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THE WORCESTER CATHEDRAL KING'S SCHOOL CHRONICLE. " TO. /tev StoWra fjLavOav<a, ra S'evpfra tyrta, TO. B'evKTa Trapa 6fa>v rr
No. 30. VOL. III.
DECEMBER, 1896.
Contents. Editorial July Examinations The Abevrorn Patrol Football Speech Dny Frizes ... School Officers ... .King's Scholarship Kxamination ... School News Old Vigornians' Column ... Correspondence...
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Oitorial. |HEN fugaces labuntur anni ! Another School year has rolled away to be numbered with the past, taking with it many familiar faces. It is, in a sense, the last of an era, for last term we had to bid farewell to the Rev. W. E. Bolland, who for seventeen years had been Head Master. We offer our heartiest welcome to his successor, the Rev. W. Haighton Chappel, who has already earned a deserved popularity by the unflagging interest he has shewn in our games ; it is with confidence and hope that we look forward to the future : confidence, that he will do all in his power to promote the welfare of the School; and hope, that his efforts will be rewarded.
PRICE 6d.
We might mention, en passant, that there is a prospect of a large increase in our numbers next term. We hope that the time is not far hence when we shall be able to fill our spacious Hall. This term has seen manychanges, both in work proper and in the organisation of games. Afternoon School commences at 2.15, and we hope that, in the near future, work will commence still earlier ; the innovation causes general satisfaction, as it allows considerably more time for recreation in the evening, particularly so during the Winter term, when darkness sets in so soon. At last we have assumed our correct appellation as a body—we are now Worcester Cathedral King's School, and the letters on the caps are being altered to W.C.K.S. It is curious that we have not previously borne that name, especially when the words of the School Arms distinctly shew that it is the correct one. The old system of monitors has been done away with, six being now chosen, by the Head Master, from the members of the Sixth Form. Their names are given elsewhere. We are glad to see that they have resumed the old custom of holding Monitors' Meetings, which had been laid aside during the past two years. The death of Mr. Rowley Hill, on October
THE VIGORNIAN. deprived us of a Governor and kind benefactor. Mr. Hill always shewed the greatest interest in the welfare of the School. For several successive years he took his place amongst the Governors at Speech Day. He further identified himself with our interest by a noble subscription of ^1000 towards augmenting the endowment, at the time when the School was being re-organised, in 1884. The Carpentering Class is in a flourishing condition; it has been necessary to limit the numbers of the members, owing to the numerous applications. A Boxing and Fencing Class has also been formed, under the able guidance of Sergeant Fawke. We are sorry to see that there has been a tendency to slackness on the part of one division of the class; it is to their own loss, as the regular attendants can testify. This Class has been held once a week throughout the term in the School House, by the kind permission of the Head Master. It has been in existence in previous years, but not to such a large extent. It fully deserves to be even more widely appreciated next year. We are glad to welcome Mr. Swann, who has been added to the staff of Masters. He has proved a valuable acquisition to the Football team, and we hope, too, that he will lend us his services in coaching the rowing next term. This season there has been a considerable improvement in the attendance at Football, which leads us to hope that we shall be more successful in our matches next year. The position of the ground has been changed, it is no longer in the centre of the field but nearer to the Pavilion, which is certainly an improvement, as the cricket pitch runs no risk of being cut up. It has also enabled the Juniors to have a ground of their own, on the other side of the field, with the result that their games have been much better organised than in previous years. There has been an increase in the number of matches, but unfortunately we have been anything but successful, having lost eight of them. This is partly owing to the fact that several of the
previous members of the team have left us since last season, and the fellows who have replaced them have scarcely sufficient weight. Our weakest point is the shooting, as even when pressing we have failed to score. We hope that this fault will be remedied by steady practice, which can be more conveniently obtained now that goal-posts have been set up in the playground. It is unnecessary to enter into further details as the football is elsewhere reviewed at length. Our thanks are due to Mr. Beach-Hicks, Mr. Rammell, and Mr. Swann, who have so unselfishly given their valuable assistance in matches, and also in coaching at the practices. The Fives-courts have been very little used this term, although the alteration of school hours afforded ample time to play in the evenings during the first eight weeks. If there is not much more energy shewn in this respect, the fives tournaments, next term, will make a very poor show. In consequence of complaints from members of the School, that the fives-courts were frequently occupied by Old Vigornians, and they were consequently prevented from playing, a rule was made at the beginning of the term allowing O.V's to play only during school hours, or with special leave from the captain. It is rumoured that measures are being taken to arrange fives matches with other Schools ; the idea is commendable, but unless much more time is devoted to the game, the chances of victory will be very slight. The Chess Club made a last feeble effort for life early in the term, but in vain ; it has now ceased to exist.
Hfthe J«JB (Examinations. iN accordance with the usual custom of taking the Oxford and Cam bridge School Examinations in alternate years, three members of the Upper Sixth Form went in for the Higher, and the whole of the Lower Sixth and Fifth for the Lower Certificates. Bolland and Steward obtained Higher Certificates, but the other candidate, who did well on the whole, unfortunately failed owing to the want of a few more marks in one paper. • The result of the Lower Certificates was fairly satisfactory, as most of the
THE VIGORNIAN. candidates obtained passes ; but there was a slight falling off in the number of first classes, although Cotton and Ingram-Halford did well in gaining four apiece. The Lower School was examined by Mr. Lys, whose report is given in another column. Higher Certificates were obtained by :— Upper VI. Form. Three candidates. Two succeeded. Holland, A. P. (a b c f i k) Steward, S. J. (a b c f i j) Lower Certificates were obtained by :— Lower VI. Form. Four candidates. Three succeeded. Claxton, F. H. (A c F i j n) Cotton, H. W. (A c F g I J k n) Ley, C. T. ( a f g i n ) V. Form. Thirteen candidates. Eight succeeded. Bates, M. (a f g i j k) Bates, T. (a f g i j O) Driver, G. W. S. (a b f g i j) Ingram-Halford, E. H. (a c F g I J K n) Lewis, H. A. (A b c f g i j) Marshall, A. T. (a b c f g i j 1) Richings, H. A. (a b c F I j k) Sampson, L. H. W. (a c f g i 1) a—Latin j—English b—Greek k—History c—French 1—Geography g—Algebra and Euclid n—Physics and Chemistry i—Scripture o—Chemistry & Mechanics f—Elementary Mathematics (Higher), Arithmetic (Lower). A capital letter denotes a First Class for the Lower Certificate.
