The Vigornian December 1889

THE WORCESTER CATHEDRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL CHRONICLE. " TO. /j.tv StSaKTa /j.a.v6dv<o, Ta S'et'peTa £r/TM, Ta S'CVKTO. rrapy. 6twv j/rr/crayu/jp. "

No. 16. VOL. II.

DECEMBER, 1889.

Contents. , Editorial Amalgamation Visions of the Night Thomas Carlyle A Respectful Address to the Holywell ChimneySweep School Officers Speech Day Fives Courts and Pavilion Fund Cricket T h e Athletic Sports . . . .

Football School NotesThe Library The Debating Society Correspondence AcrosticChess "

251 252 253 254-257 257 257 258-260 260 261 261 262-263 263-264 264 . 265 265-267 267 267

if ST is usual to begin an editorial with an $ apology. No one has ever attempted & to shew the reason of this custom, ^ which is apparently only backed up by conventionality, and our readers must excuse us if we omit it and proceed to business. We may begin by stating our honest belief that the School is steadily progressing in all departments. The Debating Society holds regular meetings, which are well attended ; and

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we think that the careful way in which some of the members have prepared their speeches shews that the institution is popular, and, it is to be hoped, useful too.

As regards the Library, there are very few members of the School who do not make use of it, a state of things which compares most favourably with that of a few years ago, when there were not more than a dozen who borrowed books.

This term we have at length accomplished what many have hoped to see but have left the School with their wish unfulfilled, by defeating the old boys at Football, thus at last winning a match. Perhaps we may be told that such is done many times every day, but then we have had no hand in such previously, which makes all the difference.

The School has shewn its appreciation of the kindness of its many friends, which has led to the building of the two Fives Courts ; casual players must have found it hard to get a place; the system of allotting the Courts has worked well save for the afternoon boys who have welcomed the ever diminishing length of the day with fa^es correspondingly darkened.

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We believe that this term has seen more old boys at both Universities than some years past. How well they keep up the name of the old School upon the river, on the football field, and the honour lists, other parts of the paper will shew. May the oncoming generation shew itself worthy of those who have gone before.

But while rejoicing to record these advances, we cannot overlook the fact that the School is passing through a trying crisis. It is now laid bare to the public view, and each member must do his best to shew the outside world what we can do, and that the old School, which has lasted for 340 years, is strong enough to last ten times as long without being mixed up with schemes bearing long names, of which nobody ever did know the meaning or is ever likely to. Our aim must be to give a long pull and a strong pull together and attain to that blessed state of things described in the Lays of ancient Rome " When none were for a party, but all were for the State."

Though most of our readers may not share the feeling, still we miss the ill-aimed sarcasm, hot blood, and plain-spoken remarks that usually shew themselves whenever all sorts of self-elected martyrs take up and chew their pens before sending in their thoughts, to swell the correspondence column. It looks indeed bad for the School when its members cannot find anything to find fault with, perhaps still worse if they see such causes of complaint, but are so far sunk in sloth as to iforget their birthright, and neglect the privilege of grumbling, without which it is hard to imagine the world going on. Besides this the correspondents always use outspoken, truthful language, scorning all such things as platitudes, shibboleths, etc., which they leave to find their level in editorials, with which reflection we conclude.

HmalQamation.

MALGAMATION ! How often have we heard this word during the last few weeks? And how little we yet know what it means ! It reminds us of that " blessed word Mesopotamia," which the old Scotch lady found so very "comfortable" in her

minister's discourses. All that we do know is that it may mean a very serious blow to our present School life, that we may become commercialized off the face of the earth, and lose our high classical education.

But while we feel that there is danger threatening we cannot bring ourselves to fear it. Cannot we trust the Chapter and the -Charity Commissioners, to look after our interests in the all important points? At present we can only look and hope for the best. Of course we'don't want to be amalgamated; we are quite content with our present and the promise of the future. We are increasing in numbers and reputation, and when the present agitation is over, we shall doubtless have gained much by the clearing away of the misconceptions about us which have been so strangely prevalent. At the same time people are beginning to see the hollowness of the Free Grammar School claims to be "first grade." It is now evident that that School consists only of forty foundationers, and that the rest are ' private pupils' of the Head Master. We would be the last to depreciate the distinctions that a few of their boys have won during the past ten years, because we can point to a long list of honours which we have won during the same time, and especially to eight Meeke Scholarships in eight years, while the other School can only boast of one.

But while we do not wish for amalgamation need we necessarily dread it ? Surely not if it is on sensible lines.

The memorial of our ' Parents' to the Commissioners seems to go straight to the mark.

They wish to have the modern or commercial side kept quite separate, though under the same Governors and Head Master; and to have our present character and connection with the Cathedral retained. Such an arrangement might possibly strengthen and not weaken us. All our local readers must be almost tired of the reports, the articles, and the letters in the daily and weekly papers. We have not space enough to reproduce them, but we think the letters of Mr. Webb and of the " Three Head Boys " were worthy of much attention, while we have all been interested in the manner in which Canon Melville has demolished Mr. Eld on the side question of the meaning of ' Schola Libera.' Perhaps before this is in print some more definite steps may have been taken. For the benefit of our readers at a distance we may state that a semi-public conference was held on October 25th,

THE VIGORNIAN. that a committee was then appointed representing various public bodies (but not the Chapter, who declined to be on it). This committee appointed, we believe, a sub-committee including our Head Master and Mr. Eld, who are to try if possible to frame a scheme. So we shall probably soon have another conference, and hear how matters are going on. What we deprecate above everything else is delay.

Distone of tbe E that aforetime wrote the article yclept " Nephelococcugia" would have those that might read it assay to put some meaning thereto. Now while I reasoned concerning it in my heart, sleep fell upon me, and I dreamed a dream which, it may be, was sent to give me light in my doubts. And if among those that peruse this, there be any that are Daniels at interpreting dreams, let them try their hand here.

Now methought I was on the bank of a great river, which ran as it were with a mighty torrent, whereon none might tarry nor rest. And two ships came sailing down it, the one noble and gallant, with many a piece of artillery, and lofty masts withal, the other of meaner look, yet not unpleasant to behold. And after awhile one drew near and I enquired of him what all this might be. He answered, " The river is called Time, and riseth in the Aeon country, but no man hath ever found the source thereof. And the ships which thou seest are two which were launched many a long year ago, and men send, their sons to serve for a time on them, that they may learn how to do their business in the great waters of the sea of Life." And I looked how the two ships sailed on, and how those going down the river with them beheld them with joy and sent their sons to join the crews. So we discoursed comfortably together, touching the good way wherein youths were trained in those vessels ; and Mr. Interpreter (for so was he called that spake with me) told how many a man had gone forth from them, and steered his way to the haven where he would be.

And anon we descried a third barque coining down the river with a mighty splashing of oars and uproar, as though those that were therein were for setting the

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whole world to rights. But when I turned me to Mr. Interpreter to seek the meaning thereof, I beheld that the form of his visage was changed to wrath mingled with sorrow. And he told me how the men in this ship were minded to bring to pass great and pernicious changes in the other two (which, said he, will peradventure bring both to destruction), and how they were for ever moving the great lords in authority and the shipowners to do as they advised. Moreover he gave me the names of the crew and would have me observe them for myself. So I looked and saw that they had come nigh unto the greater ships, and that Mr. Stir-up, the Captain, had betaken himself to the bows and gotten around him many in other boats on the river to listen. Then he called to Mr. Importunity, who was over the rowers, to stay the oars, and bade Mr. Wordy, the steward, to bring up his speaking-horn, that therewith he might harangue all that he could.

So when Wordy brought it unto him the captain would know if he had cleansed it. "Yea" answered the steward ; " wherewithal," asked the other ; " with oil of cunning," said Wordy. "Thou art a good fellow," quoth Stir-up, and thereupon fell to crying out hew the two ships were not bringing up the crews as they should, and how they would never mend till they did as he advised and were joined together. And thereat, I perceived in my dream, that of them that heard some turned away in anger, but many had their ears so tickled by the oil of cunning that they were deaf to reason. Now while Stir-up spake on this wise, I saw one row in a boat under the bows of the Spoil-peace (for so was Stir-up's ship named), and or ever the captain had made an end of talking, he called to him to know if he and his men were still bent on their purpose (and here Mr. Interpreter let me know that this gentleman's name was Mr. Common-Sense, adding that he had had many a shrewd brush with the crew of the Spoil-peace, and was like to have many another). So when Stir-up answered that it was so, Common-Sense asked how they thought to join the tackling of two so diverse ships, and how they would make them sail together?

