April 1883

THE

PETERITL Von . V.

APRIL, 1883 .

No . 35.

EDITORIAL.

T

HE Editors beg to thank the school in general for the response made to the appeal for an increased number of subscribers. The

response, however, though welcome, has not been so large as could be desired or even expected . This is the more to be regretted as the Editors have good authority for stating that there is a greater willingness throughout the school in general to assist in the maintenance of other institutions, and are happy to say that the subscriptions from the various sections of the school are not in such striking disproportion to their .numbers as in the past . Consequently they do not feel justified in effecting any reduction at present ; as the Peterite is not in any danger of failing through want of support of this kind, they are not without hopes of doing so at some future occasion.

The Peterite has, however, nearly fallen through from other causes.

It has for some time been, however, on the verge of literary bankruptcy.

The publication of the present number has been for this reason unavoidably delayed, and the delay has made the information contained in it deplorably out of date. For this the Editors feel that they owe some apology ; still they think themselves justified in arguing that its recurrence can be more easily prevented by the subscribers than themselves . Owing to the want of general support the object of the magazine is in danger of being frustrated ; instead of acting as a popular channel for conveying the ideas, feelings, and wishes of past and present Peterites to each other, it seems likely to degenerate into a mere collection of of untimely scraps of news . The Editors hope that all Peterites will join in responding to this appeal as readily as they did some eighteen months ago when asked for pecuniary aid ; the danger is as great now as it was then, the nature only of it is changed . They feel that the difficulty can only be permanently met by literary assistance from the mass of the subscribers, and trust that these will not be backward with their contributions .

34

ON THE ART OF MAKING A FUSS.

This excuse also applies to the complaint that has been made against the irregularity with which the Peterite is published ; that sometimes it comes out in two consecutive months and then there is a gap of two or more months without a number . It may be also urged in answer to this that the Peterite is only printed eight times a year on an average, and the time of publication varies according to the necessity . If the number of subscribers is increased to one hundred and seventy-five, the Editors are ready to guarantee the publication of twelve numbers, provided adequate literary assistance is regularly given.

ON THE ART OF MARINO A FUSS.

W IIAT can the man mean ?" a perplexed Peterite may not unnaturally exclaim : " is it possible that the writer has inadvertently left out the word not? " No, dear Peterite, there is an art of not making a fuss, too, most certainly ; but it is not an art that pays, only one that pleases . I mean what I say,—" the art of making a fuss," for that is what you must have if you would get on, and especially if you would get on more than you deserve to do, and so it is time we knew something about it.

Whether at the outset we should not have more properly described our subject as a science than a mere mechanical art we need not discuss ; though certainly when its principles have been thoroughly laid to heart, thought out, and understood, it almost deserves the higher title . Yet since many persons who acquire the gift do so by instinct, and most who employ it do so for a sternly practical end, we may be more warranted in adhering to the name we started with.

Foolish persons there have been,—persons destined seldom to secure much notice in the world,—so blinded to all around them as to imagine that noise was no pleasure of value ; that to bring themselves before the public for no very definite reason was mere ni$ciou .sness, and that in fact the less fuss they made in proportion to the work done the better . As well might a trades-unionist maintain that it was his interest to do any given quantity of work at the lowest possible wages, and in the shortest possible time . In both cases, work of course in some measure must be done ; if only to save appearances, and to give further occasion for making more fuss in the one case and getting more wages in the other; but plainly the less of it will suffice the Letter, so that more material may be reserved for future fuss-making or wage-earning .

ON THE ART OF MAhING A TOSS .

35

But we are getting bitter, and the flame that emits most heat often sends out the least light.

There is no one, I imagine, even barely versed in the art of fussmaking, that does not feel by instinct that the chief field for its exercise lies in that " Palladium " of British liberties, the right of Public Meeting.

