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the Uigornian THE WORCESTER CATHEDRAL KING'S SCHOOL CHRONICLE. " ra i*e.v SiSaicra fiav6ar<i>, ra $' tvptrit ^J/TW, ra 2' evkra irapa Oeiav j/rj}(raju?jv."

No. 40.

VOL. IV.

MARCH, 1901.

gottfettfs. School Notes ... The late Bishop Creighton The New Scheme A Visit to Vulcan A Holiday in Switzerland... The School Concert Third Form Entertainment Football Review and Matches Chess Club Balance Sheets ... O.V.'s Column ... O.V.'s Dinner ... Worcester Cathedral Oxford and Cambridge Letters Correspondence ... In Memorlam

PAGE 25 28 29 3° 32 34 36 36 38 39 39 41 45 45 47 48

a full criticism of the football team, we must refer the reader to the contribution in another column, but, perhaps a few remarks will not be out of place here That we had a good team, or at any rate one of the best we have had for some time, no one will deny; but somehow, during matches, the team seemed as if it wasn't "wound up properly," and something

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" didn't fit." The main fault appeared to lie in the left wing of the forwards and one of the backs. In our humble opinion, Fergusson should have been tried back before the Dean Close match, where he certainly was much better than forward. As soon as he had taught the forwards that they had to follow hard on the ball, he had done all he could.

The half-back line was this year a very good one. Rowe i. at centre and Fergusson ii. at left were certainly better than the average, and Steward on the right was one of the hardest working players in the team, though handicapped by lack of height and pace. Day i. at back was uniformly good, always a safe kick and hard tackier. Shuttleworth at outside right was a little slow, but had a wonderful power of centering. Escott i. at centre was always good, and Escott ii. inside right, though at times inclined to be selfish and shoot wildly, tried hard, and was faster than most of the line On the left wing, Stevens ii. and Williams sometimes combined excellently, but were handicapped through lack of pace and weight. Telfer, who finally settled in

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goal, was always good and thoroughly trustworthy. # * * The combination which played against Dean Close, and thoroughly earned their victory was undoubtedly, the best team the School put in the field. Had this been tried before, possibly some of the other matches would have been won : but on that memorable day, all the players seemed to be extra keen and quick on the ball. We must indeed congratulate Rowe i. on his magnificent play during this match. He entirely broke up the opposing forwards' combination, and fed his own men splendidly. # * * We must not forget to congratulate H. D. Day on the way he captained the team. Always hardworking and self-denying, we owe to him much of what success we gained. Only those who have to get day-boys down to games know what a task it is: the games last term were exceptionally well attended by them, and though his measures at first were thought severe by some of the younger members of the school, they were at least effective. A criticism of the various members of the team and the season generally, by a contributor, will be found elsewhere. Finally, as a last word, we must heartily thank Mr. Jarrett for the great pains he took to coach the team, especially the forwards. He was always willing to play in games, and to come down on other evenings to assist the various members to improve their play. We trust we shall be fortunate enough to still have him with us next season. # * * On Wednesday, the igth December, the Annual School Concert took place, and, whichever way it is looked at, one must call it a distinct success. In point of numbers, it constitutes almost a record, well over 600 parents and friends being present, exclusive of present members of the school. With regard to the various singers, &c., we may say, perhaps, the great attraction was Larr. His sweet voice is now getting known among Worcester

people, and we can say without the least hesitation that he did not disappoint them. His rendering of " Who is Sylvia ?" was by us preferred to " The Maiden's Story:" both were exquisitely sweet, though the first appeared to suit his voice somewhat better. Mr. G. A. Webb (O.V.) again was a great success, and deservedly so. His Selection from Gounod was splendidly sung, and well deserved the hearty applause. But we must not forget another performer, Mr. E. W. Price (O.V.), whose Selections on the 'Cello were pronounced by some, to be the items of the evening. For execution, impression and beauty, they were undoubtedly unsurpassed, and we earnestly hope that he will again help us. A more detailed account will be found elsewhere. * * * Before leaving this subject we should like to heartily congratulate the originator of the scheme that the books of words should be presented by the School, and not sold by boys in the room. This practice has always appeared to us most objectionable, and we hope that this good start will be continued. * * * Rowing this term is being carried on under great difficulties to the coaches. This is mainly owing to the number of beginners, which is this year unusually large. Some of the younger members are beginning to show a little promise, and, with two of this year's " four" left, there should be a bigger lot next season. * * * The Scratch Fours were rowed on Wednesday, February aoth. Williams' boat won fairly easily, somewhat contrary to expectation. Fergusson's seemed to be rather excited, as the rowing was very ragged. The fours were :—(a) Stevens ii. (bow), Rowe i. (2), Day i. (3), Williams (stroke), Adlington (cox)} and (b) Steward (bow), Overell (2), Fergusson i. (3), Fergusson ii. (stroke), Stevens i. (cox). * * *

THE VIGORNIAN. The following are the main fixtures for this term. March 23rd.—Boat Race v. Hereford. March 27th and 28th.—Sports. March 3<Dth.—Regatta. * * * We much regret to have to state that Mr. J. O. Field left us last term to enter B.P.'s force in South Africa. His loss will be much felt, especially at the games. As centre half-back he was untiring, always attacking, yet on his man in an instant. He was also a keen debater, and his sarcasm will be greatly felt by the Society. At the same time we heartily welcome Mr. T. L. Levick, B.A., of Pembroke College, Oxford, an old Cheltonian, who has come to take his place. * * * The Chess Club, under its new lease of life, has been progressing in steady fashion. After finishing one tournament last term, which Berkeley i. won, it has this term embarked upon another Handicap Tournament which appears to be a success. We can only hope that its life will be long and its end more honourable than that of its predecessor. We should like, if possible, to see the match with Stratford renewed. This was dropped some years ago, but we are sure that this year's School team would be equal to its predecessors, and we should be, at least, as successful as before. The results of the games in last term's tournament will be found in tabular form on the last page. * * * On Thursday, December 6th, the Rev. J. F. Teakle, M.A. (O.V.) delivered, in the Ladye Chapel, the first of three addresses to the School during Advent. He is an Old Vigornian and lately returned from New Zealand, where, for the last 25 years, he has been engaged in mission work. He was therefore able to give us some very pleasant and interesting anecdotes of the manner in which the Maoris have been converted and civilized. The other preachers were the Rev. H. E. E. Arthure, M.A., (O.V.), and the Headmaster.

With regard to the changing of the School name (or rather the revival of the old title) the following extract from the Parish Register of Wichenford, A.D. 1735, for which we are indebted to the Rev. C. Davenport, M.A., will be read with interest. 1735 " Pluckenett Woodroffe, of Wichenford Court, Esquire, ordered a handsome pulpit to be built at his charge, and set over one of his pews next the reading desk of the Parish Church of Wichenford. N.B.—The said pulpit was for ye ist time preached in, the 27th of July following, by the Rev. Wm. Myles of Broadwis, and Headmaster of the King's School at Worcester." This proves beyond doubt that the objections raised by certain O.V.'s to the innovation (?) are unfounded. * * * Mr. J. W. Jackson, M.A., Fellow, Tutor, and Vice-Provost of Worcester College, Oxford, has been appointed a Representative Governor of the School by the Hebdomadal Council of the University. Mr. Jackson succeeds Lord Coventry, who formerly sat on the Governing Body as LordLieutenant, under the new scheme of the Charity Commissioners. * * * We have to heartily thank Mrs. Wheeley Lea for kindly presenting to the School House twenty tickets for an extremely interesting lecture on the Natal Campaign. It was given by a correspondent, an Old Reptonian. The slides were excellent, some being taken during the progress of an action. Some, again, were extremely gruesome, but very interesting, as showing the sterner side of war. The lecturer also showed some Boer flags which had interesting histories. * * * Since our last issue, several lectures have been given in the School Hall, on Saturday Evenings. Last term, the Headmaster gave us a most interesting lecture on Cornwall Miners and Mining. The slides for this lecture were mainly from photographs taken with extraordinary difficulty, many of them more than half-a-mile under the earth. They are

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believed to be unique. Next we had a lecture on the Paris Exhibition, from de Fontaine, though the lecturer's knowledge seemed strictly limited and not equal to that of many of his audience. * * * So far this term there have been two. First, Rowe i. gave us an interesting lecture on South Africa and its inhabitants, with a short account of the Jameson Raid. The first slides were very fine, but the latter were from drawings and were rather below standard. Finally, Mr. Beach-Hicks gave us a most entertaining and instructive lecture on London. The lecturer's intimate knowledge of his subject made him extremely interesting. He was somewhat handicapped by the operator at the lantern who persisted in putting in the slides wrong way round. * * * Before closing this subject, we should like to point out, to the day-boys especially, how extremely interesting and instructive this series of lectures is. They are mainly on entertaining subjects, and are all illustrated by the lantern. We would suggest that they should try and persuade more parents and friends to attend. It is most encouraging, especially to lecturers from among the boys themselves, to find a large and appreciative audience. * * * Through the kindness of the Rev. D. Sampson, we are able to give our readers a short account of the life of Bishop Creighton. His death passed, to a great many of us, comparatively unnoticed, owing to the stunning shock of the death of our late Queen, Victoria the Great. The fact that he was once Canon of our Cathedral forms a good excuse (if, indeed, one were needed) for inserting this brief memoir of him. * * * We beg to acknowledge the receipt of the following contemporaries, apologising for any accidental omissions :—Bromsgrovian, Oceanian, Herefordian, Khedivieh S.M., King Edward's School Chronicle, Salopian, Stratfordian, Sutton Valence School Magazine, Tonbridgian.

f C gretg^f on, "gSts^op of <$onoott. HE great sorrow which has fallen upon the Nation by the unexpected death of our beloved Queen made us for the time forget the very real and serious loss which we have sustained in the death, only eight days before, of the Bishop of London. One of the last acts of the Queen was the sending of a gracious message of sympathy and condolence to Mrs. Creighton on the death of the Bishop, and the feeling of sorrow expressed by the Sovereign has been shared by multitudes of all classes and all shades of religious belief. There can be no doubt that the removal by death of Bishop Creighton just at the present time is a loss to our Church and Realm, which it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to repair. Mandell Creighton was born at Carlisle in 1843, his father being a man of business in that city. He received his early education at Durham School, and on proceeding to the University of Oxford was elected to a " Postmastership," as the Scholarships at Merton College are rather quaintly called. His University career was a distinguished one, as he gained a First Class both in Moderations and the Final School of " Liters Humaniores," as well as a Second Class in Law and History. He became Fellow andTutor of his College in 1866. He was ordained Deacon in 1870, and Priest in 1873. In 1872 he married Louise, daughter of Robert Von Glehn, a Russian merchant settled in England. Two years later he was presented to the College living of Embleton, in Northumberland, which he held for the next ten years. Here he not only gained ex|jerience in parochial affairs, which was a valuable acquisition for the future Bishop, but also found leisure for those literary and historical studies, which undoubtedly contribute to his widely recognized title to fame. Besides other smaller works showing rare historical knowledge and insight, he at this time wrote his " History of the Papacy," which gave him a position among English historians such as Freeman and the present Bishop of Oxford,

