Issuu

t P

Educational Books. HISSET

JAMES G.

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

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

JAMES G. BISSET, fPcbtcal, ant) ENicattonat Vook5eller,

85 BROAD STREET (Opposite Marischal College). The

Sportsman's Depot and Athletic Stores.

GEO. M. MACKAY •

(Fellow of Educational Institute of Scotland),

Angling Correspondent for the " Field," " Fishing Gazette," &c• 50

STREET.

BRIDGE

.7K13ERDEEN.

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

, 4

CONTENTS.

" VICE-VERSA " SCHOOL NOTES

Frontispiece. 37

•

ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM

NOTES ABOUT OLD BOYS

•

RANDOM NOTES

REMINISCENCES

THE - SCHOOL-DAYS

42 46

Two -

A PICNIC IN THE VAL D' EMO

THE LITERARY AND DEBATING SOCIETY FINALE

"JUDICIAL NIGHT"

" DEBATER " NOTES -

FOOTBALL NOTES

DISTINGUISHED F.P.'s

THE 1ST XV. -

ARMY COMMISSIONS FOR UNIVERSITY GRADUATES OUR CONTEMPORARIES SCHOOL OFFICIALS -

Shorthand, Typewriting, Book.Keeping A New Quarter will commence on TUESDAY, Ilth April next, at 9 a.m.

C. M. LRWRENCE, THE ABERDEEN SCHOOL OF SHORTHAND,

19 CROWN STREET. Telephone 875.

•

-* TEXT BOOKS ° -Of all hint' (NEW AND SECOND-HAND), .1'1'

D. WYLLIE &SON

247 5

UNION STREET,

ABERDEEN.

JOHN C. M'LEOD, - - HATTER, - -

UNION STREET,

respectfully intimate to pupils of Grammar School MOULD a Large Stock of Cap and elengarrp Vabges, as authorised; also, football 3ersers, IBMs, Xatbing Vants, Costumes, and ales. Great variety of Football, Cricket, Tennis, and Boating jerseys, Sweaters, Knickers, Trousers, Shirts, jackets, Belts, Cowls, Caps, and Hats. TROPHY AND CLUB CAPS MADE TO ORDER.

FOR SUMMER—Straw Hats, with Club and other Fancy Bands, Guards, Puggarees, &c. NEW STYLES FELT HATS, TWEED

CAPS, &c.

TIES, SCARFS, COLLARS, BRACES, and UMBRELLAS.

"VICE-VERSA"- PERFORMED BY THE DEBATING SOCIETY, 3rd February, i0o5.

Cbawncr to schoolboy) J. M. HAvrom

Tipping (a schoolboy) Mr. C. DAVIDSON (Stage Manager) F. WiallAwr Jolland (a schoolboy) Coker (a schoolboy) I. G. Bias= J. BIACGAvIN Mr. Shellack Dr. Grlmstone Dick Bultttude a D. PETER% IN L F. MERRTLF.Mi G. A. LEDINGHAst Dulele Grinatone F. M(NNION

CoggaD (a

Ells& G. BURR

Clegg GSt oN

Mr. Bultltude W. L. OxFoND Min (a schoolboy R. LYON - ,

THE

Orammar Scr?oot Maga3ine. -

Vol. VIII.

MARCH, 1905.

No. 2.

•

THE last time we began our " School Notes " we dilated on the difficulty of making a beginning, but this time we hope that we have more confidence. Although it requires a good deal of determination not to hesitate and bite the end of the editorial pen, we have resolved to take the plunge boldly and without hesitation; and so, to use a vulgar expression, here goes, for " he who hesitates is lost." — -- — As the last issue of the Magazine was nearly a month late in coming out, we are bringing this one out a little later than usual, in order that the two issues may not come too close together. *

dis

Our heartiest thanks are due to Admiral Sir Arthur Farquhar for the generous donation of £1 which he sent to us. Sir Arthur is the oldest of our long list of living former pupils, and, as some of our readers may remember, contributed to the series of articles, entitled " When we were Boys," which appeared in the Magazine two or three years ago. He has always maintained a keen interest in the School, and this is by no means the first time that he has sent a handsome gift to the Magazine. It will, perhaps, be remembered that, a short time ago, he presented the Reference Library with a complete set of the Edinburgh " Waverley Novels."

The Grammar School Magazine.

The Bursary Competition is drawing very near now, and we hope that the School will put its best foot foremost. We have not had a First Bursar since 1897, when the first four places in the list were held by Grammar School boys, but, as there are several very clever fellows in the Seventh this year, we hope to make a good show. We are sure that those who are entering for the " Comp." have the School's best wishes for success.

The " Debater " season is now almost over. It has been, on the whole, very successful and enjoyable. The lectures and papers have been most interesting, and the debates have been, as a general rule, very well fought out. We are sorry that more of the Seventh do not appear at the meetings ; there seems to be only four or five who turn out regularly. - ---Another thing in connection with the " Debater " that is very regrettable is the fact that there are a great many non-speaking members. These seem to turn out pretty regularly to the meetings, but do very little else for the good of the Society. Indeed, there are several members, one or two of whom belong to the higher classes, who have scarcely opened their mouths in the Society. The speaking seems to be entirely confined to about eight or ten members.

- --

The Debating Society's Concert and Dramatic Performance took place on Friday, 3rd February, in the School Hall, before a very full house. The play, which was " Vice Versa," passed off very successfully. All the actors sustained their parts very well. Mr. Charles Davidson again acted as stage manager, and the trouble which he took to bring the players up to concert pitch, and to make the affair a success, was simply enormous. Year after year he has piloted us through these functions, and it is the interest which he takes in them, and the trouble to which he puts himself, that make them so successful and enjoyable. We consider that the Debating Society and the School owe him a great debt of gratitude. Our frontispiece is the photograph of the caste of " Vice Versa." Of late years these groups of the characters in the Debating Society's Dramatic Performance have been taken by flashlight on the stage in the Hall; but since these, as a rule, did not turn out successfully, it was

• •

School Notes.

arranged this time to have the photograph taken in the School grounds on the afternoon of the Thursday before the performance. The success of the photo. has certainly shown the wisdom of this arrangement.

The Animal School Assizes, commonly known as Judicial Night, went oft in the usual hearty way. A. P. Jameson (]?.P.) made a capital judge, and the others sustained their various parts with an energy and interest good to see. The " case ' was a burglary on a large scale, which had been committed in a house in Anderson Drive. Paterson, as the swell mobsman, and Gilchrist, as Bill Sykes, the hired ruffian, were the prisoners, and acted their parts to the life. Easton, as Miss Plane, made a very pretty and fetching young lady, and seemed hardly suitable as a fiancée for Bill Sykes. The evidence of several of the witnesses was just a trifle " shady," and one or two of them were committed for perjury. A full report will be found elsewhere. Our attention having been drawn to the omission of Mr. J. M. Morrison's name from the list which appeared in the last issue of the Magazine of expected contributions to the Debating Society's syllabus, we hasten to express regret for the oversight.

We must heartily congratulate the 1st XV. on their success during the present season. Up to the present time the XV. have played 10 matches—have won 6, drawn 1. This, we consider, is a result of which the XV. may well be proud. At the beginning of the season there was a " weplay-because-it-is-our-duty-to-play " spirit about some of the members of the team, but this, we are very pleased to notice, instead of increasing, has disappeared altogether. The annoying thing about the team this year is that it has only now got into proper working order when there are only four matches yet to be played. In the Upper Classes there are several big fellows, who, if they would play, would make really very good and heavy forwards ; but we are led to understand that, when approached on the subject by the School Captain, they absolutely refused to do so on the ground that a game tired them too much. The criticism of the 1st XV. which appears in this number ought to be of great interest to the School, and especially to the XV. themselves. It points out to them where they excel and where they are weak, and should

The Grammar School Magazine.

teach younger players to copy their virtues and avoid their faults. We hope that those to whom this criticism falls below their expectations will not be disappointed, but will be spurred on to greater efforts. They have still one or two matches in which to show improved form. Cricket will soon be beginning now, and we look forward to having a fairly successful season, as five of last year's 1st XI. have come back to School again. Our Captain this year will be F. M. Rae, who for two seasons has been one of the staple bowlers of the team; he is also a good hard-hitting batsman. Last year we beat Gordon's College twice, and the University once ; we only hope that we may do the same this year. The Rector has been very busy lately measuring us again for the Physical Register. This Physical Examination is extremely beneficial, as it points out, often in cases where no such thing would otherwise be suspected, where eyesight or hearing is defective. This may avert serious trouble, for, if any such defect be discovered, the boy may go to a doctor, and all dangerous consequences may be avoided. It is more than two years now since the Physical Registration was started.

The Rev. P. T. Forsyth, Principal of Hackney College, London, and C. H. Millar Milne, Esq., Rector of Arbroath high School, have kindly sent us, for this issue, articles on their days spent in this School. Dr. Forsyth spent one year in the old Grammar School in Schoolhill, and four years in the new building; while Mr. Milne was a pupil when Mr. Pope and Mr. Mackie were masters here. The fact that their dates of attendance differ by a good deal makes their reminiscences all the more interesting, and gives us an idea of what the School ,was like at different periods in its more recent existence. We have great pleasure in announcing that, owing to the petition which a number of us sent up to the School Board, asking for a Swimming Instructor for the School, Mr. D. Mailer has very kindly offered to act as Honorary Instructor. Mr. Mailer is well known in swimming circles as one of the best swimmers in Aberdeen, so that he will be a decided acquisition to us. He has several times acted as judge at our Swimming Sports. We owe Mr. Mailer our best thanks for his generous offer.

School Notes.

