THE WORCESTER CATHEDRAL KING'S SCHOOL CHRONICLE. " TO. pev 8t8a/cra jj.avOa.via, TO. 8'fvpera frjTw, TO. 8'fVKra irapa Oewv rfrrpra.ii.vjv."
No. 36. VOL. III.
Contents. Editorial Football Things are not what they seem Concert Cricket in Paris Old Vigornians' Dinner... School Debating Society School Officers School News ... Old Vigornians' Column School Accounts Oxford Letter... Cambridge Letter Correspondence •Chess
FEBRUARY, 1899.
PAGE
137 138 141 142 143 144 T 47 147 148 149 151 152 IS3 '53 154
(Bitorral. jNOTHER year is gone—the old year, with all its enjoyments and pleasures has passed away for ever, and the new year has come to bring happiness to most of us. With the new year we have begun a new term, and have again met together for a fresh period of work and play. Every fresh term it is our duty to bring out a fresh edition of the "Vigornian." Let us hope that in this new year it will rival and excel the " Vigornian " of last
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year. Of course most of the responsibility rests on the shoulders of the editors, who, like the helmsman on a ship, must keep to their post and do their duty or the whole ship will come to ruin. But the editors alone cannot make a school magazine successful; that rests with the boys too. If the boys will contribute articles and stories, either pictorial or accounts of their own expeditions, then the magazine will flourish and be popular. And so may we ask all our readers during this new year to support the " Vigornian " by their contributions as well by merely buying and reading it. Then, if all the boys back up the editors well, and in the words of Demosthenes "navO' a irpoo-fJKe Trpo.TTovo-1, " the " Vigornian " will earn a just name for its excellence, and even if it be not the best school magazine in England, at least will be "primus inter pares." As regards athletics we won four out of ten matches at football last term, ending up with a couple of wins against Luckton and the Old Vigornians. We hoped to win both matches against Hereford, but " Dis aliter visum." The Annual Concert was held last term and was a great success. The praise for this is mainly due to
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Mr. Smith for the excellent manner in which he has trained the Singing Class, which has improved wonderfully under his able tuition. We are glad to say that the new Class Rooms have at last been begun, and we believe that they will be ready for use by next September. Let us hope they will, as the old ones are getting in a very ruinous condition. Last term the Debating Society was revived, thanks mainly to the energy of N. King and Mr. Boon ; and the two debates held then were most successful. We wish it every success on its fresh career. We have great pleasure in publishing in this number of the "Vigornian" an account of Cricket in Paris, which we have received from W. H. Counsell, O.V_ We hope that some members of the school, whether past or present will follow Counsell's example and send us some contributions for our next number.
Jootball. |HE season's results are 10 matches played, of which 4 were won, 4 lost, and 2 drawn. The number of goals for us were 18, and against us 43. The team was lacking in life and dash, and had not sufficient stability. But as the term progressed a marked improvement was shewn, and often the team would pull itself together and play doggedly to the finish after being all at sea and with a big score against them. There was little understanding between the forwards and defence, and the forwards seldom combined together. It is to be remembered however that they had the serious handicap of possessing in the school no one suited for centre. There was never much sting in our attack. The forwards must learn to do something to get the ball instead of waiting for it to be given them, and to help the halves in tackling, especially when we are being pressed continuously. They should also keep up the field when a free kick is given in our favour, and should not crowd their own goal when a free kick is
given against us. They only bother the defence and are in no position to take advantage of the backs' clear. The halves do not use their heads, a most useful accomplishment in their position, nor do they recognise the advantage of sometimes passing back to a back. But they have often worked hard and well throughout and have often been more aggressive than the forwards. The two backs have combined well and always done splendid work. Fergusson i. in goal has had much to do, and if not startlingly brilliant has been uniformly good. Marshall, a strong and clever kick, uses his head with great effect. Plays an aggressive game and meets the opposing attack. Norton backs up well and exhibits good judgment. Of the halves Steward i. plays a dogged game, but being rather slow i§ sometimes at a loss against a speedy forward. He often puts in good long range shots. Bates, a splendid tackier, plays with dash and works to the end. Day ii., a hard worker, displays judgment and is good at intercepting passes. Of the forwards, Salusbury (captain) does not always make full use of his weight and pace, and has not sufficient command of the ball when travelling fast. Has improved very much in centring. Dyke uses his weight but does not help the line to combine. Sampson has not long played the game and is somewhat crude, but shows signs of becoming a fair outside left. Tyers is rather slow and unable to hook the throw in, but sets an example of trying hard. Williams i. is a very tricky forward, and was good on the wing but has no natural aptitude for centre where he has been played. Day i. as a half was very successful, but unfortunately had to be put forward. Here he was conspicuous for foot cleverness but did not play the forward game. Fevers has improved, the change from outside left to outside right suiting him.
THE VIGORNIAN. VV.C.K.S. v. Mr. F. BATES' XI. Played on the School ground, September 24th. The scratch team early in the game got through unexpectedly and gained a lead. As the game progressed, however, the fight was very even ; in spite of which the score reached 3—i against the School. We lacked cohesion and unanimity and were weak in front of goal. Bates was playing a hard and dashing game, Steward was tackling grimly, the right wing making lively sprints and giving openings, the backs clearing with steadiness and judgment, and the whole team putting in plucky efforts. In consequence of this at the end of the game we put on 3 goals in quick succession, the last one three minutes before time; thus winning by 4 goals to 3. This result against a team much heavier, stronger, and of greater experience, should be a source of •congratulation. As an uphill game pluckily fought and gamely won it is more than creditable and tells of fighting stuff. The goals were Vevers 3, Mr. Ramrnell i. W.C.K.S. v. DEAN CLOSE. Played at Cheltenham on October 5th. We were completely out-played. Our forwards were never really dangerous, though the right wing, Bates and Williams, kept up an attack. It was due to the energy of the defence that at half-time the score was none all. Steward was playing against so formidable a wing that he was practically powerless. The rest of the defence showed to great advantage considering our general inferiority. For a short time after the interval our fellows seemed slower and had 4 goals in quick succession scored against them. But rallying they held their opponents to the finish, fighting desperately. Result 5—-o. W.C.K.S. V. WOLVERHAMPTON.