THE VIGORNIAN. He indeed possessed most of the qualifications required to make a great historian—thoroughness of work, accuracy of knowledge, breadth and fairness of mind, keen insight into character. The recognition of these powers no doubt caused him to be selected, in 1884, as the first Dixie Professor of Ecclesiastical History at the University of Cambridge. The next year he was made Canon of Worcester, where his genius for organization and administrative powers were fully recognized. In 1891 he was appointed to a Canonry at Windsor, but before going into residence there he was preferred to the vacant Bishopric of Peterborough. There he remained for six years, showing by his successful management of the Diocese that his practical ability was equal to his powers as a scholar and teacher. On the death of Archbishop Benson, four years ago, his appointment to the Archbishopric of Canterbury was spoken of as probable, but the See of London becoming vacant by the selection of Bishop Temple for the Primacy, Dr. Creighton was translated to that important and laborious Bishopric. Even with the help of two or three suffragans, the work which falls upon a Bishop of London at the present day is really more than human powers can well sustain, and probably for the last four years of his life Dr. Creighton was the hardest worked man in England. Indeed, it is to be feared that his intense devotion to work has caused his death at the comparatively early age of 57> when, humanly speaking, many years of valuable work still lay before him. His fatal illness began with severe indigestion, the effect, no doubt, of engrossing work, and consequently irregular meals. This was followed by internal ulceration, which necessitated two severe operations, from the effects of which his diminished strength did not enable him to rally. Notwithstanding the short time that he held the Bishopric of.London, Bishop Creignton has distinctly left his mark upon the Diocese by the rare combination of gifts, which he brought to bear upon his work. He combined, in a remarkable manner, the Catholic spirit and religious earnestness

of a true Churchman with the business faculty and strong common sense of the sagacious man of the world. He was called to rule over the Church in our great Metropolis, with its varied currents of life and feeling, at a time of much religious ferment, and his strong desire for Christian unity prompted him, as one of the last acts of his life, to arrange for the Conference at Fulham Palace of representatives of all schools of thought within the English Church. His influence was indeed widely felt outside the Church, as was made clear by the farewell address of the Nonconformists on his leaving Peterborough for London, and also by the remarkable gathering at his funeral. On that occasion there were assembled in St. Paul's Cathedral, not only more than half the English Bishops, with hundreds of the clergy of the Diocese, but also some of the leading Nonconformists, and even the Chief Rabbi, side by side with Archimandrites of the Eastern Church, and representatives of the Universities and of learned societies, all testifying by their presence to the widespread admiration and regard felt for this Bishop of the Church. The interest which his large-minded sympathy and historic knowledge caused him to take in the great Eastern Communion was intensified and heightened by his visit to Russia at the coronation of the Czar, when he was chosen by the Archbishop of Canterbury to represent the English Church. , His mind was remarkably free from all prejudice. His intense love of truth in everything is shown by his halfplayful choice of an epitaph for himself, " He tried to write true history." D.H.W.S.

1&$e "glen) ^c 'HE amended scheme for the government of the School is now published, dated December 4th, 1900, and contains some important alterations which should receive special notice. The most important item is the alteration in the King's Scholarships, which are now to be made of

THE VIGORNIAN. practical value. It will be remembered that formerly the holders of the Scholarships received the somewhat ludicrous sum of £2 133. 4d. per annum, the number of scholars being 40. By the scheme of 1884 the number was reduced to 2O and the amount increased to ^5 per annum. This was a step in the right direction, but it is not too much to say that it was still a practical waste of j£iOO a year. It is questionable if a single pupil was drawn into the School by this small bait (apart from the fact of the free education which accompanied it), and it failed in the essential characteristic of a Scholarship, viz., that of inducing and encouraging parents to keep intelligent boys at school, who, through the pressure of home circumstances, would otherwise have to be withdrawn at a comparatively early age. The new scheme provides that no further money shall be spent in annual payments of £5, but instead of these, " the Governors shall apply a yearly sum of j£ioO in making payments or allowances of not more than ^30 each to holders of King's Scholarships whose pecuniary circumstances render them in need of such assistance." It will be at once clear how greatly this will alter the complexion of these Scholarships, making them of real value to the holders and materially assisting the educational life of the sons of gentlemen of limited income, anxious that their boys should receive the priceless advantage of a good education, yet unable to bear the heavy strain upon the slender purse which a lengthened school career entails, often followed by a further period of preparation for a professional life. It is a fact that some parents are compelled to send their boys away from Worcester by the greater advantages offered elsewhere, but it is hoped that the new scheme will make this a thing of the past. Another advantageous feature of the scheme is that a Representative Governor shall be appointed by the Worcestershire County Council—a body of gentlemen who are winning golden opinions by their enlightened action in education matters—and

another by the Hebdomadal Council of the University of Oxford, thus bringing the School into closer touch with that ancient and incomparable foundation. It is not for the mere layman to suggest the benefits which may accrue to the School from this inclusion of the representative of Oxford, but it will unquestionably give it a status which no simply local name could confer. Power is also given to appoint special Governors for the purposes of the Technical Instruction Act 1889 should it become necessary. The other clauses providing for the yearly examination, giving permission for the conveyance of the College Hall to the Dean and Chapter under certain covenants, and reserving to the Charity Commissioners the power to decide questions arising upon this scheme, are not such as to call for particular mention. By this Order, the School makes a strong step forward and takes her place among the best in the country. A.W. (O.V.)

Jl HJfistf fo JO write a short article on Engineering generally is somewhat of an undertaking, especially if the writer be one who hardly knew a crank shaft from a connecting rod only six months ago. Nothing is impossible to the engineer, however, so we must do our best, and can only trust that if this meets the eye of an advanced engineering student he will pardon any discrepancies he may observe. Space does not permit us to make mention of the steam engine's early history, or to moralize on its future development, we will merely follow out the construction of a modern Marine Engine, our choice falling on the above type because the limited space on board ship, the danger attendant on a breakdown and the difficulty of its repair, all necessitate a more careful design and a higher class of workmanship than is found in most land engines.

THE VIGORN1AN. Foremost in every works comes the Drawing Office—the brain, as it were, of the whole establishment. Let us ascend to its sacred precincts, where an unruffled silence prevails (sometimes). At each desk sits a draughtsman preparing plans for every piece of machinery to be turned out. A fair-sized engine will have several different sets of drawings ; one showing its general appearance when completed, another the details of all its moving parts, another its stationary parts, such as the standards, bedplate, etc., etc., and last, but by no means least, a plan of the arrangement of pipes and machinery on board, sometimes a very arduous task. The above drawings are then traced on specially prepared linen, and all dimensions carefully inserted, so that any number of copies may be taken by means of sensitised paper, precisely in the same way as the ordinary photographic process, save only that the printing frame has to be a trifle larger than the "common or garden " £-plate. There are various kinds of paper, but the most convenient is the ferro-prussiate, which only has to be immersed in water after exposure, the lines coming out white on a blue ground. Armed with a bundle of these prints, we now proceed to the Pattern or Carpenters' Shop, where a full-sized model is made in wood of most parts of our proposed engine. These patterns are in their turn removed to the foundry. A dismal, cold, grey place is the Foundry. The clay, the tools, the building itself, the very workmen —all seem clothed in one monotonous hue. Close by we see the huge ovens where the smaller clay moulds are baked ; the larger ones, made in pits dug in the ground, are usually dried by fires lighted inside them. The operation of casting is generally done at night, and is not easily forgotten by one seeing it for the first time. Then the great blast furnaces fill the air with a deep, penetrating, almost musical roar, while above the violet flames leap high into the atmosphere. Great cranes, like some unwieldy monsters, slowly swing the ladles for the metal into position. The men stand round, their clothing of the scantiest description, their felt hats

drawn well over their eyes. An order is given, and with a sharp prod the furnace outlet is opened. A cascade of molten metal follows, falling into the ladle underneath with a miniature pyrotechnic display of golden sparks. Sometimes two or three tons will be run from one furnace into a ladle in this way, and the sea of liquid fire thus formed lights up the whole scene with a weirdly fantastic glare, the dark walls and dim outlines of huge cranes forming an extremely effective background. When enough metal has been run from the furnace the aperture is stopped with a lump of clay, the ladles being then swung round and tilted over the different moulds. After remaining some time to cool, the castings are dug out, scraped and brushed to remove any adhesive clay, and finally taken to the Turning and Fitting Shop. Here the cylinders are bored, the bedplate planed and drilled, the standards turned and polished, besides many more operations too numerous to mention. This is the favourite haunt of the ubiquitous apprentice, who, however, generally seems to prefer bench to lathe work. At the former he will most likely work with one of the mechanics—his "mate" —for whom he will perform any jobs that may be necessary. Both workmen and apprentices are under the very necessary supervision of a foreman, affectionately (?) termed " The Old Man," whose position is not always such a sinecure as it seems. But to return to our engine. All the parts being complete, the bed, or sole-plate, is laid down in the Erecting Shop, where are also many other engines in a more or less finished state. Upon the bedplate is placed the condenser, from which rise cast iron legs to the cylinders, also supported by steel standards in front. The moving parts (all of steel) are gradually put in place, and the various pumps, generally worked by the main engine, fitted on behind. Soon the completed structure towers above us, and a very pretty piece of machinery it looks, even to the eye of the uninitiated. With cylinders covered in blued steel, fastened on by broad brass strips, and with a shining row of steel colums in

THE VIGORNIAN. front, between which easy access can be had to the working parts, the whole seems a fitting embodiment of the inventive genius and skill of man, awaiting only the blast of live steam to transform it into an almost irresistable force, yet one which a turn of the wrist can control. So much for the engine. Just a glance at the Boiler Shop before we leave. Here huge shells lie about in every position, the curved tubes of some partially completed water tube boilers showing through their sides like the entrails of some disintegrated monsters. Farther on a powerful hydraulic press curves and bends the redhot steel plates. A few minutes of it are quite enough, however. The hideous pandemonium occasioned by riveting operations, and the slush underfoot we flounder about in (all boilers are tested by water pressure, the water being afterwards let run into the shop) soon cause us to beat a hasty retreat. But now at last the hooter, long expected, pours forth its welcome cadence on the air, the whirr and hum of machinery gradually subsides, and a motley stream of workmen issue from the different shops. We join the throng and find ourselves once again in the street, our visit to the works at an end. We can only hope the reader's patience has not come to the same conclusion. F. S. D.