The continual cry of the Librarians is, " Members, more members ! " and there is very little response from the School. We are sorry to be for ever boring our readers with this complaint, but it is a mournful fact that the membership of the Library is decidedly poor. Why are there not more members? Even the learned gentlemen of the Seventh might find some books in the Library to suit their tastes. Don't they think it might be a good plan to join and try? The alterations to the School buildings have at last been begun, and the first signs which we have seen of them have been the partial demolition of the Pavilion, the old workshop, and the bicycle shed. The School is to have a handsome front facing Leadside Road ; there is to be a new Infant Department, a new Library, and a new Reading Room. The present Library and the old Lunch Room are to be converted into a Museum, and a brand new Pavilion is to be built on a level with the present Infants' Playground.

ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM. IT is not, we think, generally known that our School has recently come into possession of an extremely valuable book, through the kindness of Mr. R. S. Hynd, late of Peking, now of Shanghai. This precious volume, which formed one of the 11,000 volumes of the Chinese Encyclopedia of Universal Knowledge, lay in the Hanlin College at Peking till the sack of the Legations by the Boxers, when it was rescued from the flames, and given to Mr. Hynd, who presented it to our Library, where it lies in its binding of Imperial yellow silk. The British Museum has a similar volume, and the University of Cambridge a second, and we are proud to be the owners of the third. Mr. Hynd also presented the degree thesis of a Chinese student, a quaint-looking document, with the signature of the Presiding Examiner—a brother of the late Li Hung Chang. We have also received from Ronald Cumming a mongoose fighting with a cobra, and a primitive musical instrument used by a savage tribe of Central India. The near prospect of greatly improved quarters for our various collections leads us to hope for many additions from our good friends at home and abroad.

• • WE are pleased to see that The Captain approves so

highly of our Notes, and that it urges Editors of other magazines to follow our example in having a special Editor for this column. --Major and Brevet-Colonel James Ronald Leslie Macdonald, C.B., who commanded the escort to Lhasa, has been made Knight Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire. Bravo ! Sir James. William Maydon, M.B., C.M., has passed for the Army Medical Staff Corps, and has gone to Netley for special training.

James A. Simpson, on the staff of the Astronomer Royal, Cape Town, has passed First out of fifty-two - successful candidates in the Survey Examination of the Cape University. The subjects are Arithmetic, Algebra, Euclid, Plane and Spherical Trigonometry, Geodesy, AsHis chief, Sir tronomy, and Co-ordinate Geometry. David Gill, an " Old Boy," is extremely pleased at the result. We hope that he may soon find another vacancy for one of ours on the staff of the Observatory. We hear that Arthur L. Danson, of the Indian Civil Service, has got an important position in the Finance Department of India. We see in town just now the two brothers Cumming, of the same service, both looking very well. The younger, A. R., was for two years secretary to Sir James Thomson, K.C.S.I., an F.P., Acting-Governor of Madras, who has just received the degree of LL.D. from Aberdeen. He lately entertained a dozen of his old schoolfellows to dinner in the Grand Hotel.

•

AID

Notes about Old Boys.

•

Douglas J. T. Jamieson, through the influence of an " Old Boy," Sir William Bisset, director of Indian Railways, has got a position as Assistant Traffic Superintendent on one of the Indian railways, after he has been for a few months in the London office of the Company. The salary begins at about £300 a year, which is not bad for a young fellow not out of his teens. Why do not more of our fellows try to secure some of these fine posts abroad, instead of toiling painfully through the University, and then securing some underpaid post in one of the professions. We understand that in the Indian Railway Service there are many positions worth £3,000 per annum. Think of this, ye Moderns ! David Macbeth, who is engaged in engineering in India, is at home just now. He is doing very well, and tells us that there is a great field for engineers in India, with excellent pay and prospects. George Strath, who is manager of a large wheat-export business in Karachi, has just arrived on a visit. --Reginald Baker, who was one of our supports in Football and Cricket in the early eighties, when the annual Homeric conflicts took place between the Grammar and Gymnasium, is now at the head of a flourishing engineering business in Shanghai. And Alexander Reid, F.R.G.S., is managing director of the great Chinese Honan Coal Mining Syndicate. We are looking for his promised addition to the Chinese Section of our Museum. Rex. Maconachie is going out to Canada to join Bryan Wright in the lumber business. " Tip " Butchart is engaged in the same occupation. It seems that a good deal of money is to made at this if one applies oneself. The work is hard, but the life is healthy. Alexander D. Leslie, who has been in the lumber trade in Toronto since 1886, is now on the way to "make his pile." Duncan MacGregor, M.A. of Aberdeen, and M.B., C.M. of Edinburgh, Inspector-General of Hospitals and Asylums, New Zealand, has got the degree of LL.D. from Aberdeen University. When "The Orchid" Company was playing in the Theatre lately, we thought that we detected one of our " Old Boys" in the chorus. And, sure enough, it was

The Grammar School Magazine.

John Grant, who threw up the lawyer's wig and gown for the actor's sock and buskin. Leopold Profeit is doing well on the stage, and so, we hear, is A. Shinnie; but Edmund Aust, who was Dr. Grimstone in our last performance of " Vice Versa," has disappeared from our ken. Archibald M. Mutch, dux in '93, has been appointed Mathematical Master in the Royal Academical Institution, Belfast; while Alex. A. Moir, dux in 1900, is a Classical and English Master in Greenock Academy. J. O. Rennie is at present at Cooper's Hill. We are sorry to hear that Mr. Alexander Forbes, who claims to be the heir male of the Lord Pitsligo whose estates were attainted in the Forty-Five, is leaving town. His cheery presence will be much missed at many social functions in Aberdeen, and at none more than at our Reunions. A. M. Mackay, M.A. (Aberdon. et Cantab), LL.B. (Edin.), has been appointed Examiner in Law in the University; while C. B. Milne, M.A., LL.B. (Edin.), has been admitted a member of the Faculty of Advocates, Edinburgh. An interesting book about an " Old Boy," Kenneth S. MacDonald, M.A., D.D., has just been published. Dr. MacDonald left School in '51, and, after graduating at King's College, went to India, where, for forty years, he acted as a Missionary in Madras. He was one of the best known Missionaries in India. We regret to record the sudden death of W. K. -Watt, Advocate, Aberdeen, who was a well-known figure at all our F.P. celebrations, where he was generally the life of the company ; also of Brigadier-Surgeon Alexander Johnston, who died at Ryde, Isle of Wight. Most of Dr. Johnston's life was spent on the poisonous West Coast of Africa. Dr. Arthur J. Milne, our late redoubtable footballer, has received an appointment under the Colonial Medical Service in the Mauritius, where it seems that " every prospect pleases, and only man is vile." His friend, Dr. Albert Gray, has now settled down to a practice in London

Notes about Old Boys.

in the Spanish Colony there. Good luck to him. George Gray is partner in one of the great smelting silver-lead works in the South-East of Spain. Charles Graham Monro, Town Clerk of Glasgow, has resigned that important position. Frank Anderson has been appointed Town Clerk of Fraserburgh. We regret to record the death of Peter M. Cran, City Chamberlain of Aberdeen, after a prolonged illness. Norman Leslie, M.A., B.L., has been appointed private secretary to Henry Arthur Jones, the dramatist. John MacBain, of the same class, is engaged in journalism in London, and is, we hear, doing well. Jas. Shepherd, who edited The Grammarian for some time, in spite of the Olympian frowns of our Magazine, is on the staff of the Harmsworth publications. G. Giles is now on the London staff of the Allahabad Pioneer. He starts for India soon. Stanley Russell, one of our former Editors, is now studying for the ministry of the Congregational Church at Bradford ; whilst W. G. MacLeod, Assistant Paymaster on H.M.S. Majestic, writes us a cheery letter about the jolly life they spend in the ward-room, and inviting us to come down and see him. If ever we are near Portsmouth we shall certainly do so. We regret to announce the death of the " father " of the Church of Scotland, the Rev. Robert Ross, who, for 62 years, was minister of the Parish of Cruden. He was in the 86th year of his age. We are glad to see how well our School is represented in all the University Societies—Literary, Debating, and Council; Football, Cricket, and Hockey. In some of these bodies more than half of the members are F.P.'s. We are pleased to see the camaraderie that exists between the Past, and Present of the School. If some of the ghosts of our F.P.'s of the seventeenth or eighteenth centuries had looked into the School Hall at the conclusion of the, dramatic performance in February, they would have been surprised at the sight. Good as was the dramatic performance, we enjoyed quite as well the after performance, or performances, rather. We shall not

The Grammar School Magazine.

initiate the profanum vulgus into the delightful methods that the Debating Society use for the pleasure of their guests. We shall only say that the refreshments were good, and the songs were even better, whilst the piper was beyond criticism. Everyone present gave himself up to the spirit of the hour, and the lofty rafters re-echoed to the sound. Old Seneca, on his remote pedestal, seemed to smile a grim smile, whilst Byron positively beamed, and even the Jacobean features of the gentleman in the ruff on the right side of the Hall relaxed, nay, I'm sure he winked, when Mr. Dooley began to relate his many wondrous achievements, and Mr. Shellack to lay down his words of sage advice. Truly, it was a night of nights. The F.P. Club is to have a smoking concert in the Grand Hotel on Friday, 17th March, for which an uncommonly good programme has been arranged; and on Friday, 24th March, the annual F.P. concert is to be At the latter, in addition to held in the School Hall. songs and instrumental music, two comedies, " Breaking the Ice" and " Cousins once Removed," are to be performed. We hope for a bumper house on both occasions. What with the very successful Cinderella and Ball, the F.P.'s have been, socially, very active this season.

RANDOM NOTES. IT is simply wonderful to find what knowledge some people have of matters one would not expect them to know much about—sheep farming, for instance. We were led to reflect upon this by the statement made by a youth in the School, who declared that a wether was a female ewe. It is a pity he was not a sheep farmer ; he would have scored a distinct success in that line. We would by this time , our noted have been reading in the papers that " Mr. northern agriculturalist, carried off the silver cup at the Cattle Show for his home-reared wether." But, then, he is not a sheep farmer, so that the agricultural world is distinctly the poorer.