There is a generation who positively seem to spend their whole time at meetings of one sort or another, whose whole talk is of " objects " and " causes," but to whom talking and doing appear to be almost synonymous . Such persons will not permit the simplest scheme to be set on foot without a lengthy public " palaver,"

accompanied by

elaborately ridiculous forms and ceremonies, at which they try to compel the attendance of their friends . Some of these are benighted enough to feel injured, and say that there is no occasion for anything of the kind, that in this way much valuable time is wasted, much nonsense talked, and much fulsome flattery swallowed with relish . But all this is in reality quite beside the point . It may be that the " object " or " cause" would do just as well without our demonstrations : but this matters nothing ; it is not the result, but the fass which we want ; it may be that we cannot tall good into existence, or evil out of it, but what of that ? here is a chance of being seen on the platform, an opportunity of keeping ourselves before the public, and making ourselves prominent : by all means then let us call a public meeting, let us have a chairman, nay perhaps be the chairman, with all his dignified responsibilities ; let us speak to each other and of each other i I a quasi-parliamentary form, and invest the proceedings with an effective solemnity, an impenetrable formality such as may duly impress the public with the weighty character of our toils : and after these are over, and the end in view advanced, it may be not very much, yet quite enough for the purpose ; then let votes of thanks be passed and re-passed, till everyone has been well bethanked by everyone else, and all part duly convinced of the important work they have been helping to achieve : and lastly be careful that the local print, forewarned, be present in its representative, to take down and tell to the breakfasting world next day our officially impressive words, immortalized iII print.

I will not, however, deny that there are several other almost equally effective and successful ways of making a fuss. One, held in esteem by the alimentive, consists in coining together to eat success to a good cause, to eat Mr. Gladstone in or out of office at a political luncheon, or to eat

36

ON THE

OF MAKING A FUSS.

a better mind to the negroes at a " missionary tea ." In what way the denizens of those regions where " only man is vile, " can be benefited by, or even aware of these deglutitory efforts on their behalf, is and has been a mystery to the writer : and even though there may be some margin of profit obtainable in such ways, yet one might think that most people would rather pay twice as much to be excused attending at all . But here we come to the point : such a solution would not suit most of the promoters of these schemes ; for though there would most certainly be more profit, yet there would then be no opportunity of making a fuss, of coining " to the fore," or becoming publicly prominent.

It may be again that there is a Town Ilall or an Exhibition to be inaugurated or opened . Given the key, one would suppose this were an easy process . But what then of the fuss-makers ? It would never do to disappoint them too rudely, nay it is impossible to do so, because probably all the arrangements are in their hands, as they are the very persons who have managed the affair throughout ; the management of such enterprises being itself an excellent advertisement and opportunity for fuss-making, and involving numerous meetings of the kind abovementioned : and so the simple suggestion about the key is never even alluded to. The dreary solemnities that follow, which our British stoicism enables us to endure, enlivened only now and again by some touch of absurdity more palpable than usual, I need not waste time by attempting to describe.

On the mental characteristics, however, which give rise to these phenomena it may be worth while to dwell a little, for it seems to me that all lovers of fuss do not become so on the same grounds.

For we must by no means forget that there is the honest enthusiast, who genuinely believes that by all this feverish activity he is doing a vast deal of good, and whose sole object is to do good . It is certainly true enough that there can be no motion without noise, though unhappily there can be plenty of noise without motion . If it were not for some of these zealous pushing folk I daresay very little good would be done, and the world would be rather a duller place to live in than it is now, so that one may be inclined to condone such energy, ostentatious as it is, and suffering from something in the nature of a "moral inflammation,' rather than be deprived of its results . Such people, too, generally make amends for the trouble they cause, by contributing to the public fund of amusement . These at any rate are the most respectable of the fussmaking community.

ON TILE ART OIL MAKING A FUSS .

37

One often meets, however, with persons of shallow nature who are genuinely impressed in a dignified outside, and admire ceremonial of all sorts—men who have not penetrated far into the clothes-philosophy of things, and to whose minds what looks grave or imposing must really possess a corresponding weight and worth . Were such an idea assailed with success, their faith in the state of things around them would be seriously shaken . To such persons, seeming to be engaged on some very important matter is quite the same as being so . To such minds an individual carries more weight when spoken of in an official capacity as ac

The Chairman," or say " The Mayor," than when described as plain Mr . Tomkins. The latter may easily be vapid or foolish, like other mere men, but the dazzling paraphernalia of office forbid the thought of attributing to the former any but the deepest sagacity . It is for the benefit and enlightenment of such persons that one could wish, with Carlyle, that just for once on some impressive occasion all externals might suddenly vanish, " the clothes fly off the whole dramatic carps, " and the official suddenly sink into the man . One cannot much wonder, however, at persons with minds of this sort supporting and uniting with the fussmakers, because they cannot distinguish between windbags and bags of more substantial commodities—they see nothing fulsome in the coarsest laudation of after-dinner rhetoric, nothing to satirize in the Lord Mayor ' s show itself.

