AGS Magazine March 1937

THE

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ABERDEEN GRAMMAR SCHODL MAGAZINE

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ABERDEEN

prervMd. for lhe Former Pupils' Club at- The University Press • PRICE ONE SHILLING.

Volume XL, No. 2.

March, 1937.

EDUCATIONAL BOOKS Y ~Gly4~(yl

JAMES

G. BISSET the Class Books (New or

to supply all CONTINUES Second-hand) suited for the requirements of the Higher Educational Institutions in the City, at the Lowest Prices.

N.B.—Best Value in Students' Note Books.

JAMES a Medical, and

Classical,

85

BISSET Educational

Bookseller,

STREET

BROAD

(Opposite Marischal College).

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Children need

ENERGY cr) ►r) t= o 0.4 •

TO tide them over the trying hours at school, children need energy! They'll get it from Hutchison's Bread.

Assure their health by buying NOW!

A.B.

TN CENTRAL EAlcutY

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13 BRANCHES throughout the CITY

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Record Prices Given for

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OLD GOLD JEWELLERY WATCHES COINS AND ANTIQUE SILVER

ANY QUANTITY PURCHASED

A. & J. SMITH WATCHMAKERS JEWELLERS CLOCKMAKERS - SILVERSMITHS OPTICIANS GOLDSMITHS -

191 UNION STREET ARERDEEN

_ _ 500~.0o-000 ittte's For 7asbions THE HOUSE

Gowns in every

Quality and Style

Outsize Wear

105 UNION STREET

A

Speciality

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ABERDEEN

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GALLOWAY & SYKES PERFECTION

LTD.

IN

FURNISHINGS "Yu all interested in line furnishings GALLOWAY and SYKES tender the resources of wide experience and the assistance of showrooms complete with furnishings of every style.

DEPARTMENTS

Telephone 4760 — 4761 Telegrams : "Craftsmen " Aberdeen

Furniture Carpets and Lmoleums Fabrics Beds and Bedding Mantelpieces and Grates Removal Contractors and Storages Parquetry Flooring Billiard Tables Shop Fitters Wood Carvers Church Furnishers Funeral Undertakers Valuators INSPECT WITHOUT OBLIGATION the new Season's stocks now on display

UNION ST.

ABERDEEN

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JAMES FYFE & SON PAINTERS AND

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*

GLAZIERS

OFFICE

AND

SHOWROOMS 7- •

11 DEE STREET, ABERDEEN. Telephone 304.

Telegrams " Fyfe, Painters."

FAMILY COFFEE -z

Cures Coffee is the favourite drink with everyIt is most /Pk one. delicious. esprcielly Your in cold weather. grocer can supply you.

CURBS COF ABERDEEN.

Quality is our Truest Economy

ROBERT STOTT Family Grocer Italian Warehouseman, Tea, Coffee, Wine and Spirit Merchant

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ALBERT STREET, ABERDEEN Telephone 1848

18 Back Wynd Aberdeen ESTABLISHED 1855

BOOKBINDING OF EVERY DESCRIPTION

BIND FIND FAST FAST

Leather Goods Lettered with Initials or Inscription Maps or Plans Mounted Loose Leaf Specialists

TRADE MARK

TELEPHONE. NO. 1719.

TELEGRAMS .

"HUB. ABERDEEN."

CAMPBELL -

8z,

SELLAR, LT.D.

Engineers, Hirers and Garage Proprietors

QUEEN'S CROSS GARAGE to Fountainhall Road ABERDEEN OPEN DAY AND NIGHT

ANY MAKE OF CAR SUPPLIED •

grI

zvw

rCOPLAND DECORATOR jelthown..geJetace,,Neeit.dee/ir -.VIP YAIS--- SPECIALIST an STAINED GLASS & MURAL DEGORATIO ..ctearw.crp_c

LA

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44w.so? ,,E-

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A. D. COPLAND. Phone 896.

'fclephone No. 2300.

Works: Rosebank Place.

Telegraphic AddrPss: " Undertake, Aberdeen."

GORDON & WATSON FUNERAL UNDERTAKERS AND

MOTOR

HIRERS

12 HOLBURN ST. & 40 VICTORIA RD. ABERDEEN

W. KENNAWAY, Ltd. BAKERS and CONFECTIONERS, 5 and 7 Holburn Street.

Luncheon, Tea, and Reception Rooms, 1 73 Union Street and 8 Bridge Street, ABERDEEN

SPECIALITIES SHORTBREADWEDDING CAKES. ROYAL DEESIDE IN TARTAN TINS, ALSO A LARGE SELECTION OF PLAIN AND FANCY ICED CAKES.

Telephone No. 1891.

ARCHIBALD McKELLAR Family Grocer and Wine Merchant, 454-456

Union Street, Aberdeen. . . We Specialise in . .

Cooked

Gammons, Finest Belfast Smoked Hams, Harris's "

Wiltshire Bacon.

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

OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS for the SCHOOL BLAZERS

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3 4 5 6

Y y

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166 16'11 17'6 186 IS 'II 196 1321 21:21 6 22,6 23:6 24;6 25 -

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SHORTS

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Lined Size Price 76 o 7:r1 I 86 2 811 3 96 4 5 9 1w to '6 6 10 11 7 zr 6 8 II 9 9 12 6 10 12 11 II 13:6 12 -

Bias Oxford Ties, 2/- ; Open-End Ties, 2/6 ; First Quality Hose, 6f-7, 3/6 ; 7i-8f, 3/I I ; 9-10, 4/6. Badge PullOvers, 24, 9/6 ; 26, 10/6 ; 28, 11/6 ; 30, 12/6 ; 32, 13/6 ; 34, 14:6 ; 36.15 6.

Grey Slip-ons, 24, 26, 28, 30, 5; I 1 ; Jerseys, 6,11.

32, 34, 36, 6;6.

Scarves (Large), 4,11 ; (Small) 2 11.

Belts—Snake (Narrow), 1,- ; Belts— Snake, I '6. Belts—Badge Buckle, 3 ;-.

Braces, 1/6.

Price

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ISAAC

BENZIE

LIMITED

GEORGE STREET

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ABERDEEN

Always insist on—

FLOCKHARTS' AERATED WATERS Address—Craibstone Lane, Aberdeen.

Telephone 873.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT has been the reputation of Such ALEXANDER'S from their inception that the discerning buyer appreciates that here will be provided only what is best in quality Fish, Game and Butcher Meat.

A courteous and efficient staff and a dependable delivery service completes the pleasure of shopping here.

Telephone orders rezeive the same keen personal attention.

Nimewaiff i

DEALERS IN

FISH

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GAME

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BUTCHER MEAT

'Phone 5172

492 UNION STREET., ABERDEEN

Telephone—Aberdeen 1710.

The Mastrick Dairies Ltd. 1 DESSWOOD PLACE, ABERDEEN

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WE offer you a Choice Selection of DAIRY PRODUCE from our own Farms, and produced under the direct supervison of members of the family. Our Customers may rely upon the absolute Purity and Cleanliness of all our products.

Distributors of

I,ord Carnegie's and Cairnbrogie Certified Milk.

Head Dairy: 3, 5, and 7 WHITEHALL ROAD. Branches: 7 MID STOCKET ROAD. 33 FOUNTAINHALL ROAD. 473 GREAT WESTERN ROAD. 25 BEDFORD PLACE.

CONTENTS ILLUSTRATIONS F.P.s in Shanghai, zznd January, x937 .

Mr. Patrick Ashley Cooper, B.A., LL.B.

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P.P. Club Rugby Football Section ist XV—Session, 1936-37 • • • • • • .

School Rugby Football 1st XV—Session, 1936-37 .

Grammar School House .

F.P.s in Shanghai . .

Notes about Old Boys . .

Obituary . . . .

Marriages . . . .

Two F.P. Autobiographies .

Lecht, Smoo, Stock Ghyll, etc.

Field-Marshal James Keith .

Facing page 96 97

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Page 95 96 97 tit i 16 117 123 131 SS

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School Section— School and Random Notes • The School Concert .

• • • • The Savings Bank—Ancien Regime. By J. R. F. On a Malayan River. By I. MacPhail . .

Rambling and Mountaineering Club . .

The Past Rugby Season . . . . .

Who's Who in the tst XV . .

House Notes . . . .

The Athletic Sports . . .

The Literary and Debating Society .

Scout Notes . . . . .

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132 138 139 141 1 43 144 145 1 48 15o 15o 1 53

The Former Pupils' Club— The Annual Meeting of the Club .

List of Club Consuls . . .

Rugby Section . . . .

Hockey Section . . . .

Tennis Section. Badminton Section Edinburgh Centre. Glasgow Centre Proposed Forestry Camp Reunion .

List of Ncw Members . .

Club Office-Bearers, 1937-38 .

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155 161 163 168 169 169 171 171 172

Here is the correct undress Costume for boys.

This consists of a

Tweed Jacket and Vest and a Tartan Kilt. The Stockings may be plain or have checked tops. Garters are worn in each case. The Sporran may be either an Animal Head or Leather as illustrated.

Jackets and Vests, 32/6 and 47/6.

Hose, 3/6 and 5/6.

Bodice Kilts, 32/6.

Sporrans, 4/6 to 12/6.

The above prices are for an 8-year size.

Esslemont & Macintosh Ltd. ABERDEEN

Silver Medal Bread of the oven they come—batch after OUT batch—day after day—every one a big beautiful loaf, sporting a thin golden crust.

They are perfect British loaves. When they are cut, a creamy sheen and nice soft texture come to light.

Just realise what this perfection, this consistency, this clean, wholesome food must mean to you and your family.

To-day, our bread is better than ever, especially our "SUN" loaves, which gained "SILVER MEDAL" at the Scottish National Exhibition this year.

They are made by experts, from a scientific blend of the World's finest wheats, under the most hygienic conditions. et Ilk IIP5

W. M. McPHERSON Baker and Confectioner, 15 FOUNTAINHALL ROAD AND

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8 ST. SWITHIN STREET ABERDEEN Telephone 1515

ESTABLISHED 1843.

LOW'S Wm. Cay & Sons BOOKSTALLS 39-50 New Market Gallery ABERDEEN

funeral lantlertallers.

All Subjects and at All Prices Over 5oo,ooo Volumes in Stock Educational Books in Great Variety

BOOKS on

415 UNION STREET AND

209 GEORGE STREET, ABERDEEN. Motor Hearses and Cars for Town and Country Funerals.

CATALOGUES ISSUED

Telegrams—"Cay, Aberdeen."

'PHONE 3332

'Phones Nos. 92 and 54

ESTABLISHED

BY APPOINTMENT TO

I BIB

H.M. THE KING

J. WILLIAMSON & SON (W.

B. WILLIAMSON, PROPRIETOR)

Meat Purveyors and Poulterers 1, 2, &

3 MARKET BUILDINGS, ABERDEEN

BRANCHES.

35 FOUNTAINHALL ROAD 'PHONE 1724

'PHONE 452

ALSO AT

THE SQUARE. CULTS 'PHONE, CULTS 2

CHURCH SQUARE. BALLATER 'PHONE 38

COUNTRY HIRES AT CHEAP RATES CARS

GARAGED

COLIN S. CLARK DAIMLER TAXI HIRER DAY AND NIGHT SERVICE

PHONE 4422

46 HARDGATE ABERDEEN ROBERTS (ABDN.) LTD. Cabinetmakers, Upholsterers, Carpet Warehousemen RECOGNISED AS EASILY FIRST IN

FURNITURE VALUE Our enormously increasing business testifies to the popularity of our good class and dependable productions.

We employ a large staff of highly-skilled craftsmen, and their. number is being steadily augmented. You will find our prices surprisingly low.

AS AN INVITATION, PLEASE ACCEPT THIS ANNOUNCEMENT TO INSPECT OUR LARGE STOCK OF FURNITURE AND FURNISHINGS.

NOTE ADDRESS:

419 Union Street, ABERDEEN

60 ;Art StOents

BUY BRITISH

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BUY BEST

THE IMPERIAL TYPEWRITER

<><> We carry a fine range of reproductions

i oo% British, is the best and lowest-priced Standard Typewriter. No increase.

of the Old, Modern, and Impressionist

THE IMPERIAL PORTABLE

School from P.C. size up—and frames to suit all subjects.

The Best Portable, roo°4, British.

All the latest

Second-Hand Bargains of all Makes of Typewriters.

HANDICRAFTS

EASY DEFERRED PAYMENTS (Hire Purchase) ON ANYTHING.

-.04spe

Oaylors

9

49-51 Salo() 'Phone 2870

C. H. WEBSTER 4 Rose Street, Aberdeen BUY BEST

'Phone 505

BUY BRITISH

Why Wait for Watch Repairs?

Buy a CRUSADER Watch and never be bothered with repairs.

Instead of repair, a new movement is fitted while-you-wait by any CRUSADER Agent throughout the world. 5 years' written guarantee with every Watch Prices from

3 Gns

ensaber

EXACT TIME - NO REPAIRS

Over 200 Models for Ladies and Gentlemen.

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Gold, £8 15 0 Stainless Steel, £6 0 0 Chromium, £4 0 0 Chrome Lever Watch £1 7 6 Special Line for Schoolboys -

JP AM II IESC S 142

Ac CA IR IR,'

WATCH AND ENGAGEMENT RING SPECIALISTS UNION STREET (next Union Bridge), ABERDEEN

COAL ELLIS & McHARDY LTD. (ESTABLISIIED 1880)

18

QUAY

REGENT AND

I

30!

UNION STREET

ABERDEEN Telephone 2889

V

Telegrams COAL, ABERDEEN"

FIREPLACE ARRANGEMENTS

1

—the modern note The modern note is cleverly expressed in the new Fireplace Arrangements. Why not inspect them in our showrooms and see at first hand how greatly one would add to the appearance and comfort of your room.

James Scott & Son (Aberdeen) Ltd. 483-485 UNION STREET ABERDEEN 'Phone 1188-2

A

Co-operation HE enthusiastic co-operation of many minds and hands make possible the fine productions of the HOUSE OF OGILVIE. For over three-quarters of a century our constant endeavour has been to give the best possible service to our Customers. We base our claim to your patronage on our ability to please you.

T

J. &

A. OGILVIE

369

UNION

STREET,

ABERDEEN. Telephone : No. 433.

Telegrams : " Interiors."

Showyard Erector to the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, and Contractor to the Royal Northern Agricultural Society.

Atte?

STRACH AN COMMERCIAL

JOHN REID & CO. HOUSE CARPENTERS AND JOINERS

55 Blenheim Place and 14 Fountainhall Road

& PORTRAITURE

ABERDEEN

PHOTOGRAPHY

sco-4

Telephone 851

Carpentry and Joinery Work of every description done

416 UNION STREET

ESTIMATES ON APPLICATION

ABERDEEN Telephone No. 1997

A MODERN SERVICE j

6) .

MODERN

• -

We are equipped with the latest and most up-to-date appliances for the lubrication of your car. No longer need you struggle with grease guns and oil cans or crawl to reach inaccessible points. All this work can now be done for you cleanly, efficiently and effectively and without the slightest trouble to yourself. Call in sometime and let us demonstrate this Service.

We are an Official—

c

WAKEFIELD

LUBREQUIPMENT /'~,G'ill~~Il

•

SERVICE

STATION

IL M ULUVS Ak ILIR IDILLIMITED THE

AUSTIN

DEALERS

UNDID'S VOW I. AIQIEIRIDIEIEN Telegrams—" CARS "

Telephone-4580

NORTHERN ASSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED. Assets L23,000,060.

Established 1836.

ALL CLASSES OF INSURANCE, INCLUDING :-

LIFE MOTOR CAR

FIRE ACCIDENT

Life Assurance Branch. The Company's Tables of rates for Life Assurance include every class of Policy.

Write for Particulars of Life Policies Family Income Policies Endowment Assurance Policies Educational Endowment Policies House Purchase with Life Assurance Children's Deferred Assurance Policies

CHIEF OFFICES : 1 Union Terrace.

I Moorgate, E.C. 2.

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ABERDEEN LONDON

Aberdeen Board of Directors.

A. S. R. BRucE, EsQ

'the Right Hon. The LORD

The Right Hon. The EARL OF CAITHNESS. FRANCIS J. COCHRAN, ESQ. WILLIAM L. COOK, ESQ.

A. MARTINEAU,

Manager Secretary

FORMES.

I .

ESQ.

R. W. WALKER, ESQ R MACKAY. J. L. WILLIAMS.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine 52nd year : No. 135 (New Serses, 43rd year, No. 126)

Vol. XL -- -

MARCH 1937

No. 2 •

The "Grammar School Magazine" is issued under the auspices of The Former Pupils' Club, in March, June, and November. All communications with regard to the "Magazine" should be addressed to the Editor (the Secretary and Treasurer of the Club), THEODORE WATT, M.A., The Rosemount Press, Aberdeen.

Grammar School House.

Going from Strength to Strength.

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In the Magazine of June 1928 it was reported that the scheme for the establishment of a Boarding House in connection with the School had taken practical shape, and that " The Aberdeen Grammar School F.P. Club Boarding House Company Limited" had been formed at the instigation and under the auspices of the Executive of the Club. The property, No. 8 Queen's Road, it was stated, had been bought by the Company, and the adjoining house, No. 81 Queen's Road, would be acquired as soon as it became vacant.

The Boarding House was opened for business at the beginning of the session 1928-29, and during that session there were 13 boarders in the House. At the beginning of the following session the number had increased to 26. By December 1929 the property No. 81 Queen's Road had been acquired, and from the beginning of 1930 the two houses were running as a complete unit. In June 1933 it was recorded in the Magazine that owing to the very gratifying success of the Boarding House from all points of view, and the continuous pressure on its accommodation, the Directors had decided to proceed with alterations on and additions to the House, and that the reconstructed buildings, with additional wing, would provide for 5o boarders and 9 of a staff. The extended accommodation was ready in time for the opening of the session 1934-35, by

96

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

which time a playground with tennis courts had also been added to the attractions of Grammar School House.

For the current session the whole available accommodation is in use and bookings ahead indicate that the demand for places is increasing. Recently the Directors have been fortunate in securing the adjacent dwelling-house, No. 6 Queen's Road.

This is to be equipped as a Junior House, and it will be ready for occupation at the beginning of next session. The total accommodation in the Senior and Junior Houses will then be between 6o and 70.

The success of the Boarding House scheme has indeed far outstripped the most sanguine anticipations of the promoters.

F.P.s in Shanghai.

The Thirteenth Reunion Dinner was held in the Shanghai Club on zznd January, 1937, when the following were present :— T. A. T. Begg (1909-10), George A. Buyers (1906-08), Dr. Fong Kong Chen (1912-14), M.A. ; Major Rudolf W. Galloway (1901- ? ), D.S.O. ; Alexander M. Halley (1904-12), Charles B. Ogilvie (1902-04), P. D. L. Raeburn (1876-78), Captain Thomas G. Rennie (1908-10), Herbert B. Scott (1905-08), W. E. D. Smith (1904-09), George G. Thomson (i9to-tz), and Shao Ying Yeh (1913), M.A., LL.B. The following were unable to be present owing either to sickness or to their being out of Shanghai :—Alan Chalmers (19 i 5 -19), Frederick W. Gerrard (1905-06), C.I.E., Commissioner of Police; Charles F. King (1912-23), Arthur M. Scrimgeour (1921-27), Edwin G. Tait (1892-94), and Young Wong (1905-06).

In accordance with the practice of recent years, the proceedings were quite informal. Those present were delighted to receive a wire conveying fraternal greetings from four F.P.s in Tientsin, namely, R. W. Engstrom, W. R. Myers, Stephen, and J. C. Taylor.

At the dinner it was decided to make a small gift to the School, and the Secretary was instructed to forward a cheque for £3 3s. as a contribution to the prize fund in connection with the next School Athletic Sports.

The F.P.s in Shanghai are anxious to form a properly constituted Centre for China of the F.P. Club and to provide for temporary membership in it of F.P.s who from time to time are serving in China as members of His Majesty's Forces. They also wish to include the various Chinese who have been pupils at the School.

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F.P.s in Shanghai, 22nd January, i937.

Back. ROA' —Dr. F. K. Chen, T. A. T. Begg, S. Y. Ych, G. G. Thomson, A: M. Halley, C. B. Ogilvie.

Front Rou•—I I. B. Scott, Capt. T. G. Rennie, W. F. D. Smith, P. D. L. Raeburn, G. A. Buyers, Major R. W. Galloway.

Mr. PATRICK ASHLEY COOPER, B.A., LL.B. President of the Former Pupils' Club, 5937-38.

Aberdeen Grammar School Maga:zine

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97

* It is requested that the Editor be informed of all new appointments and interesting incidents in the careers of Former Pupils.

The dates given in parentheses after names indicate the sessions of attendance at the School.

The President of the F.P. Club.

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At the Annual Business Meeting of the F.P. Club held on Toth March, 1937, Patrick Ashley Cooper* (1896-1901), London, was elected President for the year 1937-38. Mr. Cooper, who was born in November 1887, is a B.A. of Cambridge University, and an LL.B. of Aberdeen University.

Notes about him have appeared so frequently in the Magazine that an extensive biography is unnecessary here.

Mr. Cooper was appointed Governor of the Hudson's Bay Company in 1931, when that concern was in a seriously crippled condition, and he has succeeded in putting it on its feet again.

He has repeatedly visited the vast territory in which this famous Company operates, and is at present in Canada.

In 1932 Mr. Cooper was appointed a Director of the Bank of England, and he is chairman and director of numerous other companies. Since 1933 he has been a member of the London Passenger Transport Board.

He is keenly interested in the F.P. Club, and has already addressed with great acceptance both the London Centre and the Glasgow Centre. It is anticipated that there will be a large attendance when he presides at the next Annual Dinner of the Club in Aberdeen, in the autumn of this year.

Henry Alexander* (1881-91), M.A., LL.D., was on 18th December last presented with his portrait in recognition of his services as a member of Aberdeen Town Council and as Lord Provost of the city for three years, and of his work in connection with the Aberdeen and district town planning scheme. The portrait is by Mr. David Jagger, and the important part Dr. * Member of Former Pupils' Club.

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Alexander played in the town planning scheme is commemorated in a unique way in the portrait. He is seen seated, wearing the robes of office of Lord Provost, and behind, as a background, is a map of the wide area embraced in the scheme. The light colouring of the map throws out the figure, which is an excellent likeness. The portrait was handed over by Lord Provost EDWARD W. WATT,* who spoke of Dr. Alexander's work first as a journalist and later as a member of the Aberdeen Town Council, recalling that it was in 1928 that he was appointed Chairman of the Aberdeen and District Joint Town Planning Committee. The presentation ceremony was attended by a company of about five hundred, thoroughly representative of Aberdeen and the surrounding district.

Dr. Alexander in December accepted an invitation to become Assessor in the Aberdeen University Court to the new Rector, Admiral Sir Edward Evans. He was formerly a member of the Court when he was Lord Provost of the city.

The Right Hon. Lord Alness* (1884-85), P.C., LL.D., at

the beginning of December introduced in the House of Lords a bill for the reform of the Scottish divorce laws, which have not been materially changed for 35o years. The measure consists mainly of the recommendations which were unanimously made by Lord Gorell's Commission nearly a quarter of a century ago. To the existing grounds for divorce it proposes to add incurable insanity, cruelty, habitual drunkenness, and repeated conviction for serious offences. Lord Alness moved the second reading of the bill on 1 ith February. In concluding his speech he said : We are jealously proud of our jurisprudence in Scotland, which is centuries ahead of the rest of the world, and it has always been a pioneer in humane and understanding legislation. In this matter of divorce, however, to-day we lag far behind the civilized States of Europe, to say nothing of our own Dominions. I plead very earnestly for help to remove this stain from the law of Scotland, and to restore her good name as a nation. If that should be done, it would be a red-letter day in the history of my native land. Your Lordships would have accorded much-needed relief to many an anguished household which to-day in Scotland is misdescribed by the name of home.

Lord Alness has recently been made Chairman of a Departmental Committee appointed by the Home Secretary to investigate the question of night baking. The Government has been pressed by the operatives to introduce legislation prohibiting night baking, a proposal to which the master bakers are strongly opposed. The general object of the inquiry is to ascertain what would be the effect on the operatives and on the public in the event of the system of night baking being prohibited by legislation.

At a recent complimentary dinner in London, which was given him by the Scottish Amicable Building Society, of which he is the first trustee, Lord Alness, in the course of his speech in

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

99

reply to the toast of his health, made the following very interesting reference to his early political life :—

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I look back upon my political life with very great interest and with very great pride, and, in particular, to my first constituency. Some politicians are carpet-baggers ; others are not. No one could accuse me of having been a carpet-bagger because I represented towns in three of the most northerly counties in Scotland, namely, Ross-shire, Sutherland, and Caithness.

I am a Ross-shire man, my fathcr was Sutherland, and my mother was Caithness. It was a great joy to represent a constituency with which I had so many tics by birth, by breeding, and by ancestry. I got in at my first election. Some of my political enemies were good enough to assess it in this way, that I was washed up on the beach at Westminster by a wave of nepotism. It may be so. I do not doubt that it was so, because I remember quite well when I went to Wick first of all, I met a man in the street who said to me :—" Well, I do not know much about you, Mr. Munro, but your grandfather married us, and you are going to get my cross." There are worse reasons for a vote, perhaps, than that. At any rate, these are very happy memories, although I am sorry to say, rather remote ones nowadays.

Eric William Beattie* (1921-28), C.A., who was until recently with Messrs. Jackson, Taylor, Abernethy & Co., chartered accountants, London, has joined the Statistical Department of Messrs. De Zoete & Gorton, one of the largest firms of stockbrokers in London.

Norman Robert Beattie* (1921-31) has passed the final examination of the Chartered Accountants of Scotland. He served his apprenticeship with Messrs. Bower & Smith, C.A., Aberdeen.

Archibald Ernest Bennett* (1920-30), A.R.I.B.A., has been appointed an architectural assistant on the staff of Sir Herbert Baker, R.A., and Mr. A. T. Scott, F.R.I.B.A. He completed his course at the Aberdeen School of Architecture in June of last year.

George Davidson Bisset* (1918-31), who for more than two years has been with Messrs. Redpath, Brown & Co., Ltd., structural engineers, Edinburgh, sailed in March to take up an appointment as engineer with the Union Construction Company of Germiston, Transvaal. This concern is controlled by the well-known company of Dorman, Long & Co., Ltd., Middlesbrough.

William Grigor Boyd* (1924-34) is in the Royal Air Force at Cranwell, Lincs.

Robert Bruce* (1886-89), D.S.O., M.A., M.D., recently retired from the position of City of Aberdeen County Scout Commissioner, after twelve years' service, and the occasion was marked by the presentation of his portrait to the Scout headquarters. The portrait was unveiled by WILLIAM WALLACE PORTER* (1915-23), who referred to the gratifying progress which the Scout movement had made during Dr. Bruce's tenure of office. At the same time Dr. NORMAN STUART CLARK*

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(1919-29) was presented with his warrant as Acting County Commissioner.

