The Vigornian July 1889

THE WORCESTER CATHEDRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL CHRONICLE. " TJ. ftev SiSaKTa fj.avda.via, TO. S'evpera. ^JTW, TO. S'eu/cra irapj. 6twv yri]a-afi.i]v. "

JULY, 1889

15. VOL. H.

Contents.

PAGE. 235-236 236-238 238-240 240-241 241-244 244-245 245-246 246 246 247-249 249 249-250 250

Editorial Deperdita Quaedam Nephelococcugia Rowing Cricket The Library Debating Society School News School Officers Correspondence Accounts Chess Acrostic

jEbitortal.

1HE Easter term was remarkable for the rapid development of the Rowing Club.

We do not mean by this that the School has seen the birth and growth of a new institution during the last two years. The Rowing Club is in fact one of the oldest clubs in the School; but for some time past it has occupied a false position. It has offered, in the summer term, a counter-attraction to cricket, and the result has been that neither has flourished with that vigour Which it might otherwise have displayed. The best thing that could be done under the circumstances

PRICE 6d.

was done last year. The Rowing Club agreed to confine its efforts to the Easter term ; and so far as the Club is concerned, the agreement has been honourably kept. But we are not disposed to shut our eyes to the fact that many fellows who have been materially benefited by the renewed vitality of the Club do not seem to recognise that it is their business to see that Cricket also reaps some advantage from the new arrangement. It stands to reason that if half the school never show their faces inside the Cricket-field, the compromise will not effect much good in this direction. Such fellows are not merely allowing a branch of school games to suffer by their neglect; they are doing a selfish and dishonourable thing. Of course there are exceptions, where circumstances may prevent one or another from attending practices. But the rule holds good ; and the sooner these fellows learn to act like gentlemen and publicschool boys, the better for everyone.

No one is to be congratulated more on the result of the School Regatta, especially with reference to our victory over the Old Boys, than Mr. Hartley.

Thanks to his capital coaching, the Senior Four won a very creditable race; and whatever science was displayed in the Scratch Fours was certainly due to his untiring energy. Perhaps the most exciting event

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of the day was the Sculling Race for Old Boys. The boatman evidently considered that the next best thing to sliding seats was a sliding stretcher. As recorded on another page, the invention was productive of much amusement. A sudden rise in the river prevented the Regatta from being brought to a conclusion ; but the remaining events will probably be held at the beginning of next term, before football commences.

The fund for our new Fives Courts and Cricket Pavilion, for which subscriptions were asked last term, has grown with pleasing rapidity ; but unhappily the estimates have also increased at a rate which is by no means so gratifying. As far as we can tell, some ^£30 or ^40 are still wanting. Hitherto the School has, with commendable unselfishness, left the collection of subscriptions entirely to the secretaries.

However, the Sixth Form have just awakened to the fact that the new buildings are intended for the use of boys and not masters, and in answer to their appeal the majority of the School undertook the work of clearing off the deficit. Needless to say, there are a few remarkable individuals who do not see their way to taking any part in this work. These evidently belong to the class of people who like to get every, thing done for them by others.

Hitherto the cricket of 1889 has not been what the greatest optimist could call a success, for reasons already given. Against Spetchley curiously enough we made a better score than against any other team.

The Pavilion is now nearly finished, and it is to be hoped that the win scored on the day on which we first used it for shelter may be an augury of good things to come. On the whole, however, the results of the matches we have already played do not afford a fair test of the strength of the team. We ought certainly to have beaten Connellan College, and •should a return match be arranged, we hope to convince them of our superiority. On the other hand, the Wichenford match was a fair win for us, the enemy's score being unfairly augmented by a misunderstanding with regard to our unalterable "boundary" rules. We should certainly feel the loss of Mr. Hartley, if his place had not been taken by so valuable an addition to the team as Mr. Locock.

The Debating Society has now grown into long clothes, and will, we hope, wear them with befitting dignity. Some of its resolutions are perhaps such as to strike wonder into the hearts of the common-place ; but that is only a proof of its lofty aspirations. The Society is certainly holding its own, for the attendance has not. decreased, and the speeches are better, for the most part, than they were at the first few meetings.

We are a little surprised to notice such a large element of silent voters in a Society of the kind. We say silent—but some of these gentlemen are in the habit of letting off the steam which everybody knows is all there, in sundry noises and ejaculations which do not add to the harmony of the meeting. If they would only relieve the pressure by a few coherent remarks on the subject under discussion, we are sure the result would be highly edifying.

DeperMta <Siuaet>am. j|EAR the top of Mount Popocatepetl, in a monastery on the site of a vanished temple to Huitzlipotchzli (so far all pronouncing dictionaries have shirked this hero's name), an enterprising rummager has lately unearthed among some Hittite archives, a curious Greek MS. containing some idealist's dream of a united Hellas with a representative Parliament, intended to meet once at Thermopylae and once at Delphi every year. The writing sketches an account of an imaginary debate on a proposed war with Persia. The MS. was a palimpsest, the more recent work being Longinus' much-read essay on the sublime, and in one place the preparation was scratched off, thus revealing this interesting relic of antiquity.

The discoverer fancied for a minute or two that he had found a complete trilogy of Sophocles, but the truth soon became apparent. The MS. is in a very mangled state ; the names of many of the actors in the scene are illegible, while towards the end fragmentary is the only word to describe it. To illustrate what I have just said, let us take the name of the caricaturist sent by the Punch of the time to the Parliament— Artistophurnis, as far as it can be deciphered. One German critic (his name, of the Sell-—and modified

THE VIGORNIAN. vowel type, is withheld "for euphony's sake"), regards it as a fusion of two distinct names—Artaphernes and Aristophanes; while another fancifully discerning in the first part of the name the word "artist," and in the second some caricaturist selected at random, rejected the MS. as spurious on that account, wishing to pose as a new Bentley. The two summoned other pundits, likewise Teutonic, to a council over it. One gentleman suggested that they should apply Grimm's law, and was received with wellmerited scorn. He was a remarkable individual who had spent several years of his life in digging up "solar myths" and hidden meanings in Homer, he had suggested that Homer was referring to the Greek ting's want of truthfulness, when he described him as drawing the bow, when all the Phceacians failed, an interpretation which, we are told, caused the death of one Homeric commentator. On this occasion he was forcibly ejected for his untimely levity. The pundit conclave did but little to elucidate the text, the only outcome of their labours being a German translation from which these extracts are taken. The speaker of the House—the MS. starts with naming that functionary—was a very, very old man, named Nestor, who would have been perfect but for an unfortunate habit of instituting comparisons between the -times we are speaking of and his own antediluvian boyhood, by no means flattering to the former.