Jlbcixorn Patrol. n
gHEN the Mashona war broke out in last June, many miners and prospectors in the districts outside Salisbury, such as Hartley, Marjoe, and Lo Magundi, were attacked, before they had time to make any preparations for defence, and ruthlessly murdered ; although not without desperate resistance as has since been proved. Such, however, as had received timely intelligence of the threatening
37
danger, hastened to join together and form a small fort, generally at a store or in the close vicinity of one, and these held out till they were relieved from Salisbury. This happened in the Abercorn district to some few men who built up a rough fort of empty packing-cases, and resisted all the efforts of some 500 or 600 Mashonas, who were endeavouring to get at them. A friendly native, who had been sent to summon aid, managed to reach us at Salisbury after several narrow escapes, and told us that the besieged party were all living but very hard pressed. Mr. Duncan at once called for sixty volunteers to form a rescue party. There were plenty of men to choose from, as considerably more than the required number offered their services. As they were taking a Maxim, gun with them, they were obliged to add to the party the artillery necessary for manning it; and I was fortunate enough to be of the number. We left Salisbury that night as soon as it got dusk, all mounted, the Maxim in a Cape mule cart; after advancing some distance, at about 10 p.m. we outspanned and turned in. By three o'clock the next morning we were saddling our horses again and starting ; we continued to advance till about nine o'clock, when we dismounted and gave the horses a rest of an hour, whilst we refreshed ourselves with a piece of biltory and a biscuit. Again we pushed on but had not proceeded very far when bang ! and a bullet goes whizzing over our heads, and then another and another; the niggers had opened fire on us from the right and left, but it seemed in rather a disheartened way, and they made no attempt to charge us : this continued all day simply hindering us but never doing any real harm. On the following day as we drew nearer to our goal they came on more stubbornly, but we got through safely and, to our great joy, in time to rescue the brave fellows from their prison, although they were all more or less seriously wounded and in a pitiful condition, having had no water for nearly a fortnight, but only brandy and limejuice to drink, with a scorching South African sun beating down on them. We had determined to make our way back to Salisbury through the Marjoe valley and not by the same track as we had come, rightly judging that the niggers would make it hot for us if we did : so at mid-
THE VIGORNIAN. night we quietly started. Next morning we saw a crowd of natives coming after us in hot pursuit, but we managed to keep them at bay as the country was open, and we moved along at a pretty good pace in spite of them; in fact, there was only one dangerous place to be passed, where the road enters a narrow defile, and this we marched through without annoyance during the night owing to the carelessness of the natives, who failed to take advantage of the favourable position. On the following morning we found that they had increased in numbers, and by the firing it was evident that they meant business. One of them crept through the tall grass till he was quite close to the road and then fired at a trooper, the bullet passing through his hat just grazed his temple. Meanwhile the nigger had disappeared again in the grass and was trying to crawl away • but he happened to expose his woolly head for a moment, and before he had time to duck the trooper's carbine spoke and he rolled over dead. The enemy now became so venturesome that we thought there might yet be a chance of a regular stand-up fight ; this was evidently Mr. Duncan's opinion also, for he ordered the Maxim gun to be mounted and the troopers to get ready, and all the preparations were made for a good scrimmage; but then the natives seeing that we meant business began to feel shy, they evidently prefer a Maxim gun at a distance, it has a tendency to worry and irritate them when too close at hand. The niggers had collected on a hill called Mount Hampden ; a detachment of them was placed in the tall grass in a rather open position since there were no protecting rocks, and we were considerably annoyed by their steady firing, so we laid the Maxim on them and set her going. In five minutes there was not a native to be seen, except those who had been left dead or dying in the grass ; the rest had taken to their heels and made for shelter higher up among the rocks. This repulse damped their ardour, and as we kept up a steady rifle fire they did not dare to make a second attempt; so without further trouble, we marched into Salisbury amid the cheers of the citizens, having effected the rescue and beaten the enemy without the loss of a single man though several of us had had very narrow escapes. A comical incident took place during the fight which
caused considerable amusement at the time: a very old nigger came marching along, carrying one of those old family guns (old Tower muskets they are, I believe), and his two sons were following behind, one carrying a beer bottle full of gunpowder, and the other a bag evidently containing bullets. Having got to within about seventy yards of the Maxim, where there was a tree with a nice handy fork for the gun to rest on, he proceeded to quietly load his old blunderbuss, although his two sons seemed to feel rather uncomfortable ; when it was loaded he laid it on the fork of the tree with its muzzle pointing towards us, and then pulled the trigger without putting his shoulder to the stock; the effect was marvellous, for the gun burst or something went wrong with the works, and the whole show went up in the air like a sky-rocket, while the old man went head over heels backwards, and his two affectionate sons, believing him killed, ran for dear life back to their friends. Before the old man could get on his feet again, a bullet from one of our troopers found its mark, and the dusky warrior's career on earth was brought to a sudden close. About a fortnight later, another Patrol which had been sent along the Abercorn road brought in a Zambesi who had escaped from the Mashonas; from him we learnt that while our rescue party was marching towards Abercorn, the natives were following at a safe distance in our rear and felling all the trees which we had passed, so that if we had returned by the same route, we should have certainly been attacked and cut to pieces. C. W. V. WALLER CO.V.)
Jfootball. no stretch of imagination can the past season be called successful, and yet at the commencement of the term there seemed a reasonable prospect of our winning at least a fair proportion of the matches arranged. The results given below, however, shew how far this was from being the case ; and now we have to consider what were the causes of our failure. In the first place, undoubtedly in some cases we were no match for our opponents, they played a distinctly higher class of
THE VIGORNIAN.
