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the Sign Post Amps . points to .

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ST.

(West),

Has a Large Selection of Gold and Pearl Brooches, Necklets, Pendants, Silver Brushes, Toilet Jars, etc. Silver Z and Electro-Plate A Goods. Also Watches and Clocks.

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Special Terms given to Sports and Presentation Committees.

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JEWELLER AND SILVERSMITH, K-+-

185 Union Street, ABERDEEN.

THE FISHING SEASON Opens shortly, and Anglers would be well advised to have their rods overhauled and put in order at once. Don't leave them till the season is in full swing and rod-makers are busy. We Execute Rod Repairs of all kinds, and our Charges are Moderate. Send a post card and we will call for your rods, and deliver them again • when ready. MARTIN'S Fishing Tackle Catalogue with Photo-colour Illustrations sent post free.

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128 UNION

ST., ABERDEEN.

Telephone No. 48o.

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given Free on Application.

472 UNION STREET, Aberdeen.

Established

1847.

lidogant Music Zatoons, 349 Union Street, Aberdeen.

PIANOS and ORGANS.—A Large and Varied Selection of the Best Models always on hand. An Inspection Invited. Cash or Instalments. MUSIC.—Up-to-date Music of all kinds always on hand. Examination and Educational a Speciality. Any kind of Music sent on approbation. Music specially ordered delivered in Three days. MISCELLANEOUS.—Violins, Bagpipes, Mandolins, Strings, and all Musical Accessories of the Best Quality. GEO. T. CANTLAY, Proprietor.

CONTENTS. RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB: JUNIOR CHAMPIONS— SEASON 1909-10 -

I05

1I0

THE SCHOOL AND THE UNIVERSITY

122

Frontispiece

SCHOOL NOTES

NOTES ABOUT OLD BOYS GOOD NEWS FOR ALL

THE BURSARY COMPETITION, 1910 -

THE SCHOOL MUSEUM

RANDOM NOTES

123

SCHOOL LIFE UNDER MELVIN

THE GRAMMAR

124 126

126

I27 134 136

139 140

141

142

THE FORMER PUPILS' CLUB-ANNUAL MEETING -

144 I47

1 53 155

OUR LETTER-BOX

OUR CONTEMPORARIES

MR. KEITH LEASK'S NEW BOOK

..,

SCHOOL FOOTBALL NOTES

CRICKET NOTES

" DEBATER" NOTES -

THE LONDON SECTION THE BYRON STATUE

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HALLS

FOR WEDDINGS, AT

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Patronised by the elite of tI7e Gown

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CHOICE SELECTION OF

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Tel. No. 2273.

NEAT. CHEAP. QUICK.

Printing.

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PRINTER, LITHOGRAPHER, AND STATIONER,

61 BELMONT STREET, ABERDEEN. Telephone No. 809.

106

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

At length the Byron Statue Fund is nearing the desired totaL For twelve years the Rector has given unwearied toil and infinite trouble to raise a fitting memorial to the School's greatest son, and now only some £'2o are needed to ensure success. During the past few months the present and former pupils of the School have made a splendid response to the appeal in our last Magazine. It is most desirable that the statue be completed by 1913, so that the unveiling ceremony may coincide with the jubilee of the opening of the present School buildings. A review of the place of the School in the recent Bursary Competition will be found elsewhere. We note that, in conformance with the new regulations, the next " Comp." will begin on loth June, 1911, when there will be but four subjects and a large number of options. May the School have every success under the new system ! We fear, however, that the " Comp." under these conditions will not have the same glory as of old. The Leaving Certificate Examinations were held during the latter part of March, and we are now waiting the results. There is every reason to believe that the School did exceedingly well ; so it is all the harder that a whole class should have been debarred from entry through some absurd technical flaw in their curriculum which the Education Department evolved at the eleventh hour. The class affected has our sincere sympathy. The inspectors are now descending upon us, and the School, we are assured, will not fail to win their wonted high commendation. 6g) (& Shortly after the Easter vacation a meeting was held in the School to obtain recruits for the F.P. Company of the Gordon Highlanders (T.F.). The Rector, in introduction, said it was the duty and privilege of all physically fit to assist in national defence, and Captain T. Ogilvie (F.P.) gave a short address on the conditions of service. Some twenty have since joined—no mean number when it is remembered that the minimum age for entry is 17 years. They have now completed the regulation 4o drills, and are keener than ever on the pleasures of military service. We have it on the best authority that the School squad is exceptionally efficient. May their zeal be an example to all.

»ik

DINE AT

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Royal Athenaeum Restaurant and Grill Room (OPPOSITE

TOWN HOUSE)

THE

HALL IN THE CITY.

PREMIER DINING

Patronised by the elite of tike Gown 44 County. CHOICE SELECTION OF

OLD VINTAGE CHAMPAGNES AND OTHER WINES. HIGH-CLASS PURE HIGHLAND POT-STILL WHISKY. John Mitchell, Proprietor.

Tel. No. 2273.

NEAT. CHEAP. QUICK.

Printing.

ESTIMATES GIVEN. **

THE CENTRAL PRESS (John Milne), GENERAL

PRINTER, LITHOGRAPHER, AND STATIONER,

61 BELMONT STREET, ABERDEEN. Telephone No. 809.

"To shorten time is to lengthen life."

THE GAZETTE FOUNTAIN PEN ought to be one of the most cherished possessions of every student. It will materially aid him in his studies, will make writing a pleasure, and will tend to increase his leisure for recreation. It is well worth Half-a-Sovereign, and only costs HALF-A-CROWN, With 14-carat Gold Instructions.

Nib, in box with

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3 to 7 FOREST AVENUE. TELEPHONE No. 1516.

GRAMMAR SCHOOL

ABERDEEN

JUNIOR

RUGBY

FOOTBALL

CLUB.

CHAMPIONS SEASON 1909-10.

•

W. ANDERSO-N.

A. JOHNSTONE. W. A. ELMSLIE. T. B. MACKENZIE.

A. P. SPARK.

J. MACKINTOSH

D. M. W. LEITH G. R. W. STEWART.

11r. •

J. L. BOOTH.

A. D. Si:

G. S. S. LEITH.

M. MACRAE.

(Captain).

(Secretary).

G. A. CARROLL.

D. ANDERSON.

Mr. J. DAVIDSON

(Hon. Secy., Gaines Committee).

W. S. BENTON.

J. F. MACKINTOSH. i

&anima Scf?oot Maga3ine. Vol. XIII.

JUNE, 1910.

No. 3

"Atli labores illcundi." Another session is now drawing to a close, and with it a fresh page in the history of the School will have been written. What the year has written in direct results is referred to in another page. They are on a level, at least. with those of former years, and evidence the continued vitality of the School as an educational force, not only in our midst, but also in the larger world outside—in which, one has the pleasing reflection, the pupils of the " Grammar " always hold their own. % 6g 6g To some of us our " Grammar " days will soon be one of the happy memories which remain—of friendships formed, of fellowships enjoyed, and, not least, of the many kindnesses of our masters, whose warm and helpful interest in ourselves and our studies we would now gratefully acknowledge. May they long continue to stimulate and encourage and equip as in our day, and may the bow of the "Grammar"' alway abide in strength. To editorial colleagues and to all contributors let me express hearty thanks for their ready and efficient assistance in duties which, though sometimes pressing, were always pleasant.

106

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

At length the Byron Statue Fund is nearing the desired total. For twelve years the Rector has given unwearied toil and infinite trouble to raise a fitting memorial to the School's greatest son, and now only some £2o are needed to ensure During the past few months the present and success. former pupils of the School have made a splendid response to the appeal in our last Magazine. It is most desirable that the statue be completed by 1913, so that the unveiling ceremony may coincide with the jubilee of the opening of the present School buildings. A review of the place of the School in the recent Bursary Competition will be found elsewhere. We note that, in conformance with the new regulations, the next " Comp." will begin on loth June, 1911, when there will be but four subjects and a large number of options. May the School have every success under the new system! We fear, however, that the " Comp." under these conditions will not have the same glory as of old. 0 The Leaving Certificate Examinations were held during the latter part of March, and we are now waiting the results. There is every reason to believe that the School did exceedingly well ; so it is all the harder that a whole class should have been debarred from entry through some absurd technical flaw in their curriculum which the Education Department evolved at the eleventh hour. The class affected has our sincere sympathy. The inspectors are now descending upon us, and the School, we are assured, will not fail to win their wonted high commendation. 0 Ai. V. Shortly after the Easter vacation a meeting was held in the School to obtain recruits for the F.P. Company of the Gordon Highlanders (T.F.). The Rector, in introduction, said it was the duty and privilege of all physically fit to assist in national defence, and Captain T. Ogilvie (F.P.) gave a short address on the conditions of service. Some twenty have since joined—no mean number when it is remembered that the minimum age for entry is 17 years. They have now completed the regulation 4o drills, and are keener than ever on the pleasures of military service. We have it on the best authority that the School squad is exceptionally efficient. May their zeal be an example to all.

School Notes.

107

The Swimming Club is in a very prosperous condition, both financially and in the number of its members. Surely, however, even Too members, out of so large a Schbol as ours, are all too few when one considers how useful and how beneficial an exercise swimming is to each and all of us. The Club has secured the services of a most efficient instructor, and all beginners may be sure of most careful instruction. The Swimming Sports are to be held on loth June at the Corporation Baths. May we hope that the entries will be very many and the audience particularly large, for the enthusiasm of the Secretary and his Committee is sure to make the sports a great success. The Committee wish to express their special thanks to the lady teachers for their help in securing members for the Club. a The backward spring has had a most unfortunate effect on the School field. Scarcely any grass is to be seen, except in corners where it is of no use, and the hard and bumpy nature of the ground gives no encouragement to scientific cricket. Despite this, enthusiasm seems greater than ever, and now nothing is to be seen but a confused mass of wickets, bats, balls, and boys. Great care is imperative on all to diminish the ever-present danger of accidents which so cramped a space occasions. a :J. w. But two members of last year's 1st XI. returned to School. Competition for the remaining places has been keen, and selection correspondingly difficult. The team is unusually strong in bowling and fielding, but in batting is disappointingly weak. •

)

A splendidly contested match was won at Huntly by steady play, and we feel sure that June will prove a more successful month for School cricket than May has been. It would be of great advantage to the XI. if a proper practice pitch could be secured, possibly in one of the parks. This proved very successful some years ago, and, we doubt not, would do so again. a The photograph of the XV., which we are pleased to present in this number, will serve to recall more vividly than mere words the most successful XV. of recent years. Of is matches played, 13 were won, 1 drawn, and I lost ; 209 points scored for, and 66 against, the School. The XV. also gained the Junior Championship. In the Combined

ioS

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

Schools' XV. which played George Watson's College, despite the fact that three School men were unable to play, 1o places were held by the School. The forwards deserve the main credit for this notable season—but the team has already been criticised in our last issue. Suffice it to say that to the enthusiasm and keenness of the Captain and of every individual player is attributable the splendid result of the season. !V.

We publish in this number a review of the session of the Debating Society. This was a more successful session than usual, and the lectures were of an exceptionally high standard of excellence ; but want of seriousness— an old failing of the Society—rather marred its ordinary meetings. All honour is due to the leading officials for their unflagging efforts to maintain a high level of debate. The Finale, which this year seemed likely to be a notable success, had to be abandoned, as no suitable date could be found for it. The Annual Gymnastic Assault, held this year on 25th February, was the best we have ever witnessed. Spectators crowded every available portion of the Hall, and the programme, which was gone through with commendable despatch, was pleasantly varied and excellently carried out. The feature of the evening was the high jump competition— Classical v. Modern. The Modern side attained last year's record-5 ft. 3 ins., but the winner of the competition for the Classical side, J. S. G. Collie, cleared 5 ft. 63 ins.—a splendid performance. The whole display was an eloquent testimony to the good work Mr. Summers puts in during the session. It is with deep regret that we record the death of Dr. Gordon Stables, a notable former pupil and ever a good friend to the School. A prolific and successful writer of boys' stories of adventure, he took a peculiar pleasure in introducing the Aberdeen Grammar School wherever he could, and he never tired of recounting its antiquity, its. reputation for learning, and its famous pupils in the past. He was one of the first exponents of the doctrine of the " simpler life." pr titb The School was represented by some fifty Boy Scouts at the review held on 22nd March. The Chief Scout, Sir

School Notes.

109

•

Robert S. S. Baden-Powell, expressed his great satisfaction at the smart appearance of the whole body of Scouts, particularly the kilted patrols, formed, we believe, from the School.

• /

)

The Museum has received many notable additions during the past year, and now contains very representative collections. The ornithology section is exceedingly well developed, and so arranged as to be easy of access. Contributions of eggs, or, indeed, natural specimens of any sort, will be welcomed. We feel that the Museum is far too little known by the School in general. It has only to be known to be appreciated. a @ The Library returns show a welcome increase of members. It is anticipated that before next session further additions will be made to the stock of books. It is requested that all books at present on loan be returned by 15th June. a a @ This is an appropriate time to appeal to all who are leaving the School at the summer holidays to join the Former Pupils' Club. By so doing, each will best take a loyal interest in the old School, and through the Club, and especially through the Magazine—which will be sent to him on publication—he will be able to keep in touch with his old schoolfellows, a a On Friday, 2oth May, the day of our late King's funeral, an impressive Memorial Service was conducted in the School Hall by the Rev. James Smith, B.D., Convener of the High Schools Committee. In a brief address he emphasised the lessons that the King's life had for all of us. The musical part of the service was led by Mr. R. Buchanan Morton and Mr. M. H. Mackie, and to these gentlemen our best thanks are due. The benediction, pronounced by Mr. Smith, closed the service. a @ a Our thanks are due to Mr. Alexander Forbes for the reminiscences of School life under Melvin which he has written for the Magazine. Mr. Forbes is one of our most loyal Old Boys, and his article, we feel sure, will be read by all with very great interest. IP?

i io

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

In order that this record may be made as complete as possible, all readers are invited to send to Me Editor any information they may gather concerning former pupils of the School. The name of Sir James Reid, Bart.. G.C.V.O., M.D., who was a pupil at the School from 1862 to 1865, was once more brought prominently before the public in connection with the last illness of King Edward VII. It is noteworthy that during seven of the last eight weeks of his life the King had as his only medical attendant a Grammar School Old Boy, and this although, as now appears from the physicians' report, his health was for part of the time such as to cause no little anxiety. It may be recalled that for the last twenty years of Oueen Victoria's reign Sir James was in daily attendance on Her Majesty. The School may well be proud of its distinguished " Boy," who has been honoured with positions so responsible. Sir George Stegmann Gibb, LL.B., has been appointed chairman of the Road Board, the new central authority established to administer the proceeds of the motor tax and supervise the improvement of roads. In consequence of his acceptance of the chairmanship of the Board, Sir George will shortly retire from the board of the North-Eastern Railway Company, and of all the other companies of which he is a director. It is expected that his retirement from the chairmanship of the Metropolitan, District, Baker Street and Waterloo, Great Northern, Piccadilly and Brompton, and Charing Cross, Euston, and Hampstead Railway Companies will take place in August next. Besides being chairman of the companies mentioned, he holds the position of managing director of the Underground Electric Railways Company of London, Ltd., the company through which the electrification of the District Railway and the construction of the allied

Notes about Old Boys.

