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Che Uigorntan. THE WORCESTER CATHEDRAL KING'S SCHOOL CHRONICLE, ' r« [it i' CiCctKTH pui'Oavu, ra C tiiuirn 4i)r&, ra. c1 tvhTU Ttapct Otinv y

No. 112.

VOL. IX.

Contents. Editorial School Notes Junior Football Fives Gymnasium Notes Cricket Prospect Chess Notes ... ... Concert O.T.C. Notes Lecture Society Debating and Literary Society Francis Potter Past and Present A Strong Man's Sacrifice The Broken Fingered Musician to His Violin The Two Brothers The Complaint of Vigornia The Lament of the Bicycle Shed The Oxford Letter The Cambridge Letter O.V. News O.V. Reunion Old Vigornians' Club ... School Calendar School Officers Salvete Valete The Library Library Account Games Accounts Correspondence Contemporaries ... ••• " ...

PRICE is.

MARCH, 1925. Page

eattoriai.

377 3/8 379 379 380 380 380 3«i 381

The feature of this term has undoubtedly been its featurelessness. We came back determined to put aside what might remain of the " Christmassy feeling " and face the athletic events with which the term is honeycombed: to sweat out all traces of our Yule-tide dissipations by a gruelling course of training and then win undying fame for ourselves and our Houses. But even the chance of carrying, out this stern resolve has been denied.

384 385 386 386 386 387 387 387 388 389 389 389 39° 39" 391 39i 39' 392 392 393 39S

The first blow was dealt at those who aspired to fame on the " rugger " field. Our grounds across the river were making a brave attempt to become dry when the Severn, with a disregard for their feelings which bordered on brutality, insisted on covering them to a depth of at least three feet. While the rains which flourished about that time made equally unplayable our newly-acquired field on the London Road, where some hardy souls had been devoutly paying homage to the game despite the somewhat primitive arrangements there. The budding athlete then prepared to substitute for the laurels of " rugger " the bay-leaf fillet of the long-distance runner—or, in more prosaic language, to wind up his training for the " Ketch." Yet here again was disappointment. For within a week of the great event the School had become so decimated by a 'flu epidemic that any " Ketch " run would have been a mere farce, with a slender band of survivors toiling along to amuse a vast mob of convalescents, and receiving moral support from others yet

THE V1GORNIAN.

378

stretched on a bed of sickness. Half measures were of no avail, so that the race had to be cancelled for the year. In fact, our condemnation of the term as devoid of colour does not apply to this period at al!. With the roll of victims daily increasing—So, we believe, was the record number of absentees—there was about everything a pleasing abnormality. A camaraderie was established in a Form when it assembled after Prayers, only paralleled by that of the survivors of a forlorn cavalry charge. But to return to our subject of the aspiring athlete. Yet another shock was in store for him, but, fortunately, a less violent one; for the P.T. Competition, though for the same cause it had to be postponed, did eventually take place. Moreover, a final opportunity remained in the shape of the " noble art " itself, whose devotees had already been pawing one another in preparation. Both of these, however, you rightly point out, are amusements for the few; how did the many beguile the time? Firstly, we answer, there has been a boom in Fives, and it has at last been fully realized that we have three excellent courts which not only look very effective but can be used without risk. Secondly, the charms of the neighbouring scenery have once more proved capable of delighting the eye of the runner or walker. Finally, too, it was discovered that there was one thing that the rain had nor made too wet—the river : so the men of the oar again began to churn the wave and turn the feather. It seems the correct thing to draw a moral from the miraculous way in which we have weathered our disappointments and contrived to live without excitement. It also seems that the correct way to do this would be to point out that we have thus plumbed within ourselves those hidden resources of interest and entertainment that well up from within the human heart—you know the. sort of thing. But if the real Editorial opinion be sought it is this,—that it is perhaps rather a relief than a disappointment to be robbed of great events whose glamour is counter-balanced by a vast amount of nervous prostration. But still, we should not like to carry this too far, and it seems that the actual occurrence of some of these events has struck a pleasing mean between over excitement and inactivity. If nothing " big " at all had happened, that pestilential habit not unconnected with the vertical and horizontal combination of words might have snared us in our boredom,—and from that, at any rate, through 'flu and flood, we have remained comparatively free !

School Poles. It seemed at the beginning of this term that we were again destined to be completely overwhelmed by floods. On three separate occasions the New Road ground was under water and, had it not been for the recently acquired ground in London Road, there would have been hardly any Rugger at all. * * *

As it was, our activities in that direction were considerably restricted; pessimists .even asserted that Sports were off for this term. The weather seems, however, to have puJled itself together and we trust that the pessimists will prove guilty of an error of judgment. * * * But the curtailment of Rugger has had the welcome effect of stimulating interest in Fives. As a result, the general standard of play has improved considerably. The School Fives IV. are to be congratulated on their handsome victory over Bromsgrove School at Bromsgrove. si * * As usual in the Easter Term, we have suffered considerably from the ravages of influenza, which made it necessary to cancel • the Ketch Run. This was most unfortunate: the race had promised to be particularly close this year and great enthusiasm had been displayed in training for it, * » * The P.T. Competition had to be postponed for the same reason, but we were eventually able to hold it on Monday, March 2nd. For the fourth year in succession the Hostel carried off the Cup, though Castle House and Day Boys ran them very close indeed. We heartily congratulate the Hostel on their latest success. * » * The- O.T.C. held a field-day on the Malvern Hills on February 2<>lh. The weather, as usual, was fine ; in fact, field-day weather is becoming quite proverbial. * •# * We congratulate those members of the Corps who passed the practical part of the Certificate " A " Examination, held on Feb. if-th, and trust that they did equally well in the written part, which took place later. * # * As last year, Rowing started again at half-term and has been carried on assiduously since. The number of rowers has increased considerably and, under the able coaching of Mr. Strong and Mr. Bentley, we hope to turn out at least two excellent fours for racing purposes next term. We wish the prospective first IV. every success at Marlowe. * » » Chess has at last come into its own again, and we have taken part in three matches. The VI. put up a very good fight against our old rivals, the Blind College, who have an exceptional}1 strong team this year, while we won both the other two matches—with the Staff and Worcester City C.C. 2nd VI. * * * The revival of the Debating Society, which we noted last term, has been maintained; several very interesting and well-attended debates have taken place. A Dramatic Society has been formed in conjunction with it, though amateur theatricals are. not included in the programme. * * * The Lecture Society have been provided with good fare this term; amongst other lecturers we have had the

TftE VIGORNIAN. pleasure of hearing Mr. Thompson Seton and Mr. H. M. Abrahams, the well-known athlete. * * » The erection of the new Classrooms was completed shortly after the beginning of the term and they have already proved an inestimable advantage. Forms now go to masters instead of masters to forms; we believe that the new arrangement suits both parties concerned. * * * The Chappel Memorial Reading Room is now being erected and we look forward to its completion next term. It will be formally opened at the O.V. Reunion, an eminently suitable occasion.

Junior football. LENT TERM 1925. Once again the river has been too much for us. By a sudden flood, as quick and stealthy as the dagger-stroke of a medieval assassin, it has placed our fields under three or four feet of sullen-looking water, from which indeed they have but just emerged, slowly, as though a little ashamed of themselves. Therefore all our dreams of coaching promising material for next year's XV.'s, of snapping 3rd XV.'s and brilliant " Under i4's " have been shattered or rather submerged under three feet of Severn water. We have indeed had two Junior matches against Tredennyke School, which have served to remind us that such things as footballs still exist, and are not merely curious relics of a world as long forgotten as that of the old Stone Age. One grain of consolation we may extract from the past term: actual records and results, though they may be pleasant, can never bear comparison with those which we create for ourselves in the imagination—with those delightful glances into the Fairyland of " what may be, and what might have been." C.J.C.M., Captain. B.H.C., Secretary. FIRST XV. CHARACTERS. C. J. C. MOLONY (Capt,). A very sound leader. As scrum half he works well. Is a safe tackier and possesses a good pair of hands. B. H. CARTER (Threequarter). Variable. At times good —at others futile. T. A. DAVEY (Fly Half). Excellent. Speedy and possesses useful swerve. Responsible for many tries. Safe tackle. L. E. H. GODDARD (Back). Sound tackle and fair kick. Plays best when hard pressed. P. H. GRAVES-MORRIS (good Centre). Plays hard and knows the value of the cut through.

379

A. G. BAIN (Forward). On the light side but is steady and works hard. M. R. AINSLIE (Forward). Best forward in the side. Excellent in line out and scrum. C. F. C. ASHDOWNE (Forward). Hard working in the loose but might do more in the scrum. J. L. R. CROFT (Forward). Hard working. M. R. CRAZE (Forward). Sound and steady if rather slow. R. K. HOOPER (Forward). Good place kick. T. M. L. REDMOND (Threequarter). Speedy but lacks resolution. Apt to kick when he should attack. F. W. C. GETTINGS (Forward). Splendid in the pack but slow in the loose. B. H. WALLACE (Forward). Plenty of energy but too fond of the loose. Showy. D. H. PRESTON (Threequarter). lution in going for the line.

