April 1880 by StPetersYork

THE

PET ERIT E. VoL. II .

APRIL, 1880.

No . 13.

A TRIP THROUGH SCOTLAND. EADER, have you ever been to Scotland ? If not, let me advise you to take the first opportunity offered you of going, for I thoroughly enjoyed a visit I made to Caledonia a few years ago which I shall now endeavour to describe . It was in the month of July, 1875, that I, accompanied by two friends, embarked from Belfast at 12 o ' clock in the " Roe," one of the largest of the Glasgow Steamship Company's vessels . The sun was shining brightly, and the weather promised to be all that could be desired . There were about sixty cabin passengers on board, and about an equal number of steerage, chiefly Irish, who, like ourselves, were bent on having a few days' pleasure. We started punctually and steamed down the Lough at about twelve knots an hour with a favourable breeze . Belfast Lough is one of the most beautiful places imaginable ; the hills rise on either side, and are for the most part covered with rich foliage ; the sun shining on the water added special attractions to the scene. On our left hand side we passed the little town of Carrickfergus, where William III . landed with his army in 1690 ; and on our right we passed Hollywood, Bangor, and some other places of no great importance. At length, after rounding Island Magee, we experienced a tolerably heavy sea, and it did not require a very keen observer to notice that a number of the passengers went below : their reasons I should say were obvious . The whole voyage through the ship was followed by a flock of seagulls, who were on the look-out for the pieces of biscuit which were thrown to them from time to time by some of the passengers. Nothing worthy of notice happened during the remainder of our voyage : sufficient is it to say that after a rather rough passage we arrived at Greenock at 9 p .m . This town is one of the most

184

A TRIP THROUGH SCOTLAND.

important seaports in Scotland . We at once took the train up to Glasgow, and, on our arrival there, drove to the Temperance Hotel . Next day we visited the Cathedral, which is really a very fine building, the University, and other objects of interest about the city . Glasgow is a very busy city, but by no means beautiful, and presents a very striking contrast to the picturesque and regularly built city of Edinburgh which we next visited. Here we put up at Darling's Hotel, in Princes Street, which is a large and well conducted establishment . The city is surrounded by hills, and in the centre of it, on a precipitous rock, stands the ancient castle at a height of 434 feet ; it is now always strongly garrisoned, and is open to the inspection of any visitors. We drove next morning to the castle gate, and were conducted round the whole building by a soldier who was very well up in the history of the place . We were first conducted to the Crown Room, a small but well furnished apartment containing the regalia of Scotland, which were discovered in the year 1817 in a large iron chest, after having been for many years given up for lost . The regalia consist of the richly jewelled crown, the sword of State, the sceptre, and in this chest was also found a mace, the badge of the Lord Treasurer . Since then others have been added by the English Monarchs to these treasures . We also saw the Armoury, the birth-place of James V ., and other objects of interest which would take too long to enumerate . On leaving the Castle we at once drove to our Hotel, and there dined before visiting Holyrood . On our arrival there we first of all looked through the ruins of that fine old gothic building, the Chapel Royal, which contains a vault in which are deposited the bones of James V., Darnley, and others ; the confessional of Mary Queen of Scots, which was also introduced to our notice, and after seeing these we were conducted to the apartments occupied by that unfortunate Queen, and there saw the very bed on which she slept : we also saw the very spot where David Rizzio was murdered on the landing of the stairs ; the very blood (?) is shown . At the Palace we bought views of the surrounding scenery, and also photographs of Mary Queen of Scots, from a celebrated painting of hers . `Ve then left Holyrood, and drove to our Hotel . In the evening we went to the Theatre Royal and saw a very fine representation of Sir Walter Scott ' s novel, "Rob Roy, " which we thoroughly enjoyed . We got back to the Hotel

I85

A DAY ON SNOWDON.