This makes us think of the number of people in life who have mistaken their vocation. There is many a young man at the present day (and, no doubt, some are to be found among us), who would have made his fortune

Random Notes.

as a clown, or, a few centuries ago, as an official jester. His lively wit, his keenness in making and appreciating a joke, his " fund of pawky humour " would have earned him the applause of the spectators, or the smile of a king, whereas nowadays they earn him probably a hundred lines, or something of that sort. 'Tis melancholy to reflect upon. We are glad to see that the School has determined not to be behind all other historic buildings, and has actually imported a ghost. The blackboard in Room I. is said to be haunted. It suddenly takes fits of sliding rapidly down. Perhaps it is some imprisoned Jinn who is making frantic efforts to get out. We sympathise with him. If he has to remain there every day of his life, and listen to the words of wisdom which flow from some of the pupils in that room, no wonder he is trying to escape ! Or if it is just a common or garden ghost, he need not try his tricks on there. He should go to a room where there are people to be frightened. No one in Room I. is afraid of anything, except, perhaps, the Bursary Competition. But there is something mysterious about a Jinn. Perhaps he is like the one in " The Brass Bottle." If so, the sooner he is released the better, so that he may fulfil all his deliverer's wishes. Probably however, all signs of either ghost or Jinn will disappear when the left-hand cord of the blackboard has been mended. Now to be confidential. There is something we have known for a long time, but which we are unable to keep secret any longer, and are now going to tell. There is a poet in the School. And this is not all; " the best is yet to' be." The poet writes Greek verse as well as English. Seeing him one day scratching his head, we looked over his shoulder on to a piece of paper before him, and this is what was there—only a fragment, more's the pity— . 0, al, Mdraws.

That was all, but it was enough. We were so overwhelmed by the beauty of these words, their solemnity, their pathos, that we immediately fell upon the poet's neck. [As the description of the scene which follows is not exactly relevant, we have taken the liberty of suppressing it.—Lit. Ed.]

The Grammar School Magazine.

In order to make IV. and V. Classical and Modern somewhat more comfortable in the Reading Room, VI. and VII. kindly allow them, in fact, almost compel them, to lounge upon the table (face downwards)—a very kind and thoughtful action. Then VI. and VII., as they have no time for gymnastics in the ordinary way, take some muscle exercise with the half of a magazine cover. We hope that the junior classes fully appreciate their kindness. At all events, it proves to them that some of VII. have a biceps, a statement we heard one of them once doubting.

REMINISCENCES OF THE SCHOOL-DAYS OF TWO DISTINGUISHED F.P.'S. (1) BY REV. P. T. FORSYTH, D.D., Principal of Hackney

College, London. IT is very gratifying to me that I should be so far remembered at my old School as to be asked for a word in its Magazine. I had really only one year in the new building. My first four years were spent in the dear old place in the Schoolhill, now swept away. It was a very " hummle coo " compared with the present edifice, but it has warm associations for me—some of them graven on the palms of my hands. I do not know if the modern schoolboy understands the glow of that experience. It was a thrill connected with certain classics like Mayne Reid, read under the desk while Horace was going on above it. When I entered for my first year, there was a great to-do because the Fifth Class had barred out an unpopular Rector. I went through the first three years with a teacher to whom I owe much, and recall thankfully — Mr. Brebner, who afterwards went to Pietermaritzburg. The rest of the time I was with Mr. Barrack, the Rector, who afterwards went to Dollar. He was an excellent teacher also, and none the worse for a little spurt of occasional temper. I can see him now close a lesson abruptly by making his book fly across the room in wrath at bad preparation. But this was rare. He was a bright and kindly man, with a due sense of humour. When I visit my native town, and pass the present School, I note the corner where my party, in a snow-

Reminiscences of School Days.

fight, were ambushed by a section of the other which we were pursuing, and I received a slush ball in the eye. It was in the interval, and, on returning to class, the order of the day was Arnold's Greek prose. As luck would have it, the exercise was on the accusative of nearer definition, headed by an example, " He had his eye knocked out." Of course, I was the person the Rector called up to do that sentence—to make sport for the two-eyed Philistines of the whole class. I have some of my prizes yet, and my wife wears the gold medal for a brooch. How widely we have parted —I mean not the lady of the brooch and I, but my classmates. I recall Dr. James Shepherd, now a distinguished missionary in India; and Sir W. J. Sinclair, still more distinguished as a surgeon at home • Professor Davidson, the kind and able logician at the lJniversity; others of less public note, and many whom I regret to have lost sight of through my residence in England. Others, again, are dead and gone, leaving a trail of mellow light—like my dear companion, Professor Emslie, or my other chum, Jenkins, who was killed at Cabul on the threshold of a fine career. I hope I am not declining into fogeyism, but I love the old days more and more. I would give anything to be a boy again for a month a year. With such a holiday a man might live and work for ever. You won't believe me, but I assure you the oldfashioned boy was not an inferior creature to the new one ; and. I am glad I escaped the worship of athletics that has come in. We used to play ; but I note that so many now make it an extra study, a work and a business. However, that will right itself. How thankful I have often been for the sound grounding I got at the Grammar School. It has never left me. I only hope the present members of the School are storing up as happy and powerful memories as I was doing. I did not know it then, but I know it now. And so, in many solemn ways, we don't know the best that is done for us till long after. It was rough and tumble often. But rough work or rough play harms nobody, so long as it does not prevent their becoming gentle-men. To love women comes by nature, I suppose ; but to learn to love men needs some education, and School takes no small share in it. Be proud of the School and its honour. It has a fine past; its future reputation is in your hands. There is only one thing that does more for mankind than education—I mean the Gospel, which has done so much for education also. Let me urge you, in your youth,

The Grammar School Magazine.

to use your opportunities of education to the utmost ; and, when you are old and rich, endow it, as the best return you can make for the past, and the best legacy for the future. They don't really believe in education here in England. But in your Scotland and mine they do, and always have done. You must• keep that faith up, young or old. That faith of our forefathers in learning has been a blessed thing for us. (2) By C. H. 3.IILLAn MILNE, High School, Arbroath.

Bettor, ?

Forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit.

Very., Aen. 1, 203. MY old School! The picture hangs on my study wall, and now, as I write, it looks down upon me. The artist has chosen well a moment of intense sunshine, and there it stands forth, in light and shadow. The bright gleam of the granite, the exquisite rotundity and grace of its towers, the calm and stately majesty of the whole—a picture to which, while life shall last, it will be a glory and a joy to point the passing stranger, with the words, . " My School." Already there have passed eighteen long years, and much has gone into the impenetrable darkness of oblivion, to be recalled nevermore. How many a moment of boyhood's conscious experience would memory fain recall! But they are gone— "those trivial feud records, Those saws of books, those forms, those pressures past, That youth and observation copied there."

But, if much has gone, still much remains. There needs no photographic skill, " no animated bust," to bring to mind those scenes, those faces, with their smiling and their weeping, these approving eyes, that warning brow. They were great days. We had our world. There might be other worlds, other cities, other things of men and boys, other schools, other masters, other football clubs. What cared we? For us there was but one world, one school, one club. And what a world it was! How full of life, of hope, of fear, of joy, and of that disappointment which a boy thinks despair.

Reminiscences of School Days.

The masters were, each and all, held by us boys in the utmost respect. There was " Doddie" Harvey, who inhabited the room on the ground floor at the eastern end,— the incarnation of all that was clever. He could write Greek on the blackboard with lightning speed, and especially those sentences in " Abbot's Arnold," with all their idiomatic artifice. One thing, however, about Mr. Harvey we could not understand. Why did he blush? 'Twas we who should have blushed. He was a scholar; he never made a slip, and yet he often blushed. Not far oft was Mr. A. V. Lothian—the man of figures, of chemistry, of experiments, and of physiology. But he was much more. It was he who had introduced Association, and he did not scorn to be seen in football costume on Saturdays. It was not easy to assure yourself of his identity amid so much diversity. Upstairs, and still at the east end, was Mr. Green always a great favourite, though known familiarly as " Greenie." He had formed a choir of boys, and we sang with both soprano and alto parts such songs as " The Bay of Biscay" and " Annie Laurie." I remember well my being sent down to the Rector's room with a message. I knocked boldly, and yet with some trepidation, and entering the room, intimated precisely as I had been instructed, " Please, sir, Mr. Green sends you his compliments, and invites you to come upstairs to hear his select choir." Next door was Mr. Campbell, to whom I shall ever owe a debt I can never repay. Under him I came to know " Hamlet" by heart, and have ever since recommended the minute and thorough mastery of some one great book. From Mr. Campbell's you could pass along a gallery to Mr. Pope's. His was one of our happiest hours. We learned to draw figures of wondrous symmetry and grace, and to write, too, and copy moral aphorisms, which we now, I hope, as the Shorter Catechism says, " lay up in our hearts and practise in our lives." But what shall I say of Mr. Sleigh? Of him we had a most profound dread. The Delphic oracle was not more cryptic in its utterance. It was mine to sit at the end of the front seat. It was mine to " draw the picture," that is, to draw the two triangles of the Fourth Proposition on the board. Oh, that Fourth Proposition! We seem to have spent months upon it. The book said that the two triangles "shall be equal." But pity the luckless lad who repeated these words. "Shall be! " roared the offended

The Grammar School Magazine.