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|HE fortnight spent in Switzerland with two friends last summer was a holiday indeed. Getting there is the chief trouble, for the quickest way to Lucerne, which was our centre, takes nearly a day of hard, almost unceasing, travel from London. We went with the Polytechnic people, a plan which avoids the difficulty arising from ignorance of foreign languages, when one must ask about changing, getting refreshment and so forth. The Polytechnic Chalet at Seeburg, near Lucerne, is practically an English residential club ; so again

anyone wishing to avoid the inconvenience of foreign surroundings can do so. Just to mention a detail, the Secretary told me they specially imported homecured bacon from England ; it was very good at any rate. One of our trio spent the first week mostly in going on the usual Polytechnic outings. The other member and myself sauntered about Lucerne and the immediate neighbourhood curiously observing the country, the folk and their ways. We saw the milk coming down from the hills in oval barrels on rude drays pulled by oxen, or in oval hand-buckets. The Condensed Milk Companies contract to take the farmers' milk which they collect from certain places in each district. The cowherds and lads going up and coming down the mountain roads make sweet melody with the famous Swiss iodelling and songs. Monies current in Lucerne are Swiss, French, Italian, and Greek, and of course English gold. You do not know what language the next people you meet will speak, but most of the visitors seem to be British or American. Lucerne, and indeed what we saw of the country at all, was remarkably clean both as to streets and people; the children too are delightful. Our camera, especially a peep through the view-finder, pleased them much, and one lad came with us some distance keeping up a lively conversation, or rather solo, in German. Lucerne Cathedral, or Hofkirche, stands fairly high and looks picturesque with two tall square towers at the west end surmounted by high slender spires. The dedication is of St. Leodegar, v/ho is, I believe, identical with the popular St. Leger. The interior strikes one as plain, after the Gothic grandeur of Worcester, but yet is good and well finished in detail. It is carefully looked after; I saw a boy on his hands and knees actually holystoning the pavement. We happened to be here on Corpus Christi Day and saw the annual solemn procession round the town, which was very striking, and I suppose no

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The language in general use is a local German, and less so that Lucerne is stoutly Catholic and capital of a Catholic canton. | English seemed to be understood pretty well as Here is the famous covered wooden bridge with often as French. From Altdorf we took train to Amsteg, where pictures of the Dance of Death, referred to by we spent the night. Amsteg boasts splendid trout, Longfellow in " The Golden Legend." There are many other sights in Lucerne, both which we tried, and a lovely valley, the Maderaner curious and beautiful, such as the Jesuits' Church, Thai, spanned at its mouth by a very lofty bridge then under repair ; the picturesque Church of the of the St. Gothard railway. Franciscans, with a fine fresco of the Crucifixion Next morning, after a short wait for a storm to over the chancel arch surrounded by paintings of pass over, we started uphill following the course of Saints very like the east end of All Saints,Worcester; the Reuss. The railway up this way is a marvel of quaint timbered houses and houses all painted out- engineering. At one place a train actually goes side with elaborate designs, or scenes of war, merri- through three circular tunnels, coming out exactly ment, and romance ; secluded squares with ancient above its starting point. carved figures and fountains ; the old city walls and Wassen was our next halt; the name means waters, watch towers ; the magnificent new domed railway which abound. Then we came to Goschenen, terminus; and Thorwaldsen's far-famed lion in where is the entrance to the great St. Gothard memory of the old Swiss guard who " ne sacramen- tunnel. We first came level with snow here, but tum fallerent .fortissime pugnantes occiderunt." everything looks dirty and grimy. Just outside The second week we had a private tour starting Goschenen is a bridge Napoleon had built, which with a fine trip down the lake for 29 miles, the full we made a point of crossing. The road is now very length, to Fluellen ; part of the way we had three steep up to the Devil's Bridge, an awesome place Germans on board, to say nothing of red wine, and also referred to by Longfellow, which is now broken they treated us to some charming songs and glees. and only shows a little masonry on either bank We also met two parties of Yankees who proved about twenty feet below the new bridge. Just above pleasant company. The lake scenery is very grand. is a terrific waterfall, whose spray is a constant From Fluellen we walked to world-renowned drenching shower bath even on part of the present Altdorf, where William Tell shot the apple on his bridge. The mountains here, bare, straight, and hundreds of feet high, beside the road and river-bed, son's head. Real Swiss chalets are quite common all about are honeycombed with fortifications; we saw twenty here, with their scaled walls, wide-eaved roofs o* or thirty soldiers march out of the very rock just shingles, sheltering balconies, shuttered windows, near the bridge, and both above and below the bridge are massive iron doors all loopholed for rifles and odd nooks and corners. The Churches are somewhat, generally very, plain and cannon. (?) We next came to Andermatt, a outside, although one gets to like them, but inside quaint village and fairly busy ; thence practically are often very beautiful, and always in perfect order, flat walking with one rise at Hospenthal, a still clean and open all day. Along the roadside, and quainter, quieter hamlet, to Realp, " the last place more often in the higher valleys, are many little made," this side the Furka watershed. Realp is shrines, crucifixes and sacred pictures, sometimes so quite the tiniest and most compact little place I rude that the simplicity of the people's devotion know, and that night not unwelcome as we had might almost raise a smile did not the devotion of walked nearer thirty than twenty miles. We put their simplicity rather touch one with a feeling that up at an hotel recommended to us by our hostess of Amsteg because her sister is there and speaks they are indeed become as little children.

THE VIGORNIAN.

English ; as a matter of fact her sister had never especially when we got on to the ice. There is a spoken English before to English people except to track of a kind over the ice, but it has occasionally her teacher, on whom she reflected great credit for to be veered from as the guide judges with his iceonly seven lessons, and, as she explained, only spoke axe. The fissures in the ice appear to go down " for the necessair." Next morning when I awoke, indefinitely, and the intensely blue colour of the about 12.30 a.m., the moon, unseen, was shining light seen through such a mass of ice is marvellous. with a dazzling gleam on the great mountain snow- On the flat we were all right, but going uphill it fields opposite my window—a fine sight indeed. I was rather tricky, and when we began to come down was up and about early. The air up here is rare it was distinctly awkward. We tackled one crevasse and invigorating; I thought it even made my watch- on the slope, in fact on two slopes, as it descended chain shine more brightly. Next day we first came on our left and also down in front. We had to cut in touch with snow on the roadside after being for steps in the ice and go single file very carefully, some hours above the snow level, walking up the springing over the gap, which was a long stride Furka Pass to the Furka Hotel, where we stayed from one cut step to another. One fellow lost a the night. Here we fell in with a Polytechnic fine alpenstock here, and was fortunate to save himparty, and in the afternoon shared a guide with self. The two ladies of the party were much overthem and went up the Furka Horn, nearly 10,000 come. The descent thence was made with more speed feet. The snow was, perhaps, as much as hundreds of feet deep in many places there, several people going than grace, generally by sliding, which is no luxury in up to their thighs. I was first on top, of anybody on wet, dirty, rough ice. Before we got right down this year so I heard. Next morning we got up at to the hotel, we were all nearly wet through. At three to see the sun rise, which, I guess Mark Twain this height are many flowers we do not meet with was about right in considering one of the saddest in England, particularly the deep blue bell of the sights he ever saw. To begin with, we got up gentian and yellow lichenous plants. The common about an hour too early, and it was a raw, cold Scottish bluebells, wild pansies, violets, forget-memorning; however, when we had run about and not, and in lower levels the marguerites, buttercups, stamped ourselves fairly warm, we did see about anemones, and a thousand more seem to grow finer enough sun to cover a sixpence, and, what is still and look brighter than usual. After changing and more worth seeing, a fairly decent Alpine glow on drying at the Gleitsch, that is Glacier, Hotel, we the mountain snows opposite, that is, in the west. had a good dinner and went to bed. Next day we We took one or two photographs, which have crossed the Grimsel Pass through snow as high as turned out very well, and then went to bed for a houses, and came to the mild valleys and running couple of hours or so. Afterwards we got up and waters again. We had several other pleasant days had breakfast with plenty of hot coffee, which was at Meiringen, Lungen, Rosenlami, and further on not unwelcome. It was then bitterly cold, very before our return. thick in mist, and snowing fast. It cleared off later, and we all went to the Rhone Glacier with gtoncerf. Mr. Guide. As we got lower down on to the ice The annual School Concert took place on Dec. the air cleared up, and we had some fine peeps towards Gleitsch. The way down to the ice is igth in the College Hall. The attendance was very fairly clear, following the guide over huge rugged large, about two hundred invitations being accepted boulders like we see on the coast, but, all the same, over and above the usual number. Among those I fancy we should soon have lost ourselves alone, present were the Dean, Canon Knox-Little (who

THE VIGORNIAN.

had just returned from South Africa), the Mayor to all those who had helped to make the concert a and Mayoress, and many others interested in the success. Particularly was he grateful to the old School. The O.V.'s, moreover, were in greater boys who had been able to come back and help. prominence than usual, both on the platform and Mr. Watts, who for many years had accompanied, among the audience. The programme was quite was not able to come, but they were grateful to as well executed and contained even more variety Mr. T. Cook, who had taken his place. They than that of last year. Following precedent the welcomed with special pleasure Mr. Hargraves, concert opened with " Floreat Schola Vigorniensis," who had just returned after his experiences in China, and concluded with the National Anthem and and in spite of the five bits of Chinese shell he had " Auld Lang Syne." received, he had been able to play so brilliantly the Mr. H. J. Hargraves (O.V.) was loudly applauded piece he played there ten years ago. It was a for his solo, which was a marvellous piece of pleasure to welcome him after his promotion for execution, considering the five bits of Chinese shell distinguished service during the recent operations. he had received. W. Shuttleworth played a violin The Headmaster also referred to Mr. Price and solo in good taste, and shows great promise for Mr. Geoffrey Webb, to his indefatigable colleague, the future. Mr. E. W. Price (O.V.j played three Mr. Rammell, and Mr. G. H. Smith for his coach'cello solos, which were far above the average. ing of the glee class. He wished all visitors a It is a good augury for coming concerts that we Happy Christmas, and the boys as happy a one as shall have so good a cello player near at hand. was deserved at the end of a very prosperous term. Mr. Geoffrey Webb (O.V.) came over specially The following was the programme:— from Hereford and delighted all by his beautiful PART I. tenor voice. To one of his songs (" Till Death ") I.—School Song " Floreat Schola " Rev. E. Vine Hall. a 'cello obligato was played by Mr. Frank Hadley 2.—PiaiwSolo,' 'Andante and Rondo Capriccioso" Mendelssohn. (O.V.). H. J. Hargraves (O.V.) 3.—Quartette, " Maiden Listen" C.F.Adam. Among the boys, Larr stood far and away ahead W. Scalding, F. M. Webb (O.V.), Rev. C. T. of anybody else. His song by Sullivan was encored, Powell, G. H. Smith (O.V.) and it was a surprise that " Who is Sylvia " was 4.—Song, "Who is Sylvia" Schubert. O. G. Larr. not served likewise, since the song seemed to suit "Holly Berries" W.J. Westbrook. 5.—Part Song, his voice almost to perfection. G. M. Jeans and Singing Class. 6. - -'Cello Solo, " Notturno" Chopin. H. Bruorton sang a nigger song, supported by a 7.—Song, " Song of Hybrias the Cretan " /. W. Elliot. chorus, well in tune and with good tone. (Translated from the Greek by Thos. Campbell.) W. A. Telfer (O.V.) Of the quartettes, "The Three Chafers" was 8.—Quartette, " Strange Adventure" A.Sullivan. the most popular, and was tremendously applauded. (From the " Yeomen of the Guard.") O. G. O. Larr, W. Spalding, T. E. Rammell, Mr. W. A. Telfer (O.V.) rendered "The song of G. H. Smith (O.V.). Hybrias the Cretan " with great gusto. The Rev. 9.—Song, "Till Death" A. Mascheroni. Geoffrey Webb (O.V.) C. T. Powell sang BlumenthaPs "My Queen" ('Cello obligato by Mr. Frank Hadley, O.V.). excellently—he is another great acquisition to our 10.—Song and Chorus, " Santy C'.aus is coming 'fore de morning " M. P. Hunter. concerts, and gave great help in the quartettes. G. M. Jeans and H. Bruorton. The Singing Class was in good form, the tone PART II. produced being above the average. At the close the Headmaster, the Rev. W. H. II.—Part Song, "England Yet" Julius Benedict. Singing Class. Chappel expressed the pleasure it gave him to 12.—Violin Solo, " Playfulness " Orlando Stimpson. welcome such a goodly gathering, and his thanks W. Shuttleworth.

