optan THE WORCESTER CATHEDRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL CHRONICLE. " Ta /(.ev 8i.8a.KTa fjiavdiivta, TO. oeipera f'/Tai, TO S'euKTa irapa @e£>v
No. 20.
VOL.
II.
Contents. Editorial Fragment of a Dialogue Cricket Football Speech Day School Officers King's Scholarships In Memoriam ... School News ... Correspondence Chess
DECEMBER, 1891.
PAGE 333 334 336 338 339 344 344 344 344 345 347
(Ebitorial. beginning of another School year brings us to those trite reflections concerning the number of departures, and the consequent degeneration which one would look for to follow, but •which, as a matter of fact, never does, and quite right; a school is too permanent and too slowly built an organism to be deeply moved by the loss or gain of a few. Besides it would be wrong if it were otherwise, seeing that then contradiction would be offered to the new principle, which tells us " everyone is wanted and "no one is wanted much." However, not to dismiss too ungraciously those who proved themselves useful while they were among us, we give them our heartiest thanks
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for their faithful service, and hope the School may never lack others to tread in their footsteps. Everybody will agree that a better impression no one could have given than did Dr. Forrest on Speech Day. We feel particularly proud that his voice was heard in our school before it has been on any other public platform in the city. Another new face was welcomed on Speech. Day, that of Canon Teignmouth Shore, who, departing from the usual custom, addressed his speech chiefly to the " average boy," who gets no prizes. The best thanks of the School are due to Mr. Eammell for the energetic way in which he has taken up football. We hardly recollect a practice at which he did not turn up, and that, too, from most disinterested motives. The XV. had the matches to look forward to, but, unluckily, we could not play him. We are afraid that our play at the best cannot have been good enough to give him much enjoyment, and some of our practices at their worst can hardly have failed, we fear, to disgust him. Many of the laggards, a tribe, notwithstanding much preaching, far from extinct, ought to have been really shamed out of their ways by his example and constant attendance at our games, in spite of calls to other places, where he would have had greater pleasure.
334
THE VIGORNIAN.
As may be gathered from the cricket article, in another part of this number, the review of the past season by no means inspires us with the gloom and despondency that it usually has in previous years. On the contrary, we feel quite hopeful, after writing such an encouraging account of our successes. And so when we look forward to next year, we draw no long faces and have no dismal forebodings of defeats to be suffered, though we certainly do not expect that it will be so successful as the season just completed. We are losing, unfortunately, the services of our captain and two others of our best players, but this we are getting accustomed to now, when boys, as a rule, stay so short a time at school; to fill these vacancies we have several very promising juniors, who seem likely to develop into very good players. This improvement in the junior cricket is due, to a great extent, to the net practice that has been held for them this year. In previous years, usually little attention was devoted to them, and they had to learn cricket by the light of nature, which burns very dimly as a rule ; but. last year a separate pitch was marked out for them, and since then they have had regular practices, with encouraging results, as shewn by their form and the number of matches won by them. We have lost, too, the services of Mr. Eussell, who was very useful to us, and most persistent in scoring ; but in his stead we have a very good successor, Mr. Eammell, who played for his College at Oxford, and has already shewn his energy and interest in the school games in connection with football. The next rowing season being so close at hand, it may not be out of place here to examine the prospects of its success, or the reverse. The last three seasons, us regards the number of members, and the interest displayed by the school in the club, have been very successful, and there seems no reason why this should not be our experience next year. Certainly many who were members last year, among them two of the senior four, have left the school, but this we are accustomed to, and there is plenty of material to supply their places, although, perhaps, at present its quality is not so good; but this will improve with practice. The actual numbers of the club arc limited by the wise regulation, that no one be allowed to become a member who cannot swim. But this regulation, though limiting the actual numbers, diminishes the risk of accident,
and in another indirect way does good ; for in some cases it has induced boys to learn to swim in order to be able to join the club. To supply a further incentive to zeal on the part of the members, it has been proposed to arrange, next year, in addition to the ordinary in school contests, and the race with a crew of Old Vigornians, a race with some neighbouring school. This in itself would be very acceptable, but there would be, we fear, considerable difficulty in finding a school close at hand which rows, and also in arranging about boats, time, and place. However, the proposal deserves consideration. With regard to the coaching department, we have lost the services of Mr. Franklin, but the Rev. W. G. Melville, whose assistance was so valuable last year, has kindly promised to train us again next term, and all we require now is material to bo coached, which, perhaps, is almost as necessary as coaches.
Jfragment of a \0.—Were you at the Bendidia yesterday, Glaukon 1 Gl.—No. I should be surprised to hear that you were there ; I like not these new mysteries; methinks they fitly come from Thrace, since they bring such a cold blast of criticism on our old Attic cults. So.—Not long since I met Adeimantus, to whom I put the same question ; he seemed to be not less surprised than yourself, but said nothing for ten minutes. Then slowly and gravely he told me that he disapproved of them, but had met Thrasymachus on the way thither with his son. Gl.—Thrasymachus; well, he, without a minute's hesitation, either after, 6r not after thought, would tell us what benefits the Bendidia bring. But, here he comes; good morning, Thrasymachus. Where were you going when Adeimantus met y ou,yesterday ? T/tr.— Where,but to the Bendidia: I was taking my son to be initiated. Gl.—I have heard, Thrasymaclms, that the hierophant of these new mysteries knows no Attic; but not truly, surely ? Thr.—Why not ? I could produce three and forty reasons to show that it is better if he knows no Attic. So.-—By the jackal, Thrasymachus, I always admired your argumentative skill and wisdom ; but I should be surprised if you could bring proofs of this strong enough to convince Glaukon and myself; but, of course, as. you claim to be able, you are ; so you would have no difficulty in answering this question, too. Thr.—I fancy so. What is it 1 So.—For what end then did
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you have your son initiated 1 Tlir.—That he might we will not weary of the chase, though the game slip he as happy and successful as possible when a man. us long. Now, do you think this ? Ql.—What' So.—Do you imagine then that you know what is So.—If Thrasymachus' son were the offspring of an likely to benefit him that way? Thr.—Who better ass or a fox, we should in the former case have to than I, who am his father? So.—No, of course : no hire one of the class who teach such animals to carry one could know better than yourself, his father. But, burdens and bear blows; and in. the latter case, some tell me, what life do you mean your son to lead 1 one to kidnap and kill with impunity the greatest Thr.—The life of a merchant; and I know quite well number of geese. Then he would be trained in all that through this initiation he will learn things sure to needful knowledge ; or do you think otherwise ? Gl.— be useful to him, when a merchant. So.—What kind By no means. So.—But as he seems rather the child of things ? Thr.—The languages of the different of a man, I think that some additional knowledge is peoples with whom he will trade, and the science of needed, and that Thrasymachus is wrong in wishing only numbers as far as it has to do with commerce. So.— to train his son as if he were the offspring of a fox or I think the man is talking nonsense ; do you understand ass, or, indeed, any other beast, and not thinking about his meaning, Glaukon 1 Gl.