April 1882

THE

PETF_RITE. VOL. IV.

APRIL, 1882 .

No. 28.

THE PROFESSOR. CHAPTER V. Quisnam te, juvenum confidentissime, nostras Jussit adire domos?

E halted amidst a gathering of this people that was curious

W

indeed to my unaccustomed eyes, since with their wan faces,

elongated by their breathing appendages, and bodies swathed in a covering membrane, they resembled bats rather than human beings; and amid the grating sounds of their marvellous speech I seemed to have fallen into the midst of same strange creatures who waited to devour me . But the ciauliing crowd who pressed their courtesies upon me had far other aims . I was led away to an elevated spot where I was left alone to watch their course of action and gather such information as at the time I could.

Meantime I looked about Joe to view the place . We stood at the centre of their valley whore men gathered around the huge crater, which, by its alternations of fiery flood and swallowing chasm, kept alive the pulse of life in that region.

A cloud of mist and vapour lifted about twelve feet from the basin's level, while the same within was filled with murky vapour that shut out any view of its lurking fires . From this issued warm vapour of a peculiar virtue, «Lich lent an energy I had otherwise lacked in that cheerless region, and added clearness to my understanding as I turned around to view their parliament (for such it seemed) from what appeared the only throne or `speaker's' scat given them by nature for their president, whom I expected to join me every moment, accounting it a great honour to share with him . But the honour was greater than I thought : that which they would give to none of

34

TILE PROFESSOR.

themselves they had granted to a stranger, breaking the rule of equality which bound their assembly. And I the while admired their skill or luck in the having of this meeting-place, which in a region hurried and tending to confusion of thought alone warmed and kindled the mind into a generous clearness and keenness of debate . My former uneasiness had vanished, and I cast about me to think what could be their affairs that called for settlement in debate . Surely, I said, they are cut off from all dealings or commerce with others . Nor do they know manufacture or trade, for 1 had seen none such sign thus far.

Their sustenance was drawn from the atmosphere ; clothing nature had provided . [Such are the speculations of an untutored mind that can see no further than the wants of nature into the causes that draw men into assembly . Such a one knows nothing of the consociative instincts of aggressive man.

Prof.]

Meantime, before I suspected it,

there was method in their disorder, and sitting had begun . Where I looked for the order of deliberation there was the forcible declaration of equality.

At first they seemed to fill the air with a chorus of grating discordant cries, but I quickly perceived they were all giving counsel concerning the matter in debate.

To what end this was it took some time to learn, hut I noted that when any lull occurred in the tumult of voices and one essayed alone to give his counsel he was quickly overcome by the violence of the attack that met him and sat clown cowed . Indeed all wish for preeminence or distinction seemed dangerous ; among those who showed such a wish I marked my entertainer of the night before, and could now conjecture a reason for his wishing to be rid of nie, les t already suspected from his frequent eminence he should seem to be especially monopolising me to the detriment of common equality.

All this time I perceived a class of men who did indeed exercise no common power, and yet not openly . Such were directors and organisers of the common voice, who, though everywhere busy in the background and visible to one upon my elevated post, yet raised not their voice so loud as the rest ; these seemed while foremost in turning the attack against those who came forward on their own behalf, yet by the popularity that was manifest where they came to be in a way occult masters of affairs.

By degrees I gathered somewhat of the purport of their disputes, which were indeed of no common order .

J. V.

35

SCHOOL LETTER.

T

IIE termination of the boat races infallibly tells of the beginning of the end . On the whole, considering the great improvement

made in the boat house, the term must be considered successful, though at the same time the old spirit of boat-racing is becoming terribly apparent in the re-introduction of second prizes . It is a cause for genuine regret that the need of them should be so palpably shown as it has been.

The boat races are treated of fully elsewhere and so I forbear from remarks . I cannot, however, help mentioning the truth of my final prediction with regard to the Junior Fours . A great deal no doubt can he urged in defence of the losing boat, when the amount that must have been lost owing to the accident which they suffered is taken into account. But on the day of the race the weakness did not appear to be there.