THE VIGORNIAN. "My Queen" Blumenthal. Rev C. T. Powell. 14.— Quintette, " Ladies sigh no more " R. /. S. Steevens. W. Spalding, F. M. Webb (O.V.), T. E. Rammell, Esq., Rev. C. T. Powell, G. H. Smith (O.V.). 15. — Part Song, " Spring's Return '' Smart. Singing Class. <: -^ 11 c i I (a ) " Salut D' Amour " E. Elgar. 16.- Cello Solo, {^«< T a r a n t e l l a » E. W. Price (O.V.) 17. —Song, " The Maiden's Story " A. Sullivan. O. G. O. Larr. 18.— Quartette, " The Three Chafers " Truhn. W. Spalding, T. E. Rammell, Rev. C. T. Powell, G. H. Smith (O.V.) 19. — Song, " Lend me your Aid " Chas. Gounod. (Recit and Air from Irene). Geoffrey Webb (O.V.) 20.— Part Song, " Good-night " Carulli. Singing Class. 21. — National 'Anthem. " Auld Lang Syne." 13.—Song,

Song ,

'.. " The Admiral's Broom " Olds and Chorus. Violin Solo " Lied ohne Worte " Adlington. Recitation ... " The Awful Fate of the Champion Bicyclist " Seddon and Bruorton. " The Tin Gee-Gee " Song Olds and Chorus. A Short Play " The Dentist's Den " Scene: Mr. Grabbifs Operating Room. Dramatis Personse : " Mr. Grabbit ... (A Dentist) West Mr. Jorkins ... (His Assistant) . ... Mountain Sam (The Boy) Stevens i. Mr. Smith (A Patient) Webster

ESPITE a brilliant and unprecedented victory over Dean Close in the last match of the season, it is impossible to feel quite satisfied with the results attained last term. §fovm The opening match at Hereford ended in an unlucky pijjE are fortunate in being able to state that defeat through a chance shot from half-back taking there are at present several enterprising effect, and confidence was expressed in the team members in the School. This was being able to" take ample revenge in the return apparent towards the close of last term fixture ; but that confidence evidently spread to the in the laudable efforts which the members of the members of the team and no training was thought Third Form made to increase the School Gymnasium necessary, with the result that Hereford—who had trained hard for a fortnight—easily won the match. Fund. The Dean Close match at Cheltenham we would At, as is generally believed, the suggestion of their form master (the Rev. C. T. Powell), it was willingly leave alone, but the score (8—o) must be decided to give a " Grand Variety Entertainment" mentioned to emphasize the brilliant victory in the on December ist. The tickets for this "(restricted return match. The lesson taught by Hereford the previous to members of the School) were at such popular week had taken effect, and the team, having prices—3d. and 6d.—that nearly eighty were issued, the total proceeds, to the amount of ^i I2S. 5d., indulged in a little training, were hopeful of keeping being ultimately handed over to the Gymnasium their opponents' score within reasonable limits. Fund. The School House Dining-hall, kindly lent There was no score until the last fifteen minutes, for the occasion by the Head iVlaster, was, therefore, when superior condition told and the School put on well filled when the entertainment commenced, and three goals, thereby breaking the long record of we may safely add that the audience was far from successive defeats from our Cheltenham rivals. The other victory came as the result of the Old disappointed at the close. Boys' match, a game which produced but little The parts were well learned and acted, the renderings of Webster, Olds, and Stevens i. being excitement until the last few minutes. There is no doubt that /he team suffered much especially appreciated and applauded. The whole by the frequent changes necessary in the composition reflected great credit on the performers and Mr. Powell, who very kindly played the accompaniments. of the eleven. The early practice games left the We may here take the opportunity to congratulate impression that a place in the team was not thought to be worth trying for, and that some of the players the Third Form on their enterprising energy. A programme of the entertainment is subjoined : only turned out to get a little fresh air. In goal and at back the School was well served, Old Sea Song "The Mermaid" but the halves seemed to ignore the existence of the The Third Form Philharmonic Society. five forwards in front of them, although it should be Duologue in Character ... " The Value of Wooden Legs " said that the front rank, with one exception, seemed Jack Crump ... (A Pedlar) Webster to expect the ball to come straight to them, and at The Old Rector Beauchamp

THE VIGORNIAN. the approach of an opponent the rule was to get rid of the ball anyhow and anywhere. Many an opening was lost through bad shooting and the disinclination to risk a charge, while the corners were almost invariably placed behind simply from want of a -little practice. In spite of these criticisms the team was an improvement on that of last year ; and now that football reigns instead of hockey, we may confidently expect better results in the future. Critiques of the various players are appended :— H. D. Day (i.)—Set a good example as Captain. A good and safe back, using both feet with great effect. Rather too fond of risky over-head kicks. H. Sweet-Escott (i.)—Was a great success at centre-forward and should develop into a first-class player. Can also play back, where he is a fearless tackier. H. Rowe (i.)—A steady and consistent player with great promise. Played a beautiful game against Dean Close. Rather slow and should use his weight more. T. Sweet-Escott (ii.)—Rather disappointing. Might display more keenness. Very good shot. F. L. Steward.—Good tackier, but bad shot and slow in the field. Always in his place. F. Telfer.—Very safe in goal, especially good at ground shots. Keen tackier at half. N. M. Fergusson (i.)—General utility man. Able to play in any position but best at back, where he tackles fearlessly and kicks well. Very safe in the Dean Close match. W. Shuttleworth.—A very good shot when his opponents are not near. Afraid of hard work and generally off-side. D. Fergusson (ii.)—Capable of playing a very good game if he would train more and also keep his temper. Must practise with the left foot. B. G. Stevens (ii.)—Very slow and afraid of the opposing backs. Passes neatly but is a weak shot. C. Williams.—Shoots strongly with either foot. Must use his pace more and not be afraid of getting upset. C. C. Dickson.—Kicks well with his left foot but very weak with the right. Played some good games with Day i., but quite useless without him. Very slow. G. D. Day (ii.)—Should develop into a brilliant player. Tackles well, is always in the right place, and plays to his forwards.

W. A. Fergusson (iii.)—Passes well but is very slow and easily knocked off the ball. Weak shot. W.C.K.S. v. H.C.S. On October 28th the ist XI. journeyed to Hereford and a very exciting game resulted. Hereford won the toss, and playing down the hill with wind and sun behind them at once began to press. The School soon attacked on the left wing, gaining a corner which was well placed by Fergusson ii. and from which Fergusson i. just missed with a good header. Hereford continued to attack but half-time arrived with the score-sheet blank. The School attacked strongly on the resumption with no success, but ten minutes from time a long shot from Giles at half opened the score for Hereford. The game now became very interesting but there was no more scoring, Hereford just winning i—o. The game, which was spoilt by the high wind, was characterised by Day's fine display at back and the good defence of our halves. The forwards, though working hard, failed td get up any combination and several of their passes went very erratic.

W.C.K.S. v. DEAN CLOSE. This match was played away from home on November loth, and resulted in a win for Dean Close by 8 goals to nil. It will be seen from the score that the game was one-sided, but this was partly accounted for by the fact that our centreforward (Escott ii.) injured himself before the game began. This loss, together with the large ground, quite paralysed the forward line; but yet the forwards might have done much more if they had shown more dash and energy. Of the half-backs Fergusson ii. played a hard game and put in some useful work. The backs (Day i. and Escott i.) offered a sound defence, but they never had a moment's rest, the Dean Close left wing being most persistent in its attacks. In the second half Fergusson i. went up from goal to centre-forward, a change which did something to relieve the pressure on our goal. Score at half-time, 5—o ; Final score, 8—o. W.C.K.S. v. MR. G. ARTHURE'S XI. On November 3rd, Mr. Arthure brought a strong XI. against the School, who were playing masters.

THE VIGORNIAN. His team was gathered from Malvern and Worcester, and though a little one-sided, the game was very interesting and enjoyable. During the first half the scratch XI scored three goals, and were pressing most of the time, though the School made one or two attacks, and nearly scored once. During the second half, the game was much more even, both sides scoring twice, the School through Fergusson ii. and Mr. Rammell. For the School Fergusson ii. played a fine game at half, and Mr. Rammell and Mr. Jarrett were good forward. Telfer was not up to form in goal however. For the visitors, the left half and back were very good, and too good altogether for our right wing. Caldwell at centre was the best of the forwards. The final score was 5-2.

W.C.K.S. v. MR. JARRETT'S XI. On November 21st Mr. Jarrett brought a team against the School selected from the staffs of our own and the Grammar School. The game was very one-sided, as the School was not at all full strength and played very faint-heartedly. At halftime the score was 2-0. After this the School scored once and the opposing team four times, twice from corners. No one was particularly good for the School, who were rather off-colour.