As no one came anywhere near him in point of age, he was quite safe from contradiction when talking about those early days. Perhaps the Press may next claim our attention, as it was represented by men "who have made their mark," and with whom Macaulay's perfect (New Zealand) schoolboys are well acquainted. The " Athenian Daily Sensationalist" sent a much-travelled old worthy, rather inclined to gossip, named Herr Odotus (the two critics abovementioned claim for him a German descent, but national vanity has here led them astray, though one circumstance certainly does seem to give colour to their assertions. Herr Odotus, they argue, is only half a name; they supply the gap by the word "Munchausen," a German whose works strongly resemble those of the gentleman in question; beyond this farfetched conjecture, their claim has no support whatever), while Thucydides, a very keen thinker, reported for the " Independent Looker-On." Xenophon, a young writer, who was now bringing out by instal-

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ments " Reminiscences of noteworthy conversations, or festive evenings spent with Socrates," represented the " Spartan Monthly Hum-Drum," a journal enjoying but little circulation, as it kept to the old sixteen letters alphabet. The resolution was moved by a bumptious sort of fellow, with tanned face and rough features, one Cleon, who sat for the Agora division of Athens. He appealed a great deal to their cupidity, touching a little upon the duty of avenging their countrymen slain by the Persians in former wars. He was opposed by the great statesman Pericles, then Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary, who mounted his hobby, united Greece and no extension of frontiers. The motion was seconded by a youth named Alcibiades, who was secretly ashamed of following in the wake of such a " dweadful cad " as the hon. mover. He addressed the speaker as "Old Sarcophagus," an irregularity for which he was sharply reprimanded by that ancient worthy, who was heard to mutter faintly something that happened when he was a lad. As the young man resumed his seat he looked round to see if anyone would dare to oppose him. 1'his did not deter an elderly gentleman, one Nicias, who was stiff from a recent attack of gout, from rising to give the motion most strenuous opposition. A dapper little gentleman, none other than the hon. member for Stagira, then rose to ask a question.

Hitherto he had been walking up and down (die Peripatetung) calculating some abstruse problem. He wanted to know whether strange countries and unknown creatures would be discovered by such a war. He was referred to a work of Herr Odotus on the subject, and a ponderous guffaw was heard, nay, felt falling from the Press Gallery. Aristotle was succeeded by Demosthenes, a thin man in sombre black (he was said to be in mourning for his dignity, deceased since a certain day, when he acted as choregus at the theatre). Though once a great orator, his vigour was now abated. He was wearing a golden chaplet, which several individuals were persistent in their efforts to remove. He exhibited symptoms of making a speech against them, a result averted by the speaker, who delivered him from his assailants. The chief feature of his speech was a cambric handkerchief with a black border, which he flourished at intervals with striking effect. After he sat down the debate rapidly degenerated, for several members persisted in making the hon. mover the butt of their

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shallow wit; they made mysterious insinuations about stepping into other people's shoes, and calculating the right time to a nicety. Socrates, an ugly old man, who, having refused various posts in the Government, was always free to ask as many unpleasant questions as he liked—he always made good use of his opportunities—next rose. Cleon and his supporters found that it paid better to ignore his interrogatories on this occasion than to try to answer them. While his successor, a long-winded individual, is boring the House, let us turn our attention elsewhere. In the Press Gallery]Herr Odotus was fast asleep, while Xenophon, who had had an unfailing stock of dreams at hand when in a dilemma, was busily plodding on ; Thucydides was writing out the speech Pericles ought to have made, but had failed to make. His task finished, he amused himself by studying his old friend's lucubrations; his habit of wandering miles from the subject, the remarkable tales which, even then, he could not refrain from putting into the mouth of some unfortunate Egyptian ecclesiastic, all came in for the Athenian's sarcasm. He then walked out, observing that the debate was practically ended, pulling from his pocket the " Amphipolis Daily News," to see how much silver had depreciated, and what the drachma now was worth. In the Distinguished Strangers' Gallery were some notabilities of the leader and lawgiver class, Numa, Lycureus, Raamses the Great, but " praecipue pius Aeneas," who had been entertaining his friends by an account of his pious behaviour on the night when Troytown was burned down and his subsequent adventures, interspersing it with many an ancient saw and many a moral reflection, and frequently shedding tears where they were required to keep up his character. Down below the house was rapidly emptying, and here the MS. comes to an abrupt and undignified end, a catastrophe denoted in novels and elsewhere by a constellation.

H.M.C.

IRepbelococcitQia, |E ARCH ING the bookshelves of an old library the other day, in the hope of finding something wherewith to while away a wet afternoon, I chanced on an ancient book of travels, written by one who seemed

to possess in no small degree the faculty of making dull things interesting. Amongst many other fascinating passages, the following struck me especially as being not merely quaint and lively, but in some indefinable manner linked, as it were, with my own thoughts ; though what possible connection there can be between the simple narrative of this old-world traveller and the whirl and scurry of a nineteenth century brain, I must leave to the reader to suggest. " Now as I wandered through many lands and many seas, I came unto a certain city, whereof the name is not to be spoken in our tongue, but whose citizens are called, in so far as I could understand their speech, " They-who-buy-things-cheap-and-sell-'em dear." And in good sooth this title doth suit them by no means i l l ; for the people is greatly given to the getting of money. Now as I sojourned in the city, it seemed good unto me, being eager to know many things, to find out what manner of men such could be ; wherefore I passed many days therein, and did acquaint myself with certain of the citizens, who shewed me whatsoever I desired. Moreover, I learnt that there is no sm:ill strife and dissension among the people, anent certain matters whereof I shall tell.

"Now there are in the city two factories,which indeed are built not near to one another, but as it were a mile apart. They who shewed them unto me, told me that in former days there had been but one factory, though forsooth no man could remember that time—not even he who had dwelt in the city longer than all the rest. In those days the men of the city had been wont to apprentice their sons in that factory, that they might learn a certain trade. Now this trade is one which I know not how to tell of in our tongue ; yet in this city men of yore had deemed it needful that every youth should learn it, saying that it was necessary for the common weal. And they who shewed me all these things said that in those days the people had been called not " They-who-buy-thingscheap-and-sell-'em-dear," but " They-who-fear-God." Whereat I wondered much, for it seemed to me that the latter name assorted ill with the men of to-day.

But after a time, said they, another factory was built; which for a time was useful, insomuch that the youth of the city did learn the rudiments of their calling at the new factory, and afterwards, when they were older, passed on to the old. But after many years, there grew up many foolish men, who thought

THE VIGORNIAN. they could well do without that knowledge which had ever been deemed needful to the good of the State ; and desired that their sons might learn some other trade whereby they might enrich themselves more quickly. So they prevailed upon those who ordered the affairs of the new factory, to teach other trades than that which had been taught; and so it came about that foolish citizens did apprentice their sons to new trades, that they might quickly make themselves rich in worldly goods.

"Then they who owned the older factory, seeing that the citizens could not be restrained from the love of gain, and also deeming it good that their own 'prentices should not be left behind in the race for gold, and so be persuaded to send their own sons to the other factory, said that they too were willing to take 'prentices who should be taught other things beside the old trade ; yet they said they would never cease to instruct those who came to them in what they knew to be needful. And thus it comes, said they, that these two factories, albeit they were built unto one and the same end, have become rivals unto each other; and I shall shew how their rivalry doth bid fair to destroy not one alone, but both.

"Now there are in the city certain busy-bodies, who give themselves out to be somebodies, though in good sooth they are nought but moneyed men, some of them clever, but for the most part foolish. These men do frequently meet together to talk of many things which concern the welfare of the city ; or of such things as may seem to them to concern its welfare; and not many years since, one who is accounted by them the wisest of them all, did make a speech in the assembly, wherein he skilfully told them that they could not have their sons taught any such calling as would be of use to them, as long as there were two factories in the city; for that much money was squandered in the payment of overseers and master-workmen, which might otherwise be given to better ends ; whereby he meant such things as are able to make men rich in this world. And therefore he bade them raise a great tumult against those who possess the older factory, to the end that the burgesses might believe that they did not well to send their sons thither, and might also clamour for the two factories to be made one. Yet he did not say how this was to be done (and indeed that were a hard matter for any man, seeing that the two are at so

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great issue on many matters) ; but many were deceived by his words, and matters were coming to a pretty pass.