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Henceforth the Guild kept up a continual pressure, and retired winners by 5 goals to nil.
football, but unfortunately we cannot help playing such teams who are so distinctly our superiors, owing to the fact that, there being so few Schools in the district whom we can play, it is difficult to arrange a respectable list of fixtures at all. But this, of course, is not sufficient to account for the distinctly poor display in most of the matches, the fact is, with very few exceptions, the team as a whole seem to possess a very rudimentary knowledge of the game, the forwards being especially weak; even when pressing they shewed no dash, and threw away the easiest opportunities of scoring by bad shooting. Such inability to shoot is inexcusable, seeing that we have had abundant practice throughout the term. Had it not been for the splendid all-round play of the captain, and the sound, defensive work of Mr. Beach-Hicks, Mr. Rammell, and Mr. Swann, we should undoubtedly in many cases have suffered even heavier defeats than we actually did. It is to be hoped that next year there will be a .very great improvement, and that every effort will be made to have a successful season, and this can only be attained by constant and regular practice. The following is a list of the Seniors' matches, which have so far been played :—
OCT. 3ist (home), v. MALVERN WANDERERS. The visitors, who shewed excellent combination for a scratch team, proved far too strong for us. Our forwards failed to make any headway, and in spite of some good defensive work by the backs, we had to acknowledge defeat by 6 to nil. Nov. 7th (home), v. DEAN CLOSE SCHOOL, CHELTENHAM. The game for some time was very even, both teams finding it difficult to obtain a secure footing, owing to the slippery state of the ground. A little before halftime the visitors scored twice in quick succession. On changing over, the home forwards seemed to fall to pieces, and Dean Close, thanks to much superior shooting, easily increased their lead, ultimately winning by 6 goals to nil. Nov. nth (home), v. HEREFORD COUNTY COLLEGE. In this match for the first time we played without masters, and in spite of the change there seemed for some time every prospect of our winning. During the whole of the first half we were pressing, but several splendid chances of scoring were thrown away by miserable shooting. In the second half our forwards lost all their dash, with the result that the play centred chiefly round the School goal, and playing with much more life, Hereford scored three times.
OCT. 3rd (home), v. E. L. HARKNESS' XI.
In this, the first match of the season, we opposed a } Nov. 14th (away), v. LUCTON SCHOOL. strong scratch team captained by E. L. Harkness. i Played at Hereford in a perfect gale. One of our Very soon in the game the visitors scored, and kept up i a continual bombardment of the School goal, scoring j forwards having missed the train we were compelled four times, through no fault of the home goal-keeper, | to play one short. In spite of this, however, and of who gave a fine display. In the second half the i the fact that we were playing against the wind and School livened up slightly, and prevented the visitors rain, our opponents only scored twice. On changing adding to their score, who, however, won by 4 goals to j ends, with the strong wind in our favour we hoped to soon wipe off this deficit. This was far from being nil. the case, however; a slight accident necessitated one OCT. 2ist (home), v. D. V. LAURIE'S XL of our men retiring, and this seemed to thoroughly In this match the School shewed greatly improved demoralise us, with only three forwards we could gain form, the majority of the first half they were pressing no ground and finally retired defeated by 6 to-1: and scored three times. The second half was more Nov. 2ist (home), v. MALVERN WANDERERS. open, the only goal obtained being scored by the j visitors; this left the School winners of a good game i In this, the return match, we fared even worse than by 3 to i. | before, the visitors scoring no less than nine times. j
OCT. 24th (away), v. VOLUNTARY CHOIR GUILD.
;
DEC. 2nd (home), v. D. V. LAURIE'S XI.
This match was played on the Choir ground amid a j The ground being in a dreadful state the game was heavy downpour of rain. For the first fifteen minutes ! far 'from being scientific. During the first half the the game was fairly evenly contested, the Guild having School did most of the pressing, but failed to score perhaps a trifle more of the play; then, however, Mr. owing to weak shooting. Shortly after changing over Swann was unfortunately hurt and had to retire. we opened the scoring, but owing to bad goat-keeping
THE VIGORNIAN.
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on the part of the home goal-keeper the scratch team drew level. Shortly before time we scored twice, and a poor game thus ended in a win for the School by 4 goals to 2. JUNIOR MATCHES. OCT. 28th (away), v. CHORISTERS. The School scored twice in the first half, but in the second the Choristers played up and equalised. Neither side succeeded in notching the winning point, so the game ended in a draw. OCT. i ;th. v. VOLUNTARY CHOIR. The Choir, who shewed superior combination, won, 4 to i. Nov. 2ist.
v. VOLUNTARY CHOIR.
A very evenly-contested game ended in a draw. The School led until shortly before time when the Choir equalised. Nov. 28th.
v. CHORISTERS.
This return match resulted in a very keen game. The School, however, just held the upper hand throughout, and in spite of some spirited efforts of the Choristers, retired winners of an excellent game by 4 goals to 3. NOV.
2 I St.
V. EVKSHAM GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
Evesham compelled the home team to act on the defence most of the game, and won finally by 5 to i. The following have received their First XI. Football Colours for this season :—N. G. Davies (goal), T. Bates (captain), S. J. Steward and A. T. Marshall (halves), C. T. Ley, M. Bates, P. Morris, and C. Thompson (forwards).