Time Scratch Fours are becoming more popular every year, especially among O.P .s to judge by the large number of entries for them.

It only shows what a valuable support they might be made if the boating system was regularly and properly reorganized . Owing to the absorbing interest of pot-hunting, the regatta boat has been content to exist beautifully, and has not been able to go out as often as might have been wished.

Cricket has made an early appearance this year, but no new talent has appeared to fill up the six vacancies in the eleven.

We have only two victims trying their luck at the seats of learning—H . C. Wilton and A . Peters, at Cambridge.

CAMBRIDGE LETTER. Marche 31st, 1882.

M

AN is born to trouble as the sparks that fly upward ." And indeed the writer of this letter is no exception to the

rule . Happening to be in York for a few days, he is unexpectedly called upon to write a Cambridge Letter, as the usual letter has not arrived . Well, so let it be, if the readers of the

Peterite

are prepared

36

CAMBRIDGE LETTER.

to read a Cambridge Letter with little of Cambridge in it, and that little confined to one subject . Had the Editors given me fair warning, I might have been seen every afternoon on the banks of the Cani, note-book in hand, making copious notes of all the proceedings on the river ; of the practice of the 'Varsity Crew, the many changes in the boat, of the various College Crews, and of the Lent Paces . My evenings might have been spent at the Union reading the various accounts of our Crew at Marlow, hearing anecdotes in connection with the Classical Tripos and other current topics, the latest development and vagaries of a;stheticism, &c ., and at night I might have laid awake to digest and arrange my information to suit the tastes of the readers of the Peterite. Bnt I make long excuses, and yet in ordinary life how often is a letter filled half full of excuses for not writing before or at greater length, &c ., &c.

Of course at Cambridge since the appearance of the last Peterite boating has been all in Al . The Lent Paces were favoured with exquisitely fine weather, a hot sun, scarcely any breeze, and a large number of spectators . Not having a review or any account of the races . I cannot give a detailed account of them . The O .P .s rowing were Mallinson, Eyre, and Douglas .

Mallinson stroked Christ's I. in good style, rowing strongly and well . His boat made one bump, and on the last night had a splendid race with Queen's . The last quarter mile was spent in a series of desperate spurts, not more than three feet separating them, but Queen's managed to escape the bump . Eyre rowed four in Corpus I. which made one bump, and Douglas bow in Christ's II . Marshall, who came np to Cavendish at the begining of the Lent Term, coxed Cavendish I . On the third night they were following hard after Sidney, when seven lost his oar and jumped overboard . Even then they might have made their hump, had not three followed his example when they were bumped .

Downing succeeded in supplanting Trinity III. in its position as head of the Second Division.

Eyre ran well and strongly in the Three Mile Race at the 'Varsity Sports . His only training having consisted of that for rowing and not having practised on the cinder path, he may be congratulated for the fine form he sp ewed, being well up with the leaders when he desisted . Of the Inter-University Sports I dare not speak . In an hour's time the result will be known, and by the time the Peterite comes out it will be a thing of the past .

37

CAMBRIDGE LETTER.

Of the 'Varsity Crew I might just remark that the numerous changes made in the crew before leaving the Cam prevented them from acquiring uniformity either of style or swing . Taking the crew individually they are a fine set of men, but taking them collectively—well to-morrow will shew, and may they meet with better luck than last year .

STYLUS.

OXFORD LETTER. IIF Term practically ended here on Thursday, the 23rd, and next Term will begin—practically again—in the third week of April . Of course the Boat Race, which has not come off at the time of writing, is the main topic of interest. The impression according to the papers, " among those who know," is that the two boats this year are the worst that ever represented the two Universities.

But of the two the Cambridge seems decidedly the worse, and the betting, which has never on this event been wrong, has gone up to three to one on Oxford . The weak point in our boat is the weight, or rather absence of weight, of our stroke, Higgins, of Magdalen. If, however, he can, as according to the daily papers he has done, go up six pounds in one day, i.e ., from the Tuesday to the Wednesday, there is no saying what he may not do in three.

