Issuu

Che Uftornian. THE WORCESTER CATHEDRAL KING'S SCHOOL CHRONICLE. TA MEN AIAAKTA MAN6ANn, TA A'EYPETA ZHTO, TA A'EYKTA UAPA 6EON HITHSAMHN.

No 138. VOL. X.

editorial.

Contents. Editorial School Calendar ... School Notes O.V. News Obituary O.V. Club K.S.W.R.C Valete Salvete School Officers Rugger Notes O.T.C. Notes P.T. Competition... Shooting Notes Boxing Fives Cross-Country Run Scout Notes The Library The School Concert Chess Notes Debating Society ... Lecture Entertainment Oxford Letter The Rime of the Ancient Monitor: A Dreame Ruritania The Famous Victory Correspondence Contemporaries

PRICE Is-

MARCH, 1934.

Page 927 928 928 929 929 93° 930 93<> 93° 93° 93° 932 933 933 934 934 935 935 935 935 936 937 938 938 938 939 940 94i 942 942

The other evening we visited one of our number in his study. The place was in a dreadful mess—it aways is— books, boxes of " oddments " and papers strewn even on the floor, and he was sitting in the middle of it all doing absolutely nothing. He grunted enquiringly as we came in and then continued to gaze fixedly at the piece of paper in front of him, blank except for the word " Editorial " written at the top. Nobody said anything : we inspected his pictures and the rest of the things hung on the walls while he meditated. And then suddenly : " When can you let me have those Corps Notes, and that bit about the Cross-Country? " He was himself again. Finding him in that mood we beat a hasty retreat of course but not before he had prevailed upon us to put down " a few ideas " for an Editorial. So now the secret is out, of how Editorials are written —remembered at the last moment and scribbled off. And we are expected to be witty and so forth ! But the writing of Editorials is not our real trouble. The question that troubles us most is " What is The Vigornian? " Is it a chronicle, a mere statement of facts, dry and cold like the minutes of meetings, or is it a " magazine " containing .not only news but " all the best that is known and thought " and said in the School? In our efforts to combine both we realize that our work must be good enough to deserve being kept and read many years

THE VIGORN1AN.

928

hence. It has been said that nothing ever attains to the ideal in this world and with this we excuse ourselves if we have fallen short of the mark. We wish you the best of holidays and leave you to digest the contents of our Easter Egg as best you may.

School Calendar. Jan. 20.—Term begins. „ 21.—School Celebration of Holy Communion. ,, 29.—Final of House Matches. Feb. 14.—Ash Wednesday. Service 9.30 a.m. „ 17.—Lecture by Dr. Ivens on The Melanesian Mission. „ 21.—Cross Country Run. „ 22.—School Service 3 p.m. The Headmaster. „ 24.—Half Term. Certificate " A " Practical Examination. Mar. i.—School Service, 3 p.m. The Rev. R. J. Whitaker. ,, 3.—Entertainment. The Wessex Puppets by Mr. Wallace Peat. „ 8.—School Service. The Rev. V. C. Powell, O.V. ,, 12.—Inter-House P.T. Competition. „ 13.—Certificate " A " Theoretical Examination. ,, 15.—Field Day in conjunction with Malvern College. Confirmation, 12 noon. I Boxing Competition—Finals. ,, 24.—Lecture on The Everest Expedition by J. L. Longland, O.V. „ 26 and 27.—Sports Finals. ,, 29.—Exeunt Omnes.

Scfcool notes. We offer our heartiest congratulations to the Dean, who is Chairman of the Board of Governors of the School, on his election to be a " Freeman " of the City of Worcester. * * * The School has suffered a severe loss by the death, on February loth, of Canon S. R. James. Canon James was Headmaster of Malvern College from 1897 to 1914, and as the Dean reminded us in Cathedral on the following morning, he had always taken a warm interest in the affairs of the King's School during the eighteen years for which he was one of its governors. The Headmaster and the King's Scholars attended his funeral in the Cathedral on Ash Wednesday. • * * It is with great regret that we learn that another of our Governing Body, Dr. Carlyle, is resigning his canonry, which he has held only four years, in order to devote more time to his literary work in Oxford.

We are glad to welcome to College Green The Rev. G. W. Briggs, Rector of Loughborough, Hon. Canon of Leicester, who has been appointed to the Canonry vacant on the death of Canon James. * * * Fifty members of the School acted as stewards at the Memorial Service to the late Sir Edward Elgar in the Cathedral on March 2nd. » » * We congratulate A. J. N. Richards on winning a Meeke Scholarship in Classics to Hertford College, Oxford. » * * We were very pleased to see Mr. and Mrs. T. E. Rammell, who paid a visit to the School near the beginning of the term. This was Mr. Rammell's first visit since his marriage. * * * The usual Lenten Services in Cathedral have been held on Thursday afternoons. Besides sermons from the Headmaster and The Rev. R. J. Whitaker, we had the pleasure of hearing an O.V. on March 8th, when the Rev. V. C. Powell came over from Kidderminster, where he holds a curacy. * » * This term Mr. Franklin has taken over the Hostel, the domestic arrangements of which are in the hands of Mrs. Metge. We are glad to have Mr. Castley still with us for a time. He and Mrs. Castley now live in College Yard. * * * On our return to School this term we were sorry to find that Mr. Macdonald was unable to begin the term at the same time through an unfortunate accident to his eye, from which, however, he very soon recovered successfully. * * * Since there is to be no Concert this term, the Choir is holding over its performance of PurcelFs " King Arthur " until the next July Concert. * # * Instead of the usual end of term Concert parents and friends of the School are being invited to the lecture on " The Everest Expedition 1933 " which J. L. Longland, O.V., is to give in College Hall on the last Saturday of term. There is every prospect of a crowded audience. * * * We would remind our amateur golfers that it is too late to cry " Fore ! " when the ball has almost reached its mark —intended or not. * * # The gym. has been repainted and its appearance is decidedly improved. * * * Much research into the matter of fives courts, as the result of complaints about our own, has brought to light the fact that they are no worse than other people's—indeed, in many cases they are decidedly better.

THE VIGORNIAN.

o.v.

A. Adlington (Day Boy 1909-12) has been appointed Borough Engineer and Surveyor to the Ramsgate Corporation out of 132 applicants. For the past six and a half years he has been Deputy Borough Engineer of Bromley. » » » H. K. P. Beauchamp (Hostel 1930-33) has started work with the South Staffordshire Waterworks Company. » » • H. G. Bcntley (Natland 1922-24) has been chosen to play golf against America for the Walker Cup Team. » * # W. H. Buckland (Natland and School House 1931-33) has entered the service of the Commercial Union Assurance » » » Company. C. Glutton (School House 1923-27) has been elected an associate member of the Town Planning Institution as the result of success in a recent examination. Since he has already passed other examinations at the Surveyor's Institute he is now entitled to place the letters P.A.S.I., A.M.T.P.I., after his name. * * * E. J. Cole (School House 1926-32) is articled to a firm of solicitors in Leicester and has been granted a commission in the 4th Leicestershire Regiment of the Territorial Army. * » * P. L. A. Colombi (School House 1930-31) has just left Pangbourne and is joining the T.S.S. " Cornwall " for New Zealand. » » » J. W. Graves-Morris (School House 1927-33) is at Guy's Hospital, London. Dr. H. Holloway (left 1881) has been appointed precentor, organist and choirmaster at Christchurch Priory. For about 37 years he was organist and choirmaster at S. Stephen's, Bournemouth. Formerly he was chorister and assistant organist at Worcester Cathedral. * * * J. S. Hughes (Castle House 1923-28) passed the final examination of the Institute of Chartered Accountants held in November last. He is with Messrs. Carter & Co., Chartered Accountants, Newhall Street, Birmingham 3. » * » G. N. Jackson (School House 1927-31) is in India as a member of the Indian Police Force. * • * P. H. Jackson (School House 1927-30) is one of the five of last year's winning Grand Eight, London Rowing Club, selected to row again in this years eight. * * * E. W. Parsons (i) (Hostel 1925-29) has accepted (December, 1933) a post at Horton School, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire. » » # J. E. Seabright (Day Boys 1915-20) has passed the Final Examination of the Royal Institute of British Architects. He served his articles with Messrs. Yeates and Jones, of