deity; " when shall they be equal? To-morrow, or next day ? " " I beg pardon, sir, they are equal "—which was rewarded by an approving grunt. But underneath all this, I am sure Mr. Sleigh was a kindly man. When I had just left school, he actually stopped me on the street, and said a word of approval and of encouragement—I think, perhaps, the only one he spoke to me, and, therefore, from memory ineffaceable. The figure of the Rev. Mr. Legge I shall never forget. He was tall, and thin, and of rather stooping gait. He wore a silk hat, which seemed always to have a " list " to one side. He wore a scarf, too, and knitted woollen cuffs. His was a pleasant face, and we used to say that he was strikingly like Julius Cesar, as that great man is represented in Smith's " History of Rome." Mr. Legge believed in fresh air, and seemed to be always drawing down the windows. We sometimes shivered, but he, never, for he wore his greatcoat all day, and also had a rug which protected his knees and ankles. He never used the tawse or eane. No, but he caused the offender to stand up, and delivered a philippic, which was certainly modelled on Cicero. " There are boys, sir, in this class who would scorn to conduct themselves as you do," and every youthful Pharisee said in his heart, " He is thinking of me." Nothing could exceed the courtesy of his bearing, and I can vividly recall the pride I felt as he raised his silk hat in recognition of the " gazer on the street." I have the most pleasant recollection of Mr. Mackie, who was appointed shortly before I left School, and who is now almost the only link between the present and the past. My only regret is that the time of my tuition in French under Mr. Mackie was so short. I The old Janitor no longer patrols the corridor. never knew his name. He was tall, and thin, and of fair complexion, and very gruff ; but we liked him.* Of Dr. Moir I cannot speak. His photograph hangs on my wall beside that of the School. My debt to him is too great to be set down in words. Such, then, are some of my reminiscences of the old School—the object ever of reverent regard, of dutiful loyalty, and of unceasing warmth of affection and devotion. * The late Sergeant Duncan, of the 93rd, an old Crimean and Indian Mutiny veteran.—[Ed.]

A Picnic in the Val H Emo.

A PICNIC IN THE VAL 1/' EMO.

•

WE were a party of six Aberdonians who, one October, had shaken the granite dust from off our shoes for a time, and betaken ourselves to Italy, where we found bluer skies and more dust. In Florence that day the sky was blue indeed, and the sun blazing hot. Outside the Porta Romano, the steam tram in which we took our seats puffed and snorted as it climbed the hill, and bore us along the shadeless road, past the Protestant Cemetery, with its wealth of tapering cypress trees, to where the great fortified Monastery of the Certosa frowned down on the passersby from its commanding position on a hill by the roadside. The Certosa being our goal, we descended from the tram, and plunged at once into a crowd of beggars, composed ostensibly of the halt, the maimed, and the blind, such as congregate at the gates of Churches, Picture Galleries, and other places of note in Italian towns, showering blessings or hurling curses, according to the response they may receive from the victimised tourist. Surely the most charitable-minded traveller in Italy cannot but be conscious that mendicancy has been allowed to become a perfect pest by the Italian authorities, who seem to do little or nothing to put down the annoyance. I am reminded in this connection of the reply given by an elderly maiden lady of my acquaintance to a persistent beggar woman who demanded alms because she had " a sick husband," " Then you are better off than I am, for I haven't got even a sick one ! " Having emerged more or less financially scatheless from the ordeal of outstretched hands and unutterable hats, we gained the portal of the Monastery at the top of the hill, rang the bell at the great door, and waited while the porter summoned one of the quaintly white-clad Carthusian monks to act as our guide over the building. The Monastery, which was founded in 1341, is a wonderful old place, more like a fortress than an abode of peace. There are only a very few monks in it now, as the Monastery has been taken possession of by the Government, who allow about a dozen monks to live there to take care of the building, and sell their famous Chartreuse liqueur. Our guide was a placid old man, very fat, with shaven head and gentle, kindly face. He could speak a little English, and was very proud to show his linguistic powers; his explanations were made in a queer mixture of French,

The Grammar School Magazine.

English, and Italian. He told me, with an appreciative smack of his lips, that the liqueur was " nicety yellow and greeny ! " The view from the grim old Monastery is very beautiful, looking, as it does, over a valley of vineyards to the olive-clad slopes all round. We were shown a typical cell—bare and cold, with hard, narrow bed, and tiny window, with a glorious outlook. Each cell has a tiny garden belonging to it, where lemons were gleaming yellow on the trees. Having admired the artistic treasures of the Certosa, and purchased some of the " nicey greeny " liqueur, we said farewell to our kindly cicerone, and descended the hill again, hoping to find there some convenient spot to boil our kettle for tea, as we intended to have an al fresco meal; but, alas ! beggars on the spot, and high walls bounding the road, seemed to deny us peace, or a prospect of escape, and we moved somewhat disconsolately along for some distance before an opening in the boundary wall showed us an inviting vineyard within, and a dwelling-house evidently under repair, as the workmen were busy about it. In we trooped, and camped by the stripped autumn-tinted vines, rather doubtful as to whether we might not be regarded as trespassers, and promptly turned out. The kind attentions of the inmates of a tiny neighbouring cottage somewhat reassured us, and we were provided with hot water and chairs ad libitum, while an embarrassing circle of observers remained to watch the mad Inghlesi feed ! We were honoured indeed, yet still to be more honoured, for we had just finished tea when two gentlemen appeared with a large flask of wine and some glasses, and begged us to taste the new wine of their vineyard. Very goad it was, as we assured them with many thanks for their courtesy to unbidden guests, for these men were evidently the owners of the great garden which we had so unceremoniously taken possession of. They passed us on our road home, driving a splendid spanking horse, and called " Good-bye," as we waved to them from the crazy eliliquenza in which we rattled along to the Porta Romana, while the colours of an Italian sunset bathed gloriously the vineyard of our picnic in the Val d' Emo. M. H. J. H.

The Literary and Debating Society Finale.

THE LITERARY AND DEBATING SOCIETY FINALE. annual concert and dramatic performance, under the auspices of the Literary and Debating Society, was held in the School Hall on Friday, 3rd February. As on former occasions, the Hall was packed. The concert, the first part of the programme, was very successfully carried out, and was contributed to by the following ladies and gentlemen: Miss Dorothy Keith, Miss Nettie E. Gibb, Miss Winny M. Smith, and Messrs. A. Kidd, Henry Gray, Jun., and V. Stephenson. A comparison of the different performers would be useless, suffice it to say that they each and all acquitted themselves admirably. A tribute of praise is due to Hugh Ross Souper, to whose able accompaniments both singers and audience were greatly indebted. The piano was again very kindly lent by Mr. Macbeth. The interest of the evening, however, centred in the production, or rather reproduction (for was it not represented nine years ago ?) of " Vice-Versa," the play dramatised in two acts from Anstey's popular story. The cast was as follows : —

THE

Mr. Thdtilucle's body Dick Bultitude's body Dr. Grimslone (of Crichton House, Rodwell _ Regis) Mr. Shellack (merchant, of Canton) Clegg (a cabman) Tipping Chawner Biddlecomb Coggs -Jolland Ki j)cn Coker -Dulcie (Dr. Grimstone's daughter) hiliza (Mr. Bultitude's housemaid) •

•

W. L. OXFORD. G. A. LEDINGH AM. L. F. MERRYLEES. C. D. PETER/UN. C. E. OREES0N. FRED W ISHART. J. M. EASTON. C. E. OREES0N. D. CHEYNE. J. McGavis. R. LYON. J. G. BISSET. F. K. ROBSON. G. P. BURR.

Though the plot of the piece is well known to every schoolboy, it may not be out of place to describe it very briefly here. The first act opens in Mr. Bultitude's diningroom, where the said worthy gentleman, a merchant in the city, is found looking and feeling decidedly irritated by the antics of his son, Dick, who, very much against his will, is about to return to school after his Christmas holidays. The father is giving a weighty and

The Grammar School Magazine.

bullying harangue on the pleasures, etc., of school life, when suddenly, by means of a magic Indian talisman, which Dick has discovered in an old bureau, the spirit of the father transmigrates into the body of his son, and viceversa. Poor Mr. Bultitude is bundled oft to school in his son's place, while Dick remains at home, for the first time in his life master of a household. The results, as one might imagine, are truly appalling, and the scrapes in which poor Mr. B. finds himself afford endless cause for amusement. On the other hand, Dick, at home, lays himself out for a royal time of it, and the much-respected merchant's business affairs are let alone to go as they will. All comes well, however, in the end. Dick, in a roguish fit, turns up at school to see how things are going with his " guv'ner." He is disgusted to find, however, that in his absence, the schoolmaster's daughter, the fair Dulcie Grimstone, owing to his father's diffidence towards her advances, has transferred her affections to Dick's rival. Once more the magic of the talisman is made to operate, and father and son resume their rightful places. The parts of Dick and Mr. Bultitude were taken by W. L. Oxford and G. A. Ledingham. Both showed great skill in their respective roles, and the applause which greeted them on several occasions was fully merited. L. F. Merrylees' impersonation of Dr. Grimstone was absolutely without reproach, every word and gesture showing most careful study, and his withering glances and cutting speeches evoking shouts of laughter. F. K. Robson, as Dulcie, was a most bewitching little maid, the make-up being really excellent. G. P. Burr as Eliza, the housemaid, Mr. Shellack (C. D. Peterkin), and C. E. G-reeson's " cabby" were all irreproachable. Then the schoolboys, chief of whom were Tipping (Fred Wishart) and Chawner, the sneak (J. M. Easton), acted what parts they had to do in a manner true to life. The performance, without a doubt, was excellent, and great praise is due to Mr. Charles Davidson, our ever-popular stage-manager, for the pains he took in the training of the actors, and in the general arrangements of the piece. Nor must the name of Mr. James B. Scott be forgotten, who was so kind as to paint the scenery. STEWARD.

k I

ehidieial Xiyht.

