March 1882 by StPetersYork

THE

PETERITE. VOL. IV .

MARCH, 1882 .

No. 27.

EDITORIAL. N venturing to indite an Editorial on things in general connected with the School we feel that our range is so wide that we are vying in modesty with the Monkish Schoolman who entitled his book, " De omnibus rebus et quibusdam aliis ." And first of all we must express our pleasure at the general activity displayed in the athletic line of late, an activity which speaks as well for the tone of the members of the School as the long list of honours gained of late speaks for its management ; indeed, improvement mentally and physically most clearly go hand in hand . Boating and Football seem to be taking a wider range, and if victory does not always attend us in the latter, yet (if the Hibernianism may be pardoned) defeat is often a greater success than victory : it may speak better for the School to have begun Football this term and repaired the boathouse than it would do to have won nearly all our matches and carry off the Pubic Schools' Challenge prize at Henley. It is making the first effort that is the difficulty . Another sign of the increased activity is in the re-appearance of our Hydraheaded Debating Society, which, once on its legs again, has no doubt a splendid career before it. Some of this activity has been displaying itself in our columns, where various schemes have been proposed, not, we trust, with our increased numbers, altogether chimerical, with perhaps such modifications as may be suggested in the discussion which we hope will follow in our columns, and to which we invite the contributions of everybody, down to the youngest member of the first form, who takes an interest in the question. The question of the contributions of the Day-boys is a difficulty, and not to be dismissed in a short polemic as one of

EDITORIAL.

our correspondents seems to think . We hope to receive suggestions from Day-boys upon that point . Is it building castles in the air to look forward to compulsory physical education (why not equally with mental ?) say at least once a week, when a compulsory amalgamated subscription will be the natural sequence ? Whilst we are upon the subject of reform let us hope that we have not seen the last of the popular Lawn Tennis Club started two years ago, which only requires organisation to be in full swing again . May we venture to suggest some matches, say in which Old Boys should take part ? If the wishes of our other correspondent as to the Boat Club should be realised we might diversify our summer amusements by races, perhaps trial races for the regatta boat . For the Athletic Sports might with advantage be transferred to the present term, with whose amusements they would better fit in . And now for a word with regard to ourselves. Though we have not received that support from subscribers outside the School that we could have wished, yet we have to congratulate ourselves upon an increase in the School subscriptions which is much healthier and surer, rendering our position unembarrassed for the coming year at least . Of possible improvements in the magazine we may say more hereafter . Let it not be thought our wishes for the School are bounded here. Let us venture to think of the thorough draining of the football field, the formation of a volunteer corps,—but we had better wait until some of our present dreams are realised.

A DAY'S WALK (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 .)

WE got on our way again about 9 .30 . The sky had clouded ~/ ~/ over considerably during the hour we had been indoors ; and this, combined with the fact that we were going to the very place which Jupiter Pluvius favours more with his attentions than any other spot in England, rather damped our hopes of getting to the end of our walk dry-skinned . The road here winds "in and out and round about, " after the fashion of the proverbial brook, every turn disclosing fresh scenes of beauty, which increased in grandeur as we got farther into the mountains . Passing one after another

A DAY ' S WALK.

