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CRAl1?iVlAit $07400L MAGAZINE, Notes. THE Session of 1884-85 is already on the wane to the great joy of teachers and pupils alike. Everyone is weary of the monotonous routine of school work, and the excitement of the neverending exams. The sole subject of conversation, meditation and dreams is the immediate prospect of seven whole weeks in the country. However the biggest event in the year has yet to come and go, viz. :—The Annual Sports. This year as usual, they will be more successful than in any previous year. The youth and beauty of the town will as of yore, it is hoped, contribute by their benign presence to the brilliancy of the Tournament. These yearly meetings give the town boys of the Upper School an excellent opportunity of introducing their sisters to their less favoured country chums. Indeed, were it for this reason alone, sports should be held monthly and exams. yearly. Great enthusiasm prevails among the intending combatants, some of whom are said to be practising by gaslight and to be undergoing great privations to reduce surplus flesh.
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The unparalleled success of the Literary and Debating Society this session, can be attributed only to the spirited manner in which the discussions were maintained. The subjects of Debate were very happily chosen, while the papers so obligingly read by the teachers were well worthy of a society of much higher pretensions. The Honorary President, in his opening address to the Society, took occasion to remark
how he longed to see again youths of " Blue Blood" attend the Grammar School of Aberdeen. The Society did not at all relish this statement. It was clearly evinced that they did not think it necessary that the prestige of the school should be kept up by the attendance of real live lordlings. A Musical evening, which quite put in the shade similar meetings of former years, brought the society to a close. The public were excluded owing to the performers' want of confidence in their musical talents. But, after the appearance they did make, there will be no reason for not having public entertainments in future years. Notwithstanding the absence of outsiders, the spacious central hall of the school was well filled. A goodly part of the audience consisted of Juniors, who saw no reason why they should not be allowed to take part in the performance with their harsh melodies and boisterous applause. A very pleasant evening was spent. The programme consisted of songs, piano solos, violin and piano duets and recitations. The spirited rendering of "Gaudeamus" by the whole assemblage, terminated the proceedings. It is currently reported that the Library Committee met once, when it was proposed by the Chairman and unanimously adopted " that the Committee dissolve instanter." If this report be wrong, it is to be hoped that they will no longer keep them- light under a bushel.
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There being no Bohn's translation, it would be an act of charity if some one in the secret would once for all publicly announce the
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2 Queen's English of the School Motto—RATIO CONFIRMATIOQUE DOCTRINAE. Some Of the embryo M.D.s of the 2nd Classical, translate it—Doctoring is conformable to reason. "Practice makes perfection" would be their motto, say they. Seeing that it is at length proposed—and surely "it's time til't "—that Classical Latin shall no longer be insisted on at the University Bursary Competition, the thirty and six members of the present 3rd Classical are confident of the first thirty and six places in the list. The only regret is that the class is not somewhat larger, and then the Grammar would carry all the available bursaries. In this enlightened age when there is a reaction against all humbug, it is amusing to hear of the few surviving antediluvian dominies who insist that the primary object of Humanity, otherwise Latinity, is to humanise, civilise and teach good manners—especially in preventing feet being put upon classroom benches. What a noble use to assign to the writings of Cicero and other Roman philosophers ! It is rumoured that, for the last few weeks a certain worthy functionary of the school was green enough to be cajoled into believing that itinerant fire-as-you-please shooting galleries afford good rifle practice. This, however, is a delusion. Lifelong shooting at a black bottle target will not qualify one to bring down a " Royal Head." This is worthy of the farmer deacon, who, in view of his having to collect with the "brod" in church, practised with a fork stuck into a turnip the Saturday previous. The school was lately honoured with a new bell, which is enclosed in a wire cage. Some affirm this cage is for keeping out the dust; others again say it is for preventing the escape of the bell, but whatever be its use, it is
certainly not for keeping in the sound. For its ring is harsh and deafening in the extreme. Whether Niel Gow called the fiddle his second wife or not, it is obvious that this bell regards the Janitor as her first husband. Their mutual affection is so great that when once they begin to exchange greetings, they have great difficulty in stopping. The Gymnasium has been the scene of great reforms. Three classes have been formed, consisting of a Junior, Second, and Advanced Grade. Belts and Gymnastic shoes must be worn. These arrangements have as yet proved very successful. If the Gymnasts go on improving as they have been of late, they will easily beat the Aberdeen Gymnastic Club. In the Chemistry classroom the Sulphuretted Hydrogen apparatus is still at work and has been for the last eight months. The consequence of this is that the atmosphere in the room is loaded with a sickening and disgusting odour which would make the teeth of lovers of rotten eggs water. Unluckily the majority of mankind are not gifted with this appetite, so it is only with great self-restraint that classes can take their places without murmuring and making a rush to open the windows. The Cricket pitch is slowly improving. It will need many fine days yet before it will be in a condition to be played upon. After it was turfed, some street Arabs had the presumption to enter the premises and hack it. Had it not been for this matches could have been played upon it ere this.
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Athletic Sports were held on Saturday, 30th May, in connection with the University. In this, as in many other things, the University has taken a leaf out of the Grammar's book. Seeing the great success by which our Games were always characterised, the students, putting l
3 their heads together, resolved to have Sports also—a brilliant idea indeed, but not an original one. Several Grammar fellows who took part in the proceedings open only to schools, showed them a specimen of proper running—Barnet Harvey being first, and A. Younie second, in the 100 yards race. Our Gam es are just finished, and it may not be amiss to give a short review of them before we go to press. They passed off exceedingly well on the whole. The weather was all that could be wished for—not too warm but just warm enough. The fine day drew out large numbers of gaily dressed ladies, who "So buxom, blithe, and debonair," tended greatly to inspire the combatants with enthusiasm. The running was excellent. Mr. Danson, who presided at the prize-giving, complimented the runners very highly. The races open to the initiatory classes commenced the proceedings. The senior fellows' races came on later in the day. Harvey,Coats, MacLennan, Reith, Younie, Rose, and Roberts all distinguished themselves in the different events. Perhaps the most amusing event was the steeple-chase. Among other obstacles, a trench filled with water had to be jumped, and, as may be supposed, a good few got a bath. Yet, having sprawled out, they kept up the chase with unabated vigour. Tie leaping was also very satisfactorily managed. In the high leap, Harvey carried the palms n,obilis. Hodge came second, and Findlay third. Younie, Harvey, and Davie proved the successful competitors in the long leap. The Gymnastic exercises were not what they might have been. They were far from a good test of the Gymnastic training given in the School. Some of the best fellows did not try them, while some of those who did try were somewhat out of practice. Notwithstanding this fact, the exercises were much appreciated. The feats of Mr. Black on the horizontal bar
and climbing rope showed great efficiency and skill, and were greeted with bursts of applause. Buyers, Mitchell,and Watson may be men tioned as being specially good. Throwing the cricket ball was well done. Harvey, Findlay, and Ross proved the victors. The drop kick was rather spoiled by the wind being contrary. There was a pretty still breeze at the beginning of the day so that the ball was impeded or driven to one side. Our energetic Rector was master of ceremonies, and took a very great amount of interest in all that was going on. The judges were Mr. Cruden and Mr. A. V. Lothian. The clerks of the course were Messrs. G. Harvey and W. Rankine. The time keeper was Mr. H. F. Campbell, and the starter was Mr. R. Black. After speeches had heed delivered by Mr. Danson and Mr. Moir, the prizes were given away by a young lady. Three cheers for the fair prize giver, Mr. Danson and Mr. Moir, and for the unsuccessful competitors brought to a close a pleasant day's enjoyment. Former Grammar fellows, this year as usual, figure very highly in the University Prize List. It is at college that those who have been trained at the Grammar discover their superiority over fellows from country schools in general knowledge and culture. They show they can do something else than write versions —which unfortunately cannot be said of some of the neighbouring schools. They devote their attention to other branches of literature besides Classics. Nor on this account does their classical training suffer, as is clearly seen by the number of prizemen who were Grammar pupils of last year, and who are now dignified by the name of Bajans. In the Greek class, William Findlay—who was second bursar at the last Competition—stood eighth in the prize list, Joseph Milne ninth, John Lendrum tenth, and J. L Salmond twelfth. Findlay was second in the Provectiores Greek class, and second prizeman in Latin. Howard A. Gray came fifth, and John Lendrum ninth.