For many citizens, not having the wisdom of them of yore, were desirous of new things ; and some spake scornfully of the older factory, saying that the material which was being made therein was not needed in these go-ahead days (for in such strange phrase did they speak), and that it were better for all that there should be one factory, wherein their sons might learn all manner of trades. " Now though there are many foolish men in the city, yet there are still some who think as men of oldtime thought, that it were better for their sons to learn that which is needful for every man, rather than such things as can only make them wealthy in worldly goods. These men, perceiving that there is much strife and discord among the citizens, and hearing how many bitter words are spoken against the older factory, and having in mind the welfare of their children, are unwilling to apprentice their sons in the old factory, until such time as the matter shall be settled, but send them away to factories in other places. And so it comes about, that there are but few 'prentices in the old factory, as also in the new; and the busy-bodies who first cried out against them, throw mud at them on that account.

"All this I learnt from them who first spake to me of the strife. And because I was much struck with the folly of the people, and desired exceedingly to know more of this thing, it seemed good to me to enter the older factory, and see all that went on therein.

Now the building was very lofty and spacious, and there were many beautiful carvings and other things pleasing to the eye. And I saw the 'prentices sitting at their work; and most applied themselves diligently; but some were idle. Yet the overseers and master-workmen, who gave unto each his task, often reproved those that were slothful in business, saying that unless they gave more diligence, the material which they had to make would be spoilt. But for the most part they paid no heed.

And it happened that after a time there was a strange sound, which I know not how to explain, save that it seemed to come from a very large tower close at hand; whereon the 'prentices hasted to leave their work, and hurry 'homeward ; save such as had been idle ; these stayed behind, with sorry countenances, and one of the overseers did give them fresh tasks to

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perform. So I addressed myself unto this man, and asked him many questions concerning the place. And he told me that the 'prentices for the most part learnt their calling fairly ; but that sometimes one or another would not listen to the teaching of the overseers, and these always came unto a bad end. And many other things he told me, whereof the tale would be too long to tell here. But I learnt that they of the old factory desired not to be joined unto the new ; for they fear lest they of the new factory should spoil the material which they have made now for so long a time. For they desire that their 'prentices should be called by the old name, rather than by that which the citizens have now."

Such is the extract. It is difficult to guess what the material can have been which was deemed so necessary to the welfare of this strange people ; but from another passage in the same chapter I conjecture that it had some connection with a national theory that " the destinies of a nation depend upon the opinions of its young men under five-and-twenty."

Such at least is the only clue which I can find to the solution of the question ; if the reader has any other theory to propose, by all means let him apply it.

W. H. W.

single case did the crew which won the toss for stations fail to secure a victory.

The Regatta was opened by the chief event of the day, a race between the School Four and one composed of Old Vigornians, stroked by W. Counsel!.

The rival crews were as follows :— SCHOOL. OLD VIGORNIANS. bow C. R. Davies bow F. W. Keen 2. A. E. Wheeler 2. W. G. Bennett 3. C. Counsell 3. H. Bird stroke W. H. Webb stroke W. Counsell cox. V. Quilter cox. A. E. Davies The School having won the toss, chose the western station, and the starting place was fixed at a point intermediate between the Chemical Works and Mr. Binns' house. On the word being given, both boats got well away, the School rowing a slightly faster stroke than their opponents. For fifty yards or so the two crews were rowing perfectly level, but beyond that distance the force of the stream began to tell, and the faster stroke of Webb being well backed up by those behind him, brought the School bow gradually in front of the Old Vigornians, in spite of the determined efforts on the part of the School coxswain to take his crew out into mid-stream. From this point the School had things pretty well their own way, and arrived at the winning post two lengths ahead, amid a scene of great enthusiasm.

The second event was the Old Boys' Scratch Fours, for which the following crews entered :—

Considunt transtris intentaque brachia remis : Intenti exspectant signum, exsultantiaque haurit Corda pavor pulsans, laiidumque arrecta cupido.

Verg. Aen. v. 137.

T. Button W. Telfer A. Davies W. Higgins F. Jones R. Baylis W. Branthwaite H. Bird G. Hopkins F. Keen (str.)

W. Counsell (str.) W. Bennett (str.)

| HE School Regatta, of which the first H. Hargraves V. Quilter F. Faram half was held on Saturday, April 6th, The first heat ended in a victory for Keen's boat marks a distinct advance in the developafter a good race by half a length, and in the second ment of the Rowing Club. It was heat they maintained their position as winners by characterised not only by the greater number and defeating Bennett's crew by two lengths. variety of the actual races, but in a far more important The third place in the programme was occupied by and significant degree, by the admission of Old Vigornians to competition with their younger successthe Rowing Club Scratch Fours, the first heat of which is noticeable chiefly as affording proof of the ors as well as among themselves. intense interest which can be aroused by the display On the day in question the river was somewhat of unscientific rowing, where the most perfect oarshigh, and a very strong stream was running down, manship would fall comparatively flat. The competing the full effects of which were chiefly confined to the east bank, and it is worthy of notice that in only one crews were :—

THE VIGORNIAN. C. Icely C. Fetch C. R. Davies C. Counsell (str.)

H. Margraves H. Higgins F. Rowland F. Thomas (str.)

C. Waller E. Osborne The latter crew were somewhat unfortunate, for immediately after the word was given, stroke experienced a temporary difficulty with his oar, but when this had been satisfactorily adjusted, he started off at a rate which bade fair, if supported by those behind him, to compensate for the time which had been lost.

Such hopes were, however, doomed to disappointment, for two (thinking doubtless that enough had been done for glory), after some mysterious complications, finally allowed his oar to slide overboard and be lost.

In the second heat the crews were :— B. Millar H. Thomas G. Rowland H. Button H. Webb A. Wheeler W. Hill (str.)

H. Quilter (str.)

J. Chamberlain L. Taverner Hill's boat led the whole way, and won finally by a length and a half.

In order to give the fours a rest, two sculling heats for Old Vigornians were now rowed off. The first, between W. G. Bennett and W. Branthwaite, possessed all the elements required for an exciting race, for after two or three strokes the former was grievously unsettled by his stretcher breaking loose. On retrieving the situation, he found his rival leading by about thirty yards, an interval which he began steadily to diminish, when victory was beyond expectation assured him by Branthwaite's loss of one of his sculls.

In the second heat, between F. Jones and W. Counsell, the former went off with the lead, which he maintained throughout, and won by half a dozen lengths.

After these heats came the final heat of the School Scratch Fours, between Hill's crew and Counsell's.

The former secured the western station, and getting the lead from the first, rowed steadily away, not without receiving some assistance from the errors committed by bow in the other boat. Such good use, indeed, did they make of their opportunities, that they arrived at the winning post alone.

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The last event, which ended a well-spent day, was the final in the Old Boys' sculls, between Jones and Bennett. The former, having won the lucky side, rowed steadily away from Bennett and won as he pleased. On the whole, in spite of a few mistakes made by individuals, one cannot fail to be struck with the immense improvement which has taken place since last year in the School rowing. Science played a not unimportant part in the winning of every race, and although there was a remarkable absence of exciting finishes throughout the Regatta, the courage and energy displayed by winners and losers alike, testify to an increased interest in rowing matters among the School at large.

