JOHN JENKYNS was a doctor in British Honduras and died in Aberdeen in 1895 ; IRVINE K. REID is a doctor in British Guiana ; JAMES S. SHEWAN is a solicitor in Aberdeen; JOHN J. F. L. FERGUSSON was minister of the Presbyterian Church, Dulwich, Sydney, and died in 1903; ANDREW ANGUS is U.F.C. minister at Ruthwell, Dumfriesshire; ROBERT CUMMING was an advocate in Aberdeen and died in 1910; CHARLES G. MAITLAND was at one time in businesi in Ceylon and died in Glasgow in 1907; JOHN KELLY is head master of Stanley House School, Bridge of Allan ; ALEXANDER G. DAVIDSON is a doctor at Abbontiakoon, Gold Coast; THOMAS C. STILL is U.F.C. minister at Pencaitland, Haddingtonshire ; GEORGE D. KNIGHT iS a doctor in London; CHARLES T. D. URQUHART is a doctor and went to South Africa; DAVID P. MCKINNON was a doctor in British Honduras and died in 1890; ALEXANDER D. GRAY was a farmer at Nigg, Kincardineshire, and died in 1896: PETER HARROWER was a master at Spiers School, Beith, and died in 1896; HUGH Ross became chief medical officer of the Sierra Leone Railway, and died at Songotown, West Africa, in 1899 ; WILLIAM H. GUALTER went with his parents to New Zealand ; NINIAN H. BARR was curate of Trinity Episcopal Church, Paisley, and died at Montrose in 1894; JAMES R. L. MACDONALD* is now Major-General (retired), of Uganda and Tibet fame ; WILLIAM B. CAIRD went to Australia, and died near Melbourne in 1900; JAMES PETRIE is district surgeon at Melmoth, Zululand ; ALEXANDER THOMsox* has just retired from a professorship in the Scottish Churches College, Calcutta; and HENRY P. SHEPHERD* is in `business in Stellenbosch, Cape Colony.

OBITUARY. JAMES COLLIE* (1827-32), of the firm of Messrs.

James and 'George Collie, advocates, Aberdeen, died at Viewbank, Cults, on 19th November, -in his 95th year. There is little doubt that he was the oldest surviving former pupil of the School, and he certainly was the oldest member of the F.P. Club.

He went through the full five years' curriculum at the School in the early days of Melvin's rectorship, and thereafter studied

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at Marischal College. In 1836 he became a law apprentice in Aberdeen, and in 1841 started business on his own account, joining the Society of Advocates in Aberdeen. The Times, in the course of an obituary notice, said : " For many years Mr. Collie enjoyed the largest Court practice in the North of Scotland, was recognized as a shrewd lawyer, and was highly respected for his integrity and uprightness of character.

. . . Mr. Collie was a man of strong personality, and' uncompromisingly adhered to high ideals o•f conduct. He had a passion for work, and, until laid aside by advancing years, lived a strenuous life. In his earlier years constant work and steady industry were a necessity, but even when the time came that hard work was no longer essential, the routine of early habits was maintained ; for instance, it was characteristic of him that his practice for nearly a quarter of a century

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87

was to start the day at 5 a.m. His quiet and unostentatious charity will be missed by many residents of his native city."

Mr. Collie was keenly interested in the Former Pupils' Club of the School, and it is worthy of note that his four surviving eons—George Duncan Collie, advocate; James Younger Collie, advocate; Sir John Collie, M.D., and Frank Lang Collie, M.D.—are all members of the Club.

Rev. DONALD STUART (1850-51), M.A., died at Colchester on 12th January, aged 74. After engaging in teaching for some time, he was for thirty-five years minister of the parish of Kilmuir-Easter, Ross-shire. He latterly lived in retirement at Colchester.

0010/1e1 FRANCIS COCHRAN (1855-57) died at South Kensington on 6th February, aged 70. He entered the Army in 1862, being gazetted an ensign in the 37th Regiment. He graduated at the Staff College in 1879, and was appointed Garrison Instructor at Edinburgh in 1884. From 1887 to 1889 he was in command in Burma, and in the latter year was appointed to the command of the Ruby Mine district with the rank of brigadier, receiving at the end of the war a medal and clasp. Later he commanded the 88t•h Regiment in Galway, a post from which, in 1898, he was transferred to Winchester to command the 37th District, having received the rank of colonel in command in 1894.

He published a volume dealing with the Burma War, and a record of the Hampshire Regiment. He retired in 1902.

DAVID WYLLIE ABERNETHY (1859-64) died in London on 9th November, aged 65. He was a partner, along with his cousin, JAMES W. ABERNETHY (1866-69), in the well-known firm of Messrs. James Abernethy & Co., iron founders, Aberdeen.

PATRICK MITCHELL (1861-62), M.D., died at Old Rayne, Aberdeenshire, on 30th January, aged 66. While a young man he succeeded his father in medical practice at Rayne, and continued there until his death.

Rev. JOHN HENDRY ANDERSON (1863-65 and 1869-70), M.A., died at Tooting, London, on 11th November, aged 59.

After holding masterships at King Edward's School, Norwich, and Portsmouth Grammar School, he was appointed in 1891 rector of Foulsham, Norfolk, and from 1897 was rector of Tooting.

JAMES MURRAY DUFF* (1872-74) died at Pitfodels, Aberdeen, on 11th February, aged 54. After leaving the School and being for some years in his father's office in Aberdeen, he went to learn farming at the farm of West• Ballochy,

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in Forfarshire, but returned to Aberdeen and entered into partnership with his father in the firm of Archibald Duff and Son, coal merchants, etc., Aberdeen. He early joined the Deeside Battalion of Rifle Volunteers, and retired with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel and Honorary Colonel, after having commanded the Battalion for four years and earned the long service medal and V.D. for officers.

ALEXANDER VINCENT MARTIN* (1872-73) died at Aberdeen on 14th January, aged 54. He served an apprenticeship as land surveyor in Aberdeen, and thereafter was in South Africa from 1882 to 1886 as surveyor with the South African Exploration Company, Kimberley Diamond Fields, and afterwards with the De Beers Diamond Mining Company, Kimberley. He returned home from South Africa owing to bad health, and from 1887 was employed by the Aberdeen Harbour Commissioners as collector of dues in the Fish Market and salmon salesman.

JOHN WILLIAM MONCUR (1873-74) died at Aberdeen on 12th December, aged 52 years.

JAMES MILNE (1875-79) died at Montreal, Canada, on 1st February, aged 52. After studying medicine for a time at Marischal College he went to Canada. He was latterly on the medical staff of the Transcontinental Railway.

LEWIS SMITH DRUMMOND (1877-78) died at Manly, Sydney, Australia, on 20th December, aged 48. He had resided in Sydney for the last 24 years, and was senior partner of the firm of L. S. Drummond & Co., incorporated accountants.

ALEXANDER HALLEY (1878-79) died at Brisbane, Queensland, on 22nd December, aged 50. He was formerly engaged in mining in South Africa.

GEORGE MARR (1884-87), M.B., C.M., died at Knysna, Cape Province, South Africa, on 6th February, aged 43.

He was district surgeon at Knysna.

HARRY MELVILLE WILL (1890-94), M.A., B.Sc. (Agr.), died in London on 19th December, aged 37. After graduating in Arts in 1898, he was science teacher in Kirkcaldy High School for five years. He returned to Aberdeen to study agriculture, and after taking the degree of B.Sc. (Agr.) in 1905 was for two years assistant lecturer in agricultural chemistry in the Aberdeen and North of Scotland College of Agriculture. In 1908 he entered the service of the Potash Syndicate, Germany, and at the time of his death was manager for the Syndicate in London.

FRANCIS MURRAY RAE (1894-1905) died at Beidlieston, Dyce, on 8th January, aged 27. He studied for a time at

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Aberdeen University, but for reasons of health went in for farming on his father's farm of Beidlieston.

ANDREW TARRAS WYNESS* (1897-

1st February, aged 31.

ARCHIBALD DUFF RIDDELL

on 15th November, aged 23.

?) died at Aberdeen on

(1899-1901) died at Aberdeen

TATHOW CHEER* (1910-12), who was studying under a tutor, died very suddenly in Aberdeen on 1st January, aged 22. He was one of three Chinese brothers who recently were pupils at the School, and who took a prominent part in athletics.

MARRIAGES. FAIRBAIRN (1876-77).—At St. Simon Zelotes, London,

S.W., on 9th December, JOHN SHIELDS FAIRBAIRN, M.B., F.R.C.P., F.R.C.S., of 42 Wimpole Street, London, W., to Elma, second daughter of the late J. P. Stuart, of Clanallan, Elgin.

MACKENZIE (1881-83).—At Lorachan, Callander, on 13th December, JAMES FORDYCE MACKENZIE,* New York, to Eliza Morton (Bessie), only daughter of the late James Murray Parker, Glasgow, and Mrs. J. Murray Parker, Lorachan, Callander.

MAITLAND (1883-85).—At the Palace Hotel, Aberdeen, on 4th December, HARRY R. MAITLAND, Haddo, Methlick, to Helen Richardson, elder daughter of the late James Low, fishcurer, Fraserburgh, and of Mrs. Low, 48 Castle Street, Fraserburgh.

CLARK (1885-89).—At S. Saviour's, East London, on 22nd December, ALEXANDER CLARK,* M.A., eldest son of the late Rev. Alexander Clark, Kingswells, Aberdeen, to Jessie Campbell, youngest daughter of John Ross-Watt, Leamington Spa, England.

FRASER (1888-99).—At Colombo, Ceylon, on 31st January, FREDERICK H. FRASER,* of Pitakande, to Eva Gibson, Colombo.

WALKER (1889-90).—At the Forbes Arms Hotel, Bridge of Alford, on 19th November, JOHN WALKER, farmer and auctioneer, Westside of Brux, to Jeannie, eldest daughter of William Mackie, farmer, Backstone, Kildrummy.

SMITH (1891-94).—On 16th June, 1913, LAURENCE A. SMITH,* Grimsby, to Joan Clarke, daughter of T. Clarke, Burton-on-Trent.

KERR (1892-98).—At Arbroath Parish Church, on 4th December, Rev. COLIN M. KERR, B.P., B.Sc., Ph.D., Kettins, to Elizabeth, daughter of the late David Wightman Cargill, Arbroath.

WILLOX (1893-1900).--At the Presbyterian Church, Penang, on 1st November, ANDREW A. WILLOX,* Kuala Lumpur, F.M.S., to Janie Dickson, second daughter of the late Isaac F. Smith, wholesale bookseller, Aberdeen.

HENDERSON (1894-1900).—At Hotel Stimpson, Milan, Michigan, U.S.A., on 18th October, THOMAS B. G. HENDERSON,* C.A., Chicago, to Maude La Forge, of Detroit, Michigan.

WALKER (1894- ?).—At St. David's Church, Haberfield, Sydney, on 31st January, MELVIN MARK WALKER, son of John

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

Walker, 75 Stanley Street, Aberdeen, to Marie Grant, eldest daughter of Alexander Wilson, Galleries, Skene Street, Aberdeen.

CATTO (1895-1902).—At the Imperial Hotel, Aberdeen, on 27th December, WILLIAM STEPHEN CATTO, B.Sc., Edinburgh, to Frances, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Souttar, 202 Mid Stocket Road, Aberdeen.

MACKIE (1896-1904).—At Curityba, Brazil, on 3rd February, ALEXANDER BAIN MACKIE,* London and River Plate Bank, Ltd., to Rosa Maria Barnack.

TURNBULL (1896- ?).—At the Imperial Hotel, Aberdeen, on 12th November, FREDERIC E. B. TURNBULL,* youngest son of the late Andrew R. Turnbull, lead manufacturer, and of Mrs. Turnbull, Dalvenie, Banchory, to Isobel, youngest daughter of John A. Huggan, Kenfield, Mannofield, Aberdeen.

NoRRIE (1897-1902).—At St. Edmund's Parish Church, Forest Gate, Essex, on 25th October, JOHN NORRIE,* B.Sc., youngest son of Alexander Norrie, 6 South Mount Street, Aberdeen, to Winifred Lucy, eldest daughter of Thomas W. Willis, Forest Gate.

CRAIB (1897-1903).—At Scots Kirk, Kandy, Ceylon, on 27th November, ARTHUR P. CRAIB, manager, Lansdowne Rubber Estate, Ratnapura, son of the late Dr. Craib, Ceylon, to Katie M'Ara, fourth daughter of W. M. Milne, jeweller, Aberdeen.

SHINNIE (1897-1903).—At St. James' Parish Church, Pokesdown, Bournemouth, on 2nd February, ANDREW J. SHINNIE,* M.D., Wimbledon, son of the late James F. Shinnie, Aberdeen, to Olive Victoire, second daughter of the late Arthur Whaley Lewis, Southampton, and of Mrs. J. F. Symons, Bournemouth.

SOUTTER (1898-1902).—At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen, on 28th October, Rev. JAMES TINDAL SOUTTER,* St. Andrew's Church, Nairobi, to Amy Verena Carson Burnett, second daughter of the late W. Kendall Burnett, advocate in Aberdeen.

CRAMOND (1900-02).-At Broughty Ferry, on 9th September, DAVID SMART CRAMOND,* son of the late Dr. William Cramond, Cullen, to Mary, daughter of the late J. S. Gregory, and of Mrs. Gregory, Whinny Brae, Broughty Ferry.

BOTHWELL (1902-04).—At 32 Victoria Street, Aberdeen, on 27th October, HENRY ALEXANDER BOTHWELL, Aberdeen, to Alice Mary Grant, younger daughter of William Middleton, patentee and manufacturer, Aberdeen. on LAMB (1902-05).—At 419 Great Western Road, Aberdeen, 9th January, THOMAS LAMB, second son of Thomas Lamb, Sunnyhurst, Broomhill Avenue, to Fanny, eldest daughter of Charles Knowles.

HAY (1903-05).—At the Palace Hotel, Aberdeen, on 3rd December, ARTHUR G. T. HAY, third son of A. D. Hay, Berryden, to Helen Gibson, fourth daughter of the late Edward Copland, and Mrs. Copland, 38 Grosvenor Place. Aberdeen.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

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Cuibleen.

"Byron's power of description is astonishing. Figure to yourself As he said, description is his forte."—Sainte-Beuve.

"Byron, when a boy at the Grammar School of Aberdeen, lived at the farmhouse of Ballaterach, on the opposite side of the river from Culbleen and Morven, and fell in love with Mary Robertson, the daughter of the tenant, who subsequently married an exciseman, named Stewart, and died as recently as 1867."—Munro's Scotland : 1908, p. 214.

.his Parnassus, his Morven, his Marathon.

" When I roved a young Highlander o'er the wild heath, And climbed thy dark mountain, 0 Morven, of snow," I looked round about, all above and beneath, To see what I could of the scene long ago Described by Lord Byron. All know it and quote The passage with rapture, all know what I mean; For I doubt not but all have the stanza by rote— How he thought of " the rocks that o'ershadow Cuibleen."

The guide-books all have it; no editor writes, John Murray has never yet ventured a doubt, Every critic is silent, or constantly cites The line as if poets could never be out.

On the coach-top you hear it as " dark Lochnagar " Emerges to view, and presides o'er the scene; Americans rave it, and tourists afar Burst into " the rocks that o'ershadow Cuibleen."

Even portly old gents. wax expansive, I'm told, And gaze at their wives, if they're Marys, anew ; For pat comes " the long flowing ringlets of gold, The locks that were sacred to beauty and you."

Yet Byron had seen it. And so, too, have I, And it costs me a pang to be vulgar, a tear To believe that the stanza is " all in my eye "— But I feel quite constrained to add publicly here That Nature has never once varied that view Which long, since Creation, has ever been fixed ; And the one thing that really is final and true, Is that Byron got here most undoubtedly mixed.

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So I think it is time that I should intervene, And state that the line is a palpable hoax.

For the rocks never yet have o'ershadowed Culbleen, But the truth is—Culbleen overshadows the rocks.

W. K. L_

Proposed Playing Field for the School.

At the Annual Dinner of the Former Pupils' Club, held in December, a very important proposal for securing new recreation grounds for the School was submitted. The scheme had been initiated by Mr. James EssIemont, the President of the Club, and he intended to unfold it at the Dinner in person, but, unfortunately, he was prevented by illness from doing so. Accordingly he sent the following letter, which was read amid frequent applause by the VicePresident, the Chairman of the evening : -" There is an interesting proposal I wish to put before you this evening--a proposal which a shrewd and hardheaded friend, with whom I was discussing the matter, termed a ' hardy perennial.' This hardy perennial was planted a few years ago on hard and strong ground, and has been allowed to wither and almost die. A few kind Samaritans, however, remarked on its plight, and the ground has now been thoroughly trenched, so that with care and attention there is every possibility it may at last blossom into flower next year. I refer to adequate and proper recreation. grounds for the Aberdeen Grammar School. Those of you who were present at this Dinner a year ago will remember that Bishop Mitchell referred in no very complimentary terms to the condition of the field at the School. As you know, that field is the only place available to the whole School for games, and, as it is constantly in use, in winter it is more or less a sea of mud, and in summer cricket is hopeless. At the presentation of prizes in June last year, the Convener of the High Schools Committee of the School Board referred to the same subject and, I think, frankly admitted the unsatisfactory state of the ground. " I do not need at a gathering of Old Boys to say how near their hearts is the proper equipment of the games in their School. Many Old Boys have in later life had reason to regret the slightness of the share taken by them in sports

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and games when at School. I am by no means to say that we should encourage the fostering of the love for games to such a degree as to prove a hindrance to the proper fulfilment of the primary function of the School, namely, to provide a sound education. If the great secondary schools in England have gone to the one extreme, I rather fancy our tendency has been to go to the other. I know, however, that I shall carry with me every Old Boy, and, still more, every boy now at the School, when I say that the need for a suitable field is urgent. I am glad to think we have every reason to believe that the School Board, to whose broad-minded administration during the last forty years the School owes so much, share the same views as we ourselves in this matter.