111

tubes were carried out. Early in 1906, at the time of the death of Mr. Yerkes, Sir George Gibb resigned his position as general manager of the North-Eastern Railway, and undertook the task of directing the completion of all the then uncompleted works in connection with the underground enterprise, and of organising and starting the operation of Old Boys living in or the various railways concerned. visiting London and using the various tubes, cannot but reflect with pleasure that the marvellous organisation revealed is due in large measure to a Vice-President of the Former Pupils' Club. Sir William MacGregor, G.C.M.G., Governor of Queensland, has been unanimously elected the first Chancellor of Queensland University. Robert Henderson, C.B., who recently retired from the office of Commissioner of Customs and Excise, served the unusually long period of 48 years, his service being twice extended by the Treasury after he reached the age-limit of 6o years. He spent his whole career in the Customs service, rising through the various grades until at last he gained a seat on the Board. During the time that he was secretary to the Board of Customs some very important changes were introduced. The sugar, corn, and coal duties were imposed, and it is well known that the success of the Customs arrangements for their collection was in a large measure due to Mr. Henderson's business tact and capacity. Francis Grant Ogilvie, C.B. (1872-74), Principal Assistant Secretary to the English Board of Education, has been appointed to the new post of Secretary of the Board for the Science Museum, Geological Museum, and Geological Survey. He has also recently been appointed secretary of a Departmental Committee appointed to consider and report upon various questions in regard to the present condition and the future development.of the valuable collections comprised in the Science Museum at South Kensington and the Geological Museum in Jermyn Street, London. A. G. Wright, M.A, Inspector of Education at Karachi, India, has recently been appointed by the Indian Government Director of Public Instruction in the Central Provinces —a very important appointment. The death occurred very suddenly, in May, of James John Y. Dalgarno, M.A., M.B., C.M.; who was at the School.

112

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

from 18i4 to 1879. He held the position of chief anwsthetist at the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, and had an extensive practice in the city. Many Old Boys must have heard with real regret of the death of Dr. William Gordon Stables (1852-54), which occurred in May, at Twyford. Which of us who have been at the School during the last 25 years has not read one or more of Dr. Stables's thrilling tales of adventure, or been persuaded by him, in the columns of the " Boy's Own Paper," as to the benefits to be derived from the morning " tub "? After studying medicine at Aberdeen, he made two voyages to the Arctic Regions, and was for nine years a surgeon in the navy. Many of the adventures described in his books are founded on his early experiences on the sea. On being invalided from the navy on half-pay, Dr. Stables became a journalist, and later an author. In the latter capacity he produced books at the rate of four or five a year, the total reaching over 150, and he also wrote voluminously to many periodicals, chiefly on popular scientific subjects. George Milne Cook has recently had conferred upon him by the King of Sweden the honour and insignia as a Knight of the Royal Order of Vasa First Class. This honour, instituted in 1772, is specially reserved for those who have promoted the prosperity of Sweden, either in its material development or in its commerce, industries, or arts. The death occurred in March of James Allan Coutts, M.D. (1860-62), Southport. For J3 years he was in practice in Waterford, near Manchester. Robert Stephen, M.A., headmaster of St. Andrew'sLhanbryd Public School since 1871, died in the middle of May. Stephen ,Goodbrand„ M.B., from the London School of Tropical 11Iedicine, is one of the six scientists sent out by Government to accompany Sir Robert Boyce in his expedition to the West Coast of Africa to investigate yellow fever. Thomas Thompson has written a report for Government on the rubber industry in British East Africa. He is home on leave, and is about to marry. Professor John Wight Duff, M.A, is to receive from the University of Durham the degree of D.Litt. It is interesting to note that Professor Duff has also had the distinction of being invited to act as an examiner for " The Hertford "

Notes about Old Boys.

113

at Oxford, which is the most coveted prize for Latin scholarship in the country. It is rare that Oxford goes outside the resident Fellows for an examiner. We had lately an interesting talk with William Fraser, M.A., one of the dispossessed Inspectors of Schools for the Orange River Colony. Both he and the Director of Education, Hugh Gunn, M.A., a former Dux, found that, owing to the unreasonable demands of General Hertzog that school officials should possess both Cape Dutch and English, and that both languages should be used in schools, they could not with any comfort continue their service. However, the English-speaking people are starting schools of their own, and both our F.P.'s have been asked to superintend them. We came on a curious piece of information regarding the Rev. James Anderson, founder of the Grand Lodge of Freemasons of England. Writing in " The Co-Mason," K. M. Betts says it is not known where he was educated. He was educated here, and at Marischal College, which he entered in 1805. In 18 to he was made chaplain of St. Paul's Lodge, to which every Mason had to belong. He appointed honorary members for a fee of five guineas. The London Freemasons expelled him and his honorary members, so he founded a new lodge called Antiquity, which rapidly developed. He was minister of the Presbyterian Church in Swan Street, Piccadilly, and founded many lodges before his death in 1839. Mr. Betts says of him that by the modern Freemason his memory will always be reverenced for his zealous and unobtrusive work in the founding of the Grand Lodge of England, and drawing up the book of constitutions that is still the basis of their morality and government. Colonel James Allardyce of Culquoich died in March at the age of 8o. He entered the service of the Hon. East India Company as an ensign in 1848, and after the transfer of the government of India to the Crown, was promoted, until eventually he became lieut.-colonel in 1876 and honorary colonel in 1877. In 1854 he received a civil appointment as an assistant commissioner, and he continued in civil employment until his retirement in 1877, when it was placed on record that his services had been of conspicuous public benefit. C. A. Walker, who for the past seven years has been with the Hudson Bay 'Company, has been appointed manager of the Revillon Brothers' post at Wabasca, Alberta. The

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two companies named are the biggest firms in Canada in the fur business. Alexander Watt and W. A. Williamson recently conveyed to us from Sydney "heartiest greetings and best wishes from Australian Branch of the Former Pupils' Club " ! Williamson has also sent us an article on the Hawkesbury Agricultural College, New South Wales, but there is not space for it to appear in this issue. Rev. Alexander Whyte, M.A., D.D., Principal of New College, Edinburgh, was in February presented with the freedom of the city of Edinburgh. Rev. Thomas Gentles, M.A., D.D., of Paisley Abbey, died at the beginning of May. After graduating at King's College, Aberdeen, in 1857, with first class honours in Classics, he was for a time teacher at Ord, Banffshire. In 1868 he was licensed as a preacher, and in 1872 was elected to his first ministerial charge, that of Trinity College Church, Edinburgh. He was appointed to the first charge of Paisley Abbey in 1878, and received the D.D. degree of Aberdeen University in 18g1. David Richards, M.A, Auchterarder, has been appointed, out of lob applicants, headmaster of the Public School, Blackford, Perthshire. William P. Selbie, M.A., has been elected to an open scholarship at Pembroke College, Oxford. He graduated at Aberdeen University in April with first class honours in Classics. Robert Young Mackay, who has been in practice in Buckie as a solicitor for about 25 years, recently received his commission as Procurator-Fiscal of the Sheriff Court of Banffshire. William Ross, solicitor, Montrose, died at the end of March, aged 63 years. The death occurred in March, at the age of 76, of George Chree, late schoolmaster at Keig. After graduating in Arts at King's College in 1856, he received an appointment in Savoch School, and in 1861 became headmaster at Keig. This position he held until he retired in 1899. His son and grandson are among our F.P.'s. Rev. James A. Boyes, M.A., who for the past nine years has been in charge of St. Martin's Mission in connection with St. Salvador's, Dundee, was recently appointed rector of St. Maman's Episcopal Church, Aberchirder.

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W. R. Butchart, writing from Shanghai, says in a recent letter :—" I have played quite a lot of ' rugger' out here, having got my place for Shanghai in the Inter-port game for the last three years, and captained Shanghai in the Inter-port this year. Shanghai is a splendid place for a man who is fond of sport. I hope to be able to visit the Old Country in about a year's time, and I sincerely hope I shall have the honour of playing for the F.P.'s again." In a letter to the Secretary of the London Section of the Club from Freemantle, J. R. Esson, one of the engineers on board the R.M.S. " Mamora," says that he never was on a ship where there were so many Aberdeen passengers. " Fancy meeting `Scottie' [doubtless the one-time eloquent cox of the Aberdeen University Boat Club] here, of all people in the world! He went to Bombay." Andrew Willox was another Old Boy, going to Penang, while John Thomson, late of 14 Carden Place, Aberdeen, was going to Colombo.

v ‘

W. G. Melvin, who is stationed at Contai, District Midnapur, India, in sending a subscription to the Byron Statue Fund, mentions that during the time he has been in India he has met quite a number of Old Boys, including George Rose in Calcutta, Captain Maydon, W. Leslie, etc. At Melvin's station, which is 36 miles from the nearest railway station, there is only one other English " sahib," the nearest white man being from 5o to 8o miles away. Evidently Melvin has not a high opinion of the workings of the Medical Department of India, for he mentions that cholera has been succeeded by smallpox, which, in turn, has been succeeded by malaria fever. He hopes to be home in the coming autumn. J. D. McGavin. a brother of W. McGavin, who was Captain of the School Rugby XV. in igo7-8, has gone out to the Cocos Keeling Island, where there is a station of the Eastern Telegraph Company. This lonely island, far south of Malaya, is as remote from civilisation as was Crusoe's island. Dr. R. Haldane Cook, one of the many Old Boys who are practising in London, has lately been contributing Scottish ballads to the " Westminster." We hope to have the pleasure at a future date of publishing something from his pen.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

policeman of Red Deer, where there are 3,000 inhabitants, was for a long time in the barracks at Aberdeen. Lieutenant Hector Edmond is at present home on holiday from India. You will find him any day fishing in the Dee or Don, at Strachan or at Alford. Lieutenant John Gray, who after he left School captained the Merchiston Rugby Football XV., is also at present home from India on holiday. Like a wise man, he has taken the opportunity of getting married. Dr. A. J. Davidson, who is now in practice in London, was also recently married—to the daughter of another wellknown F.P. John M. Fildes, who is in the service of the Hudson Bay Co., has recently been transferred to Edmonton. Will anyone who knows the address of R. D. Fenton kindly inform the Secretary? Mr. Fenton, whose recent address was Thuckalay P.O., South Travancore, Southern India, paid his subscription in advance for a number of years, but, unfortunately, his letters have been returned. James H. Gordon has been in Sweden for the past few months on business. Rev. Professor A. R. Gordon, D.Litt., of the Presbyterian College, Montreal, is at present on holiday, and will be resident in this country until September. James Henderson, jun., left for Vancouver a few months ago, and has obtained a situation there. Dr. A. A. Morrison, Alexandria, who was in this country on holiday, has now returned to Egypt. His assistant, Dr. Clement McLeod, is also an Old Boy. W. Milne and G. C. Cheyne are at present studying at Oxford for the Indian Forest Service. In a letter to the Club Secretary, an Old Boy states " it was with great pleasure that I saw the wrapper of the old School Mag. peeping out amongst my mail the other day. We are a strange nation, we British—we cling to the memories of our boyhood as no other nation does. Living as I do among people from all parts of Europe, it strikes one strongly to hear the Dutchman or German speak of his youth and schooldays. The latter looks back on schooldays as a time of bondage which had to be endured, and the memory of which should be cast off entirely. How different

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In a letter to the Secretary of the London Section of the Club from Freemantle, J. R. Esson, one of the engineers on board the R.M.S. " Mamora," says that he never was on a ship where there were so many Aberdeen passengers. " Fancy meeting 'Scottie' [doubtless the one-time eloquent cox of the Aberdeen University Boat CIub] here, of all Andrew He went to Bombay." people in the world! Willox was another Old Boy, going to Penang, while John Thomson, late of 14 Carden Place, Aberdeen, was going to Colombo.

J. D. McGavin. a brother of W. McGavin, who was Captain of the School Rugby XV. in 1907-8, has gone out to the Cocos Keeling Island, where there is a station of the Eastern Telegraph Company. This lonely island, far south of Malaya, is as remote from civilisation as was Crusoe's island.

•

Dr. R. Haldane Cook, one of the many Old Boys who are practising in London, has lately been contributing Scottish ballads to the " Westminster." We hope to have the pleasure at a future date of publishing something from his pen.

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George W. Morgan has been appointed accountant to the Rat Portage Lumber Company at Moosegaw, Saskatchewan, Canada. James Strachan, M.A., B.A. (Cantab.), has been appointed an assistant master at Harrow School. W. P. Milne, M.A., B.A. (Cantab.), assistant master at Clifton College, has been appointed Examiner in Mathematics for 191o to the Welsh Central Board. The following facts, culled from " The Ceylon Observer," may prove of interest to readers, as showing the prejudice in favour of natives, as against Europeans, for filling municipal posts abroad. In July, 1909, the Municipal Council of Colombo advertised for an assistant engineer, and, out of upwards of 36o applicants, an F.P., S. J. Hally, late of Aberdeen Harbour staff, was selected by the chairman and the municipal engineer as being in every way most suitable. Enter Mr. Hallock Wiianayathan, a Tamil gentleman with 18 months' experience, as against Hally's seven years, and a testimonial silent on essential details. This gentleman not only did not fulfil the requirements of the public notice under which all such appointments had been made since 1893, but up to the time of his recommendation for the post in February had not even lodged an application. As a member of the Council said, it was a race—European against Ceylonese, and at a Council meeting in April it resulted in a win for the Ceylonese by one vote. J. Robertson Reid, M.D., Birkdale, Southport, has recently been awarded the Hon. Associateship of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, with presentation of the Cross of the Order. These were given for conspicuous work in teaching first-aid and sick-nursing. J. L. C. Bartlett has recently been appointed fire superintendent of the Caledonian Insurance Company, Edinburgh. In the recent International Badminton Tournament two of our F.P.'s held an honourable place. William Webster and Dr. James Crombie were the only Scottish pair who won their matches for Scotland, and Dr. Crombie came out top in the singles. Although Scotland was beaten, yet the margin of victory for England was a narrow one. John Raffan, M.D., F.R.C.S., tells us of his interesting experiences of going round the hospitals in the United States. In visiting the hospitals in Johns Hopkins Univer-

