Issuu

3tule, 1903.

UM. VI., 14o. 3. 4-L,

* SQ, t— I2S),

6d ABERDEEN JAS G BISSET.

Educational Books. 1.4N-

JAMES G. HISSET

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

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

JAMES G. BISSET, Classical, Incbical, anb Encational

85 BROAD STREET (Opposite Marischal College).

The Sportsman's Depot and Athletic Stores.

GEO. M. MACKAY (Fellow of Educational Institute of Scotland), Angling Correspondent for the " Field," " Fishing Gazette," &e.

BRIDGE

STREET,

- -

BERDEEN.

Telegraphic Address— "MACKAY, Bridge Street."

N.B. — Close to Railway Station. High-Class Tackle of every description, for River, Lake, or Sea Angling. Flies dressed to any pattern. Greenheart and Cane Rods, Reels, Lines, &c. Angling Bureau and Fishing Agency. All information as to waters in the North of Scotland. Advice given. Fishings and Shootings arranged. Guns and Shot of the best and latest description. Air and Spring Guns a speciality. Golf—Clubs, Golf Bags, Golf Balls, &c. Simpson's, Weir's, and other makers. Cricket —Lockwood, Ayres, Lillywhite, &c. Tennis, Croquet, Bowls. &c. Football.—The latest and best in the Market. Repairs —Rods, Reels, Guns, Clubs, Rackets, Cycles, &c., repaired at shortest notice. Golfing, Cycling, and Angling Gloves. Physical Culture and Gymnastic Apparatus.— Boxing Gloves: Flasks, Knives, &c. Mackay's Anti-Midge, for Gnat and Mosquito Bites, ls. Bottles. Post, ls. 2d. Larger Bottles, 2s. 6(1. Post, 2s. 9d. In-door and Out-door Games of every description.

CONTENTS. -

POETRY-BLIGHTED

SCHOOL NOTES

NOTES ABOUT OLD BOYS

THE PH-YSICAL REGISTER ASSAULT-AT-ARMS -

92 .95

TO F.P.'s AND OTHERS RANDOM NOTES

UNIVERSITY HONOURS

96 -

103 104

THE BURSARY COMPETITION

THE SCHOOL AND THE 'VARSITY

105

ABERDEEN : AS IT IMPRESSES A STRANGER

106

108

112

113

115

119

120

SOME STRAY CASTS.

BY G. M.

AN EARTHQUAKE WAVE. THE FINALE -

By Admiral Farquhar

THINGS IN GENERAL

CORRESPONDENCE -

THE UNIVERSITY COMPANY

POETRY-I TOAST TO NATURE FOOTBALL NOTES -

OUR CONTEMPORARIES DEBATER NOTES

POETRY-THE SCHOOL SCHOOL OFFICIALS

THE SESSION'S ROLL

122

123

127

128

131

132

133

TYPE-f.RITIVG C. 112. £awurence, The

School

Aberdeen

Shorthand,

OFFICE.

19 CROWN STREET.

Telephone 875.

Prospectus on application.

-* TEXT BOOKS -> Of all tinbc3 (NEW AND SECOND-HAND), AT

247 UNION STREET,

D. WYLLIE & SON 9

ABERDEEN.

JOHN C. M'LEOD, HATTER, 48

UNION

STREET,

OULD respectfully intimate to pupils of Grammar School a

W Large Stock of Cap and Glengarry Badgel, as autho. rised ; also, Football Jerseys, Belts, Bathing Pants, and Costumes. V.A0

er 416-%--

Great Variety of Football, Cricket. Tennis, and Boating Jerseys, Sweaters, Knickers, Trousers, Shirts, Jackets, Belts, Cowls, Caps, and Hats.

TROPHY AND CLUB CAPS MADE TO ORDER. For Summer—Straw Hats, with Club & other Fancy Bands, Guards, Puggarees, &c.

NEW STYLES FELT HATS, TWEED CAPS, &c. Ties, Scarfs, Collars, Braces, and Umbrellas. 190;2.

GRAMMAR SCHOOL. 1st XV., 1902-03.

E. McBain. J. MaeArthur. W. E. Walla, e. W. J. Dunean. J. D. Mackay. Mr. J. Davidson (Hon, Soo., Gams O:m.), A JI•hugon. J. *Thorson (See.). IL McPherson (Capt.). L. J. Smitt. D. Adam. C. McLeod.

C. J. Mad:Aver. A..1. Murray. P. B. Simpson. M. 3. WiMamas,. W. immo,(O1s.

THE

Otamtnar School tllaga3ine.

Vol. VI.

JUNE, 1903.

No. 3.

WELL, as the clown says in the pantomime, " here we are again," writing " School Notes," with a May sun pouring on our editorial head. The Comp. and Prelim. are safely over for another year, and nothing remains to us save the Leaving Certificate Examinations, in which we‘ hope the School will do well, especially as our record in the Bursary Competition is hardly equal to our appearance last year. Our congratulations to Burnett, however, on attaining the third place. The position he has taken is really highly creditable to him, when we consider how little work he has been able to do through ill-health. Just as we sit down to write these Notes, we hear of the death of Sir James Westland, K.C.S.I., LL.D., one of the greatest Anglo-, or rather Scoto-Indian statesmen of the day. A financial genius, Sir James, after a distinguished career at this School and at Marischal College, entered the I.C.S., in which he rose to be Financial Member of the Council, a position which is practically the same as that of Financial Minister for India. Sir James was as ready with his pen as he was skilled in Indian politics. In February, 1901, he wrote one of the "When we were Boys" series for this Magazine--a graphic account of his days spent here—and in January of last year he contributed to Alma Mater

The Grammar School Magazine.

an article on "Mohammedanism," which showed a most thorough knowledge of the subject. One by one, it would seem, the oldest among our famous Old Boys are passing away, and Sir James Westland was one of the most famous, and an honour to our School. Let us hope that, as her great sons fall asleep, the old place will send out others in their stead, and that they may be as loyal, as talented, and as good. We have to regret the departure of Mr. Ward, the Secretary of the Games Committee and Librarian, who has quitted the School for the Church. Mr. Ward always took a great interest in the School, and especially in the " Footer " and Cricket teams. His place as Secretary of the Games Committee has been taken by Mr. James Davidson, who formerly looked after the games of the Lower School. Mr. J. C. Knox has kindly consented to act in Mr. Davidson's place. Mr. Ward got a hearty send off at the station from the Games Committee and a number of his old pupils. We note that Mr. David Reid, M.A., has been appointed Librarian in succession to Mr. Ward. The selection of Mr. Reid, we are sure, will be met with great approval. In Austria the principal occupation is gathering Austrich feathers.—Ex. Our frontispieces for this number will, we are certain, be welcomed by all. The first is the photograph of the "Footer" Team, which has just closed a very successful season. The other is a new photograph of the School, taken from the spire of the new church, "St. Opposite's," in Skene Street. We are greatly indebted to the School Board for the use of block of this new photograph, taken in Coronation year. The football season has once more come to an end. The School XV., although not the champion junior team in town, has done remarkably well. and may well be proud of its results. It has scored in every match this season ; a highly creditable performance. The leading lights of the team were H. M'Pherson, M. J. Williamson, and L. J. Smith, but it is needless to single out players, because as a whole the team was excellent, and each player was exactly suited for his place.

School Notes.

Once again we have run out winners in the " InterSchool " matches. In the first contest the School beat Gordon's by 16 points, but after that, the School XV. improved considerably, and beat its opponents by 23 points. The same cannot be said of the 2nd XV. The 2nd XV. does not turn out to practices as it ought, and consequently, when it comes to play a match, it lacks combination, and has to submit to heavy defeats. " What is a lie ? " asked a Scotch teacher, when reviewing the Catechism. The excited little fellow whose turn it was to answer replied, " A lie is an abomination unto the Lord, and a very present help in time of trouble."—Ex. The cricket season has already begun, and promises to be a good one for the School. The captain of the 1st XI. is H. M`Pherson, who, if he does as well at cricket as at football, will make an admirable captain. P. B. Simpson will act as secretary, and with these two at the head of the XI. we are confident the season will be most successful. We have great promise of a cricketer in J. A. Campbell, whose bowling and batting performances have of late been excellent. Each class has now been provided with a locker for holding the football and cricket material. This is really a great improvement, as one class, when it happens to lose a wicket, will not have such a good opportunity of helping itself to its neighbour's. We hope that at the end of the season full sets will he handed in by the class captains, and not merely a few wickets and a broken bat. Scarcely ever do we put a Magazine to press which has not to acknowledge a donation, in some form or other, from our generous oldest " boy," Admiral Farquhar. Sir Arthur has now presented our Library with the whole of Scott's works, in forty handsome volumes, each of which has an engraving, illustrative of some character in the story. We cannot thank Sir Arthur too much for his generous gift. He has also given us a short description of an earthquake which he saw in Chili. Admiral Farquhar is now nearly ninety years of age, but, for all that, his interest in the May we have many more contri" Gram." is unceasing. butions from his pen I

The Grammar School Magazine.

" Tom, make a sentence introducing the word " responsibility." Tom replied—" When one suspender button is gone, there is a great deal of responsibility on the other one."—Ex. The School has again hired a pitch at Mannofield for practice, and ought to benefit greatly by it, if the team are diligent in attending net practice, as this year the 'Shire Club has engaged two professionals. Last year some dissatisfaction was aroused owing to the fixture cards not admitting fellows to big matches. This has been seen to, and now every Grammar boy who shows his card will be admitted to the ground at every match. Once again the School cricket colours have been changed. Instead of the white blazer, the blue one, with the Arms on the pocket, will be worn. The cap will be the same—white, with red, white, and blue braid, and a badge in front. These colours are to be worn only by the members of the let XI., who have been authorised by the captain to do so. " What makes the ocean salt ? " " Salt fish," came the reply.—Er. Upon all who are going to the University next session we would impress the necessity of joining the Debating Society there. It is the oldest of the University Societies, and the one most deserving of support, although its younger rivals, by specialisation in their own departments, have withdrawn many of its members. Exactly one-half of the Committee for next year is composed of former pupils, four of whom held high office in our own Society, and the experience they gained in it will be of much service to them in the rigorous revision which the constitution of the University Debating Society is undergoing. To bring it up to date many new features are being introduced, and the Committee confidently anticipate that last year's membership will be doubled for the ensuing session. On leaving School for the 'Varsity, fellows should also join the University Volunteer Company. The advantages now offered are greater than ever. Much valuable information about the U Company will be found in one of our articles, and also on the schedules posted on the notice boards in the School corridor. Patriotism (plus recreation) claims precedence over everything.

School Notes.

Our Finale was the close of one of the most successful seasons that the Debating Society has ever had. Although the attendances were not quite so large, all who were present at the meetings fully appreciated what was said. This year has seen many new and promising speakers— a good sign for next year. The members had a "Grand Finale" on their own account, when selections from the " Students' Song Book" and the comic opera were sung. Miss —'s class of those beginning Algebra.—Pupil, reading : " A, cubed ; x, quartered."—Ex. Prep. (on sports' track)—" Say, fellow, how many times round is a lap ?"—Ex. Poor Grammar Magazine! When glancing through the school notes of one of our contemporaries, the Yellow Dragon, we noticed a line which, when we read it, made our mouths water. The line was to the effect that the preceding issue of that chronicle had a sale of more than a thousand copies. It is rather disheartening to think that the number of Grammar Magazines sold was only about a fourth of that. Surely fellows ought to buy the Magazine, not only that they may read what, is in it, but also keep it as a relic of their school days. We claim more support from F.P.'s in the confidence that few, if any, school magazines contain more of interest as to the doings of their " Old Boys." " When you stepped on that gentleman's foot, Tommie, I hope you apologised." " Oh, yes, indeed I did," said Tommie ; " and he gave me a penny for being such a good boy." " Did he ? And what did you do then ? " "Stepped on the other and apologised, but it didn't work." The Finale of the Debating Society was a glorious success. As was shown by the crowded hall, and the "overflow meeting" on the second night, it was quite evident that the public expected something good, and it cannot be denied that their hopes were fully realised. The musical part of the programme was this year specially attractive, and, to use the words of a spectator, " the farce

The Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

was ripping." Mr. Charles Davidson, who acted as stage manager, is to be heartily congratulated on the successful entertainment. We beg to thank those who so kindly consented to act as stewards, and all others who contributed to the enjoyable concert. The Literary and Debating Society has supplied the necessary funds for providing several class-rooms with pictures. These pictures, which are portraits of some eminent writers and men of history, help greatly to relieve the monotony of the bare plaster, and we beg to thank the Society for their generous gift. " Why does Scotland choose the thistle for its emblem ?" asked the teacher of his class. "Because it can't be sat upon," came the answer. Since all the classes have been supplied with cricket sets, and have had a little practice, why should they not get up a class championship ? Several close matches, we are sure, would take place, and it would be interesting to know which is really the champion class in the School. We beg to acknowledge a donation of £1 10s. from the Debating Society. We could never tire of writing " School Notes," if they were all acknowledgments like this. in this number we publish a list of all boys who have attended the " Gram." during the session 1902-3. This is the second time we have published such a register, the first one being published in May, 1901. This time the pupil's name and " habitat" and date of entry into the School have been added. We also have an article on the Physical Register. The table of averages should be carefully examined, so that each pupil may know how much he is above or below the average in each measurement. We should like to remind members of the IV. and V' Classes that the right of using the Reading-room belongs to the two highest classes only. When members of the VI. and VII. come down at two o'clock, they find to their horror that their class-mates are waiting for magazines which of noxxoi are reading. This is not as it ought to be ; and we hope that it will not happen in future.

School Notes.

The Assault-at-Arms was held in the School Hall in February, and was attended by a large number of friends. The programme was interesting, including as it did weightlifting and tugs-of-war. The Classicals seemed to be the heavier lot, and proved the winners in most of the contests. The different classes went through their drill accurately and neatly, and praise is due to Mr. Josephs for the excellent performance. First Monkey—" What is that standing there sucking a cane and smoking a cigarette?" Second Monkey— " That's a man ; and to think that a thing like that could have descended from us."—Ex. A remarkable coincidence occurred in regard to one of the pieces of poetry set in the Greek Paper at the Bursary Competition. The passage was from Homer, and related how Hector was buried early in the morning, without military pomp. On the same day General Sir Hector Macdonald was buried privately at Edinburgh. BLIGHTED. WHY follow men their hopeless dreams From shore to shore? Deluding, vain, and shifting gleams Of joy that is not what it seems— For mo there's hope no more. I dreamed of Love : I was a child Of tender years. Yet stronger passion ne'er beguiled Ripe Youth, or Age, into that wild— The Vale of Bitter Tears. No thought had I of grief or care That festive night; Where all was mirth and dance and glare— When lo ! a vision wondrous fair Burst sudden on my sight. Alas ! from tears I scarce refraiil, When I recall The bitter throes of griping pain That came, and went, and came again— She was a sweetmeat doll ! A. C. H.

The Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

MR. W. A.IORTIMER CLARK, W.S., K.C., of the Canadian Bar, has been appointed to the high position of LieutenantGovernor of Ontario. The following " Old Boys " had honorary degrees conferred on them by the University :—D.D., the Rev. J. Gibb, Dunedin; and Rev. J. Leask, Dundee. LL.D., Brigadier-General Sir Alex. Reid, and William Gordon, Town Clerk of Aberdeen. Mr. J. J. R. Macleod has been appointed Professor of Physiology in the Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio. The Rev. F. Turreff, M.A., has been appointed to the charge of All Saints, Fyvie. Professor James Robertson, D.D., of the Hebrew Chair in Glasgow University, has published "The First and Second Books of Kings " for The Temple Bible. Mr. F. Grant Ogilvie, Director of the Museum of Science and Art, Edinburgh, has been appointed Principal Assistant Secretary to the Board of Education. Before leaving Edinburgh he was entertained to dinner. Mr. Howard A. Gray, a contributor to our Magazine, has resigned the editorship of the Birmingham Evening Dispatch, and has joined the staff of the Pall Mall Gazette. On leaving " Brum." he was presented with his portrait and a silver loving cup, at a dinner where Sir Douglas Straight presided.

Notes about Old Boys.

The Rev. Professor Clark, M.A. (Oxon.), of the Chair of Mental and Moral Philosophy, Trinity University, Toronto, is, says the Montreal Star, one of the best-known men in the Dominion of Canada, and one who has been long eminent in the Councils of the Church of England there. He is F.R.S. (Canada), and has several times preached in St. Paul's Cathedral and in Westminster Abbey. Mr. G. Gibb, LL.B., manager of the North-Eastern Railway, who iu 1901 was a member of the Committee for the re-organisation of the War Office, has been appointed one of the Royal Commissioners of the London Traffic Commission. Mr. Sam. Reid and Mr. Campbell Smith have both been honoured by having pictures hung in the Royal Academy. The Rev. J. D. Scott, Foveran, has been appointed to the U.F.C. charge at Cowdenbeath. Mr. F. W. Rennet, of Laffan's News Agency, who witnessed the Battle of Magersfontein, has received the South African War Medal. We regret to announce the death of our " Oldest Boy," Mr. William Hunter, LL.D., advocate, factor to the University, who was born in the year 1812. He was the oldest member of the University, as well as the doyen of the legal profession. We regret also to announce the death of another of our " Oldest Boys," the Rev. Dr. Jamieson of Oldmachar, who (lied at the venerable age of 88. He was thus a contemporary of Admiral Farquhar. Colonel Alex. Milne, C.I.E., died a few weeks ago in Aberdeen. For many years he was a prosperous teaplanter in Assam, and was the founder and Colonel of the North-Eastern Frontier Light Horse. He was captain of the Scotch polo team at Cachar. Mr. J. Mackenzie, M.A., M.B., Ch.B., has got his commission in the R.A.M.C.

The Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

Quite an exodus of F.T'.'s for Canada has been taking place lately. C. Walker has got all appointment in the Hudson's Bay Company. Mr. Shepherd has started farming near Winnipeg. L. P. Macleod has got an appointment in a Bank at Winnipeg. George M`Pherson has got an appointment on the Canadian Pacific Railway. W. Bryan Wright starts on a sheep ranche in Alberta. C. Noble, who has lately returned from Greenland, leaves soon for Canada. Walter Smith has left for Halifax, Nova Scotia. C. B. Milne, M.A. (Edin.), has got the degree of LL.B. of Edinburgh. Many of his old class-fellows will hear with regret of the death of Percy Alister Corke at the early age of 17. Professor Ogston, Dr. Ogilvie Will, and Mr. J. Cromar have lately returned from the Medical Congress at Madrid. Dr. Will had the honour of being presented to Alfonso XIII. His son Ian, who is such a favourite at our School concerts, appeared in his kilt at the receptions, and caused quite a sensation among the Spaniards. We regret to say that, in our last number's obituary we omitted to mention the death of Cecil Robertson, M.D. Dr. Roberson entered the Grammar School in 1875, and, after a few years' study, proceeded to the University. He specially distinguished himself, and passed for his M.B., C.M., at the early age of 19. He acted as a doctor's assistant in Durham until he was legally qualified on attaining the age of 21. Dr. Robertson subsequently took the degree of M.D., and had for the last twelve years a large and important practice in the south-west of London. Two of his sons are at present attending our School. It is with much regret that we announce the death of Sir James Westland, K.C.S.I., late Indian Minister of Finance. After a distinguished career at our School, he entered the University, where he achieved great honours, and in the competitive examination for Woolwich he came out first. He declined the appointment, and entered for the Indian Civil Service. In this examination he again came out first by more than 100 marks. Honour after

Notes about Old Boys.

honour in the financial world of India fell to his lot, till finally he was appointed Minister of Finance and Member of the Council of India. Mr. William Benson has been appointed Resident Manager for Queensland of the North British and Mercantile Insurance Company, with head office in Brisbane. Mr. Peter Chalmers Mitchell, M.A. (Aberdon et Oxon.), D.Sc., F.Z.S., Lecturer on Biology at the London Hospital, has been appointed to the important position of Secretary to the Zoological Society of London. There was a keen contest between him and another candidate for the appointment, and amongst those who voted were Lord Roberts and the Lord Chancellor. When Mr. Chalmers was at School, he boarded with Mr. Sleigh at Bellevue, in the Hardgate, which is now the House of Bethany. Many in football circles in Aberdeen got a severe shock when they heard of the altogether unexpected death of of Douglas Leslie in the Far West of Canada. He had started farming on a large farm four days' railway journey from Toronto. A Toronto newspaper had the following note in its " Society" column : —" Mr. Douglas Leslie, a handsome young Scot, passed a few hours in our town yesterday on a visit to his uncle, Colonel Davidson, before leaving for the Far West." Only two days afterwards came a brief cablegram announcing his death through heart failure. It is inexpressibly sad to see such a young life—he was only twenty—cut short, and that, too, amongst strangers. UNIVERSITY HONOURS. The credit of the School has been more than upheld at the University this year, for Mr. W. P. Milne has been judged equal for the Lyon Prize, given to the most distinguished graduate of the year. Besides this, Mr. Milne has carried off the Simpson Mathematical Prize of £65, the Greig Prize in Natural Philosophy, and the Rennet Gold Medal in Mathematics. In Medicine, Mr. B. R. G. Russell has won the Keith Gold Medal in Systematic and Clinical Surgery.

The Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

In Latin, the 1st place is taken by A. R. Williamson, and the 2nd (equal) by G. E. Hay. In Advanced Latin J. M. Robertson is first (equal). He is also second (equal) in History. In French, N. S. Gilchrist is first, and in Logic R. J. Gilchrist is second. The latter is also fourth in Intermediate Honours in Mathematics. The most brilliant results, however, have been achieved by our " Old Boys" in English, where W. S. Mackie is first, A. R. Williamson second, G. H. Mair third, A. F. Milne sixth, and C. B. Simpson seventh. A noteworthy success. In addition to his other distinctions, W. P. Milne is first in Honours Mathematics, second in Honours Natural Philosophy, third in Systematic Geology. W. W. Fyvie is 4th in Honours Natural Philosophy, and third in Honours Mathematics. Norman Gilchrist has a bronze medal for Chemistry. R. W. A. Salmond is second in Osteology and third in Anatomy. A First Class Certificate in Anatomy by A. D. Fraser, James MacQueen, and R. M. Gunn. A First Class in Surgery by H. S. Brander, B. Russell, C. A. Suvoong, and G. W. Maconachie. A First Class in Practical Surgery by R. M. Gunn and J. Raffan. A Bronze Medal in Midwifery by A. S. Niven. In Divinity, G. E. Thomson is first in Hebrew, first in Church History, second in Biblical Criticism, first in Systematic Theology ; J. L. Thomson is second in Biblical Criticism, second in Systematic Theology. With such results we are not afraid of challenging comparison with any school whatever.

TO F.P.'S AND OTHERS. CAN any of our readers oblige the Rector with copies of the School Prize-List and Prospectus for the years 1878-9 to 1884-5 inclusive, namely, the last three year's of Mr. Martin's rectorship, and first four of Dr. Moir's, to bind along with others for the Library? For some time the Rector has been collecting old Prospectuses, and has all except the above, from the first, in 1861 (Mr. Barrack's), to the present time. He has a number of duplicates, including the earliest numbers, and will be glad to exchange.

Random Notes.

RANDOM NOTES. SEVERAL miraculous occurrences have happened at the School lately. Towards the end of the football season, at least two Classes were still in possession of their footballs. One morning only two of the Seventh and three of the Sixth were late for Prayers. Last Fee-Day, at least onethird of the Seventh had their fees ready, a thing which almost petrified the Treasurer with amazement. Similar surprises, too, we believe, confronted him in several of the other Classes. But these marvellous happenings are quite everyday compared with one which would be incredible had not we ourselves seen it with our own eyes. We entered the Reading Room one day and found one youth studiously perusing the " Literary World," while another was scanning the columns of " Le Monde Illustre." Ye gods, what will happen next? Anent the Reading Room, we have heard complaints made by several members of Junior Classes, such as III. and IV., about the conduct of VII. and VI., who often insolently refuse to give up a paper or magazine when requested to do so by their juniors. Some of the Higher Classed are even audacious enough to find fault with the others for playing and romping round the table, whistling, or yelling, for which innocent and charming amusements the Seventh and Sixth evidently do not recognise that the Reading Room is intended. The Lower Classes have resolved not to put up with this insolence any longer, and the Seventh and Sixth are warned that they will be admitted to the room only on condition that they mend their ways in this respect. We are sorry to see that the railway trains are so unpunctual. The band of youths who come in by train every morning make great efforts to be at School in time, but, owing to the lateness of the trains, we fear they often only manage to rush up, hot and perspiring, one minute too late. The farce, "Chiselling," has been performed three times at .the School. It was performed on February 6th and 13th in the School Hall, and on Friday, the 19th, at the Reading Room door. The Debating Society has not been distinguished this year for very regular attendance of the members. The

The Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

chief reason for this, we understand, is that several were annoyed because the President objected to their throwing paper pellets about the room. The President, they contended, should have recognised that such diversions were excellent ways of relieving the monotony of literary discussion. Debates on " Love" and such-like questions were discussed with a warmth and energy beyond all praise. A suggestion has been made that the Magazine should start a " Love, Courtship, and Marriage " page, after the style of the " Pupil's Friend," etc. One prominent member of the Committee showed remarkable insight into the subject—we might almost say experience of it—and we are sure that, under the nom-de-plume of "The Mag.'s Own Heart Specialist," he could supply perplexed and love-stricken readers with sympathy, encouragement, and advice. A short time ago we lectured some pupils of a certain school, not a hundred miles from Aberdeen, upon the evil effects of smoking cigarettes. We chanced to meet some days ago two of the youths we had been remonstrating with, and we were glad to see that our lectures had been productive of good results. The awful cigarette had been cheated of two more victims, for one was holding on by his teeth to the end of a huge meerschaum, while the other was faintly discernible through the smoke of a delicious " Flor de Cabage." The Bursary Competition has come and gone once more. The results are perhaps not exactly what was hoped for, but, if anyone is inclined to think disparagingly of them, we would remind him that the School excelled itself last year, and is going to do great things next year. The appearance of the School in 1903, though only moderate in itself, serves the purpose of showing off to greater advantage the performance of 1902 and 1904. A rumour has become current lately that a boy may perhaps be first in next year's competition. We hope that any who are inclined to believe such a thing is possible will undeceive themselvess. Perhaps about forty or fifty years hence some genius of the male sex may attain the honourable position, but even that is very improbable.

Notes on the Physical Registration.

NOTES ON THE PHYSICAL REGISTRATION. Feb. 12th—Mar. 24th, 1903. OVER 420 boys were examined. Others absent at the time, and not included in the averages for age, have since been measured and reported on. The work was conducted by the Rector and his clerk, with the assistance of classteachers and occasional help from medical students and a few senior pupils—John NITherson, Gordon Danson, and Ernest P. Duncan—to all of whom grateful acknowledgment is now made. Over 45,000 entries were recorded, including re-entries for summaries, etc. Of the general objects and utility of such a record something was said in our January issue, and need not now be repeated. Since then the Report of the Royal Commission on Physical Training (Scotland) has appeared. It strongly recommends the adoption of physical registration in all schools, and contains statistics as to school children in Edinburgh, Aberdeen, etc., of profound and often pathetic interest to all who have the welfare of children at heart. Thanks are due, also, to parents for their generally prompt and courteous aid in supplying information as to their sons' " habitat " or country of origin, with those of his parents and grand-parents. As time goes on and broadens the basis of statistics, these details will prove of value for the scientific study of the differences of race represented on our School Roll. At present the number of individuals for each age is too few to warrant general conclusions. The boys' class-place for last quarter and for the whole session is recorded, as some indication of the degree in which mental and physical well-being are conjoined. Allowance must be made for many other factors, some of them not indicated in such a register—occasional illness, irregularity of attendance, home, moral and religious influences, and family tradition making for strenuous, honest work and high ideals of scholarship. These cannot be weighed and measured, but often act powerfully in counteracting physical defects and the drawbacks of environment. But, with these reservations, our tests so far produce a general impression that the boy of good sight, good breathing-room and power, and good head-capacity, with signs of good nutrition, as shown by height, weight, and girth of limb, is usually high in his class, or high in the school, for his age. The principal exceptions are the boy with excess of animal vitality, tempted

100

The Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

to make work of his play and play of his work ; and the flabby, indolent boy, whose body and brains alike tend to fatty degeneration and cigarettes (at six a penny). This general impression is not, perhaps, the popular notion, which pictures the studious boy as big-headed, under-sized, and short-sighted, eschewing games and moping over a book. As heirs of the ages, our debt to the past for its wisdom and experience recorded in books is beyond price. Yet not less do we owe for such measure of health and strength as is ours by inheritance—both gifts to be cherished and improved. The test of Hearing had to be postponed till another year. It is proposed to test it in alternate years with sight, these being the items most expensive in time. Both are of very great importance to a boy's career. The whole examination of each boy occupied about fifteen minutes ; with assistance, seven or eight may be examined in an hour. Our tests for Sight agreed in the main, both as to percentage and as to individuals, with the medical examina tion of 50 of our boys, ages 10 to 15, for the Royal Commission. The tests for Colour-sense yielded 3.9 per cent. of colourblind ; 4 per cent. among males being the steady average all over Europe, among all classes and ages. Besides these, there were also 7.8 per cent. who appeared to have " feeble " or "defective" colour-sense, confusing certain sha, les of green, blue, and violet; unable to distinguish orange; or unable to distinguish light shades of pink, purple, grey, etc. Besides the more pronounced defects described as colourblindness, inability to distinguish such shades and colours is something quite different from mere ignorance of the names of colours, the extent of which is somewhat startling. Along with this there were signs of much ignorance as to the composition of secondary colours, green, purple, orange. The importance of good colour-sense is obvious, when we reflect how much depends on correct distinction of the signal colours, green and red, in the army, navy, mercantile, and railway services ; and in all industries and trades connected with weaving, spinning, dyes, chemistry, etc., a fine sense of colour is indispensable. PLACE OF BIRTH.

... ... Aberdeen I "Home Counties" (Aberd. & Kincard.) f ... Rest of Scotland

257

England

...

Abroad

...

At sea

...

Notes on the Physical Registration.

101

HOME.

In town

... 326

In country ...

SIGHT.

Normal ... 256 Deficient ... ... 162 Omitting the lowest classes, where our results are sometimes uncertain, 31 per cent. showed deficiencies. In the middle and upper Schools 7 per cent. were doubtful ; 5.5 per cent. slight in one eye ; 7 per cent. marked in one eye ; 2.2 per cent. slight in both ; 11.4 per cent. both deficient, with marked deficiency in one or both eyes. Making allowance for temporary variations, due to health, light, etc., there is undoubtedly in the School a considerable number who should be taken for further tests to competent oculists, and whose chances in life would probably be improved by spectacles. Bad or neglected sight excludes from many professions and businesses. COLOUR-SENSE.