at about 11 p.m ., and I can assure you Ave all (I speak for myself) had a good night's sleep, for by the day's dissipations we were quite fagged out . Next morning we left Ldinburgh at an early hour for Glasgow, where we arrived at 12 noon, and put up at our old quarters, the Temperance Hotel . We walked about the town that day, making purchases, &c ., at various shops, and on the following day we took train to Loch Lomond . We sailed up the Loch in one of the steamers, which are fitted up with -.every requisite for the accommodation of passengers. "Nothing but the scenery of Switzerland could exceed that of the Scotch lakes ; the exquisite tints of the surrounding hills, and their perfect reflection in the still waters brings home, even to the mind of the most careless spectator, the beauties of nature . Loch Lomond is the largest lake in Great Britain, being 40 square miles in area. Dinner was provided for us on board, so we were not badly off on the eating score until we returned to Glasgow that evening . Next day we crossed over to Belfast once more by the daylight passage, and this time we were more fortunate in the weather, for the sea was like a sheet of glass . All through our trip we met with the greatest kindness and attention from the inhabitants and officials, which gave us a good idea that the hospitality for which the Scotch are celebrated really exists. We all agreed that we might have "gone further and fared worse " than by choosing Scotland for our trip. And now, reader, in conclusion, let me recommend you to make a similar excursion at your first opportunity. ERIN GO BRAGII.

A DAY ON SNOWDON. " Though sluggards deem it but a foolish chase, And marvel men should quit their easy chair The toilsome way and long, long league to trace : Oh ! there is sweetness in the mountain air, And life that bloated ease can never hope to share ." Childe Harold.

HAD frequently ascended Snowdon by the ordinary routes from Llanberis, Capel Curig, and Beddgelert, and two years ago I had a charming and lovely mountain walk from Llanfair-

1?6

A 1)AY ON SNOWDON.

fechan to Ffestiniog over the tops of Y Foci Fras, Carnedd Llewellyn, and Carnedd Davydd, across the vales of Nant Francon and Llanberis, over -Snowdon and through the pass of Aberglaslyn, which looked as lovely as on my former visits. From the tops of the two Carnedds, which rival Snowdon in height, I saw a long bulky ridge dividing the valley of Nant Francon from the pass of Llanberis . The two highest parts of this ridge are the mountains called Glyder Fawr and Glyder Fach, from the latter of which is projected towards the Carnedds another mountain called Trifaen, which appears inaccessible and therefore rather tempting for a scramble . I felt a strong desire to visit these mountains which arethe scene of part of Kingsley's novel " Two years ago," and my appetite was subsequently whetted by reading in the first volume of "Peaks, Passes, and Glaciers,' Professor Ramsay's article on the ancient Glaciers of North Wales . Therefore, on the 19th of September, 1879, I found myself, in company with a friend, journeying by rail to Bettws y Coed, which we reached in safety after crossing the partially erected bridge at Llandulas, at which the workmen were still engaged day and night with the aid of the electric light, and after seeing many other traces of the recent floods . A pleasant drive of nine miles past Capel Curig brought us, after night had set in, to the little Inn at Pen y Gwryd which was to be our head quarters for a few days . It was a beautiful starlight night, and we found to our delight that there had been a week of splendid weather, which alas! was soon to change . Next morning we quickly found ourselves on the top of the Glyder Fach, which is composed of a pile of immense rocks which appear to have been tilted out of a gigantic cart in the days when there were giants on the earth . The wind was so strong that we could not stand upright ; in fact, we were obliged to leave the highest rock for fear of being blown away ; and, as it now began to rain heavily, we decided to leave Glyder Fawr for another day, and to attack Tryfaen . A wet and dirty scramble down one precipice and up another soon placed us on the top of Tryfaen, which is a magnificent mountain, and well worth an ascent in spite of its apparent inaccessibility . The wind and rain completely spoilt our view, except of the clouds on the Carnedds which were magnificent : and, as we were now wet through, we decided to make our way clown to lake Ogwen and go home by the road, in the hope of walking ourselves dry,—in which we succeeded .

A DAY ON SNOWDON .