929

Worcester, and afterwards held an appointment for some years at H.M. Office of Works, Whitehall. He has recently opened a private practice as architect and surveyor in Droitwich Spa. * * * J. Smith (Day Boys 1929-33) has been articled to H. W. Daniels, O.V. He has recently passed his Preliminary Law Examination. * * * MARRIAGE. RAMMELL—BALLINGALL.—On December 5, 1933, at St. Mary Magdalen's, St. Leonards-on-Sea, Thomas Easton Rammell, late of King's School, Worcester, to Mary Lilian Elsie, widow of Dr. G. A. Ballingall, of St. Leonards-On-Sea.

Obituarp.

ROY WESTON HALL, died January i 3 th, 1934, aged 17. During the last week of the Christmas holidays we were shocked by the news of the tragic death of Roy Hall and his father in a flying accident. His father, Mr. Roland Hall, of Clifton-on-Teme, was a member of the Cotswold Aero Club, and was flying his machine when it crashed in a sudden nose-dive and both were killed instantaneously. Roy Hall joined the School in September, 1927. He was a boy of good ability and promise, and at the time of his death was in the Classical Sixth. Though a Day Boy living at a distance he took part in all School activities ; he won his second XV colours and had played for the first XV on several occasions as threequarter and was a member of the O.T.C. Somewhat quiet and reserved by nature he was perhaps not well known by many of his schoolfellows but he had a circle of friends who knew him well and valued his friendship, and it is safe to say that his unassuming character and unselfish disposition never made an enemy. We all mourned his loss and would wish to express our deep sympathy with his mother. » » » C.C. PAYMASTER REAR-ADMIRAL HERBERT JAMES HARGRAVES, died December 2ist, 1933, aged 60. H. J. Hargraves came to the King's School from the Choir School in 1888, having won a K.S. He joined the Navy in 1890. During the war he was Accountant Officer H.M.S. King George, Flagship of the Second Battle Squadron, and was present at the Battle of Jutland. He was made C.B.E. (Military) in 1919, and retired from the Navy in 1926 with the rank of Paymaster Rear-Admiral. His death took place at Pembroke Dock. * * » DOUGLAS INGRAM-HALFORD (1895-98) died March 2nd, 1934, in Calcutta, aged 50. He was in the Bengal Pilot Service. * * * DENNIS W. A. MOLONY (School House 1922-1929) born November gth, 1911, died March joth, 1934, in Switzerland.

THE VIGORNIAN.

93«

Saloete.

O.V. Club. The O.V. Reunion and Dinner will take place on Saturday, July 14th, in conjunction with the School Prize-Giving and Concert on Friday, July 13th. Members of the O.V. Club will be sent full particulars in due course.

K.S.UI R.C. The following are the Rowing fixtures for the coming season with the exception of the 2nd IV fixture with Clifton College, which has not yet been definitely arranged. 1ST AND 2ND IV'S.

Sat., June 9.—Monmouth School, at Monmouth. Wed., „ 13.—Hereford Cathedral School, at Worcester. Sat., ,, 16.—Cheltenham College, at Tewkesbury. 1ST

IV.

Sat., June 23.—Public Schools Cup, at Marlow.

Vaku. Modern Sixth. Bryer, R. J. W. (1926-33). Day Boys. King's Scholar 2nd XV Football. Librarian. Secretary Debating Society. Davies, R. A. H. (1930-33). Fyson, E. C. (1930-33).

Day Boys.

Day Boys. Cadet O.T.C.

Buckland, W. P. (1931-33). School House. Scholar. Cadet O.T.C. 2nd XI Cricket 1933.

King's

Lower Fifth. Halliley, P. T.

School House. King's Scholar.

Upper Fourth. Mole, F. E. B. School House. Allen, ii, R. T. L. Day Boys. Trape, J. H. School House.

School Officers. Captain of Rugger Secretary of Rugger Captain of Gym. Captain of Fives Captain of Shooting President of the Debating Society Secretary ,, ,, ,, Secretary o f Chess . . .

R. E. Summers. W. J. Mercer. W. J. Mercer. D. S. Clarke. J. G. Stretton. D. S. Clarke. W. J. Mercer. A. J. N. Richards. R. L. Thomas. J. L. Warren.

Captains of Houses :— School House . . . Hostel Castle House Day Boys -

W. J. Mercer. I. H. Hedderwick. J. D. Evans. R. E. Summers.

Captains of the School

-1

School Monitors.—R. E. Summers, W. J. Mercer, A. J. N. Richards, D. S. Clarke, I. H. Hedderwick, J. D. Evans. Editors of The Vigornian.—A. J. N. Richards, R. L. Thomas, R. E. Summers, W. J. Mercer. Librarians.—A. J. N. Richards, R. L. Thomas, J. S. Bagenal, J. D. Evans, I. H. Hedderwick.

Upper Fifth. Graves-Morris, J. W. (1927-33). School House. Cpl. O.T.C. Cert. " A " 1932. Captain of Shooting 1933. 2nd XV Football 1932 and 1933. Tirbutt, E. B. (1929-33). Hostel. L/Cpl. O.T.C. " A " 1933. 2nd XV Football 1933.

Cert.

Lower Fifth. Beauchamp, H. K. P. (1930-33). Hostel. Cadet O.T.C. Cert. " A " 1933. Shooting VIII 1933. 2nd XV Football (1932-33). and XI Cricket 1933. Walker, E. L. (1931-33).

Day Boys.

Dickins, G. R. (1931-33). Castle House. Cadet O.T.C. 2nd XV Football 1932. ist XV 1933. 2nd XI Cricket 1932 and 1933. Farrington, D. (1931-33). Ufper

Day Boys.

Fourth.

King, J. P. H. (1928-33). Hostel. 2nd XV Football 1933.

Rudder. SCHOOL v. O.V.'s. Played on December 2oth on a ground which had softened considerably in a week of foggy weather after a period of frost. The O.V.'s put out a far better team than usual and though at first play was very even the weight of the O.V. forwards began to tell, the ball was sent out to the wing and Meers went over for an unconverted try. O.V.'s scored twice again before half-time, both tries unconverted, and Bayes crossed the line once for the School. In the second half the O.V.'s scored again and Rushton converted from a difficult position. And in the last few minutes Stretton ran through for a second try for the School, making the score 6—14. An excellent game, with the teams not unevenly matched and the result in favour of what was admittedly a very good O.V. side.

THE VIGORNIAN. The O.V. XV was as follows:—(R. R. Townsend); A. V. Parsons; R. S. Carter, D. H. Clinch, R. G. Meers ; R. P. Royle, H. S. Clarke; A. P. Shrimpton, J. H. F. Dixon, E. J. Steward, C. N. Herridge, L. M. Bailey, E. P. K. Rushton, G. E. Rackstraw, (A. J. N. Richards). Townsend and Richards were substitutes chosen from the School to fill up the XV.