On October i5th we visited Wolverhampton. The School started brilliantly, scoring 2 goals in first ten minutes by Salusbury and Bates. But we were unable to keep this lead, and at half-time the score stood 4—2 in favour of Wolverhampton. On resuming, our attack become weaker and the defence was sorely tried. The Wolverhampton centre made several rushes
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and scored with ease. Our opponents added 5 goals in the second half, and although towards the end our forwards made efforts they were unable to get through, and the result was a defeat of 9—2. W.C.K.S. v. HEREFORD. Hereford early pressed and looked likely to win, being cleverer with the ball and heavier than the School. Fergusson had plenty to do in the first 20 minutes, and did it. Up to this point Hereford had had most of the game, then the School breaking away scored a rather lucky goal, Dyke putting through. After this the game was more equal, but before half-time Hereford, who had been having none of the luck, scored. The game was re-started with the score at i—i. After ten minutes' play, Day i. scored. The forwards had been getting together, and their play improving after the first goal. Though they were now evidently tiring, the improved combination of the forwards and the determination of all not to lose the lead gradually placed us on the offensive. The halves were all ready to join in the attack and made good shots, and the forwards made pretty runs. A quarter of an hour from the finish we were playing the better game. Hereford made a last effort, but were dogged by their ill-luck, the player who shot what would otherwise have been a grand gaol being off-side. The School thus won a game in which they showed much better form, and in which they were improving from start to finish, by 2—i. W.C.K.S. v. MALVERN 2ND XI. Played on November iath at Malvern. From the first we were outplayed, owing to the pace, combination, and weight of their forwards. Our forwards were rendered ineffective, owing to the irresistible play of the Malvern backs. At half-time the score was 5—nil against us. The back division played splendidly, and resisted the superior play of our opponents manfully. The ultimate score was 9—nil against us, only two rushes having been made on their gaol. W.C.K.S. v. WOLVERHAMPTON. This was a good exciting game, played hard to the finish by both sides. Our forwards were scrappy, and
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the defence, when not pressed, played too open a game. Sampson scored a goal from a scrum in the goal mouth after Bates had put in well. Salusbury scored the second goal, after nearly the whole forward line in succession had missed shots. The result was a draw 2—2. W.C.K.S. IST XI. v. MR. J. K. DEAKIN'S XI. On November 30, Mr. J. K. Deakin brought a scratch team against the School, who received the help of three masters. Norton was absent. The scratch team was considerably heavier and faster, their centre being a remarkably good man. It was he only who prevented us converting the draw into a decisive victory. The score at half-time was i—nil against us. During the second half they added i more to their score. We replied with one goal. Unfortunately, just at this point G. Day had his collar bone broken, and had to leave the field. Towards the end of the game we added i more goal to our score. The result was 2—2 goals. W.C.K.S. v. DEAN CLOSE. On December 3rd the return match was played at Worcester. The School greatly missed the help of Day ii. and Norton in the defence. Their places were filled by Simpson and Garton. The game proved a fast one, Dean Close commenced pressing us from the start, however by hard work we were able to prevent them scoring in the first half, the whistle blowing with the score o—o. On resuming the visitors scored quickly, and quite out-played us. Our forwards made some good efforts but were unable to score. The match resulted in our defeat by 6—o. W.C.K.S. v. HEREFORD CATHEDRAL SCHOOL. Played at Hereford on December loth. The return match was a complete failure from our point of view. The fact that we were playing on a foreign ground and that two places in our team were filled by 2nd XI. members, cannot explain away a beating by 9 goals to nil at the hands of a team whom we had beaten earlier in the season. It is true that they had come on tremendously, but still it was a lamentable breakdown on our part. The score at half-time was 4—nil against us. During the second
half we were playing with the wind, and made a few ineffective rushes. They soon shook themselves together, and obtained a further lead of 5 goals. The ultimate result was 9—nil against us. W.C.K.S. v. LUCTON. Day ii. and Norton were away, their places being filled by Simpson and Garton. A cross wind blowing made the game irregular. We scored early in the game, Tyers putting through from a centre of Vevers. At half-time we led i —o. About the middle of the second half Lucton scored from a free kick, the ball bouncing from under the cross-bar and touching a man, went through. From this point the game got very rough, the visitors' right defence being the chief offenders. In consequence the game degenerated into taking fouls. Two penalty kicks were given against Lucton, from one of which Marshall scored, making for us a victory of 2—i. The visitors displayed great determination, giving Fergusson plenty to do. He gave a splendid exhibition, fisting out shots that the strong wind made it difficult to judge. There was little life, except for some smart work, after the first goal. Simpson and Garton both worked very hard and did good things, though in style they were hardly up to first team form. W.C.K.S. v. OLD VIGORNIANS. December zyth. Mr. R. Telfer did not bring a startlingly strong team against us. Nearly the whole time we pressed, though without much sting. Mr. Arthure kept goal well for our opponents. Messrs. T. Bates, R. Telfer, and Bayliss also played well against us, Mr. T. Bates rushing 2 goals and Mr. R. Telfer playing a strong back game. The backs as usual played well, M. Bates tackling his brother very well. The score at half-time was 2—i in our favour. In the second half Mr. T. Bates scored his second goal; but Day replied with two. So the ultimate score was 4—2 in our favour. On our side D. Day scored 3 goals, and F. S. Williams i. SCHOOL v. HOUSE. The first of these matches took place on Oct. 15. The House proved themselves considerably the stronger side, winning by 3 goals to nil.
THE VIGORNIAN. The return match was played on November 26. The School was weakened by the absence of Norton at back and Day ii. at half; the House were without Steward. The House scored first, and then School equalised. Before half-time House gained the lead, score standing 2—i. In second half they added 3 more, the game resulting in a win for the House by
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were playing for first team. Hereford pressed strongly and in first half put on 3 goals. In the second half they added two more, and won by 5 — o.
arc not to hat theg seem,
HE published howler is a thing not above suspicion, credited as a rule with being manufactured for the delectation of the In both of the matches representing K.Ss. v. School, public and the discomfiture of supposed perpetrators — the K.Ss. gained a substantial victory by 6—2 and schoolboys, by deliberate impostors— their instructors. 5—o. The School received the help of the masters. The howler proper is here-below exemplified by SECOND ELEVEN. indisputably authentic instances, enlarged in some 2ND XI. V. EVESHAM GRAMMAR SCHOOL. cases by the comments arising in the mind of the On October 26 the 2nd XI. played this School on hearer simultaneously with the perpetration of the the home ground. The visitors were heavier and crime. My introduction to the treasured gem was as faster, and quite outplayed the 2nd XL They scored "About to soon after the commencement of game, and at half- follows: "Carpento initura Penates." time had put on 5 goals to nil. In the second half put the household gods in a carriage." I suspected our defence was surer, and only allowed 2 goals to be that Rachel and her father's gods were meant to be added, the second resulting from a penalty. The my new acquaintances or that the boy who brought this to my notice let his thoughts wander over much match resulted in our defeat by 7—o. on furniture removing to the persona? of a Classical W.C.K.S. XL v. HEREFORD 2ND XL Dictionary. The context shewed Tullia to be the On October 29 the and XL visited Hereford. The lady in question. game was a good one, our defence being good. The Next " Walpole was jealous of all able-bodied men forwards were lacking in dash, being specially feeble for fear they should turn him out " swam into my in front of goal. Hereford won, 3—o. unaccustomed ken. The book had spoken of " able W.C.K.S. v. CHORISTERS. men " ; but I was not slow to perceive the beauty of On November 5th we played the Choristers on our the physical idea embodied in the utterance, and gave own ground. Our team was composed of boys under the boy all credit for this instructive sidelight on 15 years of age. We were considerably the heavier parliamentary methods of procedure. team and eventually won 12—o. " England is very much in and out, and there are several places where a fleet can hide " was another W.C.K.S. v. EVESHAM GRAMMAR SCHOOL. boy's opinion of the coast-line of England. The The return match took place at Evesham on strategical insight displayed in the last few words was November 30th. Evesham were again much too no doubt stimulated by the Fashoda war scare which strong for us, and very soon commenced scoring. was contemporary. But boys are usually seen to be They kept up a continuous bombardment of our goal, most patriotic ; let me instance this by " England is and finally won by n—i. 110,000 miles long. The sun never sets on her W.C.K.S. v. HEREFORD 2nd XL dominions." The distance in the first sentence being On December loth Hereford visited us to play the four times the earth's circumference, renders readily return match. Our Second Eleven was weakened admissible the deduction attached. Again in reply to the question " What happened in owing to the absence of Garton and Simpson, who
5—i-
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1690 ? " was written " A great battle was fought there ; the English won." Who could doubt it ? " Goschen was given to Joseph and his brethren " seems to have a political significance, in which the Member for West Birmingham has a wholly inexplic.able position. "Elizabeth, Mary's J-sister" has the charm of mathematical brevity, while "The Duke of Buckingham was a near relation of Henry VIII., who would come to the throne if Henry had no children. So Henry executed him to secure the succession to his heirs " though less endowed with what has been termed the soul of wit, has the compensating advantage of being wonderfully penetrating. " Rheumania " for " Roumania " I took to be an expression of sympathy for my rheumatic tendencies, and attributed to the Welsh coal strike the substitution of " navvies " for " navies " in " Milford haven is capable of containing all the navies of the world." Perhaps the wish was father to the thought. " Walpole started the South Sea Scheme which he hoped would make him a prophet" has more meaning than may appear on the surface. An example of the obvious is seen in " Gadara— some people spell this word in a different way, which makes it the name of another place." And no one could take exception to the sentiment, "Wolfe won the battle of Quebec, but his death at the moment of victory was unfortunate for him." Among the fathers of howlers is to be found a small philosophic following. It must have been an advanced materialist that made Peter say, " Let us make three synagogues, one for Thee, one for Moses, and one for Elias." And none but a Pythagorean, or at any rate an ardent believer in metempsychosis, could have conjectured " Clive was born in 1725. He was formerly a writer in the East India •Company." These are some of many. Of Latin novelties I will quote but two. " Quod mare non novit" I have heard translated by " Because the sea is not new," and "Tripodes geminos" by the "Three-footed twins." I must add that the last monstrosity had its birth <Juring Barnum's visit. Let not the scoffer at authenticity persist in his
obdurate and ingrained scepticism. An nvestigation into the above examples shall convert him, if he have a mind to think a moment, to a more or less cheerful acceptance. If he remain proof against this evidence, there is no advice I can offer, no prescription I can give for the cure of his malady but "Become pedagogue."