Speedy but lacks reso-

floes. Always the predominant game during this, the Easter, term, Fives has been treated, as ever, with unwavering keenness. Of the Competitions, the Open Singles are, as yet, unfinished; the Under 15 Singles were won by M. D. B. Royle very easily ; and the Doubles with Handicaps registered as winners G. K. Tattersall, Esq. (—22) and D. A. B. Hopkin (+20). After an interval of several years we re-opened our Annual Matches with Bromsgrove School by visiting them on March I4th. The result was an easy win for the School. First Pairs. C. L. Garnett L. W. Shorting ist Game 15 pts. 2nd Game 15 pts. 3rd Game 15 pts. Total

45 pts.

Second Pairs. R. K. Hooper C. E. Porter ist Game 15 pts. 2nd Game 15 pts. 3rd Game 15 pts. Total

Final Result. W.C.K.S. Bromsgrove

Bromsgrove ins. — — — —

o pts. S Pts. 5 Pts. 10 pts.

Bromsgrove ins. i pt. 4 Pts. 5 Pts. 10 pts.

6 Games o ,,

THE VIGORN1AN.

38o

6pmnasium Dotes. A convenient time has at' last been chosen at which to have the P.T. Competition. In former years, it has always been difficult to arrange for the training of squads, while other training was in progress. Doubtless, the best time is a month after the beginning of the Easter Term. This year, the date fixed was the 2ist of February, but unfortunately many of the squads were depleted at that time on account of the prevalence of influenza. It was, therefore, thought better to obtain a higher standard of efficiency in the squads by postponing the Competition until March 2nd. An Instructor from Norton Barracks kindly came down to judge the Competition and seemed thoroughly satisfied with the display, although of course it was not up to Army standard. The Hostel, who seem to have a peculiar knack for P.T. were successful in carrying off the Cup for the fourth year in succession, and were closely followed by Castle House and Day Boys. * * * C.S.M.I. Handley has spent much time in giving valuable advice to aspiring boxers in the Gymnasium on Tuesdays and Fridays. The enthusiasm for boxing seems to be becoming more widespread every year ; this year it was thought better to restrict the number of entries for the Boxing Competition, so as to get a better standard and save time in the actual competition. A system of House boxing teams has been organized by which each House may enter no more than two members in each weight. This cuts out the tendency for one House to win the Cup through sheer weight of numbers. Also a new method of scoring has been introduced, by which the winner scores two points and the runner-up one point. By this system each House has an equal chance of winning the cup.

P. H. GRAVES-MORRIS, Capt. of Gym.

Cricket prospect. It seems that a prayer for fine weather would be of more avail than all the prospecting in the world. The finest XI. imaginable will not be able to display its excellence unless the Clerk of the Weather proves amenable. But let it be taken for granted that this summer is going to make amends. If that is so, we should have a successful season. Of last year's XI.—if such a definite thing can be really considered to have existed—we have 8 left, while from the 2nd XI. there remain one or two fairly young players who should help to fill the other places well. That strength in batting which we succeeded in showing to be at any rate latent will, with any luck, become patent in the coming season. The weakness in bowling, which was certainly obvious enough last summer, should be eradicated, if there is any time for practice this year: assiduous practising

should produce at any rate one length bowler, a specimen which has been extinct for only too long. While as for our fielding, one more or less excusably takes it for granted that we shall not lose matches through this. It only remains hopefully to endorse the sentiment which prompted the poet to exclaim " O wind, If winter comes, can spring be far behind? "

CDess Rotes. About half-way through this term, the Rev. R. J. Whitaker played six games against members of the School simultaneously. Of these he won 3, lost 2, and drew i. His opponents were L. W. Shorting, i ; C. L. Garnett, i ; L. S. K. Ford, £ ; R. K. Hooper, o; A. S. Phelips, o; W. R. Chignell, o. * * * On Friday, March 6th, a team was sent up to the Blind College in an attempt to recover the Worcestershire Public Schools Chess Shield. We were at full strength and gave' the College a good fight. The games were as follows : — W.C.K.S. M. R. Craze K. N. Ross L. W. Shorting C. L. Garnett L. S. K. Ford R. K. Hooper -

o o o o £ o

BLIND COLLEGE. M. Bates R. Bonham A. Brace V. Nelson C. D. Wheeler E. E. Davis -

i i i i J i

On Wednesday, March nth, a match was played in the Sixth Form Room against the Staff. Owing to paucity of numbers, the Rev. R. J. Whitaker played two games simultaneously. The match resulted in a win for the School bv 3 games to i, one game being adjourned. The games were played as follows :— W.C.K.S. M. R. Craze K. N. Ross C. L. Garnett L. W. Shorting L. S. K. Ford -

- Adj. i i i o

STAFF. Rev. R. J. Whitaker Adj. Mr. A. D. Franklin - o Mr. S. D. Strong - o Mr. S. W. Whitehouse o Rev. R. J. Whitaker - i

On Thursday, March I2th, a match was played against the second team of the Worcester City Chess Club. Our team was strengthened by the inclusion of the Rev. R. J. Whitaker, and the match resulted in a win for the School by 4 games to 2.

THE VIGORNIAN. The games were played as follows :— W.C.C.C. II. W.C.K.S. Rev. J. C. Robertson Rev. R. J. Whitaker o Mr. J. B. Trent M. R. Craze i Mr. H. G. Perkins K. N. Ross i Mr. L. Sharpe L. W. Shorting i Mr. J. King C. L. Garnett i Mr. H. Mann L. S. K. Ford o

381

The Practical Examination was conducted this Term by Capt. L. A. W. Knight. The following were successful: i o o o o I

* * * The Annual Competition is in progress, and it seems unlikely that M. R. Craze will retain the cup this year.

Lance-Cpls. Sherwood. Davey. Ainslie. Peters. Darby. Hurford. The Written Examination took place on March 10. suits are not yet to hand.

PROMOTIONS. Cpls. Preston, Hooper, to be Sergeants. Lance-Cpls. Shorting, Garnett, to be Corporals.

Concert* Last term's concert, on December i8th, was a very pleasant affair. Its success was enhanced by the longneeded enforcement of a stricter system of entering and leaving the Hall, owing to which the delights of conversation at the back of the building and music in front were no longer indulged in simultaneously. The event of the evening was, of course, the School Choir's performance of Stanford's Irish Ballad " Phaudrig Crohoore." Let it suffice to say that in this the choir kept up to the high standard which 1t has set itself in the last year or two and paid yet another tribute to the unflagging care and attention of Mr. Day. But perhaps the most universally appreciated item of the whole evening was another for which we had to thank Mr. Day—his pianoforte solos, of which especially his rendering of a modern French composition, Debussy's " Cakewalk," evoked the warmest applause. The rest of the varied programme fell little below this standard. For the humorously-minded, the now wellestablished " Masters' Quartet " did all that could be desired. Mrs. Hill gave us, with her customary accomplishment, some delightful violin solos, to the accompaniment of Mr. C. Brown. Mr. Strong, in two songs, " In Picardy " and " The Scarlet Petal," enhanced his reputation as a versatile baritone. J. C. King gave us another pleasant change with his melodious unbroken voice. In fact, it was almost an ideal School Concert—one in which the tastes of all were catered for, and the hearing of old favourites bound all in cheerful fellowship.

Cadets Ashdowne, Davey, Ainslie, Peters, Darby, Hurford, to be Lance-Corporals. * » # FIELD OPERATIONS. These took place on the Malvern Hills on March 5. The ground had been, selected chiefly because it seemed to be the only dry ground in the county. Once more, with our amazingly good fortune, we got a fine day, which up to that time had been a great rarity, and went by train to Malvern Wells. From there we all marched to the top of the Wyche, and there parted. The White force remained, but the Red force went another mile-and-a-half towards the Herefordshire Beacon. Then, after a halt for refreshment, operations began. White force was part of a rear-guard which was trying to protect some of their transport, which was withdrawing from Colwall to Malvern. Red force had orders to get and maintain positions which would render the Colwall-Malvern road impassable. This they eventually succeeded in doing, after some very interesting and instructive operations. At the " Pow-wow," Red force Commander, in a maiden speech, which was much appreciated, both by friend and foe, explained the causes of his victory. We then had tea—also a successful operation, and returned home via Malvern Wells. Lieut. H. S. Coverdale (O.V.) assisted in umpiring, and our thanks are due to him for the trouble he took.

O.C.C. notes. The following November :—

CERTIFICATE A. passed the Written Cpls. Churchill. Shorting. Garnett. Lance-Cpls. Ashdowne. Joseph.

Examination

Lecture Socletp. One is apt, at first, to expect too much from a lecture on natural history, and one is invariably disappointed. But when one is more sophisticated, one goes to listen with the belief that one will be shown a slide depicting, supposedly, a nightingale, of which the bird is the least prominent feature. Our delight may therefore be

THE VIGORNIAN.