Notes about Old Boys. sity, Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, etc., he got some insight as to how in some respects our infirmaries at home could be improved. John Urquhart, M.A, is now assistant to another distinguished F.P., Professor Chrystal, Edinburgh University. John Lillie, M.A., took his LI_.B. degree at Edinburgh in the spring of this year. We are pleased to hear that his brother Bertie, who had to leave School through illness, and whose health had for a long time been poor, is now better. James Middleton, jun., who was home on holiday for six months, has now returned to India. Although he had not played football for a long time, he turned out on several occasions for the F.P. Rugby XV., and rendered excellent service. Captain K. W. McKenzie, I.M.S., another well-known footballer, is at present home on holiday, and will be in this country for some time. Rev. Dr. John Smith, Pietermaritzburg, Natal, is enjoying a well-earned holiday, and expects to be in Aberdeen during the summer. Arthur Smith, who has been a member of the Executive for the past two years, has obtained a situation in London. W. W. Jameson, M.A., M.B., Ch.B., has been appointed Resident Physician at the Victoria Park Hospital, London. H. J. C. Boulton, who is in the service of Messrs. Pauling and Co., Ltd., Elizabethville, Congo Free State, has returned to the Secretary a very interesting envelope which travelled all over Central Africa, and eventually found him after four months' journey. William F. Griffith, late of Classical IV., writes us from Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. He is in the Canadian Bank of Commerce, and seems to be having a fine time. Old Deer and New Deer we know well, but Red Deer is new to us. It sounds as if it were taken from the pages of Fenimore Cooper. There are five men—four of them English— in the bank, including the manager. The Canadian banks seem to treat their employees well, for each one has his own bedroom and a share of well-furnished rooms. In some ways the work is easier than schoolwork, and the hours are from 9 to 5. They have a fortnight's holiday annually. The

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine. policeman of Red Deer, where there are 3,000 inhabitants, was for a long time in the barracks at Aberdeen. Lieutenant Hector Edmond is at present home on holiday from India. You will find him any day fishing in the Dee or Don, at Strachan or at Alford. Lieutenant John Gray, who after he left School captained the Merchiston Rugby Football XV., is also at present home from India on holiday. Like a wise man, he has taken the opportunity of getting married. Dr. A. J. Davidson, who is now in practice in London, was also recently married—to the daughter of another wellknown F.P. John M. Fildes, who is in the service of the Hudson Bay Co., has recently been transferred to Edmonton. Will anyone who knows the address of R. D. Fenton kindly inform the Secretary? Mr. Fenton, whose recent address was Thuckalay P.O., South Travancore, Southern India, paid his subscription in advance for a number of years, but, unfortunately, his letters have been returned. James H. Gordon has been in Sweden for the past few months on business. Rev. Professor A. R. Gordon, D.Litt., of the Presbyterian College, Montreal, is at present on holiday, and will be resident in this country until September. James Henderson, jun., left for Vancouver a few months ago, and has obtained a situation there. Dr. A. A. Morrison, Alexandria, who was in this country on holiday, has now returned to Egypt. His assistant, Dr. Clement McLeod, is also an Old Boy. W. Milne and G. C. Cheyne are at present studying at Oxford for the Indian Forest Service. In a letter to the Club Secretary, an Old Boy states " it was with great pleasure that I saw the wrapper of the old School Mag. peeping out amongst my mail the other day. We are a strange nation, we British—we cling to the memories of our boyhood as no other nation does. Living as I do among people from all parts of Europe, it strikes one strongly to hear the Dutchman or German speak of his youth and schooldays. The latter looks back on schooldays as a time of bondage which had to be endured, and the memory of which should be cast off entirely. How different

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from ourselves. I shall never forget the old ' Grammar' Ground—rotten, gravelly place which spoiled the greater part of Aberdeen tackling though it was, and as one gets older and wanders farther afield, ideas changing and an object in life beginning to loom up ahead, ever and anon the old prize days and ' Debater' nights, ' footer' and cricket matches appear from the past, surrounded and enhanced with a curious halo difficult to explain, but ever present. " Now, Mr. Secretary, after this soliloquy I suppose you think that I should `stump up' for all these glorious sensations, and, being a business man, you want to see the colour of my money." The colour of his money was a life member's subscription and a donation to the Byron Statue Fund. We could do with a few more such letters. Stuart M. Robertson, of the Dominion Lands Office, Red Deer, Canada, has been appointed a Justice of the Peace. Alexander Bain Mackie, son of Alexander Mackie, M.A. (also an Old Boy), Principal of Albyn Place School, Aberdeen, has received an appointment on the staff of the London and Rivei- Plate Bank at Rio de Janeiro. He served his apprenticeship in the West-end Branch of the North of Scotland and Town & County Bank. We regret to have to record the death of James Bannochie, which occurred early in April at Calgary, Alberta, Canada, as the result of an accident. E. W. H. Brander and A. M. Johnston have taken commissions in the 4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders (T.F.), and Charles Watt in the Army Service Corps. The members of our Club are doing their duty to their country without any doubt. Dr. J. Mitchell Bruce, the eminent Harley Street specialist, has become a member of the Club, as also has David McHardy, J.P., Aberdeen. John H. N. Craigen has left for the land of rubber, and is now an assistant on the Braemar Estate of the London Asiatic Rubber Produce Co. We do not know if amateur theatricals are part of the programme in his part of the world, but if they are, Craigen will be a great acquisition. He was entertained at dinner by a few members of the Dramatic Section before he left, and one and all testified to the enormous amount of work he had done on behalf of the Dramatic Section.

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Leonard J. Smith., a former Captain of the F.P. Rugby Football Club, has gone out to Canada to seek his fortunes in the West. Both Smith and Craigen will be long remembered on account of the very enjoyable items they contributed to social functions of the Club in the way of lightning sketches. James Simpson has taken his degree with Honours in Mathematics in the Cape University. He was Dux of the Modern side of the School. He is engaged in the Observatory at Cape Town, and is now home on leave. George Sleigh has left for an appointment in a bank in Colombo. His brother Charles is now married in Monte Video, South America. He also is in one of the great banking companies there. The following Old Boys have become life members since the last number was issued :— Dr. G. 0. Gauld, who was Captain for several years of the F.P. Rugby XV., and who for a number of years was one of the mainstays of the University and Aberdeenshire Cricket Clubs. E. Carmichael, I.C.S., Bombay, who is a son of Mr. Carmichael, of the North of Scotland and Town & County Bank, West-end Branch, Aberdeen. Dr. James M. Matheson, who is one of the medical officers at Wadsley Asylum, Sheffield. Colonel D. B. D. Stewart, the officer in command of the 4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders (T.F.), and with whose battalion there is now incorporated a company of Old Boys. W. R. Butchart, whose address at present is c/o Messrs. Hopkins, Dunn, & Co.,, Ltd., Shanghai, China, and whom many of our readers will remember as a very enthusiastic member of the F.P. Rugby XV. some six or seven years ago. • Henry B. Brazier, Imperial Maritime Customs, Canton, China. The General Council of Aberdeen University lists of the graduates of 1909-10 contain 4,294 names, of whom 1,1o6, or 25.8 per cent., have been identified as Former Pupils of our School. Of these 1,106, only 251 are as yet members of the F.P. Club, or 21 per cent. of the total membership (about 842), leaving 855 graduates, or more than the present

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total membership, who ought to join, but have not as yet done so. The privileges of membership, the pleasure of keeping in touch with the old School and old schoolfellows, and all the news that the Magazine contains-surely this is worth half-a-crown a year ! We greatly regret to have to recall the death of Mr. James Morrison, which occurred at Newseat, Schivas, in February. Mr. Morrison was for a period of years assistant English master in the School, and was very highly respected by his pupils, every one of whom had a kind word to say about him, and he, in turn, always looked, back with pleasure to the days he spent at the School. He was a student at King's College from 1854 to 1858, and, after having taught in various parts of the country, was appointed assistant in English in the Grammar School while Dr. Moir was Rector, and held this post till the session of 1889-9o, when he retired.

George B. Esslemont is not our only Old Boy in Parliament, for at the last general election the contest in the Wick Burghs was won by Robert Munro, who entered the School in 1884. He is an advocate-depute for Scotland, and has recently been granted the rank and dignity of counsel to His Majesty the King. Prior to his appointment as advocate-depute he acted as counsel to the Inland Revenue. His maiden speech in the House of Commons was made on the Scotch Temperance Bill, and in the course of it he gave some interesting details regarding the influence of intemperance on crime, his statements being based on his experience as Crown Prosecutor. The University of Breslau has presented to the Aberdeen University Library a copy of a work by Duncan Liddel, published at Wolfenbuttel in the year i6oi, of which no copy is preserved in any British library. Liddel, who had been a pupil of the Grammar School and a graduate of King's College, Aberdeen, was in 16o1 Professor of Higher Mathematics in the University of Helmstedt. In later life he returned to Aberdeen and founded a professorship and a tutorship of mathematics in Marischal College, endowing at the same time several bursaries for students and bequeathing a valuable collection of bodks to the college library. He was commemorated by a brass in the Church of St. Nicholas and by a monument on his estate of Pitmedden—both still extant.

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The members of the class which completed the School curriculum as Seventh Classical in 1908 held a Reunion Supper in the Grand Hotel on Friday, 25th March last—Mr. H. F. Morland Simpson presiding. Mr. Peter Edward and Mr. Chas. Davidson acted as croupiers. After the usual loyal and patriotic toasts had been pledged, J. Drummond Smith proposed " The School," to which the Chairman replied. A. L. Thomson proposed " The Last Seventh," and W. G. Walker, Dux of the School in 1908, replied. "The School Staff," proposed by A. R. Fraser, was replied to by Mr. Peter Edward. Other toasts were proposed and heartily pledged, but all present agreed in considering " the event of the evening" Mr. Chas. Davidson's reply to the toast of " The Ladies," proposed by Ernest Main. The remainder of the evening passed delightfully, and all too quickly, with songs and stories. Certain of the class who are in Aberdeen were unavoidably absent, the date being somewhat unfortunate, and apologies for absence were received from C. V. Robertson and W. Cramond (both now in London), and D. H. Halliday (Birmingham). The following were present :—E. W. Fenton, R. Forgan, A. R. Fraser, W. J. S. Ingram, I. G. Innes (who acted as secretary), R. Lyon, E. Main, Chas. Reid, M.A. ; B. T. Saunders, J. D. Smith, J. T. Soutter, J. C. Taylor (London), A. L. Thomson, and W. G. Walker.

The School and the University. Among special distinctions gained by our Former Pupils during the School year now closing, we record the following :— SUMMER SESSION, 1909. B.Sc., with special distinction in Mathematics, Natural Philosophy and Geology—Wm. Arthur Lothian, M.A.; Angus Macleod, M.A. The Edmond Prize, to the most distinguished graduate in Law—Robert P. Masson, M.A., B.L. M.D., with commendation for Thesis—Charles J. Robertson Milne. The MacGillivray Prize in Science—Arthur L. Thomson. Best Collection of Botanical Specimens—Ed. W. Fenton.

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In addition, the record included the 1st place, eleven times ; 2nd, six times ; 3rd, once ; 4th, seven times—three of the 1st to the credit of R. M. Porter and five to A. Pringle Jameson, both in Medicine ; and 64 1st class certificates. The general proportion of 1st places is about 42 per cent. of the whole, gained by our Former Pupils, numbering only some 14 per cent. of all the students, or three times their share in proportion to their numbers. WINTER SESSION, 1909-10. Hon. Degrees.—D.D.—Rev. Alex. Anderson, Edinkillie U.F. Manse. ; LL.D.—Emeritus-Professor Alexander Ogston. Arts.-1st Class Honours in Classics—George F. Cox, Wm. P. Selbie ; in Mathematics and Natural Philosophy— Wm. Peters. In the class prize and merit lists, the 1st place was held by Former Pupils fourteen times ; the 2nd, sixteen times ; 3rd, six times ; 4th, eight times, etc. ; and, in all, 45 medals, prizes, and 1st class certificates were gained, including :— The Silver Pen (Greek)—Andrew Milne ; and the following Law prizes :—Scots Law, Society of Advocates Prize1, Fred. Wishart ; Society of Solicitors' Prize-2, J. R. W. Burnet ; Conveyancing;, Society of Advocates Prize —1, Henry A. Richards ; Constitutional Law and History—I, Robert Y. Hunter and Robert P. Masson (equal) ; Jurisprudence—I (equal), Robert Y. Hunter. In all, 34 degrees were taken, 1909-10, I I with Honours and distinction. During the past year 128 Former Pupils have attended the University-54 in Arts, 18 in Science,. 46 in Medicine, I in Divinity, and 9 in Law, forming, in all, 20 per cent. of the men, and 14.3 per cent. of all the students. (The above figures, from the Students' Handbook, are unofficial.)

0 $

Good News for All. The prospect of obtaining 10 or II acres of the Bleachfield as a much-needed playfield for the School has brightened, and may even be regarded as assured, provided the owners of the land do not ask a price altogether beyond our prospective means.

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Random Notes. Our thanks are due to the gentleman who sent for publication a poem on " Curiosities of the English Language." Owing to want of space we have been obliged to omit it from this number. The School garden is looking its best just now. The trees and the grass have resumed their wonted verdure, the flower-beds blaze with tulips and hyacinths, and the tadpoles. are in a flourishing condition. We remember once, when we were working in the garden, having to record the growth of a barberry bush. This we did with great wealth of detail. At the end of a week the master in charge came round to make a personal inspection ; and he checked the flow of our descriptive powers by informing us that the plant had been dead for several months. If it is not too late, might we suggest that in fine weather the older and more. sedate classes might be allowed to do their work in the garden? Classrooms become somewhat stuffy in summer. It was rather unfortunate for the School football team that towards the end of the season their secretary wrote a letter and dislocated his shoulder, which prevented him from playing in some of the most important matches. Nevertheless the team won the Junior Championship, breaking, at the. same time, several records and collar-bones. We offer them our heartiest congratulations. Games, like many other things, have their seasons. Regularly as March comes round, the streets swarm with youths playing marbles. Feeling anxious to see how the game should be played, we watched more than once the actions of companies of street arabs. They seemed always to divide themselves into two parties, the one shouting " It is not," the other, " G'wa', it is sut," to their own complete satisfaction. As they never got farther than that, we resolved to observe the experts of our own Lower School. While we were thus engaged, a friend came up to us and said, " Do you know, this reminds me very much of the Stock Exchange in London. There is just one difference." " What is it? " said we, unsuspectingly. "Well, you see, the one is full of ' bulls' and ' bears,' the other of ' bools' and ' bairns.' " Before we recovered consciousness he had

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vanished, and to this day we have not mastered the science of marbles. The members of the School cricket team, as a rule, are not shy. At any rate, on railway journeys there is nothing reserved about the company except the compartment. Yet, when they go in to bat they are seized with a most incomThe result is a large number of prehensible modesty. " ducks." We suppose there is no help for this. Remedies have been suggested, but they have all been quack ones. Still, this is no uncommon thing in a School team ; so we hope they will not feel " unduly depressed." Courage! The proposed cadet corps has not come into effect. The School has gone a step higher and has formed a squad of Territorials. It is proud of them, but not so proud as they are of themselves. For more than a month these gallant youths have•been disporting themselves in the grounds, surrounded by crowds of admiring youngsters. After performing evolutions not mentioned in the Regulations, they have at last blossomed into fair specimens of recruits, thanks to the skill and patience of a most good-natured drill-sergeant. The rest of the School is very anxious to see them in their kilts. A gentleman with a talent for finance proposed that they should exhibit themselves in one of the rooms, and charge for admission, the proceeds to go to the Byron Statue Fund. So far, the suggestion has not been acted upon. In view of our Editor's appeal for an organ for the Hall, it is not surprising that the youth who brought a mouthorgan to school got a very warm reception. It was, however, scarcely of the nature he had anticipated. Music hath not always charms. " Musical."—There is no truth in the rumour that the Hall piano has been sold to a local tinsmith. " Disgusted."—Your remarks are quite uncalled for. The bats supplied to the School are made of the finest sapwood obtainable. It is with mingled feelings that we write our last Random Note. It reminds us that we must soon sever our immediate connection with the School round which for thirteen years our work and play have centred. The Magazine efforts have been a pleasant duty, and the day of issue a welcome break in the monotony of the daily routine. It only remains for us to wish our successor the best of fortune and as kindly criticism as we have had.