The draw for the House Matches was as follows :— Castle House , r, DBoys }/ Castle House i/ Day Sch School House , c u , „ °°' H°USe Hostel } School House ) In the first round, the match between Castle House and Day Boys proved very exciting. There being no score at the end of the game, an extra five minutes was played each way, but even this produced no score. In the replay Castle House were successful in winning 6—o after another very evenly matched and exhausting game. School House won their match with Hostel. This game promised to be as even as the other, and for the first few minutes it was so until Clarke, after a long individual run, scored between the posts for School House. This try was converted. After half-time three more tries were scored by School House but were not converted. The final score was 14—0. In the Final, which proved to be a most trying match for the nerves of both players and spectators, the lead was exchanged five times before the end of the match. School House started well and Clarke scored an unconverted try. Castle House retaliated with two unconverted tries in quick succession. These were scored by Gilson and Holloway. At half-time Castle House were leading by six points to three. School House went hard from the kick-off and Lavender scored a try which was converted. Castle House then pressed hard and regained the lead, Gilson scoring a try which was converted. Castle House were within an ace of scoring again, but were brought back for a pass off the ground. Then, the play returning to mid-field, Walliker cut through and passed inside to Mercer, who had a clear run and scored between the posts. This try was converted and the game was at an end. School House succeeded, by a mere two points 13—u, in retaining the House Cup for yet another year. » » # Three " Under 15 " matches were arranged for this term. The School were unfortunate in that three of the most promising threequarter backs were unable to play in any of the matches. In the Bloxham match alone were the teams anything like evenly balanced. In both the other matches the School side was hopelessly outsized and outweighted.

THE SCHOOL VERSUS HEREFORD C.S. Played at Hereford on Wednesday, February yth, on a fairly firm ground with a moderate cross-wind blowing. Hereford kicked off against the wind, and were at once on the offensive. They scored after five minutes' play. Both sides packed badly, but the Hereford hooking was better than ours. However, when we did get the ball back in the scrum, the passing of our own threequarters was erratic. Hereford of course took advantage of this and ran up a score of 57 points, to which we made no reply.

THE SCHOOL VERSUS WARWICK. Played at home on Wednesday, February I4th. The weather was cold and the ground dry and suitable for open play. The Warwick team completely outsized us and although our forwards held them in the scrum they got the ball back with monotonous regularity and their weight did the rest. Their threequarters scoring at will, ran up the score to 84—o.

THE SCHOOL VERSUS BLOXHAM. Played at home on Saturday, February ifth. A rather cold but fine day, ground firm. This match was far more evenly contested. The forwards played a moderate game and held the Bloxham pack well. Up to half-time and well into the second half neither side scored, play passing quickly from one end of the field to the other. Our threequarters showed improved form as compared with previous matches but seemed to lack the extra polish of the Bloxham backs, which enabled them to win 6—o. »

Two fixtures were arranged for the ist Game this term :— Feb. 3.—ist XV v. Hertford College, Oxford. Mar. 3.—" A " XV v. Worcester " B." The first of these matches was played on the School ground immediately after the House matches. The School were thus unable to get much practice together as a team, but were thoroughly fit as a result of hard training for the House matches and were enabled to beat the Hertford College XV 26—0. The School threequarters showed remarkably good form and brought off some fine movements in spite of the lack of practice, but the forwards were none too well combined and had a heavy pack to contend with. Team: D. A. Hemmings; C. W. P. Langley, J. G. Stretton, W. G. Spencer, J. N. Baxter, E. C. Luscombe; J. K. Bayes, D. S. Clarke; W. J. Mercer, K. Ault, R. E. Summers, E. B. Jackson, J. H. Jackson, J. L. Noble, P. G. Andrews, J. F. Lavender. *

* *

THE VIGORNIAN.

932

" A " XV v. WORCESTER " B." Played on the Northwick ground. Result: Lost, 16 points to 3. The School was represented as far as possible by members of next year's ist XV. The team had had no practice at all for several weeks and in consequence gave a bad performance. Lack of combination was the main fault. The forwards played as individuals and the heeling from scrums was very sticky. The threequarters were fairly sound in defence but in attack they needed more penetration and the insides failed to provide their wings with openings. Bayes scored the only try for the School soon after the club had scored for the first time. Team: D. A. Hemmings; R. R. Townsend, J. N. Baxter, E. C. Luscombe; J. K. Bayes, K. Ault; W. J. Mercer, E. B. Jackson, J. L. Noble, P. G. Andrews, J. F. Lavender, R. W. M. Allen, R. I. G. Brooks, C. E. Rawlings. THE BELOWS. The Belows matches were played off late in the term, some time after all School Rugger had ceased. They were played in the usual way, on the American Tournament System. We congratulate Day Boys on retaining the cup which they won for the first time last year. Result :— Day Boys ... ... 6 points School House ... ... 4 ,, Hostel ... ... 2 „ Castle House ... ... o „ The winning team was : J. H. Reynolds (Capt.); R. L. Thomas, D. R. Mann, R. P. Beard; J. S. Pressdee, D. W. Walker, A. M. Penny, W. N. Bryer, R. Anstey. Our thanks are due to Mr. J. H. L. Burnett and Mr. R. C. Pedder for coaching the games during this term. W.J.M. D.S.C.

o.c.c. nous.

Training this term has been caT'td out in accordance with the syllabus as usual. Special attention was given to the candidates for Certificate " A " this term as well as last and has produced good results. All nine of the candidates who took the Practical part this term were successful. The results of the Theoretical part taken on March i3th have not yet been published. * * * Six recruits, who joined at the beginning of the term, are showing great promise. They are in a separate squad under L/Cpl. Gilson. * * *

The Band has been putting in a great deal of practice and although there is a large number of new members, there seems to be no likelihood of a fall in standard by the summer.

This year the contingent will attend the summer Camp at Tweseldown.

As usual in the Easter holidays six members of the O.T.C. are to attend the P.T. Camp at Aldershot. This camp is very profitable not only to those who attend it but also to the Corps : for the six who have had that training are afterwards able to act as P.T. instructors, following the correct methods, for the rest of the contingent.

Field Operations were held on March isth in the Croome Park—Defford Common area in conjunction with the Malvern College contingent. Manoeuvres consisted of a rear-guard action on the part of " C " Company, Malvern College and King's School, Worcester. Tactics were well carried out against the attacking force, " A " and " B " Companies, Malvern College. Although the weather was not very favourable the operations were in no way impeded. At the close of Operations, which lasted from one o'clock to four fifteen, tea rations were served at Dunstall Castle ruins.

The following promotions and appointments have been made :— Cpl. Mercer to be Sergeant and Captain of Shooting. Cdt. Jackson to be Lance-Corporal. „ Clarke „ „ „ Bagenal „ To command :— No. i Platoon (Certificate " A " candidates) No. 2 Platoon No. i Section No. 2 ,, No. 3 No. 4 „ No. 3 Platoon No. 5 Section No. 6 „ No. 7 No. 8 „ Recruits

C.S.M. Stretton. Sgt. Richards. Cpl. Hedderwick. L/Cpl. Thomas. ,, Luscombe. „ Ault. Sgt. Evans. L/Cpl. Lister. „ Clarke. ,, Bagenal. ,, Jackson. L/Cpl. Gilson.

THE V1GORNIAN. The following are last term's successful candidates for Part II (Theoretical) Certificate " A " Examination :— K. Ault. J. S. Bagenal. H. K. P. Beauchamp. D. S. Clarke. J. H. Jackson.

J. F. Lister. E. C. Luscombe. W. J. Mercer. R. L. Thomas. E. B. Tirbutt.

933

Winning team :—J. G. Stretton, R. I. G. Brooks, J. L. Noble, J. H. Jackson, D. H. Holloway, D. M. Allen; Team Leader : J. D. Evans. J.G.S.