William Bulloch* (1877-80), M.D., LL.D., F.R.S., Emeritus Professor of Bacteriology in the University of London, delivered this year's five Heath Clark Lectures at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. The staff of the School of Hygiene includes WILLIAM WILSON JAMESON* (1892-1902), M.A., M.D., who has held the Chair of Public Health since 1928.

In the second lecture Professor Bulloch included an account of the contribution to science of the late Sir ALEXANDER OcsToN (1855-58), K.C.V.O., who was for more than a quarter of a century Professor of Surgery in the University of Aberdeen, and was one of the pioneers of bacteriology in this country.

In dealing with sepsis Professor Bulloch said the problem of the causation of septic wounds and abscesses in man was solved in masterly fashion by the work of Sir Alexander in 1880, 1881, and 1883. His name is quoted in every bacteriological textbook to-day in connection with the organism called staphylococcus.

John Rudolph Wardlaw Burnet* (1899-1901), B.A., LL.B., K.C., is a member of a committee recently appointed to consider and report upon certain proposals for the amendment of Scots law.

Alfred Gordon Cameron* (1923-34) has recently joined the ranks of the Metropolitan Police, and is at present undergoing training at Peel House.

James Bryce Clarke* (1896-99), O.B.E., formerly manager of the Anglo-Polish Bank, Warsaw, is now one of the managers of the Bank Handlowy, or Commercial Bank, of Warsaw—the oldest and largest private bank in Poland, with which the AngloPolish Bank was amalgamated in 1935. His special sphere is " foreign affairs."

Edwin William Connon* (1916-25), B.Sc.(Eng.), has recently taken up a new appointment as Electrical Testing Engineer with the North-West Midlands Joint Electricity Authority, Stoke-on-Trent.

Ian Campbell Cowan* (1924-33) has recently been granted a commission in the Royal Army Service Corps, and is stationed at Buller Barracks, Aldershot.

Nigel Smart Cowan* (1924-28) is a Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers, and is at present stationed with the Duke of Wellington's Regiment at Halifax.

Andrew John Maxton Cruickshank (1919-25), who is a professional actor, was recently chosen to play the role of Robert Burns in a film to be called " Auld Lang Syne." The film covers the period 1759 to 1796, and shows Burns's visit to Edinburgh, his early exploits, his love for Jean Armour, his betrothal to Highland Mary, and her death. Cruickshank was

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formerly in the Aberdeen Harbour Engineer's Office, but after some experience as an amateur actor decided to become a professional, and joined Henry Baynton's Company. Not very long ago he went to America to take part in the New York production of " Richard of Bordeaux." During the voyage across he was married in mid-Atlantic to a London actress, but tragedy dogged their footsteps, his young wife dying in America soon afterwards. Since his return to London he has been playing at the Gate Theatre. He is 27 years of age, and first appeared on the stage when he was Frederick George Cummings* (1918-24), who went out to Australia in 1925, and is now engaged in mixed farming at Cowra, New South Wales, says in a recent letter that he has not met a single F.P. out there. Wheitver he goes he wears his F.P. blazer as often as possible in the hope that some F.P. will pull him up, but so far he has been unsuccessful. He says that one can have no idea of what it means to him, spending as he does most of his time among back-country men, to get the Magazine. " While I sit and read it, I am back in Aberdeen again, and it is surprising the number of my old friends that I learn about."

Andrew Forbes Davidson (1905-15), who after passing through Sandhurst was posted to the Indian Army in January x919, was promoted in August of last year to be Major, King Edward's Own 12th Lancers (Probyn's Horse). He is at present Instructor at the School of Equitation, Saugor, India.

Alastair Ogston Dickson* (1919-28), who for some years has been with the Standard Bank of South Africa, Ltd., is at present in the " A.B.C." Branch, Cape Town.

John Wight Duff* (i877-8z), D.Litt., LL.D., F.B.A., is the author of " Roman Satire : Its Outlook on Social Life," recently published at the price of Jos. 6d. by the Cambridge University Press. The volume consists of lectures which Professor Wight Duff recently delivered in the University of California. According to one reviewer : " The author's own polished rendering of quoted passages lends a peculiarly welcome relish to a book that lacks none of the agreeable aromas of scholarship."

John Calder Duffus* (1920-28) is a representative of the firm of Messrs. George Mollison & Sons, produce merchants, Aberdeen.

Marshall Keith Duguid* (1919-29) is now in his father's business of Duguid & Anderson, builders and contractors, Beira, Portuguese East Africa. They specialize in reinforced concrete work, and are earthwork and railroad contractors.

Naughton Dunn* (1891-1902), M.A., M.B., Ch.B., has been awarded the honorary degree of LL.D. by the University

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of Aberdeen. He has been for many years an orthopxclic surgeon in Birmingham, and is Lecturer in Orthopmdic Surgery in the University there. Starting as a private assistant to the late Sir Robert Jones, he has gained an international reputation for his work in orthopmdic surgery, to the literature on which he has contributed largely. He is President of the Orthopxclic Section of the Royal Society of Medicine, and Consulting Orthopzclic Surgeon, Ministry of Pensions, Midlands Region.

Bruce Butchart Emslie* (1924-29) started at the beginning of this year as a building contractor on his own account in Aberdeen.

William Ingram Emslie* (1924-30), who graduated M.B., Ch.B., at Aberdeen last summer, is now assistant in a private medical practice at Balham, London.

Robert Wilson Findlay* (1934-35) is in the Photographic Section of the Royal Air Force at Montrose.

George Topham Forrest* (1879-89), F.R.I.B.A., formerly Architect to the London County Council, is now resident in retirement at St. Leonards-on-Sea. Rudolf William Galloway (1902- ? ), D.S.O., M.B., Ch.B., Major, R.A.M.C., is in command of the British Forces Military Hospital in Shanghai.

John Kitchener Gilmour* (1916-18) is in business as a lighting, heating, and power engineer in Didsbury, Manchester.

He has recently become a member of the F.P. Club.

John Peter Grant* (1935-36) is now with Messrs. John Houlton & Son, Ltd., general building contractors, Hull, of which company his father is a director.

Alfred George Mackie Grassick* (i919-26) has passed the final examination of the Chartered Accountants of Scotland.

David Sinclair Hay* (i9o7-i x) has been appointed general manager of The Scottish Industrial Estates Limited, a company recently formed to create a new factory suburb in Glasgow.

It will consist entirely of industrial buildings for lease by manufacturers. It is hoped to have thirty factories built within the first year, and the initial cost of development will be about Lz5o,ooo. Ultimately, as the scheme progresses, this figure may extend to more than £i,ooo,ooo. The venture is part of the national plans for dealing with Special Areas. The object is to promote new enterprises, to assist initiative, and to attract branch factories of existing concerns in England, America, and elsewhere. Mr. Sinclair Hay from 1924 to 1918 was assistant manager on rubber and coconut estates belonging to the Straits Rubber Company in the F.M.S. and Straits Settlements. He returned home owing to the rubber slump, and became a law apprentice with Messrs. Brander and Cruickshank, advocates in Aberdeen. He took the degree of B.L. at Aberdeen

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University in 1932, and for about two years thereafter was law assistant with Messrs. Adam, Thomson and Ross, advocates, Aberdeen. Since 1934 he has been Assistant Secretary to the Scottish Milk Marketing Board.

James Hay* (1883-87), M.A., B.L.-father of DAVID SINCLAIR HAY—was in November appointed President of the Society of Advocates in Aberdeen.

James Hay* (1919-27) is now an assistant on the Rantau (Rubber) Estate, Kwala Simpang, Atteh, Sumatra, Dutch East Indies.

Lawrence Jaffray* (1909-14), who has been for many years with the Itakhooli Tea Estate, Tinsukia, Assam, is shortly corning home on leave and will be living with his father at The Manse, Blackburn, Kinellar. He is being accompanied on the voyage home by NORMAN STUART WILLIAMSON* (1915-19) of The Scottish Assam Tea Co., Ltd. In a recent letter to the Editor he pays warm tributes to his old teachers, Mr. Peter Edward and Mr. Bentley Philip, both of whom he hopes to see when he is here.

Arthur R. H. Kellas* (1926-32), M.A., Scholar of Balliol, was first lightweight for Oxford in the recent inter-University boxing contest with Cambridge at the Stadium Club, London.

He was beaten on points, and Cambridge won by 12 points to 9.

According to The Times special correspondent, " Kellas was very game and just lasted long enough to hear the final bell go.

He took a lot of punishment but refused to go down under the blows he received. It was a great performance on his part."

Henry Ronald Kellas* (1926-31), who recently graduated M.B., Ch.B., at Aberdeen University, is on the staff of the Woodend Hospital, Aberdeen.

Eric Linklater* (1913-16), M.A., has recently provided in " Juan in China " a sequel to his famous picaresque novel, " Juan in America." As was the case with most of his recent work, " Juan in China " has been very favourably noticed in all the leading newspapers, although there seems to be general agreement that the sequel is not just quite so good as its predecessor.

The following are typical comments of the reviewers :—" Mr. Eric Linklater is a brilliant writer, wit lightens and humour thunders on nearly every page of ' Juan in China.' " " The author's prevailing mood is a delight in the absurd ; and his story, which is at once simple and confused, gives him every opportunity to indulge it." " Here you will find the same wit, the same whimsical improbabilities arranging themselves into a delightful pattern, the same little naughtinesses, and the same sharp and memorable portraits." " In one character Mr. Linklater surpasses himself. This is Flanders, a mountain of a man, the Falstaff of Shanghai, who takes to himself the author's Elizabethan delight in words, speaks in great rolling metaphors,

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and lumbers to success along a road of roguery, cowardice, and full eating." " ' Juan in America' is a brilliant humorous fantasia, enlivened by a sparkling wit. And there are some splendid passages in which Mr. Linklater displays all his rich resources of language, particularly in the chapter which describes Juan's brief sojourn in a Buddhist monastery."

The late Sir William MacGregor (18 5 1- 5 3), G.C.M.G., was recalled recently in a letter in the Sunday Times in connection with the correct pronunciation of the name of the islands called Faroe. The writer of the letter said that the B.B.C. announcer pronounced the name as if it rhymed with the title of the ruler of Egypt during the Jewish captivity, whereas Sir William MacGregor, who was Governor of Newfoundland when the writer commanded the fishery protection cruiser on the Banks, always pronounced it to rhyme with " Far-away." The writer of the letter proceeded—

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Sir William was an authority on languages. I have by me the remarks of a French newspaper about him on the occasion of the visit of the French Commodore to St. John's :—" C'est un homme simple, qui place toute sa coquetterie dans l'ameublement de son cervcau. Chaque jour de la semaine it ecrit son journal dans une langue differente : le russe, l'allemand, l'italien, le francais, 1'cspagnol, le latin et le grec." So it is evident that the hardheaded old Aberdonian knew a thing or two about language.

William Maclver* (1923-26) recently returned from India, where he has been engaged as a wireless operator. He is now at the James Watt Technical College, Greenock, studying for the First Class Post Office Certificate in Radio Telephony, Telegraphy, and Wireless Direction-finding.

Dennis Lorraine Mackay* (1924-29) is serving in H.M.S. Nelson, which is at present on its Spring cruise to Gibraltar and East Spain.

John Scott MacLachlan* (5922-32), M.A., President of the Aberdeen University Students' Representative Council, was the representative of the Scottish National Union of Students at the annual meeting of the Council of the International Confederation of Students in Vienna at the beginning of January.

He has been successful in bringing the Scottish Universities back into the Confederation. As one result, Scottish students will now get special concessions when they travel in various countries abroad.

William George MacMillan* (1916-22), B.Sc., Ph.D., has recently been appointed chief chemist to the Indian Jute Mills Association, whose headquarters are situated in Calcutta, and who control 95 per cent. of the jute made in India. He expects to arrive there about the middle of June, and one of his first jobs will be to select a site for the laboratories, which are to be as up-to-date as possible. Then will follow the gradual building up of the organisation. After taking the B.Sc. degree with honours at Aberdeen in 1926, and the Ph.D. degree in 1929, he

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proceeded to Cambridge, gaining his second Ph.D. degree there in 1931. Thereafter he was appointed chief chemist to Messrs. A. E. Hawley & Co. Ltd., of Hinckley, Leics, who are among the largest dyers and dry cleaners in the country, employing in all about two thousand operatives. During his 5i years there he has been responsible for the whole of the technical organisation and progress at the main works.

Edward George Marr* (1899-1901), who is in the service of the Bank of London and South America at Montevideo, has been home on leave. He has two sons in the Grammar School Boarding House.

William Ferrier Mayor* (19z3-3o), M.A., who has been Preventive Officer at Kuala Lumpur, F.M.S., is now stationed at Port Swettenham, Selangor, as Rubber Regulation Officer.

Port Swettenham is the most important station in the F.M.S. Customs Service. The Customs " Soccer " XI, of which Mayor is Captain, finished third in the first State " Soccer " league.

Louis Francis Merrylees* (1896-1905) is stationed at the R.A.F. Aerodrome, Upwood, Hunts.

George Poison Merson* (1918-28), M.B., Ch.B., is now in medical practice at Andover, Hants.

The Right Hon. Lord Meston* (1876-80), K.C.S.I., LL.D., when presiding at the annual meeting in November of the British Health Resorts Association, revealed that one of his greatest friends, the late Lieut.-Colonel R. H. Elliot, F.R.C.S., who was the founder of the Association, had saved him from blindness. "I have lost one of my greatest friends," said Lord Meston. " He saved my eyesight and gave me back the chance of a useful career, instead of a middle-life retirement of comparative darkness."

Lord Meston is President of the Liberal Party Organisation.

He has devoted much time of late in formulating the Liberal creed for its coming campaign. This creed he recently summarized under five points, and declared: " Under a banner with these five points inscribed upon it and with four years of • hard, unselfish work, I foresee the certainty of providing Great Britain at the next General Election with a true alternative to the present National Government."

Christian Hoyer Milne* (1881-87), D.Litt., who retired in 1935 from the position of Head Master of Daniel Stewart's College, Edinburgh, was honoured in December last with the presentation of his portrait at a gathering held in the Merchants' Hall, Edinburgh. The testimonial was organized by the Stewart's College Club. The portrait shows Dr. Milne seated in the robes of his degree of D.Litt.

Forbes Marshall Milne* (r9I9-22) is now in the office of the Aberdeen City Engineer.

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John Fenton Milne* (1914-20), M.P.S., has acquired the business of Harcombe Cuff, family chemist and ophthalmic optician, New Southgate, London, after being the manager of it for ten years.

Sir Peter Chalmers Mitchell* (1879-80), C.B.E., LL.D., for many years Secretary of the London " Zoo," was living in retirement near Malaga, Spain, when the city fell recently to the insurgents. At first he was detained, but was released on condition that he left the city at once. He arrived at Gibraltar on 11th February aboard H.M. Destroyer Basilisk, and subsequently returned to this country. He has declined to say anything about what has been happening in Spain, as this was another condition of his release. He is one of the Honorary Vice-Presidents of the F.P. Club.

George Wellington Moir* (1918-28) recently passed the final examination of the Chartered Accountants of Scotland.

He served his apprenticeship with Messrs. J. R. Flockhart and Grant, C.A., Aberdeen.

Murdo Morrison* (1894-96), M.A., who has been Director of Education for Inverness-shire since 1919, retired under the age limit at the end of March. He graduated M.A. at Aberdeen in 1901, and in the same year was appointed Classical and First Master in Nicolson Institute, Stornoway. Two years later he was appointed a Sub-Inspector of Schools, in which capacity he went to Inverness in 1912. Mr. Morrison has been one of the most popular officials in the County of Inverness.

Ian Gordon Murison* (1923-30) last year obtained the Intermediate B.Sc. (Econ.), and in the previous year the Intermediate B.Com. of London University.

William James Paterson* (1918-29) is now on the sales staff of " The House of Rose," London, being responsible for the sales of Rose's Lime Juice, etc., on the territory north of Perth.

John William Paul, Jun.* (1929-36), is now an apprentice with Messrs. J. R. Flockhart & Grant, chartered accountants, Aberdeen.

William Balfour Smith Pigge* (1914-21) has been appointed Chief Town Planning Officer to the Fife County Council.

He was previously Town Planning Assistant to the Woking Urban Council.

Lieut.-Colonel Sir David Prain* (1872-73), C.M.G., C.I.E., LL.D., F.R.S., has resigned from the Board of Trustees of the British Museum.

Louis Arnaud Reid (1904-09), M.A., Ph.D., D.Litt., was one of the comparatively few F.P.s who were not identified in the " Grammar School Roll of Pupils " published in 1923.

He is a son of the late Rev. A. H. Reid, of the Free Church,

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Ellon, and from the Grammar School went to Edinburgh to take up engineering. After serving with the Royal Engineers in the Great War, he graduated with First Class Honours in Mental Philosophy at Edinburgh University, and now holds the Chair of Mental and Moral Philosophy in the University of Durham.

He is the author of an important book on " Creative Morality," published at the beginning of this year.

Alexander Milne Rennie* (1925-28), M.B., Ch.B., is at present on the staff of the Royal Cripples Hospital, Northfield, Birmingham.

Robert Lindsay Graeme Ritchie* (1894-99), D.Litt., LL.D., Professor of French in Birmingham University, has edited for Messrs. Methuen a co-operative survey entitled "France: A Companion to French Studies." Its two-fold purpose is to bring together the information, hitherto scattered in many volumes, necessary as a background to French reading and travel, and to offer a British presentation of France in place of the French presentments, in which, from the English reader's point of view, the facts are often out of focus, and the emphasis is wrong.

Thomas Robertson* (1913-19), F.I.A.C., is Chief Clerk to the Royal Scottish Corporation, Fetter Lane, London.

George Stanley Russell* (5894-1901), M.A., D.D.(Toronto), minister of Deerpark United Church, Toronto, Canada, is to receive the honorary degree of D.D. from the University of Aberdeen.

Cecil Arthur Grant Savidge* (1913-24), M.A., of the Indian Civil Service, is at present home on furlough.

Thomas Scott (1863-68); M.A., Church of Scotland Senior Chaplain in India, who died last year, is commemorated by a bronze tablet just erected in the historic Old Church of Ayr. The tablet has been presented by Mr. Scott's old friends and comrades of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. " Padre Scott," as he was best known to all old Fusiliers, served with the ist Battalion for some twenty years abroad. He is, perhaps, best remembered for the foundation of " Mr. Scott's Bank," which he started in the early 'nineties at Peshawar. In those days the soldier saved little of his pay, but the Padre realized how necessary it was to put a bit by towards the day when the Fusilier would the colours. The bank became an institution and is still a flourishing concern. In post-War years Mr. Scott assisted Mr. John Buchan (now Lord Tweedsmuir) in the arduous task of compiling the history of the R.S.F., and he took a prominent part in the dedication service of the regimental colours in St. Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh.

James Gordon Shepherd* (1920-29) has received an appointment with the Ellerman City Line as 4th Officer on the City of

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Hongkong. It was in this Line that he served his apprenticeship.

William Douglas Simpson* (1901-13), M.A., D.Litt., has contributed an architectural description of Harthill Castle, Aberdeenshire, to " The Leiths of Harthill," a book recently published by Messrs. Alex. MacLehose & Co. " Zest and expert knowledge combine to make Dr. Simpson's description very effective in its incisive cogency."

Charles Sleigh (I887-97)----son of the late Mr. Charles Sleigh of the Grammar School staff—is in the service of Messrs.

N. Goddard & Co., Montevideo, Uruguay.

David Alexander Smith* (1922-27) has passed the final examination of the Chartered Accountants of Scotland. He served his apprenticeship with Mr. George Anderson, C.A., Aberdeen.

Ferguson George Donaldson Smith* (1922-33), who won the F.P. All-Round Trophy at the School in 1933, and shortly afterwards entered the Metropolitan Police, is now in the Special Branch, thanks largely to the knowledge of French which he acquired at the Grammar School. The Branch deals with aliens and political extremists, and conducts special Government inquiries. Next year he will probably be going to one of the Channel Ports or to an aerodrome to keep an eye on political suspects, international crooks, white slavers et hoc genus omne.

Thomas Johnston Smith* (1931-33), on the completion of his four years' apprenticeship with the North of Scotland Bank, Aberdeen, has been fortunate in securing a post with the wellknown mercantile firm in the Far East of Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co. Ltd. Some time ago the Secretary of the F.P. Club was asked by the London agents of this firm whether he could secure for them the services of a " Grammar " boy.

After investigation, Smith was nominated. Ile proceeded to London, and after a brief interview came away with a five years' contract in his pocket. He has been posted to Shanghai, and is sailing in April.

David Alan John Stevens* (1927-32), M.A., is now tutor in Latin and Logic at Tatterford (Church of England Test) School, Fakenham, Norfolk. He is entering St. Stephen's College, Oxford, in July to take the theological course.

Charles Edward Stuart* (1882-84), R.D., R.N. R., retired in December from the position of Commodore of the UnionCastle Line, after 41 years' service with the Company. He has spent 49 years at sea, and in all has travelled about 2,8oo,ooo nautical miles, equivalent to about 115 times round the world.

Captain Stuart has a distinction few sailors of his service can claim—he has never been shipwrecked. But his life has been filled with exciting incidents and adventures, which began on

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his first voyage, when his ship was posted missing at Lloyd's, but turned up safely. He left her at the end of that voyage to join another ship, and on the next trip his first ship vanished with all on board. After knocking about in sailing ships for several years, Captain Stuart went into steam in the old Arawa of the Shaw Savill Company. On ist November, 1895, he joined the old Union Line as 4th officer of the Norman. Ever since then, except for a break during the War, he has been sailing regularly between England and South Africa. He was given his first command in 1910, when he obtained three months' leave from his company to take Peru's first national steamer, a 5,000-ton freighter, from her builders at Liverpool to Peru.

The ship was loaded with guns and ammunition for the Peruvian Government. The crew were Catalans. That voyage was one which Captain Stuart will never forget. It began with a mutiny at sea and one incident followed another. The whole way across the crew were fighting among themselves. The voyage ended with half of them in irons. Captain Stuart recently said that he was going back to Scotland to tend a garden and fish and shoot on Royal Deeside, and to live over in his memory the happy times he had had while at sea.

John Wallace Milne Sutherland* (1920-24 and 1928-29), M.B., Ch.B., who graduated at Aberdeen in 1934, completed in October last one year's service as Resident House Surgeon at the Royal Salop Infirmary, Shrewsbury. He is now Resident Surgeon at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopzdic Hospital, Oswestry, Shropshire, which is reputed to be the finest orthopaedic hospital in the British Isles.

James Stewart Tawse* (1913-26), C.A., was for two years on the Continent with Messrs. Price, Waterhouse & Co., chartered accountants, Paris, and has recently returned to this country and taken up a position with the Automatic Telephone and Electric Co., Ltd., in their factory at Liverpool.

Alexander Taylor* (1890-93), who for a number of years was in the legal profession in Aberdeen, and then went to Canada and got into " big business " there, has now retired, and has been devoting himself to world-wide travel. Writing from Brisbane to the Secretary of the F.P. Club at the beginning of December, he reported that he was then in Australia for the Test Matches, the first of which was due to start in Brisbane after two days. He said that he was not impressed with the display of England's Team, but hoped they might soon find their feet. No one could understand what was wrong with the players that they could not do themselves justice—whether it was the water, the food, or the climate. Personally he would not have liked to be fielding there for a whole day in the blazing sun, for it was then extremely hot. After the middle of March he was to leave for Egypt, Turkey, Greece, the Balkans, etc.

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David Landsborough Thomson* (1911-18), M.A., B.Sc., Ph.D., who was recently elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, has been promoted from Associate Professor to Professor of Biochemistry at McGill University, Montreal.

Graeme L. Thomson (1907-17), a son of the late GEORGE LAURENCE THOMSON (1882-86), is in business in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, as a buyer and exporter of wool, hides, and skins.

James Trail* (1919-28) is with Messrs. Ross, Taylor & Co., Ltd., at Sourabaya, Java.

George T. Robertson Watt* (1918-31), M.B., Ch.B., is at present assistant to Dr. George Mitchell, Insch, Aberdeenshire.

John Scott Watson* (1923-30), M.B., Ch.B., is on the staff of the Royal Infirmary, Oldham, Lancs.

John Park Weir* (1918-24), M.B., Ch.B., Captain, R.A.M.C., who was very seriously injured in an air disaster in the Western Egyptian Desert last summer, has now completely recovered and is stationed at the General Hospital, Rawalpindi, India.

Douglas Strachan Wilson* (1917-19) holds a post at the Runcorn (Cheshire) Works of Imperial Chemical Industries, Limited.

Raymond Graham Wilson* (5906-12 and 1915-17) has now been back in Singapore for two years with his old firm, The United Engineers, Ltd. In a recent letter he says he has been very busy all the time, engaged in helping to build up what is to become one of the Empire's most important and strongest garrison towns. In spare moments he has been forming a register of F.P.s in Malaya, and without any effort or resorting to an advertisement in the press, has collected names and addresses of 53. He would like to see these brought together at a Club gathering.

At a Special Graduation Ceremony at Aberdeen University in December degrees were conferred on the following F.P.s :— Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)— William James Hogg* (1908-21), M.B., Ch.B. Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (M.B., Ch.B.) : George Mackie Gibb (5915-27).

William Garden Hendry (59z5-29).

Henry Ronald Kellas* (5926-31).

John Mackenzie MacMillan (1922-29).

Philip Rene Mitchell (1916-22).

Bruce Drummond Taylor* (1919-31).

John Scott Watson* (1923-3o).

George Theodore Robertson Watt* (i918-31).

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OBITUARY. THE OLDEST F.P.

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William Lang Baxter (1850-55), M.A., D.D., Senior Minister of Cameron Parish in Fife, died at Crieff on 26th January, 1937, in his 97th year. He was the oldest minister of the Church of Scotland, and probably the oldest former pupil R of the School. Born at Muirfield, Arngask, Perthshire, in 1_41, he was a son of the Rev. Daniel Baxter, who was minister there.

He entered the Grammar School in 1850, and must have been one of the last surviving pupils who attended during the rectorship of the famous Latinist, Dr. James Melvin, who died in 1853. He left the School as Dux and Gold Medallist in 1855, entering King's College, where he graduated M.A. four years later with First Class Honours in Classics, and then took his Divinity course there. While at the University he gained many prizes, and during his Divinity course was awarded the Sanskrit Prize in a competition open to the students of the four Scottish Universities. He was licensed by the Presbytery of Aberdeen in 1863, becoming an assistant first at Fordyce and later at St. James's, Glasgow. In 1867 he was ordained by the Presbytery of Perth to the church of his native parish, Arngask, in Glenfarg, and after ten years he was chosen minister of Cameron, in Fife, where he began a pastorate which lasted for forty-eight years.

In the Presbytery of St. Andrews he came to be recognized as an expert in ecclesiastical procedure. He received the honorary degree of D.D. from the University of St. Andrews in 1888.

As a scholar Dr. Baxter was an unyielding fundamentalist.

