The Vigornian June 1888

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JUNE 1888.

No. 13. VOL. II.

Editorial Football T h e School Concert Cricket .......

Rowing Across New Zealand - ,* Fives T h e S e e o f Worcester Schola Vigorniensis The Severn Athletic Sports School Officers School Entertainment T h e Library The Late Rev. Harman Chaloner Ogle Entomology .

Chess School News Correspondence Accounts, King's Scholars, Chess Problems, &c.

PAGE. 195- 196 196-197 197-198 198-199 199-200 200-201 201-202 202-203 204 204-207 207 207 208 208-209 209-2*0 2IO-2II 211 212 212-213 213

J6bitorial j|N offering the present number to our readers, we feel bound to make some apology for the non-appearance of the Vigornian last term. Editors are not jugglers ; and it is no more within their power to produce a number out of nothing than it is for those uninitiated in the art to fetch an egg out of an empty hat. No editors, however laborious, could undertake to

DOUBLE NUMBER, PRICE is.

prepare a magazine entirely on their own responsibility1; and as no contributions of any kind were sent in to us last term by members of the School, we were obliged, much against our will, to postpone the present issue till the Summer Term. We hope that our subscribers will accept this double number, including the excellent photograph of the College Hall which we have just obtained, in the place of the two numbers which we promised them.

It may seem a little late in the year to publish any remarks on the Football Season ; but as we print in another column an article on the subject, which should have appeared last term, a few words may not be out of place here. Last season's football cannot be called a success, as it consisted mainly in a series of efforts on the part of some half-dozen enthusiasts to get a decent number of fellows down to practices. Whatever this may be called, it is certainly not Public School Football. We heartily support the idea of playing a number of outside matches; but there is great justice in the complaint that, without larger and and more regular attendance at practice, we shall never be able to put a respectable team into the field.

We thoroughly congratulate the members of the Rowing Club, and the School generally, on the great success which attended the Scratch Races held last

THE VIGORNIAN. term. They brought to a most satisfactory conclusion a season which witnessed an immense advance in the prospects of the club ; and we cannot express too earnestly our hope that, under the new system adopted this year for the first time, the club may, if it has not done so already, claim for rowing the position of honourable equality with cricket and football which it held in the school ten years ago. That result, if attained, will be owing almost wholly to the kind and persevering energy of Mr. Hartley, who has already thrown himself heart and soul into rowing, as he has into all school games. It is perhaps rather late to offer him a formal welcome; but it is with feelings of warm gratitude that we see him taking that place in the school for which he is so thoroughly fitted—viz., that of " patron-general" of the games.The Athletic Sports, as most of our readers have •good cause to remember, were almost entirely robbed of their usual interest by the storms—of the canine and feline order—which interrupted them on both occasions. Nothing but a poor show could be looked for under such circumstances, and, as might have been expected, the open jumping events were especially feeble. We congratulate C. Counsell on winning the Champion Medal of the year.

We published in our last number a letter—the last of a long series—suggesting the formation of a School Debating Society, to be conducted on Parliamentary principles.

The proposal at once met with very general support ; but it was fouryd impracticable to carry out the idea in its original form. One good result, however, of the discussion raised on the question, has been the institution of regular Sixth Form Meetings. We cannot here attempt to criticise all the measures which have, through the agency of these meetings, been passed with a view to the general interest of the School ; but we are bound to notice one which affects ourselves very greatly. We have lately received several complaints from various quarters, against the old practice of selling the Vigornian to our friends 'in the town.

We felt that there was great reason in these complaints ; and accordingly brought before the Sixth Form a scheme by which this objectionable custom, hitherto necessitated by our lack of funds, might be entirely done

away with. Without entering into the details of the scheme, we will merely say that, for the future, we shall send copies of every number to our subscribers, whether to the Sports Fund or the Library. We would remind our friends at the same time that these funds are always in want of aid, and that we shall look for an increase in .subscriptions now that the "Vigornian hawker" no longer molests the kindly citizen some two or three times a year.

We may just mention, before quitting the subject of Sixth Form Meetings, that rules for the constitution of a Debating Society—not on parliamentary lines —have already been drawn up, and it is hoped that the first meeting may take place before long. In addition to this, the Library has at last been thoroughly re-organised ; but, as the Dean said in making a generous gift of books the other day, the shelves " cry aloud " for volumes to fill them.

Ifootball. | E A R L Y ten years ago, Worcester Cathedral Grammar School could turn 'out one of the finest Football teams in the Midlands, and occupied the seventh place in the list of English Public Schools in the Football Field.

We find our fellows thrashing Leamington College and Magdalen College School, playing a good match against Birmingham Grammar School, and meeting, with varying success, some of the strongest teams in the neighbourhood. One of the most successful seasons the School ever went through was that of 1878-9. It is a fact worthy of notice that in the issue of the Vigornian for December of the latter year, we find for the first time a complaint with regard to the falling off in the attendance at School practices.

Since that time the Football team has steadily declined in strength, and the reason is not far to seek. Editors and correspondents have reechoed that complaint a dozen times ; but year after year has seen the School's ancient glory fade by degrees into a mere phantom of its former self, and year after year a small knot of true-born Britons, jealous of the great Vigornian name and reputation, has watched with savage bitterness the continual decrease in the

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number of regular players, and beheld again and again the defeat of the School's representatives, longing for the tide to turn, yet practically powerless to prevent the evil. For the evil is one which cannot, unfortunately, be checked by the action of a small body, however strong and determined. In a school which has the fortune or misfortune to consist mainly of day-boys, compulsory attendance at practice is almost an impossibility. Moreover, there is something in the word " compulsory " which by no means commends itself to the English mind ; and an English boy is very rightly rather chary of suggesting it. We may well b>; ashamed of the necessity which compels us to mention it now. Is it to be said of a large Public School, such as ours, that Football meets with such meagre support that the authorities actually entertained the idea of compulsory practice ? Yet that is exactly what might be said at the present time, and unless a change takes place in the existing state of things, some steps will certainly be taken to achieve by forcible means what cannot be attained by voluntary support.

But why is it that a very large proportion of the School never come down to Football practice, or take the slightest interest in what was formerly the game of the School ? It has been suggested that the real reason for this lack of energy lies in the fact that matches are few and far between, and that there is therefore no incentive to hard play, since a place in the first team has lost all its original distinction. But it must be borne in mind that the reason many matches were discontinued was simply that the team was too weak to enter the field with any hope of success ; aud this weakness was the result, and not the cause, of the disaffection. The in-school matches, too, which were started two years ago, offer plenty of interest to any fellow who has a particle of esprit de corps in him ; and we must therefore suppose that about half the school have forgotten entirely that they are members of a Public School, and that, as such, it is their duty to care for something besides their own selfish interests.

The past season has shewn very plainly what the School could achieve in the Football field if the energy which is at present expended in doing nothing were devoted to Football practice. It is to be regretted that we were unable to arrange any outside matches; for though the tail of the team #as decidedly weak, our

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fellows played better together than they have done for several years. But it is perfectly evident that, with double the attendance, we should have little to say about the weakness of the tail; and the great improvement which was noticeable in the play of the Juniors seems to point to a better state of things in the immediate future. The difficulty of obtaining matches, owing to the fact that most Schools in the neighbourhood play under Association Rules, might be overcome at the expense of a little trouble, since a few enquiries would certainly result in the discovery of enough Rugby teams to keep us employed during the Season. But it would be practically useless to arrange a number of matches if the School does not give any support to the Football Club; and it is to be hoped that next Term both Senior and Junior practices will be better attended than they have been in the past.