Speech ('Reprinted from Ben-ma's " Worcester Journal.") The annual Prize Distribution in connection with Worcester Cathedral School took place on Wednesday. This was an earlier date than usual. Thus anticipating the publication of some examination lists, it was impossible either to distribute all the usual prizes, or to record the honours gained by Vigornians during the year. The occasion was remarkable because the programme provided for a public farewell and presentation to the old Master (the Rev. W. E. Bolland), and a welcome to the new Master (the Rev. W. Haighton Chappel). In spite of the Homeric axiom "Welcome the coming, speed the parting guest" (so rendered by Pope), the gathering bade their farewell to Mr. Bolland before greeting Mr. Chappel, out of the wisdom (as Canon Melville humorously put it) of being off with the old love before being on with the new. There was very lengthy
speech-making, but none of the speakers was more happy than Mr. Conacher, an old Vigornian, who by a really witty and vigorous speech delighted the large gathering. Among those present were—the Very Rev. the Dean (in the chair), the Bishop of Worcester, the Mayor of Worcester (Lord Beauchamp), the Sub-Dean (Canon Melville), Canon Claughton, Mr. Rowley Hill, Mr. F. Everill, the old and new Masters, and the staff of the school, Lady Coventry, Mrs. Forrest, the Revs. J. B. Wilson, T. Littleton Wheeler, T. K. Floyer, G. Hooper, B. (and Mrs.) Arthure, H. E. E. Arthure, H. Jones (Bromsgrove), A. Telfer, J. P. Driver, G. A. K. Simpson, R. Arden Davis, T. (and Miss) Walker, W. G. (and Mrs.) Melville, F. H. Richings, H. (and Mrs.) Clifford, D. H. Sampson, j. T. (and Mrs.) Raymond, W. C. (and Mrs.) Perry, R. C. Bates, H. G. Pepys, P. (and Miss) Norton, and H. (and Mrs.) Collier, Colonel and Mrs. Ferrier, Colonel and Mrs. Purser, Dr. and Mrs. Wareing, Dr. and Mrs. Coombs, Dr. and Mrs. Read, Dr. Poison, Dr. and Mrs. Royle, Dr. Ferguson, Dr. and Mrs. Walpole Simmons, Mr. J. H. Hooper, Mrs. Wheeley Lea, AidErnest and Mrs. Day, Mr. and Miss Deighton, Mr. J. S. Wood, Miss Nicol, Mrs. Lewis Baylis, Mr. J. Stallard, Mrs. Bennett, Mr. and Mrs. Eldershaw, Mrs. Bailey, Misses Done, Mrs. G. Morris, Mr. and Mrs. W. Caldicott, Mrs. Isaac, Mr. and Mrs. Bachelor, Mrs. W. Brown, Mr. Iliggins, Mr. and Mrs. Gabb, Mr. D. A. Cooper, Mr. A. Buck, Mrs. Yonge, Mr. and Mrs. P. S. Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Bird, Mr. and Mrs. R. M. BeachHicks, Mrs. Keen, Mr. Harwood, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Steward, Mr. and Mrs. Quilter, Mr. S. Clarke, Mr. Masterman, Mr. E. P. Evans, Miss Herbert, Mr. E. J. Spark, Mr. and Mrs. T. Bates, Mrs. Vevers, Mrs. Lewis, Mr. Dingle, Mr. C. Clarke, Miss Stevenson, Mr. H. Budd, Mrs. Abell, Mrs. Berkeley (Cotheridge), Mrs. W. Douglas, Mr. W. Webb, Mr. F.Webb, Mr. and Mrs. H. Buck, Mrs. Ingram Halford, Mr. R. Ross, Mr. W. M. Binns, Mr. L. Rowe, Mr. A. L. Knott, Mr. and Mrs. Harrington, Mr. Farara, Mr. G. E. Hyde, Mrs. M. Cooke, Mr. W. W. Finch, Mrs. Cross, Mrs. Hough, Mrs. S. Southall, Miss Knox Little, Miss George, Miss Vincent, Miss Nash, Miss Whitefoorcl, Mr. Carless, Mr. E. Elgar, Mr. and Mrs. Swayne, Mr. M. O'Brien, Miss Beale, Mrs. Chavasse, Mr. Lett, Mr. S. T. Dutton, Mr. W. .Stallard, Mrs. Hammond, Mrs. Jerram, Mr. and Mrs. Holbeche, Mr. F. Wood, Mrs. Wagstaff, Mr. C. F. Binns, Mr. and Mrs. Cotton, Mrs. Norton, Miss Copeman, Mr. and Mrs. Usher, Mrs. Wilding, Mr. and Mrs. F. C. Bourne, Mr. and Miss Sheppard, Mrs. Haywood, Miss Tanner. Apologies for absence were received from Lord Coventry, Aid. Walter Holland, and Revs. J. Went, R. Bullock, J. Martin, and others. Lord Coventry wrote apologising, saying he was engaged elsewhere, or he would have liked to be present to take leave of Mr. Bolland, and to have added his testimony to the services he had rendered to the school, and the deep interest he had always taken in its prosperity. The reading of this letter was received with applause.
HEAD MASTER'S AND EXAMINER'S REPORTS. The Rev. W. E. Bolland said that though for a great many years he had had the privilege of welcoming the parents and friends of scholars, he did not think he had ever seen so many there before. Prize day being held on that date caused a certain amount of inconvenience. As certain examinations had only just taken place, they thought it would be hard on the boys to have to prepare speeches and recitations with that degree of accuracy which had been their pride, and he regretted the disappearance of that item from the programme. Another great drawback was that they could not give away many of the prizes, the results of the examinations of forms 5 and 6 not being known until August. But it was an ill wind that blew no good, and it had wafted to them the Bishop of the Diocese. (Applause). The usual October date was about the most inconvenient day for his Lordship, and previously he had been unable to attend ; therefore they welcomed him. They also welcomed Lord .Beauchamp, not only as Chief Magistrate of the
THE VIGORNIAN. city, but as the son of his father. Not only was the late Lord Beauchamp the first outside governor of the school, but he did a great deal of work for the school, and took a great interest in the restoration of the school buildings and the provision of a school house. It was a great deal owing to his wisdom that they had such a splendid schoolroom and the mos,t completely fitted school house in the kingdom. (Applause.) They trusted the present Lord Beauchamp would continue his interest in the school when his Mayoralty expired. It was much too late in the day for him to say he cared not for numbers in the school's success ; he valued other points very much higher, but a considerable portion of the world thought figures the highest test, and he was glad to be able to say that they could face it. (Applause.) Last year there were 30 new boys, this year there had been already 15 In 1887 the number of scholars was 54, now there were 83 ; and he thought they might be thankful for the advance they had made. (Applause.) An outbreak of measles had disturbed the work of the school, and he was afraid it would tell to a certain extent in the examination. The worst harm it did was in reducing the numbers of the science classes at the Victoria Institute so much as to make examination impossible. That was a great disappointment to the school and to the managers of the Victoria Institute, who had hoped to get both credit and profit from the results of the examinations, the boys having made good progress under the capital teaching of Mr. Cooper. He had always attached great importance to the association of old boys with the school, and he was glad to see the development of the Old Vigornians' Club. He thought the thanks of the Masters and Governors were due to Mr, Frank Webb for the energy he had taken in organising it. (Applause). The Examiner (Mr. E. T. Lys), in presenting his report, said he found more to commend than to find fault with in the papers which he had had to look through. The papers on which he had then to report were only those of the lower part of the school, and it was rather difficult to report satisfactorily on that part, because most of the boys had not been very long in the school. The increase