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are in wantof Pianos, Organs,

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Absolutely Best Value and Selection at

cc)

cn < -t

W. J. MILNE, Specialist iii

251 UNION

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STREET,

ABERDEEN. Telephone 1293.

THE ROYAL NORTHERN CLUB IS OPPOSITE.

" Maxwell Watches.

Reliable. Iiiexpensiue. The "Maxwell" is of an improved type, fully jewelled, & guaranteed. It can be had in steel, oxidized (gunmetal) cases at

The "Maxwell Junior" is a well made, steel oxidized (gunmetal) cased Lever Watch which is a good timekeeper. Neat shape and strong.

21/=

PRICE

or Silver at

10/6.

30 / ' •

We recommend these with every assurance that they will give satisfaction, and it is not necessary to buy a new one when out of order as they will repair.

To be had only from

IN. 8a c.1. SA/1 ITS, 23 and 25 St, Nicholas Street, and 191 Union Street.

TELEPHONE 1750.

ESTABLISHED 1859.

•

families Supplied WITH

GOOD MILK A

AND

CREAM. i Delicious Butter.

Fine Eggs AND

Well=Fed Poultry (From Own Farms).

TEX ‘

ROOMS.

457 UNION STREET.

AN IDEAL CIGAR-

"/La Vituna," 14s. 9d. per 100. SOLE IMPORTERS-

W. & J. HAY, 199 UNION STREET.

MACKAY'S 50-BRIDGE STREET,

The

ABERDEEN-50.

SPORTSM7kN'S DEPOT.

Telephone-21 Y 3.

Telegrams—" MACKAY, Aberdeen."

One Minute's Walk from Railway Station.

patronises by tbe Robllitg, Gentrz anb Elite or tbe illottb. The University, Colleges, and leading Schools and Clubs supplied. The latest and best Goods in the Sporting and Athletic World always in stock and sent on the shortest of notice. Angling.—High-Class Tackle of every description. The Editor, " Fishing Gazette," says : " What Mr. Mackay does not know of angling is not worth knowing." Guns and Shot of the latest and best. Air-guns, etc. Cricket —The finest selection in Bats, Balls, Guards. Tennis.—The best and cheapest. Rackets restrung. Croquet, Bowls (Taylor's), Golf Clubs, Balls, etc. Football—Agent for the "Zug" in Aberdeen. Water-Polo Balls always in stock. MACKAY'S ANTI-MIDGE LOTION, the only sure and safe protection from Gnat and Midge bites. Invaluable to Anglers, Golfers, Picnic Parties, and people going to the Country or Sea-side. 18. and 2s. ed. Bottles ; Post, 2d. extra. Sandow's Exercisers, Whitley's Developers, Physical Culture and Gymnastic Apparatus.

BRIDGE

STREET,

ABERDEEN.

JOHN C. M‘LEOD, -

HATTER,

UNION

STREET,

'tart OULD respectfully intimate to pupils of Grammar School a Large Stock of Cap and Glengarry VaNcs, as authorised; also, football 3ersevs, Vat:, tics, V0SC,

and tat 313anbis.

Great variety of Football, Cricket, Tennis, and Boating yerseys, Sweaters, Knickers, Trousers, Shirts, Belts, Caps, Hats, Bathing Pants, and Costumes. TROPHY AND CLUB CAPS MADE TO ORDER. FOR SUMMER—Straw Hats, with Club and other Fancy

Bands, Guards, Puggarees, &c. NEW STYLES FELT HATS, TWEED CAPS, &c, TIES, SCARFS, COLLARS, BRACES, and UMBRELLAS.

ARTISTIC DESIGNS -

IN -

Silver and Electro=plate SUITABLE FOR

PRIZES, PRESENTATIONS, AND WEDDING PRESENTS. Special Terms given to Sports and Presentation Committees.

CHARLES

MELVIN,

JEWELLER AND SILVERSMITH, K-4185 Union Street, ABERDEEN.

WALTER SIMPSON, Elec.lP+ r.:cI niabne,r-tc., 446 Union Street.

CONTENTS. •

THE SCHOOL CRICKET CLUB 1ST XI.

•

PORTRAIT OF PROFESSOR DAVID MASSON •

NOTES ABOUT OLD BOYS

EDITORIAL NOTE

SCHOOL NOTES

IN MEMORIAM FARQUHAR MACRAE RANDOM NOTES

LIBRARY -

DAVID MASSON

Fronlisjhiece. - To face page 18 Page I

DEATH OF A FORMER RECTOR OF THE SCHOOL BYRONIANA

A SOUTH CALIFORNIAN "HAT" RANCH

THE MUSEUM

LETTERS FROM OLD BOYS ABROAD

NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY'S NOTES -

THE ATHLETIC SPORTS THE SWIMMING SPORTS

SCHOOL FOOTBALL NOTES

OUR CONTEMPORARIES -

FORMER PUPILS' CLUB NOTES

CRICKET NOTES

THE CLUB DINNER CLUB NOTICES

•

35 37

44 -

HOCKEY STICKS and BALLS. Large Selection of Sticks from 3'- upwards.

Balls from 1 6 upwards.

W. J. ANDERSON, Furnishing Ironmonger, 253 UNION STREET, ABERDEEN. U 55 EYSECRTPE_HAN D LE

TRIUMPH

CYCLES. CO 0)

!s.

N •-•

g ROVER . CYCLES.

THE

BON=ACCORD CYCLE CO., CYCLE & MOTOR AGENTS, 470 UNION STREET, ABERDEEN.

CYCLES.. .63L I. alto cidaiej,

SWIFT .

ENFIELD CYCLES.

9.5c boot Officials. SESSION

President, lion. Secretary, Mr. M. H. MACKIE. Mr. J. C. KNox. J. P. CAMERON. C. BUCHAN.

Captain, Secretary, ••

Captain, Vice-Captain, Secretary, Hon. Treasurer, D. C. DUNCAN. J. E. LAW.

1907-8.

Games Committee. The RECTOR. Mr. JAMES DAVIDSON. IAN A. CLARKE. B. T. SAUNDERS. Go KHEK GHEE. J. S. STEWART. J. E. LAW. W. G. WALKER. J. MCALLAN. Football. J. S. STEWART. J. E. LAW. Swimming Club. B. T. SAUNDERS. J. M. REID. C. BUCHAN. M. H. MACKIE, Esq. Committee.

R. LYON. J. MACKINTOSH.

J. WILSON. Debating Society. President, J. MCALLAN. (E. MAIN. _ Vice-Presidents, (A. L. THomsoN. Secretary and Treasurer, W. G. WALKER. Committee. C. BUCHAN. W. I N KST ER. R. FORGAN. I. G. INNES. B. T. SAUNDERS. Library. Reference, J. P. CAMERON.

Lending—

•

4 i

E. MAIN. J. MCALLAN.. W. G. WALKER. P. DIACK. Natural History Society. President, A. L. THOMSON. {E. MAIN. Vice-Presidents, B. T. SAUNDERS. Secretary and Treasurer, IAN G. INNES. Committee. E. W. FENTON. A. A. RITCHIE. A. R. FRASER. 4 J. D. SMITH. I. S. THOMSON. Magazine. Editor-in-Chief, IAN A. CLARKE. Editorfor Sport, J. G. BROWN. Literary Editor, W. G. WALKER. Business Manager, ROBERT LYON.

PIANOS AND ORGANS, 1847 Established Telephone 903. HIRE PURCHASE SYSTEM. R. BROWN adopts his Debored Payment .S) stem to the requirements or his Customers.

TO LOGAN'S NI' SEE THE BEST O ON

NW/CM

et a

A I"

We make a Special _

- . ''''.-2

*I ' 00. 00:--'‘I /

MUSIC—Finest Selected Stock In Aberdeen.

ROBERT BROWN, LOGAN'S MUSIC SALOON,

349 UNION STREET.

.;...,..,_

MAKERS ARE REPRESENTED IN OUR CAREFULLY SELECTED STOCK, AND THE PRICES ARE RIGHT.

:,:-..=.—

Feature of Nearly New and Second-

. . . Hand. . . .

OUR enortnouslli ring

Trade puts us in nossession of a A ery large number of Pianos and Organs, by the Best Makers, which have been used, but which ate m a great many cases quite as good as New. We also take in exchange a large number of Instruments which, after being thoroughly renotated, we offer at very low Prices.

F. B. KELLY, 10 St. Nicholas Street, TAILOR AND OUTFITTER

ABERDEEN GRAMMAR SCHOOL CRICKET CLUB 1st XI.

J. G. BROWN.

Mr. J. DAVIDSUN

(ffon. Sec., Games Committee).

T. W. TAIT.

G. S. LAWRENCII

H JoNEs.

J. S. STEWART

A. G. STEWART

(Secretary).

(Capaim).

Season 19437.

W. BANNOCHIE. W. G. WALKER. W. INGRAM.

G. M. joliNsTONE J. RITCHIE.

I). C. DUNCAN.

Editorial Note. SINCE the last issue, the Executive of the Former Pupils' Club have entered into an agreement with the School whereby the financial control of the Magazine passes into their hands, and it is now edited jointly by a Committee of three Former Pupils and three Present Pupils. All the old features of the Magazine, such as " School Notes," full School news, and articles by Former Pupils, will be continued ; and it will retain its character as a school magazine conducted by schoolboys. The section dealing with Old Boys, however, will be enlarged, and full accounts will be given of the various activities of the Former Pupils' Club. The object of the Executive in associating themselves with the conduct .of the Magazine is to develop it as a means of communication between the School and those who have gone from her into the world. The Magazine will be sent to each member of the Club, and through it he will be kept in touch with what is going on in the School and in the Club, and with the doings of other Old Boys. The Magazine, in short, will form a sort of Club Journal. Nothing but good can come of the development and wider circulation of the Magazine, and by these means it is hoped that the many claims of the School will be kept constantly before her sons at home and abroad. The Editors desire to thank all those who, in various ways, have helped the Magazine in the past, and they feel confident that in the future they will receive the increased support and co-operation of Present and Former Pupils.

TUE ABERDEEN

Grammar Scf?oot Maga3ine. Vol X I.

OCTOBER, I 9C7.

N o. I. -

IT is with no little trepidation that we sit down to write our first "School Notes" under the new regime. Now, as well as for our school-fellows, we are writing for six or seven hundred Former Pupils, all eager to see and criticize the stuff that the present generation is made of. The first editorial favour, therefore, that we have to ask of you is that you will be lenient, if we fail miserably in our task. The last Editor, just before he disappeared behind the curtain of University life, informed us in a cheerful tone that the " School Notes " were a mere trifle. We, too, shall say that, when, in the distant future, we are looking back upon another year's work—we, too, shall say that for the gratification of our successor, but till then, again we say— Be lenient !

Effi

We congratulate heartily all who gained Leaving Certificates in June. The Honours this year were not so numerous as last year, but we have great pleasure in congratulating D. C. Rees on gaining Honours Greek, and on keeping up the record of having at least one Honours • in that subject in the School. • 6A * The changes that are going to take place in those same " Leavings " are numerous and also great. First and foremost, the examinations are going to begin on the 8th of April (that is, immediately after the Bursary Competition),

School Notes.

instead of, as heretofore, about the 8th of June. Secondly, Honours are being abolished—so happy are those who get their five Highers in the Sixth. Thirdly, we hear from a trustworthy source that the English henceforth will be nothing short of appalling. The History and Geography will be separate papers, and the former may include European History, Greek and Roman History, and, possibly, Italian Literature. This on the top of the " Bursary Comp." will indeed make a pleasant mixture ! It would be interesting to examine the brains (if there are any left) of the fellows in the Sixth and Seventh about the 16th of April!

a a a

As a result of this, the Summer Term will be comparatively free from examinations (there will be one or two minor details, such as the examinations for the Smith Medal and Brebner Prizes), and so the Athletic Sports will probably be changed from September to June. This will be a great improvement, as the weather at the end of September (this year and last have been quite exceptions to the general rule) is so often cold and wintry. Our frontispiece this number is the 1st XI. of the The weather during the whole of the Summer Term. cricket season was very bad, with the result that very few matches were played. The XI. was not very successful: out of the five matches played, it won two and lost three.

That, however, is a thing of the past. Since the end of the cricket season, much has happened. The Athletic Sports have taken place before large crowds, and with very pleasant weather. A full account of them will be found farther on, with a complete list of prize-winners, all of whom we congratulate on their successes. We would take this opportunity of extending our sympathies to J. E. Law, who was very unfortunately laid up with diphtheria just at the time of the Sports; also to those who, from having come into contact with him, were in quarantine, and were thus forbidden from mingling with their fellow-" men." This was all the harder, as one had a very good chance of winning the mile (perhaps creating a record), while another was in the running for the high jump. We are afraid that sympathy is but little comfort to them, and so we can only say, " It is the fortune of war ; better luck next time."

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

We are very pleased to learn that henceforth Greek will be compulsory on the Classical side. For the last few years, Science has been allowed as an optional subject, with the result that a considerable number of every class have been impisapol, and with the farther result that the Classical side has been threatening to degenerate into another Modern side. The change that has now been made will ensure a greater number of candidates from the School for the Bursary Competition, and, consequently, we hope, greater successes therein. The General Meeting of the Natural History Society was held at the end of the last session, on 13th June, when the following officials were elected for the coming session :—President, A. L. Thomson; Vice-Presidents, E. Main and B. T. Saunders ; Secretary and Treasurer, I. G. Innes; Committee, E. W. Fenton, A. R. Fraser, A. A. Ritchie, J. D. Smith, I. S. Thomson. We learn that Former Pupils, approved of by Mr. Charles Davidson, will be admitted as members, on payment of the subscription of is. 6d. .

At present, there is about one Librarian to every member of the Library—just rather too big a proportion of Librarians. Hurry up, you fellows, and join! It is only one shilling to do so, and for that sum you may read yourselves blind with bloodthirsty tales from now till next June. The whole place is in order, the new catalogues are printed, and so you will have no trouble at all after you have joined. As this Magazine will now have a large circulation among Former Pupils, we would take this opportunity of saying that any contributions from any such will be very welcome. Of whatever kind the contributions are-poems, personal adventures, or articles—all will be very gratefully received. We publish in this number an article entitled "A South Californian ' Hat' Ranch." It has been sent from California by Mr. J. Webster, an F.P. We are very much obliged to Mr. Webster, and should like very much if he would send us some more.

School Notes.

The Debating Society held its General Meeting on 1st October, Mr. Murison presiding. The following were elected officials for the coming session :—President, J. McAllan ; Vice-Presidents, E. Main and A. L. Thomson ; Secretary and Treasurer, W. G. Walker; Committee, C. Buchan, R. Forgan, W. Inkster, I. G. Innes, B. T. Saunders. It is specially requested that there should be a very large membership this year, as with such a talented staff of officials, the debates are sure to be good. There will also be a number of interesting lectures ; so turn out in force, Upper School, and show that you take a little interest in the life of the School.