The " higher criticism " he called the " higher rubbish." His writings in support of the inspiration of the Bible received considerable attention, and one of his books was strongly commended by Mr. Gladstone. His publications include " The Sabbath not for the Jew but for Man," which secured the L 'co prize offered in 1880 by the Lord's Day Observance Society, Edinburgh, for the best essay on this subject. In 1896 he published " Sanctuary and Sacrifice, a Reply to Wellhausen."

-Another of his books was " Smooth Stones out of the Brook, or How to meet the Philistines." In 1933, on his 93rd birthday, he published a volume of sermons " selected from the vast storehouse of material collected during an exceptionally long ministry."

Dr. Baxter, who was unmarried, retired from active work in 1925, and thereafter resided in Crieff. For many years he was a member of the F.P. Club.

Arthur William Bisset (1886-88) died at Stonehaven on 6th March, 1937, aged 64 years. He first of all qualified as a chemist, but left for Ceylon in 1897, where he was employed as a tea and rubber planter on various estates. Latterly he was

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manager of the Passara Group. He retired in 1929, and settled in his native town of Stonehaven.

John Alexander Stewart Clark* (1889-92) died suddenly at Aberdeen on 26th March, 1937, aged 61 years. He was a law assistant with Messrs. Fraser and Duguid, advocates, and subsequently with Messrs. Esslemont and Cameron, advocates, Aberdeen. For about twenty years he was secretary of the Aberdeen and District Workers' Educational Association.

Alexander Dyce Davidson (188 5 -86 and 1891-92), M.A., M.B., Ch.B., died at Highgate, London, on 17th March, 1937, aged 61 years. He was a son of the late Alexander Dyce Davidson, Professor of Materia Medica in the University of Aberdeen from 1878 to 1886, and graduated in Arts at Aberdeen in 1889 and in Medicine in 19°4. Soon after graduation he settled in practice as an ophthalmic surgeon in London, and was associated for many years with the Ophthalmic Department of the London Hospital, and with Moorfields Hospital. His widow is a sister of Mr. D. M. Andrew, Rector of the Grammar School.

George Fowler Dickie* (1869-73), eldest son of the late Professor George Dickie, M.D., F.R.S., University of Aberdeen, who as a boy lived at Cherryvale, Skene Street, Aberdeen, died at Ealing, London, on 1st December, 1936, aged 79 years. He entered the service of the North of Scotland Bank, Aberdeen, in 1875, and in 1883 became accountant to the Exhibitions at South Kensington, London. In 1887 he was appointed accountant and registrar, Imperial Institute, South Kensington, and these positions he held till 19oz. He had been for long a member of the F.P. Club.

Robert Walker Duncan (I878-8o), eldest son of the late Sergeant Charles Duncan, for many years janitor of the Grammar School, died in hospital at Aberdeen at the end of January, aged 69 years. After serving as an apprentice joiner for five years, he enlisted in the Gordon Highlanders in 1887, and rose to the rank of Sergeant. After completing ten years' service with both the 1st and arid Battalions, he entered the Prison Service in 1896, and was a member of the Prison Guard at Peterhead until called up for service in the South African War. He went through the whole of that campaign, receiving the Queen's Medal with four clasps, and the King's Medal with two clasps. He was again in the Prison Service in 1902-03, and then was appointed a postman in Aberdeen. When he retired in 1928 he was awarded the Imperial Service Medal, " in recognition of meritorious service as an officer in the Postal Service."

James Fraser (1873-80), M.B., C.M., died at Manor Park, London, at the end of December. He was a son of the late Dr. William Fraser, Union Terrace, Aberdeen, and after graduating in medicine at Aberdeen in 1890, he was for many years connected

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with Poor Law Institutions in London. He was an authority on the subject of optical illusion, and took a great interest through that in the whole subject of cinematography.

Samuel John Hally* (1893-190I) died in London as the result of an accident on 24th February, 1937, aged 49 years.

He was the youngest son of the late Mr. Robert Hally, who used to reside at 22 Queen's Road, Aberdeen. After leaving the School, he served for six years in the Harbour Engineer's Office, Aberdeen, and then for a short time with the Port of London Authority. In 1910 he went out to Ceylon, and was with the Colombo Commercial Co., Ltd. After the War he was in Assam, but latterly was in business in London.

Peter Riddell Henderson (1882-86 and 1889- ?) died recently in Brazil, in his both year. He was a brother of the late JOHN M. HENDERSON (1877-84), and for a time was associated, like him, with the firm of Messrs. John M. Henderson & Co., King's Engineering Works, Aberdeen.

Robert Robertson Hynd* (1879-84), eldest son of the late Mr. Thomas C. Hynd, Head Master, King Street Public School, Aberdeen, died in Aberdeen on 16th February, 1937. After leaving the School he entered the Home Civil Service in 1886, and three years later joined the London office of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation. In 1891 he was sent out to the East, and was stationed at various ports. In 1913 he became sub-manager of the Bank at Shanghai ; in 1920 he was promoted to be manager at Manilla, Philippine Islands ; and in the following year he was transferred to Bombay, where he acted as F.P. Club Consul. He retired in 1924.

A PRICELESS CHINESE CLASSIC. Hynd the School, more than thirty years ago, Mr. Through came into possession of an extremely valuable book. This volume, which formed one of more than i 1,ooo sections of the most extensive book in the world—the great Chinese Encyclopzdia, the " Yung Lo Ta Tien," lay in the Hanlin College at Peking till the sack of the Legations by the Boxers in 190o, when it was rescued from the flames with about zoo other volumes and given to Mr. Hynd, who presented it to the Library of his old School. The British Museum has a similar volume, and Cambridge University a second, while the Bodleian at Oxford has seven. 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.

William Brown Ingram (1927-29), son of Mr. James C. Ingram, 34 Morven Place, Aberdeen, died at Quetta, India, on zoth January, 1937, aged 23 years. He was in the znd Light Tank Company there.

James Davidson Mackie* (1870-72), advocate,' died in

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Aberdeen on 23rd December, 1936, aged 8o years. On leaving the School, he served as an apprentice with the firm of Messrs.

Robertson & Lumsden, now Messrs. Lumdsen & Davidson, advocates, Aberdeen, and was then for four years with Messrs.

Davidson & Syme, W.S., Edinburgh. He was with this firm during the most critical period of the City of Glasgow Bank crash, when Messrs. Davidson & Syme were the Edinburgh agents for the liquidators. After attending Law classes in Aberdeen and Edinburgh, he qualified as a law agent, and commenced business on his own account in Aberdeen in 1882.

He developed an extensive court practice, and became one of the best known and ablest practitioners at the Aberdeen Bar. In later years he confined himself almost entirely to chamber practice. Some years ago he assumed Mr. David Dewar as a partner, and the firm name became James D. Mackie & Dewar.

For fifty-three years Mr. Mackie was associated with the Aberdeen Y.M.C.A., resigning from the position of President, which he had held for a long period, in 193o. By the members of the Association he was very highly esteemed, and as a mark of appreciation of his services to the Y.M.C.A. he was presented a few years ago with his portrait in oils. He also took an active interest in several other local bodies.

Mr. Mackie had two sons, who were both educated at the School. JAMES CECIL DAVIDSON MACKIE (1898-1909), M.A., LL.B., served throughout the Great War as a commissioned officer in the 1st Highland (255th) Brigade, R.F.A. (T.F.), and was in France from 1915 to 1919, being wounded in March 1918, and badly gassed in September 1918. He died in Edinburgh, from the effects of his war service, in August 1919.

REGINALD CHARLES MACKIE* (1903-14) served in the Great War, first as a private in the Gordon Highlanders (T.F.), and later as a commissioned officer in the 3/Ist Highland Brigade, R.F.A. (T.F.). He served in France from November 1917 to March 1918, when he was wounded and taken a prisoner. Since the War he has been associated with his father in business. Mr. Mackie left net heritable and movable estate amounting to over L48,000.

Charles Mitchell (1881-86), M.B., C.M., died in London on loth December, 1936, aged 66 years. Born in Aberdeen in 1870, he was one of six sons of the late Mr. William Mitchell, Postmaster, Aberdeen, who were educated at the Grammar School. After graduating in medicine at Aberdeen, he entered the Mercantile Marine Medical Service, and was for several years in P. & 0. liners. He was in China at the time of the Boxer Rising, and in the South African War was senior medical officer of the Burgher Camps Department. Later he started in practice at New Cross Gate, London. During the Great War he served with the R.A.M.C. for nearly four years.

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George Mollison* (1864-66) died at Albert Cottage, z Prince Arthur Street, Aberdeen, on 13th December, 1936, aged 85 years.

He was for long the manager and secretary of the North of Scotland Canadian Mortgage Co., Ltd., Aberdeen. Mr. Mollison left £37,8 50.

Charles William Profeit (1884-87), C.S.I., C.M.G., D.S.O., M.B., C.M., Colonel (retired), Army Medical Service, died at Kensington, London, on 5th February, 1937, aged 66 years.

A son of the late Dr. Alexander Profeit, Commissioner at Balmoral to Queen Victoria, he attended the Grammar School for three years, and then entered Aberdeen University, where he graduated in medicine in 1893. Two years later he joined the R.A.M.C., attaining the rank of Captain in 1898, and of Major in 1906.

In the South African War he served with distinction, and was awarded the Queen's Medal with six clasps and the King's Medal with two clasps. At the outbreak of the Great War he was placed in command of the loth Field Ambulance, 4th Division. He was next A.D.M.S., and Cavalry Division, to December 1915 ; A.D.M.S., 21st Infantry Division, to April 1918; and D.D.M.S., 3rd Corps, to February 1919. In that year he was transferred to India, where in the Afghan War he was D.D.M.S., Waziristan Force, 1919-20. He was promoted to be Lieut.-Colonel in 1915, Colonel in 1917, and was mentioned in dispatches five times. He was awarded the D.S.O. in January 1917, and was created a C.M.G. in January 1918. For his services in India he was " mentioned " in December 1920 and created C.S.I. in the following year. He retired in 1924, and thereafter resided in Kensington.

William Rae* (1867-69), M.A., advocate, died at his residence, 9 Queen's Terrace, Aberdeen, on 19th December, 1936, aged 82 years. He was a son of the late Mr. John Rae, bank agent, Ellon, and after graduating in Arts at Aberdeen University in 1873, he served as a law apprentice with Messrs.

Burnett and Reid, advocates, Aberdeen. He qualified as a law agent in 1877 and in the same year was admitted a member of the Society of Advocates in Aberdeen. From that time he was in business as an advocate and notary public, being in partnership with the late Sir Alexander Anderson (1814-15) from 1878 to 1887, the firm name being Anderson & Rae. From 1895 he was in partnership with Mr. Duncan MacGregor Mitchell, in the firm of Rae and Mitchell. At the time of his death he was the " father " of the Society of Advocates in Abeideen, and was its President in 1924-25. Apart from his business his chief interest lay in Church work. For almost half a century he was an office-bearer in the West Church of St. Nicholas, and for the last eighteen years he was its Session Clerk and Treasurer.

Mr. Rae had three sons, who all attended the Grammar School—WILLIAM RAE (1888-1900), D.S.O., M.A., B.L., who

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served with much distinction in the Great War with the Canadian Expeditionary Force, and is now in business in London ; JAmEs RAE (1889-1901), M.A., M.D., who served in the Great War in the R.A.M.C., and was drowned while on his way to Egypt when the troop-ship Arcadian was torpedoed in the Eastern Mediterranean in April 1917 ; and JOHN RAE* (1892-1903), M.C., who also served in the Great War, with the Royal Engineers, and is now engaged in engineering in Leeds.

James Stuart (1882-84), fourth son of the late Mr. John Stuart, Kimberley, Banchory, and brother of Captain CHARLES EDWARD STUART* (1882-84), died at Gibraltar on 7th March, 1937, aged 63 years. He entered the Civil Service of the Fiji Islands in 1894 as a European Officer to the Armed Native Constabulary. Two years later he was transferred to the Post Office, Suva, and in 1898 to the Department of Lands and Works, Suva. In 1912 he was appointed Stipendiary Magistrate at Kadavu, and two years later became a District Commissioner, in the second grade, for Nadroga and Colo West. Promotion to the first grade followed in 1919. He retired some years ago.

Robert Clark Tough (1882-83) died at Mill of Hole Cottage, Echt, Aberdeenshire, on z8th January, 1937, aged 66 years.

He was a son of the late Mr. George Tough, Huxterstone, Kingswells, and for a time worked on his father's farm. Later he became a dairy farmer on his own account, first at Jessiefield, and afterwards at West Huxterstone, Kingswells.

John Thomson West* (1882-86), M.B., C.M., died in a London nursing home on 1st December, 1936, aged 65 years.

He graduated in medicine at Aberdeen in 1892, and practised in Glasgow, retiring in 1933. He was Chief Surgeon of the Glasgow Royal Samaritan Hospital, with which he was associated for almost forty years. Until his retiral he took a keen interest in the Glasgow Centre of the F.P. Club.

MARRIAGES. Cruickshank (1918-z3).—At Marloes Road, London, on zest December, 1936, G. LESLIE CRUICKSHANK,* son of G. L. Cruickshank (x886-88), Fyvie, to Jean M. F. Mackay, daughter of John Mackay, 8 Hamilton Place, Aberdeen.

Grant (1910-11).—At 3 Queen's Gardens, Aberdeen, on 14th January, 1937, IAN GRANT, son of the late Joseph Grant, M.A., Midmar, and of Mrs. Grant, 7 Albert Terrace, Aberdeen, to Isobel, daughter of the late D. A. Farquhar, M.A., Peterculter, and of Mrs. Farquhar, 4 King's Cross Avenue, Aberdeen.

Mortimer (1923-27)—At Ferryhill North Church, on 8th December, 1936, JOHN MORTIMER,* eldest son of Mr. Alexander J. Mortimer and the late Mrs. Mortimer, Si Murray Terrace, Aberdeen, to Adeline Sheila, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard C. Laing, 85 Murray Terrace, Aberdeen.

Saunders (x924-28).—At Rubislaw Parish Church, Aberdeen, on t9th February, 1937, GEORGE ANDERSON MURRAY SAUNDERS,* Ingleside, 58

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Rubislaw Den South, Aberdeen, son of the late Dr. George and Mrs. Saunders, to Edith Elinore, daughter of the late George Edward and of Mrs. Edward, Brentwood, White's Place, Montrose.

Smith (19zz-z7).—At Edinburgh, on the 23rd January, 1937, JOHN ADAM RrrcittE Sstrrit,* only son of Mrs. H. J. Smith, 46 Fountainhall Road, Aberdeen, and the late John Smart Smith (1881-87), London, to Vera May Hardie, eldest daughter of Mrs. J. Campbell, t Royal Crescent, Edinburgh.

Symmers (i9t2-24).—At Christ Church, Coatham, Redcar, on 23rd December, 1936, GODER_EY Roy SYMMERS,* B.Sc., A.M.I.C.E., son of the late Captain G. M. Symmers (1875-76) and of Mrs. Symmers, 53 Braemar Place, Aberdeen, to Elizabeth, elder daughter of John Clark and of the late Mrs. Clark, of 17 Granville Terrace, Redcar, Yorkshire.

Thom (r912-25).—At Perth, Western Australia, on and February, 1937, IAN Timm,* manager, Wydgee and Yaragabbie Stations, W.A., second son of Dr. and Mrs. A. P. Thorn, Murtle, Aberdeenshire, to Josceline, eldest daughter of the late Edward R. Lejeune and Mrs. Lejeune, of Boodanoo Station, W.A. Walker (19zo-27).—At the Cowan Chapel, Aberdeen, on 3oth December, 1936, GEORGE WALKER,* son of the late George Walker, and of Mrs. Dodds, 1(35 Whitehall Place, to Isobel Norman, younger daughter of the late John A. Cordiner, Hatton, and of Mrs. Cordiner, 28 Osborne Place, Aberdeen.

Weir (1918-z4).—At St. Mary's Church, Hayling Island, Hants, on tst January, 1937, Captain J. PARK WEIR,* M.B. (R.A.M.C.), son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Park Weir, Langholme, Queen's Road, Aberdeen, to Marjorie Agnes, daughter of Captain and Mrs. C. Howard, Crohamhurst, Hayling Island.

Wilson (1885-91).—At West Church of St. Andrew, Aberdeen, on 18th March, 1937, ROBERT GORDON WILSON,* F.R.I.B.A., 116 Queen's Road, Aberdeen, to Mabel Lilian, elder daughter of Dr. and Mrs. James Moncur, 4 Albert Street, Aberdeen.

Yunnie (x 921-26).—At the South Church, Aberdeen, on 14th January, 1937, ROBERT PARK YUNNLE, only son of Mr. R. A. Yunnie, 287 Great Western Road, to Ella Patricia, second daughter of the late Mr. James P. Farquharson and of Mrs. Farquharson, 7o Stanley Street, Aberdeen.

Two F.P. Autobiographies.

DAYS." By Sir Peter Chalmers Mitchell, C.B.E.(Mil.), F.R.S., D.Sc., LL.D., Honorary Student of Christ Church, Oxford. Faber & Faber. 15s. " THE ROAD BEHIND ME." By G. Stanley Russell, M.A., D.D. The Macmillan Company of Canada. t5s.

These two books by F.P.s, whose lives have run along very different lines, have appeared within the last few months, and each has a chapter dealing with early days in Aberdeen and life at its Grammar School and University. Both books are published at the price of t5s., but Sir Chalmers Mitchell has written about twice as much as Dr. Russell. To read the one book after the other is an interesting experience, for the minister's book carries on the account of School and University life in Aberdeen that is begun by the zoologist.

Peter Chalmers Mitchell was born in 1864, and was a pupil at the School in 1879-8o, whereas George Stanley Russell was born in 1883 and was at the School from 1894 to 1901. The " MY FILL OF

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former graduated in arts at Aberdeen University in 1884, receiving the honorary degree of LL.D. in 1914 ; the latter graduated M.A. in 1908, and is to receive the honorary degree of D.D. from the University this year.

Sir Peter Chalmers Mitchell.

Sir Chalmers Mitchell is the son of the late Rev. Alexander Mitchell, M.A., D.D., who was himself a pupil of the School and, after graduating in arts at Marischal College in 1846, became minister of the North Parish, Dunfermline, in 1851, and died there in 1902 at the age of 91 years. " My father," writes the son, " came from a decent middle-class stock in Aberdeen, but Malcolm Bulloch, editing The House of Gordon for the New Spalding Club, insisted that through his mother, who was a Gordon, he was kin to a very old Highland branch of the Clan." Up to the age of fifteen the son was educated in Dunfermline, but the father seemed to have discovered that he was not getting on, and after consulting an old friend, the Rector of the Aberdeen Grammar School, told his son in the summer of 1879 that he was taking him to Aberdeen to attend the Grammar School and to board with a master. The Rector at that time was the Rev. Alexander Martin, who is remembered as being full of gentle friendliness. After putting the new boy through his paces, he said smiling : " I'm feared you don't like Latin and Greek, but you'll have to turn to them, laddie ; I'll put you in the fourth class and you'll do fine." The Rector then gave, him a Greek lexicon which he said had belonged to the great Dr. Melvin..

It was in the house of the mathematical master, Charles Sleigh, that Mitchell boarded, and of Sleigh, "a rigid disciplinarian," he draws a faithful picture.

Sleigh, although a kind husband, had severe ideas about how women should spend their time. The daily paper was locked up when we went out in the morning, and there were no novels in the house. Mrs. Sleigh confided in me, and engaged me to buy every week The Family Herald Supplement, a weekly story in the luscious style of Ouida but without the genius of that unjustly despised authoress. My reward was that last week's Supplement was always passed secretly to me, to be destroyed after I had read it.

Young Peter was happy at the Grammar School, where he spent an excellent year. It had still an old-fashioned curriculum with no science and no laboratory work ; but the masters in every subject were specialists, and they had a free hand and were able to aim at the minds rather than the memories of their pupils. Not too much trouble was taken with boys who, in general, or in any particular subject, were stupid or inattentive, full efforts being reserved for the others.

Mitchell soon made friends at the School, though he says he never became intimate with the dux of the class, Edward Fiddes [1876-81, M.A., LL.D.]. " We bathed in the river,

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ranged the docks, watched the herring boats corning and going, and took long walks into the country. There were no organised games, and no school supervision or cognisance of our idle hours. But the boys were a good set, and our amusements were simple and wholesome," At the end of the session Mitchell came out first in most of the subjects and very easily first in the aggregate, with the result that both Martin and Sleigh were delighted, and as they had written " usefully " to the father, the son was received at his home in Dunfermline " almost with gratitude." In the normal course the boy would have stayed another year at the School, but it was thought that this would be a waste of time, and so at the beginning of the winter session, just before the end of his sixteenth year, he became a Bajan at King's College, and a free man, living in lodgings of his own choosing.

Of the life at Aberdeen University the author draws a picture on lines which recall the writings in this Magazine and elsewhere of the late William Keith Leask. His four years there passed swiftly. At the beginning of his last session there was an announcement of an examination for studentships and exhibitions at Christ Church, Oxford. He accordingly rushed up to Oxford, having pawned his grandfather's gold watch and chain for more than enough to cover the return fare, in the hope (which events justified) that he could redeem it with prize money before he left Aberdeen, sat for the examinations and was successful. Returning to Aberdeen, he took little interest in the ordinary work, scamped the Moral Philosophy class, and accordingly got only a second class in Philosophy honours.

He was, however, also a candidate for the University Gold Medal in English Literature, and secured it.

Before proceeding to Oxford, Mitchell paid the first of numerous visits to Germany, where even in 1884 he was made to realize that Germany and Scotland were different countries.

One day about noon we were standing in the crowd which waited to see the old Kaiser show himself at the Palace window ; I impatiently said to my Friend, " I wish the old man would hurry up and not keep us waiting."

A voice in English said softly to us : " Remember you arc not in your own country or you'll get into trouble."

At Oxford the zoological laboratory in the Museum was Mitchell's chief home for three years as an undergraduate, and for three years afterwards. In the Final Honour School of Natural Science in 1888 he got a First Class, and after another visit to Germany, he was appointed University Demonstrator in Zoology. As the salary was not large, he sought and obtained an engagement as a University Extension lecturer. Next he was appointed Organising Secretary of Technical Instruction under the Oxfordshire County Council, and he gives an amusing account of the high-speed preparation of his first report and financial statement.

To the mellowing and moulding influence of Oxford,

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especially on young men like himself who came to it angular and aggressive from the confident North, the author pays a striking tribute. " It is a great thing," he writes, " to have lived during early youth in the very heart of beauty." The climate of Oxford is in his view the chief defect of the University, whereas the climate of London is one of its many advantages, and a Londoner he was from January 1894 until May 1935.

In his first year there he obtained the lectureship in biology at the London Hospital Medical College, where the senior physician and chairman of the medical school was a Grammar School F.P., Dr. John Mitchell Bruce [2861-6z. C.V.O., M.A., LL.D.], who befriended him in every way, both at the Hospital and for many years afterwards. In 1899 Alleyne Nicholson, the Professor of Natural History in the University of Aberdeen, died, and Mitchell became a candidate for the post. It fell, however, to the late Sir J. Arthur Thomson.

What Mitchell was at that time earning from teaching, lecturing, and examining was less than a living wage, and a substantial part of his small income had to come from scientific and general writing. Journalism was not new to him, for in his last year at Aberdeen he was one of the founders of Alma Mater, and contributed to it poems, reviews, short essays, and notes. From 1893 onwards he wrote reviews regularly for Nature, and occasionally for the Academy. The Dag), Chronicle and the Pall Mall Gazette usually accepted articles when he offered them, " and sometimes asked for more." In the weekly literary supplement to the Daily Mail he had well-paid weekly articles, but the Saturday Review was the chief source of his literary income for ten years. For the eleventh edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica he was put in charge of the whole of biology, paleontology, and zoology, with power to select and employ such specialists as might be required for individual subjects.

In October 19oz the Secretary of the Zoological Society of London announced his resignation, and eventually Dr. Chalmers Mitchell was elected to the post by an unexpectedly large majority of votes.

Thus at ten in the morning of April 3o, 5903, I arrived at the office of the Society, in full charge, but without knowledge of the routine, and rather at a loss, as my predecessor, naturally but inconveniently, did not appear to hand over. There was no private secretary, no typewriting machine except one I had brought with me, and no one except myself who knew how to use it. There was no copy-letter book, and there were masses of things left, so to speak, in the air. However, with the help of the accountant and the clerk, I got to work, and then callers began to arrive.

To his work and varied experiences at the Zoo—some of them very amusing—Sir Peter devotes a chapter, and another to the purchase and development of Whipsnade Park, which to him was the Zoological Society's most valuable achievement in its century of existence. The primary function of Whipsnade

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is to adapt as many animals of different kinds as may be found possible to the English climate in summer and winter, under conditions in which there will be a minimum of housing, and a maximum of exposure to the open air at the free choice of the animals themselves.

It was in 19oz that there began for Dr. Chalmers Mitchell his long connection with The Times, which he says has been one of the pleasures and honours of his life. It was arranged that he should review scientific books for the Literary Supplement, and he records with satisfaction that during a period of over thirty years never once did the editor make any suggestion to him as to the mode in which any book was to be treated. Nine years later he was asked to contribute to the news columns of The Times regular notes on new arrivals at the Zoo, and except during the War, he wrote regular weekly notes and occasional longer articles until his resignation from the post of Secretary to the Zoological Society in I935. After the War, Lord Northcliffe put him on the permanent staff of The Times, and " so began the most fully occupied years of what has been a fully occupied life." Many readers of The Times will remember the daily post-war column, " Through German Eyes," based on a daily reading of the German newspapers. For the preparation of this Dr. Chalmers Mitchell was for four months responsible. For some years he wrote leaders regularly, sometimes as many as five or six a week, on all manner of subjects, political, general, scientific, and " light."

In January 19zo The Times had printed an article describing the Air Ministry's survey of the possible air route from Cairo to the Cape. • Dr. Mitchell thought the route ought to be tested, and competent pilots should be accompanied by an independent observer. He accordingly went to see Lord Northcliffe, who was known to be deeply interested in aviation, and made his points about the need of testing the route. Northcliffe quickly grasped who was intended to be the " independent observer."

Reaching for the telephone, he called the manager of The Times : " The Times is going to send Chalmers Mitchell on an aeroplane to try out the new Cairo to the Cape route. Buy a plane, get competent pilots and arrange everything necessary." And so, as he says, that was that! In four vivid chapters the author describes " The Golden Journey," a great and gallant exploit which will always be remembered in the history of flying. An account of it was published in the Magazine of March 19zo.

In August 1914 the Secretary of the Zoo was in his fiftieth year, and wanted to do some War work, but at that time there seemed to be no use for civilians. Eventually, however, he was gazetted a Captain by the War Office, and attached to the Department of Military Intelligence. In pursuance of his duties he had occasion to go to Rotterdam, and whilst waiting for a train, he went to a cinema. There " I had the pleasure of seeing

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a propagandist film that I had seen already in Paris, in which a gallant young French officer at the peril of his life was rescuing a girl from the attacks of brutal German soldiers. The only difference was that it was a gallant young German officer, who at the peril of his life was rescuing a girl from the attacks of brutal Frenchmen."