in the number of boys had the disadvantage in relation to the examination that a considerable number of boys had only been in their forms a short time, and if there was one thing he had to find fault with it was in the unevenness of the work, which was very largely accounted for by the presence of so large a number of new boys, and partly also by the fact, which was not sufficiently realised, that in a school of that size they had boys ranging over the same ages as they had in a school four or five times as large, in which they had a very much larger number of forms. In most of the papers in the lower forms the work was rather uneven, and it was quite accounted for by those two considerations. The Examiner individualized the boys to whom he had awarded prizes and distinction. ENTOURAGEMEN r : A SCHOOL'S TRADITIONS. The Bishop said the reports of the Head Master and the Examiner were very encouraging. They all heartily agreed with what Lord Coventry had said as to the interest the Head Master had shown in the work of the school; and they had all to congratulate the school on the appointment of a Head Master who, he was sure, by reason of his experience in a large public school, was capable of ruling over that one. (Applause.) Those Cathedral schools had a very special stamp and peculiarity. They were established at a very primitive time, a period of transition, a period of religious and literary revival. They could not be too thankful to Henry VIII., and he was not one of his admirers—(laughter)—for what was done in preserving both the religious character of the Cathedrals which took the place of the monasteries and the literary character of the schools. The old Benedictine monasteries were famous as seats of learning, and when they were abolished Henry VIII. took care there should be Cathedral schools which should be enriched with all the knowledge of the time. It was a remarkable fact that in some of the statutes of the new foundation it was especially provided that the Head Master should be efficient in Greek, which was not taught in the universities of the time, and was an
uncommon acquirement. Just as the monasteries had been seats of learning, the schools had since been seats of learning. The school was connected with an important epoch in history, and with the establishment of the principle that all education that was worthy of the name must be based upon religion. (Applause.) It was a happy thought that Henry VIII. connected the school so directly with the Cathedral. He (the Bishop) was perfectly convinced that if they could get fairly the votes of the people of England as to whether education should be religious or not (he was one of those who maintained that there was no education without religion, though there might be instruction), they would say, "let us have religious education in all our schools, primary and secondary." (Hear, hear.) But, unfortunately, political and other considerations came in and prevented the test. He hoped the boys would value their association with the Cathedral; they had that advantage over the great public schools of the country. He was one who thought there was a great deal in the past and the traditions of a school. Their school was more than 30x3 years old, and they must have had a great many old boys—looking back over that time—who had set or were now setting them a noble and worthy example. He urged that there was something more valuable than any amount of knowledge acquired in a school, and that was character. Character was better than success, and religion must be at the root of character. (Applause). The Bishop then distributed the prizes, of which the following is a list with the names of those honourably mentioned by the Examiner added :— Honoiirably Awarded to mentioned. Day i King, Newman, Form Prize. IV. Form *. White. ,, IIIo. ,, Carton Thompson! Evans ii ,, HI/). ,, Ferguson Wooster i Kcechlin i ,, II. „ Smith Ingram - Halford ii, Wilding Latin Composition. Open Powell Bolland English Essay. Open Divinity and History IV Day i ° King, Dyke ,, III Thompson i.. Garton, Evans ii ,, II Smith Ingram-Halford ii Mathematics. C Rowe Roberts, Dyke, Day i ,, D Fergusson ... Davids,Williamsi ,, K Wooster i ... Royle, Jones iii Modern Languages. \ Lewis ,, IV King Rowe, Day i, Cross ,, III Thompson!.. Garton, Evans ii ,, II Kcechlin ii ... Ingram-Halford ii Natural Science, Junr Fergusson ...Simpson, Whitgrove, Smith Natural History. Collection ...Morris i Drawing. Freehand, Senr. ...Vevers Norton, Dyke, Thompson i ,, ,, Junr. ...Garton Day i, Davids, Williams i The Head Master thanked the donors of prizes and mentioned that a new prize had been given by Mr. Steward for the best boy who failed in the examination for the King's Scholarship. It had been awarded to Day i. Such a prize was an encouragement to boys to compete for the scholarship. The Mayor of Worcester moved a vote of thanks to the Bishop and to the Examiner. He felt that the citizens and inhabitants of Worcester had a very considerable interest in the Cathedral School. They had every reason to be proud of it, having regard to those who had gone from it, and to be grateful to those who had taught in it. They were not only looking" back, but they were looking forward to what was going to happen. Their hope was that the school would be as successful
THE VIGORNIAN. under Mr. Chappel as it had been under Mr. Bolland. (Hear, hear.) It was a pleasure to welcome the Bishop to Worcester for the first time since he had been Mayor ; but he regretted that the Bishop's opportunities had not been more frequent. It was very appropriate that the prizes should be given away by some one who was so learned and so prominent a scholar as the Bishop of Worcester. (Hear, hear.) He was quite sure Dr. Perowne would go down to posterity as the learned and scholarly Bishop of Worcester. (Applause). Mr. Rowley Hill seconded the vote of thanks, which was -carried with acclamation. The Bishop replied. CHAPTER'S FAREWELL TO MR. HOLLAND. The Dean, as chairman of the governing body of the school, tendered some words of farewell to Mr. Bolland. He might have said much of him if Mr. Bolland had not been present. If he enlarged on Mr. Bolland's merits and work it would only cause him pain. He would therefore content himself with saying that during the many years that Mr. Bolland had occupied that onerous and in some respects exceedingly difficult position he had done what he could for the Cathedral School. (Hear, hear.) He had to the very best of his ability endeavoured to promote its interests. The duties devolving on the master of a school like that were of the highest possible importance, and he begged to convey the thanks of the Dean and Chapter to Mr. Bolland. And in that expression he wished to include Mrs. Bolland. (Applause.) She would leave behind her many friends, and he hoped that that would not be a final farewell, but that Mr. and Mrs. Bolland would embrace opportunities of revisiting Worcester in future years. He wished them every happiness in their new sphere, remarking incidentally .that it was formerly occupied by that most learned and distinguished prelate, the Bishop of Peterborough. PRESENTATION TO MR. AND MRS. BOLLAND. Past and present boys and masters were