The Annual Swimming Sports were held on Friday, the 14th of June. There was a very good attendance both of boys and visitors. A full account, with the list of prizewinners, will be found farther on.

a a a

The " Footer " season has come round once more. No time was allowed to elapse between the Sports and the first practice, and by this time we may be said to be well into the season. The School XV. ought to do well this season, as Mr. James W. Milne is taking no end of trouble to coach it, for which we extend our very warm thanks. 0 tf• It will be observed that this number of the Magazine appears with a change of cover. The Editorial Committee have once more to thank Mr. Samuel Pope for kindly supplying them with an appropriate and artistic design.

a a a

Now, gentle readers, it is with great relief that we lay aside our pen for the present. Before we meet again, Christmas will have come and gone, and so, in accordance with an unalterable custom, in this number we wish you all a very " Merry Christmas," and, in so doing, repeat our request that you should look with a lenient eye on our first attempts.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

In order that this record may be made as complete as possible, all readers are invited to send to the Editor any information they may gather concerning former pupils of the School. Our School counts no fewer than three of the knighthoods given on the King's Birthday. Sir James Donaldson, LL.D., Principal of the University of St. Andrews ; Sir Mortimer Clark, Governor of the Province of Ontario ; and Sir William MacGregor, Governor of Newfoundland, are those whom the King has delighted to honour. Sir James Donaldson is taking a keen interest in our new Magazine, and is to give us something which we are sure will be well worth reading in a future number. We have also a letter from the Right Honourable James Bryce, H.B.M. Ambassador to the United States, in which he promised, some time ago, to write us an article when he had a little leisure. Let our Editor remind His Excellency. P. Chalmers Mitchell, M.A., LL.D., D.Sc., F.R.S., Director of the Zoological Gardens, London, has been made a member of the Commission appointed by the Government to inquire into the condition of the British Fisheries. Dr. Mitchell has now translated into English several of the works of the Russian savant Elie Metchnikoff. We have read with pleasure in M.A.Y. an autobiography of Mr. James C. Inglis, the General Manager of the Great Western Railway. Mr. Inglis, in the course of his article, says :— At the age of thirteen I was sent to Aberdeen Grammar School. Just as I had enjoyed my childhood, so I enjoyed my school-days. I entered this well-known school on the opening of the then relatively

Notes about Old Boys.

magnificent building in Denburn. The old classical Grammar School on Schoolhill was, after the University, the pride of Aberdeen, wreathed as it was in memories and associations of long years—and here it was that Lord Byron was operated upon for Latin and Greek, but by whom I forget—and the closing of this institution definitely marked off the old from the new order of things. I well remember that we youngsters had a trying time with the newly-imported English master, who insisted on our struggling with pure Saxon. I believe this acted as a not unnecessary antidote in making us more resigned The usual course at the to the difficulties of Latin and Greek. Grammar School lasted four years, but by chance my school-days came to an end about a year before their proper time. One day I happened to wander into the hall of the University, mainly to look at the pictures, and on the spur of the moment I entered my name for the annual examination for bursaries, and went through the performance of answering what questions I could, as well as taking in my surroundings. Some two weeks after, I was decidedly surprised when my father asked me what I had been up to, as he was told a bursary was awarded to me.

Rev. W. M. Cruickshank has gone out as a missionary to Pondoland, Kaffraria. Mr. Cruickshank graduated M.A., with first-class honours in Mathematics, in 1901, and then went into business in London. At the end of two years he entered the Edinburgh Theological College, and was ordained a deacon by the Bishop of Brechin in 1905. Mr. A. F. Milne, A.R.C.O , has been appointed organist and choirmaster of St. John's United Free Church, Dundee, and also Professor of Music at Madras College, St. Andrews. Mr. Milne graduated M.A., with honours in Classics, and subsequently took up the study of music. Our orchestral section will miss him ; but our loss is St. Andrews' gain, and we wish him the best of luck. Rev. G. B. Thomson Michie has received and accepted a call, as colleague and successor, to the Gourock Parish Church. Mr. Michie is a graduate in Arts of Aberdeen University. A. P. Gray, Superintendent of Railways, Ceylon, is at present home from the " Sunny Isle." We have many former pupils in Ceylon—among others, David Scott, manager to a large tea firm there ; Arthur Barnett, employed as a civil engineer on the railways ; and Fred. H. Fraser, who is now manager of a large tea and rubber estate. We had a letter from Fraser recently, and he does not forget his old school-days. He has become a life member of the Club.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine. •

We greatly regret to hear of the death of W. R. Buttenshaw, M.A., B.Sc., at Calcutta. Buttenshaw was in Aberdeen for a considerable time this summer, and was looking forward to taking up his new appointment of Economic Botanist of Bengal. After graduating at the University here, he obtained a post in the Imperial Department of Agriculture in Jamaica and Barbados, where he remained for seven years. He was a great favourite at school, and keen on cricket and tennis.

A. M. Bisset, who was under Mr. Robert Williams in Central Africa, has gone out to join his brother Archibald, who has been farming in Rhodesia for some years. Before leaving this country he entered the bonds of matrimony. Dr. J. F. Christie, who was Vice-President of our Club for a number of years, was married recently. Stodart M. Chrystall, M.A., B.L., has begun the practice of his profession in Aberdeen. Two parties of former pupils spent their holidays in Switzerland this summer, and we have heard rumours of many climbing feats. We have also heard vague rumours of another party who visited Hamburg and Copenhagen. Hector Edmond, who was home on holiday, has left for India. He is in the Garrison Artillery. Captain H. F. Lyall Grant is now stationed at Gilgit, Kashmir. He has also become a life member of the Club. Minto R. Gillanders, M.A., is teaching Science at the Elgin Academy. Henry Gray, jun., is now in business in Vancouver, and his brothers William and Charles in Winnipeg. Dr. G. O. Gauld is practising at Elvington, near York. He has re-established the cricket club there, and is one of its strongest supports. He occasionally assists the Gentlemen of York in their matches. Dr. Arthur Kellas is at present resident doctor at the Sick Children's Hospital, Aberdeen. Dr. A. J. Milne, Medical Officer of Health for Mauritius, is expected home on furlough soon. Dr. Milne has given up football, but has become very keen on cricket and tennis.

•

Notes about Old Boys.

P. Margetts, who was in the Aberdeen office of the Caledonian Insurance Company, has been transferred to the Edinburgh office. Harold Merrylees is now manager of an engineering business in Liverpool. A. M. Mackay has retained the honour of Scottish lawn tennis champion. He was recently married to the eldest daughter of Mr. Alexander Ledingham, who was one of the first to become a life member of the Club. Mr. William Smith, advocate, has been on a tour in Canada. A. F. V. Stephenson is now resident in Leeds. John Sangster, jun., has received an appointment on the staff of a Glasgow firm of chartered accountants. Arthur Shepherd graduated M.B., Ch.B. in July; his brother William is taking his diploma at the Glasgow School of Mines; George is tenant of the farm of Shethin, Tarves. Herbert Wiseman, M.A., is studying music at the Royal Academy, London. We have had to thank him on many occasions for his kindness in helping us at our concerts. J. Cruickshank Smith, a son of Dr. Smith of Newhills, He is analytical chemist to a large London firm. specializes in the manufacture of paints. Douglas H. W. Williamson is studying dentistry at the Royal Dental Hospital, London ; and T. Watson has received an appointment in a firm of East India merchants there. Dr. Henry Watson, who was one of our best runners a number of years ago, is practising in Norwich. He was married recently. A. R. Williamson, M.A., Christchurch, Oxford, has gained a high place in the recent Indian Civil Service examinations. Mr. George Ironside, M.A., Rosehearty, has become a life member of the Club. He was a pupil of Dr. Melvin. He writes us that he must make up for lost time in having neglected to take a greater interest in his old school. We hope a few more will do likewise.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

Mr. John Gill, S.S.C., Edinburgh, who graduated in Other new life 1855, has also become a life member. members are : —Mr. William Dewar, M.A. (1872), who is now a master at Rugby ; Mr. William Garden, M.A. (1870), paper manufacturer, Penicuik, Midlothian; Mr. Alex. Reid, Assoc.M.Inst.C.E., M.E., F.G.S., Chester, who is home from China; and Mr. Frank W. Michie, one of His Majesty's Inspectors of Schools, who is now resident in Edinburgh. We note with pleasure that bursaries of £1o have been gained in the College of Agriculture by George C. Cheyne, A. J. Findlay, George M. Johnston, and Fred. C. Spring. We met Norman Leslie, M.A., B.L., in London this summer, and spent a happy time with him. He is now married. For several years he has been private secretary This involves to Henry Arthur Jones, the dramatist. journeys to the United States and Canada and frequent Continental trips, on matters relating to the production of new plays. Only we prefer the sort of holiday that we ourselves had this year, which was all play and no work except the work involved in selecting the best hotels that could be got in the European capitals. Yes, it is pleasant to be We travelling companion to an American millionaire. But our natural could an if we would a tale unfold. modesty forbids. We shall only say that, of all the capitals we have seen, we prefer Vienna. Then, as a corrective, came Marienbad, where we saw King Edward taking the waters daily. And what a rush to be the first to sit in the chair that the King vacated! One of our keenest members is Alexander G. Wright, M.A., who is chief of the Educational Department of Scinde, India. He was the first member to order the new F.P. colours to be sent him. We are waiting for their appearance to forward them. He has promised to write an article for the Magazine. Many a good game of bridge did we play when he was on furlough for a year. Good luck to him, for he is one of the best. Claude A. Barron, Indian Civil Service, who has been home on furlough for the past year or so, has been motoring in France. He was at school from 1879 to 1887. He was present at.the Sports, and was full of wonder that not more of the senior boys were competitors. So are we.

Notes about Old Boys.

•

At the F.P. dinner he was sitting next his cousin, John Hall Barron, B.C.L., barrister-at-law. By the way, it was quite a pleasing and very fitting innovation to see several gentlemen at the dinner wearing their Orders. We hear that Fred. W. Galloway, of the Indian Police, who was at the dinner and proposed the toast of " The School," is on furlough for the winter, and that he is reading for the English Bar. Alexander Robson has got an appointment as engineer on a tea plantation in Assam. Wm. Reid, late Modern V., has entered Glasgow Technical College. " The Stoic Creed " is the name of a book by Professor W. L. Davidson, M.A., LL.D., recently published by Messrs. T. & T. Clark in their " Religion in Literature and Life " Series. William P. Milne, M.A. (Aberdeen), B.A. (Cambridge), has been awarded a Carnegie Scholarship. He is working at the higher geometry of curves and surfaces. Another has been awarded to Francis S. Marr, B.Sc. (Agric.), for agriculture. Mr. Milne is now a master at Clifton College, Bristol. The death occurred suddenly, in August, of Dr. James Henderson Mackay, of Manchester. He was a graduate in Arts and Medicine of Aberdeen University. For the last two and a half years he successfully carried on a large and increasing working-class practice in Manchester. The death took place, in July, at Christchurch, New Zealand, of Rev. John Elmslie, D.D., minister of St. Paul's Church, Christchurch, and formerly minister of the Free Church at Kennethmont, Aberdeenshire. He occupied a high place as a theologian and scholar, and was the author of many contributions to theological literature. The death occurred, in the middle of August, of Robert M`Killiam Routledge, barrister-at-law, late acting Chief Judge, British West Indies. Born in 1851, he was called to the Bar in 1879, and became a member of the Western Circuit. In 1891 he received a Government appointment as a colonial judge, and went to the Falkland Islands, where he remained till 1894. In that year he received promotion,

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

being appointed Stipendiary Magistrate and Justice of the Peace at Port of Spain, Trinidad. He was again promoted in 1901, and at the time of his retirement in 1906 he held the high position already mentioned. During the riots in Port of Spain, some four years ago, Mr. Routledge was the presiding judge at the trial of the rioters. Rev. Alexander F. Moir, senior minister of Hilton United Free Church, Woodside, and father of the Presbytery of Aberdeen, died, in September, at the age of eighty-five. W. Keith Leask, M.A., is preparing for the New Spalding Club Volume III. of " Musa Latina Aberdonensis," the first two volumes of which were edited by Principal Sir William Geddes. Robert Weyer Dunlap, who was a pupil of the School in 1896 and 1897, received the degree of Doctor of Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, in June last. He has since received an appointment to a Pittsburg Hospital. He took the degree of B.A. magna cum laude at Washington and Jefferson College a few years ago. . Dr. W. F. G. Scott has gone to take up the practice of his profession in Uruguay, not far from Monte Video. He hopes to meet Charles Sleigh, who is engaged in banking there. He is at present deep in the mysteries of Spanish. Vaya Usted con Dios, Sefior ! Another Spanish-speaking F.P. is James Clark, of Mexico. His brother tells us that James is now an ardent supporter of bull-fighting, and is a director of the Plaza de Toros of the City of Mexico. 016, lion Jaime! Still another correspondent we have from a Spanishspeaking country. Ernest A. Buchan writes us an uncommonly interesting letter three or four times a year from Chile. He is engaged in the nitrate business in the far north of that country, near Tocopilla, on the edge of the barren pampa. He still plays a good game at football, and sends us some interesting photos of the game. Only, we have not the same accompaniments to the game at home, for we notice in the foreground a refreshment cart with the wine in ice-pails. 0di Persicos apparatus. The life is lonely, and amusements are few, and occasionally there are riots among the workmen, and knives and revolvers are in general use.

Notes about Old Boys.

•

Then, of course, we have George and Albert Gray, from Cartagena, Spain. We ran against both of them in Regent Street in July. George had just arrived from Madrid that morning, and had a pleasant story to tell us of success in the silver mines of La Union. And Albert has got into quite a good practice in the Spanish colony of London. He has a flat in Welbeck Street. We are glad to note how well J. Brown is getting on as assistant-manager of the Caledonian Hotel, Edinburgh. It is an excellently managed place, our F.P. giving great satisfaction to all. At the Institute of Oil Painters, the place of honour is given to Sir George Reid's portrait of Sir Henry Littlejohn, the famous Edinburgh doctor. W. WM. Anderson, M.A., has received an assistantmastership under the Kirkcaldy School Board. He used to be a tower of strength to our football team. Herbert Jones has been appointed to the Inland Revenue Office, London. J. A. Morrison, M.A., is an assistant-master in Fortrose Academy, and James Shirran, M.A., formerly Dux of the School, is Science master in Dornoch Higher Grade School. Geo. H. Mair, Christchurch, Oxford, is editing for the Clarendon Press "The Arte of Rhetorique," 1567, by Thomas Wilson, and contributes an introduction.