Sbootlng. The following were successful in Part I (Practical) Certificate " A " Examination this term on February and :— P. G. Andrews. G. N. Baxter. R. H. Fyson. D. O. Hall. R. C. Hicks.

D. H. R. Holloway. J. L. Noble. P. L. Norman. W. G. Spencer.

The range has been entirely devoted to the Shooting VIII. This year the selection of an VIII was not a difficult task for there are now only eight ist Class shots in the School. However, to bring the VIII up to the usual standard was a different matter, for only two of last year's VIII had stayed on. In contrast with last year we made quite a promising start but then failed to improve with practice. Our thanks are due to Lieutenant J. H. L. Burnett for supervising the Shooting.

The following is the official report on this term's (Practical) Certificate " A " Examination :—

Scores of Shooting match versus Trent College :— Group. Possible

General Remarks : Great keenness is shown by all ranks in this contingent and results are extremely satisfactory.

Snap.

Total.

«5

•

...

•

A. J. N. Richards... J. G. Stretton

S S

• •• •

45 4i

"5 '5 2O

65 66 64

W. J. Mercer Tactics and Map Reading : Good.

Rapid.

Drill : Good ; turn-out excellent. Weapon Training : Good.

J. S. Wilkinson

W. G. Spencer

...

•• •

D. S. Clarke

•• •

4°

J. S. Bagenal

•• •

55 61

K. Ault

5 •• • 39 Total 498.

Trent College Total, 609.

P.C. Competition. The P.T. Competition was held on Monday, March I2th, in College Hall, and, as usual, was enthusiastically contested by all four houses. The results of each team were highly creditable and satisfactory, doing full justice to the hard training and practice put in beforehand. The Cup was won by Castle House, the order being as follows :— Castle House ... ... 107 points Hostel ... ... ... 102 ,, School House ... ... 92 ,, Day Boys ... ... 90 „ At the conclusion of the Competition the judge, SergeantInstructor Salsbury, of the A.P.T.S., expressed great satisfaction at the high standard of physical training attained in I he School and remarked that the stamina of the teams was especially good. He was also good enough to give some useful hints as to how the work might be improved.

Result : Lost by 1 1 1 . Scores of Shooting matches versus Framlingham College, St. Edward's School, Oxford and King's College School, Wimbledon. W. J. Mercer J. S. Wilkinson ... A. J. N. Richards... J. G. Stretton W. G. Spencer D. S. Clarke J. S. Bagenal E. C. Luscombe ...

Group. 10 10

Rapid. Snap. 48 ... 25 43 — 2° 38 ... 15 40 ... 15

S 5 38 5 42 5 42 5 o 31 Total 477.

... ... ... ...

5 15 10 5

Total. - 83 ••• 73 ... 58 ... 60 ... ... ...

48 62 57 36

Framlingham College Total, 583. Result: Lost by 106. St. Edward's School Total, 613. Result: Lost by 136. K.C.S. Wimbledon Total, 643. Result : Lost by 166.

THE VIGORNIAN.

934

Scores of Shooting match versus King Edward's, Birmingham. Group. Rapid. Snap. Total. W. J. Mercer ... 10 ... 47 ... 20 ... 77 J. S. Wilkinson ... 10 ... 42 ... 15 ... 67 A. J. N. Richards... 5 ... 36 ... 5 ... 46 J. G. Stretton ... 5 ... 42 ... 25 ... 72 W. G. Spencer ... 2 ... 38 ... 20 ... 60 D. S. Clarke ... 5 ... 43 ... 15 ••• 63 J. S. Bagenal ... 5 ... 36 ... 10 ... 51 E. C. Luscombe ... 2 ... 42 ... 15 ••• 59 Total 495. King Edward's School Total, . Result : Scores in the Country Life competition : — Group. Rapid. Snap. W. J. Mercer ... 5 ... 48 ... 20 J. S. Wilkinson ... 5 ... 49 ... 20 A. J. N. Richards... 5 ... 38 ... 15 J. G. Stretton ... 2 ... 44 ... o W. G. Spencer ... 5 ... 47 ... 15 D. S. Clarke ... 5 ... 35 ... 15 J. S. Bagenal ... 5 ... 44 ... 10 E. C. Luscombe ... 5 ... 40 ... 10 Total

...

345

...

105

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Total. 73 74 58 46 67 55 59 55

... 487

Landscape possible 192, total (approx.) 99. Grand Total 586.

Boxing. Boxing seems, if numbers are to be trusted, to be becoming more popular in the School. This term twenty-one the number of junior boxers this term to seven. Yet twenty-one is very few considering that boxing is an accomplishment which everyone should be able to add to his list. Next year we hope to see numbers increasing still further. The gym. has been provided with a new punrhba!!, which has been made great use of this term. The following are the results of the Boxing Competition :— Rice Jones ii beat Folley on points. Wise ,, Bearcroft i „ Trap£ ,, Ravenhill ii ,, Ravenhill i ,, Lodge ,, Rathbone ,, Paul ,, Gad<* „ Allen ,, Holloway „ Fyson „ Gilson „ Hedderwick ,, Ault „ Stretton ,, Langley i „ Langley ii ,,

We congratulate Gilson on winning the individual cup. The order was as follows : — i. E. L. R. Gilson. 2. R. F. Gad<*. 3. K. Ault. 4. C. W. P. Langlev. J.G.S.

fives. The fine weather experienced for the greater part of this term has proved a great advantage. It has been possible to play far more frequently and consequently many have vastly improved in their play. Improvement was certainly necessary because there remained very little talent after the recent lack of practice due to scarlet fever. The ist IV have played three matches this term : — THE SCHOOL v. HEREFORD C.S. This match was played away on February loth and was won 90—55. Rather to our surprise we won this match fairly comfortably without losing a game. Neither pair played particularly well owing to their inexperience and the strangeness of the courts ; nevertheless it was a very enjoyable match. » * * THE SCHOOL v. BROMSGROVE SCHOOL. This match was played on February I7th and was lost 55 — 77. After our first success we were fairly confident but our first pair received rather a surprise and were literally overwhelmed in the first game. They recovered however, and two very keenly contested games ensued, in which they were beaten through the superior finish of their opponents. Meanwhile the second pair had done very creditably to win by two games to one. * * *

THE SCHOOL v. BROMSGROVE SCHOOL. This match was played at Bromsgrove on March 3rd and was lost 52—86. We were playing under the dual handicap of the absence of one of the first pair and the unfamiliarity of the courts, which had larger buttresses than our own. The first pair lost rather badly in spite of Summers' gallant efforts. The second pair lost also, for the first time, though they put up a hard fight. * * * The following were awarded their ist IV colours:— D. S. Clarke, R. E. Summers, J. S. Bagenal, J. G. Stretton. R. L. Thomas played in the last match in D. S. Clarke's place. « * * The 2nd IV played only one match owing to the fact that Bromsgrove could not produce a 2nd IV because of " flu." This was against Hereford, which they won 79—55, after a good match. The following played in the 2nd IV :—

THE VIGORNIAN. J. K. C. Bayes, P. G. Andrews, F. C. Lewis, D. H. Langley. We thank Mr. Whitaker and Mr. Franklin for their help. The competitions, with the exception of the " under 15 " which was won by Sheriff, have not yet been finished. The following is the result of the House Matches :— Hostel . „ . . „ I School House i school House / Day Boys Day Boys "<VT I Day Boys } J Castle House / D.S.C.