the scenes of former piscatorial triumphs and—I must confess— reverses, we arrived at the top of the lake and entered the valley of Gillerthwaite. We looked in vain for any trace of the smelting ovens of the Romans, which the guide books say "arc plainly discernible by all tourists ." But we had no time to waste in searching for them, as we wished to be at the head of the valley, a distance of six miles, by noon. After about an hour's walk we came abreast of the Pillar Rock, the Matterhorn of the lake district, looming grandly through the mist on our right . Immediately in front of us, but about three miles distant, towered Great Gable, the goal of our expedition, and one of the highest mountains in England, being little short of 3000 feet in height . All this time we were gradually ascending until at last, when we arrived at the head of the valley, we were 900 feet above sea level . Here we sat down for a few minutes before commencing the ascent, and discussed the contents of our satchels . We had taken longer than we had calculated upon to do the distance already traversed, and I fancy we had only ourselves to blame, for we were star-gazing so much all the way up Gillcrthwaitc—first at one object up the side of one mountain, and then at something else on the top of another, that we were continually losing the path, never very easy to keep ; and so sure as ever we stepped off it, we went bump against a boulder or " plosh " into a morass or " feather bed," with both of which the valley teems. Before commencing to climb the mountain we hunted all over the place for the memorial stone erected on the spot where Mr. Barnard met his fate some years ago ; but though the guide book, I believe, is most kind in saying, "The tourist will readily observe, " &c ., we had to rest content with the thought that we were in the immediate locality of this tragic occurrence, and forthwith commenced the ascent . It was all very well for the first ten minutes, but after that your correspondent began to feel decidedly blown . I don't think I ever quite realized before what " Excelsior " meant, or what a world of meaning is contained in the " sed " in the lines Facilis descensus Averni Sea' revocare gradus superasquc evadcre ad auras.

Hic labor, hic opus est

. .

(I fancy there is something wrong in the above quotation, but let it pass) . I was decidedly out of training, and in a curious "per . "

A DAY ' S WALK.

Not so my companion . IIe was just like a cucumber the whole way up—calm, cool, and collected, most aggravatingly so ; for ever and anon I would hear some stale joke coming down the mountain-side with the breeze regarding my bellows, &c ., and polite offers of assistance . I was also seriously incommoded by the soda water bottle which I had obtained at the inn, and which I was taking to the top with a purpose, so I was not at all sorry when, after a hard climb of some three quarters of an hour, we arrived'on a plateau about 50o feet from the top . Here we came across what I confess was the principal object of my journey, viz ., a large snow drift which I had noticed about: a fortnight before, when fishing on Crummock Lake . I had determined, if possible, to take some of this snow, which was almost as hard as ice, back with me as a souvenir ; so, after smashing the neck of the soda water bottle and imbibing its contents, I forced as much snow as possible into it, corked it up, and put it in my satchel . We then made tracks for the summit, which we reached in about a quarter of an hour, L— none the worse for his exertions, and I for the time completely pumped out. We now sat down to enjoy the view, which I dare not attempt to describe, as any words of mine would be utterly inadequate for that purpose . The wind, however, had now become very cold, and we were soon glad to be on our legs again, and went down the other side of the mountain at a run . When we got half way down, we found ourselves at the head of liorrowdalc, and then we settled down into a steady walk of between four and five miles an hour, as we were yet a good long way off Keswick, which was to be our terminus, at least so far as walking was concerned . As far as I can recollect, nothing much of importance occurred till we arrived in Keswick . There was one little circumstance, however, which caused me considerable annoyance and discomfort . As a rule a cork does not fit tightly into the broken mouth of a soda water bottle ; my cork and bottle were no exceptions to this rule, for as sure as ever I stooped to bend over a fern or bit of moss by the roadside, a certain amount of dirty water, the product of the aforesaid snow, would trickle all over me out of the wallet in which I had carefully stowed it away . By the time we got to Keswick there was about a wine-glassful of this fluid left . We arrived at

A DAY ' S WALK .

Keswick between four and five o'clock, very tired, and, after doing full justice to a big tea at the Lake Hotel, caught an excursion train just on the point of starting for Whitehaven, into which we managed to get by dint of much pushing and squeezing, for the whole train was crammed out and out with lads and lasses, it being Cockermouth Fair day, and any Cumbrian knows what that means . Altogether, I think our ` day's walk,' which we computed to comprise 4o miles by rail and 30 on foot, was a great success ; and I am only waiting for the return of the " merrie month of June " to repeat the performance, and I would advise all my readers to do the same . CUNCTATOR.