4 Frederick Henry, Aberlour, was first in the voluntary readings in connection with the Junior Latin Class. In English, Frank Kelly was third, and Howard A. Gray sixth. The above shows that a large share of the prizes fell to our last year's highest class, considering the number of schools that send men to the centre of learning in the North. We notice that Charles William J. Stevenson has obtained the fourth prize for Chemistry. He was attending classes at Marischal College though still a pupil of the Grammar SchooL His place in Chemistry is highly creditable both to himself and to his schooL
The Cheetham Ghost. CHAPTER I.-I AM SENT TO CHEETHAM SCHOOL. WHEN I was ten years of age I thought that I should be allowed to go to some Public School where I could see more of the world, and not be so much boxed up as I was at the private school that I attended. The son of our vicar was in the Forth Form at Cheetham. He used to tell me all about the fun that could be got at it, and all the tricks they played upon the masters, and so forth. I was so enchanted with the life which he described that I boldly petitioned the " Pater" for a change of school. I told him that I was hopelessly behind in my studies, and that unless I attended some public school there was not much chance of my pulling up : that I had heard much in praise of Cheetham : and that I knew a fellow there who would see that I didn't come to any mischief. The " Pater" said he would consider it. Accordingly a family conclave was held, and I stood in the midst pleading my case with considerable quakings for the result. It must be understood that I was the youngest (but trickiest) of a family of
four—three sisters, and myself. I had no brother to whom to confide my schemes, so I kept them to myself and let out the result on my sisters. To return to the dread tribunal. My mother, of course, could not trust me so far away from home. But my sisters, only too glad to get rid of me, fervently supported the idea. Pater was now thoroughly reconciled to a change of school, and as Cheetham was the nearest to our home, he held a consultation with the head master Doctor Paddington, and I was duly installed there. Never was I more delighted, for now I was to be upon the scene of all the ludicrous and horrible stories, which were told about the place. Having arrived at about six o'clock in the afternoon I had not much time to see around me. For, firstly I had to take tea, which occupied about an hour, and then I had to unpack and tidy up my room. At nine o'clock all lights except those of the Fifth Form had to be exstinguished, so I had about a quarter of an hour to spare, which I occupied in trying to write a letter to my parents telling them of my safe arrival—all I had to say. A few seconds after nine o'clock I was sleeping, and perhaps for aught I know, snoring, in my pleasant little cot. CHAPTER II.-I MAKE THE ACQUAINTANCE OF TWO FRIENDLY FELLOWS. NEXT morning I got up at about half-past six. There was not yet any stir, so I washed, dressed, and rushed into the playgroud. There were however two very agreeable gentlemen there already, who were amusing themselves by pitching stones at each other in a very amicable fashion. As soon as they saw the new arrival they broke off, and shewed an inclination to become quite friendly with me. They had been already three years at school, so they had plenty of stories to tell me about the place, only I couldn't say for how many they were indebted to their imagination. They volunteered to shew me all round about the school and its grounds.
5 The school itself was grouped round a quadrangle, on one side of which were the classrooms; on another the head master's house; on another the houses of one or two of the junior masters, while on the fourth were the studies, &c. The upper story was entirely devoted to dormitories. We then strolled towards the playground. It sloped slightly from the school down towards a meadow by the river. In the middle of this meadow stood the ruins of an old church which had originally formed part of a monastery. There were now only two walls standing, one of which was decaying rapidly, whereas the other was of tremendous thickness and must have weathered many centuries. Clambering up both sides of the wall was a luxuriant growth of ivy, completely covering the three old Gothic windows which had lighted the interior. On the very top of it was a gnarled old apple tree. For successive generations it had been the aim of the school boys to scale that wall, and enjoy the tempting fruit. But never had any one been able to do so, for the height was too great. So the old apple tree had blossomed from year to year, without a rude hand to despoil it. Inside what had formerly been the church were several gravestones, slowly sinking into the ground with any attempt at an inscription completely erased by time. The most of the space was littered with the fallen leaves of the ivy and surrounding trees, which sheltered the ruins. About this old church my guides told me the most extraordinary stories. The most wonderful was that the ghost of a nun could be seen every evening as the clock struck twelve issuing from the ruins and walking about. They told me also that it sometimes entered the school and had actually been seen by one of the Fifth Form fellows some time ago. We were considerably aggrieved because we were not allowed to sit up at night to see such sights, for, of course, we shouldn't be a bit afraid I
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GHOST OF THE NUN APPEARS. WE had wandered so far from the school by this time, that I at least did not notice the other scholars, who were already in the playground. Noise—in this case the noise proceeding from the football enthusiasts,—was the first thing which recalled me to what was going on around, and I was soon hard at work at the game. When the bell rang at 710 we all scuttled into the funny like chapel for morning prayers, after which we had an hour's Vergil until breakfast. At breakfast, which we took all together in hall, I managed to get between my two new friends, whose names I found to be Ned Bates and Arthur Prescott. They continued their wonderful narratives about school affairs. After the meal, we had our English class, an hour which soon passed away. Then we had Mathematics, from a very old crusty master, who, I heard, had filled the post for upwards of twenty years. He was renowned forhis many wise and witty sayings, and was also a strict disciplinarian. After a short interval we had more Latin and Greek, which the Doctor himself occasionally looked after. Then came dinner at one o'clock, at which we had all to assemble in the hall again. An hour's French completed our school-day, and we rushed off into the playground with delight. I had plenty to do in the afternoon, struggling valiantly in a scratch Rugby game, and then strolling down to the river to see the school " eight " getting coached. By the expiration of this time I fully understood what a public school meant. It meant that I must "grind" like a horse, with the alternative of being reported to Dr. Paddington. It was Hobson's choice, so I preferred the former. After taking a hearty tea I began to prepare my work, and then, after evening prayers at 8.30, retired to bed. Such was my time-table, and pretty stiff it was in contrast with the " molly-coddling " system of the dame's school
6 I had just left. Every day I saw the ruins I remembered about the ghost, and longed for a sight of it, but no such favour was granted me. One night after a day's hard practice at football under the shadow of the old ruins I turned into bed pretty early. My dreams naturally enough turned upon the ghost and football. I dreamt that as we were playing somebody kicked the ball violently against the wall. We heard a stifled groan and then saw issuing from the wall the ghost of the nun. She glided after us and we rushed into the school. We undressed, and were in bed before she entered the room. But in she came, and in her hand an instrument of steel which gleamed in the pale moonlight. She brandished the dagger over Prescott's head, and in an agony of terror I started up, and awoke. Picture my horror when standing over a bed not far from mine I saw the figure I had been dreaming of. In her hand was something bright, as in my dream, only it looked less like a dagger than a key. She was dressed in all the paraphernalia of a nun, only white from head to foot. She did not glide as I fancied ghosts did, but walked down the room with a somewhat heavy but noiseless step. I was not afraid at most things, but I confess my courage left me when I beheld a form which belonged not to this world. I could not utter a single sound for a short time, but at last a shrill cry escaped me and the ghost vanished. My comrades were startled by the cry and rose out of bed. I told them the story and we rushed to the corridor, but the ghost was gone, and our etharts to gain sight of her were fruitless. CHAPTER 'v.—THE C. S. G. C. S. ON this my companions in the dormitory resolved that they must see the sight when such a good chance presented itself. We kept the news to ourselves, and appointed a committee called the Cheetham School Ghost Catching Society (C. S. G. C. S.), of which I was to be senior member, because I had been the original discoverer. It was arranged that the
Committee men should sleep in beds as near as possible, and that by tying some cord to our wrists we might be able to awake each other at the slightest sound. At night we attached ourselves by the cord and kept watch by turns until dawn, but no ghost appeared. We were all disappointed at our failure. Some of the fellows said that I had been indulging in crams, and that I had never seen the ghost at all; others mildly sympathised with me for having such horrible nightmares. In vain did I protest, the boys were obdurate. The excitement about the ghost died away, and soon the story was quite forgotten. I was rather furious at the way they treated my story, for my recollection and my terror were still pretty strong. However the spell wore off in the course of a week, and I did not think much more of the apparition. In the schoolroom we had each our own desk. In it we kept our books, our school necessities, and sometimes our money. We had each a key to our desks, but one key fitted all the locks. So it often happened that if any of us lost our key we had just to apply to another fellow for his key. One morning when I came down to the classroom I unlocked my desk as usual, but found that my books, my box of compasses, and about 15s. which I had kept up for a bat for the coming season had been removed. I told my friend Bates, who on looking found that he had lost almost everything he had in his desk. The word was passed round the form and it was found that each of us had lost something more or less. This fact took the suspicion off any of the boys in our form, for which we were greatly pleased. We communicated the news to the Doctor, who examined our form. After having satisfied himself that it was none of us, he examined the other forms with the same result. No one hesitated in giving a decided answer. This was a great point gained, as it threw the blame off the scholars. But who did it throw it upon ? (To be continued).
