Nov 1882

THE

PETERITE. NOVEMBER,

Vol . . IV.

1882 .

No. 32.

THE PROFESSOR: A TALE OF THE TWENTIETH

"

CENTURY.

Quisnam te, juvenum confidentissime, nostras,

Jussit adire domos ?

CHAPTER VII.

A

T this point of the story, the Professor's M .S. becomes somewhat confused, and at last dwindles into a mere series of notes, not yet

expanded into a continuous tale, whilst his examination of the brain is evidently only begun . For the benefit of those who may wish to know the issue of the fortunes of James Smythe, we give the substance so far as is possible, and what we conceive to be the general drift of his observations.

IIe first very justly observes, that all power, political or otherwise, bears some relation to property or possessions of some kind, and their disposal . What property was there then in this dreary submarine region, whose possession could awaken such a conflict of passions? We will not follow him through all the heights of his sociological speculations, but content ourselves with giving what we conceive to be the results . In this bleak unproductive expanse of caoutchoric-like bituminous valley, where physical constitution rendered clothes unnecessary, the possession which could awaken feelings of contention must have consisted either of animals, such as might have diminished labour, or of food, the universal need of living creatures, whether it be at the disposal of the whole body politic or of individuals.

Of the existence of beasts there is no trace in the record, and the evident conclusion of the Professor is that the sustenance of life was the subject of their quarrel . As our readers are already aware, that sustenance was drawn solely from the aqueously-pervaded atmosphere of this " Cave of the Winds ."

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TIIE PROFESSOR :

A TALE OE TIIE TWENTIETH CENTURY.

Here, then, was most perfect equality : it would seem that among such a universal proletariat no contentions were possible . Let us, however, consider the circumstances at that time of their history (for a history they undoubtedly had) . These will well appear from a repetition of what we must regard as a somewhat fanciful reconstruction of that history on the part of the Professor, which we shall give very shortly in substance.

In their simple state, troubles could not arise ; but fortified by their natural life against the inroads of disease and infirmity the race multiplied unchecked, until, with the sagacity which in all cases appears to rise equal to impending danger, they perceived that the supply must inevitably be unequal to their requirements, when, anticipating the science of the twentieth century, they with the utmost justice devoted those who had drunk the cup of life most deeply and were no more of use to the preservation of the rest.

Of the manner of their death we are about to speak . The Professor mentions, but to ridicule the too obvious explanation, that—to express ourselves in the antiquated and (now) classical phraseology of the nineteenth century—finding the place growing stuffy, they elbowed each other until the weakest went to the wall . This, he says, is refuted by the fact that the extreme young were permitted to survive.

In the absence of evidence as to the conditions of birth and growth,. and the philoprogenitiveness of the race, we are compelled to acquiesce in his assertions . For the death, if such it can be called, of the victims a natural means was to hand in the volcano, whose open mouth was the receptacle of those whorl the valley rejected . At the time, then, when the sailor was conveyed to these regions, though such a perfect equality prevailed that anything of the nature of ascendancy or leadership was dangerous, especially in the direction of intelligence, which had, by some incalculable means, arisen and begun to have an appreciable value among that people, yet in the face of this a foolish feeling of clannishness prevailed, whereby each family was the rather ready to sacrifice

others for the general good. Hence this fierce tide of contest round the volcano, no inapt meeting-place for their purpose, where turbulence was king over equality . To this class of superior intelligence belonged the first entertainer of Smythe, who assisted while others wondered ; yet he stood in dread of popular jealousy . When, therefore, in the heat of dispute it was urged that this visitant from another world consumed more than they all, more than these outworn men upon each side who

THE PI.OFESSOII :

A TALE OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY .

99

were ripe for destruction, the stranger who had been in such honour before stood at once in great danger—and rightly too, though they little knew it, since he who had been fed on more substantial food found iii a small quantity of air but a small satisfaction.

THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA ."