equally anxious to give to the retiring Head Master some token of their good-will. The old Vigornians joined in a subscription to present to Mr. Bolland a couple of lamps, and to Mrs. Bolland an afternoon tea stand. One of the lamps was a tall, handsome lamp for a drawing-room. It stands several feet high, and has claw feet, all of cast brass, with floral decorations. The lamp is capable of being raised or lowered, and is fitted with all the most approved appliances. The other lamp is for table or desk, and is also of cast metal, with a fancy shade. Both bear the inscription—"Presented to the Rev. W. E. Bolland, M.A., as a token of esteem and affection by old Vigornians. July, 1896." Besides these there was a present for Mrs. Bolland of an afternoon tea stand, with spirit stove and kettle and tray. The frame work is of iron, picked out in copper, and the kettle and stove are of copper. (The articles were obtained of Messrs. Mann and Sons Limited). The present boys were joined by the staff of the school in a subscription, out of which was purchased a handsome carved oak timepiece (supplied by Messrs. Cooper). It is of the " Grandfather clock " type, and is intended to bear a Latin inscription. The Rev. H. E. E. Arthure was deputed to make the presentation. He said they felt that during the past 17 years Mr. Bolland had been doing a great and good work as Head Master, and had advanced the interests of the school in every way. He expressed in the name of the old Vigornians their sense of the enormous debt the school owed to him, and asked the acceptance of She articles named. Those 17 years had been times of change, and they had also been for the school times of progress. On Mr. Bolland's arrival the school was in a fair way of becoming a picturesque ruin, and he had to conduct the school in rooms opposite. Besides, the school-house was very inconvenient and unhealthy, and he was driven to seek shelter for himself and his boarders a long way off. In 1879 the school numbered 84 boys, including 16 choristers and 40 King's scholars. By the new scheme the choristers were taken away
and the King's scholars reduced to 20 in number. Besides choristers and King's scholars there were then only 28 scholars, now there were 63. Mr. Bolland had done a good deal to modernize the teaching of the school. He pointed particularly to the introduction of the practice of sending in boys for the Oxford and Cambridge certificates. That enabled the school to be compared with other schools, and they had never any occasion to be ashamed of the comparison, either as to the percentage of passes or distinctions. But the real test of a Head Master's work was not numbers nor the honours list. It was the moral tone of the school. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Bolland had done a great deal to raise the moral tone of the school, and on that point the verdict of the old boys was worth considering. (Applause). Mr. Conacher, speaking also as an old Vigornian, spoke of the changing conditions under which Mr. Bolland had to work. Those wise heads who had the ordering of the school cut down the number of King's scholars, imagining that the quality of the scholarship would be increased. Moreover, they built a large boarding-house, hoping to attract au element from outside Worcester. This created an entirely new situation ; but Mr. Bolland had interpreted the scheme magnificently, though the changes might have been distasteful and disappointing. (Applause.) Mr. Bolland could not plant boarders wholesale in the school, and he had to devise a compromise. He had not sacrificed the local, traditional, and historical element, but he had imparted to the school all the advantages of the English public school system. For that he was almost entirely responsible. (Applause.) Speaking from experience of the Spartan rigour of diet which the conservative tendency of public schools imposed on one at college, he was thankful for having enjoyed the hospitality of the Cathedral school-house on the lines upon which it was governed. (Laughter.) The boarders might be grateful that they were not born out of due time and that they had been privileged to be boarders of a house ruled over in such an enlightened and civilized spirit. (Laughter and applause.) Mrs. Bolland had kept open house for old boys, and they had felt a pleasure in inviting themselves as guests. (Loud laughter.) If he had lived under her benevolent despotism much longer he feared he would not have been fitted for the rigours of the harsh world he had entered. (Loud laughter.) He hoped Mrs. Bolland would divine their intention in the gift of the tea table. (More laughter). The Rev. W. E. Bolland disclaimed the compliment which had been paid him, saying they had not mentioned the only merit he could claim, that he had never despaired. There had been times when things looked black, but he had never once despaired. (Applause.) Taking leave of the staff, he paid a very warm tribute to the loyal assistance he had received from Mr. Clarke. (Cheers.) Mr. Clarke had supported him, and had sympathised with him in all his difficulties, and he could not say how fortunate he had been in having such a colleague. (Applause.) Mr. Bolland acknowledged generally the kindly assistance he had received, and invited it for his successor. The boys here sang " Auld Lang Syne." WELCOME TO THE NE\V MASTER. Canon Melville rose to welcome the new Head Master. He said he knew of no place offering better opportunities for a man of energy and character than the headmastership of the school. Mr. Everill (in the absence of Mr. Walter Holland, the president of the Old Vigornians' Club) offered a welcome to the new Master, assuring him of the very deep and real interest they felt in the old school, and of the pleasure it would be to Old Vigornians to advance the prosperity of the school in every way. The Rev. W. H. Chappel, who was received with much cordiality, said that was not the time to declare a policy, but he thought they could make it a school where good Christian citizens might be trained. The boys sang at the opening and close of ihe proceedings under the conductorship of Dr. Wanting.
THE VIGORNIAN.
As the results of the Certificate Examinations were unknown, the following Prizes were not awarded till after Speech Day :— Honoitrably Awarded to mentioned. Exhibition Stewardi MauriceDay Memorial Prize... Bolland Stewardi Divinity (open) Bolland V I > Korm Form Prizes / Holland Stewardi \\. Form Lewis Richings Divinity and History, V. Form Ingram-Halfordi Richings Mathematics \ T)^" '."."" Lewis Marshall IB Division i Bolland j'Open ... Steward Si Modern Languagess-; (Presented by Old Vigornians). V. Form. Lewis IngramHalford i Natural Science, Senior Bates i IngramHalford i
School Officers. Captain of the School ... Captain of Football ... Secretary of Football ... Captain of the Boats ... Secretary of the Boats ... Head Monitor ... Captain of Cricket Secretary of Cricket ... Captain of Fives
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Librarians Editors of the Vigornian
S. J. STEWARD. T. BATES. S. J. STEWARD. N. G. DAVIES. M. F. SAMPSON. S. J. STEWARD. C. T. LEY. A. T. MARSHALL. C. T. LEY. fS. J. STEWARD. [W. COTTON. /S. J. STEWARD. (_N. (!. DAVIES.