" JUDICIAL NIGHT : " THE Annual School Assizes were held on December the 2nd, 1904. The Courtroom was crowded in every part, for was not the case one which would create a precedent if the accused were convicted? A precedent so far as the sagacity of our two noble " limbs of the law," Constable Lightfoot and Constable Runemin, were concerned. After the Usher had repeatedly exhorted the audience to be silent, the Senior Counsel for the prosecution (W. L. Oxford) opened the case for the Crown in a stirring speech. The case being opened, the testimony of P.C. Lightfoot was requisitioned. The evidence of the gallant constable was somewhat mixed, for he ended by saying that, although the house at which the burglary was committed was in total darkness, yet he had seen two lights in that house--one in the dining-room window, the other in Mr. Brown-Jones's study. The case had to be stated over again, and was to the effect that the two men in charge entered the house at 25 Anderson Drive with intent to steal, and did injure, to the effusion of her blood, the servant, Marv Ann Jane Snooks, at the said house. The second constable also got rather mixed, for, according to him, there was only one light in the house at the time the burglary took place between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m.—and that light was in a bedroom window. Mary Ann Jane now came into the witnessbox, and gave her evidence in such a straightforward manner that she was committed to the cells for the heinous double-barrelled crime of insulting the Judge and committing perjury. Mary Ann, however, recognised her lover in one of the prisoners, and had to be forcibly torn away from him before she would go to the cells. ' Mr. Brown-Jones," announced the Usher, as the next witness stepped into the witness-box. The conflicting testimony of this gentleman, coupled with his rather unsteady gait, aroused the suspicions of the Judge, and he was also committed to the cells. Mr. Brown-Jones's doctor was next called. For the fashionable doctor he appeared to be, he was surprisingly ignorant of his profession, for he deposed that Sarah Ann's injury was of an impossible character— at least the Judge made it out to be impossible. The learned doctor ventured to dispute the Judge's knowledge of medicine, however, and was promptly committed to the cells. The hopes of the prosecuting counsel, however, lay in Mr. Brown-Jones, jun. These hopes were rudely dispelled by the Judge, for he would not swear-in a boy of

The Grammar School Magazine.

15 years 10 months. The case now closed for the prosecution. The Senior Counsel for the defence (F. Wishart) then opened the case for the defendants in a grand oration. The witnesses for the defence were now called. William Sikes, who, all through the case, exhibited a great craving for tobacco, entered the witness-box. His evidence was delivered in an earnest and convincing manner, which at once influenced the Judge in his favour. This gentleman had six pipes confiscated whilst he was giving his testimony, P.C. Lightfoot taking the articles, and almost knocking them through the floor in his efforts to demolish Mr. Montague Montmorenzy followed, and such them. was the effect of his evidence that the Judge went to sleep --so perfectly true and convincing was it. Mrs. Plane was Her nose, however, now-hoisted into the witness-box. excited the suspicions of the Judge, and he commanded Dr. quack to examine it. Mrs. Plane, on the testimony of this professional ornament, was a hard drinker, an Mrs. opinion in which the Judge entirely concurred. Plane was committed to the cells for perjury. Reason— Mr. Her daughter was seventeen and she was twenty. Grinding-Swotter now waltzed in. His learned quotations and convincing theories completely nonplussed the Judge, who asked him to stand down because he could not understand him. The chief witness for the defence now came in Miss Arabella Plane. A complete change was manifested in the Judge's demeanour, so convincing was the young lady's testimony—she had not spoken yet. The Judge seemed ill at ease. He smirked, and smiled, and grinned at the same time, and finally asked the lady to come and sit beside him, a proposition to which she readily agreed. Her charms, however, had smitten the whole Court, and the Judge committed no fewer than five persons for smiling or waving to the young lady. The last witness was Captain Backstay, but the Judge was finding the young lady so agreeable a companion that he paid no attention whatever to the proceedings of the Court. The Junior Counsels (R. M. Porter and A. J. Morrison) then summed up, and were followed by the Judge, who had been brought to some sense of his duties by the foreman of the jury, who had induced the young lady to go and sit with him. The jury then retired, and brought in a verdict of " Nor GUILTY," to the huge delight of the prisoners, who showed their joy by trying to capture the young lady. The Judge then read the prisoners a severe moral lesson, K. T. and the Court was dissolved—until 1905.

stwsullaxessietramingnig "DZSATER" NOTES FRIDAY, November 25.—On this evening two papers were

delivered to the Society, the first on " The Hebrides," by W. P. MacLeod, and the other on " The Hebrideans," by A. J. Morrison. The President, who occupied the chair, called on MacLeod to deliver his paper. The speaker described the sea-girt nature of the islands—bounded on the west by the open Atlantic, on the east by the Minch. On the whole, the islands are flat, and covered with dark moor, where gleams many a lonely loch. They are very windy—in fact, the Hebrides are a playground for all the winds that blow. Rain is also very abundant in the isles, whose inhabitants, however, consider "sunshine after rain" one of the sweetest of Nature's joys. MacLeod also described the rugged grandeur of the rock scenery, and the beauty of the bays and sands, where is heard— " The long roar on the lone shore Of the immemorial sea."

He touched on the life in the islands—the gipsy-like existence on the moor in summer, the fireside " ceilidh" in winter, the annual migration to East Coast fishing, the joys and ambitions of the young. The enjoyment of MacLeod's paper was greatly enhanced by his apt descriptive quotations. Morrison, in his paper, which was a natural sequel to MacLeod's, spoke of the imaginative and poetic tendencies of the islander, of his superstitions, his courage, his resourcefulness, and his patriotism. The islander, possessed of much latent ability, had many Morrison also opportunities of shining in the world. spoke of the social and intellectual improvements amongst

The Grammar School Magazine.

the Hebrideans, and of the effects of such improvements. The many anecdotes scattered through the paper considerably enlivened it. A hat night was held after the papers were finished, but none of the debates were very well discussed. Friday, December 2.—" Judicial Night " was held on this evening. A full account of it will be found elsewhere. Friday, December 9.—On this evening Dr. M`Leod delivered a lecture to the Society on " Radium." As the lecture was open to the School, there was a very large turnout. The Chairman, Mr. Middleton, introduced the lecturer in a few well-chosen words. Beginning with a few words on electricity, Dr. M`Leod proceeded to illustrate his theories by means of experiments. To a " classical " mind, many of the experiments were extremely wonderful and astonishing, not to say interesting. At the close of the lecture, Mr. Middleton cordially thanked the lecturer, and the enthusiastic applause of the audience testified to their enjoyment of the lecture. The President then thanked Mr. Middleton for presiding. Afterwards the Society proceeded to Room I. to criticise the Magazine. The chief fault found with the Magazine was its small bulk. Burr got together a few minor faults, however, and taxed the Staff with them. W. P. MacLeod eloquently upheld the Magazine, as also did several other members. The Editor and his Staff easily answered all faults found with the Magazine, and were rewarded with the Society's opinion that, " everything considered, the Magazine was very good." Friday, December 16.--On this evening Dr. M`Leod delivered the second part of his lecture on " Radium." The mysteries of electric waves were discussed by the lecturer, and by experiments he showed the secret of wireless telegraphy. He passed round a particle of radium, and all those present had the unique experience of seeing the precious substance. He then threw on the screen several photographs taken by means of radium, one of which especially delighted his audience—A.G.S. cut in tin. As on the preceding night, the lecturer received a hearty ovation at the conclusion of his lecture. Dr. M`Leod intimated the possibility that his next lecture to the Society would be entirely on " Waves." G. P. Burr, the chairman, thanked Dr. M`Leod for the pleasure his lecture had given to all, and called upon the Society to give him a hearty vote of thanks, a request that was warmly responded to. L. F. 3Ierrylees then proposed a vote of

Debater Notes.

thanks to the Janitor for manipulating the lantern, a vote also warmly responded to. Friday, December 23.—As the Society were rather elated at the prospect of holidays, no business of any importance was discussed. Friday, January 13.—The business for this evening was the debate, " Are we really Happy or Miserable ? "—Miserable : W. L. Oxford ; Happy, L. F. Merrylees. Owing to the unavoidable absence of the President, however, the debate did not come off. The Society accordingly determined to have a hat night. The chief debate was, " Which possesses the more advantages—gas or electric light?" This debate was rather well discussed, the chief speakers being Peterkin, W. L. Wilson, Merrylees, and Burr. This evening was remarkable for the number of amorous debates discussed. It is needless to add that some very affecting confessions were made—one member, in particular, almost moving the Society to tears. After the hat night, " Impromptu" was tried, but none of the debates proposed seemed to catch on well. R. N. Gilchrist occupied the chair. Friday, January 20. As Mr. Middleton was unable to give his lecture, Mr. Murison kindly consented to deliver one in his place. The President, who occupied the chair, introduced Mr. Murison in a few words, and called upon him to deliver his paper. Mr. Murison's paper was on "Fools," and, accordingly, the. Society settled down for an evening's enjoyment. The Society settled down for an evening's enjoyment. They were not disappointed in their hopes, for never, perhaps, has so witty and so humorous a paper been delivered to them. The profession of jester was an old-established, and, at one time, an honourable one. It was, besides, a very lucrative vocation. The Romans had jesters, and at such feasts as the Saturnalia they were in great demand, for they contributed the humorous element at the feasts. To the ancient Celts we owe the institution of All Fools' Day—April 1—the celebration of which, in the different countries, Mr. Murison described. It was in the Middle Ages, however, that the profession of jester was at its height, for then every noble posiessed a fool. The jester of that time was a privileged person, for he alone dared to tell his master unwelcome or unpalatable news without fear of being punished for it. The lecturer then mentioned some famous fools, as Jamie Fleeman and Archie Armstrong, and gave examples of their sayings and doings.

The Grammar School Magazine.