7 History of the Grammar School. (Read to the Grammar School Literary Society, 5th December, 1884.) By JAMES Mom, Rector. (Continued). IN the end of the seventeenth century archery seems to have been practised, the prize being a silver arrow belonging to the school. When a pupil won a prize, his father or his friends provided a silver medal, which bore the arms of his family on one side, and on the obverse an inscription, and in some cases a device, more or less elaborate. Fourteen of these medals are still in existence, the names of the winners being as follows:1.—Andrew Skeene, 1667, quarto vicit. 2.—Thomas Fraser, 1667, secundo vicit. 3.—John Bannerman, 1667. 4.—George Mackenzie, 1667, primo vicit (he expected to win it again ? ) 5.—Adam Gordon, 1670, quinto vicit. 6.—John Gordon, 1672, of Beachly, sexto vicit. 7.—James Moir, 1673, septimo vicit. 8.—John Skeene, 1674, octavo vicit. 9.—Deskford, 1675. 10.—John Udnie, 1676. 11.—William Keith, son of Earl Marischal, 1677. 12.—Alexander Fraser of Strichen, 1678. 13.—Lord John Ogilvie,1679, of Invercaritie. On the obverse of the medal A Find, i.e., of Findlater. 14.—Theodore Morison of Bognie, 1699. Anno tetatis 14. In St. Andrew's University there is a similar collection of medals. These medals are interesting as specimens of Scottish art; they also show that the nobility and the landed gentry sent their sons to Scotch public schools two hundred years ago, whereas they now patronise the English schools and Universities. It may be doubted whether this
is for their advantage. Did they mix with their poorer countrymen in the secondary schools of Scotland, the young nobles and gentry would find that they were more beloved than they are ; and political agitators would find it more difficult to preach levelling doctrines. They would not come back despising Presbyterian worship, and erecting chapels for themselves and their households, their gamekeepers and their butlers, and thus making themselves members of a religious body which is not in sympathy with the great mass of the people. Besides Dr. Dun, the following have since his time left money for bursaries—George Robertson in 1646, 1000 merks; Catherine Roland in 1659 ; Dr. Ross in 1656 ; George Cruickshank in 1747. The Paterson bursaries were founded in 1762, the Lorimer in 1764, and the Williamson in 1866. All these burseries, except the Drum, the Paterson, and the Lorimer, are now open to competition. Of recent bequests two come into operation soon, 1st, the Arthur Johnstone gold medal, founded by a descendant in memory of the famous poet whose name it bears. He was next to Buchanan—the greatest Latin poet that Scotland has produced. The gold medal will be given in a year or two when the money left for it has accumulated sufficiently to pay the preliminary expenses of designing and casting the die. It will propably be given for excellence in Latin, especially Latin verse. The second gift was received from John Ramsay, late editor of the Aberdeen Journal. It will come into operation at the same time, and will be given for the best Latin translation of an English author. The gold medal and silver medals at present given annually are the gift of the Town Council, and are a pleasing souvenir of their long connection with the school. Coming now to last century we find that the school was re-built on the old site in 1757. The ground on which it stood on the Schoolhill originally belonged to the Dominican friars.
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8 This School, which was demolished in the present year, 1884, was not a very striking building. It cost originally but £400, and its site is now occupied by the Art School. The doorway and old belfry, the latter dating from 1627, were removed to the new Grammar School, and built into the front of the club-house there. Yet, humble as this building was, it was the scene of the labours of eminent teachers, and the alma mater of many scholars who afterwards became eminent as useful citizens. In at that door went, as one of the masters, the poet James Beattie, from 1758 to 1760, when he was appointed Professor of Moral Philosophy in Marischal College. He was the friend of Dr. Johnston and of Sir Joshua Reynolds, who painted his portrait, now in Marischal College. In that old school sat the eminent historians, John Hill Burton and Joseph Robertson, Professors Bain, Donaldson, Spalding, Blackie, David Brown, Salmon 1, Campbell, Masson of Edinburgh, Dr. Neill Arnott, Dr. Matthews Duncan, Dr. Peter Bayne, Sir James M`Gregor, to whom an obelisk is erected in Marischal College Quadrangle, and who was head of the Army Medical Department under Wellington, the artist Dyce, the poet Byron, and many more, to mention whom time would fail me. Byron was a pupil from 1796 to 1798, and lived in a house in Broad Street, near Marischal College gate. It is said that when the master addressed him as Domine, i.e., Lord, on the fact of his having succeeded to the title becoming known, he burst into tears. Probably he was afraid of the boys making fun of him, being a most sensitive child. Besides Beattie, in last century another master, William Meston, attained some repute as a poet. A remarkable man too was Dr. James Dun, father-in-law to Beattie, who was a master from 1732 to 1744, and Rector from 1744 to 1796, being altogether sixty-four years a teacher in the school. But perhaps the most striking teacher since the days of Wedderburn was James Melvin, appointed a master in 1821, and Rector in
1826. He had received his education at the Grammar School, and obtained the mastership and afterwards the Rectorship, by a public competition, in which he distanced all his rivals. For those who wish to know more of Melvin, recourse must be had to " Macmillian's Magazine" for 1863, where a most interesting article on him by his pupil, Professor Masson, gives an estimate of his position, and of the influence he exerted on his pupils. Dr. Melvin was succeeded by Professor Geddes in 1853, who was Rector only two years. My belief is that under him, if he had been destined to continue Rector, all the reputation of Melvin would have been maintained, and other branches besides Latin, &c., have received the attention they deserve in the present day. The next Rector was Mr. Evans, a distinguished scholar,whogot the post by examination. He proved a failure as a teacher, however, and was pensioned in 1860. He had let the highest class down to two pupils. Next year, Mr. Barrack, Rector of the Old Town Grammar School was appointed Rector, and brought over more than one hundred pupils for the highest class alone. The Grammar Schoolunder Dr. Barrack took an excellent position at the University. In his time too au English master was first appointed, the classical masters having hitherto taught English. Dr. Barrack was appointed Rector of Dollar Institution in 1869, and after an interregnum of a year, Mr. Martin, one of the masters, was appointed Rector, which office he held until 1881, when he retired, on the re-organization of the school at that date. In 1863 the present school was built, chiefly by the efforts of Sir Alexander Anderson, then provost, whose arms and initials are carved above the main door, and of the Rector, Dr. Barrack. The architect was the present provost, Mr. Matthews, the builder, Mr. Adam Mitchell. The money was advanced by the leading citizens, and gradually repaid by the Town Council. The cost of the building, including addi-
9 tions in 1881, has been little short of £20,000. In 1872 the Education Act transferred the Grammar School from the management of the Town Council to that of the School Board. Some three years afterwards a preparatory school was added for children under the age at which pupils generally enter the school. In 1881 a Kindergarten department was added for still younger children, and a modern side was formed. The attendence now averages 600, of whom over 400 are in the Grammar School proper, i.e., over ten years of age. The income of the school from all sources is about £4000, the fees being lower than any school of the same standard in Scotland. The attendance in the higher classical classes far exceeds that of any other secondary school in Scotland. Glasgow High School, for instance, having had last year only three in its highest class, and some fifteen in its second highest. The school may then be regarded as on the whole prosperous on entering on its seventh century of historical existence. It has always had a reputation superior to any other Scotch school for accuracy in Latin scholarship and sound training. Let us hope that this may be maintained, and a higher culture in English, science, and modern languages added. When one casts the thoughts back over the centuries, one cannot but reflect that the pupils of this ancient institution were afterwards the men who fought with Wallace and Bruce for freedom, who at Harlaw, led by their gallant Provost Davidson, drove back the tide of Celtic invasion; others fought and bled at Bannockburn, Flodden, and Pinkie, and at Culloden, last of our battles. The boys of the school took part in many a grand reception given to their Stuart kings, to the hapless Mary, to Montrose, and to the old Pretender. They saw in olden times miracle and other plays acted in the streets, later on witches burned, people banished the burgh for various offences, terrible visitations of the plague, quarrels and drawn swords in the streets.