18 7

The next day was hopelessly wet, but Monday was more promising ; and, after a hearty breakfast and with a good supply of sandwiches, we started in search of the traces of ancient glaciers and of a new route up Snowdon . Our road led us for about three miles down the pass of Llanberis, and on each side of us we saw evident traces of glacier action . High on our right at the top of the pass was a large rock evidently deposited in its place by the melting of ice . Several of these blocs perches were to be seen as we proceeded, and the situations caused by the ice on the rocks by the roadside were very marked . Shortly before reaching the bridge called Pont y Cromlech we climbed over a wall on the left and, after a sharp scramble amongst loose rocks the debris from the cliffs above, we found ourselves in the lower part of the hollow of Cwm Glas, which is one of the six great vallies of Snowdon . Here we found the remains of a moraine, and a small hillock near at hand had that smoothed and rounded appearance which gives such plain evidence of the action of ice. Professor Ramsay says that in this valley "some of the most perfect remains of glacier-action are to be found ." I cannot go further into detail on this subject, but must refer those who wish for further information, to the above-mentioned article which I believe is now published separately. From the lower part of Cwm Glas a stiff scramble by the side of a rushing stream brought us to the higher portion where, leaving on our right a beautiful little tarn, we soon reached the stiffest part of our clay's work,—the precipices of Crib Goch, one of the bulwarks of Snowdon . We decided to go straight up, which we found rather difficult in some parts, particularly in one place where the writer felt himself hanbing on by little more than the tips (if such an expression can be used) of his knees, with a good view between his legs of the valley below . However, after a stiff climb, which tired our legs and arms, we reached the top of the ridge, and looked over to Llyn Glaslyn and Llyn Llydan . Snowdon had on his usual covering of clouds, but the day was so fine that we trusted that ere we reached the summit they would disappear . We walked quickly along under the ridge, sometimes in the clouds and sometimes out of them, until we met with the pony-track from Capel Curig near the peal : called Crib y Ddysgyl . From this point we were entirely enveloped in clouds, and although we waited patiently on the top of Snowdon for near an hour, we were not rewarded

1SS

A II_AY ON SNOWDON,

by a singe break in the clouds . We then scrambled down the south-east side of Y Wyddfa, and proceeded in the warm sunshine along the verge of a precipice to the top of Lliwedd, the south-eastern bulwark of Snowdon, which we reached after another scramble amongst sharp rocks . The precipices of Lliwedd rise sheer up from Llyn Llydan 1200 feet, and are grand in the extreme . We saw on the shores of the lake a wooden cross marking the spot where, some two or three years ago, was found the dead body of a gentleman who, having become separated from his companions in making a winter ascent of Snowdon, is supposed to have slipped and fallen down the precipice, meeting with instant death . We lay for half-an-hour basking in the sun on the top of Lliwedd, admiring the grandeur of the scene, and loth to leave . Snowdon, as if to spite us, now took off his cap and stood revealed as a grand precipice about 2000 feet in height from the valleys below. We imagined what a view there would be from his summit, and only imagined , because we have never had a view, notwithstanding our frequent ascents . From Lliwedd we proceeded over grass slopes which shortly brought us to a view of Nant Gwynant and the lake of that name . The lake seemed immediately under our feet, and the thought of what might happen if a false step took place, or a strong wind arose, caused us to hasten onward . Those trying grass slopes, which punished my knees terribly, brought us at last to a grand waterfall or cascade some 300 or 400 feet in height on the stream issuing out of Llyn Llydan and Cwm Dyli . This cascade would make the fortune of any more accessible place ; but here, although visible from the Beddgelert road, it is scarcely known and rarely visited . We had now seen our quota of sights for the day, and, after a long rest by the side of the Fall, we made the best of our way back to our inn, where, i t is needless to say, we did ample justice to a good dinner. To those who are fond of mountaineering, and cannot, for one reason or another, enjoy it on a large scale, we cannot give better advice than to go to Pen y Gwryd . Snowdon will afford a week ' s work in exploring its six grand vallics, and its precipices and lakes, and then there arc the Glyders and the Carnedds, and Moel Siabod and numerous other mountains which can be bagged from one to six in a day, according to the fancy and stamina of the pedestrian . The locality may be reached either from Llan-

CRICKET PROSPECTS .—CAMBRIDGE LETTER .