Anecdotes, which afforded the Society great amusement, were scattered in great profusion all through the paper. When Mr. Murison had finished his paper, the President warmly thanked him, and sail that it was extremely good of him to give the lecture, and so help the Society out of the difficulty occasioned by Mr. Middleton's inability to deliver his lecture. In concluding, the President called for a vote of thanks to Mr. Murison, a vote to which the Society cordially responded. Friday, January 27.—The business for this evening was the debate, " Which is the Happier—a Barbarian or a Civilized Man? "—Former : C. D. Peterkin ; Latter, F. Wishart. L. F. Merrylees, who occupied the chair, called on Peterkin to give his paper first. In the course of his paper, Peterkin said that the barbarian has a breadth of freedom altogether unknown to a civilized man, and enjoys the unrestrained exercise of his natural powers. He enjoys a high degree of natural health, and many of the diseases of civilization are wholly unknown to him. Civilization has failed to supply even the necessaries of life for great multitudes of men, and, though it has heaped up riches for the enjoyment of the few, yet, on the whole, it has failed, and after all our enlightenment, we must sorrowfully come to the conclusion that the natural man is happier than we are. There is ambiguity in the use of the word " civilized." It is usually understood to refer to material benefits, such as railways, electric lights, telegraphs, and the like ; if this is all it means, then the barbarous man is in a sad condition, but if " civilized " can only be properly applied to a man whose moral character is on a level with or above his material surroundings, then the civilized man is condemned, for he often loses in moral character what he gains in material benefit. Wishart based his argument on the fact that the barbarian conception of freedom is a false one. True freedom is only found in the voluntary submission of one's own interests for the general good, a freedom for which civilization brings the opportunity. The barbarian's wants may be few, but that means that his pleasures are also few. Civilization immensely increases the capacity for enjoyment which the race possesses, and it is to be expected that the capacity for pain should be increased at the same time. Civilization has brought with it the triumph of the healing art, and now there are few varieties of pain which cannot be alleviated. The only hope of the barbarian when he suffers is to die. It is doubtful if cities enervate

Debater Notes.

men. Difficulties make men more manly and self-restrained, provided the difficulties are not so great as to crush them. In the case of barbarians, the contest with Nature is so arduous that it frequently crushes their spirit, e.g., the Esquimos. The moral character of the savage is often only the result of partial innocence, and as soon as • the temptations of civilization approach him he succumbs. The moral character of the civilized man, however, is of real value, for it is tried in the fire. On the subject being thrown open for debate, a lot of discussion ensued, the chief speakers being--For the barbarian, J. Craigen and W. Peters ; for the civilized man, W. P. MacLeod, A. M. MacLeod, who, however, exhibited a tendency to pose as a " pawky humorist," and W. P. Selbie, whose magnificent extempore speech was the feature of the evening. The vote resulted in a majority of 3 for the " Civilized Man," A hat night was held afterwards, and some very good debates were discussed. The speaking, on the whole, was better than it had ever been before. Towards the end of the meeting, C. D. Peterkin took the chair. Friday, February 3.—The Concert and Dramatic Performance was held on this evening. A full account of it will be found elsewhere. Friday, February 10. On this evening Mr. Morrison gave a paper to the Society on " Anecdotal Causerie on some Historical Utterances and Characters." After a few introductory remarks, the President called on Mr. Morrison to give his paper. Mr. Morrison, at the outset, said that his paper would be of a very rambling nature, and so it proved to be. Yet, the paper was rendered all the more enjoyable by this very element. There was hardly anything that Mr. Morrison did not give an anecdote about ; hardly any famous person whom he did not quote. The sayings of kings, of princes, of poets, of statesmen were all touched on. He did not confine himself to the English tongue only, for he quoted extensively from well-known French authors. Proverbs and peculiar sayings also came In fact, the paper was, besides in for consideration. being extremely humorous, a perfect epitome of information. When the paper was finished, the President cordially thanked Mr. Morrison, and called on the Society to give him a very hearty vote of thanks, which they did with a will. Friday, February 17.—On this evening Mr. A. Mackie delivered- a lecture to the Society on " Johnny Gibb o' Gushetneuk." Mr. Murison, the Hon. President, who

The Grammar School Magazine.

occupied the chair, introduced the lecturer to the Society, and then called on him to deliver his lecture. Mr. Mackie first spoke of the scenes pictured in the book all were from Aberdeenshire. He then proceeded to the plot of the book, and, after describing it in detail, discussed the chief characters. The two which appeared to delight the Society most were "Tam Murison" and "Sandy Peterkin." The lecturer read many passages from the book, the Doric being excellently rendered. That the Society enjoyed and appreciated the quotations was quite evident from the " Mrs. terrific applause which greeted each dialogue. Birse " was evidently Mr. Mackie's favourite character, for he quoted her again and again, to the huge delight of the Society, who thoroughly en" Johnny Gibb " also joyed her sordid character. came in for a good deal of attention, Mr Mackie After giving a magnificent summary of his character. Mr. Mackie had discussed the book, he spoke a few words on the language in which it was written—the language that Ruskin called " the sweetest and most beautiful in Europe." Mr. Mackie gave some words which are now out of use, a fact which afforded employment to the Society After for days after—trying to find out their meaning. Mr. Mackie had finished his lecture, Mr. Anderson, Aberdeen Daily Journal, gave a few notes on the work. Mr. Murison then proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Mackie, and the President proposed one to Mr. Murison for presiding. Friday, February 24.—The business for this evening was a lecture on " A Visit to Oxford and Cambridge," by Rev. E. E. Marshall. The Chairman, Mr. C. Davidson, introduced the lecturer, and then called on him to deliver his lecture. The lecture was illustrated throughout by limelight views. Beginning with a few general views of Oxford, the lecturer quickly conducted the Society to the Beautiful views of Oriel College, St. John's Colleges. College, which was once a monastery, Keble College, These and Trinity College were thrown on the screen. were followed by views of Balliol College, Exeter College, and Brasenose College. The lecturer initiated his audience into all the histories of the various Colleges, and, in Passing to fact, to everything connected with them. Cambridge, King's College was first described. The chapel of this College possesses the finest oaken screen in the Christ's College and Emmanuel ColUnited Kingdom. lege were others which called for particular attention.

Debater Notes.

Pembroke College, one of the oldest in Cambridge, was the one at which Lord Kelvin graduated. Everything connected with the towns was described and shown by views on the screen—the monuments, the gardens, the churches, all were described. Such an interesting lecture could not fail to delight any Society, so, when Mr. Davidson called for a vote of thanks to the lecturer, the roof of the room was almost lifted off. Before the meeting broke up the President, on behalf of the Society, presented Mr. Davidson with a handsome smoking-cabinet as some slight acknowledgment of the trouble he had taken with the staging of " Vice-Versa," which was so successfully acted earlier in the month. F. WISHART, Secretary.

In tow'ring passion see the master stand, Law in his voice, and torture in his hand ; To him the fearful youth with terror white A hand consigns, a victim to his might. Caused by one look, a stream of water flows From out the culprit's eyes down o'er his nose. No smile to him security bestows As now on high the piece of torture goes; With deaf'ning crash descends the cutting cane, Scud leads to scud, and each advances pain. But yet the master's wrath is unappeased, And once again the smarting hand is seized : And once again the instrument ascends, And once again a cry the stillness rends. But now the whole class frowns, and all at once They charge with might and seize the hurtful lance. The victim scorns him now, and disappears To tell the tale of woe—and dry his tears. (With apologies to Dr. Johnson.) G.

SCHOOL V. 1ST F.P.'s.—This match should have been played on the 12th of November in the School Grounds, but had to be postponed, as the F.P.'s could not get together a team. MODERN V. CLASSICAL.--On the 16th of November the Modern side of the School met the Classical side in their first match of this season. This year the Modern side has only two of the First XV. backs and four forwards. The rest of the fifteen is drawn from the Classical side. When the teams lined up, the spectators seemed to have made up their minds that the Classical fifteen would have an easy victory. The Moderns kicked off towards the west, and at once carried the game within their opponents' twentyfive. Smith got a pass from a scrum on the five yards' line, and scored in the corner. Merrylees brought out full points. The Classicals gained nothing from their kick off, and play was speedily carried back to their line, where Merrylees scored between the posts, and Smith easily converted. The knowledge that ten points were registered against them appeared to stir up the Classicals a little, and they seemed determined to prevent the Modern side scoring again. Scroggie, however, broke away at midfield and scored, but failed with the rather difficult kick. A few minutes before half-time Wishart, after a fine run, scored for the Classical side, but failed to convert. At

Football Notes.

half-time the score stood—Modern side, 13 points ; Classical side, 3 points. In the second half the Classicals were never dangerous, and play was entirely in their end of the field. Butchart, Merrylees, Scroggie, and Smith each scored in the second half, and, when time was called, the The score had risen to 27 points (3 goals 4 tries). Classical's score was 3 points (1 try). Douglas Jamieson, F.P., acted as referee. SCHOOL V. 2ND F.P.'s.—Our first fixture with the 2nd F.P.'s was played off on the 19th of November at the School. The Former Pupils turned up with a strong team, and showed their superiority as soon as the game began. They scored steadily, for the most part through their forwards, against whose weight the rather light School pack could do very little. The School team worked hard, but at half-time had failed to score, and had 16 points against it. The second half was 'very much the same as the first. The School team seldom succeeded in moving its opponents from the twenty-five. Towards the end of the game the forwards collapsed completely, and the F.P.'s score rose to 29 points (2 goals 5 tries 1 dropped goal). In this match the members of the 1st XV. did not work well together, and, after a quarter of an hour's play, the forwards seemed to lose heart entirely. From what we have seen of the 1st this year, it would appear that it plays a good winning game, but, on coming in contact with superior opponents, it, as a whole, breaks down. SCHOOL v. 'VARSITY A.—The weather on the 26th of November was bad, and, in consequence, this match was not played. SCHOOL v. 2ND NOIIADS.—Although the match against 'Varsity A had to be put off on account of a heavy fall of snow, the ground on Saturday, 3rd December, was in very good condition. The School had a good team in the field, and speculation was rife as to the result of what, it was foreseen, would be a hard game. The School, winning the toss, kicked off towards the west, and at once began to press their opponents. There were a few rushes downfield by the Nomads, but, for a quarter of an hour, the School team was on the aggressive, and was unfortunate in not scoring. The Nomads pulled themselves together, and transferred play to the School half. Soon after this they scored, but failed to convert. Then the School made a fine effort, and gradually reached the upper end of the field. From a scrum at five-yards Scroggie scored in the corner, but the try was not improved upon. The kick out