But that is an exceptional occurrence ; one • cannot depend on his going up much more, and the prospect becomes gloomy when we consider that never has anyone under or at ten stones in either 'Varsity, stroked his boat to victory . The main faults of the boat are the irregularity of the swing consequent on the quickness of the stroke (inevitable on account of stroke's light weight) and want of beginning, the work being done at the end of the stroke . However, there are as had faults in the other boat, and taking them all in all, Cambridge, as I said, seems to have the worse boat ; and on Tuesday, deducting about five seconds to allow for disadvantage in the start of the Cambridge boat, Oxford did the course in about eighteen seconds less time than their opponents—if my readers consider practice times any criterion, which your humble servant scarcely does.

For Lilly Bridge, too, in private circles I have heard the odds given on Oxford winning the odd event, though a comparison of

T

38

OXFORD LETTER.

the times at the Oxford Sports with those at Cambridge will hardly justify such audacity . The distinctly good events were the half-mile, the mile, and high jump ; the first two won by Wells, of Magdalen, Pres . O .U.A .C., and the third by Hornby, of Corpus, a freshman last term . The time of the half mile was 1 min . 57 see. ; of the mile, 4 min.

30 2 see ., and won easily . The high jump was 5 ft . 7 in . Throwing the hammer was miserably poor, though the weight was put to a fair distance.

Nothing has there been of much interest beside the usual concerts since the last number, save a great Salvation Army Meeting, at which "General Mrs . Booth " came down from London to speak . The S. A. is gaining a strong foothold in Oxford, and is assisted by several undergraduates, one of whom, a scholar of a well known college, has thrown up an Indian Civil Service Appointment, in order to preach in Hull at a salary of twelve shillings a week . I believe that the weekly sermons at the Martyr's Memorial were founded in connection with the body in question ; but they serve no end, as far as one can see, but as a standard round which the youthful and amorous of the two sexes may rally (I had almost said dally) . After the meeting of which I spoke, there was a small town and gown row, which, however, came to nothing, and might have been one of the uninteresting ones which may be seen any day in any place.

Oxford has suffered many heavy losses among the heads of colleges and classes within the last year, but none more to be regretted than the lamented death of M . R. Green, Fellow of Balliol, and Professor of Moral Philosophy, which happened on Sunday, March 23rd . There was scarcely anyone more universally popular than lie, and his death will cause wide-spread regret .

0 . K. 5

THE BOAT RACES. HE Boat Daces began on March 9th and continued regularly till the 24th . On the whole they were favoured with fair weather and a good attendance, so that they must be considered a decided success . In most cases the results justified the expectations formed of the various crews —a noteworthy exception being the failure of Brandt and Bulman in the Junior Pairs, rendered utterly inexplicable owing

T

TUUE

39

BOAT RACES.

to the terrible example made by the former in the sculls of Wilson, who was largely fancied and a decided favourite . The large increase of entries in this race—nearly four times as many as last year—must be welcomed as a sign among the younger members of the school of the life that has so nearly died out among the elder, a life that can only be sustained by pandering to the selfish spirit that pervades them . Any symptom like this ought to be ha i led with pleasure, even though some of the compo itocs seemed to acl ;nuwledge that they were out of their element by trying to hide their d i minished heads, ostrich-like, in the bank, as the yells and screams from the river side intended for encouragenient might put a more courageous animal to flight . The number of entries made this race a hydra-headed monster that, to judge from the arrangements made, the committee had the greatest difficulty in dealing with . On the other hand, the eni vies for the senior races show a serious fall ; the sculls were deprived of considerable interest by the untimely scratching of two candidates, and iii the pairs the strength of Stevenson and Kaye frightened

away

all willing opposition . and it would have been

more creditable to the school ii thev had been indulged with a row over.

The race between the Sixth and Civil was splendid, and the closeness of the finish must have been a blow to partisans of the winning boat by nearly upselai ng the triumph boasted of so confidently by some of them.

The races began with the 1st Heat of the Junior Sculls.

Birks .

Scarbrough.

Birks having got off at the start with a good lead which, on account of the erratic steering of his opponent, gradually increased . Scarbrough, however, after getting clear of the bank, made vain efforts to catch his opponent, who, rowing on, won by about seven lengths . Of. the style we will say nothing.