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The Bursary Competition, Igio. The old order changeth, and what the gods may shake out of their lap hereafter, who can venture to prophesy? It is at least satisfactory to reflect that in this the last year of " the Comp." as we have known it, the School is fairly entitled to congratulate itself on the marked successes of its candidates. With only 23 competitors in the field, from our two highest classes, we claim 18 in the list, four of them in the first eight, and no fewer than seven of the 18 hailing from Classical V. All in all, not since 1897 has the School done so well. Our heartiest congratulations to Tennant, Hyslop, Booth, Macrae, and the rest. It is a fitting climax to a year of exceptional brilliancy and success, as recorded' already in our last issue.

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The School Museum. Like the Library, this lives, Micawber-like, on what may turn up. Funds we have none, but not a few good friends who do not forget us. Of special note is a wonderfully beautiful series of the rare and dainty achatinella, 338 landshells from Hawaii and other islands of the Sandwich group, sent us by Louis Wilson, F.P., whose valuable gift we appreciate most for his kindly memory of the old School. Our collection of eggs still grows apace, thanks to Mr. R. W. Fenton's warm interest in it. Besides his own many generous gifts, including the nest and eggs of a robin, with the can in which he found them by the wayside, he has purchased for us with the surplus funds of the Natural History Society (now, alas! in a state of suspended animation) 1-5 and 1-5 fieldfare, 1-6 redwing, 1-4 black redstart, 1-8 hoopoe, 1-5 raven, 1-9 black grouse, 1-2 red-throated diver. 1-4 henharrier, 1-4 citril finch and nest, 1-5 serin and nest, 1-6 blackthroated wheatear, 1-5 great grey shrike, 1-8 harlequin duck with down. In addition, Mr. Fenton has given us 1 gannet, 1-3 shag, 1-g corncrake, 1-2 stone curlew, 1-4 lark, 1-5 jackdaw, 1-5 woodchat shrike, 1-1 Australian lyre bird, and the nest and 2 eggs of the tailor bird. Other recent additions are a sheet of " crape" rubber, with a pod of the rubber tree ; a stuffed chameleon, specimens of seed cotton, etc., from various parts of the world, presented by Mrs. Patterson ; 19 sorts of seeds, from Mr. R. W. Fenton ; 3 XVIII. Century students' admission tickets to Edinburgh University classes, by Mr. R. MurdochL awrance.

School Life under Melvin.

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School Life under Melvin. BY ALEXANDER FORBES.

Vividly can I recall the bright morning in October, 1845, when, with some eight other boys, I was conducted from the Town's Public Schools by Mr. Straith, the headmaster, along Belmont Street to the Grammar School, there to be introduced to the Rector, Dr. Melvin, and the master of the First Class, Mr. Alex. Beverly, under whose tuition we were to be placed. It was not without some trepidation that we passed along Belmont Street from the one school to the other, for among us was one boy (James Bremner) who had gone up the previous year to the Grammar School, but, in consequence of the severe treatment he had received at the hands of his master (the younger Dunn), returned, his hands bandaged with linen to conceal the cuts which had been inflicted on them by the too free use of the strap. I daresay I shared trepidation with the other boys, but I never was, personally, much afraid of a thrashing, and the pride at becoming a " Grammarian," and carrying in future my books to and from school not in a bag on my back, as hitherto, but encircled by a leather belt, overcame every other feeling. Mr. Beverly was a severe master, and not, I should say, successful teacher. He had little knowledge of boys' very a nature, and acted as if he believed that the only way to impart knowledge was by a constant use of the strap. My hands frequently smarted from his free application of the tawse, Other boys but the pain I always managed to conceal. were less able to do so, and one, who afterwards became a prominent advocate in Aberdeen. as soon as he was called out, howled so that we used to stop our ears with our.fingers till the castigation was ended. Another lad, John Collie, who died only a few years ago in Australia, where he had been a member of the Legislature, had so much aversion to the strap falling on his hands that he always withdrew them at the critical moment of contact, and was thereby on several occasions the cause of Beverly (who had one leg deformed) losing his balance and coming a cropper. To avoid this, he made Collie place his hand upon the desk : which was cruel, for it made the punishment much more severe. The other boys in the class, to their credit be it said,' gave strong manifestations of their disapprobation of such treatment.

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Two brothers, John and George Mackenzie, who went up with me from the Town's Schools, considered Beverly treated them so severely that they did not go with him to the Second Class, but remained another year in the First. As George kept about my position in the class, we chummed. He was a fine-looking boy (as were his three brothers), became a major in the army, and was for some time the champion chess player of the world. Two boys in the class had remarkable memories—John Anderson and John Cattanach (the latter went to sea, but afterwards settled in New Zealand, and was for several years a member of the Legislature there). Both could repeat the lesson on history for the day—some eight or ten pages— straight through without a hitch. They are dead many years, as, indeed, are all my class of over sixty. save Alexander Jopp of Woodhill, advocate in Aberdeen, and Colonel George Forbes Robertson, now of Cheltenham. Four very 'good scholars generally occupied the first faction—Stephen, Matthew, Smith, and Anderson. None of them, however, turned out successful in life, and they died early. Their position in the class arose, I believe, from their delicate health leading them to go in for study rather than sport. The boys I can remember as dunces, or who were generally far down in the class, have, so far as I have been able to trace them, been successful. Bonnet-fights among the classes were a great feature during the years I spent at the Grammar School, and it was not long before we were attacked by the Second Class. The fighting boys from the Third and Fourth Classes, as was customary, lent us their assistance—if not when we were attacked, certainly when we made an assault on the Second. These fights were no mere milk-and-water affairs. Our bonnets, which were mostly " Glengarries," were frequently tied tightly round with cord, and could deal a good blow on the head and face, sometimes to the effusion of blood. One nasty boy, Daniel by name, put his bonnet up the chimney, and left the mark of soot on those whom he struck. He got ostracised in consequence. We used to go fifteen or twenty minutes before the classes met, to get our fights over before the masters arrived. When I was in the Third Class we made a terrible attack, in support of the First, on the Second Class—it was the most determined I can remember. Our foes were packed on either side of the entrance door from the quadrangle, and access to the class-room seemed to be impossible ; but we

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had in our class some stalwart fellows, both big and brave, and we put them in front, and by sheer persistence and strength they forced an entrance, and we soon filled the breaches which Brownie (he was afterwards schoolmaster of Bellie), Ligertwood, Chapman, and Fraser had made. We drove the Second right up to the fireplace at the extreme end, and I had the misfortune to dislocate, with my hard bonnet, Torn Ogilvy's arm, which I came down upon while he held it in an awkward position to protect his face. I was afraid of the consequences, for the affair soon became known, but Ogilvy was a chum and a member of our Cricket Club, and the masters took no notice of the event. Beverly thought it was a Charles Forbes, in the Fourth Class, and the Rector that it was I, in the Third. I got a good many thrashings from Beverly when I was in the First Class, but only once from him when in the Second—for throwing snowballs in the quadrangle, and once in the Third. This did not arise from any subsequent improvement in either my lessons or conduct, but from a fortunate incident. My father, as was his habit with the masters under whom his sons were being taught, invited Beverly to tea and supper to Kingsland House. He was seated between my two sisters (I had retired by this time), and they, naturally, inquired how I was getting on with my education. His reply was—" Oh, Alexander would do very well, if he was not so frequently absent from School." This was a revelation, as my sisters knew I had never had occasion once to be absent on account of my health ; and when he further supplemented his statement by adding that I always brought a written excuse, in a lady's handwriting, the curiosity of both sisters became intense. When the party broke up, they came to my room and told me what I might expect from my father to-morrow for playing truant, and inquired who was the lady who wrote my excuses. I replied that both Beverly's statements were false, but, of course, I was not believed. Next day I was in disgrace with the whole family, but at four o'clock in the afternoon Beverly said he wanted to see me when the class was dismissed, as he had a letter he wished me to convey to my father. He did not state the contents, and it was only when my father read it that I learned he admitted having made a great mistake the previous night regarding my attendance at School, for he found, on going over the catalogue, I had only been once absent since I joined the class. iHe had confounded me with a boy, 'George Forbes Robertson, who

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sat beside me in the class, and I came off with flying colours at home, and in the School lost acquaintance with Beverly's strap ever afterwards, except on the two occasions previously mentioned. Before taking leave of the First Class, perhaps I should add what some may consider an extenuation of Beverly's severity—that on history days, when he was certain that at least half a dozen or more boys would fail to get creditably through their lesson, he would, after prayer, take the strap from the desk and stand in front of the fire with it behind his back, in order that the points might get so hard that fewer strokes would prove equally effective in producing the necessary punishment. What a mistake it surely is to suppose that erudition can be conveyed to high-spirited boys by physical suffering, applied either as a punishment or a deterrent. Although Beverly publicly announced to the class that he would punish still more severely in the Second Class those who would not prepare their lessons, he, as a matter of fact, made far less use of the strap. But he had recourse to an even more objectionable form of punishment. When boys failed in their history lessons, they had to write out, verbatim, the eight or ten pages, with the threat that, if not completed by to-morrow, or some nearly equally short date, they would have to furnish it in duplicate. What was the consequence? This: that the boys had to write all night, to the neglect of their lessons for the following day, besides greatly to the injury of their handwriting. Such a form of punishment ought not to have been permitted. I trust it is not practised in any of our Board schools to-day ; if it is, I should like to call Dr. Gordon Murray's attention to it. I remember, with some six other boys, following to his home on the Quay Andrew Bannerman, and threatening to brand him with a hot iron for some dastardly act he committed at School. He complained next morning to Beverly, and, as we could not deny it, we had each to write out eight pages of the history of Scotland by Thursday morning, failing which, the usual penalty of a duplicate. This punishment was pronounced on a Tuesday afternoon, the intervening Wednesday was the Sacramental fast day (strictly observed at the time I speak of), and the whole of that blessed day was occupied by me, with the aid of my two sisters, in completing the task. My handwriting, which hitherto had been very good, never altogether recovered. The cost of the paper was considerable, and, for the six boys,

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of considerable bulk, and what was our disgust when we discovered that within a few days our manuscripts had been disposed of to a tobacco and snuff retailer in the neighbourhood. In some way which I forget now, we communicated our knowledge to Beverly, and this form of punishment was not repeated. James Wilson Legge, afterwards a teacher in the School, went through the first four classes with me. He was an exceptionally good scholar, and an amiable, gentle, and most lovable boy. From what I saw of him at School and in after-life, I formed a very high opinion of his moral, as well as his intellectual gifts. His father, a worker in granite (I rather think with Alexander Macdonald, Constitution Street), was in 1846 (the year I am writing of) one of the local Chartists. They had threatened to come forth and sack the city on a certain Friday, and, as a precaution, we were dismissed at four o'clock, an hour earlier than usual, and instructed to go straight home. Some of us did not, and I think .Legge was one. Nothing serious, however, happened, for the War Office took the precaution to send a body of dragoons from Edinburgh, who were quartered in Mealmarket Street, and this completely intimidated the Chartists. They did no good in Aberdeen after thus showing the white feather ; and I remember my father telling me that he had some time afterwards met Mr. Legge, sen., and inquired why he had not for some time seen his name as being present at any of •the Chartist meetings. He replied --" Well, Baillie Forbes, as you have asked the question, I will just tell you frankly the reason. I have been an industrious, temperate, and frugal man all my life, and I have saved a little money and have now a granite-polishing yard of my own, and I must admit that very many of the working classes are no better than they are called." On the Friday afternoons 'two of the senior boys from the Rector's classes came into each class, and took a catalogue of the names of the boys present. They were called over in the public school-room on the following day at eleven o'clock, when every scholar was expected to be present and respond " Adsum!" to his name when called out. We afterwards returned to our respective class-rooms. I think the practice fell into desuetude before I left the Grammar School. I well remember James Donaldson being one of those who came in from the Rector's class, and also John Leslie (son of Baillie Leslie). He was the Dux of his class in 1846, and was later shipwrecked outside Port Adelaide.

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James Donaldson was private tutor to me for two years when I was at School. He used to come to my father's house from 7 to 8 o'clock to coach me up in my lessons. - He was a great character then, and is a great man now—Principal of St. Andrews University, an LL.D. and D.D. of the University of Aberdeen, and was some years ago made a knight by King Edward. He never taught me much, for the lessons were a very secondary consideration, but during that precious hour he greatly interested me in spinning yarns about " Deucalion and Pyrrha " and repeating screeds from Ovid's " Art of Love," and about how he could, while bathing in the sea, " tread " out a great distance, to the alarm of the Rescue and others on the beach. His talk was most ,ngaging, and gave undoubted evidence even then of the great genius which he has since shown in literature. Even with the advantage of a private tutor I never held a high position in my class. I did well at the Town's Public School in English, but I would not apply my mind to either Latin or Greek. I was fond of every sort of sport—racing, climbing, cricket, boating, etc., and I shirked my lessons, both at home and at School, whenever it was possible to do so. I was always fond of a " lark " or a practical joke. It was one of the latter that got me the only thrashing I received in the Third Class. The trouble arose over a boy B , whom I thoroughly disliked for his sneaking ways. It was a Version day, and I crawled under several forms (or factions, as we called them) till I reached where B-- was sitting. I thrust my steel pen into his leg, and retired backwards as fast as I could to regain my own place, but before I had reached it he had called out what I had done to him. Before I was able to make my appearance Beverly had called me out, and, flushed with my expedition, I had suddenly to explain what I had been about. I am afraid I did not speak the whole truth on that occasion. I said that my pen had slipped out of my hand and rolled for some distance away, and in picking it up I might have quite inadvertently put it into B 's leg, but it must have been purely accidental. My excuse was not accepted, and I got six "pandies" (as we called them). But I got my revenge on my accuser. I suborned my younger brother John to pummel him well in the Back Wynd, while I stood on and told B if he lifted a hand in self-defence I would make him that he could never get home again. He wisely lodged no complaint against me for the punishment he got. I can well remember when Mr. William Duguid Geddes

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first made his appearance at the School to succeed as master the younger Dunn. His tall, manly figure among the other masters in the public school had thrown over it a shepherd's plaid, and he had on a broad Tam o' Shanter bonnet, which gave him a very countrified appearance. It was said that when he entered his class-room he did not, as was customary, uncover, and the boys were not slow to mark their displeasure at his want of respect by booing, and shuffling with their feet. Geddes could not understand what it all meant, and looking as if he desired an explanation, one boy shouted, " Tak' aff your bonnet ! " a hint that he was not slow to take. Geddes was popular with his class from the first. I do not know what amount of knowledge generally was communicated to the pupils during the years they spent at The the Grammar School—I don't think a great deal. branches taught were limited to Latin, with a little history and geography for the first three years, while in the Rector's classes—the Fourth and Fifth—only Latin and Greek. I wonder how many, or, rather, how few, a dozen of years after leaving School could creditably construe a passage in either of these languages. Certainly the Grammar School, as I knew it, was largely conducive to developing the manly and heroic elements of one's nature. Fighting was the order of the day, not only among ourselves, but with outsiders wherever they could be met with. We were at chronic war with the boys at Ledingham's School in Correction Wynd, and with the boys at Gordon's Hospital adjoining the School. Once a year we had a regular pitched battle, when our utmost forces were gathered on both sides. This was on the night of the day when the annual prizes were competed for. It took place always on a Wednesday, and as the Town Clerk, Mr. John Angus, announced from the doorsteps of the First Classroom the successful competitors, between the hours of 8 and io, interest and curiosity brought us together in considerable numbers. Gordon's Hospital boys, who at that time all lived in the Hospital, were allowed to visit their friends during the afternoon and evening. They had to return not later than g o'clock, and they were as prepared for us as we for them. Fists were most generally used, but as years went on the feud became so bitter that sticks and stones were not wanting, and some of the bigger Hospital boys were known to have used knives occasionally. To be continued.