189

beris or Bettws y Coed railway stations ; but in settled weather the route to be taken is that over the mountains from Penmacnmawr or Llanfairfechan, and which will be twelve or fourteen stiff and trackless miles.

CRICKET PROSPECTS. There is every probability, so far as one can judge from the weather, of there being a good season this year . Unfortunately we have lost six members of the Eleven . The remaining five are F . W . Greenhow, F. T. Griffith, A . R, Stephenson, A . P . Chadwick, R . Bulmer. Matches have already been arranged with the following Clubs : Hull Church Institute . May 8 . . York. Durham University . May 1 . . . York. N . E . R . Engineers . May 22 . York. Durham School June 5 Durham. Training College June to . York. Durham. Durham University June 12 . N . E . R . Engineers June 19 . . York. Training College . June 24 . York. Richmond Grammar School June 26 . . . York. Richmond Grammar School . July 3 . Richmond . The dates of the following matches have not yet been settled :— Malton C .C ., Hornsea C .C ., Beverley, Past v . Present, Yorkshire Gentlemen, Leeds Grammar School. We are hoping to get a professional this year, but so far have not been able to meet with one.

CAMBRIDGE LETTER. OWING has been the main topic of the term, and must, I suppose, be ditto of this letter . As to the 'Varsity, not much can be said : our men did all that strength could do, but their lack of form told its inevitable tale after half the course . During the practice at Cambridge no little dissatisfaction was felt and expressed at certain decisions on the part of the President : and finally a most captious composition appeared in the Review, finding fault with the management of the whole business, more or less, and written by an individual whose sympathies, to put it mildly, were decidedly with Trinity and against Jesus . Probably, had the suggestions made been carried out, a beating by some ten lengths would have been the result.

I90

SCHOOL LH'rTEL.

The Lent Races began on March loth, in such weather as is not often seen at Cambridge except in July : blue sky, warm sun, and a gentle breeze over most of the course . It would be mere waste of valuable space to give the details of the racing, which are set forth in world-wider journals than ours. J . P . Hubbersty rowed 6 in the St. Catherine ' s first, and J . E . Stephenson bow in the Christ ' s first boat. The Classical Tripos list was published on the 25th : the Third Class is rather disproportionately large, and contains several names which were expected to appear higher : notably, that of this year' s 5th Wrangler, who was "spotted " for a 1st ; and a few luckless parties do not put in an appearance at all . The papers are said to have been somewhat difficult, but well set . The usual number of curiosities was circulated after the Examination, of which the following is a specimen : "Diogenes in his tub " (Greek Prose). "Aco, Er Aou /Leos " ! ! J . P . Hubbersty, of St . Catherine ' s, was placed 13th in the First Class, an event at which probably few people are more jubilant than K . K.

SCHOOL LETTER. AM going to carry out part of the suggestion " Garrulus " made in the March Petcrite . Part, I say, for I see no reason why we should not have a School Letter, but as for " Notes from the Monitorial Tea Table, " —well, I hardly dare profane Eleusinian mysteries. I have been asked to give a list of the monitors, so here it is :— School House : J . H . Piggin, J . H . Mallinson, F . E . Watson, F . T. Griffith . Mr. Adams' s House : E . A . Douglas, R . Wilton, F . H. Greenhow . The first two on the list are School monitors. The term ends, I believe, on Wednesday, April 14th . The School will probably lose two prominent members, Baskett and Watson. We shall miss the latter next Cricket season . None of us expected to lose Baskett so soon ; we shall feel his loss very much when Football comes round again, and long before that time in the Sixth Form Room and the Debating Society . Two champions of the day-boys on the river are also leaving, A . Wood and T . Moss, and I had almost forgotten to mention that the First Eleven will lose J . A . Jackson. The Captain designate of the Cricket Club is Greenhow, and Griffith is Secretary . There will be six vacancies in the Eleven, caused by the loss of the following members :—J . H . Daniel, J . L. Procter, J . A . Jackson, T . B . Lord, A . Wood, F. E . Watson .