In short, the history of the school is the history of Aberdeen, and Aberdeen is no mean city. Hear what Cosmo Innes says, "Long before Edinburgh had acquired the precedency of a capital, or even the first place among the four burghs of Southern Scotland; while Glasgow was yet an insignificant dependent on its bishop, Aberdeen had taken its place as a great and independent Royal burgh." There is no existing institution so closely and continuously connected with the history of the burgh as its Town School. It shows no signs of decrepitude, but on the contrary seems to be renewing its age, or to be possessed of perennial youth. Not the least promising feature in its recent history is the esprit de corps which has produced the Society before whom I have the honour of reading this paper. Vivat, floreat, crescat Schola Grammatica Aberdonensis.
Sonnet to the Nightingale. On Nightingale, who sing'st at early dawn, Thy beauteous song of harmony and love, What is't that me enchants more from above, Than oh ! thy heavenly chant at dusky morn? And when thou sing'st thy " jug, jug," on the lawn, Then to the window quickly do I move, And strain my eyes towards the leafy grove, It matters not though I be weary and worn. But when day dawns and streams of sunrise glow, The morning breeze sweeps o'er the fragrant flowers; The gardener comes the dewy grass to mow, Who heard thee singing all the morning hours. He listens, looks above and looks below, And wonders who gave thee such glorious powers.
By the Sea. A REVERIE. BY M. M. To men of a poetical and contemplative turn of mind there is much in our modern energetic method of life that is harsh and uninviting. Such minds find delight, not in the multiplied
10 variety of modern inventions and arts, but rather in the simpler and fresher forms of Nature herself. The busy town and dusty ways of hard-labouring progress are not so much the signs of scientific success as the scenes of weary toil and clouded skies. For them, let there be the green earth bedecked with its varying hues, and variegated with hill and dale, spreading field, and rippling brook. Let there rise in undimmed splendour the overarching dome of heaven, glorified by day with the rays of the life-giving sun, and again adorned with the pale-beaming moon and her sisters of the night. For them, too, wearied of the "busy hum of men," and of the discordant notes of jarring earth-din, let there be the smooth-spreading expanse of waters, the soothing music of the waves, the complacent deep— the mighty Ocean. Such a one it is that seeks his way from the crowded city, on a warm summer noon, to the solitary shore. There, " far from the madding crowd," he wanders, pleased more with the stilly grace of retirement than with the noise and clamour of the turbid crowd he has left behind. His feet tread the rich green carpet of the mosaic floor of earth herself. The elastic step rebounds from the yielding footway, and freedom hovers around him. His eye, erewhile dimmed, again brightens, and the soft-fawning breeze cools and calms the excitement and worry that yet leave some "marks of what hath been" in the contracted brow that is only partly relaxed under the caressing hand of Nature. A pleasant grove, little removed from the murmur of the water, invites his recline, and there, shaded by the spreading foliage, he stretches his limbs on couch more welcome than luxury could offer. The cooling shade is above him. The warm sun casts his beams mildly through the umbrageous leaves, but illuminates with his meridian brightness the scene around. While the solar rays bring light and colour to the objects on the earth around, do they not shine with more resplendent clearness on the
bright mirror of waters? There they are reflected in their own clearness, and the sunlight and crispy wavelets seem to dance in fittest union on the gorgeous floor of the many-hued ocean. Far as the eye can reach this extended magnificence stretches out, nor on its splendour does any spot cast its blighting shadow, save where the glistening sail of some passing barque appears on the horizon, like the outspread wing of the white sea-gull flashing in the blue firmament. While the wanderer admires with half-listless attention the soothing scene, the murmur of the waves and the subdued hum of all nature around him lulls his spirit within him, and he too rests in the noontide torpor. Still the waves break on the beach: still their melody fills his ear ; and his spirit, entranced with their winning invitation, goes to their embrace, and rests on their throbbing bosom. Now his barque careers merrily along on their eddying surface, led by the freshening breeze. Soon the land recedes from view, the wide waters all around proclaim the dominion of ocean. On every side appear league on league of sea. The utmost boundary of the ocean only unites with the territory of equal heaven. No object now meets the eye on all the horizon except the clouds that seem as if hastening to repair the loss of other objects of vision ; for they are now gathering in great numbers, and by and by seek to obscure the sky. Now too the winds, with suppressed energy, sweep past, rustling with ominous growl the trembling yard-arms. The apprehensive barque no longer bounds on her joyous way, but cautiously thrusts herself forward, swiftly, yet tremblingly, and with every nerve strained with the excitement of a coming contest. Nor has her instinct been at fault, for now she feels the grasp of her antagonist; now the giant wind encounters her in open field ; now the sea itself lifts its mighty weapons, and presses on her with oppressive roar. Look now to your art, ye mariners ; and thou, oh barque, take courage, or be certainly overcome 1
11 The winds, leagued with the billows, dash on; their union increases their mutual fury, and their united vehemence swells high into the heaven. Casting their wrath against the darkening night, splashing the foam of their fury high into the blackened air, and glorying in their might, they upraise the deep-muttered voices of great power, low-murmuring against the affrighted night. Now with tremendous energy the billows erect their elevated summits, yet in mad fury extending their greatness only to fall headlong into nothingness; now straining after the inaccessible heights of the firmament, anon they collapse with desperate hiss and boiling fury into the depths of their ocean caves. The wind too, co-partner in their exaltation, yet jealous of their encroachment on the domain of heaven, turns against them with intestine rancour, and snatching their own weapons, lash and torment them with the foam of their own swelling crests. Thus civil commotion rages, and the elements strive to bring desolation on their appointed arrangement, until sea, air, and heaven are embroiled in the gigantic struggle. By and by wearied nature, worn out by warfare, arranges peace, and the disturbing elements again retire to their native positions. The wind, with departing murmur, retreats to his usual haunts, and the ruffled bosom of the deep again composes itself. The billows no longer dare their former attempts, but rush forward with a vehemence that does not readily cool, till they also, with many a horrid recoil and despairing struggle, are at length forced back to their former confinement. The ship still rides on the long undulating swell, and the defeated waves bear her on their now relenting bosom. By and by, taking pity on her shattered form, and beholding her an innocent sufferer from their fury, they turn to comfort her, and with reconciled countenance they smile again upon her. The sun has indeed gone, but they are assisted by the on-looking orb of night, which tenderly shading the solar beam by her feminine care, sheds forth a chastened radiance, fit to heal wounded spirits, and
soothe to slumber the submissive deep, to charm by its own subdued melody the blustering noise of the piping wind, and to comfort with the sympathy of a wisely silent onlooker, the misery of the hapless barque. Nor did the undimmed splendour of the sun himself shine more gloriously on the fresh sparkling surface, than the chaste orb dispensing her silver beams to deck the placid features of an ocean sleeping in the moonlight.