Normal, 295 ; defective, 39, whereof 13, or 3.9 per cent., are green or red-blind. Boys below Lower 4 (age about 10) were not tested. COMPLEXION.

Skin.—Dark, 28 ; ruddy and pale, 390. Hair.—Black and dark brown, 121 ; medium, chestnut, and fair, 268 ; red (all shades), 29. Eyes.—Dark, 55 ; medium, 173 ; light (including all blues), 190. HEAD MEASUREMENTS.

These are at best a very imperfect indication of brainpower. The old-fashioned "cephalic index" concerned itself only with length and breadth, and has long been regarded as unsatisfactory. Circumference is modified by the thickness of the hair ; but many boys are so closely shorn that the operator gets fairly near the skull. For height of head a somewhat rude instrument had to be improvised. This measurement is taken from the highest point of the head down vertically to the plane of the tragus of the ear. When, as often happens, there is a difference between the ears, the average, to a millimetre, was taken. SPAN.

The instrument for this arrived too ]ate to test the whole School. Of those tested 76.4 per cent. showed span— measured from tip to tip of the middle fingers behind the back—slightly above their measure for height ; 22.6 showed span below height ; 1 per cent. were equal in both.

MEASUREMENTS. Average for age over

No. of individuals tested

• •

••

52.2

51.63

525

52 .7

52.74

53.1

53.25

5424

54.18

54.8

55.17

F545

55.9

5736

57.5

57.9

57.4

length (cm.) ..

182

17.76

18.35

18.3

18.24

18.33

18'43

18.7

18.6

18.9

19.0

19.01

19.1

1974

19.9

20.4

19.8

breadth (cm.)

14.4

14.2

14.15

14.3

14 44

14'5

14.53

14.4

14.8

14.6

15.0

151

152

15.48

15.6

15.4

155

height (cm.) ..

12.8

12.6

12.7

12.8

12.94

12.97

13.03

1308

1317

135

13.5

13.49

13.44

13.94

13.2

13.95

13.46

148.0

153.3

16056 167.07 168-5

175.34 171.4 175.7

174.45 587

Cranium, circumference (cm.)

••

1112 113.2

1222

125'7

128.3

133.4

1390

144.3

Approximately in feet and in.

3 75 3 85

40.1

41.5

422

4 45

46.7

48.8 410'3

50.4

53'3

558

56 .3

590

57 .5 5 92

60.7

611

65.1

66.7

682

70.44

724

72.5

76.8

799

83.4

8652

89.4

91.6

92.4

9415

91.7

51.9

54.73

594

632

68.3

78.4

83/

9555 110.3

118.3

126.8

145.3

133.7 1526

146.9

Height (boots off), standing (cm.) sitting (cm.)

Weight (coat and boots off), (lbs.)

438

47.5

Chest (coat off), inflated (cm.)

625

646

67.05

695

696

71.6

725

75.7

79.5

81.0

85.1

89.66

915

95.6

94 .9

99.7

987

639

63.1

66.3

66/

69.4

73.1

75.1

7776

81.62

83.5

88.6

85.3

92.1

91.8

deflated (cm.)

581

59.5

62.4

Left Arm, girth, fore-arm (cm.)

16.1

16.4

16.9

171

1775

181

18.7

19.6

20.4

21.1

22.03

23.1

23.7

25.6

23.7

25.3

24 .65

146

155

165

16.1

16.5

16.86

17.6

185

19-35

20.03

21.18

2254

22.8

23.9

21.8

24 .5

23-15

211

222

23.7

246

25.0

25.44

26.1

27 -9

28.5

29'8

30.64

30.9

33.27

3526

355

35.45

3525

Riding, Hockey, etc.

Skating

Fishing

Rowing

Shooting

157

153

girth, upper arm (cm.) Left Leg, calf (cm.)

PHYSICAL

No. (Upper & Middle Schools) who take

EXERCISES.

Gymnastics with Drill

Cricket

Football

Athl. Sports

Swimming

Cycling

Tennis

Golf

241 (of 262)

249 (of 367)

221

108

)ther Outdoor Sport

(

Notes on th,e4qtysical Registration.

103

CHEST MEASUREMENTS. The biggest of three breaths-in, and the least measurement of three breaths-out. The difference gives some indication of lung-capacity. The maximum difference was 12.2 cm., the minimum about 1 cm. Boys would do well to practise this as " lung-drill " in clear, fresh air. It purifies the blood, and stimulates the powers of the brain. HEIGHT (STANDING). The greatest growth in height appears to be at the age of 6 to 7, followed closely by 14 to 15, 15 to 16, and 17 to 18. HEIGHT (SITTING). To some extent this gives the proportion and relative growth of body and legs. Boys who may prove comparatively long in the trunk and brief in the lower limbs may console themselves with the obiter dictum of a famous headmaster, when discussing the case of a particularly long-legged and unsatisfactory boy: "I don't like boys who are too long in the fork ; no room, you know, for the S. nobler viscera !"

ASSAULT-AT-ARMS. MR. JOSEPHS has again piloted the School Athletics through their Annual Assault-at-Arms. It was held on Friday, 27th February, before a fairly large turn-out of friends and boys. The programme was much the same as usual, including parallel bars, horse, Indian clubs, dumb-bells, bar-bells, and tugs-of-war. The small boys went through their Swedish drill with wonderful precision. The tugs-of-war were chiefly between the Modern and Classical sides. With one exception the Classicals were successful. Simpson and Jameson gave a good exposition of the art of fencing. We should have thought, however, an armless semet rather a poor protection against foils. Three brawny men, H. M`Pherson, Macdonald, and Scroggie, gave an exhibition of weight-lifting. H. M'Pherson lifted 120 lbs. with one hand. All over, the entertainment was very successful, and Mr. Josephs is to be congratulated. Mr. Reid presided.

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The Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

THE BURSARY COMPETITION. THE School has no great reason to be proud of the position it has taken in this year's Bursary Competition, as the results are far below our usual standard, and are perhaps the least satisfactory of recent years. After our great success last year, upwards of fifty of our pupils went to the University, and, as several of the most promising members of the VI. Classical also left us, the highest class this year was very small numerically. Thus it is not surprising that the results are only moderate. The following table gives a comparison of the results of the last two Competitions :In the first 10 20 30 II 40 II 50 II 60 it 70 80 II 90

••• •••

... ••• ... ... ...

•••

... •••

...

... ••• ...

1902 5 8 11 13 13 16 21 23 26

1903 1 2 5 7 8 12 13 15 18

For the second time in the history of the Competition the first place has been taken by a lady. It may also be added that she has perhaps the best record of any First Bursar in the last few years. This year the papers in Classics were so easy as to form no real test, whereas the papers in English and Mathematics were hard. Those who took French, in preference to German or Dynamics, were at a distinct disadvantage, as the papers in the latter subject were considerably easier. The additional paper in English Literature was altogether different in character from that set last year. It may be added that the standard of the first ten candidates seems to be considerably above the average this year. The following are the places taken by the School, with the total marks made out of a possible maximum of 1,800 : 3 17 24 25 30 31 40 50 52 53 55 57 62 75 76 83 85 89

lan K. Burnett ... Herbert E. Wiseman Cohn J Maciver ... Alexander Bain ••• William J. Reid ••• John Morrison ... Alexander F. Johnston Robert Richards ... Angus M. Murray ... William A. Lothian Ewen Maclean ... Robert Y. Hunter ... Alexander Morrison Ernest P. Duncan ... Robert N. Paton ... John Sutherland ... Harry J. Rae ••• Alexander J. Findlay

•• • ••• •.• •••

••• ••• •••

••• •• ••• ••• ••• ••• ••• ••• •••

•••

••• •••

••• •..

••• ••• ••• ••• ••• ••• •••

•.. •••

••• •••

••• .

•••

••• ••• •••

••• ••

••• ••• ••• •••

1478 1249 1222 1214 1121 1117 1057 993 985 971 965 964 945 892 888 841 821 800

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The Bursary Competition.

It is noteworthy that no fewer than five of these places, the 24th, 31st, 52nd, 55th, and 62nd, have been taken by Highlanders. Six places also are gained by candidates from the Classical VI., namely, the 50th, 53rd, 57th, 83rd, 85th, and 89th. Although this is not quite so good a result as that obtained by the second highest class last year, it is very creditable considering the hardness of the papers in English and Mathematics, and we may hope for satisfactory results next year. The highest marks in each subject scored by candidates from the School are : — English ... • •• Mathematics .. ... ••• Latin ... ... Greek French ... ... German ... ... Dynamics... ...

I. K. Burnett, 291 ; W. J. Reid, 277. I. K. Burnett, 344 ; H. E. Wiseman, 268. I. K. Burnett, 324 ; A. Bain, 323. I. K. Burnett, 351 ; J. Morrison, 324. I. K. Burnett, 168 ; W. J. Reid, 148. R. Richards, 160 ; H. G. M. Wilson, 145. C. J. Maciver, 172 ; J. Morrison, 128.

THE SCHOOL AND THE 'VARSITY. EXAMINATION of the "Student's Handbook" for 1902-3 gives the following interesting results :— Arts. - 273 Men 76 Whereof F.P.'s - 111 Women Total -

- 384

No. OF STUDENTS IN Medicine. Science. Divinity. 15 46 291 3 14 57 — — 13 304

- 46

- 15

Law. 37 9 —

- 37

Total. 662 159 124 786

We are unable to give the date of this useful little handbook. A number who appear in its lists have taken their degrees and "gone down." On the other hand, it does not include the dozen or more who left the School for the 'Varsity at Easter. From the above figures it appears that the School claims nearly 1 in 4 of the men, and over 1 in 5 of the total number of students at the University. Allowing four years as the average period at the University, we ale sending forward recruits at the rate of 40 per annum, a remarkable number, considering that the general average of boys over twelve in the School during the last four years is only about 350. Putting the number who leave the School annually at about 120 in the last four years, this gives a proportion of those who go to the University of 1 in every 3. The rest-66 per cent.—mostly pass to law (direct), engineering, banks, and mercantile pursuits.

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The Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

ABERDEEN: AS IT IMPRESSES A STRANGER. " ABERDEEN ! the hub of the universe, the pivot on which the whole world turns " ! These words rang in my ears as I stood, in the grey light of a November morning, on the station platform of the eulogised city—words spoken by an Aberdonian met by chance in my club in Paris—words which had fired me to make a pilgrimage to his native place and enjoy its singular advantages. As I emerged into the open, a gust of wind, sharp as a knife, tore my hat, a new grey felt, from my head, and gave it a morning bath in a puddle close at hand. After recovering it, I hailed a cab, and leaned back, fatigued. Suddenly the cab began to move, and simultaneously commenced the most excruciating noise which it has ever been my misfortune to hear—crash, rumble, bump—until my every nerve vibrated. At last my lodgings were reached, and I stood dazed on the pavement. My landlady, a longlipped Scotchwoman, came downstairs to greet me. " Ye'll hae brakfisted, nae Boot? " said she. " No, no ! I am famishing. I have hunger. I desire that I may eat ! " I cried, relapsing into my native tongue and gesticulation in my earnestness. " My! Come ben the parlour. The cabby '11 think ye're nae wise, wi' thon queer-like Frinch weys," and she pushed me into a sitting-room, composed mainly of large worsted antimacassars in brilliant colours—casting a malignant glance at the cabby, who was hoisting my luggage upstairs. " I'll awa' and bile yer parritch," said she. Having breakfasted, I set out to view the city, but stopped in the doorway when I saw that the wind and rain were driving down the street. A curious fact struck me —the strangely satisfied and delighted expression on the faces of the passers-by—quite incongruous with the whistling sleet and bitter wind and the crashing noise of the traffic. A contented-looking citizen came to shelter in my doorway. " Sir," I said, " you belong to this city ? " " Aye, I dae that." " And the climate—do you like it ? " " Ay, it's a verra fine ane. A'm thinkin' ye'll no fin' mony to bate it, takin't a' in a'. It's sae bracin', ye ken —nane o' yer relaxin' damps."

Aberdeen: As It Impresses a Stranger.

107

" But, ma foi ! it rains, pours, and the wind is bitter ! " " Och ! a bit shooerie, rael freshlike." " Mon Dieu! but the noise of the carts ! " " It's some cheerylike." " But surely this is your worst type of weather? " " Eh ! it's a bonny day the day. A'm thinkin' ye're a furriner—no a native of the toon. " I am a Frenchman." "Och, guid be here's a' ! A Frinchman! Man, ye maun gang and see a' the sichts !—the Bathin' Station— the Promynaid—the--" " How do I get to the Bathing Station ? " I inquired, seeing that the shower seemed to be stopping. " Tak' thon car—that'll tak' ye tae Castle Street, and ye can spier the wy frae thar." I boarded the car, after being almost blown into a large lorry. " How much to Castle Street? " I asked. Losh me ! " An expression of horror passed over the conductor's countenance. " It's sic a wee bit, ye micht ha' walkit. It's jist a penny a' the same." The car jolted on. " Ye get aff here." With a lurch I rose, and fell precipitately into the lap of a buxom matron, with a large marketing basket, which, in giving place to me, fell, scattering some extraordinary-looking fish, with a strangely penetrating, pungent odour, on the floor ! " Michty ! ma yalla haddies ! " and their owner ejected me violently, and groped after them with muttered imprecations, which I presumed were Gaelic, as I could not understand them. As soon as I could get my breath, and holding my hat on with both hands, I inquired of a small boy playing marbles on the kerbstone—" How do I get to the Bathing Station ? " "Sorra tak' ye, man! Ye've trampit on ma bool," yelled the urchin, as one of his marbles rolled under my heel. Having pacified him with a few coppers, I elicited the desired information, and soon reached the Links. Halfblinded with dust, numb with cold, I looked for the Bathing Station, and supposed it must be a large red brick building looming before me, but when one is bent double breasting a gale, a good view is impossible. I turned and made my way back to my lodgings. " Weel," said my landlady, " ye'll be thinkin' Aiber-

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The Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

deen's an awfu' fine toon. Ye've lied sic an extraordinar' fine mornin' the day—jist a wee shoor whin ye gaed oot." " I am fatigued—worn-out," said I. " Can you give me some dinner now? " " Denner ! Och aye, I hae a puckle ingins bilin', an' I'll seen dae ye a mealy pudden ! " When she returned with a very unusual-looking repast, I could not help saying, " All your townspeople seem very pleased with themselves and their city." " An' what for no? " retorted she, highly indignant. " Aiberdeen's a rale fine place, and sae's the fowks, an' gin ye lied ony experience ye'd ha' kept that a' the great men's been Aiberdonians. My ! ye're jist a puir coddletlike fowk, ye Frinch," and with a scornful sniff she went from the room. In a few moments she came back. " Hae ye nae feenished? " she asked, glancing at my barely-tasted plate. " Yes—oh yes, yes," I replied, and sighed with relief as she removed it. " Ye'll be awfu' sweer to gang efter ye've bidit here a wee," she threw back over her shoulder. I gluttonously devoured a stale ham sandwich which I found in my Gladstone bag. The rest of the day I spent in repacking my clothes, and I left by the 7.45 that night for London. For I did not consider that the Granite City " out-Utopia'd Utopia." LUC IFER.