•

Charles Giles has got an appointment in the Home Bank of Canada. His brother George, who is chief subeditor on the London staff of the " Allahabad Pioneer," was married this autumn. James, who left eighteen months ago, came to see his old school lately. He is doing well in an East India merchant's office in the City. We hear that Robert A. Henderson, hon. lieutenant in the army, who used to take such a prominent position in the F.P dramatic performances, is giving up business in Aberdeen, with the intention of going to Tobago, West Indies. He intends to be a planter in that lovely island. Vanilla and cocoa will he his chief crops. We all remember with pride that he took part in the South African campaign. • Another prominent member of the F.P. Club is to leave for Penang in November. Not only the Club, but the

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

School societies as well, have many a time been under a debt of obligation to James C. H. Macbeth. No sooner did we speak of a piano for a school concert than the free choice of the best one in Aberdeen was offered us. We understand that Mr. Macbeth will join his brother David in Penang in the management of a large emporium which will supply anything from a brass ring to a triple condensing engine. Mrs. Macbeth accompanies her husband, and to both of them, as well as to Mr. Henderson, we say god-speed. In the Macbeth family we have three generations who have been pupils—Mr. Macbeth, senior ; Mr. Herbert Macbeth ; and his son Charlie, who is at present in the Lower School. John Webster (1897) has been appointed secretary to the United States Drug Milling Company, Philadelphia. John Kesson has been appointed second assistant to the Professor of Physiology in the University. We had the pleasure lately of being present at the eighty-eighth birthday of George Allan, advocate, who takes such an interest in all our doings. To see this veteran on the street, and to have heard the vigorous way in which he replied to the toast proposed in his honour, few would guess his age. Many more birthdays may he see ! The Dramatic section of the Club is well on with its rehearsals of that highly amusing play, " The New Boy," which is to be produced in our Hall on December 13th and 14th. Judging from the strong cast both of ladies and gentlemen—all but one have been on the boards more than once—an excellent performance should be given. J. Cromar Watt, who makes those beautiful enamels that so many of us should like, if we could afford it, to give away as wedding presents, is off again to Spain with Mr. Douglas Strachan, the artist, to search the hidden nooks of the Peninsula for curios—" plunder of convent and castle, and piles of carpets rich and rare." W. W. Gauld (1898) has received a call to Fairlie U.F. Church, Ayrshire. W. G. Davie, who was a medallist on the Modern side in 1885, is home from Burma on two years' furlough. He is in the Public Works Department of India, having passed from Cooper's Hill.

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Notes about Old Boys.

An eminent surgeon recently made the public statement that the two men generally acknowledged to be at the head of the medical profession in Great Britain were two F.P.'s—Dr. David Ferrier and Dr. David Nicolson, C.B. And another David, an article on whom appears on another page, was at the head of the world of letters in Britain—Dr. David Masson. The Vans Dunlop Scholarship of £ioo in Moral Philosophy, open to students of Edinburgh University, has been divided between John Laird and another student. An admirable example of esprit de corps, which we should like to see imitated, was shown by the members who were in Class Lower IV. of the year 1898-9. They held a reunion in the Queen's Rooms on June 17, when they entertained to dinner George Kilpatrick, who left the School in '99 to accompany to Canada his father, who had been made Professor in Knox College, Toronto. Mr. P. G. Allan presided over a company of fifteen, and an evening full of reminiscences of the olden days was passed. Kilpatrick gave an interesting account of student life in Winnipeg and Toronto, where it seems that many of the students spend the long vacation in Government Survey work. They explore some of the little-known corners of our vast Canadian Dominion, and come back to study full of vigour and full of Imperial sentiment of the right sort. Those present were : —A. C. Macrae, Sydney Allan, Fred Wishart, John H. Craigen, James R. Murray, Douglas M`Millan, K. B. Miller, G. Kilpatrick, John D. Thomson, Chas. D. Peterkin, R. M. Porter, James Bannochie, Eric Brander, A. B. Mackie, L. F. Merrylees. Among the toasts were :—" Our Guest," proposed by A. C. Macrae ; " Miss Mackie," proposed by Bannochie, and replied to by A. Mackie, jun. ; " The School," proposed by Wishart, and replied to by Mr Allan ; " The IV. Lower," proposed by Thomson and replied to by Brander.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

IN MEMORIAM FARQUHAR MACRAE. Born 20th September, 1887 ; Died at Ardelve, Kyle, 23rd September, 1907. With deep regret we record the death of our schoolfellow. For the last year at School his health had given cause for anxiety, but there seemed little reason to fear in one so robust that the cold contracted at the Bursary Competition, following on an attack of measles, from which he had just recovered, would have ended so rapidly in a fatal result. He had been a member of this School since 1st February, 1902, having gained a MacRa bursary in 19o1. By steady application he came well to the front in all his classes, his perseverance and manifold ability, especially in Mathematics, giving promise of high distinction. Nor was he less distinguished in all that concerns the athletic and social life of the School—as President of the Literary and Debating Society, honorary Librarian, and for three years in the Football Fifteen, which he captained last season. Throughout, his character was marked by manly simplicity, straightforwardness, and loyalty. Teachers and schoolfellows alike respected him, and those who knew him best loved him most, and will long cherish his memory. Our heartfelt sympathy is with the bereaved parents, who have lost their only son in the springtide of his manhood. Quis desiderio sit pudor aut modus Tam cari capitis? •

Random Notes. ONCE again the Sports have passed, and the field is now prepared for the more serious business of football. We must congratulate Mr. Summers upon the exemplary conduct of the pistol, which has been the butt of the jests of Random Noters since time immemorial. The stowaway capacities of the members of the Lower School were not quite so much in evidence as usual, but it will be a long time before the big field is cleared of toffee wrappers.

Random Notes. A baby-comforter was found on the field lately. Can it be that the field is being used as a playground for the infant inhabitants of Leadside Road while the members of the School are at home or in the classrooms? Away, harrowing thought! The article in question was afterwards hung up on the walls of the Seventh classroom, the ceremony being performed by a member of the Sports Committee. The Sports Committee are a game lot, as the master who removed the comforter said. @ @ @ We regret to state that, owing to an indisposition, the Denburn is at present confined to its bed. The Fourth Lower desire to record their gratitude to the " Footer" Captain and his assistants for the splendid ammunition afforded by the touch-line. The sods are of the exact thickness requisite for effective bombarding, and, being dug by spades, are far superior to the common hand(or foot-) made article. The school teacher was entering little Adolphus upon the roll :— Teacher—What is your name ? Adolphus—Jones. T.—And your father's name ? A.—Jones. T.—But his other name ? A.—Mr. Jones. T.—No, no. What does your mother call him ? A.—Silly old fathead !

A correspondent sends us the following query :—" If it takes a three-legged beetle i•j days to crawl through a barrel of treacle at 2d. per lb., how long will it take a oneeyed tailor to make a double-breasted tartan vest for the School flag-pole ? "

Library. A GOOD many books have been added since the publication of the catalogue. A list of these will be found in the Library, and members should fill in this list in the blank pages at the end of their catalogues. The Librarians thank G. M. Ledingham for the copy of " The Prince and the Pauper," which he has kindly presented.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

David Masson. " From Love's shining circle The gems drop away."

—The Last Rose of Summer. THE death of Professor Masson removes from our midst not only the most distinguished Scotchman of his time but the last, with one exception, of the band of Aberdonian Augustans who shed fame and lustre on their native city and the Grammar School. John Hill Burton, Professor Blackie, Professor Bain, Professor W. Garden Blaikie, Professor Masson have passed away. Dr. Walter Smith, born 5th December, 1824, in 16 Blackfriars Street, alone remains. So many changes have taken place in the streets of Aberdeen in recent years that it takes a really strong effort of memory, even with those not yet arrived at gray hairs, to picture to themselves the exact surroundings and position of the Grammar School as these men knew it. The old building in the Schoolhill, whose unbroken site, at least, went back to the oldest days of the city—older than the battle of Largs, in 1263, and old in years and history when Provost Robert Davidson left his shop in the Shiprow to fall at Harlaw—had been rebuilt in 1757 for the moderate sum of £400. The whole school and playground might have been almost held inside the present hall, yet this was the place that had such an abiding hold on the memories and affections of all these men. There is no need here to remind the reader what Masson has done for the School. His memories of it remain a cherished possession of all Old Boys, and, indeed, of all Aberdonians. It is peculiarly fitting, accordingly, that the features of Melvin and Masson are both preserved in the Mitchell Window in Marischal College. That eulogy of Melvin has been incorporated by the present Rector in his admirable volume, " Bon-Record,issued last year, and to that source all with confidence can be recommended who desire a memorial of our School and its great Latinist. The portrait of the man and his surroundings is there drawn with loving care, and shows how deep and lasting had been his memory for the past. Nothing can be added to it ; the thing has simply been done for all time. Only after long reflection and brooding

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David Masson.

on the subject could such a thing be done. " It is long," he said, " since I determined one day to say something in public on Melvin." When it came, it was seen to have been worth the waiting for. It goes to the root of the matter, and the result is like his friend Dr. John Brown's " Letter to John Cairns, D.D." "Brown," as one of his friends said at the time, " was long in getting wound up and letting himself go, but when he did it, the last word was said." Both portraits are very Scotch: the one of the Northern, So matterful are the other of the Southern type. they, that many readings do not exhaust the charm of either. " Great teachers," writes Dr. Cantlie of another Aberdonian, Dr. William Pirrie, " leave with their pupils an impression, a picturesque presence, well nigh impossible to convey in writing. The greatest teachers are those of the various religious beliefs, and they taught, not by writing, but by the influence of personality and by the power of speech. A real teacher implants in his pupils' memories words, sentences, principles, modes of action, groundwork of beliefs, and beliefs themselves, which are carried into the daily life of the individual, and, maybe, handed down to posterity." Eminently true of Melvin, it is equally true of Masson in Edinburgh, where some critics have already not failed to notice that the Melvinian instincts, habits, and ideals of work and accuracy abode with him and influenced him all through life. " Had Melvin," he said, " taught nothing, the very sight and the moral influence of the man were a priceless education in themselves." Yet all this was done in a mean building in the Schoolhill. There Melvin formed the characters of thousands of Aberdonians, as Masson, in turn, handed on the influence and tradition to thirty Arts classes of Edinburgh students. He was first bursar, out of 76 competitors, at Marischal College in i835, entering in his twelfth year. By a curious coincidence, one of his class in Arts bore my own name. Marischal College then was pre-eminently for "toon's bairns," King's College drawing on the country and North generally. The names of the successful competitors were then declared from the windows of the Town House. The crowd of expectant schoolboys had hung about Broad Street all night, till in the grey of the morning the Rev. John Murray, one of the city ministers who sat in conclave over the Latin Version, at that time the entire test of the Bursary Competition, descended the stairs, eager, no doubt, for his breakfast, and informally announced that David

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

Masson was the first bursar. I remember how, in 1871, in the present School, the City Fathers and clergy sat late into the night over the Visitation Exercise—something about Cadmus and the f0unding of Thebes—and how Dr. Spence, of Footdee, came out to betray the "Cabinet secret" that my version, after long and heated discussion, had been declared " sine errore." I have not seen it noted, but I believe Masson himself used to declare his great indebtedness, both at school and college, to an almost forgotten Aberdeen worthy. There was no Debating Society at either. I fancy such a thing in the thirties would have seemed revolutionary, and a direct attack on the Fifth Commandment. Ideas on literature and poets—Tennyson began about that time to be mentioned in Aberdeen—were then discussed in the shop of "Tea Willie Smith," 196 Union Street, mentioned by Dr. Walter Smith in his " Raban," as one for whom

Nor sun, nor moon, nor star, not chime, Set punctual tide for him or time, For all his habits were at strife With orderly, mechanic life.

They used to spend hours rambling at night in Union Street, especially about the façade of St. Nicholas, discussing the new stars beginning to appear on the literary horizon, stars like those which, in another firmament, he said he used to see from the top of the old observatory of Marischal College. After graduation in 1839, he studied Divinity for one year under Dr. Chalmers at Edinburgh. Chalmers, Carlyle, Melvin, were the three ideals of his life. Of Chalmers long after he said he was the man of men given to him in his youth to know, "the man I fondly think I see in my dreams." His friend, Professor W. G. Blaikie, dux of the Grammar School in 1833, has also expressed the same feeling :—" During the thirty years in which I lived in 9 Palmerston Road, I felt it a distinct source of pleasure that my house was a few yards from the grave of Chalmers. I never passed it without a sense of elevation, a feeling of being lifted up to a higher level of thought and feeling." The chief events in his life may be briefly chronicled here. In 1853 he succeeded A. H. Clough as Professor of English Literature in University College, London. In 1865 he returned to Edinburgh, as successor of Aytoun in the English Chair, and this he held till his retirement in

David Masson.

1895. He was for thirty years one of the most successful men in a Scottish University Chair, producing a long train of students on whom he left his mark. What he himself had said of Melvin, others, in turn, had come to apply to himself. He enjoyed what the French call a "posterite contemporaine," and was regarded by all men as peculiarly associated with the capital of Scotland. When he first knew it, Wilson was the best known figure on its streets ; ere he died, Professor Blackie filled the place vacated, to be succeeded by Masson, "the grand old man of Edinburgh," as Lord Rosebery styled him. During his long career, he had come to know all his great contemporaries in civil and literary life, both at home and on the Continent. The Edinburgh of his early days still remembered the traditions of Scott and his predeChalmers was living in Inverleith Row, Sir cessors. William Hamilton in Great King Street, the leonine figure of Christopher North was an everyday vision, De Quincey was at Lasswade waiting his subsequent biographer and editor, Cockburn and Jeffrey upheld the name of the "Edinburgh Review." Of this band, Masson was pracAberdeen Honours came upon him. tically the last. made him a Doctor of Laws in 1864, Dublin in 1892, Edinburgh in 1896, St. Andrews in 1905. In 1893, he became Historiographer Royal for Scotland, an honour twice conferred on a pupil of the Grammar School—on Masson and on John Hill Burton. At the time of his death, he had reached his 85th year, having been born on 2nd December, 1822. His last two letters to Aberdeen practically bore on his early days. On the death of Dr. Bain, he wrote on 5th October, 1903, to say that his present state of health prevented him from expressing "in any adequate manner the feeling with which I look back on my life-long comradeship with Dr. Bain, and the strength of my affection for his memory." The Quatercentenary of the University found him unable to be present, but ready to testify his " unabated affection " for his native city and the Grammar School. He was a sound Scotchman, and a genuine Aberdonian. Like all really strong natures, he clung to the ways of his youth and the accents of his birthplace. He stood for the town, the University, and the School, betraying a rooted dislike of all weak, denationalized snobs, who, after being exposed to the corrupting ways of the alien, return with a relaxed speech and a cosmopolitan affectation. He knew

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perfectly the history and traditions of Bon-Accord, leaving with all the impression of a deep pride in, and affection for, the city. He was never taken for anything else. In this he was scarcely like Professor Blackie. "I'm an Aberdonian like yourself," he said to me, " but I keep it dark. I can get none to believe me." Certainly, he had little of But Masson had it, and the type associated with us. gloried in it. As the apostle boasted of his "no mean city," and as the chief captain declared that he had bought with " a great sum" the Roman citizenship, he had come to believe that the " civitas Aberdonensis" was not in the market even for millionaires, but could be acquired only by birth or by education at the Grammar School. He retained strong to the close his native tongue, the best in Scotland, if not, indeed, the best in the island. He would recall how, long ago, he had seen a policeman in London running along a dark street at night with a lantern. Out of the darkness came an unknown voice with an Aberdeen accent. "Hey, man, faur are ye rinnin' wi' that bowat ? " The policeman stopped and cursed the man for his " Portugee lingo." The word had fled the Broadgate to die in London. How many men in Aberdeen have heard the word? Not ten, I believe. Yet, in 1566, the Town Council decided on the erection of " ane gryt bowat or lamp on the east gable of Sanct Ninian's Cheppell, upon the Castlehill," and in 1627, in view of an expected descent of fourteen Spanish ships on the town, erected a " fyir bitt " on the Hill of Brimmond. He retained also the simplicity of manner of his early days. He loved to recall how, nearly seventy-five years ago, he and the now last survivor of the Grammar School class, together with " Eddy Fiddes" (Edward Fiddes, deceased manager of the North of Scotland Bank), on the school holiday of the first of May, each with a penny in their hands, spent the live-long day at Tony, expending their pence on milk at a farm, which still exists, on the road descending from the tramway terminus to the Bay of Nigg. That survivor of the class, the oldest alumnus of Marischal College in the Quatercentenary procession, I met —he is a relation of mine—under the Mitchell Window last I He was vigorous and erect at eighty-eight. year. pointed to Melvin and Masson in the window, and, knowing the class pronunciation of his name, said, " Saw ye Davie Messan onywye aboot? " " No," said the veteran, " Davie tell't me he couldna come. I am the class."