W.C.K.S. v. HEREFORD C.S. The return match with Hereford was played on our ground on December 8th, and resulted in a victory for our visitors by 5 goals to 2. In the opening portion the game was keenly contested. Hereford scored first from a corner and Williams soon equalised for the School. From another corner Hereford took the lead and scoring once more in very simple fashion, had a good lead at half-time (i—3). Hereford almost immediately increased their score, first from an individual run and then from a penalty. Escott i. replied with a good goal, but when time was called the School were badly beaten. Hereford owed their victory more to their ability to last well than to anything else, and the result clearly emphasised the fact that several of our team had not trained for the game. W.C.K.S. v. O.V.'s. Played on December 5th, and after an interesting game the School claimed its first victory of the season by 3 goals to 2. Within a few minutes of the start the score was opened by Escott i. and

shortly afterwards Day i. increased the score from a penalty. Even play followed until shortly before half-time when the Old Boys scored their first goal. In the second half the game was very uninteresting until the score was equalised when both teams played much better than before. Fifteen minutes from the end Fergusson I. scored the winning goal with a fine cross shot. Helped by free kicks from several silly fouls, the Old Boys nearly scored on more than one occasion, and but for Day's fine tackling would probably have won the match. For the Old Boys, who were weakly represented, Day and Baylis were very prominent, the latter finding it an easy matter to get round Fergusson ii. who was decidedly offcolour.

W.C.K.S. v. DEAN CLOSE. This return match was played on the New Road Ground on December I5th and the result was a fine victory for the School by 3 goals to nothing. In the first half there was no score, many attacks being initiated by both sides with but little result. Early in the second portion the School began to settle down to some good attacking and soon Williams scored. Our cheers had hardly ceased when after a sharp attack by the visitors, Rowe i. scored the second goal with a beautiful shot. Dean Close now seemed to lose heart and Escott ii. scoring once more the School had the great satisfaction of claiming its first victory over its rivals from Cheltenham. The School was indebted for its victory to the fine defence shown in the first half and to Rowe's brilliant goal by which the game was undoubtedly won.

In the middle of last term, some of us attempted successfully to form a Chess Club, and with the sanction of the Head Master it was started. Having obtained the help of Mr. Jarrett, those who were interested in the formation of a Chess Club met in the 3rd Form room, when it was decided to have a tournament. In this there were twelve competitors, which seems rather small, yet it is scarcely disappointing as it was many years since a Chess Club had been in existence in the School. As it was agreed by all, no subscription was raised for a prize. The matches were played during the latter part of the term with great enthusiasm, each boy playing 3 matches in a week. Berkeley i. came

THE VIGORNIAN. out top of one division easily and Dash, after a hard fight with Fergusson ii., was top of the other. The final between Berkeley i. and Dash was played in 3 matches, Dash winning the first and Berkeley i. the other two. Two prizes were kindly given by the Masters. This term another tournament was arranged. A subscription was raised and the competitors were handicapped in accordance with their merit. All the matches were finished soon after the half term.

Jlccotmf.

EXPENDITURE.

Dec. i8th. Large (papers) ,, i8th. Walter and Houghton (books) ,, igth Baylis & Son (Vigornian) ... Cheque Book ... ... ... Secretary's Expenses Jan. 21st. Balance (in Bank) „ (in hand)

£ s. d.

.. .. ..

2176 4 14 6 6 18 6 0 2 0 o I 6 II 8 o o o 9J £26

W. A. T. JARRETT, Hon. Treas. Audited and found correct, WM. HAIGHTON CHAPPEL, Jan. 25th, 1901. Headmaster.

' gol'imtn.

RECEIPTS. 1900. September. Balance in hand Subscriptions from Boys

. .

£ s. d. ii 14 oj 15 18 6 ^27 12 6J

EXPENDITURE. 1900. Sept. ;th. Footballs „ 28th. P. Foley, Esq. (half-year's rent) Oct. 4th. Shillcock (Goal nets) ,, (Goalkeeper's Gloves) „ iilh. Secretary's expenses ... Nov. loth. Ferry for Hereford Team Maytum (School photos) ... 3oth. Littlebury (Printing) . Cooper (Silver Shield on Cup) Berrow's (Printing Cards) Water Rate Shillcock (Football) 901 Jan . i th. Spalding (Goal post) ...

£ •• d. 3 10 o 5 o o

3 6 o 9 3 0

...

o 15 o i 5 o o 4 o O II 3 0 IO 0 II

° 3 o o 6 2

Sambrook (Balls repaired) O 12 O Berrow's (Football Cards) 26th, Bennett (Cricket photo) o 3 3 Mann & Son (repairing Tennis Marker) ° S 0 Balance •. II 0 lOj £27 12 6|

T. E. RAMMELL, Hon. Treasurer. Examined and found correct, W. H. CHAPPEL. Head Master. Feb. l6th, 1901.

Jlccotmf. Third Term, 1900.

RECEIPTS. Oct. 3lst. Balance Dec. iSth. O.V. Club (per F. W. Webb, Esq.) ... Jan. 21st. Per Headmaster— -Subscriptions ... II 7 6 Vigornians I 19 o Pound o 4 3J

£ s. d. 8 2 6 4 9 6

13 10 94

£26

2 9J

£OUR more months have passed, particularly eventful months for us at home, and still the Boer War drags along. We are fortunate in having no further casualties to chronicle, although several Old Boys are still at the front and have seen some hard service. Possibly we may see them back in time for next Prize Distribution, or, more probably, the next O.V. Dinner! The Dinner, on January loth, passed off well, and was voted a great success. One extra and very appropriate toast was included in the list this year, " Her Majesty's Forces," eloquently proposed by Aid. Baker and replied to by Col. Needham and Paymaster Hargraves. The latter gave excellent proof, by his brilliant pianoforte solos, that his hand, though damaged by a Chinese shell, had by no means lost its cunning. How impossible it seems that the toast of" The Queen " has been given for the last time, and that next year we shall drink to " His Majesty's Forces" ! It was hoped that by this time the Committee would be able to announce that the Gymnasium was in the builder's hands, but unfortunately, subscriptions have come in so slowly that the possibility of having to abandon the scheme altogether looms in the distance. The only way to avoid this unhappy eventuality is for Old Vigornians to make up their minds that the Gymnasium shall be built, and subscribe accordingly/ Subscriptions for 1900-01 became due on October 7th, 1900, and those still unpaid are therefore much overdue. Those who have not yet paid are earnestly requested to do so at once.

O.V. O.V. NEWS. G. W. H. Bird (1882-86), M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., has been appointed Surgeon to Bridgwater Infirmary.

THE VIGORNIAN.

J. T. Chamberlain (1885-93), Indian Civil Service, has been transferred from Saugor to Bhandara, Cf.P. C. T. E. Clarke (1883-86), Solicitor and DeputyRegistrar of the Diocese of Worcester, has been appointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury to be a Notary Public. H. J. Hargraves (1888-90), Paymaster, R.N., has been appointed to H.M.S. " Perseus," on the East Indian Station. The Rev. Canon Spooner (1863-67) has been appointed Chaplain to the Bishop of Liverpool. O. I. Blackford (1876-79) has been elected a Fellow of the Institute of Journalists. He has also been elected unopposed on the Truro City Council. MARRIAGE. RIMELL—WRIGHT.—On the 6th inst., at St. George's, Stockport, by the Rev. J. H. Thorpe, B.D., assisted by the Rev. A. J. Phillips, B.A., Richard Francis Twinberrow Rimell, of Tedney, Whitbourne, Worcester, to Agnes Emma, eldest daughter of Thomas Wright, Esq., of Shaw Heath House, Stockport. DEATHS. SMITH-CARINGTON.—February gth, Richard SmithCarington, J.P., D.L., F.S.A., of Ashby Folville Manor, Melton Mowbray, High Sheriff of Leicestershire, aged 76. QUARTERMAN.—January 17th, at Port Elizabeth, South Africa, Percival, eldest son of the late A. R. Quarterman, aged 32.

Nine new members have joined since the last issue of the " Vigornian "— H. F. P. Clarke (18861891), Ombersley Road, Worcester; H. C. Collier (1895-1900), 6, Hoch Alice, Harvesterhude, Hamburg; H. A. Counsell (1884-1887), Town Head, Appleby; L. F. Garton (1895-1900), Gatefield, Clarendon Road, Lewisham; A. R. Littlebury (1879-1881), Red Hill, Worcester; H. A. Richings (1890-1898), St.Clement's Rectory, Worcester; The Rev. J. F. Teakle (1866-1872), Droitwich Road, Worcester; A. E. Webb (1891-1803), The Fort Royal, Worcester, and J. K. Woodward (1872-78), 122 Mercers Road, Holloway, N. At the general meeting of the Club, the following Hon. Sees, were appointed to arrange matches with the School—Cricket: M. Webb (London Road); Football: H. C. Baylis (Stephenson Ter-

race); Rowing: H. A. Lewis (Comer House, St. John's). Wanted :—A few copies of last " Vigornian " (November, 1900). If any members can spare their copies, the Hon. Sec. would be glad to receive them.

$i?mttasium. Amount required, ^400.

£ s. d. £ s. d. Amount paid or promised down to November yth, 1900 (see list in November " Vigornian,'' page 20) 205 18 6 Additional Subscriptions (to March 1st, 1901)— The late Headmaster (The Rev. W. E. Bolland, M.A.) I I o The Staff— Mr. R. M. Beach-Hicks o 16 3 M r . G H . Smith 0 7 6 i 3 The Third Form— I 12 Old Vigornians— Mr. P. Adcock I I O o 10 6 Mr. G. W. H. Bird ... I I O Mr. C. T. E. Clarke (2nd donation) Mr. W. E. Cooper ... o 10 6 o IO O Mr. A. C. Darling ... o S ° Mr. C. Davenport I I O Mr. F. J. Dingle o 5 ° Mr. E. P. Driver Mr. C. J. W. Griffiths o ID 6 o 5 ° Mr. Selwyn Driver ... Mr. W. F. Harwood ... o 2 6 Mr. H. Holloway 0 S 6 I I O Mr. T. J. Jones-Williams 0 5 ° Mr. A. F. Lewis o 5 o Mr. A. T. Marshall ... o 5 ° Mr. A. D. Melvin Mr. J. S. Partington ... 2 2 0 I I O Mr. A. C. Peake o 5 o Mr. J. E. Peniston ... I I O Mr. J. D. Powell o 5 ° Mr. C. Simpson o 5 ° Mr. S. G. Simpson ... Mr. S. Southall 5 o o The Rev. Canon Spooner I I O I I O Mr. W. H. Stallard ... Mr. B. B. Tilley I I O Mr. O. H. Vevers ... o S ° o IO O Mr. W. R. Wagstaff ... I I 0 Mr. P. B. Wright ...

— 23 i 6

Parents (past and present)— Mr. E. Adlington Mrs. W. Browne Mrs. G. Clarke Mrs. Dash The Rev. G. A. K. Simpson The Rev. J. Webster The Rev. W. J. Worster ...

o o o o O IO o O IO 6 O IO 6 —

Other Subscribers— Mr. Martin Abell Mr. F. Barnitt Mr. R. Clarke Mrs. C. Wheeley Lea

I I I 20

S 14 o

o o o o

— 23 3 o Total

£261 14 2

THE VIGORNIAN. Mr. A. H. Halford promises a Trapeze and Pair of Parallel Bars. The Rev. C. E. Hopton promises a Pair of Parallel Bars.