The next race was the 1st Heat of the Senior House Fours.

DAY

Boys.

C . Lane (bow) J. Walker

(2)

REV . T . AD A

u.

R . C . Wilton (bow) L . T . Craw h , w (2)

C . Williamson (3)

H . G. Joy (+ ;)

A . Peters (str .)

II . \V . Wood (str .)

The result of this race was quite expected . The Day Boys led at the start and gradually increased their lead . They were about two lengths ahead at the corner, when they rashly took their opponents' water and passed through the bridge barely two lengths ahead . Increasing their lead, the Day Boys eventually passed the winning post three lengths in front of their opponents . The Day Boys pulled well together and fully deserved their victory .

40

TILE BOAT RACES. The next race was the 1st Heat for the Canoes.

W. E . Brockbank

L . E . Stevenson

Stevenson got the best of the start, but Brockbank, settling down, soon began to show ahead by nearly a length off Marygate . Meanwhile Stevenson, who was at this point gaining on his opponent, was gradually being carried into his water. He had overtaken Brockbank and was slightly leading when the foul occurred, and left Brockbank winner.

The races sere continued on Satnrdav, March 11th, and the first race was the 2nd Heat of the Junior Sculls.

C . P. Green

W . Rice

As was expected, Green won very easily by six lengths.

Junior Sculls (3rd Heat).

E. H . Bulman

R . Crawshaw.

This was a very good race all through, but the superior strength of Bulmau gave him a slight advantage . Ile was about a length to the good at the Scarborough Railway Bridge, where Crawshaw tried hard to overhaul him, but to no avail . Bulman eventually won by one and a half lengths.

The next race on the programme was the 1st Heat of the Form Fours.

CIVIL.

Smoot..

C . Lane (bow)

C. Johnson (bow)

C . Williamson (2)

C . B . Clarke (2)

F. W . Chapman (3) H . W . Wood (str .)

J . Walker (3) W . E . Brockbank (str .)

C . Haynes (cox)

C . Harland (cox)

The Civil got the best of the start . and pulling a quicker stroke, soon went ahead . They kept their lead all the way, and gradually increased it, and at the White Rose boathouse they took their opponents' water . They were then nearly three lengths to the good, and pulling well together, they passed the winning post about four lengths in front of the School boat.

After this came another heat of the Junior Sculls.

HEAT 4.

F . R . Brandt

C . F . Rose

Rose led slightly at the start, but his erratic steering soon caused him to fall to the rear . Brandt increased his lead till the Railway Bridge, where Rose charged into a boat which was at the side of the bridge, lost his oars . and did not get to work again till Brandt was several lengths ahead . After this last mishap, how_ ever, he began to gain on Brandt, but again losing his oar, completely destroyed his chance of winning ; and though he made splendid efforts, Brandt won by about two and a half lengths .

THE BOAT RACES .

41

The ball was set rolling on the 6th by the usual item—a Ileat of the Junior Sculls.

J . Wilson

F . W . Faber

Wilson pulled remarkably well, and won easily by seven lengths . Faber lost a great deal of ground by a geological survey of the earlier part of the river's side.

Perhaps he knew he could not win, and thought he might as well do something useful.

The next race was the Final Heat of the Form Fours.

CIVIL.

SIXTH .

L . T . Urawshaw (bow) A . Peters (2)

C . Lane (bow)

L . E . Stevenson (3)

F . W . Chapman (3)

W . J . P . Kaye (str .)

II. W . Wood (str .)

W . Wilson (cox)

C . Williamson (2)

T. Harland (cox)

This was by far the closest and most exciting race of the season . The Civil got about half a length at the start, but the Sixth boat catching up to them, they raced neck and neck nearly all the way . Harland kept the Sixth boat as close as possible into the near bank, thereby considerably aiding his boat . The Sixth gained slightly before the bridge, but Wood, by a vigorous effort, shot through the bridge level with his opponent . They raced level down to Lendal Bridge, when Kaye, putting on a fine spurt, drew away and won by just about three feet.