MONITORS. S. J. Steward, N. G. Davies, W. Cotton, C. T. Ley, T. Usher, T. Bates. GAMES' COMMITTEE. Mr. Rammell, Mr. Beach-Hicks, S. J. Steward, N. G. Davies, C. T. Ley, T. Bates, P. Morris. LIBRARY COMMITTEE. Rev. W. H. Chappel, Mr. Clarke, S. J. Steward, N. G. Davies, C. T. Ley, W. Cotton, P. Morris.
fling's Scholarship (Examination. An Examination was held by the Rev. H. F. Bennett,
43
to fill five vacancies, on Tuesday and Wednesday,. November icth and nth. The following were successful : — 1. F. W. Rowe, The King's School. 2. J. D. Day, 3. E. Roberts, 4. C. H. Norton, „ „ 5. G. A. G. Davids, ., „ Proxime accesserunt : — 6. F. V. Steward, 7. H. C. Collier, ,, „ 8. F. S. Williams, „ „ Steward and Williams have been elected to House Scholarships.
School Mr. Swann, who has joined us as a Master, was formerly a scholar of St. Catharine's College, Cambridge. He graduated at Cambridge, and rowed in his College boat ; he has also proved himself an expert football-player. A familiar face will soon be seen no more. Mr. Bachelor, who has for several years been on the staff of Masters, intends to leave us at the end of the term. We are all sorry to lose him. Our thanks are specially due for the assistance he rendered in forming the Museum. The vacant post will be filled by Mr. E. W. Poynton, B.A., of Exeter College, Oxford, who took honours in Classics and Theology at Oxford ; and while at Marlborough College was a distinguished cricketer and hockey-player. We welcome as successor to Dr. Wareing an Old Vigornian, Mr. G. Smith, who is a lay-clerk of Worcester Cathedral. Under his energetic guidance we expect to have a good concert. The usual Advent Services will be held in St. John's Chapel of the Cathedral, on Friday afternoons. The Christmas Concert will take place in the College Hall, on Monday, December 2ist, at 8 p.m. The Editors beg to acknowledge the receipt of the following contemporaries : —Exonian, King Edward's School Chronicle (2), Whitgift Magazine, Cantuarian,
44
THE VIGORNIAN.
Densionian, Tonbridgian, Ousel, Coventry School Chronicle, Sutton Valence School Magazine, Ellesmerian, Liverpool Institute Schools' Magazine, Portcullis, Herefordian, St. MichaePs College Magazine, Cos, Eagle, and others.
©li> ligontians' Column, |NCE again the satisfactory statement can be made that the widely scattered Old Boys of the School are still " organising." Since the last issue of the Vigornian fifteen more have joined the Club (one from Canada), and many letters have been received expressing pleasure at its formation, and sympathy with its objects. Several missing O.Vshave been unearthed, and the number of names without addresses grows, steadily it is true, but infinitely slowly, less. A proof of this slowness will be found in the fact that out of the list of 78 names published in the Vigornian this time last year only fourteen have been traced. Below will be found a second list, which it is hoped will produce better results. Will Old Boys look carefully through these lists and aid the Committee by sending any information they can ? In this connection thanks are due to the Revs. J. Went and F. C. Green, Mr. P. Campbell, Mr. F. Everill and others for valuable details—let us hope that many more will follow their example. Another example most worthy of imitation is that of Mr. C. W. F. Waller, whose account of an adventure during the late Mashona war will be found in another column. Mr. Waller has already sent an interesting contribution to these pages (Vigornian No. 28). Since then he has been in the Rhodesia Municipal Police, and subsequently in the Artillery as Sergeant. He is now in the Standard Bank at Salisbury (Mashonaland). where Old Vigornians will wish him a prosperous career, and reciprocate the kind remembrances he sends. Old Vigornians will be glad to know that the School Singing Class is now under the able conductorship of Mr. G. H. Smith (O.V. 1878-81), and it is to be hoped that the present generation will attend diligently to
his exhortations, thus helping him to raise the standard of the singing to a level somewhat more worthy of the School. Those who were not present at the memorable Speech Day of 1896, will like to hear the following extracts (referring to the testimonial presented on that day) from the cordial letters of thanks received from Mr. and Mrs. Bolland :— " I cannot tell you how grateful I feel to those old friends who have thus shewn their kindly feeling. * * * * * * * * " If you have any opportunity of doing so for me, will you kindly tell them how very deeply we appreciate their kindness." The welcome given by Old Vigornians to the present Head Master has been more than reciprocated. Mr. Chappel has treated Old Boys with the greatest cordiality, and his hearty co-operation has shewn that he is as entirely in sympathy with the O.V. Club and its objects as was Mr. Bolland, to whom the birth of the movement was almost entirely due. The Club Committee hope that the Old Boys will turn up in larger numbers than ever at the Annual Dinner (Dec. agth), when the new Head Master will be their guest. One change has been made which to Old Vigornians is a very noticeable one,—the School is now known as the " King's School, Worcester." To some of us this may seem rather like the removal of an ancient landmark, but upon reflection it will be seen that it is a justifiable return to a more ancient landmark still, and involves a neat reference to our Founder. The new name is really old, and it certainly sounds well. The present writer's only regret is that the School was not so called in his day ! O.V. The following is the list referred to above. Any information as to present addresses, &c., should be sent to the Hon. Sec., Craigielea, Sunnyside Road, Worcester. (The dates given are those of entering School). 1863 Adcock, P. 1873 Andrews, H. S. 1863 Atthill, W. R. 1869 Bailey, A. 1862 Bird, J. 1863 -Blakeney, R. W.
1872 lioslcy, W. W. 1865 Bowen, K. 1875 Bowen, R. „ Bowkett, W. A 1874 Braclshaw, A. K. 1868 Carrington, 1>. N.
