THE
PEMRITL. Vol,. X .
MAY,
1 887 .
No . 67.
SCHOOL LETTER. INCE our last letter another term has seen its close, and another sport its season past . Boating, which is now a thing of the past, was the all-absorbing and the all-engrossing pastime within and without the house . Taking the races as a whole, we may congratulate ourselves that they have gone off in a decidedly satisfactory way, and certainly no one can deny that we have been highly favoured in point of weather, a most important requisite for the enjoyment of sports of every description . Looking at the Senior Fours races, Mr . Gilbert's House boat, though defeated by the School House, yet undoubtedly deserves a word of commendation for the capital race which it—though by far the weaker boat—managed to make of it . The victors then had to face the Day Boys' boat, and in their turn had to own defeat, although, in our opinion, and as we heard it expressed by others, they were the better boat, and would probably have won the race had the course been a hundred yards longer . In the remaining Senior Fours races between the Sixth, Civil, and School, the Civil carried off the cups after two victories over the School and the Sixth . In passing, we should like to suggest that the School boat another year go in for a little more practice, as judging from their most creditable performance for the first time together in the race, they might easily have turned the scales and come out conquerors instead of conquered, had they been out together before they met their opponents . With regard to the Senior Pairs, all who had looked forward to witnessing an exciting and even race between J . G . Wilson (stroke), R . Crosthwaite (bow) v . J . E. Gofton (stroke), H . W . Allan (bow), were sadly disappointed in their hopes, as Wilson's boat from the first took the lead, and steadily increasing it, assisted by a mistake on the part of Gofton's cox, won, after a wretchedly hollow race, by about ten lengths . The School
S
166
THE SCHOOL BOAT RACES.
House deserve a word of congratulation on the capital Junior Four they turned out . Mention too should be made of the crew that represented the School against the Old Boys, and whose victory over them closed a most successful boating season. Just a word with regard to the Debating Society . During this session the meetings have been well-attended and most lively ; there being, this year, a much larger number of speakers, and even on some occasions too large a number for the limited time of the debate . There seems a good prospect of the success of the society in the future,. judging from the readiness of all present to join in the work of giving spirit and life to the discussions held, by themselves taking part in them . We must not omit to thank our President, Mr . Routh, and Vice-President, J . H . G . Wilson, for the able manner in which they have performed their duties, and for the support they have given to the society, to which is due in a large measure its present prosperity.
THE SCHOOL BOAT RACES. HE Races began on Thursday, March 24th, and the last race was rowed on Wednesday, April 6th . For the first few days the boat that won the toss for choice of stations was put at an enormous advantage, but later on the course was tolerably fair . The weather was
T
on the whole very favourable and some excellent races were witnessed. SENIOR PAIRS—IST ROUND. H . W . Allan J . E. Gofton (stroke) H . Whitby (cox )
beat
E . Procter L Hutchings (stroke) C . Lane (cox .)
W. Bennett W. Procter (stroke) C . Lane (cox.)
beat
O . W. Whaley H . C . Jackson (stroke) A . Laybourne (cox .)
R. Crosthwaite J. G . Wilson (stroke)
a bye.
The first race was pretty even to the corner, where Gofton ' s boat was leading by about three-quarters of a length . After this, he began to draw away and as Hutchings relaxed his efforts, he won as he liked by 5 lengths. The second heat was very exciting, at the corner Procter was a little more than half a length ahead and, thanks to some skilful steering,
THE SCHOOL BOAT RACES .
167
managed to take his opponent's water, though he certainly ought to have been fouled in doing so . Jackson pulled very pluckily but was beaten by about a quarter of a length. SEMI-FINAL. R. Crosthwaite J . G . Wilson (stroke) C . Lane (cox .)
beat
W. Bennett. W . Procter (stroke) A . Hudson (cox .)
Wilson led all the way and won anyhow by 4 lengths. FINAL. beat
R . Crosthwaite J . G . Wilson (stroke) C . Lane (cox .)
H . W . Allan J . E . Gofton (stroke) R . Moss (cox .)
A very poor race . At the Scarbro' Bridge Gofton was so far astern that he gave up the pursuit, leaving his opponents to paddle in at their leisure. SENIOR SCULLS—IsT ROUND. F . Mitchell H . C . Jackson W . Bennett (a bye).
beat beat
H . Metcalfe. L . Hutchings.