SOME STRAY CASTS. " Full many a shaft at random sent, Finds mark the archer little meant." I HAVE been asked to send you a short paper for your next issue of the Magazine. I feel flattered at the request— honoured, in fact—but I really do not know where to begin. However, here goes : and, as angling is the sport of all sports I love the most, and have spent most of my spare time practising, studying, or writing about, perhaps a few short notes " at random " may be of most interest, if not value, to you, and at least most acceptable to myself. But do not imagine for a moment that in sending you a few " stray casts " in my own favoured pastime, I wish to ignore in the slightest the votary to the gun, the bat, the club ; or he who, Neander-like, loves the billowy deep, or

Some Stray Casts.

109

with giant arm delights to cleave the glassy wave. All these I have wooed and won, and oft return to them yet with zest, when opportunity presents itself ; but, if I have the choice between the gun and the rod, the club and the rod, or any other thing and the rod, I would, to borrow Lord Tennyson's words, " Rather a month in Cadiz, Than a cycle in Cathay."

Before I begin a few " stray casts," let me quote you a story of the late Chief Justice of Ireland, Lord Morris. He was taking part in some important investigations, probably the Irish Church question, or the Shannon salmon fishings, or suchlike, along with Lords Herschel and Watson, and, when it came to his turn to deliver judgment, he did so thus: " One of us is a Jew, another a Presbyterian, and I, as a Roman Catholic, yield to neither of your lordships in ignorance of the matter in hand." Now I wish to apply this to my present subject. While I have had my successes as an angler for salmon, trout, and pelagic or sea-fish of all kinds, during an active life-time, yet I will yield to none of my own age and opportunities in the matter of unlucky days. I have angled on every burn and stream, river and loch between Tay and Ness, and know the Dee, Don, Deveron, Ythan, Ugie, as I know Union Street. For thirty-five years now I have been here, there, and everywhere, killing trout and salmon with the richest and poorest in the land —with the late Sir William Brooks, Bart., Glentana, on the one hand, and the humble Ythan estuary boatman on the other—the guest of the former and the humble patron of the latter; and yet, I openly confess that my record of blanks will compare favourably with the hardest-hit man in the land. It is good for us all now and again to get the worst of it, whether it be in fishing, shooting, boxing, or any other sport or pastime that we may engage in. It is not the worst thing that may befall us to have a spill when riding with reckless speed down a hill, provided no bones are broken and the injuries can be repaired at the druggist's or tailor's. These buffets and disappointments teach us humility and true self-abasement, and to brag with modesty—no easy task. Well, I am talking of my unlucky days to begin with, because it is the "unlucky days" that try the mettle of the true angler, and winnow the chaff from the golden grain. The man (or lad) who can time and again put up

110

The Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

his rod in the morning, and return at night with an empty creel—tired, hungry, wet, disappointed, and down-hearted, and yet start again after a night's rest (and such profound rest, too), amid the jeers and, metaphorically speaking, kicks of his chums—is the enthusiast who is determined to succeed, and in the long or short run does so. If you are an angler of any standing, you must have had your share of unlucky days. If you are only beginning, then look out for them, and do not be disappointed when the " shortening day draws to a close," and finds you with an empty creel, and some three or four miles of moor or road to pass before the lights of home or the distant station revive your drooping spirits. Many and many a time have I found myself vowing (aye, and audibly too, in the presence of others) that I would not lift a rod again, or wet another line. But this was at night, and the next morning I could have cut my tongue out for being so rash ; and was on the gui vine again to get clear of the breakfast-table, and up and at it. Those who have not done much angling I would advise to choose a time when they are likely to have some sport. If they have a burn in their mind's eye, and there are lots of them in the county, and full of nice trout, too, then let them take to the burn. The burn is the angler's true school, the worm his best friend. If the water be in spate, then it is simply a matter of casting into the eddies and following down stream. There is little or no art in such angling, I confess, but it is a beginning, and the beginning we mostly all make. Art will come by and by. What we want for the tyro is fish. What a joy there is when the first " electric " shock is felt from the hidden troubled waters below. What a strength is put into the sudden reply of the angler, and the four-inch troutlet is sent flying into the air, half-a-mile across the field, lost in the long grass—No ! for the hook is swallowed, and he is safe after all. How that first trout is prized. What feelings of joy, such a transport of delight ! Victory sits triumphant on the brow of the conquering hero, and he is an angler of the first water. He has drawn blood. Now, my young friend, whether fly or worm, let this be the first and last time you throw your fish in the air or on the bank, or ruthlessly nolens rolens drag it ashore. If you learn this one lesson, my paper will amply repay the kindness you have condescended to give me in following

Some Stray Casts.

111

me thus far, and you will be saved many disappointments, many lost fish, and much broken tackle and overstrained if not broken tops to your rods. When you feel a trout, strike it by simply raising your rod a few inches. If he has nibbled your bait only, it may come at it again a second time, and be fixed to a fatal connection, to your pleasure and the advantage of your creel. Learn a good method in angling, as in everything else, at the start ; and the best method of striking a rising or feeding trout is by simply giving the right hand a slight twitch or half-turn. The trick, once learned, will never be forgotten, and will be done as one of those countless unconscious actions or movements we do every other minute or so without thinking about. Salmon do not need striking in the same sense as trout. They invariably " strike " themselves, and particularly so in a running stream. I mention this because many of you may have a shy at a salmon, and there is many a loss to the beginner by pulling the fly away from the rising fish, silly idea of " striking" and " giving the butt," and suchlike clap-trap borrowed from books on angling or Englishmen on the spot. Then the burn clears. Still with your worm you must now commence to fish up-stream. Keep well back. Do not use a longer line than you can help, and having found out where the fish are, i.e., in the pots or pools, or else Tread lightly. the streams, search the particular part. Remember fish can "hear." Probably not in a human sense, but they feel the vibration of anyone treading the bank above them, and are warned of the presence of an enemy ; so tread softly and keep clear of noisy companions if you wish to fill your creel. But, above all, remember the trout can see. By Jove, what a range of vision he has. An eye like an eagle. A telescope and microscope combined. So keep out of sight as much as you can, even to the tip of your nose, far less your body, head, and hat. Not the But I am getting to the end of my tether. subject. It is inexhaustible. But your patience and the editor's must be studied. However, you will soon have the desire to try fly fishing, and probably may have a reach of the Dee or Don or other stream at your disposal. Choosing a fine day with a west wind in the balmy, leafy June (even earlier), with a 12-foot rod, or even larger or smaller, according to taste, a cast of three No. 10 hooks, including a " Hare's Lug," "Jungle-Cock," " Professor," or " Greenwall's Glory." Now then, you are in for the

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very poetry of sport. You cannot be a champion caster all at once. But look cut some friend who will give you a lesson, or watch some older hand at the job ; but do not imitate his length of line. That will all come in good time. And now you have in the art of angling a friend that will accompany you through time. You are in direct touch with Nature and Nature's God. To the unobservant "the primrose by the river's shore, a primrose is, and nothing more," and, to draw a parallel to the man who never killed a trout, the boil of a fish sucking down a " March Brown " or " Yellow Sally," is a boil, and nothing more ; but to the angler it immediately takes him into a world below, to the rushing, tumbling waters, and the denizens flirting about hither and thither on the hunt for food, and the myriads of insects " born to blush unseen," and only known even in a slight degree to the keen, keen observer who has spent many a day in their deeplyinteresting study. I would have liked to have told you of some of my lucky days, for, after all, they stick closer to the memory than the unlucky ones ; but time and modesty prevent me. Yet they have been often red-letter ones, when least expected ; and so, in conclusion, my last " cast" to one and all is the advice of an old former pupil of the Grammar (Admiral Sir Arthur Farquhar), to me some 25 years ago —" Keep your line in the water if you want a full creel." G. N. AN EARTHQUAKE WAVE. IN the year 1831 I visited the port of Arica [now part of Chili], on the coast of Bolivia, containing about 10,000 inhabitants. It lies on a sandy plain bordering the sea, and sheltered by low sand hills, something like the bents of the Aberdeenshire coast. About two years before our arrival, the place had been visited by a terrible earthquake, which destroyed almost the whole town and killed many of the inhabitants. The Consul and his family fled to a neighbouring hill. Following the earthquake, the sea retired, leaving the bay almost dry, but very shortly there followed an immense wave, from 50 to 60 feet deep, which overwhelmed every vessel in the bay, with the exception of an American gunboat of very considerable size and a Peruvian corvette. The former was carried about three-

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quarters of a mile over the sand-hills, and landed on the plain without a man being injured ; the Peruvian corvette, drawing more water, struck on the sand hills, and a good many of her crew were killed by the falling of her masts. All attempts to float these vessels were unsuccessful, so, after removing the guns and gear of the gunboat, she was sold by the American Government, and was ultimately converted into a hotel. The Peruvian corvette was broken up. This is a true yarn of the effects of an earthquake, related by an old Grammar School boy.

CONCERT AND DRAMATIC PERFORMANCE. ON Friday, 6th February, at 7.30 o'clock, the annual Concert and Dramatic Performance, under the auspices of the Literary and Debating Society, was given in the School Hall' before a crowded audience. First came the musical part of the programme, which was most efficiently contributed to by Miss J. Clarke Reid, Mrs. Jackson, Mrs. Davidson, Miss Emilie Bell, and Messrs. C. Helmrich, Ian Ogilvie Will, E. Gauld, and E. C. Houlston. Mrs. Jackson, Mr. Helmrich, and Mr. Will were deservedly encored. Indeed, Mr. Will was almost brought back a third time, but managed to escape with a polite bow ! Then followed the principal part of the evening's entertainment, an one-act farce entitled " Chiselling," with the following cast : — Larkspur (a sculptor) J. MTHERSON. Trotter (his manservant) H. M`PnEnsoil. Dr. Stonecrop Mrs. Piper (a landlady) Kate (Stonecrop's niece)

•

. -

P. SIMPSON. G. Dmisoic. H. WinsoN.

The plot of the play is in itself sufficiently amusing— the main point being the impersonation of a statue of Alexander the Great by the sculptor's man-servant, Trotter— a difficult part which was very ably performed by H. 3/`Pherson, who especially distinguished himself in the latter part of the play, and whose make-up was excellent. J. MTherson, as Larkspur, entered thoroughly into his part. His actions were spontaneous, and neither in voice nor manner did he show any of that woodenness so often associated with amateur actors.

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A notable feature of the play, and one which reflects the greatest credit on the stage manager, was the attention given to by-play and the little touches of side-acting which add so much to the enjoyment of the audience. While the statue sat cross-legged on his pedestal, smoking and drinking unconcernedly, unseen by old Stonecrop, who was muttering to himself of the beauties of art, gate and her lover did a very pretty bit of billing and cooling all by themselves—and it must be concluded that J. M`Pherson is no novice in the gentle art of lovemaking, and the language of the eyes ! Special praise is due to P. Simpson, who gave a very amusing individuality to the part of Stonecrop, an old short-sighted art connoisseur, and whose voice and whole appearance were above reproach. And now it is the ladies' turn. "Ladies last" in this case, since only their costume can be said to give them the privileges of the " fair sex " ! And Mrs. Piper's costume was really splendid ! She might have walked straight out of one of Phil May's sketches ! Gordon Danson's acting of this part was admirable throughout. His gestures and expression were realistic to a degree, and when he went down on his knees to the statue he fairly brought down the house ! As Kate, H. Wilson made a very charming young lady, and wielded his fan with inimitable grace ! His costume was artistic in colouring and effect, and if his voice was a trifle deep, might not the fair gate have been an amateur " contralto " ? Under the management of Mr. Charles Davidson, one was bound to expect something good, but the unqualified success of the piece exceeded even the highest expectations. The acting, scenery, and costumes left nothing to be desired, and the stage manager deserves the heartiest congratulations. We have witnessed these annual performances since " Vice Versa," and we have no hesitation in saying that we think " Chiselling " has surpassed them all. The enthusiastic applause of the audience at the close testified to an entirely successful entertainment. The piano was very kindly lent by Messrs James Macbeth & Sons.

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THINGS IN GENERAL (AND NOTHING IN PARTICULAR). " There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy."

THE Editor asks for a contribution, and with such a request it is not very difficult to comply ; but when the Editor adds autocratically that the contribution is to be in prose (Italics, 0 printer-man, if you please ; thank you), clouds begin to loom on our literary horizon and we tear our hair, in which we can already detect some threads of grey, in a mad endeavour to find a text, or, to be more exact, a " subject of discourse." We understand from some more or less truthful sources that the medieval scientists wasted no small portion of their allotted three score years and ten in a futile endeavour to find the Philosopher's Stone which was to turn all the baser metals into gold. They did not find it, for the very excellent reason that it did not, does not, and so far as we can see, cannot exist, and a thing which does not exist is not easily found—unless it be an excuse, in which case by the help of the imagination a grandmother may be killed, or a train made late, or, indeed, all sorts of wonderful, and it may be impossible, things done to suit any particular case. Well, the only thing that can be compared with the search for the above-mentioned stone is the search of the modern amateur journalist for a theme when he is asked to write an article in prose" on any subject he pleases." When the average man wishes -to air his views on " anything he pleases," he usually makes tracks for the Correspondence column of the principal local evening newspaper (No, we refuse to commit ourselves, and to avoid bloodshed omit the name) and deluges an unoffending and uninterested public with his opinions in more or less (generally less) grammatical prose, or else in execrable verse on " Tap o' Noth," " Inside door handles on Torry 'busses," or some similar question which interests none but himself. The result of it is then that we have taken our pen into our hand, as we often did in the days when we had to write " School Notes," with but a very vague idea of what we are to write about. Marcus Antonius says in Julius aesar, "I only speak right on," and we are going to follow his example and let our pen follow its own sweet will. We began by speaking of prose, and said that a prose article on an indefinite subject was not an easy thing to

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write. It is far less difficult, as we have proved, to write an " Ode to a Shark, nine days dead but still unburied" (members of our old class will see the point) in blank verse, than it is to sit down at a table and await some inspiration to help you to fill several sheets of appallingly white paper with hard, matter of fact prose, and one result of this fact is that we have poets galore—did we say poets ? we meant rather Alfred Austins, for they, and such as they, are the product of an age barren as regards good literature, and they write poetry more from necessity than choice. Generally speaking, every man at some point in his life thinks that he is a born poet : at six he probably desires to become a sweep, at eight an engine-driver, at ten a sailor, at twelve an actor, and about the age of fourteen and in the season of spring he decides that he is undoubtedly a poet. There are even geniuses of younger ages who leave their hop-Scotch or their marbles to record on a neighbouring back gate ere it pass from their memory some such complimentary couplet as— " Sammy Simpkins is an ass, For a donkey he would pass."

and though the poet may feel after his next interview with the said Sammy that poetry is not a paying concern, the fact remains that he has written poetry, and from a metrical point of view, not bad poetry at that. Really the precocity of children is increasing steadily, and the next thing will be that the Sammies who are thus immortalised will be sending letters to the poets, hinting at impossible actions for slander, indulging in what is to their minds highly poignant sarcasm, putting full stops in the middle of sentences and demanding an apology before they do anything more in the matter! They may allow their mammas to revise the spelling and composition, but that is doubtful, and even if they do the result may still be unsatisfactory. So we have wandered on from sense to nonsense, or what looks very like it; but "there's many a true word spoken in jest," and one reason why there are more things in heaven and earth than can be dreamt of in any human philosophy is that there are a great many more foolish people in the world than the world knows anything about. Robert Burns is not a favourite of ours, but he said some very true things and prayed some very laudable prayers, and notably one which implored some power for the highly valuable gift of seeing ourselves with the eyes of others,