Now I perceived that they were hard put to it for a while to answer these questions, but that presently one assayed to speak on this wise, and one on that, yet did not their words agree together, whereat many of those that looked on scoffed. Then did old Wordy

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fall to abusing and reviling Mr. Common-Sense, calling him an ignorant old rogue and one that perverted the people. And because some sided with Wordy and some with the other, a great uproar arose on the river, and while I mused what would be the end thereof, I awoke. * * * * * * Now it happened that I slept again, and seemed to be standing on the bank of the river as aforetime.

Yet could not I see the ships floating thereon though I looked up and down for no little while. And at last I espied Mr. Interpreter coming towards me, but the fountains in his head were running down for grief and let him from speaking. So when his bewailing had abated somewhat, I would have him tell me whither all those had gone that had been there. And for answer he bade me follow him, and led me to a place farther down the stream, where was the top of a mast above the water. " This " said he, " is all that may now be seen of the lesser of those two ships ; "' and then he informed me how Stir-up and Wordy had never ceased to clamour until they had attained to their desire ; and flow, when they had madly tried to join the ships by much tinkering and hammering, the lesser one had sunk, " and as for the greater," quoth he, "turn thine eyes yonder." So I looked, and behold, she lay on her side, waterlogged, and most of the crew had gone out of her, yet did some remain working the pumps, if haply she might be saved.

And when I would know why Mr. Common-Sense had not stopped all this, he replied that the men in the Spoil-peace had turned all against him. So the old gentleman, finding that they would have none of him, had gone to see his son Mr. Advantage, and left them to their own devices. Now here methought sorrow filled my heart, and as I wept sore I awoke from my sleep, and lo, it was a dream !

C. T. D.

Garble, RABBED, wrathful, hard to please," are the rough touches with which the cunning old world artist drew the outline of the elderly Demus, marking with bold, deep strokes his chief faults. These and others not unlike these,

we dare think, are likewise to be attributed to the latter-day John Bull, who, amongst other things, is slow to own a born teacher in his lifetime, hardly more ready after his death ; with lame and limping step comes recognition, even if it comes at all. But this one man the great mass of our folk has readily acknowledged, holding out a heart-felt welcome to the mighty guide, heaven sent, with a brain and working mind such as this land has seldom seen. Him, who was truly a son of the Germanic branch of mankind, being devoted heart and soul to it, but animated with outspoken contempt for the weaker Latin stock, all the great thinkers of this country and the United States have owned as their high priest, all feeling his influence, and not a whit ashamed to look up to him as their worthy head. Proud are the Americans of their Emerson ; likewise proud and -even more so —how justly everyone knows—of our Carlyle, who " was by birth a Scot, sprung from that borderland which has yielded so abundant a harvest of heroes, but whose riper years were spent and greatest work wrought in the monster metropolis. Perhaps for those who have but little more than a dim idea that such a man was making himself heard and felt not long ago in this realm—among such must be placed most schoolboys, who will not be ashamed to own the fact—a slight knowledge of his life may substitute some light, truly indifferent and scanty, yet light of a kind for the foggy darkness and thick mist of ignorance.

The village of Ecclefechan in Annandale saw him born in 1795, sprung from lowly parentage. At the age of 15 he went to Edinburgh University, where he was looked upon as a solitary student, sitting apart silent and with brows wrinkled in deep thought.

After spending some time as a mathematical master, he became tutor to Charles Buller. About this time we see the first fruits of his early bent to literary work, which found its outlet in the translation of Gothe's Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship. In 1827 he married Jane Welsh, who brought him the small inheritance at Craigenputtock, where he settled, now raised above the need of writing to earn his daily bread.

The house has received an afterglow of fame from Sartor Resartus, which was there written. In 1834, turning his back on Scotland, he marched southwards to London, taking the house in Cheyne Row,

THE VIGORNIAN. Chelsea, which knew him as its inmate for the rest of his life. Sartor Resartus had awakened the attention of many, who by no means at first understood this rugged genius, standing quite alone. He became known as a lecturer, one series of lectures afterwards feeing printed under the title " Heroes and Hero Worship." From this dates the busiest time of his life, when men began to look to him, the " French Revolution'' having already been given to the wondering world. In the following years were published the great works of his brain ; one after another came Latter Day Pamphlets, Cromwell, Life of John Stirling, which gave place to years of tiring toil, arduous painstaking, till 1865, when the whole of "Frederick the Great" appeared, after which time the great oracle was dumb, save for some few words on the "Portraits of John Knox."

In that same year he was chosen Lord Rector of Edinburgh University, the only public mark of esteem of his works ever vouchsafed to him in this country. Even as this was one of the happiest moments of his life, so in the next year he was plunged into nether darkness by the death of his wife. He survived her for fifteen years, and then in the fulness of years died too, after walking a weary pilgrimage of 81 years, but seldom finding the way of his life laid in easy places, a man before all things truthful and upright, having a deep-rooted reverence for all good and great, but never found to bow or scrape to all manner of Baals and such like, whether extinct or extant, ever keeping up war unending, unflagging with the monster "Cant."

Nor is it beneath notice, as showing how firm a hold he had laid on men of all sorts, that those pulpit bigots, who are too fond of sharing out after their own views a remarkable heaven of their own mouldingo and shaping, not usually slow to shut out therefrom all save those cramped and confined within their own narrow lines of thought, this once at least granted, some freely, others grudgingly, the Chelsea sage a chance of attaining thereunto.

Perhaps it may be asked who have taken in hand to write the great man's life. Well, there is now living an old man, one of his warmest friends, a man not unknown for the outspoken ideas which he thrusts forward in each of his books. Men seem for ever fond of combating all he says; for instance, when not

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long since, he wrote something touching the negro question, by no means Exeter Hall-ish, a certain black upstarting with burning desire to uphold his race, blew out a counterblast in a book called " Froudacity," truly a wonderful brain child, suggesting two words, one beginning with "m,:! and the other with "an." Through the whole length and breadth of the English tongue unable to find a word to give utterance to his feelings he took refuge in this monster of an unknown tongue. This historian, so much maligned, has taken upon himself, at great toil, to write the great man's life. But even as through Plato, we have a refined Socrates, probably well soaked with Plato, not in all things accurately graven and represented, so in Froude, it seems likely that we have a Carlyle as the historian thought he ought to have been, one who is stripped of several qualities in which the rest of men share, and made out to be a hardened cynic, quite alone with no more feeling than a lump of quartz. We are told that through Froude we see Carlyle as—so to speak—if we were looking through a glass of baser kind, twisting all things to the level of corkscrews.

Let us now look at the chief works of the man, examining the teaching found therein. Earliest and most isolated of his books is " Sartor Resartus," a remarkable work, with a title hardly less so, of whose meaning the English may gain some slight inkling from " The Botcher Botched up again." At the outset the author professes to have waded through sundry bulky MSS. flung at him in a heap, the outcome of his mighty toils being the present work, which deals largely with the life and opinions of Herr Teufelsdrockh (Devil's dirt), and likewise gives the world Carlyle's Clothes Philosophy, in which the point he is driving at, is to show that all forms whatsoever are a kind of garment, serving their purposes, having their little day in every way like clothes, even to waxing old and wearing out. Herr Teufelsdrockh, on whom the author has spent great pains, is a Teuton, as his name betokens, but of a type never yet seen on earth, who, amongst other strange experiences, falls in love, wherein, being disappointed, he next falls into despair, roams up and down over the face of the earth, a world-pilgrim, abiding nowhere. About this sorrow-laden time he sinks into the darkness of the " Everlasting No," an awful land of spectres.

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whence he emerges, but to traverse the dim twilight and obscurity of the " Centre of Indifference " till he grasps the light, when at last he finds a firm foothold on the hard soil of the realms of the " Everlasting Yea." This young author, the like of whom they had never seen before, his contemporaries understood but little, approved of yet less ; even when they found no fault with his teaching his style stuck in their throats like a bone refusing to be dislodged. Grimly enough he prints at the back of the book, " Opinions of the Press," probably faithful skits from his own pen, of the reviews such as for the most part they were. One man, after making terrific onslaughts on the " Baphometic Fire Baptism," mentions as an interesting fact that one long sentence in that part of the work will make good sense read backwards or forwards, while another dwarf stretches himself as tall as he can in the empty hope of patting Carlyle on the back, yet keeping up his dignity ; a third critic (American), full of youthful guilelessness, startles the world by a profound discovery, which he will ungrudgingly share with mankind, that Teufelsdrockh had no bodily being outside the author's brain. O wonderful insight, and piercing penetration rarely met with !

Sometime after this was published, one of Carlyle's series of lectures, wherein we see the author of one of his favourite doctrines, Hero Worship, on which he is never tired of insisting in season and out alike.