There are again a large section even of Englishmen, who take a genuine pleasure in mere chatter, even the chatter of others, irrespective of its value, or of anything at all save that it is chatter . I suppose, too, that there is an idea lurking in the minds of such good people, that in subjecting themselves to all this on behalf of public interests they are doing something very laudable and discharging a public duty of an indefinite kind. When, however, to the pleasure of hearing talk, there is added that of hearing oneself talk, the attraction towards the ranks of fuss-making is of course vastly enhanced.

It must I fear be admitted, however, that a lower motive than any of these works towards the same end, and that a considerable section of fuss-makers are only fussy on their own behalf . Their restless zeal for some cause is at bottom a zeal for themselves . They know that to be secretary of this association for setting everybody to rights, to be on that committee of the society for making sunbeams out of cucumbers, to be identified with public objects, and to buttonhole Bishops and Professors on platforms is wasting their time, but wasting it to very good

38

OXFORD LETTER.

purpose . They may be no more selfish in reality than their quiet neighbour who stays at home and reads his newspaper, nor less so either : but they are more far-sighted, and act more consistently on their principles ; either seeing more clearly how to carry them out to their own advantage, or else being more willing to make present sacrifice of personal ease to secure it.

The worst part of it is that in doing so they exact sacrifices from others as well, which are not equally remunerated.

That, the world at large will ever, or at any rate soon cease to mistake fuss for energy, or to call self-seeking enthusiasm, is too much to hope ; nor is it likely that the quiet and undemonstrative workers among us will ever meet with much reward, nor perhaps would many of them desire it . .A 11 they can hope for is to escape becoming victims to their inflammatory brethren without sharing in their compensations.

OXFORD LETTER.

I~

ONG before this gets into print the Inter-'Varsity boat race will have ended in a victory for—whom ? We have all felt pretty

confident until the last few days, in which the speedier trial courses done by Cambridge have caused the betting to veer round in a most decided manner at last, though for some time it has been fluctuating very strangely . To quote from a great sporting organ, " On the one side (Cambridge) there is a superior physique, with a style only inferior to that of their opponents ; on the other, superior style, with physique only inferior to their opponents." Yet that paper goes on to say, with the inconsistency peculiar to its tribe, that the light blues hardly ever pull six consecutive strokes in true time and swing . If Cambridge do win, they will probably owe their victory to the coach with which Oxford—some say in pity—provided them, and who seems to have done them " a power of good," and we shall have the mortification of helping them to success . But, as Horace says, "Vis consili expers mole ruit sua Vim temperatam di quoque provehunt."

With Nest as our stroke, and four men behind him who have rowed to victory before, I think we need not despair, despite the odds offered against Oxford ; and I fully expect that, even if Cambridge get ahead at first, West will bring the dark blues to the front before half the course is over, and keep them there too . If my hopes are realised, our success will be a marvellous tribute to Oxford style .

OXFORD LETTER.

32

As to the sports, we should win the 100 (though I hear Carter isn't running), the hammer, and the weight ; perhaps the quarter and the hurdles . The 'Varsity sports were deprived of much interest by the bad form or absence of old blues . Wells is almost certain to be beaten by De la Touche in the mile, while the high jump and three miles were not up to form at all . The weight was certaintly the best event, won by Ware, a B .N.C . fresher, I believe, rejoicing in an elephantine soubriquet expressive of his muscle, who put 33ft . Bin . after a ding-dung struggle with Deykin, of Pembroke . The high jump only enticed three competitors, two of them straight from the boats and consequently stiff. It was hardly more than has been done at school, IIornby, who rowed in the Corpus torpid, just clearing 5ft . 5in . Beaumont, of Oriel, jumped in excellent style, and struck me as being the better of the two . By a comparison of the times recorded at the sports of the two 'Varsities, remembering that Cambridge is an unusually quick ground, but that their sports were run in very bad weather, while Oxford enjoyed two beautiful days and a path in good condition, I expect to see Cambridge win the odd event at least . Besides they have a string of veterans, while Oxford, it seems, will hardly run an old blue.

