Dec 1888

THE

P[T[RITE. Vol. . IX .

DECEMBER . 1888 .

No . 78.

OXFORD LETTER. IR,—Your Editorial dignity will be gratified to hear of the immense influence your Magazine exerts over Oxford feeling . Thanks mainly to the strictures of your correspondent last year, the Dons have at last recognised the selfishness of bringing men up to Oxford in the depth of winter, and have, accordingly added two weeks to the Xmas vacation.

So far, the term has been uneventful . The Fifth of November went out in a feeble burst of squibs and crackers, and only here and there was there any revival of the good old times . Freshmen are blase and Dons leary, though in one college, at any rate, the latter were distinctly scored off. The edict had gone forth against oil and faggots, and they were banished wholesale from the various rooms . A plentiful supply of oil was smuggled, sub rasa, through the college gates, and faggots were not wanting, thanks to the friendly connivance of a wily scout, who left college with the enigmatical remark : " There are no faggots, but don't look under Mr . So-and-So' s bed . " Consequently, at midnight, there was a lurid glare in the old quad of , and certain household vessels which shall be nameless shot forth a merry flame from every corner and cranny of . the college, filled full with oil and primed with faggots ; and desecration of desecrations, the sound of the football was heard on the sacred grass . A brass band, consisting chiefly of tins and pokers, headed by a silver cornet, with here and there the scraping of an asthmatic banjo, completed the scene . To turn to more serious matters . The Rugby Football team have sadly disappointed their detractors, and have not lost one of their important matches this term . Christopherson is the mainstay of the team behind, but, undoubtedly, the forwards have been responsible for most of the victories . They are a fast, powerful lot on the whole, and, though they have much to learn in packing and wheeling, their tackling is undeniably good, and bids fair to reverse last year's verdict at Kensington .

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Peterites will be glad to see that J . H . G . Wilson has played consistently well through the season for the ' Varsity, and many think that Rhodes should have taken Sayer's place at three-quarters . It is very hard lines to be on the borders of the team for two years, and yet not get in.

It should be mentioned that he represented the ' Varsity at Cheltenham, and has been the mainstay of his College XV. It is hardly likely that W . G. Wilson will be able to play against Cambridge . He has been elected on the Committee of the O .U .R .F.C ., a position held by Stevenson at Cambridge . We are glad to welcome another old Peterite in Gofton, who won " the Quarter" in the Freshmen's Sports in good " trim," and was second in the Long Jump . Of other O .F .'s, H . Cobb has been playing for Hertford in the Association Cup Ties ; and Wade has deserted the All Souls ' Football Team, and played regularly with the Hertford XV. His withdrawal has been attributed to a quarrel with the Senior Fellow as to who should answer a challenge addressed to the captain of the All Souls' R .U .F .C. S . NAKE.

CAMBRIDGE LETTER. O sooner do we return to Cam's sluggish stream and Cambridge, the town where there is much to be done but little time to do it in, than we are ferreted out by that most ravenous and omnivorous of all human creatures—the Peterite Editor . Seek we our rooms with mind intent on work, the Editor finds us out ; make we our way to the river or the footer-field, our steps are dogged and the Peterite's needs made known ; our couch, perchance, in weariness is sought—no rest for us till the hungry Editor has had his fill.

They say "Well begun is half done . " If so it be, perhaps it is well for us to go ahead and get our business done.

Cambridge just now is very busy . On the footer-field the ' Varsity Rugby team have been doing exceptionally well . They have as yet succumbed to none save Bradford, and in that match—believe your correspondent ' s impartial judgment—they had extremely hard lines in having their first goal disallowed and in making two other very near shots, one being from a free kick close to touch-line . L . E . Stevenson, the old Blue, being in residence this term, is playing for the 'Varsity in their outside matches, but will not, we understand, be allowed to play

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in the inter-'Varsity match . In the Freshers ' match we were pleased to see St . Peter ' s so well represented . Of the O .P . ' s up—a myriad host ----we see that many are doing service in footer for their respective colleges—Trinity, Caius, Pembroke, Corpus, Emmanuel, and Cavendish all making use of the sons of York . On the soccer-field, A . M . Daniel is playing half-back for the 'Varsity, who, though considerably weakened by the loss of Lindley, are, nevertheless, a very strong team, and have not as yet lost a single encounter.