Cross Country. This year's Cross Country was run on Wednesday, February 2ist. Conditions were ideal—though the spectators were the only people to appreciate this at the time. The ground had been dried hard in the recent long period of dry weather, though it was not so hard as to produce sore feet. The weather was sunny and warm, without being stifling, so that we did not get cold and stiff before the start. Clarke took the lead in the first field and though it was a long time before he caught up with the foremost " under 15 " runner he finished first in 16 minutes 15 seconds, closely pursued by Fyson. This time breaks H. S. Clarke's record of two years ago by more than half a minute. School House again won the Warren Cup and the Individual Cup. The order was as follows:—i, Clarke; 2, Fyson; 3, Bryer i ; 4, Evans; 5, Luscombe; 6, Richards i. The order for each House was :— 1. School House 2. Day Boys 3. Castle House 4. Hostel ...

...

55 points. 58 „ 88 „ 141 „

Points for Senior Victor Ludorum :— 1. Clarke ... ... ... 2. Fyson 3. Evans 4. Luscombe ... ... ...

10 8 6 4

Points for Junior Victor Ludorum :— 1. Bryer i 2. Lavender ii ... ... ... 3. Richards ii 4. Strother ... ... ...

8 6 4 2

Scout Rotes. As a rule when Scout Notes have to be contributed to The Vigornian we spend sleepless nights racking our thoughts for something to write about. Fortunately this term we have no lack of material.

935

Our numbers continue to increase and we have been able to form a patrol at Droitwich, which though operating in that vicinity is at the same time attached to the School troop. It is certain that this term has been one that will go down in our Scouting history. We have been divided into two troops and this division into Day Boys and Boarders has produced a fresh antagonism. A new atmosphere of keenness has sprung up. Uniform parades have become far more frequent. For the Ogilvy Ambulance Cup Competition we sent in two patrols, who obtained second and third places respectively. We had a most enjoyable time on Field Day, on Kempsey Common. We are looking forward to next term when the week-end camps begin. We welcome R. E. Summers, a former scout, as our new A.S.M. Space forbids us to write more and we have only to extend our thanks to all who have helped in Scout matters, and in particular to our scout masters and patrol leaders.

Che Clbrarp. A meeting of the Library Committee was held on Monday, March I2th. It was decided to devote the whole of the small balance available this term in the first place to binding up the last two volumes of The Vigornian and to repairing Library books. Another volume of Punch is to be bound and placed in the Reading Room. The Library Suggestion List has therefore been cancelled with the exception of six books which are to be carried over to the next Suggestion List. It was decided to take Berrouu's Worcester Journal for the Reading Room in. future. The following books have been very kindly presented to the Library by Mr. J. H. L. Burnett :— Adam in Moonshine The Blanket of the Dark Literary Lapses

J. B. Priestley John Buchan Stephen Leacock

* * # The following have been added to the Reading Room :— A Bound Volume of The Field. " The National Provincial Bank, 1833-1933."

ClK Concert. The Christmas Concert was held on December 2oth. For the first time for very many years the Dean was unable to be present. In a message to the School he told us that the Headmaster had forbidden him to tax his strength by coming, and that in some things even the Chairman of the Governors must obey the Headmaster. We need hardly say how much he was missed. The first part of the programme was taken up by a spirited performance of Mendelssohn's " St. Paul," a strenuous work of which the School Choir made a great sue-

THE VIGORNIAN.

936

cess. Our thanks are due to C. I. Record, O.V., for singing the bass solos, and to Mr. Boothroyd, who carried through a very high tenor part in spite of a bad cold. The treble solos were taken by a quartet, including C. G. Hartwright, who also gave a good rendering of the recitatives. C. Brown, O.V., who had accompanied "St. Paul," opened the second part with two excellent piano solos, including one of the less familiar of Rachmaninov's Preludes. We were particularly pleased to see the reconstruction of a once familiar quartet, made possible by the welcome return of Mr. G. K. Tattersall. His comical appearance in the reader's lectern, in dressing gown and beard, as the irate father in " Maiden Fair," provoked such storms of applause that this fascinating musical joke had to be repeated. The Concert ended, as tradition demands, with the singing of the " FZoreat," in which the Choir was reinforced by a hearty, if less tuneful, body of O.V. Our only regret, in a very delightful concert, was that only one performer in the orchestra was a present member of the School. The lack of strings was particularly noticeable, and it is to be hoped that this state of affairs will soon be remedied. We are sure that there is plenty of musical talent in the School, and that it only needs to be directed into the proper channels. PROGRAMME. PART I. Saint Paul (Part I)

Mendelssohn THE SCHOOL CHOIR. C. I. RECORD, O.V. MR. E. G. BOOTHHOYD.

cbtss nous.

At the beginning of the term an effort was made to organize Chess more on a club basis. A committee was formed with one representative from each house; at a meeting on Wednesday, January 24th, in Mr. Whitaker's classroom it was agreed that a return be made to the rules of 1913. This meant that a House competition was played with teams of four a side, and that a list of members of the club was drawn up, on which anyone was allowed to challenge anyone else in the next four above him, and if he won, they changed places. With regard to activities outside the School, we were unfortunate in having to cancel the usual match with Worcester City II, which had been arranged for Thursday, February 8th. However, a match was played at home on Monday, February 26th, against the Grammar School—our first encounter with them for over four years. The result was a loss for the School by 4$—ij, although we had five members of last year's team playing. By this match they obtained the right to challenge the College for the Blind for the Public Schools Shield. Scores :— THB SCHOOI. W.R.G.S. 1. J. L. Warren ... i D. J. Carter ... 4 2. K. B. Dyer ... J R. C. L. Sudbury ... J 3. W. G. Spencer ... o A. R. Bradley ... i 4. P. G. Andrews ... o F. G. Penson ... i 5. E. L. R. Gilsoa ... o W. Willshaw ... i 6. F. C. Lewif ... J G. W. Paintin ... J 41

PART II. 1. Pianoforte Solos— (a) Caprice Medtner (b) Prelude in G minor Rachmcminov C. BROWN, O.V. 2. Quartets— (a) Jack Sprat G. A. Blackburn (b) Bold Turpin /. F. Bridge MESSRS. H. E. NICHOLLS, E. F. DAY, A. D. FRANKLIN, G. K. TATTERSALL. 3. Orchestra— (a) Minuet from Symphony in G minor Mozart (b) Minuet from Symphony in D Haydn ist Violins—MRS. WINIFRED HILL, G. A. BAKER, O.V. 2nd Violins—MR. H. E. NICHOLLS, J. H. F. DIXON, O.V. Viola—MR. F. FIELDER. Flute—MR. A. D. FRANKLIN. Clarinet—MR. E. G. BOOTHROYD. Piano—R. A. H. DAVIES. 4. Quartet and Trio— (a) Quibble's Cocoa (b) Maiden Fair

/. F. Harptr Haydn

5. School Song—" Floreat "

Vint Hall

On the following dcjr a match was played away against the College for the Blind, the first for four years. The School's defeat was not nearly so decisive as the score suggests ; we were very unlucky not to secure at least draws on boards 2 and 5. If one goes by form and not by results, this match has enabled us to redeem our reputation, since all our opponents this time were of proved strength. The games were as follows :— THB SCHOOL. COLLEGE FOR THE BLIND. 1. J. L. Warren J H. W. Gamble o 2. K. B. Dyer o R. W. T. Thorpe i 3. W. G. Spencer o J. D. Dawlings i 4. P. G. Andrews o L. Stevenson i 5. E. L. R. Gilson o E. L. Ramsay i 6. F. C. Lewis o W. A. Wood i

House Matches have been played as follows :— Hostel beat Castle House; Day Boys drew with School House, and beat Hostel and Castle House; School House beat Castle House. School House have yet to play Hostel.