I

IKE "The Comedy of Errors, " our play of this year belongs to the first period of Shakespeare's dramatic activity—the lyrical

and fantastic period, as it is generally called . Even if we did not know from the mention of it in lleres' "

Palladis brain('"

that it was brought

out before 1598, we could hardly have made the mistake of assigning it to so late a date, still less to a later . It bears about itself very legible signs of its own immaturity . It is always unsafe to accuse a great genius like Shakespeare of making a blunder ; he is so infinitely greater than we are, that common modesty requires us to think his judgment better than ours, and to believe that " it is not Homer nods, but we that dream ." It is not without hesitation, therefore, that I confess I cannot think that Shakespeare in his later years would have wound up a play as he has wound up " The Two Gentlemen ." The last scene appears to me not merely immature work, but positively hasty work, and therefore—like all hasty stamped work, by whomsoever done—to a certain extent

bard.

Valentine is of a quick, generous temper, but his surrender

of Silvia to his faithless friend shows a temper that is not so much over-hasty and over-generous as absolutely impossible . i know that Valentine's conduct here has been defended by some critics, who see in it a heroic self-sacrifice, which is quite in keeping with his character.

They may be right, but I can only say that the " self' ' -sacrifice which would sacrifice a sweetheart to the man she detested, in utter regardlessness of her feelings, must be self-sacrifice of a very extraordinary kind . And not merely this incident, but the whole scene seems unreal ; a sort of climax of improbability being reached when the Duke and Thurio are brought in by the outlaws to make up the party and get the play over quickly.

Next to the immaturity of the play, perhaps, the thing that strikes us most forcibly is the parallelism of the characters, the setting off of one against another .

Valentine is opposed to Proteus, Silvia to Julia,

100

THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA.

Launce to Speed . Proteus, Silvia, and Speed have a good deal in common ; so have Valentine, Julia, and Launce ; Speed and Launce being a sort of parody, each of the other's master . Let us look at the characters more closely.

Proteus is emphatically the man of the world . From a worldly point of view, he has spent his youth to good purpose ; he has lost very little time ; he has gained a very considerable acquaintance with les belles

lettres ; he has taught himself how to write dainty sonnets, and how to talk fluently and bear himself with ease and grace in society . And, like all intelligently selfish people, he is well rewarded for his trouble ; everybody speaks highly of him, and whenever he goes into society he far outshines the straightforward Valentines and stupid Thurios . Ile treats his friend in a dastardly manner : and yet Shakespeare can hardly have meant us to think of him as a man of really had nature.

There must have been something good in him over and above his showy accomplishments, or Julia and Valentine would never have loved him so truly. He is fickle as his name implies, but even while he is sinning he reproaches himself, and his better 'nature cannot but re-assert itself in the end.

Valentine is no courtier or scholar, but a man of action, fond of " active deeds . "

Protons falls in love for want of something to do, but

Valentine lets love come to him instead of going to seek it . He shows a want of acuteness more than once ; when Silvia woos him be do's not understand her jest, though it is " invisible as a nose on a man's face, or a weathercock on a steeple ; " he falls readily into the rather clumsy snare set for him by the Duke ; he never suspects the villany of Proteus.

The truthfulness of his own heart prevents him from imagining deceit of any sort in others.

Each of these two characters needs a compliment ; each could with advantage learn something of the other. And so we not only see why each needs the other for a friend—we also see why each needs for its beloved, not a like but an unlike character . Silvia is like Proteus, .Julia like Valentine ; or, rather, Silvia, has the best characteristics of Protens, Julia of Valentine . Silvia has the more showy and attractive qualities of wit and brightness ; Julia has a tenderer and deeper nature . Julia is " sweetness, " Silvia is " light.

We see the same opposition again in the clowns . The sharp and witty Speed is very properly assigned to Valentine, the stupid Launce to

TILE TWO GENTLEMEN

101

OF VER.ONA .

Proteus . And all through the play the close observer will observe the way in which they mimic the actions of their betters . Speed is Proteus in low life, and he will be swinged for intrusion into his friend's love affairs ; and Launce's parting from his (log is a parody of the parting of Protests and Julia . In this connection of the humour of the play with the graver scenes, Shakespeare shows a distinct advance on "The Comedy of Errors ." The humour, too, is in itself better ; and it has been said that " one touch of the by-play of Launce and his immortal dog " is worth half the dancing doggrel or broad-witted prose of either Dromeos.