— I fancy he means that the need of any further education. Gl.—I do not baser kind of arithmetic, which deals not with pure quite follow you. So.—Shall I make my meaningnumbers, but numbers joined to goods or money. So.— clearer by a tale, or an argument? Gl.—To me by a Perhaps I have heard of such a science somewhere ; tale. So. —Well, I fancy if ^Esop had wished to shew but do you really imagine that these things will be the this he would have talked about a certain god, who most useful that your son could learn? Thr.—The sat in a dark cave, wishing to create a being stranger most useful, and quite necessary. For, without them, than any before ; so he took the back and limbs of a how could he be on his guard and provide against horse, the head and strength of a lion, a hundred eyes, being cheated by strangers ? And what more awful and so formed the creature. This many-sided beast of than that could befall a merchant ? So.—Of course, ours then would appear to have been armed with many nothing more awful could happen to a merchant means of strength for the sake of many duties; or than to be cheated. But, Thrasymachus, tell me if would it not ? Gl.—It would. So.—And every part this new learning has been in Athens long? Thr.— would have to be exercised, and the beast would not Oh, no ; not more than five years. So.—And I believe be allowed, if at least it had a wise master, not to train you said just now that no one could become a success- itself in the use of all its limbs ; and if not, whatever fid merchant without it? Thr.—Certainly. So.— part was neglected, would use its power so that the Then before these five years no one in Athens had any work would be left undone. Thus, if it employed not chance of becoming a successful merchant. By Zeus, the horse strength, it would become too weak to carry I congratulate you, Thrasymachus, on winning such a burdens ; or if it kept not its eyes awake always, they prize ; how cheap must all such privileges as to dine would become too dull to see the myriad gnats ready daily in the Prutaneion, seem to reward the introducer to worry it. Do you see my meaning ? Gl.—I think of this learning. But, anyhow, it would appear that so; you seem to have made a tale to shew that a man no one in Athens could become a successful merchant has many things to do and many powers to do them till these five years. Thr.—So at least from what has with ; and if he were not to train all of these, all the been said. So.—But I seem to have known good duties would not be done. So he is likely to have one merchants in Athens before that time; haven't you, power to do his duties as a father, another to do his too ? Thr.—Perhaps. So. —Then how can these two duties as a man, a third as a merchant, a fourth as a things be at once true. One would almost think that citizen ; so Thrasymachus would seem to be mistaken something else is needed, and not this learning after in supposing that one duty only is necessary, one power all; or does it appear to you differently? Thr.—I only is to be trained. Or am I wrong ? So.—Not at know not; nor will I dispute with you, Socrates, who all. Thr.—But, Socrates, to appeal to you, do you only pretend ignorance in the hope of getting other really believe that a man ought to be trained in any people to contradict themselves. Gl.—But do let us art of becoming a good citizen ? So.—Certainly; who see whither the discussion will lead us. So. —Good ; says otherwise. Thr.—I do ; for it is so simple and
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easy that no one need learn it. So. —Tell me this : is it the easier or the harder that is known with less learning ? Thr. — Nay, but I desired not to be drawn into an argument, seeing it is clear to all. But if Glaukon will take my part, do you two go on. Gl. — Very well ; and in answer to you, Socrates, will say, " the easier." So. — Good ; but make Thrasymachus answer this question, whether he thinks one might become a good citizen without learning how ; but not so a good carpenter t Thr. — Of course, I think so. So. — Then, Glaukon, easier is the art of becoming a good citizen, than a good carpenter ] Gl. — So it seems. So. — Now, tell me this again. You have never heard of one man insisting on certain things, a needful to become a good carpenter, and another, quite different things ? Gl. — Not I ; for all agree that one must have tools, learn to cut wood, and so on. So. — But have you also never heard one man saying that certain things are needed before one become a good citizen, and another saying quite different things 1 Gl.—No ; but I have found this. So. — Now, that about which all men are agreed, or that about which some think one thing, some another, which is the easier and simpler? Gl. — The former. So. —Then, as it appears, becoming a good carpenter is not harder than becoming a good citizen, and if it requires learning, certainly the other does ; so Thrasymachus is in danger of being proved wrong. Gl. — Yes ; nor will he take it ill if we say that his son is likely to be ill-trained by his not having taken enough thought ; have you any comfort, Socrates, if that turn out so 1 So. — KivSwe'ro/xej/ lv KO> . . . . (Desunt non paucaj. H. M. C.
IMMEDIATELY after the writing of the cricket article in our last issue (we wish we could say in consequence of it), matters for the rest of the season improved considerably, and the rather gloomy opinions that we then expressed of the performances of the team, have been considerably altered ; for since the match that we drew with Dean Close School, we lost only two of the matches that we played : and even these two defeats can be partially explained, when it is considered that not only were we playing against much stronger teams, but we were further handicapped through their taking place immediately
after our Midsummer examinations, which allowed us no practice for a fortnight previous. Altogether the results of this season have been unusually successful compared with previous years. Perhaps this does not imply any extraordinary merit, but we certainly have wonderfully improved on former years. If, at this time last year, we had been asked our opinions of the prospects of this season's cricket, we should have replied in a very mournful strain, for we were losing five or six of our best men, among them two very good bowlers. Fortunately those expectations have not been borne out by actual results, and this we are inclined to consider as the consequence of the greater interest taken in cricket by the school generally, and the good attendance at the games. "We were very much assisted by Mr. Russell, who has since left us, not only in the practices, in which he was very energetic, but still more so in the matches, when he rarely failed to score well for us, in fact, often bringing the small scores of the rest of the team into undesirable contrast with his own. The bowling and the fielding has been fairly good and consistent throughout, except that in regard to the latter department of the game, there was a slight tendency in the early part of the season to drop catches in the long field. The batting was the weakest part of our play, and several of the matches were won not so much because our scores were large as because those of our opponents were yet smaller than ours, and curiously enough it was the newer and younger members of the team who distinguished themselves most in this department. But throughout the season we have been much hampered by the rainy weather, in consequence of which we were obliged to abandon one match, and which constantly interfered with the practices. This year we have accomplished a task, which has always hitherto been beyond our power,—viz., that of defeating Norton Barracks; in both the matches that we played with them we came off victors, the last especially being a complete victory, as the score will show. Allowing for the fact that they were much weaker than in other years, we nevertheless feel very well satisfied with ourselves, the victories giving the more pleasure because they were totally unexpected. We have established another record, too, as far as we can ascertain from a search through the cricket annals, by passing the century against Spetchley Park Eleven, a strong team, which includes several who play for the county. We will
THE VIGORNIAN. not comment on our other victories, but will refer our readers to the scores appended below; and those gloomyminded individuals who expect to find an account of our losses, we refer to the same place.