Cricket FTER gazing with sorrow on the thinned ranks of last year's team, no one could have prophesied any extraordinary success to the school for the coming season. Every foreboding has been verified by our performances up to this date. The commencement of the season was especially disastrous, as in the first three matches we suffered very severe defeats. Of the next three we won one and lost another by only two runs on the first innings, the third being a defeat by a small number. In the Spetchley match we were again well beaten, but this we generally expect at Spetchley. It is a match to which we always look forward, owing to the beauty of the ground and the kindness shewn, not only to the team, but to the other members of the school. But as we know that we shall probably meet a team which could beat the rest of the county, and is assisted by the best professional talent available, we never feel much hope or much disappointment about the result. Indeed, we look upon the strength of the Spetchley team as a complimentary recollection of the year when we tied them in the first innings and got them out for 19 in the second.

It seems a pity that the elevens against which we play consist generally of men and not boys. We should get on much better in matches against other schools. Just at this time is this especially true, because from one cause or another very few of the VI.

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and V. Forms play cricket at all. Some of course are prevented by causes beyond their own control, but there are others—certainly the majority—who can offer no excuse. We do not wish to be too hard upon these unfortunate individuals, because, from what the editor has let us see in confidence, there will be plenty of other reading in this number to make their heads droop with shame, but we should like to point out that many of them are guilty of two-fold ingratitude. In the first place many played cricket while they were small, and have received a great deal of attention and coaching from various cricket captains. The trouble thus taken with them has thus been thrown away. Secondly, the boat club, to which many of them belong, received a great impulse and development from the cricketers, who joined it in the spring. We ourselves were seen toiling at the oar, and (shall we confess it ?) rather enjoying ourselves, but when we did so we thought that the summer term would see all our schoolfellows doing their best in the cricket field. Rowing and lawn tennis and cycling are very fine occupations at the right time, but cricket after all is the game of English schoolboys, and esprit de corps is still not out of date. Of the eleven themselves and many others we can speak with the highest praise. They have worked hard both at practice and in the field, and the improvement in the fielding of the team is something to be proud of. A few are slack at times, but most show pluck and energy even when the 200 is on the telegraph board. We should like to see more improvement in our wicket-keeper. He stops the balls well, but the ball then, especially if it has glanced off the bat, has a knack of dropping to the ground, nor does he whip the bails off quick enough when the ball is thrown in. We venture to criticise him because we think that he is capable of improvement.

We thought that the batting would improve when we engaged Baines as professional; but, unfortunately, his services are in such demand for cricket matches at Spetchley and the Barracks that we have had very little coaching from him. What he has done he has done well.

We welcome with delight the appearance of the Cricket Pavilion. We hope that, by adding to the comfort of both players and spectators, it will give much greater interest to our matches.

WORCESTER CATHEDRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL v. NORTON BARRACKS, May 23rd, 1889.—Played at Norton.

Resulted in an easy victory for the military by 149 runs.

WORCESTER CATHEDRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL. C. Counsel!, c and b Baines 13 W. Hill, c and b Husband o Mr. Locock, b Husband ... ... ... ... ... 14 C. Icely, b Baines ... ... ... ... ... ... I B. Millar, b Husband 2 R. Webb, b Baines o W. Telfer, c Hunt b Husband 10 H. Clarke, not out ... ... ... ... ... ... 4 W. Bolland, b Husband I P. Webb, c Rainsford b Husband 2 H. Thomas, b Husband ... ... ... ... ... I Extras byes 19 leg-bye I ... 20 Total

68

NORTON BARRACKS. Capt. Rainsford, b Counsell ... ... ... ... ... 14 Capt. R. V. Berkeley, b Counsell 15 Corpl. Husband, not out 100 Sergt. Baines, b Counsell ... ... ... ... ... 2 Major Clarke, b R. Webb 35 Lieut. Saunders, b R. Webb o Capt. M. Berkeley, b R. Webb 8 Q.M.S. Downey, Ibw b Counsell ... ... ... ... 2 Sergt. Walford, b R. Webb 6 Sergt. Hunt, b Counsell ... ... ... ... ... 3 Private Coleman, not out ... ... ... ... ... 3 Extras byes 26 leg-byes 2 wide I ... 29 Total

217

WORCESTER CATHEDRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL v. HALLOW May 3Oth, 1889.—Played at Boughton.

Although when we saw our opponents' team we expected a defeat, still such a smashing was quite unexpected.

WORCESTER CATHEDRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL. ist Innings.

2nd Innings.

C. Counsell, b Wilson 2 b Lock 23 W. Hill, b Lock 3 c Pepys b Lock ... 2 Mr. Locock, b Lock 5 b Wilson 3 B. Millar, c Owen b Lock... ... 3 c Worthington b Firkins... ... 6 C. Icely, Ibw b Owen 10 b Wheeler ... II W. Bolland, run out I b Wheeler ... I R. Webb, b Lock 2 b Lock o H. Clarke, c Wheeler b Owen ... I runout 3 P. Webb, b Owen O not out I c Worthington b H. Thomas, b Lock o Wheeler ... 2 A. Baily, not out ... ... ... I runout ... ... o Extras...byes6 Ieg-byes3 wide I 10 byes 10 leg-bye I II Total

38

Total

HALLOW. Rev. T. G. Owen, b Millar 33 H. Wilson, b Locock 43 W. I. Curtis, b Locock 23 H. Worthington, not out ... ... ... ... ... 6 F. Pepys, b Millar o C. Wheeler A. Lord A. Lock 1- did not bat W. Berkeley J. Firkins Extras ... byes 3 wides 2 ... 5 Total

THE VIGORNIAN. WORCESTER CATHEDRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL v. NORTON BARRACKS, June 4th, 1889. Played at Norton.

This was a very poor display indeed, our first defeat comparing quite favourably with it.

WORCESTER CATHEDRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL. C. Counsel!, c Husband b Baines ... ... ... ... 7 W. Hill, Ibw b Husband 2 Mr. Locock, c M. Berkeley b Baines ... ... ... ... 15 Rev. W. E. Bolland, hit wkt b Baines 2 C. Icely, b Baines ... ... ... ... ... ... 3 B. Millar, b Husband ... ... ... ... ... ... o H. Clarke, b Baines ... ... ... ... ... ... o W. Bolland, c and b Husband ... ... ... ... ... o P. Webb, b Baines o H. Thomas, run out ... ... ... ... ... ... 3 A. Baily, not out ... ... ... ... ... ... 2 Extras byes 3 leg-bye I no ball I ... 5 Total

39

NORTON BARRACKS. Capt. Hudson, b W. E. Bolland I Capt. M. Berkeley, b W. E. Bolland 31 Lieut. Sanders, run out 7 Q.M.S. Downey, b Locock ... ... ... ... .. 15 Corpl. Husband, not out 71 Sergt. Baines, did not bat ... o Major Clarke, b Locock o Private Matthews, run out 35 Lieut. Nunn, not out i Sergt. Hammerton ) did not bat Private Coleman ) Extras byes 8 wide I 170

Total

WORCESTER CATHEDRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL v. CONNELLAN COLLEGE, MALVERN, June 8th. Played at Malvern.

A totally unexpected defeat; indeed, it was without doubt the worst display our team has yet shewn.

WORCESTER CATHEDRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL. C. Counsel!, b Morris 3 W. Hill, b Chamberlain 15 Mr. Locock, c S. Rice b Morris ... .. ... ... 5 C. Icely, Ibw b Chamberlain ... ... ... ... ... 8 B. Millar, b Morris o H. Clarke, c Morris b Chamberlain ... ... ... ... o W. Bolland, c H. Rice b Morris 6 C. Fuller, run out ... ... ... ... ... ... 10 P. Webb, b Morris o H. Thomas, not out ... ... ... ... ... ... 3 A. Baily, Ibw b Morris ... ... ... ... ... ... I Extras byes 10 leg-byes 2 ... 12 Total CONNELLAN COLLEGE. H. L. Rice, c Bolland b Counsel! ... ...