David Masson.

1 believe it was whispered some time ago he was engaged on the production of his " Autobiography." I hope Meanwhile, the suggestion of a the belief is correct. ' Masson Medal " for the Grammar School seems a fitting memorial of one so long a tower of strength and source of legitimate pride to all concerned in its welfare. I am sure the idea will not be lost sight of. WM. KEITH LEASK.

Death of a Former Rector of the School.

THE death took place on 5th September, at the age of 82 years, of Mr. Alexander Martin, M.A., who was Rector of the School from 1869 to 1881. He succeeded Dr. William Barrack, and retired when the School was taken over by the School Board and a reorganisation of the classes was carried out. The following appreciation of Mr. Martin, from the pen of a well-known Old Boy, Mr. Alexander Mackie, appeared in the Aberdeen Free Press, and will be read by many Former Pupils with great interest :— " Martin was an excellent teacher, a model disciplinarian, and gained the reverence and respect of all his pupils. A graduate of 1844, he belonged to the old school of Classical masters, but even amongst these was conspicuous for his thoroughness. His grounding in Greek grammar was masterly, and even his Latin teaching in the highest class, although it took little note of the literary side, was highly stimulating, and produced good Latinists. " These were the days before preparatory departments, before science laboratories, and other modern novelties, when the Grammar School was a Classical School, pure and simple, with English and Arithmetic, and a very small modicum of Mathematics thrown in. The classes numbered five, with an average attendance in each of about forty. The Rector taught the Latin and the Greek of the Fifth or highest class, together with the Greek of Class IV. He was not understood to exercise authority over the other masters, and yet, in a way, he was responsible for the general discipline of the School. It followed that while the discipline of his own class was perfect, he was often called in to adjust the affairs of some of his less efficient colleagues, and then he could be stern and coldly and silently severe as Rhadamanthus himself. But in his

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own class he had no occasion to exercise discipline. His presence was enough, and even when the members of Class V. were writing their Latin version in the back part of the Rector's classroom while he was instructing Class IV. in elementary Greek, the fact that he was there was sufficient to repress all youthful ebullitions. Upstairs, later in the afternoon, those boys, so douce, so polite and reverential in the Rector's room, were suddenly converted into little demons, in whom the elements of politeness, so far as the master was concerned, were gloriously non-existent. So it was in the playground. Whatever mischief was hatching on the slopes dissipated as if by magic when the whisper went round that the Rector was coming. The only time we remember his administering corporal punishment for offences arising out of his own class was when a pupil showed that he had absolutely neglected his home preparation. Very probably the Rector was waiting for his opportunity, but that did not strike us at the time. It was in the Latin class, and the pupil went blundering on making a dreadful hash of a passage in Livy, which was, perhaps, beyond his compass, for he was but meagrely equipped with Latinity. The Rector was silent, but his face gradually assumed the stern expression that characterises Justice when in her militant mood she finds it necessary to unsheath her sword. Then Martin proceeded to his desk, took out the tawse, and without heat or temper of any kind, without a word of reproof or reproach, administered a substantial but not excessive castigation. The situation was impressive. There was silence deep as death And the boldest held his breath.

"He was sparing of praise or blame—a man of few words. This made his utterances all the more potent when they came. He said not a word in commendation of a ' sine errore' version, but the twinkle in his eye as he handed back the paper showed that he was pleased. He seldom made a joke in the class, but when a pupil perpetrated some ludicrous blunder, or when anything of a laughable kind emerged to lighten the drudgery, he laughed heartily with the class, and indulged himself at such moments in a pinch of snuff, for he kept up that decaying habit. His teaching was not conspicuous for any novelty or speciality of method, but it told from its thoroughness. Little ground was covered, but everything was done so

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Death of a Former Rector of the School.

minutely, and the discipline and attention were so perfect, that the class made good progress. This fact begat an interest of its own, and made other and adventitious aids unnecessary. We have heard pupils who were with him in the lower classes, before he was promoted to the Rectorship, recall with gratitude that he made them learn and repeat the stirring passages in ' Marmion,' and they were always ready to give proof that these extracts had not been forgotten. "He was a man extremely reserved, and, as far as one could judge, seemed to suffer from an abnormal shyness. Although, as we happen to know, extremely interested in the success of his former pupils, he did not show it. If you met him in the street—and you seldom had an opportunity of crossing his path elsewhere—the interview was somewhat unsatisfactory. Apart from the constraint on your side, which was a natural survival from schooldays, there was constraint on his side, and the colloquy was not sustained with any vigour, and came to an abrupt conclusion. With his intimate circle, it was different, but casual meetings at long intervals could not break down the wall of reserve. He was, however, a scholar and a gentleman, and although his Rectorship was short, he left a wholesome influence on the character of his pupils. It was, as we have seen, a silent influence, but none the less effective and lasting. He was a worthy Rector of a great School, and it is to be regretted that changes in the regime necessitated his retiral before his powers were spent."

Byroniana.

OUR distinguished collaborator, W. Keith Leask, has two Byron Grammar School anecdotes, reference to which has not before been, made. In Alma Mater, 16th January, 1889, Professor Bain gives some reminiscences of Prof. Wm. Knight, his professor of Natural Philosophy at Marischal College. He says :--" At seven he [Professor Knight] entered the Grammar School, and remained there the usual time—I793-8. He was a contemporary with Byron, though not in the same class. He used to relate that, on one occasion, Byron (two years younger) tore his jacket, and was recompensed by a sound thrashing." Mr. Leask says that this is the verbatim account of the inci-

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

dent : —" Byron was a mischievous brat, sir—a d—d mischievous brat. One day he sat next me in school, watched a button on my jacket, and cut it off with a knife. But I gave him a hiding for it—a d—d good hiding, sir." The second thing was :—Byron said he hated dumpy women. " You needn't say that," said the youthful Knight in retort. " Think of your own mother. I never saw a dumpier." The experiences of these youthful connoisseurs of female beauty—about nine or so—are truly refreshing.

A South Californian " Hat" Ranch. STRANGE DISCOVERY IN TEHACHEPI COUNTRY. W. T., inheritor of his father's millions and confirmed

globe-trotter, had stepped off at Fresno on his way to San Francisco and Japan to visit Jim D., manager of the Ioaquin Nursery Company, and chum of his boyhood days. "Jim," said he, "you're in the horticultural business ; why don't you go down to the Tehachepi country, dig up some of those wonderful shrubs and trees I heard of down there, ship them up here, and start a hat ranch? " " A hat ranch! Wonderful shrubs and trees! What are you talking about? " " I don't know what kind of a plant it is, but there's a bush of some kind down there that grows hats." Jim looked at his friend with a twinkle in his eye. " Bill," he said, " you always were a credulous, swallow-it-all sort of chap, and I see the years haven't changed you much. Say, want to go snipe-hunting to-night? I'll get you a gunny sack and a candle, and all you'll have to do is to stand in one of my irrigating ditches, light the candle, open the bag, and whistle " Mollie Darling," and the snipe will just come flying in. "Shucks!" he exclaimed. Bill grinned sheepishly. " Are you never going to forget about that old joke you But, Jim, this is played on me when we were kids? straight. Listen. As I came over the Southern Pacific yesterday, just as we swung into the State from Arizona, Not a solitary we stopped at a station called Cactus. house was in sight except a little adobe depot, but the platform was crowded with these Digger Indians of yours.

A South Californian "Hat" Ranch.

There were thirty or forty of them, and they had come There was nothing remarkable to see the train pass. in blue shirts, belts, and bucks clothes—the about their brogans ; squaws in variegated calico. But I'm blessed if everyone of them was not sporting the very latest thing in tiles and millinery. You never saw such a complete and up-to-date assortment of head-gear—derbys, alpines, The squaws were `Stetsons,' and dinky tourist caps. sporting fancy flats, chips, picture hats, toques--oh, I know 'em things. I've got sisters that talk about them. Well, I was astonished. I made my way to the platform. The engine up in front was taking water, and that gave me time to make some inquiry. " ' Where do you people get all those hats and bonnets ? ' an old codger in a shiny tile. asked I " ' Git 'urn from tree, git 'um from bush,' he answered. "I put the same question to a young buck farther down the line. He was wearing a fluffy, red wool tam-o'shanter. Blue Nose Charlie Ranch. Heap plenty. " ' Ugh! Pick 'urn from bush. Pick 'um from tree.' " Just then the conductor called out `All aboard,' and I had to cut short my investigations. But there is no gainsaying the fact that there's a hat ranch down there growing some kind of a plant that fruits or blossoms hats." " Pouf! Absurd! Why, look here, old man, you are trying to square up for some of those old tricks. I'm on to you, old boy," and D. chuckled gleefully at his own powers of discernment. " I'm giving it to you straight, Jim," protested T. " Why,' even the brakesman on the train, when I spoke to him about it, said it was the strangest thing how those Indians changed hats every week, even keeping up with the season—straws in summer, felts in winter—and not a hat shop within a hundred miles." The earnestness of the speaker produced some effect. "Well," conceded D., " there may be some mystery about it, but you know, Billy, there's no such thing as a plant, bush, or tree that can produce a hat. I'll tell you what we'll do. This is the time of year for my vacation, and you are in no hurry to get to 'Frisco. I've got a good tent and a neat little camping outfit. We'll pack up and slide down there for a week, have a jolly time together, and satisfy our minds about the whole business." T. was delighted with the proposition. The next day

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

found the two friends on a Southern Pacific train bound South. Their route lay through a broad valley, with high mountain ranges on each side of the track. Towards the afternoon they noticed these mountain ridges were converging to a point ahead, and there was a decided up grade on the road at that place. Soon they entered a narrow cut, and when they emerged, a panoramic view of a vast arid expanse lay before them, contrasting strongly with the green, fertile valley they had left behind. The road for some distance was now down grade. Soon after reaching the lower levels, the train came to a stop at Cactus. The two travellers descended, and while their baggage and bundles were being unloaded, looked around, and there were the Indians exactly as T. had described them, and there were the hats. Besides themselves, the station agent, up ahead busy at the door of the baggage car, was the only white man to be seen on the platform. " The first thing is to find a good camping spot, pitch our tent, and get comfortable," said D. " Then we can look up your blue-nosed friend." " Hadn't we better hire one of those fellows to guide us and attend to things ? " suggested T. " They're a meanlooking bunch, though. Which one had we better take, Jim ?" " How about the statesman over there with the JoeBailey-of-Texas sombrero on ? " "Too old. And look at that face of his! It would sour the biscuit dough every morning to have him round. I choose the dude—the one with the pearl-grey fedora." " Too young and flighty looking. He'll be away from the camp most of the time calling upon his squaw sweethearts. Ah, there's our man, the doctor with the stovepipe hat on. Neither too young nor too old. Looks reliable, too ; but you can never tell with these beggars." It took some time to make the " Doctor" understand what was wanted of him, and why the strangers had come to this part of the country. Finally, a bargain was struck. Headed by the guide and some of his tribemates bearing the belongings of the two campers, the party took the path that began at the end of the station platform and wound along between rocks and cactus thickets. After some distance was covered, the way led downwards into a crack-like ravine, from the lower end of which they emerged upon the bottom of a canon several hundred yards

A South Californian " Hat" Ranch.

in width, but of such high and steep sides as to make it appear much narrower. A brook or creek went purling along its length, with From the green-growing meadow grass on each bank. steep, sheer sides of the canon, trees and shrubs jutted out almost horizontally. There was a striking difference in the vegetation of the north and south walls. That on the south was green and luxuriant, while that on the north Glimpses of scattered shacks was dwarfed and scanty. and primitive abodes, hardly better than animal burrows, could be seen farther down, and these proved to be the habitations of the "Doctor" and his fellow-tribesmen. A site was selected, the tent pitched, the bundles and boxes unpacked, and everything arranged according to an experienced camper's idea of comfort. By this time darkness had descended upon the canon, although the sky above remained bright for some time longer. About noon next day, guided by the " Doctor," whose name was Umcapaha, D. and T. set out for the ranch of Blue Nose Charlie. Some distance beyond the Indian shacks, the canon narrowed. Passing through the narrow defile, they emerged upon an oval-shaped valley, having the same physical characteristics as that part of the cation in which their tent had been pitched. Their attention was at once arrested by the appearance of the vegetation on the south wall of the valley. From a distance it looked like areas of blooming shrubbery, though individual blossoms could be distinguished. "'Um Blue Nose Charlie Ranch," grunted Umcapaha, waving his hand to take in the valley. "'Um hats," point"'Urn wait," ing to the vegetation on the south wall. he said with a gesture as the white men were about to proceed. "'Urn listen." From the sky overhead came the rhythmic sounds of a rapidly-moving railroad train. They did not begin softly and gradually increase as if a train was approaching from a distance, but they burst suddenly upon the listeners with full force, and then gradually diminished. " Hoo! h-o-o!" mimicked Umcapaha, and " Hoo! h-o-o!" responded the locomotive. " That's the north-bound tourist express," exclaimed D. " But say, man, she doesn't stop at Cactus. She's blowing for Tehachepi Pass, and that's twelve or fifteen miles from here. Strange we can hear it at this distance, but I suppose the wind is blowing this way."