At the War Office Captain Mitchell set himself the task of examining all the contraband literature, chiefly German propaganda, that was sent to the Department. In the end he compiled a manual of eighty-one closely printed folio pages. The War Office distributed it to the Intelligence Departments on all the fronts, and it is now a rare and coveted publication.

Later, under Lord Northcliffe, he concentrated on propaganda for distribution on the German fronts. For his services the Captain had the honour of being mentioned in dispatches and receiving the O.B,E. and then the C.B.E., Military Division— " a gratification to one who was a civilian by temperament and training."

During the Great War many problems arose at the Zoo, and special arrangements had to be made, but in one way or another the Society kept the remnants of its staff busy and its buildings in full use. The direct effect of military operations on the Gardens was small, the nearest German bomb exploding more than a quarter of a mile away. There was the fear of a sudden panic during a daylight air-raid, if visitors thought that animals might escape or had escaped. As it happened, the few daylight raids came when the Gardens were not crowded, and the animals took no notice of the bombs.

When Sir Peter retired from the Zoo in '1935—he was knighted in 1929, the centenary year of the Zoological Society— he went to Spain and settled in Malaga, and there he set about writing his reminiscences. Not the least interesting chapter in his very readable book is one in which he describes his experiences in the early days of the Spanish civil war, and a thrilling account it is ; and then in the epilogue the author sums himself up as follows :— Looking back on my own life, I see myself as a rolling stone, a voyager, outsider if you like, nearly always. At school in Aberdeen I came as a stranger into a coherent class ; at the University of Aberdeen I was a year before my time, and at Oxford a year after it. . . . As a journalist I was an amateur, in the War Office a civilian, and even in the Zoological Society I was carrying out work that was new to me. I do not admit that any of my work has been superficial. I have always done my best in everything, and I have been fortunate, not only in the capacity for work, but in being able to pass from one occupation to another with the comfort of passing from work to play, or from play to work.

[A review of Dr. Stanley Russell's book has had to be postponed to the next issue of the Magazine.—EDIToR]

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Lecht, Smoo, Stock Ghyll, etc.

Despite many years' cycling on highway and by-way in Aberdeenshire, I had never managed to reach the Lecht before 1935. Acquisition of a Morris Ten in May of that year, however, made surmounting the famous pass quite easy of accomplishment. Admittedly there is no virtue in climbing z,ooo feet in the comfort of a car, even such as my humble " Squib," and I should certainly have preferred greatly to make the ascent on " shank's mare." Laziness having precluded that, I arranged fortnight to leave Aberdeen on a July Sunday, and spend a and some unvisited, previously land of the touring round parts " weel-kent " scenes as well.

Naturally, the terrific gradient and poor surface had been a by-word for many years, and I was rather diffident as to their combined effect on my small car, particularly in view of my own lack of experience. But my cousin (John C. Esslemont, 191O-5912) was confident, from his wealth of knowledge on motoring matters, that the ascent could be made on second gear. So off I set with three passengers and a good complement of luggage. We went out by Tyrebagger in glorious sunshine, passing through Kemnay as the good folks were on their way beautiful to kirk, and within an hour were in Paradise, that stopped We Keig. and Monymusk stretch of the Don between glorious the admiring Throat, Lord's the of foot the at while a for Then, scene of trees and river basking in the noon sunshine. climbing through the woods, we turned our backs on the twin My peaks of Bennachie, and made for upper Strathdon.Scout previous limit up the valley was Kildrummy, during a Douglas camp many years ago at Castle Forbes, when Dr. W. Simpson conducted us round the ruins of the ancient stronghold.

Beyond this point a succession of bends through finely-wooded country brought to my mind the rhyme : Except it be for fish and tree, Ae rood o' Don's worth twa o' Dee.

I am no angler, but certainly agree that the sylvan stretches are far superior to those of its sister strath. Still, Deeside of Colthat is no disgrace to Donside, and as we sped on past quhonny and Lonach, we drank fully of Nature's lavishness. us into more A sudden S bend over the shining river brought Brig for a Cock at up drew we and Corgarff, near country open Hotel.

Allargue past ascent formidable short rest ere tackling the periodic drive, could who party our of one only the I being leg-stretching. stoppages were expedient for the purpose of reconstruction Only a short time before our visit, complete so we of the whole ten miles to Tomintoul had been finished, Jack's But surface. excellent an getting in fortunate were almost optimism as to second gear was soon confuted, as we to make a had I and hairpin, first the at standstill a to came

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rapid change-down to avoid stalling. Thereafter, low gear having been engaged, " Squib " slowly but steadily negotiated the several sharp bends, and scaled the half-way crest in good style. Here for almost an hour we settled down to a siesta in the bright sunshine, tempered by the natural coolness of the atmosphere at a height of 1,60o feet. We would fain have lingered there till evening, emulating the youth who said, " Whiles I sit and think ; whiles I just sit." But man, for all his boasted freedom, is largely a slave to time, so again we took to the road, and were soon over the summit (2,085 feet, second only to Cairnwell) and whirling down to Tomintoul.

This rather unattractive village is the gateway to some undoubted beauty spots. Shortly after leaving it, the Grantown road skirts high above the Avon, then dips abruptly to cross the river and rise steeply on the left bank. On both sides of the bridge the valley is finely wooded, and my camera was called into play. A few miles more brought us to the long, steep descent to Brig o' Brown, and corresponding ascent beyond ; it is at a point like this that one realizes the importance of a good surface : stiff gradients are nothing to a modern car, but tyres soon deteriorate on loose surfaces. The few miles past Darrdhu gave us the only rough patch of our day's run, but it was not long till we left the rather barren moorland and came on to a smooth road again in Strath Spey.

For a while the " inner man " had been calling for attention, and the finely-wooded river bank seemed an excellent spot for a picnic lunch, so we called a halt at old Spey Bridge. A stone at its south end bears the inscription : " A. D. 1754. The companeis of the i ith Regiment.

The Right Honourable Lord Charles Hay Colonel.

Ended," so it will be seen that the archway had given a long period of service prior to condemnation by engineers a year or two ago.

In its place, Inverness and Moray County Councils erected the splendid structure some distance up-stream, and now barricades at each end bar the old bridge to all but foot passengers. Crossing to the left bank, we find an excellent picnic site a few yards down the river, and the rippling of the water forms a fine musical accompaniment to the disappearance of jellies and sandwiches.

About four o'clock we resume our journey via the new bridge, then through Grantown-on-Spey and along another valley blessed with beautiful trees—that of the Dulnan.

At Carr-Bridge we make our first acquaintance with the Great North Road, which, climbing gradually for seven miles, first through fragrant pine-woods, then over boggy moorland, brings us to Slochd Mhuic—the wild boar's den. An interesting geological fact about this pass is that the engineers, digging out the bed of the railway track, came successively to three distinct layers of tree roots, evidence of three different levels

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of the earth's surface at various periods. We indulge in another siesta on the northern slope of Slochd, our thoughts, this beautiful summer afternoon, far from such wild scenes as were the rule here in past centuries. Bitter fights were wont to be waged here between clansmen returning from successful forays on southern cattle, as Slochd was generally the last battle-ground of all ; ten miles north of it is Starsach na Gaidhealtachd— the Threshold of the Highlands—and once the northern clans reached there, they could feel safe from pursuit. The spot is now distinguished by a stone at the east side of the road, recording that the first sod of the reconstructed Inverness-Perth road was cut there by Mrs. Mackintosh of Moy, wife of the LordLieutenant of Inverness-shire.

From the ridge above Craggie Brae a magnificent panorama is obtained across Strath Nairn to the mountains on the borders of Inverness- and Ross-shires, and a few minutes later, on surmounting Daviot brae, one is rewarded with an even wider and finer expanse, including the Moray Firth and its upper reaches as far as Beauly. Away to the north-east is the white column of Tarbat Ness lighthouse ; veering round westwards, the eye catches, in turn, the sombre hills of Sutherland, perennially snow-capped Beinn Uibheis, Sgurr Mor in Fannich, and Meall-fuar-mhonaidh above Loch Ness. Nearer at hand are Tom-na-h'iubhraich (Inverness's beautiful cemetery), Culloden Moor, and, across the Firth, the misnomered Black Isle. Near the popular holiday resort of Rosemarkie is Chanonry, a name reminding us that the peninsula was a cradle of Christianity in Scotland. Altogether, the blending of wood and water, moor and mountain, sun and shadow, makes an unforgettable scene, and the position of Inverness itself, nestling on the shore right in the centre of the picture, fully justifies the praises sung in the town's favour by John Stuart Blackie, John Ruskin, H. V. Morton, and others. Reaching the town (three of whose best viewpoints are, curiously, the old prison, the cemetery, and the mental hospital!), we booked rooms at a hotel having a splendid outlook to the Castle towering on its brae across the river, then went for a short evening run to Dores, near the foot of Loch Ness. Mr. Monster, we learned next day, was in evidence at that very time off Urquhart Castle, only six miles up the loch on the other side, but at the quiet wee hamlet of Dores nothing disturbed the peaceful serenity of a glorious summer evening. For an hour or more we sat by the shore, listening to the murmur of the waves.

Next day our route again led to Loch Ness, this time along the west side as far as Druimnadrochaid. In the visitors' book at the hotel here John Bright wrote : In Highland glens 'tis far too oft observed That man is chased away and game preserved.

Glen Urquhart is to me a lovelier glen— There, deer and grouse have not supplanted men.

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We traversed almost the full length of that beautifully-wooded glen, then forked right near Corrimony, and climbed the ridge dividing Glen Urquhart from Strath Glass. From the crest there is a grand view over Kerrow Wood to the hills behind Cannich, culminating in Cam Eige, highest summit north of the Great Glen. After another short pause we drove cautiously down the steep brae, then along to Fasnakyle Bridge, at the foot of " the loveliest glen in all that lovely land "—Glen Affric.

Of course such a description is merely opinion, but among those best qualified to judge, Glen Affric receives far greater support to the claim than any other. A more able pen than mine is needed to describe the glories of the twenty miles through Chisholm's Pass, by the Dog Falls, along the islandstudded Loch Bcinn a' Mheadhoin, past Affric Lodge, beyond even Loch Affric itself, to the solitude of the mountains of Kintail. A mere catalogue of names, you say ? Yes, but what a wealth of grandeur they conjure up in the memory of those who have traversed the Glen. To those who have that fortune still to come, autumn must be recommended as the ideal time for their first visit ; the early October colouring sets off Affric at its best. The public road stops between the two lochs, but those in the full vigour of youth will be well advised to tramp right through the hills by the right-of-way leading to Loch Duich on the west coast.

Again we would gladly have stayed till evening, enjoying the strong sunshine, but an hour is all we can spare, as one of our party has to return by train to Aberdeen that night. The narrow, winding, loose road demands slow travelling—an advantage to the passengers, who are the better able to take in the glorious succession of mountain, loch, wood and river as we retrace our tracks as far as Fasnakyle. Thence we continue through quiet, pastoral scenery in Strath Glass to Sally, and from there through wilder country again by Erchless Castle and the magnificent Druim Gorge to the Falls of Kilmorack.

Another halt here for a picnic lunch by the river side, and we continue to Beauly to drop our home-bound companion. The rest of us had intended to spend the night at Bonar Bridge, but friends in Dingwall on whom we called prevailed on us to accept their hospitality.

We were glad to do so, but that made a longish run necessary next day, as I wanted to reach Thurso by nightfall. The roads of north-west Sutherland, where we purposed going the following day, are appalling, and on account of my mechanical ignorance I wanted to be clear of them before the day was far spent. Things were not improved by the facts that our host and hostess are by no means early risers, and that we made a detour to look up other friends in Invergordon and Balintore. Thereafter there were no hindrances! Again favoured with good weather, we had a fine run along the south shore of Dornoch Firth, and

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crossed the Kyle of Sutherland at Bonar. From this point one has a choice of routes, each with points in its favour. I selected, not for the first time, the longer. From Invershin one gets a very picturesque view, looking upstream under the railway viaduct. On a huge cliff overhanging the Oykel stands Carbisdale Castle in splendid magnificence, and far to the west are the grey hills of Coigach and Assynt. Crossing the Shin, we turn sharp right up its valley, and soon pass the sombre Falls.

Then on to Lairg, at the foot of Loch Shin, a stretch of water that generally disappoints me ; it ought to be much more impressive than it is. A wild road for ten miles brings us to Rogart for lunch, and we resume acquaintance with the coast at Golspie. The road surface is astonishingly good—splendid tar-macadam all the way—and ample width enables a fine turn of speed to be maintained throughout. This is especially fortunate, because the scenery is really very tame, and in Caithness distinctly poor. The Ord is, of course, very wild, the view of Morven from Berriedale is well worth seeing, and Dunbeath is a lovely little spot, but these three points are the only attractive bits between Helmsdale and Melvich. Caithness is flat, barren, and uninteresting ; you do not see the fine rock scenery of its coasts because you are right on top of them ; John o' Groat's is a desolate place, and is NOT the most northerly part of Scotland's mainland. We were glad to reach Thurso.

Wednesday gave me my first experience of really bad roads.

And were they bad, or were they ? as our American cousins would say. I am glad to have seen (so far as a driver can while steering his vehicle in such conditions) the wild, indeed savage, country between Tongue and Loch Merkland, hut next visit will be on my feet or in someone else's car. Beinn Laoghal in Lord Reay's country is thought by some to be the grandest mountain in Scotland, but although it looks very impressive across Kyle of Tongue, I would hardly accord it that preeminent status. Across the Moine the surface gradually got looser and looser, and round Loch Eriboll it was tragic. Occasionally ships of the British Navy visit this wild sheet of water, and English sailors call it " Lock 'Orrible." Small wonder.

Near Rispond is the remarkable Smoo Cave, in reality a double cave. At one side of the rear of the outer cavity is a barrier, and it would take a skilful climber all his time to surmount this and clamber into the inner cave, as it is very greasy and mosscovered. Inside the inner chamber a waterfall can be heard, though not seen, and a hole in the roof of the outer cave intensifies rather than relieves the eeriness of the scene.

Our north-west limit is reached at Dumess, 14 miles from Cape Wrath, and 56 from its nearest railway station (Lairg).

I have hopes of a rather better road as we turn southwards.

Alas 1 it gets even worse, and the eighteen-miles stretch of narrow, loose track over the desolate moor west of Foin-bheinn and

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Arcuil (both over 2,500 feet) determines me to return along Loch Shin to the east, instead of continuing, as had been our intention, to Scourie, thence across Kyle Sku, and round the Assynt circle via Lochinver to Ullapool. We reached our decision with regret, having a keen desire to see the splendid mountain, loch and coast scenery of this district, but I was too apprehensive of trouble with the car, miles from anywhere, and this road from Durness past Rhiconich certainly " put the fear of death" in me. I have seen wilder country in the heart of the Cuillin of Skye, for instance, and on the borders of Blackmount, but never anything so savage as this wilderness in north-west Sutherland. One car passed us in twelve miles or more ; and this in early afternoon on a fine July day.

Towards Laxford Bridge we skirted one or two short arms of the sea, and as the colouring became rather more attractive, our mental outlook took on a more cheerful aspect. At the Scourie road-fork we halted for a few minutes, ate some fruit, stretched our legs, and generally relaxed after the tension of our morning's run. The road continued narrow, winding and loose for some miles along the rather attractive shore of Loch Stac, and then became quite good tarmac west of Overscaig Inn. Thence we made progress along Loch Shin and got to Lairg soon after six o'clock. An excellent high tea in the hotel was followed by a short rest at the foot of the loch, and then in the cool of the evening we continued at an easy amble down the east bank of the river. This road climbs fairly high above the valley, and near Inveran there is a glorious view down the gorge and across Strath Oykel to the hills west of Culrain.

Beyond Ardgay we fork right, taking the direct road over Struie to Evanton. From the brae Dornoch Firth is seen to great advantage ; then, as we descend above Alness, Cromarty Firth and the famous Sutors come into view. The bold headlands are thrown into fine relief by the setting sun against the azure background. We reached Dingwall about 8.3o but continued to Strathpeffer to spend the night ; had we called on our friends in the county town, they would have insisted on putting us up again, so we tactfully refrained from looking them up, and were duly " ticked off " on informing them a month later.

Thursday morning found us once more setting out for the west, this time under a very watery sky. However, as time passed the sky cleared, and we were again favoured with a splendid day for our run through the magnificent scenery of Wester Ross. The early part of our route lay in pretty, rather than grand, country. Sunlight and shadow formed a constant succession of fairyland touches as we skirted the wooded shore of Loch Achilty, then climbed the long winding avenue up to Falls of Rogie, and approached open moorland again beyond the glistening waters of Loch Garve. We selected the Ullapool fork, west of Garve station, and were soon crossing the rather

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barren moorland under the western shoulder of Beinn Uibheis.

A short distance beyond the summit of Direadh Mor, we came to another fork at Braemore Lodge, and although our route is to the left, we should be foolish indeed not to continue for half a mile down the Loch Broom road ; a pathway leads along the edge of a gorge to the extraordinary Measach Falls. The volume of water is small, but the depth of the chasm, and perhaps even more its narrowness, make this cascade a most impressive scene. Clouds of spray rise from the abyss to the frail bridge spanning the gorge, and the roar of the fall was heard even by my mother, who has been very deaf for thirty years. It was hard to tear ourselves away from so grand a spectacle.

The Ullapool road has a fine tar-macadam surface throughout, but the Dundonell road is poor. Near Fain summit reconstruction was in progress, and as luck would have it we were third of a trio of cars who had to wait while five others passed on the one-way stretch. Even when we got clear, it was expedient to wait for a few minutes to let the car ahead get well in front, since the dust it raised was almost blinding and most unpleasant, as our sunshine roof had to be open on account of the tremendous heat. There is some improvement in the surface along Little Loch Broom, and the driver is able to devote more of his attention to the fine seascapes that crop up every now and then round this grand coast. Splendid pen-pictures of this part of the world are those of T. Ratcliffe Barnett in "Autumns in Skye, Ross, and Sutherland," and no better vade-mecum could be used by anyone making, or even contemplating, a visit to " The Sea-gates of Wester Ross." For beautiful camera-studies Gardner's "Peaks, Lochs, and Coasts really of the Western Highlands " is in a class by itself. Butdistrict magnificent this appreciate to necessary the human eye is properly. We halt for a short time by a little mountain torrent at Gruinard ere tackling the famous i in 6 gradient—a " cakeat walk " after Lecht. Then round by Aultbea on Loch Ewe,the quite yards, twenty about for encounter, whose head we worst bit of road of our whole fortnight. The whole bed of the road has been hacked out, and huge sharp stones placed in position, preparatory to the introduction of ballast, tar, etc. one I crawl along, fearful every moment of hearing a bang from and or more tyres. Apprehensions prove groundless, however, we cross Poolewe bridge and climb Tollie brae. Another stop here is imperative : our view extends up the full twenty miles length of Loch Maree ; to the left towered Slioch and the magnificent Teallach mountain group ; three or four little islets lie peacefully in the loch, which is itself a sheet of glass reflecting the rays of the mid-day sun ; in a few moments a zephyr passes over the placid waters, which ripple from shore to shore and are then calm again. Altogether a perfect scene.

Lunch is taken on the sandy beach at Gairloch. Far over

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the sea are the cliffs of Trotternish, in Skye; our thoughts become dreams of happy days spent in that " dearest of islands," and we gradually fall into a pleasant doze. Flowerdale, Kerrysdale, Talladale—beautiful names and beautiful places. The road winds through birch-woods along the western shore of Loch Maree, till at Kinlochewe begins the long ascent of Glen Docherty, from the head of which we gaze back to bid, not farewell, but an revoir, to that beautiful loch. A short, steep descent follows, then five level miles bring us to Achnasheen, half-way house on the Skye railway. We turn sharp right and cross the rather barren watershed ere coming to Glen Carron, another of the sylvan glories of Ross-shire. There is a particularly fine stretch along Loch Dughaill, near Achnashellach, where the mountain rises very abruptly on the far side of the loch, and gives a dark reflection of great dignity in the still water. Ten miles more and we came to our first ferry— Strome—across Loch Carron. An Australian, also waiting here, was disgusted at the poor ferry services and heavy charges in Scotland ; in his country all ferries are Government-run, and free. I was in complete sympathy with him on the money question, but surely at such a spot as this delay is a blessing rather than a curse.

One's first view of the Cuillin is obtained from Loch Carronside, and this, in conjunction with the beauty of one's immediate surroundings, makes Strome Mor an excellent place to pass far more then the twenty-five minutes actually involved. We reached Strome Ferry about 5.3o, and on the ferryman's advice did not attempt the direct road to Plockton via Duncraig. If a West Highlander describes a road as bad, it must indeed be bad.

So we took the main road over Auchtertyre to Balmacara, and round to Plockton by Strathie brae, although this meant covering fourteen miles instead of six. What a pity this little village has so unattractive a name; if there is a more charmingly situated hamlet on the habitable globe, I would like to see it.

Three sides of Plockton are washed by Loch Carron, which is itself dotted with several woody islets. Across the loch, to south, rears the imposing Castle of Duncraig, and behind that towers the magnificent Creag Dalaig, I,ooo feet more or less sheer from the water's edge. To the west, the view embraces the Red Hills and some of the Black Cuillin in Skye, and this view, as the sun is setting and lighting up with gold the Inner Sound of Applecross, can have few serious rivals. Northwards are Bealach a' Chomraich, the famous Pass of the Sanctuary (1,053 feet), and the gaunt hills of Kishorn and Shieldaig. We spent a couple of hours visiting friends in Plockton, and about nine o'clock reached Kyle, along the poor direct road by Diuranais.

On Friday I took a respite from motoring to join the " Loch Nevis " for Mallaig, and there change into M.V. " Lochmor " for a trip round the Outer Hebrides. This is a trip that never

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fails to charm me, but as I described it in the A.G.S. Magazine for November 1931, 1 shall not bore readers with a repetition.

Suffice it to say that I sailed out to Loch Boisdale in South Uist, north by Lochmaddy in North Uist, to Tarbert (Harris), and then back to Kyle on Saturday, thus completing a most enjoyable week from Aberdeen, with no motor trouble or other catastrophe to mar the pleasure of our tour.

The second week's itinerary will be described in next issue.

E. R. B. (1920-22.)

Field-Marshal James Keith.

Our famous F.P.—the eponym of Keith House—is one of six " Adventurers in the Eighteenth Century " dealt with in a book of that title by Peter Wilding, recently published by the Cresset Press, and very favourably reviewed. Three of the six were rogues, one was an amiable soldier of fortune, the fifth was a gambler on the most magnificent scale, and only James Keith reached the heights of success with unspoiled nobility of character.

Keith was the perfect pattern of the Scottish professional soldier who was so familiar a figure in the European armies of the day. A Scottish Jacobite of noble family, the son of the 9th Earl Marischal, he fought at an early age in the Rising of /715 and was forced to fly to Paris, where he distinguished himself at the University and was elected to the Academy. He took part in the fiasco of the second Jacobite attempt of 1719, and ended up in Madrid, obtaining a colonelcy in the Spanish Army.

After taking part also in the futile Spanish attack on Gibraltar in 1726, Keith proceeded to Russia in search of adventure. The Tsar made him a Major-General, and the Empress Anne formed so high an opinion of the young Scot's trustworthiness and talents that she suddenly made him commander of the Moscow garrison, and in the following year promoted him to one of the three new inspectorships of her army. Thence his fortunes speedily rose, and he became successively Governor of the Ukraine, Lieutenant-General, Commander-in-Chief in Finland, Minister-Plenipotentiary in Sweden. The Russians, however, were jealous of his extraordinary success, and the politicians intrigued against him until Keith left Russia in disgust, and was at once offered a Field-Marshal's baton by Frederick the Great.

Keith accepted the offer and became one of Frederick's most intimate friends and his adviser on the civil as well as the military affairs of Prussia. He fought beside the king in the Seven Years' War, took part in the Battle of Rossbach, and was killed at the Battle of Hochkirch in 1758. Frederick, who had trusted and loved the wandering soldier, put up a statue to him in Berlin and named a regiment after him. May we hope to have a statue of him some day in front of the Grammar School, to keep Byron company ?

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SCHOOL SECTION. School and Random Notes.

As we write these Notes, the School is enshrouded in an unwonted quietude—the long-awaited Festival of Minerva (others, less poetically, call it the " Highers ") is being solemnly celebrated in the Hall. The last " spotter " has been spotted and the last book thrown to the mercy of the March winds, whence it will doubtless return only in time for the dreaded visit of the inspectors. This year's slogan, " Beware the Ides of March," has been peculiarly apt, as the festival was opened on that date. We wish all success to the fifty-two candidates and trust that they will have satisfactorily accomplished their toil before the learned silence is shattered by the cacophonous voice of the invigilator—" Fi-i-ive minutes to go." * * * Was it merely a coincidence or was it a message of hope to the Classical candidates for the Leaving Certificate that this passage was lately read for a morning lesson—" Happy is the man that findeth wisdom and the man that getteth understanding ? " * * * Before the end of last term the School assembled in Hall for the presentation to Mr. Peter Edward. The Senior Prefect acted as our spokesman and voiced our regrets at " Pat's " resignation. The School gave him farewell in the traditional way, making up for the absence of the old desks to thump by doubling its cheers and foot-stampings. * * * Last November several members of the two highest classes attended the performance of Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme by the " Comediens de Paris " in the Training Centre Hall. Fortunately most of us had previously read the comedy and were thus able to appreciate better the performance of the players, and especially the part of the immortal Jourdain, played by M. Lucien Hector. * * * We do not mind being prostrated by measles, or mumps, or by a disease of some importance, but it irritates us to be confined to bed for a week with nothing more serious than influenza ; and when this paltry disease arrogates to itself an importance something like that of a Great Plague, our annoyance is extreme. Such an epidemic overtook the School during the first weeks of this term, and for about ten days the daily total of absentees exceeded zoo. The " peak " day had the grand total of 272. Even this remarkable total was not deemed sufficient to justify the closing of the School.

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The t st XV has concluded its fixtures and, while few interschool games have been won, many have been but narrowly lost. Unfortunately Strathallan and Melville College had to cancel their matches on account of illness, and Dollar Academy, George Watson's College, and Glasgow Academy on account of unplayable grounds. The return match with Gordon's College was played, and, incidentally, not won, on a pitch ankledeep in saturated mud, while a driving blizzard of sleety snow only aggravated the discomfort of both players and spectators.