The closeness of this race was mainly owing to the excellent steering of Harland, and the marked difference in condition between the two boats . A doubtful certainty cannot justify neglect of ordinary training The last race for the day was the 1st Ileat of the Junior House Fours.

Rrv. T . AnAms' .

Dxv Boys.

E . II . Bulman (bow)

Marshal (bow)

J . Crossley (2)

C . Rose (2)

II . Crossley (3)

S . Flower (3) W . Wilson (str .)

C . Johnson (str.)

T. Harland (cox)

C . Haynes (cox)

Both crews set off with a very quick stroke, but the superior strength of the victors enabled them to show ahead by about a length at the School Boathouse, which they maintained till the Scarborough Railway Bridge, when they slightly increased it, but Wilson, by repeated spurts and being well supported by his crew, threatened the House boat for some time ; however, Johnson kept a length ahead, and won by that distance . The Day Boys pulled pluckily throughout.

The 2nd Pound of Junior Sculls was begun on Thursday, March 16th, Bulman and Birks being the competitors . Though Birks pulled very pluckily in his own style, Bulman won easily by three lengths .

42

TIIL DOAT 1Uu l :S. The next race was the 1st

Heat

of the Junior Pairs.

Marshall (bow) S. B . Flower (str.)

A . Rose (cox)

C. P . Green (bow) R . Crawshaw (str .)

T . Harland (cox)

Both boats got off well, and pulled level for some way . but soon the superior strength of Flower's boat began to tell, and gained a lead of about three lengths at the Railway Bridge . Crawshaw tried hard to recover his lost ground, but was beaten by five lengths.

The last race of the day was the Final Heat of the Canoes. \V . Kaye

W . E . Brockbank.

Kaye led slightly at the start, but Brockbank . paddling well, overtook his opponent, and led off Marygate. They raced level for some time, and then Kaye began to show in front, and increasing his lead, won by about a length.

The programme on Saturday, March 18th, was opened by the 2nd Heat of the 2nd Round of Junior Sculls.

J . Wilson

S . B. Flower

The spectators were disappointed of the good race they expected, as immediately after the start Flower went across into Wilson's water, and with very shortsighted strategy found a refuge from the imminent foul by vigorous assault on the bank . Here he gave a dignified ('?) exhibition of " Energy's such bad form no doubt to show that he had some form to boast—by indulging in a long easy, leaving Wilson to win as he liked.

The Final Heat of the Junior Fours followed between THE SCHOOL HOUSE v. REV. T . ADAyIS'.

A fairly good race was expected, but though the result was pretty generally looked for, considerable interest in it was lost owing to the inability of the School House stroke to quicken . Both boats got off well, but Johnson, rowing a faster stroke than his opponent, sent his boat ahead, and was leading by a length at the white railing. At this early period the loud and frantic shouts from the bank, usually of encouragement, but in this case of piteous appeal, could not wake the School House stroke to a spurt, and consequently Johnson maintained and increased his advantage, finally winning by about two lengths.

The following are the crews : SciiooL HousE. M. D . Taylor (bow) C . B . Clarke (2)

REv. T . ADAMS'.

E . II. Bulman (bow) J . Crossley (2)

W. Martin (3)

H . N . Crossley (3)

F. E . Robinson (str .)

C . Johnson ( str .)

S. T. Chadwick (cox.

T . Ilarland (cox .)

THE BOAT

43

RACES .

The next race was the only Heat for the Senior Sculls.

C. Williamson

C . Lane

After a good start the two competitors pulled very evenly . no particular advantage being gained by either until the Railway Bridge, when Williamson drew ahead a little ; but Lane, putting on a spurt, overtook him and raced level until they reached the coal drop . where Williamson quickened his stroke and won a very good race by half a length.

The first race on Tuesday was another heat of the Junior Sculls.

J . Wilson

E. H . Bulman

Wilson went slightly ahead at the start, but Bulman pulling pluckily raced level for a short time ; but Wilson gradually gained and won by three lengths.

The next race was the Final Heat of the Senior House Fours.

SCHOOL IIousu

F. W. Chapman (bow)

DAY Boys.