Further Subscriptions are most urgently needed, and may be sent either to the Headmaster or to the Hon. Sec., O.V. Club (Sunnyside Road, Worcester).

Mr. W. R. Jourdain (O.V.) has very kindly presented to the School Library through Mr. Webb, a Year Book on New Zealand, for which we are very grateful. The following extract from his letter may be of interest : "Thanks for the " Vigornian," just received. I am glad to see the old School is going along so well and hope it will continue to prosper. I am forwarding you a Year Book for the Colony which I think, will prove rather interesting You will see in it our contribution to the Army in South Africa ; and though about 20O of these have now returned invalided and through other reasons, yet a 6th contingent is now being formed here of 525 men, which will replace those who have returned and keep our force well up to 2,000 men. The martial spirit is very strong in New Zealand, and we have now about 15,000 volunteers efficient and another 5,000 recruits. In Wellington alone, there are at present 500 infantry, 60 mounted rifles, 60 engineers, 80 field artillery, 200 naval artillery, 25 cycle corps and bearer corps, &c., and outside the City there are numerous country corps available. You will see from the stamp on the envelope that universal penny postage has at last been introduced into New Zealand, though Australia has not yet joined in it. There have been great celebrations over the Commonwealth, as you have seen by this, but I do not think New Zealand at all likely to join in the Federation, though we have sent over a contingent of 100 "men and innumerable visitors to show our friendship. What our Premier, Seddon, wants is a South Sea Federation with New Zealand at the head of it, to include Fiji, Tonga, Cook Island, and all other British Islands in the Pacific. My brother Harold (O.V.) is still in the Army Medical Corps, stationed at Green Point Hospital, Capetown, and has not yet been able to get to the front. Faithfully yours, W, R. JOURDAIN."

(From the Worcester Daily Times, Jan. i ith, 1901). The twelfth annual dinner of the Old Vigornians was held on January loth, 1901, at the Star Hotel, when a goodly number of Old Boys enjoyed a pleasant reunion. Last year the dinner did not take place owing to the war and other causes. Among those present were some whose school life dated back to 1853 and others representing the Navy and India. Lieutenant-Colonel J. L. Needham (London) was chairman, Mr. J. G. Shield (Worcester), vicechairman, and the guest of the evening was the Rev. W. H. Chappel (Head Master of the School). Others present were the Revs. C. T. Dimont, J. F. Teakle, and J. Went, Messrs. A. Baker, M. Bates, T. J. Bennett, A. P. Bolland, W. E. Branthwaite, R. C. S. Carington, C. T. E. Clarke, G. G. Clarke, H. F. P. Clarke, H. C. Collier, A. C. Darling, F. J. Evans, F. Everill, F. A. George, D'A. Halford, H. J. Hargraves, P. H. P. Hayes, H. Holloway, Walter Holland, D.Ingram-Halford, E. H. IngramHalford, R. T. Keen, R. A. Koechlin, H. A. Lewis, A. R. Littlebury, A. H. Masterman, H. B. Minshull, L. R. Needham, W. B. Needham, G.J. Newman, J. W. Newth, R. J. Oliver, W. Parker, A. C. Peake, J. D. Powell, H. E. Powell, E. W. Price, H. A. Richings, J. G. Rusher, S. Southall, C. A. Steward, W. A. Telfer, W. A. S. Walsh, F. W. Weaver, A. Webb, A. E. Webb, F. M. Webb, F. W. Webb (hon. sec.), W. H. Webb, J. H. West, and J. Wilesmith. There were numerous apologies for absence. The Chairman proposed the " Queen," which was musically honoured. Aid. Alfred Baker (Tewkesbury) proposed " Her Majesty's forces," rejoicing at the way in which the toast was put. They had been told in the past that the navy was the first line of defence, the police of the seas, that the army was small but good—some hypercritical people said it was the most expensive on the face of the earth. (Laughter.) The auxiliary forces, they were told, were butterfly shooters, fine-weather soldiers, bread-and-cheese warriors. He thought they had proved themselves something more. (Applause.) As to the Navy, Mr. Baker said that whether on land or sea, in the midst of South Africa, and, as Paymaster Hargraves would tell them, in China, they had done and were always ready to do their duty. (Applause.) As to the Army, he once felt great anxiety that their little and good Army would be swamped if England came into conflict with one of the great European Powers,

THE VIGORNIAN. but Lord Beaconsfield came to the front with his were at ordinary target practice. If the occasion wise foresight, and when he saw the high-bred should arise for the Navy to defend the interests of Indian ready to break caste to cross the sea and the Empire on the seas he was sure they would fight for the Empress Queen he had never seen, he follow the glorious example of their ancestors, and had no fear, for with India as a recruiting ground would not fail the Empire in the time of need. they could face any nation or combination of nations. (Applause.) The Volunteers were to defend the hearths and The Vice-Chairman proposed " Prosperity to the homes of their countrymen, and those hearths and Worcester Cathedral King's School." He said that homes were not only in England, Scotland, or j for many years the phrase " the prosperity of the Ireland, but in the Greater Britain across the seas. school" was associated with the name of Mr. (Applause.) Right well did the Volunteers come j Bolland, whose good work in connection with the forward to guard hearths and homes in distant corners I school would be long remembered. (Applause.) of the Empire. Mr. Baker remarked that the war || He had no doubt that the prosperity of the school had shown that the short service system, of which 1i would continue to be associated with the name of he was critical when Lord Wolseley introduced it, ' the present Head Master. (Applause.) They were worked well. The war had done more than could I glad to think that at the beginning of a new century have been done otherwise, in one lifetime or in two, i Mr. Chappel was in a very different position to that to federate the Colonies and the Mother Country. j in which Mr, Bolland found himself eleven years The Colonies had sent their sons, and the civilian | before. At that time the College ''Hall had only population had backed up the Army. Old Vigorn- ; just been recovered from the hands of the restorer, ians had come forward to do their share. (Applause.) : the number of King's scholarships had been halved, The Chairman, replying, referred to the way in ! and city politicians were busy with an impossible which the Volunteers had come conspicuously to the j scheme of amalgamating the school with another in front. Before the war began they knew they had the city. They had other things to think of now. a numerically strong body of Volunteers, alert, i (Laughter.) At the present time there was no intelligent, and well drilled, who could take obstacle in the way of the school's continued part in peace manoeuvres on an equal footing prosperity. Before speaking of the gains, Mr. Sheild with line regiments. They did not know how referred to the school's losses. He spoke of the great those men would shape in actual warfare, how loss the school sustained by the death of Mr. Henry they would stand war and the monotony of Clarke, for over 20 years senior mathematical camp life in the field. The Volunteers who had master. The greatest regard was evinced for Mr. gone to South Africa had shown that they could go Clarke by the Old Boys, and one of their chief through a campaign as well as regular troops, that pleasures in re-visiting the school was the genial the Volunteers were not only a fine body for home and warm greeting they received from him. Almost defence,but could furnish a useful contingent for any his last act was to show an Old Boy over the class foreign expedition. As to the navy, Mr. Hargraves rooms. If Mr. Clarke's death was a shock to his would respond and, he was sure, would face the friends, they had the comfort of knowing that death music in the same gallant way as he faced the found him, even as he would have wished, in harness. shells of the Chinese. (Applause.) It was no dismantled bark that crossed the bar, Paymaster Hargraves, R.N., responding for the when he put out to sea. (Hear, hear.) It was Navy, referred to the fact that in the recent evident from the published reports that the school disturbances in China the Australian colonies vol- was in a very satisfactory condition. A long felt unteered a gunboat. The British public had been want had been provided for by the building of the told of the deficiencies of the Navy in guns, ships, new class rooms, which, his contemporaries and and personnel. The worst aspect of the case had predecessors would agree, might, by a little energy been shown by the Navy League, with a view of on the part of the governors, have been supplied furthering the object of the League, and perhaps a before. (Hear, hear.) He hoped the new "class wrong impression had been given of the efficiency rooms did not reproduce the old which lacked no of the Navy. It had been his good fortune to see appliance for the disturbance of discipline. (Laughter.) a small naval engagement, when the odds were They had several doorways to one room, and several against them, and he could personally testify to the flights of stairs, facilitating attempts to flee from sterling qualities of the British bluejacket and justice in a manner that would no doubt be highly marine. (Applause.) He saw those men when shocking to the boys now at the school. (Laughter.) they did not know but that any moment might be Mr. Sheild referred to the effortsof the O.V.'s Club their last, as cool and collected at the guns as if they to provide a gymnasium for the school. Through

THE VIGORNIAN.

the energy of the Secretary, 500 circulars had been He had thrown himself with great enthusiasm into sent out, and the replies had been, for the most part, the work of the new chemical laboratory, and Mr. satisfactory, though about 80 per cent, had not Eve, a first-rate inspector, whose sympathy mainly replied. About ^200 towards the estimated cost lay with the modern side of education, when sent of ^400 had already been collected, and if the gym- down by the Oxford and Cambridge Board, paid nasium were eventually provided it would be a great Mr. Beach-Hicks a warm compliment for the way credit to the club, and should prove to other Old in which he had organised the science laboratory. Boys that the club was really of some use. One The school owed to those masters and other Old Boy said the only purpose he knew of a club members of the staff a great debt of gratitude. was to grill a chop. (Laughter.) Mr. Sheild went (Applause.) When they last met the walls of the on to refer to the war,and said they had to remember the new classrooms were just above the ground. Now price the country had had to pay, a reflection which the new buildings, fully equipped, had been in use reminded them of the loss they had sustained by the for a year. If he had to sketch the accommodation death of two Old Vigornians, Mr. E. H. Harrington again there was scarcely a point he would alter, and and Mr. J. E. Roan, the former of whom was that reflected immense credit on the architect, Mr. killed in action, and the latter died from fever. Parker. Turning to educational results, Mr. When the call for Volunteers was made, soon after Chappel said he did not attach overwhelming imthe outbreak of the war, they nobly volunteered, portance to paper results. They had not had an and they had given up their lives in the service of "annus mirabilis" of success by picked boys of the their country^; and all Old Vigornians deeply sixth form, but the steady progress of the rank and sympathised with their relatives. He had no doubt file of the school, and the way in which the boys that the suggestion of erecting a memorial tablet in | were placed in the examination lists, were sufficient the school hall would meet with general approval. proof of the steady and good work the school was (Hear, hear.) Mr. Sheild remarked with pleasure doing, and that it was fulfilling its function. They on the presence of Mr. W. H. Webb, of India, and had sent six boys to Oxford and Cambridge, and all of Mr. H. J. Hargraves, who was present at the but one had won financial help from the colleges to taking of the Taku forts. Their pleasure at seeing which they went. (Applause.) Four boys had Mr. Hargraves was the greater because they were taken commissions in the army. (Applause.) Of able to congratulate him on well-deserved pro- four or five on the Conway they had heard good motion. (Applause.) The Vice-Chairman, in reports. , Two boys entered the Veterinary College, conclusion, referred to the fact that the Old and others had gone in for engineering, telegraphy, Vigornian's dinner was now duplicated in London and law, and good reports were received of them. in the summer. (Applause.) Several others had entered lines of life Musical honours were given for the school, the perhaps less distinguished but not less important, in school chorus, " Floreat Schola," being sung, and for business and agriculture, and of those they received Mr. Chappel. excellent reports of their character, industry ,and efficiThe Rev. W. H. Chappel, responding, expressed ency. That he valued more than startling scholastic appreciation of the enthusiasm of the Old Boys for results of one or two picked boys. (Applause.) Turnthe old school. The two years since they last met ing to the school games, so important in the in Worcester at one of those dinners had been years formation of character, Mr. Chappel said last year of change for the school. One change had already the school was as successfnl or more successful than been feelingly alluded to by Mr. Sheild. The ever. At cricket, with boys only, they beat Hereschool had suffered an irreparable loss by the sudden ford School and Dean Close School, a school nearly death of their old and true friend, Mr. Clarke. He twice their size. Last term they began the football must express his own sense of personal loss, and of season rather despondently and were beaten by Dean deep gratitude to Mr. Clarke for the way in which, Close, butirithelastweekof theterm, for thefirsttime though an older man, he received him when he first in the history of the school, they turned the tables and came to Worcester as Head Master, and for the beat Dean Close by three goals to nil. (Applause) He faithful and loyal way in which he worked with him valued the persistence and perseverance which resulted in his first two or three years there. The staff had so satisfactorily. Mr. Chappel went on to refer to a changed considerably, but two old members of it, boy who failed for a scholarship, and who took a known to many present, were going as strong as ever, commission in the Militia when war broke out. In Mr. Rammell, who was the life of the cricket and foot- a few weeks he was sent to South Africa, and they ball, and the energetic teacher of the fifth form, and heard of him throwing up entrenchments with 50 of Mr. Beach-Hicks, to whom the. school owed much. the South Wales Borderers. Though he was only