J. T. C. MATCHES. W. C. G. S. v. OLD VIGORNIANS.
W. C. G. S. H. Clarke, cM. Webb, b G. Newman Rev. T. Russell, b R. Webb J. Chamberlain, b R. Webb W. H. Hill, run out H. W. Bolland, b W. Newman F. P'uller, b W. Newman E. W. Bolland, c & b W. Newman D. Laurie, c P. \\ ebb, b W. Newman G. Webb, b R. Webb J. B. Purton, b R. Webb A. P. Bolland, not out Extras
II 5 o I 15 o 5 7 I o o 6
51 OLD VIGORNIANS. W. G. Bennett, b Hill E. D. Jordan, b Hill R. Webb, c & b Chamberlain W. Newman, b Chamberlain M. Webb, b Chamberlain W. Telfer, runout G. Newman, b Chamberlain H. Littlebury, c Clarke, b Russell P. Webb, c Hill, b Russell W. J. Webb, not out C. Webb, b Russell Extras
I o I o 13 to I 2 6 I o i 36
W. C. G. S. v. HALESOWEN SCHOOL. HALESOWEN. Mr. Disney, c Chamberlain, b Hill G. Green, c Jordan, b Hill W. Green, b W. E. Bolland Mr. Bretherton, b Hill F. Goodman, b W. E. Bolland Mr. Foster, b W. E. Bolland A. Bloomer, b W. E. Bolland A. Yore, b W. E. Bolland W. H. Kendrick, run out B. R. Harrison, b W. E. Bolland W. Somers, not out Extras
19 2 i II o 4 I 3 6 o 2 4 S3
W. C. G. S. Rev. T. Russell, b Goodman H. Clarke, run out W. H. Hill, b Disney Mr. Jordan, b Disney Rev. W. E. Bolland, b Disney J. Chamberlain, b Goodman H. W. Bolland, b Disney D. Laurie, c Bloomer, b Bretherton G. Webb, b Disney F. Fuller, c Bloomer, b Disney A. P. Bolland, not out Extras
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11 2 n 6 36 2 5 2 4 2 I 11
93 W. C. G. S. v. SPETCHLEY C. C. SPETCHLEY C. C. Major Hudson, c sub, b W. E. Bolland 29 T. Dale, c R. V. Berkeley (sub), b Chamberlain 5 G. Bearcrott, b W. E. Bolland 103 R. V. Berkeley, run out 18 M. Berkeley, c H. Bolland, b W. E. Bolland 13 A. G. Steward, c sub, b W. E. Bolland I W. Stanley Clarke, c H. Bolland, b W. E. Bolland $ W. Berkeley, b W. E. Bolland o Corporal Carroll, not out 28 Private Fletcher, c Russell, b W. E. Bolland 15 W. Guise, run out 9 Extras 10 236 W. C. G. S. A. Clarke, b Fletcher 8 Rev. T. Russell, b Carroll 23 Mr. E. D. Jordan, b Bearcroft 13 W. H. Hill, c R. V. Berkeley, b Steward.... 2O Rev. W. E. Bolland, c Fletcher, b Steward .. 8 Captain Monro, not out 38 H. W. Bolland, b Steward 6 J. T. Chamberlain, not out 4 F. Fuller ^ A. P. Bolland.. [-did not bat. G. Webb J Extras 17 127 W. C. G. S. v. BROMYARD. BROMYARD. ist Innings. Second Innings. Newman, c Day, b W. E. Bolland .. 4 b Hill 20E. Sampson, b W. E. Bolland o not out i J. Dale, run out 3 b W. E. Bolland 3 Cuff, c E. W. Bolland, b W. E. Bolland lo b Day i Palmer, st Russell, b W. E. Bolland o b Hill I Spencer, b Hill 2 b Hill 2 J. Morris, b Hill i not out 4 Ward, c Day, b Hill o c Fuller, b Hill o
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the courtesy of Mr. Carr, to whom we are much indebted, we were able to play sometimes on a field in St. John's parish, still its size prevented us from having a proper game. Between these two periods intervened 22 Total (8 wickets) 38 a short space, which was certainly used, but proved \V. C. G. S. too short to make much advance in.. Towards the Rev. T. Russell, b Newman o end of the term, too, practice was possible, but it came M. Day, c Ward, b Palmer 3 too late to avail us in the matches. This continued W. A. Hill, b Palmer I Mr. E. D. Jordan, b Palmer 4 ill-luck was the more mortifying because, at the J. Chamberlain, b Palmer o beginning of the season, there was more promising Rev. \V. E. Holland, b Palmer 2 material than there had been for some time. In fact, II. W. Bolland, b Newman I we have bettered ourselves so far that we have played F. Fuller, b Newman o our matches without calling in the aid of any old boy. G. Webb, b Newman 5 As there has been so little practice, not much can he E. W. Bolland, not out 9 A. P. Bolland, c Morris, b Newman o said about the attendance; but from what we have Extras 6 seen we should be inclined to doubt much improvement upon previous seasons. In spite of which, we 31 W. C. G. S. v. CLERGY. can name a certain number of fellows who really have W. C. G. S. turned over a new leaf in this matter, nor will they Rev. T. Russell, c Blair, b Relton 7 ever, as we imagine, regret doing so ; and this makes W. H. Hill, b Webb o H. Clarke, run out 3 us hopeful about the voluntary attendance of day boys, Mr. E. D. Jordan, run out o a subject apt to fill many with despair. Before proH. W. Bolland, c Hill (sub), b Relton 2 ceeding to any account of the matches, another topic J. T. Chamberlain, b Webb o must first be touched upon. The question is forcing E. W. Bolland, c and b R. Webb o itself upon us with more plainness every year, whether G. Webb, b Relton I we can keep up the Rugby game. Since it has come D. Laurie, run out o F. Fuller, c Owen, b Webb o to the front so openly, and that quite lately, the writer A. P. Bolland, not out 2 of the football article in this number cannot ignore it. Extras 5 At the same time, in spite of all temptation to do so, he ought not to speak as if he had a retaining fee for 20 CLERGY. Rugby. It must be remembered in the first place that Rev. T. G. Owen, b Chamberlain , 4 the abstract superiority of Rugby or Association is not Rev. R. H. Cuthbert, b Hill 21 under question ; our business is to decide which of the Canon Claughton, b Hill 2 two is more suited to our circumstances. Further, the R. Webb, c G. Webb, b Chamberlain 4 Rev. W. G. Melville, b Chamberlain 3 partizans of Rugby will do well to bear in mind that Rev. R. Relton, c Chamberlain, b Hill o several whose prejudices are all in favour of Rugby F. M. Webb, b Hill 9 have nevertheless declared for the other game. That Rev. H. Clifford, b Chamberlain I ought to carry great weight with it. It is argued, Rev. W. Murcott, b Clarke 5 then, that owing to the distance of our field from the H. Blair, not out 5 school, we can only play Rugby at limited times, and Rev. H. Burn, b Clarke o Extras 6 so we are placed at a disadvantage as compared with schools who can play oftener; while on the other hand 60 the nearness of our playground allows us a game of JootbaU. Association at any time, and so gives us far greater played football under hard conditions this chance of developing therein. We are also told that term. For two long periods, owing to the opportunities, which we do have, we do not make floods and bad weather, the field was in a the most of—that is to say, fellows do not come down state quite unfit for playing on ; and although, through 011 half-holidays in sufficient numbers to get a game,
W. Robinson, c Russell, b Hill J. Robinson, not out Barrs, 1 b w, b W. E. Holland Extras
....