We wish to congratulate A. H. Bruce on gaining his Cap, and C. R. Cruickshank, R. R. Melville, A. J. M. Simpson, and G. C. Warrack on being awarded their Colours. * * * The second half of the 1936-37 Rugby season will be remembered for two reasons—for a lack of School matches and for an abundance of mud. Since Christmas, of twenty-eight matches arranged for the first, second, and third XVs, eighteen have been cancelled for various reasons. During the first term we were blessed with almost continuous fine weather and the Field was in excellent condition, but the weekly washers of dirty jerseys were destined no longer to remain in their Utopian state of idle bliss. Since Christmas the Field has been ruined by frequent showers of snow, sleet, and rain. To obviate the seemingly inevitable mud, tons of sand, much to the detriment, we fear, of Aberdeen as a seaside resort, have been showered on the pitches

by Frank and his assistants. In addition to enjoying our mud larks, we are now able at half-time to build sand castles. * * * About seventy of the Upper School took part on 3oth January in a " Pageant of Fitness " in aid of Lord Provost Watt's New Infirmary Appeal Fund. These boys gave a display of Danish gymnastics, under Mr. Lawrie's direction, which was much appreciated by all present. For about ten minutes the floor of the Music Hall was covered by a host of agile figures, endeavouring to obey the now well-known commands of " Stretch and ho-old it " and to act in unison to the brain- and body-wracking twister: " Left-in, right-in, stride, together, back, stride, together, stride, together, forward, left-in. . . ." * * * The latest addition to the School Clubs is the Rambling and Mountaineering Club. It was felt that such a club would be welcomed by the large number of boys who yearly attend the Cairngorm Excursion. The Club will organize numerous day and week-end trips during the summer and a series of lectures on suitable subjects during the winter. We offer it our official blessing. * * * On Friday, 8th January, a most successful School Dance was

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held in Kennaway's Rooms. Unfortunately, as the date proved not to be very suitable, there were present less than thirty couples, nevertheless all spent a thoroughly enjoyable evening. The arrangements were made by a Dance Committee, with Mr. Macgregor as M.C. and A. C. R. Watt as secretary. We express the hope that School Dances will once again become annual events, and that, in future, more pupils and more masters will patronize what ought to be one of the most outstanding social occasions of every session. * * * The School Concert had to be postponed on account of the influenza epidemic, and was held in the Music Hall on Friday, 26th February. The three choirs—Junior, Intermediate, and Senior—the soloists, the orchestra, and the gymnastic team all acquitted themselves—we speak with fitting modesty—not without honour. Great credit is due to Mr. Falconer for his untiring efforts in the cause of music throughout the School.

This year we were privileged to have as our chairman Lord Provost Watt. * * * The Literary and Debating Society has completed a season that will be marked in its annals with letters of gold as the first year of an epoch. The familiar lantern, whose many shortcomings have inspired more passionate invective than all the mislaid collar-studs or broken bootlaces in history, has gone to its last rest, we know not where. In its place there stands, large, black, and efficient, an Epidiascope, whose clarity of projection has called forth the praise of many lecturers. For the first time also the Society has been entertained by a " talkie."

Not inappropriately, this first essay in sound effect, which occurred during a lecture on Australia, was a record of the voice of the laughing jackass. * * * The ancient and criminal offence of I.D.B. (Illicit Doughnut Buying) has, we have heard, been stealthily revived. Since the School has been inundated with milk, there has been felt a natural need for something solid to accompany the lacteal fluid.

This need has been satisfied, we believe, by the purchase of doughnuts from an extraneous source. This is, of course, a heinous offence, but we cannot but admire the successful, who, before triumphing, must have evaded the ever-watchful eye of the mighty Rab. Needless to say, once caught, a culprit will never again commit the sin. He will have been the subject of the red-hot Irish ire that proceeds from the ready tongue of the most dignified of School functionaries. * * * The Dramatic Society's performance took place successfully in a Hall full to capacity. The members deserve special

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congratulation on their success, as they had a troublesome time only a week before the performance in finding understudies for one or two players who had dropped out. At this performance the Society's new spotlights were inaugurated. This year also saw the launching of a new venture in the presentation at a separate performance of a series of plays by a Junior Dramatic Society, recruited from the Lower School. The good show put up by these "infant phenomenons" promises well for the future prosperity of the senior Society. * * * The stock of books in the School Library continues to increase, thanks again chiefly to the ceaseless generosity of Mr. Louis Wilson. During this term there have been puchased several books on Spain and Spanish life and history. In addition, a collection of scientific books has been added to the shelves. * * * Among the recent benefactors to the School must be numbered a worthy disciple of Nuffield, who occupied a first-class compartment of the train which bore our Junior Rugby Team to Glasgow. With a practical philanthropy equal to that of his famous exemplar, he treated the whole team to breakfast. " 0 glorious magnanimity of soul! " * * * Many of the School attended the Proclamation Ceremony at the Castlegate on i4th December and fifty of them were " privileged " to stand in the area reserved for scholars. This was so situated that the actual ceremony was quite invisible to the boys, and none but the tallest could even see the procession. The excellent scheme of a reserved area for scholars could surely have been better worked out. * * * At a recent " Magical Revue " there figured a band called the " Bon Recordians," describing themselves as " Classical boys playing modern music." Lest this should have caused some imaginative soul to paint a horrible mental picture of Mr. Falconer emitting ecstatic " ha-cha-cha's " and exhorting his pupils to " swing it, boys 1 " we think it advisable to mention that the Bon Recordians have no connection with the School orchestra. These budding exponents of " hot rhythm " are in ordinary life members of Middle III. * * * During the coming Easter vacation there is again to be a School excursion to " that rookery of pomp and vanity," Paris.

This year fourteen boys will accompany Mr. Mackenzie, leaving Aberdeen on 24th March and returning eight days later. The headquarters of last year are unavailable and the party will stay in Hotel St. Thomas d'Aquin, Rue Pre aux Clercs. We wish

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Mr. Mackenzie and his flock an enjoyable holiday and a favourable Channel crossing. * * * Trust is organizing Travel Schools The Scottish Secondary a most ambitious scheme. During the summer holidays a party of schoolboys is to spend three weeks in Canada, and in all the trip will last for more than five weeks. As we must not borrow what is really " copy " for our next issue, we are giving only a preliminary notice, but we have done this so that the F.P. Club Consuls in Eastern Canada may be able to make fitting preparations for the reception of the five Grammar School boys who are to be members of the party. * * * Upper School attended a of the On i4th January many Lecture-Concert, " An Introduction to the Orchestra," at which the illustrations were played by the Scottish Orchestra, conducted by Mr. George Szell. We heard pieces from Handel, Delibes, Mozart, Wagner, Rossini, and Elgar, whose vigorous march, " Pomp and Circumstance No. t," captivated the interest and admiration of every member in the audience. It was indeed a thrilling experience to hear such a fine orchestra play many familiar works, and our only regret was the shortness of the performance. Mr. Albert Adams supplemented the playing by explaining the uses of the various instruments. We heartily thank the Educational Institute of Scotland for arranging the concert, and hope that such musical treats will be repeated. * * * of the A.G.S. Art appearance Those who have missed the Club Sketch Book, which was once a regular feature of the Christmas issue, will be pleased to hear that Mr. Hemingway has revived the Club. This will not, however, mean the reappearance of the Sketch Book, for Mr. Hemingway's enterprise has founded an Art Club Magazine for the publication of its members' drawings. * * * The revival of Art in the School has appropriately received a fillip from the jovial head of the Classical Department. As the best way of escaping from the intolerable atmosphere of modernity which issues from the nearby laboratory, he has sought to create a purer classical atmosphere in his room by surrounding it with a frieze " of deities or mortals, or of both," executed in the best Roman manner in plaster of Paris. * * * We have recently heard it whispered that the Coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth is to take place in May, and also have we heard that we are to have three days' holiday. What with the Aberdeen City Holiday, half-holidays

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for athletic and swimming sports and for the Empire Day cricket match, it seems that the summer term will be most satisfactory.

In addition, if the present weather continues, we may also have a skating half holiday 1 * * * To create the correct atmosphere among the youth of the land, replicas of the Coronation Regalia have recently been exhibited to all our classes. There were twenty-four in all and each was amazingly realistic. We were shown all the various treasures, and their respective uses in the Coronation ceremony were carefully explained. Perhaps the exhibits that attracted most attention were the four crowns—the Coronation Crown, the Imperial Crown of India, Queen Mary's State Crown, and last, the most valuable Crown in the world, the Imperial State Crown, which we were told contains 5 rubies, II emeralds, 18 sapphires, 277 pearls, and 2,783 diamonds. With editorial thoroughness we intended to check these figures, but we became lost somewhere between the two hundred and fifty-first pearl and the two thousand three hundred and forty-ninth diamond. * * * Many curious theories have been advanced as to how school ink is manufactured. After a careful examination of its composition and its action upon the intestines of our fountain-pen, we incline to the theory that it is a waste-product from the gas-works. Another ingenious theory, which would account for its extreme viscosity, is that it is a compound of tar and ground rock-salt, slightly diluted. When transferred to paper it makes marks of a depth and permanence of colour unrivalled by any other ink. The only imperfection is that it is weilnigh impossible to transfer it to paper in the customary way—that is, with a pen. We cannot have everything. * * * The duties of School Editors include, we believe, the searching for " howlers." Our efforts towards this end have met with little success and for several days we have been trying to find suitable verbiage in which to clothe our one find. For this our profoundest thanks are due to the French scholar who gave for " Are you all ready? " this apt translation : " Etes vous deja." At the time of going to press, however, another pupil came to our aid. Asked to use " ecclesiastic" so as to show he knew its meaning, he wrote : " From the way the acrobat swung about, one would have thought he was ecclesiastic." Herein we see the result of a confusion between two prominent movements of the present day—the Campaign for a Fitter Nation and the Recall to Religion.

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The School Concert.

The large audience in the Music Hall for the School Concert on Friday, 16th February, was more than amply rewarded by the excellent programme of vocal and instrumental music.

The Junior, Intermediate, and Senior Choirs, consisting of about 45o boys from Lower II to Classical and Modern VI, contributed songs of a delightfully varied nature. The programme commenced with a unison song, especially suitable for the Coronation Year Concert, " Here's a Health unto His Majesty," sung by the combined choirs, accompanied by the orchestra. After this stirring beginning there were items varying from " The Old Owl's Story " and " The Farmyard," sung by the boys of Lower II and Lower III, to the three-part songs, " When I was One-and-Twenty " and "Come, if you Dare " ; and from two sea shanties to Christmas Carols, " Jesus to us, to God a son " and " Stile Nachte," which last was perhaps the finest number on the programme, so beautifully was it rendered.

The three solo singers—Donald E. R. Watt, George R. W. Dalgleish, and Arthur W. Wardle—overcame the trying ordeal of singing before such a large audience and were all greatly appreciated.

The playing of the School Orchestra, composed of twentyeight past and present pupils, was also a feature of the programme.

Their pieces were a Sonatina by Ignez Pleyel, the Bouree and Air from Handel's " Water Music," Gluck's Ballet music from " Orpheus," in which Mr. Gordon Wallace played the most effective flute part, and a Sinfonietta by Mozart. All these were rendered with a tone and range of colour, which considering the limitations of the orchestra, were most creditable.

The instrumental soloists were James Wyness, clarinet, who gave us Rubinstein's well-known Romance in E flat, and W. M`Donald Menzies, who gave a splendid rendering of the Air from Goldmark's Violin Concerto, with the Allegro from Handel's 3rd Violin Sonata as a very well-deserved encore.

Not the least valuable part, however, of the orchestra's work was their accompanying of the Intermediate and Senior Choirs, whom they supported very well indeed. Mr. H. A. Murray, an F.P. and a former master of the School, was at the piano, and whether playing with the orchestra or accompanying the choirs, he proved himself a very able pianist.

A very popular interlude in the musical programme was a display of Danish gymnastics by a team of senior pupils, directed

by Mr. W. H. Lawrie. The excellence of their performance was remarked on by Lord Provost Watt, the chairman, who, during the interval, contrasted the fine musical and gymnastic . instruction of the present day with that given in his own School days at the Grammar.

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No account of a School Concert would be complete without an expression of gratitude to Mr. Falconer, to whom the success of the concert was almost entirely due. His enthusiastic and unsparing efforts in the training and conducting of the choirs and orchestra earn for him our heartiest congratulations and warmest praise.

CLASSICAL VI.

The Savings Bank—Ancien Regime.

At the beginning of the 19th century active minds in Great Britain, and indeed throughout Europe, were troubled by the question of social conditions. The Industrial Revolution was then at its height, and with it all the evils it had brought into being. Workers were flocking into the cities, attracted by seemingly high wages, only to discover that 'Tis distance lends enchantment to the view,

and that greater incomes did not necessarily mean greater comfort. The huge industrial population had very vague ideas upon wise spending, while the notion of saving, or deferred spending, which is so well known to us nowadays, was scarcely thought of. Nor was this unnatural. Such banks as there were refused to accept any deposit under ten pounds ; the worker was lucky if he had one. What he did have he put away under the floor, or up the chimney, or in some such accessible spot, thereby incurring a very grave risk of having it stolen.

Yet, acute though the problem was in the great cities, where the working population had swollen to such extraordinary numbers, it was in the country that the first move was made to relieve the workers' distress. The Parish of Ruthwell in Dumfriesshire had as its minister at that time a certain Dr. Duncan, who in early life had been trained in a bank. He was a man of education and energy, who hated the Poor Laws and desired to train the people to be independent. Various schemes for encouraging saving had been proposed and were being discussed, but Dr. Duncan, being a man of action, became impatient of delay, and decided to launch a scheme of his own. Thus it came about that in May 18 to the first Savings Bank in Britain was opened in Ruthwell. Considering that the average wage in the district at that time was from eight to ten shillings a week, we can only call the opening of this bank an act of faith. It was immediately successful, however, and at the end of its first year its deposits amounted to the proud total of—k151.

In many ways this small bank, the great ancestor of our modern Savings Banks, seems a very strange concern to us.

Nowadays anyone who wishes to open an account has merely to say so, deposit his money, and receive his pass-book—a simple transaction between two parties for their mutual advantage.

But no such simple ceremony sufficed under the Ruthwell

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regime. The business was transacted by a Board of Directors, and, before an account could be opened, the most stringent inquiries had to be made as to the age, family affairs, and moral conduct of the proposed depositor. On the result of these inquiries depended not only his admission, but also the rate of interest to be allowed. Furthermore, once admitted, he had to deposit regularly or submit to a penalty. The rate of interest was from four to five per cent., the latter being given under special circumstances, such as the declared intention of the depositor to get married. But the most extraordinary regulation of all was that, should the depositor be unable to maintain himself, a withdrawal from his account would be allowed at the option of the Directors.

That the bank should have flourished despite such restrictions is a striking proof of how great the need must have been for some such organization. Yet it had a hostile reception in many quarters. Even as late as 1844 The Times remarked, " A labourer, 6o years of age, has, by hook or by crook, saved £soo—we know of such a case. The £soo is the plague of his life. It would be a mercy to swindle him out of it, except that he would feel a good deal the loss. Could he forget it, he would be a happier and a better man." And again, " A domestic servant has saved £8o. Very creditable to her, of course, and very stingy she must have been to her nephews and nieces." Such was the opposition with which the banker met in trying to bring saving within the reach of the masses.

But despite all obstacles, the movement prospered and spread.

Its appeal to the public, however, was quite different from that of modern banks. Nowadays, it is the advantages to be had from saving that are advertised. But no more than so years ago the whole appeal was to fear, as is shown by the advertising, entirely devoted to the " provide-for-that-rainy-day " doctrine. Sometimes it consisted of verses, such as, Make what you can, and what you make hold, Is the sure rule to fill every pocket with gold.

Be idle and thriftless, your whole earnings spend, And in misery and want you as surely shall end.

This strikes the keynote of the old-time advertising. It contrasted the spendthrift and the wise saver, depicted respectively as a drunkard staggering from a public-house, and a rather smug citizen enjoying his own fireside. The indisputable advantages enjoyed by the latter over the former were demonstrated by the following neat and satisfactory statement of accounts. " As often as this pint Jug is taken to the Public-house to be filled, Threepence is spent ; Threepence per day is £4 Its. 3d. per annum. If filled twice per day, it costs Sixpence, and Sixpence per day is £9 as. 6d. per annum; and this in Five years comes to £45 Its. 6d.

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" Now what could a Working Man do with this amount ?

Just listen! He could Put in the Savings Bank for a rainy day . . £zo o o Buy 5 Suits of Clothes at 5os. per suit . . 12 10 0 A Good Silver Lever Watch . .

5 o o A Good Overcoat for Wintry weather . 2 o o And have two weeks' holiday in London. . 6 z 6 £45 I i

6

" READER, don't take the Jug to the Public-house any more, but save the THREEPENCES and SIXPENCES and " Go in " for good clothes, silver watch, and z weeks' holidays."

The amount allocated to the holiday in London was no doubt intended to deter any tendency to riotous living induced by the unaccustomed surroundings.

Yet, strange though the old banks seem to us in many ways they must be given the credit for establishing firmly a great movement in the face of keen, and, as it seems to us now, unwarranted opposition. To Dr. Duncan especially praise is due, not merely because his was the first Savings Bank, but because he taught a lesson by which all might profit, that we can improve our situation, instead of grumbling at it, and make our opportunities, instead of waiting for them, if only we have courage and perseverance.

J. R. F.

On a Malayan River.

The afternoon was one of decided splendour, but it was inevitably warm. Hence, as was our custom, we took out a phrau (a long boat, like a canoe) and slid it gently into the cool waters of the Jelai. The Jelai is a river in Pahang, in the Malay States, and, similar to the majority of Malayan Rivers, it winds its course through a densely tangled jungle of exceeding luxuriance and colourful appearance.

We were paddling upstream, and already the cool of the river had compensated us for the tedium and throb of morning life. We continued further and further up, propelled by the swish of the paddle, and in doing so, left signs of human habitation behind, and came more upon the haunts of animals and other jungle dwellers. The European bungalows gave place to crude native huts, and these to isolated lairs of the tiger and the panther.

Paddy fields merged into the characteristic grasses of the forest, to all appearance undisturbed and peaceful, but actually teeming with life of all kinds.

Now we were approaching the real jungle, where white man hardly steps, but animals roam and rejoice in freedom.

Bamboo trees and banana trees, durian trees and palm trees

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flourished abundantly, adding a picturesque colour to the scene.

But outstanding in vesture and colour was that wonderful tree, the Flame of the Forest, far outshining any other in the whole jungle. Its clusters of brilliant red blossoms, offset by typical forest foliage, is a familiar sight on the river and one not to be forgotten.

On rounding a bend on the river we saw directly in front of us a group of trees hanging so close over it as to enable the monkeys to swing safely from bough to bough across it, which, needless to say, they did, chattering their unintelligible gibberish the while. We slowed down and, fascinated, watched their prankish games for some time.

Thereafter we continued our passage upstream, and paddling was not now so simple: indeed, we had in parts to get out and drag the boat over obstructing boulders and fallen trees.

Nevertheless it was worth it, for the verdant jungle disclosed still more life to us. A gaudy kingfisher swooped before us, bedecked in its gay plumage of blue. A hornbill stared at us in its rude, mocking manner. A solitary hawk screamed as it performed feats beyond the power of any aeroplane. Here and there flitting jerkily over the surface of the river were the iridescently coloured dragon-flies, and the blue and white butterflies. And although we sensed their presence, we hardly ever saw the jungle denizens, such as the rhinoceros and the tiger. at At length we returned downstream and presently arrived our starting-point. Hardly had we landed than the riang-riang commenced its shrill high-pitched whistle (often likened to a steam-whistle), the first of nocturnal heralds. The silence following this, however, was speedily broken, by cicada and firefly, mosquito and bull-frog, until the sombre jungle echoed and re-echoed with the sounds of insects, multiform and multitudinous.

Darkness fell upon us like a black curtain, and, scattered carelessly over the night sky, the stars appeared. Needless to say, the forest was becoming busier. Night had descended, and this was a general signal for jungle dwellers to leave their forest fastnesses and seek food and drink by the river side. The elephant, labouring his unwieldy bulk, would come majestically out of the jungle depths, bent on raiding our fruit trees. Sometimes we would see two glaring, malignant eyes peering through the gloom, and would know that a tiger stalked the forest that night. The sambur, the Malayan deer, would wander down to the river brink, regarding the world with timidity from under its antlers. Strangely enough an animal we never saw and never have seen, yet supposedly one of Malaya's most ferocious, was the s'ladang. As I have said it is ferocious, and is believed to charge a person at sight. It is a bullock-shaped beast with a wonderful spread of horns, and is found only in Malaya. The belief that it will charge a person at sight is apparently untrue,

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according to the Honorary Game Warden of the King George V Preservation Park. We knew him well, as he lived within a few miles of our bungalow, and he told us that he himself had seen the s'ladang and its calf, and had casually walked up to the latter and patted it while the larger beast lumbered incontinently into the forest depths. However, I am straying from the story.

To put it briefly, the Jelai was becoming the scene of much animal activity. The rising moon had now rendered it possible to distinguish the scene more clearly, a dark background of trees and shrubs meeting with the sable blue of a tropical sky.

Myriads of incandescent points of light were strewn over the blue, and the river, tumbling its way over the rocky bed, sweeping round the curves majestically, was illumined dazzlingly by the moon. A group of grey, bulky elephants were stripping our banana trees, a timid sambur was watchfully regarding the river bank for the sign of a foe, a silent troop of monkeys were one by one beginning their chatter, as the more powerful beasts lumbered and slunk away. Eventually these, too, would go away, the moon would hour by hour sink into the west, the river would become peaceful, and the trees bordering it would be dimly silhouetted on its surface.

Then suddenly the sublime sun would launch itself on an expectant world, and the European would rise to face another, fiery day, the unwilling coolie to prepare to work as only a coolie can, which, in short, is not at all; and bird and beast, reptile and insect would rejoice in the morning breeze.

The Jelai, however, would flow placidly onwards, heedless of last night's activity, revealed only by trampled bushes and animal footprints. The scenes it must have witnessed on its banks would fill volume after volume, if only it could speak and tell the world.

I. MACPHAIL.

(Mid. ITA.)

Rambling and Mountaineering Club.

There has been formed in the School a Rambling and Mountaineering Club. This Club, which is open to all boys in Classes II-VI, has as its object " the encouragement of the love of wild country among the boys of the School, the coordination of expeditions to the hills of Deeside and elsewhere, and the maintenance of interest in these activities by the holding of lectures during the winter."

For the present session the following officials have been appointed :—President, A. C. R. Watt ; Vice-President, R. J. Anderson ; Secretary and Treasurer, N. Mackie ; Committee— J. G. Birss, C. R. Cruickshank, S. R. Smith, and H. M. R. Watt.

Messrs. I. M. Park and C. Maclennan are advisory members of the Committee.

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The Past Rugby Season.

Weather conditions did their unpleasant best to ruin the second half of the past rugby season. Floods and then snow caused the cancellation of match after match, such games as were played being on pitches of the quagmire variety. In this respect the 1st XV were particularly unfortunate.

Either on account of illness in our opponents' schools or because of unplayable pitches, the ist XV were unable to fulfil fixtures with the following : Strathallan School, Melville College, Glasgow Academy, and George Watson's College. Several club fixtures also were cancelled and routine School games much upset.

The 1st XV's record for the season has been, as expected, the record of a plucky and clever enough little side, never badly beaten, but usually finding the handicap of comparative immaturity too great to overcome. It was most unfortunate that so many matches were cancelled late in the season, for the side had gained in weight and muscle to a remarkable degree, and victories in three of the matches not played were quite probable.

With so young a side increases in weight were anticipated.

This being the case, weights were taken in September and again in March. It was found that in the intervening six months the average increase had been more than half a stone, one forward actually gaining just over a stone. These figures indicate how much of a handicap even six months below average age mean to a side.

The and, 3rd, and 4th XVs showed corresponding increases, and after two seasons of " smallish " players, we can look ahead to some seasons of " biggish " players. At the end of the season the and and 3rd packs were physically on a par with the 1st XV forwards, the eighth place for the 1st XV being occupied at various times by as many as five different forwards. Hence only fourteen players appear in the photograph [facing p. 163].

As for the future, optimism seems justified. In successive years we have only had three and four " old players " for the following season. Next season we hope to have eight or nine of the 1st XV, including the captain. A large number of the znd and 3rd will also be available again, and the fight for places in the 1st XV pack will be keen. This is a welcome exception to the rule of recent years. Have we big forwards coming on ?

We have.

Members of the staff have again given ungrudging service.

Mr. Park with the Juniors, Mr. Stewart with the Minors, and Mr. Edwards with the Lower School have been particularly helpful, but hardly a master has not in some way assisted, if only by a cheerful tolerance of the occasional delays and interferences caused by games.

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Who's Who in the xst XV. D. R. MacGregor (1935-36-37). 5 ft. 9 in. ; 11 st. 6 lb.

An efficient Captain. Much improved as a stand-off half.

Sound in all departments of play. Not yet fast enough for brilliance as an individualist. Returns to School next session.

N. I. W. Meldrum (1935-36-37). 5 ft. 8i in. ; I I St. 7 lb. ; Vice-Captain. A keen and capable leader of the forwards.

As a back-row player combined effectively the merits of working and winging. Stocky of build, but fast in the open.

D. G. M. Covey (1935-36-37). 6 ft. i in. ; Ia st. 4 lb. A very fine forward. Clever at the line-out and full of dash in the open. Works consistently. Kicking needs to be improved.

Should do well as a senior. May return to School.

A. H. Bruce (1935-36-37). 5 ft. 7i in. ; II st. 4 lb. An average centre-threequarter. Can be depended upon to give of his best. Still kicks ahead at times when an opening has been made.

J. C. Lightbody (1936-37). 5 ft. 6 in. ; 1 o st. 3 lb. A very sound little scrum-half. Tough and effective in an unobtrusive way. Lacks pace in his break-away. Thoroughly dependable.

J. W. McKenzie (1936-37). 5 ft. 5i in. ; io st. 2 lb. A fairly successful hooker. Splendid general worker. Handicapped by lack of size. Another in series of honest, dependable players.

W. D. Allardice (1936- 37). 5 ft. 5 in. ; 9 st. 13 lb. A clever and very promising young centre-threequarter. Strong and quick-footed. Needs more pace and more experience.

Returns to School next session.

R. R. Melville (1936-37). 5 ft. 9 in. ; I1 st. 1 lb. A wonderfully improved forward. Very fit and energetic. Combines working and winging in the back row. Sound in every way. May return to School.

C. R. Cruickshank (1936-37). 5 ft. 5 in. ; Io st. 2 lb.

A general utility back who has settled down at full back. Clever and courageous, he should develop into a first-class player.

Left-foot kicking needs consistent practice. Returns to School.

A. J. M. Simpson (1936-37). 5 ft. x o in. ; Ii st. 6 lb. A most promising forward who has developed at an astonishing speed. Kicking and fielding need constant practice. One of next season's stalwarts, we hope !

G. C. Warrack (1936-37). 5 ft. 9i in. ; it st. A thoroughly reliable wing-threequarter. Not very fast or very clever but dependable, especially under difficulties.

G. U. Sandison (1936-37). 5 ft. xo in.; II st. I lb. Another

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forward who developed from the " nobody class" with remarkable quickness. Has improved and will improve. A good player in the making. Returns to School.

