THE
PFT [RITE Vol,. X .
JUNE, 189o .
No . 86.
SCHOOL LETTER. ET once more, 0 ye past, and once more, 0 ye present Peterites, it is our pleasing duty to add another letter to the records of our school proceedings. The Break-up Day was a decided success, though we should like to have seen a closer Old Boys' race . Perhaps, however, last year's exciting finish spoilt us, besides other close contests during the term itself. There was some talk of the Sixth following the race in a steam launch, but unfortunately at the time of starting not a particle of steam could be raised, not so much even as to blow the whistle . However, after the race was over, several members of the aforesaid form got on board—a turba jocosa—but their spirits and their clothes were thoroughly damped by a shower of mud and water. Part of the editorial we—then on board—on asking what this phenomenon might mean, was informed that something had " bust," and the august body was landed ignominiously on the bank . Truly a likely sort of boat to follow a race . But it didn't cost them anything, except at the tailor's, so we suppose they were comforted. Now, to turn to this term . The cricket ground looks in excellent condition, and will, no doubt, produce even this year, match wickets far above the average . We take this opportunity of congratulating the cricket authorities on their forethought and patriotism for those who are to follow them. The team itself should be a good one . There are six of last year's eleven left, and several promising batsmen, both in the second eleven and among the juniors, are forthcoming.
Y
EOAT RACES.
554
Before we close, we would, on behalf of the whole school, give a hearty welcome to the Rev . A . E . Burton and Mrs . Burton, who succeed to the Rev . C . R . Gilbert and Mrs . Gilbert . We wish them and their house all happiness and prosperity in the future, and look forward to seeing the competition between the two boarding houses as hot as ever it was in the good old clays.
THE BOAT RACES. HE Races this year were a decided success . We were favoured with very good weather on the whole ; the number of entries— for both senior and junior events—was larger than we ever remember before ; and many exciting races were produced . In the fours the School House again carried all before them, but the victories were not so easy as they have been of late years . Racing was begun on Thursday, April 3rd, when heats of the Senior Pairs and Sculls were rowed off. G . H . Eyre and Mr . C . M. Miller acted as starters.
T
SENIOR PAIRS. FIRST ROUND.
I: Mitchell (bow) H. G . llfctcalfe (str .) II. B . Whitby (cox)
beat
K. E . T. Wilkinson (bow) S. O . Bingham (sir .) E . C. Cadman (cox)
IV. Carter (bow) . Peel (str .) A. W E. C . Cadman (cox)
beat
R. C . Tide (bow) H. H. Williams (sir .) A . 1V Eastwood (coax)
R . C. T. Lai bourne (bow) beat j. A . Easters (sir .) F. C. Cadman (cox)
IV. H. M. Hancock (bow) E. TV. Clarke (sir .) A . Il`. Eastwood (cox)
C . J. IV Carter (bozo) H. B . IT7ritby (sir .) E. C . Cadman (cox)
1V. T. Crumble (bow) G. I. Scott (str .) L Shepherd (cox)
beat
J. O . Garland (bow) beat F. if. Bingham (str .) A . 11'. Eastwood (cox)
B . St. G . j. Scargill (bozo) R . Garwood (sir.) H. Procter (cox)
555
BOAT RACES .
The first race—between Metcalfe ' s pair and Bingham' s—was really an excellent one . Bingham led by a trifle at the start, and rowing four strokes less to the minute was a good length ahead at the Corner. Here the others began to feel the current and came up somewhat, but were still behind under Scarborough Bridge . A most exciting race ensued as far as the Coal-drop, but here Metcalfe's pair forged ahead rapidly and won by a length and a quarter . Tute and Williams, though they lost the side and were opposed to a much stronger crew, made a very fair show . The race was fairly even down to the Corner, but then Peel ' s pair drew away and won somewhat easily by three lengths . In the third race E . W . Clarke's pair even with the side was no match for Laybourne and Easten . They rowed very pluckily, however, and the winners who took things rather easily only won by two lengths. Crumbie and Scott were quite outclassed by Whitby and Carter, and seemed not at all at home in their boat . They were easily beaten by three lengths and a half. The last race was rather more interesting . Garwood gained a slight lead at the start, but his opponents rowing well together, soon overhauled him, and after the Corner had the race in their hands . The losing boat rowed pluckily but had no sort of style. SECOND ROUND.
lVlritby's pair and Peel's pair R . C. T. Laybourne (bow) J. A . Easten (str.) E. C. Cadman (cox)
beat
retired.
J. O. Garland (bow) F M . Bin; ham (sir.) H. B . Whitby (cox)
F. Mitchell, (bow) H G . Metcalfe (sir .), rowed over. This was a very good race . Both crews rowed hard and were nearly even for some distance ; then Easten, who had the side, gradually gained. He was nearly a length ahead when, at the White railing, he caught a crab and allowed the other boat a considerable lead . Easten and Laybourne, however, rowing a very steady stroke, overhauled them little by little, and a fine race was seen as far as Marygate . Here the superior weight and strength of Easten's boat began to tell, and they got away and won by a length . Both crews rowed exceedingly well.
BOAT RACES.
556
FINAL HEAT. F. Mitchell (bow)
beat
R . C . T. Laybozzrne (bow)
H. G . Metcalfe (sir.)
l A . Ras/en (str.) E . C. Cadman (cos)
H. B . Whitby (cox)
Metcalfe rowed a very fast stroke at the beginning and being well backed up soon drew clear, and took his opponent's water at the Corner, winning eventually by three lengths . The losers rowed hard but lacked the lively stroke of the other boat.