3**

imagined,—for we are among the sophisticated,—when we found that Mr. Thompson Seton was lecturing on really wild and ferocious animals. His tales about bears and wolves were as much applauded as his clever slides : and his last story about the capture of an old wolf proved very moving, and was a fitting finale to the most popular natural history lecture that the School has had the pleasure of hearing. His sketches that were shown on the screen were most exhilarating: though one is forced to doubt the authenticity of some of them. * » * It was rather unfortunate that Mr. Montagu Phillips' lecture on the wild life in meadow, stream and wood should have been preceded by one, which, though not more interesting, appealed rather more to the younger members of the audience. But, after all, it is better that one should know something of the living creatures one may see in the English countryside rather than of those which one is not likely to see wild in this country. The lecturer dealt with the habits of the mole, speaking of the wonderful passages it makes beneath the earth. The rabbit, too, was not forgotten, and his description of the habits of field mice did not fail to arouse interest. His experiences with vipers and other snakes and tale of how once only, by inadvertance, he was stung, were equally instructive. His slides were exceptionally good and clear and proved the great patience needed in observing wild life. *

The Public Hall, we fear, will not be a pleasant memory to many of the School. For on February igth, we went, almost to a man, at the ridiculous hour of 5-15 p.m. to see the film " Down to the Sea in Ships," which, we were told, was "the world's greatest triumph." (We have not seen anyone who will substantiate this assertion.) Too late, alas, we found that we were not to see the whole film : selections only were shown. This, naturally, made it difficult to follow the story and the difficulty was accentuated by the usual tearing of the film or the failure of the projecting apparatus. It had been expected that we should be shown another film, " Dangerous Waters," as well, but in this, too, we were disappointed. Add to this the stuffiness of the atmosphere, the inevitable delaying of tea—but the subject is too painful, we will stop. * » * On February 28th, the Headmaster was kind enough to step into rather a wide breach and lecture to us on " Italy," —that is to say on the part of it which he saw while on a walking tour from Rome to Florence, by way of the upper Arno. There was, therefore, a refreshingly personal touch about what we were told, and it was a relief to see what looked like real country, real natives and real buildings. One, too, often in a lecture of travel has a fixed impression that everything from a mountain-top to an innkeeper has been arranged especially for the benefit of the camera. Leaving the north gate of Rome we were taken out on to a straight, white road, by the side of which an

aqueduct ran to remind us of the " grandeur that was Rome." With a pause for refreshment at a wayside inn— a very different affair from the " Red Lions " of our English roads—we were conducted right out into the country,, and made the acquaintance of some delightfully intelligentlooking oxen, which, we were told, are still the beasts of burthen in those parts. Another local celebrity we encountered in the shape of the inevitable curious small boy. Soon we felt ourselves quite at home with our surroundings : glimpses of a towering mediaeval castle gave us the right atmosphere, and this was carried on by an introduction to the favourite game of the Italian workman, and by a meeting with a market-place wherein the men lounged and the women haggled over pottery. Quite another side was seen to the life of the country when we were shown a glimpse of the Franciscan Friary where the travellers had stayed, the only price for their board and lodging being the hardihood to rise at six o'clock and wash in cold water on an exposed verandah ! Unfortunately we had to hurry on from here to Florence, and when we did get there, our only regret was that we had not been able to hear more of the many interesting things that we had hurried past, almost as if in a railway carriage. While our only hope must have been that all future lecturers would combine to such a degree genuineness of presentation with interest of subject. Those who went to the Public Hall on the following night to see " Twelfth Night " came away with far more pleasant recollections. Mr. Ben Greet's players, who are now touring in France, gave a very fair representation of this very favourite comedy by Shakespeare. They overcame the difficulties of the Hall well, and all the characters were convincing. Viola acted with plenty of decision and gave a consistently good rendering, though her fear of Sir Andrew in the duel scene was greatly exaggerated in the regular stage manner. Olivia was well acted, but the Count Orsino was inclined to shout too much. But what can I say of Malvolio? This, perhaps the most difficult part to portray, was played most unsympathetically : a grosser burlesque may be scarcely imagined. When will our actors learn that " Malvolio is not essentially ludicrous " and that " he only becomes so by accident "? The annoying mannerisms, the impossible voice, the vulgarity with which he was most gratuitously presented, combined to spoil the whole performance. And while on the subject of Malvolio, I ask why the " dark room " scene is invariably omitted on the stage? The best part of the whole performance was the scene at midnight between the two knights and the Fool: each character gave an inimitable representation of his foibles. Every scene in which they appeared will remain stamped on " the inward eye That is the bliss of solitude." Euripides once said that athletes were the greatest pest in Greece. Few, if any, could be found to agree with him

THE VIGORNIAN. after hearing Mr. H. M. Abrahams' inspiring lecture. He swept away all the arguments of those who oppose athletics and showed that " training " was not the terrible experience that some would make it out to be. He considered that the most important thing in it was the regulation, not so much of the diet, but of the times of eating. The lecturer went on to explain what he considered the best way of starting on a race. The correct crouching position was illustrated by a number of slides and then it was shown how it was most profitable to run during the race. He commented, too, on the peculiar manner in which the Americans especially finish a race. His stories about the Olympic games could not, of course, fail to arouse interest, and his description of Nurmi, whose ability he considered phenomenal, was appreciated. Lastly, he spoke of long-jumping and of the importance of tucking one's legs high up under the chin. A number of questions were asked him at the conclusion of the lecture, the effects of which will not be seen until the Sports, when the Day Boys, who were poorly represented at the lecture, will suffer for their non-attendance.

Dtbarng nd ftterarp Soclefp. A number of impromptu debates were held at the end of last term, and it is interesting to note that the House decided emphatically against any change in the School hymns —a suggestion made by a correspondent to " The Vigornian." All of them were well attended and very popular. The motion " That in the opinion of this House, a return to colour in men's dress would meet with universal welcome," drew a fair attendance only on Saturday, January 3ist. Mr. K. C. Bristow presided. After the minutes of the previous meeting had been read and signed, Mr. C. J. C. Molony proposed the motion. He referred to the inability of present day people to express their individuality, and in a well-ordered speech showed in what way clothes might help a man towards this end. He appealed to the House as poets to give full rein to their feelings through the medium of clothes. The Secretary opposed, and after apologising for occupying the position that was to have been filled by the President, commented on certain of the Hon. Proposer's remarks. He considered that a return to colour would mean a return to barbarism and would accentuate class distinctions. He also remarked on the scorn heaped on small efforts at bright colours to-day. Mr. J. R. Wingfield Digby seconded the motion, and after pulling to pieces the last speaker's arguments, proceeded to denounce presentday dress. Black and other dark clothes were too sad and bright colours would prevent the deadly monotony prevalent nowadays. Mr. J. S. Hurford seconded the opposition, and denounced as false much that had been said by the previous

speaker. He thought that the motion would destroy the romance of life, an effect which he considered would be most disastrous. The motion was then thrown open to the House and found many supporters. Messrs. Sherwood, Graves-Morris, Boole, Clutton and Every urged it with great vehemence and no one was found to oppose it. The Hon. Opposer and Proposer then summed up, the former laying emphasis on the wording of the motion. On the House dividing, the motion was easily carried by 29 votes to 3. On Saturday, February 7th, at 5 p.m., the motion before the House was " That in the opinion of this House, the Railway is a superior mode of transport and travelling to Jhe Road." Mr. C. J. C. Molony took the chair and the minutes of the previous meeting were duly read and signed. In the absence of Mr. K. C. Bristow, the President (Mr. A. G. Bain) proposed the motion. He said that the history of the railway provided a unique example of progress, and it was by progress, he contended, that the world's prosperity advanced. Speed, comfort and safety were all to be obtained from the Railway in a greater degree than from the Road. He concluded by questioning whether the history of the Road would be as interesting as that of the Railway. The Secretary opposed and compared travelling by road and by rail. He emphasized the discomfort experienced in a railway carriage, and the unpleasantness of having to "change." He then expatiated on the beauties of the countryside which may be seen from a car, and on the greater freedom enjoyed by the car-owner. He considered that those who opposed the Road were as narrow-minded as those who in the last century had opposed the Railway. Mr. H. F. Langstaff seconded the motion, and after making a few criticisms on the Hon. Opposer's speech, spoke of the unpleasantness of push-bicycling, especially on a wet day. He further contended that a train could travel faster than a car. Mr. P. H. B. Woodhouse supported the Hon. Opposer, and said that by travelling in a car one was not obliged to use time tables. He also alleged that all the big firms used the Road to-day in the delivery of goods. The Chairman then threw the motion open to the House, urging it to enliven the debate. This was done and brisk speeches were made by Messrs. Sherwood, Peters, Hurford, Stanley and Bethune-Williams against the motion, and by Messrs. Phelips, Every and Brown supporting it. After the Hon. Opposer and Proposer had hastily summed up, the House divided and the motion was lost by 10 votes to 16. A meeting of the Society was held on Wednesday, February nth, at 5 p.m., when Mr. C. J. C. Molony read a paper entitled " Some Observations on the Modern Novel." The ravages of influenza caused the attendance to be disappointingly small, the committee being very poorly represented. In the absence of the President, the chair was taken by the Secretary. After the minutes had been duly read and signed, Mr. Molony began. After admitting that his only qualifications for speaking on the subject were that he had read many novels and that