W. E. Brockbank (2)

C . R . Lane (bow) J . Walker (2)

L . E . Stevenson (3)

C . Williamson (3)

W. J . P . Kaye (str.)

A . Peters (str .)

S . Chadwick ( cox)

C . Haynes (cox)

A good start was effected, and the two boats kept very close together until the corner after the white railing, where Kaye quickened his stroke and went ahead, and gradually increasing his lead, won by two lengths.

Another Heat of the Junior Pairs was the next race.

E. II . Bulman (bow)

J . Wilson (bow)

F. R . Brandt (str .)

C. Rose (str.)

T . Harland (cox )

C . Haynes (cox)

The boats kept very close together at the start, but under the bridge Rose had gained a length, which he increased, and eventually won by two lengths.

The first race on Thursday, March 23rd, was a Heat of the Junior Sculls.

F . R . Brandt

C . P . Green

Brandt led all the way and won by 3 lengths, The only Heat of the Senior Pairs was then decided.

L . E . Stevenson (how)

C . Williamson (bow)

W . J. P . Kaye i str .)

W . E . Brockbank (str.)

H . Twyford (cox)

T . llarland (cox)

Kaye got a slight advantage at the start and was leading by two lengths off Marygate . IIe increased his lead by another length and won by three lengths.

The next race was the Final Heat for the Junior Sculls.

F . R . Brandt

J . Wilson

Brandt went ahead slightly at the start, and at the Railway Bridge was a length in front . Wilson tried hard to gain his lost ground . but Brandt, partly

THE BOAT RACES.

44

owing to his superior strength, won easily by 4 lengths . The loser seemed quite dispirited at being left so easily, and did not pull in anything like his usual form.

The Final heat for the Junior Pairs was rowed on Friday, March 24th.

J . Wilson (bow)

Marshall (bow)

C . Rose (str .)

S . B . Flowers (str .)

A . Rose (cox)

C . Haynes (cox)

The boats passed through the Railway Bridge nearly level, but Rose was leading off Marygate . He ultimately won by one and a half lengths.

The Scratch Fours for Present Peterites were rowed on Saturday, March 25th.

The boats were drawn as follows : [A] H . W . Rhodes (bow) C . Rose (2) F. Wade (3) C . R . Lane (str .)

[D] S . B . Flower (bow)

[B] M . D . Taylor (bow) C . B . Clarke (2) W. Martin (3) H . A . Crossley (str.)

[C] C . Johnson (bow) C . Williamson (2) F . W. Chapman (3) W . E . Brockbank (str.

[E] W. Wilson (bow.

L. T. Crawshaw (2)

F . E . Robinson (2)

L . E . Stevenson (3)

H . J. Joy (3)

A . Peters (str .)

J . Walker (str .)

A first raced B, and Lane's quicker stroke brought him past the winning post a length ahead.

E then rowed over.

Then C and D raced . This was a splendid race all the way . and Brockbank's boats was leading within a few lengths of the winning post, but Peters' managed to win by two feet.

A then raced E . In the middle of the race Joy broke his rowlock, and Lanes boat won easily.

As a good deal of time was spent in getting the boat mended . D (lid not row over but raced A . Lane, as usual . started very fast, but was not well enough supported by his crew . Peters took his boat ahead, and won easily by two lengths.

NOTES AND ITEMS. [We continue the Letter of the Bishop of Caledonia .] "

Whenever I could, I took a constitutional after school hours.

An airing is highly desirable after being shut up with a crowd of unwashed Indians . But the sick generally kept me employed until too late for a walk . After starting I was sometimes called back . Up came a young man nearly breathless with his run. 'Come quickly.

Save a poisoned girl .' I hastily retraced my steps, and, as I neared

NOTES AND ITEMS.

45

the village, heard the rattle of a medicine man . Ile was rattling over the girl . Seeing what was the matter, I quickly fetched the usual applications and returned to the house . The sufferer was one of my school children . At her feet and on either side sat the three medicine men, the senior wearing his chaplet of bears' claws turned upward, his matted hair flecked with eagles' down, snow white, his clothing scanty . The old man made way for me, the first time he has ever been known to stop his treatment for anybody, when once begun . Ile shuffled aside to make room for me and stopped his rattle. The youngest practitioner sat immediately opposite nie watching my method with interest . ' You cannot save— nothing can save her . She must die .' ' God only knows,' I replied.