I know that for some years the Board have been on the outlook for ground of suitable extent, and, indeed, that they have been in treaty for the purchase of a site eminently suitable in every way. The only obstacle to the completion of the scheme has been the question of price. " I myself have recently taken the matter up, along with your Vice-President, Mr. C. J. Davidson, and your Secretary, Mr. J. W. Milne, and I am glad to say that our efforts will most probably result in the acquisition of a playing field for the use of the School conveniently situated—twelve acres in extent and level in surface. The ground is situated on the east side of Anderson Drive, between Cromwell Road and Harlaw Road. It is of sufficient extent to provide two fullsized football pitches, one smaller pitch for football, and one pitch for hockey, with a space in the centre for a cricket pitch. At the western end will be space for tennis or any other games. Mr. J. A. Ogg Allan, architect, has most kindly prepared a sketch showing how the ground may be used, and this sketch you will find on the wall. The ground is offered at a reasonable price by the Aberdeen Land Association, and I wish to acknowledge the sympathetic consideration which the directors of that association have given to our application, and the assistance which the Secretary, Mr. Ledingham, has been to me personally in carrying through the negotiations. The actual acquiring of the ground we would propose to leave to the School Board, who will, if they fall in with our proposal, have to expend a considerable sum of money in purchasing, laying out, and equipping the ground. But the acquisition of the field is a matter which touches most closely the sentiment which Old Boys have to the School. It appeals, also, in a very practical way to the Former Pupils' Club and its Games Sections. You know that the Former Pupils' Club has flourishing Rugby and Hockey Sections which have had to be content with what ground they could hire for each season.

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

" Gentlemen, I know that you and all members of the Former Pupils' Club are devoted to the School. I know that any scheme which may be brought before you by your Executive for the good of the School will be sympathetically received by you. Your Executive believe that it will tend further to increase the closeness of the relationship between former pupils and the School if the former pupils, through the Club, are afforded an opportunity of sharing in the acquisition of the ground I have already mentioned. Your Executive, therefore, propose to issue an appeal to the Club for financial support towards the acquisition of the ground, and the sum I think we should aim at, and which I am confident is easily within our power, is £1,000. I do not think that we would be expected to attempt to raise such a sum without stipulating for some reasonable use of the ground The Executive would, therefore, by the Games Sections. reserve to the Former Pupils' Club and its Sections such reasonable facilities as might be required; but I think you will readily agree to leave the adjustment of all details to the Gentlemen, I ask you to make a hearty and Executive. liberal response to the appeal which the Executive propose to make. In conclusion, I respectfully ask from the School Board their kindly interest• in our scheme. I welcome the opportunity of co-operating with them in what I have reason to believe will be the greatest benefit conferred on the School since the present buildings were built, fifty years ago."

After reading the letter, the Chairman said that it referred to a subject in which they were all interested, and, as Mr. Esslemont had indicated, it was a subject regarding which they must invite the kindly interest and co-operation of the Aberdeen School Board. A number of representatives of the Board were present, amongst them the Convener of the High Schools Committee, who might have a few words to say by way of encouragement.

The latter, Mr. A. T. Cruickshank, said that, so far as a single individual could speak, he was sure the proposal would receive the sympathetic consideration of the Board when it came before the members. As an old Grammar School boy himself he was filled with enthusiasm for Mr. Esslemont's proposal, though, as Convener of the High Schools Committee he was restrained by caution. He had had the matter brought before him the other day by a distinguished classfellow of the Lord Advocate—Bishop Mitchell—who was really the instigator of the movement.

When it came before the School Board it would receive careful consideration. During the last year they had had reason to considerably enlarge the School, and to increase the fees,

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and, personally, he believed, the School had a magnificent future before it. He knew of nothing that would prove of greater assistance to its prosperity and more sure to keep alive that relationship between the School and the Club than the scheme referred to.

The Chairman, after a plan; of the proposed new recreation ground had been unveiled and had been examined in an interval, said the Executive of the Former Pupils' Club were prepared to further the proposal and bring it to a successful conclusion. Financial support must be obtained if the scheme were to be a success, and the Executive were prepared to give a very handsome contribution towards the object.

Others interested were prepared to help, including the Rugby Section of the Club, to the extent of one hundred guineas.

That practically meant that they were to sink the whole of their capital in the scheme. Then, more than one subscription of £50 had been intimated. He did not wish at that stage to make an appeal to members of the Club, but it might be there were several who would like to have the opportunity of intimating a subscription or assistance, perhaps some who might be leaving the city or going abroad.

He was sire they would all have the scheme at heart and that ever member of the Club would support it.

From the foregoing account of what was said at the Dinner, Old Boys and others interested who were not present will be able to obtain some idea of the proposed scheme.

Owing to various circumstances it is impossible just now to give definite details, but it may be said that the Executive of the Club are taking a very active interest in the matter, and that a Sub-Committee, consisting of the President, who personally has already done much to further the object, the Vice-President, and the Secretary, will do everything in their power to carry the scheme to a successful conclusion. It cannot be denied that a suitable playing field for the School is urgently required, and when the scheme is further advanced the Executive are confident that the members of the Club will give it their hearty support.

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" AII=Round Trophy" for the School.

As briefly announced in the last issue of the Magazine, the Executive of the Former Pupils' Club has decided to present to the School a Trophy to be held by the boy who is judged to be the most deserving in respect of the class work, the athletics, and the social life of the School. As a result of an appeal to a limited number of members of the Club, the sum requisite for the purchase of the handsome silver cup (a reproduction of which appears above), was speedily raised. In fact the greater part of the subscriptions was collected during a few minutes' interval in the course of the

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Annual Dinner by Mr. Charles Watt, who has been the prime mover in the scheme. A small Sub-Committee, with Mr. Watt at its head, in conjunction with the Rector, has prepared the following Rules and Regulations for the awarding of the Trophy : — RULES AND REGULATIONS. 1. The prize shall be called the " F.P. ALL-ROUND TROPHY," and shall consist of a Silver Challenge Cup to be held for one year.

2. The Club shall present to every winner of the Trophy a rough-cast bronze medal, which shall belong to him.

3. The following shall be the maximum marks attainable : I.-CLASS WORK :MENTAL, 30 IL-ATHLETICS :CRICKET, 15 FOOTBALL, 15 SWIMMING SPORTS, 7 ATHLETIC SPORTS, 7 GYMNASTICS, 6 50 III.-SOCIAL :DEBITING SOCIETY, 5 9 LIBRARY, " MAGAZINE" EDITORS, 3 TERRITORIALS, 5 BOY SCOUTS, 5 20 100 I.—CLASS WORK :— The Dux in each highest class (Classical and Modern)30 marks. Each place below that to count successively 1 mark less; provided that no marks under this heading be counted to any boy who fails to come up to the University Preliminary standard for pass in Arts or its equivalent—a full pass in the Leaving Certificate Examination (3 Higher and 1 Lower).

II.-ATHLETICS :--CRICKET AND FOOTBALL :— First year Member of 1st XI. or 1st XV., 3 marks.

Second year Member ,, „ 6 Third year Member 9 19 ,1 Secretary , +3 7t Captain + 6 ., ,) I PP

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SWIMMING SPORTS :— 1 mark.

Winner in Cup Race, Competition, Diving 1 ,, 11 1 Neat Plunge Competition, 91 1 Rescue Competition, 37 Capt. of Swimming Club, if he competes, + 3 marks.

-- 2 „ Vice-Capt.

79 71 ATHLETIC SPORTS :— Winner in each Open Event 1 mark 7 marks. up to a maximum of the No win to count which falls below school average of the preceding ten years.

GYMNASTICS :— The first in order of merit, as decided 6 marks. at the Annual Medal Competition, Each place below the first down to the sixth to count successively one mark less.

III.-SOCIAL :DEBATING SOCIETY :5 marks.

President, Vice-President, 3 79 4 „ Secretary, LIBRARY :— Each Librarian,

2 marks.

" MAGAZINE " EDITORS : — Each Editor, -

3 marks.

TERRITORIALS :— On Enrolment, On completing first year's efficiency, including two weeks' camp, For shooting or for second year's service, -

1 mark.

3 marks.

+2 ,, Rol( Scours :1 mark.

2nd Class, 3 marks.

All Round Cord, „ 4 King's Scout, Assistant Scout Master, )2 5 No marks to count in any of the three sections unless 20 per cent. of marks is gained in the other two sections.

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THE VETO:— Before the award is made the Rector shall hold a meeting of the Upper School, at which he shall submit the names of the four eligible candidates, first in total of marks, to be voted on by ballot. If any of the four boys be known to his class- or school-fellows as an undesirable recipient of the honour, he shall be excluded if his name be found written on five ballot papers. The names of the candidates will then be submitted to the Rector for his approval, and the final approval rests with a Sub-Committee of the Executive, consisting of the President, the Vice-President, and another member to be elected annually. The various marks allocated to each section, or any regulation made herein, may be altered or modified from time to time by the Executive Committee, it being understood that the spirit of the award as shown in this scheme is to be adhered to.

List of Subscribers to the Trophy.

Eric W. H. Brander, C. J. Davidson, R. Whyte Mackay, J. B. Gillies, Alexander Duffus, Douglas H. W. Williamson, Charles Watt, David Scott, Stodart M. Chrystall, J. M. Henderson, A. G. Nicol Smith, Joseph D. Carnegie, James Esslemont, A. Spence Macdonald, W. G. Craigen, Edward W. Watt, J. Bruce, jun., J. T. Ogilvie, A. M. Johnston, G. A. Ledingham, J. C. Lyon, John A. Dunn, The Dramatic Section of the Club, John Brown, jun., C. D. Peterkin, R. Gordon Nicol, Robert Bruce, Charles Davidson, Theodore Watt, J. Duncan MacDiarmid, Alexander Davidson, W. C. Glegg, P. B. Simpson, J. Williamson, W. A. Cameron, F. H. Fraser, J. McBain, R. Morgan, Alan Sutherland, J. W. Milne, J. A. Nicol, W. P. Barron, W. Dickie Smith, Alfred Smith, A. W. Edwards, D. R. Macdonald, G. B. Esslemont, John Crombie, J. Ellis, R. K. Smith, J. Cecil D. Mackie, William Aitken, Norman J. J. Walker, J. F. Robson, Alexander Findlay, J. B. Davidson, J. F. Christie, Arthur Kellas, William Bisset, G. A. Smith.

Presentation of the Trophy.

In the afternoon of Monday, 16th February, the masters and pupils of the School met in the Hall, when the Rector introduced a deputation from the Former Pupils' Club. Mr. A. T. Cruickshank, Convener of the High Schools Committee of the School Board, was present, and the deputation consisted of Mr. Charles J. Davidson, Vice-President ; Mr. James W.

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Milne, Secretary ; Messrs. Charles Watt, A. G. Nicol Smith, William Aitken, Talbert Helmrich, W. G. Craigen, Edward W. Watt, and Theodore Watt. The President, Mr. James Esslem•ont, was unavoidably absent.

Mr. C. J. Davidson, in handing over the Trophy, said he would like to express the indebtedness of the Club to Dr. Simpson for the assistance he had given them in framing the regulations attached to the Trophy. They had allowed so many marks for excellence in scholarship, so many for sports and games, and there had been added a third element, which they had described generally as social activities in the School —participation, for instance, in the Literary Society, Territorial work, the Boy Scout movement, etc. He then handed over the silver cup, which bears the following inscription:— " The Former Pupils' All-Round Trophy, presented to the School by the Former Pupils' Club, 1914." The School arms are engraved on the opposite side of the Trophy. Accompanying the Trophy was a memento medal, a replica of which will be given each year to the pupil who gets his name inscribed on the Trophy.

Dr. Morland Simpson, in accepting the gift on behalf of the School, said they would value it not merely for its intrinsic worth and beauty as a distinguished ornament to their Hall, but most of all as a fresh link in the chain which bound the School and the Club together. They were all the more sensible of the Former Pupils' generosity, knowing that the Club had embarked on a great project of the utmost interest to the School's welfare and progress, one which, when successfully realised, would confer on the School a benefit exceeding all that it had received since the present buildings were first erected. The aim of the Club in making this gift was one with which they heartily concurred. They hoped that in all, and not merely in the proud winner of the coveted honour, it might continually foster a high ideal of education, that the boys might learn to consecrate their gifts of health and strength, of mind and body, so as to fit them to lead holy, that is, wholesome, lives to the glory of God and the benefit of their fellow-men. The conditions attached to the gift were well devised to impress them with their duty, not only to cultivate their faculties, both mental and bodily, but also to expend them in unselfish service to the community.

The Rector then called for three rousing cheers for the Former Pupils' Club, of which, he said, they would all in time become members, and with three similar cheers for Mr. Davidson, the proceedings came to an end.

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Recollections of the Early 'Nineties.

Figure to yourselves, as the French and Thomas Carlyle would say, the corridor of the Grammar School in the early 'nineties. The School is assembling after the lunch interval, and on each side of the lobby is drawn up a row of boys ; they are waiting for the next chap to come along, and when he does come he is sent spinning from one side to the other and back again, till he can collect his scattered books and make his escape. It was reckoned a joke in those days. Above it all was the intolerable din of the bell, which hung at the roof of the lobby and which Janitor Duncan was to be seen pulling inside his glass case. Later on the bell was banished to the tower, where it still remains, but no one can appreciate the distinctive timbre of that bell who did not hear it in its old place, whose youthful ears it did not set• atingle, and whose youthful voice it has not effectually drowned with its ear-splitting row. Then suppose your way lay upstairs, up the east stairs we will say. At the top more boys are ranged along the walls. And they are kicking the hot-water pipes with the heels of their boots, singing a weird melody the while. It is a simple sort of air, one which does not take you long to pick up, and it goes tolerably well to a hot-water pipe obbligato. Its words are : " Hush ! hush ! hush ! here comes the bogey man ---." That song had a great vogue at the time; historically considered, it immediately preceded the " Tarara-boom-de-ay " era, that is to say, it was contemporaneous with the time when Jock Milne used to punt the football over the School, or rather, used to punt it over when he didn't get it stuck on the roof. Jock was a fellow of remarkable physical strength. It was said, indeed, that on one occasion when he was getting a walloping he had caught the strap and pulled it from the teacher. That was probably a legend. There was one of the authentic labours of this young Hercules, however, which was worth witnessing. Jock had been kept in, and was locked in one of the rooms on the upper floor alone. As it happened, painters were working at the School that afternoon. What did the fellow do but get the painters to put one of their long ladders to the window; then he climbed out and came down into the midst of an admiring crowd in the playground. It was a great deed, and one which made him famous; for it revealed his kinship with the heroes of our youth, and it showed that he was the same stuff as, for instance, the brave

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young midshipman in the " Boys Own Paper " who used to leap single-handed on the deck of the pirate ship and sabre the robber chief on the spot !

But to return. Suppose now that the classes are all " Upstairs at one end of the School a bearded gentleman is about to teach arithmetic. " Tak' slates! " he says. The boys take slates and he takes snuff, and proceeds to give out At the other end of the School Mr. sums to be done.

Morrison is likewise teaching arithmetic, and if you listen across the years you can still hear him. " Now, say it altogether, ' A prime number—is a number—which can only be deevided—by itself and one! ' " A truly stupendous fact ; and as enunciated by him, sforzando throughout, as the musical folk say, and sharply accelerando at the end, it is hammered into young heads firmly enough. It may be that in after life you have no use for prime numbers. The big world talks about prime ministers and prime bacon, but never by any chance about prime numbers. No matter, there they are, and they " can only be deevided by themselves and one." Mr. Morrison also taught geography, properly called " jography," out of a brown-coloured book called " Mackay's Geography," a class-book for schools and colleges. There have been several ways of pronouncing " Manitoba," but his was unique. He got the accent on the last syllable— " Mannytobaa." When he used the strap he seemed to stand on tiptoe, and one yet sees him punishing a boy, who is now a thriving artist, for practising his incipient talent on the blackboard.

In an adjoining classroom English was taught. For this study, for teaching boys, that is to say, how to use their mother tongue, steam-rollers were in use. These engines, contrived by an Aberdeen professor, not unknown to fame at the time, were two in number, called respectively, " Bain's Higher English Grammar," and " Bain's Lower Ditto."

Dr. Bain expressed in his Grammar a horror of what he called " Scotticisms," meaning thereby the rude forms of speech which were in use amongst the barbarians in whose midst he• had been born, brought up, and spent his life. It was him that learned us all never to use Scotticisms; and, of course, you will never catch the writer or any other body doing so.

Yes, Bain's Grammar—it is said that recently a middle-aged man with a moustache and a bowler hat was seen in the New Market trying to " pop " a copy of " Bain's Higher Grammar." " I'll take anything you like for it—a penny," he said coaxingly to the dealer. " I wouldn't give a bawbee for't," was the answer. " Then take it for nothing; I'll just leave it with you." " No, no," replied the dealer,.

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" ye're nae to leave that here; take it away; my shop's nae a free cowp." A free cowp, Bain's Grammar—ochone, a righ, the great Victorians!

Alongside of the book mentioned. " Smith's Principia " was mere holiday reading. With Mr. Legge, downstairs, one got through the " Principia " fairly comfortably.

In fact, one sometimes thinks quite kindly of old man Smith : his was a capital book to learn the " iisdem or eisdem " business out of. After Smith, the Latin classes made the acquaintance of a gentleman called Barrow Allen; he was like Bain, in having a higher and a lower, or first and second, treatise.

One does n•ot know if he is still in use; if not, it may be explained that Barrow Allen was a Latin poet. He wrote poems like the one beginning:— "Aline, alter, unus, ullus, Uter, neuter," —and so on. That is only one of the most impressive of his effusions, many of which are calculated to move the most stony-hearted to tears. So one is probably right in saying that it is to Barrow Allen that one may trace the passionate love of Latin poetry which is so marked in all former classical pupils of the Grammar School.

These were the Classicals. Not to be confused with the Moderns.

Ah, yes, these Moderns.

They were few in numbers, and they used to assemble—a class of them, that is to say three or four—in the Chemical Department, and potter about with bottles and test tubes, what time, through the partition, Mr. Lothian, armed with a tuning fork, set a class bellowing away at " The Garb of Old Gaul With the fire of Old Rome."