Here he is like some world showman, across whose stage march giant phantoms of the mighty departed, re-calling in all things what they were in lifetime.

Together come old Norse Odin, in whose case the worship went so far as to exalt him to the Godhead, Southern Mahomed, whom he makes out to have been no Charlatan after all, gloomy Dante and the stern old Knox, Shakespeare and unbending Luther, Johnson's bulky frame and the Scot Burns ; last the two great prodigies of modern times—Cromwell and Napoleon. A strange gathering nowhere else thus together found, coming from every land, of all times and folks. By the stormy years with which the first half of this country waned and set, Carlyle, like all other thoughtful men, could not fail to be moved and stirred. Over the waters could be heard the far-off rumbling of a storm gathering and clouding all

the European sky; in every capital there were riots and rumours of seditions from which this land was not free, for these were the years of the great Chartist outbreak. On the problem which filled Disraeli's Sybil, which took up Kingsley's thoughts in Yeast, yet more in Alton Locke, Carlyle gave utterance to his thoughts in Past and Present, where gloomy he is if ever. For the Past he draws a cheerful portrait of Bury in Richard's time, under Abbot Sampson, with which contrasted stands England's Present, the gloomier side of the picture. Strongly he upholds the old saw about non-workers likewise non-eaters, resting, however, mostly for relief on two remedies— education and emigration. Whatsoever may have been Carlyle's politics—and it would have been indeed hard to tie him down to any party—herein he clearly shews that he has no sympathy with. the .kind of Toryism, by the more enterprising put aside on a shelf and labelled Fossil. He lived to see calmer days and a clearer sky, to which stilling of the storm his book contributed not a little.

Three great works are these, on which depend his fame as an historian ; of these first comes the "French' Revolution," of which we can only say, " If you have not read it, lose no further time in doing so, nowise disheartened by its length ; then judge its excellence for yourself."

This is no time for empty babbling about "splendid picture gallery of fine portraits," and so forth like an auctioneer's catalogue. No one will quickly forget Danton the Titan, Robespierre the ever " sea-green," and all that band of worthies, having once read the book.

The second is a life of Oliver Cromwell. It must not be forgotten how ready after generations were to take the verdict of the spiteful wretches who had so plentifully befouled the dead dictator with pitch and mud ; here and there one man might believe that Cromwell was not quite an anti-christ, might even write a book to prove as much. But the task was not done worthily, nor the last word spoken till Carlyle took up the subject.

The last of the three is a monster growth, the History of Frederick the Great, a poor sort of hero to take such trouble with, little better in fact than a kind of highwayman on a large scale, whose exploits have been whitewashed in a way because they met

THE VIGORNIAN. with some success. Truly a terrible task was it, grievously oppressing the author till fulfilled : many were the musty records of antiquaries over which he pored with patience owned by few. In fact, every now and then throughout the work, he gathers himself together to make an overwhelming onslaught on the many-headed Dryasdust, whom he worries till the victim is half dead and the conqueror spent and breathless.

No less characteristic of Carlyle than his doctrines is his style, which he owed to no man, shared with no man, which is altogether his by a copyright more binding than this world gives. Much talk, coming dangerously near cant, though encrusting and centred round an undoubted truth, we hear now-a-days uttered about the folly of using foreign words rather than true Anglo-Saxon ; how much these upholders of the strict vernacular mean what they say is usually shewn by the way in which they plunge straightway when the chance comes into uncouth combinations of all kinds of overgrown phrases, under whose lumbering weight their sentences groan. One man, a Leviathan, we know lived in this country in Queen Anne's time, who was never content, unless—so to speak—piling up Pelion on Ossa, and adding another not inconsiderable molehill thereunto, who would fairly bear down and overwhelm a foe with sheer weight. Now like this Carlyle was not, nor yet altogether like one of the afore-spoken-of fanatics, an experimenting person, who swore to write in nothing save Anglo-Saxon. He is in the main content to take this curiously built up tongue as it is, with the dash of Greek, leaven of Latin, and flavour of half-a-dozen others and make the most of it to give utterance to his overflowing thoughts. He is ever an incorrigible word coiner and word builder, to which habit he was led in his young days by his German studies ; he is likewise fond of taking some word to pieces and dwelling on its meaning ; our native expression, " King," thus suffers dissection again and again. He is always treading on the corns of the stiff cold formalist, by shewing such scant respect for the latters cherished rules and methods ; there is always a living, moving, force of his words; and he often offends some in the matter of broken off endings, abrupt transitions. In short, his style, it seems, is never like the river in the wellknown line, which " Labitur et labetur in oinne

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volubilis cevum." But rather this same stream, in winter swollen with rains, carrying all things in its path, tearing on with a tide that may not be stemmed or crossed.

H.M.C. respectful BOOrees to tbe Cbimneg=Sweep.

Thy clarion reveille floats Beneath my window ; My spirit hears those thrilling notes— Thy shrill crescendo.

Ah ! let me see him as he waits, That fairy figure, Dark with the pigment that creates The minstrel-nigger.

Thy delicate complexion—nay It is not pretty : Its tints of autumn—shall I say— A shade too sooty ; Yet chemists say the gems that grace A crown imperial, And that darts carbon on thy face Are one material.

Thine ignorance of harmony There's no disguising ; The flatness of that upper C Is quite surprising.

And yet to me thine artless tones Give far more pleasure Than his, who makes of rags and bones His earthly treasure.

Sing on ; and if I had my choice, Upon my honour I'd rather hear thy silver voice Than Prima Donna ; For when those strains I first perceive, My angel Orpheus, For three clear hours I need not leave The arms of Morpheus.

L.

Scbool Officers.

Captain of the School T. A. BRANTHWAITE. Chairman of VI. Form Meetings C. T. Dl.MONT. H. W. BOU.AND. Captain of Cricket H. H. QUILTER. Captain of Football A. E. WHEELER. Secretary of Football Librarian C. T. DIMONT. H. M. CONACHER. Secretary of Chess Club H. M. CONACHER. Editors of " The Vieornian " C. T. DIMONT.

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Speech' Da^ at Worcester Catbefcral (Brammar Scbool.

(From the Worcestershire Echo, OCT. gra, 1889.) ii-

JESTERDAY was the Annual Prize and Speech Day at the Worcester Cathedral Grammar School, and there was a large gathering of parents and friends to witness the pleasing ceremonies connected with this—one of the most interesting events of the school year. The spacious hall, looking in one aspect new and bright with the freshness of the woodwork, and in another displaying every wrinkle and line due to its great age, resounded again and again with the hearty boys' cheers, and echoed back the accents of classic tongues. Of course the " speeches " of the prize day must always be viewed with more or less indulgence from an elocutionary point of view; but in this case the Mayor's reference to the admirable elocution was thoroughly justified.

The scene was a bright and happy one, and was thoroughly enjoyed. Amongst those present were the Mayor (Alderman Ernest Day), the Dean (Dr. Gott), Canon and Mrs. Creighton, Canon Claughton, Canon Melville, Rev. W. E. Bolland (Head Master of the Grammar School), and Mrs. Bolland, Revs. E. Vine Hall, Minor, Canon Woodward, T. Littleton Wheeler, F. H. Richings, Messrs. T. Bates, John Hooper, W. Webb, George Clarke, and others.

Ube Speeches.

The proceedings were begun with the following programme, in which the boys acquitted themselves admirably :— SCHOOL SONG "Where Severn winds" A. Caldirott.

CICERO " Philippic IX." FARAM i.

SHAKESPEARE "Macbeth " .Malcolm— DAVIES i. Macdtijf—\^v.v.\\ i. Kosse—ROWLAND. MOLIERE " Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme " Jourdain—BRAN rmvAiTE. Professor of Philosophy—DIMONT. P.DT cnxT,.f f " The Seasons" \ ,. . .

PAR1 S NGb Kosslnl ° {"The Traveller") EuRIPIDES " The Cyclops " Polyphemus—QUILTER i. Ulysses—HILL. Silenus —CONACIIEK. TENNYSON "The Revenge" WEBB i.

SHERIDAN "St. Patrick's Day" Justice Credulous—WHEELER. Bridget Credulous—BAILY i.

Lieut. O'Connor—BOLLAND i. Dt. Rosy—ROWLAND. Lauretta—BOLLAND iii.

SCHOOL SONG " Floreat Schola Vigorniensis"... E. V. Hall,

The part songs were sung by the members of the School Singing Class, the accompaniments being played by the Rev. E. V. Hall.

At the close of this entertainment, the Dean took the chair on the platform and called on the Head Master to make his statement.