SCHOOL LETTER. HERE is but little scope for a School letter, when it follows so closely upon the heels of its predecessor, as in the present instance . The term is passing in a rapid, and, as yet, uneventful manner ; all interest being in reserve for the approaching boat-races, which are, we understand, to commence on Thursday, March 9th. The School house appears to be blest with a very sanguine spirit ; but we shall consider it fortunate if all its anticipations are realized quite so easily as it seems to expect. The issue of the Junior Fours is still matter for speculation . The number of entries this year is very large ; and, what in a mercenary view is still more interesting, subscriptions have been forthcoming to a very creditable, and somewhat unusual extent. The Regatta Boat has been out several times, and is getting into good form. Football has not flourished very much this term, though one or two matches have taken place . W . Martin was carried off the field the other day in a wounded condition, having sustained some injury in his leg, which first report of course converted into a fracture. However, although this was not the case, he has been thrown out of the boating. We have racked our brains to discover some further piece of news, but have been nearly prostrated in the attempt, and think it advisable on the principle of self-preservation to desist . I. B.

CAMBRIDGE LETTER. Cambridge, March 3rd,

1882.

HE Old Classical Tripos, being the last to be held under the old regulations, is just over ; and from all accounts the first three men in the Tripos will not be far off each other, it being impossible to say who is most likely to be the last senior Classic, for in future the names are to be in Alphabetical order in each Part . The new Tripos c3nsists of two Parts, I . and II ., of which I . is, or seems to be, very much like Oxford Moderations ; it involves mostly what may be called Scholarship, while in II . one is allowed to specialize in not more than two of the following : Ancient Philosophy, History , Archxology and Language. In going in for this Tripos under the new Regulations, there are four courses open to a candidate : to take (i), Part I . at the end of the second year, and II . at the end of the fourth, when he can take his degree ; (ii.) Part I . at the end of the third year, when he can take his degree, and go down ; (iii .), Part I . at the end of the second year, and II . of the third, when he can take his degree ; or (iv .), I . at the end of the third year, when he can take his degree, and II . at the end of the fourth . So that one can take a degree in three or four years, and spend one year, or two years, or no time at all, on specialization. The ' Varsity Boat, I am sorry to say, has been very unsatisfactory lately, as there have been so many changes, the last one has been at stroke, Brooksbank having come up to row. Opinions here are very much divided as to our ultimate chance of winning the race, but very few seem to be hopeful . Let us hope they will improve more rapidly in the future than they have done in the past, or our chances will be sorry indeed. The University Sports take place in about three weeks, and the Inter-University Sports on the day before the Boat race . We shall miss one or two of our best men this year. The Boat races begin the week after next . Mallinson is at present rowing stroke of Christ ' s first boat, and Douglas bow of the second ; Eyre is at four in Corpus I, and Collinson bow in Queen ' s 2, which is trying to get on the river . The last boat in the third of the three divisions into which the Boats are divided, races with as many other boat s as challenge it a few days before the regular Races begin,and the winner in these preliminary time races takes the lowest place in the third division ; this is called getting on the river. Pending the races, nothing interesting is taking place, except Joachim, and the Crystal Palace Band at the Guildhall, so I beg le;,vc to subscribe myself as usual, and perhaps for the last time MAX .