Annual QTonxert (Reprinted from the " Worcester Herald." iHE Annual Concert given by the scholars of the Worcester Cathedral King's School took place in the School Hall on Dec. igth, 1898, before a large audience, consisting mainly of parents and friends of the pupils: An excellent programme had been arranged, and that the efforts of the performers were warmly appreciated was shown by the frequent and enthusiastic outbursts of applause. The Concert opened with the school song " Floreat Schola Vigorniensis," composed by the Rev. E. Vine Hall, of which a vigorous rendering was given, the Singing Class being assisted in this, as in all the part-songs and choruses, by a number of old boys, whose more mature voices gave to the selections a breadth and solidity that is always lacking when juvenile voices, however well trained, are alone relied upon. An equally spirited rendering was given of " Rule Britannia," in the singing of which the exuberant patriotic energy which is the predominant characteristic of the average British schoolboy found full vent A part-song "Yule," written by the late Mr. A. J. Caldicott, himself an Old Vigornian, was well sung, and brought the first part of the programme to a conclusion. In the second part, the Singing Class were again successful with Stark's part-song, "Jack Frost," with Verdi's serenade, "Fair shines the moon to-night," and Scott Gatty's plantation song, " Good Night," the chorus to which was most effectively rendered. The soloists were all very good, and here again the scholars had the assistance of the old boys. Mr. Albert Webb gave an excellent rendering of Franco Novara's "Heaven on Earth," and in response to an encore repeated the last verse. Mr. W. A. Telfer contributed two songs, " The Stormfiend " (Fred E, Weatherley), and "In passionate surrender" (F. Rosse), in the former of which he was most successful. D. Fergusson and H. S. Cobb sang Smart's duet, "When the Winter days are coming," in a pretty manner, and the former lad was deservedly encored for his singing of " I love the merry sunshine " (Stephen Glover). G. M. Jeans was paid a similar compliment for his rendering of Michael Watson's "Tripping through the meadows," as was G. Morgan for " Across the blue sea," the words and music of which were written by Lord Henry Somerset. Mr. G. V. Arthure introduced a welcome element of variety by his mandoline solos, "Reverie" (Tolhurst) and "Berceuse" (Gautiero), and in response to an enthusiastic encore, played Hauser's " Wiegenlied." The quartette "Ye Catte" (Seymour Smith) was amusingly rendered by W. Spalding, T. E. Rammell, F. M. Wrebb, and G. Smith, and in response to the very pronounced wish of the audience the whole of it was repeated. The madrigal, " Now is the month of Maying," a composition of early date, was also well sung by the above quartette, with the addition of D. Fergusson, and was encored. Mr. G. Smith conducted, and to him great praise is due for the excellent manner in which the part-songs and choruses were sung. Mr. H. Watts, O.V., was an efficient accompanist. Immediately before the last item on the programme the Head Master, the Rev. W. H. Chappel, addressed the boys and the audience. He expressed his pleasure at the large attendance,
THE VIGORNIAN. remarking that the audience, in their own way, contributed to the success of the Concert in as great a measure as the performers. (Applause). He regretted the absence of the Dean, the Mayor, and other well-known citizens, and in mentioning the Mayor, Mr. Chappel wished to be allowed to condole with him and Mrs. Steward upon the illness of their eldest son at Cambridge. (Hear, hear). The Head Master thanked the boys for their efforts, and particularly Mr. G. Smith, an O.V., for his services in training the choir. (Applause). Only those who were behind the scenes could appreciate the time and trouble which was necessary to bring the Class up to the pitch of excellence of which they had had proof that evening. (Applause). Mr. Chappel also thanked Mr. Albert Webb, Mr. Telfer and the other old boys who had taken part in the performance. (Applause). There was one other person to whom he wished to tender his thanks—Mr. T. E. Rammell—(applause)—who "oiled the wheels " of the Concert, and was really responsible for the organisation of the performance. (Applause). Finally, Mr. Chappel wished the boys a happy holiday, and the audience a Merry Christmas. (Applause). At the conclusion of the Concert the National Anthem was sung, after which the scholars joined hands in the old-fashioned way and sang right merrily " Auld Lang Syne." Three hearty cheers were then given for the Head Master, the Ladies, and the Masters.
say that cricket in France is spot cricket. There the batsman's head and his reputation are alike in danger; for an innings of twenty is as invaluable as it is fraught with risk. Yet there are advantages thereby. The game at all events escapes such refinements as declarations and draws, even though the latter are, as the late Mr. Maurice Day once observed, " so satisfactory to both sides."—It is less scientific cricket, but it is far more amusing. It is, moreover, the true democratic cricket, since the uncoached swiper, who comes from nowhere, is here placed on a real equality with the carefully-educated-blazer-bedecked collector of singles. The swiper is indeed the better man, for he alone bursts his blob. The French wicket has twenty-two yards. In all other respects it differs from its English model. Nevertheless it, too, has varieties, if not of goodness, why then of badness. When it is best it is little better Cricket ht anii about farts. than a beast, when it is worst it is little better than a |NGLISHMEN go abroad accompanied by a jungle, though—to continue parodying—and the worst superfluity of baggage, an assortment of fall that ever fell I hope you may make shift to do prejudices, a minimum of manners, and a well on it. sufficient supply of money. For none of these things In its jungle form it is found in the bois de are they desirable. Unlike Bassanio they have enough, Vincennes and the bois de Boulogne. Here man but not the grace of God. But whether "the bloomin' dare not use a scissors on the grass unless he would old rag is flying over'ead " or not, they do not forget bring down upon his head the terrors of the the thing that is English and the taste for doing it, " Adminis/ration." There are, therefore, unevennesses which covers many sins. Hence cricket is to be found about it, and the ball may be temporarily lost in the in the neighbourhood of Paris. The itch to hit a neighbourhood of point while the batsmen, suffocated ball and know again " the perfect feel of a fourer " is with laughter, are running six; and for good and all not allayable by jeu de paume and lawn tennis. And round about cover. This may sound, comme cricket, so the baggage heap of the traveller in France at the unsatisfying enough, and at home would not attract beginning of Spring should not be considered high the poor gutter-snipe who, hearing his mate cry " Here's enough until his cricket bag is upon it. In August, a mushroom, Bill! " forthwith laid odds he'd climb it. run-satiate or blob-disgusted, he will look pityingly at Live, however, from Christmas till May on the exercise the wicket which la belle France provides; but in you give your walking-stick, and it is not the walkingstick's ferule alone that looks silly at the end. You Spring it is another story. It is the wicket which we first inspect, upon a will then gallop to the place where you descry in the strange ground. It is right, therefore, to look first at that distance the semblance of cricket. The throb you Gallic one we should find if we crossed the Channel. feel is not of the heart. It is the revivification of the It is not attractive. Nascitur non fit was not written liver. On arrival you will find that there are twentyof wickets ; and wicket making involves grass cutting two other livers glad enough to share the new-found and permissions, that is, in France, papier timbre— joy of your own, and you are at once welcomed as a that is money, trouble and worry—an infinite quantity member by one or the other of the clubs playing. But the fun of cricket on the bois does not lie in of them all. Therefore we are not able, truthfully, to
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the cricket alone. The spectator is at once a gross annoyance and an undeniable source of amusement. He, his wife, and his perambulated baby, take up a strong position within reach of the tail-end of a wide. Point, wandering this way and that, seeks to do his duty, peeping like Cassius's Roman from behind Madame's bicycle bloomers. Remonstrances are respectfully listened to, and genially laughed away. Madame moves exactly three feet nearer the bowler. Point exclaims with Gallic emphasis : Mais, Madame, " il est bien dangereux ici; vous voulez bien vous bouger, n'est-ce pas ?" Madame is obdurate; her curiosity will accept the risk,—small enough in all conscience, for who can get hold of a ball to hit it decently ? Mais, je vous en prie, Madame ; votre bebe, y pensey-vous ? " Noble and gallant Point! Madame realises the courtesy of Monsieur 1'Anglais and departs. In vain, for very soon there arrive another Madame and another baby to take up the relinquished position. These, then, are some of the drawbacks to cricket in the vicinity of Paris. Of the advantages I need say nothing. The exile is doing the thing national; that is enough. But one thing is worth remarking, the nearness of the ground to the city and its beauty. Would that a gigantic circle might be drawn round London with a two mile radius from Westminster, and that, in place of the wretched rows of houses therein, woods and meadows and streams might be created such as Paris has. Impossible ! " Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori: Sweetness and decency have died out of the land." But so might they both be given us ! We pass to the second worst ground that Paris gives the cricketer. It is situated some way down the river on an island between the Point du Jour and St. Cloud. Here the Standard Club has its head-quarters, and here on a Thursday night the British enthusiast carries a ton or so of cocoanut matting half a mile down a bad road to fix it up upon a plot of land offered to builders. The wicket which the matting makes may be better imagined than described. It is certainly fast but it is bumpy, unspeakably. Here a good hit results in a drowned ball, for the river is handy, and every bowler who slings them fast deserves the same fate. Indeed, the builder will never use that land, it will be a cemetery of slain cricketers.