r did not bat .... o b Chamberlain.. I b Hill o Extras
o o o 6
THE VIGORNIAN. and this scanty attendance is quite fatal to the progress of Rugby, while it is not such an obstacle in Association, wherein fewer are needed. We might be at first surprised at the absence of any arguments about the alleged greater brutality of Rugby; but we shall cease to be, if we remember what was said at the beginning about the irrelevancy of any arguments dealing with the general superiority of one or the other. So the case for Association stands. Even if the prior argument were unanswerable, which we do not hold it to be entirely, it would not by itself be strong enough to sanction the abandonment of Rugby. But the second is more formidable, and wider issues are involved. For it practically resolves itself into the question whether Rugby can be played in a small school like ours, made up chiefly of day-boys. We might be inclined at the outset to answer in the affirmative, seeing that some years back we played the game very well when we were almost purely a day-school. It will readily be seen that, if we were all boarders there would be no difficulty : it would have been solved long ago by coercion ; but that is impossible in a dayschool. It then follows that the regular voluntary attendance of 20 day-boys (a third of the school) is all that is needed, and we cannot believe that is asking too much, especially when we remember the record of a recent half-holiday and the result arrived at without much pressing. But our case will obviously be strengthened if we can name a school situated like ourselves which does play Rugby with some success ; and we can point to such an instance in one of the schools we met. But even if all this were granted, we should still be told that we show no willingness to learn the Rugby game. If that is the case, we still fail to see any guarantee that we should exhibit any greater aptitude for picking up Association. Merely to say that a complete change has been known to create great willingness to learn an altered character, is not enough. Here we leave the question. H. M. C. MATCHES. W. C. G. S. (PAST AND PRESENT) v. TOWN.—This match, played on October loth, evoked great interest, not only because it was our first match, but because it was the first of the new club started in the town this season. The latter were handicapped in having several of the men on whom they rely for support ranged against them. Still, the result reflects great credit on the school, who had the upper hand throughout, and finally won by I goal 3 tries to nil. Chamberlain has rarely been
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in such fine form, and holds the distinction of having made the best run of the day. For the losers Weldin played well, and on one occasion was particularly unfortunate in losing possession of the ball after crossing the line. An unfortunate accident marred our enjoyment towards the close, Davies breaking his collar bone; but we hope to see him in the field again shortly after Christmas. W. C. G. S. v. STRATFORD.—On November 4th we played our first strictly school match, and shaped quite as well as could be expected. Our great fault, which must have been obvious to the not inconsiderable gathering of spectators, was that we did not appeal sufficiently to the referee. Time after time our opponents were off-side or threw the ball forward with impunity, while they were careful not to let us off so easily. At times we more than held our own, and then lost the ground we had gained by some foolish mistake. This, again, can be partially explained by the enforced abstinence from practice ; but we must try to remedy these defects, which must tell heavily against us. The Stratford combination was excellent, their passing being frequently brilliant; but in the scrimmage we were quite as good, Dutton especially being indefatigable. The match ended in our defeat by I goal and 3 tries to nil. W. C. G. S. v. STRATFORD (RETURN).—The return match with Stratford being fixed for the following Wednesday, Nov. nth, we had not much time to improve our play. Nor, as it happened, should we have had much opportunity of displaying improvement, as we had to play in a perfect hurricane of wind and rain, which rendered it impossible from the outset to " play the game." Though the actual play was so entirely different, the match ended in much the same way as the first (2 goals and 2 tries to nil), and there is no doubt that Stratford are this year too strong for us. Dutton was again to the fore in the scrimmage, and played a plucky uphill game ; while outside Chamberlain and Davies did some good tackling. W. C. G. S. v. BROMSGROVE (SECOND).—On November 18, we were again treated to most unpleasant weather, and almost up to train time it was a question whether it would be possible to play. We went, however, and had an enjoyable game in spite of the elements. Unfortunately we had not our full strength, Webb (three-quarter) and A. Holland (half) both being absentees owing to injuries at a time when we could ill spare them. This fact will in some measure account for our failure, but there is no denying that even as we were we ought to have done better. Our tackling and combination were both weak, and again our fault of failing to appeal was apparent. Chamberlain repeatedly did good service by kicking into touch, a practice which some other members of the team might learn with advantage ; and once more the forwards were a redeeming feature, some of the scrimmages being a treat to witness.
Speech Rcprinttd from Berro'iU s Worcester Journal.
ADDRESS BY THE DEAN. The annual prize-giving and speech day at the Worcester Cathedral School took place on Tuesday, in the College Hall, which, despite the exceedingly bad weather, was filled with a
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THE VIGORNIAN.
large attendance of the parents and friends of the boys. The Very Rev. the Dean presided, and there were present the Head Master (the Rev. W. E. Bolland), Mr. G. W. Hastings, M.P., Canon Cattley, Canon Knox-Little, Canon and Mrs. Claughton, Canon and Mrs. Teignmouth Shore, the Rev. H. H. Woodward, the Rev. B. Arthure, the Rev. T. Littleton Wheeler, the Rev. W. \V. Vevers, the Rev. J. B. and Mrs. Wilson, the Revs. J. P. Driver, F. H. Richings, C. Chaytor, W. G. Melville, F. W. Wallis, and J. H. Greenhalgh, Miss Perowne, Mrs. Melville, Mr. T. Southall, Mrs. and the Misses Southall, Mrs. Bolland, Mrs. and Miss Laurie, Mrs. Gostling, Mrs. Browne, Mrs. W. King, Mr. Shepherd and Mr. Tribe (Sutton, Surrey), Mr. Stephens (Cheam, Surrey), Dr. Walpole-Simmons, Messrs. W. B. Needham, T. G. Chaplin, A. Usher, G. Bird, A. Higgins, H. Davey, S. Smith, Cooper, and the Assistant Masters, Messrs. Clarke, Jordan, and Rammell. The usual programme of music and recitations was gone through in a manner most creditable to the boys ; the recitation of Latin and the English Classics by the elder boys being particularly clever ; showing an intelligent appreciation of something more than the mere words that had to be recited. Davies, Dutton, and Wrest recited their Latin lines with a readiness which showed careful study, and in the English Fuller as Katharine in " Henry V.," and Dimont as Dr. Pangloss in the scenes from the " Heir-atLaw " were the most successful. The school singing class sang the part-songs admirably under the conduct of Dr. Wareing. The programme was as follows :— School Song "Where Severn winds." A. Caldicott. Recitations from " Ajax " (Sophocles) Conacher. Recitation, " The building of St. Sophia " (Baring Gould) Dimont. [Menalcas Dutton i. I'irgil. 3rd Eclogue -j Dainatus West. \Palcemon Davies i. Part-Song, "Grandpapa's Grandpapa" (Harrow Songs)
Farmer. (K.Henry V. Hill. Shakespeare. Henry V., Act v., Sc. ii. J, Katherine Fuller i. \Alice Purser. Two Scenes from '' The Heir (Lord Duberly Conacher. at Law," (Cole/nan) \Dr. Pangloss Dimont. \DickDowlas ...Chamberlain. Part Song " Under the Greenwood Tree " Wareing. The HEAD MASTER (the Rev. W. E. Bolland), before giving the report of the school, said he wished in the name of the Cathedral School, and he thought he might say in the name of the friends of the school, to offer to the Dean the most hearty welcome that day on his coming to Worcester as Dean and also as chairman of their governing body. (Applause.) He would not be hurt at knowing that they were still lamenting the loss of Dr. Gott. He was always a true and good friend to the school, and as long as the present generation of boys were there his name would always be held in respect and love. (Applause.) Those who had experienced his personal kindness—and they were many—would never forget the five years he was Dean of Worcester. But in wishing " God-speed" to the parting Dean they would not forget to welcome the coming one, and the more they heard of him the more they felt they would find in him a worthy successor to Dr. Gott, and a true friend to the school. (Applause.) They welcomed the Dean's presence there that