W. H. W.

Gbe Scbool Concert UR Annual School Concert took place on Wednesday, December aist, in the Large Hall. As the Restorations were not complete, no Concert had been given in the previous year and therefore it was with much greater pleasure that we welcomed a large company of friends last Christmas. Many old boys were present and gave valuable assistance. The Chorus was, as on previous occassions, ably conducted by the Rev. E. Vine Hall, who has taken such pains in teaching the Musical Society, and to whom the success of the Concert is chiefly due. The following was the programme :—

PART I. " Where Severn Winds " AJ.CALDICOTT, (Composedfor the School) Mus. BAC. THE MUSICAL SOCIETY. SOLO " Star of Bethlehem" S. ADAMS. MR. NOAKE (O.V.) PIANOFORTE SOLO " Grand Valse de Concert" T. MATTEL MR. W. B. PORTER (O.V.) CHORUS " Britons arise !" BELLINI. THE MUSICAL SOCIETY. SOLO " Fetters of Gold" S. HUTCHINSON. MR. H.E. ARTHURE (O.V:) QUARTETT " Beware" HATTON. MESSRS. HARGRAVES, BLANDFORD, ARTHURE, MARTIN. CHORUS " The Queen, God bless her ! "A.J.CALDicorr, THE MUSICAL SOCIETY. Mus. BAC. " The World of Dreams " F. H. COWEN. Solo MR. G. BLANDFORD (O.V.) CHORUS " The Carnovale" ROSSINI, THE MUSICAL SOCIETY, PART SONG -

THE VIGORNIAN. PART II. SCHOOL SONG " Floreat Schola Vigorniensis " Rev. E.V. HALL. THE MUSICAL SOCIETY. " The Guardian Angel" GOUNOD. SOLO H. J. HARGRAVES (K.S.) VIOLIN SOLO " Air (Op. i, No. i). DE BERIOT. MR. H. DYSON (O.V.) QUARTETT " The Three Chafers" FRUHN. MESSRS. HARGRAVES, BLANDFORD, ARTHURE, JORDAN. "The Laughing Chorus " G. F. ROOT. CHORUS THE MUSICAL SOCIETY. " The King and I " HENRIETTE. SOLO MR. E. D. JORDAN (O.V.) CHORUS " Auld Lang Syne " THE MUSICAL SOCIETY. NATIONAL ANTHEM.

Mattel's well known Valse was played with great brilliancy and effect by Mr. Porter. Cowen's Song, " The World of Dreams," was beautifully sung by Mr. Blandford, who, in response to a well deserved encore, substituted " Is it for Me ? " in capital style.

H. J. Hargraves was re-called for his Song and repeated the last verse. Mr. Dyson was vociferously applauded for his Violin Solo, which he played with great skill and feeling, and in response played " A Spanish Dance." Mr. Jordan brought the solos to an end with Henriette's " The King and I," which he rendered in capital style, and repeated the last verse as an encore. The two Quartetts received encores, " The Three Chafers " winning especial favour with all. A word must be said about the Choruses. As a rule School Choruses are somewhat lifeless, but this time the boys entered with great energy into their work, and the loud applause which followed " The Laughing Chorus," showed that their efforts were wel appreciated by the audience. At the close of the first part of the Concert Sir E.A.H.Lechinere,Bart,M.P., presented medallions of the S. John's Ambulance Society. A list of those who received medals is given under the School News.

Cricket.

1INCE last season we have reason to regret the loss of more than one member of the Cricket team ; but on the whole we may congratulate ourselves on commencing the present term's Cricket with a very fair amount of good material at our disposal. In this respect at least, our position is considerably stronger than it was this time last year, and we therefore hope to see some good work done in the Cricket Field.

The appeal made last year to the eleven, urging the necessity of regular attendance at practice, was not, we are happy to say, quite without good effect, and we can only repeat that appeal with similar earnestness, and trust to the good feeling of the School to make the season which is just commencing a more positive success than that of 1887. Last year's team undoubtedly played with great pluck and perseverance, and it would be unjust to draw conclusions from the mere proportion of matches lost and won. The teams by which we were defeated are well-known to be some of the strongest in the County—some of them may almost be said to represent the county, Spetchley for instance plays a very strong team; though last year when they succumbed to our bowling for a total of 19 runs, it Was somewhat weaker than usual. This was of course a very exceptional case; and with such antagonists it is not to be expected that we should achieve a very brilliant record of victories; but no one who saw our fellows play last year, especially when in the field, would be inclined to doubt either their gameness or their talent. But if last year's success was only negative, there is no reason why this season should not witness a very great change. The weakness of last year's Cricket was more apparent at the scratch matches, when the attendance was generally rather poor. It is not easy to see what caused this lack of enthusiasm on such occasions. Base rumour declares that the intense heat had something to do with it. We should be sorry to think that there was any truth in this appalling statement; but it is an ominous fact that on several sultry afternoons a good many fellows were reported to have been seen " mooning" about town. Such a suspicion is, however, so gross a reflection -on the English public school boy, that without some testimony of a most convincing character, we shall refuse to entertain it for a moment. But we hope to see a much better attendance this year, especially as under the new arrangement, the Rowing Club no longer claims the attention of any fellow during the present term. This fact ought in itself to bring about a vast improvement in the Cricket of the School, since there is nothing whatever to prevent the devotees of rowing from coming down to every practice. There ought to be some keen competition for the vacancies in both the first and second teams, as we expect to ha,ve as

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many fixtures as last year, jf not more.

The following matches have been arranged :— Against At Date Connellan College, Malvern...Worcester May 22nd (Resulted in victory for School by an innings and six runs.)

Norton Barracks Norton June 2nd (This match was won by Norton Barracks by 107 runs.)

Spetchley Park Spetchley'.

June 12th (Resulted in a draw.)

Mr. Fuller's School Worcester June I4th Fairfield, Malvern Malvern fune i6th Stratford Choir School Stratford June 23rd Powick Worcester June 26th Hallow Worcester June 28th Powick Powick July 5th Fairfield Worcester July 7th Spetchley ...Spetchley July 12th Wichenford Wichenford July I4th Pershore (2nd XI) Pershore July 19th Norton Barracks Norton (not yet arranged) Some of these matches are for Junior Elevens of the School.

W. H. C.

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JOOKING back upon the career of the Boat Club last term and reviewing its progress from the nebulosity which characterized its first appearance on the Severn to the splendid compactness of the races which ended a well-spent season, the chronicler finds little before him but the pleasant task of bestowing praise where praise is due. It is not the object of the present paper to set forth a eulogy upon the science of rowing, which the writer considers to stand in little need of his aid, but the fact that day after day an unvarying number of boys, with no incentives of rivalry, no hopes of prizes to crown their efforts, no excitements of a big race to look forward to, came down to the riverside often under the most unfavourable circumstances to take their turn at the oar, is one deserving of the highest commendation. The members of the Club may be divided into the Senior Four and the rest. Of the latter be it said that there is abundance of promise among them, but there being as yet little science to develop it, any definite criticism would be out of place, save this, that each one pulls

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with a will, and according to his individual abilities faithfully follows the coach's advice. As regards the former, there has been a very marked and well sustained improvement throughout, and the writer would hazard a small sum of money on their success if pitted against a school of equal size. Perhaps it was somewhat unfortunate that there was absolutely no competition for a place, since the members of the Four were indubitably marked out from the first, although even this fact seems to have had no effect upon the steady energy which was displayed throughout.

Since last year we have had the misfortune to lose two members of the crew, whose places were occupied by the two Counsells rowing two and three respectively, bow and stroke being ably represented by C. Davies and H. Webb (captain), to whose energy the Club owes so much of its vitality.

Perhaps the most interesting event—to the uninitiated certainly so—was the rowing off of the Scratch Pair Races on the last Thursday of the term..

These were divided into two—one for members of the Club, and the other for the rest of the School. The course selected was from about three hundred yards below the School up to the ferry, which proved to be a capital course. The only hitch occurred in the scarcity of coxswains, which necessitated their participation in more than one race. Possibly this may be rectified next year by securing a sufficient number of featherweights, of whom their should be no lack, and rigidly confining each to his own boat throughout.

The racing for the club prize led to a very fair display of rowing and some very exciting finishes, while the competitors for the other, who were perhaps rather fewer in number than we might have hoped for, fully made up for their want of skill by the indomitable pluck with which they pursued the occasionally devious course selected by their coxswains. A word to the latter—more races are lost by erratic steering than by any other mistake, and a weak crew carefully guided will often distance their superiors in strength who ignore the maxim that a straight line is the shortest from point to point. It may be not altogether a coincidence that the winners in each case were steered by the same hand. As regards our future prospects, it is difficult to give an opinion. It is unfortunate that, with the exception of the recently instituted scratch pairs, there is no race whatever for

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which the members of the club can enter, and however much one may deprecate the ill effects of attending races during term time, yet it cannot be denied that the emulation which they give rise to, apart from the practice known as pothunting, operates most beneficially upon the esprit and veil-being of a club. This, as we say, is unfortunate, but unavoidable, and we hope that the club will give practical proof of its vitality by a long and vigorous existence, in spite of the absence of stimulants in the shape of races. The following is the list of competitors in the scratch pairs:— I. OPEN TO MEMBERS OF THE ROWING CLUB. First Heat—Counsell ii and Davies i I Pember and Rowland ii o Won by about a quarter of a length, after a good race.

Second Heat—Webb i and Thomas i I Taverner i and Powell o Won by about a length and a half.

Third Heat—Counsell i and Faram i + Quilter i and Rowland i t A capital race, the boats being level the whole way up.

Fourth .£fort—Wheeler and Fetch bye Fifth Heat—Quilter i and Rowland i I Webb i and Thomas i o Won very easily.