Down to the Scarbro' Bridge the struggle between Mitchell and Metcalfe was a grand one . Here Metcalfe, who was at the near side, in attempting to take his adversary ' s water was unfortunate enough to crack a scull against the bridge which of course deprived him of all further prospect of success . In spite of this, however, he pulled pluckily on, but failed to recover all he had lost and was defeated by 22 lengths. In the second heat Jackson got well off at the start, gained steadily all the way down and won by about 4 lengths. SECOND ROUND. F . Mitchell H . Jackson (a bye).
beat
W. Bennett.
This could hardly be described as a race, Mitchell led from the very first and paddled in, the easiest of winners, by about 5 lengths. FINAL. F . Mitchell
beat
H . C . Jackson.
This was an excellent race till Jackson was unfortunate enough to lose a scull . This gave Mitchell an advantage of about 2 lengths, which Jackson in vain attempted to recover, and was therefore defeated by that amount . The winner displayed very promising form .
THE SCHOOL BOAT
168
RACES.
JUNIOR PAIRS. There were only two pairs entered for this event. A . Hudson F. Mitchell beat R . Bird S . O . Bingham (stroke) C . Lane (cox .) H . Whitby (cox.) Bingham led all the way, and won easily by 41 lengths.
JUNIOR SCULLS—FIRST R . Bird
beat
ROUND.
S . O . Bingham.
This race needs very little describing. The only point of interest was the number of times that Bingham contrived to get his oars into a muddle . As a consequence, Bird, though possessed of considerably less pace, rowed steadily away and won easily by 3 lengths. FINAL. R . Bird. F . Mitchell beat An easy win for Mitchell, who led all the way and won by about 4 lengths .
SCHOOL FOURS. The School Fours produced two splendid races . The form displayed by the School was excellent, and they rowed the Civil an uncomfortably close race . In the final the Civil, contrary to general expectation, succeeded in turning the tables on their old rivals the Sixth, who had till then won the School Fours for several years. FIRST ROUND. CIVIL . H. C . Jackson L . IIutchings
beat
SCHOOL.
G. Metcalfe W. Procter. N . Ilood E . Procter A. Rouse (stroke) J . E. Gofton (stroke) A. Hudson (cox .) H . Whitby (oox .) Contrary to all expectation, this produced a very exciting race . At the corner the School were leading, but here the Civil began to gain, and after a desperate struggle succeeded in winning by a short length. The display which the School made was highly creditable to them, especially when it is remembered that they had never rowed together. before. H.
THE SCHOOL BOAT RACES .
r69
FINAL. CIVIL H. Jackson L . Hutchings E. Procter A . Rouse (stroke) A . Hudson (cox .)
beat
SIXTH. R . Crosthwaite H . Allan T. P. Clarke J . G . Wilson (stroke) J . Leaf (cox .)
Down to the corner the Sixth led by about 2 a length . Here the Civil began to creep up and the boats were exactly even when they emerged from the Scarbro ' bridge . A splendid race ensued, the Civil winning by about three-quarters of a length. SENIOR HOUSE FOURS. The Senior Fours were much more exciting than was anticipated. The display of the Rev . C . R . Gilbert's House was most creditable, as they were considerably lighter and weaker than their opponents and had, moreover, the worst of the luck . In the final there was scarcely anything to choose between the crews, and the Day boys are to be congratulated on their fourth successive victory. SCHOOL HOUSE beat REV. C . R . GILBERT' S HOUSE. O . W . Whaley H . C. Jackson W. Bennett A . Rouse (stroke) A . Hudson (cox.)
N . Hood R. Crosthwaite H . \V . Allan J . E . Gofton (stroke) H . Whitby (cox .)
The School House got off well at the start, and were soon clear of their opponents . Rouse, however, rowed in fine style, and by the corner had got his boat even. Here the School House, assisted greatly by a strong current, began to draw away and when the boats emerged from the Scarbro ' bridge they were about two lengths ahead . Rouse pulled most pluckily but could not gain all he had lost, and was eventually beaten by about a length . The losers are to be congratulated on the stubborn fight which they made against such powerful opponents . FINAL. DAY BOYS F . Procter L. Iutchings T. 1' . Clarke J. G . Wilson (stroke) C . Lane (cox .)
beat
SCHOOL HOUSE. N. Hood R . Crosthwaite H . W . Allan J . E . Gofton (stroke) H . Whitby (cox .)