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

Again they started forward, but were once more restrained by the "'Urn wait" of their guide. "'Um see, 'urn look," he exclaimed, pointing" to the blue sky above the canon top. For some time they paused, in watchful attitude. Soon a number of bird-like objects came fluttering over the canon's brink, and with graceful swoop descended and struck against the south wall, some lodging among the limbs and branches, and some dropping to the ground at the foot of the cliff. "'Urn hats," said Umcapaha. "Well, I'll be jiggered," exclaimed T. and D. in unison, eyeing each other in astonishment. The partners went on to the shack, and made old Charlie's acquaintance. They found him an aged but still vigorous Indian of some forgotten and now extinct tribe that had once inhabited the canon. They went and inspected the south wall at close range. They could see plainly that the objects lodged in the branches were indeed head-coverings from the very centres of civilization. Scattered along the ground were numbers that had fallen like over-ripe fruit. The only explanation old Charlie could give was, " Come sun so," pointing to its one-o'clock position in the heavens. " Sky send 'um hats." . They returned to the camp thoroughly mystified, and the next day again repaired to the ranch, and beheld, as before, the phenomenon of the in-fluttering hats. The third day they made their way to the surface, and took up a post of observation at the edge of the carton, just above old Charlie's shack. An unusually strong wind seemed to be blowing from the north. In a short time they saw in the distance the white puffs of the " through tourist." The long train whirled by the little station two miles away at full speed, and apparently in perfect silence. As it took the winding up grade beyond, it looked like a worm slowly making its way along. The pass was V-shaped, and just as the train reached a point in line with the watchers and the lower angle of the V, the sound of a rapidly-moving train burst upon their ears, and then gradually died away. They saw two white puffs shoot upwards as the train entered the Tehachepi cut, and in a few seconds came the " Hoo! h-o-o-o! " that Umcapaha had imitated.

A South Californian "Hat" Ranch. For a few minutes nothing further attracted the attention of the watchers, when T. exclaimed— " Look, Jim, here they come." A group of objects that they now knew to be hats were flying swiftly through the air like wild ducks. As the floating objects neared the canon's opening, they described a curve, descended the cleft in the plain, and struck against the south wall of the canon. "Bill, those hats came from Tehachepi Pass," exclaimed D., excitedly. " By Jove, I have it! They came from that train that went through ten minutes ago. It took the hats some time to get here, so we didn't see the connection at first. This wind is almost strong enough to blow the train itself down this way. There's your mystery solved, Bill." Jim was right. The superheated air of the Lower California deserts rises very rapidly towards the afternoon, and induces strong lateral currents to flow in from all sides. Tehachepi Pass, at the south end of one of Middle California's great valleys, serves as a nozzle of a gigantic funnel, through which the southward-moving atmosphere rushes with gale-like fury. Advised by their guide-books of the beauty of the scenery at this point, tourists, ignorant of the local atmospheric conditions, crowd to the platforms of the coaches to get an unobstructed view. As the train swings around the curve and enters the pass, the full force of the wind is suddenly felt. There is a frantic clutching of rails, a wrenching away of whatever may be detachable about persons, and the air is sown with such objects as hats, veils, feathers, and wraps, and at Blue Nose Charlie's ranch down in the Tehachepi canon the harvest of this sowing is reaped. JAMES WEBSTER. California. Rancho Verde, Southern

The Museum. THE following valuable collection, from China, has been presented by Mr. Alexander Reid, F.P.: 1. Twenty Chinese pictures on silk (mounted, with the text, on ten silk rolls), depicting a romance of the Sung Dynasty, by the artist Chou Chih Ju, of the

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

Ming Dynasty; painted about 400 years ago. Procured by Mr. Reid at the capital city of the Sung Dynasty—Kai Fong-Fu, Honan, China. 2. Piece of silver " sycee," mounted on a small stand— the present currency of China. This piece is described as a " Hong ping pai pao tael," Tientsin scale of weight; quality described as "white silver "—i.e., about gg per cent. fine. 3. String of Chinese copper cash, and one piece of the old form of " trousers" cash, used about i,ooo years ago. 4. Abacus, or calculating machine, used by Chinese accountants. 5. Chinese coal jet thumb ring, from Honan. 6. Three bracelets of coal jet, from Honan. 7. Silversmith's set of scales, in case. Mr. Reid has also accompanied his valuable gift by the narration to which these admirable specimens of Chinese art form the illustrations. His article will appear in the next issue of the Magazine. Funds are much needed to frame these pictures, in order to preserve and exhibit them suitably Mr. Wrigley, Clitheroe, through Mr. R. Fenton, has sent us very handsome additions to our collection of British birds' eggs. Mr. Dunbar has presented three fossils.

Letters from Old Boys Abroad. FROM time to time letters are received at the School from Old Boys living in distant and widely separated parts of the globe. We now give extracts from two letters recently received by the Rector, and we hope in future issues to publish extracts from other letters. Nothing can be more appropriate in a school magazine than to have direct news from Former Pupils who have gone out into the world, and we hope that many Old Boys will send us news of themselves and let us hear of any interesting experiences they may have had. The first extract is from a letter by Stuart M. Robertson, who writes from Calgary, Canada, as follows :— " It was with great delight that I read the account of the Prize Day of my old School out of a clipping sent from home. It caused me to stop and think of the happy days

Letters from Old Boys Abroad.

I spent in the dear old ' Grammar' ; and although never brilliant in my classes, I was always able to take a fair place in the athletics and games of the School. Often while I was in the R.N.W. Mounted Police, I used to think of my old School and all its associations, when I would be riding alone over the great prairies of this great North West. I have knocked up against quite a few old ' Grammar' boys out here. Bryan Wright is in town here, and J. W. Milne is also here, a son of his being at the ' Grammar' now. I have seen a great deal of the country, and hope this winter to see still more, as I intend going to British Columbia. I am always glad to hear anything of the ' Grammar,' and follow the doings of the teams past and present with great interest." The second letter is from James W. Walker, and comes from Plantation Diamond, Eastbank, Demerara River, Georgetown, British Guiana :— " It is a good many years ago since I promised to write and let you know how I was getting on. I daresay you will remember that when I left School some ten years ago,. I left it to go to sea. There I remained for eight or nine years, but not finding the work quite to my taste, I have given it up, come out to Demerara, and taken up sugar planting. The life of a planter suits me far better, and at present I have no idea of giving it up for any other. I am writing these few lines simply because I think you are always interested to hear of the welfare of Old Boys, and I think it is quite a kind of duty for Old Boys to keep in touch with the School. You will be pleased to hear that I get the Grammar School Magazine regularly, and it seems to me as though it were a link between the old schooldays and the present time. When one reads of old schoolmates and their doings all over the world, one feels proud of having been at such a School as the Aberdeen Grammar School. Not only that, but when one is sitting in a house all alone, in the backwoods of some foreign country, one passes many happy hours thinking of old schooldays; and there is no doubt whatever that the reading of the Magazine calls up many of these thoughts. You will be interested to hear that there are at least two other Old Boys besides myself out here—namely, G. C. Taggart and G. W. Morgan. I saw by the June, 1906, Magazine that they have both been through the San Francisco earthquake. G. C. Taggart arrived here the other day, and went to a plantation of the name of Skeldon, and G. W. Morgan and his brother are both on a plantation called-

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

Ifluct, and from all accounts are doing very well. There are several other Aberdonians, several of them being Gordon's College F.P.'s, and it is very amusing, when we get together, to hear the friendly rivalry that goes on about the two schools. You will probably want to know the prospects that this country holds out for intending immigrants to this colony. If any ' Grammarians' are thinking of coming out here, my whole-hearted advice to them is, " Don't come." Canada, or even Australia, holds far better prospects than this place for young men who have any grit in them and are capable of doing hard work. The chief industry of this colony is sugar, and one might say the colony—I mean the revenue—is practically based upon sugar. There are one or two gold mines, but I doubt very much whether they pay well. The climatic conditions of the colony are vile, malarial fever being very prevalent all the year round, and to one who has never before been in the tropics, this generally means the pulling down of a strong and healthy constitution. There is practically no opening for men, even with capital, starting anything here, as the only thing that seems to grow is sugar, and sugar at present is at a very low premium. Lawyers, doctors, arid practically all the professions are controlled by the Government of the colony, and they generally send out their own men. I see by the Magazine that W. Harper, manager of the Bombay Motor Car Company, has won the Indian Challenge Trophy of 2,500 rupees. This is of great interest to me, as I happened to meet Harper quite by accident when I was in Calcutta about two years ago. He had then just come out to form the company. Another Old Boy, James E. Baxter, who is in an insurance agency out there, Harper, and myself spent one or two very pleasant evenings together. The same year I spent a couple of months in Assam, and there met Elliot Rae, who is the manager of a tea plantation. James Bower, also, is up in that part of the world in tea, but I am sorry to say I missed him, as he was away on leave. I must close now, as it is drawing towards mail time, but before I do so, let me add that I shall be glad to let you know about any old `Grammarians' I drop across here. Wishing the `Old School' all the luck possible, and with kindest regards to yourself,-I remain, etc. " P.S.—I am collecting a few curios of this colony for the Museum, and when I have sufficient, will send them on to you."

The Athletic Sports.

The Athletic Sports. THE Annual Athletic Sports were held on Friday, the 27th, and Saturday, the 28th of September. During the week previous to the Sports, we had ideal weather, and it was hoped that it might continue. But Friday morning disappointed us. The day was misty, and the ground damp and slippery, and at first it was thought that the Sports might be postponed. This, however, was not the case, and the Sports went on despite the weather. On Friday, the jumping events were of greatest interest, but these were rather poor, probably owing to the fact that the ground was very slippery. This year the cricket ball event was changed to Friday, mid was won by W. G. Walker with a throw of 88 yards. Saturday, to the great delight of all, turned out a splendid day. There was a very good turn-out, and we were pleased to see a great increase in the attendance of Former Pupils. We must congratulate T. W. Tait on his good performance in the mile. Still, we were rather disappointed with the event. Surely there are more than four fellows in the School who can run a mile. Why, it was only a few years ago that there were twelve entries for the mile. The knights, as usual, were " pricking on the plaine," but no damage was done to the Dunlops. Great amusement was caused by the event " Tilting the Bucket." We think that a rule should be made stating that no coats may be used in this event. Half the sport consists in dodging the water. The F.P.s' race was a quarter-mile this year, and was won in good style by H. T. Finlayson. But one thing was missing— the Oakbank Band. Our earliest recollections at School were the pipers at the Sports, and the familiar " Coppers for band." We were also deprived of the strenuous 300 yards race, which was to have been one of the events of the day. We had a new figure at the Sports this year, whom we thank heartily for his services. Mr. J. B. Summers has been with us for only a short time, but already he has shown us that he has a great interest in the School, and that he is an able successor to Mr. Josephs. We have also to thank Mr. Davidson, who, as Hon. Secretary of the Games Committee, has the whole burden of the management of the Sports on his shoulders. Thanks are also due to Mr. P. Edward, Dr. McLeod, Mr. J. C. Knox, and

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

Mr. A. Speirs for their services. The list of prize-winners is as follows :— High Jump (Open)--L1, I. A. Clarke. Height-4 feet 8 inches. High Jump (Class II.)-t, J. Wilson. Height-4 feet 6 inches. High Jump (Class IIL)—t, G. R. W. Stewart. Height-3 feet 9 inches. High Jump (Class IV.)—t, J. S. Ross ; 2, R. Brander ; 3, W. Stott. Height-3 feet to inches. High Jump (Class V.)—with springboard—t, C. A. Mulligan ; 2, R. McGavin ; 3, I. Stephen. Height-5 feet. Broad Jump (Open)—r, W. G. Walker. Distance—t7 feet r inch. Broad Jump (Class II.)-1, R. D. Lawrence; 2, J. Wilson. Distance— 14 feet 4 inches. Quarter-Mile Race (Former Pupils)—t, H. T. Finlayson. Time-6z seconds. Throwing the Cricket Ball (Open)—t, W. G. Walker. Distance -88 yards r foot. Throwing the Hammer (Open)—t, R. S. Law. Distance-53 feet 4 inches. Hurdle Race (Open)—t, W. G. Walker. Time-134 seconds. Hurdle Race (Class II.)—t (equal), R. D. Lawrence and J. Wilson. Time—I3 three-fifth seconds. Hurdle Race (Class II G. R. W. Stewart. Time--i6 seconds. 8o Yards Race (under 7)-1, D. S. Hay; z, J. Lindsay. Time-13 seconds. too Yards Race (Class VI.)—r, J. Peters ; 2, D. Stephen ; 3, R. W. R. Cartwright. Time-16 seconds. too Yards Race (Class V.)—t, W. Scott ; 2, J. McLeod ; 3, C. A. Mulligan. Time--15 seconds. roo Yards Race (Class IV.)-1, J. S. Ross ; 2, R. D. Lyon ; 3, W. J. Henderson. Time-13 four-fifth seconds. roo Yards Race (Class III.)—t, G. R. W. Stewart ; 2 (equal), J. Grant and F. A. Conner. Time-13 Seconds. too Yards Race (Class II.)-1, K. Tomory. Time—I2 seconds. too Yards Race (Open)—I, W. G. Walker ; 2. I. A. Clarke. Time — it one-fifth seconds. Putting the Weight (Open)-1, J. S. Stewart; 2, I. G. Innes. Distance-24 feet 6 inches. Half-Mile Race—(Class III.)--t, F. A. Conner; z, G. R. W. Stewart. Time-2 minutes 58 seconds. Half-Mile Race (Class II.)—t, K. Tomory. Time-2 minutes 42 seconds. Half-Mile Race (Open)—r, T. W. Tait; 2, W. G. Walker. Time2 minutes 28 seconds. 3oo Yards Race (Class V.)-1, G. Craig ; 2, W. Johnstone ; 3, J. Stephen. Time-54 seconds. 3oo Yards Race (Class IV.)-1, J. S. Ross ; 2, D. G. Brown ; 3, D. Taggart. Time-48 seconds. 3oo Yards Race (Class III.)-1, J. Grant; 2, F. A Conner; 3, E. Newton. Time-48 seconds. Quarter-Mile Race (Open)-1, I. A. Clarke; 2, E. Main. Time-62 seconds. Quarter-Mile Race (Class II.)-1, G. Carroll. Time-72 seconds.

The Athletic Sports.

Sword Feats on Bicycle (Open)—t, I. A. Clarke ; 2, R. D. Lawrence ; 3, J. Melvin. Sack Race (Class III.)—r, A. P. Gray ; 2, G. S. M. Milne ; 3, G. R. W. Stewart. Time-26 two-fifth seconds. Sack Race (Classes IV. and V.)—I, N. R. Robson ; 2, A. Gold ; 3, W. Johnstone. Time-24i seconds. Three-Legged Race (Open)—t, A. A. Ritchie and B. T. Saunders ; 2, T. W. Tait and J. Wilson ; 3, P. Diack and K. Tomory. Time-13 four-fifth seconds. One Mile Race (Open)—t, T. W. Tait. Time-5 minutes 34 four-fifth seconds. Drop Kick (Open)—t, J. S. Stewart. Distance-121 feet. Tug-of-War (Seventh v. School)--Won by the School. Tug-of-War (School v. Former Pupils)—Won by the School. Obstacle Race (Class III.)—t, F. A. Conner ; 2, G. R. W. Stewart. Obstacle Race (Open)—I, E. W. Fenton ; 2, S. S. Petrie ; 3, J. Ferguson. Tilting the Bucket (Open)—t, J. Ferguson and R. D. Lawrence ; 2, J. McAllan and E. Main ; 3, R. Lyon and I. G. Innes.