On the river, the coxwainless fours have been occupying attention for some time. The racing was remarkable this year for the number of records established. In the first race, between Emmanuel and Third Trinity, both crews established a record ; and in the final, between Third Trinity and Trinity Hall, the course was covered by the winners nearly 30 secs . faster than in last year's record . Trinity Hall succeeded in winning the race for the third year in succession.

The only Peterite we see taking any active part in boating this term is Hutchings, who is stroking the Selwyn Clinker four.

The 5th of November, the day of much disturbance and riot, has passed and gone without its usual concomitants . A little street parading and uplifting of the voice in song were all that disturbed the serenity of the night . In fact, "no serious collision occurred," the Press informs us.

In the list of 'Varsity preachers for this term we are pleased to see the name of the Rev . H . M . Stephenson . We are sure none of the O .P .'s up this term will miss the opportunity of hearing again their old head master.

In fine, we—the mouthpiece of Peterite Cantabs—heartily congratulate Leaf on his success at Peterhouse . May it be the first of many triumphs for the School this year .

M .N .L.

SCHOOL LETTER. INCE our last letter, many events have happened worthy to be chronicled . The Football season is now in full swing . Of the matches that have been played, 4 have been won and 7 lost, while Durham match was postponed in consequence of infectious disease in Durham School . This match will probably be played on February 7th.

The Old Peterite Dinner is to be held at the Station Hotel, York, on Tuesday, December 18th . Now that this excellent custom has been

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revived, it is hoped that a special effort will be made on the part of Old Peterites to ensure the success of this, the first of the series in York . The Secretary to the Dinner Committee is A . Peters, St . Peter' s Grove, York, from whom all additional information may be obtained.

The Old Peterite match against the School will be played on the Thursday following . Matches are also to be played against the Old Dunelmians and the Old Leodiensians—the former, at Durham, on Tuesday, and the latter, at York, on Friday of the same week . Old Peterites wishing to play are requested to send in their names to P . F. Lord, at the School.

Players in the match at Durham will be back in time for the dinner, as the kick-off is to be at 1 .30.

The York Mission has been held here during the last month, and addresses have been given in the School Chapel . We were honoured on four separate days by Archdeacon Crosthwaite, the Dean of York, the Rev. F . S . Webster, and the Rev . M . F . McNeile, to all of whom we owe our hearty thanks and to whom with all our readers, we wish a joyful and happy Christmastide.

FOOTBALL. v. OLD BOYS. his match was played on Thursday, October 4th, in very wet weather, and resulted in a win for the Old Boys, who had a strong team, by i goal 4 tries r minor to nil . The School won the toss, and decided to play downhill . The kick-off of the Old Boys was well followed up, and, by means of good passing, Lord immediately gained the first try, and succeeded in kicking a goal . After the kick-out, play continued in the Old Boys' ground, until Chadwick received the ball from a pass by Mitchell, and made a good run, but was well collared

by Haynes at back . Gradually the ball was brought towards the School goal, and Rhodes ran in ; no goal resulted . The game was continued in the School 25 until a good kick of Metcalfe's, well followed up, gained some ground . Soon afterwards, Daniel secured a try ; the kick at goal failed . The School were then pressed, and Rhodes nearly succeeded in running in ; Chadwick, however, transferred play to the 25, and shortly half-time was called . The School

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kick-off was called back, and scrimmages followed in neutral ground, then in the Old Boys' quarters ; but a fine run by Lord, and then another by Daniel, gained them some ground . Rhodes obtained a try, which was not converted . Metcalfe relieved by a good kick, but Daniel obtained another try, no goal resulting . The School apparently became somewhat dispirited, and Rhodes and Daniel each ran in before the call of time . In such miserable weather, accuracy in passing and receiving passes could not be expected in the School backs, who were, for the most part, new to their posts . Metcalfe worked hard all through, and showed much more adaptability to his new position than most of his colleagues . Chilman, the other half, seemed thoroughly out of place ; he generally succeeded in letting the ball through his legs . Chadwick, served by his speed, made two good runs, but otherwise did not chew the dash he displayed at the beginning of last season . Mitchell fully justified his removal from the scrimmage to centre three-quarters ; he punted well, and was generally good in defensive tactics, but his natural lack of speed lets him down.