The Day Boys got off well at the start and were soon a length ahead. This advantage they almost doubled by the Scarbro' bridge . Here
THE SCHOOL BOAT RACES.
I70
the School House began to gain and a desperate race ensued, the Day Boys just struggling in winners by 4 of a length. JUNIOR HOUSE FOURS .—IST SCHOOL HousE F. Mitchell G. V. Birks A . C . Clarke H. Metcalfe (stroke) Ii . Whitby (cox .)
ROUND.
DAY Boys. G . Lane D . Carter R . Place W . Procter (stoke) C . Lane (cox .)
beat
As usual the toss for choice of stations went a long way towards deciding the race . The boats were pretty even to the corner, but here the School House began to feel the current, and though the Day Boys rowed gamely to the end, their opponents gradually drew away and defeated them by a good three lengths. FINAL. SCHOOL HOUSE F. Mitchell G. V. Birks A . C. Clarke II . Metcalfe (stroke) II. Whitby (cox .)
beat
REV. C . R . GILBERT S HOUSE. F. McClellan C . Al . Whaley Al . Napier G . Chilman (stroke) A . Hudson (cox .)
At the corner the School House were leading by about a length. Here they began to draw away, and although Chilman pulled very pluckily his efforts were unavailing, and he was defeated by about z
2
lengths .
THIRD HOUSE BOATS. The Third Boats produced a good struggle between the School House and Day Boys . The Rev . C . R . Gilbert's House displayed good form, but were lacking in strength, and were, moreover, unfortunate in losing the toss . IST ROUND. DAY BOYS G . R . Cook A. B. Grindrod P . Alawson R . Bird (stroke) C . Lane (cox .)
beat
REV. C . R . GILBERT ' S HOUSE. C . Douglas J . Easten F. McClellan A . Hudson (stroke) A . Laybourne (cox .)
The Rev. C . R . Gilbert's House had much the lighter crew, and though Hudson pulled a very plucky stroke, their more powerful opponents, aided to some extent by the current, gradually drew away, and won by 3 1- lengths .
y
THE SCHOOL BOAT RACES .
171
FINAL. DAY Boys G . R . Cook A. B. Grindrod P. Mawson R . Bird (stroke) C . Lane (cox .)
beat
School. HousE. S . O . Bingham K . Wilkinson F . Chadwick J. Leaf (stroke) H . Whitby (cox .)
A very hard race . Close to the Scarbro ' Bridge the Day Boys were leading by about half a length, when Whitby somewhat injudiciously fouled them . The race was, however, rowed through, and the Day Boys won by I2 lengths. SCHOOL BOAT v . OLD BOYS' BOAT. R. Crosthwaite (bow) II . W . Allan J . H . G . Wilson A. Rouse (stroke) C . Lane (cox.)
beat
C . Cobb (bow) R . Crawshaw W . G. Wilson II . W . Rhodes (stroke) H . Whitby (cox .)
A most splendid race from the beginning to the finish . The School lost the toss . At the White Railing they were a quarter of a length to the good, and putting on a fine spurt were able so to increase their lead as to take the Old Boys ' water at the Bridge . The Old Boys, in spite of great efforts, were unable to bump the School Boat, but at the coaldrop began to gain ground, eventually, however, being beaten by a quarter of a length. This satisfactory result of the race must be in a large measure attributed to the excellent stroke set by Rouse, who has, throughout the season, shewn his great capability for stroking a boat, though we must not forget that, had he not been so well backed up as he was, the result must have been different . Inferior training told against the losers, who were unable at the critical moment to avail themselves of the opportunity of fouling their opponents. The Scratch Races were pulled on Saturday and Tuesday . On the first day there were nine boats, and some very exciting races were witnessed . The final was won by J . Wilson's boat, with Napier, Bird, and E . Procter, who defeated Bennett, T. P. Clarke, Birks, and 0 . W. Whaley, by a few feet. On Tuesday a fair number of Old Boys took part in the races . The feature of the afternoon was the stubborn fight between Williamson 's boat and W . G . Wilson' s who fouled twice and rowed one dead heat
172
CAMBRIDGE LETTER.
before a decision was arrived at, \V . G. Wilson winning by half-a-length . In the final, J . G . Wilson, with Napier, G. Lane, and Chadwick, easily defeated Jackson, Bennett, C . Cobb, and Hutchings.