THE VIGORNIAN.

20 he had now been picked out as Acting-Adjutant at Fourteen Streams. (Applause.) He (the speaker) cared more for that than for a scholarship. (Applause.) As long as he was Head Master he should spend his labour on the rank and file equally as much as on the top boy of the sixth form, hoping to turn out boys of character, who, though they might be duffers at books, would do their duty in Church and State. Turning from successes to requirements, Mr. Chappel said that the boarding house, for which they owed gratitude to Mr. Bolland and the Governors, was quite full. It had fulfilled its intention and more accommodation of the kind was necessary. As to the gymnasium, he said that a squad of 30 boys had been sent once a week to the City Club's gymnasium, and Mr. Hayes had been most enthusiastic in training them ; he could not have been more helpful if he had been an Old Vigornian. What they wanted was a gymnasium on the premises, through which every boy could be passed as a matter of course. Physical development was a national question. He should like every boy to be trained to shoot. (Applause.) He should like to have a Morris tube range, which he believed would cost about £10. The Head Masters' conference appointed a committee to approach the Government, and he hoped for help in that direction. If every young Englishman knew how to use a magazine rifle they could line the hedges and defy the world. (Applause.) He thanked the Old Boys for what they had done towards providing a gymnasium, and he hoped they would, by going outside if necessary, make the erection of the gymnasium possible within the next six months. He thanked Mr. Went, who initiated the movement, and Mr. Frank Webb, to whom he could not too warmly express his gratitude for keeping him in touch with Old Vigornians. Mr. Webb was one of those public-spirited men, who did not mind how much trouble they took. He had expressed his gratitude to his old school, and the school was grateful to him for what he did in connection with the club, in making a register of O.V.'s, and in carrying through the gymnasium scheme. (Applause.) Mr. Harold Webb, (Indian Civil Service), proposed " The Absent Ones," saying that for six years he had been unwillingly absent from these dinners, and, probably, he would be absent for many years to come. Absentees were divided into two classes, those who could come if they would, and those who would come if they could. Judging by the attendance, the numbers of the former must be smaller than usual. The absent O.V.'s were scattered about all over the world. There were countless O.V.'s who in business upheld the high standard of honour they

learnt at the old school. He trusted that class would never decrease. (Hear, hear.) He thought people in Worcester should take the opportunity at their door and give their sons the best education they could, because if they remained in Worcester they would be citizens of no mean city, and if they went elsewhere they would be citizens of the greatest empire in the world, and if they were to perform their municipal duties to the best advantage of the community they ought to have the best education that could be given them. The school from time immemorial had been a school for all classes. (Applause.) He assured them, having the personal experience of having spent six years 6,000 miles from Worcester, that it was cheering to O.V.'s scattered all over the world to know that their health was drunk at home at that annual gathering. To read the reports of those dinners brought home to them more fully than anything the permanence of their communion one with another. The Rev. J. Went proposed " The Chairman." They had the pleasure of being presided over by one of the older generation of O.V.'s and their obligation to Colonel Needham was increased by the fact that he had come down at considerable discomfort, having a bad cold, and had presided with grace, geniality, and kindly humour. (Applause.) Mr. Went referred to the gymnasium fund, and said he was not dissatisfied with the response to the circulars. The 80 per cent, must be reduced to 79, for Mr. S. Southall had promised ^5. (Applause.) Mr. Went suggested that a committee should be appointed to make a personal appeal. The Chairman, responding, said he had been amply repaid for any discomfort in coming by an extremely pleasant evening. He had to thank them for providing him with two very pleasant evenings, that and the dinner at the Holborn Restaurant in the summer. He endorsed what Mr. Chappel had said of Mr. Webb's public spirit and services in organising that club and the dinners. He proposed Mr. Webb's health. Mr. Webb, replying, said it was the spirit which animated O.V.'s that made the dinner a success. That was the best dinner they had had. He was sorry that Mr. P. Campbell could not be present, nor Mr. Thomas, a member of the C. I. V., whom he hoped to see. Altogether he had some 250 apologies. A pleasant musical programme was contributed to by Messrs. J. D. Powell, H. E. Powell, J. H. West, F. W. Weaver, F. M. Webb, W. H. Webb, A. E. Webb, W. A. Telfer, H. J. Hargraves, and H. Holloway, the last two named acting as accompanist.

THE VIGORNIAN.

* gfttB. The fifth general meeting of the Old Vigornians' Club was held at the Star Hotel before the dinner ; present—the Rev. James Went (in the chair), the Rev. C. T. Dimont, Messrs. A. Baker, A. P. Bolland, P. H. P. Hayes, E. H. Ingram-Halford, H. A. Lewis, J. G. Sheild, C. A. Steward, R. J. Oliver, W. A. S. Walsh, A. Webb, A. E. Webb, F. W. Webb, M. Webb, and W. H. Webb. The report and statement of accounts were read and passed, and on the recommendation of the committee two additions were made to the club rules. Messrs. H. C. Baylis, H. A. Lewis, and M. Webb were unanimously elected secretaries for football, rowing, and cricket respectively, and a resolution was passed in favour of having, if possible, a second O.V. cricket match, on a Saturday. The president, vice-president, auditor, one retiring member of the committee, and the hon. sec. were re-elected, and Messrs. H. A. Lewis and C. A. Steward were elected members of the committee in the place of Messrs. Bachelor, Higgins, Powell, and Southall (resigned).

It is not often it falls to the lot of the Editor of a School Magazine to be asked to review a book. But we willingly essay the task for several reasons, first because the author is an old King's Scholar, and secondly, it is a subject in which we personally are much interested. But we feel also some trepidation at undertaking such a task, for our knowledge of the subject is limited. "Worcester, the Cathedral and See" is the title of this little volume, and it is published by Messrs. Bell & Co., as one of their "Cathedral Series." We are not acquainted with this series ourselves, but must remark, that if all are up to this standard, the sale deserves to be rapid and increasing. The author, Mr. E. F. Strange, has treated his subject in a most able and scholarly manner. We were particularly struck by his description and criticism of the nave, which seems to us to partake of all the good qualities of a good commentary. The book first contains a history of the cathedral, then the treatment of the exterior, interior, and monastic buildings and precincts. There is appended a short notice of the see and its bishops, a list of priors and deans, and a note on the city. The arrangement of the book is very happy,

being grouped as it is under subjects, so that there is no difficulty in reference, whether the book is being used as a guide book on the spot, or as a commentary on the structure of the cathedral. The illustrations can only be described as splendid, consisting as they do of photographs, drawings, and reproductions of old prints. In reading through the book two omissions struck us. First, was any allusion to the supposed remains of the Saxon cathedral now in the slypes. The columns are quite distinct on both sides, and we certainly should have expected some notice of this. And secondly, there is no notice of the one decorated capital in the crypt. This is supposed by many great authorities to be the earliest decorated Norman capital in England. But the omissions are not serious, and do not detract from the value of a book that has given us much pleasant reading, and a fuller knowledge of the grand old cathedral under whose shadow we live.

Having been strictly enjoined by a remorseless editor to write an Oxford letter, without any introduction dealing with such a delightful subject as " The hypercritical spirit of the age," or attempting a definition of a solepsism, I will endeavour to restrain my restive pen and keep strictly to the point. Naturally, the first subject for discussion in an Oxford letter is the weather, but here I must submit to the inevitable, and merely remark that it has been no better or worse than the average. We are at present living in the hope of a flood in time for the loggers, without which the towpath cannot be fully appreciated. The Oxford O.V.'s have lately shewn remarkable keenness as " bug-shooters." Several members turned out both on the occasion of the Royal Proclamation and also the Queen's funeral at Windsor, where in common with the rest of the corps they were rewarded with a splendid view of the historic pageant. Turning to the individual performances, we have to offer our heartiest congratulations to the Rowing Members on their success, while at the same time we have to condole with them in their misfortunes. H. A. Lewis has this term been occupying the position of seven in the Hertford togger. With his usnal optimism he is endeavouring to persuade us, by various fallacious arguments, that his boat