day, at considerable inconvenience to himself, as an earnest of the future interest he would show in the school, and they felt it a happy omen that his first appearance as Dean was in the College Hall. They also had another new governor to whom they wished to offer welcome. He had also succeeded a good kind friend of the school, and a personal friend of his (the speaker's); but in Canon Teignmouth Shore he was sure they had a new governor who would aid them in every way. He had not been with them long yet, but long enough to show them that they had in him not only a new governor but a new friend. (Applause.) So they welcomed those two governors, and hoped to get what they could from them whilst they were with them. The position of the clerical governors of the Cathedral School was a very unstable one. They were always slipping away into bishoprics and deaneries. He had been with the school for 12 years now, and had had 13 clerical governors. Three were dead, and of the remaining 10 six were already bishops and deans. That showed the precariousness of the post. Some people might suggest that that had to do with their ecclesiastical positions, but as they were not all deans or all canons there was no common ground there. The common ground was that they were all governors of the Cathedral School, and they were driven to the conclusion that the ability they showed in the management of that institution led a grateful country to.raise them to another sphere. (Laughter and applause.) There was one more change among their governors ; Lord Beauchamp had been removed from them. Like every other institution in Worcester, they had lost in him a valuable adviser, and one who had helped them with his great wisdom. In the popular new Lord Lieutenant (Lord Coventry) they had someone who would take a great interest in the school, and who had already shown that interest by continuing the prize his predecessor had formerly given. (Applause.) Mr. Bolland then thanked those present for their attendance, and the prize-givers for their kindness, and proceeded to give his report of the year's progress. He was glad to be able to give them a satisfactory account of the school. There had been an increase in the number of pupils, and a consequent increase in the revenue from fees. The number of honours gained by the boys had been far greater also, leading them to feel more confidence and hope for the future. (Applause.) He then read the list of honours gained during the year, which would compare favourably with that of any school of the size. The list was as follows:—Open Exhibition at St. John's College, Oxford, C. T. Dimont ; Scholarship (^50) at the Middle Temple, A. W. H. Knott ; Classical Moderations (Honours), II. Class, H. W. Webb; Classical Moderations (Honours), III. Class, C. R. Davies ; Law Tripos, Cambridge, Pt. II., II. Class (first place), A. P. Higgins; Law Tripos, Cambridge, Pt. I., III. Class, A. W. H. Knott; Modern History Tripos, III. Class, W. Counsel!; Winchester Reading Prize (Open to the University), Cambridge, A. P. Higgins; Open Scholarship (£80), Worcester College, Oxford, C. T. Dimont ; Final Theological School, Oxford II. Class, H. Littlebury ; Law Prize, Middle Temple, A. W. H. Knott; Open Exhibition, Lincoln College, Oxford, W. Hill; South Kensington Examination, First Class Honours in Theoretical
THE VIGORNIAN. Chemistry, G. Rowland ; South Kensington Examination, First Class Honours in Practical Chemistry, G. Rowland ; Exhibition, Hertford College, Oxford, H. Quilter. With regard to Counsell's History Tripos, the success was unusually satisfactory, because within three months of the date of the examination, the whole plan of subjects was altered and the tutors said it would be impossible to pass. It had been said that the natural sciences were neglected at the school, and it had been urged that the school should have a laboratory. The fact was that it was suggested to them that they should wait till the Victoria Institute was finished and use the laboratory there. The Institute did not seem like becoming a reality just yet, but in connection with it some classes had been started, and as soon as the chemistry class was started some of their boys joined and took honours at the first examination. This was not a certificate examination year, but the school had been examined by Mr. Lys, of Worcester College, Oxford, who was prevented from being there to read his report by ill-health. Outside school matters they had had a very satisfactory year. At cricket they had obtained the position of winning more matches than they lost. The rowing had been successful, and the carpentry class which Mr. Jordan started last winter had proved a great success. The success the school had attained was due to Mr. Clarke and the assistant masters. No school could have such a hard-working set of teachers. The parents and the boys ought to be grateful to those teachers and to Dr. Wareing, to whom they were indebted for the afternoon's music. Mr. Bolland also expressed his indebtedness to the head boys for their successful efforts to keep up the tone and high standard of the school. They trusted to their University honours for their success, but in the long run the prosperity of the school depended more on the high tone among the boys. To Mr. Dimont and the other head boys he was therefore very grateful. Mr. Dimont was leaving for Oxford, and they wished him every success. Canon CLAUGHTON read the report of the examiner, as follows :— " I have examined the whole of the Worcester Cathedral Grammar School viva voce in some subjects, and Forms VI. and V. by papers in Latin and Greek composition, unseen translation, grammar, and prepared books, and also in Divinity and Shakespeare. Form IV. I examined by papers in Latin and Greek translation. " Papers in other subjects have been set, either by me or by the masters, to these forms, and papers in all the subjects offered have been set to the lower forms ; and the papers set, together with the boys' work in them, have been submitted to my inspection. "The standard of the papers set to the VI. Form may be indicated in two ways. Three of the papers taken by them, viz., those in Demosthenes, Divinity, and Greek Testament, were those set by the Oxford and Cambridge Joint Board for Higher Certificates. Four of the others were the same papers as I set to the VI. Form of one of the large public schools. In these four papers the Worcester VI. Form stood the test of comparison in most respects very well. "The VI. Form handled the piece of English set for Latin prose very creditably. The unseen translations were also well dealt with. One piece proved too hard for the lower part of the form, as it was intended to do. In Greek and Latin Grammar the form did very fairly, and in some cases well. The questions in higher criticism were treated rather too summarily. The answers to some general questions at the end of this paper were among the most satisfactory results of the examination.
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They were well done, and showed that some of the boys had a more real and intelligent interest in their studies than is often found even among tolerably good scholars. " The prepared books were well known, especially the Divinity. The Greek prose, like the other classical papers, showed considerable promise, and good teaching, though the appearance of the work was spoiled by a common neglect of accents. '' The Higher Certificate paper in Thessalonians was generally good, and the work of the form in an Old Testament paper showed much accurate knowledge, and was most satisfactory. The least successful paper done by the VI. th was in King Lear, but this, as I understood, was not regarded as one of the main subjects of the term's work. Conacher did the best work in most papers, but in one or two he was beaten by Dimont; and Chamberlain did very well in Old Testament. '' The work of Form V. in classics and divinity was generally good and promising. The construction in the Latin prose, and the sentences illustrating rules of syntax in the grammar paper were well done. The prepared books were well known and well translated, the weaker part of the work being the parsing. " West did well in Latin prose and in Latin and Greek grammar ; Bennett in Old Testament, divinity, and Euripides ; Steward in unseen translation ; Fuller in English History. " In Form IV. the work of the upper boys was very even, and showed considerable promise. Bolland iii. did particularly well in Greek grammar and Greek sentences ; Pickin, Bird, and Finch very creditably in Latin grammar ; Morris in divinity and Ovid, and Fuller in history. In my viva voce examination the form did well in Latin syntax. " What I saw of the work of Forms III. and II. was satisfactory. In the former Morris ii. and Steward ii. deserve commendation for their paper in English grammar ; Cook for Latin sentences; Morris ii., Laurie i., Webb, and Chaplin ii. for some other papers, and in Form II. Usher and Davey. '' In mathematics the upper division did very satisfactorily in the first part of the papers set by the Oxford and Cambridge Board, in arithmetic, algebra, and Euclid ; and Chamberlain's more advanced work was promising. Speaking generally, the percentage of marks gained in the mathematical papers throughout the school was very fair, and shows careful work. Clarke and Peniston, Morris i., Davey, Usher deserve mention in their respective divisions. '' The French work also showed careful teaching, and was generally very fairly done. " My viva voce examination found the forms in good order, and questions were for the most part answered smartly and well. " Altogether I consider that the school is in a satisfactory state, and that the teaching is careful and effective. "F. J. LYS, M.A., " Lecturer of Worcester College Oxford. "August 1st, 1891." The DEAN* (who was most enthusiastically received) said he had himself been sensible of what the head master had expressed —the appropriateness of his appearance there for the first time in public since his installation. It had been a great pleasure to him to think that that appearance should be at their anniversary, not only because the school stood under the shadow of the Cathedral and was closely connected with it in many ways, but because of the great interest he took in education generally and more particularly in Church or religious education. He thought those present would wish him first to express—which he did most heartily—their thanks to the performers of that afternoon. They had been delighted with the recitations and with the sweet songs. (Hear, hear.) Addressing the boys, the Dean said he was sure they were very sensible of the opportunities that were offered to them in that Cathedral School, and that they were endeavouring and would endeavour to avail of them more and more. He remembered a really great man—one of the greatest men he ever knew—had two noticeable things about
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THE VIGORNIAN.