THE VIGORNIAN. he was engaged in composing one, he confessed that he could not formulate any very definite theory about them. He lamented the fact that novels were taken too much for granted, and after saying that Stevenson was the first to break from Victorianism, declared that the novel was meant not to suggest new ideas, but to depict the halfthoughts which are already in the reader's mind. The modern novel is characterized by two facts : firstly that it is outspoken in its critrcism of life, and secondly that it is essentially free. Censorship was quite futile. He then divided modern novels into four classes—the sensational, the storytelling, the psychological, and the poetical. He pointed out the various degrees of co-operation necessary in these classes of the reader with the writer. His answer to the question " Whither is the novel tending? " was " towards the poetical style." For since life is poetry, and the novelist is concerned with life, the novel must become more poetical. In his opinion, the two most poetical of modern authors were Maurice Hewlett and Synge. In conclusion, he affirmed that he thought the poetical novel the ideal one. A discussion followed and a number of interesting points were raised by members of the audience which were satisfactorily answered. Walpole's novel, " The Cathedral," especially was discussed. A fair number attended a debate on Saturday, February 2ist, at 5 p.m., when Mr. S. D. Strong presided. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and signed. Mr. C. J. C. Molony proposed " That in the opinion of this House, Hunting is unjustly termed a cruel sport." He opened his speech with vehement denunciations of opposers of hunting and called them sentimental hypocrites. He scorned the emotional tales of exaggerated cruelty which he was sure his opponents would tell and showed the great benefits hunting bestowed. It made the fox a privileged member of society and prevented his being trapped. He also said that in hunts, foxes very frequently escaped. The Secretary opposed, and after denying the accusation of sentimentality, went on to speak of the base motives which prompt hunting. Foxes were a pest, and since hunting failed to get rid of them by the most effective means it was cruel. Hunters even preserved foxes in order that there should be some to hunt during the next season. In conclusion, he quoted a letter to the " The Times " about the sufferings of a certain fox. The President seconded the motion and praised hunting as being a national sport. He denied that people hunted to see blood and alleged that the chief attraction was just the pleasure of riding through beautiful country. Mr. K. C. Bristow seconded the Hon. Opposer, and suggested that if open air was all that huntsmen wanted, the fox was quite unnecessary. He thought it was only people like profiteers who hunted. The motion was then thrown open to the House, and Messrs. Stanley, t Graves-Morris, Wingfield, Digby and Hurford supported the motion. Mr. Every opposed it, com;

menting, however, on the poor quality of the speeches made for the opposition. After the Hon. Opposer and Proposer had summed up, the House divided, and the motion was carried by 24 votes to 8. * * • A society has been formed, consisting of the Debating Society and some others for the purpose of reading plays. We wish it every success.

Francis Potter. " Quaint " is an epithet much overworked in treating of Stuart times, but one writer of that age who thoroughly deserves it is John Aubrey. His biographical notes, written " tumultarily" for Anthony Wood's Athentz Oxonienses, are brimming with odd turns of speech and curious anecdotes. There is no quainter character in his pages than an Old Vigornian, Francis Potter. " He lookt the most like a monk, or one of the pastours of the old time, that I ever sawe. He was pretty long visaged and pale cleare skin, gray eie. His discourse was admirable, and all new and unvulgar." Except a few bare facts recorded in registers we know next to nothing of Francis Potter beyond what Aubrey has to tell; but Aubrey had a " conjunct friendship " with him for thirty years, corresponded often with him, and always took notes of his conversation, so that he had most lively recollections of this strange old recluse. Francis Potter was born in 1594, the second son of Richard Potter, prebendary of Worcester Cathedral. Like his elder brother .Hannibal he was elected to a king's scholarship at the School and spent three and a half years there under Henry Bright. An account of Hannibal Potter, who was President of Trinity College, Oxford, both before and after the Commonwealth, was printed in the Vigornian of April 1923. Francis went up to Trinity as a commoner two years after Hannibal and shared his rooms there for twenty-seven years. He graduated B.A. in 1613 and M.A. in 1616, and was ordained. In 1628, on his father's death, he succeeded him in the rectory of Kilmington, near Bath, but continued for many years to live chiefly at Oxford. His health was poor throughout his long life and he never married; he was subject in his earlier years to fainting and sickness, to prevent which Aubrey says that he used " to breathe strongly a good while together, which he sayed did emitt the noxious vapours." When he took the B.D. degree in 1625 his thesis was the affirmation that the Pope is Antichrist. It was a common nightmare of his to dream that he was in Rome and would be arrested and dragged before the Pope. His theory about the Number of the Beast strikes a modern reader as altogether ludicrous though most entertaining. He afterwards expanded it into the only book he wrote, published in 1642, with this mouthful of a title: " An Interpretation of the Number 666, wherein not only the manner how this Number ought to be interpreted is clearly proved and demonstrated ; but it is also shewed that this number is an exquisite and perfect character, truly, exactly, and essentially

THE VIGORNIAN. describing that state of Government to which all other notes of Antichrist doe agree. With all knowne objections solidly and fully answered, that can be materially made against it." Taking 25 as the " appropinque " square root of 666, the Number of the Beast in the Book of Revelation, he compared it with 12 and 144 as the numbers of the New Jerusalem. There are 12 apostles, 12 clauses to the Apostles' Creed, 12 gates to the heavenly city, and so on; but Rome has 25 cardinals and 25 gates, the creed of Pius IV. has 25 clauses, and St. Peter's 25 altars. What could be more conclusive ? No wonder that a friendly critic thought that it would " make some of your German speculators half wild " ! When another critic objected that 25 is not the true root of 666, Potter retorted with asperity that it ought not to be the true root and that this only made his argument the stronger. The book was translated into several languages, and it is of interest to note that it was reprinted at Worcester in 1808. Pepys bought a copy early in 1666 to see what Potter might have to prophesy of that ominous year. He did not read it, however, till November, for the year proved calamitous enough ; but he I then records that " I like it all along, but his close is most excellent: and whether it be right or wrong, is mighty ingenious." Potter was no profound scholar nor widely read, but he was able with only a moderate knowledge of mathematics to make himself an excellent practical mechanician and to contrive many clever devices. He told Aubrey of an idea of his for the better raising of water at Worcester. At Kilmington, which stands high, he invented " the most ingeniose and usefull buckett-well that ever I sawe," worked by a wheel " with steps (like stayres) to walke on as if }fou were goeing up staires, and an ordinary bodye's weight drawes up a great buckett, which holds a barrel!, and the two bucketts are contrived so that their ropes alwaies are perpendicular and consequently parallel, and so never interfere with one another. Now, this vast buckett would be too cumbersome to overturne, to pour out the water, and therefore he contrived a board with lifts about the sides, like a trough, to slide under the buckett, when 'tis drawne up; and at the bottom of the buckett is a plug, the weight of the water jogging upon the sliding trough, the water pours out into the trough, and from thence runnes into your paile, or other vcssell. 'Tis extremely well worth the seeing." Potter seems to have lived regularly at Kilmington from the time when his brother became President of Trinity. In the troubled years which were now beginning, Oxford was an unquiet place for one who was " very contemplative. " During the Interregnum he escaped ejection from his living ; once he was summoned before the Puritan committee at Wells, but he was too harmless and retiring to arouse antipathy. They paid him compliments, gave him a pint of wine, and sent him home with reassuring words. Presumably he made no objection to using the Presbyterian Directory in place of the Church services. So in busy solitude he lived on at his country parsonage, which was " as undeckt as a monke's cell, yet he had there so many ingeniose inventions that it was very delightful!," Though

385

his home was so austerely furnished, painting was one of his hobbies : the copy of the founder's portrait now in the hall of Trinity College is his work, and he painted his father's picture to adorn the parlour at Kilmington. He also took great pride in his garden, which he made remarkable for its magnificent box hedges, arranged in the elaborate and formal manner that was then the fashion. In 1663 he was elected an original fellow of the Royal Society, an honour which his many inventions and suggestive experiments merited. He devised a graduated compass and made quadrants, constructed a fine sun-dial for the Trinity quadrangle, and anticipated Sir Christopher Wren in designing an instrument for drawing in perspective. As early as the year 1640, while turning over in his mind Ovid's story of Jason and Medea, he had the idea of the transfusion of blood, which he afterwards communicated to the Royal Society. He and Aubrey experimented together, " but 'twas on a hen, and the creature too little and our tooles not good : I then sent him a surgeon's lancet." Potter had reached the age of eighty-four when he died at Kilmington and was buried in the chancel of the church which he had served for fifty years. Towards the end of his life his general health had improved a little, but the weakness of his eyes, which had always troubled him, became at last a total blindness. Aubrey on his last visit was pained to see his ragged beard and rather forlorn appearance ; but when urged to invite some relative to live with him to tend him in his old age and relieve his loneliness, Potter replied " that he had tryed that way, and found it not so well; for they did begrudge what he spent, that 'twas too much and went from them, whereas his servants (strangers) were kind to him, and tooke care of him."