N. Mackie (1936-37). 5 ft. 8 in. ; so st. so lb. A very hard-working forward. Clever at the line-outs. Has come on a lot.

L. jr. Blackhall (1936-37). 5 ft. i i in. ; so st. II lb. A very young wing-threequarter. Quite fast and runs well when in possession. Tackles soundly. Uncertain under pressure and inclined to take eye off the ball. Returns to School.

1st XV Matches.

We have now come to the end of another term, and as far as School Rugby is concerned, it is very doubtful whether such a disappointing term has ever been experienced. Of the eleven matches arranged only four have been played, and of the four, one was not a School match.

The three School games which we did play, however, were all very enjoyable, and keenness and good sportsmanship were much in evidence.

On 6th February, owing to the cancellation of our match with Melville College, we travelled north to Inverness to play a Highland Schools' Select XV. Since heavy showers of snow and sleet were encountered on the journey, it was doubtful whether the game would be played. Nevertheless it was played, and in bright sunshine and on a firm ground.

Having the wind behind them, School immediately set up pressure.

Good defence by Highland held up several attacks, but eventually A. H. Bruce scored a good try for School. Further pressure resulted in a dropped goal by D. R. MacGregor, and a little before half-time excellent passing movements resulted in L. J. Blackball securing two unconverted tries.

Half-time score: Highland Schools' Select, o ; School, t5 points.

In the second half Highland set off very strongly, but sound play by the School pack put the backs in an attacking position, with the result that A. H. Bruce dropped a goal. The School pack was now going excellently, but the backs were held up a number of times due to an improvement in the Highland defence. Ten minutes before time, however, good passing resulted in an unconverted try being scored by L. J. Blackhall. During the last minute of the game, P. Mahon kicked a penalty goal for Highland. Result : Highland Schools' Select, 5 points ; School, zo points.

School—C. R. Cruickshank ; G. C. Warrack, W. D. Allardice, A. H. Bruce, L. J. Blackball ; D. R. MacGregor, J. C. Lightbody ; N. I. W. Meldrum, D. G. M. Covey, J. W. M`Kenzie, A. J. M. Simpson, R. R. Melville, N. Mackie, G. U. Sandison, and C. Grant.

On 15th February School travelled to Edinburgh to play George Heriot's School. Owing to the effects of frost and rain the ground was in a rather slippery condition, which proved to be our undoing. School set off very hard, and almost immediately had Heriot's on the defensive. Gradually Heriot's worked clear, but could make no effect on the School defence, and for a time play was evenly contested. Towards half-time, however, a clever scissor movement saw W. Bagot go through for a try for Heriot's, which J. R. Crichton converted. School retaliated strongly and had several attacks before half-time, but the opposition's defence held firm. Halftime : George Heriot's School, 5 points ; School, o.

In the second half, having found the School defence difficult to break down, Heriot's adopted with success the kick ahead, which, on the slippery ground, was very difficult to deal with. Thus a well-placed kick ahead saw the ball bounce favourably for W. Bagot, who scored a try, which was converted by J. R. Crichton. School at once retaliated, and good work

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by the forwards and halves put Heriot's on the defensive. Good defensive kicking drove School back, however, and a well-kicked penalty goal by J. R. Crichton put Heriot's further ahead. Then there followed a spell of midfield play, and again a kick ahead saw Heriot's go through for a try by J. R. Crichton. Shortly after this the whistle went for full time, and left Heriot's worthy winners of an excellent game. Result : George Heriot's School, 16 points ; School, o.

School—C. R. Cruickshank ; G. C. Warrack, W. D. Allardice, A. H. Bruce, L. J. Blackhall ; D. R. MacGregor, J. C. Lightbody ; N. I. W. Mcldrum, D. G. M. Covey, J. W. M'Kenzie, R. R. Melville, A. J. M. Simpson, G. U. Sandison, N. Mackie, and J. Black.

On z7th February School played the return match with Gordon's College at Scofield. Ground conditions could hardly have been worse, and there was a high wind blowing down the pitch. Nevertheless both sides played with great keenness and sportsmanship, and afterwards all players were agreed that the game had been a splendid one.

Gordon's kicked off against the wind and good work by their forwards put them on the attack. School's defence prevailed, however, and long touch kicking drove the opposition hack. School set up a long spell of pressure, but superiority in the set scrummages saw Gordon's work up to midfield, and then a good dribbling run saw V. M. Ross obtain an unconverted try. School again returned to the attack, but owing to the loss of G. C. Warrack, the backs lost their effectiveness as an attacking force.

Half-time arrived with no further scoring. Half-time : Gordon's College, 3 points ; School, o.

It was just as well that Warrack had returned a little before half-time, for as a blizzard had now come on, it appeared that School would need its full defensive force. A spell of midfield play marked the resumption, however, and when Gordon's did reach the School line, they were driven back. A clever break-through by Findlay was followed by an elusive run by MacGregor, which put School in an attacking position, and on Gordon's being penalised under pressure, W. D. Allardice kicked an easy goal. The scores were now level, and both sides strove might and main for what would be a decisive score. For nearly fifteen minutes both packs fought it out on the School line ; time and again School worked clear, but Gordon's in turn returned to the attack, until five minutes before the end G. W. Thomson obtained a try on the blind-side. Then in the last seconds of the game V. M. Ross fought over fora try which W. J. D.Anderson converted. Thus ended a splendid game between two well-matched sides, Gordon's being worthy winners, due to the effective scrummaging and speedy following up of their forwards. Result : Gordon's College, II points ; School, 3 points.

School—C. R. Cruickshank ; G. C. Warrack, W. D. Allardice, A. H. Bruce, L. J. Blackball ; D. R. MacGregor, J. C. Lightbody ; N. I. W. Meldrum, D. G. M. Covey, J. W. M`kenzie, R. R. Melville, A. J. M. Simpson, N. Mackie, G. U. Sandison, and G. A. Burnett.

D. R. MACGREGOR.

and XV Matches. z8th November, 1936.—v. Gordon's College znd XV, at Scafield.— Gordon's kicked off against the wind and followed up the kick with strong pressure on the School line. School forwards, however, defended well and soon sent their backs downfield. It was then School's turn to press, and half-time came with School continually threatening their opponents' line. The second half saw more " ding-long " midfield play, while defence continued to be superior to attack. When the final whistle came neither side had scored. rzth December.—v. Elgin Academy 1st XV, at Elgin.—Elgin kicked off against a fairly strong wind. After a long spell of midfield play School forwards broke away to send Buthlay over to score an unconverted try.

Soon after, Milner scored between the posts after a good run : Cardno

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converted. In the second half Elgin retaliated by scoring two good tries— both by their forwards. Just before no-side, however, Porter scored for School, but Cardno narrowly failed to convert. Final score—School, 11 points ; Elgin Academy 1st XV, 6 points.

6th February.—v. Harris Academy tat XV, at Dundee.—When Harris kicked off overhead conditions were ideal, but the ground was very heavy.

The game was well within the School half for a time, but the whole team defended well. A rush by the pack set the School backs going, and Dawson scored a good try at the corner. Harris again pressed and School were fortunate to keep them out. Cardno, however, carried the game downfield again and cleared the way for McGowan to score a try that was converted by the former. Early in the second half Dawson again scored, and a further try was added by Black after Cardno had broken away. School were now keeping up a steady pressure, and two more good tries were scored by L. Davidson and Black. Both were unconverted. Result—School, 20 points ; Harris Academy 1st XV, nil.

House Notes.

Byron House.

Before describing the events of the term, we take this opportunity of offering the most hearty congratulations to A. J. M. Simpson and G. C. Warrack on being awarded their list XV Colours, and to P. Dawson for gaining his znd XV Colours.

Owing to the wretched weather that we have experienced since the New Year we have played only two House matches. Against Melvin, playing without their captain, the sat XV was hard pressed, but managed to win by 12-10. At half time Byron were leading by 9 points, but Melvin staged a great rally and took the lead, and it was not until practically " no side " that Blackball got over for the winning try. The other game was against Keith, and this resulted in a draw of 3-3. Byron were again without their captain, and three other 1st XV players. Keith scored in the first minute, and managed to bold out till 5 minutes from the end, when Blackball got over at the corner. The Byron backs had definitely an off day, and it was not until the pack took charge of things that the Keith line was in danger. Nevertheless Keith deserve great credit for that game.

The and XV have continued in their triumphal march, and although weakened by the demands of the ist, have won both their games by substantial margins, while the Juniors also have beaten Keith.

The Rugby season has been a very successful one for Byron, chiefly because of the great enthusiasm shown by the members ; but, if the House is to keep the high place it has held for the past few years, this enthusiasm must be kept up during the summer. So we rely on every member of Byron House to do his bit, whether it be in cricket, athletics, or swimming.

D. R. MACGREGOR, House Captain.

Dun House.

Before reviewing this term's activities, I take this opportunity of congratulating C. R. Cruickshank on gaining his tat XV Colours, and H. S. Cardno on gaining his znd XV Colours.

Two sets of House matches have been played this term, against Keith and Melvin. The tst XV had a convincing victory over Keith by 14 points to nil, and showed a great improvement on last term's form.

In an evenly contested game, Dun lost to Melvin by one try to nil.

The backs were handicapped by the heavy condition of the ground, and the Melvin pack was superior. The znd XV was defeated on both occasions.

Dun's performance this season has been rather disappointing. The 1st XV did not come up to expectations during the first term, but considerable improvement has been shown since Christmas. The and XV has not a victory to its credit. The record of the Juniors, however, is more promising.

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There is no reason why we should not do well in the activities of the summer term. If every member of Dun House takes part in cricket, athletics, or swimming, we may be sure of acquitting ourselves well.

J. W. McKENzte., House Captain.

Keith House.

Before reviewing the events of the term, I should like to take this opportunity of congratulating R. R. Melville on gaining his ist XV Colours, and R. A. D. Lindsay, R. G. C. Smith, and W. B. McGowan on gaining their znd XV Colours.

Dim as our prospects were at the beginning of the season in maintaining the high standard set up by XVs of former years, the outlook became even more black on the departure of two of our best players at Christmas.

Despite the enforced changes, the form of the 1st XV this term may be described as nothing short of remarkable. Dun House, over whom we had gained a substantial victory earlier in the season, surprisingly reversed the decision in the return encounter by trouncing an " experimental XV " to the tune of 14 points to nil. This game made it quite evident that the introduction of players to any position but that to which they were accustomed was not a success. Our znd XV, however, made up for the ignominious defeat of the 1st XV by registering a very fine win over the corresponding Dun XV. In our return game with Byron House, both teams were below full strength, but the 1st XV excelled themselves by dividing the honours in a spirited engagement—the final score being 3 points all. We thereby gained the proud distinction of being the only House to hold up the triumphant progress of the powerful Byron 1st XV. The znd XV, who had enhanced their reputation against Dun House, were unfortunately rather overwhelmingly defeated.

Owing to the deplorable weather conditions we have not yet fulfilled the return fixture with Melvin House.

Now that the Rugby season is over I appeal to all members of the House to do their bit, whether it be at cricket, swimming, or athletics. Only by the greatest of effort in each of these spheres can be hope to regain what has for so long eluded our grasp—the coveted House Trophy.

A. H. BRUCE, House Captain.

Melvin House.

Since the last issue of the Magazine two sets of inter-House Rugby matches have been played. In the first set, which was against Byron, the tst XV put up a very fine display and were rather unfortunate to lose, since they were leading until within two minutes of full time. The final score was points to to in favour of Byron. The znd XV were also beaten, being no match for the strong Byron znd XV. In the second set of matches we were much more successful, the 1st XV defeating Dun by 3 points to nil, after a very hard game under rather muddi conditions. The znd XV gave a much improved display, winning by quite a large margin.

The tst XV have had quite a successful season, winning two games and losing three. Throughout these games the team has played well, with N. Mackie of the forwards and W. D. Allardice of the backs particularly outstanding. The znd XV and Junior XV have had a successful season, both teams winning most of their matches.

As the Rugby season is drawing to a close, we must now turn our thoughts to the summer activities. Our prospects for cricket, swimming, and athletics seem quite bright, but I should like to urge every boy to do his best for the House, so that we can retain the prestige which the House enjoyed in former years.

J. C. LIGIITBODY, House Captain.

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Aberdeen Grammar .Cebool Magazine

The Athletic Sports.

The Annual Athletic Sports will be held this season at Rubislaw on Friday and Saturday, i8th and 19th June. More and more the Sports are being made the occasion of a reunion for F.P.s. It is hoped that 1937 will see a greater " gathering of the clans " than ever.

Pure athletics have made great strides in the School in recent years, and the present pupils welcome the opportunity to show to F.P.s that " the modern boy" compares not unfavourably with his predecessors. Attendance at the Sports is the greatest encouragement that F.P.s can give to their old School, but donations to the prize fund would also be most welcome.

So successful has been the inclusion of F.P. events in the Sports that these will be continued and, we hope, amplified this year.

The Literary and Debating Society.

The Society has just finished a most successful season. The membership totalled over eighty and the attendances have been well maintained throughout the winter. The Secretary, H. B. Pearson, left the School in December and was succeeded by N. Mackie, J. M. Davidson being elected to the Committee.

3rd December, 1936.—A debate was held between I. S. Flett and J. M. Davidson on the subject, " That Patriotism is an Outworn Tradition."

Mr. Flett, for the affirmative, pointed out the change in patriotism from the jingoistic " wha's like us " idea of Kipling to the modem idea. Nowadays, he contended, patriotism was disappearing, like every other form of community spirit. He cited examples from bad attendance at games and churches and after-speaking in the Society. In a future war, he said, men would be actuated by fear and not by patriotism. Mr. Davidson, for the negative, defended patriotism from the charge that it caused wars by drawing the Society's attention to patriotic but pacifist America. He then sought to prove that patriotism was still alive by attributing the League's failure to the over-eager patriotism of its members, and reminded us of the ardent patriotism of Ilitler, Mussolini, and Stalin. The after-speaking, slow to begin with, warmed up a little when the subjects of Spanish wars, constitutional crises, and Olympic games were introduced, but it was never very wide or very heated. There was a large majority for the negative when the motion was put to the vote.

Loth December.—Lieutenant-Commander M. S. L. Burnett, R.N., gave us a lantern lecture on Japan. Commander Burnett told us how he had been appointed to an Embassy in order to learn the Japanese language, and described his life with a Japanese family. He then described a voyage from Yokohama to the Caroline Islands, during which the ship ran upon a reef and became a total loss. He told the Society of his experiences on various islands until a ship was sent to fetch him and his companions back to Japan. Afterwards he showed us some excellent films, which greatly entertained the Society, especially those of the wreck, which were rather amusing because of the shifts to which some of the passengers were put for clothing, and the grim determination of one of them to save his umbrella.

Finally we were shown a very interesting film of naval life in the Mediterranean.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

I 5I

7th January, 1937.—On this occasion the Society's new Epidiascope was useid for the first time by Mr. Andrew Milne in his lecture on " Athenian Architecture." Mr. Milne first of all emphasized the dependence of art on civilization and climate, and said that in both of these conditions the ancient state of Attica had been fortunate. With the aid of diagrams and slides, Mr. Milne then pointed out to us the differences between the Doric, the Ionic, and the Corinthian styles, and told us of the symbolical meaning of some of the architectural ornaments used by the Greeks. He traced the development of the temple from the simple, four-walled cell to the magnificent Parthenon, and lastly showed us, in a long series of slides, many of them very beautiful, illustrations of the different styles at different stages of their development, and of how the Romans had developed the Greek styles and introduced the arch scorned by the Greeks. We marvelled at the skill of the Greek architects in overcoming optical illusions and achieving the appearance of grace and strength at the same time.

14th January.—A debate was held on the subject, " That Professionalism is Beneficial to Sport." R. S. France, for the affirmative, said that the high standard of play among professionals and the tuition given by them were beneficial to sport. He stressed the value of exhibition golf matches in giving tips to amateur players. Finally, he denied that professionals spoiled the spirit of sport, and averred that they were as a rule more sporting than amateurs. N. I. W. Meldrum, for the negative, said that the idea of professionalism was contrary to the spirit of sport, which was originally intended for amusement. The spirit of professional games was bad, and if, as Mr. France had said, fewer men were sent off the field in professional games than in amateur, the reason was that professionals were well up in the tricks of the trade, and could commit fouls without being seen by the referee.

He deprecated the evil influence of football pools and the like. Mr. France's statement about the high standard of professional sport was effectively contradicted by instances from a recent athletic contest, where, he said, professionals had returned times that would shame any self-respecting amateur. During the after-speaking long arguments were held as to what actually made a player a professional. A vote resulted in a win for the affirmative.

21st January.—There was a fairly large attendance to hear the Rev. Professor G. D. Henderson lecture on " John Knox." Short though this lecture was, Professor Henderson made history live for us by his knowledge of and sympathy with his subject. John Knox, he said, was not perhaps one of the greatest figures in history, but he was certainly the man who had done most for Scotland. He told us how Knox, after being a French galley-slave, had come under Calvin's influence in Geneva : he had always been an enthusiastic follower rather than a great leader. Then the Scottish Reformers, greatly in need of an orator who could move a crowd as Knox could, had summoned him home, where he remained a fiery orator and a keen reformer until he was a very old man. Professor Henderson told us how Knox's great educational schemes had come to naught through the selfishness of the nobles who were the leaders of the Scottish Reformation.

Knox had, however, succeeded in thoroughly cleansing the Scottish Church and Scottish life in general.

28th January.—A debate was held on the subject, "That Military Service should be Compulsory." R. G. C. Smith, for the affirmative, said that although some people might think that compulsory service would be " an unnecessary, unmitigated, unspeakable, unbearable, boring procedure," the majority would see that it would mean great moral and physical training to the men of the country, and also a well-trained army in case of war. The greater part of his speech was devoted to the wholesome effect of a military training upon the " hesitating man-in-the-street." He concluded by expressing the opinion that compulsory service would mean the automatic cessation of all unemployment. The Secretary, for the negative, said that a large army was not necessary in Britain. The spirit of a conscript army

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spent, was bad, and the money spent on a conscript army would not be well would as the training would not have the right effect on the men, who he always feel that soldiering was not their job. Instead of conscription, suggested raising the number of recruits by popularizing the army. The physical standard of the country might be raised by an organized system of gymnasiums and playing-fields. A vote resulted in a large majority for the affirmative.

4th February.—A debate was held on the subject, " That the B.B.C. Programmes arc Satisfactory." I. S. Flett, for the affirmative, said that the programmes were morally satisfactory by reason of the religious services. it Jazz was the only moral danger in broadcasting. Mr. Flett described He succinctly as " an ear-bursting, diabolic jangle of unpleasant sounds." admired the versatility of the programmes, and praised (among other items) sport commentaries and the children's hour. He noted the educational R. value of the various talks, and of the broadcasting of Shakespeare. A. C. Watt, for the negative, critized the arrangement of the programmes. The schools programmes, dance music, music-hall programmes, farmers' talks, partiality and football results were all at the wrong times. The political of the B.B.C. was deplored. Mr. Watt ended with an appeal for more light entertainment, and a devastating criticism of the mediocrity and worse of mostly the Aberdeen programmes. The after-speaking was very good, and in Mr. Watt's favour. The vote resulted in a win for the negative.

18th February.—Dr. R. B. Strathdee delivered a very interesting lantern lecture on " The Story of the Match." We were given a history of " firemaking " from the earliest method of rubbing sticks together right up to the present day. Dr. Strathdee showed us specimens of all the different flint and steel machines and of the early types of match, which had to be dipped in acid before they would light. He described to us the many ingenious methods which were devised for carrying about the acid safely.

We were greatly entertained by a demonstration of different kinds of chemical reactions at this point. Finally, Dr. Strathdee described the whole process of match manufacturing at the present day, and showed us a long series of slides illustrating this process.

23rd February.—On this occasion the Rev. W. W. Gauld gave a lantern lecture on Australia, entitled " Down Under and Up Again." He reminded us that Australia was not a mere country, but he said that it was united by having one language and one government. He described to us a tour of Australia, on which he started from Perth, went on to Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney, and then flew to Brisbane. He showed us a fine series of slides of all these places, including some specially good ones of Sydney Harbour and Bridge. We also saw slides of Australian life, which showed us the process of sheep-shearing, the life of the black man, and sonic of the animals of Australia.

4th March.—On this date Mr. C. H. Webster delivered a lecture on " How to Make a Century." He began by giving us a very interesting account of the Grammar School in the days before there was a Ruhislaw Field to play cricket in. Then, getting down to his real subject, he said that there were three good ways of improving our cricket—by reading books, by watching good players, and by good coaching. He gave us many valuable wrinkles in what he called the " ringcraft " of cricket. He told us of the importance of confidence and aggressiveness in making a good start, and of how to nurse our energies if we wished to stay in for long.

After we bad reached 5o a century was easy if we possessed fitness and selfcontrol. His tips were very useful and gave us a good insight into the strategy and tactics of a long innings.

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Scout Notes.

This term is always the least eventful for the four School Troops. Fah has had its usual Christmas feed and has been engaged in winter work.

The outstanding event of the winter has been the 9th Troop Café and Concert, which was held on 5th December. Opened by Lord Provost Watt, the café was on the same lines as usual but with several novel sideshows and the showing of the film " Maryculter Calling." At the concert in the evening a large audience was entertained with " Abaft the Binnacle " —five acts of nautical nonsense specially written by the Troop's Group Scoutmaster, R. L. Milne. The day's proceedings ended with a most successful dance in the Infant Department. As a result of the various events a sum of over £zoo was realized, and this will greatly help towards the clearing of the Troop's debt on its headquarters.

The ist Troop has had a very successful winter term and many proficiency badges have been gained. The Scouts are eagerly looking forward to their Easter camp at Clinterty.

The 9th have chiefly been occupied with efforts for their café. The Troop is in a very flourishing state, there being attendances of about forty at each meeting. The Troop's Sea Scout Patrol deserves our heartiest congratulations on winning the Bethune Shield, a trophy awarded to the best Sea Scout Patrol in the whole of Scotland. The annual Parents' Night was held on tzth March, when a large number of parents and friends were entertained by a programme of almost non-stop variety provided by the patrol leaders and scouters. The cubs also took part by showing their skill in one or two games.

At Christmas, S.M. J. G. Dawson resigned from his position as Scoutmaster owing to pressure of work, after holding that office for twelve months.

He is carrying on, however, as Group Scoutmaster in place of R. L. Milne, who is to be President of an Old Scouts' Club that is soon to be formed.

The new Scoutmaster is I. S. Thomson, and we feel sure that he will uphold the long tradition of outstanding S.M.s in the 9th Troop.

Last term the 27th Troop was given a lecture on Camping by Mr. R. B. Williamson. It is hoped that further talks on similar subjects may be arranged for future meetings. This year it is the 27th's turn to hold a Café, and the money-making campaign was officially launched at the Open Night, which was held on 12th February. Short items were performed by the patrols and a cinematograph of scenes at the summer camp was shown. All members of the Troop are now actively engaged in selling toffee and badgering friends and relations with the familiar name-cards. A successful whist and bridge drive was held at Main Headquarters on Saturday, 27th February. It is expected that another will be held in the near future.

The 38th Troop are progressing steadily and have obtained many new recruits. A very successful whist drive was held on Thursday, 4th March, at which there was a very good attendance in spite of the bad weather. The Troop is probably to hold its Open Night very soon. The Easter camp this year is to be held at Clinterty during the second week of the holidays.

The 9th and 27th Packs have both lost their leaders. Miss Jean Watt has had unfortunately to resign her position in the 9th on account of the illness of her mother, and Mr. A. B. Grant, of the 17th, has also been unable to continue. The resignation of both these leaders is much regretted, and we express to them the gratitude of their respective groups for their service.

The 9th is meantime being run by A.S.M. A. C. R. Watt assisted by A.S.M. P. Dawson, and the 27th by Mr. J. F. Walker, assisted by K. G. Pimley.

The following promotions have recently been made :—rst Troop: Seconds G. Crystal and N. Willox to P.L.s, and Scouts J. Farquhar, S. R. Smith and J. Ballantyne to Seconds. 9th Troop : P.L.s A. C. R. Watt and P. Dawson to A.S.M.s ; Seconds D. W. Mathieson J. G. Birss, J. G. Irvine and R. F. Buthlay to P.L.s ; Scouts W. Ross, C. Connon, J. A. N. Watt and D. M. Knowles to Seconds.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

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The Former Pupils' Club.

Founded 1893.

President : PATRICK ASHLEY COOPER, B.A., LL.B. Vice-President and Chairman of Executive : J. PATRICK JEFFREY, B.Sc., C.A. Secretary and Treasurer : THEODORE WArr, M.A., The Rosemount Press, Aberdeen.

Secretaries of Centres : London Centre—W. ALLAN LAING, 78 Corringway, Ealing,

W. 5 Glasgow Centre—H. G. EDWA RDS, 43 Marlborough Ave., W.I. Edinburgh Centre.—J. L. DUNCAN, LL.B., Ph.D., 33 Great

King Street, Edinburgh, 3.

Secretaries of Sections : Cricket Section—J. S. MACLACHLAN, 39 Belgrave Terrace.

Hockey Section—IAN S. THomsoN, 1o Ruthrieston Terrace.

Rugby Section—D. P. COCHRAN, 150 Union Street.

Tennis and Badminton Sections—IAN C. MARSHALL, 65 Beaconsfield Place.

Rates of Subscription for Membership :

. . . .

Life Membership • £5 5 0 Ordinary Membership— For those under at years of age at commence. o 2 o ment of Club year (1st January) . o 5 6 For those of al years of age and upwards

Visitors' Register It cannot be too widely known among members of the Club that a Visitors' Register is kept at the School under the charge of the Rector's Secretary, and during the School vacations under the charge of the Janitor. Members who are paying a visit to Aberdeen are urged to go to the School as early as possible and sign the Register. If they do this, the Register will become a complete and up-to-date record of the visits of F.P.s ; and members of the Club, when signing the Register, will see who are the other visitors, and will doubtless be able to get into touch with some " exiles " whom, perhaps, they have been trying to find, or whom they have not heard about for a long time.

The Secretary of the F.P. Club will be pleased if members from a distance visiting Aberdeen will, in addition to signing the Register at the School, pay him a call at The Rosemount Press. I-le is always delighted to be brought into personal touch with F.P.s.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

1S5

The Annual Meeting of the Club.

The Annual General Meeting of the Club was held in the Palace Hotel on Wednesday, loth March. Mr. J. Patrick Jeffrey, C.A., the Vice-President, presided.

After the Minute of the last Annual General Meeting had been read and approved, the Report by the Executive for the year ended 31st December, 1936, was submitted, as follows:— REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1936.

The Executive has pleasure in submitting the Report for the Club year which ended on 31st December, 1936.

Membership and Subscriptions.

The following is an analysis of the membership of the Club :— Life.

Ordinar— Senior Junior.