OXFORD LETTER. HE chief aquatic event of the term, the Torpids, has just come off, New College being left at the head of the river, to which they have risen—being undoubtedly the best boat—from the 5th place. Keble, after bumping Brasenose and staying head for three nights (once keeping away very pluckily all the course with seven oars, when stroke broke his at the start, and continued swinging with the stump with exemplary judgment) have been compelled to take, as usual, the second place . The most noticeable event has been the rise of Lincoln who made seven bumps in six days, making two one night as " sandwich " boat, i .e., rising to the head of the second division and then rowing again and making their bump as bottom of the first . This makes twelve bumps to them in two years, though their performance of this year is not (pace the newspapers) by any means unparalleled . The Queen ' s boat, in which Baskett was 4, has not been so successful as we could have wished, for though on the first night they caught Balliol first (a boat which descended 5 places) they were subsequently caught by Exeter (decidedly an ascending boat) Lincoln and Worcester. They are noticeable as having been the subjects of an amusing caricature, having appeared as the " Quagger Indians, their Canoe and Toggere, " in allusion to their stroke, a man of colour, the three birds on their shield being appropriately changed into three niggers . Balliol second (where Wade was No . 6) caught Keble second the first night, and so won their spurs, but spent the remaining five in trying to catch Christ Church 2nd ; as they were overlapping nearly every night their ill-luck is lamentable. The eight is now a chief object of attention . Brown, of Hertford, having come up, their numbers are complete . Though, contrary to the newspaper statements, it was at one time expected that West would come up, now it seems certain that our small but plucky stroke, Higgins, of Magdalen, will keep his place . Being only 9st . 61lbs . he will be the lightest stroke by far that has ever rowed in a University Eight . No doubt they will render a good account of themselves on April 1st . The swollen state of the river rather interferes with coaching . To this was due the drowning of a Jesus man, Jones, who, by the upset of his whiff, (Eborace, uncovered outrigger) was carried under Iffley mill-wheel the day after the Torpids. Somehow our defeat of Cambridge at Association football does not seem to be so much regarded as that at Rugby, though perhaps Association is more played . H . C . B . Clayforth has been distinguish-

OXFORD LETTER.

ing himself in Rugby Football in scratch games . Little can be said as yet about the men in training for the 'Varsity Sports ; the number of new men is very great. We have had a number of very successful Concerts lately, though I am unable to give particulars . We hear strange stories of dinner tables being turned into running grounds in some respectable college, which shall be nameless ; and of hair cutting by men in masks and night-shirts . Excuse more from your correspondent at present, as his feelings overcome him at the thought of his having stepped from a convivial gathering of O .P's into the very arms of the Proctors. We X . Y . Z. will draw a veil over the morrow.

A RUN WITH THE S . T. BEAGLES. WAS out with this pack on Friday, when they met at Little Chilton, on the Farm of Mr. Cornroe, when about forty members of the hunt assembled. The worthy master, who takes great pride in his hounds and his own hunting, at once proceeded to draw a small turnip field in which there were some half-dozen labourers hoeing turnips. After a dispute between the master and the huntsman, they decided that the next field was the most likely, and endeavoured to turn the hounds into it ; they, however, seemed to have a decided preference for an adjoining field of stubble. The master, making a virtue of necessity, followed them with his horn and his field . The hounds soon proved they were right, and a hare, which looked decidedly like running, was soon on foot . As there was a " delicious perfume," they went away at their best pace. I heard afterwards they had over-run the trail ; but, to be candid, I had tripped over my whip early in the scramble. When I had brushed the dirt off my clothes, and picked up the two halves of my whip, I followed them at my best pace, and nearly tumbled over another hare ; seeing the dogs were only two fields off, and apparently at fault, I yelled, and they came to me, and hit off the scent before I had recovered from my astonishment. I took all the credit for having made a scientific cast . The pack worked beautifully, and, after a sharp run of a mile-and-a-half, they lost the trail on the high road, where I

A RUN WITH THE S . T . BEAGLES .

joined them, very much out of wind, with my clothes covered with mud, and my tumbles with silence. After a short rest at the " Lambton Arms, " the field was again taken by eleven of us, and a hare was soon found, which took a line, or rather series of lines, of a country which seemed composed of hedges and mud . The hounds working the scent in capital style, a grand run ensued, in which I called down upon my head most unparliamcntary language from the huntsman, who was lying in the bottom of a hedge, and whom I jumped upon. But Puss again proved too quick for them, and after a run of about six miles, I see by the newspapers that they lost the scent and went home, as did I, thoroughly dead beat . STARIUS.