Bingham did himself injustice by constantly failing to gather the ball ; he saved well, however . The backs generally failed to get their punts into touch, and did not kick half enough . To turn to the forwards, they saved their side from disgrace, but they are lamentably slow in the loose . Some of them seem to think that all that is necessary is blind shoving in the scrimmage . Bird and Cook have, perhaps, a little more notion of loose play than the rest . The following-up was decidedly slack, and they would do well to imitate the example of Wilkinson and Crosthwaite, both of whom, we are glad to say, have improved much since last year . Of the new men, Cook and Carter have the most dash, but Crowther has most knowledge of the game . In conclusion, we heartily exhort the team to train, for, as often as not, condition wins the match.

Old Boys .—C . W . Haynes (back), H . W. Rhodes, A . M . Daniel, G. V . Birks (three-quarters), P . E . Lord, R . Hopkins (half), C . B . Clarke, H . W . Allan, A . Wade, A . C. Clarke, P . Stewart, E . F . Bardsley, J. Raine (forwards).

School.—W . A . Hudson (back), F . Mitchell, H . F . Chadwick, S . O. Bingham (three-quarters), H . G . Metcalfe, G . H . Chilman (half), K. E . T . Wilkinson, A . Crosthwaite, A . Bird, F . C . Crowther, H . D. Naylor, E. S . D . Carter, H . Thompson, G. R . Cook, A . H . Sutton (forwards) .

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v. H . W . RHODES' TEAM. Played on the School ground on October 9th, and resulted in a win for the scratch team by 6 goals 2 tries to nil . The School were outmatched both forward and behind . In the first half of the game the School played up with vigour, though the superiority of their opponents shewed itself in a fairly heavy score . But towards the end of the game they became apparently resigned to their fate, and their opponents ran in as they liked.

v . POCKLINGTON. Played on Thursday, October rrth . The School kicked off at 3 .50 p.m ., and, after a series of scrimmages in the middle, the ball was carried into the home 25, and soon the visitors scored a minor. After the kick-out, the School were still pressed, and shortly Pocklington gained a try, which was converted into a goal . Again the ball was kicked out, and again kicked dead . After this, the School forced the game to the half-way flag, where it remained until half-time . The School had now the advantage of the wind and the hill, and it was hoped that they would score. On resuming, a good deal of scrimmaging took place in neutral ground, varied by occasional visits to School quarters during which Pocklington scored two more minors, and finally a try, which was converted . The School succeeded in reaching the visitors' 25, and several times looked like scoring, but time was called without any further addition to the total . It may, perhaps, be mentioned that the visiting team was assisted by Barnard, Cole, and Wake, of whom, Cole obtained a try and kicked a goal . In this match, also, the School had the distinction of playing against a team of 16 men . The passing on the Pocklington side was notably good, while the School backs seemed not quite at home ; nor did the forwards play with much animation . Score :—Pocklington, 2 goals 6 minors; School, r minor .

v . YORK BANhS. Played on the School ground on Wednesday, October 17th . The Banks won the toss, and decided to play downhill . Procter returned the kick-off into touch at the half-way flag . Some scrimmaging ensued in neutral ground and in the School 25, and, out of a scrimmage near