Prizes were kindly presented by :— Mrs. H. F. Morland Simpson ; Miss J. B. T. Davidson ; Miss Mackie ; Miss E. W. Davidson ; Miss Adam ; Miss Anderson ; Miss Maydon ; Miss Ledingham ; W. Wyllie, Esq. ; James Scott, Esq.; H. A. Holmes, Esq. ; David Edwards, Esq.; J. McBain, Esq.; J. P. Cameron, Esq. (F.P.) ; Theodore Knight, Esq. ; G. Laing, Esq. ; the Rector; Dr. McLeod; George Middleton, Esq.; M. H. Mackie, Esq.; W. Murison, Esq.; S. Pope, Esq.; W. Brownie, Esq.; J. Davidson, Esq.; C. Davidson, Esq. (F.P.); A. Speirs, Esq. ; P. Edward, Esq. ; G. N. Ritchie, Esq. (F.P.); J. M. Morrison, Esq. ; J. C. Knox, Esq. ; P. G. Allan, Esq. (F.P.) ; and J. B. Philip, Esq. R. L.

The Swimming Sports. THESE were held in the Corporation Baths on Friday, 14th June, at 2.30 p.m. The Rector presided over a good number of spectators who had gathered to view the proceedings. The first item on the programme was the race for the Rector's Cup. This was one of four lengths. J. H. Reid led for the first three, but A. G. Davidson, who had followed close behind, overtook him during the last length, and an exciting finish resulted in his beating W. A. Williamson

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

by a couple of yards, while Reid came in third. The next event was the neat diving competition. Williamson was first in this, and B. T. Saunders was second. The junior handicap race of two lengths was won by E. Middleton, who was followed by D. Stephen. The senior handicap was swum in heats, and the final heat resulted in W. A. Mackie obtaining the first place, D. C. Duncan the second. The beginners' race was won by S. S. Duncan, who went ahead from the start at a fine pace ; he finished up a good way in front of W. M`Rae. B. T. Saunders was first in the object diving, bringing 18 plates to the surface J. H. Reid was second with 17. The tub and the candle and potato races afforded some amusement, as the candles would go out, the potatoes would slip off the spoons, and the tubs would not go straight. Davidson won the candle and potato race ; he and W. S. Nicol the tub race. The plunge was the next event. Williamson won it by his final effort, which resulted in a plunge of 45 feet. This distance is only one foot behind the School record for the event. In the life-saving competition, J. Wilson and J. H. Reid were the first pair to arrive at the end of the race; W. A. Mackie and A G. Davidson were not far behind them. The Rector, at the close, proposed to the officials votes of thanks, which were heartily accorded. The following is a list of the results :— Rector's Cup (4 lengths)—i, A. G. Davidson ; 2, W. A Williamson ; 3, J. H. Reid. Neat Dive-1, W. A. Williamson ; 2, B. T. Saunders ; 3, J. H. Reid. Junior Handicap (2 lengths)—i, E. Middleton; 2, D. Stephens ; 3, W. N. Buyers. Senior Handicap (2 lengths)—ist heat-1, W. A. Mackie ; 2, J. H. Reid ; 3, W. A. Williamson ; 2nd heat-1, D. C. Duncan and J. E. Law ; 3, J. Wilson ; final heat1, W. A. Mackie ; 2, D. C. Duncan ; 3, J. E. Law. Beginners' Race (i length)—i, S. S. Duncan ; 2, W. M`Rae ; 3, C. E. Saunders. Object Diving-1, B. T. Saunders ; 2, J. H. Reid ; 3, J. Wilson. Tub Race—i, A. G. Davidson and W. S. Nicol ; 2, W. A. Mackie and I. S. Thomson. Candle and Potato Race—i, A. G. Davidson ; 2, J. Macrae ; 3, W. A. Mackie.

The Athletic Sports.

Plunge—I, W. A. Williamson ; 2, J. Wilson ; 3, J. H. Reid. Life-Saving—i, J. Wilson and J. H. Reid ; 2, W. A. Mackie and A. G. Davidson. The following kindly presented prizes : —H. Alexander, Esq. ; W. Brownie, Esq. ; A. Davidson, Esq. ; C. Davidson, Esq. ; P. Edward, Esq. ; W. D. Ironside, Esq. ; A. Laing, Esq.; A. Ledingham, Esq.; M. H. Mackie, Esq.; J. D. Mackie, Esq.; G. Middleton, Esq.; J. M. Morrison, Esq. ; W. Murison, Esq. ; C. McLeod, Esq. ; A. Spiers, Esq.

Natural History Society's Notes. June 22, 1907. The excursion to Cruden Bay—the chief excursion of the season—took place on this date. In spite of the rain, about twenty members turned up at the station. When the excursion arrived at the Bullers o' Buchan platform, the weather was quite fine. Some time was spent at the "Bullers" watching a colony of guillemots on the cliffs on the opposite side of a narrow bay. Some jackdaws, house martins, and a few hooded crows were to be seen about the cliffs, and two female eiders were seen swimming in the sea with their broods. Eggs and young were seen in the herring gulls' nests; and some of the young ones were already fairly big and running about the ledges. One member succeeded in getting within a few yards of some guillemots, but even when he dropped earth on them, each guillemot stood above its young, and would not desert it. Quitting the " Bullers" about noon, the party began to walk to Cruden Bay along the cliffs. Some time was spent watching the birds on the Dunbuy Rock: the puffins were very numerous, and had honeycombed the softer parts of the rock ; they were very inquisitive, and often flew very close to us; some of the young puffins were seen coming to the mouths of the burrows and being fed ; guillemots, razorbills, herring gulls, and kittiwakes covered the steep sides of the rock. Many flowers were found near the cliffs: one of the most interesting was the Rose-foot Stone Crop. Soon after we left the rock, heavy rain came on. It did not last very long, however, and we were able to have an hour on the beach before train time. On the beach we found a dead gannet,

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

a dead eel, a dead lumpsucker, some gunnels, four different kinds of jelly-fish, various molluscs, and other marine animals. We then ended a most enjoyable day with a musical (?) journey home, reaching Aberdeen about halfpast five. ERNEST MAIN, Secretary (19(36-7).

September 3, 1907.—On this date the Committee met in Room I., for the first time in the new session—A. L. Thomson in the chair. October 4 was fixed for the first meeting of the Society, and on that date Mr. Rudmose Brown, of the Scottish Antarctic Expedition, was to be The Committee unanimously asked to give a lecture. approved of the Chairman's proposal to have double cards of membership. The charge for membership was fixed at is., and F.P. members were to be charged is. 6d. The rules and regulations were read over and approved of. All the Committee promised to give papers with the exception of A. A. Ritchie and I. S. Thomson, who were exempted from that task. September a), 1907.—A meeting of the Committee was held on this date in Room I. to discuss certain proposals made by the Rector—A. L. Thomson in the chair. The Chairman said that the Rector had given his permission to have F.P. members, but that all such members had to be approved of by Mr. Charles Davidson. The Rector's proposal to extend the Society to a field club was discussed, but it was unanimously decided to leave the matter over till a general meeting of the Society. It was agreed to ask Mr. Pope to design a block for the heading to the Society's section in the School Magazine. At this meeting no member of the Committee was absent. October 4, 1907.—Mr. Rudmose Brown, of the Scottish Antarctic Expedition, gave on this date an illustrated lecture on "Antarctic Bird-Life." The lecture was open to the whole School. The Chairman, Mr. Charles Davidson, introduced the lecturer with a few fitting remarks, and added that Mr. Brown was the first whom the Society had had lecturing, " that had ever burst into that silent sea." At the outset, Mr. Brown pointed out what the Antarctic really was. He said that the whole of the continent comprised an area of about the size of Australia. In the Antarctic regions, he said, there was no quadruped of any kind whatever. He then proceeded to describe the habits

Natural History Society's Notes.

and the different kinds of penguins, which, he said, breeded in immense colonies, there being many thousands in each colony. He remarked that penguins, and also all Antarctic birds, were very easily approached and photographed, as they had never before seen human beings, and did not know to fear them. The largest of the penguin tribe, he said, was the emperor penguin, which was almost four feet high, and which could easily knock a man down with one blow from his flippers. There was one, and only one, real land-bird in these regions of ice and snow, namely, the Among the most important of the birds he sheathbill. described were the Cape pigeon, the snowy and stormy petrels, the shag, the great black-backed gull, and the weddell seal. He emphasised how difficult it was to approach the nests of Antarctic birds, especially the nest of the Cape pigeon, and he showed on the screen the first photograph of this fairly common bird in southern seas, ever taken by man. In conclusion, he described several of the great sea monsters of the Antarctic, such as the sea lion and the sea leopard, the latter of which, he said, grew to an enormous size. All through the lecture, his own photographs of these Antarctic birds thrown on the screen added much to his interesting descriptions of them. Mr. Main said that all had listened to a very interesting and instructive lecture, and proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the lecturer—a proposal which was replied to with the utmost applause. Mr. Charles Davidson then said a few words as to the modesty of the lecturer, and hoped that at some future time Mr. Brown might be able to give to the Society a description of the expedition he had taken part in, and with a few remarks Mr. Brown returned thanks for the hearty reception he had got. The meeting broke up about seven o'clock. IAN G. INNES, Secretary (1907-8).

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

SCHOOL v. Y.M.C.A.—This. match was played at the Duthie Park on Friday, 7th June. The School batted first, and all the best players were put out for few or no runs. The whole side compiled only 24 runs. It was a splendid evening, and there had been no rain immediately before, so that we cannot plead that we had to play on a wet wicket. The bowling was too good for us : most of us could make nothing of it. However, the School XI. took the field determined to give away no runs to their opponents, and things began to look hopeful when four of the Y.M.C.A. wickets were down for no runs. However, greatly to our discomfort, Duguid proved to be as We saw the score good a bat as he was a bowler. rising, and the wickets falling but slowly, and 33 runs had been made before all the side was out. Thus the match ended in a win for the Y.M.C.A. by nine runs. SCHOOL V. GORDON'S COLLEGE.—This match was played on Friday evening and Saturday morning, 14th and 15th June. On both days the ground was soft, and during On Friday evening rain threatened more than once. Saturday, the day grew brighter as it advanced. Gordon's won the toss, and took the field on Friday evening. The first four School men were all out for 12, and not till the Captain took the field was any effectual stand made. After this, Stewart and Jones, and then Stewart and Bannochie, scored very steadily, and when at last the former was bowled with a " shoot" which he intended to "pull,"

Cricket Notes.

the total showed 47. Bannochie, with Stewart, the secretary, and the latter with Johnstone added the rest. On the whole, the School's batting was good. At any rate, the head men retrieved their Y.M.C.A. match reputation. On Saturday morning the School took the ground hopefully, and Gordon's advanced to the wicket in a like frame of mind, we presume. Our opponents evidently put in their best men first, for 32 had been made when the fourth wicket fell. At this point a collapse set in, and the next three men were dismissed for six. Here the School made sure of victory, and, perhaps, relaxed its vigilance in the field. Whether that was the case or not, 56 was the score before M`Keggie was run out. After that M'Kinty and Forbes completed our discomfiture, and •the innings closed for 84. M`Kinty very generously retired to allow the last man to have an innings. The detailed scoring is : — SCHOOL. GORDON'S. Duncan, c. Henderson, b. Gillies 4 M'Kinty, not out, retired - - - 40 Walker, b. Gillies 6 Farquhar, b. Stewart - - - - IO Tait, c. Whamond, b. Gillies - - o Henderson, b. Stewart - - - - 2 Ingram, b. Gillies o Smith, c. Brown,* b. Tait - - - 5 Jones, c. and b. Gillies - - - - 6 Gillies, b. Stewart 0 Stewart, A., b. Gillies - - - - 18 Taylor, c. Ingram, b. Stewart - 0 Bannochie, c. M'Kinty, b. Gillies 9 Grant, b. Stewart I Lawrence, b. Gillies - - - - 2 Pereira, b. Stewart 0 Stewart, J., not out so M'Keggie, run out, b. Walker - II Johnstone, b. Gillies - - - - 9 Forbes, not out SO Ritchie, c. Henderson, b. Forbes o Milne, b. Stewart, J. - - - - 0 Extras Extras 3 5 — Total 67 Total 84 * On Saturday Brown played in place of Ritchie, who was unavoidably absent.

SCHOOL V. MONALTRIE C.C.—On Saturday, 22nd June, the School XI. went by train to play the Monaltrie C.C. at Ballater. The weather was unsettled before we left Aberdeen, and there were also several showers while we were on the way. However, by the time that Ballater was reached, the rain was over, and the day was bright and fine. The cricket ground was close beside the station, so that we had not far to go to play. On our arrival, we were informed that the Monaltrie C.C. had not a very strong team to oppose us with, as their best men were away. The School were in the field first, and were not long in settling down to get out the Monaltrie team. The bowling of Tait was very effective ; he succeeded in taking four wickets in one over, performing the "hat trick."

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

There was not much opposition on the part of the batsmen, Fortunately, the School who were all out for 14 runs. were able to overcome the bowling, and the wickets did not fall very quickly. The run-getting was not very fast until our Captain, A. G. Stewart, came in to bat. Then Stewart totalled 26 runs. the scoring was more rapid. One of his hits lifted the ball over the embankment which divided the cricket field from the railway line. There was nothing very exciting in the School innings, which closed for 55 runs. The last match of the season was thus won by 41 runs.

THE first match of the Season 1907-8 was played at School on Saturday, 5th October, between the 2nd Grammar School F.P.'s and the School. The School kicked off, playing against the sun, and pressed from the start. They were, however, held in check, and it was not long before Jenkins scored a try, after a fine run down almost the whole length of the field. Merrylees converted. The School continued to play up, but in spite of their efforts, Ingram got through and scored. Shepherd failed to convert. Soon afterwards the F.P.'s broke away, but Cheyne managed to bring them up. However, the F.P.'s were heavier than the School in the mauls, and were soon back again after the School's attempts to score had been repulsed. This time W. A. Williamson scored for the

School Football Notes.