C. V. H.

Past ana Present

AN EPISTOLARY DEGENERATION. Dcare Sonne, This day did I receave a letter from your tutor, from the which I perceave that you have fayled in your Plato to get your fulle marckes. I thinck that you should browse thereinne a little every day, perhapps two bookes of his Republick till you have such a friendshippe with it that it becometh part of yourself. For indeede 'twere shame too that his Phaedo should be unbeknowne by you. Goode night. SAMUEL TEMPLE. Write and telle mee of your studdies in your beloved Plutark. II.

Well, who's going to win the Boat-race? Am just writing this after seeing Oxford practise and am quite sure there's no doubt about the result,

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So glad to hear of that try on Wednesday. What did I tell you? What a brute old " X " was to keep you in before and prevent you playing! Just because of his wretched Greek, I suppose. Well, cheer up, only four more weeks! Good-bye!

fl Strong man's sacrifice.

It was a horrible deed and not lightly to be undertaken. His brow was furrowed with care and indecision. Taking the gun from a drawer where it had so long lay hidden, he fingered it thoughtfully. He considered the awfulness of such an act, and yet how much worse if, at the end, his courage failed him. After all, it would be better for Millicent: it would release her from discomfort of which she had so long complained. With a sudden effort his mind .was made up. He would do it—in the little garage which had, for so short a time, housed his outfit, in which he and his happy bride had taken their honeymoon tour. Taking the gun with him he made his way to the garage. He sighed as he looked at the new and polished Montgomery. No more would he see it in its pristine glory. Turning from it with an effort, he crossed to the bench and loaded the gun. The repulsiveness of the deed struck him with still greater force. He shuddered, but nerved himself muttering " It is for her." Turning, he lifted the gun, his fingers clutching it fiercely. " It must be done! " he gasped, and slowly, steadily, he pressed A minute later, trickling, thick and horrid, the grease squirmed out, smothering his hands and fulfilling his worst expectations. The Montgomery's primary and drive chains were well and truly greased and he turned away with a groan, taking the still dripping grease-gun with him. And through the still summer air came the voice of the searcher after pumice-stone, a voice crying in the wilderness—" If only the manufacturers would standardize a decent lubricator " With apologies to Carbon, SOOTY PLUG.

CDe Broken fingered musician fo Dis Violin. EDITED WITH NOTE BY ULRIC VON GLUMPE. Are these the fingers, now so gnarled and bent, Resembling in their tortuous curves the prongs Of toasting-forks which many a month have spent Under the open heavens; which drew the songs Dear to the quivering ear, from out thy wood Plucked by the Italian master in the grove Of lush flap-doodle trees which stood Shading the white porches of his Sabine home. Say Nay ! Say Nay !

Once white were they, and shapely as the stalks Of lilies or of silvern mountain-ash, And slender as the strands of wire which shade my walks Bearing the burning word with unpassion'd dot and dash. And must they touch again thy string, Sweet nightingale, whose strains' harmonious flow, By their rough action changes, shuddering, To the gruff warblings of the common crow? Say nay ! Say Nay ! FROM THE ERSE OF ULRIC THE TWISTY FINGERED. (Translated by machinery). HISTORICAL NOTE. Ulric the Twisty Fingered (born circ. 1620) was chief minstrel to King Whinus McPibroch of Connaught, and also held the offices of Hereditary Grand Gentleman in Waiting on the Waits, and Lord High Custodian of the Bag Pipes, which latter office carried with it the position of Sworn Tormentor. On several occasions the King, deeply moved by Ulric's music, bestowed upon him a variety of delicate marks of his attention such as several boots, an occasional shillelagh, a few throwing-axes, and once a half brick. At length a General Council of the nation declared that such music as Ulric's had probably never been heard before, and after hearing his masterpiece, a majestic fantasia written entirely upon one note in the key of Q, decided unanimously that it certainly should never be heard again. Shortly afterwards Ulric met with an accident, losing several of his fingers. A Royal Commission investigated the case, and upon receiving information that Ulric, in a frenzy of that melancholy and resigned despair which comes only to the lover of the bag pipes, had bitten off his fingers under the impression that they were bread and cheese, returned a verdict of Justifiable Insanity. The unfortunate minstrel declared his complete freedom from insanity, whether justifiable or not, and found solace from his woes in writing the magnificent song of'renunciation translated on another page.

CDe CIDO Brctbm. In a dark, bare room in a poor cottage a lad was sitting on a bench by an empty grate. The fire had long gone out, for he had not the courage to burn his last remaining coals. He sat silently, with his head on his hands, reflecting on the hopelessness he saw in everything around him. He was deep in the slough of despair, and could find no ray of light when starvation was steadily creeping nearer day by day. Suddenly he heard a knock at the door, and a young stranger entered. He was shabbily dressed, but there was a light in his face that seemed to give light to everything he looked on. " Who are you? " asked the lad, surprised to find that there was still something in the world worth finding out, even for him. " I am Hope," said the young man. " I have come with the Spring."

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" Are you Hope ! " exclaimed the lad. " If you are, you have surely come to the wrong place, for I have no room here for hope while I can get neither food nor work."

[Portion of an MS. recently unearthed; evidently composed after a dose of Greek Chorus.]

Then Hope beckoned to him, and led him out to the bare plot of ground in front of the cottage, covered with leaves and bracken. " Take heart," he said, " and see what my brother the Spring could make this plot if it were dug up. It is dull and gloomy now, a wilderness of weeds, out it may yet be a wilderness of flowers and fruit. Here is my brother the Spring, and he can show you in his glass what the soil can bear."

SHED, lia, lw, 1 leak, I leak, Hear now, ye gods, the words I speak; Speak ! did I say ? Nay rather cry ! For woeful is my agony. The rain pours in through a thousand holes, On to my charges down it rolls; Alas! Alas ! ! they wilt and wane Before the all-destructive rain. Hear my lament ye powers on high, All streaming, rusting, soaked they lie!

Then Spring came out from behind a bramble-bush. His hair gleamed with sunny gold, for he had come from the distant south and the lands where there is no winter, and he took out his glass and showed him the garden, full of bushes bearing fruits and with flowers in the hedges, and in the garden himself, tall and upright, working cheerily and merrily. " A l l this," he said, "this plot might be, with hard work, and that is what you yourself might be." Then the boy set to work with a will, not because he really thought that any good would come out of digging the bare plot, but because Hope told him to. And while he was digging a farmer passed by, who had turned him away when he came to him on the edge of despair, and saw him struggling with set face to see what the ground might give him. " This lad has some grit in him yet," said the farmer, and he gave him work which brought him wages and food, and rescued him from his misery and want. Yet he still went on digging at his plot in odd moments, remembering Spring's glass. And as for the two brothers, Hope and Spring, they are even now passing through the length and breadth of England, rousing those who have fallen into the slough of despair.

Complaint or Viaornia. Hark, 'tis the voice of a donkey that jars minds devoted to study. Masters and boys hear with anguish monotonous laughable braying. Straightest of faces fail sometimes when tempted too strongly towards smiling. Therefore the voice of the donkey makes poor mirthful mortals to waver. May some god look down upon us now indeed grievously tempted, Us in his pity deliver from spasmodic mirthful explosion. " RiDicut.osus " fr.i.i.

Cbc Caimni or ibe BlcpcU Sbed.

(Enter

Boy.)

BOY.

Where is the bike I left this morn?

SHED.

Alack, Alack, 'tis gone, 'tis gone ! See thou this little pile of rust, (Ah ! now for this I shall be cussed.) See too these little bits of leather, All that is left by cruel weather. Have pity on me, injured boy, Raise the loud cry, otototoi.

BOY.

Ah ! Aged shed, I blame thee not, Thy roof is like a watering pot; Thy side's all open ! Where's the sense? What's been done with my eighteen-pence? Term after Term from.my pocket it's fled, But not a brass farthing's been spent on this shed! ! ! id), lia.

CH.

[Here the MS. abruptly closes.] [These things having entered into his mind, it is not meet that the poet should on the one hand hold it for a bitter thing, but on the other hand be established into joy, as, look you, a shed, both new and palatial, being about tobe rebuilt, is destined to bring forth joy.—EDS. VIG.]

Cbe Oxford tetter. To the Editors of the " Vigornian." Dear Sirs, For the past week I have been endeavouring to make bricks without straw in the " Schools," and it seems that I must follow the same trade here, for, Sirs, Oxford O.V. as usual protest that they have done absolutely nothing, and I personally have been so continually closeted in my rooms with my books that I have not been able to follow the life of the University as a whole to any extent during this term. It would be tedious to tell again of Oxford's successes (and failures) since I last wrote. By the time this goes to press the Boat Race will be over,—at present Cambridge seem to be favourites, but the Oxford colours, Sirs, if not " dark horses," are at any rate " dark."