Sixth Heat—Counsell i and Faram i 1 Wheeler and Fetch o Won by a couple of lengths. bye Seventh ^fedtf^Counsell ii and Davies i Eighth Heat—Quilter i and Rowland i I Counsell i and Faram i o Won, after a hard race, by half a length.

Final Heat—Counsell ii and Davies i I Quilter i and Rowland i o A magnificent race, won by two feet only.

II.

OPEN TO NON-MEMBERS OF THE ROWING CLUB.

First Heat—White and Telfer Dimont and Hill Won by two lengths.

Second Heat—Millar and Faram ii Russell and Lingham Won very easily.

Third Heat—Conacher and Dutton i Fourth .£fetf—White and Telfer Conacher and Dutton i Won by a couple of lengths.

Final Heat—White and Telfer Millar and Faram ii Won by three lengths.

I o I o bye I o I o

C. E. H.

Heroes IRevo Zealanb.

J1ERHAPS some account of a ramble which I made across the South Island of New Zealand—from Christchurch to the mouth of the Teremakou River— may interest your readers. The first part of the journey was by rail to the foot of the hills across the Canterbury Plains, These famous plains are about 120 miles

long by 40 in breadth, and from a flax-covered swamp —their state forty years ago—have been changed into another English country. The country along the line is mainly arable, and uninteresting, except to the bucolic eye; the most noticeable things along the line being a boiling-down factory—smellable as well as noticeable— a plantation of blue gum trees, and a large water-race, which takes its name from the neighbouring Malvern Hills, a rising colliery district. The train after passing through an Antipodean Aylesbury and Sheffield, in close succession, reached the terminus a few minutes before noon. Here I got on to the road, making Porter's Pass, the first night, an easy walk, though the unbridged river Kanhai, which crosses the road four times, is a hindrance ; it is generally quiet and un'assuming, but at times impassable. The next morning I made an early start, intending to reach the Beoley, thirty-five miles off. It was wet, and I met no one for several hours, except a crazy ' swagger' with his blankets and ' billy/ At noon I passed Craigieburn Station, and then for a mile or two the road lay along a mountain lake. The mist still hung about the mountains, and obscured the view, but on my return journey both lake and mountain looked their best.

Soon after I reached the Cass, where the scene was very animated, as the neighbouring runholders had met together for a road board meeting : accordingly, the landlord, Mr. Thomas Dodds, was" very busy. A welcome lift took me nine more miles to the Beoley.

The road lay along the bed of the Waimakariri, often being a mere shift cut out of the rock and overhanging the river. The mountains here are covered with bush, and gave a very gloomy appearance to the valley in the evening. The Beoley is a Government township, by no means self-sufficient; it consists of three houses, the post office, the police station, and the hotel, whose keeper also gets ,£50 a year as Government ferryman. The next day after crossing the Waimakariri river bed, my road lay along the gorge of the Beoley river. During the previous week this river had added two fresh channels to its course, and I had to cross it six times in all. The beds of these rivers are constantly changing, and the fords have to be marked out again and again. Soon after midday I reached Arthur's Pass, and began to descend the Otira Gorge; the grade here is the steepest on the

THE VIGORNIAN. whole road, for about four miles the road winds like a corkscrew staircase, and is a mere ledge in many places on the mountain side, the mountains covered with dark evergreen bush rise steeply above it, making it a wonder of the world. The hotel at the foot—not for the first time—had been washed down the week before my visit; however, I managed to feed in a small room which had escaped, and where the best chairs, hung round the room on nails, did duty as shelves. The road from here to Hokitiha is one long avenue, cut through the bush. That night I stopped at 'Jackson's,' where I met a character in the ' boss ' of the road, a pensioner of the Brasseys, and who had married i n . very various parts of the world; he was much excited, as one of his roadmen had gone mad and hidden in the bush; he must have attained as ' boss' of this famous road, a high position in the 'navvy' profession.

The next day's walk brought me to the land of the diggers—where all men are equal—to Kumara, a digger's township, of the ripe old age of ten years. I had not been long in the hotel when the local poet in his shirt-sleeves called on me. He showed me his epic poem on the birth of New Zealand, which event with laudable brevity he had celebrated in 200 lines.

The next day he kindly showed me his claim and explained to me the net-work of flumes and the system of sluicing; the claims are from four to five acres in extent, and take a man to the acre to work, the results vary of course, but the value of mere labour is computed at ^3 a week; my cicerone had paid ,£140 for his claim, and employed one of his sons at io/- a day to work it for him. The loose dirt in the claim to the depth of 100 ft. is washed down a tail race, and the gold caught in boxes, which are cleaned out, or 'washed up' every two or three months. The poet gave his age as 60, and himself kept a store. He was also learning to ride a bicycle, and'photography, of which he intended to make a business. While visiting his claim he took the opportunity of making a "prospect," by washing out a panful of earth, and leaving a few minute specks of gold at the bottom, which he presented to me : though they were only worth about 2d. he considered the prospect good. Leaving Kumara, I went by tram-way three feet wide cut through the bush to the mouth of the Teremakou. As I entered the office, two of the employes were busy settling with each other for mining

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shares, and my learned appearance caused them to ask me whether 37/6 was the half of 75/-. The Teremakou River between Kumara and Graymouth is crossed in a cage, swung on wire ropes, for 700 ft. over the river.

After crossing I returned to Kumara and thence to Christchurch, much as I had come, thankful that no swollen rivers had delayed me on either way, and with no particular incident, except a hard, but successful, chase after my boots, as they floated down a rocky creek at the rate of about eight miles an hour.

D.

jfivea.

I HE Fives Club, owing to the dreadful weather which we experienced during the greater part of February, March, and April, started play unusually late in the term, making it impossible for the majority of players to get into anything like form in time for the tournament. The junior members worked with a zeal that proved rather unpleasant when it came to almost entirely monopolising our one solitary court; but, although those of them who played in the senior tournament did not show up altogether satisfactorily, the games in their tournament proved more keenly contested than those of the senior. Some of our best players have left us since last season, but an increase of members on last year's number ought to console us for their loss. It was remarked during the Fives Tournament that there was little or no really hard play to be seen in any of the games. This, it must be confessed, was true, but it is only fair to offer the following excuses on behalf of the club :—First, that the players could hardly be seen at their best after so little practice; secondly, that the court itself has several drawbacks, which are more particularly felt when the play becomes hard, namely, its smallness and the presence of the ledge which runs down the right-hand wall. Both of these will be remedied when the new courts are built; however, many players will be extremely sorry to lose the ledge, though there is no doubt that its effect is extremely demoralising to hard play, " play on the ledge " being substituted for the latter as more paying and requiring more actual skill and less energy. It would be interesting for the

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players of the present generation to know when the new Fives Courts will make their appearance ; it would perhaps be unwise to expect them within half-a dozen years, at least, when we come to reflect that the new scheme, which has only lately come into force, was almost daily expected some nine or ten years ago; however, some of the most sanguine of us hope that an exception may be made, and that we may yet " live," as Vigornians, to play in the commodious courts which are to beautify our new playground. The tournament, for which we were favoured with beautiful weather, took place on the nth of April, and was won

by Davies, Counsell ii being second. The junior members played a tournament during the following week, Hadley winning, with Chamberlain i second.

First Round.

Hadley beat Thomas ii 15—3 Counsell i beat Button i 15—3 Button ii beat Baily i 15-8 Bavies i beat Rowland ii IS— 2 Counsell ii beat Hill iS-S Chamberlain i beat Millar iS—5 Webb i bye

Second Round.

Counsell i beat Hadley i5—i Davies beat Dutton iS—2 Counsell ii beat Chamberlain i J 5—3 Third Round.

Bavies beat Counsell i 15—-10 Counsell ii beat Webb i 15—10 Final.

Bavies beat Counsell ii 15—10 C. R. B.

See of Worceeter. j|EW, if any,of the historic Sees of England, have furnished a greater number of names to the rollof distinguished churchmen, than has the diocese of Worcester.

It is possible then that a few anecdotes about some of the more distinguished occupants of this see, may prove interesting to the readers of the Vigornian.

The first Bishop of interest that we come to, is the celebrated Oswald, who, as it is well known, built the first minster near the site of the existing Cathedral.

Buring the construction of this church, says the old chronicler Eadmer, one large squared block of stone became all at once immoveable, and in spite of the exertions of the workmen, could not be brought to the place prepared for it. S. Oswald, after praying earnestly, beheld, at least so Eadmer gravely relates, " Ethiopein quendam," sitting on the stone, and with that joviality characteristic of the mediaeval fiend, grinning at the builders. The sign of the Cross removed him effectually.