I come to the best of my grounds. This is at Chantilly, some thirty miles from Paris, upon the estate of the late Due d'Aumale. Here we are on turf at any rate, and some day, if the Chantilly Club can find a jockey who understands wickets as he understands horses, a really good ground will be made there. Too much evil I will never speak of the Chantilly ground however, for there I had the good fortune to play in the most exciting match imaginable. It was a match for the " Championat de France," and the competitors were the Olympic and the Standard Clubs. In the first knock the Olympic made 65 and the Standard 64, in the second the Olympic got 45. It had been arranged that the time rule should be punctually observed, and the game declared finished, whatever happened, precisely at seven. Now. precisely at seven the last Standard man was in, the score was dead-level, and the last ball of the over was being bowled. There were three possibilities dependent on that ball. If it took the wicket the game would be a tie. If it passed harmlessly and unscored from the Olympic would win on the first innings. If a run was made the Standard win by one wicket. Amid great excitement the Standard men ran a deliciously short run and won. I need devote very few words to the clubs in Paris. They are mostly composed of Englishmen, and as like our -own therefore as they can be. They are the Olympic, the Albion, and the Standard, all composed of Englishmen in their cricketers; though largely French, especially the Olympic, in football and tennis. The only purely French cricket club is that called the IXme Arrondissement, but as yet it is not much good. Probably it will never be up to much. Cricket as we know it is too complicated and highly developed to suffer transplantation. It does not flourish much even in America. But, like the Americans, the French left to themselves may evolve a variation as unlike it as baseball, and perhaps as interesting. W. H. COUNSELL.
©Ib ligornians' Dinner in Worcester. Reprinted from J3errcrw's Worcester Journal, Jan. 7th, 1899.
J5HE Annual Reunion of Old Vigornians—old boys of the Worcester Cathedral King's School—took place on 6th January, 1899,
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at the School House. In the afternoon the Head had met many Old Vigornians and had never met one who was not a gentleman. (Applause.) That he believed was a compliMaster of the School and Mrs. Chappel held a recep- ment that could be paid to the School still. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Counsell spoke of two School traditions in his day that were tion, which was well attended. The Annual Meeting unmitigated evils, and that he did not believe were quite done of the Old Vigornians' Club followed. There were away with now. The first was that there was a gibe in the words " You little sweat." (Laughter.) That prevented many present—the Revs. J. Went (in the chair) and C. T. youngsters from doing good solid work. He believed it due to the idea that a boy who worked funked the cane. Dimont, the Mayor of Tewkesbury (Mr. A. Baker) was The cane was not given now for bad work, and there ought Messrs. P. H. W. Bachelor, T Baxter, R. Baylis', not to be any gibe in the words. (Hear, hear.) The other evil tradition was the neglect, in nearly every school in C. E. Boddington, F. J. Branthwaite, P. Campbell, England, of modern languages. That was an evil which a W. H. Counsel], F. Everill, P. H. P. Hayes, E. H. Head Master could not do too much to remedy. He suggested that the reason was that all the valuable prizes in Ingram Halford, G. J. Newman, L. M. O'Brien, the shape of University Scholarships were given for classics and and he suggested as a remedy the giving of small R. J. Oliver, T. W. Powell, J. G. Sheild, C. A. mathematics, scholarships for French and German, which would encourage Steward, A. Webb, F. M. Webb, F. W. Webb. The boys to study them and enable them to go abroad and see the world and get some talking knowledge of the languages. annual report and statement of accounts were passed, Speaking more particularly to the toast, the Vice-Chairman said he had been absent from the School for many years. He and the officers were re-elected. The meeting closed believed that everything was going on satisfactorily, that the boys were doing well in the School and in the games, and with a vote of thanks to the Chairman. that Mr. Chappel had said he could look back on the work of The attendance at the loth Annual Dinner in the the year with satisfaction. He hoped that the school work and tone would be kept up satisfactorily. He coupled Mr. in the School dining hall numbered 56. Mr. T. the Chappel's name with the toast. (Applause.) The toast was cordially honoured. Baxter was in the chair, and Mr. W. H. Counsell in The Rev. J. Went supporting it, said all Old Boys were the vice-chair ; and there were present, in addition to grateful for what the School had done for them, and wished the those present at the Annual Meeting of the Club, the School success. (Hear, hear.) For himself, he owed everything that made life worth living to the King's Scholarship he gained Rev. A. J. Bennoch, Messrs. F. H. Appleyard, there. By being members of that Club they wrote themselves down as supporters of the School, and he suggested a way in T. Bates, C. T. E. Clarke, H. F. P. Clarke, A. C. which they might support it, by subscribing to and getting other subscribers for a gymnasium, which was badly needed at the Darling, W. H. D'Egville, A. Dutton, F. Dutton, School, and which could, he believed, be erected for about £300. H. Dutton, T. Dutton, F. J. Evans. E. H. Harrington, There were 150 or 160 Old Vigornians, and he did not see why that scheme should not be carried out. (Applause.) From his Walter Holland, F. VV. Keen, L. Laurie, R. C. R. own experience he knew how valuable formal athletics were to Laycock, H. A. Lewis, A. R. Littlebury, A. H. the rising generation. If those present had been subject to gymnastic work they might have been an even finer and handMasterman, J. W. Newth, W. Parker, A. C. Peake, somer set than they were. (Laughter.) The Head Master had headed the list with ^10 JOS., and another £10 los. had been A. V. Rowe, H. A. Richings, W. A. Telfer, E. C. promised, so they had made a good start, and he thought Old Thomas, F. Townshend, C. W. F. Waller, Arthur E. Vigornians could find a good portion of the money. The Rev. W. H. Chappel replying, said it was a great Webb, Arnold E. Webb, J. Wilesmith, and F. S- pleasure to meet the Old Vigornians again, and to meet them in increasing numbers, and it was an assurance that their loyalty Wilson. and devotion to the School was waxing rather than waning. The Chairman proposed " The Queen," which was loyally and heartily responded to. The Vice-Chairman submitted the toast of the evening, "Prosperity to Worcester Cathedral King's School." Had there been an Old Vigornians' Club when he was at school it would have been his ambition to one day have the honour of occupying that chair and proposing that toast. It had been forced on his mind lately, the value of the Old Vigornians' Club, how much good the Club did for the School and for themselves. It did away with the alienation that must almost necessarily arise, otherwise, when a new authority was put in place of the the one they knew. They got to know Mr. Chappel as a friend by the connecting link of those Old Boys' dinners. (Applause.) In the second place they handed on certain traditions that had to do with the School from the generation before his own to his own generation, and on to the generation that existed to-day. (Applause.) They were also the written records of the past. They presented themselves before the new Head Master as showing what the School had done up to the present. By them he could gauge his work, and judge whether it excelled, or equalled, or fell short of the work that the School had done before. He remembered the compliment paid to the School by an Oxford Don, that he
(Hear, hear.) He hoped that their acceptance of the invitations to hold the gathering there in the last two years had proved successful, that it would be repeated, and meant that the School House was becoming a focus of Old Vigornian affection and sentiment. The gathering was interesting because it brought together Vigornians of the oldest times and his own fellows. At his right sat " the grandfather of Old Vigornians," who entered the School in 1847 and was the first Meeke Scholar, and at the end of the room he saw the last Meeke Scholar, their late head monitor, Mr. Lewis. (Applause.) Mr. Chappel also referred to the presence of the Mayor of Tewkesbury—(applause)—and one who was coming to the fore in football in London, Tom Bates. (Applause.) It was delightful to meet Vigornians of so many types. He trusted the dinners would continue and the numbers would increase. He noticed the innovation which brought Old Vigornians together in London—largely through the efforts of their old friend Arthur Bolland — and was glad that it had not detracted from the success of that dinner. Meeting Old Vigornians, he was especially glad to meet their splendid secretary, Mr. Frank Webb, whose common sense he valued most highly, and who was most valuable and helpful to him. (Applause. ) It was not only the support given to the School, nor