F.P.'s. The try was not converted. Then the School defended for a while, J. S. Stewart and Cheyne being the chief ones to distinguish themselves. Just before halftime, a forward rush by the F.P.'s resulted in a try by Jenkins, which was not converted. Half-time...F.P.'s, 14 points ; School, nil. During the second half the School played up better than they did in the first half. The passing and the combination were better, and several times they broke away, but were always brought up before they had scored. After a while the F.P.'s scored again, through Jenkins. Shepherd failed to convert. Ghee and Smith distinguished themselves more towards the end of the game. At length the efforts of the School were rewarded by a try by Walker, after a five-yards maul. Stewart failed to convert. The match resulted in a win for the F.P.'s by 17 points (I goal 4 tries) to 3 points (I try).

Our Contemporaries. WE beg to acknowledge with thanks receipt of the following :—" The Scotch Collegian," " St. Andrew's College Magazine," " The Nelsonian," " The Royal Belfast Academical Institution Magazine," " The Edinburgh Academy Chronicle" (2), "The Portmuthian" (2), "The Yellow Dragon " (3), "The Portcullis," " The Fettesian " (2), " The Mercers' School Magazine," " The Olavian," " The C.A.I.," " The Tooter " (2), " The High School Circle." "The Mercers' School Magazine" is one of the best we get. It is well written, and has some very good things in it. The following, which we beg leave to reprint, will appeal to at least one side of the School :—" One of our scientists being asked what it is that smells like rotten eggs, replied, ' Suffragetted hydrogen.' " Any of the exchange magazines may be seen in the Library.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

The Former Pupils' Club. Notes. WITHIN the last year the Life Membership of the Club has This is indeed most gratifying, increased by one-third. but, at the same time, our Life Membership should be at least three times its present number, and we are hopeful that, under the new rules, which confer great advantages to Life Members, and, indirectly, also to the Club and the School, the total will be largely increased.

The Ordinary Membership now stands at about 65o, practically double the number at this time last year. There must be hundreds, however, who are unaware of the existence and objects of the Club, and we trust every member will do what he can by sending to the Honorary Secretary the names and addresses of any Former Pupil he knows, are not members, in order that they may be communicated with. The much and often-disputed question of colours was well debated at the Special General Meeting, and, eventually, it was decided to have distinctive colours for the Club, and to adopt those selected by the Colours Committee. These colours are magenta and dark green, and information regarding them will be found among the Club notices. We are afraid that everyone will not be pleased with these particular colours, as the matter is largely one of taste. We hope, however, that they will meet with the approval of the majority. At any rate, we have it on the authority of the Colours Committee that, so far as they could ascertain, the same combination as chosen does not elsewhere exist. The Executive were exceedingly pleased that the resolution to increase the subscription and send the Magazine post free to all the members of the Club was unanimously passed. We trust that none of the present members will think it their duty to resign on account of this, for we are sure the Editors will do their utmost to make the Magazine most interesting. We are exceedingly indebted to Messrs. Charles Davidson, W. Keith Leask, and Theodore Watt

The Former Pupils' Club.

for so kindly undertaking the editorial part of the work on behalf of the Club. We quite recognise that their duties are onerous, but we are certain they will be successful, and we trust they will be ably backed up by the members, and so have their duties made easier. :„;

9f.

We understand that the Executive will endeavour to send with the next issue a supplement containing a list of the members of the Club, with their professions and addresses, etc. The work of preparing this will be considerable, but the Honorary Secretary hopes to have it completed as soon as possible. 0 Saturday, 5th October. began on Evenings The Club The arrangements with the Palace Hotel have been considerably improved upon since last year. We have now possession of a much larger room, and the tariff to members of the Club has been reduced. We understand that a feature of the programme is to be bridge matches with other clubs in town. We are sure the Club Evenings Committee will do everything in their power to make these evenings a success, and will heartily welcome any Old Boy. 6g,

The Dance Committee hope to make as good arrangements for the Ball as last year, if not better. Our Ball last year was a splendid success. Not a dissentient voice was heard, and we have no doubt the Committee will be The date is not definitely equally successful this year. fixed as yet, but it will probably be about the end of January, igo8. g The Annual " Cinderella" will be held in the Palace Hotel on Friday, i5th November, at 8 p.m., and the Dance Committee will be very pleased to hear from anyone who may desire to be present. They desire to point out that anyone who has not received intimation will receive a reply form from the Honorary Secretary of the Committee. We may say here that a general intimation of the various functions is given on another page of the Magazine, and that anyone who does not receive a special notice, but who may desire to be present, is requested to be good enough to apply to the Honorary Secretary of the section concerned. tp.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

The Dramatic Committee are at present engaged in getting their house in order for the presentation of the farce, " The New Boy," which will be given on i3th and A very good cast 14th December in the School Hall. has been obtained, and we have no doubt they will have the support of the members of the Club and their many The Orchestral Section of the Club will make friends. their first appearance on that occasion. We understand they are practising most diligently, and are very enthusiastic. They are greatly indebted to Messrs. Warren T. Clemens, R. Buchanan Morton, and Percival Kirby for the interest they take in the orchestra. 0 O 0 One feature of our programme for this winter is a lecture by William Garden, Esq., Advocate, on " Mountaineering," with lantern illustrations. Mr. Garden, who is an intrepid climber, has very kindly consented to come and tell us some of his experiences, and we bespeak for him a very large and enthusiastic audience, for we are sure his lecture will be interesting alike to climbers and non-climbers. The Executive have arranged to hold a Cafe Chantant in the Y.M.C.A. Hall, Union Street, on Saturday, list December, from 3 to 8 p.m. The Musical Section are to arrange the concert programme, a feature of which will be selections by our Orchestra. The Executive trust that the members of the Club will make the event widely known amongst their lady friends, and obtain promises of cakes and sweets. Members should inform the Honorary Secretary of the names and addresses of anyone who will give contributions, and these will be called for on Friday, the loth December. Several ladies have already promised to preside at the tea tables, and it is hoped that there will be a heavily laden cake and sweets stall 0 0 0 The Executive will be very pleased to hear from any of the older members who may require boys leaving School to fill up vacancies on their staff, and to put them in communication with suitable boys. There must be many Former Pupils both in and out of town who would prefer Aberdeen boys, and, more particularly, Grammar School boys. The Executive desire to point out to members that it is almost impossible in a Club such as ours to avoid some small

The Former Pupils' Club.

and unintentional mistakes being made, and they trust that members who have any cause of complaint will at once communicate with the Honorary Secretary, and the Executive will do their best to remedy the mistake. The Executive will at all times be glad to have any suggestions, and these will receive careful consideration.

The Club Dinner. Reminiscences by Dr. Nicolson, C.B. AFTER an interval of several years, the Club Dinner was revived on Saturday, 12th October, when a representative company assembled in the Palace Hotel. Dr. J. Scott Riddell, M.V.O., the President of the Club, occupied the chair, and the guest of the evening was Dr. David Nicolson, C.B., one of the most distinguished Old Boys of the School. The other members of the Club and guests present were :— Mr. H. F. Morland Simpson, Lord Provost Sir Alexander Lyon, Professor W. L. Davidson, LL.D. ; Consul-General Scott, I.S.O. ; Messrs. W. K. Leask, Arthur Clyne, A. G. Nicol Smith, Jas. W. Milne, C.A. ; Henry Alexander, jun. ; W. M. Alexander, Theodore Watt, James A.. Jeffrey, Harold E. Smith, James C. Lyon, F. H. Galloway, W. O. Duncan, Charles Davidson, H. J. Butchart, Charles Watt, H. Kellas, Norman Smith, Ian M'Laren, M. H. Mackie, A. Vincent Martin, J. B. Gillies, R. Whyte Mackay, G. T. BissetSmith, G. R. Watt, M. J. Williamson, W. L. Cook, Norman Hally, Alex. Davidson, Howard Drummond, R. Buchanan Morton, W. A. Smith, C. A. Barron, I.C.S. ; J. Hall Barron, J. M. Robertson, John Cooper, Dr. A. Ogston, Dr. Thomas Fraser, Dr. Charles Forbes, Dr. W. H. Williamson. A telegram was read from Brigadier-General Macdonald, K.C.B., wishing the gathering every success, and regretting his absence. When covers were removed, the Chairman gave the toasts of " The King" and " The Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and the other members of the Royal Family." Professor Davidson then gave " The Town," and Lord Provost Sir Alexander Lyon replied. Dr. Riddell, in giving " Our Guest," said :—" It would be superfluous for me to describe to you the high position

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

which Dr. Nicolson holds in the medical profession, or to attempt to detail to you the many high offices he has held during his brilliant career. I may, however, be allowed to say that if a medical man were asked which two medical graduates of the University of Aberdeen have taken the most prominent position in the study and treatment of nervous diseases, he would immediately say Dr. Ferrier and Dr. Nicolson. Professor David Ferrier, who was a dux of the Grammar School, has a world-wide reputation in connection with the research and topography of the brain, functions of the brain, and the study and treatment of Dr. David Nicolson has nervous diseases generally. followed up a special branch of nervous disease, and has studied insanity specially, and, particularly, criminal insanity. His opinion on this subject is first and last. He is adviser to the Home Secretary on this very difficult I extend to Dr. Nicolson a branch of medical science. hearty welcome to this festive gathering, and I ask the company to drink the health of ' Our Guest, Dr. David Nicolson.' " Dr. Nicolson, who had a most cordial reception, said :— " The kindly words used by the Chairman have made a great impression on me. Many an affecting scene I have witnessed during my somewhat varied professional and official experience. Although I am prepared to controvert a very large proportion of what the Chairman has said, I am perfectly willing to admit that my heart has always harked back to Aberdeen, although my work has lain so very far from it. My notion of coming here this evening is one which prompts me to think that any few words I have to say will be in the direction of reminiscences of past days. When I look around, I feel I am the oldest one present by a good many years, and I think that reminiscences as to the little fun and tricks of one's childhood days may perhaps be of some considerable interest to you. On being invited to be present at this gathering, I wrote a friend of mine, General Young, asking him to put some incidents As the of his past on paper. He writes as follows grandson of a Provost of Aberdeen, I have kindly thoughts of Aberdeen. I went to the Grammar School in '31, just under eight years. This was rather early, because it was desired I should enter Mr. Dunn's class, he then taking 1st Class. At the end of a year, the class migrated with him into the 2nd classroom, and after another year into the 3rd classroom. The other two undermasters were foozlers,

The Former Pupils' Club.

and their classes never half the size of Dunn's. At the end of the third year, I moved into Dr. Melvin's room, who took in it both the 4th and 5th Classes. Dr. Melvin was a well-known classical scholar, and afterwards became Lecturer in Humanity at Marischal College. I was removed from Aberdeen in '35, when in the 5th Class, to King's College School in London. The teaching was solely Latin, with, incidentally, some ancient history and geography. The fees were 1 os. 6d. a quarter, with an extra 2s. 6d. in the winter quarter for fire and light. The latter consisted of tallow dips on hoops hung from the ceiling. The School in those days was at the foot of Belmont Street, on the School Hill. Since its removal westward, it has, I believe, a Modern and a Classical side, and as the teaching is higher, I suppose the fees have risen too! For writing and arithmetic I went—or, at anyrate, was supposed to go—to a private school, but somehow, in summer, I managed to find the time could be better used by having a bathe in the sea. Perhaps you're wishing I had been taught to write better. At the Grammar School we were never bothered with impositions—punishment was with the tawse—so many pandes (pande manum). Dunn's being a good master was a " happy accident," for, under some old deed, a man of that name had a prior claim to a mastership. In conclusion, my old School, its pupils, and its Club have my very best wishes.' So far as my connection with Aberdeen is concerned," continued Dr. Nicolson, "I had not the privilege or good fortune of having been born in Aberdeen. That was a matter, however, over which I had no control. I came very early into Aberdeen, and the first thing I remember was struggling to get on to the top of a ` bowie ' on the occasion of the visit of the Queen and Prince Albert in 1848. I was sent to Mr. Rait's Infant School in Marywell Street, where my chief recollection is of the intensely strong and disgusting smell of brew from a New Testament, bound in leather, given me when I went to school. I never forgot that smell. I next went to St. Andrew's Episcopal School, and I remember on going to school one morning seeing a great crowd in Castle Street. A man, the last who was hanged outside in Aberdeen, was being, or had been, hanged. When there was hanging on, the schools were put under restrictions. I then went to ' Reidie's' School in Silver Street, where we had fights with Dr. Tulloch's School and the West-End Academy. There I made the acquaintance of three very useful tawses. The

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

master, Mr. Reid, had invented a tawse with fingers. It was a very elegant weapon, but was of no use. 1 he next was a Mr. Gray, whose right arm was shorter than his left. He had a tawse, a long, walloping thing that went round and round. One day a boy was getting licked, and I was I pretended to the sitting close to the master's back. class that I was touching the tawse, and, unfortunately, I did so, with the result that I got forty. It was absolutely no use ; but there was no mistake about dear old Michie's. His tawse was a piece of belting with the end burned, and it was no use giving a culprit more than six, as one made the hand swell, and a few more knocked all the feeling out of it. We did not care about that one. Then I went to the Grammar School, which at that time was under ' Paddy' Evans, who shortly after that had to leave. Then we had dear old Dick Beverley and Legge, a charming man. Then my master was ' Cuddy' Brebner, than who no man was further from being a fool. We all loved him. My recollections of the Grammar School are of the best. If the work done in those days did not stand on the same lines as at present, I am bound to say it had a very good equipment in the way of discipline and kindly feeling amongst the pupils and teachers. I do not remember anything of the punishments except impositions. After I left School I went to College, and then went South and took up the study of insanity. I had been lunching one day with a hospital official, having been engaged making a round of such institutions. I told the gentleman whom I was lunching with that I was tired of doing nothing, and I was told there was an opening at Portland Prison, and the result was that I was appointed to the vacancy. There were i,5oo convicts in the place. When the medical inspection took place, I sat inside a cage with iron bars, and the convicts were marched past. There was an opening in the bars through which the convict could put his tongue, if I wanted to see it. After three or four months I thought it a ridiculous way of carrying on one's profession. After a while, I had to go round the prison and see each prisoner in his cell. Floggings I disliked immensely, although I am quite convinced they were most effective and beneficial. The prisoners did not like it, and to me it was extremely distasteful to stand and look on. After sixteen years of convict prisons I was twenty years at the Broadmoor Lunatic Asylum, where there was every variety of strange creatures. I am bound to say my work at Portland gave

The Former Pupils' Club.