It is interesting to notice in the play sketches which Shakespeare afterwards improved upon . Thus Lucetta's criticisms of Julia's suitors are the prototypes of that scene in the " The Merchant of Venice" where Portia criticises her suitors as Nerissa names them . Again, Launce with his funny Malapropian misconception of words is the pioneer of Lancelot in "

The J[erchant ."

Lastly, Julia is the first of a

group—" that charming group,' Professor Dowden has well-called it,— " of children of Shakespeare's imagination, which includes Viola,, Portia, Rosalind, and Imogen,—women who assume under some constraint of fortuue the disguise of male attire, and who, while submitting to their transformation, forfeit none of the grace, the modesty, the sensitive delicacy, or the pretty wilfulness of their sex ."

I have left myself no space to speak of particular passages . But as I abused the final scene at the beginning of my article, I will quote from that four lines of especial beauty . They are the cry of a wounded soul-the bitter cry against " mine own familiar friend in whom I trusted " " Who should be trusted when one's own right hand Is perjured to the bosom ?

Proteus,

I am sorry I must never trust thee more, But count the world a stranger for thy sake ."

In the pathos of such lines as these the poet shows that he already feels life to be no plaything, that the mystery of it is already being brought home to his heart . Still, as yet, he attempts no ambitious flight ; he is content to sing us a quiet harmonious song, with the gladness of youth ringing through it all . And we may be content, too, to hear him, knowing that he will have greater things to tell us by-and-bye.

J. 1 f. P

1U2

OXFORD LETTER.

T

HE river has signalized the return of the under-graduate population of the " City of spires," by rising to the g r eatest height on record

at least the greatest in the memory of the oldest inhabitants . The floods have done a considerable amount of damage, having swept away a great portion of the foot-bridge near to Kennington Island, and the dani under Magdalen Bridge . The so-called improvements to the lastmentioned bridge are being rapidly completed ; and the contractors working day and night (literally) at it, presumably they are afraid of exceeding the contract time . The 1videning of the bridge will certainly not make it more ornamental ; and it is equally certain that it will not make it more useful ; for the only time when it is crowded at all is on market days . and that is the result of the trains . the introduction of which was a scheme equally useless with the widening of the , bridge . The additions to Magdalen and Keble Colleges are also in a fair way to be completed . The President of the Boat Club is A . R . PATErtSON (Trinity), re-elected ; and the Secretary chosen in place of Buck is HIGI :LNS, this year's 'Varsity stroke . The prospect of next year's eight seems fairly bright ; in any case there will be only three vacancies, Mourne, De Haviland, and Fort being all left, in addition to Paterson and Higgins ; if West comes up—as it is rumoured lie may—and Kindersley can row again, Cambridge may bid good-bye to their chance of success.

The 'Varsity Challenge Fours are to be rowed in the second week of November ; there is an unusually large number of entries, eight, if I mistake not, in all. Of these IIertford, B .N .C ., Exeter, and Keble are the pick, and IIertford is toy choice of the four.

The President of the Athletic Club is WELLS (Magdalen) re-elected; and the Freshmen's sports are on the 13th and 14th of this month ; the only "likely " man, so far as rumours go, comes from Magdalen College School . The Rugby team, of which VASSAL

is again Captain, have

played one match, viz ., against Sandhurst, which we won by a goal and a try against two tries . We play the R .E.M .C . on November 4th.

The team is exactly, or very nearly so, the same as last year.

The Philo-Thespian Club is making strenuous efforts to become as representative of the 'Varsity as the Cambridge A .D .C. We may safely trust their efforts may be crowned with the success they merit ; for, so far as can be learnt, dramatic representations are not contrary to the

OXFORD LETTER .

103

principles of the present Vice-Chancellor (Professor Jowett, of Ralliol), as in the case of Dr . Evans, who was Vice-Chancellor last year.

Dr . Pusey's place has been taken by S . R . Driver, of New College, who (to quote the "Morning Post ." ), is a Hebrew Scholar of great reputation in Germany, and a devout Christian.

Oxford is favoured with good music even more than usual this term.