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the liberal supply of prizes for modern languages by which they did much to encourage the teaching of French and German in the School, that he appreciated, but because he felt that more and more the interest and the effort of Old Vigornians would become valuable to the School. Secondary education would affect the School. He believed that shortly they would have a Secondary Education Bill. Secondary education, that " chaos teeming with life," would be organised, and changes were ahead. There would be a central authority to select, examine, control, and direct, and there would, he hoped, be local authorities, and schools such as that, mainly local in character, would be brought into touch with local authorities which would co-ordinate and regulate and assimilate them to the environments in which they existed. It would be most important that Old Vigornians should assert themselves and have influence in guiding the future destinies of the School. (Applause.) He hoped the future destinies of the School would be influenced by such a public personage as the Chairman of the Worcester School Board, Mr. Albert Webb. (Applause.) They wanted elasticity, variety, to maintain culture in secondary education, but they wanted to be in touch with local authorities and to study the needs of the particular neighbourhood. Those changes might make or mar the future of such schools, and he looked to Old Vigornians for the kindliest, most considerate, and helpful guidance in the future. Speaking of the present position of the School, Mr. Chappel said they had a satisfactory record for the past year. They were carrying on the traditions of the School, and he had the best hope for continued success. The number of day boys and boarders had slowly but gradually increased, and the spacious School House was practically full. As to scholastic attainment, the School had not suffered. They had present one who, if he had not won the Meeke, would probably have won something better at Oxford, and another who took the first classical exhibition at Worcester College, Oxford. (Applause.) They had made decided advance. There was still some of the tradition that it was disgraceful to " swat," but it should not continue so if he could make it otherwise. (Hear, hear.) Last year there was a marked revival of the Debating Society, of which" Mr. Counsell and Mr. Dimont wereformerly prominent members, and there had been an advance in the School Library under the guidance of Mr. Beach Hicks. Another master had been added to the staff, and the School was exceedingly well staffed for its size. (Hear, hear.) A house in College Green had been taken for the unmarried assistant masters, bringing them into closer touch with the School. Though the games were not all that he wished, and the problem of games was a difficult one in a day school, there was a growth of patriotism and public spirit in the School games. (Applause.) The great event of the year was the starting of the new buildings. Of that he spoke with great thankfulness. It had been a long struggle, but the Governors had been most anxious to support him. The new buildings, which were essential to the welfare of the School, would contain four class rooms, a science laboratory, a reading room, a changing room for day boys, and a room for the assistant masters. The buildings, which would be externally pleasing and internally everything that an experienced school architect could make them, would, when complete, makeadistinct advance in the capabilities and capacity of the Scbool. (Applause.) He thanked Mr. Went for bringing forward the matter of the gymnasium. He was a bad beggar, and would not have asked for it himself, but he believed that every school of the sort should have a gymnasium, and he knew it was absolutely impossible for the Governors to provide one for many years. It was all they could do, and they were hampered by the Charity Commissioners, to provide the new buildings. That was a happy occasion for Mr. Went to introduce the scheme, because a gymnasium could be more economically built while the other buildings were in progress, and, the Governors having come forward to do so much for the School, it was opportune that others, and Old Vigornians in particular, should show their interest and zeal by practically completing the School. They did have gymnastics now, and they were indebted to the Worcester Gymnastic Club for the use of the town gymnasium, but it was only possible for a few boys to take advantage of it. He thought a gymnasium was especially
important in a day school, because many day boys could not join regularly in the School games, and he believed that physical and mental development should go side by side. At the recent conference, Head Masters had shown that they were alive to the importance of gymnastics. (Applause.) Mr. Chappel mentioned that Mr. Parker had prepared plans for a substantial gymnasium, in keeping with the surroundings, which he estimated would cost about ^350. The subject of gymnastics as a part of education brought them to the principles that should underlie all education. It was not a matter of cramming, but of discipline, of preparing men for after life, not of sending them out experts at the time they left school. (Hear, hear.) Corporate life in a school produced men who could play their part in after life and duty. The Old Vigornians were the best evidence of the training of the School, and year by year that dinner was an encouragement and inspiration to him. If he could do anything to turn out such men as he saw before him, to play their part in the public life of England, he should be more than content. The Rev. C. Dimont proposed " The Absent Ones." The objects of the Club, he said, were to keep up their interest in the School and in one another. By that toast they helped to fulfil the latter object. (Applause.) They did not regard the dinner in London as a rival to that, but as a daughter, and they would not mind if the daughter got bigger than the mother. (Laughter and hear, hear.) Of the absent ones he mentioned the names of the late Head Master, and said he had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Bolland at the Church Congress, looking as well and almost as young as ever. (Applause.) It was the custom to associate with the toast the names of those who, it had been decreed, should be perpetually absent. On going to the North of England, he heard the names of two Old Vigornians who had recently passed away—V. Hammond and Richard G. P. Bullock —who had done good work in livings in the north, and who were spoken of with the greatest love and respect by Yorkshire people. Mr. Bullock's death, he said, cast quite a gloom over the neighbourhood in which he had worked so well. He referred also to the recent loss of Mr. Stanley and of Mr. A. J. Caldicott, whose name was of far more than local interest. Concluding, Mr. Dimont remarked that in referring to the past they did not wish to depreciate the efforts of the present. (Applause.) The Rev. A. J. Bennoch proposed " The Health of the Chairman," saying that when he entered the name of Mr. Baxter in the School book in 1857, he had no idea that he should some day propose his health at an Old Boys' dinner. It was a pleasure to propose the health of one whose father was so closely connected with the School. (Applause.) He had some feeling recollections of that good man—(laughter)—but he bore him nomalice. There was a supposition when he went to the School that Mr. Baxter kept an illustrated book in his desk. When his curiosity was satisfied he found it was illustrated with " wood cuts." (Laughter.) He hoped they would meet again under the present Chairman's presidency. (Applause.) Mr. Bennoch gave some amusing reminiscences of a former Head Master, the Rev. Stephen Poyntz Denning, a good all-round man, an excellent modern scholar, in French and Italian, a thorough mathematician, and an excellent verse writer. He thanked Mr. Dimont for his kindly references to Mr. Bullock, who was his nephew, and said he was at School with Stanley and Caldicott. The Chairman, replying to the toast, which was musically honoured and With great heartiness, said it had been a great pleasure to be present at that and the previous dinner at his old School, and to see around him faces that he had not seen since his school days. He was glad to hear that there was that night a larger attendance than at any previous dinner, and he hoped it would continue to be a success. The last toast was that of " The Secretary"—Mr. Frank Webb—which the Chairman proposed, and which was enthusiastically received. What he had seen of Mr. Webb's work in the last twelve months was enough to tell him how valuable his. services were to the Club. (Applause.) The toast was musically honoured. Mr. Webb, in reply, referred with satisfaction to the fact that that was the largest gathering they had had, and expressed the
THE VIGORNIAN. hope that next year the attendance would be even larger. (Applause.) Speakers had referred to the dinner as though it was a Club dinner. That was not so. The Club was the outcome of the dinner. The dinner had been held for ten years, and the Club had only existed for three. Referring to Mr. Went's speech, Mr. Webb remarked that there were about 700 Old Vigornians "somewhere." (Laughter and applause.) He was pleased to see present Old Vigornians from Burmah, South Africa, and India —(applause)—and he expressed the wish that those gentlemen would send home more news for the "Vigornian." (Applause.) Mr. Webb acknowledged much kind assistance he had received. During the evening songs were given Messrs. Newman, Powell, Albert Webb, and F. M. Webb. The catering was carried out satisfactorily by Mr. Crump, confectioner, Bridge Street, and the wines and spirits by Messrs. Lewis, Clarke and Co.
Digontiatt HDiterarij anb Debating Soxietp. MEETING was called on Tuesday, November 22nd, 1898, of the Sixth and Fifth Forms, for the purpose of forming a Debating Society, which should consist of the two top Forms. The Rev. W. H. Chappell, M.A., was elected Honorary President. N. King was elected Secretary and Treasurer. The following Committee was elected :— A. T. Marshall 1 R. T. G. Salusbury j-Upper Sixth. M. Bates J F. V. Steward 1 ,. ,, VLower Sixth. O. TT H. Vevers J S. G. Simpson Fifth. The first Meeting was held on December 8th, 1898. Mr. Boon was voted to the Chair. The Rules of the Society which the Committee had drawn up were read and confirmed by the House. T. Stinton and R. A. Kcechlin were elected members from the Lower School. M. Bates then opened the debate by proposing:— "That the character of Cromwell is worthy of admiration." R. Salusbury opposed the motion. A. T. Marshall spoke third. F. V. Steward spoke fourth. N. King also opposed the motion. The motion was lost by 9 votes to 12, The meeting was then adjourned.
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Monday, December 12th, 1898. M. Bates was voted to the chair. H. A. Lewis (O.V.) was elected honorary member. L. Sampson then moved :—" That strikes are more of an evil than a good." O. H. Vevers opposed the_motion. F. S. Dyke spoke third. N. King spoke fourth. H. A. Lewis spoke for the motion. F. V. Steward opposed the motion. R. Salusbury spoke for the motion. The motion was carried by 18 votes to 5. The meeting was then adjourned. Monday, January 22nd, 1899. L. Sampson was voted to the chair. S. G. Simpson opened debate by proposing:—"That there is a tendency nowadays to abuse athletics." H. F. Wallis opposed the motion. M. Bates spoke third. L. F. Garton spoke fourth. Mr. T. E. Rammell opposed the motion. The motion was lost by 17 votes to 12. The meeting was then adjourned. Monday, February 6th, i8gg. F. S. Dyke was elected chairman. C. Davenport was elected a member of the society. L. Sampson commenced the debate by moving:— " That Napoleon was a greater general than Wellington." J. Day opposed the motion. Mr. F. C. Boon spoke third. A. T. Marshall spoke fourth. Mr. E. W. Poynton opposed the motion. N. M. Fergusson also opposed the motion. L. W. Sampson replied. The motion was lost by 6 votes to 18. The meeting was then adjourned.