The church built by Oswald was pulled down by Wulstanto make room for his new minster. This prelate was celebrated as much for his austerity as his gentleness and humility. Many curious anecdotes are related about him which illustrate his habits and life. The practice of wearing the hair long had become quite general at this period, and Wulstan not only boldly inveighed against it and reproached the people for their effeminacy, but proceeded to show his dislike of the fashion in a practical way. Whenever anyone knelt to receive his blessing, he skilfully cut off a lock of their hair, with a little knife, that he always carried about with him, and commanded, by way of penance, that they should cut the whole off in the same manner. It is however related of this exemplary man that he was not altogether indifferent to a good dinner. Wulstan enjoyed the pleasures of the table, and, it appears had a particular liking for roast goose. Boiled meats formed the chief items of an Anglo-Saxon menu, which was probably not very extensive, therefore special instructions had to be given when anything roast was to be prepared.

Wulstan ordered that a roast goose should be cooked for his dinner. Our ancestors rose at an abnormally early hour, and the saint had a long time to get through before dinner time. He then went about his ordinary

THE VIGORNIAN. duties. It happened that he had to celebrate that day, and of course could not break his fast till the conclusion of the Office. In due time he enters the Church extremely hungry, he passes into the Chapel, near which unfortunately is situated the kitchen ; the smell of the goose soon attracts his olfactory nerves, the savour interferes with his devotions, his thoughts wander to his dinner, "studio culinae tenetur". His resolution is immediately formed : there and then he vows before the altar that from that time forth he would never taste meat; and he remained a vegetarian for the remainder of his life; as to whether or not he took the "Pledge " the chronicler is silent. Wulstan enjoys the singular honour of being the only Saxon prelate who was allowed by the Conqueror to retain his See. The story of his defying William, in Westminster Abbey, probably sprang from that fertile well of imagination—the monastic mind. It is more probable that he compounded with that excellent monarch for a good round sum, or that William seeing the superior ability and influence of the man, allowed him to remain at the post which he so worthily filled.

In the person of a certain Adam de Orleton we come upon quite a different type of prelate.

This bishop, who was contemporary with the ill-fated Edward II, enjoyed an unenviable reputation for avarice and the suspicious speed with which he was translated from one See to another. The reason for his thus changing about is aptly described in the following sarcastic distich, which alludes to the tutelary saints of the respective dioceses which he governed. " Thomani despexit, Wulstanum non bent rexit Swithanum maluit, cur yuia, plus z'aluit."

Passing over the well-known incidents connected with the life and execution of the ill-fated Latimer, the next interesting prelate we come across is John Prideaux, who was unfortunate enough to be a bishop in 1641. He was a Devonshire man of low extraction and in his youth his highest ambition was to be promoted to the clerkship of a country parish. He laudably aspired, but did not succeed, for a competitor outsang him. However through the kindness of a lady, he was enabled to go to Oxford, where he eventually took high honours, and was promoted through the discernment of Archbishop Laud to this important See. But

203

in his elevated position he never forgot this incident and often used to say " If I could have been clerk of Ugborow,-I should never have been Bishop of Worcester." During the Usurpation, his bishopric being confiscated, he retired to Bredon. To such an extremity of distress was he reduced, that he was obliged to sell his books and furniture to procure the necessaries of life.

During the brief triumph of Puritanism, the ancient throne of the Bishops of Worcester, was vacant for fifteen years, but at the Restoration it was immediately filled by George Morley. In hisyounger days he was suspected (though wrongly) of aleaning towards Calvinism.

Being once asked by a grave country gentleman (seriously anxious about the tenets of various parties), " What the Armenians, as the High Churchmen were then called, held" he answered pleasantly that "they held all the best bishoprics and deaneries." The generosity of Morley was so well known, that when he was translated to the richer See of Winchester, Charles II on being remonstrated with for his choice, said with his usual wit " Morley will never be the richer for it."

Fifty years later we find the See filled by the celebrated John Hough. Everyone knows the story of the firm stand he made, when President of Magdalen College, against the unconstitutional aggression of his imprudent sovereign.

This good man, whom as Lord

Lyttelton says, nobody ever thought lived too long, unless it was out of impatience to succeed him, is remarkable for having surpassed all other English prelates in the length of his rule, for he governed this Diocese for the extraordinary period of 52 years. He died in 1743, in the 93rd year of his age.

With Bishop Hough we will conclude our brief article, hoping that these few remarks will not prove altogether uninteresting. The subsequent occupants of the See have all been more distinguished in the field of literature than in that of politics; it suffices to say that they were all well known for that learning and unassuming piety, which forms so marked a characteristic of the venerable prelate who now sits in the throne of S. Wulstan.

M. S. B.

THE viGORNiAN.

204

Scbola tDiaorniensis.

Errat ubi magnis flumen geniale Sabrinse Flexibus et tacite fana tirnenda videt, Propter aquas celeres templi sub turre superba En Schola regalis tollitur, alma domus !

Intemerata locum servat tutela potentis Delubri cujus didita fama viget.

Hue asstate venit jucunda ssepe viator Casta vocat sedes religioque patrum.

Ante oculos roseo peregrinis atria saxo Longa patent, regnat mysticus ille timor.

Hospes, ut ante, tibi nitidas numerare columnas Et bibere aure tua carmina sancta licet.

Crux immota micat, secessu magna reducto Ara dei sternit corda pavore suo.

Post aram Virgo pulchrum tenet ipsa sacellum Numine, saepe cohors hue puerilis adit.

Te, domus alma, manus linguit studiosa decoro Agmine cum poscit talia sacra dies.

Severn. |ERY few rivers can boast such scenery as the Severn. It is the intention of this article to give some few hints to those who may be anxious to explore the windings of our river and at the same time to notice briefly the principal objects of interest which would be met by any Vigornian who, following the example of the writer, should essay to spend a fortnight or three weeks of the midsummer holidays in camping out on the banks of "fair Sabrina."

First as to "onera et impedimenta." Travelling, of course, is to be done by water. As to the boat, it is absolutely necessary to have one with a stout keel, as will be shewn hereafter. For four or five persons a pair-oar is best, but for a greater number it will be necessary to take a four. Provide the boat with a mast and towing rope. The former should be very strong and about seven feet in length; the latter thin, but strong, and there should be about forty yards of it. Towing, even under difficulties, is always a pleasant variation to the monotony of rowing, and in some places a combination of the two is almost the

only way by which any progress can be made. Take also a strong boat hook and an axe; you will need them. Let your tent be, if possible, an army " bell; " for cooking purposes take a frying pan and two small fish kettles, which must both have appliances for hanging them on a spit. The spit itself had better be made of iron. Wood, however, will do, and it should be about three feet above ground when erected.

For packing china and eatables nothing can be better than Huntley and Palmers' biscuit tins.

Your voyage is to be commenced up stream.

Supposing you start at about 9 o'clock from Worcester you will probably fall in with a steam tug which will tow you up to StourporU On the way to Stourport take care to have a look at Lincombe Weir. It is about twice the size of the one at Camp. The river above Stourport is lined with bathing and rowing barges, and therefore presents a very dismal aspect.

By the time you are within half a mile of Bewdley you will probably be anxious for dinner. There is a big rock near Bewdley under which you can dine in comfort. Just as you enter the town the rapids begin.

Near Bewdley, unless the summer is very dry, they are not very difficult. Between Bewdley and Arley, however, there are some rather stiff ones. The scenery in some parts is very fine. High cliffs composed of red stone and dotted here and there with trees line each bank of the Severn, which is much broader there than at Worcester, and is divided by several small islands, while every hundred yards there is a torrent. The water for the most part is not two feet deep, but there is a deep channel throughout. Always make for the torrents. It is hard work but there is sure to be plenty of water there, and also just above it, as the rocks which make the torrent serve as a weir. There is one place which is called the " Folly ;" it gets its name from the way in which it deceives the innocent. A small island is noticed in mid-stream. The question now arises which side shall be taken, everybody turns round and decides on the left bank, the water being on that side so smooth and so very deep. The boat goes easily enough for some fifty yards (the island is nearly two hundred yards long), and when you try the depth you find it impossible to fathom with your oar, so that you spurt on till suddenly without any warning the boat is brought to a stop, and everybody

WORCESTER CATHEDRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL. THE GREAT HALL.—EAST VIEW.

Mezzotint Photo-Type, F. C. Earl, 46, Broad St., Worcester,

THE VIGORNIAN. is thrown from his seat. On examining the state of affairs you find a line of rocks about six inches under water lying right across the stream. With sorrow you back water as it is impossible to turn the boat, lest when the end of the island is reached, the stream should catch and drive you on to another rock. On the other side of the island you find a narrow channel about six feet deep; a yard from this, however, there is barely a foot of water. After going the length of the island you find a terrible rapid about two feet in height, and the water boiling and seething as it rushes over the rocks. The way over it, however, is quite clear.