'He can save her .' Two clays later the girl was again at school.

Shortly after my vis-a-vis hung about my house door and excited my curiosity, as he belonged to the class that generally held aloof.

What do you want?' I asked . ' Come in if you wish to see me .'

Slowly in stalked the tall sorcerer . Other Indians gathered around.

I took him aside to set him more at his ease . Ail this time lie had kept his head bent . Suddenly lifting it and flashing an earnest, glance upon me he said, `You saved the girl .' ' No, no, God saved her, ' I replied . ' True, true,' and bending back his right hand in the attitude of rattling, he wispe>~ed, 'This failed (meaning his sorcery) ; I have done with it .' ' You will lose blankets then,' (the rattlers fee.) 'True, true .' ' I shall see which you love most, truth or blankets ; but be sure of this, truth saves ; such blankets smother the soul .' Then from under his blanket he produced a couple of sticks wrapped in cedar bark torn to shreds . ' What is that?' I asked.

'Matches ltha giyitt, ' i .e ., Matches of the ancients . 'You cannot produce fire !' ' I can . ' Let me see you do it.' Kneeling down he placed one of the little pieces of wood, about ten inches long on the floor . In this was gouged out a small hollow as if counter sunk.

From the circumference to the edge of the slip of wood was a little nick as if made by a fine saw . Some of the cedar bark was placed in and round this nick . Then the second piece, roughly rounded and about a foot long, cut at the end to fit the small hollow, was placed in that hollow, and this was twirled rapidly between the palms of his hands, like a bradawl worked in a bow-string . The friction soon produced heat, then smoke, and in a few minutes a puff from the busy Redskin set the cedar bark into a blaze . ' Well done !' I

46

NOTES AND ITEMS.

exclaimed, and thanked him for affording me a new pleasure . In a moment he smothered the flames between his hands, wrapped the two pieces of dry birch wood again with the bark, pushed it into my hands, and in a loud whisper said, ` You saved the girl, ' then turned upon his heel and went away . During the summer I met him when on my travels, and we were as old friends I must again call up J— who started this afternoon on his trip to the lower villages to hold services.

It was a question as to how to stop the Indians' whiskey drinking in the mines . J 's turn to speak came . He complained of A--'s halfheartedness, and advised vigorous measures . ` Gently,' said A—; ' you cannot force people to be good.' ` Were you forced ?' he asked of . This sensible advice irritated J—, so that losing self control J he slapped down his New Testament on the table and hurried angrily out of the room . ` I mean't not to offend him,' said A — . ' I know is a true man he will show us his it,' I answered ; ' and if J penitence .' " It cast a cloud on our deliberations . Next day in carne J--.

I want to meet A-- here,' he said . ' Why,' I asked. ' To give him this,' holding out a bundle . ' Ile wants no gift,' I said, somewhat coldly. Off he sped and soon returned with A—. " They stood together, A-- wondering what was coining, but silent.

I noticed the twitches at the corner of J -'s mouth . IIe was struggling with himself to speak . `I have sinned,' were the words that broke the awful silence. ' A , I have sinned against you ; you are good . Your words were wise and mine foolish ; you are my friend, I am my enemy .' Thus he made his noble confession.

Shame, humility, and the other expressions that formed penitence and then issued in the courage of confession . Then the bundle was opened . It contained a propitiation that cost him perhaps eight or nine dollars . Ile spread out a new garment of fine black cloth that, matched with coat and vest, would make the wearer respectable in Bond Street. The offering was rejected, not so the apology . They left the house faster friends than ever . J stopped the whiskey drinking.

"This Hotspur is a tender-hearted fellow .

IIe found an old heathen dying the clay after he had heard me speak of the penitent thief.