School (Dfffars. Captain of the School Captain of Cricket Secretary of Cricket Captain of Football
L. H. W. SAMPSON. A.T.MARSHALL. H. F. WALLIS. R. T. G. SALUSBURY.
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... M. BATES. ... M. BATES. ... R. T. G. SALUSBURY. ... M. KING. ... H. F. WALLIS. ... J. D. DAY. A. T. MARSHALL. Editors of the " Vigornian " L. H. W. SAMPSON. f L. H. W. SAMPSON. Librarians '"|N. KING.
Secretary of Football Captain of the Boats Secretary of the Boats ... Captain of Hockey Captain of Fives Monitor of the Cycle Shed
{
MONITORS. L. H. W. Sampson, N. King, A. T. Marshall, R. T. G. Salusbury, M. Bates, J. D. Day. GAMES COMMITTEE. Mr. Rammell, Mr. Beach-Hicks, L. H. W. Sampson (Secretary), A. T. Marshall, R. T. G. Salusbury, M. Bates, N. King, H. F. Wallis, R. A. Kcechlin. LIBRARY COMMITTEE. Rev. W. H. Chappel, Mr. Clarke, L. H. W. Sampson, N. King, A. T. Marshall.
School fittest. |AST term a series of fortnightly lectures in the Schoolroom on Saturday evenings was begun, and has continued so far with great success. We have had lectures from Mr. Rammell on Naples, Mr. Boon on Cambridge, Mr. Poynton on Oxford, Mr. Beach-Hicks on "Nature through a Microscope," and N. King on the " Isle of Man." The lectures were very interesting, and were illustrated by good slides. We believe that they will be carried on during this term also. The Debating Society was revived last term, and the meetings, of which an account is given in another column, were most successful. On November 6th Mr. Chappel kindly gave the School a half holiday in honour of the Mayor. On November the 2oth the Vlth had the privilege of attending a lecture in the Chapter House, which was given by the Bishop of Stepney, on his work in East London. On February Qth Mr. Lambert Gore gave the
School a very amusing lecture on Nansen, which was much appreciated by the audience. We are glad to be able to say that the new Classrooms have been begun, and we hope they will be ready for use by next summer. The Captain of the Worcester Rowing Club has kindly offered us the use of their boat-house for the School Four this term. The following new boys have come this term.— H. Rowe, L. S. Adlington, R. Bates, T. G. Halford, J. C. Smith, J. R. Glass, and W. Rowe. The following additions have been made to the Museum since last term :— A stamp collection was started in October, and now numbers about 400. Additions have been received from Mr. BeachHicks, North, Morgan, West, Barker, Dutton, Telfer, Fergusson i., Evans i., Rowe i., Crowe and Dash. Coins have been received from Mr. Rammell,. Mr. Beach-Hicks, Krechlin i. and Dutton, Shells from Sampson and Powell. Petrified wood from Magowan. Sea horse, humming bird stuffed, and bat stuffed, from Dutton. Moss called " Mountain Leather," from Aberdeenshire (very rare), from Mrs. Walpole Simmons. Birds' nests (very curious), from the Gold Coast, from S. Morgan, Esq. Whales' teeth from Halford i. Crests from Sampson. Parts of human skulls were discovered in the foundations of the new School buildings. The following new books have been added to the Library this term :— " Tower of London," Harrison Ainsworth. " Old St. Paul's," "Windsor Castle," " Postage Stamps and their Collection," Firth. " Study of Words," Trench. " King Solomon's Mines," Rider Haggard. " Barabbas," M. Correlli. " Big Game of the Sea," Bullin. " With the Red Eagle," Levitt Yeates.
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(referring mainly to the waiting) which were made this time. As will be seen from the report in another column the success of the gathering was largely due, after the feeling of cordiality which pervaded the whole room, to the speeches, which were most enjoyable. Chairman and Vice-Chairman, the name of whose friends is legion, were enthusiastically received, and what they said and how they said it only served to increase the affectionate esteem in which they are held by all. The Revs. J. Went and C. T. Dimont, whose remarks are always listened to with great pleasure, seemed to be in their very best form, and the capital speech of the Rev. A. J. Bennoch, the " doyen " of the ' (Eohimit. O.V. Club, was rapturously applauded. The speech of jjHE Editors of this flourishing chronicle are to the evening was, as usual, the Headmaster's, eloquent, be congratulated (by all but the much comprehensive, straight to the point, and those who harassed present writer !) upon the persistent heard him must have been confirmed in their opinion regularity with which they worry for "copy." The that the School is in strong, firm and capable hands. proverbial printer's " devil" suffers by comparison ! As a supplement to the report already referred to, There have been occasions when it has not been the following unreported details may be of interest. difficult to make this column equal in interest the rest At the Annual General Meeting of the O.V Club was of the Magazine, but here again is room for cordial exhibited a ponderous volume in which the long congratulation, as the recent severe editorials (aided, expected Register of the School is gradually taking possibly, by certain external criticism), have produced shape. Members of the Club who were absent from a most marked improvement in the School contribu- this meeting will be pleased (possibly surprised ! ) to tions, so that O.V. readers must not be surprised if the read what those present were able to see with their bodily eyes, that the Club is really doing something interest of these lines be proportionately reduced. The Tenth Annual Dinner on January 6th at the besides sending out circulars and organizing dinners. School House was attended by a record number of The work is a slow one, and much more difficult than Old Vigornians—56—and was unanimously voted a was anticipated, but it is hoped that tangible results grand success, except with reference to the dinner are within measurable distance. In the meantime a itself, a paradox which affords the clearest proof, if small Register (of the Club only) is in course of proof were needed, that the growing popularity of preparation, and will be issued to members shortly. In the course of his speech, the Rev. C. T. Dimont these gatherings is not due to the mere " creature referred to a misapprehension which appears to prevail comforts " there enjoyed, so much as to the " feast of reason and flow of soul",—in other and more homely in some quarters as to the meaning and objects of the words, though the Old Vigornian like the rest of the O.V. Club, which, he said, was sometimes blamed for world thoroughly enjoys a good dinner, he thinks far not being a remunerative investment to its members ! more of, and will go much further to enjoy, a long talk " What do I get for my s/- ? " is the question that has and a pipe with an old chum. Still the dinner itself been asked, and the candid answer is "Nothing ought on these occasions to be above reproach, and it beyond three copies of the Vigornian, and the opporis to be hoped that the Committee will be able next tunity of attending an annual dinner which, as the year to obviate the necessity even for the few complaints Club pays all incidental expenses, is worth just what " The Honour of Savelli," Levitt Yeates. " Chevalier d'Auriac." „ " Hero and Heroine," Hope. " Tanglewood Tales," Hawthorne. The Editors beg to acknowledge the receipt of the contemporaries :—Tonbridgian, Ipswich School Magazine, Eagle, St. MichaeFs College Magazine, Trinity College, Magazine, Reading School Magazine, Bromsgrovian, King Edward's School Chronicle, and Decanian. The Editors wish to express their regret to all who received copies of the last " Vigornian " insufficiently stamped.