With a first-class concert on Saturday, the 28th, and on Tuesday, the 31st, (when Antoinette Stirling and Mary Davies sang) ; Charles Ha1le's concert soon to follow, and the " Elijah " by the Choral Society, with others of less account, we shall do fairly well.

We hope to see some Peterites up this term, and we believe we have to welcome a very old Peterite in F . H . Dominichetti, of Oriel .

BEBI.

CA1\IBRIDGE LETTER. <

ET us talk about the weather, " said the Major-General ' s daughters when they were at a loss, and following their suggestion I will begin my letter by remarking that so far only one day have we had this Term without any rain . Is this the fault of the comet, or are we to have no more dry weather? This moist state of things naturally throws a damp on out-door pursuits, and hardly tends to give the aquatic aspirant a pleasant idea of Cambridge tubbing ; still in spite of rain and wind the river is daily crowded with erratic tubs, whose unskilful occupants harass the souls of their respective coaches with their impotent efforts to escape out of the way of the many College Eights, which are now beginning their preparation for the Races next Term.

Mallinson, who stroked his college boat so well at the May Races, is first Captain of Christ's boat club, and performs his duties with his characteristic energy. The President of the C .A .B .C . has two eights out daily, and 1 am glad to see that Eyre is rowing bow in one of them, and hope that the settlement of the Fours, which at present keeps many good men out of the trials, will not be the signal for his ejection . Turning from Boating, I hear some tidings of the Football team, and dismal prognostics as to our match with Oxford ; of course I mean the Rugby team, which as yet gives no promise of being as good as last year's, in

L

104

CAMBRIDGE LETTER..

spite of the presence in our ranks of Don Wanchope, Fuller, and Chapman . The following O .P .'s are playing for their respective colleges ; Douglas of Christ's, W . H. and F . T. Griffith of Clare, G . H . Eyre of Corpus, and J . H . Collinson, of Queen's . At the time of writing the first day of the Freshmen's Sports is just over, and I am sorry not to see any of our newly-arrived Peterites figuring on the programme ; however Eyre somewhat made up for this by winning the Open Mile Handicap from the fifty-yard mark, which he accomplished in 4m . 45s . Last week the Misses Robertson charmed us with their harmony, and this week we are to be woke up from the sleep of superstition by an exposer of Spiritualism . The A .D .C . announce a performance of The Critic to take place this Term ; I shall be curious to see it, and mark the differences to when I last witnessed it in the School Hall six years ago.

At last Selwyn College, or rather Hostel, is un fait accompli, and in spite of the ominous forebodings of the detractors of his merits, has secured as many undergraduates as it has room for : whether it will over attain to the popularity of Keble, Oxford, is a question which I will not discuss, but will confine myself to wishing it all success in its righteous war against college exorbitance . Before I close I will as usual give a list of the O .P .'s in residence ; they are—J . H. Mallinson, E . A . Douglas, R . C . Wilton and Crawshaw at Christ's ; W . H . and F . T . Griffith at Clare ; K . Marshall at King's ; G . H. Eyre and A . Peters at Corpus ; J. H. Collinson at Queen' s ; A . Chadwick at S . John's ; T . Kitchin at Trinity ; A . Gibson at Pembroke ; J . Marshall at Cavendish .

K . K . K.

SCHOOL LETTER. INCE the appearance of the last Peterite, the course of events have made it extremely difficult to collect the meagrest scraps of news for the grasping Editors . No more is heard of the anxious questions "What is to be the play? " " Who will be in the team?" All such debateable points have been settled, and settled satisfactorily . The chosen play is " Two Gentlemen of Verona," the leading parts being taken

by L. E . Stevenson, as Valentine, and C . H . Steavenson as Proteus . The latter, who has not appeared on our stage before, promises very well.

F . R . Brandt is acting in the character of the Duke ; II . W. Rhodes, of

S

SCHOOL LETTER .