THE RESUME OF THE YEAR'S WORK.

MR. BOLLAND, in welcoming the friends of the School who were present, said he recognised the interest it showed in the School, and he thanked them heartily for coming in such numbers. The past year had been a quiet one. There had not been the excitement of the public examination as in the previous year. Last year the Sixth Form went in for the Higher Certificate, and the Fifth Form for the Lower Certificate ; and all the Sixth Form, except one, and all the Fifth, without exception, were successful. The results of success in these examinations were that next year there were not so many boys who wanted to go in for them. Therefore, unless there were many unforeseen failures, they did not like to have these examinations more than once in two years. This year, therefore, they had not had the examination. He did not quite agree with Canon Creighton and others that examinations were an unmixed evil; though he thought they were very great evils indeed, and he wished they could do without them altogether. This year, in which there had not been the strain and struggle for open competition, was a year in which a great deal of good sound work had been done. There had, of course, been the statutory examination required by the term. During last autumn Davies went up for the Meeke Scholarship and was elected ; Webb was previously elected, and thus there were two scholars going up to Oxford this week ; and he was sure they would bring distinction on their School. (Applause.) At Cambridge two of their boys had won scholarships. Higgins got a law scholarship at Downing, and W. Counsell a science scholarship at Cavendish.

This showed that their education was not confined to pure classics. (Hear, hear.) There had been growth in the progress of the School, he went on to say, both in quality and quantity.

The entries during last summer were considerably greater than in any year since 1883. He thought this was a very good sign of gradual growth for .the School. He believed also that they had improved in quality, for the tone of the School was higher than it had ever been. They had always had a high tone ; but the tone of a school, like everything else that was good and genuine, ought always to be growing. This was, of course, owing in some degree to the masters, but it was also due to the boys at the head of the School. He desired to thank the head boys of the Sixth Form, and especially two who were leaving them, Webb and Davies ; for their influence had been of enormous good to the other boys. The parents ought to feel that they owed something to those boys at the top of the School.

(Applause.) Mr. Bolland then spoke of the growth in the outdoor life of the School, and referred to success in rowing and athletics. The new Fives Courts, he said, would be ready very soon, and now that the pavilion was complete on the cricket ground he hoped that ladies would go to the cricket matches next summer, for it would stimulate the boys to take still greater interest in cricket. He thought one sign of the growth of the School was that its vitality had excited a certain amount of disappointment amongst certain people in the city. There had been talk about their want of commercial education, and it had been said that no boy could learn anything but pure classics there. The last examination showed that was not true, and that they could teach modern subjects as well as others.

That died away, but now there was talk about amalgamation.

He did not know what that meant, and he had found no one else who did. Everyone had a different view. This was doing the School harm. He felt that the anxiety and uncertainty was hurtful to the School, for parents would say that they would keep their boys at home till they knew what was going to be done. They would like to be put out of their misery, and to know the meaning of the mysterious word which was hanging over them. In conclusion, he heartily thanked his colleagues, the assistant masters, for the very efficient aid they had given him, (Applause.)

THE EXAMINER'S REPORT. CANON CLAUGHTON then read the report of the examiner, the Rev. LI. J. M. Bebb, Fellow of Brasenose College, Oxford.

2

THE VIGORNIAN.

59

Mr. Bebb said that in the VI. Form the work was on the whole good, though it varied considerably in quality. The best papers were done by Webb and Conacher, who far out-distanced the others. In the classical subjects the papers were for the most part more set in the Higher Certificate Examination, and from the marks it seemed likely that all the boys would have got certificates, and that some would have got distinctions, though the work was characterized by care rather than brilliancy. The best work was done in the Old Testament paper, where die fact that four of the five papers averaged 86 per cent., spoke for itself. Of the classical papers, the Greek and Latin unseen translations, which were good tests of scholarship, were the best done. Those of Webb and Conacher were good in style and accurate, and none fell below a fair mark. The composition was the least satisfactory part of the whole examination, as there were many bad grammatical mistakes and comparatively small grasp of idiom. Of the candidates for the exhibition, Webb did very much the best work, and he had great pleasure in recommending him for election. The Fifth Form did very good work, and of the classical subjects the Latin was better done than the Greek. In speaking %of the Fourth Form, he said the English Grammar deserved to be mentioned for the careful work shown by the whole Form ; and in the Third Form much of the work was good. In Mathematics the work of the Sixth Form, though it did not come up to a high standard, was marked by accuracy, and the average was good. An accident prevented the best boy from doing himself full justice. The work of the other P'orms was also good. The French work, on the whole, was very satisfactory. He thought there was every reason to be satisfied with the work of the School. As in duty bound, he had drawn attention to what seemed the weak as well as the strong points in the work. He thought the results in the Sixth Form were as good as could reasonably be expected, and that in all the lower forms there were boys whose work promised, when it matured, to reach as high a standard.

(Applause.)

THE DEAN, before distributing the prizes, said speech-making did not merely give them great thoughts or ideas, because a great many speeches had very little in them. But listening to speeches was a training in endurance, and endurance was great.

(Laughter.) He therefore desired to train them a little to endurance while he made a few7 remarks. The masters of, a school like that were inspired in doing their work, by a sense of the fact that parents trusted them with the education of their boys. But the Doys owed much to each other, for the masters might be angels in disguise and yet not be able to do, of themselves, the work they had at heart. He sometimes thought he owed more to the tone of his school, the inheritance left behind by older boys in the spirit of enterprise, and especially in the spirit of honour, than to all the grammar he had forgotten.

They were always sorry to part with the older, boys. They contributed to Oxford and Cambridge, and to the trades and professions of England the best boys they had ; and though they missed them sorely, yet they left behind them a pure, upright and Godly past which made it easier for little boys to tread in their steps. Parents in a school like that had a large share of the benefits of the education, not merely in seeing their boys make a good start in life, but they entered on a new education when they sat side by side with their boys and girls and helped them with their home work. Home work was better done in a school like that than in a boarding school. He had been told this by schoolmasters and quite believed it. More valuable than the new education on which parents entered with their children, was the precious new fellowship with their boys and girls which came of learning together in some good book, under some worthy master, studying some grand evolution of science or of literature. With thanks to the master, God-speed to the boys who left them, encouragement to those who remained, and fellow-feeling with their parents in their new education and fellowship with their children, he would try their endurance no more, but proceed to distribute the prizes. (Applause.)

THE PRIZE LIST.

The Dean then gave away the prizes according to the following list:—

Form Prize: VI. Form, awarded to Webb i ; honourably mentioned, Conacher ; V. Form, Faram i ; hon. men., Bolland i, Chamberlain ; IV. Form, Thomas i i ; hon. men. Baily i, Thomas i ; III. Form, Bennett ; hon. men., Shattock, Bolland ii ; II. Form, Skilbeck ; hon. men., Riddell, Goldring. Greek Testament (Open): Webb i, Conacher. Latin Composition (Open): Davies ; hon. men., Conacher. English Essay (Open): Dimont ; hon. men., Branthwaile. Divinity and History: V., Faram i ; hon. men., Bolland i, Higgins, Fuller (History); IV., Thomas ii; hon. men., Steward, West; III., Bennett; hon. men., Bolland ii ; II., Goldring; hen. men., Riddell.

Mathematics (Open): Hill; hon. men., Webb'i ; Lower A Division, Chamberlain ; hon. men., Faram i, Bennett ; Lower B Division, Clarke i ; hon. men., Clarke ii, Baily i ; Lower C Division, Bolland ii ; hon. men., Shattock, Bird, Boily ii ; Lower D Division, Riddell ; hon. men., Goldring, Dutton iii.

Modern Languages (Open): Conacher; V., Dutton i ; hon. men., Chamberlain, Bolland i; IV., Baily i ; hon. men., Thomas ii; III., Shattock, Chaplin; lion, men., Bolland ii, Faram ii : II., Skilbeck; hon. men., Riddell. Natural History Collection: Bolland i. Draining Model: Dutton i ; hon. men., Hadley. Drawing Shaded (from Nature): Dutton i ; hon. men., Osborne. Drawing Sliaded (under 75): Bennett; hon. men., Spark. Higher Certificate (awarded July, 1889) ; Wheeler. School Exhibition: Webb i. Dean Peel Scholarship : C. R. Davies.

The prizes were given by : Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Worcester (Greek. Testament), the Lord Lieutenant (Latin Composition), the Very Rev. the Dean, Rev. Canon Melville, Rev. Canon Knox-Little; Rev. Canon Creighton, Rev. Canon Claughton, Rev. Canon Cattley, the Head Master, the Mayor of Worcester, Rev. M. Day, In memoriam Rev. H. Chaloner Ogle, Mr. F. Dingle, Mr. S. T. Dutton, Mr. J. H. Hooper, and the Old Vigornians.