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and, while this would come in handy in the ease of the Sammies and their mothers, it would also be a most commendable thing for those budding poets who are so proud of their awful effusions. Now, we would distinctly point out that, in spite of all this, amateur poets should be encouraged, provided that their verses are above the standard demanded by a local weekly periodical, which might afford English examiners a splendid field for grammatical howlers and Scotticisms. Poetry, however, is not the only thing that people think they are gifted with when they are not—there are those who imagine they can sing. Of course, if they be asked to do so, they will indulge in a smirk of modesty and lisp, " Oh no, they really can't sing, they would really rather not." On being asked a second time, they suggest that, "Really, really, they would rather not, they have such a sore throat." The third time they proceed to the piano with a martyr-going-to-the-stake sort of air, and " are sure they will break down." Then they usually sing in the style a la prima donna, the music held daintily, the head well forward, and the figure moving from side to side, all with the view of making an impression. We came across a true story the other day of a famous foreign musician who was asked to a house at which one of these objectionable people was also a guest, and when she had two or three times protested that "she really could not sing," though everyone knew that, as a matter of fact, she was very proud of her voice and only needed pressing, Herr Y. said, coaxingly, " Ach bud dry, Miss Schmidt, dry!" The lady, nothing loth, did " dry," and, after her song, sat down near the foreigner, saying, in the hope of a compliment, "There, I told you I couldn't sing," but the great man's answer must have disappointed her, for, with a pensive shake of the head, he replied, " And you vos right, Miss Schmidt, you vos right!" People who can sing, but need half-an-hour's pressing before they will do it, and people who can't sing, but insist on trying whenever they are asked, and, indeed, whenever they are not, are the most unmitigated humbugs and nuisances in the world, and should be suppressed by Act of Parliament. It is very interesting, also, to notice the nature and development of proper names. It is true that we have advanced since the days of Cromwell's renowned sergeant, who rejoiced in the name of "Bind-their-kings-in-chains-and-theirnobles-in-fetters-of-iron Sykes" (which, by the way, is

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rather an anti-climax), but even in this twentieth century, there are some strange happenings in this respect. If a man begins life as John Smith, he, of course, is entered as such when he goes to school. In the last year of his stay there he begins to get large ideas and also a desire for a middle name, so he becomes John H. Smith, and passing through the stages of John H. Smythe and J. Hawkins Smythe, he emerges at last as J. Hawkins-Smythe, and as such brings down on his head the ridicule of his fellowmen, who, behind his back, laugh loudly at the changes and at the ring, &e., which are sure to be found in the development of the real fop's proper name. Does not your heart go out in pity to some poor people whose parents have sent them into the world with names, the length or nature of which amuse one to a degree? Prince Edward of Wales rejoices in the names of Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David, while some of the German princelings are the possessors of names that would fill a page easily. What are we to say of such horrors as we saw being given to those youngsters who were unlucky enough to arrive during the late war in South Africa. Redvers Buller Roberts Tompkins; Elandslaagte Magersfontein Mafeking Jones ; Cecil Rhodes Joseph Chamberlain Brown are specimens and pretty fair ones of the sort of thing that used to happen to these poor little innocents. Imagine one of these infants going fresh from the arms of his doting mamma out into the world of school: " Hallo, young un, what's your name? " Cecil Rhodes Joseph Chamberlain Brown." What a life that child would have unless he possessed a large enough number of good qualities to nullify the awful names! Who could blame these men if in after years they changed their names. Surely the patriotism, or rather, when it gets to such extremes as these, the jingoism of the fathers is visited on the children to the first generation at least. Yet another amusing feature of human beings is their love of criticism. "What a rotten number of the Fitty Thunderer," says one of that imaginary paper's readers, " why on earth don't they do so-and-so and such-and-such? " It is the man that knows least about a thing that is most ready to criticise it; it is the man of real judgment who holds his tongue. Put any of the critics into the editorial chair and where would they be ? They would be like fishes out of water, or like Hottentots in the land of the Esquimaux, and it would be wonderful if they could write King's

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English, much less edit the paper. We had a splendid example of this in the late war, when Thomas Robinson, clerk in Messrs. Jones and Brown's shoe shop, would wonder what our generals were about ; and the censure which the said Thomas would heap upon the head of Lord " Bobs " or Kitchener, or still more, Sir Redvers Buller, would be of a very serious order. So Field Marshall the Right Hon. Earl Roberts, K.G., K.P., G.C.B., G.C.I.E., G.C.S I., V.C., &c., &c., &c. is to be criticised by any stay-at-home clerk from his fireside arm chair. 0 how good it would be for such fools as these to let them have their way and then watch the result ! And so as we yawn and stretch our arms we think of how much more we could say were these lines to meet only the eyes of present pupils. What a paper on " Reminiscences" could be read to the Debater, and yet are not these very oddities of which we have been speaking to be found in ourselves also ? We fear so: we all have our foibles and our failings, and should be prepared to say of those we see in our fellow-men what Joaquin Miller says in his " Songs of the Sierras" about much more serious faults : " In men whom men condemn as ill I find so much of goodness still : In men whom men pronounce divine I find so much of sin and blot : I hesitate to draw a line Between the two

CORRESPONDENCE. GYMNASIUM.

[To the EDITOR of the GRAMMAR SCHOOL MAGAZINE.] DEAR SIR,-I should like to bring to your notice the fact

that our Gymnasium is used by the street children as a nice sort of playground. I would not mind them using the Gymnasium for gymnastics, but they do nothing of the sort. The electric lights seem to cause the most amusement, and perhaps the piano comes next. There was no teacher of any sort at hand, and, as none of them were Grammar School boys, I think a stop should be put to it. It was on Friday night, 13th March, that I noticed it, X. Y. Z. much to my disgust.—Yours sincerely,

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THE Editor has asked me to give a short account of "17 "

Company, and my compliance with his request is all the more ready because of the prominent part which former pupils of the School have taken in this as in the other departments of University life. It was in 1898 that students, as such, joined the Battalion, and were attached to one of the other companies. The year after, permission was given for the institution of a separate unit to be reserved for students, the command being given to Captain W. O. Duncan, who is still the captain of the company. It is his misfortune, not his fault, that he is not an " F.P.," but this lack is somewhat compensated for by the fact that both the lieutenants were at the School, and, in every year, at least one of the sergeants also. The first of these was A. M. Urquhart, now a lieutenant in the Royal Garrison Artillery. Next came A. Dimmock, and then Harold Smith. Last year there were two, George Mackay and E. L. Dawson, the latter being colour-sergeant. And, of course, several of the other non-commissioned officers have also been former pupils. Those who are to join the company next session, as everyone who goes to the University ought to do, will probably like to know what to expect. Recruits are enrolled in the beginning of November, after being sworn in and passing the medical examination. Recruit drills go on for six weeks, and after the Christmas vacation the recruits drill with the company. These recruit drills form the drudgery of volunteering, but their unpleasantness varies with one's disposition to talk in the ranks. Recruits who take out uniform have to serve for three years. Any who do not wish to do this, but who join for the sake of the exercise, may resign at any time. In addition to the drills, there is a purely optional gymnastic class on Saturday forenoons. Towards the end of their drills, recruits parade in marching order to get their equipment explained to them, and to see that no one puts on his kilt back to the front, as a well-known member of the company did bome years ago when he was a recruit. The company drills finish in February with an inspection by Colonel Mathias, followed by a sham fight, officially known as a " tactical exercise," in which both sides invariably claim to be the victors. There is an assault-at-arms by teams of eight, selected from the different sections, and later on a competition by teams of six for the magnificent cup presented by Lord Strathcona, the late Lord Rector.

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The company also has an annual shooting match with the Edinburgh University Volunteers, in which the Aberdeen team won last year. Apropos of shooting, the new musketry regulations come into force this year, the course being much more stringent than before, and occupying three days instead of two, as formerly. In 1898, the company went into camp at Barry for four days. Its next attendance was for a week, in July, at Aldershot, an account of which appeared in the Magazine in the first number of this volume. Camp this year is to be at Stobs, four miles south of Hawick, as the Battalion has been included in the 6th (or Scottish) Army Corps, which has its trainingground there, the nature of the country being admirably adapted for exercising large bodies of troops. The camp is to last for a fortnight, from the 17th to the 31st July. The pay is to be three shillings a day, but probably some slight deduction for extra rations will be made by the captain, as was done last year with the full consent of the company. The authorities evidently considered that this amount may possibly not be a sufficient inducement for some, so to overcome the hesitations of any such individuals they have added the irresistible attraction of a pair of military shoes. When the camp allowances were made public, over a hundred recruits joined the Battalion. Whether it was the offer of the shoes that produced this effect may be left an open question. Under ordinary circumstances ten company drills are necessary before one can attend camp, but the Commanderin-Chief has granted to the University Company the privilege which is given to the Volunteers at Oxford and Cambridge, that is, of having to put in only five drills to qualify for camp attendance. It is a proof of the efficiency of the company that Colonel Mathias should have forwarded this request ; and, if further proof were needed, it is found in a remark made after camp by one of the permanent staff. He said, " ' U ' Company was the best company in the Battalion. Its parade state was perfect ; its discipline was excellent; the sergeants knew every man by name, and in which tent he was. If the other companies had followed its example, we should have had less trouble." In joining the company, a recruit joins one of the best sets at King's, and the esprit de corps for which " U" Company is famous ought itself to be a sufficient recomDON JAIME. mendation to all loyal Grammarians.

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•

A TOAST TO NATURE. I PLEDGE you Spring and the teeming earth,

Laughter and wit and music's mirth, Nature and all her energies, Beauties and symbols and mysteries ! Here's to lusty Spring's bland showers, To Summer's heat and perfumed flowers, To mellow yield of Autumn time, And hardy Winter's beard of rime. Here's to the generous filtering sap Sprung from the mighty mother's lap, The dancing, frolicking glint on the hill, The stumbling, babbling•, drunken rill, The mischievous, laughing, irreverent breeze Tugging the tufted locks of the trees. Here's to the ceaseless song of the sea, Chanted till Time no more shall be ; The churned surf and the billows' roar Echoed along the trembling shore ; The ghostly hush of midnight hour, And darkness' eerie, awing power ; The mystic glamour of plenar moon, The buzzing glare of sun-drunk noon ; The influence of each cosmic star, Potent for bliss or bane afar. Here's to the arm that's fearless and strong, Guardian of pure and righter of wrong ; Here's to the thought of the throbbing brain, Snapping prejudice' rusted chain, Bending the world to its winged Word, Soaring to heights undreamt, unheard, Flaring the Truth with resistless fire, Girding the earth with electric wire ; Here's to Love and Love's soft sighs, And the light in a lovely maiden's eyes. I pledge you Spring, &c., &c. Z.

School Football Notes.

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GRAMMAR SCHOOL r. 2ND 'SHIRE (January 10).—Fourteen of the School team turned up, but only one of the 'Shire, and, as he refused to play the team by himself, the match was declared off. GRAMMAR SCHOOL V. 2ND F.P.'s (January 17).—This match was put off on account of Mr. Butchart's death. GRAMMAR SCHOOL V. 2ND N OMADS (January 24). —Played at the School in fine weather. The School started playing westward, and began pressing at once. Their efforts did not remain long unrewarded, and Macarthur scored for them. The try was not improved The kick-out did not bring much relief to the upon. Nomads, and it was not long before a penalty kick was E. Alacbain awarded to the School in the visitors' 25. These early reverses infused landed a beautiful goal. more spirit into the Nomads game, and they transferred matters to the School 25. Here the chapter of accidents began by Paterson getting his arm dislocated. Shortly afterwards a Nomad man had to leave the field, but returned at half-time. The Nomad pressure lasted for about ten minutes with no result, and at last the School forced their way to the other end of the field. Just before halftime Macleod had a bone in his wrist put out, and had to retire from the game. Half-time scores—School, 6 points (1 try, 1 penalty goal) ; 2nd Nomads, 0. Both the injured men were in the back division, so two were taken from the scrum to supply deficiencies. Notwithstanding this,

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the School acted on the aggressive almost the whole half, and scored twice, through Macbain and Macarthur. Macbain converted the latter try. The game ended—School, 14 points (2 tries, 1 goal, 1 penalty goal) ; 2nd Nomads, 0. Among the forwards Macarthur was very prominent, following up very well. It was unfortunate that so many accidents occurred, and I understand Macleod will not be able to play for us again this season, which will be a sad loss. GRAMMAR SCHOOL V. 1ST 'SI-HIRE (January 31).—This match was played in the School Grounds in fine weather. For the School, the two M`Phersons, our two best forwards, were unable to play, but capable substitutes were found. The 'Shire turned up with their best team. The School kicked off towards the west end, but the ball was well returned, and play settled in the School's territory. It was not very long before the 'Shire opened the scoring. This try was not converted. In this half the School never got much beyond midfield, while the 'Shire scored thrice, Booth getting over twice and kicking two goals. Halftime score—'Shire, 16 points (2 goals, 2 tries). By no means disheartened by this, however, in the second half the School gave the 'Shire as much, if not more than, they got. The School started by pressing, but the good defence of the 'Shire kept it from scoring, and the 'Shire bore them back. Returning from a dribbling run in which Macarthur had the lion's share, M. Williamson scored. The difficult kick failed. After this, play was of an even nature, and neither team added anything to the score. Full-time score--'Shire, 16 points; School, 3 (1 try). Macarthur again played a very good game, and Murray brought off some fine tackles: GRAMMAR SCHOOL V. 1ST F.P.'s (February 7).—This match was not played, as the F.P.'s could not get up a team. GRAMMAR SCHOOL V. 'VARSITY A. (February 14).—This match had also to be,put of£ for a similar reason as the last. GRAMMAR SCHOOL v. 2ND F.P.'s (February 21).—This fixture was played off in the School Grounds, in fine weather, before a fair turn-out of spectators. The School again lost the toss, and kicked off towards the west end. Play was kept for a long time about mid-field, neither side securing much advantage. Then M. Williamson, intercepting a pass, got down to the F.P.'s end of the field, where he was tackled. On the ball being passed out from the maul half-a-minute afterwards, P. Simpson

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scored. E. Macbain just failed with the kick. The kickout brought the visitors no relief, and a second or two afterwards H. M`Pherson scored. The kick again failed. The F.P.'s now began to waken up, and S. Robertson scored with a fine run in. D. Williamson failed to convert. A little before half-time D. Watson equalised with a beautiful drop-goal from a mark. Half-time scores— School, 6 points (2 tries) ; 2nd F.P.'s, 6 points (1 try, 1 penalty goal). In the second half the School had all the play, and scored twice. At one time there was a succession of dead mauls in one place for fully five minutes. Wallace scored in an extremely clever fashion near the touch-line. He himself brought out full points with a splendid kick. Williamson also scored. Full time score --School, 16 points (2 goals, 2 tries) ; 2nd F.P.'s, 6 points (1 try, 1 penalty goal). P. Simpson played a good game at three-quarter, and L. Smith played a splendid one at half. At one time he gained half the field by his fine kicking. H. M`Pherson and M`Ivor, a new man this year, Mr. Jameson acted as were the best of the forwards. referee. GRAMMAR SCHOOL v. 2ND 'SHIRE (February 28).—Played at School Grounds. The weather was fine, but the ground was very slippery. The School kicked off towards the west, but the kick was well returned, and the 'Shire attacked vigorously. Owing to some wild passing among the School backs, the 'Shire soon scored. The kick was easily converted. After this early success, the 'Shire did not relax its efforts, and L. Robb scored with a fine run. Mollison converted. A little before time, Gray " marked " within easy distance of the goal, and dropped the ball over Half-time score-2nd 'Shire, 13; School, 0. the bar. From the kick-off it was evident that the School was not disheartened by the big lead their opponents had obtained, for they kept the 'Shire in their own lines the greater part of the time. Yet the 'Shire scored twice in this half. Once, through Robb, who followed up a punt, got the ball, and running the length of the field, scored. Another time a forward dribbed down from his own 25 and scored also. Both these tries were converted. On the other hand, the School was not idle, H. M`Pherson kicking a penalty from the touch-line. The game ended with the play in mid-field. Scores-2nd 'Shire, 23 points (4 goals, 1 penalty goal) ; School, 3 points (1 penalty goal). The result of this game only proved more conclusively the fact