S. R. Rice, c Counsel! b Locock W. Walker, st Hill b Locock G. Chamberlain, b Millar ... ... ...

Mr. A. J. Morris, b Counsel!

D. Eastman, c Bolland b Counsell S. Buckingham, c Locock b Millar ...

F. Hastings, b Millar J. Moore, b Millar ... ... ... ...

Mr. F. Sudfeld, b Millar G. Branscombe, not out ... ... ...

Extras

k

Total

63

...

...

4 o 19 ... ... 19 21 2 ... ... o 3 ... ... 5 4 ... ... o byes 6 ... 6 83

243

WORCESTER CATHEDRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL v. WICHENFORD, June I5th, 1889 —Played at Worcester.

This match was closely contested, the School losing by 3 runs.

WORCESTER CATHEDRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL. 1st Innings.

2nd Innings.

C. Counsel!, Ibw b Day o b Day o W. Hill, I b w b Nash i 2 b Day Mr. Locock, b Nash O b Day H W. Counsel!, b Day 28 17 not out C. Icely, run out 2 run out H. Clarke, b Nash ......

R. Webb, b Day ......

I to bat B. Millar, c H. Ilemus b Day O W. Bolland, c Nash b Day O not out C. Fuller, c J. Hemus b Taylor to bat A. Baily, not out ......

Extras ............... byes 2 byes 2 Ig-bye i 3

1}

Total

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

27

Total

.........

50

WlCHENFORD.

1st Innings.

Clewes, c Hill b Lccock ...

F. Fidoe, b Locock J. Hemus, b C. Counsell ...

M. Day, c R. Webb b Locock A. P. Battersea, Ibw b Counsell H. Taylor, b C. Counsell ...

H. Hemus, b Locock A. Nash, b Locock ...

G. Shaw, run out ...

W. Jones, not out ...

Extras wide I Total

2nd Innings.

°) 2 [-did not bat 6 c Millar, b R.Webb 14 13 b Locock 2

0 not out 2 1

...

... 9

)

Vdid not bat byes 2 wides 3

30

Total

5 30

WORCESTER CATHEDRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL v. THE GRANGE C.C. (Bransford), June 22nd, 1889,—Played at Worcester.

This match ended in a very well deserved victory for the School by 7 runs. Rain fell just before starting, and damaged the pitch considerably. W. Counsell and Mr. Locock played well for the School.

THE GRANGE C.C. R. Hinton, b C. Counsell 4 R. E. Goddard, b W. Counsell o G. Bosworth, c and b Locock ... ... ... ... ... 35 P. M. Pomery, b C. Counsell o R. Firkins, b C. Counsell ... ... ... ... ... 2 G. Firkins, b W. Counsell o F. B. Louis, b Locock 4 Bosworth, b Locock ... ... ... ... ... ... 3 W. D. Turner, run out I W. Bullen, not out ... ... ... ... ... ... o Extras byes 9 wides 2 ... II Total

60

WORCESTER CATHEDRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL. W. Counsell, c Hinton b Pomery ... ... ...

•••23 C. Counsell, b Firkins ... ... ... ... ... ... o Mr. Locock, b Firkins .. ... ... ... ... ... 16 C. Icely, c Pomery b Firkins 2 W. Hill, b Hinton o Mr. Jordan, run out ... ... . ... ... ... 2 R. Webb, not out B. Millar, b Firkins W. Bolland, c Bosworth b G. Bosworth C. Fuller, b Hinton A. Baily, b Hinton Extras byes 10 leg-byes 2 ... 12 Total

67

THE VIGORNIAN.

244

WORCESTER CATHEDRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL v. SPETCHLEY PARK C.C., June 2$th, 1889.—Played at Spetchley.

The Park compiled a big score, owing to the closeness of the boundaries.

The School following up well in their second innings.

SPETCHLEY PARK. Sergt. Baines, c Icely b Locock ... ... ... ...33 Lieut. Wodehouse, b W. Counsell ... ... ... ... 19 W. E. Berkeley, c Baily b W. Counsell o Lieut. Brinton, b W. Counsell... ... ... ... ... o Lieut. Nunn, Ibw b W. Counsell ... ... ... ... o R. Brinton, not out ... ... ... ... ... ... 68 J. Williams, b Locock 6 Capt. M. H. Berkeley, c Locock b W. E. Bolland ... 40 Lieut. Hobson, c W. Counsell b C. Counsell ... ... 2 Capt. R. V. Berkeley, c Hill b W. E. Bolland 5 Corpl. Husband, not out ... ... ... ... ... 29 Extras ... byes 20 leg-byes 5 wides 3 no balls 2 ... 30 Total

232

WORCESTER CATHEDRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL. znd Innings. ist Innings.

9 b Williams ... 22 C. Counsell, b Hobson W. Hill, st Husband b Wodehouse o c Baines b Lieut.

Brinton ... I Mr. Locock, b Brinton 28 28! ,., , . aia not Dat Rev.W.E.Bolland.c&bWodehouse 2 j" W. Counsell, b Brinton 21 not out 17 C. Icely, b Brinton 4 not out o H. Counsell, b Hobson 4, B. Millar, c R. V. Berkeley b Brinton o W, Bolland, c and b Brinton ... 4 Vdid not bat A. Baily, not out II H. Clarke, c Wodehouse b Brinton 2 ' Extras byes 2 wide I ... 3 Total

78

90

WORCESTER CATHEDRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL. C. Counsell, bW. Counsell 16 W. Hill, Ibw bW. Counsell 6 Mr. Locock, b Bennett 13 B. Millar, b Knott 17 C. Icely, run out ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 9 W, Bolland, cW. Counsell b Bennett 4 P. Webb, not out I C. Fuller, b R. Baylis o H. Clarke, c Bird b R. Baylis o A. Baily, b Knott o H. Thomas, b Knott o Extras , byes 14 leg-bye I ... 15 Total

Total

121

HALLOW. Rev. J. G. Owen, c Hill b C. Counsell 6 A. W. Wood, c Millar b C. Counsell 18 D. Smith, b C. Counsell o Netley, Ibw b W. E. Bolland o C. J. Lord, st Hill b C Counsell 9 J. Firkins, b W. E. Bolland 6 A. E. Lord, b W. E. Bolland 6 A. Lock, b C. Counsell ... ... ... ... ... o A. Moon, Ibw b W. E. Bolland I Holden, b C. Counsell I P. Webb, not out ... ... ... ... .. .• • 5 Extras byes 2 leg-byes 2 ... 4 Total

56

Total (for 2 wkts) 40

WORCESTER CATHEDRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL v. OLD VIGORNIANS, June 29th, 1889.—Played at Worcester.

W. Counsell, who has given us great help this season, saved the O. V's from what looked very like defeat. B. Millar, C. Counsell, and Mr. Locock batting well lor the School.

OLD VIGORNIANS. H. Counsell, Ibw b Locock 7 H. Knott, b C. Counsell o W. Counsell, b Icely 46 H. Bird, b Locock o G. Bennett, run out 2 E. D. Jordan, not out 10 R. Baylis, c Icely b Locock I W. Branthwaite, b C. Counsell I A. P. Higgins, b Locock 7 F. Rowland, b Locock ... ... ... ... ... ... o Extras byes 15 wide I ... 16 Total

WORCESTER CATHEDRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL v. HALLOW. Resulted in an easy victory for the School, quite making up for their defeat in last match with this team. C. Counsell bowled well for the School, taking 6 wickets for 24 runs.