It is with a feeling of relief that turn to football, where our supremacy cannot be questioned . Five of our six backs and seven out of nine forwards are internationals . The three most important matches this term were played in a Niagara of rain (I mean those against Liverpool, Swinton, and Cambridge), and were won by 1 goal and 1 try and very many touches down ; by one try and many touches down ; by 1 try and three touches down to nil respectively, as far as I can remember . But that does not represent the relative strength of the teams, as Swinton scored some 3 goals and four tries against Liverpool shortly after . The rain_ and wind made the passing and scientific play of the Oxford team almost impossible, while their great speed was neutralised by the muddy swamp they played on . Liverpool hardly ever got the ball out of their 25 . But Swinton made a desperate attempt to win . They were a light wiry team and seemed dwarfed by the mountainous array the 'Varsity presented . They had been trained for three weeks previously, and I am told refrained, in prudent fear, from doing justice to the lunch provided them before the match by the O .U.R .U.F.C. One corner of the ground was crowded by a trainful of enthusiasts, who braved the weather and came to cheer the Cottonopolitans on to victory . They encouraged their representatives in true northcountry style, " Give it ' em, Bill," "Knock 'em hovver, ' Arry," and

40

OXFORD LETTER.

abused their umpire copiously when he did not dare to defy the laws, and be " splendide mendax " as a Hyperborean umpire is expected to be . But they found such veritable pillars as Evanson not so easy to knock over ; and, as usual, muddy heaps of prostrated manhood indicated the path, and testified to the strength of the dark blue three-quarters.

Despite their splendid following up, their good dribbling, their sharp practices, their disregard for "0 off-side," and their incessant squabbling —these three last features being entirely innovations and novelties in a south-country game—they found the greatest difficulty iii keeping the ball from their twenty-five.

In the match against Cambridge we were deprived of the services of Evanson, Cave, Walker, Mackenzie, Patterson, and Strong . We were pleased to see Douglas playing for Cambridge, and equally sorry to hear of his accident.

In the Torpids, Corpus ascended to the top, with B .N.C . second, and New College, first in 16S2, third . Christ Church had perhaps the fastest boat on the river, and they gained a place every night.

Oxford has lost one of her most distinguished men in Henry Smith, Professor of Geometry . He won the Senior Mathematical and the Hertford, besides obtaining two double firsts.

The electric light at the Union can hardly be said to be a complete success . The Pilsen lights in the debating hall and library are very unsteady and somewhat painful to read by, though the Swan lamps in the writing room are very satisfactory.

Mr. Joseph Arch paid us a visit, but he was coldly received on the whole . Not so Miss Sophie Mentor, ho I suppose is, as a pianiste, the AN

equal of Charles Hulk, though musical critics say her playing is a little unsympathetic . Her skill and brilliancy were shewn in Beethoven's sonata, " Appassionata," which brought down the house.

The schools this term, I am told, have not been attended by the wholesale massacre of the innocents that has been so common of late, especially in Divinity . Perhaps the authorities have devised some better way to pay off the vast sums spent in the gaudy prison and torturehouse for undergraduates . But a gentleman whose strong point was strict if not puzzling accuracy, has achieved an unimpeachably pure breed of canine latin composition . Ile was asked to translate " I am given to understand ." He did so with unassailable closeness to the English, by "intelligere dor ." Ile might be compared to a gentleman I once heard in the second form at St . Peters, who rendered " that C ECI . man," by "nt homo ."

41

CAMBRIDGE LETTER.

I

T is so long since my last letter that it is difficalt to know what to

write about, without referring to matters so long past as to be of no present interest, still at the time of writing it is not very long since the Boat Race, though judging from past experience it probably will be before this appears in print in the Peterite.