219 92 10 16

635 162 48 60

243 9 1 3

14 2 — —

40 — —

1,151 265 59 79

92 197

139 139

18 5

3 —

— —

252 341

626 622

1,183 1,173

279 302

19 15

40 40

2,147 2,152

+ 4

+ 10

— 23

+ 4

Aberdeenshire and Kincardineshire London Centre Glasgow Centre Edinburgh Centre Rest of Great Britain and Ireland Abroad Total at 31/12/36 Total at 31/12/35 Increase or Decrease

=

ExtraHonorary. ordinary.

- ••

Total.

—5

From the foregoing figures it is satisfactory to note that the total membership has been virtually maintained, there being a difference as between 1936 and 1935 of only 5. During the twelve months to z8th February, 1937, 14 new Life Members, 9 new Senior Ordinary Members, and 55 new Junior Ordinary Members—a combined total of 78—have been enrolled, the corresponding figures for the previous year being respectively 23, 6, and 69—a combined total of 98. It will be noticed that while there has been a small increase in the total number of Life, Senior Ordinary, and Honorary Members, this has been more than counterbalanced by the decrease in the number of Junior Ordinary Members. At present the number of F.P.s joining the Club as Junior Members is not equalling the number that automatically passes from Junior to Senior rank on the attainment of the age of as. In this connection it may be

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mentioned that of 7o boys of sixteen years and over who left the School during the session 1935-36, 41 have already joined the Club. These figures compare with 46 out of 84 for the session 1934-35. While the total number of boys attending the School has for several years remained practically stationary, round about 8oo, the number of boys leaving from the senior classes has been diminishing, and consequently there have been fewer applicants from the School for membership of the Club.

It would appear that the improvement in economic conditions has induced parents to let their sons continue longer at the School than was the case some years ago.

With regard to Life Members, there seems to be no explanation of the fluctuation in the numbers that are enrolled year by year. For the last five years the figures are : 1932-13, 193;18, 1934-16, 1935-23, and 1936-14.

The number of members whose subscriptions for 1936 had not been received up to 31st January, 1937, was 58, comprising 53 who were due 5s., and 5 who were due zs. 6d. ; and the total amount of subscriptions for 1936 outstanding at that date was LI; 17s. 6d. The corresponding numbers for 1935 were 54 and 14 respectively, and the amount of their subscriptions £1 5 5s. With reference to the latter, it is a matter of deep regret that the names of no fewer than 49 Senior and II Junior Members have had to be removed from the Club Register, their subscriptions being more than two years in arrear. To any F.P. who, for any reason, is thinking of discontinuing his membership, the Executive would point out that in fairness to the Club he should give notice of his intention near the beginning of a year, and not wait until the end of it, when the Club has been involved in the expense of sending him copies of the Magazine and numerous subscription reminders. It is satisfactory that since 31st January, 1937, about one-third of the subscriptions then in arrear have been paid.

Losses by Death.

The number of members who died during 1936 was z3, being a fewer than in the previous year. They comprised 1o Life Members, 1 z Senior Ordinary Members, and 1 Junior Ordinary Member. Among those who passed away were Sir George Carmichael, K.C.S.I., one of the Honorary VicePresidents of the Club, and Mr. John C. M. Ligertwood, the Club Consul for Manitoba.

The " Magazine."

During the year the customary three numbers of the Magazine were issued, and there has been ample evidence that the contents have been as acceptable as formerly. As usual, particular attention has been devoted to the doings of Former Pupils. In the three numbers over 55o " Notes about Old

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1 57

Boys " appeared, including 65 under " Marriages," and 53 under " Obituary." In the issue of March 1936 appeared a " Roll of F.P. Honour," showing to what extent F.P.s are sending their sons to the School ; and in the June issue there was given a very useful list of the members of the F.P. Club resident abroad, arranged according to the country or area of residence.

In a number of cases this has enabled F.P.s to get into touch with others of whose proximity they were previously unaware.

The Club and the School.

At the annual distribution of Prizes at the School on 3oth June, 1936, the Club presented two Medals. These were awarded as follows :— Silver Medal for English ... Victor W. Jaffray.

Silver Medal for Spanish ... Alastair C. Mackenzie.

On this occasion there was no award of the Silver Medal for German. The All-Round Trophy and No Dawson Prize were awarded to William S. Gibb.

For the third year in succession the Executive made a substantial contribution to the School Sports Prize Fund.

Members of the Club learned with deep regret of the deaths during the year of two former members of the School Staff—Mr. James Davidson, in May, and Mr. C. R. Leslie Millar, in September. Deep regret, too, was caused by the intimation at the end of March of the death of Mr. William Kennedy, who was for nearly a third of a century Janitor of the School.

The members of the Executive, like the other members of the Club, are always keenly interested in the successes attained

by F.P.s at Aberdeen University. They have noted that in recent years more and more pupils have been taking up the study of medicine, and it is gratifying to record that in 1936, for the fifth year in succession, an F.P. was declared to be the most distinguished graduate in medicine, and rewarded accordingly. In the University Prize Lists in all faculties F.P.s almost invariably occupy a prominent position.

The School Boarding House.

In the last Annual Report it was mentioned that the enlarged premises at Grammar School House were almost fully occupied and would be completely so in the coming session. It was also foreshadowed that before very long the Directors would have to consider seriously the provision of still more boarding accommodation. The Boarding House is now filled to its utmost capacity, and recently the Directors have purchased the adjacent dwelling-house, No. 6 Queen's Road, with the object of making it a Junior House. While the Boarding House has been proving more and more successful and attracting boys (Continned on page i 6o.)

ABERDEEN GRAMMAR SCHOOL Abstract of Revenue and Expenditure Account REVENUE. Ordinary Subscriptions received prior to 1st Jan. 1936 ..

•• •• Ordinary Subscriptions received during 1936 Arrears recovered in 1936 •• •• •• .. .. ..

Revenue from Investments Credit bilances from Dinner and Ball .• .• Miscellaneous

•.

•• ••

• • • • • •

9 •

• a

• •

• •

••

••

• •

• •

• •

• •

••

•

•

.. .. .•

£98 5 0 212 0 0 4 15 0 £315 0 104 18 12 13 0 9

0 7 0 0

£433 0

7

Balance Sheet as CAPITAL. AND LIABILITIES I. CAPITAL—

£'..859 8 91 Amount at credit at 31st December 1935 89 12 8 Life Members' Subscriptions received during 1936 76 5 2 ..

Surplus for 1936, as per Revenue Account £3.025

II.

• •

0 0

ORDINARY SUBSCRIPTIONS PAID IN ADVANCE—

£51 12

6

83 17

6

••

••

4

•

3 0

0

£3.213 0

3

135 10

0

FUNDS OF CLUB SECTIONS IN SUSPENSE-

Motor Section VI.

0

30

..

Balance of Subscriptions received prior to 31st December 1935, applicable to future years ..

Subscriptions received in 1936 applicable to future •• •• •• • .. years..

V.

15 0

CLUB DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNT—

Amount at credit as per last Balance Sheet IV.

7i

ENTERTAINMENTS SUSPENSE ACCOUNT—

Amount at credit as per last Balance Sheet III.

6

••

•..

•

••

3 8

SCHOOL SPORTS PRIZE FUND—

Balance in hand

..

.•

FORMER PUPILS' CLUB. for year ended 31st December 1936.

EXPENDITURE. ..

Magazific—Cost for year, less revenue from advertisements and sales London Centre—Grant for 1935-36 ..

• Glasgow Centre— do. do.

•• •• •• Edinburgh Centre—do. do.

•• Miscellaneous Expenses •.

•• •.

•.

•• .•

£106 13 1 203 9 0 0 7 12 6 9 12 6 29 7 6

Surplus for year ..

£356 15 5 76 5 2

Working Expenses

•

••

••

••

0

••

•

.•

.

e•

•

•

• •

•

•

••

•

••

•

•

..

0

£433 0

7

at 31st December 1936.

ASSETS. I. "MAGAZINE" EXPENSES PAID IN ADVANCE

..

..

£27 8 7

..

II. GLASGOW CENTRE—

Amount paid to account of Capitation Grant for 1936-37

..

6 0 0

III. CASH IN HAND AND INVESTED FUNDS AT 3IST DECEMBER 1936

3,179 11

84

ABERDEEN, 2nd March, 1937.—We have examined the foregoing Revenue and Expenditure Account for the year ended 31st December 1936, and relative Balance Sheet as at 31st December 1936, compared the figures with the vouchers, and found the Accounts correct. We are of opinion that the above Balance Sheet correctly states the position of the Club as at 31st December 1936. We have had exhibited to us the various Securities supporting the Funds at the close of the Accounts. The Securities are all entered in the Balance Sheet at cost prices.

(Signed) BOWER & SMITH, C.A.,

Honorary Auditors.

£3,213 0 34

16o

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

from many different parts of the world, it is rather disappointing that less than a third of the boarders are sons of Former Pupils.

Club Gatherings.

The Annual Dinner was held about the same time as usual— on 13th November. The President of the Club, Lord Provost Edward W. Watt, occupied the Chair, and the chief guest was Dr. W. H. Fyfe, the recently appointed Principal of the University of Aberdeen. The attendance was about the same as usual.

As the result of a plebiscite, the Annual Ball was again held on Christmas Eve, and again in the Beach Ballroom. One of the arguments in favour of holding the Ball in the Beach Ballroom rather than in the Music Hall Buildings, as formerly, was that it would be possible to reduce the price of the tickets, and so induce a larger number of members of the Club to attend.

In spite, however, of a reduction in the price of a double ticket from z is. to t3s., the attendance did not appreciably increase, and it is likely that for the next Ball at any rate a return will be made to the Music Hall Buildings.

It is satisfactory that credit balances resulted from both the Dinner and the Ball.

Club Centres.

Little falls to be recorded regarding the three Centres of the Club. For the present season both the London Centre and the Edinburgh Centre have considered it inadvisable to hold a formal Dinner. The Glasgow Centre, however, held its Annual Dinner on z7th November, when the principal guest was Lord Provost Edward W. Watt. As on all previous occasions, the Dinner was a very successful function, thanks largely to the care and attention bestowed on the arrangements by the Honorary Secretary, Mr. H. G. Edwards.

In order to encourage social intercourse among its members, the Edinburgh Centre has decided to have Tea Meetings from time to time. Two of these have already been held and have been well attended.

For a number of years there has been an informal branch of the Club in Shanghai, and steps have recently been taken towards its affiliation with the parent body.

Club Sections.

Some account of the activities of the five Athletic Sections —Badminton, Cricket, Hockey, Rugby, and Tennis—have appeared in the Magazine. A formal report from each Section will be preserved to the Annual Business Meeting of the Club.

Finances.

The Revenue and Expenditure Account for the year to 31st December, 1936, again shows a considerable increase of

A J.) 3720.

ROYAL

EXCHANGE

ASSURANCE ALL

OF

CLASSES

BUSINESS

INSURANCE

TRANSACTED

Special Features FIRE.-HOUSEHOLDERS'

COMPREHENSIVE

POLICIES.

CONSEQUENTIAL LOSS. LIFE.-LIBERAL TERMS FOR LIVES RESIDENT ABROAD. REBATES OF EXTRA PREMIUMS DURING PERIODS AT HOME. ACCIDENT.-ATTRACTIVE

PERSONAL ACCIDENT AND

SICKNESS POLICIES.

For Full Particulars Apply to

ABERDEEN OFFICE 150 UNION STREET Local Manager : Douglas P. Cochran

TOTAL FUNDS EXCEED

-

- £22,000,000

TOTAL CLAIMS PAID EXCEED - £92,000,000

)22argaret's School for Girls (Incorporated)

ALBYN PLACE, ABERDEEN. Head Mare's: Miss M. E. HOLLAND, M.A.Cantab. (Classical Tripos).

S

T. MARGARET'S SCHOOL FOR GIRLS is an Incorporated School, registered according to the Companies (Consolidation) Act, 1908. It is administered under the management of an eleftive Council of prominent citizens, on lines similar to those of well-known Girls' Schools in other parts of Scotland.

The School stands in its own grounds in the bat part of the City of Aberdeen, and in all respeCts is well equipped to secure the comfort of pupils and the efficiency of the education imparted.

The aim of the School is to provide a first-class education on modern lines, to care specially for the development of chara&er in the pupils, to prepare them for the interests and responsibilities of social life, and to enable those who desire it to proceed to the higher education of the Universities or to train for a career.

SCHOOL BOARDING HOUSES. The School has two Boarding Houses, Nos. 6 and 7 Queen's Gardens (close to the Grammar School Boarding House in Queen's Road). These are very commodious, well-appointed Modern Houses, in which Boarders are provided with the comforts of home, and given ample opportunity both for quiet study and for the social side of life. Special accommodation is provided for Junior Boarders.

Complete charge taken during holidays if desired. The Head Mistress is in residence.

Information as to Fees, Entrance Scholarships, Courses of Study, etc., is given in the Prospectus, which may be bad on application to the HEAD MISTRESS, 17 ALBYN PLACE, ABERDEEN. The Head Mistress may be consulted at the School on THURSDAYS between 11.3o and 12.3o, and between 2.5o and 4 o'clock, and at any other time by appointment.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

161

surplus when compared with the previous year. For 1935 the surplus was £56 8s. 9d., for 1936 it is £76 5s. zd. The increase is mainly due to the fact that the London Centre called for no Capitation Grant for the year 1935-36. It is noteworthy that for the first time the capital of the Club exceeds £3,000, the actual amount being £3,O2.5 6s. 7id., which is £165 17s. xod. more than at the close of the previous year. The capital is now more than double what it was ten years ago.

On the motion of the Chairman the foregoing Report and Accounts were unanimously adopted.

Reports were also submitted from the Badminton, Cricket, Hockey, Rugby, and Tennis Sections of the Club.

Office-bearers and members of the Executive for 1937-38 were appointed in accordance with the list which appears on page 17z.

Messrs. Bower & Smith, C.A., were re-appointed Honorary Auditors, and were thanked for their services during the past year.

List of F.P. Club Consuls.

AUSTRIA :—Captain JOHN WILLIAM TAYLOR (19o6-1 t), M.B.E., M.A., His Britannic Majesty's Consul, Vienna.

BRITISH CAMEROONS :-CHARLES OGILVIE WILL BOWMAN (1910-15), The Bai Rubber and Cocoa Estates, Ltd., c/o Post Office, Kumba, via Tiko or Victoria.

CANADA (British Columbia) :—WILLIAM ER NEST MILNE (i881-90), i47 Water Street, Vancouver.

CANADA (Nova Scotia) :—GEORGE MACKENZIE WOOD (188o1882), c/o Messrs. Joseph Wood & Co., Central Wharf, Halifax.

CANADA (Ontario) :—ROBERT FLEMING (1891-98), C.E., di. Messrs.

Wood, Fleming & Co., Royal Bank Buildings, Toronto.

CEYLON :—DAVID SCOTT (1886-94). At present resident at 36 Rubislaw Den South, Aberdeen, CHINA (Shanghai) :—HERBERT BREBNER SCOTT (1905-08), P.O. Box 758, 81 Jinkee Road, Shanghai.

CHINA (Tientsin) :—JOHN CAMERON TAYLOR (1904-06), c/o Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co., Ltd., Tientsin.

EGYPT (Alexandria) :—ALEXANDER GEORGE WALKER (1906-20), The Northern Assurance Co., Ltd., St. Mark's Buildings, Alexandria.

F.M.S. (Perak) :—WILLIAM CLARK WARRACK (1898-1909), Bikam Estate, Sungkai, Perak.

F.M.S. (Selangor) :—COLIN HAY MILLER (19oo-o4), Lenggeng Estate, Semenyih P.O. FIJI :-KENNETH JAMES ALLARDYCE (1894-95), Nabavatu.

GERMANY :—JAMES GORDON DANIELSON (1896-1900, Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, Monckeherg Strasse 27, Hamburg, 1.

162

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

INDIA (Assam) :—DOUGLAS CHRISTIAN FRASER (1907-17), Lukwah Tea Estate, Lukwah P.O., Upper Assam.

INDIA (Bengal) :—DAVID INGLIS DUFF (1915-16), c/o Messrs.

Barry & Co., 2 Fairlie Place, Calcutta.

INDIA (Bombay) :—JOHN HALL RITCHIE (1903-09), M.A., B.Sc., c/o Yacht Club, Bombay.

INDIA (Coorg) :—RONALD DUNCAN MAcRAE (1916-23), Captain, I.M.S., " Morten," Mercara, Coorg, S. India.

INDIA (Delhi) :—BERTRAM JOHN A. G. BARR (1909-13), Mercantile Bank of India, Delhi.

INDIA (North-West Province) :—CECIL ARTHUR GRANT SAVIDGE (5953-24), c/o Secretariat, N.W. Frontier Province Government, India.

INDIA (Rajputana) :—GEORGE TAYLOR SIMPSON (1910-20), Jodhpur State Railway, Jodhpur.

INDIA (Sind) :—ALAN REID (1911-14), Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China, Karachi.

NIGERIA (Northern Provinces) :—CAMPBELL GRANT McKENZIE (r9:0-52), c/o The Secretary, N.P., Kaduna.

NIGERIA (Southern Provinces) :—Dr. WILLIAM EDWARD GLOVER (1896-98), c/o The Principal Medical Officer, Lagos.

POLAND :—JAMES BRYCE CLARKE (1896-99), Bank Handlowy, Warsaw.

PORTUGUESE EAST AFRICA :-FRANK BRUCE F. DUGUID (1919-26), c/o Messrs. Allen, Wack and Shepherd, Ltd., Beira.

SOUTH AFRICA (Natal) :—DAVID STRACHAN (1893-1902), 78/82 Salisbury House, Smith Street, Durban.

SOUTH AFRICA (Transvaal) :—JOHN EWAN HENDERSON (1884-87), Demcleugh, 14 Elm Street, Houghton, Johannesburg (P.O. Box 4466 ; Telephone—Yeoville 538).

SOUTH AMERICA (The Argentine) :—REGINALD J. G. WILSON (1905-10, Anglo-South American Bank, 78 Reconquista, Buenos Aires.

SOUTH AMERICA (Brazil) :—WILLIAM J. JENKYNS (1894-1903). c/o Brazilian Portland Cement Co., Caixa Postal 2947, go Paulo.

STRAITS SETTLEMENTS (Penang) :—JOHN RHYS DANSON (1897-1903), Municipal Office, Penang.

STRAITS SETTLEMENTS (Singapore) :—JOHN IVO DAWSON (1900-04), c/o Messrs. Guthrie & Co., Singapore.

SUDAN :-JAMES LORIMER SOUPER (1898-1909), The Gordon Memorial College, P.O. Box 286, Khartoum.

SUMATRA :-EDWARD PERCY BARNETT (1895-1903), Boekit Maradja Estate, Pemtang Siantar, E.C. Sumatra.

UNITED STATES (California) :—EDWIN MORGAN (1906-12), The Canadian Bank of Commerce, Los Angeles, California.

UNITED STATES (Chicago) :—JAMES BRUCE SMITH (1918-25), c/o W. A. Alexander & Co., 135 South La Salle Street, Chicago, Ill. Telephone—Franklin 7300.

UNITED STATES (New York) :—THOMAS B. G. HENDERSON (1894-1900), Messrs. Lybrand, Ross Bros. and Montgomery, 9o Broad Street, New York.

WEST INDIES (Tobago) :—KENNETH REID (1901-04), King's Bay. WEST INDIES (Trinidad) :—ARCHIBALD YOUNG (1885-93), c/o Messrs. Alston & Co., Ltd., Port of Spain.

F.P. Club Rugby Football Section ist XV—Season 1936-37.

First Row—J. Durno, J. I. Morrice, S. B. Russell, J. G. Bisset, G. A. Rowton, D. A. Milne (Teams Secretary), J. S. G. Munro, D. P. Cochran (Hon. Secretary and Treasurer). ,Second Row—E. H. Still, C. W. France, J. B. Thomson, E. K. Cruickshank (Capain), J. A. Innes, J. R. Lawrence, D. Y. Lobban.

In Front—D. A. G. Brander, R. P. Munro.

School Rugby Football ist XV-Season 1936-37.

First Row —C. R. Cruickshank, R. R. Melville, A. J. M. Simpson, L. J. Blackhall, G. U. Sandison, G. C. Warrack, N. Mackie, Mr. D. MacGregor (Games Master).

Serond Row—D. G. M. Covey, N. I. W. Meldrum (Vice-Captain), D. R. MacGregor (Captain), A. H. Bruce, J. C. Lightbody.

In Front—J. W. McKenzie, W. D. Allardice.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

i 65

rush by the visitors their stand-off raced over to score a try, which was convolcd. A long kick by lnnes took play into the visitors' half, and when a Watsonian handling movement broke down, Thomson fielded cleverly and raced through for a try, which Innes converted. A rousing dribbling rush led by Lawrence and Bisset carried play into the Watsonian " 25 ', and Cruickshank sent Inns away for the centre to be held up on the line.

A valiant effort by R. P. Munro to complete the attack failed narrowly.

Watsonians were indulging in wide, swinging passes which had F.P.s' defence frequently in difficulty, but good recovery work by F.P. backs kept the line intact. Half-time :—F.P.s, 5 points (r placed goal); Watsonians, to points (2 placed goals).

Munro initiated an F.P. attack and from a line-out the ball came along to lanes, who dropped a well-judged goal. Watsonians, however, were still having much the better of exchanges in the set scrums, but F.P. forwards were more than holding their own in the loose rushes, and most of their attacking positions were established in this way. From a scrum close to F.P.s' line a Watsonian forward barged his way over for a try, which was converted. Soon afterwards the same Watsonian forward scored another try, which was not converted. F.P.s were now being confined to their own territory. Offside at the line-out led Innes to reduce the leeway with a long range penalty goal. Munro, Innes and Cruickshank all failed narrowly to find a way through and play began to even up. Not far from time, a Watsonian forward picked up a loose ball to score. The kick at goal failed.

Result :—F.P.s, 12 points (7 placed goal, i dropped goal, r penalty goal) ; Watsonians, 2I points (3 placed goals, z tries). szth December.—v. Aberdeen Wanderers, at Rubislaw. F.P.s :—G. A. Paterson ; J. B. Thomson, R. P. Munro, J. A. Imes, E. K. Cruickshank ; C. W. France, D. A. G. Brander ; D. I. Campbell, J. S. G. Munro, J. Durno, J. T. Riach, S. B. Russell, D. Y. Lobban, J. I. Morrice, D. A. Milne.

Wanderers kicked off against the slope. F.P.s attacked and Inns just failed with a long-range drop at goal. Good passing by F.P. backs resulted in Thomson racing over for an easy try, which limes failed to convert.

F.P.s pressed steadily and Innes again failed narrowly to drop a goal. After a spell of midfield play, France broke through for F.P.s, but he lacked support and the movement broke down. Good work by France, however, gave Thomson a chance to race over at the corner for a try, which Innes failed to convert. Brander broke away on the blind side, and after a wellplaced kick ahead scored a clever try, which Innes did not convert. Halftime :—F.P.s, 9 points (5 tries) ; Wanderers, nil.

Wanderers were the first to press on the resumption and a great forward rush took play to F.P.s' line. Clever interpassing, however, by Cruickshank and Innes let the latter break through, and a well-placed kick ahead ended in Innes scoring a try, which he did not convert. Wanderers returned to the attack and just failed narrowly to count with a penalty goal. A severe spell of pressure in F.P.s' line followed, and the visitors were unfortunate not to score. Another quick passing bout by F.P. backs resulted in R. P. Munro scoring at the posts. Innes failed with an easy kick. F.P.s were now well on top, and R. P. Munro was nearly in again. Wanderers rallied, and a well-deserved try came from a breakaway on the blind side. The kick at goal was successful. F.P.s counter-attacked at once, Cruickshank scoring a grand try after a fine bit of running. Durno kicked a good goal. Wanderers put in a fighting finish, but when the final whistle came, F.P.s were back on Wanderers' line. Result :—F.P.s, ao points (s goal, 5 tries) ; Wanderers, 5 points (1 goal). i9th December.—v. Aberdeen University, at Rubislaw. F.P.s :—G. A. Paterson ; J. B. Thomson, R. P. Munro, J. A. Innes, E. K. Cruickshank ; C. W. France, D. A. G. Brander ; J. Durno, J. S. G. Munro, J. R. Lawrence, S. B. Russell, J. G. Bisset, D. Y. Lobban, J. I. Morrice, D. A. Milne.

'Varsity pressed from the kick-off and once or twice just failed to score, partly owing to the good tackling of R. P. Munro. A penalty by lanes went just wide of the mark. From the goal line, 'Varsity set up an attack

i66

Aberdeen Grammar School Magaine

and some grand passing by the backs and forwards ended when their wing three-quarter was crashed into touch by Paterson. Brander, however, brought F.P.s to the 'Varsity line with a glorious touch kick, and from a scrum which followed the line-out, R. P. Munro beat four men on his way in to score a lovely try at the post. Innes converted easily. Half-time :— F.P.s, 5 points (s placed goal) ; Aberdeen University, nil.

Even play marked the opening stages of the second half, and the first real move was a brilliant cut through and kick ahead by a 'Varsity centre.

Then F.P.s were penalised for off-side, but the kick just failed. A steady spell of pressure by 'Varsity saw one after the other being pulled down close to F.P.s' line, and the pressure finished with another penalty kick just going wide of F.P.s' posts. Paterson, who was playing a splendid defensive game, brought off a brilliant tackle of a 'Varsity centre when their backs were in full flight for the line. 'Varsity continued to hammer away in the F.P. " 25 " until limes sent them back with a long kick to touch, and J. S. G. Munro carried the home team further up in a breakaway from the touch.

'Varsity returned to the attack, but repeated efforts to break through the F.P. defence broke down because of faulty handling or passing. Result :— F.P.s, 5 points (1 placed goal) ; Aberdeen University, nil. znd January, 1937.—v. Aberdeen Wanderers, at Hazlchead. F.P.s :— G. A. Paterson ; J. B. Thomson, R. P. Munro, E. H. Still, A. W. Ogston ; H. O. C. Cruickshank, D. A. G. Brander ; J. Dumo, J. S. G. Munro, J. R. Lawrence, J. G. Bisset, S. B. Russell, D. Y. Lobban, J. I. Morrice, D. I. Campbell.

F.P.s were early on the attack, but clever fielding by the Wanderers' full back kept them out. R. P. Munro cut through smartly to establish F.P.s in the home " 25," but grand line-out work by Wanderers' forwards kept the ball in the tight. Morrice just failed with a penalty kick, the loose ball being fielded and returned to F.P.s' " 25." Their stay, however, was short, and a fine break-through by Still saw Ogston romp over the line, only to be recalled for a forward pass. Brander beat several men before being pulled down on the line. A scrum followed, from which the ball was sent back to Cruickshank, whose attempt to drop a goal went wide. Wanderers rallied for a little, but failed to cross midfield, and when F.P.s returned to the Wanderers' " 25," Dumo kicked a penalty goal from an easy position.

Ogston, Still, and R. P. Munro figured in a clever run, but they were robbed of the ball and the danger was averted. Half-time :—F.P.s, 3 points (t penalty goal) ; Aberdeen Wanderers, nil.