Two rocks only just covered by the water will be noticed and between them about six feet of tumbling rapid.

For this passage the boat is steered. The towing rope had better be used to help the rowers, or else they will spend a quarter of an hour in terribly hard work. Not a mile from this spot is Arley, and an island not far below affords a most suitable camping place. Here there is plenty of wood, and solitude reigns supreme.

When the tent has been pitched and tea is over, preparations for the night must be made; mackintoshes spread on the ground are very effective in keeping out all damp. The usual costume for the night consists of one pair of shorts (the other pair is drying), one pair of flannel trousers, one vest, a cricket shirt, a jersey and blazers, three pairs of socks, one pair of stockings, and a comforter. Then don a great coat, and wrap yourself well round in blankets. These latter had better be strapped on, or secured in some way to prevent them falling off in the night. A woollen cap which will draw over the ears is also a great addition.

This may seem a great deal, but everything is absolutely necessary to secure a good night's rest. Rise at anytime you like, but don't be under the impression you will be up with the lark every morning, if you are out for a fortnight. Breakfast and bath over begin another day's work. There is a very comfortable inn at Arley where you can stop and write a full and particular account of your adventures in a visitor's book, if you feel so inclined. The sun will be found rather a nuisance unless you wear a vest which reaches to the middle of the neck. After two or three days exposure to Jhe solar rays the chest has a tendency to get blistered all over, and this causes much unnecessary annoyance. If you, are lazy you will camp for the

265

second night a little above Bridgnorth which is a very curious town. It is built in tiers one above the other, and connected together by flights of steps. The rapids just below Bridgnorth are somewhat troublesome, and you must tumble out pretty frequently. For wading purposes a pair of boots will serve you best (a pair of boots and two pairs of shoes- are absolutely necessary). If any gentleman objects to your camping out on his field and promises with the aid of his bull to shift you, chaff him as much as you like, but take care to be across the river with your goods and chattels before he returns, as he inevitably will.

On the first two nights you will probably not get much sleep. " You gentlemen of England that sleep at home in ease" generally regard a "snore" as a sign of sleep. On the first night you will lie awake wondering whether you will ever get to sleep when someone begins to snore; a few minutes after you think you will keep time with him and so set up a rival snore. After ten minutes no one will, to all appearances, be awake. "Lucky dogs" you mutter, and after lying still and snoring for some time you get up and look around. Yes, they are all asleep and with a groan you lie back. Suddenly you notice someone sitting up, you then rise yourself and after a mutual expression of surprise, the two of you condole with one another. Your voices quickly make the " lucky dogs " find out that they are not asleep, and before many minutes everyone in the tent is sitting up and saying, "he was under the impression that he was the only one awake."

The next day you will make Ironbridge and Coalport which now practically form one town. On the Coalport side you will come upon one of the biggest rapids on the river. There is no rowing against such a stream, and so out you must get, but woe to him who hasn't a thick pair of shoes or boots on ! The natives seem to have taken delight in filling the bed of the river with half brick, galley pots, broken bottles, pieces of coal, lumps of pig iron and lead, in fact everything they could possibly collect calculated to make a wader's legs miserable. Just below Ironbridge you see "coracles " for the first time and there is a waterfall nearly 200 feet in descent. Immediately above Coalport there is the small village of Buildwas with its fine old Abbey. Above Buildwas you catch sight of the "Wrekin ; " of course

206

THE

VIGORNIAN.

you are greatly excited and overjoyed thereat, but by the time that Wrekin is out of sight again (which won't be for a day or two), you will be heartily sick of it. It is now that you begin to enquire how far it is to Shrewsbury, and hear that it is about ten miles off. So it is by the road, but don't be under the delusion that it is the same by the r iver. Shrewsbury is about thirty miles off by water. Anyone walking will do about a mile while the boat is doing three and be at the same spot an hour in advance—such are the bends that the river takes.

You will now for the first time meet with " Salmon Cutlers." The river has been blocked up by a Salmon weir so that no passage can be made except by a little channel which is called a gutter. These are for the most part so narrow that sculls are useless and towing is impracticable as the banks are .covered with brush wood, so there is only one way of getting the boat up, that is by wading. Now the water is always up to your waist, and sometimes up to your chin. This is stiffish work as the current is running with tremendous force and you find three or four of these gutters are generally enough to attempt in one afternoon. Preston boats is the worst of them. Any meaning can be attached to this name as there is not a vestige of a boat within a radius of five miles. Just above Shrewsbury you will come to some handsome grounds on the right bank where you can camp very comfortably. It is within a mile's walk of the tewn and is quite secluded. Go into Shrewsbury where a good dinner can always be got at a restaurant kept by a Mr. Jones.

A stroll over the town is well worth your time. It is built on a steep incline and is hard walking. The Public Park is very fine and goes r>y the name of the " Quarry." If you return to your tent at about ten at night be careful that you turn off the road at the right place. We wandered about for some hours, got into a swamp, clambered over hedges and ditches, only finding our tent at one o'clock in the morning.

About half-a-mile from this campingground is avillage called Shelton which is reached by the Old Watling Street. There is the oak here from which Owen Glen dower watched the battle of Shrewsbury. It is very weak and has a good size tree to support it, but the supporting tree looks more like a stake in comparison. At this place there lived a gentlemen named Edward

Parr, who was born in Edward IV's reign. He and the oak watched each other's growth for one hundred and fiftyyears when the old gentleman gave in. Before going to bed provide yourselves with logs of wood, for they will be necessary to drive away the bullocks who are of an inquisitive turn of mind, and coming to call you up at any unearthly time they like. These cattle are most importunate, and require a lot of persuasion before they can be induced to retire. Before proceeding on your journey you had better decide whether you will carry your boat across four fields or go round the " Isle" which means a distance of five miles replete with difficulties. The scenery, however, is good and there are a great quantity of birds, including herons and kingfishers. There is one very stiff gutter about 200 yards in length, with water up to the chest and with occasional variations of eight or nine feet; two or three of the party must swim the deep part and very stiff work it is. You won't feel up for much after it.

Soon the river narrows down to about twenty yards in breadth; then you know you are in Wales. The furthest place you are likely to get to is Llandrinio and just above its bridge is a weir extending for a long way with not enough water to float a coracle. Of course a boat could be got further in a wet summer, that is to say provided it has no planks stove in. You can now land on the left bank just below the bridge and set off inland. After about a mile's walk you will find an ina where an unlimited supply of ham and eggs can be obtained. Here you will probably meet s,ome old fanners who will feel great interest in " them rowing gaffers."

The Brsedon Hills are just opposite and are well worth climbing. On the highest peak there is a monument to Admiral Rodney. On the return journey you will find it very easy to do twenty miles before dinner provided you start early, and this leaves plenty of time to look round.

Before leaving Llandrinio by the way remember to visit Offa's Dyke which still remains entire. From Buildwas you could easily pay a visit to the Wrekin.

It is conical in shape, covered with trees to the very top, and is an entirely isolated hill. Visit Much Wenlock Abbey. The Abbey at Buildwas is perhaps more secluded than the one at Much Wenlock, but it is not more beautiful. In conclusion, a few words of advice as to what to take.for food may not be

207

THE VIGORNIAN. amiss. Bread may be had in plenty anywhere, a large tin of lunch biscuits is handy, and that with ham and eggs might suffice for the main stock of provender. Never be persuaded to buy fish from fishermen. They are absolutely beastly. Take plenty of soda for washing-up purposes or else you will find this necessary duty a somewhat laborious one. Thus having explored the river from Worcester to Llandrinio you will have seen one hundred miles of certainly not the worst river scenery in England.

cc.c.

Btbletic Sports. j|UR Annual Sports were arranged to take place at the County Cricket Ground on Wednesday and Thursday, April i8th and 19th. On the first day the heats and mile races were run off, but on the second day, owing to a heavy and continuous downpour of rain, it was thought necessary, after two races had been run under the greatest difficulties, to postpone the Sports till the Summer Term. The remainder of the events were fixed for May I7th, and again the weather proved most unfortunate and necessitated a further postponement of the Jumping Events. The running, considering the heavy state of the ground, was fairly fast, but we should like to see a marked improvement in the Open Jumps. The Champion Medal was won by C. Counsell by four points. The attendance was but small owing to the inclemency of the weather and the prizes were not as usual distributed on the ground, but at the School Entertainment.

List of Officials :— Judges—Rev. W. E. Bolland and Mr. H. Clarke.

Starter— Mr. C. Hartley.

Timekeeper—Mr. E. JD. Jordan.

Committee—-W. H. Counsell, E. A. White, W. H. Webb, C. R. Davies, and G. Taverner.