CORRESPONDENCE. To THE EDITORS OF " THE PETERITE . " SIRs,—The signs of a new life in boating matters—for which the School ought to thank Kaye very heartily—emboldens me to offer a suggestion, which I have long wished to offer, but have been unable for want of opportunity . We have at present no Rowing Club, for the institution in the Lent Term is merely a Regatta Club, and does not, it seems to me, encourage regular rowing ; at any rate the signs are not apparent, as our failures at the successive York Regattas show . With a river like the Ouse such a state of things ought not to be . We have advantages greater than most schools, and our school is a considerable one ; yet I question if there is a school anywhere in the North where rowing is taken up with anything like energy, which could not beat us on the river . The suggestion I wish to offer is this . Let a club be formed, for which there may be terminal subscriptions . The subscriptions need not be large, not more than three shillings a term : a subscription might be started before the foundation of the club, with which to buy boats for the use of the members . Let Old Peterites be allowed to join it, but make it possible for them to pay the whole of their subscription at once : it need not be so large for them as for present Peterites, for they would not gain so much by the arrangement as members in the School . There are many O .P's who would be glad to join, and I make bold to say, that I5o a year might easily be obtained . That would enable the School to make a fair beginning . As for the DEAR

CORRESPONDENCE.

working of the club, that need occasion no difficulty . A committee could be formed, say of six (for six could surely be found), to take it in turns to attend on holiday afternoons to see that proper persons used the boats. However, that could be settled afterwards : if there were any difficulty, it would be inconsiderable in comparison with the advantages to be gained . There are people in York who would be willing enough to coach now and then ; and rowing might then have a chance of becoming a regular institution. There are few things, I might add, which more conduce to a school's reputation than a good boat on the river ; and a St . Peter's Club would, if properly managed, soon be the best in York at any rate. I am, yours &c ., REMEX.

THE EDITORS OF " THE PETERITE. "

March 5th,

1882.

should like a little space in your pages, if you can spare me it, to call attention to the Debating Society . The debates that have been held this Term have been tame in the extreme . There are only about five boys who express an opinion at all . To remedy this state of affairs, I should like to propose that the meetings be thrown open to the whole of the Upper School, without reserve, so that more opinions may be expressed than are at present . Hoping St. Peter ' s will be `liberal ' enough to approve of this change, I remain, yours respectfully, SIPS,—I

FAIR-PLAY.

We should think there would be no difficulty in " Fair-play ' s moving a motion upon the subject . It is, of course, in any case a question for the Debating Society itself to decide .—En. To THE EDITOR OF " THE PETERITE . " SIR,—Those whose duty it has been of late years to collect subscriptions towards the various School Sports, cannot have failed to observe the growing resistance to them among a certain part of the School . Many share in these pursuits, and share in the advantages of these collections, and yet themselves refuse to contribute, or, having promised, from various causes neglect to pay . The result is, that the burden of supporting these Sports—a burden which no one who has the prosperity of the School at heart will decline to assist in bearing— is thrown almost entirely on the minority in the School—the boarders. It is useless to try to convince these non-subscribers against their will and their keen perception of their own selfish interest, of the fallacy

CORRESPONDENCE .

of the belief that athletics are the sole privilege of the boarders, and that day-boys have no share in them . Facts go to prove the opposite. To remedy this state of affairs, I beg to suggest the following scheme. It is in vogue at several Colleges in Oxford and in many Public Schools, and has been unquestionably successful. Let a subscription of 25/- for every member of the Upper School, and 15/- for the Lower, be entered in the School bill, and let a representative Athletic Committee be chosen to administer this fund. No parent could possibly complain of an excessive demand, and, if necessary, some special arrangement might be made in the case of a number of brothers . The amount thus raised would be about f15o . This could be divided as necessity required—perhaps in the following proportions : Football, and ground 115 Athletic Sports 25 Boating Club 70 Cricket 40 115o As the School year has only just commenced, before a large amount is wasted in pot-hunting and mercenary glory, I would suggest that the Boating Committee limited the prizes to i s / . This would doubtless repay those toilers on the river for their excessive labours, and recoup the ruinous expense (so they would make out) of a few weeks ' practice for the races . They need hardly be reminded that in neither University is there any prize for the head boat of the river ; and that, if they do not care to provide, as they say, for posterity, there is no reason why their non-rowing present should provide for them. This arrangement would pay the debt on the present boathouse, and the yearly subscription would enable the School to buy fresh boats, some new, some second-hand . It may be a presumptuous, but I believe it is a true assertion to make, that the School has been blind (how strange !) to its own interests, in adhering to the old system of hiring boats, when by trifling individual sacrifice they might have had years ago a considerable number of boats of their own, free of expense and always at their service—better boats, too, than they are using at present . It is not too late to amend . There is no reason why the School, considering the size and strength of some of its members, should not be superior to any school rowing club, if not to say other club, in the north of England. Quixotic as this scheme may appear, I do not think the difficulties in its way are insuperable . If it were refered to the proper authorities it would doubtless receive their full attention.