105

Julia ; C . P . Green, of Silvia ; most of the minor characters are taken by new actors . I had almost forgotton to mention that Speed will be personated by T. English, who, to judge from last year, should well sustain the life and fun of his part . The performance on the whole ought to be a success, as Mr . Yeld has not so much crude material in high places to work on, and almost all of the important characters are filled by those who have had the benefit of his instruction in previous years . In addition to this, the scenes between Sir John Falstaff and Shallow in the second part of Henry the Fourth, are to be performed . The main parts will be taken by L . E . Stevenson and T . English . On the whole it promises to be a remarkably lively end to a somewhat tedious and lifeless play.

The weather here is decidedly objectionable . After an immense quantity of rain, which has seriously interfered with all sports, the river has risen to a considerable height . "Comparisons are odious," yet for all the unpropitious visitations of rain, the football team have been able to play enough to show that they are not so inferior to those of former years as was expected ; in fact, they are of fairly representative quality.

Out of four matches only one has been lost, and another drawn . The last one against St . John's Training College, would in all probability have been won but for some questionable decisions of our opponents' umpire, and the extreme readiness of their whole team to interefere with others for adhering to rules which they themselves repeatedly violated . The other match, r . Durham School, will no doubt be fully discussed in your "Special Correspondent's" account . Impartial spectators, however, declare that it was lost mainly on account of the unfortunate choice of goals, and the two strange mistakes made by one of the School backs, which to all appearances ought never to have been made . Otherwise the two teams were remarkably well matched.

The latest thing here is the agitation about the boundaries of Clifton, to remove the artificial divisions and include the whole in the City.

What if the plan is carried and the revels of the Fifth have to be given up in so appropriate a place as the neighbourhood of the school where the notorious Guy received his education i' Yet, apart from the suppression of the nocturnal rites, that would inevitably follow iii this Liberal age of Reform, from other points of view the change is " a consummation devoutly to be wished ."

106

FOOTBALL. BY the time of the writing of this article the school season has fairly begun, and with more success than could have been expected . At the opening the prospect was gloomy enough, nine of the fifteen having left, including two three-quarters, one half-back, and several leading forwards. However, as most of the remaining members have considerably improved, and several very useful substitutes have been discovered, the team may on the whole be considered to be of fairly average quality.

Of the old veterans, L . E . Stevenson, W. Kaye, and C . Williamson have all improved greatly, the first especially in running, and the two latter in kicking . Williamson has, we are sorry to say, been forced to leave the team since the commencement of this term for some time, though his return for the concluding matches may perhaps be hoped for .

Isis

absence will be greatly felt, as he was developing into an excellent threequarter back, and was worthily filling the place vacant by the loss of W. E . Brockbank . H . Crossley has become a reliable back, and H . G. Joy has considerably improved as forward . Of the new members P. E. Lord will make a very useful three-quarter, and J. Crossley is undoubtedly the best forward in the school ; both are decided additions.

The two half-backs also play remarkably well together, passing very unselfishly, and working well . The style of play is perhaps better than it has been for some time, as the backs are taking more to kicking, and the forwards to dribbling and passing . The regular team is : W . J . P. Kaye, Ti . Crossley (backs) ; L . E . Stevenson, C . J . Williamson, P . E. Lord (three-quarter-backs) ; H . W . Rhodes, M . 1) . Taylor (half-backs) ; E . W. Clayforth, H . G . Joy, J. Crossley, F . E . Robinson, F . R . Brandt, C . II . Steavenson, C . Lane, C. Johnson (forwards) . In the internal matches the School IIouse bids fair to maintain its supremacy, as it contains nine of the team, including one of the backs, both threequarters and half-backs . The Sixth Form, though playing without two of its members who are also in the Fifteen, defeated the School after an extremely hard game by one goal to a try and disputed try . Up to half time the game was very even, only one touch-down being scored on each side . Soon after half-time Taylor ran in, but the kick failed, as the ball was touched by one of Sixth before passing over the bar . Afterwards Kaye got in for the Sixth, and Stevenson kicked a goal . The game continued very even until Johnson, apparently getting the ball offside, dribbled it in and touched it down after it was dead . The Sixth

F OOTI,'A IA . .

107

naturally disputed the try, but nothing resulted from the kick . Stevenson, Joy, and Lord were most conspicuous for the Sixth, while Taylor, Marshall, and If . Crossley behind the scrimmage, and J . Crossley forward did excellent work for the School We have to record just before going to press the School's first defeat ; a defeat however without disgrace.