As may be imagined great was the surprise and dismay when the result of the race was known, and immediately everyone set to work to discover the reason, and everyone found a different one . As a matter of fact I think too great reliance was placed on the result of the two trials ; when Cambridge were twenty seconds quicker than Oxford, the performance frightened the backers of Oxford, who were in a hurry to hedge, and so turned the odds round on Cambridge . Now Cambridge being a very big heavy set of men needed plenty of hard work, whereas Oxford were a bit fine when they came to Putney ; consequently I think it is very likely that Nest would not work his men too hard in a trial, reserving their strength till the time came for the struggle itself, and so we may perhaps explain the apparent inconsistency of trial and race.

I also believe that the Cambridge crew were far too heavy ; of course weight means strength, but I am convinced that light weights, who are thorough stayers and hard workers, are better in a light ship at two and seven than two men respectively over twelve and thirteen stone . With Barton at two, Fox at four, and perhaps Beauchamp at seven, Fairbairn going five, I believe the boat would have been faster, and I hope next year with such good material as we shall have, to see a boat turned out that will win back to Cambridge the laurels we have lost the last few years.

It is some comfort to be able to record a win for Cambridge in the sports, and that a hollow one, not a single race falling to Oxford, who only won the weight, hammer, and long jump . The 100 yards was a splendid race, all four men finishing close together ; the high jump was good, and there was a splendid race in the mile, La Touche fairly outstaying Wells and winning in good form . In the three miles Ilough was in fine form and ran clean away from everyone, finishing with a fine spurt, apparently quite fresh . The racquets also fell to Cambridge, both contests, double and single, being of the most one-sided description.

In the Lent races, Christs, stroked by Mallinson, kept their place, and were a good boat, their stroke rowed very well, and on the last night in a hard race shoved great pluck and coolness . Corpus, stroked by Eyre

42

TIIE SCHOOL LETTER.

with Peters at bow, did not turn out so good as was expected, as at one time they were considered the best boat in practice ; they fell the last night to Jesus, who were a very good boat . Griffith was rowing in a Clare boat, which failed to get on the river.

In the 'Varsity sports Eyre ran fairly well in the three miles, but failed in the last three hundred yards through want of condition . As he had been rowing so lately it was hardly to be wondered at, and he would probably have been placed if he had had a little more time after the races ; he also ran fifth in the mile.

Though rather late now, still I must congratulate Douglas on getting his blue and playing against Oxford at football, which he fully deserved, as his play was at all times most plucky and unselfish . IIe sustained his reputation well against Oxford, but unfortunately sprained his ankle at the end of the match . However, he is now better.

I am sorry that there were not more Peterites up trying for scholarships this term, Lane at Corpus being the sole representative of the school.

One bugbear of Classical Honour men is now done away with, viz ., the " Additionals" Examination in the Littlego . There is talk of some other examination being substituted for it, but as yet nothing has been fixed .

THE SCHOOL LETTER.

I

T is difficult to imagine a more thankless task than that of a special correspondent, suddenly called upon to write about nothing . He is

told that the publication has been deferred to allow all the term news to be inserted . Cunning editors ! IIe laughs somewhat at their discomfiture.

They imagined that by waiting so long he would be unable to plead want of news. But the term has glided swiftly away and left his field of enquiry blanker than ever . All the same, some news has to be sent, and so No one can possibly say that the term has been a success . It opened brightly enough . Fine weather and football matches ready arranged to begin with, boating to conclude . But somehow by some malign influence the fine weather got away, leaving a blank in the football world, as the opposing teams failed to appear ; then snow and frost prevented the other matches taking place, the ground being for a long time covered several inches deep ; bad weather continued and made boating practice almost out of the question ; more bad weather, and boating was given up ; and

FOOTBALL .

43

then to crown all, when the boats were finally broken up, fair weather returned and the school was compelled to be satisfied with scratch races, an account of which is enclosed.

However, G ° it is a bad, &c . "—At one school meeting it was resolved merely to give up boating for this year and resume it on the old system in future . A second was soon held, and it was determined if possible to have the races (the weather however again interfered), giving only medals as prizes for this and four more years, and after that the cups, &c., should be given by the boat club instead of the winners receiving money to buy them . The surplus money is to be applied to pay off the debt on the boat-house and buy new boats . This is undoubtedly a great advance, and it is to be hoped that the old system will never be resumed, and large prizes will not be given for races that should be, so to speak, patriotic, e .g . the races between different parts of the school . A challenge cup, at least, might be instituted to be held .for a year, medals only being given to the winners . The amount could be readily raised by a special subscription.