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The Grammar. The skweel that I lo'e best o' a'— It's stannin' yonner still sae braw— Is what the loons aye used to ca' The Grammar. Nae winner that I lo'e it wed! Its verra buildin' gart ye feel A likin' to atten' that skweel— The Grammar. But whan ye're aince a Grammar loon, Ye feel the proodest i' the toon, An' tak' the ither laddies roon' The Grammar. Can it be fowr an' thirty year, (Eh me! it nearly starts a tear), Sin', jist a loon, I first gaed near The Grammar? 'Twis Martin than wis Rector there : I hear him yet repeat the prayer, An' bless wi' sic a reverent air The Grammar. His only flaw wis in his e'e ; A perfec' gentleman wis he ; I think o' " Sandy " whan I see The Grammar. Richt sweer we were wi' him to pairt, Sae weel he kent the teacher's airt, An' this wis written on his hert— " The Grammar." The maister neist to him wis Still : Hoo gran' he pit ye " through the mill "! I'm sure 'twis him that helped to fill The Grammar. Ye min' he had an awfu' knack 0' boxin' loons upo' their back ; Whiles, infra dig. did " Boxer " mak' The Grammar.

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An' " Leggie " wis a maister than, Beloved as teacher an' as man ; 'Twis men like him that made sae gran' The Grammar. The man that left his mark on me Wis him we ca'd jist " Charlie " Sleigh, He best brings back to memory The Grammar. He left his mark on ae loon's skin He didna like ; oh ! sic a sin To mak' him roar sae loud, within The Grammar ! An' " Sammy " lang has teachin' been, Sae lo'ed by a' in Aiberdeen ; In mony diff'rent shapes he's seen The Grammar. Some loons there are that sune begin To fecht, an' think it no great sin ; " The Kits " wis jist the place—ahin' The Grammar. That place for fechtin' aye wis fawmous ; 'Twis " morituri salutamus " ! Ergo discipuli amamus The Grammar. " Pro patria mori bonum," says The Laitin, which we'll paraphrase As " Learn to fecht," an' sae we'll praise The Grammar. To some the fecht's been unco sair, An' some are fechtin' here nae mair ; I winner if they min', up there, The Grammar. The Grammar's verra diff'rent noo, An' a' to me is strange an' new, But oh ! hoo dearly yet I lo'e The Grammar! R. L. jAFFREY, Edinburgh.

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Our Letter-Box. The London Section. To the EDITOR of the Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine. Dear Sir,—I presume the Secretary of the London Section of the P.P. Club will be sending you a report of our recent attempts at social intercourse, but, as his kindly forbearance may prevent him from expressing his justifiable disappointment, I wish to bring before the Club, and particularly the London members, a few facts which I feel sure they would wish to learn for their edification and guidance in the future. Your previous issue mentioned that, at a smoking concert held last year, suggestions were invited for the extension of the London Section and its object of good-fellowship among members, and the sportsmanlike offer of a member present to guarantee any deficit made a suggested dance possible—doubts having been expressed of obtaining a sufficient number, particularly of ladies. It was felt also that a well-organised dance would afford an excellent opportunity to young bachelor members of recognising within their means friends with whose generous hospitality they could hardly as yet compete. Well, the dance was decided upon, was well organised, and was most excellently carried out by all concerned except —the members! Instead of 150 or zoo members and guests, a select but painfully minute company of 63 gathered together, ladies and gentlemen almost equally divided. This company consisted of 13 members and 5o guests, all of whom were brought to the dance by 9 of the 13 members. Just reflect on this wild enthusiasm, Mr. Editor! Out of well over too members residing in London, only 13 could bring themselves to back up the efforts of our energetic Secretary, Mr. Wilson, and, of these, only nine could be prevailed upon to return their friends' hospitality in an exceedingly enjoyable and recherché entertainment, at a trifling cost ; and what makes the thing look worse still, is the fact that, had three members, with their guests, failed to put in an appearance, the total number present would have been 23, in a hall providing accommodation for 15o. The result is that our friend the guarantor has had to make good a considerable deficit, and feelings of relief and satisfaction seem to prevail because he can afford to pay!

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Personally, I feel so thoroughly ashamed of that deficit, that I would willingly offer to share it, did I not feel that the member in question might resent interference with his generosity. I have always been proud of many characteristics of the Aberdonian, and particularly of his " go " and his independ-ence, and I am not without hope that subsequent proceedings of the London members may justify my feeling, but I confess to having received a slight shock. Let us be frank with each other. If London members do not care to take a little trouble, or if they consider a London Section and a hustling Secretary rather a nuisance, let them say so, and they can be dropped while young. But if they think that such a movement will promote interest in the grand old School and its associations, and promote good and helpful fellowship among members, let them make some little effort to help. It surely can be little satisfaction to them to know that many similar institutions flourish in London, and the F.P. Club here must inevitably collapse for lack of a very trifling sacrifice of their time.—Believe me, yours faithfully, GEO. WATSON. 140 Cromwell Road, London, S.W., 26th May, 1g1a School Cricket in the 'Seventies. We have received from Dr. J. Robertson Reid, 87 Liverpool Road, Birkdale, Southport, Lancs, a letter, in which he says :— "I have recently received a copy of the Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine, which publication always gives me the greatest pleasure. Any news about the dear old School is of intense interest to me. In my time cricket and rugger'. were the staple sports, and what grand games there were in those days. I used to keep the scoring-book at cricket matches, so I ought to know. There was Sammy Macpherson, a fine bat, and the best round-arm bowler I ever saw. (Round-arm bowling has about gone out in favour of over-hand.) There were also poor Johnny Lamb and John Inglis, both steady bats, who always went in first, to break the bowling up. Lamb became a doctor, went to Borneo, then returned to London, and came to an untimely end from an overdose of a drug accidentally administered. John Inglis, also a medicine man, is, or was in Hastings until recently. There was also Bill .Mackinnon, then a fine bowler and bat, now a stockbroker in Aberdeen. One memorable

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match I remember, when we challenged the Aberdeen Cricket Club (what cheek !), and beat them, too. I have been an exile in England for 27 years since graduating in Medicine, so have seen little of the grand old School, but I am never tired of reading about it in your excellent Magazine. The formation of an F.P.'s Club was a capital idea." A Gift from Hawaii. Another interesting letter is from the Sandwich Islands. Louis Wilson, to whose great kindness the School is indebted for the splendid photographs which adorn the classrooms, has sent to the Rector a beautiful collection of shells for the Museum. We thank him most cordially. In a letter to Mr. Simpson, he says :— " One day, while loafing round my garden, I picked up what I took to be a marine shell, and wondered by what means it got there. Shortly afterwards I picked up some more, and, on inquiring, found they were not marine, but land shells—Achatinella. They are not even mentioned in the old Chambers's Encyclopaedia that I have by me ; hence, I expect they are rather uncommon in the old country. " By the same post as this I send a pamphlet on the sub, ject and, by parcel post, a selection of different specimens from different islands of this group, each island selection being in a separate parcel. " If, when you see them, you think they are of sufficient interest to add to the Grammar School Museum, I shall be glad if you will accept them. The shells are rather fragile, and had to be carefully packed, but they should reach you all right. I have no idea how specimens like these are displayed in a museum, not being a collector at all, but if you think them worth adding to the School collection I shall be glad to defray the expense of a showcase, or frame, or whatever they are mounted on. Just drop a postcard to my address saying what the cost will be, and I shall remit at once. To give a few paltry specimens, and then leave to the presentee the expense of mounting them, savours too much of the Pyrrhic victory to be pleasant. " I am getting on all right here, and am obtaining some insight into plantation accounting. The climate in this part of Hawaii is like a perpetual summer. I have a decent house, and the work, while steady and interesting, is not too hard for me. The school education procurable here, how-

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ever, is distinctly on a lower standard than my boys would get at home, and I am unwilling to take them out. I was, and am, very anxious to have them educated at the old School. " The Grammar School Magazine comes regularly, and it is always interesting. An article by W. Keith Leask in the last one was capital. I was at the School at the same time as him, but in a lower class, but I ' mind him fine.' " Our Old Boy in Manila.

William MacGavin writes an interesting letter from the Philippine Islands, asking to be enrolled in the F.P. Club, and hungering for news of the old School. He has now been two months in Manila; and is busy renewing old friendships of his very early days there. His only objection to the East is the heat. A short time ago he played in a local cricket match which commenced at 6 a.m., but, notwithstanding the early start and that it was also the cool season, the skin came peeling off him in strips for weeks after. So he has had to give cricket a rest. He will always be remembered at the School for the naive way in which he once began an essay on Naval Warfare :—" The last naval battle I saw began at the foot of our garden in Manila "—just as if naval fights were as common as blackberries. He wishes the School gOod luck.

Our Contemporaries. We acknowledge with thanks the following magazines. We regret that pressure on space again precludes any review :— " Edinburgh Academy Chronicle " (3), " Fettesian " (3), " C.A.I.," " Scotch Collegian," " Nelsonian," " Forum," Courier " (3), " Watsonian," " Mercers' Magazine," " Olavian," " Portmuthian " (2), " Courier," " Belfast Academical," "High School Magazine" (Liverpool, N.Y.), "Glasgow Academy Chronicle," " St. Andrew's College" (Grahamstown).

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

Mr. Keith Leask's New Book.

MUSA LATINA ABERDONENSIS : POET.E MINORES. Edited by WILLIAM KEITH LEASK, M.A. New Spalding Club. Pp. xxxii. + 48o, with three portraits in photogravure. This volume, soon to be issued, will be welcomed with treble interest by many of our readers, for the many curious sidelights it throws on quaint and forgotten byways of local history, for its frequent notices of old scholars and teachers of the School, and, most of all, for the sake of the Editor himself, our witty and learned schoolfellow, as ready to cheer our own humble pages with his curiosa felicitas, as to produce this monument of piety—truly a labour of love. Mr. Keith Leask's preface, supplemented by his notes on the text, constitutes a most valuable chapter in the history of the Scot Abroad, and is beyond price to the future historian of our School. No less than four of the Rectors are passed under review, a very remarkable quartette— Carmichael, Cargill, David Wedderburn, and his sometime co-Rector, Thomas Reid, afterwards Latin Secretary to James VI. Duncan Liddel, too, occupies a prominent place, all the more welcome as, thanks to Mr. P. J. Anderson, we have recently acquired his portrait, probably the earliest extant portrait of a Former Pupil. Still earlier, in the hurlyburly of the Reformation, we have the fiery Thomas Dempster, who had, perhaps, the most hugely developed " bump" of approval of Self & Co. of any Scot, or even Aberdonian, dead or alive. We can claim, too, John Johnston, and almost certainly Peter Davidson, founder of the University of Copenhagen, not the last university that owns its origin to one of ours, as the portrait in our Hall of Dr. William Smith, founder of the University of Pennsylvania, testifies. The Latin text of these old worthies will probably attract far less than the Editor's own biographical notes. But making due allowance for the fulsome note of panegyric which is apt to pervade such writings and their counterpart, the " pulpit references " in our modern press, there is not a little to admire in the ingenuity, wide reading, and scholarship of the writers, not without touches of poetry, especially where they cut adrift from their classical moorings, and sing of what they really saw and felt. Readers of Mr. Keith Leask's delightful article in our last issue will join us heartily in congratulating him on the appearance of this handsome volume, finding in it fresh expression of that loyalty to School, University, and City, which is not the least of his many admirable qualities of heart and head.

"Debater" Notes.

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" Debater " Notes. 14th January, 1910.—On this date Mr. W. Munson,. M.A., Honorary President, delivered a lecture in Room I. on " Robert Fergusson and His Time." Mr. A. F. Hyslop occupied the chair. The lecture was a very instructive one, and, at the same time, delivered in a most interesting fashion. Mr. Murison gave a short account of the poet's life and genealogy, showing the connection between him and. Rev. James Smith, Convener of the High Schools Committee, and then discussed his poetry. Mr. Booth proposed' a vote of thanks which was heartily accorded by the Society. 21st January, 1910.—The Society met on the above evening in Room I.—Mr. A. F. Hyslop in the chair. The business of the evening was a debate, " Ought we to have Conscription? " Aff., Mr. T. O. Robson ; Neg., Mr. W. Mackinnon. Mr. Robson led off with a carefully prepared and well-reasoned paper, containing many telling arguments in favour of conscription. Mr. Mackinnon delivered an excellent paper in opposition to Mr. Robson, working up his side with great skill. The vote resulted in favour of the negative side. After a vote of thanks to both members, the Society broke up. 28th January, 1910.—On this evening the Society met to hear a lecture from Professor Davidson, LL.D., on " The Poetry of Plant Names." Mr. C. Davidson, M.A., Honorary Vice-President, introduced the lecturer. Professor Davidson: then delivered an exceedingly interesting lecture. By many examples, he showed the audience how much poetry a little imagination could get out of the names of the most commonplace flowers. The Society showed its keen appreciation throughout the lecture, and accorded with the utmost cordiality the vote of thanks proposed by Mr. C. Davidson. 4th February, 1910.—On the above date the Rev. F. J. Rae, M.A., delivered a lecture to the Society on " Dante and His Time "—Mr. H. F. Morland Simpson, B.A. (Cantab), in the chair. Mr. Rae gave first a short life of Dante, and then described the poet's conception of Earth, Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise, finishing with an exhortation to the audience to read Dante and enjoy him for themselves. The lecture throughout was most enjoyable. Mr. Simpson, in a few suitable words, called for a vote of thanks, which was given very heartily. The Hat Night held afterwards called forth many poor debates and speeches.