So sang the class, and in the meantime in the adjoining room, the Moderns, with the fire of bunsen burners, were creating smells such as old Rome never knew. In this manner the Moderns applied the appropriate touch of modernity to the more strictly classical spirit which pervaded the other room.

This, however, was a consideration which struck no one at the time.

The Moderns were a mysterious lot in those days. They are much more numerous nowadays than they were twenty years ago. They excelled in things like freehand drawing and gymnastics; they learned a strange language called German; and they had to be snowballed at sight. They got cardboard certificates from the Department of Science and Art, while the Classicals aimed more particularly at the imposing parchment scrolls issued by My Lords of the Privy Council, and signed by a person unknown, called

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" Henry Craik." To this end the classicals carried about with them little blue-covered books called " Livy XV.," or something like that, " with an introduction and notes by So-and-So, M.A." In these textbooks no Latin author could speak for himself ; he was always formally introduced by " Somebody, M.A." But no account of the schoolbooks is complete without mention of Pendlebury, and of the Euclids of Laing, Todhunter and Mackay.

It is difficult nowadays to realise the relative importance of some of our juvenile activities. There was, for instance, the enormous traffic which went on in postage stamps.

Everybody had a collection of these stuck in a book. To school he brought another lot in his pocket which he called " changers " and which he was prepared to barter. Though the stamp collections have disappeared, one can yet recall the common objects of the stamp market of that time. One can still see the familiar face of the baby King of Spain, the last King of Holland, and the moustache of the middleaged Victor Emanuel. A " commony " of no realisable value was the " ten German," the old 10 pfennig stamp of the " Deutches Reich." Then there were the old Queen Victoria penny stamps with odd letters in the corners ; the red ones were not of much account, but the black ones were highly esteemed. Occasionally one saw a triangular Cape of Good Hope; and there was the multitude of American stamps, the prettiest of all, with locomotives and ships on them. The writer yet remembers how, on one occasion, he got a whole lot of Dutch Surinam stamps from a relative abroad. Such a species of stamp had never been heard of in the School ; and he walked in the playground in the same frame of mind as the financier presumably possesses when he goes on 'Change with a successfully cornered market in his hands. Foolishly, he allowed a certain big boy to see the Surinams. The big boy took them away with him, saying he would bring along some fine exchanges " to-morrow." To-morrow has not yet arrived.

Amongst the things that have vanished falls to be mentioned, first and foremost, the secluded spot where all personal disputes were adjusted. Many a time one used to hear the invitation issued, sometimes in semi-jest: " Meet you at three behind the --! " There is no need to complete the words of challenge; they are familiar to everyone.

You may go along Esslemont Avenue to-day, and you see the windows of the Westfield School looking blankly on the old field of combat. The old trees are there still, their leaves rustling occasionally, we will presume, in the breeze, and in the brave days of old. telling of fights behind the

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(That's poetry). In the same region was a favourite place for playing " Kick the Block." Another place that one remembers as vanishing long since is the trench or cutting which ran inwards in a straight line from the west gate. At the side of this was a small hill or eminence, coated with mud in wet weather. Here was played " King of the Castle," or some such game, till the hill came to be levelled with the surrounding ground. The hill disappeared and the trench was filled up; the whole configuration of the ground was changed. Recently an eminent geologist went along there, it is said, to study the topography of the country. " Ah, yes," he remarked ; " hill levelled with the ground. Glacial action, doubtless." It wasn't; it was men with spades, because we saw them doing it.

The biggest internal change on the School has been the alteration of the hall. The old hall had a character of its own. Who in the gallery up above has not felt a thrill when a well-aimed missile struck some member of a gymnastic class down below? Sergeant Black, late 22nd Hussars, used to officiate at the " 'oss," as he called it; and it was accounted no small feat to climb over the gallery railing and crawl out on the beams and get down by the ropes. What would fond parents have thought of such a practice? Given time, one could recall quite a lot of interesting things about Sergeant Black, late 22nd Hussars. He had been in the Afghan wars and had done the march to Kandahar or some lesser place, and he used to set us trotting round the hall at the double on a miniature march to Kandahar, he himself standing at ease in the centre, in an attitude befitting an Afghan hero.

It was a fine sight, doubtless, to the boys up in the gallery, who discharged paper darts and heavier things at the gymnasticians. The old hall had its gala days when prizes were given out. It was a very dusty place, and the hollow floor resounded splendidly to the interminable " Rum-tumrumtumtum," which we kept up with our feet at prizegivings. The platform party in the middle seemed to object to the dust which was raised by this process, but we didn't mind a bit. And all those nice little boys with nicely-washed faces and nice clean collars, all those prizewinners, proxime accesserunts, and the rest—where are they now?

W. M. A.

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Some Impressions of Sweden.

1.—The Summer.

The Swedish summer is short. No wonder that advantage is taken of it to the full. Apart from other causes the length and darkness of the winter are sufficient to account for this.

Even in Stockholm there are shorter days than in the extreme north of the mainland of Scotland, and farther up the country the hours of light diminish till at the top of the Gulf of Bothnia at midwinter the sun rises after ten o'clock and sets before one, giving a day of less than three hours. Besides the darkness there is the cold. The windows are doubled, and in almost every room a stove is busy consuming the great store of firewood that has been laid in the previous summer.

The main object is to keep your house warm. Nor must you neglect your duty to the neighbour who lives under the same roof. If you could contrive to do without fires, or if you wish to live elsewhere, you must arrange to keep up the heat for the sake of the floor above.

Winter is not, as with us, a season of various kinds of weather, some of which might almost be mistaken for summer.

It is a season of very definite characters. It means months of unbroken snow and ice. This period may not end till March or April, and then spring comes, generally with a force and meaning that is not understood in our country.

The music of waters enlivens the silent land. Rills prattle down the slopes. Many a valley once more echoes with the rush of a noble river. A thousand lakes cast off the fetters of winter, and the Baltic awakes to new freedom. The white land is green again. The rye fields take on their colour at once, for this hardy northern grain is sown in autumn, and the sprouted crop only awaits the melting of the snow to profit by the very first rays of sunshine that reach it. As soon as spring has really got a hold, things march still quicker, summer is on you before you know. The magic touch of the sun has in a few weeks changed a world of snow and ice into a pleasant land of green woods, of waving crops, of rich harvest fields, of meadows and waysides bright with flowers. Of all the changes none is more delightful than the transformation of the birches, which, with their white stems, airy branches, and leaves of light green, relieve the endless monotony of the pine woods. At midsummer it is the custom to decorate the houses outside and in with this fairy tree of the North, and from the number of them thus ornamented you can tell that the whole land has rejoiced.

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Both in the city and in the country, man follows Nature and responds to her irresistible call. The extra windows are removed and the air gets in, the stoves are neglected, the heavy overcoats are consigned to the garderob e. " Let us go out and be glad," seems the universal watchword. Everybody who is anybody is off for the season, either to some of the numerous waterplaces or to a villa by lake or sea. Here for three months a free outdoor life makes up for the limitations imposed by winter. Here for three months they feast on the brightness of the sky, the freshness of the waters, and the sweet aroma of the woods.

To peasants, too, who form so large a proportion of the population summer brings a complete upheaval. Without any holiday intentions, not a few of them also change their residence. As soon as the season is far enough advanced, they may be seen, accompanied by cows and other domestic animals, slowly wending their way to the summer farms.

These are often a long distance from their permanent home— sometimes a whole day's journey. So many of these temporary abodes are found on some hills that they form a little village. Here, along with change of air, part of a peasant's household enjoys life in the woods, with a panorama of valley and lake. Here they attend to the cows and make butter and cheese. The great majority, however, have to stay at home to attend to the all-absorbing business of getting in the crops. In a very literal sense they must make hay while the sun shines. As it gives pleasure to some, so the summer gives the peasant work. Everywhere one is impressed by the extraordinary revolution in nature and life brought about by the sun.

To a wanderer from a more southern land, nothing is more impressive than the length of the day. Even in Stockholm, for a week or two about midsummer, the street lamps are not needed. On the longest day the sun rises about half-past two o'clock in the morning and does not set till nine. Farther north night has been still more completely routed. By way of compensation the mid-day sun lacks the intencity we are accustomed to, and shines with a sort of unearthly softness.

You feel you are in an enchanted land. In spite of the many hours of sunshine, excessive heat is unusual in Sweden.

Ninety •degrees in the shade is very rarely touched, and even then one would suffer less than from the same temperature in some other countries, owing to the quality of the air.

Throughout the day there is generally a slight breeze. If this is not sufficient there is a way of escape. Steamer trips are always possible, and as a last resort there is sure to be close at hand the thick canopy of the pine woods.

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Nowhere does one get more unique impressions of the fascination of the Swedish summer day than in Dalarne, a province to the north of Stockholm, where the simple habits of the peasants add many a touch of poetry to the harvest field. We recollect well a glimpse we had of hay-cutting —not in the prosaic field, rectangular, carefully fenced, and all open to the eye of the passer-by, but in a field, if field it could be called, of truly Arcadian irregularity and charm, hidden in a wood.

Here five peasants-four of them daughters of the owner—were at work. The day was hot, and it was pleasant to rest under the trees round the open patch that bore the crop. Huge dragon-flies floated in the air and darted about, and grasshoppers sang loud on the ground. A single white cloud is suspended against a background of heavenly blue, and gradually sinks behind the gently-waving pines that murmur in the welcome breeze. The clearing is not a single space of definite shape, or with any boundary, but is divided by lines or clumps of young trees into innumerable patches, recesses, and alleys, an ideal place for hide-and-seek, with an undergrowth of blaeberries, cranberries, and heather. The four sisters are dressed in the costume of their parish, and a white handkerchief over their red cap helps to keep off the sun. Strong and healthy young women, they skilfully wield the scythe, and " far from the madding crowd " spend contentedly the sunny hours in useful labour. A glorious day indeed, summer voiced by everything within the woods, simple nature, and simple life. It was good to revel in the varied greenery of earth beneath, and in the brightness of the sky above, and to hearken to the whispering trees.

Such are the days. What of the nights? Du Chaillu says of them: " I have never seen such nights as these."

We can well believe him. They are indeed divine. Whether on land or sea, there is a strange glamour in the northern twilight. In the Gulf of Bothnia near sunset, almost right in the north, the sky is sometimes like a sea with purple islands, to which the eye is led by a long pathway of glittering surface. You are enthralled; you cannot help yourself.

You may say it is only a mixture of water and light. In spite of cold reason, your mind is insensibly carried along this vista of material things to lands and thoughts beyond the sun. Even in Stockholm, where such commonplaces as noisy motors and street cars may annoy, the wonderful influence of the northern evening is still felt. Slowly the lingering glow fades from the high walls of the great Castle, and it takes on the hue of night, but then the Malar Stream that flows in front of this stately palace takes up the message, and_

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es

darT;NIDED

PRIOR TO 250

ABERDEEN GRAMMAR. SCHCOL

Secretary 6,,

Secretary's Office :

Treasurer:

THEODORE WATT, M.A.

THE ROSEMOUNT PRESS,

TELEPHONE 1035.

ABERDEEN,

20th January,

192 6.

A.M. Johnston, Esq., iomewood, Countesswells Road, Aberdeen.

Dear Sir, A meeting of the All-Round Trophy Committee appointed at tae last meeting of the executive of the Club will be held in the .slate ,iotel on l'ednesday, 27th January, at 8 p.m. to deal with the remit, which is in the following terms:"To submit as early as possible a new scheme based on the present scheme, if this be found advisable and practicable, but also if considered desirable, an alternative scheme without reference to the present scheme".

I am enclosing a copy of the School "Magazine" of February, 1914, on pp.97-99 of which you will find the present Rules and Regulations.

As there are only a very few copies

of this issue of tne "Magazine" left, I should like the copy now sent to be returned to me later.

Yours faithfully,

Hon. Secretary.

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catching the lights of the city, seems to change into an undulating stretch of molten metal—here yellow as gold, there like silver, here a rich purple, and there an emerald green.

Out shoots a little steamboat with its red lamp, and looks like a firefly crossing the night. A mysterious fairyland. The scene fascinates and you tarry to watch. What is the source of the witchery'? Is it the sweet scent of the lime trees? Is it the strains of music from the cafes, or the deep-flowing, many-coloured stream ? These all help : but chiefly it is the clear northern sky, often cloudless, and faintly coloured yellow and blue, against which spires and domes stand darkly out. It is this wonderful light which, long after the sun has actually set, clothes everything with mystery and new charm, covering irrelevant details, but bringing into relief the poetry of castle, of stream, of tree. You feel surrounded by some ethereal intelligence, which fills the spacious vault, and your spirit would fain go out and hold converse with the voices of the night, which seem to be whispering everywhere, though you cannot hear exactly what they say. Hark! it is the North a'calling.

If amid the distractions of an up-to-date city it is delightful and inspiring to watch the departure of sunlight, not less so is it in such a rural environment as is to be found in the neighbourhood of Lake Siljan, " the eye of Dalarne." Here slow and beautiful, indeed, is the change of the northern day into the northern night.

It is ten o'clock on a quiet summer evening, but the reaping machines are still going, merry voices come from the woods, and the corncrake is heard in the fields. The light has weakened, but the air remains astonishingly clear. The pines in the distance can be distinctly seen, as well as the little wooden homes of the peasants that nestle in their shelter. In a sky of delicate blue long banks of clouds reflect the glory of the departed sun. A little later the light is undoubtedly fainter, but the reapers have not stopped work, the sky is still red, and the pen with which we record the facts still casts a shadow on the book. By eleven, however, the signs of night are accumulating, and not a single sound stirs the air. Even the mosquitoes have given truce. Everything is ready for the darkness, but the darkness does not come. Day refuses to die. The little red houses and the trees behind them are actually getting more distinct.

We need wait no longer for a night that cannot come. The hour is not yet twelve, but look ! already on the northern hills is blushing a new morn.

11.—The People.

It is, to say the least, difficult for a tourist to gauge with any degree of accuracy the characteristics, mental or moral,

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of the inhabitants of a land to which he pays a casual visit.

On the one hand he is apt to magnify into national attributes the personal qualities of the one or two individuals he may have chanced to meet under special circumstances. On the other hand, from a want of knowledge of the language, from lack of extensive opportunities of social intercourse, he may utterly ignore some of the fundamental virtues of the people as a whole. Further, though a tourist often comes as an observer, and is on the qui vive for anything that forms a contrast to life at home, he comes mostly in •contact with those whose interest in him is largely mercenary, and impressions thus derived must, to a certain extent, be discounted. It is fully admitted that a straw shows how the wind blows, and by a single act a person may reveal his whole character, perhaps that of the whole nation as well. All the same, when a stranger, after one or at most two days in Stockholm, suggests that the Swedes are rather a selfish people with an eye always on the main chance, we add the necessary supply of salt to the finding of the flying visitor. When, however, traveller after traveller—and we have read the accounts of many—asserts that the Swedes are a polite people, and when our own observation leads us to the same conclusion, we accept their statement as an undoubted fact. They are civil, not only to visitors but to each other. The message boy lifts his hat to the porter, the porter to the clerk, the clerk to the manager, and so on. In some quiet towns where strangers are few you need only to look at a boy to get a polite bow, or at a little girl to get an engaging curtsy, instead of the uncomplimentary remarks that might reach your ear after your back was turned in a Scotch town. Not only are the outward forms of civility practised, but this is done with a grace that is foreign to us insular Saxons.

It is, of course, possible to say that these forms mean nothing, and give no key to the character of those that practise them.

It may be conceded that they have become second nature, but even if they have their origin in former intercourse with the French and admiration of the ways of that nation, it does not prevent them being a really potent factor in social intercourse throughout the land. Then as to their significance. To take a concrete case, if a Swede arrives at a boarding-house he will introduce himself to the guests, and his advances will unfailingly be met by a return of the civilities he offers.

In England, under similar circumstances, any advances by the newcomer, or indeed, by those already there, would probably be treated with scant ceremony. The Swede who is thrown together with another for the time being, receives him at• once with the consideration due to a man and

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a brother. The Englishman, at first at least, resents the intrusion. Each, no doubt, acts in accordance with the practice of the country he belongs to ; but will it be contended that the attitude in each case is not also an expression of national character ?

Let us turn now to another aspect of the subject. I remember once in Stockholm having a discussion on the character of the Swedes with an Englishman who had travelled and seen much. He admitted their many good qualities, but was of opinion that in spite of them all there was wanting that co-ordinating power that brings things off. They were deficient in practical capacity. It is easy to bring much evidence against this conclusion. There is, at anyrate, no lack of high intellectual power, either now or in the past. Can Scotland, with a population similar to that of Sweden, boast of any man who, for scientific work, has won for himself so wide fame as Linnmus? Has Scotland throughout its whole history produced any general who has achieved military results comparable to those of Gustavus Adolphus? If we can point to crowds of inventors, so can they. About the realisation of special results there is no doubt. In the case, for example, of education, they teach modern languages in a way that leads to the pupils being able to use the language they are taught. In quick appreciation of modern inventions and adoption of new methods, the Swedes are in some cases ahead of us, as, for example, in the development of their telephone system and their use of electric power. This and much more might be said, and yet we are unable wholly to disagree with the above criticism. It is not that the Swedes are not clever ; it is not that they are unscientific. If anything, it is that they are altogether too scientific, too theoretical, too much guided by the idea, too little by the demands of actual practice.

To what are we to attribute this? Certainly not to lack of intellectual endowment nor to lack of education. In respect of the latter, they are on the average of the upper classes, in some aspects our superiors. Perhaps in the schools there has not been the same development of practical science as with us, but take an ordinary roomful of adults and it would probably be found in all that counts as real culture they could hold their own. They always read, and generally speak, one or two languages besides their own, and have a knowledge of foreign literature. In our country a man who speaks a foreign language is the exception. In Sweden it is all the other way. Of course we refer only to the educated classes. The peasants know no language but their own. In towns, English or German will aid a tourist in shops, hotels,

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and private houses, and enable him often to converse with fellow-travellers by train or steamer. As regards art it may be mentioned that there are a large number of living Swedish artists, some of them with more than local fame, and the peasant industries also point to the existence of inherent artistic capabilities. If one is in any doubt on this point, a visit to the Northern Museum or an examination of the autumn number of The Studio for 1910 will bring conviction.