him which it would be useful for them to remember. In the first place he knew what he knew. That was to say, he had all his knowledge placed as it were in pigeon holes, and when he wanted to produce anything he was able to do so with the utmost facility. Secondly, he knew what he did not know, and he was not ashamed to confess his ignorance. Often, when asked a question, he said he knew nothing of the subject, but would take care to learn. If they were all like he was in their ignorance it would stir them up to follow more fully the path of knowledge. With regard to that subject, he thought the list of prizes reflected the greatest possible credit on the school, upon the head master and his assistants. (Applause.) Of course there was room for improvement. In the report read to them some boys were included as deserving of honourable mention. He hoped next year they would be twice as many. He noticed also the recurrence of the word " fair" as descriptive of the papers done for the examiner. He hoped next year the word "fair " would be replaced by the word "good," "excellent," or "admirable." He was particularly pleased with what the examiner said with regard to the proficiency of the boys in the knowledge of the Bible, He said that some of the papers were most accurate as to the answers, and exhibited a great deal of satisfactory knowledge of divinity. On the question of education generally they would not expect him to say much. He was oldfashioned enough to believe that the Bible was the basis of all education that was really deserving the name, and that scriptural knowledge ought at all events to keep pace with secular attainment. He noticed it was stated at the late Congress at Rhyl that there was a disposition at the present time to make a separation between Church and State in the momentous question of education. It would be well, it was contended, that all schools that received State aid should confine themselves exclusively to secular instruction, and that the Churches and the different sects should supply the religious element. He for one did not believe that that solution of what was an admitted difficulty would prove successful. He believed the English people would never be content with mere secularism. Nothing could be conceived more utterly disastrous than what some of his brother clergy seemed to be proposing to do, because of the working of the Free Education Act in its early days at the present time. They were proposing to shut up their Church schools altogether in despair and disgust. Nothing could be more disastrous. It would really be to surrender the signal to the enemy. It would be to open the flood gates to unbelief and every kind of evil. He could remember when the Act of Mr. Forster, in the year 1870, was passed, there were all sorts of dark predictions as to what might be the result of the Act, and yet the working of the Act, so far as regarded Church schools, had been quite satisfactory. Not only had they not been injured, but, as Mr. Joseph Chamberlain himself had said, the Church schools were in a better position to-day than they were then, and they were undoubtedly a force that had to be reckoned with. Let them take into account, for instance, the Roman Catholics, who were their example in some things. They had no notion of getting rid of their schools because of the passing of the Education Act, and he held that the pure religion of the Church
was not less precious to Churchmen than was that of the Roman Catholics to them. It behoved them to support schools that, like that of the Cathedral, were based upon religion. There was in every country, and especially in England, at the present day a tendency to secularism, and therefore there was a great obligation upon them to do all they could to support schools such as those, and Sunday school work, and catechetical instruction ; to increase their efficiency and extend their working. He had very much at heart that subject of religious education, and he could only say that Cathedral schools should ever find in him a warm friend and staunch and unwavering supporter. (Applause.) Being a stranger among them he did not know really what were his power and privileges ; but he should like to ask for a whole holiday for the boys on a day convenient to the head master and the work of the school. (Loud applause).) He wished to avail of that opportunity—the first that had been afforded him—to thank all connected with the Cathedral for the cordial welcome they had given him. That welcome had been extended from the Bishop downwards, from the greatest to the least. He could not expect to fill the place in the city that had been filled so worthily by his predecessor, but he could promise and thereby did promise to work for Worcester—the Cathedral, the city, and the diocese—with both his hands and with all his heart. He hoped the day might not be distant when he might win some little place in their esteem, that would not be withheld from one who was trying to do his best, and perhaps in the end without pretension or presumption he might be able to use as his own the motto a great man once adopted— " I live for those who love me, For those who know me true, For the Heaven that shines above me, And waits my coming too. For the wrong that needs resistance, For the cause that needs assistance, For fhe future in the distance, And the good that I can do." (Loud Applause.) After apologising for the absence of the Bishop and of Canon Melville, the Dean proceeded to distribute the prizes, the list of which is as follows :— Honourably Awarded to mentioned. I Conacher Form Prize. VI. Form . \ Dimont ... V. Bennett ...(West,Purser i.) Bollandiii. (Pickin, Morris ii.) IV. Laurie i....(Morris ii., Webb) III. HlB. Steward ii. (Smith i., Richings ii.) Extra Prize. Ley ... II. Usher (Walsh i., Purseri., Walsh ii., Davey) Divinity. Open. Dimont ...(Conacher, Hill) " Maurice Day " Memorial Prize...Conacher...(Dimont) English Essay. Open Conacher... Latin Composition. Open Conacher... [Bennett, West, Divinity and History V Pember ...-! Purser i. [ (History) Bolland iii. (Scripture) Fuller ii. (History). „ III Laurie i. ... ,, II Walsh i. ...(Usher)
{
THE VIGORNIAN. Mathematics
Open
Chamberlain. (West, Bennett, Purser i.) ,, Lower A. Division. Clarke (Peniston, Pember) ,, ,, B. Division.Morris i. ...(Baily, Pickin, Bolland iii.) ,, „ C. „ Davey (Morris ii.) ,, ,, D. ,, Usher (Purser ii.) Modern Languages. ,, Open Chamberlain.(Dutton i.) ,, IV. Peniston ...(Morris i., Pickin) III Morris ii. ...(Cook, Webb) II. Walsh i. ...(Usher, Purser ii.) Natural Science Rowland ...(Dutton i.) Drawing Model Bennett (Pember) ,, Freehand, Sen Fuller i. ...(Bennett, Steward i.) „ ,, Jun Nicol (Purton, Ley) Mr. G. W. HASTINGS, M.I'., as the only representative of the lay portion of the Governors of the Cathedral School, said he was most happy to say a few words of congratulation and of welcome to their new chairman, the Dean. It was a most interesting school on account of its great antiquity, for he could not doubt that long before the existing school was founded by Henry VIII. the school here was connected with the monastery. He did not doubt that because he knew there never was a Benedictine Monastery without a school, as there was no order in the world that had done more for the spread of literature and knowledge. By the same continuity they saw that the Dean of Worcester was not merely the representative of the long line of Deans, but was really the representative also by direct descent of the Old Priors of Worcester, for the last Prior was the first Dean, and by that the two systems were connected together. He was sure they all wished for the Dean every prosperity and happiness there, and although, as the Head Master had been good enough to intimate, no Dean remained in Worcester long, they hoped he would remain long enough to do a great deal of good, and win the attachment of the citizens of Worcester and the county at large. (Applause.) He was also very glad to hear that the school had progressed during the past year. A good deal, he thought he might say, had been done for the school. The Dean and Chapter had been most generous, and the public had not been backward, and he hoped the result of the improvements would be that the numbers of the students would increase considerably, and that the reputation of the school would become higher and higher. Canon KNOX-LITTLE said it gave him great pleasure to have an opportunity of saying just a few words on that occasion, which was one of special interest. Three or four points of interest struck him very forcibly. Of all the days they had had to work this year he personally had known none so wet as that. He had noticed that English piety varied so much according to the weather, so that when he came and found their hall so well filled he thought it manifested a great deal of kindness and interest in the school. Another matter of interest was that that was the first occasion, apart from the great day in the Cathedral when they installed their Dean, when they had an opportunity of giving him any sort of welcome at all. It was quite true, and he would feel it, that in many respects their hearts had been sore, and they had been feeling a very great loss in parting from a very dear friend ; but the parting from such a friend for a higher work