THE VIGORNIAN. [Since writing it has struck me that this joke has been made before. I leave it in however as a support to the theory that "history repeats itself."] Of the more intellectual efforts of this term I would place in the front rank the production of Ibsen's " Peer Gynt," and, no less in the front rank, the appearance of a Greek cross-word puzzle in the " Oxford Outlook." The former does not need to be reviewed again, but I have great reason for attaching such importance to the latter. For Oxford is known to be "the home of lost causes," and if this be the case, such an appearance seems to point to the fact that the day of the acrostic is over. We want nothing better. The recent " rag " at Cambridge (and by the way do the Cantabs really enjoy their rags?) makes one wonder if Cambridge has borrowed the R.A.F.'s motto, " Per ardua ad astra." For their method of rising to the lofty plane of charity seems peculiar, not to say strenuous, and much energy must have been expended somewhere in getting such a weighty object to so perilous a height. We suggest that your Cambridge correspondent write an article to the Vigornian on these " rags," which it is so hard for the man who is not a Cantab to appreciate. He might name it, " Rambles in Rags." And now to my coping stones. I. F. W. SCHOFIELD (Hertford). Has been absent from us for a considerable portion of this term with the " military " on Salisbury Plain. While there he passed some strenuous exam, on 'the anatomy and education of guns and horses, but we were glad to see that his usual ruddy complexion bore no signs of the strain. Has been spending the remainder of the term resting from his labours, supported by thoughts of duty well done. A. J. C. B. GILL (Exeter). Of him we have a touching tale to tell. It will be remembered that we said that he was not seen at the All Blacks match. He informs us that he surrendered his ticket to a person gifted with an unusually efficient pair of lungs. Such patriotic generosity is not often seen; indeed, so unusual is it even for himself, that he has not recovered from the shock yet, for he tells us he has done nothing since. T. H. HORSFIELD (St. Edmund Hall). Rowed in " tog6ers " this term for the third year in succession, which is a very good record. He is leaving us in June, and is going to Ely Theological College, where we wish him every success. W. BENTON-EVANS (Queen's). It is with great relief that we turn to him, for he has always done much that is reportable. Has been consistently representing his college at Soccer and Running, and has his colours for the former. We congratulate him on being elected a member of the Centaurs A.F.C., which event took place incidentally early last term. Has been seen in the " Schools " with a harrassed look on his face and very little on his paper. H. A. AINSWORTH (Keble). As last term, with a slightly larger percentage of work. Has been seen in the Schools

If his efforts there are successful, he is said to be taking up English Literature next term. This brickmakers' union forbids him to work longer. For any deficiency he pleads lack of straw. With all good wishes to the School. OXON.

Cambridge LENT TERM, 1925. Dear Sirs, You must excuse the brevity of this effusion—it has been written in violent haste. On receiving your delightful postcard, our knees sagged slowly but surely, and we faded away in a dead faint. On recovering we hastened to an adjacent inkpot, and inserting our pen, hurriedly indited the following :— No doubt, sir, as you have sucked your afterbreakfast pipe and perused your daily paper, you have probably noticed the startling fact that Cambridge have hardly won a single contest against Oxford, of late. Horrid but undeniable ! At Rugby, Association and Hockey, Dame Fortune has this year deserted us. And now comes the tragic news of the 'Varsity Sports. We weep. We feel sure the Oxford Letter will be full of loud Growings, but let them beware—the Boat Race has not yet taken place. Modesty forbids us to foretell the result of this latter encounter. The weather up here has been delightful—on referring to our diary we find that on February the 22nd, it only rained in the morning, as against all and every day the rest of the term. Nevertheless we have all enjoyed the best of health. We have, in toto, of course, nearly died from "flu, but that does not count nowadays. Details :— V. C. POWF.LL (John's). The great cross-word solver. Debates with his usual eloquence and as usual agitates the leathern sphere in his spare time. When on his bicycle is a terror to this peaceful town. Works hard. G. H. EVANS (Christ's). Has aged considerably. Takes a little exercise once a month. Is thinking of growing a beard. Plays draughts. Works hard. J. L. LONGLAND (Jesus). Is to be condoled with in just failing to gain inclusion in the Athletic Team against Oxford. It is rumoured he has been elected a high official of the Jesus Soccer Club. Has taken to wearing fancy dress in public. Works hard. E. L. FISHER (Sydney). Seems to have deserted those athletic fields in which he once shone. Explodes the odd bullet with success, as of yore. Has also adopted fancy dress. Works hard. R. WYNNE-WOOLLEY (Christ's). A tower of strength to Christ's Soccer team. Little seen but often heard. Still pipes the note in his College choir. Works hard. R. R. BROMLEY (Christ's). Smites the hockey ball with gusto. Appears to have become a hermit. Works hard.

THE VIGORNIAN. R. E. B. ROBINSON (Christ's). Possesses a stable of motor-bicycles. Is generally to be met disguised as an oily rag or a stick of solder. Works hard. Here then ends the distinguished record of our distinguished colony. With every good wish to you, sir, the School and all O.V. Yours, etc., CANTAB.

MARRIAGE. The marriage of Herbert Clifford Burgis (O.V.), youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Burgis, of i, Binswood Avenue, Leamington, to " Rita," only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Grainger, of " Assochar," Leamington, took place at St. Mark's Church, Leamington, on Tuesday, September and, 1924. The Rev. C. T. Cribb officiated. * » » BIRTHS. Feb.

O.V. Dews. Claude C. Angwin is now representing a Cornish firm of Mining Engineers in the North-Eastern Counties and is living at Hurworth-on-Tees, Darlington. » * » Lieut. J. B. P. Angwin (R.E.) is now on the Indian N.W. frontier, surveying, after spending two years in Waziristan on bridge and road construction. * * * R. A. K. Bowstead is still engaged in farming and contemplates going out to New Zealand. » * » J. L. R. Croft, after spending a few months in officework at home, is attempting to secure a position on the L.N.E.R. R. W. Porter is at the Seale-Hayne Agricultural College, near Newport, Mon. * * * F. H. Burden, H. B. Downes, and W. H. K. Davey all seem to have fallen on their feet in New Zealand and all express delight with their prospects and surroundings. The latter distinguished himself on the journey out by winning his weight in the ship's boxing competition. »

G. B. Smith has left Liverpool University and is now in business at Haltwhistle. # * » W. H. Avery has obtained an appointment in the National and Provincial Bank. J. N. R. Gibbs has passed the Law Preliminary and is articled to a solicitor in Exeter. E. R. Nesfield is now acting agent to Mr. P. Everard on his Miltons Estate, Dulverton. * * * W. C. Edwards has recently become an indentured apprentice to Sir Alfred Bower, Vintner, and Lord Mayor of London.

7.—To Capt. and Mrs. T. Stinton, at Loughborough, a son.

Feb. 14.—To Olga (ne'e Balfour), wife of Flight Lieut. H. G. R. Malet, R.A.F., at a nursing home, Petersfield, a daughter.

O.V Re Union. The O.V. Re-union will take place this year from July loth to i2th. Owing to the opening of the Chappel Memorial Reading Room and New Class Rooms, the programme will be slightly different from last year. The programme at present is arranged as follows :— Friday afternoon, July joth.—Opening of New Buildings by the Viscount Grey, K.G. Friday evening.—Boat Race.

O.V.'s v. School.

Saturday morning.—Annual Training Corps.

Inspection of the

Saturday afternoon.—Cricket Matches.

Officers'

O.V.'s v. School.

Saturday evening.—Old Vigornians' Annual Dinner in the College Hall. Further particulars, however, will be sent to members later.

Old Vigornians' Club. If anyone can supply the Secretary with the present addresses of the following Life Members of the Club he would be much obliged :— C. Kingsley Adams, Esq. Francis J. Branthwaite, Esq. Francis G. Brodribb, Esq. H. M. Conacher, Esq. Oliver P. Giles, Esq. Thos. B. Kennan, Esq. Percy H. Ludlow, Esq. Win. R. F. Lunt, Esq. Captain S. E. V. Quin. W. I. V. Quin, Esq. R. Salisbury, Esq. It is requested that members of the O.V. Club should notify the Secretary of any change of private address.

THE VIGORNIAN.

390

Complaints reach him that no " Vigornians " or Notices have been received lor various periods. To ensure every member getting what is due to him it is imperative that the Secretary be informed ol any change of private address.

,, Secretary—Salary and Bonus for extra work done ... ... ... .... ... 15 o o ,, Purchase of £100 35% Conversion Loan ... 75 13 o ,, Miscellaneous Payment ... ... ... ... 2 5 0 ,, Balance in hand on 3ist December, 1924 ... 74 5 o "

Your Committee beg to report as. follows with reference to the work of the Club during the year 1924. Three numbers of the " Vigornian " have been issued to all members. The usual grant has been made to the King's School Prize Fund.

^209 ii

New members joined during the year ... ... ... Members resigned ... ... ... ... ... ... Members deceased ... ... ... ... ... ... Life Members in the Club ... ... ... ... Hon. Members in the Club Names removed for non-payment of Subscriptions which were in arrears for 2 years and over ... In arrears with their Subscriptions for 1925 ... Total Membership on 3131 December, 1924 ... ...

34 o i 130 7

... 20 o o ... 116 o o •-• 7S "3 ° 13 o

O.V. DINNER ACCOUNT. RECEIPTS. To Sale of Tickets (51) ... ... ... ... ,, O.V. Club General Account (being loss on the Dinner) ... ... ... ...

By Dinner ,, Printing „ Postages

... ...

EXPENDITURE. ... ... ... ...

... ...

OLD VIGORNIANS' CLUB.