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Colonel Burnaby. WITHIN the last few weeks England has lost
one of her bravest sons and most popular soldiers. On January 17th, a terrible battle was fought in the Soudan, and there Colonel Burnaby lost his life, fighting bravely for his country. Colonel Frederick Burnaby was born in the year 1842, and was educated as a boy at Harrow, and afterwards in Germany. He was intensely devoted to bodily exercise, and especially to gymnastics, which he practised so eagerly that at one time he rather injured his health, and had to give them up for a time. He entered the Royal Horse Guards at the age of seventeen, became lieutenant at nineteen,
12 and captain at twenty-four. He is best known in March 1882, and published an account of by his "ride to Khiva,'' which he accomp- the voyage. He subsequently went out to the lished in 1875. This feat had up to this time Soudan, and fought at El Teb, where he was been considered almost impossible. The diffi- wounded. He again went out to the Soudan culties and hardships he had to undergo are in the end of last year under the command of well known, and some of the facts he relates Lord Wolseley for the relief of General Gordon at Khartoum. While he was pushing on for about the people are most interesting. About the marriage ceremonies of the Turko- Metammeh with General Stewart, the battle of mans he writes as follows :—" The Turkomans Abu Klea was fought, where he was killed. General Stewart had received intelligence sometimes decide the knotty point of who is to marry the prettiest girl in the tribe in the same that the enemy were near at hand, but as it was primitive manner. On these occasions the whole too late to advance, he bivouacked for the tribe turns out, and the young lady being night, the enemy keeping up a harmless fire. allowed her choice of horses gallops away from Next morning Stewart left the camels and her suitors. They follow her, she avoids those baggage under a guard, and pushed forward in whom she dislikes, and seeks to throw herself square. He advanced on the enemy's right in the way of the object of her affections. The flank, and compelled them to attack. The moment she is caught she becomes the wife of enemy, said to be over ten thousand strong, her captor. Further ceremonies are dispensed charged with tremendous fury, and in spite of a withering volley, succeeded in breaking one with, and he takes her to his tent." In the same book he says that when he went side of the square. A hand-to-hand fight to a barber's shop at Khiva, a crowd of between ensued, and here Burnaby was killed by a three and four hundred people came to see an wound in the neck. The square, however, was Englishman being shaved. When Burnaby re-formed, and the enemy were compelled to reached Petro-Alexandrovsk he received a retreat, leaving eight hundred dead on the field. telegram from the Duke of Cambridge requiring Burnaby was universally liked. Daring and his immediate return to European Russia. He impetuous in the extreme, he was awed by no had intended going to the very heart of Central danger, overcome by no difficulty, and rejoiced Asia, and visiting Bokhara and Samarcand, in the most hazardous adventures. He was a but of course had to return, and on his arrival great philologist, and is said to have known at home he published a description of his seven languages. In fact such a happy comtravels. bination of mental and physical qualities has In 1876 he rode through Asiatic Turkey to rarely, if ever, been surpassed in any man. Persia, and returned by the southern shore of the Black Sea. After this, he was for some time military correspondent for the " Times" in the last Carlist war. The Lake. In 1880 he contested Birmingham in the [From the French of Lamartine.] Conservative interest, hut was not returned to Parliament. However, he was not daunted, " . . La le lac immobile etencl ses eaux dormantes and, at the time of his death, he and Lord Oit l'dtoile du soir se leve dans l'azur . . " Randolph Churchill were recognised as the Conservative candidates for that borough. In 1880 he also became major, and then lie utenant- Taus ever ruthless driven towards the unknown shore, Into night eternal hopeless we drift away ; colonel. Ah ! why is it we must not, e'en for a single hour, He crossed the Channel alone in a balloon On tune's swift current stay
13 O lake! the year's revolving cycle scarce is gone, And near thy waters dear, which she no more can see, Alone, alas ! I rest me on this mossy stone, Sacred to her—to me.
Let it be in thy storms, and in thy summer's peace, Sweet lake! and in thy laughing slopes of fairy green, In these o'erhanging crags, and in these dark pine trees Bord'ring thy water's sheen !
So under these gray rocks profound thou used to moan, So gently broke thy waves where their jagged flanks they meet, So the winds from thy water wafted the snow-white foam To her adored feet.
Let it be in the zephyrs that die away shivering, In the music of thy waves re-echoed by thy hills, In that fair-fronted sphere whose beams dance quivering On thy silvery rills !
Thou rememb'rest how at sunset silently we sailed along, Afar off, under heaven's blue dome, was heard nought save The swish of the plashing oar,—as the cadence of some grand song, On thy harmonious wave. When all at once a voice, in accents strange to earth, Wakened the slumbering echoes thy charmed shores along, The very wave gave ear, as the voice which gave them birth, Broke forth in sweetest song : SONG. "0 Time, and you, ye smiling hours, why in such haste ? Why not suspend your flight ? And give us from our fairest days a lingering taste Of ravishing delight ? " Pitying behold the wretched, struggling on through life, Flow on, flow on, for these! End with their days their ceaseless toil and weary strife, The happy leave in peace! " But all in vain I ask this blessing, for I know Time ever wings his flight, When I say to a happy night, ' 0 softlier go!' Quick comes the bright daylight. "Let us love then, let us love! with the fugitive hour, While we can, let us play ! Man has no lasting haven, Time no friendly shore, It flies ; we pass away." 0 jealous Time, why do these moments of delight, When joyous Love with bounteous hand his gifts doth shower, Ever flit from us with the same relentless flight, As each unhappy hour? Say'st thou that even a trace to us must not be left ? What! passed eternally? What! now for ever gone? That Time which gave us them, that Time which us bereft, Can it not give back one? Eternity—the past,—dim nothing ! Dark abyss, Tell us, what do you with the days you thus devour? Speak ! Will you give us back these ecstasies of bliss, Each happy, vanished hour ? 0 lake! dumb frowning rocks, ye caves and dusky woods! Ye that time spares, or makes again full fair to sight, Treasure, thou Nature kind, throughout thy changing moods, The memory of that night 1
Let the soft-sighing rose, the sadly-sobbing wind, Let the light floating perfumes of thy embalmed air, Let all sweet Nature's beauties that in thee I find, That "We have loved" declare !
Reminiscences of St. Helena. FOR four days we had been out of sight of land on the blue South Atlantic Ocean, enjoying the fresh sea breeze after the hot scorching winds of South Africa. Nothing particular had happened during the voyage as yet, everything had- been going on just in the usual way of passengers at sea. The sea had been very calm, extraordinarily so for the proverbially stormy Atlantic Ocean. On the fifth day from our departure from Cape Town, we were all alert to see who would first descry St. Helena. This island had been the subject of conversation for a long time back with us, and now we were to see it at last. Towards two bells in the afternoon watch (5 o'clock) we came in sight of the dim misty outline of some rugged peaks. Rapidly we neared the island, and soon we were sufficiently close to form some idea of the extreme ruggedness of the island. As we rounded Baru point and then Sugarloaf point, the cliffs seemed to rise more and more above our heads. The isle was the loneliest, dreariest, ruggedest,barrenest,most deserted place we had ever seen. All along the northern coast, the cliff's rise to the height of from 600 to 1200 feet of black volcanic rock. I had read frequently about the extraordinary height of these cliff's, but I found that my ideas of them had fallen infinitely short of the reality. Here and there were breaks in the continuity of the wall of rock, consisting of narrow gorges or ravines, all
14 leading up to a central plateau in the interior of the island. On the shore, or on some crag of the cliffs where a site might be secured, some forts or other military works had been formed, chiefly for the purpose of making it a secure prison house, while the peace of Europe depended on the safe custody of its prisoner. But what a spot for the once great Emperor of the French to spend his last years in,—it is a grave, tomb, pyramid, cemetery, sepulchre, catacomb, sarcophagus, minaret, and mausoleum I Amid such gloomy desolation he would have abundance of time to think upon his past deeds and crimes. St. Helena is perhaps the best known of all the lonely islands in the world. I say lonely, for really we can hardly find a rival in loneliness excepting perhaps Tristran D'Acunha. It is a gloomy, dreary desolation, a mere mountain peak of the submerged continent Atlantis ! Lying as St. Helena does 850 miles from the nearest land, the island of Ascension, and 1695 miles from Cape Town, it is seldom visited by sailing ships, and by steamers only on the homeward voyage from the Cape once a month. As we steamed past the stupendous cliffs at "slow," sometimes going so near, that we thought the yardarms would touch them, myriads of sea-fowl wheeled and screamed above our heads. We noticed particularly the beautiful white bird called the Tropic bird, whose small glittering body is set off to advantage by its long flowing tail. The perpendicular wall of black volcanic rock was relieved here and there with yellow streaks of sulphur. Slowly we steamed on past dangerous-looking points till, on rounding an immense crag, we enter the fine roadstead and bay of Jamestown. A few more traces of vegetation were discernible here, groups of trees and grass relieving the stern monotony of rock. Slower and slower we went, till the telegraph rang out " stop" to the engineer, and then down went the anchor in Jamestown Bay, for the first time since leaving Cape Town. We were