THE MAYOR ox AMALGAMATION. The MAYOR said he thought the reports received were of a highly gratifying character, and they were all especially pleased to be informed by Mr. Bolland of the progress of the School.

He had touched upon a little difference of opinion which had arisen with regard to the School, but he could assure him that all the citizens looked upon the School with a great degree of pride, and, although some of them might differ on certain points, at the same time they felt a deep interest in the School, and nothing would please them better than to see it more and more successful, not only from the scholastic point of view, but also as regarded numbers. Looking at the spacious and handsome hall, they must feel that the accommodation and educational advantages offered there were sufficient to enable many more scholars to be educated than there were at the present time. He hoped within a very short period to be able to convene a meeting of all those specially interested in educational matters in the city ; and he was pleased to say that this step had the entire concurrence of the Dean and Chapter, who were Governors of the School. He could not help thinking that if they had an opportunity of meeting and exchanging ideas, some suggestions might be formulated which would be a distinct advantage to that ancient School, and also to the city at large. He congratulated Mr. Bolland on the efficiency of his staff of masters ; and also the scholars on the very interesting programme they had gone through that day. It showed a more than ordinary degree of merit. (Hear, hear,) The variety of subjects nnd languages was gratifying ; and he was particularly sAxw^ h^j tb.e. mg&texly, eloc\iUov\ of tl\e bov,^. (^.V^lause^ He looked upon elocution as a most important factor of education, though one generally neglected. It was very gratifying on that occasion to have such a very pleasant illustration of the ability of the scholars. (Applause.)

260

THE

VIGORNIAN.

THE GOVERNORS' VIEW OF THE QUESTION*.

CANON CKEIGHTON said that at a time when a proposal was brought forward for considerably modifying the lines on which that School had hitherto been carried on, the parents of boys attending the School had a right to understand the attitude of the Governors of the Cathedral School, and what had been their attitude for a considerable time past. Hitherto it had been impossible for any governor to speak of suggestions which had been floating in the air, and it had been their desire that these floating suggestions should take some definite shape, on which they could be criticised or discussed. So long ago as the 2Oth August, 1888, the Governors of the Cathedral School passed a resolution, which was communicated to those who were interested in the new scheme for the re-organization of the School, and which, he thought, the time had now come to make public. It was : " That the Governors of the Cathedral Grammar School are prepared to consider any definite scheme, which, in the opinion of a body representative of the wishes of the citizens of Worcester, is likely to improve the educational system of the City as a whole." That was the position of the Governors of the Cathedral School. They naturally refused to pronounce " Aye " or " N o " upon vague suggestions. What they asked was that the proposals should be put into definite shape, and take the form of a scheme which could at least be discussed, and which should be with reference not to the interests and merits of one such or another, but with reference to the advantage of the educational system of the City of Worcester as a whole. This request had not been in the least degree complied with. They had therefore had no chance of expressing their opinion in any definite way ; but they were still in the position he had described, and they would gladly welcome any suggestion such as the Mayor had made—that there should be a conference in which it might be possible to put into some definite shape the suggestions at present simply floating listlessly in the air. He thought they would agree that the resolution passed the other day by the City Council was thereby a resolution to indicate that the time had come to suspend, or at all events not immediately to carry into execution, the scheme which the Charity Commissioners had proposed. That resolution was not so much an expression of any definite desire on the part of the City Council as of a desire that the matter should be discussed, and that no scheme should immediately take effect. In considering the schemes it must be borne in mind that education in any place only divided itself into three branches. First of all, there was the education of those who ceased to be educated at the age of 12 or 13, and that was provided for by the National Schools, and Board Schools. Secondly, there was the education of those who went to some commercial pursuit at the age of 15 or 16, and, thirdly, the education of those who went to some professional pursuit or to the Universities, which reached to the age of 18 or 19. The schemes of the Charity Commissioners were to supply the second and third branches.

Up to the present there were two schools in Worcester both doing and aiming at very much the same sort of work, and the proposal which a large number of citizens had refused was simply that the two schools should be differentiated, that the one should do one kind of work and the other another kind. The question for the citizens was whether they wanted these two kinds of schools or not. If they only wanted one it was desirable that they should only have one. In the second place the question was "Is it desirable that the two systems should exist in Worcester separately, or is it desirable that they should both be carried on together ? It was a question which admitted of discussion, but it was not the same question as seemed to be supposed—as whether or not this School should be separated into two branches more definitely than it now is—into the classical side and the modern side. The question was not whether or no there should be two sides, but whether there should be a school for the education of boys who ceased to be educated at 16. It was not possible that the education of these boys could be carried on in the same lines as the branch of a school constructed for the education of those who were to be educated till they were 18 or 19. In such a school there would be two different objects to be pursued in two different ways. It was not, therefore, a sufficient answer to the scheme of the Commissioners to say all that was wanted could be supplied by forming one school with classical and modern sides. The

discussion would have to go much deeper than that from an educational point of view. The Governors were most anxious to hear the opinions of the parents of the boys who went to the School. It would be well if the parents recognized that they had an exceptional right to make themselves heard. In the remarks made at the meeting of the City Council one speaker said the origin was hidden in the mists of antiquity. The mists of antiquity formed a convenient place to refer things to, but the history of the School was too obvious and simple to need repetition. Yet he would ask them to remember that the great Monastery of Worcester from the earliest times of its existence had as part of its functions the education of poor boys in the neighbourhood. These functions were carried out more or less well until the Monastery ceased to exist, and then the Dean and Chapter were endowed out of the revenues of the Monastery, and part of the duties imposed upon them was to carry out the education which the Monastery had hitherto performed. That was the old Monastic School, now the Cathedral School, which had been carried on by the Dean and Chapter until within the last few years. It was then thought well that the Dean and Chapter should be advised and assisted in the arduous task by representatives of other bodies. That system was only five years old, and he wanted them to remember that the Cathedral School of Worcester was entirely supported by ecclesiastical revenues. The endowments came from the property of the Dean and Chapter, its education was carried on in the old refectory of the Monastery. Any changes that might be made should be contemplated in conjunction with that patent fact.

(Applause.)

Cheers were then given for the Dean, the Canons, and the Head Master, and the proceedings ended.

fives Courts ano pavilion jfunb. jg[^^aH INCE our last issue, the following additional donations have been given to the Fives Courts and Pivilirm KiirtH *

COLLECTING CARDS.

£ s. d.

j

£> s- d-

Baily i - - 10 o Holland ii - - 2 1 2 o Bird - - - - i 10 6 Powell - 10 6 Nicol - - - 143 Spark- - - 10 o Finch- - - - i o o - - - .£4 23 6d OLD VIGORNIANS. £ s. d.

J.C.R.Day,Esq. 10 o £ s. d.

10 o Miss Ottley - - I 0 O E. W. Binns,Esq. 5 o H.Oliphant,Esq. 5 o T.G.Rusher,Esq. R. P. Quilter, Rev. Thomas L. Wheeler - - 2 2 0 Esq. - 5 o Rev. R. Relton 10 o R. C. Smith-Carington, Esq. - i o o 10 o Rev. D. Evans ErlinClarke,Esq. i o o S.T. Dutton,Esq. 10 o (2nd) - - - I I O Geo. Clarke,Esq. Rev. R. Taylor10 6 Rev.H.H.Woodward - - - 2 2 0 M. Sharp, Esq. - i i o Amount previously acknowledged, ,£203 173. 6d.

IO O Webb - - Davies IO O Holland i - - 2 O 0 10 6 Dutton i - 10 o Fetch - - IO O Thomas i - 10 6 Thomas ii Amounts under IDS.

THE VIGORNIAN.

Cricket. < RITING at a time when winters cold has quenched every spark of glowing enthusiasm, weshall hardly be accused of letting our imagination run away with us if we draw comparisons between the Seasonsof 1888 and 1889, by which the latter will not greatly suffer. Perhaps the man whose soul is chained down to figures (such a man would assuredly have a soul material enough to undergo that process) in dry tones may ask how in that case we failed to score more victories ; to such an one we should draw attention to the great disadvantage of having five places to fill up, not forgetting to lay stress on such scores as 96, 121, 146, for six wickets, and single performances like 42, 44, 65, of which last our Captain, Counsell, was guilty.

Though the tall scores were mostly on the wrong side of the scoring sheet, still our scores consistently increased as the summer went on, the century being t6pped twice. During the last few matches we missed the ready hand of W. Counsell, who left us for the less cheerful society of dry bones, etc., at Cambridge.