York has been favoured with the horrors of a , mimic siege, directed

by General Booth, who led his army into its new habitation and opened the barracks here with " great slaughter ." There was a rumour of a skeleton army, hired at the rate of 7s . 6d. per head, with its artillery of eggs and cabbages ; but the watchfulness of the ever vigilant York police force, aided by reinforcements from Leeds and elsewhere, prevented a disturbance . General Booth no doubt assisted them by thinking discretion the better part of valour and retiring at nine o'clock after an Easter Monday review of his volunteers .

O .D .O .D.

THE FOOTBALL TEAM.

A

REVIEW of the past season may appear somewhat out of place after the long time that has elapsed since the members of the

team last met together in the field. But nominally, if not practically, the season has not been long closed . The team had been feeding on expectation of matches that never came, and hoping during the first eight weeks of the term that one opposing team at least would sometime be able to perform its engagement.

The season, such as it was, cannot be complained of ; only one defeat, and that very excusable, has been sustained . Considering then the illlooking prospect at the commencement the team may be fairly satisfied

44

FOOTBALL.

with their success, all the more so as, by taking the line through parallel clubs and by comparison with the previous year's team, all the matches that fell through would have resulted in victories ; this would have left the score ten wins, one tie, and one defeat . This calculation will not be considered unjust if it be remembered that the only teams that were likely to defeat us were the Yorkshire Wanderers and Thorparch . Last year we played a tie against a strong team of the former, and this year a club, against which we practically scored a win, defeated the second with considerable ease . The Wanderers, however, were unable to bring a team over, and snow prevented the other match from taking place.

The result of this success was mainly owing to an improved style of play, for the physical strength was considerably less than in former years . The passing was much improved and a greater amount of combination introduced into the game . Still there was room for further improvement, especially in the following up, which was frequently weak, and in the collaring of the forwards, who seemed to depend far too much on the backs . It will be as well for those who remain to attend to this, as in probability there will be greater need of science among them than now.

L . E, STEVENSON (1881-81-82), decidedly the best man in the team, set his followers an excellent example at the three-quarter back, having a very fair amount of pace, and making good use of his weight ; unfortunately not a very good kick.

E . W. CLAYFORTH (1881-82) scarcely sustained the reputation formed of him in 1881, his play being no doubt influenced by his studies ; nevertheless generally was seen to advantage in a loose scrimmage.

W. J. P . KAYE (t' 81-82), as back, played very well, being an excellent kick with both legs ; hardly a success at three-quarters back.

C . J. H . WILLIAmsoN (1881-82) unhappily only played in a few matches ; was very fast ; could kick a long distance, and collar very neatly.

H . G . JoY (1881-82), inclined to be lazy, but can collar well ; useful at a throw-in from touch, owing to his height ; of good service in a packed scrimmage. *H . CuossLEY (1881-82) played back at the commencement of the season, afterwards went forward, where he played a grand game, being always on the ball, and an excellent collarer ; in fact working hard all round *P . E . LORD (1882), very useful three-quarter, though somewhat eclipsed by his two comp anions . Good drop with either leg.

J . CRossLEY (1864), another grand forward, playing finely with his brother, a good dribbler, and general hard worker. *F . E . ROBINSoN (1882), very fair forward, generally on the ball, at times made some good dribbles.

F . R . BRANDT (1882), made a very gcod back, collaring smartly and kicking well with both feet.

C. A . STEAVENSON (1882), hard working forward, shining especially in the pack; also played back with fair success, being a safe collarer. *H. W. RHODES (1682), most unselfish half-back, feeding the three-quarters well, especially making use of the powera of the captain ; very fair kick.

M. D . TAYLoit (1882), smart half-back, being fairly quick ; good place kick.

C . R. LANE (1882), hard working forward, well on the ball, useful in the pack.

C . JOHNSON (1882), excellent forward, a light weight, but serviceable, having moderate speed, can drop some distance.