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was no reason why they should not welcome one wrhom they were quite convinced, from all they heard and from all they knew, would worthily fill his place. They were glad, indeed, to welcome the Dean, and he was sure that that occasion would always remain memorable in the minds of them all. (Applause.) There was another reason why that occasion was interesting. Mr. Hastings had referred to the fact which made that occasion always interesting—the magnificent antiquity of the school. His hair almost stood on end when he heard the Chapter Clerk reading out statutes and extracts which spoke of "Henry VIII., our founder." He had been at great pains to study the history of the Cathedral of Worcester, and of that school, and when he went back into that history he felt that that school was the real representative and successor of very great educational power in ages long before Henry VIII. was ever dreamed of. Speaking as a schoolmaster of nine years' work, he should like to tell them that, so far as he had been able to judge, the boys of the Cathedral School were well brought up and exceedingly good lads. He had seen a good deal of some of them in a social way —he knew nothing about their learning—and it reflected great credit upon Mr. and Mrs. Bolland and the Masters that the boys, many of whom had done him the honour of spending evenings with him from time to time, appeared to be boys so well brought up and of such gentlemanly feeling. He could only advise them to go on through life with that high-minded tone which prevailed among them now ; to learn to be real gentlemen, to learn to deserve the respect of their fellow citizens, and the love of their own fireside, to carry with them through life the spirit learnt under those great Cathedral towers, through evil or good to uphold the truth always. (Applause.) Canon TEIGNMOUTH SHORE said he could join in the congratulations that had been offered by the Dean very felicitously to the head master, and the masters, and the boys, and they were delighted with the very satisfactory report that had been read. Of course he also joined in the cordial hope that the barometer would not be fixed at "fair," but would go up to " very fine," and they would all be glad next year if the barometer as regarded the weather and the school got to the same point. (Laughter and applause.) He congratulated his young friends who had won prizes, but all his sympathies—based upon personal experience—went to the average boy who was so often neglected. (Laughter.) He could remind the average boy that everyone could not be brilliant, but everyone could be good. There passed away the other clay a man who was certainly not brilliant—Mr. W. H. Smith—one who started life in a very humble sphere, one who never possessed those conspicuous talents of genius or of eloquence which statesmen had possessed before him, but who, by such hard work and devotion to truth, when he passed away left them a name and an example highly honoured by his Sovereign and his fellow countrymen, beyond the name of any of the statesmen who had preceded him as leaders of the English House of Commons. His memory would live to encourage a large class of persons who could not always be among the rising youth of a country, who were not possessed of great advantages of position or ability, but who could work bravely, earnestly, perseveringly in whatever call of life they
THE VIGORNIAN.
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selected. He congratulated the school on the success it had attained, and he assured them that in his position as governor he should do all in his power to forward the best interests of the school. He hoped it might have before it every success and prosperity. (Applause.) The proceedings then terminated with cheers by the boys for the Dean and Canons, Mr. and Mrs. Bolland, the Bishop oi Truro, the Bishop of Peterborough, and the ladies.—Berrottfs Worcester Journal, Oct. iyth, 1891.
Goldring entered the School June, 1888. His cheerful disposition had made him very popular with schoolfellows, especially those who were in the Third Form with him, and his death threw great gloom over the school. The school sent a wreath and attended his funeral. The first half of the service was read in St. Barnabas' Church, the concluding prayers at the graveside by the Head Master.
School (Dfffcers. Head of the School ... • ... H. M. CONACHEK. School |lelvi0. Chairman of VI. Form Meetings H. M. CONACHEH. OXFORD O.V.'s Captain of Football F. IT. BUTTON. W. II. Webb was tried several days for the Oxford Secretary of Football ... ... J. T. CHAMBERLAIN. Trial Eight, Captain of Cricket ... ... J. T. CHAMBERLAIN. C. T. Dirnont has gone into residence at Worcester Captain of Boats ... ... F. H. BUTTON. College. T ., • f H. M. CONACHER. H. H. Quilter was elected to an open Exhibition of Llbramus { J. T. CHAMBERLAIN. £30 at Hertford College, and has gone into residence. -n,., e i7• I H. M. CONACHER. Editors of Vcgormai, | J. T. CHAMBERLAIN.W. H;. Hill has gone into residence at Lincoln College ; he is stroking his College Torpid.
fling's Scholarship (Examination. KING'S SCHOLARSHIP EXAMINATION. An Examination was conducted by the Rev. A. J. Warwick, to fill five vacancies, on Wednesday and Thursday, Xov. 25 and 26. The following were successful ; the difficulty caused by the bracketing of Steward and Shield has been solved by the generosity of the former, who retired in favour of Shield. Steward has been elected to a House Scholarship :—• 1
R. G. Telfer H. W. Morris K G. Bavies 4 H. C. Baylis ... „ f S. Steward 0 i J. Shield
...
Queen Elizabeth's G.S. W.C.G.S. W.C.G.S. Cumberland House. W.C.G.S. W.C.G.S.
Jit
Albert (Ernest Coloring, EStho teas born £tb. 27th, 1S77, 5ten Oct. 4th, 1891, :»s buritb in SHrjmste Oct. 8th, 1891.
CAMBRIDGE O.V.'s A. P. Higgins has been added to the staff of Cambridge University Extension Lecturers ; we believe that his subject is English Law ; he also won a Winchester Eeading Prize. A. W. H. Knott (of the Middle Temple) has been elected to a scholarship of £50. H. W. Holland has passed his Little Go (Part I.), obtaining a Second Class, and gone into residence at Emmanuel College; and was in the winning crew of the College Trial Eights. F. H. Button has been elected to a Meeke Scholarship at Hertford College, Oxford. H. M. Conacher has been elected to an Open Scholarship of ,£80 at Corpus Christi College, Oxford. An ambulance class has been formed this year under Dr. Simmons : the examination will be held Bee. 17th. The surviving members of the previous class, who have not passed their final examination, are also benefiting by his teaching. The Old Boys' dinner will be held Bee. 30th, at the Bell Hotel, the Mayor (Alderman W. Holland) will be in the chair. We regret the omission of any account of the last Old Vigornians' dinner, which was very successful, some twenty or thirty being present. Mr. H. G. Budd took the chair.
THE VIGORNIAN. A commercial class has been formed under Mr. W. H. Littlebury (O.V.) in connection with the Modern Side. The Editors beg to acknowledge the receipt of the following contemporaries :—Cantuarian, Felstedian, Eerefoi-dian, Ipswichian (3), Ulula (2), Toribridgian (2), Leodiensian, Trinity College (Stratford) Magazine, Raven, Old Hallian (2), Portcullis, Osioestrian, Ousel, and others. Mr. Eussell has left us ; his place has been taken by Mr. T. E. Rammell, late scholar of Trinity College, Oxford.