CAMBRIDGE LETTER. HE beginning of a term is not generally prolific of news for a Cambridge letter, and prophecies about coming events are unsatisfactory. But the Boat Race and the Sports have both taken place since your last letter was written, and they claim some attention . In the latter we were more successful than was expected, notwithstanding the absence of our President, who would have had a keen struggle with Cross in the Mile . The weather was cold, wet, and cheerless, which accounted for the small attendance of ladies, and for the poor times . The Mile was the only distinctly good performance, but considering the strong wind and rain with which he had to contend,. Le Fleming's time in the Hurdles was good . Altogether we shall have pleasant memories of the last Inter-'Varsity meeting at Lillie Bridge (for in future the Sports will take place at the new path of the Queen's Club, Kensington). March 26th was a striking contrast to the 25th in point of weather,. although the wind was perhaps too strong . Considering the difficulties. he had to contend with in forming his crew, Bristowe must look back with pleasure and pride on the successful end of his Presidency . A week or so before the race he was not rowing at all with the rest of the boat, but after his blade had been shaved down, he rapidly improved, and most probably our success is mainly due to that, as he had formerly toe, much work to do . It was most unfortunate (and unsatisfactory to both crews) that McClean broke his oar, although the race was virtually over then . The younger Barclay seemed most fatigued after the race, which is not surprising, considering his youth and the fact that he had lost ten pounds in training. Harvard University sent over a deputation to challenge the winners, and we understand it has been provisionally accepted . The time suggested for the race is September, and as Bristowe will most probably not row, C . T . Barclay is expected to stroke . Hutchinson, of Jesus, an old Blue, is mentioned as a possible member of the crew . Oxford rowed Harvard over the Putney course some years ago . There was a tremendous attendance, and the former won .
T
173
CAMBRIDGE LETTER .
As regards the May races, Trinity Hall should stay head, although Jesus may press them . The Second Division will, for the first time, row on slides . St . Peters will be represented in it by Fausset, who is rowing bow of Corpus, and by Crawshaw, who will most probably stroke Pembroke II. Our cricket prospects are not bright, but we see no reason why quite an average XI should not be got together . The four old Blues who are available will make a strong backbone . Among the Seniors, Sutthery (who actually got his colours last year, but was asked to stand out at the last minute) is the most likely man . The Freshmen are decidedly promising, including as they do, Hale, the Glo'ster bowler, E . Crawley, Mordaunt, and Ford, last year's Repton Captain . The Inter- ' Varsity match is fixed for July 4th, 5th, and 6th . Of the O . P ' s up here, P . E, Lord is Secretary of Clare C . C ., and F. E . Robinson is playing for Corpus, whilst C . B . Clarke represents the latter College at tennis. The end of the term promises to be especially pleasant . Besides the usual number of concerts, dances, etc ., a Special Jubilee Festival will be held in King 's College Chapel on Monday, June aoth, when Mendelssohn ' s " Lobgesce," and Dr . Mann's " Te Deum, " will be performed by a strong chorus and orchestra . Tickets for the Chapel will be 5/- and for the Ante-Chapel 2/6 . R . T . E. Fausset and F. E. Robinson are members of the chorus . Several old members of St. Peter's Choir have been prominent in the musical world here . P . E. Lord played some accompaniments at his College " Pop," and sang at Chesterton . R . T . E . Fausset and F . E . Robinson have been reelected on the Committee of the Corpus Musical Society, and sang solos at their " Pops" in the Guildhall and at Chesterton, whilst R. Crawshaw sings occasionally at the Pembroke Smokers . Another O . P ., more distinguished in literary than athletic circles, is, I believe, on the high road to getting his " blue " for a game called " Golf ." He is understood to have beaten some one (.x), who beat some one else (x') etc ., who eventually got his " blue, " so that our O .P ' s chance is probably represented by (x .) when n is indefinite . The only dark clouds in the immediate future are exams . Two O . P's are in for their finals—may they survive them. Lastly, we must express our pleasure at having a visit from our old Headmaster and his wife, to whom we wish all happiness and success. A. B.