In the course of a first visit one may easily get the idea that the Swedes are not musical. It is difficult sometimes to get people to play or sing. You ask why so few perform, and are told, " In England everybody sings, whether they can or not. In Sweden only those who do it well will attempt to give pleasure to an audience." But in pointing out the artistic susceptibilities of the Swedes, are we not explaining why they are not so prosaically practical as, say, the Scotch ?

If we acknowledge their wonderful powers of imagination we supply still another reason. Can anyone deny invention to a race that has created the northern mythology with its stories of gods, giants, and heroes; to a race that has brought forth the Sagas and the Eddas : to a race that, not content with distant divinities and the mysteries of Valhalla, has peopled the woods, the streams, and the homes of the people with all sort of supernatural creatures?

This was in the past, but at the present day we can still see the northern mind active. Their admiration for the simple beauties of nature, and their real enjoyment of wood, and lake, and stream, prove that they see in these more than timber and water. The same is reflected in modern literature, and may be discovered by anyone in the remarkable stories of Selma Lagerlof, the popular Swedish authoress, several of whose works may now be read in English.

We touch another side altogether of the Swedish mind when we speak of its fondness for logical division. No people• perhaps discuss abstractions more readily than the Scotch.

Everyone has heard of the old days when this mental acuteness found exercise in the criticism of sermons. It was not, however, carried into daily life.

With the Swedes it is different. They seem to regard things from the logical orscientific side, and to materialise their oonceptions in ordinary affairs. One or two examples will make the meaning clear.

Fruit and flowers belong to different classes of objects, not from a botanical point of view, but in regard to their use, the one being for food and the other for decoration. For all that, it is found convenient to sell them in the same shop.

Not so in Sweden, where the flower shops and the fruit shops are quite distinct. It seems to us natural that a hairdresser

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in addition to his work of shaving and hair-cutting should also retail such articles as will enable people to make their toilet at home. In Sweden, if you want to be shaved you go to the barber, but if you want to buy soap, scent, combs, or brushes, you go to the parlym affiir. To such an extent is sub-division and classification carried that at a barber's shop you get shaved in one room and your hair cut in another.

You go to claim a parcel at the Post Office. One man takes the paper you have filled up. Another goes in search of the parcel. A third opens it up. A fourth examines it.

Still another ties it up again, and a sixth receives the money you have to pay. The fact is they make definitions and try to live up to them. We, on the other hand, take short cuts through logic to results. Perhaps you arrive at a station in a cab with luggage. There is no porter in sight. The cabman will not lift the luggage down as this would be taking him beyond the defined limits of his duty. A policeman near by cannot be expected to help either. He, however, can call a porter and the latter, of course, finally removes the luggage.

No one thinks of going beyond the definition of his special functions.

It is not for a moment suggested that the Swedes worry themselves over definitions. The Swede takes most things easily. He wishes to enjoy life. The American view that the man who develops the greatest amount of hurry is getting the most out of life does not find favour here. Their fondness for pleasure is seen in various ways. The caf(is in Stockholm are filled every night with crowds who seem to have nothing to do but to sit over their favourite drink and listen to the music. To be out for the evening is the rule with many. Even old people seem unable to settle down, and as a consequence home life is less developed than in Britain.

The easy way with which even the serious matters of life are taken is remarked on by commercial men who visit Stockholm. They say that owing to the frequent intervals for rests and meals a very small amount of business can be overNor is religion exempt from this taken on a given day. general tendency. The Swedes are not irreligious or atheistical, but simply indifferent. There are to be found throughout the country not a few who have deep and genuine religious feeling, but the large majority attend church only very occasionally, some only once a year—at Christmas. It is in accord with some of the foregoing characteristics that the Swedes are a law-abiding people, and accustomed to pay respect to all sorts of regulations, whether of the nature of legal enactments or of more transitory and less authoritative

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arrangements. They accept the definition. What has been said applies more especially to the people of the towns, though much of it is true also of the peasant. It is noticeable that with the growth of industry new elements have appeared in the population, and in them respect for the law, for ancient custom, and for religion, is not so apparent. Although certain national traits are well marked, there is very little that catches the attention about the Swedes.

Everyone knows some of the many anecdotes that show up the national failings of the Scot, or the intellectual vagaries of the Irishman, but there is little in the character of the Swedes to hang a story on, unless it be perhaps their excessive regard for externals.

The following appeared in one of the comic papers: A man had fallen into the water and was in danger of drowning, but he was unwilling that his cuffs and collar should be soiled. So taking them off and holding them up he cried, " Save these starched things! " Like any other nation under the sun, the Swedes have their faults, but a stranger can scarcely fail to notice their virtues. Part of the pleasure to be derived from travelling in their country is the meeting with so many cultured, polite, and friendly people.

J. B. P.

The Latin " Version."

Letter from Dr. T. Irvine Rowell, C.M.G. [To the Editor of The Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.]

Dear Sir, Can you inform me whether any Old Boy, or indeed any other one, has ever placed on record his opinion on the merits and value, from a teaching point of view, of the versions of the two great Latinists of their day in Aberdeen, or perhaps elsewhere, viz., Dr. James Melvin and Sir William Duguid Geddes? It is an inspiriting and worthy theme, for our much-beloved Granite City is not likely again to be able to enjoy the honour, pride, and glory of having enrolled among its number of worthies, such past-masters and intellectual giants in their profession, the one following closely on the heels of the other, as these duo illustres viri were.

In spite of the inevitable thinning of their ranks through the gliding years, there may surely still be left a few of the Old Boys who sat under both these masters with sufficient scholarship and knowledge to pass a verdict on this most

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interesting question, could they only be induced to give expression to their views. Personally I remember James Melvin only by sight, for he had retired from active work before my day, but I do not think there exists a single version he ever composed on which I have not tried my 'prentice hand to turn into my very best Latin, and poor I fear at that. Under Geddes I, of course, studied, and came to know his versions almost by heart. The week-end versions of these two great protagonists, as given out to the class to be rendered from the English into the Latin tongue, differed most markedly in style. Melvin's English dictation was in essence simple to a degree, pure, clear, and unadorned, so that he who ran might read; but underneath this apparently smiling and rosy surface there lurked, carefully hidden away and buried, such an intricate network of traps, lures, snares, quagmires, and pitfalls for the unwary and unthinking student to drop into, relating to numbers, genders, tenses, moods, idioms, construction, direct and indirect narration, and so forth, that one perforce is struck with amazement at the ingenuity displayed, the time and thought that must have been expended on them by their framer, and at his ability to crowd together so many possible sources of error into so small a compass as the four corners of a version.

Herein, however, in very truth lay their great potential strength and virtue as mental exercises, scholastic tests, and didactic weapons. Geddes's diction, on the other hand, was more complex, his language less simple, his sentences more flowery, ornate, and rhetorical—due, no doubt, to his Grecian leanings and proclivities and his Hellenic modes of thought, and on this account his versions were harder to render and less amenable to accurate translation, but there did not run through the body of them that chainwork and infinite variety of snares and wiles which characterized Melvin's productions, and formed their dominant feature as a means of education. I have no pretensions myself to be either a capable or qualified judge, but were my opinion asked, I would, staunch and loyal supporter and believer in Geddes's powers as a versionist though I be, feel myself bound, however grudgingly, to place the laurel wreath on the brow of James Melvin, were he alive.

I wonder if any other Old Boy could be got to pass a judgment pro or con on this quaestio vexata; it would be pleasant to read it.

While on the subject of versions, I greatly fear that both they and the classics generally are losing the grip and influence they once wielded on national education, and if so magnopere dolendum est is all I can say. It is a downgrade step, for•

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there is no form of instruction so well adapted to sharpen a young intellect, increase its reasoning powers, and make a lad think freely and independently for himself. When he has once learned to do this, half his life's battle is already won. No other process known to me has an equal effect or so vivifying an influence on the mind, and as a form of mental gymnastics it cannot be surpassed.

I would like here, also, in connection with this, to advise all boys on leaving School never to think of burning their boats behind them, or of consigning the classics on which they have spent so many hours to the waste-paper basket, but to go on and cultivate them through life in their idle moments. If they do so, they will find in them, when the hey-day of their youth has gone, and they reach the stage of the sere and yellow leaf to which we all must come, a never-failing source of pleasure, and a means of passing, whether on a summer day sub tegmine fagi, or by a cosy fire on a winter's evening, many a leisure hour in a profitable occupation which would otherwise be lost to them.

I urge this on them as a matter of experience, and I may strengthen it by adding that it will be found that when a sluggish or torpid liver overcomes them, causing a mens melancholica, there is no surer means of lifting the mist and bringing to view the silver lining than a half hour's peep into a Ccesar, a Cicero, a Ling, a T'irgil, or a Xenophon, or perhaps an ode of Horace or Anacreon, or the rendering of a version. It is a remedy more efficacious and less costly than the much-credited blue pill of the British Pharmacopoeia.

And now in conclusion I wish to tell you of an institution I came across in my life in the East, which is, I venture to think, unique in this world of ours, and worthy of narration.

It was a Roman Catholic College seminary, situate in an outlying village called Pulau-Tikos, some few miles from Penang, and presided over by a Principal and a few assistant priests.

Its aim was the education of native lads for the missionary priesthood, and when their course was completed they were then dispersed broadcast over the countries which gave them birth, in order to spread the Christian faith.

An epidemic had broken out among the pupils, and the Principal wrote to me to Singapore and asked me if I would visit them, enquire into it, and give them what help and advice I could. This is how it was brought to my immediate notice: On my arrival I learned its history to be a most interesting one. There were boys in it from Tibet, from Tonquin, from all parts of China proper, from India, from Assam, from Burmah, from Siam, from the Straits, and Malay Peninsula,

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and Borneo, stray waifs picked up anywhere and anyhow, a veritable Babel of Tongues. But what surprised me most was to find that their common colloquial was in the Latin tongue, and to hear these boys of so many nationalities making use of this as their common mode of conversation was to me a revelation, and interested me greatly.

When I first entered their classroom and realised the state of things, all I could for the moment remember to say by way of a greeting was, " Ego sum. Romani's! " which seemed to amuse them. The sickness soon passed away, and afterwards in my hospital inspections at Penang, I often visited them. The Principal himself was a delightful intellectual man of charming manners, such as you very often meet. amongst the cultured class of our Gallic friends. His name was Padre Wallays ; he looked a Scot, and was probably so by descent, his name being most likely a Gallic perversion of Wallace. Moreover he. was an ardent admirer of Scotia, and all pertaining to her ; and when I came to know him better, we never gripped each other's hands without a " Scots wha hae wi' Wallace bled " on our lips. We became intimate friends, and I have souvenirs of his sent me afterwards. by. him from Tonquin with which I would not part for a kingdom. Whether the institution still flourishes, I know not, The Roman but I have no reason to think otherwise.

Catholic priesthood in the East is a powerful body ; does an immensity of good in an unostentatious, quiet manner, and Their priests are most selfis deserving of all praise. sacrificing, living practically with the natives as natives themselves, and at about as little cost—not being content with teaching them the mere tenets of the Christian doctrine, but giving them practical and useful help in the work of their daily lives, and extending their sympathy to them in all their struggles and difficulties. It is no wonder, therefore, that they secure the number of converts they do, and one cannot but admire their heroic and self-denying labours for the conversion of the heathen.

I am, etc., T. IRVINE ROWELL. Norman House, Stansted, Essex, 8th January 1914.

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"D

BATZ R"

NOT

24th October, 1913.—This evening the Society niet in Room I. to hear a lecture by Mr. Munson on " Fools." ).lr. Cumming, President of the Society, was in the chair. Mr. Murison's paper was a most interesting and amusing one, and he kept his audience entertained for over an hour. He gave examples of the different kinds of fools, and told many amusing stories of each. The most notable were the " Wise Men of Gotham," and " Jamie Fleeman, the Laird o' Udny's Feel." At the close of the lecture, which was listened to with close attention, Mr. Cumming proposed a vote of thanks to the lecturer in a neat speech,, in which he referred to the fact that Mr. Munson has now been Honorary President of the Society for 21 years. A " Hat Night " was held until the close of the meeting at nine o'clock.

31st October, 1913.—On this date the Society met in room I., when Mr. J. M. Morrison delivered a lecture on " The Life and Times of Savonarola." Mr. Cumming presided over a large attendance. The lecturer began by giving a most graphic sketch of the political history of Italy in the 15th century. He then passed to Savonarola himself, and touched on the most important points of his career—his early education, his powers in the pulpit, his denunciation of the princes of the Church, and his descent to the political arena, with all its dire consequences—giving a most vivid picture of the scenes preparatory to the unfinished ordeal by fire. The lecture was throughout most interesting, and was listened to with close attention. Mr. Cumming in a few words proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Morrison, which was heartily accorded. A " Hat Night" was then held, but there were few good debates.

7th November, 1913.—On this evening the Society met to hold " Magazine Night." The chair was occupied by Mr. F. M. F. Dawson. Few criticisms worthy of note were made—a tribute to the general excellence of the Magazine. After all the criticisms had been answered in a satisfactory manner by the Editors, Mr. Cumming took the chair, and a " Hat Night" was held. This proved most successful, and easily continued till nine o'clock, when the meeting broke up.

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14th November, 1913.—On this date the Society met in Room I. to hear a debate: " Is town life better than country life? " Mr. Dawson, who supported town life, spoke first, and set forth his views in an excellent paper. Mr. Hendry then spoke for country life, and by means of his persuasive eloquence, won over the meeting to his side, so that when the vote was taken, he won easily. A " Hat Night " was then held, the chief debates being :— " Has the invention of gunpowder proved a blessing or a curse to humanity? " " Should we have Inter-School sports? " and " Are Newspapers Beneficial? " 21st November, 1913.—The Society met this evening in Room I. to hear a lecture by G. M. Fraser, Esq., entitled " Archibald Simpson, architect, and the making of Aberdeen." Mr. Munson presided over an attendance of about forty members, and in a few well-chosen words introduced the lecturer. Mr. Fraser then delivered his lecture, which was full of interest, and held the attention of the audience from start to finish. The lecturer dealt with Simpson's early career, and told how he came to choose the profession he did. He showed that Simpson, coming as he did, just when the city of Aberdeen was expanding rapidly, was responsible for many of our finest public buildings, amongst which are : St. Andrew's Cathedral, The Music Hall, The Royal Asylum, and the Infirmary. Mr. Fraser spoke with a knowledge of his subject which must be almost unique, and at the close, on the call of Mr. Cumming, was accorded a very hearty vote of thanks.

Mr. A. McBain proposed one to Mr. Munson. The rest of the evening was spent in a " Hat Night."

28th November, 1913.—This evening the S-ociety met in Room I., Mr. Charles Davidson in the chair, when the Rev. A. Austin Foster delivered a lecture on " John Keats." The lecture, which was most interesting, was divided into two parts, first, the story of Keats's short and somewhat unhappy life, and second, his poetry. Mr. Foster has a rare gift for reading poetry, and the selections he read from Keats were highly appreciated. At the close, Mr. Davidson briefly proposed a vote of thanks to the lecturer, and Mr. Cumming to Mr. Davidson.

5th December, 1913.—On this evening the Society's annual " Judicial Night" was held. A full account will be found on another page.

12th December, 1913.—No meeting was held on this date owing to the F.P.'s dramatic performance, " The Speckled Band," in the School Hall.

19th December, 1913.—The Christmas " Sing-Song " was held in Room I. this evening. There was a fair attendance of members, over whom Mr. I. McBain presided. Solos were rendered by Messrs. Hendry, Robson, and Thomson. The Society's thanks are due to Mr. A. F. Hyslop, who played the accompaniments in his usual inimitable style. Mention must also be made of Mr. McCallum, who kindly relieved Mr. Hyslop occasionally. After the meeting, which broke up at 9.15, an enthusiastic company serenaded the masters.

9th January, 1914.—Since the Rev. Lucking Tavener's lecture, arranged for this evening, had to be postponed, " Readings " were

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held instead. Mr. Cumming presided. After the minutes of several previous meetings had been approved, the business of the evening was commenced. Readings were contributed by Messrs.

F. Daniel, N. Elliot, A. McBain, and J. W. Stewart Thomson, those by the last-named gentleman proving the most popular.

A " Hat Night " was afterwards held.

16th January, 1914.—On this evening a lecture, under the joint auspices of the Society and the Scouts' Association was delivered in the Hall by Mr. Oliver G. Pike, the well-known " Birdland " lecturer, on " How Birds can help Scouts."

23rd January, 1914.—On this date the Society met in the Hall, when Mr. A. Landsborough Thomson delivered a lecture on " A Climbing Holiday : Two F.P.'s in the High Alps." The lecture was illustrated with numerous excellent lantern slides, from photographs taken by the lecturer himself. Mr. Thomson told of the dangers of Alpine climbing as well as its pleasures, and gave detailed accounts of the ascents of various peaks. Towards the end he showed several slides of Skye, and of the Cairngorms, which were much appreciated. Mr. Dawson, who presided, in a neat speech, proposed a vote of thanks to the lecturer. The audience, which numbered about 100, then dispersed.

30th January, 1914.—The meeting on this date was held in the Hall, where an audience of about 100 assembled to hear a lecture

by Mr. Charles Davidson, on " Some Continental Experiences."

Mr. Cumming presided. The lecturer dealt mainly with the Riviera, showing many most instructive slides of Nice, Cannes, and other towns. At the end he passed to Belgium, and showed a few slides of Brussels, finishing up with the field of Waterloo.

The lecture was throughout most entertaining and amusing, especially the excellent imitation of a French guide which the lecturer gave. At the close Mr. Davidson was accorded an exceedingly hearty vote of thanks. Another was given to the janitor for his skilful manipulation of the lantern.