F.P.s attacked from the kick-off, but grand dribbling by Wanderers' forwards averted the danger. Wanderers were awarded a penalty and a good goal was kicked, which made the scores level. F.P.s again came away with a smart attack, and a great dash by Thomson on the right ended when he was crashed into touch. A similar run and tackle by Thomson ended in the same fashion. Wanderers' backs came into possession, but great saving and kicking by Paterson prevented a score. F.P.s held out until the end, there being no more scoring. Result :—F.P.s, 3 points (t penalty goal) ; Aberdeen Wanderers, 3 points (r penalty goal).

23rd January.—v. Aberdeen Wanderers, at Rubislaw. F.P.s :—J. A. Innes ; J. B. Thomson, R. P. Munro, J. G. Dawson, E. K. Cruickshank ; C. W. France, D. A. G. Brander ; J. Dumo, J. S. G. Munro, J. R. Lawrence, J. G. Bisset, G. A. Rowton, D. Y. Lobban, J. I. Morrice, J. B. Russell.

From a scrum the Wanderers' stand-off broke away in good style, but after beating several men, he passed into an F.P.s' hands. From a line-out, F.P.s got away and R. P. Munro ran over for a try at the left corner. Inns narrowly failed to convert. Innes attempted a long-range drop at goal, but the ball was fielded and cleared confidently. An individual effort by Thomson put F.P.s further ahead. He beat the Wanderers' full back for the ball, kicked ahead, picked up and scored near the flag. limes again narrowly failed to improve on the try. The F.P. backs, with Innes coming up in support, were proving much superior to their opponents, but they were inclined to over-elaboration when more direct methods would have paid

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

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167

better. France, with a fine kick ahead, gave Thomson a chance, but the latter " knocked on." Brander had a good run which looked like producing a try, but he slipped when a few yards from the line. A good intcrpassing movement by F.P. forwards led Lawrence to run over, but the whistle blew for an infringement. R. P. Munro ran through the visitors' defence for a try, which Innes converted easily. Half-time :—F.P.s, it points (1 goal a tries) ; Aberdeen Wanderers, nil.

Play was confined to midfield for some time after the resumption.

Wanderers came away with a good spell of pressure which nearly brought a try, their stand-off just being beaten for the touch-down after the ball had been kicked over the F.P. line. Thomson had several good solo runs in the centre but was unfortunate on each occasion. Wanderers got a try from a lose dribble, a forward touching down. This was converted with a good kick. The game finished with Wanderers pressing. Result :— F.P.s, i 1 points (t goal z tries) ; Aberdeen Wanderers, 5 points (t placed goal).

6th February.—v. Gordonians, at Rubislaw. F.P.s :—J. A. limes; J. B. Thomson, R. P. Munro, E. K. Cruickshank, E. H. Still ; C. W. France, D. A. G. Brander, J. G. Bisset, J. S. G. Munro, D. I. Campbell, G. A. Rowton, S. B. Russell, D. Y. Lobban, J. I. Morrice, J. Durso.

Gordonians kicked off against the sun and wind. End-to-end play continued for some time until a fine burst by Cruickshank and an inside pass to France gave the latter a good try at the posts. inns kicked an easy goal.

This success was followed by another. A long kick ahead was chased by Thomson, who outstripped the defence to score at the flag. limes just failed with a great kick at goal. Play swung to F.P.s' end, where a Gordonian centre cut through cleverly to give to his wing man, but Still brought off a brilliant tackle and a long F.P. dribble soon had play back at midfield. Some attractive handling by Gordonians ended with their wing three-quarter being crashed on the line, and from a resulting scrum Brander scored beyond the " 25." F.P.s almost went further ahead when Innes attempted to kick a goal from a penalty, but his kick went wide. Another try, however, soon came. From a scrum on the Gordonians' line, the ball came to Thomson, who crossed at the flag. Innes kicked a brilliant goal.

Half-time :—F.P.s, 13 points (2 placed goals, I try) ; Gordonians, nil.

F.P.s attacked on the resumption, but Gordonians soon turned defence into attack, and twice narrowly missed a score. The F.P.s' defence was now being severely tested, and several times Brander nipped in with effective touch kicks under pressure. Gordunians at last got their reward when, from a scrum 3o yards off, the ball came back to their stand-off, who dropped a great goal with his left foot. Cruickshank raised F.P.s' hopes with a long kick up the middle, but the danger was averted. Gordonians were awarded a penalty, but the kick failed. A great closing rally by Gordonians ended with a centre going over at the flag. Full points were brought out. Result : F.P.s, t3 points (a placed goals, t try) ; Gordonians, 9 points (I placed goal, I dropped goal). zoth February.—v. Aberdeenshire, at Rubislaw. F.P.s :—J. A. Innes ; J. B. Thomson,, R. P. Munro, E. K. Cruickshank, E. H. Still ; C. W. France, D. A. G. Brander ; J. I. Morrice, J. S. G. Munro, D. I. Campbell, I. G. Bisset, G. A. Rowton, D. Y. Lobban, J. R. Lawrence, D. A. Milne.

'Shire took the lead in the first minute with a penalty goal. F.P.s, however, replied immediately, a great forward rush carrying them to the visitors' line. There, from a penalty for a scrum infringement, Innes kicked an easy goal. The high wind was making combined play difficult, and a series of scrums about midfield kept the play without feature until Thomson came up at top speed to dribble over for a good try. limes failed to convert.

A tine dribble by a 'Shire forward gave them a footing again in F.P.s' half, and the penalty for offside was successful. F.P.s, however, were soon back again and Ines was only a little wide of the posts with a long-range penalty Half-time :—F.P.s, 6 points (1 penalty goal, t try) ; Aberdeenshire, 3 points (1 penalty goal).

16 8

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

'Shire resumed strongly and lost an early chance by failing from a penalty.

They came away, however, and from a loose dribble, a forward was up to score a try. The ball hit the bar with the kick at goal, but it did not go over.

F.P.s improved and Innes twice helped them into the 'Shire half with judicious touch kicking. Then came a surprise score by F.P.s. Good work by the forwards led to a scrum in the 'Shire " 25." From the scrum, France broke away on the blind side and cut through finely before sending Cruickshank over for a try midway out. Inncs failed to convert. Soon afterwards a penalty was awarded 'Shire and an easy goal was got. Both teams were now going at it hammer and tongs. A brilliant piece of fielding and a dash

by Innes looked promising for F.P.s, but a great tackle by a 'Shire centre averted the danger. Towards the end 'Shire pressed continuously, but no-side came with no further scoring. Result :—F.P.s, 9 points (t penalty goal, a tries) ; Aberdeenshire, 9 points (2 penalty goals, x try).

F.P. Hockey Section.

The Section has had a very fair season, the 1st XV having won 6, lost 9, and drawn 3 of the matches played to date.

Results of the Matches to 27th February t— r. Richmond—drew 2-2. r. Cartha—lost 1-3. v. Ruthrieston F.P.s—won 3-2.

P. Aberdeen—won 5-4. v. Harris Academy F.P.s—won 5-3. v. Dundee Wanderers—lost o-6. v. Grove Academy F.P.s—lost 1-2. v. University—lost 2-3. v. Gordon's College—won z-o. r. Brechin—lost 3-4. v. Gordonians " A "—drew 2-2. r. Depot Gordons—won 2-o. v. R.A.F. (Montrose)—lost 1-3. v. St. Ronald—won 5-4. v. Ruthrieston F.P.s—lost 3-4. v. Grove Acad. F.P.s—lost I-2. v. Centralians—drew t-I. v. R.A.F. (Montrose)—lost o-z.

During the season we have been beaten by only two Aberdeen teams, University and Ruthrieston F.P.s, but against sides from the South we have fared badly, having won only once, against Harris Academy F.P.s. On 28th November we played R.A.F. (Montrose) at Rubislaw, but we were beaten by z goals to nil. The following week we met Richmond at the Links and drew a-z, which was a creditable performance, as J. S. C. Monro and A. J. Peters were engaged in the North and Highlands v. Midlands Trial, and Richmond scored their second goal in the last three minutes of the game.

On Christmas Day we travelled to Dundee and defeated Harris Academy F.P.s by 5 goals to 3. This has been our best performance this season.

The following day we again made the journey to Dundee, where we played Grove Academy F.P.s, and were narrowly defeated by two goals to one.

During January two matches had to be postponed owing to bad weather.

On 6th February we journeyed to Montrose, and were defeated by the Airmen by three goals to one. It was a keen game, and after it was over we were conducted to the repair hangar, and shown how an aeroplane was controlled.

We have yet to play Brechin, Graduates, and Dundee Wanderers before' the end of the season, and we hope to beat them. We have not yet played the old enemy, Gordonians, owing to a District Trial and bad weather, but we may have an evening game with them before the season ends.

The znd XI has also had a fair season, having won 8 and lost i i matches, although it must be remembered that most of the matches that they have lost have been against senior teams. They were unfortunate to lose to Aberdeen by two goals to one.

This season we have had barely sufficient members for two teams.

This is not very satisfactory, and we appeal to all F.P.s who do not play Rugby to join the Section. Club trials take place every Saturday in September, and anyone who wishes to try the game can do so then without being obliged to remain in the Section. No knowledge of the game is required, as beginners will be taught by members of the Club.

IAN S. Ttiolasosr, lion. Secretary.

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

169

F.P. Tennis Section.

As the 1937 Tennis Season is approaching, we should like to draw the attention of members of the F.P. Club to the above Section. We have been carrying on with a small membership of roughly 18 for three seasons now, and unless more members come forward this year, the Section cannot continue. Considering the small subscription (r5s.) and the amount of tennis which can be got, we do not understand why more people do not take advantage of the Section. Several matches are played every season, including mixed American Tournaments, and there is, of course, the Singles Tournament for the F.P. Cup. The opening day, not yet decided, will be announced in the Press and Journal, and we hope for a good response.

I should like to add here that there are one or two 1935 subscriptions which have not yet been paid, and I should be very grateful to receive them as early as possible.

IAN C. MARSHAL', Hon. Secretary.

F.P. Badminton Section.

The first season of the above Section has been rather spoilt by the very small membership, which numbers only seven. This, however, did not affect the standard of play, which has greatly improved since the start. The Section has become affiliated to the S.B.U. and, under their auspices, we have had an evening's tuition from Dr. Crombie. As this can again be arranged for next season, it is sincerely hoped that there will be a better turn-out than was the case this season.

The members are very enthusiastic and have had some good evening's play, but a few new members would greatly benefit the Section, and we hope that by next season a few newcomers may be enrolled. The very reasonable subscription of 5s., plus is. 6d. to the Athletic Association, is not a very great expense, and it is hoped that F.P.s will rally round next season, as it is intended to compete in the Grade II Men's Doubles League.

Any further particulars can be had from the Hon. Secretary, Mr. Ian C. Marshall, 65 Beaconsfield Place, Aberdeen—'Phone No. 67oz.

The Edinburgh Centre.

A very successful Tea Meeting of the members of the Centre was held in the Balmoral Restaurant, Princes Street, on 17th February. The attendance was very gratifying, but it is hoped that at future meetings of the same character—the next one will be held some time in May on a day to be intimated to the members—there will be a still larger number present.

The Glasgow Centre.

As briefly recorded in the last issue of the Magazine, the Annual Dinner of the Centre was held in the Grosvenor Restaurant on Friday, z7th November, 1936, when Lord Provost Edward W. Watt, M.A., the President of the Club, was the principal guest. The President of the Centre, Rev. Sydney C. Still, M.A., was in the Chair, and the other members of the Club present were :—D. M. Andrew, M.A., Rector of the School ; Theodore Watt, M.A., Hon. Secretary of the Club ; W. M. Anderson, M.A., Troon ; George M. Craig, B.Sc., Glasgow ; J. L. Duncan, LL.B., Ph.D., Hon. Secretary, Edinburgh Centre ; Henry G. Edwards, Hon. Secretary, Glasgow Centre; D. Sinclair Hay, B.L. ; George Lawrence, James Ledingham, A. McCurrach, R. J. Maitland, Dr. Keith R. T. Matthew, Launcelot H. Ross, M.C., F.R.I.B.A. ; H. T. Nicol Sands, B.L. ; J. C. Spark, J. Murray Tomory, H. L. Watson, B.Sc. ; G. S. Wilson, and D. M. Wright.

The toast of " The School and the Club " was proposed by Mr. George M. Cowan, Glasgow. He said he liked to think that Aberdeen Grammar School was one of the few schools left in Scotland that had not been eclipsed by the educational systems across the Border and in other European countries.

176

Aberdeen Grammar School Magaine

Scottish education had been accused in the past of pushing on " the lad a' pairts " at the expense of his less capable brother, and sending into the world a few exceptionally well-equipped men and returning many more probably equally competent to the plough and the fishing boat. If that system was cruel, surely it was more humane than the present system of forcing all boys into a cast-iron curriculum culminating in the final torture of the Leaving Certificate. The result was that boys were divided into two classes for ever—those who had passed the Leaving Certificate examination and those who had not. This division under the present system of examination was no fair judgment of the suitability of one boy against another for University education, for advancement in the learned professions, for commerce or industry. " The boy to-day," said Mr. Cowan, " has a curriculum which demands more of him than we have any right to demand of any healthy animal."

Referring to the qualifications necessary for entrance to the University, Mr. Cowan said that the present system in Scotland of trying to make a schoolboy prepared in five or six subjects of the Leaving Certificate for University tuition was hopeless.

• Replying on behalf of the Club, Lord Provost Watt brought to the company greetings from Aberdeen. Dealing with educational affairs, the Lord Provost said he was glad to see that more attention was going to be paid to the physical side of the rising generation, That was undoubtedly important in view of what they saw of the physique of the people, and it was significant that the Government had realized that and were going to take comprehensive ste to improve the physique of the rising generation.

Speaking of the value ps of the Boarding House to the Grammar School, the Lord Provost said there had been a tendency for some people to think that their children could get a better education if they went away from Aberdeen. He did not share that view. " My view is," he said, " that it is not necessary for a native-born Scotsman or Aberdonian to proceed elsewhere for an education that is going to fit him to take him anywhere in the world."

(Applause.) For that reason it was important that in Aberdeen they had set up a Grammar School Boarding House to cater for people who, owing to domestic circumstances, were not able to be with their children in this country. They were at present considering the question of obtaining more property to extend the Boarding House, in order to establish Junior and Senior Houses.

Mr. D. M. Andrew, replying on behalf of the School, said that if they took the year 1261 not as the date of the foundation of the School but as the first authenticated reference to the School, Aberdeen Grammar School had been in existence during the reign of 3o English sovereigns, and that, to some extent, accounted for the pride that all Grammar School boys took in their ancient School.

Dealing with points in Mr. Cowan's speech, he said that in the old days if a boy could not write passable Latin prose, or was awkward with Latin syntax, he was quickly relegated to that limbo of the intellectually unfit, the Modern Side. It was almost invariable, however, that such boys made good in their after-school careers.

In attending dinners of F.P.s of their own or other schools, one could hardly fail to be impressed with the case with which most men appeared to surmount the apparent handicap of an indifferent school career. (Laughter and applause.) All possible tastes were catered for in the modern school, and there was no excuse for the boy not classically gifted for not developing his aptitudes and propensities in other directions to the highest possible point.

Referring to games, Mr. Andrew said the physical side of the Grammar School boy was given as much serious attention nowadays as his intellectual side. About the future of the School Mr. Andrew said, " So long as we can have the loyalty and affection of the F.P.s we can look forward to the future with at least a measure of confidence." (Applause.)

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i

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

171

Mr. H. L. Watson proposed " Our Guests," and Councillor S. J. S. Adamson, Glasgow, replied.

As on all previous occasions, the dinner was a most enjoyable one.

Proposed Forestry Camp Reunion.

W. Balfour Pigge (1914-21) writes that, although now stationed in Dunfermline, he would like to resurrect the School Forestry Camps Reunion Dinners by arranging for one to be held at " Jimmy Flay's," if sufficient " ex-Bonar Bridge and Forres Foresters" are forthcoming. He would like the actual date to coincide, if possible, with the next home leave of that stalwart of forestry camps, " Tubby Ross " ; and any F.P.s who arc interested arc invited to communicate with Pigge at the County Offices, 34 Viewfield Terrace, Dunfermline.

•

List of New Members of the Club.

LIFE MEMBERS. Anderson, Charles Ernest (1912-24), B.Sc.(Eng.), 25 Pembroke Drive, Whitby, Wirral, Cheshire.

Birkett, Eric Ros (1920-22), C.A., 5z Drum Brae North, Barnton, Midlothian.

Meatus, William John (1916-20), New Seremban Estate, Sungei Gadut, Negri Sembilan, F.M.S. Saunders, George Anderson Murray (1924-28), 58 Rubislaw Den South, Aberdeen.

Smith, James Drummond (1900-08), O.B.E., M.A., 19 New Bridge Street, London, E.C. 4.

ORDINARY MEMBERS. Aird, Thomas Erskine (1914-15), Johnson, Ronald Herbert (1922-26), Lindean, Bridge of Allan. " Inglenook," 4o Thomgrove Allan, Theodore Martin (193o-36), Avenue, Aberdeen.

North Bank House, Maud.

Knox, Thomas Marshall (1932-35), Bisset, Reginald Rust (1922-31), 58 Queen's Road, Aberdeen. " The Grange," Cults.

Mackie, James Pennie (1922-26), Brander, Derek Alexander George "Roseneath," Murray Park, St. (1928-30, Pitgaveny, Stonehaven.

Andrews, Fife.

Brocks, Basil Ernest (1927-36), 52 McLuckie, Andrew James (1931-36), Hamilton Place, Aberdeen.

20 Seafield Gardens, Aberdeen.

Carson, Marcus Harvey (1926-36), Marshall, Ian Gordon (1931-36), 115 Desswood Place, Aberdeen.

52 Gray Street, Aberdeen.

Catto, James Rankine Wilson (1923- Matthew, James Donald (1928-36), 36), 101 Hamilton Place, AberPost Office, Braemar. deen.

Munro, Robert Philp (1929-36), Findlay, Robert Wilson (1934-35), 12 Albert Terrace, Aberdeen.

Photographic Section, No. 8 Mutch, Eric Gall (1924-35), 23 F.T.S., R.A.F., Montrose.

Hammersmith Road, Aberdeen.

Galloway, Angus Frederic (1921-2 2), Rattray, Arthur Smith (1923-35), Cfo Mrs. John Smith, 24 Gladstone 24 Whitehall Road, Aberdeen.

Place, Aberdeen.

Rhind, Gordon (1925-33), Mains of Gihb, William Scott (1925-36), Auchnagatt, Auchnagatt.

29/ Great Western Road, Aber- Tough, Marshall Paterson (1933-36), deen. /8 Mid Stockct Road, Aberdeen.

Gilmour, John Kitchener (1916-18), Vicca, Peter (1917-25), 26 Jasmine 1 Anerley Road, Didsbury, ManTerrace, Aberdeen. chester.

Worling, John Paterson Smith Grant, John Peter (1936), " Craigel(1926-35), 34 Fountainhall Road, lachie," 88 Newland Park, Ilull.

Aberdeen.

Howitt, John Blain (1926-36), 4 Young, Alexander (1925-36), 87 Gladstone Place, Aberdeen.

Union Grove, Aberdeen.

172

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

F.P. Club Office-Bearers, 1937-38.

Honorary President— DAVID MIDDLETON ANDREW, M.A. (Rector since 1924).

Honorary Vice-Presidents— The Right Hon. Lord ALNESS, P.C., M.A., LL.D. (1884-85).

Sir JOHN BAKER, M.D. (1875-79).

Professor WILLIAM BULLOCH, M.D., LL.D., F.R.S. (1877-80).

Sir GEORGE $TUART FORBES, K.C.S.I., M.A. (4860-64).

Sir ROBERT WILLIAM LYALL GRANT, M.A., LL.B. (1884-91).

The Hon. Lord MACKAY (ALEXANDER MORRICE MACKAY), M.A., LL.D. (1882-91).

The Right Hon. Lord MEsroN, K.C.S.I., LL.D. (1876-8o).

DOUGLAS GORDON MILLER, M.A. (Rector, 1921-24).

Sir PETER CHALMERS MITCHELL, C.B.E., M.A., D.Sc., LL.D., F.R.S. (1879-80).

Professor JAMES CHARLES PHILIP, O.B.E., M.A., D.Sc., F.R.S. (1886-89).

Lieut.-Col. Sir DAVID PRAIN, C.M.G., C.I.E., M.A., M.B., LL.D., F.R.S. (1872-73).

Professor ROBERT Score TROUP, C.M.G., C.I.E., M.A., D.Sc., F.R.S. (1888-91).

President—PATRICK ASHLEY COOPER (1896-1901), B.A., LL.B. Vice-President—JAMES PATRICK JEFFREY ( I 906- I 8), B.Sc., C.A. Secretary and Treasurer— THEODORE WATT, M.A. (1889-1901), The

Rosemount Press,

Aberdeen.

Committee— ALEXANDER GRAY, D. P. COCHRAN. M.A., LL.B. WM. G. CRAIGEN, M.A., I ALAN MCBAIN, M.A., LL.B. MAURICE CRAMB, M.A., ' C.A. J. S. MACLACHLAN, LL.B. M.A. JAMES C. DUPPUS, G. G. NIcoL, D.S.O. M.A., LL.B. A. J. M. EDWARDS, JAS. PATTERSON, M.A., LL.B. M.A., B.Corn.

J. L. RIDDELI..

W. DOUGLAS SIMPSON, M.A., D.Litt.

D. J. WALKER. J. B. WATT, M.A., C.A. R. B. WII.LIAMSON, M.A., LL.B.

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JOHN GALT

By Jennie W. Aberdein

8 6, postage 6d.

D. WYLLIE & SON Booksellers

Publishers

Stationers

247 UNION STREET ABERDEEN Established 1814

Telephone 402

ABERDEEN TOWN COUNCIL - EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

SCHOOL

GRAMMAR

ABERDEEN

(FOUNDED PREVIOUS TO I256.)

Rector

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DAVID MIDDLETON ANDREW, M.A.

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HE GRAMMAR SCHOOL provides for Boys a complete course of Study, both Elementary and Secondary, Classical and Modem.

The School, which is organized in three Departments—Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools—contains excellent laboratories handsomely furnished and equipped, including a Chemical Laboratory, Science Theatre with Physical Laboratory attached, Natural Science Laboratory, Art Room, Gymnasium, Workshop, Botanical Garden, Library, Reading Room, and Museum.

Pupils in the Middle and Upper Schools arc prepared fur the Day School Certificate (Higher) and the Leaving Certificate of the Scottish Education Department, passes in the latter examination being recognized as exempting from further examination in the corresponding subjects of the Preliminary Examination for graduation in Arts, Science, Law, and Medicine at the Scottish Universities.

The situation of the School in the West end of the City is open and healthy. The Class-rooms are large, and the Grounds for Recreation include separate Playgrounds for Juniors and Seniors, Tennis Courts, and a field for Cricket and Football. There is also a Boarding House run in conjunction with the School.

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ABERDEEN Head Mistress

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HIGH

SCHOOL

FOR

GIRLS.

(ALBYN PLACE.) Miss BEATRICE M. ROSE, M.A. (Aberd., Oxon.)

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HE HIGH SCHOOL provides a liberal education for Girls from 5 to 18 years of age, and aims at fitting them for home lift and for professions open to women.

The School buildings occupy an excellent and spacious site in the West end of the City.

The School is organized in three Departments—Infants, Primary, and Secondary. The Classes in the Infants and Primary divisions are graded in accordance with the requirements of the Scottish Code. Pupils in the Secondary Department arc prepared for the Day School Certificate (Higher) and the Leaving Certificate of the Scottish Education Department. The subjects of study include—Scripture, English with History and Geography, Mathematics, Classics, Modern Languages, Experimental and Domestic Science, Art, Class Singing, and Physical Exercises.

Pupils whose parents desire it are taught Theory and Practice of Music (Pianoforte, Violin, and Organ) in preparation for the Examinations of Trinity College of Music, London, and of the Associated Board of the Royal Academy and Royal College of Music. Advanced pupils are prepared for the Licentiate of the Royal Academy.

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Information as to Fees, Scholarships, Courses of Study, etc., at the Grammar School and High School for Girls is given in the School Prospectus, which may be had free on application to the Director of Education, Education Offices, zz Union Terrace, or to the Rector or Head Mistress respectively.

1 Royal (Dick) k r ati Vete r i nary College EDINBURGH. (Affiliated to the University of Edinburgh.) _ Principal :

0. CHARNOCK BRADLEY, M.D., D.Sc., F.R.C.V.S. 7"- "'= -= ' " After attendance on Complete Courses of Instruction in this College, Students may proceed to the Examinations for the Diploma of Membership of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (M.R.C.V.S.) : for the Diploma in Veterinary State Medicine (D.V.S.M.): and for the Diploma in Tropical Veterinary Medicine (D.T.V.M.), granted by the University of Edinburgh.

Students of the College may also present themselves for the Degree of Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Veterinary Science, conferred by the University of Edinburgh.

The College being recognized as a Central Institution under the Education (Scotland) Act, 1908, Students are eligible for Bursaries granted by the Education Committees in Scotland.

A Copy of the College Calendar, containing particulars of Scholarships, Fellowships, etc., may be obtained on application to A. C. DOULL, C.A., .Secretary and Treasurer.

GOLF ® TENNIS SWIMMING e

® CRICKET CAMPING -

SPECIALISTS IN SPORTS OUTFITS

Campbell's Rubber Co., Ltd. 'PHONE 157

18 Bridge Street

'Grams.: RUBBER

THE NORTH OF SCOTLAND COLLEGE OF ACRICULTURE ABERDEEN.

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OCTOBER TO MARC!!.

APRIL TO JUNE. Courses for B.Sc. (Agr.) Ordinary and Honours Degrees; College Diploma in WINTER SESSION SUMMER SESSION

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Agriculture; National Diploma in Agriculture; Special Farmer's Course; Diplomas In Dairying and Poultry-keeping; Planter's Certificate Course; Certificate Course in Horticulture, etc.

Residential Course in Rural Domestic Economy for Girls at Cralbstons.

Calendar giving full particulars of Courses of Instruction, Syllabus of Experimental Work, particulars of advisory WoeS undertaken by the College, and Prospectus of Craibstone School of Rural Domestic Economy, may be had on application to

THE SECRETARY, 41i UNION STREET, ABERDEEN.

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ABERDEEN SAVINGS BANK

EVERY LITTLE FOOT CORRECTLY

SHOULD BE

" Let the child's feet grow as they

FITTED

should."

That is the only way to prevent the ill-effects

1

of romping on hard roads and pavements.

LET THEM BE FITTED next time with "START-RITE," or "JACK and JILL" footwear at John A. Dunn's, where we have the X-RAY shoe-fitting machine, and see for yourselves how the child's feet rests inside the shoes.

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JaCkkii VISIBLE FITTER.

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JOHN A. DUNK 46

Union

Street

TELEPHONE 158 PRINTED AT 'IRE ABERDEEN UNIVERSITY PRESS.

" Give them the comfort

Dunn's

shoes afford."