... ...

£ s. d. ... 91 7 7 ... 16 15 o ... 58 16 o ... i o o ... 35 14 o 3 2 6 ... i i o ... i 15 o £209 ii

By " Vigornians "— December April July

£ s. d. 16 n 6 2 13 3 12 3

FREDERICK G. JONES, A.C.A., Hon. Auditor. For the Committee : — S. D. STRONG (Hon. Secretary), School House, College Green, Worcester. H. E. NICHOLLS (Secretary), 9, College Green, Worcester.

School Calendar.

£ s. d.

EXPENDITURE.

... ...

24th January, 1925. Examined, compared with Vouchers and found correct.

Statement of Accounts for the Year ending 3ist December, 1924. ... ... ... ... ...

14 6

A statement of accounts is set out below :—

RECEIPTS. To Balance in hand ... ... ... ,, Annual Subscriptions ... ... ,, Five Years' Subscriptions ... ,, Four Years' Subscriptions ... „ Life Members' Subscriptions ... . „ Arrears o f Subscriptions ,, Interest on War Loan Stock ... ,, Interest on Conversion Stock ...

£ s. d. 19 2 6

£19 17

64 35 304

With regard to Arrears of Subscriptions, it is hoped that Members concerned will be good enough to forward their Subscriptions without further delay to the Secretary (H. E. NICHOLLS, 9, College Green, Worcester).

£ s. d.

RESERVE ACCOUNT. To War Loan Stock 1929-47 „ War Savings Certificates „ Conversion Stock

The revised Rules were approved at the last General Meeting of members and printed in the last July issue of the " Vigornian."

7 6 7 ii 10 8 3 0

. - 29 2 „ W.C.K.S. Prbe Fund ............ i i o „ Printing .................. 2 0 3 „ Stationery ............... 3 6 0 „ Postage and Receipt Stamps and Cheque Book ............... 6 4 0 ,, Loss on O.V. Dinner ............ 14 6

Mon., Tues., Sun., Sat., 4 Sat.,

Tues., Sat.,

Jan. 19.—Boarders return. ,, 20.—9 a.m. School Service in the Ladye Chapel. „ 25.—8.45 a.m. School Celebration of Holy Communion. ,, 31.—8 p.m. Lecture by Mr. ThompsonSeton. " Some Wild Animals." Feb. 7.—8 p.m. Lecture by Mr. MontaguPhillips. " Wild Life in Meadow, Stream and Wood." ,, 19.—Certificate A Practical Examination. „ 28.—8 p.m. Lecture by the Headmaster. " Italy."

THE VIGORNIAN. Mar.

2.—3-15 p.m. P.T. Competition. 5.—Field Day at Malvern. 10.—Certificate A Written Examination. 14.—8 p.m. Lecture by Mr. H. M. Abrahams. " Athletic Sport." 28.—Boxing Finals. Sat., ~ Wed., Apr. i.—Sports. Sat., 4.—Exeunt Omnes.

Mon., Thurs., Tues., Sat.,

School Officers. A. G. Bain. C. J. C. Molony. B. H. Carter. B H. Carter. P. H. Graves-Morris. C. L. Garnett. P. H. Graves-Morris. P. H. Graves-Morris. K. N. Ross.

Captain of School Captain of Football Secretary of Football Captain of Boats Secretary of Boats Captain of Fives Captain of Gym. Captain of Shooting Secretary of Chess Captains of Houses—

A. G. Bain. B. H. Carter. M. R. Craze. T. M. L. Redmond. G. E. Churchill.

School House Castle House Day Boys Hostel Natland -

Editors of Vigornian—A. G. Bain, M. R. Craze, K. N. Ross. Librarians—K. N. Ross, C. E. Coverdale, C. J. C. Molony, G. F. Blandford, D. A. B. Hopkin. School Monitors—A. G. Bain, M. R. Craze, B. H. Carter, P. H. Graves-Morris, C. J. C. Molony, G. E. Churchill.

Saloete. Lower VA. G. H. Carrel—Hostel. E. W. Parsons ii.—Hostel. Lower VB. C. D. Garrett—Hostel. R. H. Rowland—School House. Remove. O. R. Davies ii.—School House. C. V. Hodgson—School House. Upper IV. H. G. Bedford—Hostel. Middle IV. E. G. Lister—Day Boys. G. H. Ritey—Natland. III. R. S- Carter ii.—Castle House. J. H. Bomford—Day Boys.

39»

II. L. E. Phillips iii.—Natland. J. D. Phillips IV.—Natland. D. V. U. Pilbeam—School House. J. L. Richards—Natland.

Valtte. VI. J. L. R. Croft (1920-4). School House. 2nd XI. Cricket, 1923-4; is. XV. Football, 1923-4; Corporal O.T.C., Cert. " A," 1923.

Upper V. A. N. Birkmyre (1922-4). Day Boys. F. W. C. Gettings (1916-24). Day Boys. 2nd XV. Football 1922; ist XV. 1923-4; Sergt. O.T.C., Cert. "A," 1923. L. E. H. Goddard (1920-4). Hostel. 2nd XI. Cricket 1923; ist XI. 1924; 2nd XV. Football 1922-3; ist XV. 1924; Captain of Gym. 1924; Sergt. O.T.C., Cert. "A," 1923 ; Captain of " Hostel." C. B. Hopkin (1920-4). Castle House. 2nd XV. Football 1923-4; 2nd IV. Rowing 1924 ; Private O.T.C. J. A. D. Joseph (1921-4). School House, ist IV. Rowing 1922-3 ; 2nd XV. Football 1923-4; Lance-Cpl. O.T.C., Cert. " A," 1924. J. N. B. Lander (1916-24). Day Boys. 2nd XI. Cricket 1924; 2nd XV. Football 1923-4; Lance-Cpl. O.T.C. R. E. Lee (1920-4). Day Boys. Lower Vu. H. S. Smith (1922-4). Hostel. Shooting VIII. 1924; Private O.T.C. R. I. Stone (1920-4). Day Boys. Upper IV. B. H. Wallace (1923-4). Castle House, ist XI. Cricket 1924; 2nd XV. Football 1923; ist XV. 1924. T. O'N. Monahan (1923-4). School House. Private O.T.C. D. M. Townshend (1923-4). Hostel. 2nd XV. Football 1924 ; Private O.T..C Middle IV. H. K. Macpherson (1924). Day Boys. C. D. Palmer (1919-24). Day Boys.

III. L. W. Hill (1921-4). Day Boys. J. A. Standfast (1921-4). Natland.

Private O.T.C.

ClK Clbrarp. The following books were added to the School Library this Term :— The Phantom Ship The Loring Mystery Animals I Have Known Lives of the Hunted The War of the Wireless Waves

Captain Marryat. Jeffrey Farnol. Thompson Seton. Thompson Seton. Percy Westerman.

THE VIGORNIAN.

6ames Accounts.

Obrarp Account,

RECEIPTS.

1924.

£ s. d.

RECEIPTS. Balance May 20.—Per Headmaster £29 17 o „ „ —O.V. Club 7 ii 10 T. E. Rammell (" Times ") 4 6

£ s. d. 23 10 6

37 '3 4

Oct. ii.—Per Headmaster „ 13.—O.V. Club -

£28 9 o 8 3 0 36 12

Jan. 30.—Per Headmaster O.V. Club -

£29 n o 8 19 o 38 10 o

Subscriptions— ist Term, 1924 2 n d Term 3rd Term Rowing Subs.— ist Term 2 n d Term Profit on Luggage „ „ Jerseys „ „ Swimming Costumes Lost Football re-funded Proceeds Cricket Cards Johns & Son (for Ground) City Club (for Ground) Donation Mr. Fillmore Sports Subscriptions and Donations Deficit . . -

87 o o 83 o o 84 o o

8 0 0 IS 15 ° 1 9 0 2 If>

2 10 O I I O

1850 68 9 6

£378 EXPENDITURE. Mar. 27.—Smith & Sons Apr. 30.—Large June 19.—Phillips & Probert Baylis (Vigornians) Stamps -

£2 13 S 'S 14 'S 16 17

° 9 9 6

Oct. 6.—Large ,, „ —Smith & Sons ,, „ —Baylis (Vigornians) ,, „ —Phillips & Probert -

5160 9 6 6 17 15 6 16 '5 3

s. d.

£6 i ii 9 8 6 2 5 0 17 18 o 1 3 35 J4 8 10 13 ii 5 10

R. J. CASTLEY (Hon. Treasurer). Examined and found correct. C. CREIGHTON (Headmaster). '7/3/25-

Deficit Cricket and Football Sec. Ferry—Visiting Teams HuntWages . . Horse Keep Rent Football Ground Man—Hedging Cricket Material Sundries for Ground

£ s. d. 95 6 5 6 o 12 9 . -

£Bo o o 13 o o IO

3 10 o 2

7 S o S 'S 4

49 '3 3

Balance

i o

EXPENDITURE.