The Grammar School Magazine.

brought relief to the Nomads, who scored, but again failed with the kick. At half-time the score stood—School, 3 points ; Nomads, 6 points. On resuming, the School team played a better game, and very seldom let their opponents far up the field. Play was very even, and the Nomad defence good, but the ball was carried over the line once or twice without, however, anything being added to the School score. Leslie, from a kick from the twenty-five line, got the ball, and, after a run from midfield, scored a magnificent try, which Alerrylees converted into five points. Time was called almost immediately after this goal. Scores—School, 8 points (1 goal 1 try) ; Nomads. 6 points (2 tries). ScHooL V. GORDON'S COLLEGE.—The first match with Gordon's was played on November 5th, and resulted in a win for the School team by 3 paints. When, however, we met them for the second time on December 17th, their Fifteen had been strengthened, and it was generally considered that the School team was in for a beating. The week preceding this game was very wet, and, as the ground was in an extremely muddy condition, it was expected that the match would either be cancelled or postponed. When Saturday afternoon came round there was little or no improvement in the weather, the School team was not at its full strength, and the mud in certain parts of our field might have been measured in inches. The Gordon's forwards this year are a heavy and hard-working pack, and, before the game had been in progress many minutes, showed their superiority over their lighter opponents. The first half was played chiefly in the School end of the field, and before half-time Gordon's had scored one try, and converted it into a goal, gaining a lead of five points. On crossing over, the School team fell off more and more. The less said about the defence the better. It was anything but what it ought to have been. The School team never scored at all, and Gordon's added six points to their original five, thus gaining a victory by 11 points to nothing. Mr. Cruickshank acted as referee. SCHOOL V. DUNDEE HIGH SCHOOL 2ND F.P.'s.—This match was to have been played at Mannofield on the 14th of January, but had to be put off as the High School Former Pupils could not get a full team to bring north. 2ND CITY v. A.G.S. 2ND F.P.'s. On the 21st of January the 2nd F.P.'s met the 2nd City at Mannofield. The game resulted in a win for the 2nd City by one point. The scores were-2nd City, 6 points (2 tries); 2nd F.P.'s, 5 points (1 goal).

Football Notes.

Scnom, v. D.H.S. 2ND F.P.'s.--This match, to play which we should have travelled to Dundee, was declared off, as the ground at Dundee was unplayable. SCH0OLv. 2ND 'SHIRE. The first match we played with the 2nd 'Shire this season resulted in a draw, each side scoring one goal. The School team met them again, this time in the Duthie Park, on the 4th of February. The Park ground was in good condition, and the game was well contested all through. The 'Shire captain winning the toss, the School kicked off against a north wind, and play settled down for a time at midfield, but the 'Shire men were gradually driven back to their twenty-five line. From a scrum the ball went out to Scroggie, who ran until he was within about ten yards of the 'Shire line, when he passed neatly in again to Merrylees, who scored, but failed with the kick. The drop-out brought little relief to the 'Shire, and they were soon driven to their back-line. From a scrum at five-yards Smith passed out to Merrylees, who again scored, and again failed with the by no means difficult kick. When the teams crossed over, the School score had not been increased. The second half was principally a hard fight between the opposing forwards, and, although the School three-quarters had, in the first half, done some good passing, they now fell off completely; any passing that there was was very wild. In the last few minutes of the game the 'Shire had hard luck in not scoring. They reached our back line, but their forwards did not let out the ball, and never gave the three-quarters a chance to score. The game ended—School, 6 points (2 tries); 'Shire, nil. SCHOOL v. 1ST 'SHIRE.—Saturday, 11th February, The match had to be abandoned owing to a heavy fall of snow. Scnom. v. D.H.S. 2ND F.P.'s.—To play this match the School team travelled to Dundee on the 18th of February. The train reached Dundee between 12 and 1 o'clock, and the Fifteen, after dining and changing into "Footer Togs," was conducted by the High School Secretary to the ground where the match was to be played. Half a gale of wind was blowing right across the field from touch line to touch line, with showers at intervals. The F.P.'s were short, but were lent our rescue man, and the game began about The School kicked off, and play a quarter to three. settled down for a time in the F.P.'s twenty-five, but was very erratic owing to the strength of the wind. With the exception of a few forward rushes, play continued in the home team's end until shortly before half-time, when

The Grammar School Magazine.

Anderson scored between the posts for the School, and Merrylees easily converted. The half-time whistle blew soon after this without more scoring. The visitors crossed over with a lead of five points, but had to play almost altogether on the defensive. One of the F.P.'s halves got away, but was taken down close to our line by Giles. He was not held, however, and crawled in and scored, but, on account of some misunderstanding with the referee, the try was not allowed. After this the School briskened up a bit, and transferred the ball to the other end, where Anderson scored for the second time, but Merrylees failed with the difficult kick. The High School had very hard luck in having three or four men hurt; one of them, we believe, was hurt severely. They finished with four forwards, whom we must take this opportunity of congratulating on the way in which they attacked our own forwards again and again, and from whom they very often got the ball in the scrums. Scores—School, 8 points (1 goal 1 try); D.H.S. 2nd F.P.'s, nil. When the match was over the School team was entertained to a sumptuous tea by the F.P.'s, and, after spending a very enjoyable evening, in the course of which there was quite a lot of singing (although the School Fifteen is not what one could call musical), left Dundee about 8 o'clock, and arrived in Aberdeen passing ten. Smoot, V. GORD0N'S COLLEGE.—This, the match of the season (the third against Gordon's), was played on the 25th of February in King's College Grounds. Friday was wet, but on Saturday the weather was all that could be desired for football. The School won the first match, and Gordon's the second; the teams now met in the game which would show up the better Fifteen. Gordon's had their strongest team in the field, but a change was made in the School forward line. Anderson (Modern VI.) took Reid's place, and proved himself an excellent substitute. Scroggie won the toss, and Gordon's kicked off towards the east goal, with a light wind in their favour. They followed up well, and a few scrummages within our twenty-five resulted. Gordon's pressed, and had hard luck in not scoring, but just when they appeared to be on the point of getting behind, Kelman intercepted a pass, and made touch at their twenty-five line. The School were driven back to touch at midfield, from where, however, Kelman got away dribbling. The Gordon's full-back muddled, and Kelman secured a fine try, which Merrylees converted. The drop-out brought no relief. From a

Football Notes.

scrum on the twenty-five Smith got the ball, and transferred to Anderson, who passed to Merrylees, and he, in turn, to Scroggie, who scored. Merrylees failed with the The kick. Gordon's kicked out, and followed up well. On game continued about the centre until half-time. resuming, the School forwards played splendidly, Semple being specially prominent. The School was awarded a free-kick, which was not taken advantage of, Wishart failing to find touch. Murray of Gordon's intercepted a pass, and got away. He was taken down by Scroggie, but, regaining his feet, scored between the posts. The try was converted. After this there were a few scrummages in the middle, until Murray broke away and scored, and again full points were brought out. Gordon's were now two points ahead, and the School made a final effort. They pressed their opponents back to their twenty-five. Kelman kicked in behind, the full-back muddled, and Anderson scored for the School. Merrylees tried the easy kick, but failed on account of too great excitement. The whistle then blew for time up. So a hard game between very evenly-matched Fifteens ended in a win for the School with the narrow margin of one point. Mr. Cruickshank (of the Queen's Cross F.C.) acted as referee. Scores— Gordon's College School . .

•

. 10 points (2 goals). 11 points (1 goal 2 tries).

FIRST FIFTEEN. SUMMARY OF MATCHES, 1904-05, UP TO DATE. Date. 1904. Oct. 15 ,, 22 ,, 29 Nov. 5 „ 19 Dec. 3 17 1905. Feb. 4 „ 18 „ 25

Team Against.

where Played.

Results.

3rd 'Shire Queen's Cross 2nd 'Shire Gordon's College 2nd F.P.'s 2nd Nomads Gordon's College

School School School School School School School

Won Lost Drew Won Lost Won Lost

2nd 'Shire D. H. S. 2nd F.P.'s Gordon's College

Duthie Park Dundee King's

Won Won Won

Scores.

55 to nil

12 to 3 5 all 8 to 5 29 to nil 8 to 6 11 to nil 6 to nil 8 to nil 11 to 10

Played 10 ; won 6 ; lost 3 ; drew 1. L. F. M.

The Grammar School Magazine. THE FIRST FIFTEEN.