Hon. Sees.—W. H. Counsell and W. H. Webb.

The following are the results :— 130 Yards Handicap (open)—First Heat: W. Counsell (owes 4 yds.) I, C. Davies (5 yds.) 2, W. Telfer (6 yds.) 3. Second Heat: C. Counsell (4yds.) I, B. Millar (6 yds.) 2, F. Hadley (8yds.) 3. Third Heat: H. Littlebury (4 yds.) I, H. Webb, (5 yds.) 2, G. Taverner (6 yds.) 3. Final: Millar i, Littlebury 2, C. Counsell 3. Very close race, scarcely a foot dividing first three. Time 14 seconds.

too Yards (open)—First Heat: W. Counsell (owes 5 yds.) I, H. Webb 2, H. Littlebury 3. Second Heat: C. Davies I, C. Counsell 2, W. Telfer 3, Final: Littlebury I, C. Counsell 2, W. Counsell 3. Time 12 seconds.

Throwing the Cricket Ball (open]—C. Counsell I, W. Counsell (owes 7 yds.) 2, G. Taverner 3. Distance 79 yds. 6 in.

Long Jump (open)—H.. Littlebury I, W. Telfer 2, H. Webb 3. Distance 15 ft. 7 in.

One Mile (under if)—H. Thomas I, V. Quilter 2, H. Clarke 3, Time 5 min. 58 1-5 sees. This was a new feature in the Sports and was well competed for, A very close race for first place.

One Mile (open)—C. Counsell i, C. Davies 2, H, Quilter 3.

Counsell led the whole distance and eventually won by about twelve yards. Good distance separated second and third, Time 5 min, 25 sees.

100 Yards (under 75)—Hadley I, Clarke H. 2.

High Jump (open}—Roan A. I, Clarke G. 2. Height 4 ft.

4 in.

Long Jump (under r_j)—Clarke H. I, Clarke G. 2. Distance 14 ft. i in.

Quarter Mile (open)—C. Counsell I, C. Davies 2, W. Counsell (owes 6 yds.) 3. This was a very close race, Davies holding the lead nearly the whole way, Counsell just passing him on the tape. Time 61 1-5 seconds.

High Jump (under 75)—Clarke G. I, Clarke H. 2. Height 4 ft. 3 in.

Sack Race—V, Quilter I, F. Dutton 2. This was an easy win for Quilter.

Old Boys' 120 Yards Handicap—W. G. Bennett (7 yds.) I, W. B. Branthwaite (10 yds.) 2, A. P. Higgins 3.

Quarter Mile Handicap (under 15)—L. Lingham (35 yds.) I, F. Faram (30 yds.) 2, G. Clarke (6 yds.) 3. Lingham had the advantage of a good start, and making the best of it, won easily.

Time 67 3-5 seconds.

Half Mile Handicap (open)—}^. Littlebury (18 yds.) I, C. Counsell (5 yds.) 2, VV. Telfer (30 yds.) 3. Won by about 12 yds in 2 min. 26 sees Hundley (open)—G. Taverner I, C. Counsell 2, H. Littlebury jt Hurdles (under 75)—H. Clarke I, H. Hargraves 2.

Choristers' Race—Bowen I, Osborne 2.

Consolation Race (220 Yards)—A. Roan I, H. Hargraves 2, Powell 3. A good race, ending in Roan winning by about halfa-yard.

Scbool ©fficera.

Senior King's Scholar and Head Classic Captain of the School ..................

Chairman of Sixth Form Meeting Captain and Secretary of the ) Cricket Club j

E. A. WHITE W. H. COUNSELL. E. A. WHITE. ,,, TT ,-, W. H. COUNSELL.

Captain of Rowing Club ............ W. H. WEBB. Secretary of Rowing Club ............ C. R. DAVIES. Captain of Football Club ............ W. H. COUNSELL. Secretary of Football Club ............ W. H. WEBB. Secretary of Fives Club .............. C. R. DAVIES. Librarian .................................

C. DIMONT. Editors of The Vigornian

......

/ *?' )VEBB. H. LITTLEBURY.

THE VIGORNIAN.

208

Scbool Entertainment JN Entertainment was held in the College Hall on Thursday May 3ist. at 8 p.m. in aid of the School Library. The attendance was fairly large and the concert passed off very successfully.

The Dean's reading from " The Idylls of the King" was admired and Dr. Quilter contributed some original and amusing reminiscenses of his life in Tasmania.

Mr. E. D. Jordan was warmly applauded for his song, and in response to an encore gave " The Bellringer."

Webb's recitation of Clarence's Dream earned loud applause, and Littlebury's rendering of the difficulty of discovering the correct pronunciation of HOUGHTON was amusing and successful. In the interval of the programme Mrs. Gott distributed the prizes that had been won at the Athletic Sports.

The following was the Programme :— 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

GLEE " Where Severn Winds " Singing Class.

RECITATION .." Good news from Ghent " Counsell i.

READING " Stage Driver's Story "... Mr. C. Hartley.

RECITATION..." Lord Ullin's Daughter ".. Telfer, Clarke i.

SONG "The Children's Home" Hargraves.

RECITATION" The Curate and the Mulberry Tree "....Hill.

READING " The Idylls of the King " The Dean of Worcester.

RECITATION "The Quarrel of the Alphabet "....Littlebury.

GLEE "The Seasons" Singing Class.

DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES (WON AT THE ATHLETIC SPORTS)

BY MRS. GOTT. 10. GLEE " The Travellers " Singing Class.

11. RECITATION "Clarence's Dream"'.

Webb i.

12. SONG "The Grey Mare"...Mr. E. D. Jordan.

13 " Reminiscences of Tasmania "Rev. F. Quilter, D.D. 14. GLEE "The Laughing Chorus" Singing Class.

library. j]ANY of the School will remember that some months ago a notice appeared requesting " the gentleman who had appropriated half the School Library " to begin to consider the advisability of returning it.

The expression used by the writer of the notice was no doubt thought at that time to be somewhat exaggerated.

It was well known that the School Library had lapsed into a state of decrepitude from which it seemed unlikely to recover; but very few can ever have been aware of the awful desolation that reigned around the ancient abode of what had once been the W.C.G.S. Library. At the commencement of last term, when the re-organization of the Library was commenced, it was discovered that some of the

book-shelves were quite empty,while none had retained their full complement of books—the results of countless marauding expeditions made from time to time by many an enterprising hand. Although, in response to an appeal from the Librarian, the majority of the missing volumes have been restored, a few are still absent from their places ; and it is no easy matter to recover them from boys who have left the School.

Some sets of books, it is to be feared, are spoilt by the loss of parts of them—sometimes only a single volume is still wanting, and it is earnestly hoped that those who are still retaining any books will s_ee the selfishness of thus preventing others from using tnem, and will at once return them.

The reformation of the Library was one of the first questions discussed in the Sixth Form meetings which were established as a School Institution shortly after the Christmas Holidays. Acting on a resolution passed to that effect, a committee was appointed, and a strong effort was made to render the entire collection of books worthy of the place it was about to occupy in the New Gallery. As the work of cataloguing and re-arranging took some time, it was thought better that the Library should not be re-opened until the books had been removed from -their former dusty quarters to the present commodious shelves, which happy event took place at the beginning of the present term. It would be out of place here to discuss the recent amalgamation of the funds of the Library and the Vigornian ; suffice it to say, that, so far, the change seems to have roused greater interest in the former institution—an interest which, it is to be hoped, will continue to display itself, and prevent any return to the deplorable state of affairs which prevailed during the past few years.

This article would be incomplete without an expression of thanks to several donors of books, and especially to Mr. Charles Wood for his valuable gift consisting of twelve of Mrs. Henry Wood's works, viz., " The Channings," "Johnny Ludlow" (2 series), "St. Martin's Eve," "Oswald Gray," "Dene Hollow," "Verner's Pride," " Within the Maze," " Mrs. Halliburton's Troubles," "Roland Yorke," "Orville College," "Mildred Arkell," and " Trevlyn Hold"; to which Mr. Wood has added a book of his own, entitled "The Cruise of the Reserve Squadron."

THE VIGORNIAN. The following books have lately been purchased for the Library :— Charles Kingsley :—Hypatia, Westward Ho ! Hereward the Wake.

Dickens:—Pickwick Papers, Nicholas Nickleby, Martin Chuzzlewit, Barnaby Rudge,Oliver Twist, Sketches by Boz. Green :—Short History of the English People.

Since going to Press a handsome gift has been received from the Dean, consisting of seven volumes, viz—"Life of Christ," Geikie, "Parallel New Testament," Greek and English (Authorised and Revised versions), " New Testament Synonyms," Trench; " Mediaeval Church History," Trench, " Englishman's Concordance of the New^Testament; " Life of Charles Kingsley (2 vols.)