Excuses are at all times objectionable ; but when any reasonable ground for accounting for non-success is at hand, it may surely be urged without objection . The two winning points scored by Durham were off two foolish mistakes made by one of our backs . Surely any player might be expected to know one of the prime and invariable rules, not to kick the ball directly in front of his own goal, p inch more not to aggravate it by panting from behind the goal line against, a strong wind . Such play cannot be explained ; it is to be hoped that it will be a lesson in future to him not to risk a game in order to save a mere minor or indecisive point . v. OLD BOYS. The School Fifteen played their first match on September 30 in an incessant downpour of rain . Kaye kicked off uphill, and play began in the Old Boys' "25 ." After about ten minutes play Taylor made a short run and scored a try near the touch line, from which nothing resulted.

Clayforth dropped out, but the ball still remained in the enemies' half, and Stevenson gained a try, which was punted out, but again with no result . Newman now relieved his side by some good runs, but the School forwards playing up well, Clayforthi secured it try under the posts, from which the captain kicked a goal . After half-time the School had it all their own way, Stevenson, Clayforth, Joy, and J . Crossley all scoring tries . From these were scored three

goals (all kicked by

Stevenson), and one punt out . In addition to those who obtained tries Williamson was conspicuous with short runs and long punts. Old Boys t back, II . C . B . Clayforth ; three-quarter-backs : P . L . Newman, F. Ware ; half-backs : B . G . M . Baskett, P . A . Todd ; forwards : J . F. Griffith, A . Peters, F.'1'. Griffith, C. Johnson, T. II . English, C . Johnson, W. S . Gofton, G . Ralph . r . YORK. Played on the School Ground on October 10th ; the home team scored an easy win by two goals, eight tries and ten minor points to nil.

The forwards on both sides were very evenly matched, and the game

108

FOOTBALL.

among them was fast and exciting, but behind the scrimmage the balance was decidedly in our favour, as may be seen from the fact that Stevenson gained seven and Williamson three tries, thus dividing the main honours between them. Among the forwards J . Crossley was especially brilliant, and was well supported by H. G . Joy and C . Lane . The backs (lid their duty well, Kaye being very useful with long kicks . The York forwards were well led by Twyford, who put in some extremely useful work, and all played a pluckily losing game . York : back, S . Burkill; three-quarter backs, R . Wood, G. Newenham ; half-backs, G. G . Thompson, J . Gay ; forwards, C . Twyford, R . Thompson, P . A . Todd, W. H. Cobb, J. Wolstenholme, F . Weatherill, F . L . Gay, and two others. r . ST. JOHN'S TRAINING COLLEGE. This match was played on the School Ground on October 14th . The School kicked off, and the ball was returned by Kitson, the first scrimmage being formed about the centre of the ground . After some good forward play on both sides, the ball was passed to Stevenson, who gained some ground, and then passed to Williamson, the latter making a long punt and forcing the College backs to save . The drop out was well followed up, but the ball was carried back to their twenty-five . From some loose play, Smith, one of the College three-quarters, secured the ball and. made a fast run, finishing with a good punt to the great delight of the assembled Collegiates . The St. John's forwards were off-side and failed to allow the School back the legitimate five yards, but picking the ball up, one of them got behind the goal line, alleging the try to be fair . This of course was disputed by the School, and, the umpires disagreeing, the try was taken under protest, but nothing resulted . After the drop out the ball remained in the centre of the ground until half-time, Stevenson and Williamson for the School and Smith and Briggs for the College doing useful work . After changing ends, Briggs kicked off for the College, Williamson returning the ball by a short run and kick ; Kitson ran the ball back, but again Williamson got hold and sent it into their quarters by a long punt . A long delay was here caused by the ball being kicked out of the ground. The school were rather hard pressed for some time, and at last Smith had the ball passed to him, and by a very smart run grounded it inside our line close to touch . Kitson was deputed to kick, who tried, by kicking the ball a short distance and then picking it up, to drop a goal, but he was charged down and the ball rushed

FOOTBALL .