We take the present opportunity of giving utterance to the unspoken feeling of the school and thanking him and his stalwart brethren for their services to the school. While in 1888, our batting averages were so shadowy as to be hardly seen by the naked eye, but our bowling figures distinctly respectable, this year on the

261

WORCESTER CATHEDRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL v. SPETCHLEY. Played on July i6th, at Spetchley Park.

This was the highest score we reached against the strong team.

SPETCHLEY. W. C. G. S. Baines, c Counsell b Bolland 33 C. Counsell, run out 5 Capt. M. Berkeley, c Icely H. Hill, run out o b Locock ... ... ... 61 Mr. Locock,Ibw b SomersA. H. Hudson, b Millar ... 58 20 Cocks C. E. Benn, c Locock b C. Icely, b Ward O Bolland o B. Millar, c Hudson, b H. Somers-Cocks, b Bolland 4 Baines ...

Rev. W. E. Bolland, b Hon. J. Ward, c Icely b Locock 57 Ward 44 II. Bolland, b Baines ... o Capt R. V.Berkeley I t o b a t Husband ... j C. Fuller, b Baines 4 L. Deace, not out ... ... i A. Baily, not out 3 P. Webb, c VV. Berkeley W. Berkeley, c H. W. b Baines o Bolland b Bolland ... 19 J. Williams, to bat H. Clarke, c & b Baines 2 Extras 21 Extras ..................... 10 Total

258

Total

96

..................

85

WORCESTER CATHEDRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL v. ELEVEN OF THE COUNTY. Played at Boughton, July 25th.

A most gratifying ending of the Season —quite unexpected, ELEVEN OF THE COUNTY. W. C. G. S. Mr. Locock, run out ... 30 A. Wood, b Bolland ... o B. Millar, b Lock o C. E. Benn, b Counsell... 10 H. Bolland 3 T. B. Charlesworth, c Bolland b Locock ... 45 Mr. Jordan, c A. Lord, b Charlesworth .. ... 4 D. Smith, b Bolland ... 6 ... 21 Rev. W. E. Bolland, b Lock 26 C. Lord, b Bolland A. Lock, c Counsell b C. Counsell, c Wheeler, b Bolland o Lock 65 C. Icely, not out ... ... 6 R. G. Coventry, not out 24 J. G. Owen, not out ...

6 C. Fuller ^ W. Coventry ~| H. Clarke -did not bat A. E. Lord J-to bat A- Baily C. Wheeler J P. Webb } Extras II Extras 10 Innings closed : — Total 123 Total for 6 wkts... 142 BATTING AVERAGES :—

contrary our batting averages will stand inspection.

WORCESTER CATHEDRAL G R A M M A R SCHOOL v. DEAN CLOSE SCHOOL, CHELTENHAM. Played on the ground of the latter, July I3th.

The figures probably will look rather startling ; certainly our men were not accustomed to having their bowling so rudely handled.

DEAN CLOSE SCHOOL. W. C. G. S. -E. Shellard, c Fuller b C. Counsell, c Hodgkins b Counsell ... ... ... 21 Jose ... ... ... 21 H. E. Hodgkins, not out ...no II. Hill, c & b Hodgkins 2 Mr. R. Green, not out 73 Mr. Locock, not out ... 42 B. Millar, b Jose ... o C. S. Murray \ S. W. Jose C. Icely, c Hawes b Hodpkins ... ... 4 G. W. Webb II. W. Bolland, c Hodg.S. Busby ko bat kins b Jose ... ... o W. S. Money Mr. Jordan, b Jose ... 4 M. A. Hawes H. Clarke, b Jose ... I T. B. Davis C. Fuller, c Murray b G. Moore Green ... ... ... 10 A. Baily, c Davis b Jose o H. Hargraves, b Jose ... 4 Extras 8 18 Extras

Total

Rev. W. E. Mr. Locock W. Counsell C. Counsell C. Icely A. Baily

No. of Times Total No. Highest inngs. not out. of runs.

Score. Av. Bolland 5 ... o ... 72 ... 44 ... 14-2

... 14 ... I ... 215 ... 42-)-... ... 6 ... 2 ... 110 ... 28t... 25 ... 15 ... o ... 262 ... 65 ... 177 ... 14 ... I ... 65 ... II S 6 ... n ... 5 ... 18 3

Htbletic Sports.

UR Annual Sports were held on Boughton Cricket Ground, on Tuesday, October 8th.

There was a fair attendance, amongst whom was the Mayor (Alderman Ernest Day), composed chiefly of the boys' friends, but the chilly weather seemed to have the effect of thinning off these towards five o'clock. The ground was in good condition for

262

THE VIGORNIAN.

running. Not a very large proportion of the contestants who had entered their names for the different races ran, and, although the boys' times were fairly good, there were only two close finishes, namely, the final of the 100 yds. open race, which Hadley succeeded in wresting from Davies by a few inches, and the final of the Old Boys' 120 yds. Handicap, for which Baylis ran Bennett closely. The Sports took place under the patronage of the Dean, the Reverends the Canons of the Cathedral, the Governors of the School, the Mayor, the City Member, and the Masters of the School. The officials were : Judges, Rev. W. E. Boiland and Mr. H. Clarke; stewards, Rev. W. E. Bolland, Messrs. H. Clarke, C. 1). Locock, E. I). Jordan, and J. H. Hooper; committee, W. H. Webb, C. R. Uavies, A. Wheeler, H. Quilter, and C. Icely ; treasurer, Mr. E. D. Jordan ; hon. sees., W. H. Webb and C. R. Davies. The band of the ist Worcestershire Artillery Volunteers was in attendance, and played a long selection of music during the afternoon. As there were some 17 events on the programme, and to have gone through all these on Tuesday would have been too much time, the Long Jump (open), the Long Jump (under 15), and the Hurdle Race were held on Monday. As it was, it was getting dusk before the Sports were finished, and the One Mile Open had to be abandoned. The following is the list of the winners :— Long Jump (Open).—Prize, clock. C. R. Davies ; distance, 15ft. lin.

Long Jump (under 15).—Prize, knife. H. Clarke ; distance 13ft. 6Kin. Hurdle Race.—Prize, silver cup. Davies.

120 Yards Handicap (Open).—First heat : F. Hadley, 4yds, I ; H. Webb, scratch, 2. Second heat : C. Davies, I yd., I ; W. Finch, 5 yds, 2. Third heat: H. Quilter, lyd., i ; C. Icely, 5 yds, 2. Final heat : Hadley (brass ornaments) I ; Finch (racquet), 2 ; Webb (studs), 3. joo Yards (under 15).—H. Clarke (cruet stand), I ; Wilks (knife), 2.

High Jump (Open).—W. H. Webb (cup), I ; Hargraves, 2 ; Davies, 3. Height, 4ft. 2in, 100 Yards (Open). — First heat: Hadley, I ; Webb, 2.

Second heat : Davies, I ; Finch, 2. Third heat: Icely, I ; Quilter, 2. Final heat : Hadley (racquet), I ; Davies (aneroid barometer), 2 ; H. Webb, 3.

Quarter-Mile (Open).—C. R. Davies (a prize presented by Mr. Binns), I ; F. Hadley (opera glasses), 2 ; W. H. Webb, 3.

High Jump (under 15).—H. Clarke (cup); height 4ft.

Quarter-Mile (under 15).—\Vilks, loyds (a prize presented

by Mrs. Bolland), I ; Powell, 15 yds (inkstand), 2 ; Quilter, 15 yds (knife), 3. . loo Yards Handicap (under 13).—Goldring (writing case), I ; Liddell, 5 yds, 2.

Throwing the Cricket 'Ball (Open).—W. H. Webb (bat), I ; distance, 68 yards.

One Mile (under 15).—Clarke ii, (bag), I ; Quilter (silver watch chain), 2.

Half-Mile Handicap (Open).—H. Dutton, 25 yds (prize presented by the masters), I ; C. Faram, 15 yds (brass inkstand), 2 ; W. H. Webb, scratch (cruet stand), 3.

Old Boys' 120 Yards Handicap.—W. Bennett, scratch (aneroid barometer), i ; R. Baylis, lyd (cigarette case), 2.

Consolation Race.—Purton (cup), I ; Icely (clock), 2 ; Quilter (knife), 3.

There was also a potato race. At the conclusion of the races, Mrs. Bolland presented the prizes in the absence of Mrs. Gott.

In the Account of the Regatta in last issue, W. CounselTs four should have been stated as winning their race.

EDS. VIG.

jfootball.