CORRESPONDENCE.

Could it be arranged, I believe it would prove a great benefit to the School . For nothing but Teutonic book-wormishness, and certainly not true English spirit will deny that studies and sports must go hand-in-hand to ensure the fame and prosperity of any school. I am, yours, REFORMER.

FOOTBALL. v . R . F. WOOD'S TEAM. This match was played on the School ground against a team composed largely of Old Peterites . Stevenson kicked off, and the ball was returned by one of the opposite backs . Hard play continued for some time in the centre of the ground, till Brockbank made a fine run, but was unfortunately pushed into touch at the corner flag. From the throw out Williamson carried the ball over the line and scored the first try . The kick at goal (a rather difficult one) by Brockbank was a failure . The ball now remained in their twentyfive, but eventually Williamson again gained an easy try under the posts . Stevenson kicked, but without success . This he soon retrieved, however, by making a strong run and gaining a try. Brockbank had a second kick and landed a goal . After the kick-off Newenham made a good dodge run, carrying the ball up to our lines, but nothing was scored . Half-time was now called, the School having scored r goal and 2 tries to nil . The ball was restarted and was soon carried down their twenty-five, where some good play was shown by Melrose, Martin and Chapman for us, Taylor and Ware, the latter of last term 's team, for them . Brockbank again had very hard lines, as he was collared close to their goal line . Chapman, however, obtained a try, from which Brockbank kicked another goal . This they disputed and Stevenson gave in . The School Captain added another try before time was called, but Crossley failed to improve upon it. H . Crossley, F . B . Brandt, backs ; L . E . Stevenson, W . E. Brockbank, three-quarter backs ; C. J . H . Williamson, A . Melrose, half-backs ; A . Peters, F . W . Chapman, E . W . Clayforth, H . G . Joy, F . Wade, W . Martin, C . R . Lane, J . Crossley, C . Johnson, forwards. In this match W . Martin sprained his shoulder.

DEBATING SOCIETY. HE officers elected for this Society are E . W. Clayforth as President, and R . C . Wilton, Secretary. The first meeting of the Debating Society was held on Wednesday, February 8th . There was no private business of any importance . The motion, proposed by W. E . Brockbank, was that :—" A Conservative

DEBATING SOCIETY .

Republic is the best form of Government . " The two points in which the honourable member objected to a Limited Monarchy were its kingly " nonentity " and hereditary legislature . The amendment was moved by the President " That a Limited Monarchy imposes beneficial restrictions upon a Republic . " One honourable member indulged in somewhat treasonable language . A division was taken after rather a short discussion, the amendment being supported by a majority of 9 to 2. The Debating Society again met on February 15th . The President moved that :— " The advantages of the Channel Tunnel are outweighed by the dangers attendant upon it . " His chief argument was that the two measures, of which one must be necessarily adopted —namely, either the erection of forts or a National Convention—were both undesirable . He was seconded by Peters . W . E . Brockbank opened the opposition, and remarked upon the extreme difficulty of conveying through such a tunnel in a short time any number of troops, and especially guns, which he maintained were necessary for an invasion . He said that upon a declaration of war the tunnel could be immediately blown up . The opposition was supported by R . C. Wilton ; and the motion by W . J . P . Kaye, who asked what the advantages to be derived were, even granting that it proved a success, and thought that if it was ultimately to succumb to dynamite, it was not much good entering upon it at all . This Brockbank urged was the look out of the speculators . On a division, the original motion was carried by a majority of lo to 2. The Debate on February 22nd was chiefly characterized by a want of opposition . The motion of W . Kaye :—" That the treatment of Mary, Queen of Scots, was justifiable " ; was supported unanimously.