6th February, 1914.—The Society met in Room I. to hear a debate—" Ought we to believe in ghosts? "—between Messrs. A. McBain and C. A. Dean. Mr. McBain supported ghosts, and, in the course of an excellent paper, told some very good ghost stories.

In the absence of Mr. Dean, his paper, which was also an interesting one, was read by Mr. Scott. On the vote being taken, Mr. Dean won. A " Hat Night" was then held, but the discussion was not well sustained, and the meeting broke up early.

13th February, 1914.—On this evening a large audience assembled in Room IV. at 7 p.m. when Dr. McLeod delivered his annual lecture to the Society. His subject this year was " Some Electrical Experiments, including Wireless Telegraphy and the X-Rays." He began by illustrating the action of magnetism and electricity at a distance, which, of course, lies at the root of wireless telegraphy. He then explained the difference between a continuous and an alternating current of electricity, and explained the principle of the Leyden Jar. After having explained the " wireless instruments, he exhibited a model transmitter and receiver, and rang a bell by " wireless" at a distance of several

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yards. Great enthusiasm was shown when he announced that he hoped to be able to persuade the School Board to equip a wireless station at the School.

The lecturer then passed to the Rontgen Rays, and illustrated their powers, showing a coin inside a purse, and the bones of his hand. A few concluding remarks brought a most interesting and instructive lecture to a close. Mr. A. McBain, who presided, in a few words proposed a vote of thanks to Dr. McLeod, which was heartily given. Another was given to Dr. McLeod's assistant, Mr. Donaldson, on the call of Mr. I. McBain.

Finale Concert.

It may be mentioned that the Society's Finale Concert and Dramatic Entertainment will be held in the School Hall on Friday, 6th March, at 7.30 p.m. An attractive concert programme has been arranged, to be contributed to by many ladies and gentlemen well known to the School, and including items by several masters and pupils. The farce "Chiselling" is to be produced by members of the Committee and others, and will form the second part of the programme. It is hoped that many F.P.'s and friends of the School will be present.

Judicial Night. " I wonder what the foreman of the jury, whoever he'll be, has got for tea? " said P.C. Johnstone to his prisoner, by way of keeping up his spirits on the afternoon of that eventful day, the 5th of December, 1913. " For your sake, Herr Gluttenshwein, let us hope he has got a good one, for on that, more than on anything else, his verdict depends."

But, judging by the events of that evening, we must suppose that the foreman's tea had not been to his taste ; for the proceedings of that evening had a peculiarly fatal termination for the ugly foreigner.

Punctually on the stroke of seven o'clock the portly usher threw open the Court-room doors and announced to an expectant public that the eve of his Worship's arrival was at hand. And as he was still proclaiming it in walked the learned counsel as solemn as judges, and much more solemn than the Judge, who followed in their train.

After the usual preliminary formalities had been gone through, the senior counsel for the prosecution opened the case, and very soon showed that of all dyes of villains, Daniel was the deepest, to prove which he had collected the quaintest crowd of witnesses ever seen outside a madhouse.

The first witness, Dirty MacNavvy, would certainly have done well to meet Mrs. O'Castlegate, the washerwoman, in her professional capacity.

The botanist, Mr. Gladioli . . . McCabbage, quite made up for the length of his name by the smallness of his hat. On the other hand, Police Constable Robson, although he had quite

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a good taste in chambermaids, had a helmet which was almost as effective as a muzzle (at least so Susy thought.)

Cornelius Tavern had the misfortune to have under him a waiter, MacToffee, who had sampled his cellar not wisely but too well. In the course of the last-mentioned witness's evidence the behaviour of the prisoner was most obstreperous, and he was not suppressed until his Worship threatened to " get a bit of plaster for his mouth."

The prosecution having had their say, it was now the turn of the defence. The senior counsel, after paternally patting the prisoner on the back and smoothing down his ruffled feelings, called in his first witness, Corky MacFloatwell, who gave an admirable representation of a (not so very) ancient mariner.

The Rev. Cromwell Divinity next arrived, with his organist, Cymbal McTuner, and gave some valuable evidence as to the accused's regular attendance at his Sunday School; evidence, however, which was hardly corroborated by the prisoner's behaviour, or by the next witness, Hardinge Stamper.

Susannah quite won the hearts of jury, Judge, and learned counsel; and, fickle wench, with her winsome smile, had she wished, she could have saved the prisoner's life.

The junior counsel for the prosecution, in a stirring speech, cut short out of consideration for the impatient public that thronged the Court-room, painted Herr Gluttenshwein an ugly black, and a look of devilish hatred and disappointment spread over the features of the accused.

The junior counsel for the defence next proceeded to whitewash him, and the cherubic countenance of the prisoner was once more wreathed in smiles. His Worship then addressed the jury, reading as many of his notes as he could lay his hands on, and the jury retired to consider their verdict.

A deathlike silence pervaded the Court (you might have heard a pea fall !) when, on the return of the jury, the foreman stood up, and, in answer to his Worship, replied, " Guilty, my Lord ! " The prisoner was seen to blush to the roots of his hair and then turn an ashen white, while he leant heavily on the arms of the two stalwart policemen who supported him.

The Judge assumed the black cap and, in a voice hoarse with emotion, urged the prisoner to make repentance for the time he had mis-spent, the faculties he had left uncultivated and misapplied; and then, according to the laws of the Medes and Persians, which change not, he sentenced him, Herr Gluttenshwein, alias Daniel, to be thrown into the den of lions.

P0NTO.

Lending Library.

The following books have been presented to the Library :—By W. Murison, Esq., M.A.—" Maze of Scilly," " In the Cockpit of Europe " ; by E. Watt—" Jack Chalmer " ; by F. M. F. Dawson— " Lionel Harcourt," " The Lost Squire of Inglewood."

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School Football.

1st XV. Matches.

25th October.—On this date the School played 2nd F.P.'s in a League fixture at School. The School's first League match with the F.P.'s was to have taken place in the Christmas holidays, when there would have been difficulty in raising a team. It was therefore arranged to scratch the match with 1st Gordonians and to play 2nd F.P.'s on this date. Play was of an even nature, and both teams were equally matched. There were several good runs by the School threes, but nothing came of them. At last F.P.'s forced the School back, and Brander ran through and scored. The kick failed. Half-time, 3-0 for 2nd F.P.'s. The School wakened up in the second half, and soon Jones put over a free kick, equalising the scores. Then Joss ran through the opposing side and scored. Taking the kick himself he failed to convert. Macrae got the ball from a " 25," and putting down his head, forced his way to the line. Jones took the kick but missed. Then F.P.'s rushed the School up the field and HuntPr scored between the posts. Brander converted. The excitement was now great ; the score was 9-8 for the School and five minutes to go. At last, the matter was put out of doubt when Ritchie scored a smart try for the School, which Jones converted. The best for the School among the backs were Joss, Jones, and Ritchie, and among the forwards Macrae, Bell, McFarlane, and McLeod.

8th November—School r. Gordon's.—This League match was played at School on a very muddy pitch. The lightness of the School forwards was very much to their disadvantage, and Gordon's were able, by superior weight, to command the scrums.

The play was mostly among the forwards, for, owing to the state of the ground and the slipperiness of the ball, little passing was possible among the School threes. Play was very even and took place mostly in midfield. Joss picked up smartly on the School's " 25," and was able by superior speed to run through the opposing side and score between the posts. The try was converted. Halftime, 5-0 for the School. Gordon's began to press in the second half, and play was mostly confined to the School half. Then Gordon's managed to score a try, which they converted, leaving the scores five points all. Soon after this Saunders twisted his ankle and was obliged to leave the field. The School made a rally and forced Gordon's back. Then a free kick was awarded near the touch-line, close to Gordon's line. Joss took the kick but had hard lines, and the whistle blew before more scoring could take place. The lightness of the forwards was unfortunate, but they did well in the loose. The backs were apt to fumble, but the state of the ball explains this. Joss, Saunders, Duffus, and Johnston played a good game.

15th November.—On this date the School played 'Varsity A in a League match at School. 'Varsity A turned up a very strong team, including several of their firsts, for which reason the School protested beforehand, and the match was not counted a League

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one. Play was mostly amongst the forwards, and the School pack showed a considerable improvement from the week before.

Fiddes picked up smartly near the touch-line and, making use of his speed, scored between the posts. Jones converted. Later, from a 'Varsity " 25," Jones secured the ball and scored a smart try, converting himself again. Half-time, 10-0 for the School. The School now kept 'Varsity in their own half, and play was rather scrappy. Hendry received the ball near the corner and wriggled through, scoring the School's third try. Jones again converted.

'Varsity now pressed for a spell until the School forwards screwed in a scrum and went down the field with the ball at their feet.

Joss picked up from this rush and scored, converting himself.

The whole team showed a marked improvement from the week before, especially the forwards, who did useful work in the open.

Hendry and Ritchie were good in the backs, and McLeod and Duffus in the forwards. Final scores, 20-0 for the School.

22nd November.—A League match was played at School with 2nd Queen's. Queen's put a heavy fifteen in the field, while the School had their usual team, except that Fiddes replaced Saunders, who was "crocked" in the Gordon's match. The School played down first half and pressed, except for rushes by the Queen's forwards. Soon, from a cross-kick, Thomson secured the ball, and scored near the touch-line. Jones took the kick and succeeded. Queen's now made rushes for the School line, and in one of them Ferguson was hurt. Half-time, 5-0 for the School. Play was fairly even in the second half. Joss had one or two good runs up the field, but with no result. The School played a good game on the whole, but the threes were apt to fumble and lacked combination. The forwards played well, but they had not the weight. Ritchie and Thomson, in the backs, and McLeod, in the forwards, played a good game. Final scores, 5-0 for the School.

29th November.—On this date the School opposed 2nd 'Shire in a League fixture with a fairly strong team. The weather was fine, but a rather strong wind blew down the field. 'Shire won the toss and, assisted by the wind, carried the game into the School " 25." Soon after the start, Campbell dropped a magnificent goal. The School retaliated by rushing the ball into the vicinity of the 'Shire goal. Here Joss scored from a penalty in the 'Shire " 25." Half-time, 4-3 for 2nd 'Shire. In the second half, the School, playing with the wind, had most of the game.

Thomson scored and Jones converted with a neat kick, thus giving the School the lead. Shortly after, from a fine run by Wright, the School gained a try through Hendry, which Joss converted.

Not long before the whistle blew for time, Fiddes made good use of his speed to score a try, which Jones converted. The threes played well, but Joss might have passed out oftener to Fiddes.

The forwards were somewhat light, but made up in the open.

Final scores, 18-3 for the School.

6th December—School c. 1st 'Shire.—This match was scratched owing to the state of the ground.

13th December.—On this date the School played 1st F.P.'s at Mannofield in a friendly game. The weight of the School for-

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wards was again their disadvantage. Play was mostly among the forwards in midfield. Thomson picked up smartly and passed out to Joss, who gave the School the lead. He also converted with a fine kick. The F.P.'s now wakened up and began to press. Soon Bisset opened their score with a fine dropped goal. Half-time scores, 5-4 for the School. The F.P.'s now thoroughly wakened up and gave the School backs a busy time. Combination was their strong point, and the School forwards might imitate the F.P.'s forwards in their passing game, which was seen to be very effective. The F.P.'s now had the upper hand and scores came frequently. Joss then put over a penalty with a long, accurate kick. Joss and Macleod played well for the School. Final scores, 28-8.

20th December—School v. 2nd Gordonians. This match was scratched owing to the state of the ground.

27th December.—The state of the pitch prevented any game against 1st 'Shire.

10th January.—The match with 'Varsity A was scratched owing to weather conditions.

17th January.—George Heriot's team was unable to travel north on this date.

24th January.—On this date the School played Gordon's at King's in the second League match. Excitement was great, owing to the fact that the first match had been drawn. Saunders made his first appearance in the team since the last Gordan's match.

The School played up during the first half against the wind, which was blowing down and across the field. Play was scrappy and mostly in midfield, until an effort by McFarlane brought the School up to the Gordon's line. From a scrum—five yards—the ball passed along the threes till it came to Joss, who ran round and scored between the posts. Jones converted. Half-time scores, 5-0 for the School. The School now had the wind and did most of the pressing. The School threes had several runs.

Hendry scored two dashing tries and had hard luck for two more.

Thomson also scored on One of his tries was converted by Joss. the other wing. Jones had hard lines for a try between the posts.

The School played a good hard game, and deserved their win.

The forwards showed a marked improvement in their following up. The inclusion of Saunders did much towards the School's victory. Besides Saunders, Hendry and McLeod were playing a brilliant game. Final scores, 16-0 for the School.

31st January.—On this date the School played an important League match with the 2nd F.P.'s, who turned out a very strong side. McFarlane's place in the forwards was taken by Stephen, but otherwise the School team was at full strength. The F.P.'s kicked off with the wind, and play was mostly confined to midfield. It was of a forward nature, and there was plenty of giveand-take. The School threes had some good runs, but Hendry was, unfortunately, forced into touch. Half-time, 0-0. The second half opened with a burst on the part of the F.P.'s, who rushed the ball up the field to the School line. But the School defence was sure, and the F.P.'s were unable to score. The

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School then rallied, and play now passed to the F.P.'s " 25," where a keen tussle ensued. At last, from a line out, the ball passed along the threes to Joss, who dropped a beautiful goal.

The School still pressed, but without result, and the whistle blew with the score at 4-0 for the School. The School deserved to win on account of the superiority of their backs, but the forwards might have been smarter in their following up. The best were Joss and Saunders, the backs; and McLeod and McRae in the forwards.

7th February.—On this date the School played 2nd Queen's in a League game at School on a good pitch. Queen's kicked off and started with a rush down-field, which almost resulted in a score. After some tight scrumming, the School forced the game well into their opponents' " 25." A good run by Fiddes resulted in a score, which Joss easily converted. Shortly afterwards Joss kicked another good goal as the result of a penalty. Half-time scores, 8-0 for the School. After the recommencement Hendry almost scored with a fine run. Fiddes was also conspicuous, and was the means of securing a second try by a cross-kick, which Saunders touched down. Joss converted. Only once were Queen's really dangerous, and the School showed marked superiority in their three-quarter play. Then Ritchie scored from a scrum a. try, which was also converted. The game was uninteresting from a spectacular point of view ; the threes were good individually, but Joss was too well marked to get the ball away often. Joss and Fiddes were conspicuous in the backs, and Duffus and McLeod in the forwards. Final scores, 18-0 for the School.

2nd XV. Matches.

1st November.—On this date 2nd School played 2nd Gordon's at King's. Gordon's had a heavier team than formerly, while, for the School, Fiddes replard Wisely at three-quarter. The School played down, and soon after the kick-off, A. Stephen put over a free kick. The School then confined Gordon's to their " 25," and scored frequently. Half-time scores, 19-0 for 2nd School. The School again pressed, and were only recalled to their own goal once on a rush by Gordon's forwards. The School threes were playing a magnificent game, and scored from time to time. Sutherland, Wright and Fiddes played well in the backs, and Stephen and Scott in the forwards. The scorers were : Fiddes (3), I. Stephen (2), Wright (1), Daniel (1), Nicholls (1), and A. Stephen (1). Final scores, 40-0 for 2nd School.

8th November.—A match had been arranged with the Rest of 'Shire, Gordonians, and Queen's, but only seven of the Rest turned up. Substitutes were found on the ground, and a scratch game was played, resulting in a win for 2nd School by 24-17.

13th December.—On this date 2nd School played 2nd Gordon's at King's. Play was fairly even, and both packs were about equal. The School backs, although good individually, did not combine well. At one point the School pressed Gordon's hard, and scrum after scrum took place within a few yards of the goalline. But the School could not break through. Half-time scores, 0-0. In the second half, the School confined Gordon's to their

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.own half for the most part, but one of the Gordon's forwards broke away and, running down the touch-line, scored between the posts. This was converted. Stephen and Wisely were the best among the backs, and Scott and Nicholls in the forwards. Final scores, 5-0 for 2nd Gordon's.

14th January-2nd School v. 2nd Gordon's.—This was played in wet and windy weather. Play was rather scrappy, and Gordon's had the best of it. But neither side succeeded in scoring before half-time. Gordon's came with a rush from the kick-off, but were unable to score. The School then wakened up and began to press. Soon Scott rushed the ball over the line, but Stephen failed to convert. Fiddes secured the ball from the Gordon's " 25," and had hard lines in not scoring after a brilliant run. I. Stephen next received the ball and scored a good try.

A. Stephen was unfortunate with the kick, which struck the post.

Gordon's tried to retaliate, but the whistle blew before they could score. Sorley, Wright, and J. Stephen were good among the backs, and Scott and A. Stephen in the forwards. Final scores, ,6-0 for 2nd School.

3rd XV. Matches.

22nd November.-3rd School played their first game against 3rd Gordon's. The School won the toss and pressed from the kick-off. Soon Wisely scored between the posts, converting himself. Wisely scored again and Lawrence converted. Just before half-time Wisely scored his third try, but failed the kick. Half-time scores, 13-0 for 3rd School. Gordon's then pressed and scored from a touch near the line. The kick failed.

Wisely got the ball near the School line and scored a brilliant try. Smart failed to convert. Gordon's then scored another try.

Wisely was easily the best of the backs, while Lawrence, Imlay, and Murray did good work in the forwards. Final scores, 16-6 for 3rd School.

6th December.--On this date 3rd School opposed 3rd Gordon's at King's. Gordon's pressed in the first half but no scoring resulted. The School began to press in the second half, and Wisely scored beside the touch-line. The kick failed. Wilson then rushed the ball over the line, but the kick was again missed.

Soon Wisely scored between the posts, and Lawrence converted.

Wisely was easily the best of the backs. The forward play was very scrappy and slack. Final scores, 11-0 for 3rd School.

31st January.-3rd School v. 3rd Gordon's.—At Kings.

-Gordon's won the toss and played with the wind. D. Davidson Soon after scored from a throw-in, but Lawrence failed to convert.

Davidson again scored from a pass of Smart's. Smart converted.