Feb. 24.-—Large Phillips & Probert Smith & Sons Baylis (Vigornians) Stamps -

5 i 7 6 8 10 5 0 0

Cup Repaired Chidley—Cricket Repairs Knowles—Horse Rent Field (2 parts) Hall (Mower, on account) Rates and Taxes Phillips & Probert (Printing) Fox (Cricket Coaching) Sports Prizes Rowing— Master's Expenses, Oxford Ayling (Oars) . . . Sec. Marlow Regatta Boathquse Expenses Curtains Thornborrow Boathouse, Rent ,, Rates and Taxes

39 10 4 10 6

S 7 6 IS o 0 ii 12 i

'9 o ii 9 18 o o 20 o o 25 6 I

7 2 4 15 O 3 3 0 i i 4 i o o 23 3 I 5 o o 6 9 o £378 i o

C. CREIGHTON, Headmaster. T. E. RAMMELL, Hon. Treasurer.

THE VIGORNIAN.

Correspondence. To the Editors of the " Vigornian." Dear Sirs, It seems to me a strange thing that among the many thousands of gallant gentlemen and famous scholars who have lived for no small portion of their lives at Worcester, I should be the first to appreciate the true character of our neighbour, the River Severn. This river was once hailed as " Sabrina Fair " by an eminent poet, John Milton, but it seems to me that it is in truth neither fair in appearance nor character. In fact it seems probably that the river, with characteristic duplicity, took deliberate advantage of Milton's blindness in order to extort from him a description of itself which might exercise a pernicious influence upon the minds of generations of men yet unborn, and might blind their eyes to its true character. For I denounce the river as the deadly enemy of all Vigornians, the serpent under the lily, only comparable in baseness to the man who would poison his mother, and steal the collar-studs of his dearest friend. For does not the river take a positive delight in rising suddenly and flooding our fields, thereby making it imperative for us to take our daily exercise by running, I repeat by running, along the common high road, thereby reducing ourselves to the level of the common dromedary. It is time, sir, that this outrageous conduct met \vith a severe check. I am the man to check it. How will you accomplish this great feat, you ask? By removing our fields to a more suitable situation? No. Not thus will this mighty task be accomplished, far otherwise in fact. Through your columns I appeal to the generosity of some Vigornian to give me one small tin bucket, or at least an empty jam-pot, and being, as the classic poet beautifully remarks " not! compos mentis," / will remove the river. I am, sir,

Your obedient servant, HOMER BUNK.

Statistics will show that these five represent little over a third of the School; the remaining two-thirds—the Day Boys, Natland and the Hostel—have not a single member on it. The difficulties of captaining a House are sufficiently large, without having to get second-hand information of all that goes on at Games Committee Meetings by consulting cryptic notices which give merely the result of that body's deliberations. Every House may, we suppose, be said to have its own interests and should have the means to look after them. We cannot all be Captains of Football, Cricket, etc., and thus have our Houses represented on the Committee, though even if the possession of these offices is the only means of procuring a place on this Committee, we fail to understand why the Secretary of Chess is not a member. Whether chess is thought too intellectual to be considered a game, we know not. We do think, however, that every House should be represented, either by the Captain of the House or by a member coopted by the Committee from each House, and we trust that this letter will have the desired effect. Yours, etc., M. R. CRAZE, Captain of Day Boys. G. E. CHURCHILL, Captain of Natland. T. M. L. REDMOND, Captain of Hostel.

To the Editors of the " Vigornian." Dear Sirs, May I be allowed through your columns to make a suggestion which I trust will reach the eyes of those in authority? The concerts which mark the close of the Winter and Spring terms almost invariably consist entirely of music—except for an occasional entertainer—and no scope is given to those who possess (or think they possess) some talent for acting or for recitation. Apart from the fact there are numbers of unmusical people attending the concert who will get completely bored, however good the music may be. Surely the proverb " One can have too much of a good thing " applies to music at concerts as much as to anything else? I will close by quoting another proverb which those in authority would do well to observe, " Variety is the spice of life." Yours sincerely, " ONE WHO OUGHT TO KNOW BETTER."

To the Editors of the " Vigornian." To the Editors of the " Vigornian." Sixth Form Room. Dear Sirs, We venture to express in your columns a certain dissatisfaction at the composition of the Games Committee. As at present constituted, School House and Castle House are the only houses represented on it, and they have five members.

Dear Sirs, Would it not be possible to run a cable to the Gymnasium and Carpentry Shop for the purpose of providing light there? At present the wielders of hammers and drumsticks are only able to catch an occasional glimpse of the nails or drums, as the case may be, through the dense

THE VIGORNIAN.

394

obscurity in which they work. The gas jets provide about as much light as so many fever-stricken glow-worms. Yours, etc., " LORNICUSE POSEN."

To the Editors of the " Vigornian." Dear Sirs, Would it not be in the interests of the general smartness and efficiency of the Corps, if a definite standard of physique were required of intending recruits? At present, it is impossible for some cadets to perform arms drill with any degree of smartness on account of their Liliputian stature. Would not a standard height of about 4ft. 7.52Sins. eliminate this undesirable pigmy element? We are, Sirs, Your obedient servants, Two HUSKY GUYS.

To the Editors of the " Vigornian." Sirs, How is it that the distribution of the loans of Fives courts is so conducted that certain people play every day, and yet others are unable to obtain the use of a court? With the usual apologies, TRIBUNE OF THE PLEBS. [Has the offended demagogue ever seen the Captain of Fives withholding courts from those who have not his especial favour, until he is approached by those who have? We somehow think not. The solution would then be that those " unable to obtain the use of a court " should apply earlier, so as to avoid being ousted by the more regular and keener players who already make a point of seeking a court as soon as they can. It is realised, we hope, that no one is granted a court before the day on which he wants to use it. If the tribune will point these facts out to his plebs^ perhaps we shall avoid a secession. —Eos. VIG.]

To the Editors of the " Vigornian." Sirs, Why does the number of lectures per term gradually decrease as the years go by? Four years ago the number of lectures was six or seven. Now we must be content with four. Surely this is unworthy of the Lecture Society? Yours, etc., HALF-A-CROWN. '

[I gladly supply the answer. It is purely a question of money. The number of boys subscribing to the Lecture Society is now 120; it used to be 150. There is at present a deficit on the Society's account. Professional lecturers require a fee, the better the lecturer the higher the fee. The School can assist in increasing the number of lectures by introducing to me good amateur lecturers to whom they can guarantee that their school-fellows will listen with plaesure. Or is any lecture better than no lecture?—C. CREIGHTON.]

To the Editors of the " Vigornian." Dear Sirs, May I express through your columns a regret that is felt by certain members of the School that more interest is not taken in the museum, and that also the old Bibles and other objects of interest there are not more carefully kept. Do you think something could be done about this? Yours truly, W. B. D. [We certainly do. It seems a pity that any of the School's resources of interest should be treated with apathy. Perhaps the old office of keeper of the museum may be revived.-—EDS. VIG.]

To the Editors of the " Vigornian." Sirs, The editors of a paper are privileged to write notes and criticisms at the bottom of letters received. But should this privilege be abused? If the editors do indulge in it, they should criticize the letter properly and keep to the point. Most writers to the Vigornian are perfectly serious in their complaints, which are often justifiable. Why, therefore, should the editors make witty remarks which tend to spoil the good effects produced upon readers by the letter? It would be a pleasant change to see favourable instead of adverse comments. Yours, etc., READERS. [Forgiveness, gentle correspondent. It is unfortunate that we should not always have agreed with those who send us letters. But surely this policy of opposing argument to argument is preferable to apathetically remarking " Hear ! Hear ! " as is the custom of most editors. As for the accusation that we attempt facetiousness—well, why not make wit the handmaid of argument, and brighten things generally? Nevertheless we have tried to be serious here, and trust that the crime of differing with our correspondents may be treated lightly.—EDS. VIG.]

THE VIGORNIAN. To the Editors of the " yigornitin," Sirs, With reference to " Nightingale's " letter printed in the last issue of the Vigornian, perhaps the hymns at prayers would improve if he undertook to play them himself. Yours, etc., SYMPATHISER. "

395

a subject? To my mind both these reasons are inadequate to justify the banning of politics altogether. Perhaps the Editors of the Vigornian can suggest the true reason. I am, etc., " BOLSHY." [Yes, it is that the School as a whole do not take such an intelligent interest in politics as " Bolshy,"—or so the Debating Committee fears. We can only sympathise, "Bolshy,' 1 and express a hope that you can find some other outlet for your feelings.—EDS. Vic.]

To flu1 Editors of the " Yigornian." Sirs, May I trespass on your valuable space for a moment to enquire why the Debating Society excludes all mention of politics for its deliberations? Are we to take it that the high-brow members of this society consider it more important to know whether musical persons make good companions than to know whether, say, n Preferential Tariff would prove beneficial to this country? Or is it that no member of the society knows enough about the affairs of his own country to make a proposal on such

Contemporaries. We acknowledge with thanks the receipt of the following, with apologies for any accidental omissions :—The Alleynian (2), The Felstedian (2), The Tonbridgian, The Oceanian, The Cantuarian, The K.E.S. Chronicle, The S.E.S. Chronicle, The Portcullis, The Nottinghamian, The Wyggestonian (2), The Petribugian, The St. Piran's Year Book.