THE BOAT RACES .

191

The Elections are causing a good deal of excitement here, as elsewhere. One of the editors of the Peterite is a very enthusiastic politician, and it is to be hoped that he will not get his head broken before he has his " copy " ready for this number. 0 . P ' s who have tender reminiscences of " red " and "green" Havets, will learn with sorrow and surprise that other French books have lately been substituted . Strange to say, it is reported that the results of this daring innovation on time-honoured traditions—this new "Fren :h Revolution " shall I call it ?—will not be altogether disastrous . LITTLE ALEXANDER.

THE BOAT RACES. The School Boat Races began on THURSDAY, MARCH I ITH. JUNIOR SCULT,S (ISt Heat). H . F . Watson M . D . Taylor This was a very hollow race, Taylor winning by six lengths . The steering of both, more especially Watson, was very erratic. Civil v . School. A . P . Chadwick (bow) W . J . P . Kaye (bow) F. E . Watson G . Baldwin T . Moss F. Greenhow A. Wood (str .) A . R . Stephenson (str.) R . Haynes (cox .) N . Stephenson (cox.) The Civil had the race in their hands all the way, and, rowing within themselves, won by four lengths. JUNIOR PAIRS (1st Heat). C. Lane (bow) N . Stephenson (bow) T . Walker (str .) H . Joy (str .) C . Haynes (cox .) T . Wilson (cox.) The former went ahead at the first and won easily. SATURDAY, MARCH I3TH. JUNIOR SCULLS (2nd Heat). N . Stephenson F . H . Domenichetti The latter won easily . Forst FouRS. Sixth v . Civil. B. G . M . Baskett (bow) A . P . Chadwick (bow) F. E . Watson F. T . Griffith . Mallinson T. Moss J. H E . T . G . Wilson (str .) A . Wood (str .) R . Haynes (cox .) 0 . C. Williamson (cox .)

192

THE BOAT MACES.

The two boats kept pretty evenly together to Scarborough Bridge, where the Civil put on a spurt, and accordingly won by four lengths. JUNIOR HOUSE Fours (1st Heat). School House v. Rev. T Adams.

T . Halliwell (bow) H . Wood (bow) G . H . Eyre H . G . Joy J . C . Bailey E . A . Douglas W . J . P . Kaye (str .) F . W. Greenhow (str .) S . T . Chadwick (cox .) Scarbrough (cox.) The former were the stronger crew, led from the start, and won by three lengths . TUESDAY, MARCH 161'H. JUNIOR SCULLS (3rd Heat).

C . Lane M . D . Taylor Lane won easily, sculling in very good form. SENIOR PAIRS (1St Heat). J . H . Mallinson A . H . Stephenson F . I' . Griffith (str .) E . T . G . Wilson (str .) N . Stephenson (cox .) S . Chadwick (cox .) Wilson and Stephenson were the tavourites and got a little the best of the start, but Griffith's boat pulling a much faster stroke soon passed them, eventually winning by several lengths. THURSDAY, MARCH IKTH. JUNIOR SCULLS (Final Heat).

C . Lane The former won easily.

F. H . Dornenichetti

SENIOR PAIRS (211d Heat).

J . H . Mallinson F . T . Griffith (str .) C . Haynes (cox .) The former won easily.

G . H . Wade J . Chadwick (str .) S . Wilson (cox .)