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the School line, Brett scored a try . The kick at goal failed . After the kick-out, thanks to the combined mulling of WT hytehead and Hudson, Nelson, for the Banks, obtained a second try, from which Cole kicked a splendid goal . This seemed to encourage the School rather than otherwise, and, after passing between Metcalfe, Mitchell, and Chadwick, the last-named scored a good try, which was not converted . The kickout brought no relief to the Banks, and more passing between Metcalfe and Mitchell resulted in Chadwick's obtaining a second try . The place failed . Half-time was then called . The School forwards now played well, and pressed their opponents, but the ball was brought back to neutral territory by E . Procter . Metcalfe then made a brilliant run, which ended in a scrimmage in front of the Banks' goal, out of which Metcalfe passed the ball to Mitchell, who dropped a fine goal . Soon after this, time was called, the game ending in a win for the School by a goal and 2 tries to a goal and a try. In this match the team, as a whole, showed greatly improved form, and played with much more dash and energy than in previous matches . The forwards were still slow in breaking from scrimmages, but played very energetically throughout. They might, perhaps, pay more attention to collaring, and not leave it all to the backs . In this match Bingham returned to his old position as forward, and seemed much more at home there than behind, but might make more use of his speed in following up.

Mitchell, as usual, played well ; his kicking was very useful and accurate . Chadwick played far more vigorously than before . Metcalfe played a hard and unselfish game . Our back, alas ! was not a great success . The others need no comment.

v. RIPON GRAMMAR SCHOOL. Ripon paid us a visit on Saturday, November 3rd, the match being understood to be the first of the contests for the West Riding Schools ' Challenge Cup . Rain fell all day, making the ball very greasy . The home team won the toss, and played with the wind, which was blowing from the lower goal, at their backs . Ripon kicked off, and a series of scrimmages in the middle of the ground proved the York forwards fully equal to their rivals . A neat dribble by Cook, and some passing amongst the backs, took play inside the Ripon 25 . Here Leaf and Metcalfe gave Mitchell a chance, but lie, instead of running, threw to

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Chadwick, who mulled, and the ball went into touch . Leaf then nearly got through, and from the scrimmage the ball was passed to Mitchell.

Tupman went for him, but the ball was handed on to Chadwick, who just got over . A difficult kick was excellently dealt with by Mitchell.

On restarting, the game was again carried into Ripon quarters, and neat passing resulted in Chadwick again getting through ; Mitchell made a good attempt . York continued to press, but only minor points were registered ; free kicks, under the new rules, were frequent . After halftime, a good dribble by Sutton was the first item, which took play into Ripon half . Leaf's weak knee now began to trouble him rather, and, consequently, Danks had more chances . Picking up from a scrimmage at his own 25, he got past the centre, but was brought by Hudson, who did well at full back . About this time Danks did a lot of passing, but it was generally spoiled by Metcalfe and Mitchell . However, about the middle of the second half, the home team began perceptibly to tire, and Bingham, letting himself be charged down, Ripon were, for the first time, in the opposing 25 . For about ten minutes they were kept at bay, but at last Tupman picked up and ran right through, placing the ball between the posts, and a goal was kicked . The last five minutes saw p'ay in the centre of the ground, Metcalfe being noticeable . For the home team, Hudson did well all that was asked, as he got no chance at Tupman . Mitchell was very prominent in spoiling the Ripon passing, and fed Chadwick well first half ; he also kicked well . Chadwick was fairly good, not having any chances after half-time . Bingham seemed out of form, and was slow : Metcalfe was very safe all through, and played well with Leaf . The latter, as stated above, fell away somewhat during the second half, but played a good game . Of the forwards, Wilkinson was easily first, and Cook, Crowther, and Sutton were good ; Naylor worked hard in the pack ; Bird was much inclined to shirk the scrimmage work . For Ripon, the two wings, Bryant and Tupman, were good, the former kicking very well, but got few chances ; Danks worked hard at half. Forward, Wrangham and Hingston did well . Teams : The School.—Back, A. NV . Hudson ; three-quarters, F . Mitchell, H. F . Chadwick, S . O . Bingham ; half, J . F . Leaf, H . G . Metcalfe ; forwards, K . E . T . Wilkinson, A . Crosthwaite, R . A . B . Bird, 1" . C. Crowther, G . R . Cook, H . Thompson, H . D . Naylor, A . H . H. Sutton, E . S . D . Carter.