THE VIGORNIAN. 1866 Chandler, J. 1870 Clifford, W. V. 1861 Collins, A. „ Comley, W. J. 1867 Crowther, T. W. B. 1872 Cuff, J. H. 1876 Davies, E. E. 1872 Davies, F. P. 1875 Davies, P. 1857 Davis, A. E. 1868 Deane, T. H. 1871 Dixon, H. 1863 Doley, J. W. i860 Edmonds, F. 1863 Fawcett, G. C. „ Fern, H. 1860 Foster, G. 1867 Goldring, F. 1865 Griffiths, H. 1860 Haden, H. H. 1875 Hickman, J. 1877 Hill, A. H. 1873 Hill, H. H. 1869 Hill, L. S. 1873 Hill, T. 1865 Hocker, C. H. 1860 Hughes, G. ,, Hunter, W. 1873 Johnstone, R. 1866 Joseph, A. 1857 Kirk, H. D. V. 1868 Knott, A. R. W. 1863 Langridge, T. G. 1861 Lett, W. M. 1862 Lock, H. 1864 Maitland, P. J. 1865 Malpas, A. 1862 Malpas, J. 1864 Marks, W.
1865 Mason, R. R. 1869 Matthews, E. J. 1858 Merrick, T. 1860 Millin, E. H. 1863 Neat, C. G. 1883 Pember, T. D. 1867 Penn, H." 1866 Perkins, A. E. 1870 Pierpoint, M. H. 1869 Pike, A. E. 1875 Pridden, E. 1865 Price, C. R. 1867 Prosser, T. 1873 Pughe, W. R. H. 1862 Ruddach, J. W. 1872 Salt, F. H. 1863 Sanders, W. J. 1869 Sankey, E. H. 1875 Saunders, P. G. „ Scott, F. J. 1862 Simon, A. C. „ Stables, H. B. ,, Stanton, J. W. 1858 Symonds, P. W. 1865 Taylor, F. G. 1860 Thomason, E. 1868 Timms, W. H. 1864 Wadams, T. 1862 Wallis, A. E. 1863 Wallis, T. W. 1866 Webb, G. 1871 Weston, T. E. 1875 White, T. M. 1883 Wilks, P. A. 1863 Willmore, G. 1867 Wilson, W. 1876 Wynne, F. 1875 Wynniatt, B.
CLUB NOTICES.—The Annual General Meeting of the Club will be held at the Star Hotel on Tuesday, December 2gth, at 6.15 p.m., followed by the Eighth Annual Old Vigornians' Dinner at 7 p:m., (Mr. S. Southall in the chair and Mr. H. M. Conacher in the vice-chair). Cordial thanks to Mr. H. Purser and Mr. C. A. Steward for old numbers of "Vigornian." No. 2 is the only one now wanted. Will someone oblige ? Subscriptions for 1896-7 became due on October 7th. O.V. NEWS. A. A. Warren (O.V. 1882-86) has been appointed Head Instructor .at the School Board P.T. Centre, Newport. J. T. Chamberlain (O.V. 1886-93) has passed for the Indian Civil Service. H. Purser (O.V. 1890-93) has passed the intermediate examination of the Incorporated Law Society.
45
C. T. Dimont (O.V. 1883-91) will be ordained at Wakefield on December 2oth, and will enter upon his. duties as Curate of Mirfield, Yorks. W. G. Bennett (O.V. 1882-84), whose degree was announced in last Number, has commenced practice in Worcester. The Rev. K. B. Allen (O.V. 1873-80) has obtained the living of King's Heath, Birmingham. We are indebted to Mr. W. H. Wheeler (O.V. 1865-67) for the subjoined extract from the Journal of October 24th with reference to Mr. T. H. Baxter O.V. 1863-65) :— AN OLD VIGORNIAN AS A GOLFER. To the Editor of " Berrow's Worcester Journal." Dear Sir,—As it will be of interest to some Old Vigornians to know of the success of an old schoolfellow, I enclose a cutting from the Blackpool Herald of yesterday's date, showing Mr. Tom Baxter's success as a golfer in a club competition of the St. Anne's-onSea and Lytham Golf Club. He has secured the " Schunck" Cup with a net total on two rounds of 179. This is the second prize he has obtained during this season, the former being a valuable silver jug. Both performances will show that " Old Boys " are still to the fore if their names are rarely mentioned in the Faithful City. ANOTHER OLD Bov. October 21, 1896. MARRIAGE. WEBB—BLAIR.—On the 2oth August, at St. John the Evangelist's Church, South Hornsey, London, Frank Wralter, eldest son of Walter Webb, Greenfield, Worcester, to Anna, third daughter of the late Peter Blair, Blairmount, Rothesay, N.B.
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.
CAMBRIDGE LETTER. Dear Sirs, In writing the Cambridge letter, I consider it my first duty to heartily congratulate J. T. Chamberlain, B.A., of Emmanuel, on his good fortune in obtaining a place in the Civil Service of India. Consequently he has come up for another year, and we all look forward with intense regret to the time when he will have to leave us. He has joined the 'Varsity Volun-
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THE VIGORNIAN.
teers, but fortunately no disastrous effects have followed. F. H. P. Higgins, B.A., of St. Catharine's, has come up to residence for a short time, and has joined the Clergy Training School. He has also read a paper at one of his College debates. R. G. Telfer, Corpus Christi, has entered into his first term of residence. In his College Sports he obtained 2nd places in the Boating Men's Handicap and in the Freshmen's Quarter Mile ; and rowed bow in the winning boat of his College Trial Eights, It is to be regretted that no more O.V.'s have come up to the 'Varsity this year, but we hope that next October will bring a larger number than usual. On November ioth a meeting was held in the
Guildhall, when it was decided to establish a Cambridge House in South London. The Right Hon. A. J. Balfour, M.P., and the Bishops of Durham and Rochester addressed the meeting. The 'Varsity Rugby XV. has been very successful this year, and we look forward with great interest to the annual contest next week, at which we hope to be successful. The Association XL has not been so successful as the Rugby XV., but there is time for improvement before this contest comes off. We regret to hear that Ayerst Hostel has been sold to the Roman Catholics. Yours, CANTAB.
Printed by Deighton and Co., 53, High Street, Worcester.