THE VIGORNIAN. you pay for it." No one suggests, and least of all the Club itself, that these advantages are actually worth the annual subscription, though there are plenty of members, especially those abroad, who would willingly pay more for the Vigornian alone. The Club, though frequently instrumental in bringing together old and partly forgotten friends, has never professed to exist solely for the benefit of its members : it has a higher mission and wider aims, which have been fully explained over and over again, and it seeks its members only among those who are able and willing to sacrifice something for the sake of their old School and Schoolfellows. The question should rather be " What can I give in addition to my 5/-?" There are many members who are for ever on the look-out for anything of interest to O.Vs, and if those who criticise would follow their example and forward to the Club anything and everything about O.Vs which comes to their notice— scholarships, degrees, ordinations, appointments, promotions, athletic distinctions, changes of address, and even marriages and deaths—the "raison d'etre" of the Club would appear in a clearer light to them. At the same time it must not be thought that suggestions for improvements of the Club's work and methods are not welcome; on the contrary, the committee, provided the critic will bear in mind the spirit underlying the Club's existence, will be very glad to receive, and if at all feasible, act upon any suggestions of the kind. Another small grievance ventilated at the dinner had reference to the reports of the School matches, which are not published in the weekly papers as regularly as of old. Many O.Vs at a distance take the weekly papers regularly, but they have to wait for the Vigornian before they get reports of the matches, which interest them a great deal more than present Vigornians imagine. Hon. Sees, of Cricket and Football please note! The speech of the Rev. James Went was exceptionally interesting as giving the first publicity to a scheme which he has long had at heart and which the O.V. Club will shortly bring before the notice of Old Boys in a practical form : the provision of a School Gymnasium. If ever there was a long-felt want this is one, and it is earnestly to be hoped that Mr. Went's
persistent efforts, aided by the Club and those who will join its councils in this matter, may be crowned with complete success. Old Vigornians will shortly hear more of this—-may they be found ready with open hearts and full purses. Owing to the modesty of the speaker it is not generally known that the second promised contribution of ^10 IDS. od. mentioned was from the Rev. James Went himself. A movement is also on foot to present the School with portraits of some of the best known deceased Old Vigornians. The idea is to have these portraits enlarged, and hung on the walls either of the School itself or the class jooms. The suggestion originated with Mr. R. C. R. Laycock, and he, the Rev. J. Went and Mr. Peter Campbell have promised a portrait of the late Mr. Baxter as a commencement. O.V. O.V. CLUB NOTICES. Subscriptions for the current year became due on October 7th last, many are still unpaid. There are also some of last year's and even some' of the year before still owing. Will members be good enough to forward these without delay to the Hon. Sec. (Sunnyside Road, Worcester). Will the member who, on December 3151, sent io/in payment of the last two years' subscriptions kindly forward his name in order that he may be duly credited and a receiptsent ? The only indication as to the sender is the postmark " London." Can anyone supply the Club with the Class Lists for the Lent, Summer and Autumn terms 1880 ? The School Shields (price 2/9 post free) have been much in demand since last issue. Thirteen were ordered on the night of the dinner. O.V. NEWS. Alderman A. Baker (O.V. 1862-65) was re-elected Mayor of Tewkesbury in November, 1898. J. T. Chamberlain (O.V. 1888-93) has been transferred from Hoshangabad to Saugor, Central Provinces. The " London Argus" of January 2ist, in an article upon the parish of St. Saviour's, Southwark, and its Free Library, contains the following reference to Mr. H. D. Roberts (O.V. 1881-82):— " From the start the chief librarian has been Mr.
THE VIGORNIAN. H. D. Roberts, one of the ablest, as he is one of the youngest, of the public librarians of London. Born at Worcester, and educated at the Cathedral School there as well as at the Old Elvet School, Durham, he went in 1885 to Newcastleon-Tyne as a junior assistant in the Public Library, and when he left to take up his present appointment he had risen to the position of chief assistant. He takes a great interest in the education of Library assistants, being secretary of the Education Committee of the Library Association. He is, moreover, a manager both under the School Board, and in connection with St. Saviour's Voluntary Schools, and an active member of the committee that manages Red Cross Hall. In fact, he is in touch with every phase of parochial activity." The following reprint from the " Advertiser" of February i8th, referring to Mr. A. C. Darling (O.V. 1874-78), will be read with interest:— " On Saturday, about 60 of the employes at the Worcester Royal China Works, St. Martin's Gate, presented a very handsome and graceful china ewer to Mr. Albert C. Darling, who for some years has been traveller for these works, and is now leaving to take up a similar position in the Royal Porcelain Works. Mr. E. P. Evans, J.P., presided over a large gathering of employes of both sexes. He said it had been felt that they could not allow the occasion to pass without shewing some tangible expression of appreciation of Mr. Darling's constant readiness to do the best he could, firstly for the proprietors, and secondly for all connected with the works. Mr. Darling's connection with them had not been a very long one, but it had been long enough to make all feel that he was an admirable representative, who had tried to introduce the productions of the Royal China Works throughout the country. (Applause.) He had known Mr. Darling for many years, and he did not think a greater compliment could be paid to anyone than, after passing from one works to the other, to be called back to a higher position in the former. During the last few years work had been much more regular, and that had been due in no small measure to the energy of their representatives. Mr. Darling would, he knew accept the present, not for its intrinsic value, but as a mark of the esteem and respect which all felt for him. (Applause). Mr. John Stinton then made the presentation, and wished Mr. Darling every success in his new position. Mr. Darling, in reply, said he did not know how to thank them for their very handsome present, which had taken him entirely by surprise. He was afraid he had studied his own position first, but he had been very well treated by his employers now for about 20 years, and he had always met with a kind reception when he had visited the works. The work had improved so much in quality that there was not half
the difficulty now in selling it that was experienced when he commenced." MARRIAGE. HIGGINS—GEARD.—On February 8th, at St. Martin's Church, Birmingham (by the Rev. W. E. Ivens, M.A., Vicar of St. James's, Edgbaston, assisted by the Rev. F. H. P. Higgins, B.A., brother of the bridegroom), William Albert Higgins, M.B., to Frances Marion Geard. IN MEMORIAM. CLARK.—November 29, at 56, Harold Street, Hereford, Richard James Clark, for 20 years lay-vicar of Hereford Cathedral, aged 50. WALSH.—February 5, at Erdington, Eric Arthur Williams, second son of W. Arthur S. Walsh, aged 18.
dames Jlaount. RECEIPTS. 1898.
£ s. a.
Sept.—Balance ia hand Dec. 21—Boys'Subscriptions
I 13 oj 15 n 6
EXPENDITURE.
1898.
Oct. 27—Spalding, Board in Pavilion Football Cross-bars Nov.—Football Shirts washed Solution for mending footballs Secretary's Expenses Linesman to Evesham Dec. 6—Maytum (Photographs) Dec. 15—Littlebury (Printing) „ „ Hutchinson (Footballs) , , 31—Towelling f o r Pavilion 1899. Jan. 18—Spalding (Football posts and wire to hedge) „ „ Higgs (Whiting) , , , , Humphreys (Printing) „ „ Thomasson (Football) Balance
£ s. d. 0 8 0 o 17 6 o I 6 o o 6 0 0 6 o I 6 0 8 0 o 15 o 2 7 1 0 3 7
0 9 0 0 3 0 0 7 4 o 19 6 7 2 0 10 2 6J
Examined and found correct, W. H. CHAPPEL. T. E. RAMMELL, Hon. Treasurer.
Feb. gth, 18
THE VIGORNIAN.
152
Accounts. Third Term, 1898. RECEIPTS. Balance for second term Dec. 31—Per Mr. F. Webb for Vigornians 1899—Per Rev. W. Haighton Chappel : Subscriptions ^u 2 6 Vigornians 2 II I Pound 0 5 1
£ s. d. 22
18 8
6 8 ii
13 18 8 £43 6 3
EXPENSES. Oct. ii—Stanley Gibbons and Co Nov. 4—Secretary's Expenses ,, ,, Slides for Magic Lantern .... Dec. 2—Sundries ,, 31—Deighton and Co 1899. Jan. 10—Walter and Houghton ,, ,, Large, for Papers, etc ,, 18—Museum Case ,, 25—Sundries „ 26—Santonna for Magic Lantern. Balance
£ s. d. o 16 6 o 5 o I i o o IO O
13 15 6 4 12 9 3 i 7 4 6 o o IO O
5 7 9 9 IO 2 ;£43
6 3
H. CLARKE, Hon. Treasurer.
©xforb To the Editors of the " Vigornian." Dear Sirs, There is little out of the common to record this term, except the unutterably vile state of the weather, about which people are still trying to express their feelings, though their stock of epithets has long since given out. True, at the time of writing, the towing path is once more clear, but there seems every probability of another flood if this weather continues, in which case the " Toggers" would be rowed under difficulties similar to if not worse than last year, but we still hope for an improvement. The chief interest last term centred in the Cup Ties, in which Oriel came off triumphant with a remarkably easy victory over " The House" in the final: they are a very fine team all round, especially in the forward rank where their combination is superb. Bye-the-bye, Vassal has got his " International," which is a great triumph for the College who may now justly exclaim "Who says we're not active at Oriel!"