T. H . EEGLISH, (1882) played in almost every match and showed himself a fine collarer, and generally good forward. * Available for 1883 .

45

BOATING. E are pleased to be able to record in the School Letter the

W

change that has been adopted in the system of boating . We will not enquire into the causes, whatever they were, that brought it about . It is really and truly a gift horse, and the circumstances connected with it may perhaps as well be kept sacred . Though it may not be so purely a voluntary sacrifice to the good of the club on the part of the rowing community as it might appear to be, still, to judge from the activity displayed throughout the school on behalf of the scratch fours, there is no fear that the regular races will suffer any lack of support on account of the temporary abolition of prizes . The captain designate of the boats, C . Johnson, has a fair prospect before him, as the rapid action of the committee has done what was mainly required to give a healthy tone to the rowing . It is no longer in danger of being farmed. We hope to be able in a future number to publish a more detailed account of the prospect of the club.

After it was finally decided that the continuance of bad weather made it advisable to give up the usual boat races, it was determined in compensation to increase the number of days for scratch races from two to three . These were held accordingly on April 12th, 14th, and 17th . The second day was reserved for junior boys . Though the exhibition these made was more amusing than dignified, still it was pleasing to see so many entries for that day.

FIRST DAY, APRIL 12Tu. HEAT A.

C . Marshall (bow) G. C . Murray P . E . Lord C . Johnson G . Wand (cox)

v.

R . Crawshaw (bow) C. B . Clarke J . Noble F. E . Robinson G . Mortimer (cos)

HEAT B.

J . Wilson (bow) E. A . Lane L . E. Stevenson F. R . Brandt Wand (cox)

v.

HEAT C. (Row OVER).

F . A. Bulman (bow) W . Ralph H. Crossley J . Marshall Mortimer (cox)

E . H. Bulman C . Bose M. D . Taylor W. Wilson HEAT D.

Winner of A

beat

Winner of C

HEAT E.

Winner of D

beat

Winner of B

46

BOATING.

In heat A Johnson's boat was the first to show in front, and was never overhauled, winning easily by three-quarters of a length . I-Ieat B was easily won by the superior strength of Brandt's boat, in accordance with general expectation.

Wilson's boat then rowed over.

In the first heat of the second round Johnson's boat was quickest in getting off, and gradually increasing its lead won by half a length from Wilson's boat.

In the final Brandt's crew were matched against Johnson's . A good start was made, the former being the first to show in front . This advantage, however, was counteracted by Lane and Brandt losing their oars in quick succession, thus giving Johnson the lead, which he just managed to keep till the white railing was reached .

SECOND DAY, APRIL PITH. This day was reserved for boys who would not have rowed in the fours had the regular races taken place .

HEAT A. Halliwell (bow) v.

Wade (bow) Hughes Thompson Fausett Kroenig Crosthwaite (str) Glaves (str) HEAT B. Murray ii (bow) v.

Kitchin i (bow) Bloomfield Gofton Neville Martin i Green (str) Haynes (str) HEAT C. Gabb (bow) v.

Ralph i (bow) Rudgard Daniell Sharpe Kitchin ii Williamson (str) Faber (str) HEAT D. Parkinson (bow) v.

Rice (bow) Ralph iii Birks Stevenson iii Adam Ford ii (str) Little (str) HEAT E. Winner of A v.

Winner of B Winner of C

HEAT F. v.

Winner of D

Winner of E

HEAT G. v.

Winner of F

Heat A . Crosthwaite's boat took the lead, but oars were lost and bad time was kept, and accordingly his boat lost the race by three-quarters of a length.

Heat B . Hayness boat went completely to pieces, No . 2 never getting his oar into the water . They were defeated by a length.

Heat C . Faber's boat being a very small crew was beaten easily by Williamson's.

Heat D . Little's crew pulled very well together, thus making up for their lack of strength, and winning as they liked.

Heat E . Between Glave's and Green's, superior strength of the former being left behind.

Beat F . Between Williamson's and Little's. The time of No. 2 in the former boat materially assisted the latter to victory.

Heat G . Little's boat against Green's. A very fine race, only won by a few feet by Little's boat. Stroke and three in the winning boat are to be congratulated on the amount of work done by them.