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

11th February, 1910.—On the above date the Society met in Room I.—Mr. A. Johnstone in the chair. The business of the evening was a paper by the President on " Great Musicians, their Humours and Peculiarities." Mr. Hyslop delivered a very interesting and amusing paper to an appreciative audience, and was cordially thanked at the close. The remainder of the evening was filled up by a Sing-Song, in which Mr. Newton played a large part, Mr. Hyslop acting as accompanist. The meeting (the last of the season) closed with hearty votes of thanks to the various officials of the Society. Altogether, the Society had a most successful season. The meetings were, as usual, somewhat boisterous, but were better attended and more interesting than they have been for several years. The lectures, too, were all excellent, and we are greatly indebted to the gentlemen who so willingly gave us of their time and talent. We hope that next year the Society will surpass all previous efforts, and have a most prosperous and enjoyable season. •

Football Notes. 15th I anuary,19.ro.—School v. Gordon's College F.P.'s. —Final scores :—School, 20 points (2 goals 4 tries); G.C.F.P.'s, o. 5th February, zpzo.—School v. 2nd Queen's Cross.— This match was played at Summerhill on a good playing pitch. For the first quarter of an hour play was fairly even, both sides striving hard to open the scoring. Then Mackenzie and G. Leith had a lovely dribble from midfield, off which the former scored. D. Leith converted with a fine kick. Bannochie's attempt at a free kick almost opened the Queen's score. D. Anderson, following up a kick by Mackintosh, took the ball at full speed and scored a lovely try, which Leith failed to convert by inches. Spark and D. Leith each contributed a try before half-time, when the scores were :—School, 16 points (2 goals 2 tries) ; Queen's Cross, 0. The second half was more evenly contested, and both sides played well. Soon W. Anderson, securing the ball from a " 25," rushed right through the Queen's team and scored a beautiful try. Fyvie, after some exciting play near the School's line, getting the ball from the scrum, scored behind the posts, and Bannochie converted. The School

School Football Notes.

• •

143

•

played very well, and outclassed their far heavier opponents in every branch, and thoroughly deserved their win. 12th February, 19m.—The School team, being Junior Champions for the year, had to play on this date the 2nd City, a team chosen from all the other teams in the Junior League. The match was played at Mannofield on a very soft and treacherous pitch. Macrae kicked off for the School, and play settled down in the City territory. The game was well contested, and was full of excitement. A free kick, taken by Knox, brought relief to the City, and Knox had hard lines in not scoring, the ball striking the upright and stotting back into play. The City men were seen to be heavier in the scrum than the School, who, however, got a fair share of the ball. After some hard pressing by the City, the School forwards broke away, and now took the offensive. Some passing amongst the " threes " led' to Thomson scoring Leith brought out full points. right between the posts. Soon after, the half-time whistle blew with the score :— School, 5 points (i goal) ; 2nd City, o. The second half was practically a repetition of the first. Both sides fought hard and well, and there was little to choose between them. Towards the end Knox scored from a free kick, but despite their utmost efforts the 2nd City could not win or draw. The School played the game of the season. and gave a splendid exhibition. 26th February, 1910.—School v. Gordon's College.— This match was played at the School on a Tuesday afternoon in fine weather. The School pressed at the beginning of the game, and, from a scrum near the Gordon's line, Stewart secured the ball and scored a good try, which was not converted. The " 25 " did not bring much relief, for the School forwards were soon back on the line. A break away by the Gordon's forwards took them into the School " 25," and for some time the School defence was kept busy. The School, however, soon returned to the attack, and from a scrum the ball came out to the " threes," and, after some passing, Anderson scored. Leith converted. A few minutes later Johnstone rushed in and scored another try, Leith again bringing out full points. Half-time :—School, 13 points (2 goals I try) ; Gordon's, o. After the interval the School were kept very much on the defensive, and had to defend their own line. Soon MacCallan scored for Gordon's, while Stronach converted. Soon after, Russell Final scores :—School, 13 scored an unconverted try.

144

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

points (2 goals i try) ; 'Gordon's, 8 points (i goal i try). In the second half the School were greatly handicapped by the absence of three of their forwards, which accounts for theirgreat falling off towards the end. sth March, 1910.—On this date the School played their final match of the season, our opponents being the 2nd F.P.'s. The match was played at Mannofield, and neither team was, fully represented. In the first few minutes of the game, Hepburn secured the ball for them and scored. The try was not converted. The School forwards showed great superiority over the F.P.'s pack, and only the good play of their backs prevented the School from scoring several times. At half-time the F.P.'s had a lead of 3 points. After the interval the School returned to the attack, and, after some very vigorous and hard play, Thomson scrambled through and scored beside the corner flag. Leith, with a splendid kick, brought out full points. Still the School kept up the attack, and shortly before time Stewart smartly nipped up the ball from a maul and scored between the posts. Leith again converted. Final scores :-School, to points (2 goals) ; F.P.'s, 3 points (I try). The School played up to their usual form, and again showed what Junior Rugby is.

Cricket Notes. Only two members of last year's team have returned this season—A. Johnstone as Captain, and J. Mackintosh as Secretary ; but even already a very promising team has been got together. There are many steady and reliable batsmen in it, while the bowling is of a very high-class and varied order. As yet the fielding has been very good, but it could still be improved on. More careful practice at the nets and some more experience ought to give good results. A very attractive list of fixtures has been drawn up, and, without a doubt, if weather considerations are favourable, a splendid season ought to be experienced. The season opened with a practice match against 'Varsity A at King's, which the School lost by a few runs ; while in a Classical v. Modem match at the School, the Classicals won by 99 runs.

School Cricket Notes.

'45

.r_th May, iglo.—The first regular match was played against our old rivals of Gordon's College at King's on this date. The pitch was in splendid playing condition and the weather could not have been better. The School batted first, and opened with A. Irvine and J. Mackintosh. The commencement was disastrous for the School. Irvine was caught at slips in the second over, before a run was scored, while G. Carroll followed him two overs later, with two singles to his credit. Mackintosh continued to play with his usual care and science, but no one else made any show. J. Elmslie had 2, W. C. Mackinnon and G. Davidson, 1 each. Mackintosh carried his bat right through the innings for a well-played 1 o. Two extras brought the total to 18. In the Gordon's innings, though three wickets were down for 2 runs, Booth, Young, and Napier quickly brought up the total to 28. Johnstone, who was in good bowling form, had A six wickets for 7 runs, while Elmslie had two of 16. second innings was played, but the School did not improve their position much. J. S. B. Forbes was top scorer with i 0. The total was only 24. To this Gordon's replied with 17 for four wickets, thus winning by six wickets. 21st May, 1910.—Our first away engagement was played at Castle Park, Huntly, against Gordon Schools. Glorious weather prevailed, and it was an ideal day for cricket. Again the School batted first, opening with J. Mackintosh and A. Irvine. The latter, however, was bowled by Farquharson, after scoring a single. G. A. Carroll and T. Robson got together, and began to hit out, so that the fourth wicket fell for i8. The other wickets fell rapidly, but G. Davidson and Robson (who was still in) brought the total from 21 to 41. The complete score was 42. The home team then batted, and the score rose fairly rapidly. A. Dey had 8, A. Amid great excitement, Smith 12 not out, A. Watt 7. 42 was reached. A single gave a win. Next ball the last wicket fell. A second innings was played, and the respectable total of 58 was reached. To this score Robson contriThe buted 17, A. V. Cantlay io, and G. A. Carroll 9. Huntly second innings only reached 49, 13 of which was got In first innings, by Farquharson and 20 by A. Watt. Johnstone had four wickets for 14, Mackintosh six for 29 ; in second innings, Johnstone had four for 23, Mackintosh five for 23. We must thank our opponents for the very exciting game and for the very enjoyable tea we got between the innings.

146

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine. FIRST

SCHOOL.

J. Mackintosh, c and b Farquharson 2 A. Irvine, b Farquharson 5 G. A. Carroll b Mitchell 5 T. Robson, hit wkt. b Dickie 57 J. S. B. Forbes, c and b Wilson 2 A. V. Cantlay, lbw. b Farquhar son 5 W. C. Mackinnon, b Wilson 5 T. Menzies, b Wilson.......... o K. Robson, c and b Farquharson o A. Johnstone, not out i G. Davidson, c and b Wilson 6 Extras 6 Total

SECOND INNINGS.

c Dey b Dickie. c Mitchell b Dickie c Archibald b Smith... c Farquharson b Watt... b Farquharson

7 o g 57 o

c Dickie b Smith c Farquharson b Smith not out b Farquharson c Lewis b Dickie b Farquharson Extras

Total ON SCHOOLS. SECOND INNINGS. J. Archibald, b Mackintosh o c Davidson b Mackintosh A. Dey, b Mackintosh 8 b Johnstone C. Lewis, c Davidson b Johnstone 5 c Johnstone b Mackintosh R. Farquharson, b Mackintosh o c Cantlay b Mackintosh T. Mitchell, c Davidson b Johnstone 2 b Johnstone A Smith, not out... 12 c Mackinnon b Mackintosh A. Watt, b Johnstone b Davidson.. 7 J. Dickie, b Mackintosh o c Mackintosh b Johnstone A. Wilson, c Carroll b Johnstone 5 c Robson b Mackintosh A. Crighton, c Robson b Mackintosh b Johnstone 4 H. James b Mackintosh o not out Extras o Extras _ Total Total 43 FIRST INNINGS.

o 3 2

GOAD

0 0

4 13

I 6 20

o o 4 0

I — 49

28th May, 1910.—On this date the School team travelled to Ellon to play the Ellon Gordon at Gordon Park. The School batted first, but could make nothing of the bowling. Five wickets fell for no runs, and the total of 12 was reached, Cantlay being top scorer with 4. G. R. Coutts was deadly with the ball, getting four wickets for i run. H. J. Milne began to make the fielders lively, hitting all round the wicket, and scoring 18 before he was very smartly stumped by Cantlay. Most of the rest made a few runs, and 39 of a total was reached. This is considerably better than last year's performance, for the School did not put the Ellon out under 121 runs. ,Mention must be made of the smartness of Cantlay ib&ind the wickets and of Davidson's fine catch, which evoked the cheers of .the spectators. The School got a second innings, and did a little better with 16, of which Elmslie had 7. Milne had four wickets for no runs. The School has reason to be proud of so small a defeat against so senior a team as the Ellon Gordon. We have to thank them also for the sumptuous repast they so kindly provided for us.

The Former Pupils' Club.

147

The Former Pupils' Club. Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting of the Club was held in the Palace Hotel on the evening of Thursday, 28th April. There was a good attendance of members present, and Mr. A. G. Nicol Smith, the Vice-President of the Club, was unanimously elected Chairman of the meeting. After the notice calling the meeting had been read, the Chairman called upon the Hon. Secretary and Treasurer to submit the Executive's Report for the year ending 15th April, 1910, which is as follows :— Annual Report for year ending 15th April, lolo. The Executive has pleasure in submitting the Eighteenth Annual Report of the Club. THE MEMBERSHIP. The number of members on the roll is as follows :— 126, . . . . Life Members . . . Ordinary Members . • 730, 3o, . . . Hon. Members . . giving a total of 886, as compared with i55 last year, an increase of 16 Life Members and 115 Ordinary Members. PUBLICATION OF THE SCHOOL REGISTER. The Executive is exceedingly gratified that the membership has again been substantially increased. This is due in large measure to the publication, as a supplement to the issues of the Magazine since last October, of sections of the Register of Pupils of the School from the year 183o onwards. The object in publishing these lists has been to give the members of the Club the opportunity of identifying and annotating the names of former classfellows, or others, about whom they have knowledge. So far only a small proportion of the members have taken the trouble to return the supplements annotated, but the Executive hopes that, when the others learn of the increase of members which has resulted from the information already sent to the Secretary, they will be induced to do all they can to enlarge the Club membership still further, by devoting a little time to annotating and returning the Register sheets as issued. If they do this,

1 4S

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

there can be no doubt that, as the publication proceeds, many Old Boys will be enrolled as members who have not yet heard of the Club's existence. The printing of the Register will, of course, take considerable time to complete, but the necessary preliminary work is well advanced, and there will be no difficulty in publishing the supplements regularly. The expense of printing is heavy, but the Executive feels that the outlay is already justified, and that in the years to come the Club will reap an increasing financial benefit. In addition, it is felt that the Club could be encouraging no more worthy object than the compilation of a trustworthy record of former pupils of the School. In this connection the thanks of the Club are due to Mr. Theodore Watt. M.A., who has already devoted much time to the preliminary work in connection with the printing of the Register, and who, after it is seen what help the members of the Club are to give in annotating the various names, will institute a systematic investigation with a view to the identifying of all the former pupils named, so far as this is now possible. THE " MAGAZINE." The Magazine, which was taken over by the Club three years ago, has not only kept up the reputation which it had already established, but has enhanced it considerably by the excellence of the numbers published during the past year. The Editors have spared no effort to make it interesting to all readers, and a medium whereby Old Boys resident in various parts of the world may be linked to their old School. It is exceedingly gratifying to the Editors to learn that members of the Club in all parts of the globe appreciate the Magazine very highly. THE BYRON STATUE. The Executive appointed a Sub-Committee at the beginning of the year to consider what steps, if any, should be taken regarding the carrying out of the Byron Statue Scheme. The Sub-Committee, after having gone carefully into the matter, resolved to recommend that the Club should open a Fund in order to assist the Byron Statue Committee to complete the movement at an early date. This was agreed to, and the Executive is glad to say that, as a result, a sum of over has been already subscribed. They would appeal to all those members who have not already subscribed to send a subscription, however small, to the Secretary of the Club. .

The Pot iner Pvils' Club.