OR many years past the successive writers of the football articles have, with laudable zeal, attempted the arduous task 'of obtaining some consolation from an unbroken chain of disastrous defeats. This year, however, although we have not much to be proud of, yet we to some extent have dispelled the darkness that has been brooding over our football records. Certainly the season did not open with any brilliant promise of success. We had lost no fewer than eight members of last year's team, whose places it seemed impossible to fill up. Another check on the progress of football was the fact that the Athletic Sports were held during this term instead of, as in former years, in the spring. This change, although not unattended with advantages, was certainly prejudicial to football, since the first three weeks of the term had to be given up to practice for these Sports.

The attendance on the field this year was an average one ; that is to say, about a dozen fellows attended with praiseworthy consistency; a few more came down with more or less regularity ; while the rest of the School patronised football at a distance.

Football is considered a dangerous game, and the plea of ill-health is made a cloak to cover a multitude of laziness. We do not, of course, lose sight of the fact that a few are constitutionally unfit to play, but we think that the health of the majority of the fellows

263

THE VIGORNIAN.

in the School would be benefited rather than impaired by a good hard game of football. It is certainly a curious fact that many fellows are on a football afternoon afflicted with ailments about which they are at other times quite oblivious. Others again, who do not plead ill-health, rack their brains to discover some plausible excuse for neglecting the game; accordingly some such dialogue as the following occurs nearly every half-holiday :— C. F. (to Jones, who is playing fives) : " I suppose you are coming down to football this afternoon ?"

Jones (thoughtfully) : " Well, no ; I am afraid not."

C. F. (wrathful) : " Why not ? " Jones (piteously) : " I am afraid I have hurt my fingers." Presumably Jones plays Fives with his feet ' As a general rule in late years, it has happened that it has been the fellows in the upper part of the School who have especially held aloof from the game; but this year the contrary has taken place. There has been regularly every half-holiday a Junior game, to which the choristers have been invited ; the choristers, for their part, have come down very regularly, but the attendance, or rather non-attendance, of our Juniors, has been nothing short of disgraceful.

During the earlier part of the term, owing to the constant inclemency of the weather and the impossibility of playing on some half-holidays, we have had some practices after the school in the afternoon ; on these occasions the attendance was generally satisfactory.

We have mentioned the dozen or so who attend regularly, to these, and these only, is the credit of our improvement due. If some of those who have just left could be present at one of our games, they would be astonished at the progress that some of us have made.

Our forwards are certainly the strongest part of our team, and have acquitted themselves with great credit, but the lack of combination in those behind the scrimmages is a drawback. Perhaps in our matches we are apt to be too diffident about our play ; knowing our weakness, we invite a few old boys and others to help us ; this modesty (or is it cowardice ?) leads to two bad results ; in the first place, we lose our dependence on ourselves and trust to outsiders doing our own work ; and secondly, we do not get accustomed to playing together as a team. This is probably

the cause of our want of combination. We may mention, however, that this year in neither of our matches have we played with more than one outsider.

Of the two matches which we have played this year, we were successful in the first, but lost the second.

Would it be unkind to mention that for some years past we had not been successful in a single match ?

Owing to frost, matches with Bromsgrove and Queen's College, Birmingham, have been deferred.

On Saturday, November gth, we met on our own ground a strong team under the captaincy of R. Baylis. The game from the beginning assumed an even character, and was played with great pluck and spirit on both sides. Shortly before half time C. S. Icely for the School dropped a neat goal, which was supplemented shortly afterwards by a try from H. H. Quilter. On changing sides we were hard pressed by our opponents, and R. Webb and W. Bennett obtained each a try ; both the kicks however were unsuccessful. \Ve were thus left the victors by a goal and a try to two tries. Our success on this occasion was chiefly due to our forwards, who played with much spirit and perseverance against their far heavier opponents.

On Wednesday, November 20th, we played Dean Close School at Cheltenham. During the first half of the game we were quite outmatched, both in weight and pace, and our opponents scored goal after goal.

After half time, however, matters became more even, and Dutton was soon successful in receiving a try, which was afterwards converted into a goal by Bolland.

Shortly before no-sids was called a second try for the School was obtained by Wheeler. We were finally beaten by 7 goals and a try to a goal and a try.

H. H. Q.

Scbool TRotes.

We congratulate T. A. BRANTHWAITE on obtaining the Meeke.

R. P. QUILTER has passed the Preliminary Examination for Holy Orders (Cambridge), taking a first-class.

A. PEARSON (Caius, Cambridge) has passed the Little-Go and Additionals (Mechanics) and gone into residence.

A. HIGGINS (Downing) has passed the Additionals (French).

264

THE VIGORNIAN.

W. HIGGINS (Non-Coil.) has passed the Additionals (Mechanics).

H. W. H. KNOTT (Downing) has passed the Bar Preliminary and joined the Middle Temple.

In November a Fives Match was played between the Masters of Malvern College and our School.

The former were represented by Rev. W. Grundy (Prize player at Oxford) and Mr. Toppin. The Rev. W. E. Holland and Mr. C. D. Locock played for the School.

An interesting Chess Match was played on November 13th at the School House, Schoolmasters v. The World. Last year the World won by one game.

This year the Schoolmasters won by the same amount.

The following were the results :— C. T). Locock i C. E. Ranken o Rev. W. Grundy ^ F. Jones y2 Rev. F. J. Eld i E. Newman i Rev. W. E. Bolland i J. G. Nicol i

We understand that E. A. White was bracketed equal with the winner of the Open Mathematical Scholarship, and that on this account his Meeke has been increased.

Deep regret will be felt throughout a wide circle, not only in Worcester but in the county, at the announcement of the death of Mr. F. J. Griffiths, chief clerk of the Worcester County Court. The deceased gentleman, who was only 30 years of age, succumbed to typhoid fever after a long illness. He was an Old Vigornian and a well-known amateur musician. For some time he held the position of organist to one of the Stourport churches, and conductor to the Stourport Musical Society. His death has caused sincere regret and great sympathy is expressed with his widow and her two young children.

H. C. Hill (O.V.) is now working as a missionary in the Malay Peninsula.

An Old Boys' dinner will be held at the Bell Hotel on Monday, December 3oth. The Rev. T- Went (O.V.) will preside, and the Revs. M. Day and W. E. Bolland have accepted invitations to be present.

Any Old Boys who may not have received invitations are requested to take this notice as such, and to send their names to the Secretary, Mr. E. D. Jordan, School House.

We have seen a letter to the Charity Commissioners by several recent O.V's at the Universities. It is intended to counteract the pamphlet issued by the Head Master of Queen Elizabeth's School. They prove fairly conclusively the excellence of the School on every side, and shew that it has been progressing more than ever lately.

The Editors acknowledge the receipt of the following Magazines :—Leodiensian, Hurst Joliman, Ousel, Bathonian, Ulula, Portcullis, Cantuarian, Portsmout/tian, Tonbridgian, Felstedian, Old Hallian, Ipswich School Magazine.

On Friday, i3th Inst, at the Guildhall School of Music, London, Mr. R. Boulcott Newth, O.V., was the recipient of a handsome silver-mounted Baton and Illuminated Address, presented by a number of his pupils, as a mark of appreciation for his unwearied exertions and genial kindness to them. Mr. Newth was a pupil of Mr. Done, and his friends in Worcester will no doubt hear with pleasure of the success attending him in the metropolis.

library URING the past term the following books have been added to the Library : — Presented by Sir Richard Temple : Men and Events of my Time in India ; Oriental Experiences: India in 1880.

Presented by Icely : Children of Gibeon (Besant) ; Four of J. S. Winter's Novels; Old Margaret (H. Kingsley) ; Black Dwarf (Scott) ; Pickwick Papers ; Nicholas Nickleby (Dickens) ; Vanity Fair (Thackeray).

Presented by Webb i: A number of Theological Volumes.

Presented by Bolland i : Lothair (Disraeli).

Presented by E. Osborne : The Inner House (Besant).

Purchased : Dutch Republics (Motley) ; Decisive Battles (Creasy) ; At Last (Kingsley) ; Lorna Doone (Blackmore) ; Cloister and Hearth (Reade) ; Three Men in a Boat (Jerome).

Since the re-opening of the Library in 1888, there have been one thousand five hundred and fifty issues of books.

THE VIGORNIAN.

Debating Society.

HIS Society has held three meetings this term, the first of which took place on October gih, when Conacher moved " The Modern Stage is in great need of reform." The following spoke :— For—Conacher.

Against—Rowland.

Conacher (reply).

Branthwaite.

Faram.

Dimont.

Baylis (O.V).

The motion was lost by a majority of 18 ; a few did not vote.