The Coxwainless Fours produced some very good racing, Gold's sprint by which he beat University in the second heat, and the splendid all-round rowing of New College (the winners) being most remarkable. This gave New College one more "Bump" supper which they are now said to be getting very tired of: however, their run of successes seems likely to come to an end soon, as Balliol are rapidly over-hauling them and have this year got 4 men in the 'Varsity Eight as against New College's 2. The College Eights were for the most part rowed under difficulties, one heat being rowed in the teeth of a hailstorm with a strong current on as well. The only representative out of the School who took part was Lewis, who rowed bow in the losing Hertford Four, but who has some cause to grumble, as he was moved out of the winning Four three days before the race. Bye-the-bye we hear with regret that St. Edmund Hall will be without the services of Sampson next " Eights " who has gone down this term, thus bringing our colony down to three : of the rest little is to be said, except that Richings has, on the advice of his tutor, relinquished Honour Mods, and is reserving his efforts for Honour Final in Divinity, where we hope he will distinguish himself. The Rugby match produced another surprise, Cambridge simply walking over us in a most unaccountable way, but there we expected it, if for no other reason because the prophets said we should win. However all credit be to them on what must be regarded as a brilliant achievement. We have already referred to the " Eight"; Hertford and the boat have both suffered a severe loss in Warren failing to get his " Blue " owing to ill-health, but he is still young and in spite of his hard luck this time we hope he will succeed next year. The present crew are shaping very well, and in spite of hopeful reports from Cambridge, we are quite confident of adding another victory to our long list, yet at the same time we hope to see a race this year and not a show. Chief interest at present lies in the "Toggers," except for the luckless wretches who are in for "Mods." this term. The general opinion is that Balliol will keep their place at the head, but Magdalen will have to learn to keep time if they dont want to go down, while Worcester ought to rise considerably from their present lowly position. We send our best wishes to the Four, and hope to see last year's defeat handsomely wiped off in the coming race: and we couple with this our best congratulations to Sampson on his " Meeke." Yours sincerely, OXON.
THE VIGORNIAN.
153
(Eambribge fetter.
To the Editors of the " Vigornian."
February 2nd, 1899. Sir, Our colony here is so small that it is a difficult matter to raise news concerning O.Vs. Why does everybody rush off to the sister 'Varsity? We are glad to hear that this term, at least, there is a prospect of visitors in search of schools; it is auspicious that the Headmaster was quite recently in Cambridge, but unfortunately it was so early in the term that we were not up to give him a welcome.
Dear Sirs, Now that a School Stamp Collection has been formed, do you not think it would be very useful to reserve a column especially for " Bits about Stamps." The hints that it contained would, I should think, help many a collector on in his collection. Yours truly, "PHILATELIST."
R. G. Telfer, Corpus, has scorned " Soccer " and is nqw fast developing into a Rugger three-quarter. S. J. Steward, Downing, was first Captain of Boats last term, and has got through both parts of the I.M.B.
[We tkink " Philatelist's " suggestion a good one if some experienced person would offer to look after it.—EDS.]
To the Editors of the " Vigornian:'
Dear Sirs, Could not the Mile be made a more popular event at the Sports ? Last year there were three runners, only two of whom were really competitors. This Of course the chief excitement of last term was the turns what should be a good race into a mere procession. Sirdar's visit. There was a general " rag " during the It would be a great pity to give the mile up, but that whole day (and a greater part of the night, too !) ; the would be almost better than having such a fiasco as Senate House, during the conferring of degrees, was last year's. Surely some of those who enter might run flooded with the usual vile puns, such as, " You're an for sport's sake even if they have no chance of winning absurd ass, sir ! " " Try a whisky and Sirdar ! " etc., etc. a prize. Trusting that something will be done to The riot culminated in a record bonfire, which was fed make this year's mile a better race than last year's, with piles of railings, shop-shutters, and goal-posts. I remain, There wasn't an unbroken window in the Market Yours truly, Place by 12 a.m. L. S. We hear that the Vice-Chancellor and Proctors [We quite agree with these remarks, and think someintend to prevent such occurrences in the future; perhaps they will bring the Sirdar's legions to the thing should be done to stop boys entering for the races and then scratching at the last minute.—EDS.] rescue since the borough police can do so little. N. G. Davies, Selwyn, is at present stroking his Lent Boat, and last term stroked the winning crew in his College Trials.
The 'Varsity Soccer team is in splendid form, and there is every prospect of a win against Oxford ; as for the eight, there are so many changes being made, that it would be premature to offer an opinion on the result of the race; they seem a stronger and heavier set of men than the average, and with Etherington-Smith and Goldie in the boat, they ought to prevent Oxford from getting into double figures. Believe me, dear Sir, Yours faithfully, CANTAB.
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.
To the Editors of the " Vigornian." Dear Sirs, As our Annual Boat Race will be rowed at Hereford this year, I hope that a good number of our fellows will take the trouble to go over to Hereford and cheer on our crew to success. Although a non-rower I think it is only fair to the crew that a good number of our fellows should be present to cheer them on, which was not the case in 1897. Yours truly, NON-ROWER. [The above is quite correct in both cases. The fact that there are some of their own fellows cheering them is a great encouragement; and we hope more will go for this purpose than went in 1897.—EDS.]
THE VIGORNIAN.
154
EVANS GAMBIT.
To tfie Editors of the " Vigornian" Dear Sirs, As Hockey has now been introduced in this School for three seasons, surely a team of O.Vs. quite strong enough could be got up, and a match arranged with them. We play the O.Vs. in cricket and football; why should we not do so in hockey ? Hoping a match will be arranged, I remain, Yours truly, " HOCKEY." [We think this a very reasonable suggestion, and hope that the Secretary for Hockey will be able to arrange a match. — EDS.]
Morphy. I P-K4 2 Kt-KB3 3 B-B4 4 P-QK14 5 P-B3 6P-Q 4 7 oo 8 Q-Kt3
QP-KS
10 PXP ii P-Qs
12 P-Q6 13 B-R3 14 BXKt 15 PXP
Aliquis. P-K4 Kt-QB3 B-B4 BXP B-R4 PXP P-KR3 Q-B3 Q-Kt3 KKt-K 2 Kt-Qsq KKt-B3 Kt-K3 BPXB BXP
Morphy. Aliquis. 16 Kt-B3 P-R3 17 QR-Qsq KtXP 18 KtXKt BxKt 19 P-B4 BXKt 20 QxB Q-B3 21 Q-BS Q-Bsq 22 R-Q6 Q-B4 23 R-Q5 Q-Bsq 24 Q-R5 Q-B3 25 P-BS P-QKt3 26 Q-Ksq P-K4 27 RxP(ch) K-B2 28 Q-K4 Q-QB3 29 R-K?(ch) K-Ktsq White announced mate in four moves.
EVANS GAMBIT.
Qthess. BLINDFOLD GAMES. EVANS GAMBIT. Morphy. I P-l<4 2 KI-KB3 3 B-B4 4 P-QK14 5 P-B3 6 oo 7 P-Q4 8 PXP 9 Kt-B3 10 Kt-KKtS ii Q-R4 12 QXKt 13 K-Rsq 14 P-B4 15 P-Bs 16 Kt-K6
Amateur. P-K4 Kt-QB3 B-B4 ' BXP B-B4 P-Q3 PXP B-Kts Kt-R4 KtXB P-QB3 Kt-R3 oo K-Rsq P-B3 BXKt
Morphy. Amateur. 17 PXB Q-K2 18 BXKt PXB 19 R-B3 R-KKtsq 20 QR-KBsq R-Kt3 21 Kt-K2 R-KBsq 22 Kt-B4 R-Kt4 23 P-Qs P-QB4 24 Q-B3 B-Qsq 25 Kt-K2 Q-Kt2 26 Kt-Kt3 Q-QB2 27 RXP RXR 28 RXB RXR 29 QXR(ch) Q-Kt2 30 Q-Q8(ch) Q-Ktsq 31 P-K7 R-K4 32 Kt-Rs RXP (K4) White mates in a few moves.
Morphy. I P-K4 2 Kt-KB3 3 B-B4 4 P-QKt4 5 P-B3 6 oo 7 P-Q4 8 Q-Kt3
9 P-KS
Amateur. P-K4 Kt-QB3 B-B4 BXP B-R4 P-Q3 PXP
Q-B3
PXKP
KKt-K2 10 R-Ksq Q-Kt3 II B-KKtS 12 BXKt KtXB Q-QKt3 13 KtXKP 14 B-KtS(ch) P-QB3
Morphy. Amateur. 15 QXP(ch) K-Qsq 16 KtxP(ch) KtXKt 17 BXKt Q-B4 1 8 PXP Q-Q3 19 QxKKtP BxR 20 QxR(ch) K-B2 21 QxP(ch) B-Q2 22 BxB QxQP 23 B-QKts K-K13 (dis ch) 24 Kt-B3 BXKt 25 R-Ktsq R-Qsq 26 B-R6 K-R4 (dis ch) White announced mate in three.
. . <3|1 IflS'i =— if^^D V/;(E>| ||§>^"^
Printed by Deighton and Co., 53 High Street, Worcester.