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that the School are not seen at their best on a wet ground. For the 'Shire, Gray at three-quarter was very dashing, and Kennedy at back played a safe game. Mr. Grant was referee. GRAMMAR SCHOOL v. 2ND 'SHIRE (March 7).—The return match was played at the School Grounds in fine weather. The School started playing up. In the first half play was chiefly in the School's end of the field, but the 'Shire were seldom really dangerous, and the School had some fine rushes. Paterson's fine tackling and kicking were in this half the feature of the game. The teams crossed over with no scoring. At the re-start the School, with the slight wind behind them, forced themselves down to the 'Shire's 25, but were compelled to retire to mid-field again. The 'Shire then took the ball into the School end, but the three-quarters muddled, and the School got down to their opponents' quarters, and, after several unlucky attempts, scored through Smith. The kick, a difficult one, failed. A minute afterwards, time was called, and the scores read—School, 3 (1 try) ; 211(1 'Shire, 0. In this match Paterson at back was seen at his very best, and made no mistake all through the match. Mr. Mortimer refereed. GRAMMAR SCHOOL r•. 2ND F.P.'s (March 14).—This match took place in hot weather at the School Grounds. The School started playing up, with a strong sun in their eyes. Play during the first part was of rather an uninteresting nature, and chiefly confined to mid-field. About half-way through the half, however, from some combined work among the forwards, J. M`Pherson scored between the posts. H. M`Pherson landed an easy goal. No more scoring took place before half-time. On resuming, the F.P.'s looked more dangerous than in the previous half. S. Robertson scored for them by following up. The kick failed. The kick-out brought some advantage to the School, and, after some determined rushes, in which Duncan was prominent, Adam scored by rushing down a kick of Robertson's. Again H. M`Pherson brought out the major points. Time was called soon after this, with the School still in the visitors' territory. Scores— School, 10 points (2 goals) ; 2nd F.P.'s, 3 points (1 try). Mr. Yule refereed. GRAMMAR SCHOOL v. GORDON'S COLLEGE (March 21).— This, our last fixture, was played in the School Grounds in boisterous weather. At one time some drenching rain

School Football Notes.

127

threatened to give the players a nasty time of it, but luckily it was of short duration. The School started playing down, with the wind in their favour. They early evinced their superiority, and M. Williamson scored between the posts a few minutes from the start. H. MTherson kicked the goal. The pressure was still kept up, and E. Macbain and H. MTherson both scored. Neither try was converted. Gordon's never got beyond mid-field, and the School ought to have scored more. Half-time score—School, 11 points (1 goal, 2 tries); Gordon's, 0. In the second half play was much of the same order, though the visitors had some rushes, but Paterson was always there to receive them. About halfway through, H. M`Pherson place-kicked a penalty, and, towards the end, Adam and Williamson scored, both tries being converted by 11Therson. The game ended in a victory for the School by 24 points (3 goals, 2 tries, and 1 penalty) to nil. Mr. Anderson acted as referee. In this match players were much inconvenienced by spectators swarming over the touch-line. We hope to see this remedied in future matches of this kind. The School thus closed its season, having kept up its record of having scored in every match it has played, a feat almost if not quite unprecedented in our School football annals. SUMMARY.— Matches played, 7 ; won, 5 ; lost, 2 ; points for, 73 ; against, 48.

" 0 UN, CONTEMPORARIES." WE beg to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of the following Magazines :—" The Edinburgh Academy Chronicle " (3), " The Glasgow Academy Chronicle," " The Nelsonian," " The Olavian," " St. Andrew's College Magazine," " The Yellow Dragon " (3).

128

The Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

"DEBATER"

NOTES

FRIDAY, January 9.—On this night the attendance was rather small, but this was probably due to the raging of the elements. J. G. Danson was in the chair. The business of the evening was the debate, " Do we learn more Former, J. from Reading than from Observation?" M`Pherson; latter, A. P. Jameson. The two speeches took up different lines of argument. DI`Pherson asked where we would be now if we could not read the results of our forefathers' experiences, and Jameson pointed out that if we could only read how to do things, and did not see them done, we would not be able to do them very well. Both papers were good, though, on the whole, Jameson's seemed the better. On the debate being opened for general speaking, Burnett, Paton, and Mackay spoke well. The voting resulted—Former, 10 ; latter, 5. The meeting was then informed of a proposal that the Society should pay for the magazines in the Reading Room, instead of the money coming from the Games Fund. The matter was warmly discussed, but, of course, no decision could be arrived at, and the proposal was referred to the Committee. Friday, January 16.—The business on the syllabus for this evening was Impromptus, but, after one debate, a Heckling Night was held. G. H. Mair and C. E. Garland were nominated to stand as members for the Town Council. Garland was the first to speak and he gave a long discourse, with a good deal of humour in it. The members then proceeded to ask him questions as to his opinions on various topics of local interest, which the candidate answered glibly. G. H. Mair now occupied the platform. His speech was shorter than his opponent's, but followed In his case the questions degenerated similar lines. being taken, Garland was found to votes On slightly. have gained his seat by 10 to 6.

Debater Notes.

129

Friday, January 23.—The Society met in Room XIX., with the President in the chair. He introduced Mr. Clarke, the lecturer. Mr. Clarke, a former Senior Classical Master, then delivered a paper entitled " Work and Play." The lecture dealt with what work a student should do, and what play he should allow himself. The great thing for the student is the power of concentration. Mr. Clarke said a student should not work for more than ten hours a day, and he gave a students' time-table. In regard to play, the lecturer condemned football, and highly commended golf as the student's game. At the close of a most enjoyable lecture, the President asked the Rector to say a few words. A very hearty vote of thanks was then accorded to the lecturer. After Mr. Clarke had left the room, debates were called for. Republicanism v. Monarchy was well discussed, and resulted—Former, 6 ; latter, 11. Friday, January 30.—The Society met in Room V., with Mr. Mackie in the chair. Rev. D. Ritchie Key gave a lecture, entitled " Personal Experiences in Japan," to a fairly large audience. Mr. Key began by describing something of the journey to Japan, touching at Hong-Kong en route. He then gave some views of the towns he visited (Nagasaki, Kioto, etc.), the types of people and vehicles seen in the streets, illustrating the whole with racy\ anecdotes from personal experience. Some exquisitelycoloured slides of Japanese home life and scenery were also thrown upon the screen. Mr. Key's beautiful slides, coloured by Japanese workmen, were one of the features of the lecture. The evening broke up at 8.15 with the usual votes of thanks being proposed and given. Friday, February 6.—On this night the Finale was held in the School Hall. A full account will be found elsewhere. Friday, February 13.—The Society met in Room IV., when Mr. C. M`Leod gave the first part of his lecture, entitled "The Electric Tramway." Notwithstanding the counter attraction of the students' concert, there was an extremely large attendance. Mr. M`Leod began by giving some information about the magnet and the part it plays in things electric. The lecturer then gave an account of the history of the electric tramway, the obstacles which cropped up in the paths of the inventors, and how they were circumvented. He finished by running an extremely neat little model about 15 yards. J. M`Pherson, in thanking the lecturer, said that he was sorry that the

130

The Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

Classicals did not get some chance of taking Physics or Chemistry instead of so much Latin and Greek. Friday, March 6.—Mr. Williamson (F.P.) gave his paper, twice postponed, on this evening. The attendance When F.P.'s kindly consent to give was disgraceful. papers, members ought to turn out better. Mr. Williamson gave a very interesting paper on "Parodies and Epitaphs." The parodies covered a wide field, ranging The epitaphs from 'Varsity Election ones upwards. absurd—and and fantastical, kinds—funny, three of were were much enjoyed. At the close of an excellent paper, those present showed their appreciation by a hearty round of applause. We can only extend our sincere commiseration to those of the Upper School who were not present. A Magazine Night, held afterwards, was rather a farce, owing to the smallness of the attendance. Friday, March 13.—On this evening in Room IV., Mr. M`Leod continued his lecture on " The Electric Tramway." The lecturer gave some supplementary facts about the electric bell, and fully described the different kinds of electric light. Mr. M`Leod also showed some extremely interesting electrical experiments. As usual when Mr. M`Leod is lecturing, there was a large and enthusiastic audience. On the motion of the President, the lecturer was accorded a very hearty vote of thanks. At a meeting held afterwards, Danson proposed a vote of thanks to our President, J. M`Pherson, for the good work he has done in the past session. Votes of thanks were also accorded to the Committee and Secretary. M. J. W., Secretary.

DAVIDSON,

WILLIAM -'

-Tobaccoqist, STREET.

BRIDGE -

Finest Selection Cricket Material in Scotland. SAVE 20 PER CENT.

SOLE AGENT FOR WARSOP'S BATS.

Eton anb barrow 5i3es a

pecialitr.

The School.

131

THE SCHOOL. As a star, now dim, now brightly Glimmering through a mist of ages, Light of wisdom, light of learning, Shines the School, love, honour earning : While around wild tumult rages. In the midst of Scotland's troubles, In the deep, dark gloom of sorrow, While the land, by faction torn, Sees a stricken people mourn, Still that gleam seeks out the morrow. Scholars, poets, statesmen, warriors, Step by step to fame advancing : Far in front the night extended, Seek the star, with darkness blended, Whence a guiding light is glancing. Scotland, bound in peaceful union, Now but sighs o'er former sorrow, And the School, its fame increasing, Still beloved and ever loving, Gladly looketh to the morrow. A.Irrs.

THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL MAGAZINE

Published Quarterly throughout the School Year. The Magazine may be obtained from the Janitor, at the School; James G. Bisset, Bookseller, Broad Street; and D. Wylie & Son, Booksellers, Union Street. The Annual Subscription to the Magazine is 2s. ; or, post free, 2s. 6d., at home or abroad. All subscriptions should be forwarded to the Business Manager of the Magazine, Grammar School, Aberdeen. Back numbers of the Magazine since 1885 may be had on application to the Business Manager. All literary communications should be sent to the Editor, Grammar School, Aberdeen. Correspondents must enclose their names, not necessarily for publication.

%cbool efftctals. SESSION

1902-1903.

Games Committee. President The RECTOR. Hon. Secretary Mr. JAMES DAVIDSON. Mr. J. C. KNox (representing Lower School). A. F. JOHNSTON (Swimming). W. J. DUNCAN. H. M`PHERSON (Football, Cricket, C. J. MACIVER. Swimming). P. B. SIMPSON. J. WARTHUR. W. PATERSON. W. E. WALLACE. H. G. M. WILSON D. ADAM. (Magazine). Cricket.

Captain Secretary

H. M`PHERSON. P. B. SIMPSON. Library.

Mr. DAVID REID (Reference). J. B. GILLIES (Lending).

H. G. M. WILSON (Lending). I R. RICHARDS ,I ( ). Magazine.

Editor-in-Chief Literary Business Manager

HERBERT G. M. WILSON. IAN A. KENDALL BURNETT.

JAMES B. GILLIES.

Swimming Club. Captain • H. MTHERSON. Vice-Captain I. A. KENDALL BURNETT. Secretary and Treasurer A. F. JOHNSTON. Committee— W. J. DUNCAN. J. B. GILLIES.

A. P. JADIESON. J. D. MACKAY.

W. E. WALLACE. The Hon. Secretary of the Former Pupils' Club is Mr. ALFRED EDWARDS, 267 Union Street, Aberdeen.

THE SESSION'S ROLL, 1902-3.

THE SESSION'S ROLL, 1902-03. _

CLASSICAL VII. Reg. No. 1147

1241 472 896 1032 510 1131 898 1457 1560 1561 1458 1562 1563 1564 1036 1341 142'2 1439 450 451 792

Home.

Name.

Enrolled mo. yr.

8 '99 Strichen. Angus, William S., Fraserburgh. 8 '00 Bain, Alexander, 8 ,94 Aberdeen. Burnett, Ian A. Kendall, 8 '97 Cameron, Joseph P., PI 8 '98 Cox, Lindsay D., ,f 9 '94 Danson, J. Gordon, ), Lynturk. 4 '99 Duncan, Ernest P., 8 '97 Johnston, Alexander F., - Aberdeen. 9 ,02 Fearn, Ross. Macarthur, John A., 11 ,02 Stornoway. Maciver, Colin J., Lochcarron. 11 '02 Maclean, Ewen 8 '02 Stornoway. Macleod, Norman, 11 ,02 Morrison, Alexander, Lochmaddy. 11 ,02 Morrison, John, Rogart. 11 202 Murray, Angus M., 9 '98 Paton, Robert N., - Blairs. Newburgh. 1 '01 Rae, Allan, 9 '01 Portgordon. Reid, William J., 10 '01 Smith, John C., - Cullen. 8 '94 Williamson, Douglas H. W., - Aberdeen. 8 '94 Williamson, Maurice J., 8 '96 Bucksburn. Wiseman, Herbert H. E., U = Left for University.

Left. mo. yr.

3 '03

1 '03 3 '03U

5 '03U

9 '02 3 '0311 9 '02U

CLASSICAL VI. 1248 Cheyne, George C., 399 Easton, Robert M., 1038 Findlay, Alexander J., 588 Gillies, James B., 637 Hunter, Robert Y., W. Arthur, 3581 1043 f Lothian, 1565 Macdonald, John, 1566 Macdonald, Malcolm 1567 Maciver, Samuel, 1149 Mackay, James D., 1042 Mackie, James A., 1460 Macleod, Donald, 1246 M'Pherson, John, 1045 Rae, Harry J. 1163 Richards, Robert 1568 Smith, Murdo, 1164 Sutherland, John, 1165 Wilson, Herbert G. M'D. 1459 Wilson, Thomas J., -

,00 '94 '98 ,95 '95 West Cults. '92 Aberdeen. ,98 Gairloch, Ross. 11 ,02 11 ,02 Stornoway. 11 ,02 8 ,99 Aberdeen. 8 '98 Lairg. 9 ,02 Aberdeen. 8 ,00 8 '98 " 8 '99 11 Stornoway. Aberdeen. s ,99 8 ,99 8 ,96 New Deer. Aberdeen.

8 4 8 8 8

{89

6 '94

3 '03U 3 '03U 3 '03U

10 ,02

136

The Grammar School Magazine. MODERN VI.

Reg. No.

Name.

Home.

998 Greig, F. Manson, 1158 Simpson, James A., 342 Smith, Leonard J., -

Fyvie. Portree. Aberdeen.

Enrolled. mo. yr.

4 '98 8 '99 9 '90

Left. mo. yr.