1 74
DURHAM LETTER. Durham letter ! Why, what is there about Durham that the Rierite should employ its " valuable columns " to insert a letter from anyone in Durham ? So I imagine I hear some scoffer say as he glances at the heading to this letter, the first one from Durham, I believe, that has appeared in the I'eferife. Well, I beg to inform this scoffer, and all other scoffers, of a fact of which he and they are probably ignorant, namely, that there is actually at Durham a University, not a very large one I admit, and not a very old one, but still a University . And although the University is as a matter of fact only a little more than fifty years old, yet the idea of founding a University for the North was conceived a great many years ago, and by no less a person than bluff King Hal himself. His scheme for some reason or other was never carried out, but at the present day the 'Varsity holds certain revenues with which it was endowed by that ancient lover of domestic harmony. And we have had some notables at Durham, a bishop here and there, and above all the author of Verdant Green, the immortal Cuthbert Bede, the room can be seen in the Castle in which he is said to have written that splendid masterpiece of English literature. There is now at Durham a small colony of old Peterites, but a colony which I hope will grow and increase . I cannot say that the members of this colony have done anything very conspicuous in the athletic line, or have in any other way brought much honour to the ' Varsity, but we hope for better things in the future . The old school, however, supplied the Rugby football XV in Metcalfe with as plucky a half-back as one could ever wish to see. The 'Varsity football (Rugby) season cannot be said to have been a very creditable one, notwithstanding the presence of some notable players in our ranks . Gill, who is an international reserve threequarter, seemed to lose all his dash and vigour when he played for us . The Association XI was certainly better, and the newspaper critics opined that with a little more combination we should have been a match for the best in the North. To turn to cricket—our prospects are fair ; we can hardly expect to do so well as last year when we had an exceptionally strong eleven. There are eight places to fill, and some good men to fill them .
A
THE COMING CRICKET SEASON .
1 75
The eleven pays a visit to York to try conclusions with the Yorkshire Gentlemen about the middle of May for the first time. At a time when the hideous sound of " Jubilee " is ringing in our ears, when the very sight of the word makes us shudder, when everything from a Church Institute to a bootlace is dubbed C0 Jubilee, " the question may very naturally be asked, what is Durham going to do to celebrate this glorious jubilee . In this respect Durham will be conspicuous, the authorities have decided on nothing and will do nothing . The undergraduate members of the ' Varsity, however, have not been so backward, and many have been their proposals, most of them were, I fear, prompted not so much by the desire to do honour to her Majesty as to benefit themselves . One of these proposals, viz. :—that none of the men in for their finals this June should be ploughed, I commend to the notice of the Head Master of St . Peter's, who is one of the appointed examiners. The authorities of University College have just had erected at the bottom of the Castle Hall, which it may be interesting to know is the finest in England, a massive oak screen at a cost of about three hundred pounds, at the top of the screen is a gallery in which, so says report, the undergraduates will take their stand at . Convocation : if this be true next Convocation will be an interesting and edifying spectacle. N .B .—The Durham tradesmen have already received orders for a large stock of musical instruments of a noisy order. The Regatta this year is to be on a larger scale than usual, that is to say, there will probably be a larger display of tipsiness and fireworks, noise and uproar, etc ., than usual . The 'Varsity is said to be going to carry off the Grand Challenge, the Wharton Cup, the Herschell plate, etc ., etc . The same was said last year, the year before that, and the year before that, and only a small part of the programme was carried into execution, but while we row, we hope . BEDE.
THE COMING CRICKET SEASON. VEN the most sanguine amongst us must confess that there is but little of an encouraging nature to be culled from a consideration of the prospects of the coming season . With only four of last year's
E
* Since writing the above we have learnt that will doubtless prove of great service to us.
E.
Procter is staying, and his batting
I76
THE COMING CRICKET SEASON.