Gordon's came down with a rush and Lawrence cleared, but from another rush they scored but failed the kick. Half-time. 8-3 for 3rd School. Then Wilson scored, and Smart converted. Davidson had another try, and Smart again converted. Rennie scored. but Smart failed this time. Davidson, Wilson, Imlay, and Murray were playing a very good game. Final scores, 23-3 for 3rd School.

I iff rdeen Grammar School Magazine.

The Former Pupils' Club. " Roll of Pupils 1813=1913•" Shortly after the last number of the Magazine was issued, a circular letter with reference to the publication of the Roll of Pupils was sent to every member of the Club.

Attached to theletter was a prospectus of the Roll, giving an idea of its form

and scope, and also a subscription form.

The response to the has been most gratifying, and the Executive of the Club has considered the number of subscribers to be alreadyquite sufficient to warrant authorization of the printing of the Roll. A commencement to this will accordingly be made forthletter

with.

A work of the size and nature of the Roll will necessarily be in the press for a considerable time, but the Editor is sanguine

that copies of the book will be in the hands of subscribers in the autumn of the present year.

In this connection it may be mentioned that publication will be accelerated if all who have received Inquiry Forms will return them without delay. An Inquiry Form has been sent to all members of the Club who were at the School between October, 1863, and June, 1913.

While the majority of these Forms have been returned with the information desired, there is still a very

considerable number that have not yet been sent back.

It will readily be understood that the task of the Editor is greatly in-

creased when second and even third applications for information have to be made. supplied

the

All members, therefore, who have not yet information regarding themselves are

desired

earnestly requested to attend to the matter AT ONCE. By doing so they will enable the Editor to complete his work on the Roll sooner than will be the case if he has to obtain the information from other, and possibly less reliable, sources.

Members of the Club who desire to possess a copy of the Roll and who have not so far sent in a subscription form, should do so at once. The number of copies printed will not be muchin excess of the number of subscription forms received, and only those who subscribe before publication will receive the Roll at cost price.

Aberdeen Grammar School Mago:ine.

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The Annual Dinner.

The Lord Advocate Entertained.

The Annual Dinner was held in the Palace Hotel on Saturday, 20th December. There was a record attendance, which was accounted for no doubt by the fact that the guest of the evening was the Right Hon. Robert Munro, K.C., M.P. He received a very warm welcome from the members of the Club, who were delighted to entertain one who, through his recent elevation to the position of Lord Advocate for Scotland, had added to the distinction of the School. The fact, too, that the Dinner was held at the beginning of the Christmas holidays enabled several members to be present who found it impossible to attend in previous years, when the date of the Dinner was about the beginning of November. The arrangements for the gathering this year were most complete and satisfactory, and reflected great credit on the Secretary and Assistant Secretary for their forethought and thoroughness. The Dinner was undoubtedly the most successful that has yet been held, and was in every way memorable. Mr. Charles J. Davidson, advocate, the VicePresident of the Club, presided in the absence through illness of Mr. James Esslemont, the President of the Club.

The Company.

The Chairman was accompanied by the Lord Advocate, Lord Provost Maitland, Mr. G. B. Esslemont, M.P. ; Sheriff Laing, Mr. H. F. Morland Simpson, LL.D., Rector of the School; Professor William L. Davidson, LL.D. ; Mr. Alexander Duffus, advocate; Professor Arthur Thomson, and Professor Irvine, K.C., Aberdeen University; Mr. J. H. Irvin, Mr. James W. Milne, C.A., Secretary of the Club ; Mr. Stodart M. Chrystall, M.A., B.L., Assistant Secretary of the Club ; Mr. R. Gordon Nicol, C.E. ; Mr. A. Spence Macdonald, Mr. John Ellis, Mr. Thomas Jaffrey, Mr. John Keir, Chairman of the Aberdeen School Board ; Mr. George Mackenzie, Vice-Chairman of the Board ; and Mr. A. T. Cruickshank, M.A., Chairman of the High Schools Committee of the Board. Among others present were Messrs. Charles Davidson, James B. Davidson, J. M. Henderson, John Parker, advocate ; Shoremaster Barron, Dr. W. Clark Souter, Messrs. Edward W. Watt, M.A. ; John Lees, D.Litt. ; George Murray, Dr. H. Edgar Smith, Messrs. Theodore Watt, M.A. ; A. G. Nicol Smith, Dr. Levack, Dr. A. Middleton Brown, Messrs. John Crombie, James T. Ogilvie, Alfred William Edwards, James Conner, David M. Kilgour, R. G. Wilson, jun. ; William Dickie Smith, M.A. ; John Munro, solicitor; John Brown, jun. ; George Dawson, David Scott, Alexander Walker, Arthur Collingwood, F.R.C.O. ; George Davidson, Dr. George Rose, Messrs. Thomas Hector, Clerk to the Aberdeen School Board; J. Duncan MacDiarmid, M.A., B.L. ; George A. Smith, Captain Simpson, Messrs. G. Keith Kynoch, P. B. Simpson, J. R. Flockhart, C.A. ; W. G. Craigen, M.A., LL.B. ; Dr. Peter Howie, Messrs. Wilfrid P. Barron, Charles Watt, John

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B. Souter, J. B. Gillies, B.L. ; Lieutenant J. Hall, Messrs.

Norman J. J. Walker, M.A., LL.B. ; A. F. P. Roger, G. A. Ledingham, Robert Bruce, 111.A., B.L. ; Fred Martin, Talbert Helmrich, C. B. Lumsden, William Aitken, William Crombie, James Davidson, M.A. ; D. H. W. Williamson, L.D.S. ; C. E. W. Reith, Alfred Smith, R. J. Anderson, jun. ; W. J. Anderson, J. Cecil D. Mackie, M.A. ; J. F. Robson, James Iverach, jun. ; John A. Dunn, W. H. Howe, William C. Glegg, H. A. Richards, William A. Cameron, James R. Murray, Alexander Davidson, J. H. N. Craigen, C. W. Beattie, V. Vicaresso, William Bisset, James L. Souper, J. J. Williamson, William Allan, jun. ; J. Bruce, jun. ; J. C. Lyon, William Lamont, William Fyvie, B.Sc. ; William Mollison, Professor Alexander Findlay, Messrs. Alexander Edward, Alexander Sharp, M.A. ; John A. Nicol, M.A., B.L. ; John A. Lillie, LL.B. ; Alan Sutherland, W. Smith, Irvine Cooper, R. K. Smith, A. M. Johnston, C. D. Peterkin, and Arthur E. Brunton, L.D.S. After dinner, the Chairman proposed " The King," and the toast was loyally pledged, the company joining in singing " God Save the King."

The Chairman, after apologising for the absence of Mr. James Esslemont, President of the Club, said an interesting proposal was to be placed before the meeting that evening with reference to the acquisition of a recreation ground for the School. Bishop Mitchell had referred to the subject at the Dinner of the Club a year ago, and it had been considered by the Executive of the Club. (Applause).

[The Chairman then read a message from the President of the Club with reference to a proposal for providing adequate and proper recreation grounds for the School. This message will be found reproduced on pages 92-94 of the Magazine, together with a summary of speeches made in support of the proposal.]

The Toast of the Lord Advocate.

After an interval, which was utilised for dispelling the huge cloud of smoke which had been created by the company, Professor Davidson very felicitously proposed the toast of the evening. He said he had great pleasure in proposing the toast of " The Lord Advocate." Before doing so, however, he might be permitted to read the following message from the President :— Although unable to be present this evening, I should like to add my tribute of respect to our guest, the Lord Advocate, one of the most successful Scottish members of Parliament of recent years. (Applause.) I have often been struck with the faculty Mr. Munro has of producing an agreeable impression in the House and out of it, and how he has distinguished himself in debate by his neat, precise, and pointed and lucid style. (Applause.) Mr. Munro has also the art of making friends—an art in which we Soots are supposed to be deficient—and one cannot but feel impressed by the large number of his well-wishers. Some people might say that he had been lucky ; but I believe that luck consists of solid, good Teutonic pluck, and knowing how to take the tide at

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the flood. (Applause.) What, I wonder, is the future considered to be open to Lord Advocate Munro? I hope he will be in no hurry to become Lord Munro of Alness.

(Laughter and applause.) I should also like to say to him that he need not wait until he is a Lord of Appeal in order to obtain an estate on Deeside—(laughter)--and that when he does acquire one in the neighbourhood of Craigmyle he will be expected to wear the kilt of his clan. (Loud laughter and applause.) I am sure the health of Lord Advocate Munro will be drunk with much enthusiasm—one of the former pupils who has gained fame and added lustre to the fair name of the Aberdeen Grammar School. (Loud applause.)

With those remarks of the President Professor Davidson said he was in fullest sympathy, and he only wished that the President had been there himself to propose the toast of their guest. At the same time it was not altogether inappropriate that he should be the means of submitting their good wishes, because he was one of a very few present who were a kind of bridge between the Grammar School in its old buildings and the Grammar School in its present buildings. (Applause.) The greater part of his Grammar School class life was spent in the Grammar School of the old buildings in Schoolhill, around which he had so many pleasant associations, but the last year of his Grammar School course was also the first year of the School in the new buildings, and the scholars of the first year of the new buildings were no mean men. (Laughter and applause.) He knew the record of a great many of those Grammar School first year's scholars, and they had really been a credit to the School. (Applause.) He remembered the opening of the School, when the Lord Provost, Sir Alexander Anderson, was present, along with the Magistrates, and, of course, Mr. Angus, the Town Clerk—nothing was complete without him—(laughter)--and he remembered their Rector delivering a speech at that time in English, he was sorry to say, instead of in Latin. (Laughter.) He made a capital speech, but by an unfortunate slip he referred to the new buildings and said, " This great cemetery of learning." (Loud laughter.) He was quite sure he only needed to say that the Lord Advocate was a Grammar scholar to ensure their enthusiastic reception of the toast. (" Hear ! hear ! " and applause.) After his Grammar School days Mr. Munro did not, for some reason best known to himself, go on with his education at Aberdeen University. That fact must have been a barrier in his way—(laughter)—but what rejoiced him was to find that the Lord Advocate was able, no doubt because of his Grammar School training, to overcome that barrier. (" Hear! hear ! " and laughter.) In Edinburgh he took a very high place in his classes, and made a very great name. He held in his hand a copy of the Student, which was the magazine of the Edinburgh University, of the year 1890, in which he had got the characterisation of Mr. Munro written by the students of that time. He would refresh the Lord Advocate's memory by reading a portion of the article. (Laughter.)

Towards the end of his Arts course he [Mr. Munro] made a new departure, and came to the front as what may be called a public man within the University. He has come upon work

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for which he is by nature specially qualified, and in which he has gained distinction, being now President of the Dialectical Society, a member of the S.R.C., one of the editors of the Student, and, alas! with so many virtues, we have to chronicle a vice, the secretary of the Radical Association.

—(Loud laughter and applause.)

That was the gentleman, continued Professor Davidson, whose toast they were now about to drink. He might recall this further, that not only during his University days did Mr. Munro gain great distinction, but in a very short time made a very great name for himself in law, and had now reached the high post of Lord Advocate, a post that had been held by so many distinguished men, even in their own memory.

After referring to various distinguished Lord Advocates. Professor Davidson went on to say that they saw the course marked out for their Lord Advocate, and he was sure they should all rejoice when he rose, and the higher he rose the greater their joy would be. (Applause.) None of his friends would rejoice more than the pupils of the Grammar School at his advance, and they wished him well. He asked them with all enthusiasm to drink to his health. (Loud and prolonged applause.)

The toast was pledged with great enthusiasm, the company rising and singing " For he's a jolly good fellow."

The Lord Advocate's Reply.

The Lord Advocate, who was received most cordially, the company rising and cheering, said—Mr. Chairman, Professor Davidson, and gentlemen,—Mr. Birch told us recently that when he was presiding at a dinner in London the toastmaster, an official fortunately not so well known on this side of the Border, came to him at a certain stage of the proceedings and said, " Will you speak now, or shall we allow them to enjoy themselves a little longer? " (Laughter.) I think that is the position I occupy to-night, but I am delighted to speak now, and I shall endeavour to cultivate that brevity which is supposed to be the soul of wit, and that for more reasons than one. Mr. Esslemont has assured me there is a time-limit, and none of the speeches has to exceed ten minutes. Mine shall not. (Laughter, and "No! no ! ") Apart from that, I see there is an interval thoughtfully provided so that you may recuperate from the effects of anything I may say on this occasion. (Laughter.) I want, first of all, to offer my sincere thanks to Professor Davidson for the exceedingly kind way in which he proposed my health, and to thank you, gentlemen, for the appreciative way in which you have received what he has said about me. I am a modest man, and am overwhelmed by the' warmth and cordiality of the reception you have given me. The only regret is that my good friend, Mr. Esslemont, is not able to be with us, and I am sure it is the unanimous wish of everyone I see before me that he shall have a speedy and complete recovery. (Applause.)

Professor Davidson has been good enough to refer to certain incidents in my past career, some of which appear to be creditable, and others which appear not to be so creditable. (Laughter.)

•

[Photo. ky Elliott & Fly, Ltd

•

The Right Honourable ROBERT MUNRO, K.C., M.P., Lord Advocate for Scotland.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

133

So far as the choice of University is concerned, I had no personal responsibility in the matter, and I would have been only too happy to continue my course in Aberdeen if it had been so arranged. However, I am glad to meet so many good friends drawn together by the magnet of the old School ; drawn together for the purpose of celebrating its success, and wishing it the greatest possible success in the future. (Applause.)

AN UNANSWERED TELEGRAM.

One of the first telegrams I was fortunate enough to receive on my appointment as Lord Advocate was from a Grammar School boy, although I am not able to give his name. Perhaps it may be of interest to hear the terms. After much flowery exordium dealing with myself, the telegram proceeds in this way : " Please wire Rector for holiday in honour of this event." (Applause and laughter.)

Well, I must confess to you that thus early in my official career I refrained from wiring Dr. Simpson on the subject, but it is right the sender of the telegram should know it was not the Post Office or Dr. Simpson who was responsible for the holiday not being granted. (Laughter and applause.) I confess that having crossed somewhat turbulent seas—both metaphorically and literally—within recent weeks—(laughter)—I am glad to find myself to-night in this very pleasant haven, and my thoughts very naturally turn back on this occasion to that day, about thirty years ago now, when first I set foot in the " Granite City." If I must speak the truth plainly and brutally, and at the risk of giving offence, it was very cold. (Laughter.) I remember one of the first journeys I took from Aberdeen was a coach drive from Ballater to Braemar, which was, I think, about the coldest drive I ever had in my life. I congratulated myself on my astuteness in getting a seat beside the driver, but at the end of the journey I was rather inclined to curse my stupidity than to praise my astuteness. (Laughter.) I was not long within the bounds of the city before I recognised that the people of Aberdeen were just as warm-hearted as the climate was cold, and I must confess that some of the happiest days of my life were spent in the Grammar School in those far-away days. (Applause.)

FORMER MASTERS AND CLASS FELLOWS.

Of the old School I cherish the most happy memories. I remember the Rector—Mr. James Moir—(applause)—a man of great kindliness, with whom I was brought into contact on many occasions. (Laughter.) I was not thinking of what you are apparently thinking of. (Renewed laughter.) I was not a member of his class, that being my misfortune and not my fault. I was a very humble person in the Second Classical in those days, and did not come in contact with the Rector so much, but I received great kindness from him. (Applause.) I remember his brother, Dr. Maitland Moir, Union Street, who attended me most assiduously and skilfully for an attack of measles with which I celebrated my arrival in the city. (Laughter.) There was in those days a very serious epidemic of measles raging, and I succeeded in getting infection at a concert given by Mr. David Kennedy, whom some of you would know as the Scottish singer— (applause)—and memory recalls to me over those years the

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splendour of the entertainment and the consequences to myself.

(Laughter and applause.)

Not only do I remember the Rector very well, but I have also a clear recollection of many of the other masters of those days.

There was Mr. Charles Sleigh, the mathematical master, whose dry, pawky humour and snuff box I remember over thirty years.

(Laughter and applause.) In addition to him there was Mr. George Harvey, a classical master in those days, who came from Grantown-on-Spey--a kindly, learned, and most efficient teacher as he undoubtedly was. (Applause.) I recall also Mr. Hugh Campbell, master of English at the time I was at the School. I remember how he declaimed passages of Shakespeare and other authors in a class which I am afraid was very inattentive, and even at times, turbulent. (Laughter.) And then there was Mr. Lothian, debonair, affable and efficient as he always was ; and there were others, to all of whom I owe a deep debt of gratitude which I most willingly acknowledge to-night. (Applause.) As regards the pupils, I am glad to know that two of my class-fellows are in this room, both Mr. Davidson by name. (Applause.) Then there was Bishop Mitchell, the dux of the class, who now exercises an ecclesiastical jurisdiction which co-mingles with my political jurisdiction—(applause)—and there were also Alexander Younie, Joseph Jobberns, William Meston, Gavin Bisset, Johnstone Murray, Adam Fyfe Findlay, and many others. (Applause.)

IN A CERTAIN HOUSE.

The men I knew best were the men who lived along with me in a certain house in Fountainhall Road-34 Fountainhall Road— conducted under the supervision of a sister-in-law of the late Principal Salmond, an honoured name in this city. I have the warmest and kindliest recollection of Mrs. Salmond, and I would like to pay a humble tribute to the memory of that gracious lady.

(Applause.) She had, no doubt, a very trying time in those days, for I am afraid we were not always a very orderly household, though, at the same time, we were a very happy household. There were Mr. James Key—we knew him as "Jimmy" Key—and another Montrose boy, Leckie by name ; Archibald Watson, Fraserburgh, a distinguished mathematician ; and Charles Cowie. These and other members of the Grammar School resided under the auspices of Mrs. Salmond in the house at 34 Fountainhall Road, which was the last house on the right hand side as you go up from Queen's Cross. There was a green field beyond, which might have served as a recreation field for the Grammar School, now built over. We had very happy times in that house, and if we did not see eye to eye in the matter of singing hymns on a Sunday evening, that was not her fault, but ours. (Laughter.)