WORCESTER CATHEDRAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL. C. Counsell, b A. Lord ... ... ... ...

13 W. Hill, c and b A. Lord 6 Mr. Locock, b A. Lock ... ... ... ... ... ... 10 Rev. W. E. Bolland, b A. Lock 4 W. Counsell, b D. Smith 4 Baines, (pro) not out ... ... ... ... ..

38 C. Icely, b A. Lock ..

2 B. Millar, b A. Lock o Mr. Jordan, run out ... ... ... .. .. i W. Bolland, b J. Firkins 5 A. Baily, b A. Lock 6 Extras byes 27 leg-byes 3 no balls 2 ... 32

81

jjWING to the generosity of friends, both inside and outside the school, this institution has increased during the past few months in an unprecedented manner. About seventy volumes have been added, embracing all classes of literature. Especially would we commend to the notice of borrowers the " Men of Action " series, one volume of which is being published monthly, consisting of clearly printed, reliable biographies, written by well-known authors. The lives of Henry V., Gordon, Livingstone, Lord Lawrence, and Wellington have already appeared, and will be followed by twelve more.

In response to a widely expressed wish, and to counteract the poisonous malaria rising from the sensational garbage now disseminated through the country, a number of volumes of healthy fiction are being bought for the Library, and it is to be hoped that these will be read in preference to books, which, even if their cost to the pocket of the reader is small,

THE VIGORNIAN. will cost his character more than can be well calculated.

Our constant friends, the Dean and the Head Master, continue to give substantial proofs of their kindly interest in the Library. To the former we are indebted for Greek Testament, with notes, Alford ; Life of Wesley, Southey; Worcestershire Nuggets, Noake. To the latter for Pictorial Half Hours, 2 vols. We may also mention the Map of Worcestershire and the Surrounding Counties, which the Head Master has allowed to be placed in the Reading Room. Besides these, the Librarian begs to return thanks to the following :— Canon Creighton for five volumes, including Bright's History of the Early English Church, and Biographies of Henry II. and Raleigh.

G. Oliver, Esq., for ten volumes, amongst which are Translation of the Germania of Tacitus, with notes, Latham ; History of Greek and Roman Literature (2 vols.), Browne; and three volumes of Cooper's novels.

Mrs. Wilmington Ingram for The Brides of Dinan, by the late Canon Ingram, well worth perusal,' not only for its poetical merits, but also for its interesting historical and local allusions.

Gonacher for Lives of the Popes (Platina), and Sartor Resartus (Carlyle); Icely for four volumes of George Elliot's works; Button ii. for Gulliver's Travels (Swift), and James Braithwaite (Kingston); Rowland for the Wild Man of the West (Ballantyne).

Amongst books which have been purchased are History of Greece (Grote); History of England (Macaulay) ; French Revolution (Carlyle); Conquest of Mexico (Prescott); Tom Brown at Oxford (Hughes); Two Years Ago and The Heroes (Kingsley); John Inglesant (Shorthouse); Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow (Jerome); Self Culture (Blackie).

In conclusion, we may express a hope that the School Museum will soon be commenced, and that collectors in the school will take care that their respective hobbies are well represented by freely contributing specimens.

C.T.D. [We have just received a copy of the new catalogue, which the Librarian has lately compiled. It is a work of immense value, and the Librarian deserves the hearty thanks of the whole school for the work he has expended on it.—ED.]

245

debating Society.

JINCE our last issue this Society has held seven Meetings, but we regret that, owing to the want of a reporter, we are unable to give any account of last term's Debates, beyond the fact that a motion to the effect " that this House approves of total abstinence " was thrown out by a large majority, and that the Society unanimously declared for Rugby Football in preference to Association. An informal meeting was also held, at which several motions were disposed of with startling rapidity; amongst others the House resolved, to the horror of the authorities, that the execution of Charles I. was justifiable ! This, however, was after a very brief discussion, and must not, we think, be taken as an expression of the opinion of the School.

On Wednesday, May I5th, H. M. Conacher moved " that Orators are not as a rule men of action." The motion was carried by 18 to 8.

The following spoke :— For—Conacher (mover). Against—Webb i (opposer).

Counsell (seconder).

Dimont.

Rowland.

Faram i.

Conacher (reply).

Hill.

On Wednesday, June 5th, W. H. Webb moved " that in the opinion of this House, novels have had, on the whole, more influence for evil than for good.''

The motion was carried by 19 to 6. The following spoke :— For—Webb i (mover). Against—Rowland (opposer).

Conacher (seconder).

Faram i.

Baily i.

Higgins.

Dimont.

Webb i (reply).

On Wednesday, June 26th, F. H. Higgins moved " that in the opinion of this House, the old Public School system, with its narrow range of subjects and severe discipline, was superior to the present system, vvith its wider curriculum and laxity." The motion was lost by 12 to 3. The following spoke :— For—Higgins (mover).

C. Dimont (opposer).

Conacher (seconder).

Open to conviction—Webb i.

The attendance at this last debate was small, and the speeches fell very flat. We are bound to say that

THE VIGORNIAN,

246

the debate was rendered a failure by the element of tomfoolery which was admitted into the discussion.

We hope it will be long before we witness a similar exhibition of puerility. It would be interesting to learn in what way those members of the Sixth and Fifth who did not put in an appearance were employed on this occasion. Certain it is that very few of them were down at cricket earlier in the evening, but perhaps that very fact accounts for their absence at the debate. " Consistency still is a part of their plan," no doubt, and the same characteristic which induces them to cut cricket probably leads them to ignore other school institutions. They will doubtless be somewhat encouraged by the reflection that, if there is one place more than another where their presence is needed to ensure success, it is at a meeting of the Debating Society. The junior members of the School, with all their zeal, cannot possibly carry on a debate with any success, so the defection of the bigger fellows will simply mean the extermination of the Society, which event we imagine they would regard with perfect equanimity.

Scbool IRewe.

OXfORD

O.V's:

H. A. COUNSELL, Meeke Scholar of Hertford College, Oxford, Third Class Moderations. He has been rowing seven in the Hertford Eight.

W. S. H. LITTLEBURY (Non-Coil.) Pass Moderations.

CAMBRIDGE O.V's: W. H. BIRD (Emmanuel), has passed the First Part of the 2nd M.B. Examination.

W. A. HIGGINS (Non-Coil.) has passed Chemistry and Physics half of the same.

the

W. H. COUNSELL (Cavendish), has passed the Biology half of the ist M.B.; also the Additionals ; and has been awarded an Exhibition in Science of ^30. He stroked the Lent and May boats of his College.

A. P. HIGGINS (Downing) has been elected to a Foundation Scholarship in Law, value ^50. He also rowed seven in his Lent boat.

Mr. Hartley left us at the end of last term, and the School presented him with a pair of binocular telescopes as a token of esteem.

He has been succeeded by C. D. Locock, Esq., B.A., Univ. Coll., Oxon.

The Annual Athletic Sports will be held about the first week in October, on the County Cricket Ground, Boughton.