JUNIOR PAIRS (2nd Heat). M. D . Taylor (bow) Harland (bow) F. H . Domenichetti (str .) Johnson (str.) C . Haynes (cox .) Scarborough (cox .) This was a very poor race : from first to last the latter had no chance, and Domenichetti ' s boat won by twelve lengths or more. CANOES (1st Heat). A . H . Wood G . Baldwin This was a very exciting race : Wood got a little the best of the start, but from Marygate to Leudal Bridge the two canoes were almost exactly abreast . Baldwin stopped paddling under the Bridge, so that Wood won by barely a quarter of a length.

THE BOAT RACES .

193

SATURDAY, MARCH 20TH. JUNIOR PAIRS (Final).

C . Lane M. D . Taylor H . Joy (str .) F. H . Domenichetti (str.) C . Haynes (cox .) S . T . Chadwick (cox .) Joy and Lane proved too strong for the other pair, and, pulling fairly well together, won by four lengths. JUNIOR HousE FOURS (Final). Day-boys.

School House.

G . Baldwin (bow) T . Halliwell (bow) J . Chadwick G . H . Eyre G . H . Wade J . C . Bailey B . G . M . Baskett (str .) W . J . P. Kaye (str.) N . Stephenson (cox .) S . T. Chadwick (cox .) At the start the Day-boys went ahead, and at the School Boat House led by a clear length . Drawing away another half length they maintained their lead to the corner, where they spurted and took their opponents ' water . Upon this, a vain attempt was made by the School House to foul them, and increasing their lead they won by 3 lengths. We cannot compliment Kaye ' s Boat on the spirit of their rowing, as there is little doubt that if he had put on a faster stroke at the corner where there were many voices shouting to him to do so, he would have been able to foul the Day-boys . We hope it will be a lesson for the future . SENIOR SCULLS (Final). A . H . Wood E . T . J . Wilson Unfortunately, at the very start Wilson ran into the bank, and gave Wood a lead of several lengths, which Wilson was unable to regain . If this had not happened we believe it would have been a very good race. The races could not be continued during the next week owing to F . E . Watson ' s having unfortunately sprained his ankle in jumping a hedge out of Cusson 's field on to the river bank . However, rest and tight bandages worked wonders, and on SATURDAY, MARCH 27TH,

the following were rowed SENIOR HOUSE FOURS (Final). Day-boys. School House.

A . R . Stephenson E . T . J . Wilson T . Moss A . H. Wood (str.) N . Stephenson (cox .)

A . P. Chadwick F . T. Griffith J . H . Mallinson F . E . Watson (str.) S . T . Chadwick (cox .)

194

THE BOAT RACES.

The former were the favourites, and were expected to win rather easily, but these anticipations were doomed to disappointment . A very fair start was made, and the two boats kept level for a short distance, when No . ; in the House boat unfortunately lost his oar . This enabled the Day-boys to put their boat about a quarter-of-a-length ahead, but they were unable to maintain their lead, as the Boarders, quickly getting together again, regained all they had lost a little below the School boat-house . The excitement on the bank was intense : the two boats raced together down the reach to the White Railing without either being able to gain on the other, Watson setting his crew a splendid stroke and rowing much faster than the Day-boys . At the White Railing the Day-boys made a determined effort to get the lead, and gained about a quarter-of-a-length . They then tried to take their opponents ' water, but Watson put on a grand spurt, and, his crew readily responding, almost immediately fouled the Day-boys. The foul was declared in favour of the School House, who are therefore the winners . CANOES (Final). A . H . Wood F . E . Watson This was a very exciting race, the two boats being level down to the Temperance Barge moored above Lendal Bridge, where Watson managed to gain half a length, and as Wood stopped paddling under the Bridge, won by a length and a half. TUESDAY, MARCH 30TH. SENIOR PAIRS

J . H . Mallinson (bow) F . T . Griffith (str .) S . T . Chadwick (cox .)

(Final). T . Moss (bow) F . E . Watson (str .) C . Haynes (cox .)