3 '03U

11 '02

CLASSICAL V (a). 1184 464 1358 1571 1359 1162 1329 1569 1263 1264 1265 361 1065 559 362 1076 1047 920 488 1066 1220 1174

Blackwood, William B., Brown, Alexander M., Gilchrist, Robert N., Gunn, Colin, Laird, John, Learmonth, David H. Macdonald, George H., Maciver, Angus, Milne, Herbert J. M., Milne, William C., Oxford, William L., Peterkin, Charles D., Pickford, Forbes W. M., Rae, Francis M., Rae, John, Runcie, George, Semple, Robert, Shinnie, Andrew J., Souper, Hugh R., Stewart, Gordon G., Wattie, James A., Youngson, James, -

1059 426 835 1074 1075 615 1247 1454 646 1067 1079

Asher, Robert S. (to Mod. IV.), Aberdeen. Burr, George P., Geddes, Alexander M., - Bieldeide. Leslie, Frank D., - Aberdeen. Leslie, Robert D., 11 M'Bain, Edmund R., /1 M`Pherson, Hugh, If Ogg, Lindsay R., It Smith, A. L. C. Lindsay, Stewart, John (to V. A., 1 '03), ff Wallace, William E., -

Aberdeen. 8 '99 „ 8 '94 Rothienorman. 8 '01 Gairloch, Ross. 1 103 Durris. 8 '01 Aberdeen. 8 ,99 10 '01 Stornoway. 11 102 Mintlaw. 8 '01 8 ,00 Abei:Cleen. 8 '01 7 '93 /1 , 8 ,98 4 '95 9 '92 11 , 8 '98 8 '98 9 '97 9 '94 8 ,98 11 10 ,99 8 '99 ff

3 '03U

3 '03 3 '031.7

CLASSICAL V (b).

1058 924 1361 702 551 705 1440 1166 916 1262 1357 1255

8 8 4 8 8 8 8 4 8 8 8

'98 '94 '97 '98 '98 '95

4 '03

'02 '95 '98 '98

MODERN V. Adam, David, - Aberdeen. 9 '98 Aitken, Robert, 9 '97 Anderson, Robert B., - Banff. 8 '01 Barron, Wilfrid P. (to Mod. IV., 3 '03), 8 ,98 - Aberdeen. Bisset, William, 1 '95 11 Bruce, John, 8 '96 11 - New Aberdour, Crabb, David R., Fraserburgh. 11 '01 Cruickshank, John D., Aberdeen. 8 '99 Danson, John R., 8 '97 Dawson, John I., 8 100 If - George Town, Duncan, William J., Demerara. 8 '01 Garland, James H., Ellon. 8 ,00

1 12 ,03

11 ,02

137

The Session's Roll. MODERN V.—Continued.

Reg. No. 1340 357 1071 489 1461 1249

Name. Gilchrist, Adam, Jameson, Alexander P., Johnston, Alexander M`K., Macleod, Clement R., Ogilvie, Ian, Paterson, William,

1229 1257 1077 1266 1251

Reid, Alexander, Reid, James A., Ross, Finlay G. Scott, Alexander M., Taylor, William, -

1267 1276 987 1060 1175 439 725 1370 629 1178 1281 750 1559

1371 1369 1372 1183 928 972

8 Anderson, Archibald S. K., - Aberdeen. 8 Bain, Henry S., 1 Christen, Armand B., - Bucksburn. 8 Chrystall, Andrew M., - Aberdeen. 8 Cox, Frederick G., Ferries, John G., 8 Garden A. Murray, 8 Henderson, Hubert D., 8 Jamieson, Douglas, 8 Kelman, John, 8 Legge, Stafford H., 8 Mackie, Alexander B., 8 Durness, SutherMorrison, Hector, land. 10 - Aberdeen. 8 Murray, James R., 1 Porter, Richard M., German East Rees, David C., _ Africa. 8 8 • - Aberdeen. Richards, Henry A., 8 Sievewright, Robert T., - Maryculter. 8 Selbie, William P., Stewart, Phil. W., - Aberdeen. 8 8 Watt, Victor W., • 10 Wishart, Frederick,

581 1447 1277 349 595 1362 585 1278 929 930 1279 1261 1363

Barclay, Robert C. W., Campbell, John Andrew, Catto, Alexander S., Clark, William L., Craigen, John H. N., Deuchar, Louis S., Easton, John M., Elder, John G., Fildes, Percy M., Flett, John, Gauld, William F., Giles, Charles I., Harper, Alf., -

1343 Henderson, Francis J., -

u lied. Ero Rome. mo yr. Rothienorman. 12 Aberdeen. 5 '92 9 '98 9 .94 ft 9 .02 Slains. Thankerton, Ayrshire. 8 '00 Deskford. 8 '00 Aberdeen. 3 '00 8 '98 8 '01 Udny. 8 '00

Left.

mo. yr.

3 '03 2 '03U 3 '03

CLASSICAL IV.

618 385 937

'00 '00 '98 '98 '99 '94 '96 '01 '95 '99 .00

2 '03 2 '03 11 .02

'96 '02 '95 '94

11 '02

'97 abs. 4th Qu. '01 '01 '01 .99 '97 '97

MODERN IV.

737 Hutchison, Alexander B., 1463 Inkster, John, 421 Jenkyns, William J., -

Aberdeen. Ceylon. Aberdeen.

fP I/

ft ft If

8 1 8 8 12 8 8 9 8 8 8 9 8 {8 1 8 9 8

'95 '02 '00 '92 '94 '01 '95 .00 '97 '97 .00 .00 '01 '94 '01 .96 .02 .94

3 '03

3 )03

6 .00

138 Reg. No.

The Grammar School Magazine. Name.

MODERN IV.—Continued. Horne.

1271 Jones, Adam G. C., 1364 Lawrence, George, 1366 Lawrence, Harcourt J., 1272 598 1365 757 1189 1368 1274 1170 1182 367 469 1462 1464 560 791

Lyon, John B., Macdonald, David R., Manson, Alexander, Merrylees, Louis F., Middleton, Hugh F. D., Paul, John W., Peters, William, Pirie, Hugh L., Sangster, Alexander G., Saunders, Robert F. O., Shepherd, William, Simpson, Peter B. S., Stephen, William L., Watt, Alexander M., Wilson, William L.,

- Aberdeen. - Fraserburgh. - Cook's Island, S. Pacific. Aberdeen. Oldmeldrum. Aberdeen. Ellon". Aberdeen. 1/

- Huntly. - Aberdeen. -

Enrolled. mo. yr.

Left. mo. yr.

8 '00 8 '01

5 '03

8 8 6 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 9 9 4 8

'01 '00 '95 '01 '96 '99 '01 '00 '99 '99 '93 '94 '02 '02 '95 '96

8 9 8 1 9 9 8 9 9 8 9 8 9 8 9 9 2 8 5 9 9 8 2 9 f9 19 9 8 9 8 9 4 8

'01 '97 '01 '02 '02 '02 '01 '95 '02 '01 '02 '94 '02 '97 '02 '95 '02 '01 '01 '02 '02 '97 '94 '00 99 '2 '02 '01 '02 '01 '02 '95 '01

CLASSICAL III. Baxter, Alexander G., Bruce, Arthur C. C., Cheyne, Douglas G., Clarke, Ian A., L., Connor, David Dawson, Ernest G., Ewing, James, Finlayson, Harold T., Fraser, Archibald R., Giles, James S., Gray, Alfred J. P., Harris, Alexander, Hector, Thomas G., Lawrence, George S., Ledingham, Macallan, Lorimer, James Vass, Macrae, Farquhar, M'Kenzie, Kenneth P., Niven, William, Rhind, James A., Rhind, Peter J., Robertson, Cecil V., Robertson, James D., Robson, Francis K., 11921 Sinclair, Roland, 1480 1589 Sleigh, George R., 1383 Stewart, Alexander, 1481 Strachan, Harold, 1386 Todd, William C., 1482 Walker, William G., 563 Wilson, Alexander M., 1373 Youngson, Robert, 1398 933 1375 1449 1472 1473 1376 655 1474 1391 1475 466 1476 943 1477 506 1452 1437 1354 1478 1479 946 390 1287

Aberdeen. -

f v II ff

,7 ,, • • • -

,, Carthagona. Aberdeen. Bucksburn. Aberdeen. ft If

9/ 91

Manchester. Aberdeen. Lond'on. Aberdeen. 19

,, - Tarves. - Aberdeen. ,, 11 91

- Punjab.

MODERN III (a). 635 Barnett, Edward P., 348 Bannochie, James, -

Aberdeen. -

8 '95 9 '93

11 '02

139

The Session's Roll. Reg. No

Name.

MODERN III. (a)--Oontinned. Home.

Enrolled. mo. yr.

Left. mo. yr.

'94 - Aberdeen. 448 Butchlrt, Reginald E., 2 '01 1347 Chedburn, Charles R., 8 '95 - Milltimber. 1579 Cook, Harry W., 11 '02 - Aberdeen. 350 Davidson, Douglas J., 8 '01 1388 Davie, Lewis, 8 '01 1889 Ferrier, William E., 8 '01 ft 1390 Findlay, George D., 8 '01 1392 Gordon, James, Rothienorman. 8 '99 1465 Greeson, Clarence E., 9 Aberdeen. 1187 Hepburn, Horace 0. P., 4 '03 Salangore. 1581 Hye, Eu-Siang, 8 '95 Aberdeen. 595 Johnstone, Harry W., 8 '01 ft 1393 Joss, Peter, 5 '03 8 '95 636 Lindsay, Charles A., 8 '01 f 1394 Macgregor, Alexander G., >96 9 1)0 805 Macmillan, Douglas S., 8 '96 1286 Mair, William John, 8 Pf 1795 Milne, James, 8 '01 I f 1396 Morgan, John, 11 '93 fI 371 Morrison, H. Harold, '01 8 ,02 1378 Munro, Gordon A., 1 Milltimber. 1451 Selbie, Colin M'K., 8 '01 Aberdeen. 1381 Sim, James H., 8 '01 1382 Steele, Edward S., 8 '96 Murtle. 777 Stewart, Thomson, 8 '01 Aberdeen. 1384 Thomson, George G., MODERN III (b). 8 '97 - Aberdeen. 940 Bisset, Ian G., '98 1590 Cruickshank, Alexander D., 8 '01 1387 Currie, Alexander. G., 9 '02 Australia. 1471 Eddie, Robert W., 8 '97 Aberdeen. 941 Flett, Alexander M., 8 ,02 '97 934 Fisher, James, 9 London. 1466 Gilbert, Walter L., 8 '01 Aberdeen. 1446 Gray, John G., 4 '98 Maryculter. 999 Harper, Charles, 9 ,02 Aberdeen. 1457 Lamb, Thomas, 9 '94 ft 496 Ledingham, George A., 8 '01 1377 Legge, Angus F., - Hatton. 9 '01 12 '02 1423 Littlejohn, William, 9 Manila. 1468 M'Gavin, William M., - Aberdeen. 8 '01 1395 WICenzie, William D., 5 '03 11 ,99 , 1219 Marr, Ernest A., - Lonmay. 8 ,99 1190 Milne, James Gordon, ,02 - Aberdeen. 9 1469 Newlands, George, '94 >, Nicol, George G., 5°8 9 '97 957 ),02 3 '03 - Slains. 1470 Ogilvie, Charles B., 10 ,02 - Fintray. 1558 Rennie, James A., 8 '97 - Aberdeen. 938 Robb, Marshall J., 8 '01 1380 Scroggie, George E., ff. 8 '01 1379 Semple, David AVM., 9 '97 947 Smith, Andrew, /, 11 ,02 6 '02 948 Smith, William G., 3 '03 9 , 1481 Strachan, Harold, 8 '01 1385 Thomson, William B. H., 8 '01 1397 Wallace, Frederick C., 1 ,02 . Loncion. 1570 Watt, Henry J., ft

•

140

The Grammar School Magazine.

Reg. No.

Name.

MIDDLE II (a). Home.

1058 1236 1485 1399 1082 1487 1342 1374 1488 1489 952 1197 430 1401 1113 1089 596 1494 796 1234 1500 603 688 958 1504 1216 1484 1405

Adam, Alister, Anderson, Bertram A., Anderson, Thomas, Beath, George C., Brown, Norwood A. E., Cameron, John, Campbell, George P., Chalmers, William Hamish, Clyne, John M., Copland, Robert, Craib, Arthur P., Duncan, Hugh M`L., Esson, George F., Falconer, Robert, Forgan, Robert, Fraser, Alexander A., Johnstone, Norman M'D., Jones, Herbert J., Lillie, Robert A., Miller, Colin H., Philip, James D., Reid, Charles C., Saunders, Benjamin T., Sharp, David E., Taylor, Andrew F., Thomson, Arthur L., Watson, John S., Watt, Alexander, -

1486 1490 1491 561 1492 942 1493 1085 1402 1496 956 1497 1195 1403 1499 1353 641 1483 1230 1501 1290 1503 1502 1404 607

Bothwell, Henry A., Currie, David M., Ducat, Andrew, Fenton, Edward W., Forbes, George, Fyvie, Johnstone M., Gurner, Victor T., Johnston, George M., Knowles, James C. E., Lawson, Gilbert A., Ledingham, Andrew, Lyon, Ernest H., Lyon, Robert, Mackintosh, James M., MacMurray, John, Maconachie, Reginald J., Mutch, Frederick C., Mutch, James G., Reid, William, Robertson, Lionel, Smith, James D., Smith, Sydney, Simpson, James, Stewart, James S., Watson, Herbert L., -

Enrolled. Left. mo. yr. mo. yr.

Aberdeen. 9 Kimberley, S. A. 5 Abordeon. 8 ,, 8 8 9 Wemyss Bay. 1 Pitfodels. 9 Aberdeen. 9 Ellon. 9 Aberdeen. 8 „ 8 8 Cults". 8 Aberdeen. 11 9 8 11 9 /1 8 4 9 8 1 9 11 9 8 Norwich. 9 Aberdeen. 8 11

'98 '00 '02 '01 '98 '02 '01 '01 ,02 ,02 '97 '99 '94 '01 ,98 ,98 '95 '02 ,96 ,00 ,02 '95 ,96 '97 ,02 ,99 ,02 '01

MIDDLE II (b). Aberdeen. 11 11 3/ 11 1/

- London. - Aberdeen. 11 11

, cultL Near Alford. Aberdeen.

9 9 9 4 9 8 9 9 8 9 8 9 8 8 9

'02 ,02 '02 '95 '02 '97 ,02 '98 '01 '02 '97 '02 '99 '01 ,02

8 9 2 9 8 9 9

'95 ,02 '00 '02 ,00 '02 102

8 '01 8 195

3 '03

The Session's Roll.

141

MIDDLE I. Rag. No.

Home.

Name.