The result of the Examination in Ambulance held last term was exceedingly satisfactory. None of the Candidates failed, and the Examiner pronounced ours to be the best class he had ever examined. The following are the names of the candidates: — H. Conacher, G. Rowland, H. Hill, J. Chamberlain, H. Dutton, H. Hargraves, F. Hadley, F. Davies, F. Thomas, H.Thomas, F.Dutton, C.Steward, H.Clarke, A. Baily, B. Millar, C. Icely, G. Taverner, C. Waller, E. Shattock, F. Faram, E. W. Holland, G. Clarke, H. Chaplin, V. Quilter, A. Roan, E. Roan, F. Evans, J. Cook, F. Rowland, W. Chamberlain, E. Osborne, H. Higgins, P. Webb.

On Monday, March 4th, Mr. Alfred Capper gave his Drawing-room Entertainment and Thought Reading Seance in the College Hall. The attendance was small, but the Entertainment was eminently successful.

This Term will end on Thursday, August ist, and the School will re-assemble for the Christmas Term on September 24th.

We beg to acknowledge the following Magazines :— Bathonian,Bromsgrovian,Cantuarian, Coventry School Magazine, Felstedian, Herefordian, Hurst Johnian, Leodensian, Ousel, Portcullis, Portsmouthian, Raven, Tonbridgian, Ipswich School Magazine.

Scbool Officers.

Captain of the School Chairman of VI. Form Meetings Captain and Sec. of Cricket Librarian . . .

Sub-Librarian Secretary of Chess Club -

W. H. WEBB. C. T. DlMONT. C. C. COUNSELL. C. T. DIMONT. H. CONACHER. H. CONACHER. f W . H. WEBB. Editors of " The Vigornian " \C. C. COUNSELL. Captain and Sec. of Football Not yet elected.

Captain and Sec. of Rowing Club Not yet elected.

THE VIGORNIAN.

Correspondence.

The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the opinions of their Correspondents.

All letters intended for insertion in these columns must be authenticated by the name and address of the sender, not necessarily for publication, but as evidence of good f.iith.

Every facility will be afforded for the discussion of matters of interest to the School, but a rigid compliance with this rule will be enforced.

C A M B R I D G E LETTER. To THE EDITORS OF THE " VIGORNIAN.'' DEAR SIRS,—As a Member of the Colony of Old Vigornians at Cambridge, I have been requested to write a Cambridge letter.

The Easter Term, which has just ended, is much more generally known as the May Term ; it includes the joyous and festive time of the May week with its ceaseless round of pleasures—boat races, concerts, flower shows, dramatic performances, and dances.

This year, however, the pleasures of the week (which, in spite of its name " May " week, invariably comes in J une) were greatly marred by the inclemency of the weather; from June yth to the nth the weather was miserably cold and wet, and Ditton Paddock and the fields which had to be crossed to reach this great sightseeing spot were in many places veritable mud pits.

The races themselves were notable for the fall of Trinity Hall from its position as Head of the River, a position which it has held for three years, and for the rise of Third^Trinity which took its place. I need hardly add that Muttlebury is captain of the Third Trinity boat, and the success of his boat was hailed with almost universal satisfaction in the University, and fitly harmonises with the rest of his rowing career at the University, which has been one of almost uninterrupted success. Third Trinity has not been head of the River since 1865. Wednesday, June 12, was, however,a lovely day, and the performance of "Love's labour Lost" in Downing College Grounds was a great success. The Boat Procession, which was held on the evening of this day, was as usual attended by many thousands of people, the only incident of note being the overturning of the Downing boat.

Two or three more Old Vigornians are expected to come into residence next term, when our numbers at Cambridge will for the /first time for many years be equal to, if not greater, than those at Oxford.

CANTAB.

247

To THE EDITORS OF THE " VIGORNIAN." DEAR SIRS,—In your report of the Football Season in the last number of the " Vigornian," two matches between the School House and the School were recorded. The account mentioned that the teams on each occasion were very equal; but I beg to call your attention to a fact which must have escaped the writer's notice, viz., that the School House had great odds against them in both matches; for on the first occasion the School team consisted of no less than 18 players, while the School House could only place nine in the field ; and in the return match the School turned up with their full 15, whilst their opponents' team consisted of n men. And I should like to remark that if the School House had played against equal numbers, they would have given a very much better account of themselves.

Yours, etc., B. M. To THE EDITORS OF THE " VIGORNIAN." DEAR SIRS,—Most of the letters that appear in the " Vigornian " are of a grumbling, blaming character ; very rarely do we find in them words of praise or approval ; but it is a well-known fact that if anybody falls off, his degeneracy usually dates from the time when people take to praising him. The object of this letter is to complain of the crying sin so painfully apparent, especially this summer term, that spirit of looking-onwith-hands-in-pockets-ism. It is a fault that we by no means monopolise, for it is an epidemic which, to judge by school magazines, is fast spreading over other schools. At Worcester the chief offenders in this respect are the VI. and V.; hardened sinners are the majority of these fellows; the IV., though by no means distinguished for hard mental work, can well afford to look virtuous in this matter, nor do the lowest forms fail in their duty; it is, as we say, the top forms that are to blame. The VI. contribute one solitary member, and a good scorer to the eleven, and the V. only supply three. It is to this that we may attribute the large number of defeats we suffer. And those very boys, who invariably absent themselves from cricket practices, are often heard to mumble feeble and insipid remarks about "only being able to play babies."

Again, although the boarder element is of great use to ensure attendance at games, since the situation might be made uncomfortable for any boarder who loafed

248

THE VIGORNIAN.

away his half-holidays, still the day boys cannot possibly make the boarder attendance any excuse for their own laziness—and it is believed that one afternoon no day boy appeared on the ground. I do not wish to rant, but I think the present state of things should be amended. Hoping that this obstinate apathy shewn by the upper school will soon disappear, I remain, Yours truly, C. Y. [Our correspondent only echoes the cry of all patriotic citizens; but we can only refer him to the following letter.—Ed. Vig.} To THE EDITORS OF THE "VIGORNIAN." DEAR SIRS,—Permit me, through your columns, to offer some explanation of the absence of many of the upper boys from cricket, a fact which may seem extremely surprising to the devotees of the game as long as they are ignorant of the causes. But before commencing this defence, I would observe firstly, that it is by no means intended to cover all absentees; secondly, that nothing is farther from its object than to make anyone follow our example. In the days of long ago, then, when the present non-cricketers were little boys, very different lines of policy from those of the present time, were adopted by the seniors. The juniors were commanded to attend at all practices; sometimes they were picked to play, sometimes they were not. If they were, their duty was to field all the afternoon (the custom of "all sides fielding" as far as the youngsters were concerned being then much in vogue), the privilege of an innings being accorded them by the princes of the congregation, on an average, about once a month. The instruction and encouragement, now so freely and heartily given by the older players, were then conspicuous by the-;r absence. Is it to be wondered at, that under these circumstances, we came to look upon cricket with feelings akin to those wherewith we regarded the Commentaries of the illustrious Caesar? We can now say that that aversion to the game is a thing of the past, still it seems too late to begin to relearn how to play. Yet if those who come after us remember our case as a warning not to neglect the claims of the younger boys, perhaps we shall not go down to the grave without having been of use in our generation.

Yours till the crack of doom, METHUSELAH.

THE CHESS CLUB. To THE EDITORS OF THE " VIGORNIAN." DEAR SIRS,—It is always a cheerful subject to write about—the Chess Club—and especiallynow when its decease seems approaching. It has been an invalid most of its existence, with occasional outbursts of energy of an unhealthy nature, and, therefore, soon dying away. If the Editors of the " Vigornian " once before described the secretary as an " unobtrusive individual," they might justly call him and his club " phantoms " now. Two terms are available for playing in—the Easter and Christmas; and last term I do not think that more than ten games were played.