This was the only race that remained to be decided, and it was expected to be a pretty close one . The latter were decidedly the stronger pair, and pulled very well together : but the latter were bothered by the wind which was up-stream, and did not go nearly as well together as they have done on former occasions . Watson and Moss got the best of the start, and gradually increasing their lead, were nearly a length ahead at the School boat-house : here Mallinson unfortunately lost his oar, and the boat rolled considerably, so that Moss and Watson were nearly two lengths ahead at the bottom of new Catditch, but Griffith put on a spurt, and setting a very good stroke, pulled hard down to the Scarborough Bridge, and kept up the struggle gamely as long as there was the slightest chance of winning. Watson and Moss, however, kept their lead, and eventually won by three lengths .

THE BOAT RACES.

195

On Thursday, April 1st, the Scratch Fours for Present Peterites only, came off, and there were one or two very good races . The course was from the bottom of old Catditch to the White Railing. There was a high wind blowing down-stream, and a strong current in the river in consequence of the rain of the preceding day. The following are the crews as they were drawn : A J . C . Bailey (bow) F. H . Greenhow G. Baldwin A . Wood (str .)

T. Halliwell (bow) L. A . Ryott M . Leatham J . H . Mallinson (str .)

The latter was decidedly the worse boat, and had every claim to be called a scratch crew. Nevertheless they pulled very pluckily throughout, and were only beaten by a length. B G . H . Eyre (bow) J . Chadwick T . Moss F. E . Watson (str .)

E . A . Douglas (bow) H . G . Joy G. M . Wade A . R . Stephenson (str .)

This was a very hollow affair, as the former had the race in their hands all the way—though " bow, " in the confusion and hurry of starting, caught what was nothing more nor less than a distinct crab. C A . P . Chadwick (bow) B . G . M . Baskett E. T . G . Wilson F. T . Griffith (str .) This boat drew a bye, and therefore rowed over. D

Winner of A v. C.

This was a very close and exciting race, being in fact the best race of the day, and the latter only won by about four feet. L Final

Winner of B rowed over. Winner of D v . winner of B.

This was Griffith ' s boat v . Watson ' s, and it was principally owing to Watson ' s stroke that his boat succeeded in beating their opponents, as (individually) Griffith ' s boat had a little the advantage—at any rate in the bows . Watson's boat won by a length, and Griffith's boat was second. On Saturday, April 3rd, the Scratch Fours composed of Present and Past Peterites took place . There were six boats altogether, that is one more boat than on Thursday, but there were not nearly so many Old Peterites rowing as we should have liked to have seen .

196

THE BOAT RACES.

The following are the crews as they were drawn : A T . Halliwell (bow) J . C . Bailey (bow) G . Baldwin L . A . Ryott J . H . Mallinson F . T . Griffith A . Wood (str .) F . E . Watson (str .) This was a splendid race throughout . Both boats got off well at the start, but at the School boat-house, Wood ' s boat was a little in front . Watson, however, put on a spurt, so that the two boats were again equal, and then the two boats rowed together down the reach to the winning-post, each trying to obtain the lead, but in vain, and a most exciting race ended in a dead heat . The dead heat was rowed off a little later on, and after another splendid race, Wood ' s boat won by a quarter-of-a-length . Wood set his crew a splendid stroke, and they rowed very well together and in good time. B H . Leatham (bow) H . G . Joy B. G . M . Baskett G . H . Eyre (str .)

W . E . Brockbank (bow) T . Chadwick G . H . Wade R . T . G . Wilson (str.)

Both boats got off well at the start, and rowed together down to the boat-house, when Eyre ' s boat began to gain a little, and at the bottom of new Catditch, were about half-a-length ahead . But unfortunately they got into their opponents' water, who nothing loth, seized the opportunity and fouled . Wilson ' s boat, therefore, won the race on the foul, though there is little doubt that if the boats had not fouled one another, Eyre ' s quicker stroke would have brought his boat past the winning post half-a-length ahead. C T . E . Grahame (how) E . A . Douglas T . Moss A . Rowe (str.)