1 49

4TH BATTALION GORDON HIGHLANDERS (T.F.) COMPANY. Within the last few weeks a number of Old Boys have joined the 4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders (T.F.), and have formed an F.P. Section which has 36 members on its roll. It is intended to have a separate Company at na distant date, composed solely of Old Boys, and the Executive trusts that this movement, which is so deserving of success, will be heartily supported, not only by Old Boys, but also by present pupils in their last year at School. Colonel Stewart, the officer commanding the Battalion, and many of the other officers are Old Boys, and they are looking forward with great pleasure to having a highly efficient Company, and will do everything in their power to make it a great success. CLUB MEDALS. The Club, as usual, presented medals to the best English and Science scholars in the School, and there was keen competition for these. LONDON SECTION. The London Section of the Club, which began last year with a membership of about so, has, under the enthusiastic guidance of the Hon. Secretary, Mr. T. J. Wilson, C.A., increased its membership to over ioo, and has during the year held a most successful Dinner and a thoroughly enjoyable- • " Cinderella." Its success is now absolutely assured, and any member who wishes notices concerning it should inform Mr. Wilson, whose address is 37 Suffolk House, Cannon Street, London, E.C. ORCHESTRAL SECTION. The Orchestral Section, which met on Saturday evenings throughout the winter, was organised on a new basis at the beginning of the season. The services of a professional Conductor and a professional Leader were obtained, and it says much for the enthusiasm of the members that they gladly guaranteed amongst themselves the payment of the necessary fees. There is no doubt that the good results achieved during the year now ended are in great measure due to the reorganisation. There has been an averageattendance of about 20 members, several of whom, it is worthy of note, are present pupils of the School. The work of the season was brought to a conclusion by a largely attended concert, at which the Orchestra had the much-appreciated assistance of members of the Dramatic Section and of several local vocalists. Any Old Boy or Present Pupil who.

iso

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

is musically inclined will be heartily welcomed as a member for the coming year, and should communicate with Mr. J. C. Lyon, pp Carden Place. VARIOUS SOCIAL FUNCTIONS. As to social functions, the Annual Dinner, which was held on 3oth October in the Grand Hotel, was very successful, even although the Dinner Committee was unable this year, through force of circumstances, to obtain any distinguished Old Boy as the guest of the Club. The entertainment given by the Dramatic Section in the School Hall was even more successful than in previous years, and the audiences on the three nights of the performances highly appreciated the excellent acting and the manner in which the play was staged. As the result of the performances, the Dramatic Section has handed a handsome donation to the Register Scheme Fund of the Club, for which the thanks of the Executive are especially due. The Section greatly regrets the departure of Mr. J. H. N. Craigen for the East, but is confident that the other members will do their utmost to continue its success in the future as in the past. The Annual Ball, which was held in the Music Hall on 27th December, was again exceedingly well attended, and was as enjoyable and successful as former ones. The thanks of the Executive are due to Mr. W. Mackintosh for the excellent manner in which he carried out the duties of Secretary of the Ball Committee. The arrangements for the Annual " Cinderella " were in the hands of the Rugby Football Club, and it was also very successful The Club Evenings Committee, in making arrangements for the past winter, endeavoured to cater for all tastes in the Club, but, unfortunately, the attendance on Tuesday Evenings this winter has not been so good as in the past, and the new Executive will have to consider the question of the continuance of these Evenings. The Lectures arranged by the Club Evenings Committee were, however, very successful, and, in particular, there was a very good attendance at the lecture by Mr. Ronald M`Neill. FOOTBALL SECTION. The Football Section has, unfortunately, not done so well this year as in past years, but, of course, every football club has its ups and downs, and there is no doubt that, with several promising boys coming into its ranks in the future, it will regain its old prestige.

ADStraCt OI Accounts IOC rear enaing 15tH

April, 1910.

REVENUE.

EXPENDITURE.

(I) Cash in hand and Invested Funds at 16th April, '909 £200 0 11 ( 2) Subscriptions :— Life Members— At 16th April, 1909 - 110 Admitted during year 1909-10 i6 £33 12 O Additional Subscriptions from Old Members 2 2 O Ordinary Members— (a) Subscriptions credited previous to 16th April, 1909 - 15 (b) Arrears recovered to date 4 2 6 (c) Subscriptions paid in advance 9 5 O (d) Aberdeen Subscriptions paid during 1909-10 - 574 71 1 5 O (e) London Subscriptions paid - 84 IO IO 0 during 1909-10 (f) Outstanding to date 57 (g) Honorary Members 30 131 6 6 886

Miscellaneous London Section

•

39 1 5 1 4

5-1 5

Lecture and Smoking Concert Orchestral Section Club Evenings London Section Development Scheme Register Scheme -

Magazine -

(Net cost) do. do. •

Miscellaneous— (a) General and Working Expenses (b) Postages -

•

(Net cost) 6 5 17 6

£4 9 3 19 3 19 5 13 7 8

O O 7 6 7+

22 15

- £28 13

Cash in hand and Invested Funds at 15th April, 1910 Applicable as regards Capital as follows :— Amount at 16th April, 1909 - £1S4 Add-Life Members admitted during 1909-10 - Z33 12 O Original Members' Donations 2 2 O Ordinary Subscriptions paid in advance during 1909-to 9 5 O £44 19 O

34 I1 O 270 7 6

Less—Ordinary Subscrip-

•

tions paid in advance prior to 16th April, 1909, applicable to current year

£372

7 3+

1 17 6

227 15 6 £372

ABERDEEN, 28th Aka, 1910.—We have examined the foregoing Abstract of the Treasurer's Accounts, compared same with the vouchers, and found it correct. (Signed) BOWER & SMITH, C.A., Auditors.

152

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT. The Treasurer's accounts, after being duly audited, show that the balance at the beginning of the present financial year amounted to £200 OS. I id. The revenue for the year from all sources amounted to £309 8s. 8 IZ d., and the expenditure to £239 2s. Od., leaving a balance of £270 7s. 6d., of which sum £227 15s. 6d. is capital. This capital represents the total of all Life Members' subscriptions, along with ordinary subscriptions paid in advance, and is invested to the extent of £too in 4. per cent. Debentures of the Scottish Northern Investment Trust, Ltd., the balance being in the Savings Bank and in the London and Aberdeen Treasurers' hands. It is most satisfactory to have to record that the capital is not only being maintained, but that there is always a small balance of revenue over expenditure. The above-mentioned amounts do not include the subscriptions to the Byron Statue Fund. IN GENERAL. In conclusion, the Executive desires to point out that much good work is being done by the Club, but that if it possessed the requisite funds much more could be done. The expenses in connection with the compiling of the Roll of Old Boys will be considerable for the next few years, and the Executive will be glad to receive intimation of donations or legacies, either for this particular purpose or for any other purpose, from those members who desire to remember the Old School and assist its Old Boys' Club. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the Report, stated that it gave a very full account of the activities of the Club, and showed that both financially and otherwise it was in a most flourishing condition. Professor William L. Davidson, LL.D., President of the Club, in seconding, stated that it was indeed a pleasure to be present at the Annual Meeting of the Club and to find that it was prospering and maintaining the reputation which it had attained during past years. He mentioned that it had been a great pleasure to him to be associated with the Club as its President for the past two years, and that he was quite sure that in the future Old Boys, in whatever part of the world they were situated, would take even a greater interest in it than they had done in the past.

The Former Pupils' Club.

1 53

The Report was unanimously adopted. The Chairman then asked the meeting to homologate the recommendation of the Executive that a further sum of L.50 be placed in Debentures of the Scottish Northern Investment Trust, Ltd., and, on the motion of Mr. E. W. Watt, seconded by Mr. Alex. Taylor, it was unanimously resolved to authorise this investment. The meeting then proceeded to elect office-bearers for the ensuing year, and a note of these is given on another page. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the Chairman, the Treasurer, and the Executive, for the able manner in which they had conducted the affairs of the Club during the past year.

The London Section. Annual Dinner and Business Meeting. The Annual Dinner was held in the Waldorf Hotel on Tuesday, 8th February, 191o—Sir William Watson Cheyne, Bart., in the chair. At the meeting preceding the dinner, and presided over, in the absence of the chairman, by Mr. George Watson, the following Committee was elected to hold office till the next annual meeting :—Messrs. J. Hall Barron, Wm. Hutcheon, Douglas Jamieson, Alfred Melvin, F. V. Morton, L. H. Ross, Geo. Watson, and Wm. Willox. Mr. T. J. Wilson was re-elected Honorary Secretary. The following company then sat down to dinner :—Sir Wm. Watson Cheyne (chairman), Doctors A. Milne-Robertson, R. L. Brander, J. C. Philip and guest, D. T. Skeen, F. W. Davidson and guest, James Crabb and guest, J. Black Milne, Messrs. Douglas Jamieson, Wm. Willox, W. A. Henderson and guest, F. V. Morton, Alfred Melvin, Alex. Turreff, Jas. Strachan, Wm. Webster and five guests, Geo. Watson and two guests, J. Hall Barron, Jas. W. Milne and guest, H. L. Pirie, Wm. Hutcheon and guest, T. J. Wilson and guest, and a representative of the Aberdeen Free Press. After the loyal toasts had been duly honoured, the Chairman, in an ,eloquent speech, containing many touching allusions to the •old School and City, gave " The Club and School," and Mr. Milne, the Secretary of the parent Club, in replying, gave a brief sketch of the history and work of the Club, not forgetting to mention the Byron Statue scheme, for the com-

154

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

pletion of which the Club is at present raising funds. In replying for "The Guests," toasted by Dr. Milne-Robertson, Mr. J. Rothbach, in a few witty words, complimented the Granite City on its beauty, its breezes, and its whisky. Other toasts were " The Entertainers," proposed by Mr. Willox and replied to by Mr. Watson, and " The Chairman," proposed by Mr. Webster. During the evening a telegram was received containing the good wishes of the members then meeting at the Grand Hotel, Aberdeen, and to this the Chairman sent a suitable reply. An excellent programme was contributed to by Miss Helena Spicer, Dr. Milne-Robertson (recitations), Mr. Douglas Jamieson, Mr. Spencer Thomas, Mr. Dunhill (piano), Mr. Jock Stott, Mr. Watson, Dr. Philip, and Mr. Morton (piano). Towards the end of the evening the chairman was, unfortunately, called away, but his place was admirably filled by Dr. Milne-Robertson. Cinderella Dance. The first dance of the London Section was held in the Waldorf Hotel on Saturday, 5th March, 1910, when, in spite of the fact that of the 63 persons present only 13 were members of the Section, good catering, good music, and a comfortably filled room all combined to make the evening pass in a most enjoyable manner. Many of the ladies present were disappointed at the absence of the Highland costume, but this was in some degree compensated for by the inclusion in the programme of an eightsome reel, which if perhaps not performed in tip-top Caledonian style, was nevertheless successful in arousing the enthusiasm of most, and the interest and admiration of the remainder, of the guests from both sides of the Border. Openings for F.P.'s. Young F.P.'s seeking situations at home or abroad might find it worth while to communicate with the London Secretary, who frequently hears of openings, the F.P.'s who have the filling of them being in most cases very willing to give a preference to fellow-members of the Club. ENGINEER (Mechanical) wanted for abroad, with experience in shops and drawing office ; about 25 years old ; excellent prospects for smart young man with good ability and habits ; salary commencing at £360, all expenses out and home ; five years' contract ; climate excellent. Apply, by letter only, to Mr. George Watson, 140 Cromwell Road, London, S.W.

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The Byron Statue.

1 55;

The Byron Statue. The Executive of the Club has much pleasure in acknowledging receipt., through the Treasurer, of the undernoted' subscriptions which have been sent in response to the appeal made in the last issue of the Magazine. The Executive desires to thank the members for the hearty response they have made to the appeal, and it also desires to inform members who have not yet subscribed that the list is still open, and that subscriptions will be very welcome. As will beseent, the sum of £91 19s. 3d. has already been received towards the desired £150, and the Executive has no doubt that the balance required will soon be forthcoming. Subscriptions should be sent to the Hon. Treasurer of the Club, Mr. James W. Milne, C.A., 46A Union Street, and all donations of 2s. 6d. and over will be acknowledged in the Magazine. George Croll, London.. .. £5 3 c Dr. A. H ill Griffith, Manchester 5 5 0 Towkay Loke Yew, Selangor 5 0 0 Fred H. Fraser, Matale, Ceylon 3 o Brig.-Surg. D. Mackie, Abdn. 3 0 Editors, Aberdeen Jew-ma/and Express. 2 2. 0 A. Cooper Clark, Elgin .. 2 0 James Moir, Johannesburg .. 2 2 1_1 Claude A. Barron, Delhi 2 0 C.. .. Captain Michael B. H. Ritchie. Murree, India .. 1 1 0 . Capt. Arthur Dymock, 1 0 Prof. Stalker, Aberdeen I .. 1 0 A. Easton I 1ibb, London 1 I 0 .. Wm. Dewar, Rugby .. I I 0 A. V. Anderson, Stonehaven I I 0 1 I 0 1. Cumming, L C.S. \V. B. Buyers, Shanghai I Bulloch, London I 0 .. Ilr. A. Morrison, Alexandria Geo. Middleton. Aberdeen .. I 0 L. Williamson, Aberdeen 1 I 0 .. Surg..Lieut.Col.Alex. Brebner, London I 0 John Brebner, New South \Vales 1 1 0 Dr. J. Mitchell Bruce, London 1 I 0 W. Keith Leask, Aberdeen .. I 0 0 Sir W. Watson Cheyne, London I 0 0 Dr. T. Irvine Rowell, London T 0 0 Robert Inglis, Toronto 1 0 0 Prof. A. R. Gordon, Montreal 1 0 0 Rev. W. S. Bruce, Banff .. 1 o o Louis Wilson, Hawaii I o 0 J. S. Saunders. Sumatra .. o 15 0 Marcus Thomson, London .. o to 6 Terence Turner, Grammar School .. o to 6 W. A. Bain. Aberdeen o to 6 .. I tr. Geo. Middleton, Glasgow o lo 6 Dr. David Anderson, Barnard Castle .. o 10 6 Dr. Francis W. Davidson, Londoii o to 6

Rev. George Pittendrigh, Madras David Littlejohn, Aberdeen .. R. M. Williamson, Aberdeen \V. A. Smith, Aberdeen .. Prof. T. \Vardrop Griffith, Manchester Rev. P. T. Fors -th, London Messrs. F. G. & W. Kelly, Grammar School .. Thomas Craig. Aberdeen .. Louis Findlay, Glasgow .. Modern III. A. John M. Robertson, Turriff Rev. Duncan M. Ross, Huntly George L. Barrie, Glasgow .. John F. Anderson, Rutherglen R. K. Alexander, Kingston-onThames .. Abercrombie G. Donald, Ardrishaig J. A. Simpson, Cape Town .. James Strachan, Harrow .. -Rev. R. Barnett, Edinburgh .. C. A. Walker, Canada .. William Miller, Singapore .. Anonymous .. R. Lyon, Aberdeen .. A. A. Moir, Kirkwall W. G. Melvin, India.. .. Capt. K. W. Mackenzie, Bornbay Miss Reid, Ernan Lodge, Aber.. deen Mr. Macintosh, West Indies .. F. R. Barrie, Surrey .. A. G. Nicol Smith, Aberdeen Alfred Smith, Aberdeen -• G. P. Hector, India .. • • W. Aitken, Aberdeen John A. Dunn, Aberdeen • • V. Mackintosh, Aberdeen - • Robert Y. Hunter, Cults -• Arthur Smith, Aberdeen Charles Watt, Aberdeen ••

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W. Williamson, .1.berdee.n. W. E. Wallace, Aberdeen .. W. Mitchell Smith, Aberdeen D. C. Gibson, Aberdeen .. J. S. Macphail, Ceylon .. A. C. Bonner, Aberdeen .. W. B. Allan, Liverpool .. Rev. John Greenlaw, Buckie Herbert J. M. Milne, Oxford David A. Pope, West Cults C. D. Peterkin, Aberdeen .. R. J. A. Dunn, Aberdeen .. George A. Edwards, Aberdeen H. J. Edwards, Aberdeen .. Douglas A. Durmingham, Aberdeen — — — George Mortimer, Aberdeen J. M. Munro, Aberdeen .. A. McK. Johnston, Aberdeen James Davidson, Jun., Aberdeen Geo. Shepherd, Jun., Aberdeen J. S. C., Aberdeen .. W. M. Alexander, Aberdeen A. T. Cruickshank, Aberdeen (and Sub.) .. Wm. Mackay, Aberdeen .. J. Ross McMillan, Aberdeen H. J. Kinghorn, Aberdeen .. Dr. A. J. Williamson, Liverpool Anonymous Douglas H. Williamson, Aberdeen .. Robert Law, Aberdeen .. Russell Sharp, London .. J. B. Innes, Strathdon (and Sub.) .. Mrs. Williams, Aberdeen .. Hugh R. Mackenzie, Glasgow W. J. Jenkins, Inverurie Anonymous .. .. .. James C. Arthur, Belfast J. F. Robson, Aberdeen .. Robert Aitken, Aberdeen .. Douglas Jamieson, London .. W. R. Clapperton, Aberdeen James Mitchell, Stonehaven W. Willox, London .. L. J. Smith, Aberdeen Dr. A. A. Mowat, India .. W. A. Williamson, Aberdeen Aubscriptions of less than 2/6.. Magazine, School surplus, per Editors

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Watt & Milne,

3(igli-class Dressmakers, Costumiers,

I72

Natitlemakers,

Union Street,

furriers, £aties'

Aberdeen.