Even its own members turn against it; their heartless indifference and their callous enquiries—meant to be sarcastic—about the health of the valetudinarian are very distressing. Now I think that all the VI. and V. should join the club, since they cannot be afraid of the subscription; if they'do not, the only subscription required of them will be to keep it from a pauper's funeral and put up a brass to its memory. Vigornians were asked once " to throw themselves into the breach."

Without going in for such a sublime flight of fancy, I will ask, in commonplace words, those two forms to give the club their cordial support.

H. M. C. To THE EDITORS OF THE " VIGORNIAN." DEAR SIRS,—I write to call attention to a matter which certainly needs attention, viz., the practice adopted by parents of giving away the school caps with the letters " W.C.G.S." intact. No doubt this is a charitable proceeding in itself, but very likely to do harm to the School, in this way :—A parent, say from an adjacent town, contemplating sending his son to school in Worcester, visits the town for the purpose of making enquiries. Meeting two or three ragged urchins, belonging unmistakeably to what Carlyle calls " the Great Unwashed," with the legend " W.C.G.S." inscribed on their brows (or rather, caps), he enquires what this same legend may mean. Upon being enlightened it is not very surprising that he promptly decides against our School.

This case, though hypothetical, is by no means improbable, as I have myself quite recently seen two boys wearing these caps who certainly did not belong to the School, and no doubt there are others about. If the caps are

249

THE VIGORNIAN. given away at all the letters should first be removed and it is to be hoped that parents will adopt this p Ian in future.

Yours, etc., AN OLD BOY.

Cbess.

PROBLEM XXII. Composed for the " Vigornian " by R. P. Q. BLACK.

accounts.

ATHLETIC SPORTS, APRIL 19™, 1888.

RECEIPTS.

EXPENDITURE. £ s. d.

£ s. d.

Subscriptions and Prizes 8 o JDonations - 48 17 oPri 'rinting o o Entrance P'ees I 8 o Smith (for preparing ground, etc. - 4 18 Band 3 3 To Colonel Norbury for use of Boughton Ground Secretary's Expenses, advertising,stamps, and sundries 2 9 3 37 o 6 '3 4 6

Balance-

£5° 5 Examined and Jound correct by C. D.

LOCOCfC.

Treasurer: W. E. BOLLAND.

CRICKET, FOOTBALL & BOATING, 1888. s. d.

EXPENDITURE. £ s. d.

£74 18 10

£74 18 10

RECEIPTS.

£

Arrears paid by Arrears of rent for Governors, to end Cricket field, to of 1888 - 37 17 4 end of 1888 - 40 o o Balance from 1887 * 12 18 o Cricket Expenses - 20 3 2 ,, ,, Sports, Football „ 6 1 4 1888 - 13 4 6 Boating „ 2 15 o Cricket SubscripFives (wire fence, tions - 4 3 6 etc.) i 5 6 Football 4 0 6 Boating „ 2 15 o 70 5 o Balance 4 '3 10

* The Cricket Subscriptions for 1887, should not have been entered in the last accounts published June, 1888, consequently £3 IDS. od. has been deducted from the balance.

WHITE. WHITE TO PLAY AND MATE IN THREE MOVES. SOLUTION TO PROBLEM XXI. GIVEN IN OUR LAST NUMBER. We regret to say that there was an unfortunate misprint in this problem, which made the solution impossible. However, we believe that with the following alterations, the solutions will be found correct, (i) R at Q 3 should be White, not Black. (2) There should be a White P at K R 5.

BLACK. WHITE. 1. Kto K S 1. R to K B 3 2. Any move 2. K to K 6 3. B to Q 5 (mate) or i. K to K B3 2. K to B 4 2. B takes P (check) 3. B to Q 3 (mate) or i. K to K B 4 2. (a) K to B 3 2. R to K Kt s (check) (V) K to K 5 3". (a) B takes P (mate) (b) B to Q 5 (mate) or i. P to Q 6 2. (a) K to K 5 or B 4 2. Kt takes P (b) K to B 3 3. (a) R takes B (mate) (b) R to K B (mate) or i. B to K Kt. 4 2. K to K s 2. R takes B (check) 3. B to Q 5 (mate)

THE VIGORNIAN.

25°

GAME PLAYED ON JUNE 28, 1889.

WHITE.

BLACK.

Rev. W. E. Bolland. ) F. E. Jones. j

C. D. Locock.

Evans Gambit declined.

P v K. 4 i. P K 4 Q Kt B 3 2. K Kt B 3 B 64 3. B B 4 B Kt 3 4. P Q Kt 4 T> T/"

5- P Kt 5 6. Kt x Kt (6)

Kt Q 5 (a) PxKt

7. Castles

PQ3 KtB3 Castles /"\ / \ P CM (f) PxP KtxKt P Q 6ch

8. PQ3 9. Kt Q 2 10. P B 4 u. B Kt 3 (</} 12. K t x P 13. P x K t 14. K R sq 15- B R 3 16. PxP 17. P R 3 (e) 18. Q x Q 19. BxB 20. B K 7 (g) 21. B R 4 22. P R 4 (k)

QQs RQsq QxP BK3 RxQ PxB(/) KB 2 PQR3 PxP

23. P + P R+R 24. R + R R Q Kt 6 25. R Q sq R + Kt P 26. R Q 7 ch K B sq (*) 27. R Q 8 ch K B2 28. R Q 7 ch, and draws by perpetual check.

NOTES (BY C. D. LOCOCK). (a) An apparently harmless innovation. Kt R 4 is the usual move.

White in reply can play either Kt x P, or B K 2, leaving the Black Kt out of play. (») Kt x P would be very dangerous on account of the reply Q Kt 4. If then 7 Kt Kt 4, P Q 4 wins a piece for Black. (<:) Compelling the undoubling of the Q P, and at the same time obtaining the slight theoretical advantage of the majority of Pawns on the Queen's side. (</) O r P x P . K t x P , I 2 K I Q 4 . («) Loss of time. A tempting continuation at first sight would be B x P ch, K x B, 18 Q R 5 ch, K Kt sq (forced to avoid mate in I or 2 moves), 19 QRQsq. Black, however, now saves, and wins the game by B Kt 5 ! 17 Q x Q was perhaps the best move.

In answer to 17 Q R 5, Black could play either B K 3, or P Kt 3, 18 Q R 6, Q Q B 6 (preventing B Kt 2). (/) If R x Q B, White would confine the R by B Kt 3. (g) The best move : preventing the other Rook from occupying the Queen's file. (h) This loses a Pawn, but is, perhaps, as good as anything. (»') Playing the King to Kt. 3 was very risky. White could continue with either P Kt 4 or R K 7, the former, perhaps, for choice. The White Pawns would then be, at any rate, more immediately dangerous than the Black reserve on the other side.

Hcroatic. ( Composed with reference to a modern event).

A Phoenix died ; one new one upwards flew, I perished ; from my ruins up rise two.

I. With this and laughter children love to play.

II. The flies annoyed her when she took to hay.

III. A connoisseur in articles of this, IV. For such a time desires them to be his.

V. And now, Amen, sufficient ending is.

V In future, the " Vigornian" will be sent Gratis to all Subscribers oj js. and upwards to the Library, Games, or other Funds of the School.—EDS.

LITTLEBURY & COMPANY, PRINTERS, THE WORCESTER PRESS,