THE VIGORNIAN. has the best of chances of going up head of the fetter. river. To the Editors of the Pigornian. We have similarly to congratulate H. A. Richings on gaining his togger colours for Worcester, though Dear Sirs, it is at present very doubtful whether he will be It is somewhat difficult to comply with the able to row owing to an injured hand. request of the Editor for an account of matters of Even more unfortunate is M. Bates, who rowed general interest since events, which seem important bow in St. John's togger last year and 7 this. A enough up here at the time of their occurrence, look few days ago we learnt with deepest regret that he painfully dull and uninteresting when recorded afterhad suddenly crocked and been obliged to go down. wards in black and white. The Lent races might His loss will be severely felt by St. John's, as he seem a promising subjedl at first sight, but no was quite one of the mainstays in their hopes of account can adequately describe the feelings of the spectator when charging wildly along the towpath, success. L. H. W. Sampson has been chiefly distinguish- bespattered with mud from head to foot, in the ing himself by his untiring efforts at coaching the midst of an excited throng, roaring itself hoarse to Hertford Boat. We feel perfectly sure that any deafening accompaniment of innumerable rattles, successes which it may obtain will be largely due bells, pistols, trumpets, megaphones, and anything to the experienced counsel which he so generously else than can produce sounds more or less musical, bestows on it. Perhaps his laudable efforts have he cheers on his boat to bumping-point, or utters not been quite appreciated, as we read in a 'Varsity sympathetic groans as he sees it being bumped — it weekly that "the Hertford togger are off their feed. is only then that the importance of these historic Sampsides has been coaching the crew ? " We events is realised. None of the three present presume there must be some connection between colonists from Worcester were rowing in the Lents the two remarks. Rumour has it, however, that this year, for Marshall has forsaken the river for the the President has requested him to take charge of more congenial atmosphere of the football field, the 'Varsity crew during the final stage of training. and we are glad to be able to congratulate him on We feel sorry for Cambridge, who will certainly gaining his college colours : he has also to be conbe unable to procure a coach of equal ability and gratulated on obtaining a first class in his General. King has been rowing in the 2nd best boat which distinction. Sidney tried to get on the river this year, but which As regards such a minor detail as " Schools," we was fated to lose the preliminary time-race against a may mention that he is one of those wretched Queen's and heat which aspired to the same place. beings who are about to embark on an attempt to He is at present unpleasantly conscious of the deceive the moderators. We devoutly hope that proximity of his rays, which examinations are, for his praiseworthy efforts may be entirely successful. some unknown reason, held at the end of the Lent No other members of the colony have been Term, and are much too close to be comfortable prominently to the fore of late, in fact a certain Simpson has been rowing regularly all the Term, undergraduate of Merton has shown such a retiring and has very efficiently stroked a 3rd Sidney eight, disposition that one must either suppose that he is whose stately procession down the Cam has evoked attempting to do more than his usual ten hours universal admiration from all who have had the work a day, or that he is purposely depriving us of ! privilege of beholding it : he is also by no means forthe pleasure of his company. The latter theory is, j getful of the claims of society and is often to be of course, quite untenable. found, when he can tear himself from his historical In conclusion, allow me to express our united best researches, entertaining an appreciative circle to the wishes for the success of the School Four in the delights of afternoon tea. approaching boat race. Not infrequently it has fallen to the lot of past Believe me, writers of these letters to describe the way in which Cambridge has taken its share in the festivities at Yours truly, the time of national rejoicings. Now, on the other NOVIOR. hand, when the nation is still mourning an irreparable loss in the death of our beloved Queen, it is impossible not to say that the cloud of sorrow rested no less heavily on Cambridge than elsewhere, and nowhere could deeper sorrow and sympathy have

THE VIGORNIAN. been manifested than was shewn both by University and Town. We hope that the report is true that you are sending up some candidates for scholarships this term and wish them every success : our numbers need reinforcing badly.

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 in the School, but a rigid compliance with this rule will be enforced.

To the Editors of the Vigornian. Dear Sirs,

Those of your correspondents who are interested in the " O.V. Colours " question will perhaps like to know what progress has been made. In all, some 25 Old Vigornians have bought the colours in one or many of the forms mentioned below. The number is not so large as was anticipated, but presumably the demand will be larger as the warmer weather comes on. I have just succeeded in obtaining a concession from the makers in the way of discount, and also some additions to the goods supplied, so that I am now able to give the following list: Hat Ribbons i£ inch 2/- ; 2 inch 3/Neckties i-^ inch (corded ribbon same as 2/hatband, but shorter) 1/6 \\ inches wide (made up) — — 3/6 1\ inches wide (made up) 4/9 Knitted Silk Ties4/3 Scarves _ _ _ _ _ g/_ Caps 3/6 Blazers 2y/I must ask those who wish for the colours to remember that they can be obtained only from the O.V. Club, and I would recommend an early application, as there is sure to be a large demand in the Spring. I am, Dear Sirs, Yours faithfully, FRANK W. ,WEBB, Hon. Sec. O.V. Club.

47 To the Editors of the Vigornian,

Dear Sirs, Will you allow me, through the medium of your columns, to make one more appeal to my fellow Old Vigornians on behalf of the School Gymnasium. When the Committee decided to raise the fund, it was thought that with the help of the parents and the Governors, there would be small difficulty in raising the necessary ^400. For my part, I confess I was even more sanguine, for I thought it was quite likely that Old Vigornians alone would subscribe the amount. Yet, at this late hour, when the Gymnasium ought to be half-built, in spite of three or four liberal subscriptions from outside, the whole amount collected is some ^260, including barely £100 from Old Vigornians. And this £100 comes from about 80 subscribers, so that, to our shame be it spoken, fully 400 Old Vigornians, including 120 members of the O.V. Club, have not subscribed anything at all to this—the best work an O.V. can do for his old School. I appeal to those who have not subscribed, but especially to those 120 members of the Club, to shew the School that we can do a great deal better than this. £140 will be needed yet—surely this will be forthcoming ? Yours faithfully, FRANK W. WEBB, Hon. Sec. O.V. Club.

To the Editors of the Vigornian.

Dear Sirs, I am personally much interested in all branches of aquatic sports—especially swimming—and may I here venture to ask one short question ? Is it not possible for school swimming races to be arranged next term ? I am sure large numbers would enter, and increased interest be aroused in this almost indispensable acquirement. Awaiting a favourable reply from the authorities, I am, Yours &c., " NIL DESPERANDUM."

THE VIGORNIAN.

To the Editors of the Vigornian. Dear Sirs, I should like to call the attention of the proper authorities, by means of your columns, to the attendance of spectators at the school matches last term. It appears a perfect scandal that when there are no games on as well, only a few boys turn up to shout. Moreover, on the only occasion on which a reasonable number were present, the school won, and members of the team confess to have been encouraged much by the " yelling." I should like to propose that in future the attendance of all boys below the and XI. should be made compulsory, just as if games were being played. I am, Sirs, Yours truly, " WE LIVE IN HOPE."

James Eaton Roan, Died of Fever at Mafeking, October 22nd, 1900; and Edwin Herbert Harrington, Killed in Action at Nooitgedacht October ijth, 1900. O.Vs. and members of the I.Y.

"DOMINE, IN MANUS TUAS." Hark ! Is not that the distant beat of drum ? Hear the wild cheering up the street! See ! here they come. Nearer and nearer sound the drums and brass, And now with swinging stride the gallants pass. On down the street swells the attendant roar, But sinks to murmurs at the Cathedral door. Onward the grey-clad ranks in silence march, And pass with reverence through the sculptured arch, Into Thine hands, O Lord. Then, as they move along the marble aisle, The organ's tones peal out in that vast pile, Filling the air with welcome to brave men, Coming to worship in God's House again Before they venture in that bitter strife, For Queen and country, for the Empire's life. Coming to place the dear ones left at home, Whilst they o'er sea and hostile country roam, Into Thine hands, O Lord.

Hushed all the tumult of the outer air ; A thousand voices join in psalm and prayer, Then soul-felt music fills the vaulted space, And silent tears steal down the loved one's face. The preacher speaks to men who nobly go To look into Death's eyes, nor fear the foe ; And then commits them in their hour of need To Him whose love and truth are help indeed, Into Thine hands, O Lord. On Afric's burning plains now see them stand, Eager to do the work that comes to hand, Be it the battle's front or lonely guard, In blazing sun or bivouac cold and hard. Enduring hunger, thirst, and fell disease More terrible than either, and of these Brave hearts, one sank beneath its hand, And nobly patient, passed out of the land Into Thine hands, O Lord. Across the rock-strewn veldt in wide array, The Army's eyes, the vanguard, makes its way, Doing the noblest work that soldiers can, Offering their lives to shield their fellow man. Sudden, a hundred chattering guns spit forth Their messengers of death in fiercest wrath. A hero falls—Ah ! cruel flying lead, Thou piercest other souls than his that fled Into Thine hands, O Lord. Bitter with wrath yet moved to tears by love That stirs fierce men below and saints above, His fellows bear him to his resting place, With grief-dimmed eyes and slow, reluctant pace ; Lay him in earth's calm breast with loving hands. The soldier priest among his comrades stands, And with the joyful hope that comfort lends, The soul of his dear brother there commends Into Thine hands, O Lord. Bid not the loving hearts to weep no more; Time's kindly hand will soothe the aching sore, And it were more than human to repress The sighs of grief in such deep bitterness. But bid them look beyond the earthly shell That did but hide the soul they loved so well, And see the spirit, freed from mortal cares, From sorrow, pain, and all the Tempter's snares, Safe in Thine hands, O Lord.

o.v.

THE VIGORNIAN.

:~ 0

Division A.

5 ^

-* M

-5 Q

o c

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Division B.

gussoniii

Dash Fergusson ii. Berkeley ii. Dutton Barker i. Larr -

__•

u ; ^ 03

Lost. Drawn.

Pts.

Posn

10 10 10

9 7 5

i 2 4

o 1 1

18 15 ii

I 2 3 4

10 10

3 o

6 9

i i

7 i

5 6

"P_ >

. w w w w w w W w w w 1 1 w w w 1 - - 1 w 1 w 1 1 1 w w w w 1 W 1 - - ! 1 1 w w - - 1 w 1 w 1 1 1 1 w 1 w 1 w 1 - - 1 w! 1 1 ~ ~ 1 1 1 1 1 w w 1

Berkeley i. De Fontaine Overell Fergusson iii. Jeans Chaytor

Won.

'«

Played.

10 10

5 5

° o 0 o

10 1 10 ) 81

5 5 6 6

First match between Berkeley i. and Dash. Won by Dash. Second ditto (played on Tuesday, December 18th, 1900, 4 p.m.) Won by Berkeley i. Third ditto ( ditto Wednesday, December igth, 1900, 4 p.m.) Won by Berkeley i. ist Prize, Berkeley i.

2nd Prize, Dash.

SECOND TOURNAMENT. .„.

;~ U

Competitor.

1 u PQ

u 03

w w

;

co u o rS

eft

= 1 X

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 w 1 1

1 1 - 1 w w 1 w 1 1 1 w 1 w d 1 w 1 1 w 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 -

Two points for a win and one for a draw.

w w

w w w

1 1

w w

1 w 1 1 1

^ "3 o

eft

w w

1 w

w w w w w w w w

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Berkeley i. Berkeley ii. Berkeley iii. Barker i. Dash Fergusson ii. Fergusson iii. Jeans Jollye MacNalty Morris -

1 d w 1

1 1

1 1 1 1 1 1 1

w w w w w w

i '5

™*

18 16 6 13 10

ISt

2nd

8 4 ), IO I 6 II 5 14 3 8 6 4 o

1 OL,

* Two points deducted for breach of rule.

3rd