eleven left, and they, every one of them, new men last year ; and, moreover, with several of the mainstays of the second eleven departed, the outlook seems, at first sight at least, most depressing . But even the darkest cloud has a silver lining, and the truth of this proverb, in this case will be evident if we examine a little closer . Though there are only four who got colours last year, there are several others who, on one or more occasions, represented the School, and who will, no, doubt, have so far improved by this year as to obtain the coveted honour. On the whole then the batting ought to be tolerably good, especially as we shall have the inestimable advantage, at least for some part of the season, of Bosomworth's admirable coaching . With W . Procter, Jackson, and Allan, not to speak of Mitchell, Metcalfe, Gofton and Carter, we ought, if all improve as it is reasonable to expect that they will, to offer a stubborn resistance to the efforts of the opposing bowlers to eject us, and it is not too much to expect that, when we are lucky, we shall succeed in hitting up some very respectable totals. So much for the batting . With regard to bowling, however, our prospects are hardly so lively . Of the regular bowlers of last year, only Whaley survives, and Scarborough, McClellan, and Waud will, we fear, be difficult to replace . Jackson, however, displayed some talent in that direction last year, as did also Mitchell . Of the second eleven regular bowlers only Gofton remains ; on the whole, therefore, we do not at present seem to be very well off in that branch . However, Forti nilril difjzcile, and if they will only try and persevere, many will no doubt discover that they are bowlers, who had previously no idea that they possessed any talent in that direction . Here, again, Bosomworth will, no doubt, set any who do show any signs in the right way to attain to perfection. Fielding is, of course, a thing that can be learnt only by practice, but we would strongly urge all who are ambitious to excel in cricket to do. their utmost to perfect themselves in this most important department. Without good fielding, the very best batting and bowling is comparatively useless, while on the other hand good fielding has over and over again snatched victory out of the jaws of defeat. The match list promises to be even more attractive than usual, though, of course, it is not quite completed yet ; it comprises home and home matches with Durham, Ripon, and Leeds Grammar Schools, and with Londesborough Park . Besides these there will, we hope, be the
I77
OXFORD LETTER .
usual fixtures with the Yorkshire Gentlemen, York, and other local clubs, the Old Boys' matches, and the various " Scratch " Elevens with whom the School generally competes . On the whole, Allan is to be congratulated on the zeal and energy with which he has so far discharged the somewhat onerous duties of Secretary. In conclusion, we wish the School every success, and may her opponents have many a long afternoon's fielding during the coming cricket season .
FIRST ELEVEN MATCHES. DATE .
May 26th . June 2nd . June 4th . June 7th. June Ilth . June 16th. June 18th . June 23rd . June 25th . June 28th . June 29th . June 3oth . July 2nd . July 7th . July 9th .
MATCn .
North Riding Asylum St. John' s College . . Ripon School Londesbro' Park Durham School Clifton .. Ripon School York . . Durham School Yorkshire Gentlemen Old Boys .. North Riding Asylum Leeds Grammar School York . . .. Londesbro' Park
GROUND.
North Riding Asylum Ground. School Ground. School Ground. School Ground. School Ground. School Ground. Ripon Ground. York Ground. Durham. Yorkshire Gentlemen's Ground. School Ground. North Riding Asylum Ground. School Ground. School Ground. Londesbro ' Park Ground .
OXFORD LETTER. HERE is, naturally, not much news to be collected at the beginning of a term . Our defeats in the Sports and the Boat Race are now things of the past, and had better, perhaps, be passed over in silence The result of the Boat Race, however, cannot be said to have been satisfactory to either side. Whether the accident which happened to our boat altered the result of the race no one can tell, but it cannot be denied that when the accident occurred, the Oxford crew looked very like repeating the exciting finish of last year, when Pitman, by a magnificent rush, turned what appeared to be a certain victory for Oxford
T
178
DEBATING SOCIETY.
into a victory for Cambridge . It must be remembered, too, that everything was in our favour, except the shortness of the distance to be traversed . A lead of three lengths had just been reduced to one, and tide and corner were in favour of the Oxford crew, who were rowing in much better form than their opponents . Still, I do not wish to detract from the merit of the winners, nor do I wish to imply the result would have been altered had the accident not occurred, but, at any rate, what would have been a most exciting finish, was quite ruined by it. In the Sports, too, we had bad luck . Le Maitre was running with a strained leg, and Croome, for whom the hurdle race was looked on as a certainty, was only just recovering from an illness . Here, however, our rivals were equally unlucky, as their President, Waters, who had done some wonderful times at Cambridge, was not well enough to run ; still, he could hardly have beaten Cross in the mile, and his hard work in that race would probably have left him too tired to win the three miles race. However, we were beaten without his aid, and have to rest content, f )r the present, with Noble 's unexpected victory in the single racquets . Our cricket prospects are good . We have most of our last year's XI available, and plenty of talent to choose from . Bowling will be our weak point, as, though Whitby and Buckland may be up, it is by no means certain that they will be . Let us hope that the Seniors ' and Freshmen's match will bring forth some bowlers . The Eights begin on the 19th . The best crews at present are New, who have the two Macleans, Brasenose and Magdalen. Oxford has to own the loss of another of its heads . Dr . Lightfoot, for 33 years Rector of Exeter College, died on March 23rd, after a long illness . He is succeeded by the Rev . W. Jackson . Trinity has also got a new President in Mr . Woods, formerly Bursar of the College. During the Eights week, the Theatre is to be graced by a performance of the " Alcestis, " by the Oxford University Dramatic Club . The class list for Honour Classical Moderations was issued about a fortnight ago . St . Peters was represented by A . Wade, H . W . Rhodes, and W. G. Wilson . The first two placed in the second class, and the last-named in the third.