We went most dutifully to church on Sundays—to Queen's Cross Free Church, captured and held by Mr. George Adam Smith as he then was, Principal of the University as he now is. I still remember his kindness in those far back days. He was the first minister, certainly the first Free Church minister I had seen playing tennis on Saturday afternoon attired in white flannels, but we soon got to know that his capacity in playing tennis was equally great with his capacity in the pulpit, and I had experience

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of both. I remember also Mr. George Adam Smith's sister, who subsequently became Mrs. D. M. Ross, and who, from her house in Fountainhall Road, used to administer the most gracious hospitality to all and sundry, including those at No. 34, whom she must have found it rather a trial to entertain. (Laughter and applause.)

MEMORIES OF GOLDEN DAYS.

I am very glad to hear of the scheme propounded for a recreation park, and hope it will meet with all possible success.

(Applause.) We had cricket, football, and other sports, in which all of us took an interest and dutifully engaged. There were other exploits to which we devoted our attention. I remember that next door to our establishment there was a ladies' boarding school, and there was a certain passing of notes between the two establishments and some little time was spent in the passing of those notes. (Laughter, and " Oh ! oh ! ") Of course we all know better nowadays. (Laughter.) Then we sometimes visited somewhere in the region of the harbour, where there was an establishment with bottles strung up, and at which one could aim at a penny a shot. Here we developed a certain amount of skill, so much so that the proprietor declared it would not pay him to run his establishment. (Laughter.) I cannot go into details or I would exceed the time-limit I have set, and probably you would say it was an easy and cheap thing the role of Laudator temporis acti— I am subject to correction if I have not used the exact Latin— of speaking in praise of the days of old. But yet who of us can look back on those early school days without, at least, a sigh of regret, possibly of envy? Because, after all, those were the days when life stretched out in front of us, alluringly and invitingly.

In those days responsibility was a mere name to us, cares and sorrow were strangers to us, and light-hearted joys were our daily companions. But now—well, in the case of some of us at least— we feel bowed down under the responsibilities and anxieties of middle life. Some of us, no doubt, have had our feet cut by the broken pieces of the idols we had set up. Some have drunk deep of the cup of sorrow, and some have witnessed, if they have not taken part in, the grim tragedies of life. For all of us the road behind is a lengthening road, and the road in front is narrowing, is it not? In these circumstances a pleasant thing it is to meet in the way we are doing to-night to cherish, aye, even to hoard as in a casket, the memory of those golden days ; to realise that all of us who share in these memories are joint-heirs to a rich and precious heritage, and to resolve, as far as the future is concerned, that neither by word, nor by deed, nor even by thought, shall we do or say anything that will bring discredit or dishonour on the old School, to which we owe so much. (Loud applause.)

" The School."

After a second interval, during which the company held an informal conversazione in the beautiful entrance hall of the hotel, Professor J. Arthur Thomson gave the toast of " The School."

He said he had been struggling all his life against that barrier

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

to which his colleague had referred—that he was not dux of the Grammar School, nor a Grammarian, nor even had he been on the staff of the School. (Laughter.) One heard quite enough of the discontented parent, but he was present that night as the grateful parent, happy and pleased, indeed, to propose the toast of the School. (Applause.) There was another relevancy in his being present, and that was that as a teacher in the University he was very well aware of the fine contributions which the School made to the University. (Applause.) It was a feeder of the University with very fine brains, and turned out scholars with staying powers, who came to the University, not tired, but flourishing and continuing to do better and better as they went on in their course.

(Applause.) It was a great educationist—one of the great Davidson clan, Dr. Thomas Davidson—who said that "culture consisted largely in being able to see the world from many points of view," and that sort of culture the Grammar School afforded to its pupils. (Applause.) He was glad to propose the toast of the School because he knew it was much more than a teachingshop—(" Hear! hear! ")—that it had a vigorous life of its own in the social sphere—in societies, and clubs, and games, and a very lively esprit de corps. (Applause.) He was glad, furthermore, to propose the toast because during the fourteen or fifteen years he had been in Aberdeen he had known the Rector and many members of the staff, and had appreciated the success with which they upheld the noble traditions, and discharged often difficult and thankless tasks. They ought all to be against the tradition of sending their boys away from Aberdeen to be educated. (" Hear! hear! ") It was one of the hardest things that could be done to a school that many of the more promising boys were sent away to inferior institutions on the other side. (Applause.)

He coupled the toast with the name of the learned, cultured, gentle-minded, wise, shrewd Rector—Dr. Morland Simpson.

(Applause.)

Dr. Morland Simpson's Reply.

Dr. Morland Simpson, in the course of a lengthy reply, said their minds were naturally filled with interest at the very important announcement which had been made in regard to the acquisition of playing grounds, and by which it was proposed to confer on the School, in this year, he hoped, of its history, the greatest benefit it had received since Sir Alexander Anderson, in the short space of two years, started a scheme, raised money, and saw the present buildings erected in 1863. (Applause.) He spoke of the School in its old days. Fifty years ago the School consisted of five classes and five masters, and there were in all 289 boys in it.

He was proud to say that in this, the jubilee year of their life in the present buildings, the School had attained the maximum number it had ever had-628. (Applause.) They were deeply indebted to the School Board for their broad foresight and enlightened views in making provision, not only for present needs, but for the prospective growth of the School. (" Hear ! hear! ") Instead of five teachers they had now, in all, thirty-six, teaching 628 boys. (Applause.) Speaking in eulogy of the Club, he

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

137

remarked that it had members spread over every part of the world to the uttermost isles of the sea, to the number of something like 1,400, and since April it had received an addition of 100 members.

(Applause.) Since they met that evening, sufficient money had been subscribed to provide a trophy which would be permanently placed in the Grammar School, and on which would be inscribed the names of the boys who were, in all-round respects, the best of the year, and to each boy having his name so inscribed, a replica of the trophy would be presented to commemorate his distinction in that respect. He was pleased to say that out of 4,252 names of men in the University " Calendar," he had been able to identify no less than 1,077-something like 25 per cent. as Old Boys of the Grammar School. (Applause.) Dr. Simpson proceeded to refer to a number of the most distinguished names of old Grammar School men whose names appear in an annotated register meantime in preparation. In the course of next session, he proceeded, he hoped to enroll his 3,000th pupil at the Grammar School, and he trusted that the various proposals made that night would bear rich fruit for the future good of the School. (Applause.)

Mr. Alexander Duffus, advocate, submitted " The Chairman," to whom he referred in highly complimentary terms.

The toast was heartily pledged, and a very pleasant gathering terminated with the singing of " Auld Lang Syne."

In the course of the evening Mr. David Scott (home from Colombo) sang, with great acceptance, " A Wee Deoch-an-Doris."

[For the foregoing account of the Dinner we are indebted almost entirely to the very full and accurate reports given by the two local morning newspapers.—Ed. A. G. S. Mag.]

F.P. Hockey Section.

Ten of last year's first team were available at the beginning of the season, the absentee being our former captain, Arthur Davidson. Places were, however, given to two caps of the previous season and also to two former 2nd XI. players, and thus only seven of last year's eleven were finally included. Maxwell and Irvine, the new recruits, have shown such form that the defence has not felt the loss of Davidson so severely as might have been expected.

While the half-backs are the same as last year, the forward division is an improved edition of the 1911-12 line. The team's weakness still seems to lie in the circle play of the attack, and this has again led more than once to our not winning games in which we had obviously the best of the outfield play.

The regular team has been as follows :—A. C. Irvine ; R. I. Maxwell, and H. Mortimer ; A. L. Thomson, A. J. Hawes (ViceCaptain), and R. S. Cumming; J. S. G. Collie, E. Main, R. Forgan (Captain), G. W. Rose, and I. S. Thomson. Reserves who have played in Championship games :—J. S. B. Forbes, and I. G. M. Firth. Reserves who have played in " friendly" or vacation games :—A. G. Davidson, G. J. Key, G. R. W. Stewart,

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

H. Macdonald, and I. Cumming. All the regular members of the XI. have now been capped.

Forgan and Mortimer played in the North Trial but were not selected for the following stage. The congratulations of the club are extended, however, to A. A. Ritchie, an F.P. playing for another team, on his selection as right wing in the Scotland-Wales match at Aberdeen on 21st February.

RESULTS OF 1st XI. MATCHES. 11th October—v. 'Varsity, at King's College.—A scrappy game with neither team at full strength or in good form, in which I. S. Thomson and Rose were our scorers, was lost 2-3.

1st November—v. Gordon's College F.P.'s, at Stewart Park.— We nearly paid the penalty of rather slack play in this game, but fine shooting by Rose in the later stages allowed us to draw 2-2.

8th November—v. 'Varsity (League), at King's.—The whole team played on top form, and the defensive game was practically faultless. Although 'Varsity were on the edge of our circle for a great part of the game, and brought Newton forward towards the end, they were never allowed to shoot. Our forwards had some fine break-aways, but the halves were too busy to give them proper support. Drawn 0-0.

15th November—v. Nomads, at Walker Park.—Although without two of our best men we had the upper hand throughout, the defence having a very easy time. Won 5-1.

22nd November—v. Aberdeen (League), at Duthie Park.—A very evenly-contested, end-to-end game in which Forgan was our scorer. Lost 1-2.

13th December—v. Bon-Accord (League), at Stewart Park.— Another game of the same character had the same result. Rose was our scorer. Lost, 1-2.

20th December—v. Gordon's F.P.'s (League), at Duthie Park.— Our opponents were one short and at the beginning completely out-played. In ten minutes we had scored four times through Forgan (2), Forbes and I. S. Thomson. Thereafter we slacked and fell off while the other side improved greatly and scored twice.

Won 4-2.

27th December—v. Aberdeen, at Duthie Park.—Our opponents being much below strength the game was very one-sided. The slippery, frozen pitch made drawing up or swerving to shoot almost impossible, otherwise we should have scored more than Rose's two goals. Won 2-0.

17th January—v. Gordon's F.P.'s (League), at Walker Park.— We lacked Collie and our opponents were one short. They played a spoiling defensive game, while, although we had most of the play, the shooting was either wild or feeble. Rose especially was very unlucky, but scored our only goal. Our opponents' centre-forward broke away repeatedly and scored twice as a result of individual runs. Lost 1-2.

24th January—v. 'Varsity (League), at King's.—Our opponents lacked a number of their best men, but had found very good reserves, and an extremely exciting game resulted. Playing against a strong wind we were mainly on the defensive during the first half. We crossed over one down, and the 'Varsity scored

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

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.again almost at once. Our turn then came and Collie scored twice. Four minutes from time Forgan scored the winning goal and the end found 'Varsity in our circle trying in vain to equalise.

Won 2-1.

31st January—v. Bon-Accord (League), at Duthie Park.—This was our worst performance during the season, while our opponents seemed able to score at every opportunity and were five up at halftime. Having the wind in our favour we made a better show in the evenly-contested second half, and there was no more scoring.

We were without Maxwell. Lost 0-5.

We have still to meet Aberdeen again in the League.

2nd X IL The seconds had only three of their last year's team to start the season with, but had a very good eleven by the time the Junior Championship matches began in January. They have been much handicapped by being nearly always a man or two short, and a little more regularity in turning out would have made a difference to their position in the Junior League.

Team :—Roy ; V. Bisset, and F. Finlayson ; Ross-Keyt (ViceCaptain), G. J. Key (Captain), and Rose; Eccles, G. Munro, Elmslie, I. Cumming, and Daniel.

The forwards play an unscientific but dashing game that is often very effective. The halves are hard-working and generally sound; the backs and goal rather more erratic, but good when at their best.

In the Championship matches 2nd Bon-Accord, 2nd Gordon's, F.P.'s, and 2nd 'Varsity defeated our men. The latter, however, had not a full eleven on any of these occasions, and in spite of this were leading at half-time against the 'Varsity. Against 2nd Aberdeen the full team turned out for once, and although behind at half-time, ultimately won by no less than 9-3. The season ended in a meeting with the Nomads, who had defeated all the other local junior teams and occasionally play senior elevens. Although again one short our men had the best of the first half and, in spite of being out-played in the second, ultimately drew 2-2.

F.P. Rugby Football Club.

The season opened in October with a very large membership, and the weather has been kinder to the club than usual, very few matches having had to be put off on its account. The best performances of the 1st XV. have been a meritorious draw against Panmure, at Dundee ; a win of 19 points to 0 against a University and Public Schools team, at Brechin ; and a win against Queen's Cross by 18 points to 5. The team has been playing exceedingly well of late, and shows the best combination in town.

Unfortunately the Greenock Wanderers match had to be put off on account of frost, and Panmure were unable to travel to Aberdeen because of difficulty in raising a team.

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

The club held its annual " At Home " in the Palace Hotel oir the 14th February when thirty-five couples were present. A most enjoyable evening was spent.

A concert is to be held sometime in March for the purpose of raising funds for the club and paying the rent of Mannofield.

1ST XV. RESULTS. Points Match.

1913.

Result.

For. Against._ Oct. 11—Panmure . . .

Drawn 5 5 If 18—Queen's Cross (League) .

Lost 3 9 25—'Shire (League) .

Won 22 .

0 Nov. 8—Gordonians (League) .

Won 17 3 22—'Varsity (League) . .

Lost 3 9 29—'Shire . . . .

Drawn 6 6 Dec. 13—Grammar School .

22 .

Won 8 1914.

Jan. 3—Gordonians (League) .

Won 35 0 .

• 10- Brechin . .

Won 19 0 17—'Shire (League) . .

Won 26 0 24—'Varsity (League) . .

Lost 3 9 31—Gordonians . . .

Won 11 8 Feb. 7—Queen's Cross (League) .

Won 18 5 Played 13, Won 8, Lost 3, Drawn 2; Points for, 190; Pointsagainst, 62.

2ND XV. RESULTS. Points 1913.

Match.

Result.

For. Against.

Oct. 11-2nd 'Shire . . .

Won 13 8 Won 18-2nd Gordonians (L) .

15 0 25—Grammar School (L) .

Lost 8 14 Nov. 1-2nd Queen's Cross (L) .

Won 0 18 8-1st Queen's Cross . .

Lost 0 23 15—Montrose Academy .

Won 11 0 22-2nd 'Shire (L) . .

Drawn 6 6 Dec. 13—Gordon's College (L) .

Won 15 5 27-2nd Queen's Cross. .

Won 15 5 1914.

Won 8 Jan. 17-2nd Queen's Cross (L) .

6 31—Grammar School (L) .

Lost 0 4 Feb. 14—'Varsity " A " (L) .

Won 12 0 Played 12, Won 8, Lost 3, Drawn 1; Points for, 121 ; Points against, 71.

The 2nd XV. have a large number of players this season from whom to draw. If their backs played as well as their forwards, there would be no stopping them, because they possess one of the best packs of forwards in town.

For " Club Notes" see page 141.

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

141

Club Notes.

The Membership.

It is gratifying to be able to report another large increase in the roll of the Club. The list of those who have joined since the last issue of the Magazine is given on another page. Since the beginning of the present Club year on 15th April, 1913, over 100 new members have been enrolled. How soon, we wonder, will the 2,000th member be enrolled?

Subscriptions.

An envelope, addressed to the Treasurer, is being sent along with this number of the " Magazine" to all members whose subscription for the year ending 15th April, 1914, is not yet paid.

It is hoped that those members will make a point of sending their subscriptions at once, so that the Treasurer may close the year with as few outstanding subscriptions as possible. It is probably unnecessary to say that the ordinary subscription is 2s. 6d., and may be paid for a number of years in advance ; and that the Life Membership subscription is £2 2s.

Various Social Events.

The illustrated lecture on " Birds of the Hill Country " given

by Mr. Seton P. Gordon, F.Z.S., in The Lounge of the Palace Hotel on Saturday, 25th October, was well attended, but was worthy of a crowded audience. In the absence of the President and the Vice-President, Mr. James W. Milne introduced the lecturer, who gave a fascinating account of the birds of Aberdeenshire, of which he has made a special study during the last few years. He showed many very fine slides, some being absolutely unique and of great value.

The members of the Dramatic Section of the Club have received great praise for their production of " The Speckled Band," which took place on three successive evenings in December. Though it was an ambitious undertaking it was undoubtedly the finest thing that the Section has done so far.

A welcome innovation was the presence of the band of the 4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, which played the entr'acte music.

The Annual Dinner is dealt with fully elsewhere. A record number of members and guests was present.

The Annual Ball was held as usual on the day after Christmas.

Its success was due in no small measure to Mr. W. G. Craigen, the indefatigable secretary of the Ball Committee.

The " At Home," which was held in the Palace Hotel on 7th February, was largely attended, and was most enjoyable. The entertainment took the form of progressive whist and music.

A Gentleman's Bridge Tournament was held in the beginning of December, and another Tournament is to be held in the Palace Hotel on Saturday, 7th March, at 8 p.m. It is hoped that there will be a larger turnout of members and their friends at this

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

second Bridge Tournament, for these evenings are very enjoyable.

It may be as well to state here that members may arrange their own partners, who may either be members of the Club or guests, and that they can also arrange their own tables. Names should be sent to Mr. William Aitken, 335 Union Street on or before the morning of 7th March.

Situations for Old Boys.

Once again an appeal is made to Old Boys in all parts of the world to let the Secretary know of any vacancies on their staffs.

The Secretary is acquainted with the majority of Old Boys desiring situations, and can generally, either personally or through the medium of some of the masters, recommend suitable Boys.

Badminton.

The Badminton Section this winter is more popular than ever and is enjoying its greatest success since its formation in 1910.

There are 44 members, and an average of about 20 turn out each evening, so that the four courts are always occupied.

Motor Cycling.

The Annual Meeting of the Motor Cycle Section is to be held at 14 Golden Square on Monday, 2nd March at 8 p.m., when any F.P.'s interested will be welcomed. Officials will be elected and the programme for 1914 fixed up.

A New Section.

It appears that there is no limit to the number of Sections of the Club. In December an Ice Hockey Section was formed, and already several matches have been played and won. Anyone desiring to join the Section should apply to the Secretary, D. Maitland Bisset, 38 Albyn Place, Aberdeen.

The Byron Statue.