NOTES AND ITEMS. We have much pleasure in inserting the following letter sent by the Bishop of New Caledonia to the members of St . Peter 's School : Hazelton, British Columbia, October 29th, 188x.

" My DEAR Bovs,--I am delighted to know through Mr . Bulmer that my letter interested you . It probably contained details of my work written wh ile they were fresh in my memory . What better than to try to do the like again ! There is this difference . I wrote that letter at the end of a winter crowded with matters of lively interest . Now I am on the threshold of the corresponding season .

NOTES AND ITEMS.

Like the swallows that made their first appearance here on the 19th April, I migrate and spend the summer on the swiftest wings I can find . All the miners left before me . They had a fortnight's journey crossing two distinct ranges of mountains before they reached their Golconda, about ten miles from the divide that marks off the Pacific from the Arctic slope . I often think these bold and hardy fellows would make the best explorers of the Polar regions . A small party returned lately from prospecting . Crossing the water-shed by the Peace river, they ascended the Findlay to its head waters . Thence they walked over the mountains to the sources of the Liard—followed its course to the majestic Mackensie—paddled to within thirty miles of its mouth . Turning westward they navigated the Peel river and found the watershed between the Mackensie and Yukon river basins, only so few feet above the level of the plains that they dragged their canoes over the few hundred feet of shallow water between those mighty rivers . They then ascended the Yukon until it overlapped the Liard, and finally reached the Pacific waters by the Stickeen river, where they found gold, but not enough to pay for the provisions they had consumed on their three years ' exploration . They well deserve to be made Fellows of the Royal Geographical Society . Twice they fell in with the Bishop of Athabusea, traversing his unwieldy diocese, and they regard him as one of the best men they ever met. I fear you will think this a very prosy beginning, but those who will take, the pains to trace and measure this daring venture amid Arctic frosts and snows, will thank me for showing them a party of heroes deserving of admiration . When those who wintered there left, I felt their loss. It also stopped the issue of the only illustrated paper in the province, for the Editor and staff were miners . We hope to issue the first number of this winter ' s series next week . I say " we " because I have a share in it. In their prospectus they say they have retained the services of the same special artist, &c ., &.c ., meaning myself. They have returned this week, and look worn and weather-beaten . When they started, each with his Indian carrying a pack, they looked smart with their bright ribbons and braid fluttering from their leggings, and the gay snow shoes slung over their shoulders . The dogs drawing the sleighs were as proud of their tinkling bells and showy harness as brewers' horses on May-day . The Indians themselves were as glorious as a recruiting Sergeant . Streamers of various colours adorned their caps of marten, ermine, or some other fur . Never before was Sunday kept on the march . I had given prayer and hymn books to many of the men, and suggested one of their number should read the service. The Indians met together, and the late dog-cater, J ., a catechumen, took the lead as a natural leader . He is now sitting near me, having