109

up the field. Stevenson made a short run, but was collared by Smith, whose play throughout the game was very fine . A long kick now sent the ball over the College line, and their back instead of touching it down , tiled to kick, and missed the ball, Rhodes scoring a try for the School, from which no goal resulted, and Lord running in obtained a second try which the College disputed . The match thus ended in a draw, the College scoring one try, one disputed try, and two minor points ; the School one try, one disputed try, and two minor points . Of the School forwards, all played well, the pick being Crossley, Lane, and Johnson ; of the College forwards, O'Neal, Cowling, Appleton and Turner were the best. The School had their ordinary XV . The College team was as under: Back, H. P . Ward ; three-quarter backs, Smith, Pitson, Briggs ; halfbacks, Nugent, Tyne ; forwards, Appleton, Jackson, Turner, Stradling, Cowling, O'Neal, Welsh, Kidd, and Parsons. v . DURIIAM SCHOOL. Played on the School Ground on Saturday, November 4th . The home team won the toss and elected to play with the wind . Brutton kicked off for Durham, but the ball was carried back by the wind, and the visitors' forwards succeeded in reaching it before the School threequarters could secure it . Brutton and Jollie were immediately prominent with good runs, and the ball was gradually worked into the home " 25 ."

Here Miller at half-back passed to Brutton, who made a quick run, but, being well held by Brandt, passed to Wethey, who was pushed into touch almost at the corner . From the line out Brutton again got the ball, but was collared by Crossley within five yards of the home goal line. The York forwards now played up hard, and carried the ball to the centre of the ground, where the ball continued for some time . Kaye had the ball passed to him, and made a good punt into touch . On the ball being thrown out Wethey made a smart run, carrying the leather into neutral ground, where it was scrimmaged for some time, Clayforth and Crossley putting in good work for York, Rogerson and King for Durham . Stevenson and Kaye made good runs about this point, the latter almost getting in . Rhodes made a short run and kick, but the ball was called back, having been dead in one of the ridges, which were fairly full of water and mud . Taylor now got the ball and made some ground, but was pulled down by Brutton . Soon after this Rhodes got the ball and passed to Stevenson, who succeeded in placing it behind the Durham goal line. The kick, which was against the wind, failed . Half time was

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FOOTBALL

called soon after, with the ball in Durham territory, the score standing, York 1 try, 1 minor point, Durham nil . The School now kicked off, with the wind, which seemed to be increasing every minute, against them, and the ball remained in the centre at the start . The Durham forwards, being superior in the loose as York in the pack, now ran the ball down the field, and Brutton punted over the line, where an unfortunate mistake on the part of one of the home backs gave the visitors a free catch right in front of goal ; from this a goal was kicked . After the ball was restarted it was kept in their half till the Durham captain, by another huge hunt, sent it to our " twenty-five ." Here, from a throw out, Brutton got the hall and crossed the York line, but the ball not being thrown out straight this point was disallowed. Soon after a second free catch was made by Durham, but the kick was well stopped by the York forwards.

However, before time was called, Brutton succeeded in scoring a try, from which he kicked a beautiful goal . Durham thus won a very even match by 2 goals to 1 try . For Durham, Brutton, Jollie, and Wethey were best behind, Rogerson and King forward . For York, Stevenson, J . Crossley, and Brandt sheaved up well . Durham : back, J . P . Matthews ; threequarter-backs, E . B . Brutton, F . O . Jollie, J. F. Wethey ; half-backs : T . Hall, '1' . 'Miller ; forwards : Rogerson, Kerriek-Walker, Ferguson, Bennett, Gace, King, Lohden, Shaw . Parker.

NOTES AND ITEMS. J . II . Daniel, of Queen's, has been rowing in the trial eights at Oxford, at No . 7.

AV . F . B . and J . F . Calvert have been chosen to play in the Yorkshire County trial match at three-quarter back and forward respectively.

E . English has been re-eleeted to be House Physician at the London Hospital for the second time.

G . AV . Bulman is the reserve back for Durham County football team.

CORRESPONDENCE. To

THE EDITORS OF "Tim. PETE RITE ."