immediately surrounded by a flotilla of boats, foremost among which was the inevitable one belonging to the Custom House. Shortly afterwards, we went ashore in a small boat, and landed at a flight of steps dignified with the name of pier. Jamestown has a sheltered situation lying on the N. W. side of the island, and is the only place of any importance there. The pier is built on a mound apart from the shore, with which it is connected by a short bridge. On landing we were instantly surrounded by a crowd of women selling photographs, beads, native ferns, &c., &c. Having got clear of these we strolled up through the town. This is on a great slope ; indeed, in Jamestown, there is hardly a piece of level ground. On our left frowned the great cliffs, with cavities here and there fur small forts, and on our right was the famous ladder of St. Helena. This consisted of a narrow staircase of 610 steps, leading straight as an arrow up the face of the cliff. At the top is a fort and lookout post for signalling ships. We went up about 50 steps, and even from this low height the houses in the town looked insignificant; so we could form some idea of what the view would be from the top on a clear day. As our time was limited we walked smartly up the town till we obtained a view of it from behind. We were very sorry that the time at our disposal did not permit of our visiting Longwood, the former residence of Napoleon. This is situated near the centre of the island on a plateau. Descending then, we returned to the steamer, stopping to buy a few curiosities on our way through the town. On our attempting to get some photographs of the island, we were informed that there had been a man-of-war in the bay during the previous week, and so all the shops were cleared out. Hastily leaving the town, we went down to the pier. By this time night had fallen—rapidly as it does in these Tropical climes—so that embarkation was a work of extreme difficulty. To make matters worse, we had conveyed five cows out from the Cape to here, and these were
15 now being landed from a barge close by. These brutes, in their wild terror at the shouting, the darkness, and the tossing of the barge were very unruly, insomuch that one of them broke loose and tore up the town at a mad gallop. Amid these animals, and by the help of a single lamp, we commenced to embark in the tossing little boat. This was a work of great difficulty, as we had to leap in the dark, in faith, at the right moment, or else a complete bath was the result. This was the luck of one gentleman of our party, who, when it came to his turn to leap, first hesitated and then sprang just a moment too late, and in he went, to his no small disgust. At last we had all embarked and safely got on board our huge steamer again. And now while we are waiting to start, a few words about the island may not be out of place. St. Helena is 4,256 miles from Plymouth, and about one-third of the way across from Africa to South America. It was discovered in 1502 on St. Helena's Day (22nd May), whence its name, by a Portuguese navigator, Juan de Nova Castello.. It afterwards became a Dutch possession, was ceded by Holland about the middle of the 17th century to the English F'.st India Company, and made over by them to the British Crown in 1833. Its value consisted in its being a convenient halting place on the homeward voyage from India, a value enhanced by the fact that the Cape of Good Hope had ten years previously been colonized by the Dutch. This was of course prior to the opening of the Suez Canal. . The best access to the interior is up James' valley, which, as well as the other valleys, leads, as has been already mentioned, to a central plateau. This is traversed by a limestone ridge, stretching east to west, dividing the island into two unequal portions, and attaining in Diana's Peak, near its centre, the height of 2,700 feet, the highest summit in the island. The portion on the south of this ridge is the more abrupt and rugged of the two, and consists of an almost continuous succession of rugged peaks and
hills, evidently of volcanic origin. Several of these assume curious and fantastic forms ; of these, two of the most remarkable are situated near the south coast, and from some imaginary resemblances have received the names of Lot and Lot's wife. They are both formed of strangely contorted columnar basalt, the former 197 feet, and the latter 160 feet above its base. The portion of the island north of the ridge is also rugged, but contains several tolerably level tracts, which during the season when moisture is abundant, are covered with rich verdure. The soil, though not of great fertility, is partly under cultivation, but the vegetation, instead of being tropical, as its position might have led one to expect, is decidedly European, and almost British. Many of the hills are crowned with irregular plantations of Scotch firs, while many of the sloping banks are covered with the common gorse or whin. The interior of the island affords in some parts very fine scenery, of grand precipices more than 1000 feet high, with narrow passes, and gloomy gorges. There cannot be a doubt as to the volcanic formation of a considerable portion of the island, or the emergence of other considerable parts of it from the bottom of the sea. Though there is no well-defined crater, earthquakes have frequently been felt ; and even in the absence of storm, both at sea and on the island, strange heavings in the surrounding waters—the result evidently of subterranean commotion— are not uncommon. One of the most remarkable of these occurred in 1849 when the sea suddenly became agitated, as if by a heavy storm, and several vessels, torn from their moorings, were dashed upon the beach; still, at a short distance from the island, no disturbance was felt. Jamestown has also suffered from great sea waves. These waves come from the far South, and travel rapidly Northwards, at the height of between 40 to 50 feet. The cause of these phenomena, has not yet fully been explained, some think that they are caused by the bursting of great reservoirs of water near the South Pole,
16 by the summer heat melting the ice, but at any rate they are very destructive, and many persons as well as ships have been caught by them and dashed to pieces. An amusing story is told of how, one evening, during a grand ball on board a man-of-war lying there, some of these waves came. The result may be better imagined than described, as all the dancers were precipitated into each other's arms in appalling confusion, not a few limbs being broken. There is even a St. Helena newspaper, which we inspected with great amusement. It comes out once a week, and costs 6d. I need scarcely say, we saw no mention of any Dynamite outrages, Crofter's Commissions, or Farmer's Alliances, in the local news, in an island of only 68 square miles area. And now we are again under steam; we slowly sail out past the numerous small craft anchored in the Bay; soon only a dim hazy mass is all that is seen of St. Helena, and we are once more out on the great heaving bosom of the South Atlantic Ocean.
Hellas. RISE, Hellas, list, lift up thy glorious eyes! The sea is calling: freedom is on the wind : The mountain takes the voice, and unconfined As the fleet light afar the echo flies. Oh trumpet-tongued ! that blew the destinies From Marathon and Salamis sea-set To the islands of the West, thy glories yet Shall beat their memory up the centuries. Thine are a thousand immortalities ! Thy splendour fades not with the blurred light Eclipsed of Time, (the noble never dies). Thou wert the Star of Reason and of Right, And o'er the paling Crescent yet must rise, Thy beam the brighter for Oppression's night.
A. G.
Football. THE season of 1884-85, on the whole so very disappointing, opened well for the school. For in the first four matches only once did the chosen fifteen sutler defeat. But after these, the star of fortune began to wane. Instead of practising every week, as they had done formerly, the members of the Club seemed to lose all interest in the game, and consequently through want of pactice, the team was unable to do anything in the matches. The chief cause for this lack of interest was the wretched condition of the field. Sometimes the ground was so wet that running was almost an impossibility, at other times the surface was so hard and slippery on account of frost that tumbles were frequent and severe. However, as steps are being taken to drain and level the field, there will be no excuse for future teams on the plea of having an unsuitable field for practising. The season was unstisfactory, not so much from the result of the matches played, as from the number of matches which were not played. For out of eighteen matches on the card only eight were played, of which two were won, one drawn, and five lost. The Combined Schools also played one match against the Nomads, and were beaten. The following is a tabulated account :— Oct. 25. Grammar School, v. Aberdeenshire F. C. Won by 2 goals to 2 tries. Nov. 1. Grammar School, v. Eldon F. C. Lost by 1 goal and 1 try. Grammar School, v. Chanonry House F. C. Won ,, by 1 goal. „ 15. Grammar School, v. King's College F. C. Drawn. Dee. 6. Grammar School, v. Nomads F. C. Lost by 1 goal. Jan. 31. Combined Schools, v. Nomads F. C. Lost by 1 goal. Feb. 14. Grammar School, v. Nomads F. C. (Scratch teams). Lost by 3 tries. 21. Grammar School, v. King's College F. C. Lost by 3 tries. 28. Grammar School, v. Chanonry House F. C. Lost by 1 try.