THE VIGORNIAN.

937

unfit to be a dictator. He finally maintained that the country would have to choose between two evils—a Socialist government or a Fascist dictatorship.

The progress of the Chess Cup competition has been rather slow this term and is therefore not yet finished. Last term's handicap competition was completed, Buckland defeating Warren in the final through making good use of the disadvantage in position which the giver of the odds of Pawn and move nearly always receives. Our thanks are due to Mr. Whitaker for his advice and the interest he has taken in School Chess this term.

After a brief summing-up by Mr. Evans for the motion, and Mr. Gilson for the opposition, the motion was thrown open to the House. Speaking from the House Mr. Macdonald expressed his astonishment that all the speakers should be unanimous in condemning Socialism. Nor did he believe that Socialism and Fascism were the only alternatives for the Nation. Surely we should be content with present efficient National Government.

Debating soclttp. The first meeting of the Society this term took place on Wednesday, January 24th. The following appointments were made:—

The motion was lost by an almost unanimous verdict.

R. L. Thomas to be Secretary, in place of R. J. W. Bryer, and I. H. Hedderwick to represent Hostel upon the Committee in place of E. B. Tirbutt. Both the retiring members have left the School.

The next debate was held in the Sixth Form Room on Friday, March 2nd, the Headmaster taking the Chair. The motion before the House was that " Camping has been ruined by the Hiker."

The first debate of the term was held in the Sixth Form Room on Tuesday, February 6th, the President taking the Chair. The motion was that " in the opinion of this House, Blackshirts alone can save Britain." In proposing the motion, Mr. Evans gave an outline of the aims and activities of the Blackshirt Party. He maintained that it was entirely devoted to the interests of the British nation, and cited as an instance their advocacy of an increase in British armaments, now so vital to the country. As a political party it was in direct opposition to the Socialists and Communists. But he added that the Blackshirts did not intend to establish a regime of coersion, as had been done in Germany under the Nazis. The Blackshirt movement was essentially a British movement and no restrictions of liberty would be imposed. Mr. Gilson opposed the motion. He argued that, since it was proposed that " Blackshirts alone can save Britain," the Hon. Proposer had failed to prove his case. He maintained that the country was once more returning to prosperity under the National Government, and that Fascism was not vital to the nation's welfare. Mr. Andrews, in seconding the motion, substantiated the statements of the Hon. Proposer. But he added emphatically that it was absolutely true that " Blackshirts alone can save Britain." The National Government was too slow in action, and the Blackshirt movement, with its vigorous policy was needed to bring about an immediate return to prosperity. In seconding the opposition Mr. Taylor emphasized a point unmentioned by any of the previous speakers, that the main principle of any Fascist organization was the establishment of a dictatorship. In this case the choice would fall upon Sir Oswald Mosley, whom he considered

* » *

This debate was something in the nature of an impromptu discussion, as a previously proposed debate had fallen through owing to the sudden illness of one of the principal speakers. In proposing the motion, Mr. Thomas maintained that the Hikers had ruined camping in more senses than one. They had ruined it for themselves, by converting what had been an age-old and extremely pleasant form of holiday into a hectic rush and flurry from which they could not possibly derive any enjoyment. They also had spoiled camping for others by their inconsiderate behaviour, thus alienating many farmers all over the countryside to all hikers and campers in general. In opposing the motion, Mr. Richards said that he had personally never noticed the bad behaviour of hikers, nor the effects of it. He agreed that the Hiker might be an obnoxious type of individual, but that he had no effect on the true " Camper " who could still continue in his own way, unmolested. ! j i I i | j

In seconding the motion, Mr. Gilson was emphatic in his denunciation of the Hiker. He stated from his own experience in the Lake District that he had noticed the increase of the Hiking element during the last few years. He quoted, as an instance, the fact that, during his absence from his camp one day, the whole site had been littered with rubbish, a plain indication that a party of hikers had lately visited it!

' 1 I | | | ;

Mr. Evans strenuously opposed the motion. He said that the Hon. Proposers were actuated by pure selfishness in making their complaints against the conduct of the hiker. He held that the same type of selfishness was to be seen in the pastimes of boating and fishing. Fishermen get annoyed when boats disturb their water, while rowers are impeded by the rods and lines of the fishermen. Thus they

THE VIGORNIAN.

938

Cbe Oxford carer.

prove equal nuisances to each other. Moreover, why should campers be the privileged class? It would seem that, because hikers are in a majority, they must of necessity be despised. Before throwing the motion open to the House, the Chairman considered it necessary that a precise definition of the difference between " campers " and " hikers " should be given. In his opinion, the difference between the two classes was so difficult to perceive, that it would be a considerable obstacle to a decision on the part of the House. When called upon to give a definition, Mr. Thomas failed to do so, whereupon Mr. Macdonald, from the House, proposed an amendment that " some action should be taken by competent campers and hikers against incompetent campers and hikers." There resulted from this several problems concerning the proper forms of procedure in debating upon the amendment, and, though it was successfully proposed and seconded, it did not meet with very general approval. Mr. Evans, in particular, strongly protested against what he termed " this absurd and binding amendment." As a result the motion was lost by 12 votes to 6. R.L.T.

Cecture. In the evening of Saturday, February I7th, we heard a lecture by Dr. Ivens on the Melanesian Mission. He made it interesting, with a very Jarge number of slides, and gave us a clear idea of the circumstances and standard of life in those islands and of the difficulties of tradition, language and the country which the missionaries have to surmount. We learned that there is a stupendous number of entirely different and very complicated languages used in this part of the world with the study of which Dr. Ivens is chiefly concerned. We begin to look a little more favourably upon the languages we are studying here!

entertainment. On Saturday, March 3rd, Mr. Wallace Peat gave us a very good entertainment with his Wessex Puppets. Since he was here last he has begun representing Shakespeare and was able to give us three scenes from " The Taming of the Shrew." The School chose more Shakespeare in preference to anything of a more trivial nature and he ended with a scene from "The Tempest." College Hall being quite large enough for an actual " life size " dramatic performance is not very well suited to the same thing in miniature; but this made no great difference to the excellence of the performance and all enjoyed seeing " how it worked " afterwards.

OXFORD, March, 1934. To the Editors of " The Vigornian." Dear Sirs, Our unfortunate failure to provide an, Oxford letter for the last issue of The Vigornian provides a fitting opportunity to put an end to the old type of Oxford letter which we have always felt to be unworthy both of The Vigornian and of Oxford. It has in the past apparently been the aim of the writer to turn himself into a third-rate humorist and to suggest that O.V.'s at Oxford in common with all other undergraduates were, at the best, lazy and, at the worst, irresponsible lunatics. Probably nobody believed them, but there is a prevalent tendency, largely aided by the Daily Press, to regard Oxford as a place inhabited by abnormal beings. It is undeniable that Oxford has its purple-suited aesthetes and its tough " hearties," but they are representative neither of the great mass of Oxford men, nor of O.V.'s. The average undergraduate—pace those who deny he exists—looks with scornful derision and amused contempt on those whose childish folly provides material for sensational writers. Ideals are unfashionable but Matthew Arnold has expressed in unforgettable words the ideal for which Oxford stands: " Steeped in sentiment as she lies, spreading her gardens to the moonlight, and whispering from her towers the last enchantments of the Middle Age, who will deny that Oxford keeps ever calling us nearer to the true goal of all of us, to the ideal, to perfection—to beauty, in a word, which is only truth seen from another side? " This is the spirit which lies beneath the noisy tumult and incessant activity of undergraduate life. In that life Vigornians play their part. Many of us are confronted with schools next term. We hope—and believe —that, even if the elusive " first " escapes us, we shall have a goodly number of "seconds." Our academic successes certainly outweigh our sporting activities and we can claim no sportsman of any repute. J. F. R. Jones-Williams has obtained fame in the dramatic circles of the University. His performance of Dona Filomena in his College Dramatic Society's production of Quintero's " A Hundred Years Old " gained the strong approval of that most captious of mortals, the " Isis " Dramatic Critic. Most of us have had an uneventful term but here are some scanty details of our activities : F. H. YARNOLD (University). Is working extremely hard for " Greats " : but manages to retain some interests outside his work. S. M. BATE (Trinity). Is also taking " Greats " next term. Preserves a true philosopher's calm in face of all trials and changes. P. BEAUMONT (St. Peter's Hall). Our solitary linguist. Retains an undiminished enthusiasm for Rugger.