DEAR Sias,—I was very glad to hear that the various distances in the Athletic Sports had been carefully measured, and that the general management was so good ; but still I hope I shall not be set down as a carping spirit if I suggest two more improvements .—Firstly, and

CORRESPONDENCE .

III

if I am wrong no doubt the Athletic Committee will inform me, I always thought our school weight was fourteen pounds ; therefore I should like to ask whether it was weighed before the sports, so that we may be certain that the statement in the Peterite was quite accurate, that two members of the school could put over thirty-two feet with a sixteen pounds weight.

Secondly, I would ask, who takes the times, and with what ? Timekeeping is such a ticklish business, and needing so experienced a hand, that unless someone can be procured who thoroughly understands it, it would, in my opinion, be better not to publish any times for the hundred yards where one-fifth second makes a good deal of difference.

1 am led to this remark by seeing that

on grass

the distance was run in

ten-and-three-quarter seconds (see Peterite Report), ,and surely that is too good to be true. Before I close 1 would suggest that the Old Boys' race should be carefully handicapped, taking into consideration the performances of each competitor, which could hardly, I think, have been done by anyone who gave P. L . Newman fifteen yards start of Chadwick in quarter mile .

I am, yours truly, G . II . EYRE.

To

TILE EDITORS OF a THE PETERITE . "

DEAR Sirs,—Allow me once more to trespass upon your magazine, in answer to a letter that appeared in the last number . Your correspondent disappointed me : he promised to point out some " startling inaccuracies, " but I have looked in vain for these sensational exposures.

He denounced my nova de plume and charged me with irrelevance, but gave neither reasons for the one nor instances of the other, though he flaunted the proud title of " Fair-play ."

The first part of my letter he leaves to the " proper persons,"—a modest and prudent policy. But he is mistaken in saying that I blamed the junior crew for being unfit . I did not . I alluded to one person in that crew, to whom 1 herewith apologise if it was not for want cf training that the failed . It was a pity that he should have been asked to do what practice might have shewn to be an impossiblity . I pr(surne that was owing to want of hands . But how came there to be that

112

CORRESPONDENCE.

want? Still I believe, had not the stroke unfortunately broken down, the school-house would have been able to defeat its more juvenile antagonists.

Your correspondent then breaks off into a complacent disapproval of the existing regime, and we come to the following—" It is a very patriotic and proper policy to contract a considerable debt on the boat-house, and yet to empty the subscriptions into the contractor's pockets ." It is alliterative certainty ; but what does it mean ?

Again, I do not see why what he is pleased to call—among other epithets—a " monotonous comparison," should be a red rag to him.

"Comparisons are odorous," I daresay ; but only when unfavourable, and that is our own fault. " Monotonous," that comparison could hardly be, for I find after examining the " Peterite," it has not been made before . " Ungenerous " it might have been, had it been written after our reverses at cricket . But there is nothing heinous in the mention of a rival with a view to stimulate a healthy spirit of emulation.

I am well aware that the school I alluded to cannot compete with ours in educational success . Indded-t Is it because the cleverest boys come to St . Peter's? I think not . It is because dull and clever alike are forced on by excellent teaching . Why not the same in Athletics?

I don't mean to be ungenerous or pugnacious, but it is so in many schools.

Next comes the moan over " decline and depression,"—offensive from its very staleness . " Fairplay " asks the school in a maudlin patronising way, " , What's the use of your trying ? You're no good now . The school is going down ." This I emphatically deny . " Let us hope for his conscience' sake "Fairplay" didn't see the athletic sports of last year. Any rational observer would have noticed a general excellence, far in advance of previous years, and I believe that still " there are as good fish in the sea as ever came out of it ." The school will doubtless thank him for this gratuitous insult—this "ungenerous hit ." I will merely ask them, increased as they are in numbers, to give a practical refutation to such "flagrant misstatements and libellous accusations ." And, perhaps, the misrepresentations of " Fairplay, " which, like most misrepresentations, " cannot be substantiated," will act as a wholesome tonic combined with the " unpleasant and unpalatable truths " of ESPRIT DE CORPS. [This correspondence must now cease .—Eu .]