Correspondence. FOOTBALL. To the Editors of " The Vigorm'an." Dear Sirs,—So much has lately been said (and probably is now being written) on the subject of Association football, and the proposal to adopt it as the school game, that I feel I shall in the opinion of some be merely adding fuel to the already lurid flame of discontent and indignation which burst forth at the mere mention of such a radical measure. At the risk of this, however, I propose, if both your space and your indulgence will permit me, to discuss, as briefly as may be, the pros and cons of the matter. Now, I believe I am correct in saying that the advocates of the continuance of Eugby base their line of argument on their Conservative principles. Eugby, they say, and say well, has always been the school game, and shall continue to be so until very cogent reasons can be urged why it should be changed. Very good and very natural: but I maintain that such reasons can now be urged. In the first place, we are in a country where Association is more played and better understood than Eugby, and consequently we should presumably get a better choice of matches and more of them than we do at present. At least one school with whom we used to arrange matches, has changed its game for this very reason. Then, again, our practices would be incalculably benefited by the change. We could practise at odd times in the playground, which is quite out of the question so long as we play Eugby : the smaller boys could join in the senior games with greater keenness, and, I venture to think, with less danger to life and limb, and above all, the game would be better adapted to the. numbers of the school. Even granting for a moment (what is far from certain) that Association is the inferior game, would it not be better to play it properly than to indulge in the mongrel pastime which, with four or five forwards and two three-quarters aside, can hardly be dignified by the name of Eugby, and for which, as regards improvement for matches, we might just as well substitute any other game. I feel somewhat diffident in offering these remarks, knowing as I do what a power is wielded by the magic
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word " tradition." But revolutions, in schools as well as states, though always distasteful to a considerable section of the community, are sometimes demanded by circumstances and must be submitted to with a philosophical resignation. Apologizing for the violation of my promise of brevity, Believe me, yours very truly, T. E. E. [We think our correspondent is setting up a false standard; getting more matches is a very dubious improvement. Besides there is not half the opening for developing pluck in Association.—Eds. Vig.\ To the Editors of "The Vigornian." Dear Sirs,—It is commonly asserted even by thoseenjoying a high reputation for wisdom that one of the most distinctive marks of this age is progress : that everything follows this law of progress. Poor things ! What a long way from the truth they are ! Whenever I come across anyone expressing these opinions, I feel inclined to invite him to attend one of our football practices. If after waiting for half an hour beyond the proper time for beginning he sees a dozen fellows turn up and still holds to his law of progress I should like to ask him what sort of an attendance there must have been a few years ago before all this progress was made. It could not have been so very far back when nobody played no one and nobody won. A game of six or sometimes eight a-side, when some old boys kindly turn up to help us, hardly reflects much credit on a school. Of course there are physical reasons and others which prevent some from playing football; but surely out of the rest of the school a full side of 15 should nearly always be obtained. Unfortunately, this " should" seems to have no effect in inducing attendance. And if the lazy slackers expended as much energy and presence of mind on football as they do on formulating excuses, the results of our matches could hardly fail to be in our favour. Some of the age of 14 or 15 complain that they are too old to begin now, and consequently, I suppose, their limbs are too stiff. Others feel it to be against their consciences to play because they don't know how to; let us hope that having learnt to play at home during their leisure hours they may show us the good results on the field next year. One might think that if, immediately after the announcement of an extra half-holiday, a boy were asked to attend a practice, it would prove toomuch for any adroitness to get out of it. But not so. One specimen at once remembers an engagement he has made for that very afternoon; often a music lesson. I wonder how he would have managed to settle the conflicting claims of school duties and music lesson if there had been no half; but probably this would have not been beyond his ingenuity. But it is really disgraceful that even on an extra half-holiday enough should not turn up to form anything like a proper game. But perhaps some one will point to a recent halfholiday when 16 a side turned up. Certainly, I allow that; but the holiday was given on the express condi-
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THE VIGORNIAN.
tion that we should be able to get 30 boys to attend a game. It would be very satisfactory even to find definite reasons for all this selfishness. It has been suggested that it is due to the impossibility of mixed games of big and little boys under Eugby rules ; therefore Association should take its place. The proposal to abandon Rugby instantly roused a storm of disapproval ; those expressed their feelings the strongest who had most carefully refrained from playing. Nevertheless, come the change must, sooner or later. It is much better, then, that we should begin now, when there are no more matches, so as to be able to play Association matches next year. I tinderstand that this question will be discussed in another part of the paper, and as my letter has already taken up too much room, I will leave this question, hoping earnestly that either those who have raised such an outcry against the discontinuance of Eugby will support it in such a way as to render it unnecessary to give it up, or give themselves heartily to Association—that is, if they can give themselves heartily to anything at all. I remain, Sirs., Yours truly, ALLANTOPOLES. [We do not deny that there is ground for our correspondent's complaints, and, as editors of The Vigornian, are learning to expect these sermons as part of the day's work. At the same time, we think his account overdrawn ; nor does he seem very clear about what he would like himself.—Eds. Vig.}
plenty of fight in them yet ! We are afraid we are trespassing on your space too much, so we remain, Yours truly, C. STEWARD. C. FULLER. [The choice rhetoric and bluster of this letter provoke comparisons with the faint-heartedness of its predecessor. We should like to ask our questionbegging correspondents why the limited number of fellows who play regularly are bound to know what is good for them better than older heads ? Of course, we hardly look for argument from this bull-in-thechina-shop style of writing ; but we think they might have made out some case for Eugby.—Eds. Vig.]
W. C. G. S. CHESS CLUB. To the Editors of " The Vigornian." Dear Sirs,—As this subject does not seem to be receiving much attention just now, and the club seems to be entirely falling into obscurity, perhaps a few remarks may not be out of place. First, a school like ours ought surely to possess a good and well-managed club, and some steps should be taken to bring about its revival. There is no doubt that the school might do much to lead to this most desirable end, by shewing more enthusiasm in regard to playing with school-fellows, and also in taking advantage of having a Head Master who takes great interest in the game, and who shews it both by playing with the boys, and also (as he did last year), by offering a prize to be competed for in a Chess Tournament. The Tournament last season displayed To the Editors of " The Vigornian." most lamentably the disgracefully lazy feeling which Dear Sirs,—"We do not often trouble you with any unfortunately exists in the school, as only about a grievance ; you may judge then, that some very crying dozen fellows expressed willingness to compete, and wrong has been done before we are stirred to make only some three or four played anything like all their any protest, but our present circumstances no longer games. Still, on the other hand, the Secretary does not sanction silence. We have heard seditious whisperings, nay, more, articulate cries, actually suggesting the appear to be exerting himself in the least; he seems, abandonment of Eugby in favour of Association ! ! ! indeed, to be quite content to allow things to go on in Of course, if any change were contemplated, it would just the same way, instead of trying to induce anyone most naturally come from regular players, who are to join the club. I should think there are plenty of bound to see more than anybody else how matters fellows who would be quite willing to do so ; the small stand ; but in this case they have been conspicuously fee of one shilling, to be paid on entering, would be silent about the need of any change, and, in fact, their no obstacle to anyone. Moved by his example, instead wishes have been entirely ignored. We protest against of there being, practically, no club, the School would, the idle repetition of exaggerated stories gathered at no doubt, gladly take the opportunity they would have second-hand, and, in fact, dispute the right of any but of practice, and the club would afford pleasure to its eye-witness to give any opinion on the subject. We members, and do credit to the school. Hoping the matter will receive consideration, also think it utterly unfair to condemn Eugby on a I remain, yours faithfully, single game. The malcontents must indeed find themH. P. selves hard pressed for argument when they carefully pick a practice played under most unfavourable condi[Our correspondent seems to think that living in a tions, when the field was only just recovering from a " school like ours " is an excellent theoretical reason bad flood, when the notice of the game had hardly for having a chess club. Proceeding by the safer been advertised before the end of morning school, methods of induction, we think it a very good practical when the heads assign such little importance to it that reason for not having a club. But still we think they thrust it early in the afternoon to allow them to another effort necessary. We must protest against one see another match later on; on the strength of this a thing in the letter. He first blames the school, then triumphant peean is raised over the expiring Eugby ! tacitly exculpates it to shift all the blame on to the Vce metis, indeed, the vieti will prove they have unfortunate secretary.—Eds. Vig.]
THE VIGORNIAN.
Chess. PROBLEM No. 27. Composed for " The Vigornian," by W. E. B. BLACK.
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WHITE. White play and mate in two moves. Solution of Problem No. 26:— White. 1 15 to K B 3 2 Q to B 4 (mate)
Black. i K to B 3 I P to Q 5
2 P to Kt 4 (mate) i K to Q 5
2 B to Kt 6 (mate)
Printed by Deighton and Co., Lithographers, 53, High Street, Worcester.
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