THE VIGORNIAN. T. S. BROADHURST and J. F. R. JONES-WILLIAMS (Hertford) are reported to have luxurious digs in the outermost suburbs, where they eat enormous breakfasts. Are faced with History Finals in May.

He holds him with his glittering eye, The frightened Boy stands still And listens like a three-year-old, The monitor hath his will.

J. L. PAYNE (Trinity). Has Law schools next term, but manages not to be unduly worried about them.

" There was a race in which I ran, It was called the Cross-countree ; The start was over yonder hill Behind that tall elm-tree.

P. BOWLES (Hertford). President of his College Musical Society. Has bought a motor-bike which once went for five miles without breaking down. Is engaged in a study of Restoration drama. J. R. A. EMBLING (University). An ardent supporter of the " Group " movement, which absorbs much of his time and energy. H. BAYLIS (Keble). Lives in obscurity and is only occasionally to be seen. A. V. PARSONS (Queen's). Has taken Hon. Mods, this term and has, of necessity, lived a hermit life in his rooms. Plays " fives " and sings in the Bach choir. P. HEADEACH (Keble). Attends lectures assiduously, even the most dull ones. Rows. C. R. COCKBURN (Keble). An aesthetic, in the best sense of the word. E. G. KNAPP-FISHER (Trinity). Plays " fives " with much vigour. Always appears to be extremely busy, thus exploding the time-honoured theory that nobody in Trinity ever worked before their third year. I. C. M. CONNER (Keble). Wears bright pullovers. Has joined the Irish Club. Another devotee of lectures. Has the misfortune to be in digs in his first year. R. J. MAITLAND (B.N.C.). Our one athletic champion. Unluckily his progress both at Rugger and on the river were cut short by accidents. A budding lawyer. Thus we flourish exceedingly. In conclusion we would congratulate Richards on winning the Meeke Scholarship, and we hope to welcome other O.V. 's with him next year. Yours truly, " OXON."

ClH Rime or tbe flncltnt monitor: fl Drcatne.

The day was fine, the sun was bright, The sky was clear and blue, The mead was specked with boys in white And some a darker hue. The gun is fired, the field is off, Quickly did we drop Below the mead, below the Woods, Below the " Cresta " top.

A thing in white I see ahead And there is only one : The brambles scratch, my throat is parched, But yet how fast I run." "God save thee, Ancient Monitor! From the fiends that plague thee so." " Beside a pool all dank and ooze I spiked IT in the toe. And I had done a hellish thing And it would work me woe, For I was sure that what I saw x Had made my feet to go. " Ah wretch! " I said, as on I sped, " To spike the spirit so." " The Stiles I leapt, a lithesome hare Nor cattle gave me heed. I was the first that ever burst Into that silent mead. Then passed a dreadful time. My throat Was parched and tired my shanks— A weary time, a dreadful time, How ached my weary shanks !— When looking backward I beheld The runners in their ranks. And straight the Sun was flecked with bars— O, can I stay the pace ?— As if through a dungeon-grate he peered With broad and burning face.

It is an ancient monitor, He stoppeth one of three, The Boy he wonders in his mind " Now wherefore stops he me?

The race is done, the cup is won, I hear the voices dim. The Sun dips down, the Stars rush out I cannot move a limb.

The tuckshop door is open wide And I must go within, Where others now regale themselves, Mayest hear the pop of gin."

Four times fifty living men, With many a sigh and groan, With heavy thump, a lifeless lump They fall down one by one.

939

THE V1GORNIAN.

940 The Hell I suffered in that state Is not for me to tell. But when I woke I heard a voice, A voice I knew full well. Again another voice I heard As sweet as honey dew : " This man hath penance done And penance more shall do." My conscience sore for ever more Hath goaded mind and heart I cannot choose but tell this tale, To ease me of its smart. He runneth best who loveth best His friend and foe alike, Who doth not care the race to win If it is by a spike." The monitor whose eye is bright, Whose beard with age is hoar, Is gone and now the small young Boy Turned from the tuckshop door.

He went like one that hath been stunned And is of sense forlorn. His friends were gone, he had no cash, —But to his ears there came a clash, The clash of the bell at morn. (With apologies to Coleridge)

Rumania. Ruritania I had always imagined to exist somewhere on the borders of Bohemia, towards the Adriatic side, in those far off palmy days before the Treaty of Versailles lacerated the map of Central Europe into names which are the unpronounceable despair of the romantic novelist. That it should exist at all to-day was surprising, but that I should find it the other side of Suez was to me almost unbelievable. But then the longer you live there, the more you realize for what widely divergent tastes the East caters. Certainly the first time I saw this Eastern Ruritania, reasons which you will appreciate prevent me denning it more exactly, there was nothing particularly inspiring about it. A lounging straggling waterfront, the spit of every water front in every second class port throughout the length of Asia. Caf^s and standard signboards and red roads. In front of us a ramshackle custom house with a roof like a patchwork blanket. Palms dipping their feet at the water's edge. A green hillside splashed with bungalows. On the tiny stone jetty, a wheelbarrow and three men on the flat of their backs asleep. We had crossed the sandbar into the harbour on the ebb tide just as dawn was breaking and now, our engines stopped, we dropped anchor in the slack water. We were waiting it seemed for the

doctor. Nobody knew when he was likely to come, but then as he always kept the mailboat waiting nobody really minded, nobody that is, except myself. Even the ship seemed to lose something of its British efficiency and take on a sort of Latin coma. When some three hours later an excited chuff-chuffing of the engines made me clutch my luggage for the last time I was in no mood to see even the faintest good in the place. The Englishman is probably the most tolerant individual on earth. He will tolerate your dress, your table manners, your language and your taste in drink, almost any caste and the oddest religious notions under the four corners of Heaven. But the moment you marry anything coloured he bids you a long farewell. In that perhaps lies the secret of his colonising. The Latin, on the other hand, and particularly the Portuguese, seems almost to go out of his way to dilute the dubious whiteness of his blood. It's all a matter of viewpoint, we go out to the tropics merely as lodgers, the Latin to settle down in an easy billet. Certainly Mister Mascarenhas had brought the art of easy living to its finest points. With the help of a wife he had reared sufficient coloured children to take the entire burden of work from his shoulders. He wakes up in the morning and if it is raining or if it is hot, which it usually is, he just goes back to sleep again. In the evening when it is sufficiently cool for a gentleman to venture abroad, he goes down to his Club. It is a distressing reflection on life that it is only the necessity of paying his club bill that ever makes him do any work at all, for he is too lazy even to succeed in politics. It was in the Club that I first met him. The Club—with a moth-eaten billiard table, a bar, a few broken kitchen chairs, two soiled settees and a very comprehensive collection of liquor advertisements, garnered from Copenhagen to Yokohama. " This country no good," Mister Mascarenhas confided in me. " Too many peoples in politics. Oh, but I tell you. I was in politics once, but no good. No good for gentlepeoples. I come from a very old Portuguese family. Here there are no gentlemans left. Not like me and you." I murmured my appreciation. " Our noble Government votes money for new educations, for new roads. Did you ever see a new education, or a new road? Oh, but I tell you. And they tax me their gentlemens. Oh, I tell you. Everyone is a post in our noble Government or he is in the Army." " Quite Gilbertian," I put in helpfully. " Where's that. Oh, but I tell you. Look at that man over there, please." He indicated a person in a shabby uniform who was picking his ruinous teeth with a matchBtick. " That is His Excellency the Director of Labour Camps." " What, do you get a lot of crime down here? " " But I tell you," Mister Mascarhenas put his cupped hand before his mouth. " I talk soft or they call me a