me a ready mind in dealing with and studying people completely and carefully without committing myself by saying or doing anything that would be painful to them. I was very . fortunate in keeping clear of difficulties. At Broadmoor we had a lot of very curious, interesting, and difficult people to deal with, which tested one's capacity for dealing firmly but kindly with creatures whose mind had more or less gone. Although I had now moved into more calm surroundings, I had still the duty of seeing for the Home Office those men, under sentence of death, whose mental condition caused a desire on the part of the Home Office authorities for a medical inquiry; but, of course, that kind of work was simple enough after a considerable amount of experience. It was not always very easy. Once I was called down with a colleague to a prison where a man was under sentence of death for a nasty kind of manslaughter on a woman The superintendent of the asylum and the medical officer of the prison both swore in the witness-box that the man was insane, but the jury found him guilty, and he was sentenced to death. The Home Office authorities thought it was a case where further advice was desirable, and I and a 'colleague went to the prison. We found that the man was pretending to be demented and not to catch what we said, and also that he was paralysed. I could see with half an eye that it was put on. We got the man to hobble round the room, and said we would like to see him at his normal exercise. We went to a balcony, and the man was put through the exercises with a couple of warders. He improved a little bit, and was getting on fairly well. We certified the man as an imposter, that all his indications were sham, and that we had no reason to believe that there was any insanity or a condition of mind indicative of want of responsibility. The sentence was carried out, and shortly after I had a letter from the governor of the prison saying that the man had chucked up the sponge. A little niece of whom he was very fond came to see him, and he broke down, stating that he could not go on shamming any longer. I. may add that there was a fourteen-feet wall dividing the exercising yard from another, and as the man was exercising we heard a sound like something heavy falling. That was the men practising on the gallows with a bag of sand exactly the same weight as the man we were examining. I thought that was a bit hot, and it was a nasty experience. I have never shirked responsibility or

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

work, and I have kept myself right by engaging in games such as golf and cricket. My experience is, that anybody who goes through the Grammar School will get on. The Scotsman has a knack of making his worth felt by his superiors. The Scotsman has a great individual chance of making his strength of character and the valuable results of his experience felt in anything he takes up. I always feel proud of finding myself with an Aberdeen man and finding him holding his own well. I have a soft spot for Aberdeen and Aberdonians, and hope it will ever be so." Mr. F. W. Galloway proposed " The School." He said he had had the honour of being shown through the School by Mr. Morland Simpson, and he was surprised to see so many improvements which had been made since he was a pupil at the School. He had great pleasure in giving " The School "—the School of the past, the School of the preSent, and the School of the future. At this stage the Chairman vacated the chair owing to another engagement, and Professor Davidson took his place. Dr. Williamson gave " The Health of the Chairman," and the toast was enthusiastically responded to. Mr. H. F. Morland Simpson, in responding to the toast of " The School," said he enjoyed seeing a revival of that gathering. When he came to Aberdeen, fourteen years ago, it was a matter of great comfort to him that the former pupils of the school responded heartily to the invitation to form a Former Pupils' Club. The object of the Club had been very heartily kept in view and carried out—namely, to keep the former pupils in touch with the present, and aid it with all good works. They had many instances of that, and not the least was when the Club, out of its slender funds, had encouraged the present scholars by giving those medals which had been referred to. It was a great pleasure to him to be present that night, because when he looked round that table he reflected with pride that many of the former pupils had been in the School in his own time. It was an honour to meet those former pupils who had been in the School at an earlier period, and it was a great pleasure to meet the younger members. He could not indulge in any lengthy remarks reaching far back, though it had fallen to him, partly by circumstance and partly by taste, to dip into the previous history of the School. The point he was most anxious

The Former Pupils' Club.

about was that the School should maintain its reputation, in spite of changing system and changing conditions imposed by the spirit of the age, and by higher authorities known as " My Lords," School Boards, and so on. The Aberdonian was at heart what he had shown himself to be in the past—a hard worker and a man who would make the most of his circumstances in life. After all, it was not the system that made the man. It was the man who took advantage of what was next him, and made the most of it, that succeeded. Under the old system, the student was almost exclusively drilled in Latin, but under the narrow curriculum the student did his best, worked hard, and made the most of his opportunities. He reminded them that a distinguished former pupil, Col. Johnston, had published a book in which a few lines gave an epitome of the careers of the many famous men who had graduated at Aberdeen University since 186o. A good deal of that book covered a period in which Mr. Simpson had not hitherto been able to ascertain definitely who were or were not former pupils. He had gone over the book, and found that 24 or 25 per cent, of those who had passed through the University were former pupils of the Grammar School. Here was the point that had present-day interest to him—Was the Grammar School to continue an important feeder to the University as it had been in the past? He was proud to say that, looking at the record during the time he had been connected with it, the School was doing as well as in the previous time. The School was still sending about 23 per cent. of the men students attending the University, and he found that 3o to 4o per cent. of the University prizes and honours were won by former pupils of the School. They must possess their souls in patience, and be thankful for a system of education which could produce a result like that. He believed they were training young men who in the long run came to the front. Of course, he was speaking of the University. He did not forget that, while a third of the students left the Grammar School for the University, two-thirds went straight into life. He believed that those who did not go to the University, in their various walks of life—and he thought he had only to look round that table to see it— were doing good work and taking a leading part in all public matters. There were still a good many blanks on the walls which could be filled with the names of those who, whether they were duxes or first bursars or not—

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

that was a small matter—had yet distinguished themselves in after life. Those blanks he intended to fill with such names as those of Skinner, the author of " Tullochgorum," Byron, and David Masson. He might say that, although Professor Masson was unable to attend the University celebrations last year, he had a warm-hearted letter from the Professor, who wrote that he would be present in spirit, and that he cherished the memory of his old School. It was a great pleasure to him to see Dr. Nicolson at that gathering, and also some of the present members of the staff of the School. Reference had been made to the Grammar School Magazine. It was an excellent paper of its kind, and he knew no school magazine which gave so much information about former pupils. He thanked them for the cordial manner in which they had pledged the toast, and hoped he would meet them on many future occasions. Mr. Charles Davidson proposed " Bon-Accord," and a very pleasant re-union ended with the singing of " Auld Lang Syne." During the evening, Mr. R. Buchanan Morton contributed to the programme a pianoforte solo, Mr. John Cooper a song, Mr. William L. Cook a selection on the bagpipes, and Mr. Maxwell H. Mackie a story. The gathering was a thorough success in every way, and it now seems certain that the Dinner will become an annual institution, with an increasing number of Old Boys present at it. [For much of the foregoing account we are indebted to the excellent report of the Dinner which appeared in the Aberdeen Free Press of October i6.—Ed., A.G.S.M.]

A. M. SUTHERLAND, Zpeciati6t lbairbrezzer, AS now returned from London with NEW GOODS, etc., for the Season. Engagements can be booked for all his well-known Specialties. Latest and Best Apparatus used, including Hair-Drying by Electricity.

NOTE.—These Premises have been newly Decorated. Telephone 17X2.

II HOLBURN STREET, ABERDEEN, Telephone 857.

For Best Value in

Footballs, School Bags, and Travelling Trunks of every Description, TRY —eb—

G. G. PETERKIN, CraveIling Bag Manufacturer,

56 Schoolhill, Aberdeen. Please note that 56 is G. G. P.'s only Entrance.

Former Pupils' Club Notices. Entries for the bridge and chess tournaments should be sent to the Honorary Secretary of the Club Evenings Committee, Mr. J. Taylor Simpson, 146 Union Street, as soon as possible. Gentlemen are allowed to choose their own partners for the bridge tournament. 4r. .1:4, The Honorary Secretary of the Dance Committee is Mr. Henry Kellas, 207 Union Street. The Honorary Secretary of the Dramatic Committee is Mr. L. F. Merrylees, 8 Belgrave Terrace.

The Honorary Secretary of the Music Committee is Mr. James C. Lyon, North Esplanade. The Orchestra meets in the School on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m., and any Former Pupil will receive full information from the Honorary Secretary. The Honorary Secretary of the Rugby Football Club is Mr. R. J. A. Dunn, 5 Queen's Road, and all Former Pupils wishing to play should communicate with him. * All the above gentlemen will be pleased to give information to any member concerning their respective sections on hearing from him.

a e

Ties, hatbands, scarves, etc., of the Club colours may be obtained from R. K. Smith, 113-I 1g Union Street, and W. J. Milne, 251 Union Street, on presentation of the membership card. *Pa @ 0?, The Magazine Committee will be pleased to receive any notes that may be of interest to the members, and, more particularly, they hope to receive articles from members both abroad and at home. Such articles, notes, etc., should be sent to the Honorary Secretary of the Club, 46A Union Street, Aberdeen.

Established 1866.

ALEXANDER GAULD, giebirionger, jfiebcurer, Vouitrv an0 Game Dealer, aii Cot' 1Liver Oil .ffialuifacturer. Shooting Lodges Supplied.

44 HADDEN STREET, ABERDEEN. Telephone No. 347. Tel. Address : "Gauld, Fishmonger, Aberdeen."

QUEEN'S

ROOMS,

120 UNION STREET, ABERDEEN. *** Afternoon Teas, 6d. (Speciality. Luncheons, from i/-. Mime, Meer, an0 %pinto of Meet Qualitp. Finest Dining, Smoking and Billiard Rooms in the Citv. Under New Management.

Telephone 02954.

HENRY CARR, Manager.

NAISTYM--_, THE GLOVE SPECIALIST, Telephone 1955.

ALBYN HOUSE, 516 UNION STREET

. .a""A

. a""a )4"-A,

THE

A Velvet-like

" ROG A,"

Shave.

As Illustration,

GET A

With One Blade,

SAFETY RAZOR.

216; With Two to Four Blades, complete, in Leather Case,

W E , ro )(

The Gillette, The Zinn, The Wilkinson, The Gem.

6'- to 10'6. Very Special Value.

Our Catalogue of Gent.'s wants shows the various qualities. and other Razors, Toilet Mirrors, Brushes, etc.

Safety

THE PRE MIER PLACE FOR GIFTS.

McMILLAN,

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JAMES D. DUNCAN, CHEMIST,

231

UNION

High-class Dispensing.

STREET. Purest Drugs. Charges.

231

Most Moderate

Patent Medicines, etc., Store Prices. Telephone 311.

PRIVATE GREETING CARDS. SEASON - 1907-1908. to announce that his Collection of above A. C. EDWARD begsare now on view.

Over 600 Designs to Select from. Prices from 2s. to 10s. per dozen. Order now and avoid disappointment. Note Address—

MAXWELL HOUSE,

21 ST. NICHOLAS STREET, ABERDEEN.

TELEPHONE 67, FRASERBURGH.

TELEPHONE 5620, ABERDEEN.

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

473 UNION STREET, ABERDEEN. Cbotce fruit.

Crosses.

liClreatbs.

.Gala06.

BRANCH-4 BROAD STREET, F RASE RBL7 RGH.

GENTLEMEN, Please:

UNION

RAFFAN,

FORREST

STREET.

FOR Up-to-date Tailoring at Popular Prices. Conducted under personal supervision. Perfect Fit with Comfort in Wear and Best Workmanship is guaranteed. A trial Order is asked fnun those who have not yet favoured us.

82 UNION STREET. N.B.—Agents for the celebrated .' AERTEX " Cellular Shirts and Underwear. NECKWEAR I ! !

CAPS! !

HATS!

SILVERSMITH.

347 UNION STREET,

/// / •

ABERDEEN.

FINE SELECTION CF

'/,): '),

,,f

JEWELLERY, SILVER PLATE AND WATCHES. Telephone No. 294. Tel grams GIRDWOOD, JEWELLER, ABERDEEN.

REPAIRS A SPECIALITY.

WALKER & COMPANY, 19 BRIDGE -

STREET,

FOR -

STEAM and ELECTRICAL MODELS. MAGIC LANTERNS-ALL PRICES. 16,000 LANTERN SLIDES for Hire.

Any Lecture Illustrated.

The Cinematograph FOR DRAWING-ROOM PARTIES.

SPECIAL PURCHASE OF CHRISTMAS BOOKS.

WALKER & COMPANY (Under Patronage of HIS MAJESTY THE KING).

19 BRIDGE STREET. and Silversmith, M. G ERARDI 411Jeweller UNION STREET (West),

Has a Large Selection of Brooches, Necklets, Pendants, Bracelets; also Silver Brushes, Toilet Jars, etc.; Silver and Electro-plated Goods, Watches, and Clocks. Had the honour of supplying the Casket presented to His Majesty the Bing on his opening the University, September, 1906.

TELEPHONE No. 204V5.

M'COMBIE'S CYCLE DEPOT, 57 NELSON STREET,

ABERDEEN.

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

ALEXANDER FRASER, WATCHMAKER AND JEWELLER. WATCHES CAREFULLY CLEANED AND REPAIRED AT MODERATE PRICES BY SKILLED WORKMEN. GILDING

AND ELECTRO - PLATING

DONE

THE

PREMISES.

CLOCKS CALLED FOR TO BE REPAIRED AND PROMPTLY RETURNED.

Note the Address:

Alex . Fraser, 19 Upperkirkgate.

TEXT BOOKS OF ALL KINDS (NEW AND SECOND-HAND) AT

D. WYLLIE & SON, 247 UNION STREET, ABERDEEN.

BEST VALUE FOR

READY MONEY.

Men's Tweed Suits, Cash Prices, 17s. Ild., 19s. 3d., 22s. 9d., 23.s. Ild., 25s. 9d., 27s 6d., 33s. 6d. ; worth a Half more. Made-to-Your-Order Suits, 33s. 641., 35s. 6d., 38s. 941., 42s. 6d., 458., and 508. ; Cheap at 25 per cent. more. Also, Waterproof Overcoats, 14s. lid , 15s. 9d.. Boys' Tweed Suits or Overcoats, Fit 5 to 9 18s. 6d., 21s. Ild., 27s. f3d. ; worth Double. Years, 3s. 11d., 4s. 11d., 5s. 11d., Os. 9d., 8s. 3d., 9s. Rd., 12s. 6d. Boys' Sailor Suits and Reefers, is. Ild., 3s. 114, 4s. 9d., 5s. Ild., Os. 11d., 7s. 11d. Every Article Lowest Cash Contractore for the Provident Clothing and Supply Co.. Ltd. Prices. Call and See Value. Send Letters and Money Orders, addressed to A. PHATT, giving Age of Boy, for Suits or Overcoats, and Short and Leg Measure for Men's Garment. Established 1875. To meet Incomes, a Weekly Payment System may he arranged to satisfactory Householders. NOTE ADDRESS--

CROWN CLOTHING COMPANY, tailors, lbatters, an0 Outfitters, X 185 GEORGE STREET, ABERDEEN.

Telephone 1945. DO

YOU

KNOW

THAT

THOMSON makes Delicious CARAMELS At 2d. per Quarter. Fresh daily. •

To be had only at

THOMSON'S TOFFY SHOP,

402 UNION STREET (sui?ionTrst.), ABERDEEN.

"THE DIVAN," bigh.class tobaccos, Cigars, Cigarettes, pipes, etc., 504 UNION STREET, Aberdeen.

W. Y. MACKAY, PROPRIETOR. -

Note.—The Finest BILLIARD SALOON in the North, equipped with best Tables by Messrs. Burroughes & Watts, Ltd.

cRoNxn\I -ra7x Rooms, 5 CROWN STREET (NeArstit0effice), Where a (1OOil CUP OF COFFEE cam be had.

Chocolates, Contectionerp, Caries, ant pastri? IN GREAT VARIETY.

BONBONIERS a Speciality. Proprietrix

- - - - Miss C. MACLEAN (Late Manageress with Mr. KENNAWAY).

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