Books have also been received from E. D. Jordan, Esq., Mr. E. G. Humphreys, Counsell i, Baylis, Counsell ii, Hill, and Cook.

We append a list of the names of members of the Library Committee :— C. DIMONT, Librarian.

H, CONACHER, Sub-Librarian.

E. A. WHITE. W. H. WEBB. T. BRANTHWAITE. S. M. BAYLIS. A. WHEELER. C. D.

IRev. Ibartnan Cbaloner ©ale. ] HOSE who were present at our last speechday in October will remember that one of the Prizes was given by the late lamented Mr. Ogle, who for more than twelve years was a regular contributor to our Prize Fund. Not a few of our old boys enjoyed the privilege of Mr. Ogle's teaching during his Mastership in the School, and will not easily forget the high example which he set them of devotion to his work, or the cordial interest which he took in their welfare. No one would have felt greater delight than he in the admirable restoration of our School and the great educational advantages provided by the joint action of the Cathedral and City. Although accounts of Mr. Ogle's career have appeared in several London and local papers, some

209

additional notes on the subject may not be uninteresting to readers of the Vigornian.

Mr. Ogle received his early education at Victoria College, Jersey, an institution established in honour of the Queen's visit to the island, and opened in 1852, under the auspices of Dr. Henderson, now Dean of Carlisle. Harman Chaloner Ogle was one of the first pupils admitted. As a boy he was remarkable for ability, and for the love of reading and indefatigable industry which enabled him to turn his ability to account. But he was no less distinguished for the unselfishness and the friendliness of disposition and the delight which he took in forwarding any scheme of general or particular benevolence. His large and accurate scholarship gave promise of University distinction, which was fully realised by his gaining a Demyship, at Magdalen College, Oxford and then in due course the Ireland and Craven Scholarships and the Denyer and Johnson Theological Scholarship, a first-class Fellowship.

Mr. Ogle's friends expected that his literary tastes would incline him to remain at the University after taking his degree, but though he took work as tutor and examiner, he soon betook himself to the more congenial sphere of the schoolmaster. He held for a short time the Second Mastership of Magdalen College School, and then the Wardenship of Queen's College, Birmingham, on resigning which he took the Second Mastership of our School, which happened to be vacant at the time, and here he won the esteem and affection of all with whom he had to do.

In 1876 he was appointed to the Head Mastership of the important School attached to his College at Oxford, in which he had before held a mastership, and this post he continued to hold till within a few months of his death. Many of his pupils have obtained high University and other distinctions, and the list is probably far from being yet concluded.

It had long been Mr. Ogle's earnest desire to devote himself to Missionary work in the East in connection with the Assyrian Christians. Mar Shimoon, the Patriarch of the East, having applied to the Archbishop of Canterbury for further educational assistance at Urmi, Mr. Ogle made an offer of his services which was readily accepted by the Archbishop, upon which Mr. Ogle at once set himself to prepare for his

THE VIGORNIAN.

2IO

expedition, aided by the valuable suggestions of Mr. Athelstan Riley, F.R.G.S., a gentleman who, in 1884, had generously undertaken a journey at his own cost to North-Western Persia and Kindistan " with a view of ascertaining the condition of the Assyrian Christians, and the state of the Mission sent across in 1881 by the late Archbishop Tait and the Archbishop of York."

It was while engaged in a round of farewell visits (alas ! how sad in the retrospect!) that Mr. Ogle was struck down by a fatal attack of so paralysing a character, that he was unable to hold communication even with his own relations, to whom, as to his friends in general, the stroke was thus rendered additionally prompt.

But the grief felt by all who knew the man was certainly instigated by the memory which they will long regain of his singularly self-denying and chivalous character, the purity of his heart and life, and the happiness which he shewed in all good and Christian work. He was genuine throughout, he began with being what he would have others be. " Love " he said " begins at home, in the ordering of the heart and life. The foundation of any great enterprise should be love—love, having its voice in the disposal of our time, our means, our energies, and producing habits of courtesy and forbearance, and the sacrifice of personal inclination in small matters." In saying this he was drawing all unconsciously a portrait of himself.

M. D.

Entomology. |HE past Summer was a favourable one for Butterflies on account of the prolonged and brilliant sunshine which we then enjoyed. One noticeable feature was the great abundance of the comma (C-album), which might be taken plentifully in July among the hopyards; the Peacock (lo) and small Tortoiseshell (Urticae) also appeared in great abundance wherever a bed of thistles was to be seen. On the other hand a widespread scarcity of the Red Admiral (Atalanta) is reported in the Science Journals, and commented on (among others) by a resident at Malvern, though I am informed that the species was to be seen in some numbers, at the Mumbles' Head. The other local species appeared

in the usual quantities. In the week preceding Easter I commenced to search the catkins for moths, which could be seen in large numbers round the yellow blossoms, and were easily captured with the aid of a lantern and net. As the evenings became warmer they began to appear in the fields and hedgerows, the Wave (Pusaria), Common Swift (Lupulinus), Early Thorn (Illunaria), Ghost Swift (Humuli), and other early moths flying in vast quantities. With summer came the Burnished Brass (Chrysitis), Tiger (Caja) and Swallow-Tail (Sambucata); the caterpillar of the Tiger, commonly called the Woolly Bear, appearing plentifully in June. A very pretty little moth, the Small Blood Vein (Imitaria) was well repi esented, as was also the V moth (Wavaria). I did not observe that the Currant or Magpie Moth (Grossulariata) either in the larval or perfect state was so abundant as usual, though the caterpillars of the Cinnabar (Jacobceas) were to be seen crossing the roads in large numbers. Among the species which seemed to be in their normal numbers, I may mention the Great Ermine (Menthastri), Yellow Shell (Bilineata), Dot (Persicarice), Large Yellow Underwing (Pronuba), Silver Y (Gamma), and Five Plume (Pentadactylus). While winter was still with us, all relaxing, re-setting, re-arrangement of collection, &c., should have been finished off, and the season met without any encumbrances. Pupa-digging may be indulged in when the ground is not too hard, and the bark of trees should always be inspected, as being likely to hide a chrysalis or two. In the spring evenings the yellow catkins of the willow should be visited, as they seldom fail to attract a large number of moths, which feed on the juice greedily, and can be captured by placing the net underneath a branch, and then turning a strong light on it, when the stupefied moths fall into the net and can be killed there. Later on in the summer evenings, a mixture of beer, treacle, and rum applied to trees will often catch a good many.

The young entomologist will also find it profitable not to act as a gardener does and put his foot on every one of " them grubs and maggots," which he may come across, but to try and rear some of the less common kinds, whereby, if successful, he obtains a fresh and uninjured insect. As regards setting, the wings should be set evenly, and the legs and antennse

THE VIGORNIAN. pulled out as much as possible ; thin cotton or strips of cork may be used to keep the wings in place until dry. Setting boards and the interiors of drawers or boxes should be kept covered with clean white paper and free from dust.

MAURA.

J1OUNG and aspiring students of the game of Chess have often asked me to recommend a text book for the use of beginners, but I know of none that will exactly meet their wants. There are many elaborate works on the openings, replete with innumerable variations, but not one (so far as I know) has yet been published which even pretended to give instructions on the principles on which the game should be conducted.

When the player has attained sufficient proficiency to understand them, the published games of practised players, and the notes accompanying them will be found valuable, but to that position it is almost impossible to climb without assistance.

If the tyro has sufficient patience to accompany me in imagination through a game, I will endeavour to give him such instruction as space will permit. Let us then suppose ourselves taking part in a match.

Our opponent is assigned to us. We have first move and play.

1. P to K 4 P to K 4 2. P to Q 4 P takes P 3. Q takes P Kt to Q B 3 4. Q to K 3 This is a favourite and somewhat new opening.

The position of the Queen greatly hinders Black's development, while we prepare to Castle on the Queen's side.

•***( PtoQ3 5. B to Q 2 B to K 2 6. Kt to Q B 3 P to Q R 3 Evidently a timid player. As we had no intention of occupying Q Kt 5, this move is a lost one. His next is also slow.

7. P to K B 4 B to B 3 8. Castles (Q R) KKt to K 2 P to K R 3 Castles 10. Kt to B 3 P to Q 4 Having castled comfortably on the Queen's side our course was clearly to advance our Pawns against Blacks castled King. After this move of his we have

211

to consider whether we can advance the K P or must exchange Pawns. Upon examination we come to the conclusion that we need not fear his P to Q 5 and proceed. n. P to K 5 | Kt to B 4 Black accepts our calculations.