1576 671 1406 1134 1130 1407 1505 1088 953 1400

Anderson, Arthur J., Bannochie, William G., Beath, Halliwell, Cranna, Maurice W., Cumming, Ronald, Davidson, Arthur G., Dester, William S., Ducat, Ernest S., Duffus, James C., Duncan, David Cyril,

718 696 1582 1586 653 1588 1293 1507 638 1498 819 1508 1509 1442 1007 1193 955 1198 1199 1510 1138 783 1511 962 1432 1408

Ellis, James, Finlayson, Sidney K., Greig, William, Hay, Arthur G. T., Johnstone, Gerald M., Lang, Alexander, Mackie, Charles, Mackintosh, William Y., Morrison, Reginald P., M‘Gavin, John D., Reid, James Meston, Robertson, Frederick Percival, Robson, Robert WK., Ross, Alan C., Ross, George, Simpson, Robert F., Simpson, Charles Harvey, Sorley, Herbert E. T., • Stewart, Irvine, W., Thomas Tait, Tomory, Kenneth A. M'D., Walker, William, Warrack, Arthur Otto, Williamson, William A., Wishart, Alexander, Wright, George T.,

Aberdeen. f,

- Cruden. - Madras. - Aberdeen. - Dyce. Aberdeen. fl

- George Town, Demerara. - Aberdeen. 'I /I If fJ ft

Drumoak. Aberdeen. Manila. Aberdeen. London. Aberdeen. » ,. f9 fl

„ Murtle. Aberdeen. )3 fl

Leswalt. Aberdeen. 13 JO

Enrolled. 1110. yr.

1 10 8 4 4 8 9 8 9

Left. mo. yr.

'03 '95 '01 '99 '99 '01 '02 '98 '97

8 '01 8 '96 4 '96 4 '03 4 '03 8 '95 5 '03 8 '00 9 '02 8 '95 9 '02 10 '96 9 '02 9 '02 10 '01 4 '98 8 '99 8 '97 8 '99 9 '99 9 '02 6 '99 8 '96 9 '02 8 '97 10 '01 8 '01

LOWER IV. Asher, James Chesser, Bolton, Thomas, Cook, Robert Rennie, Davidson, Alexander A., • Deans, John E., 1°95) Fraser, Douglas M. M., 1313 1414 Fowell, Richard, 1506 Galloway, Rudolf W., 1461 Gilbert, Walter L., 1453 Goldsmid, Sydney A., 954 Green, James S., 1296 Hay, Robert C. B., Archibald, Hyslop, 1591 1297 Lawrence, Robert D., 837 Ledingham, Robert M., 1513 Macdonald, Hugh, 1409 1512 1201 1295 1413

Aberdeen.

Milltimber. W. Cults. China. Aberdeen. Cults. Aberdeen. 31 11

8 9 8 8 9 8

'01 '02 '99 '00 '01 '98

8 9 8 4 8 8 9 8 4 9

'01 '02 abs. 4th Qu. '01 '02 '97 >00 '97 '00 '97

{8 '00

'02

11 '02 3 '03 6 '99

142

The Grammar School Magazine. LOWER IV.—Oontinued.

Reg. Name. No. 1100 Mackie, James Cecil D., 1514 Paterson, John C., 976 Reid, Walter A., 1444 Reid, Kenneth, -

•

Home. Aberdeen. ,, II

Robertson, D. Graham, Rose, Gilbert W., Ross, John, Shepherd, Lindsay L, Shinnie, Norman T., Simpson, Ernest William, Slessor, Francis B., Souper, James L., Stephen, George, Stericker, Walter H., Stevenson. Robert L, Stott, George W. H., Strachan, Edmond W., Walker, Charles, Walker, James M'D.,

1410 1426 1526 1305 1411 1427 1294 1412 1094 1310 1428

Bannerman, Forbes, Bisset, Douglas U., Bodie, Robert C., Boyd, Edmund B., Chalmers, John L., Cheyne, Andrew G. P., Chree, George J., • Davidson, George, Dugan, Alexander W. M., Esson, James G., Fildes, George C., -

Aberdeen. ,, ,, „ - Pitfodels. - Aberdeen. ,, 99 ,, ,,

1587 1588 1318 1350 1519 1520 1321 1429 1572 1493 1521 1522 1523 1524 1128 1325 1338 1434 960 1002 1525 1106

Harper, Norman, Lang, Alexander, . Ledingham, Archibald R., Lindsay, John G., Mackintosh, John F., W.Laren, Colin A., Middleton, Edward WI., Milne, George S. M., Parry, Legh. A. R., Potter, Harold, Ramsay, William M., Robson, Thomas 0., Rose, George Douglas, Shinnie, Herbert, Simpson, H. Graham, Stericker, Walter H., Stephen, David E., Stewart, Allan J., Stott, A. Herbert, .. Stott, William N., Walker, Charles W., Warrack, William C., -

- Maryculter. - Aberdeen. ,, 39 - Murtle. - Aberdeen.

•

Left. mo. yr.

Trinidad, W. Indies. 12 '01 Malay States. 9 '02 Aberdeen. 8 '00 4 '98 ,, 8 '00 ,, 9 '02 ,, 4 '98 v f 9 '97 ,, „ 9 '98 12 '00 ,, 8 '00 ,, 9 '02 9 '97 ,, 9 '00 91 „ 4 '98 8 '00

1515 1299 1006 1300 1516 1003 959 1104 1339 1325 1517 961 1302 1000 1303

•

Enrolled. mo. yr. 8 '98 9 '02 11 '97

LOWER III.

• London. - Aberdeen. ,, 9/ 91 ,, ,, ,, - Oldham. - Aberdeen. 99 19 ,,

8 8 9 8 9 8 8 8 9 8 8

'01 '01 '02 '00 '01 3 '03 '01 '00 '01 '98 '00 '01 abs. 3rd & 4th Qu. 5 '03 5 '03 8 '00 4 '01 9 '02 9 '02 abs. 4th Qu. 9 '00 8 '01 1 '03 3 '03 6 '03 9 '02 9 '02 9 '02 9 '02 4 '99 8 '00 3 '03 12 '00 10 '01 10 '97 4 '98 abs. 4th Qu. 9 '02 8 '98

The Session's Roll.

1328 1126 1433 1105 1431

LOWER III.—Continued. Home. Name. Watson, Patrick H., - Aberdeen. Wilson, William D., ft Wishart, Leslie, 21 M., Wyllie, George A. ,) - Punjab. Youngson, E.,

1556 1228 1307 1308 1351 1309 1311 1527 1528 1315 1316 1529 1319 1205 1530 1494 1323 1421 1531 1129 1532 1533 1208

Benton, Ronald M., Brander, Ronald C., Cook, James, Craig, Andrew, Cumming, Alistair S., Duffus, Mar. A., Farquharson, Arthur F., Finlayson, Finlay W. N., Gray, William, . Johnston, John Stuart, Key, Gordon J., Lawie, James E., Macdonald, Hector R., M'Crae, William M., Morgan, Ronald B., Potter, Percy Reid, Douglas, Reid, John G. M., Simpson. Alexander E., A., Stott, Norman Tindall, Alex. G. (to Lower 3), Wilson, Alexander, Wyllie William R.,

NO.

143 Enrolled. mo. yr.

8 8

'00 '99 '01 '98 '01

10 1 8 8 4 8 8 9 9 8 9 9 8 8 8 6 8 8 9 4 9 9 8

'02 '00 '00 '00 '01 '00 '00 '02 '02 '00 '00 '02 '00 '99 '02 '03 '00 '01 '02 '99 '02 02 '99

8 3 10

Left. mo. yr.

LOWER II. Punjab. Aberdeen. ft

,, Madras. Aberdeen. ,, ,, •, ,, ,, ., ft

,, ,, ,, , ,, ,, ,, .

PREPARATORY A (Lower I.). 1 '01 - Aberdeen. Adcock, John M., 8 '00 Bannochie, James H. M., ,, 4 '03 Brown, Eric J., , 9 '01 Bruce, William G., 8 '99 •, Byres, Arthur B., ,, 8 '01 Cameron, George G., 8 '00 Findlay, Herbert W., ft 6 '00) 6 '02 Robert B., Finlayson, ft 1 '03 ) 1577 12401 12 '01 tl 1445 Galbraith, John R., 9 '02 •1538 Grant, Stanley N., ,, 9 '02 ft 1540 Hardie, David, 9 '02 ' 1539 Hay, Francis T., 1435 Keyt, Dudley R., - B. Honduras. 10 '01 9 '02 - Aberdeen. 1546 Reid, Edward B., 3 '00 If 1231 Robson, Norm. Keith, 8 '00 , 1324 Rose, Alister 4 '01 ft 1351a Simpson, William Douglas, 4 '03 ,. 1584 Stevenson, Donald F., 8 '00 abs. 4th qu. ft 1326 Stott, Douglas W., 8 '00 ,, 1327 Watson, James A., 9 '02 ,, 1554 Young, Herbert, 1346 1304 1583 1417 1200 1418 1312

144

The Grammar School Magazine.

Reg. No.

Name.

1534 1535 1352 1536 1537 1541

. Adam, William E., Bruce, A. Eric, Connon, Thomas, . Craig, Gordon, Dugan, Douglas R., Henderson, William G., -

1456

Horne, William H.,

1542

Kennaway, William B., -

PREPARATORY B (Infants). Home.

/1 17

Mitchell, G. Angus, Nicol, Robert G., Reid, Leslie S., Ross, James M., Ross, James Stewart, Saunders. Charles E., Shepherd, George B., - Shepherd, William S. B., Walker, Andrew Norman, Walker, James F., Watson, William L., Wishart, Edward G., Wright, Maxwell C., -

/I I , fl

1438 Ledingham, Francis, 1585 Mackie, Reginald C., 1543 Marshall, H. Geoffrey, 1544 Milne, James Leslie M.,1555 1545 1547 1513 1455 1548 1573 1574 1549 1552 1550 1551 1553

Aberdeen.

If PP 11

IP f / PI

51 11

Enrolled. Lett. mo. yr. mo. yr. 9 '02 9 '02 4 '01 9 '02 9 '02 9 '02 8 '001_ 6 '01 5 '02f 9 '02 abs. 3rd & 4th Qu. 10 '01 4 '03 9 '02 9 '02 abs. 3rd & 4th Qu. 10 '02 12 '03 9 '02 8 '02 1 '03 4 '02 9 '02 1 '03 1 '03 9 '02 9 '02 9 '02 9 '02 9 '02

•

THE

GRAMMAR SCHOOL MAGAZINE

NEW SERIES—Vol.. VI. 1902-1903

ABERDEEN JAMES

G. BISSET

MDCCCCIII.

INDEX TO VOLUME VI. -,•••criAG-N-3•-• PAGE.

24 103 ASSAULT-AT-ARMS, THE 26 ATHLETIC SPORTS, THE 106 ABERDEEN: AS IT IMPRESSES A STRANGER - 104 BURSARY COMPETITION, THE 30, 119 CORRESPONDENCE 31 CRICKET NOTES .. 128 37, 71, DEBATER NOTES 112 EARTHQUAKE, AN. BY ADMIRAL FARQUHAR 22 ENGLISH AS SHE IS WROTE 113 FINALE, THE .. 96 F.P.'s AND OTHERS, To 68 THE FIFTEEN, FIRST - 33, 64, 123 FOOTBALL NOTES 70 CLUB FORMER PUPILS' 54 COMBE STUDENT-INTERPRETER FROM THE FAR EAST. BY _ 13 F.P. IN A FRENCH PRISON, AN 57 INDIAN CHRISTMAS, AN. BY FRED. W. GALLOWAY -

AQUATIC SPORTS, THE

JUDICIAL NIGHT, THE.

J. -

BY W. W.

r5 23 - 32, 45 16 - 6, 46 - 30, 79, 127 35 -

LEAVING CERTIFICATE RESULTS, 1902 LIBRARY

MOON, THE

NOTES ABOUT OLD BOYS OUR CONTEMPORARIES OLD BOYS' FOOTBALL

OUR POETS' CORNER-

" MINE AIN COUNTRIE " MY ARGOSY

A TOAST TO NATURE

BLIGHTED THE SCHOOL

SHERLOCK'S UNDERSTUDY

38 78 77 122 91 131

148

The Grammar School Magazine. -

PHYSICAL REGISTER, THE RANDOM NOTES

SCHOOL NOTES -

SCHOOL OFFICIALS

SEVEN DAYS UNDER CANVAS

105

1, 41, 85

- 39, SO, 132

108

115

N. P. -

120

SESSION'S ROLL, THE

BY G. M.

SOME STRAY CASTS. SWIMMING CLUB

PAGE. - 62, 99

SCHOOL AND THE 'VARSITY, THE -

THINGS IN GENERAL

UNIVERSITY COMPANY, THE

UNCONSCIOUS HUMOUR IN THE CLASS-ROOM.

BY R.

133

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. Facing page A. R. WILLIAMSON -

W. W. JAMESON

SCHOOL CRICKET TEAM, 1902 -

,• ,,

JAMES C. KNox, Esq., M.A. -

SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM, 1902 SCHOOL, THE

Rudge-Whitworth and Triumph Cycles, Two of Britain's Most Noted Makes, Can now be had IN 1 Os. £1 0 from Including Free Wheel, Two Brakes, and all Accessories. CATALOGUES FREE ON APPLICATION.

ALEXANDER TAYLOR, Jun., 404 UNION STREET.

CHRISTIE & GREGOR p ,oTR, -

FLANNEL SUITS, NORFOLK SUITS, WALKING SUITS, ~at(ors ant) lbo9icr9,

43 UNION TERRACE, Aberdeen. jfancy goods Emporium -.Ehe north of ;,:cotland For Webbing gifts, Virtbbap + presentations, anb

pri3e6, "CU

E respectfully solicit the favour of a visit to our Showrooms, which are replete with a most attractive variety in all Departments.

Workshop on the Premises for the Covering, Repairing, and Manufacture of Umbrellas, &c.

IVIcIVIILLRN, LTD., 151 UNION STREET, ABERDEEN. SUM. STEWART, Manager.

NEW SEASON'S GOODS

Ar e a r r ivingdaily in n u shades of Leather at

JOHN A. DUNN'S

THE GLOBE BOOT AND SHOE HOUSE, All Goods

Come and have

marked

your Choice.

in Plain Figures The

and at

Variety is

Lowest Prices.

Endless. See

See

WINDOWS.

26 UNION STREET, ABERDEEN. Gutta Percha, or Rubber. Also, Repairs a Specialty, either in Leather, Gent.'s, is. 3d. per Pair. Rubber Revolving Heel Pads--Ladies', is., Telephone No. 158.

C1-10011 BOOKS JO— }c ~ZD j~'I~~Ii~I~I`RI~S.

Drawing Instruments, Sic. CHEAPEST ON RECORD.

WALKER & COMPANY,

booksellers and Stationers (UNDER ROYAL PATRONAGE),

19 BRIDGE STREET, ABERDEEN.

pianofortes, harmoniums, eJG and Organs.

James Macbeth Has always on hand a Magnificent Assortment of

GRAND PIANOS, COTTAGE PIANOS, FRENCH and GERMAN HARMONIUMS, For Sale or Hire on the Three Years' System.

SECOND-HAND PIANOS, ORGANS, & HARMONIUMS ALWAYS IN STOCK, VERY CHEAP.

Pianoforte and Music Saloon-

181

UNION

STREET,

ABERDEEN.

JamesEwing njoroOMPlile PHOTOGRAPHIC

Artist, 11 Crown 51., iND AT

Braemar.

A. cl J. SMITH,

Telephone No. 417.

Opticians, 23 & 25 St. Nicholas St., Aberdeen. Catalogue Free on application.

A BOYS' and YOUTHS' OUTFITTER.

Athletic Outfits OF ALL KINDS.

Yng' s Buildings, 117 and 119 UNION STREET, RBERDEEN.

THEATRICAL WIGS, 15o, FOR SALE OR HIRE. Grease Paints and every requisite kept for " Making-up," at cut prices. " Making-up " a Speciality. APPLY FOR TERMS TO

Pre$$tie,

Ladies' and Gentlemen's Hairdresser, 10 13Picise Stpeet., ABERDEEN.