17 I shall now give a short account of the principal matches which were played. Our first match was against the Aberdeenshire. The School through the whole game were hard pressed by their heavier opponents. Fortune, however, favoured us, and the game eventually ended in a victory for us by 2 goals to 2 tries. The first of our two most important marches was played at Chanonry House Grounds against the " Gym." After a well contested game we came off victors by 2 goals and 1 try to 1 gool and 1 try. In this match Harvie and Younie especially distinguished themselves. King's College team was next met, and owing to the exertions of our backs, aided by the steady play of the rest of the team, the game ended in a draw. Most conspicuous among our opponents was E. D. Jameson, our old captain, who played as well for the College as he used to do for the School. The match with the Nomads took place on December 6th, and rarely was the School team seen to such advantage. After an evenly contested game, the Nomads won by 1 goal. In this match we had the valuable assistance of Mr. A. V. Lothian, without whose help the School would have fared badly indeed. The return match with the " Gym." came off on February 28th. Although our team was considerably weakened by the want of B. Harvey, who on account of an impending examination was unable to play, yet we were pretty confident of success. But after a rather stiff match, in which our forwards played a very poor game, we were beaten by 1 try. Now only a word about individual play. Barnett Harvey was certainly our best allround player. His fine kicking, his certain tackling, and his running were of the utmost service to the team. Another member of the team scarcely inferior to our captain was A. McD. Younie. His brilliant dashes and his careful watchfulness constitued him one of the most useful men in the team. During the
season he secured more tries than any other player. The Mitchells, too, were very useful backs. Our forwards, as a whole, were not as we should have liked, although there were a few good men amongst them. MacLennan, Key, and Foggo were perhaps the pick. All three were capital men and very useful in mauls. The prospect for next season is very good. Our second fifteen, which played a few matches this year, will, with a reasonable amount of improvement prove a team by no means to be despised. The first fifteen consisted of: Goal—A. L. Cobban ; Ha/f-Backs—Barnett Harvey, John Mitchell, A. F. Findlay; Quarter-Backs—A. McD. Younie, Wm. Mitchell; Forwards—James Key, R. MacLennan, C. Foggo, John Scott, J. H. M. Davie, A. Mitchell, A. Henderson, W. Reith, A. Barclay.
The Literary Society. OUR Literary Club and Debating Society has now completed the third year of its existence. As a whole, we may fairly say that this session has been a very marked improvement on the first two years. The " reason why" may be found in the fact that, while the Committee arranged a very good programme, the ordinary members were not slow in seconding the Committee's efforts ; and the great drawback of former years—want of speakers at the debates—was remedied. On the importance of our society as a useful adjunct to the Upper School we need say very little. It may give, and does give, an education in its way quite as valuable as much that we rereceived in the class-rooms ; and is, in its own sphere, quite as important as the cricket and foot-ball clubs in theirs. That the society is internally healthy is shown by the fact that, though only three years old, a magazine and a library have already been started in connection with it.
18 The usual meeting at the end of the first qufarter for the election of office-bearers resulted in the election of Mr. J. Murray as President; Mr. G. A. F. Knight as Secretary; Mr. B. Harvey as Treasurer; Vice-Presidents—Messrs. Black, Jobberns, M‘Lennan; Members of Committee— Messrs. Key, Ludlow, Macdonald, Rust, and Stephenson. This Committee drew up a syllabus which gave general satisfaction. The first meeting was held on the 5th of December, when Mr. Moir delivered the opening address on the History of the School, part of which we gave in our last number. The room was crowded,and Mr. Moir's lecture was listened to with the greatest attention and delight. We need say little about Mr. Moir's paper—it speaks for itself. Suffice it that the lecturer could not have treated his subject in a more interesting and clear manner. The first debate was—" Should the House of Lords be abolished?" The affirmative was supported by Mr. W. R. Black, the negative by Mr. B. Harvey. Both speakers had evidently made a careful study of their subject, and the debate proved most animated. On the question being put to the vote the negative wassupported by an overwhelming majority. Next came a paper on " Charles Lamb," by Mr. Campbell, the Hony. Vice-President. As was to be expected, the paper proved most scholarly and instructive ; and the interest was sustained throughout by copious extracts —mostly humorous—from the works of the essayist. "As Civilization advances, does Poetry decline ?" formed the subject of the next debate. Mr. M. Macdonald supported the affirmative, Mr. G. A. F. Knight the negative. Both papers showed careful study. Mr. Macdonald dwelt especially on the influence of Poetry on Savage Races. The debate was throughout very one-sided; moreover, the speakers on the affirmative showed a strong tendency to wander from the point. The majority for the affirmative was 11. The next meeting was devoted to the " Magazine," consisting of short papers read before the society by the editor,
Mr. B. Harvey. We may notice especially the paper on " An Ideal Grammar School "—a very clever skit on those educationists that think school-rooms should be carpeted, hung with pictures, &c., and that the pupils should wear gloves, slippers, and so forth. The following debate was—" Is the present ' Arts ' System at our Scottish Universities in need of Radical Reform ? " Affirmative, Mr. J. Murray ; Negative, Mr. R. M. M‘Lennan. This proved a very spirited debate, though the tendency to reduce the debate to a quibble on the word "radical" was much to be regretted. The majority for the negative was 11. The next meeting was devoted to a paper on " Swift," by Mr. George Harvey. Of this paper we cannot speak too highly. Not only did it shew a perfect knowledge of the author, and a keen sense of the humorous, but also it proved that Mr. Harvey had been at great trouble to prepare so interesting a lecture in a style so suited for his audience. The last debate was— " Was Wellington or Napoleon the greater general ? " Wellington was supported by Mr. J. B. Jobberns ; Napoleon by Mr. W. Meston. On the conclusion of two admirable papers an animated discussion resulted in the victory of Napoleon by a majority of 11. The next paper was on a subject somewhat out of the "Literary" line—"German Schools and Universities "—the lecturer being Herr Gustav Hein, The Herr was listened to with the utmost attention throughout; and frequently his humorous anecdotes called forth loud applause. A very enjoyable and profitable evening was thus spent. The last ordinary meeting was a Magazine night; altogether 19 papers being handed in to Mr. Knight—in the absence of Mr. Harvey. Of these we may notice "Reminiscences of St. Helena," " By the Sea," and two poems—"A Translation of Horace, Odes I., 2," and "The Lake," from the French of Lamartine. The session was brought to a close by a " Musical Evening," held in the Public School. The programme consisted of various pianoforte solos, songs, readings, and a duet—violin and
1/4%
19 piano. The " evening" wits very successful ; and, as all pupils of the school were admitted, the hall was very well filled. The Rector formed a genial chairman, and everything went very smoothly; and thus it formed a fitting termination to the most successful year the Society has seen. We find on consulting the Secretary's rollbook that the total membership was 70—the average attendance 45.
But me the ivy crown, the ineed Of learned brows, cloth rank indeed 'Mong gods ; me too the gelid grove, Where nymphs in chorals tripping rove With satyrs, severs from the crowd, If gay Euterpe shrill aloud Her pipe, nor Polyhymnia, mute, Refuse to strike her Lesbian lute; Yea roll me with the bards, and high My head shall strike the starry sky.
An Ideal Grammar School. Horace Odes. Book I, Ode I. MIECENAS, son of regal line, 0 my sweet grace ! 0 refuge mine! There be whom it delights to store The dust from off the Olympic floor, Them the goal, shaved with wheels ablaze, And the ennobling palm upraise, Lords of the lands, amongst the gods :. This man, if Rome's uncertain crowd Him with the triple honours loads, Is pleased ; that other one is proud With what, swept from the Lybian plain, He piles among his garner's grain. Him who delights his fields to plough, Not for Attalian wealth wilt thou E'er urge, a timorous sailor he, With Cyprian keel to cleave the sea. The fierce sou'-wester roaring loud, And tussling with the Icarian flood, The trader, dreading, praiseth ease And rural bliss, but ill to please, With pinch of straitened means, amain Refits his shattered ships again. And one there is who spurns not he Old Massie bumpers full and free, Nor yet to steal from work an hour, Limb-length laid in green Arbute bower, Or where soft sacred fountains pour. In tented fields full many joy, And sound of trumpet, mingled high With clarion-scream, and battles red, (The warrior's doom), the matron's dread. Beneath the frigid heaven will wait The huntsman, careless of his mate, Whether his hounds a hind should scare, Or Marsian boar hath snapped his snare.