He pressed the love of the Saviour upon him but was dissatisfied with his skill, so hurried away to fetch the only Christian here, the first fruits . ' Hurry up ; hurry, hurry, the old man is

NOTES AND ITEMS . ,dying. '

47

Almost dragging the Christian to the house of death he

told him to tell the man what the Bishop had told them about Christ's pity for the penitent thief and IIis waiting in Paradise to receive him . ` Make it plain, very plain ; hurry up . Jesus may save the old man—make it plain.' The man was dead. ` Oh, your chance is lost,' he said ; his grief nearly choking him because it was too late for the Christian to tell the departed one of Christ ' s might and mercy.

"As soon as navigation on the river was resumed, I left Mrs. Ridley behind to do what she could, and right well she carried on the mission for five months singlehanded . A clergyman and his wife have boldly come from England and joined this mission . Next spring I hope to leave it in his hands and go to Port Simpson.

The breaking np of the ice on the river happened in the daytime. and I was fortunate enough to witness it . It was not the immediate action of the sun that effected it, but the downpour of ice, cold water from the mountains where the winter snows lay fathoms deep.

The floods uplift the ice by slow degrees till the force of water starts the ponderous load on the river's bosom.

"I have seen the rivers of Germany break up, but the greater swiftness of these North American rivers makes the tumult here almost terrible to behold . I was on the river when the first movement took place . ` It moves' . What moves ? The banks seemed to glide up stream. Then came a slight tremor beneath my feet and I sprang to the shore . The sensations were like those produced by an earthquake—sensations I have often experienced. The stone-like surface I had often walked and driven over was in motion from bank to bank. " At no great distance the channel narrows, and the great breadth of ice was caught as in a vice . The river is in an agony. Groaning, gurgling, sighing, surging, tilting, hissing, roaring deep and loud, like subterranean thunder, still it writhes within the grip of the polished rocks on either side. What can ever dislodge this puckered mass piled up foot by foot as the water increases to the rear ? Crack, crack, crack ! Look, there go the trees ! The forest king that has drunk from the river at its roots is quivering . There is a lurch . Over it comes, slowly, surely, until it is laid low without axe or tempest . The rising ice scalps the bank as an Indian would his foe . At last, with a sullen groan, rising into a terrific roar, away goes the stupendous obstruction, and down sinks the river, as if to rest after its splendid victory.

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NOTES AND ITEJIS. " No wonder the rocks are polished . Ice works wonders . As I sped

down the river soon afterwards I saw here and there ice walls from which the central mass had broken away . But the river in flood had swept away every vestige before I returned. " I found my staunch little steamer on the stocks at Victoria nearly ready for launching . Now, after the voyage of 600 miles, she is laid up for the winter, ready for next summer's work. Only one thought mars the pleasure of employing her on an errand of mercy . She is four hundred pounds in debt . Whatever help you can render me to free her will evoke my warmest thanks . I shall be glad if Mr . Bulmer or your treasurer would transmit your offerings to Canon Gibbon, Harrogate, Yorks . IIe is my commissary in England . My boat is named the Evangeline . She made ten and a quarter knots on her trial trip, and is one of the strongest and prettiest crafts I ever saw . I wish I could take you with me the next year to see some of the finest scenery I have looked upon, and that is saying much, for I have travelled on each of the four Continents.

"Hereafter I may be able to describe some of my voyages . Ask God to hold over the Evangeline Ilis mighty hand . May IIe bless you all. " With most kind regards, I remain, dear boys, " Your friend very faithfully " W . CALEDONIA. The boys of St . Peter's School, " York, England ."

A . Peters has been elected to an open Mathematical Scholarship of X60 at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge.

Il . C . Wilton has been elected to an open Classical Scholarship of £: ) at Christ's College, Cambridge.

T. C . Snow, Fellow of St . John ' s College, Oxford, has been appointed Examiner in English Language and Literature in the Victoria University, Manchester.

E . Bellerrby, B .A ., of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, was ordained Deacon on March 5, and licensed to the Curacy of St . Janes ', Forest Gate.

Canon Elwyn is, we hear, to preach the 'Varsity Sermon at Cambridge, on Sunday, April 16 .