A . P . Chadwick (bow) J . R . Husband T. Cross A . R . Stephenson (str .)

Stephenson ' s boat got the best of the start, and were fully a length ahead at the boat-house . The other boat, however, rowing very pluckily, gradually began to overhaul them, and after a most exciting race, came in first by about half-a-length. D

Winner of A v. winner of B. This was Wood ' s boat v. Wilson ' s, and the former won easily.

Ts Finial

Winner of C rowed over. Winner of D v. E.

The former, Wood's boat, won easily ; all the best races being in the first three heats .

197

THE NEW FIVES COURT .—NOTES AND ITEMS .

On the whole, the races on Saturday were better than we have known them for some time, there being no less than four good races which were very closely contested, and none of these were won by more than half-a-length . Wood ' s boat was first and Watson ' s second. On the whole, the races have not been so close as last year, nor, perhaps, has the enthusiasm displayed on the bank been so great. The spectators, however, outside the School have been far more numerous, and the interest taken in the practice of the various boats has been greater.

THE NEW FIVES COT?RT. The following is a detailed account of the expenditure : 1 s. d . FIVES Couu'r—Mennell, for building, plastering, &c 84 t, 6 Rookledge, for painting 13 6

s . d.

85 0 0

WoIKSHOP-Rookledge, joiner ' s bill . . . 27 8 i I Mennell, slating in glass to roof, &c . i 6 Bateson, iron plates . . 43 Robinson, plumber ' s bill 3 94 32

The bill for the roof added this term to the Fives Court has not yet come in, but it will probably bring the expenditure up to about 1136 . As the subscriptions received only amount to 29 2s ., there will be a deficit of about 17, unless further subscriptions are volunteered .

NOTES AND ITEMS. J . P . Hubbersty, Scholar of S . Catherine's College, Cambridge, has been placed thirteenth in the First Class of the Classical Tripos. J . H . Mallinson has been elected to an Open Classical Scholarship at Christ's College, Cambridge . The value is at present £3o per annum, but it may be increased at any of the annual College Examinations .

198

THE DEBATING SOCIETY.

J . H . Collinson was proxime accessit for the Open Mathematical Scholarships at Queen's College, Cambridge. Y. Anderson took his M .A. at Cambridge last term. M . J . Greener has passed the Final Solicitors' Examination. The Rev. H . Vivian, S . John ' s College, Cambridge, was appointed Junior Mathematical Master at the School at the beginning of term. Canon Elwyn has been appointed Rural Dean of Westbere. We beg to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of the following magazines :—Firefly, Lily, Reading School Magazine, Ulula.

THE DEBATING SOCIETY. On Thursday, March Iith, the Society met for the first time this term . No reason has been given for its not meeting before, apparently because there is none to give . In private business the house carried with acclamation an addition to the Rules, requiring the President to convene a meeting of the Sixth Form within ten days from the commencement of term to decide on the most convenient time for holding the debates. PIGGIN then moved " That the Spartans have obtained an undeserved reputation for virtues they never possessed . " He maintained that this reputation was due partly to their own account of themselves having been accepted for the truth, and partly to the endeavours made by historians of oligarchical bias to magnify Sparta at the expense of Athens . " Their valour he attributed to a want of feeling, and not to the stern repression of feeling which constituted true courage ; and their vigorous simplicity, first, to the control exercised over their minds by the powerful mind of Lycurgus, and then to their slavish conservatism . The PRESIDENT argued the genuineness of their valour from the reluctance they showed to enter battle on many occasions when they fought with especial bravery . MALLINSON supported the motion, and replied to the President ' s argument. GRIFFITH was disposed to give the Spartans some credit for valour, but for nothing else, and he vigorously attacked what he called their hypocrisy . The motion was carried by a majority of one. The Debates of March 16, 23, and 30 are in type, but are unavoidably pressed out for insertion in the May number. OXFORD : PRINTED Ev W. R . BOWDEN,

59,

HIGH STREET.