DEBATING SOCIETY. On March 19th, C . M . Whaley proposed That a miser is a greater enemy to Society than a spendthrift ." He argued that whereas a miser
179
DEBATING SOCIETY .
makes both himself and everyone else about him miserable, and moreover, keeps capital stored up which might be disbursed for the good of the community, a spendthrift by his very nature contributes a great deal to the happiness of everyone, especially in the way of supporting various charities . J . Leaf, who opposed, thought that misers were seldom family men and that they often bequeathed their savings to charitable objects . O . W . Whaley in seconding said that of the two evils he considered the spendthrift the less . The opposition was supported by the Rev. C . R . Gilbert who compared the qualities which made men misers and spendthrifts greatly in favour of the former, and by the Rev. W. Routh who treated the matter from an economic point of view. The following took part in the debate FOR.
NEUTRAL .
C . M . Whaley (2) . 0 . W. Whaley (2) .
T . Hopkins.
AGAINST. J . F . Leaf. Rev. C . R. Gilbert (2). Rev . W . Routh. J . G . Wilson (2). M . Carroll.
On division the numbers were-For Against
5 14
The debate, though rather one sided, was fairly interesting and certainly called forth some rather novel ideas from one or two of the speakers . At this meeting \V . Carter, E . W. Clarke, and S . Bird were elected members of the Society.
On Saturday, March 26th, the Rev . W . Routh moved "That the stage can possibly be made to have a salutary effect ." He reviewed the principal objections to the stage, and urged that if the more respectable part of the community would only take the matter up they might convert the stage into a powerful instrument of popular education . He also quoted instances from personal experience to show that the stage had not a bad effect . O . W . Whaley, in opposing, said that under certain conditions the stage might have a good effect, but he thought that those conditions did not and could not be made to exist. The managers of theatres were bound to put on the stage plays that attracted the public, and these were not generally of a very excellent character. N. Hood, in seconding, urged that in all plays good
BOATING ACCOUNTS — CORRESPONDENCE.
Igo
triumphed over bad . The opposition was supported by J . G. Wilson, who condemned the motion in unmeasured terms, and said that the stage appealed to the lowest side of human nature, and was the most malignant of all the devices of the great enemy of mankind . The speakers were FOR .
AGAINST.
Rev. W . Routh. N. Hood . R. Carroll.
O. W . Whaley. J . G . Wilson.
On division the numbers were For Against
14 7
The debate was not so well attended as usual, probably owing to the boat races, and consequently there was rather a dearth of speakers.
BOATING ACCOUNTS, 1887. RECEIPTS.
EXPENDITURE. s.
Day Boys' Subscriptions . . School House do .
d.
s. d.
10
8
o
Hill
s
5
0
Boathouse Repairs
Rev . C . R . Gilbert's House
Prizes
2 17 6 17 6
..
15 1 9 0 17
Subscriptions . .
5
2
0
Second Prizes
C. Johnson, Esq . . .
2
W . F. Rawdon
2
o o
o o
Holtby .. . . Porterage and Carriage
0
7
0
Scratch Fours
..
Loan from Football Club . .
. .
Postage, Orders, etc. 28
2
0
.. ..
6 0
9 6
00 60
o to 0 0 28
3
9
2 0
J . G. WILSON, Treasurer.
CORRESPONDENCE. To THE EDITORS
OF THE
" PETERITE ."
SIRs,—Why has such a revolution taken place within the last few years with regard to boating colours at the School ? That some reform. was desirable all will admit, but it seems to me that the steps taken
CORRESPONDENCE .