12. Q to B 2 | B to K 2 We do not aim at winning his Queen's Pawn.

Kt to R 5 13. P to K Kt 4 Kt takes Kt 14. B to K 3 Q to K sq 15. R takes P B to K 3 1 6. Q takes Kt PtoB 3 17. R to Q sq This is to break the force of the oncoming assault.

P takes P 18. Q to Kt 3 R to Q sq 19. P takes P B to Kt 5 20. B to Kt 2 His position is now so constrained that there is scarcely anything he can do.

21. Kt to Q 5 B takes Kt K to R sq 22. B takes B ch B to R4 23. P to B 3 We now proceed to rake his game with the two Bishops.

24. B to B 5 Kt to K 2 The only way to save the exchange, and his Q Kt Pawn and Q R Pawn are to be had for the taking.

25. B to K 4 | P to K R 3 Necessary, in view of our next.

26. Q to R 4 | R to B 2 Now to break through.

27. P to Kt 5 Kt to B 4 28. B takes Kt The position is interesting, subsequent examination shows that P to Kt 6 might be played here, leaving the Q en prise.

R takes B 29. P takes P R takes R ch 30. R takes R R to R 4 31. P takes P ch K takes P At last we have got at his King, and can win in several ways. We take a simple course.

32. Q to B 6 ch K to R 2 33. R to Q 8 R to R 3 34. R takes Q R takes Q 35. P takes R winning [easily " The learner will observe that the main idea of the attack, preserved throughout, was the advance of the Pawns against Black Castled King. The first ten moves on each side were devoted to getting the pieces into play, fighting commencing with White's nth.

He should also notice how entirely on the defensive and subject to what pressure during the whole of the game Black's hesitation at the beginning left him.

OLD VIGORNIAN.

THE VIGORNIAN.

212

Scbool IRews.

H. Webb and E. A. White were elected last November to Meeke Scholarships at Hertford College, Oxford, and will go into residence next October.

H. E. Jones matriculated at the University of Melbourne last year.

C. G. Wheeler passed the London Matriculation Examination in first division.

H. Hargraves and A. Bailey were awarded House Scholarships of the value of ^50 and ^35 respectively at the last examination for King's Scholars. The Examiner was Rev. M. Day, Rector of Wichenford.

The following boys were presented with Medallions of the S. John's Ambulance Society by Sir E. A. H. Lechmere, Bart., M.P. at the School Concert, last December:—M. S. Baylis, H. W. Bolland, C. C. Counsell, H. A. Counsell, W. H. Counsell, A. A. Davies, C. H. Dimont, S. T. Dutton, C. Faram, W. W. Finch, G. H. Forbes, F. Keen, H. B. Laurie, A. Pearson, J. Powell, S. Shattock, A. A. Warren, C. H. Wheeler, E. A. White, H. A. Wilkes, P. Wilks, and P. B. Wright.

H. A. Counsell rowed seven in the Hertford College eight in the May races.

School Services were held as usual during Lent in the Lady Chapel of the Cathedral. The Preachers were—Very Rev. the Dean, Canon Knox-Little, Canon Creighton, Rev. F. Richings, and the Head Master.

Our Annual Athletic Sports .vere held in most unfavourable weather on May lyth, at the County Cricket Ground, Boughton. The Champion Medal was won by C. Counsell.

Mr. A. Capper gave his Drawing-room Entertainment and Thought Reading Seance in the College Hall, on November 29th, 1887. A most enjoyable evening was spent, Mr. Capper explaining the tricks and Thought Reading.

A Grand Concert is arranged to take place on July 6th in the College Hall. Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Caldicott and Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Brereton, have already promised their assistance. The proceeds are to go towards erecting a Pavilion on the Cricket Ground.

We beg to acknowledge the following Magazines:— '• Ousel, " " Cantuarian, " Ulula, " " Trurorian, " "Bromsgrovian," "Herefordian," "Raven," and "Portsmouthian."

Correspondence.

The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the opinions of their Correspondents.

All letters intended for insertion in these columns must be authenticated by the name and address of the sender, not necessarily for publication, but as evidence of good faith.

Every facility will be afforded for the discussion of matters of interest to the school, but a rigid compliance with this,rijle will be enforced.

To THE EDITORS OF THE "VIGORNIAN." DEAR SIRS—During the present term the Sixth Form have assembled once or twice a week to discuss the affairs of the School and other matters, always with more or less noise. These meetings we consider most advantageous to the said Form and the rest of the School, but they would be still more so if the rest of the School knew the results. We have no improvement to suggest except that we think it is a great pity that the majority of the School should be turned out of their Reading Room by force to accomodate the Sixth. We would on no account under-estimate the value of the Sixth, or insinuate that their meetings are not of the highest importaprse, but we would request them to consider if another room would not answer their purpose equally well, so that those below the Sixth should not be so ignominiously turned out of their Reading Room.

There is another small suggestion we should like to offer concerning the Reading Room. We have been informed that there exists a Library Committee (for some purpose or other), whose work has not been evident as yet; but could they not arrange the Reading Room with some pretension to order, so that one should ndt pick up a paper a few weeks old instead of that for the day, and we think that the floor is not the place for the Magazines which would look better in cases. O! let not disgrace fall again on our Reading Room so as to merit the not exactly gratifying epithets heaped upon it by a correspondent not very long since, but let it be remarkable for its neatness. Hoping that these suggestions will be looked into We beg to remain, Dear Sirs, yours truly, "TWO YOUNG REFORMERS."

THE

213

VIGORNIAN.

To THE EDITORS OF THE " VIGORNIAN." SIRS—As the usual thing to write about is espritde-corfs, or rather, want of it, I will select one instance of this failing to attack. Is it not shameful that the Chess Club, which, I hear, was a nourishing institution some years ago, should have been allowed to fall to pieces ? It is quite evident that it has done so ; for out of the remnants of about six sets, which still survive, we cannot get an entire set of men to play with, when we wish to have a game. At the end of the Christmas term, last year, a slight attempt was made to revive the Club, and about twelve or thirteen fellows, mostly of the Fifth Form, with one or two of the Fourth, played regularly in the Boarders' Hall. But as the rate of intellect was rather low in the latter form we were continually molested by members of it. I hope a more successful attempt will be made this winter.

H. M. C.

IRing's Scbolars.

Six King's Scholars were elected last November.

1. HARGRAVES H. J Worcester Choir School.

2. CHAMBERLAIN J. T. ...Cathedral Grammar School.

3. ROAN A. B Cathedral Grammar School.

4. BAILY A. A •. Cathedral Grammar School.

5. DA VIES F. T Cumberland House, Worcester.

6. THOMAS F. R Cathedral Grammar School.

Cbess.

PROBLEM. XX. BY W. E. B. (A SIMPLE ENDING FOR BEGINNERS.) BLACK.

Hcco unts.

BOATING, CRICKET, AND FOOTBALL, 1887.

£ s. d.

Balance from 1886 29 17 Balance from Sports, 1887 . . . 8 7 Boating Subrcriptions i 17 Cricket Subscriptions 3 10 Football „ 2 to £4f>

2

£ s. d. <)% Boating Expenses 10 2 6 Cricket „ 14 13 3% Football „ 4 18 6 0 6 o o

Balance

...

29 14 16 8

£46

3'/2

—

'

3/2

o

2 3% ••"

,

ATHLETIC S PORTS, 1887.

RECEIPTS.

£ s. d.

Subscriptions and Donations Entrance Fees ...

Gate Money

EXPENDITURE. £ s. d.

Prizes 20 16 6 6 43 19 6 Printing 3 3 I 7 6 Band 5 6 Smith (for preparing ground, etc.) ...

211 To Col. Norbury for use of Boughton Ground 2 2 Secretary's expenses, , advertising, stamps, etc i 7 Sundries 19

o 4

37 5 8 7

6 o

£4S 12

6

Balance

£4S 12 6

Audited and found c orrect by C. Hartley.

Treasurer : W. E. BOLLAND.

O

5 o 9 o

WHITE. WHITE TO PLAY AND MATE IN Two MOVES. SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS IN LAST NUMBER. PROBLEM XVIII. I. WHITE.

BLACK.

1. K to Q 3 2. Q to K Kt 8 (Mate)

i. P to K 4 (or A) A.

1. K to Q 3 2. Q to Q R 8 (Mate)

i. P toQ B 4 (or B)

B. 1. K to Q 3 i. Bishop moves 2. P to K 4 (Mate) PROBLEM XIX. I. WHITE. BLACK. 1. Q to Q R 6 i. Anywhere.

2. Q (Mate) Correct solutions were sent in by H. CONACHER, W. H. HILL, H. QUILTER, and A. WHEELER. In future the " Vigornian " will be sent gratis to all subscribers of 5/- and upwards to the Library, Games, or other Funds of -the School.—Ens.