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v . BRADFORD GRAMMAR SCHOOL. This match was played at Bradford on Saturday, November 17th.

Bradford won the toss, and played with the wind . Mitchell kicked-off for the School, and play at once settled down in the Bradford half.

After some passing, Bingham got in near the touch-line, a point which was not converted by Mitchell . The kick-out brought no relief to Bradford, who were again pressed, and Chadwick scored the second try, from which a goal was kicked . The School continued to have the best of the play, and Chadwick scored again . The place, which was an easy one, failed. Mitchell was the next to score, from a pass by Chadwick, and kicked a goal . Another try by Bingham, from which a goal was kicked, brought half-time . After the kick-out, Bradford rushed the ball down to the School line, and made determined efforts to score . The School forwards, headed by Carter and Bird, relieved with a long dribble . The attack on the School goal was still continued, but again the forwards relieved by a dribble, in which most of them had a share . The Bradford forwards retaliated, but Bingham picked up neatly, and made a brilliant run, ending in a try between the posts ; a goal was kicked . Soon after this, Chadwick and Bingham ran well, and Chadwick gained a try ; a goal was again kicked.

Nothing further happened, except a futile attempt on the part of Mitchell to drop a goal . The ultimate score was : York 5 goals 2 tries 3 minors to Bradford nil . The Bradford men played pluckily all through, and especially in the second half, but there was a lack of the combination which was so conspicuous in the School team . A . S. Robinson worked hard for them all through . No one else deserves mention, except, perhaps, Ellis, who might have done more if he had been properly fed . The School forwards showed better form than usual, their dribbling being vastly improved, but were slow in gathering round the ball . Some of them don't seem to think it is necessary to come round a scrimmage if they have missed the ball. They seem to think it is the part of a forward to shove through a scrimmage regardless of the ball, Their following up was better, but some would do well to imitate the excellent example set them in this department by Wilkinson and Cook . To individualise, Wilkinson worked hard in the tight and followed up well, but was not as good in the loose as usual : Carter, Bird, Cook and Crosthwaite were ever to the fore . At half-back we were vastly superior ; Metcalfe throughout

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played splendidly and at the same time very unselfishly : Wellburn also was good, his passing being very accurate.

At three-quarters Bingham and Chadwick showed up very well when in possession of the ball, but did not shew great aptitude for taking the ball, Chadwick being the better of the two in that respect.

Bingham made the run of the day, but is rather deficient in passing.

Our full back made no mistakes, but would do well to practice punting up the touch-line more.

MR . A O . JOY'S TEAM. Played on the School ground before a fair number of spectators.

The ball was kicked off by Joy, and was at once carried into the School 25, where a good deal of scrimmaging took place, but Metcalfe got hold of the ball, and carr ied it into touch ; but no progress was made from the throw out, and Potter, getting the ball from the scrimmage, ran in with it . The kick was unsuccessful . Lord kicked out, and the School forwards gradually worked the ball into the visitors ' quarters, and some good passing among the School backs took place . Metcalfe got the ball from the scrimmage, and passed to Lord, who passed to Mitchell, who, in his turn, passed to Chadwick . Chadwick got away, but was stopped on the visitor's 25 . The visitors now, by loose dribbling and good passing, carried the ball into the School territory, and another try was obtained by O . B . Rickards . The kick was again unsuccessful . The play was now for some time in the middle of the ground, but one of the visitors got hold, and made a good run, but stumbled just in front of goal, and a scrimmage ensued . The ball was passed to the visitors' three-quarters, but they failed to run in . The School now made several good combined dribbles, but the ball was returned across the goal-line, and was touched down by the School.