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come to ask if he may go down to a village eighteen miles distant to hold Services there to-morrow . " Yes, go, and be as gentle as Jesus ." He cannot read, but has learnt some texts and hymns, yet he must have a Bible and Hymn-book . " May I take a bell ? " he asks . " Yes, take the small one, because you have only a little knowledge . " " True, but I will tell them that little," is his reply . So off he will start shortly—spend the Sunday at the first village, and on Monday speed away twenty miles lower to see the five Christians I baptised last April. Return thence on Friday . This man conducted the Services, saying the prayers and hymns from memory . The white men join these simple beginners in the gospel, and sing the hymns, though they cannot understand the prayers . To my great surprise and joy the whites gave up the best apartment at their command, and all through the summer have attended the Services conducted by this man, who, through the week, works for them . One Sunday morning while on the road to the mines, but resting, an Indian family came marching past . " What, travelling on Sunday ! Is this what the Bishop teaches you ?" asked a miner . " We are short of food, and must press on ." " No you must not . Rest here, we will give you food . " So they did, and kept together the rest of the way . I also hear that the sudden and unexpected swelling of the stream that supplies water to mining work, carried away some woodwork that had cost much labour . "Let us away and save the wreckage, " said some Indians . "No, it is Sunday, " was the miners ' reply . It seemed to make a deep impression on the native' It was part of my plans to follow the miners after a short interval, but was providentially hindered . Perhaps I told you some of the Enquirers wished to have homes of their own . As they now live, privacy is impossible. One evening a quiet, but studious man (since baptized) was reading his Bible by the fire-light . An evil disposed fellow came and stood between the light and the book . Yet there was light enough to read . Then he coarsely told him to put away the book . The reading went on, so did the obstruction . Burn it, burn it . For a moment it was hid within the folds of the reader ' s blanket, but soon re-opened . Then the rough fellow asked why he wanted to read, " Our fathers had no book—we want none—would you be wiser than me ? " But the reading proceeded . Thereupon he snatched at, but missed the book,though he j erked it out of the reader ' s hand . Nimbly rescuing his book, this persecuted learner quietly withdrew . A year earlier such irritation would have led to the use of knives, or some other weapon . Family life is impossible in the great houses often ;o or (oft . square, and undivided . This publicity safeguards the old customs . When war between the tribes was chronic, this living

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together of the whole clan in the Chief's house was the best security. Surprise was difficult with so many persons together, and some moving about at all hours. Imperial law is beginning to be respected, and thereupon, order is the rule . I met a party of 27 armed men approaching this settlement one morning, and as soon as they were out of sight turned round and followed them . On nearing the village I came upon the ambush, and saw the scouts quite near one of the houses, the chief of which they intended to shoot for some evil he was believed by the medicine men to have done . My approach disconcerted their plans, but before they retired they poured a volley into the village, happily injuring no one . I afterwards got hold of the ringleader, but the story of how I frightened him into a promise of future good behaviour would be too long for this letter. Those who have resolved to build small houses are now busy . The axes are ringing music through the woods, and the falling timber often adds its thunder. As soon as the trail is snow-covered and frozen, the hewn logs will be dragged along the slippery way towards my three acre garden, which I have given up to be the site of the projected model village . An Indian trail is merely the easiest way through the forest, well beaten by bare feet, and the footway never more than about ten inches wide . One cannot see far ahead because of the snake-like windings . Meetings on the trail are sudden, and awkward if a grizzly bear stand before you . An Indian is generally armed, and covets Bruin 's skin . The beast sometimes scores a victory. This week a woe-begone looking fellow carte to me to say his brother had been killed some sixty miles distant, and he wished to go to bury him . " Go, " I said . " I fear ! " " What do you fear . " " The tribe I must pass by to reach my brother . " " Why fear them ? " I killed one of that tribe two years ago . " " What, tell me you killed a man ! " I did . " " Why ? " " A man had killed my Uncle, and I saw him gambling with two friends and fired at him, but killed the wrong man. Now they will accept no blood-money, but will have my life . " " Then don ' t risk it, " I said . " Stay at home and ask God to forgive your fearful crime ." His penitence is hardly skin deep, I fear . He has brought a Chinaman ' s pack from the mines at 20 cents per pound. On the road near at hand he opened the pack, soaked the contents in water, and demanded payment for about 20 lbs . of water . But the Chinamen were too keen for him, and nearly came to blows . As I am a Magistrate I fined them two dollars, and threatened to more heavily punish any future delinquent . " Our limited space compels us to reserve the second half of the Bishop's letter for our next number. TVe are also compelled to hold Chapter V. of " The Prof/ssor ."