181
have been in the wrong direction . It would, I think, be a great improvement if the two boarding-houses and the day boys had one colour each, common to all their boats, the rank of the boat being denoted by a certain badge belonging to that rank, and that rank alone . A feasible plan, and one which has, I believe, been followed till very lately, is the following :—The regatta boat may wear white cross-keys on a chocolate shield ; senior boats, cross-keys on a shield of any other colour ; junior boats cross-keys without a shield (or a shield with some other device) ; and third boats, cross-oars or something of that kind, of course with no shield . Even this seems somewhat of an indulgence, for it allows to Junior House Boats what Second School (much less House) elevens and fifteens are not allowed . But contrast this with the existing state of things. Every boat in the School sports a different colour ; only one of the three Senior Boats has retained the shield, while Third Boats have been allowed cross-keys, the result being that, as far as colours go, a Third Boat man is on an equality with a Senior. Surely such a chaos ought not to be allowed to exist. Yours truly, SYMMETRY.
To
THE EDITORS OF THE " PETERITE. "
SIR,—I see that there has been some correspondence in the Peterite in regard to the School colours . Will you allow a little space in your pages to one whose memory unfortunately goes back to a time when the School had no distinctive colours, and when, indeed, such things were scarcely known outside the Universities and Public Schools ! Having taken part in the discussion that preceded their adoption, and also in some ten or more " Old and Present " matches, my recollections on the subject may, perhaps, have some interest to the present generation which, no doubt, looks on mine as belonging to a very dim and distant past . In 1855, white flannel trowsers were the only distinctive badge of the eleven . Few, or no other boys used them, even for football, whilst rowing only became fashionable, and that in the old boats, about 1859 or 186o . In the eleven there was a tendency to white flannel shirts, but other colours were used at the pleasure of the player. It would be about 1859 that the question of distinctive colours for the eleven came up, when, as so little was known on the subject,
182
CORRESPONDENCE.
and there being next to no choice, as now, of suitably coloured flannels, it became a matter of election between light and dark blue, and, the sympathy of the majority being with Cambridge, the lighter colour was chosen, the idea of any impropriety in the choice never occurring to any one. At first, light blue shirt and cap, and trowsers with one stripe of same colour were worn, and these continued to be the recognised uniform as long as I can remember. There was no boating or football uniform at the time I speak of, but in regard to boating there was a natural tendency towards white, and I am inclined to think there was the same tendency in the cricket . There may have been a cricket uniform before 1855, but I cannot remember hearing of it. PRJETERITUS.
To
THE EDITOR OF THE " PETERITE . "
an Old Boy, I was surprised and grieved at the announcement in your last issue, that it had been decided to change the colours of the cricket XI, simply to bring them into harmony with the XV colours . I should like to know, and I am sure most Old Boys will feel with me, on what authority the change has been made . It surely cannot be that the remnant of last year 's XI—five in number, I believe—have taken the responsibility of such a step on their own shoulders, or that the powerful arguments of " Cricketer," in your January issue, " who has done his best to find out all about them," apparently in the unfathomable depths of his own inner consciousness, " but can't quite see why blue and white should belong to the XI," etc ., can have influenced them in such a choice . However the difference of colour may have arisen, there can be no doubt that the XV have played in chocolate and white, and the XI in blue and white, within the memory of living Peterites, and the colours are widely known, and I hope meet with the respect they deserve . Hoping to see the XI once more in the old blue and white, and with best wishes for a prosperous season .—I remain, TORY . SIR,--As
18 3
NOTES AND ITEMS.
L. HUTCHINGS was bracketed troxime accessit in the open Mathematical
Scholarship at Clare. T . P. CLARKE and G. BARDSLEY, O .P ., have been elected to the two
open Elland Scholarships. T . P . CLARKE has been elected to a Sub-Sizarship at Trinity College, Cambridge. R. D . C . RosE, O .P ., has passed the 1st Professional at Edinburgh University. E . PROCTER has passed, with distinction, the Preliminary Examination at Edinburgh University. J . E . GOFTON and H . W. ALLAN have been elected Captain and Secretary respectively for next Football Season. H . W . RHODES, Worcester, and A . WADE, All Souls', Oxford, have passed 2nd Class, and W . G . Wilson, Worcester, 3rd Class in the Classical Moderations School. H . W . RHODES and W . G . WILSON played in the later matches of the season for York 1st F. C ., in the respective capacities of -1. and .1-, greatly distinguishing themselves, and winning for themselves the admiration of the York populace. The Old Boys match will, as usual, be played on June 29th . O .P's. wishing to take part are requested to apply to H . W . ALLAN. THE EDITORS beg to acknowledge the receipt of the following contemporaries—" Lorrettonian " (I) ; " Ulula " ; " Penn Charter Magazine " (2) .