A meeting of the Sub-Committee of the Byron Statue Committee was held in the Town House on 12th November, 1913, Mr. William Smith presiding. Those present were Messrs. A. W. Edwards, solicitor, Hon. Secretary; J. T. Sorley, City Chamberlain, Hon. Treasurer; Walter A. Reid, Charles Davidson, A. G. Nicol Smith, E. W. Watt, J. W. Milne, Dr. Morland Simpson, and Sir Alexander Lyon.

The Chairman made sympathetic reference to the death of ex-Lord Provost Mearns, the former Chairman of the Committee. and on his motion, seconded by Dr. Morland Simpson, a minute of sympathy was adopted.

It was unanimously agreed to appoint Mr. William Smith to be Chairman of the Committee.

Dr. Morland Simpson reported in regard to the progress of the movement. He said he had seen the quarter model of the statue. This model had now been nearly finished by Mr. Pittendrigh MacGillivray. Photographs of the model were shown, and

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CAKES

A

TITRE_

SPECIALTY,

Unsurpassed for Quality.

KaININ7xVKY, BAKERY AND SALE SHOP, Phone 2371.

5 and 7 HOLBORN STREET.

WEST=END TAILOR TelIepNhonGe994 AT MODERATE

PRICES.

Spring Suiting,s.

NEWEST

DESIGNS

AND

COLOURINGS.

SPECIAL VALUE FROM £3 10s.

(Every Garment made under the expert supervision of Mr. WATSON, formerly Principal Cutter with E. K. Smith.)

WILLIAM N. WATSON, 11.,a0ies' ant) (3ent.'s tailor ant) Outfitter,

347 UNION STREET, ABERDEEN. 'Phones—I5nt and 15915.

WM. SMITH, HIGH-CLASS

FRUITERER, FLORIST, and CONFECTIONER. THE SHOP FOR LUCKY WEDDING BOUQUETS. Only Address: -

HOLBURN

JUNCTION

(TOP OF UNION STREET).

- 4 Greenhouse and Vineries-12 HUNTLY STREET. Telegraphic AddreRs—Smith, Aberdeen, 1591.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

143

it was the general opinion of the members that the statue was an excellent piece of work.

It was agreed to ask Mr. William Kelly and Mr. Cromar Watt to become members of the Committee, and a small sub-committee was appointed to consider the question of the pedestal.

Mr. Sorley reported that the funds available amounted to almost £1,100, and the Chairman expressed the hope that further donations would be forthcoming.

Addresses Wanted.

The addresses of the undernoted Old Boys are wanted : it will be a favour if any member who knows any of them will kindly send information to the Secretary :— CLIFFORD C. CHANCE (late Of Hull.)

GEORGE CowIE (late of Buckie.)

JAMES H. GORDON (late of Aberdeen.)

RICHARD PITHIE (late of Walthamstow.)

Captain PATRICK M. RENNIE (late of Kintore.)

GEORGE F. SMITH (late of Pittengardner, Fordoun.)

GEORGE SMITH (late of Summerland, B.C.) ROBERT G. COMBE (late of Melville, Sask., Canada.)

R. MCKENZIE DAVIES (late of El Dueim, White Nile.)

DAVID G. CYRIL DuNcAN (late of Demerara.)

R. W. EDDIE (late of Winchelsea, Victoria, Australia.)

List of New Members.

Life Members.

Thomas Gibson (1874-75), Board of Trade, Duluth, Minn., U.S.A. J. Frater Taylor (1886-87), President, Lake Superior Corporation, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada.

James M. Urquhart (1878-83), Delmar, Halgranoya, Ceylon.

William J. Jenkyns (1894-1903), c/o Lidgerwood Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Ste Paulo, Brazil.

Dr. Alexander T. Arthur (1869-71), Blair Devenick, Cults.

William T. Milne (1882-87), Nagrakata Tea Estate, Jalpaiguri, Assam.

John Brown, Jun. (1893.1900), Redhall, Fordoun.

John C. Taylor (1904-06), c/o Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co., Ltd., Hong Kong, China.

John A. Stewart (1897-99), I.C.S., Pegu, Burma.

John Crombie (1874-78), 18 Rubislaw Den North, Aberdeen.

James T. Ogilvie (188140), 77 Dee Street, Aberdeen.

John Smart Smith (1881-87), 62 Fordhook Avenue, Ealing Common, London.

Arthur C. Mathieson (1893-98), 30 Bristol Road, Eccleshall, Sheffield.

John R. Esson (1893-97), 39 Avenida Central, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. .James Moir (1881-93), M.A., D.Sc., 48 Ditton Avenue, Auckland Park, Johannesburg, South Africa.

John W. Henderson (1885-91), c/o 83 Hamilton Place, Aberdeen.

W. Mackintosh (1893-96), 84 William Street, New York, U.S.A.

144

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

Ordinary Members.

Fred A. Conner (1905-13), 58 Gladstone Place, Aberdeen.

Stanley N. Grant (1902-13), Burnieboozle House, Hazelhead, Aberdeen.

W. M. Grant (1907.12), U.F. Manse, DrumDr. Thomas H. Fyfe (1878-82), Rotunda Lodge, Fonthill Road, Aberdeen.

Herbert W. Findlay (1900-13), 147 Blenheim Place, Aberdeen.

Dr. Wm. R. Tough (1866.70), Parkside, Accrington.

W. G. Bruce (1901.13), 20 Rubislaw Den North, Aberdeen.

Wm. W. Tait (1904-11), 9 Ferryhill Place, Aberdeen.

Alfred C. Scott (1882-89), 19 Duthie Terrace, Aberdeen.

Jas. Robertson (1893.99), Vale of Leven Academy, Alexandria, Glasgow.

John Ramsay (1893-97), 34 Sutton Road, Muswell Hill, London, N. H. G. Coutts (1908-13), 71 Cairnfield Place, Aberdeen.

G. J. Allan (1897-1902), West End, Cromar.

Captain ty M. C. J. Hartland-Mahon (1885-88), R.F.A., R.A. Mess, Woolwich.

Chas. R. Smith (1881-88), 16 Kincarrathie Crescent, Perth.

Douglass Irvine Watson (1881.86), Bournemouth, New Malden, Surrey.

R. Ross Tennant (1910-13), 48 Brighton Place, Aberdeen.

Dr. P. R. Ingram (1884.86), Kildrummy, Muswell Hill Road, Muswell Hill, London.

H. W. J. Paton (1896-99), 74 Union Street, Aberdeen.

James Alexander (1876-77), 8 Bulwey Road, Leytonstone, Essex.

John Urquhart (1901-02), Mathematical Dept., The University, Edinburgh.

Alister Rose (1900-13), 29 Beechgrove Avenue, Aberdeen.

Alex. Reid (1900-04), 1108 Argyle Street, Glasgow.

Gordon D. Munro (1908-13), 5 Argyll Place, Aberdeen.

Magnus Mowat (1882-84), M.Inst.C.E., 47 Granville Park, Blackheath, London, S.E. Lewis Smith (1894-95), McCombie's Court, Aberdeen.

Campbell G. McKenzie (1910.12), Woodend, 136 King's Gate.

John L. Reid (1879-84), Cromley Bank El lon.

W. Douglas Simpson (1901.13), Forrester' hill, Aberdeen.

H. J. Stewart (1906-12), 403 Great Western Road, Aberdeen.

Dr. W. Fraser Bisset (1881-86), 7 King's Place, Perth.

G. J. Riddell, Jun. (1901- ?), 306 Great Western Road, Aberdeen.

W. Clark Souter (1893.98), M.D., 2 BonAccord Square, Aberdeen.

Adam Walker (1868-69), c/o McConnachie and Ironside, 36 Low Street, Banff.

A. C. Taylor (1883-85), c/o Messrs. Boots, Ltd., 141 Limon Street, Aberdeen.

John Jameson (1871-75), Cults House, Cults.

Alfred S. Laing (1911-13), Newseat, Woodside, Aberdeen.

J. Munro (1879.80), N. of S. & T. & C. Bank, Bridge Street, Wick.

W. J. Campbell Sangster (1903-10), Lynwood, Rubislaw Den South, Aberdeen.

R. Doughty Lyon (1907.13), 6 Canal Street, Aberdeen.

Norman Watt Duffus (1904.5), 152 Osborne Place, Aberdeen.

C. A. J. Chambers-Hunter (1911-13), c/o E. W. Newton, Frotoft, Bamboda, Ceylon.

A. C. Davidson (1904-6), Broomhill Park, Aberdeen.

W. A. Davidson (1904-6), Broomhill Park, Aberdeen.

W. G. Robertson (1888.90), Colpy, by Insch.

F. D. Ross-Keyt (1901-12), 49 Devonshire Road, Aberdeen.

Peter Thomson (1864-65), Uitenhage, S. Africa.

D. R. Smith (1875-77), Maritzburg Hygienic Laundry, 22 Printing Office Street, Maritzburg, Natal.

J. Connon Middleton (1875 -78), Winchester House, Old Broad St., London, E.C. R. I. Maxwell (1910-13), 64 Forest Road, Aberdeen.

W. M. Kesson (1893.98), Messrs. Fraser, Ltd., Fredericton, N.B., Canada.

James B. Scott (1891.99), 10 Gray's Inn Square, London.

Rev. P. Thomson (1862-63), D.D.. The Manse, Dunning.

Captain N. W. Mackworth (1892.96), I.M.S., c/o King Hamilton & Co., Calcutta.

John Rae (1882-85), c/o Paris Bank, Ltd., 4 Bartholomew Lane, London, E.C. C. E. Stuart (1882-84), Cromarty, Landguard Road, Southampton.

Harry .1. Lamb (1905-06), c/o Goldie, 12 Arlington Street, Glasgow.

NOTICE.—Articles, letters, notes, verse, etc., intended for the June, 1914, issue of the "Magazine" should be sent, not later than 15th May, to Mr. Theodore Watt, 206 Mid Stocket Road, Aberdeen.

TELEPHONE No. 1891.

ARCHIBALD MIDI* Family Grocer and Wine Merchant,

456 UNION STREET, ABERDEEN. * Excellent Value given in 27- Tea. English Bottled Fruits, in globe-shaped bottles, 1'- each.

Glass Shapes, Chicken, Ham and Tongue, etc., etc., 16 each.

Glasses Potted Grouse, 6d. each.

Glasses Potted Wild Duck, 6d. each.

White's Crystal Jellies, per pint packet, 31.4. each.

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

Vegetable Ivory Collar Studs For Back of Neckband. Price One Penny.

These Studs are made from a hard nut that grows in Brazil.

W. J. MILNE, 251

UNION

STREET,

ABERDEEN (Opposite the Royal Northern Club

Telephone 1293.

Messrs. MORGAN, photographic artists, Miniature painters, ant) Makers of Ertistic fframes, . •

393

•

•

UNION STREET, /ABERDEEN.

Special Cerms to Grammar School Stuaekts.

10 A.M. TILL 5 P.M.

TELEPHONE No. 603.

Cailoring for Oentlemen.

GEORGE NICOL the patronage of gentlemen desirous of being well dressed at a moderate cost. We are fully prepared for the coming season with extensive ranges of the smartest materials in Lounge Suitings, Dress Coatings, and Overcoatings.

S

OLICITS

Bartell Patent Pocket in all Garments.

Selections of Patterns and Estimates forwarded on approval.

11 CROWN Telephone 2540Y5.

STREET.

Visit . .

Moir's Hairdressing Saloons, 5 DEE STREET (Just off Union Street).

First-class Assistants always in attendance

VR,

Business Hours—

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

MEMBER

OF

THE ABOVE

Saturday, 8 a.m. to I.3o p.m.

FOR

. .

Drawing Instruments and Materials,

TAYLOR

'Picture framer anb

Colourman, SCHOOLHILL, ABERDEEN. 9

Telephone 2870.

J. GEDDES, 55

Cobacco a Cigar Merchant.

All High-class Tobaccos, Cigars, and Cigarettes in perfect condition may be had at

pl

• (O1 AU kinds of Smokers' Requisites.

A large and varied Stock of Walking Sticks by the best London Makers.

Agent for Loewe Pipes.

66 478 TELEPHONE 989.

Union Street, Aberdeen.

Established over Half a Century.

TRAVELLING REQUISITES, GLADSTONE BAGS, 12s. and upwards.

IMMENSE TRAVELLING TRUNKS, los. to 3os.

Solid Leather PORTMANTEAUX. SELECTION. SCHOOL BAGS and BOOK STRAPS. REPAIRS neatly executed by practical workmen on the premises.

TRUNK, AND GAUL 6, WILSON, SADDLERY, PORTMANTEAU MANUFACTURERS

BON-ACCORD STREET, ABERDEEN.

All Fresh from Ellon Daily.

The Fountainhead for Fine Buchan Butter, Fresh Farm Eggs, Fine Home-made Cheese, Fowls, Chickens, Rabbits, Ducklings, Jams (all own make), Honey (in Supers, 11b. and 2 lb.), Honey (in nice Tumblers).

MILNE, Ellon Stall, New Market; And Branch-404

UNION STREET.

JOHN G. MORISON 48 NETHERKIRKGATE, Aberdeen.

Pianos, Organs, Violins, Mandolins, 'Cellos.

Violin and 'Cello Repairs.

Piano Tunings and Repairs. Pianos and Organs and Violins Exchanged Lists. Pianos on Three Years' System.

Hobbs & Co.'s Fire and Burglar Proof Steel Safes, also Doors, Locks, etc.

MAKERS

TO

THE

Skidmore's Patent Steel Safes and Doors.

KING.

Lists sent on application.

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

JAMES D. DUNCAN, M.P.S., ebenttaoinarmacia,

231 UNION STREET

231

Telephone 311.

D. WYLLIE

&

SON,

247 UNION STREET, ABERDEEN. Agents for Ordnance Survey Maps.

Booksellers, Army and Navy Stationers.

Circulating Library in connection with Mudie's, of London.

Engraving, Bookbinding, and Printing of every description.

Fountain Pen Emporium.

Premier House in the North of Scotland for the sale of Scottish Publications.

Publishers and Proprietors of "The Aberdeen Book-Lover."

Telephone 402.

Established 1814.

Telegraphic Address : " Wyllie, Booksellers, Aberdeen."

Gentlemen, tal

Our Overcoat to Measure (A 2 Guineas) is absolutely unbeatable.

GIVE

US

A

TRIAL.

_be_ Art t MOUNTAIN, - - Zaitor, 4 SCHOOLHILL, RBERDEEN.

M. GERARD, JEWELLER

AND

SILVERSMITH,

411 UNION STREET (WEST).

Engagement and Wedding Rings.

JEWELLERY OF EVERY DESCRIPTION; ALSO

Watches, Clocks, Silver and Electro-Plated 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.), LL.D., F.S.A. Scot.

The School, which is one of the Secondary Public Schools of Scotland, provides forlBoys a complete course of study—Elementary and Secondary, Classical and Modern. The Lower School receives Boys 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 There is a Cricket Field, and there are separate Playgrounds for the various departments.Station.

Boarders are received by several of the Masters. .

Information as to Fees, Scholarships, etc., is given in the Prospectus, which maybe had free on application to the CLERK of the SCHOOL Bosun, 22 School Union Terrace, or to the Racros.

•

ABERDEEN HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS. Head Mistress--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 Rooms are provided.

The School occupies a spacious site in the West End of Luncheon the City, within twelve minutes of the Railway Station.

The Head Mistress can arrange for the Boarding of Pupils from a Information as to Fees, Scholarships, etc., is given in the Schooldistance.

Prospectus, which may be had free on application to the CLERK of the SCHOOL BOARD, 22 Union Terrace, or to the HEAD MISTRM

CAST-OFF CLOTHING AND OLD JEWELLERY WANTED.

Mr. and Mrs. D. McKAY, 15

SC1400614166,

Give Highest Prices for Ladies' and Gentlemen's Cast-off CLOTHING, OLD JEWELLERY, FALSE TEETH, OLD PLATE, &C. Either Mr. or Mrs. WHAT will call at your residence on receipt of Post Card or Telephone 2612.

BUSINESS STRICTLY PRIVATE. BANK REFERENCE.

TELEPHONE

2612.

Note Address-15 SCHOOLHILL. Bring or send your Cast-off Clothing to McKay's, 15 5ohoolhUl. - -

Jewellery of Quality and Refinement.

CHOICE STOCK.

+

-

KEENEST CUT PRICES.

_ ^ 1 . _t _

--

FRED, W. 1 AWSON, Ulatcbmaher ant) jeweller, 7 ROSE STREET, ARFRIIEEN. Personal Attention to all Repair Work.

Moderate Charges combined with first-class Workmanship.

FRED HARDIE, . Vbotograpbtc artist, 416 UNION ST., aREFIDEEN, For every style of In- and Out-door Group, Composite Groups, and General Portraiture, etc., ra.phon.881.

At Popular Prices.

FAMILIES FOR ABROAD

•

Secure Cheapest Fares, Comfortable Cabins, and Heavy Baggage Shipped at Cargo Rates if booked by

MACKAY

BROTHERS,

48 UNION STREET. Luggage despatched in advance, and everything arranged quietly and economically. No Booking Fees.

Abentect Address—

MACKA Y BROTH ER S, 48

UNION

STREET;

Also at Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Kirkcaldy, etc.

Your Boys' Spring Outfits R. K. Smith's Comfortable and Hard Wearing OVERCOATS are just the thing for your boys' Spring wear.

They are in good style and perfectly tailored, and their is a large variety of materials and sizes from which to make selection.

TWEED SUITS are another Seasonable requirement which are largely featured, and in fact you will do well to get the whole of your boys' outfits at R. K. Smith's.

SCOUTS' UNIFORM and Equipment is a speciality of which we should like you to have a complete list.

Please ask for one.

R. K. SMITH, Ltd., The King's Buildings, 113-II9 Union Street (I)FIT=e), ABERDEEN. Telephone No. 677.

Telegrams—"ChathIng, 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 Madelto Measure, Splendid Fit Guaranteed. .

We do repairing, either with Leather, Rubber, or Gutta Percha.

LETTER ORDERS HAVE PROMPT ATTENTION.

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