COMPARED with last season's team, our present 1st XV. has nothing to be ashamed of, but, compared with other former teams, it is decidedly weak. The back division is by far the stronger, the forwards being the worst the School has ever had. They lack combination in the open, and are weak in the maul, thus depriving the backs of all their chances. The team has not had much practice, this applying especially to its three-quarter line, which, although it usually plays well, lacks proper combination, and the art of passing surely and at the right moment. The team has only once been at its proper strength, on which occasion it succeeded in beating Gordon's. Two or three of the best players have gone " association-mad," and will not turn out to uphold the honour of their School in Rugby. The following is a criticism of the team :— Full Back. J. S. Giles.—A reliable full back. Kicks well, and is smart at finding touch. Can clear well when hard pressed. His tackling has improved greatly since the beginning of the season. Rather slow at recovering himself when ground has been lost. Three-Quarter Backs. G. E. Scroggie. A very energetic captain, who keeps the team well in hand. His speed always stands him in good stead as outside three-quarter. Tackles fearlessly, and finds touch well. Apt to over-run his partner, and might be better at taking a pass. L. F. Merrylees.—A very smart and unselfish player, whose great feature is his good place-kicking. Passes and receives a pass well. Would be better with more speed; his tackling is generally sure. A. S. K. Anderson.—Rather light for heavy opponents, but makes up for this by excellent tackling and strong kicking. Should pass sooner; and is rather slow. F. D. Leslie.--Has improved greatly since the beginning of season. A good dodger and safe tackler. Makes the best use of his speed. Kicking weakest point. Half-Backs. J. Kelman.—An exceedingly smart and hard-working player. Kicks strongly, and marks his man well. Is

The First Fifteen.

master of many smart dodges. Has plenty of speed, and Keeps the ball too much to himself at dribbles well. times. J. R. Murray.—Returned to School after Christmas, and is a welcome recruit to the 1st XV., but we are not in a position to give a detailed criticism of his qualities. Forwards. F. Wishart.—Strongest kick in the team. Makes a good centre-forward, and always follows up well. Rather poor at touch, and might work harder in the mauls. J. A. Reid.--The School's best forward (but does not often play). He works hard, and is always in the right place. Dribbles well, and is a sure tackler. R. Semple. A hard-working player, who is very good at touch, and can tackle well. Might make more use of his weight in the mauls by sticking closer to his partner. Kicking and following up somewhat weak. W. M. M`Gavin.—Rather light as a forward, but shoves his hardest in the mauls. A sound tackler and good kick. R. E. Butchart.—Useful in the maul, but rather slow in the open. Is good at touch, but might follow up better. Ought to improve greatly by next season. A. J. Smith.—Knows the game, and keeps well on the ball. Kicks and tackles well. Is sometimes inclined to be selfish. Can play well at half-back. F. Macrae.—Has plenty of weight, which he uses to the greatest advantage in the maul. Kicking weak. C. E. Greeson.--A hard-working forward, who follows up very well. Tackling and kicking might be improved. Sometimes passes wildly. J. M. Mitchell.---Works hard in the open, and mauls well. Is rather slow at following up, and weak in kicking.

ARMY COMMISSIONS FOR UNIVERSITY GRADUATES. Of the numerous doors that have been from time to time opened, by which access can be had to the commissioned ranks of the Army, the latest is not the least interesting. It is, briefly, that men can take a University Degree and an Army Commission simultaneously.

The Grammar School Magazine.

A student desirous of an Army Commission joins for the three years of his Degree Course the University Volunteer Company or Battery; he also attends each winter the Course of Military Lectures which has been recently instituted in Edinburgh University. Having obtained his Degree in Science or in Arts, he undergoes a written examination in Military Subjects, and must qualify in it. He then appears before a Board of Selection, and presents certificates of all he is and has done; this Board chooses out the candidates up to the number of Commissions allotted to Scottish Universities, which form a " group " for the purposes of this scheme. Fourteen Commissions per annum have been so allotted for the present, of which 10 are in Cavalry or Infantry, 2 in the Royal Artillery, and 2 in the Indian Army. The full Regulations can be obtained at the University, and the Military Lecturer, Captain Johnstone, late of the Royal Engineers, is glad to discuss and explain the new scheme.

OUR CONTEMPORARIES. DURING the course of the criticism in our Debating Society of the last issue of the Magazine, one of our schoolfellows proposed that in future, instead of merely acknowledging the receipt of the various School magazines which are sent to us, we should give our readers some idea of the contents of these magazines. We shall now endeavour to do so. " St. Andrew's College Magazine" (Grahamstown) is brimful of College news, football news, cricket news, etc. The subjects of its illustrations are groups of the prefects and of the First XV. It contains a criticism of the football team, and some good verses on the College by a junior Andrean. The " Olavian " has a very interesting article on " Football in Queen Elizabeth's Time," and also letters from Oxford and Cambridge. The " Glasgow Academy Chronicle " gives a list of 43 " Old Boys " who have been football Internationalists. It also contains a good article on a visit to Port Sunlight. "Edinburgh Academy Chronicle" (November) produces a criticism of the Cricket XI., and a very interesting article on " Rugby Football in New Zealand."

Our Contemporaries.

" Edinburgh Academy Chronicle " (December) maintains the usual high standard of this magazine, but has no outstanding features. " high School Sentiment" (Parson's Higb School, Kansas) is a very humorous magazine, and gives us, among other good things, a funny poem entitled, " I got to go to School," and some laughable definitions ; " Hug—a roundabout way of expressing affection." EXTRACT.—I'd like to hunt the Injuns 'at roam the boundless plain !

I'd like to be a pirate, an' plow the ragin' main, An' capture some big island, in lordly pomp to rule ; But I just can't be nuthin', 'cause I got to go to school.

"C.A.I." (Coleraine Academical Institution) has a good article on some football reminiscences. " The Yellow Dragon," a Hong-Kong paper of a school for native Chinese (November), prints some amusing extracts from the English composition of the lower schoolboys. "He got up and walk along the road." " He said he can not." " He put it down and goes away." " He was hurt his leg."

" The Yellow Dragon " (December) has a " Letter from the Seat of War," which is of great interest. It also contains some amusing howlers, perpetrated at examinations at Queen's College. Some of these are :— " The Colossus at Rhodes was a huge statue, with one leg on the island of Rhodes, and the other on the mainland of Greece." " He stayed at home to look after his edged parents." " Taunton is in Cromwell."

" The Scotch Collegian" contains plenty of college news, etc. It has two humorous articles, " Heaven and Earth," and a "Voyage in a Tub," and a good photo. of the Sixth class. The " Nelsonian " gives a graphic description of the great fire which broke out on December 17th, 1904, and completely destroyed the college. Its frontispiece is a photograph of the college boat crew. It publishes an illustrated supplement which contains photographs of the college before and during the fire, and also a photo. of the cricket XI. The magazine itself, as usual, contains plenty of news about the college and its doings. " St Andrew's College Magazine" (Dublin) has good articles on " Rotorua " and " The Manners and Customs of the Arabs." - [The Editor begs to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of these magazines and " Mercer's School Magazine."]

%cbool Officials. SESSION

'904-5

(fames Committee. The RECTOR. Mr. JAMES DAVIDSON. Mr. J. C. KNox (representing Lower School). F. M. RAE (Cricket). J. P. CAMERON. G. E. SCROGGIE (Cricket, FootJ. GILES (Cricket). ball). L. F. MERRYLEES (Football). C. D. PETERKIN (Cricket, Swim - J. KELMAI' (Football). F. WISHART (Cricket). ming;, Magazine. Football. G. E. SCROGGIE. Cafitain, J. KELMAN. Secretary Swimming Club. Cafitain, C. D. PETERKIN. Vice-Cajtain, A. M. WILSON. G. A. LEDINGHAM. Secretary and Treasurer, Committee. I. G. BISSET. G. E. SCROGGIE. F. WISHART. L. F. MERRYLEES.

President, Hon. Secretary,

Literary and Debating Society. W. L. OXFORD. G. P. BURR. Vice-Presidents, R. N. GILCHRIST. { F. WISHART. Secretary and Treasurer, Committee. A. J. MORRISON. J. M. EASTON. H. J. M. MILNE. L. F. MERRYLEES. C. D. PETERKIN. Library. C. D. PETERKIN (Lending). J. P. CAMERON (Reference). H. R. SOUPER (Lending). W. L. OXFORD (Lending). • F. WISHART (Lending).

President,

Magazine. C. D. PETERKIN. L. F. MERRYLEES. H. R. SOUPER. F. WISHART. The Hon. Secretary of the Former Pupils' Club is Mr. ALFRED W. EDWARDS, 29 Union Street, Aberdeen.

Editor-in-Chief, Editorfor Sj5ort, Literary Editor, Business Manager,

"THISTLE CYCLES." (food Home Built Machines, with Best Fittings, made by Experienced Workmen, can be had to order from £ 610s.

Complete.

Sole Agent: ALEX. TAYLOR, 404

UNION

STREET, ABERDEEN.

CHRISTIE & GREGOR -

?weed, )lannel, Serge, 4 3(omespun Suitings, Are Unsurpassed for Variety and Style, at MODERATE PRICES.

ilDercbant tailors,

42 & 43 UNION TERRACE, Aberdeen. Cho Jorth of $cotland jfancy 435oods Emporium Foi•

'Webbing CitftEi, Virthimp prewntattolw, ant)

pri3c6, Rc. '

E respectfully solicit the favour of a ViSit to our Showrooms, which / 04114

are replete with a most attractive variety in all

eartments.

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

McMILLRN I

LTD.,

151 UNION STREET, ABERDEEN. ►I'.11. 81'Ell _1 UT, Manager.

A e a r r i vi n g d a i l y

i n a l l s n a d es n f NEW SEASON'S GOODS rLeather at JOHN A. DUNN'S 9

THE GLOBE BOOT AND SHOE HOUSE, i Come and have

All Goods

your Choice.

marked in Plain Figures

The

and at

Variety is

Lowest Prices. Endless. See

See

WINDOWS.

UNION

••

NIIMIJO

WINDOWS.

STREET, ABERDEEN.

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

pianofortes, harmoniums, and Organs.

James Macbeth Has always on hand a Magnificent Assortment of

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

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

Pianoforte and Music Saloon-

181

STREET,

UNION

) .a,irYlif/S1 J., Photographic Artists,

25 CROWN ST., ABERDEEN; AND AT BRAEMAR.

ABERDEEN.

Pi. BOYS' and YOUTHS' OUTFITTER.

thletie Outfits OF ALL KINDS.

„7-Zrag' s Buildings, 117 and 119 UNION STREET, FIBERDEEN.

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

Z. O. Pre6Mie, Ladies' and Gentlemen's Hairdresser, 10

aricise

Street,

ABERDEEN.