The School passed out the ball to Chadwick, who kicked into touch, and, from the throw out, the visitors again carried the ball into the School 25, but Metcalfe saved by kicking into touch ; but the visitors were not to be denied, and another try was obtained from a scrimmage on the goal-line . After some tough scrimmaging, Moxon obtained another try, from which Potter kicked a goal . The visitors ' forwards again dribbled the ball into the School 25, but Chadwick saved, and the School forwards made a good dribble, Crowther distinguishing himself by his vigorous tackling . The visitors ' good dribbling again pre-

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vailed the backs, and a scrimmage ensued near the goal-line, from which it was dribbled into goal, and dropped upon by the visitors ; a try was allowed, but was not converted . Joy got the ball from the kick-off, and ran into touch, being well collared by Lord ; the visitors screwed round the scrimmage, and the ball was carried across the goalline, but Hudson touched it down . The visitors soon obtained another try by a dribble out of the scrimmage, but no goal was obtained.

Half-time was then called . The School kick-off after half-time was well returned, and finally the ball went into touch in our 25 . Here a series of scr immages ensued till the enemy's backs got the ball, and a try was scored after some good passing, but failed to kick the goal.

After the kick-out, the visitors still presse 1 the School in their 25, when Bingham made a good pass to Lord, who made a useful run, bringing the ball into the middle of the field . It did not, however, stay there long, but was again brought to the School 25, and Lord again gained ground for the School by a run, which they were unable to retain, and after some more play in the School 25 another try was scored by the visitors, and again the kick was a failure . Afterwards, Bingham made a good run, and the ball was rushed into the visitors ' half ; again the School was driven back, but rallied, and brought the ball on again towards the other end ; not long after, Joy, from a good pass and with a splendid run . got behind . This time a goal was kicked, after which the School rushed the ball on in good style after a run by Lord, but Joy, again obtaining hold of the ball, ran in . The goal was kicked and time was called. v . LEEDS GRAMMAR SCHOOL. In this match, contrary to universal expectation, the School suffered defeat by a goal to a try . The School played downhill first, and after the kick-off soon began to force back their opponents, who were much inferior in the scrimmage, By a mistake, however, one of their threequarter's gained possession and by a good run gained a try, which was converted . From a scrimmage in front of the Leeds goal Mitchell obtained possession and made an unsuccessful drop at goal . After the kick out Leeds were still kept on the defensive, and at length Bingham made a good run, ending in a try between the posts ; Mitchell took the kick, which was a failure. Leeds now played with a little more vigour, and half-time was called without any further addition to the score.

On resumption of play the School forwards at once carried the ball

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into the Leeds 25, where it remained for the rest of the game . The visitors were pressed all the time, but the vigorous play of their halves and the careful marking of their three-quarters saved them from defeat.

The game consisted of scrimmages, carried always by the School forwards, varied by attempts at heeling out and passing, frustrated generally by the vigorous efforts of the Leeds backs . Suffice it to say that though on our opponents' line the whole time we were unable to score . In this match WT. M . Carter played half and F . Wellburn threequarters, as Chadwick was unable to play . The School played well on the whole, in spite of their defeat, though W . M . Carter did not seem quite at home at half. v . YORK BANhS. The second match was played on November 14th . The Banks were unable to bring their team on to the field until three o'clock, and consequently the latter portion of the game was played in cimmerian darkness intensified by a drizzling mist, consequently the details of the game are not to hand . The Banks kicked-off, and the game at first was confined to our half, the forwards of the Banks were a heavy lot, and their backs were in no way inferior, being aided by Mr . T . Pride.

In spite of hard work on our part the ball was gradually brought to our 25, and Brett obtained a try, Cole failed at the place . After the kickoff, the forwards made a good rush to the Banks ' 25, but not letting out well their exertions were quickly negatived by the ball arriving in our 25 again, and by Cole obtaining the second try . The place was successful ; the School now were quite played out, and Pride added to our misfortunes by dropping a beautiful goal . Half-time was then called . The next half was a mixture of tries, shots at goal, combined with darkness and a drizzling rain ; and play was stopped a quarter of an hour before time, after a match wretched and miserable in all respects . Score :—Banks', 4 goals t try ; School, nil .

LIBRARY ACCOUNT.