Outfitters.

Dinners,

OF ALL KINDS CATERED FOR IN ROOMS OR AT YOUR OWN HOMES.

Dances, and Parties

NO WORK OR WORRY TO HOSTESS. Menus, Terms, Engagements, from Manager, 173 Union Street TABLE

ON HIRE_

APPOINTMENTS

WEDDING

CAKES

SPECIALTY,

Unsurpassed for Quality.

K a N 11•1 g W

9 BAKERY AND SALE SHOP,

5 and 7 HOLBORN STREET.

Aberdeen Grammar Scbool former Pupils' Club Office-bearers for 1910-11.

Hon. l'resident —H. F. NIoRLAND Si \i

Eiq., M.A.

Hon. Vice-Presidents— The Right Hon. Lord STRATHCONA, G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O. Sir WILLIAM WATSON CHEYNE, Bart., F.R.S., LL.D. Sir WILLIAM MORTIMER CLARK, K.C., LL.D. CHARLES DAVIDSON, Esq., M.A. Prof. WILLIAM L. DAVIDSON, LL.D. Sir JAMES DONALDSON, D.D., LL.D. G. B. ESSLEMONT, Esq., M.P. DAVID FERRIER, Esq., M.D., LL.D. Sir GEORGE S. GIBB, LL.B. T. R. GILLIES, Esq., Advocate. Major-General Sir JAMES R. L. MACDONALD, K.C.I.E. Sir WILLIAM MACGREGOR, G.C.M.G., LL.D. Sir GEORGE REID, R.S.A., LL.D. Sir JAMES REID, Bart., G.C.V.O., K.C.B., M.D., LL.D. J. SCOTT RIDDELL, Esq., M.V.O., M.B., C.M. Sir THOMAS SUTHERLAND, G.C.M.G., LL.D. J. C. OGILVIE WILL, Esq., M.D. W. H. WILLIAMSON, Esq., M.D. The LORD PROVOST OF ABERDEEN The CHAIRMAN OF ABERDEEN SCHOOI, BOARD. ALEX. DUFFUS, Esq. President EDWARD W. WATT, Esq., M.A_ Lice-President -

Secretary and Treasurer— Mr. JAMES W. MILNE, C.A., 46A Union Street.

Committee— W. K. LEASK, M.A. ' A. G. NICOL SMITH. ROBERT LYON. ARTHUR SMITH. ALEX. TAYLOR. W. MACKINTOSH. THEO. WATT, M.A. IAN MbLAREN. CHAS. WATT. P. B. SIMPSON. Messrs. BOWER & SMITH, C.A. Auditors Sub-Committees— Dance—Messrs. H. J. BUTCHART, ERIC BRANDER, R. J. 'A. DUNN, J. C. LYON, IAN WLAREN, and W. MACKINTOSH. Orchestral—Messrs. W. CAMERON, JAMES C. LYON, R. M. PORTER, GEORGE SHEPHERD, and THEODORE WATT. Dramatic—Messrs. R. J. A. DUNN, W. G. CRAIGEN, and P. B. SIMPSON. Monthly Meetings—Messrs. E. W. WATT, ALEX. TAYLOR, and J. W MILNE. Magazine—Messrs. CHAS. DAVIDSON, W. KEITH LEASK, and THEODORE WATT. W. AITKEN. JOHN A. DUNN. ALEX. DAVIDSON. J. C. DUFFUS. JAMES C. LYON.

BREAKFASTS, K"- a--9

DINNERS, 1

TEAS,

• ,ekov' s ey e .‘ • 14

SUPPERS.

CP144

For Weddings and "At Homes"

bii4" oci4

" Replete with every Comfort."

IT CAN'T BE BEAT.

CEAS. DAVIE, Proprietor. Telephone 2428.

GOOD PIANOS Co' ORGANS At Reasonable Prices, ON HIRE

OR HIRE

PURCHASE,

lt)

Instruments

Exchanged.

Exchanged. ae

A good _Piano from lIls. per month. A good Organ from 5s. 7 7

Pianos Tuned to Order or by Yearly Contract.

P. LARG & Co., G--g 1 SKENE TERRACE.

Telephone 994.

WEST=END TAILORING. MODERATE PRICES.

Dress Suit —Silk Facings, 4 Guineas. Lined Silk throughout, 5 Guineas.

SMART OVERCOATS, Newest Materials, Large Selection, from 50/-.

Every Garment is made under the expert supervision of Mr. Watson, formerly principal Cutter with R. K. Smith. SHIRTS, GLOVES, TIES, UNDERWEAR, ETC.

—~cr—

WATSON & McGILCHRIST

11,a0ies' anb Gent's tailors anb Outfitters, 347 UNION STREET, ABERDEEN. TELEPHONE 17X2.

R. M. SUTHERLAND, LADIES' AND GENTLEMEN'S HAIRDRESSER, 11

HOLB

STREETe *

LARGE STAFF OF FIRST=CLASS ASSISTANTS.

6 6 Family Portraits. Enlarged Portraits.

Messrs. MORGAN,

At Home Portraiture.

Portrait Photographers,

Miniatures on Ivory. Class and Athletic Groups.

393 UNION STREET. Telephone No. 603.

Framemaking, etc.

JAMES D. DUNCAN, CHEMIST,

231 UNION STREET. 231 High-class Dispensing. Purest Drugs. Most Moderate Charges. Patent Medicines, etc.

Store Prices.

• Telephone 811.

FORREST & RAFFAN, 82 UNION STREET, Telephone 25Y3. FOR Up-to-date Tailoring at Popular Prices. conducted under personal supervision. Perfect Fit with Comfort in Wear and Best Workmanship guaranteed. A Trial Order is asked from those who have not yet favoured us.

82 UNION STREET. N.B.—Agents for the celebrated " AERTEX" Cellular Shirts and Underwear, • at Keenest Prices.

NECKWEAR: I ! CAPS!! HATS! WATERPROOF COATS!! UMBRELLAS!

A Straight Talk on Eyesight. TATISTICS show that three persons out of every four need to wear Glasses. Therefore the chances are 3 to I that YOU need to do so, without knowing it. If you wait till your eyes pain you, you will probably have to wear Glasses permanently. Therefore, let me test your eyes now. For many years I have devoted myself exclusively to the study of optical science, during which time I have successfully treated thousands of cases, and I hold the diploma of the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers, which is only given to those who prove their skill. These are facts which form conclusive proof of my ability, so pay a visit to my testing-room without delay.

Optician G. H. Swapp / Sight-Testing and Spectacle Maker,

33 UNION STREET, ABERDEEN.

THE ALL

FOUNTAINHEAD

FRESH

FROM ELLON DAILY.

fine Buchan Butter, fresh farm Eggs, fine home=made Cheese, Fowls, Chickens, Rabbits, Ducklings, jan1S (all own make), honey (in Supers, 1 lb. and 2 lb.), honey (in Nice Tumblers).

MILNE, ELLON STRLL, NEW

MARKET.

TELEPHONE No. 1891.

ARCHIBALD McKELLAR, Family Grocer and Wine 112ercbalit,

456 UNION STREET, ABERDEEN. * Excellent Value given in 2 - Tea. English Bottled Fruits, in globe-shaped bottles, 1/- each. Glass Shapes, Chicken, Ham and Tongue, etc., etc., 1;'6 each. Glasses Potted Grouse, 6d. each. Glasses Potted Wild Duck, 6d. each. White's Crystal Jellies, per pint packet, 3,A. each.

Medicinal Wines

Vibrona, Hall's, Winearnis, Glendenning's,

GREAT SUCCESS

My Little Broad-Backed

COLLAR STUDS, for Fastening Collar at Back of Shirt Neckband. RECOMMENDED for their

STRENCTH AND SIMPLICITY. PRICE

ONE

PENNY.

W. J. MILNE, Men's Hatter and Haberdasher,

251 UNION STREET, ABERDEEN. Telephone 1293.

The Royal Northern Club is opposite..

TELEPHONE No. 467.

M'COMBIE'S CYCLE DEPOT, 344 KING STREET,

TO CYCLISTS.

ABERDEEN.

New Cycles built to Order. Old Cycles exchanged for Machines.

up - to - date

Old Cycles thoroughly overhauled, re-enamelled, plated, and done up in first-class style. All kinds of repairs promptly executed. A Large Assortment of Tyres and Accessories always on hand. All Orders entrusted to my care shall have my personal attention, and the work carried out with the utmost dispatch. Telephone Orders promptly attended to and sent for if required. CHARGES MODERATE AND WORKMANSHIP GUARANTEED.

ALEXANDER

FRASER,

practicalllUlatthinalier &3eweller. C PECIAL attention given to Repairing of Watches and Clocks, 40 Gilding and Replating of all Articles of Jewellery and Silver Ware.

Large and Varied Stock of Watches, Clocks, and Jewellery of every description.

ALEXANDER FRASER, -T.TPF H 1 ABERDEEN. Telephone No. 16Y2.

DAVID WYLLIE & SON (Established 1815),

pen Emporium," 247 UNION STREET, ABERDEEN. " Fountain

EVERYONE WRITES —more or less : hardly a day passes without frequent occasions for it. Now, to write with any degree of comfort and rapidity, one wants a pen thoroughly suitable and always reliable. The "SWAN" Fountain Pen combines all the advantages of the -perfected pen, with a reservoir of ink sufficient to write continuously for hours. Prices 10/6 and 16/6. Satisfaction guaranteed. Repairs speedily executed. Ink and other accessories. Fountain Pens by other makers also stocked. Prices 1/- upwards. Telephone No. 402.

Specialities :— Engagement Rings by First-class Makers. Waltham Watches the World's Best Timekeepers, in Gold, Silver, and Gold-filled Cases.

'Repairs :— Watch, Clock, and Jewellery repairs receive personal and prompt attention.

WILLIAM GORDON, Watchmaker ao jeweller,

7 Rose Street ( 26IgirLg:r ), Aberdeen. Telephone 1945. DO

YOU

KNOW

THAT

THOMSON makes Delicious CARAMELS At 2d. per Quarter.

Fresh daily.

To be had only at

THOMSON'S TOFFY SHOP, 402 UNION STREET (Eiggint,), ABERDEEN.

"THE DIVAN," ibigb.class tobaccos, Cigars, Cigarettes, Pipes, etc.,

504 UNION STREET, Aberdeen. W. Y. MACKAY, PROPRIETOR. Note. —The Finest BILLIARD SALOON in the North. equipped with best Tables by Messrs. Burroughes & Watts, Ltd. TELEPHONE 989.

TRAVELLING

Established over Half a Century.

REQUISITES,

GLADSTONE BAGS, i2s. and upwards. TRAVELLING TRUNKS, los to 3os. IMMENSE Solid Leather PORTMANTEAUX. SELECTION, SCHOOL BAG BOOK STRAPS. REPAIRS neatly executed by practical workmen on the premises. TRUNK, AND GAUL & WILSON, SADDLERY, PORTMANTEAU

MANUFACTURERS,

BON-ACCORD STREET, ABERDEEN.

ABERDEEN GRAMMAR SCHOOL. (F.,unded previous t.) 1256.)

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

ABERDEEN HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS. Head Master—JOHN MSAIN, M.A.

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

PIANOFORTES, ETC. Upright and Monsanto.] Grand Pianos, by excellent makers, from £11 to AIM ; also Second-hand Pianos. Bargains may be had on 3 year.' Instalment System. larnball Organs. Panorma, Cramond and Ruddiman Violins. also Vlolas, 'Cellos, all of High-class make and cheap. Do Meglio and other Mandoline, Guitars, Banjos, Cornet& Violin Repairs, Strings, Bowe, Bridge.. Pianos Tuned, Exchanged, and Repaired. AGENT for Skidmore's Bent Steel Fire-proof Safes, and Robb. & Co.'s Tire- and Burglar-proof Steel Safes, Doors, and Looks ; Makers to the King, ant Bank of England, etc.

JOHN (1. MORISON, 48 Netherkirkgate. IP EPHOTIN )6.30, AHF MULE' N.

ELIMIONN 67, PHAILKINURG.M.

GEORGE JOHNSTON, FLORIST, FRUITERER, AND . . . CONFECTIONER, . . .

473 UNION STREET, ABERDEEN. iiillreatbs.

Crosses.

Cboice fruit.

Salads.

Branches --4 Broad Street, Fraserburgh, and 35 Barclay Street, Stonetairen.

FRED HARDIE, nnotograpbic Ertist,

1016 UNION ST., RBERDEEN, For every style of In- and Out-door Group, Composite Groups, and General Portraiture, etc., rdephong 881.

At Popular Prices.

PIANOFORTES. -

✓

STEINWAY. STEINWAY, STEINWAY. BECHSTEIN, BECHSTEIN. BECHSTEIN. BRINSW/ EAD " ANGELUS," "Piano and Piano Player combined." Sole Importers for Scotland—

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

" BE PREPARED." Anything and

Scouts'

Everything the Boy Scout

Uniform .

requires.

and Complete Ust

Equipment.

K'M Telephone No. 677.

Application.

Ill`{3

torl9 Union St..Aber.deen. Telegrams - "Oiothlrag, Abeirdeon."

New Styles in Autumn and Winter Footwear, Ladles' and (ieut.'s ROOTS, ShOLS, and SLIPMRS let livening Wear, In all the latest Leathers and Coiner,. Our Soeoinil Footform Boots and Shone for ladies and i)enta , in Tea and Itlael Leather, an

Commendable for Easy Wear and Perfect

Pitting.

The " SIGNORA" Boot in Black and Brown Glace. or Box Calf Leather. To know Comfort is to Wear them. men's Strong WATERPROOF BOOTS for winter and rough wear. Suitable for Fanners, Gamekeepers, Golfers. Fishers, and Workmen in generaL Boys' and Girls' Strong SCHOOL BOOTS—all prices. Large variety of depends ble Boots and Shoes for Minims and Children, in Brown and Black. YO7'1f.-04001 Work, Prompt Service in Repairing Beets with heather, Itudeor, or gotta and Shoos peroka.

Zoo Windows.

JOHN A. DUNN, Olobe root anb Shoe Vilareboutx, 26 & 175 UNION BT., ABERDEEN. Tan/hone M.