On November 6th Faram brought forward a motion in favour of Competitive Examinations. The following spoke :— For—Faram.

Against—Conacher.

Rowland.

Button (O.V.) Faram (reply).

Dimont.

After two or three amendments more or less incomprehensible had been disposed of, the motion was carried by 6 votes.

On December 2nd Dimont moved " that Corporal Punishment iS needful to maintain Discipline." The following spoke :— For—Dimont (mover). Against—Branthwaite.

Conacher.

Powell.

Dimont (reply).

The motion was carried by a majority of 3.

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 rule will be enforced.

OXFORD LETTER. To THE EDITORS OF THE " VIGORNIAN." DEAR SIRS :—You have, with the sanguine faith of Editors of the Vigornian, requested that some discreet and learned person should with all speed supply you with an Oxford Letter, The discreet and learned are,

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however, indisposed to risk their reputation by so hardy a deed. None but the indiscreet and unlearned freshman would dare to embark on this hazardous enterprise. A four years' acquaintance with many of your contemporaries has not failed to convince me that the Oxford correspondent, as a rule, is a person absolutely devoid of pity for his unfortunate victims.

A cold, cruel smile seems to light up his hardened countenance, as he inflicts upon his hapless readers the everlasting dry details concerning Torpids and Eights, Rugger and Soccer, Greats and Smalls, and all the hideous catalogue of Oxford joys and sorrows.

Sirs, if the publication of this epistle results in your annihilation by an infuriated mob of subscribers, I cannot hold myself responsible for the circumstance.

Yet I regret to note that the Oxford Old Vigornians have not compiled such a list of mighty deeds as to render this event probable. Such as it is, however, I ought to take a fiendish pleasure in transcribing it. It may be sufficiently tedious to ensure the hurling of a few brickbats or bottles at your devoted heads. So here goes—H. A. Counsell is reading for two of his Final Schools at the end of this term; and has been busily coaching the Hertford " freshers " on the river.

He has also twice rowed in the Trial Eight. E. A. White is in for Mathematical Mods, next month. In their calmer moments your readers will wish him good luck, instead of abusing him for " being on the list."

It is not generally known that in the recent Scholarship Examinations at Hertford he was equal with the successful Mathematical candidate, and the authorities have in consequence decided to raise his present scholarship. He will, I am sure, receive the hearty congratulations of all your readers. Before quitting this subject, I must in the name of Oxford O.V's, offer similar congratulations to T. A. Branthwaite on winning the Meeke. W. H. Littlebury is at present reading for Honour Theology. S. B. Martin is a prominent forward in the Jesus Rugger team. C. R. Davies rowed bow in one of the Hertford Torpid Fours, and has frequently played in the Rugger team.

W. H. Webb stroked another of the Torpid Fours, and has played occasionally in the said team. There, sirs, I've done. I hope you won't be seriously injured.

Shall I further endanger your lives by the addition of a little general matter? I may just mention that Canon Knox Little recently preached at St, Barnabas

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THE VIGORNIAN.

during the dedication festival, and that Bishop Barry has been one of the preachers on Sunday evenings at St. Mary's. But the accounts of University matches and such like events may be read in the newspapers ; wherefore I will not prolong your readers' misery, but beg to subscribe myself OXON.

CAMBRIDGE LETTER. To THE EDITORS OF THE " VIGORNIAN." DEAR SIRS :—Allow me to begin by congratulating Branthwaite upon getting the Meeke. Since last issue the Cambridge Old Vigornians have increased in number ; H. W. H. Knott has joined Downing ; A..

Pearson, Caius; and M. Day, Selwyn; there are therefore at present seven of us in residence at Cambridge and we have had several very pleasant O.V. gatherings, at one of which we were pleased to welcome an Oxford O.V. W. Counsell has been elected ist Boat Captain at Cavendish, whilst Higgins (Downing) and Pearson (Caius) both stroked one of their College Trial Eights, the former's crew being successful.

To proceed now to the list of facts so much appreciated in a Cambridge Letter. The weather during the term has on the whole been fine, and the attendance at the " Fours" and at the Football Matches very large.

Before this is published the result of the Trial Eights will be known; at first they were considered good, being for the only time within the memory of man, above the average. They have however gone off rather than come on and are now considered a poor lot. Muttlebury is President this year, but I suppose he will not row. It seems rather rough on rising men that Gardiner and Maughan should.

The coxwainless Fours resulted in a victory for Third Trinity, a result fully expected from, the beginning, but rendered very dubious at the end by the great pace developed by Emmanuel. Kings won the Clinkers in an easier manner.

We have had a visit from Ben Tillett, of strike renown, who addressed a crowded meeting in King's College Hall, whilst at the Union, Mr. Hyndman endeavoured to persuade the House to adopt a resolution in favour of Socialism, but met with little

success. Lord Hartington likewise visited us, this last being dull and poor.

As a year this one will probably prove a success, for the freshmen are both very numerous dnd contain men with big reputations. Reputations are .hard things to live up to, and some have already failed.

However all have not done so.

I must now bring this letter to a close, not forgetting to say that sine qua non of Cambridge Letters, that Cambridge looks dull during the October term : you should see it in the May. On behalf of my fellow Cambridge O.V's I have to wish you, and through you the School, a Happy Christmas, and to express the hope that the coming New Year will be one of great success numerically and examinationally for the Old School.

Yours sincerely, CANTAB.

To THE EDITORS OF THE " VIGORNIAN." DEAR SIRS :—Allow me to quote an extract from the Editorial in the last issue of the " Vigornian.'

The writer, in the course of some remarks on the obligation that is laid on the rowers to put in an appearance in the cricket field, makes the following statement:—" Such fellows (i.e., those rowers who do not play cricket) are not merely allowing a branch of school games to suffer by their neglect, but they are doing a selfish and dishonourable thing."

Now sirs, as no one likes to have it insinuated that he is not behaving as a gentleman, I venture to take this first opportunity to explain how matters really stand.

Two years ago the Rowing Club, then in a very flourishing condition, was working side by side with the Cricket Club during the Midsummer term. The Rowing Club was intended for those who could not or would not play cricket. It was found, however, that many fellows attempted to join in both the rowing and cricket. The inevitable result was that both clubs suffered. An agreement was accordingly made that the Rowing Club should confine its energies to the Easter term, and that its members should join in the Cricket during the summer.

Yes, quite so. But I would ask, who made this agreement ? For I think no one will deny that those

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THE VIGORNIAN. and those only who, either openly or tacitly, were parties to this compact can be bound by it. Well, Sirs, as far as I can make out, it was a private arrangement between the then captains of the rowing and cricket clubs. At any rate the humble writer of this letter can honestly say that he had never heard of any such agreement until the cricket season had come round again ; there were doubtless many others in the same position. I can at least vouch for this, that the majority of the rowers were quite unaware that they were in any way pledging themselves to put in an appearance on the cricket field. This is not an opportunity for explaining the cause of the aversion with which some of us regard cricket, nor would it be to the point. I merely wish to point out that we have not in any respect broken any agreement to which we have been parties, nor have we acted dishonourably.

Yours truly, H. H. Q. [We should have thought that H. H. Q. would have known that the Head Master found himself unable to allow rowing in Summer Term, but was glad to encourage it before Easter.

The result was that with the help of the cricketers we had the best rowing season on record. The change was welcomed by all who looked upon the Club as a Rowing, not a Boating Club. When he says that " we have not acted dishonourably," in the sense in which breaking an agreement is dishonourable, no one will contradict. Whether there is no obligation to attend games generally, whether against the grain or otherwise, is quite another thing.—Ed, Vig.~\

Cbess.

PROBLEM XXIII. "Composed for the "Vigornian" by C. D. L. BLACK.

ill

WHITE. WHITE TO MOVE AND MATE IN Two MOVES.

SOLUTION TO PROBLEM XXII. GIVEN IN OUR LAST NUMBER. WHITE.

BLACK.

1. K x B 2. Any move

1. B to K 4 2. R to B 5 3. Kt to Q 2 (mate) (or discover mate) or 2. Q B to R 2 3. R to K B 6 (mate)

acrostic.

ANSWER TO ACROSTIC IN OUR LAST NUMBER. F I V E SO

ROLI ERT VE BE

C O U R IT

or 2. R to K B 5 (check) J («) B to Q 5 (mate) •>' \ (b) Kt to Q 2 (mate) or 2. B to R 2 (check) ( (a) Kt to Q 2 (mate) 3\ (>) R to K B 6 (mate)

1. K to K 3 2. Any move

i. B moves or P to Q 6 ( («) K to K 3 *' \ (b) K x B i. P to Q 4 / («) K x B 2 " \ (b) K to K 3