-CHANCE once led me into a region of the world hitherto unknown to me. On my arrival in these parts the landlord of the hotel asked me if I had visited a school about a mile off, which was one of the most famous in all the country. I replied that I had not, but that I would take the earliest opportunity of seeing the establishment. Accordingly I found myself one hot summer day in the head-master's room, enquiring whether he would be so good as to shew me round the building. " I shall be delighted," he said, "to favour you, especially as this is a species of institution totally unknown anywhere else. And first let me show you the principal corridor." I looked at the lofty walls, with their numerous pictures, and the Gothic arching overhead, and thought oh what a blessing a few such buildings would be in various parts of this country ! We were walking along a floor, richly carpeted with the finest Turkey carpet. "You see," said my guide, "I find it much more pleasant to have a quiet house than to everlastingly hear the clatter clatter of boots against a stone pavement, so we have this carpet. But that the carpet may not be spoiled or torn by rough boots, it is a rule of the school that every boy must wear a pair of slippers. We have a special room at the two entrance doors, for the accommodation of those shoes that are left overnight. Then again that our pupils may always find a comfortable retreat in wet weather, we have sofas, armchairs, and lounges of various
I
20 descriptions along the side of the corridor, while between each seat we have large ferns, evergreens, and various flowers with strong perfumes." As he spoke two boys passed us with, I noted, slippers and dark kid gloves on. On my asking the reason for the latter, he said that he could not bear the sight of his pupil's dirty inky fingers, so, it was another rule of the institution that evey boy should wear gloves, so long as he was in school. I noticed that on one side of the corridor there were diagrams of a philosophical character, and on the other side pictures representing various feats of strength among boys, such as running, rowing, boxing, fencing, &c. "You see," the head master remarked, "when the pupils have leisure, they come here and not only study the various branches of philosophy from diagrams and practical illustrations, but they are also stimulated in their zeal for gymnastics and bodily strength by seeing these pictures." While he spoke a beautiful peal of bells of different notes rang out, and I thought what a vast improvement on the old system of a single harsh bell rung by a crusty porter. " Yes," said my guide, " the Town Council here were having a new peal of bells for one of the churches, and I thought that I might have one also, and so here it is; and I find that their melodious notes sweeten the boys' temper much. How well I remember the old time when the pupils used to hurry along the corridor, shaking their hands, and stuffing their fingers into their ears to keep out the dreadful sound." By this time he had reached the gymnasium, where I saw scores of boys enjoying themselves on every species of apparatus. There were four masters attending, and I saw that the room was exceedingly large and high, with Gothic arching. Coming out of this we passed on to the swimming pond, where this useful art was being taught by two efficient swimmers. Then we came to one of the classrooms—the Greek one. Here, a good sized class was being taught under the rule of a junior master. The
room was very large and airy; and I noticed there was a punkah overhead perpetually fanning during the lesson, to keep the boys' ardent spirits cool. Each boy had a separate cushioned armchair with a writing desk before him, which was supplied with every requisite in the shape of pens, ink bottles, and blotting-paper. As the system of scribbling on the margins of school books was objected to, every boy was provided with a blank volume, bound in calf, so that whenever the irresistible craving came upon him to draw on his books, or on the desk, he turned to his blank volume, and as this was large enough to last all his life, he was enabled, when perhaps an old man, to behold and contemplate the fruit of the folly of his youth. In case any boy might feel thirsty, in order to obviate the obnoxious custom of going out of the classroom to quench his thirst, each pupil had a tumbler and two lemonade bottles beside him. If he preferred limejuice or mild sherbet, he had only to look at the side of his chair for that commodity. I took a note of this as being a most important thing lost sight of in most schools. If a pupil felt wearied with sitting long, he had only to lie down on a sofa which was beside each armchair. The floor was, of course, carpeted, and the room surrounded by hothouse flowers, and also the walls were most beautifully painted all over with scenes from the classics, such as the siege of Troy, or the battle of Thermopylte. I also noticed that there was a telephone connecting each boy's seat with his neighbour's, as well as with other classrooms. This was for the use of pupils when being asked questions. If a boy did not know the answer, he instantly telephoned to his neighbour for it, or if an examination was going on, he telephoned to some other boy in another room for the desired information. I was informed tnat in order to encourage freedom of speech and fluency of diction, the pupils were allowed, after the translation of the passage, to express their candid opinion of it, and that there was often a very interesting
21 discussion arising therefrom; and I was further told that answering back, arguing, and repartee to a master were freely tolerated for the same happy end; and that some of the greatest orators and wits had had their intellectual faculties first stirred by this system of teaching. I mildly enquired of the master if he had ever occasion to use the tawse. He nearly fainted at the idea, and it was not till he had consumed two bottles of ginger ale that he could recover his speech. Meanwhile I was away in the chemistry room. I gazed upon the vast retorts, the immense number of bottles filled with queer powders, the blaze of gas jets, the escaping steam from a huge cylinder, and I hurried out with looks of awe and alarm, quite overcome by the fearful smell that pervaded the chamber. Recovering somewhat I went into the next room, viz., the observatory. I saw an immense telescope reared to the mid-day sky, while numerous small glasses, globes, and charts were grouped around the room. As it was about noon, I neither saw any astronomical enthusiast gazing into the back of beyond and a bit further, nor did I trouble myself to do likewise, feeling confident that it would he a fruitless effort. The remainderof the rooms were passed in quick succession, all were in the same luxurious style. There were numerous armchairs, sofas, lounges, clocks, and various other things in every room. In the classroom for arithmetic, on my remarking to the master, who, by the way, was a slim, dandified young man, and who was smoking a cigarette, that there seemed to be no slates, with a look of contempt he said that that was an obsolete commodity invented for soiling one's fingers,— that the pupils now used only cream-laid note paper, which was manufactured for that especial purpose by a firm in town. I was also told in an undertone by him that those pupils who could not afford cream-laid paper, were furnished with paper prepared from skimmed milk, which was sold at a penny per dozen cheaper. In the Rector's room I noticed that
the portraits of all the headmasters of the school since its foundation were hanging round the walls, surrounded by most gorgeous frames of massive gilt. Of the other rooms I need only mention that there were private boudoirs for advanced pupils, and rooms for the study of drawing and painting, mathematics, Latin, French, Italian, Spanish, high and low German, Dutch, Anglo-Saxon, English, ancient Scotch, Arabic, and Patagonian. On my expressing surprise at the last one, I was told that this was an extra class which was imposed upon unruly pupils as a punishment. There were also cloak-rooms, hat-rooms, polished oak staircases, marble lavatories, towers, pavilions, verandahs, and luncheon rooms. In the last, one can get anything from a half-penny biscuit and a tooth-pick to a sumptuous dinner. I learned that the hours of study were from 9.30 to 1, and from 2 p.m. to 3.30, but that in case any pupil might be put about by having to get up at such an early hour, they had divided the town into twenty-four sections, and had arranged an omnibus for each division, so that the pupils were conveyed to school and to their homes again in a comfortable and elegant manner. O b Examinations were held every two months for the purpose of deciding prizes. Having tendered my best thanks to the Rector for having so kindly shown me through the building, I wandered off into the playground to see the boys' sports. There was a large fruit orchard, a beautiful wooded park stocked full of game for the supply of the luncheon room, and further off was a small lake with swans and boats on it. I went on to the field where cricket, rifle practice, and archery were being carried on. I had no sooner taken up a position for observation than a ball from another set of players struck me with terrific force on my head, and I—awoke to find myself on my hotel floor, and that I had been dreaming. But oh how I longed that what I had seen had been a true picture of the Aberdeen Grammar School.
22
Grammar School Library.
AT one of the earlier meetings of the Debating Society last winter a most important resolution was carried. It was resolved that a Library for the use of the boys should be started in connection with the school. Librarians were duly appointed, and already most satisfactory progress has been made. Including a valuable donation of books presented by Dr. Edmond of Kingswells there are now seventy volumes under the charge of the Librarians ; while they have also a considerable sum ready to be expended upon books as soon as there will be suitable accommodation provided. It is expected that during the vacation there will be book-presses set up in the English Class-room for the use of the Library, so that next session everything will be in full working order. We appeal to the readers of the " Grammar School Magazine" to give contributions either in books or money as may be convenient. W. M''}- Librarians' J. J.,
The Holidays. WHEN down the world hath dipped his head
To bathe in flood of fire, And to the Cancer, branding-red, The sun bath mounted higher ; When dew-drops hang in summer morn, Like beads of lightning spray, And sweet, beneath the snowy thorn, The merl flutes her lay ; When vestal robed lilies glow All in the grass-green grove, And purling waters wanton blow The music that they love ; Then comes the hour that brings the rest, So sweet, so dearly won, 'Twas here our hopes full froward pressed From many a morning gone. 'Tis come at last ; 0 take the calm, Soldier in life's young war ; Rest, brow-bound bearer of the palm 0 rest, that halt the scar.
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