38 5

ST. PETER'S LIBRARY ACCOUNT. EXPENDITURE. September 17M—December 3131, 1887 Field (2), Punch (2), Illustrated (2), Graphic (2), Judy (2), Yorkshire Gazette (2), Standard (2), York Herald (I), Yorkshire Post (t), Illustrated Almanack (2), Judy Almanack (r), Punch Almanack (2), Xmas Numbers Graphic (2), ditto Illustrated (2), Cornhill Magazine, (r), Century (1), Chambers' (r) ...

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RECEIPTS. 1887 . Christmas Thirty-three Subscribers, at 3S . 4d . . ..

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CORRESPONDENCE.

CORRESPONDENCE. To the EDITORS of the Peterile.

SIRS,—After reading Mr . Lord's letter in the last Peterite, I should like, though I fear rather late, to say a few words about the best way to get rid of the faults he mentions as being most conspicuous in the fifteen . First, as to collaring : As to the necessity for forwards being able to collar, all judges of the game are agreed, and no feeling of reliance on backs should allow the forwards to go at it in a half-hearted way . Nothing is commoner among forwards than for one to watch the result of another ' s attempt before going for the man himself, whereas a simultaneous attack is the surest way to success, and, further, is best calculated to secure the ball . I remember in 1873 and 1874, if not later, the universal game during the morning school interval was "fox across, " which consists entirely of collaring one another, and was splendid practice . This might be revived . Anyhow, this fault of weak collaring must be cured ; collar low and collar hard should be the maxim, and if you know you ' re weak, try all the harder . For passing and combination I know no better practice than the following :— Let a line start from one end of the football field to run up to the other, and let the outside man, as soon as he has gone a few yards, pass the ball to the next, he to the next, and so on ; let each man, after passing, slacken his pace so as to bring himself " on side " again, and when the ball has reached the far side, it can be passed back iii the same manner ; let this be done often—every day, if possible, for half an hour or so—until the ball travels from end to end and is never dropped, even when running at full speed . The halves and threequarters might practice one time, the forwards another—but let it be done often . Of the good results in passing and backing-up I can speak by experience ; and further, it is very good for the wind.

Similar practice by the forwards alone, only with the fret, is also excellent ; in this case the ball should never be touched with the hands, but passed, as in Association, with the side of the foot . As for kicking, practise whenever you can, and with both feet . Let the backs practise screw-punting, especially the halves ; nothing is more useful to the latter than the power of punting almost over their heads . Again, let the captain select one or two, and see them practise place kicks, and when he has discovered the best talent let him stick to it . I must apologise for the length into which I have drifted, and remain, yours GEORGE H . EYRE . truly, DEAR

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NOTES AND ITEMS. The Prince of Wales' Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians)—C . W. W. Gabb, to be Lieutenant.

J . H . G. Wilson, Queen ' s College, Oxford, has been playing forward in the Oxford University Rugby XV. F. A . Bulman, Durham University, played three-quarter back for Durham County.

J . E . Gofton, St . John's College, obtained two tries in the Freshmen's Match at Oxford.

H . W. Rhodes, J . H . G . Wilson, and J . E . Gofton played for the Next Twenty against the Next Fifteen of Oxford.

N . L . Hood, of Cavendish, Cambridge, A . C . Clarke, of Emmanuel, both played in the Freshmen's Match, Hood obtaining a try.

L . E . Stephenson, of Christ ' s, Cambridge, is playing for the University.

C . P . Metcalfe has passed from H .M .S . "Worcester" to H .M .S. "Britannia," and from that ship obtained a cadetship in the Royal Navy : gazetted to H .M .S . " Agincourt ."

J . E . Gofton, St . John's, Oxford, won the Freshmen ' s Quarter Mile.

G. R . Cooke . has obtained a Scholarship of £70 a year at Durham University.

J . F . Leaf has obtained a Scholarship of £6o a year at Peterhouse, Cambridge.

M . Napier has been playing football for Stirling County.

At St . John's College (Oxford) Athletic Sports J . E . Gofton won the Quarter-Mile, and ran second in the 300 Yards Freshmen' s Race from scratch, in the Too Yards Open, and in the Mile .