THIRD DAY, APRIL 17TH. The boats consisted merely of a second draw of those who rowed on the first day. Most of the races were closely connected and very exciting. The winning boat consisted of J. Kroenig (bow), R . Crawshaw (2), II . Crossley (3), P . E. Lord (str).

47

DE PROFUNDIS.

T

IE presente diffusion of knowledge cloth induce in moste men, as

bath belie aforetime, a certaine conceit of letters . "Scribinfus omnes indocti doctique sinful." For as a woode of dry timber is oftentimes thrown on a blaze by the mere constant contrition of the branches in a wind, so doth every dry sticke in writinge, by continual rubbinge of his wits against others his fellows, fever up into an ardour and love of seeing his productions in letter-print. " Ac ne forte putes me, quae facere ipse recuso "Quum recte tractent alii, laudare maligne ."

The perusal of such, even when they be but indifferentwise conceived and worked upon, doth often put me in unfeigned pleasure . And at ' the same time there is great use of such ambition in givinge the spur unto real talent, and fosteringe young literature in the bud . And thereunto Milton did well downcry the suppression of bookes in his u Areopagitica ;" for though any new writer cloth at the first meete with but cold entertainment in the world, he should not therefore let " I dare not" attende upon " I would," " Like the cat in the fable ."

And such humour, if it be stopped or becometh adust, loveth to grow malign and hypercritical of others.

But besides this natural incitemente unto writinges which nought be styled the call of the Muse, there is another which savoureth not of the like sweets ; I mean the call of the Editor, which often cometh tumblinge upon a man when he is not nicely prepared for it, nor fitted with a subject whereon to exercise himselfe . Then his feelings doe run counter to the desire he felt sometime ; and he is faine to tax himself for a suitable topic ; nay, he may not unlikely light upon an unsuitable one an it so happeneth . For it will be in balance with him whether he shall say laconics or burlesque or satyre and criticism, or more serious writinge. But the casting of them he will not find easy .

And in

trying to finde some standing-ground in such a large fielde, he will, belike, match the proverbial blinde man on a grassplot . And the salient point in all essays is "rem ace tanymre ; " therfore it behoveth a man to set an edge upon his acumen when he putteth his hand to composition.

Happy is the man to whom these two calls strike a common chorde, for then he findeth a taske easy to his hand .

NOTES AND ITEMS.

48

In cases such as have bene touched, it greatly helpeth to imitate some well-known author, either in style (which the induction of mannerisms and the like much quickeneth) or in matter . Sister to this also is the use of parody, all which is a sort of false art, though not to be dispraised in toto ; for the cuttinge of boxwood or juniper in a garden into fantastic shapes is a whim and a distortion, but serveth in some sort to please the eye and trim the aspect.

For myselfe, I shall have a "No" for all editors, so as I may indulge my particular and innate love of dabbling in letters to my own private satisfaction.

But now am I put in minde of a certaine cunning of geometric, whereby a wily projectile recovereth and oppresseth a bird, whereas the latter bath thoughten to have escaped by wing ; for after shying publication as above, I now finde myselfe singing a song of placebo to an editor, and that too I fear not with such a sorry grace as might bring heart to benignant loath or a counsel for the plaint at law ; and, like to the bird, I but escape to be overtaken .

C0

(dui s'

excuse s ' accuse ."

H . A . M.

NOTES AND ITEMS. E . A . Douglas played for the Cambridge fifteen in several matches, including that against Oxford.

We have great pleasure in announcing the appointment of the Rev. H. L. Clarke (7th Wrangler), Vicar of Hedon, near Hull, to succeed the Rev . T. Adams.

W . J . P . Kaye has been elected to the First Exhibition on the Hastings Foundation at Queen 's College, Oxford . L . E . Stevenson obtained the £5 for expenses, as proxime accessit on that occasion.

The Editors beg to acknowledge the receipt of the " ° Lorettonian" (3) ; "Alleynian" (2) ; "Ulula ;" " St . Andrew ' s College Magazine," Grahamstown ; " Barrovian ;" " Leodiensian ;" " Reading School Magazine ;" and a The Lily ."