THE VIGORNIAN. revoluting Portuguese. There is no Labour Camp and they tax me. Oh, but I tell you." And he was still telling me when the Only Englishman arrived. 1 had actually met the only Englishman previously that afternoon. I had been in the Post Office, the main Post Office, an imposing stucco building with a broken fountain but no letter box, writing reassuring postcards to my various scattered relatives. The only official in the place was a tow-headed youth with a spotty face and a khaki shirt, the sort of boy they leave in charge in the lunch hour in a very small greengrocer's shop, who seemed to be hopelessly involved in his Postal Orders, and the pot of glue used for affixing the gumless stamps which a thrifty far-seeing Government had provided. I wanted, I explained, stamps sufficient to send these postcards to England. The youth's mouth merely gaped an inch wider. Slowly and methodically I repeated my request in the three native tongues of which I have any smattering. But no, he flatly refused to believe that such a place as England existed. Even the exchange seemed to have dropped out of sight for he almost recoiled when I produced a tenshilling note. Around me began to collect a voluble, helpful crowd, none of whom appeared to speak any known language. Eventually, when I really had begun to think that something must have happened to England, a man came in dressed in breeches and a very battered old trilby hat. A man with a pipe and a wide-open shirt, the sort of Empire builder you see in the tobacco advertisements. In one sharp sentence the exchange was restored, England rose from the seas and everyone was smiling again. Do you know that engraving of Rupert Brooke, whicl is the frontispiece to the Collected Poems? The Onlj Englishman was the very spit of that. The same towsled hair, the same far-away eyes, the same rebel at heart. How he came to be there I never enquired, though I do know that he was a Cambridge man, that he had been in the Army, and that he had done a spell as a schoolmaster. In Ruritania he seemed to be everything, general arbitrator, foreign consul, manager of the comic little railway and the only reliable auditor. Besides doing all the thinking there was to be done in the Office for Colonial Administration and Diplomatic Relation with Foreign Powers. The Secretary for Colonial Administration and Diplomatic Relation with Foreign Powers was a large florid man with a chest full of medals, .fierce moustachios and a strong odour of garlic. But he had an infinite capacity for looking his part. Even at a Government House reception, where you would find more gold braid than at a conference of cinema commissionaires, he was distinguished. To cope with his responsibilities he was given a rather grubby fly-ridden office conveniently near to the Light of Persia Bar on the waterfront. Each morning, medals and braid shining, he would come down to the office, put his feet on the table and pollute the already fetid atmosphere with a strong Burma cheroot. When any client, I suppose they are clients, came he was always to be found studying, sometimes upside down, Cole's Military History of the British Empire. Every

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morning the Only Englishman would drop in to write the most wonderful diplomatic letters for him. The Only Englishman seemed to be the only person who was doing any work at all without getting either a title or a portfolio for it, certainly he was the only one in politics for his health. With him and through him, for he was a welcome guest everywhere, I came to know this tin and tinsel kingdom. Of his many stories about it the best I think concerns the German who came to the country. This person was the merest adventurer who arrived with no money, any amount of bluff and a suit of dress clothes. He got himself invited into Governmeant House circles, where he immediately carried off the daughter of one of the highest ministers in the land, a man from his titles so high that you would think that nowhere in the world could there be anyone higher. Then came the difficulty. This man had married himself into the whitest blood in their little country. They created him a. Major in the Army first, but Majors were two a penny, and looking round for a nice steady job they finally made him sub-manager of their Bank. A post which he now fills with great capability and a dash which one does not normally associate with that rather staid calling. Which is the sort of romance, and it has the advantage of being perfectly true, that only occurs in a Ruritanian musical comedy.

" AN O.V."

famous Vlctorp. (With apologies to Southey.) It was a summer evening, Old Kaspar's round was done And he before the Club house door Was sitting in the sun. And near him, by the i8th green, Was Kaspar's daughter Wilhelmine. She saw her brother Peterkin Drop something on the ground, Which he beside the I3th tee In playing there had found; He came to ask what he had found—These fragments lying on the ground. Old Kaspar took them from the boy, Who stood expectant by ; And then the golfer shook his head, And with a natural sigh, " 'Tis some poor fellow's card," said he, " Torn up upon the I3th tee. " I found one in the fairway, And in a bunker too; And when, I chopped out in the rough, My mashie moved a few ! For many medal cards," said he, " Were spoilt on nearly every tee."

THE VIGORNIAN.

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" Now tell us what 'twas all about," Young Peterkin, he cries ; And little Wilhelmine looks up With wonder-waiting eyes ; " Now tell us all about the play And why they threw their cards away." " It was the medal," Kaspar cried, " And all the Club turned out; But why they all tore up their cards I could not well make out; But everybody did, but me, And I went round in 73.

To the Editors of " The Vigornian." Dear Sirs, We are one of the few Public Schools who have as yet no Cinema Society. I feel sure that there are many who would be only too ready to pay a small sum towards the purchase of a projector. Will anyone who is interested communicate with me as soon as possible? I remain, Yours, etc., A.D.B.

" With curse and oath the country round Was blasted far and wide, And many a first-rate golfer then Broke up his clubs and cried ; But things like that, you know, must be When I go round in 73. " They say it was a shocking sight After the round was won ; For many broken mashies here Lay glistening in the sun ; But things like that, you know, must be If I go round in 73. " And everybody cursed me then, Who this great round did win." " But what good came of it at last? " Quoth little Peterkin. " Why ten bob to the good," said he, " My handicap reduced to 3."

* * *

To the Editors of " The Vigornian." Dear Sirs, I must complain against the wish Of late to give us new societies, Set rules to all our hobbies, make us all Conform. Our out-of-school employments Will become dependent, organized, All " dry-as-dust " and thereby ruined. Then I ask, " Why envy other schools? Have they A College Hall, a bugle band like ours, A garden for a cloister? No! " I say,— " Be satisfied. Be lovers of this place. Work for the things that are already here. Time passes quickly, there is no such thing As boredom when hard work lays claim on all And leaves no room for would-be presidents To force the wedge between the ancient blocks. I am, sirs, your with all respect, " ANTIQUITAS."

Correspondence. To the Editors of " The Vigornian." Dear Sirs, Do you not think it would be a good idea to start a Bridge Club in the School? Quite a number of people are keen on the game. If there is a Chess Club why should there not be a Bridge Club? Matches could be arranged and a competition would be popular. Could you give the matter some consideration? I am, yours sincerely, No TRUMPS.

Contemporaries We acknowledge the following contemporaries, with apologies for any accidental omissions :—Cantuarian, Cheltonian (2), Felstedian, Royal College (Colombo), St. Edward's School (Oxford), Chronicle (2), The Limit, Monktonian, Monmothian, The Portcullis, Tonbridgian, Herefordian, Wolvernian, Bromsgrovian.