SENIOR SCULLS. FIRST ROUND.
H. B . TVhitby beat j. A . Easten S. O . Bingham W. H. Al . Hancock
I
beat and
F. Mitchell beat R . lllartizt F. M. Bingham
H. G . Metcalfe
rowed over.
A good race was expected between Whitby and Fasten, as it was thought that Easten's strength might counterbalance the other's experience . Whitby, however, led from the first and won easily by several lengths. In the second race Martin was no match for Mitchell who had things all his own way from beginning to end and won as he liked . An interesting race was seen between the brothers Bingham . F . M. Bingham—to the surprise of most—took the lead, and succeeded in keeping it as far as Scarborough Bridge . Here, however—being badly steered or not steered at all—he got into difficulties with the bank and let his brother pass him . He rowed hard to the end but could not regain his lead and was beaten by a length and a half. The loser rowed very pluckily, and with greater strength and experience will probably do well . SECOND ROUND.
F. !Mitchell
beat
H. G . Metcalfe
beat
TV. H A7 Hancock. S . O . Bingham
H. B . TVlutby, retired .
557
BOAT RACES .
This was another ridiculously easy win for Mitchell, Hancock rowed well for his years and strength but could do nothing against his opponent . In the second race Metcalfe started at a very fast stroke and speedily gained a lead of a length and a half, but Bingham settling to his work prevented any increase of this, and the positions were unchanged down to the Corner. As Bingham shot the railway bridge, Metcalfe was just clear . Metcalfe slightly increased his lead and won by about three lengths . FINAL HEAT.
F. Mitchell
beat
M. G . Metcalfe
This was a disappointing race . Mitchell speedily gained a substantial lead and won without much difficulty . Both rowed in good style but Mitchell's superior weight and strength gave him an easy victory.
JUNIOR PAIRS. FIRST FOUND.
A . Rose (bow) C . J. IV. Carter (str .)
beat
E . F. Aevile (boor) K. J. Roy (sir.)
C . Whincup (bow) T. Bingham (str.)
beat
A . O . Sarjeannt (bow) C. C. D . I ' Anson (sir .)
C. B . Cotteril (bozo) rowed over H. R . Tartington (sir .) Rose and Carter, who were much the heavier pair, soon showed in front, and gaining slightly down to the corner, took their opponents' water at the bridge and won by several lengths . The losers rowed very pluckily on to the end, and deserve praise for the good show they made against such strong opponents . In the second race Sargeaunt and I'Anson were easily beaten by the smaller and weaker pair . For some distance there was not much to choose between the boats, but soon I'Anson's pair got into difficulties and shewed sundry eccentricities in the way of crabs, and the others rowing very steadily and in good time left them behind and won easily .
B RACES. 55 OAT 8 SECOND ROUND.
C. Whincup (bow) T. Bingham (sir .)
beat
C. B . Cotteril (bow) H. R. Partington (str.)
A . Rose (bow) rowed over C. J. N. Carter (sir.) This was another hollow race . Cotteril and Partington had not yet learnt to row in time and were consequently beaten without difficulty. FINAL HEAT.
A . Rose (bow) C. J. N. Carter (sir .)
beat
C. Whincup (bow) T. Bingham (sir.)
Whincup and Bingham had the side, and at first kept on even terms with the others, but Carter and Rose, settling to their work, gradually drew away, and won by two lengths . The winners rowed well together and for a junior pair are really good.
JUNIOR SCULLS. FIRST ROUND. I E. C. Nevile beat K. J. Roy. C. Whincup beat T. Bingham. C. C. D . 1'Anson and C . J. N. Carter rowed over.
Whincup rowed a much stronger stroke than Bingham, and in spite of a very erratic course soon forged ahead, and won by several lengths. Both showed promising form . Nevile and Roy seemed very equally matched at first, but Roy's course was obstructed below Scarborough Bridge, and thus an interesting race was spoilt. SECOND ROUND.
C. J. N. Carter heat C . Whincup. E. C. Nevile beat C . C. D . I'Ansozz. As was expected, Carter won, but Whincup rowed most determinedly, and was only beaten by about half a length . In the second race I'Anson, when he was rowing, was far faster than Nevile, but he was constantly " catching crabs " and losing his oars, while Nevile rowed well and steadily . I 'Anson was rapidly gaining, but when under Lendal Bridge he caught a final " crab, " and Nevile managed to win by a few feet .
BOAT RACES .
559
FINAL HEAT.
C. J. N. Carter beat E. C. Nevile. The winner, in spite of the difference in strength, had to row hard in order to win . Nevile stuck to him gamely, and was beaten only by three lengths . HOUSE FOURS. As the numbers in Mr . Gilbert's house were so small they were amalgamated with the Day Boys . In spite of this, however, the Schoo l House won all the Fours . SENIOR FouRS. SCHOOL HOUSE
beat
DAY BOYS AND REV. C . R. GILBERT ' S.
O . Garland (bow) 2 . S. O. Bingham
IV. Al . Carter (bow) 2. R . C. T. Laybourne 3. F Mitchell j. A . Easten (sir.) E . C. Cadman (cox)
7.
3 . F. M. Bingham H. G. 1lletcalfe (sir .) H. B. Whitby (cox)
A close and interesting race was expected, as it was thought that the greater strength of the Day Boys would go far to counterbalance any School House superiority of style . Expectations, however, were completely falsified, for the House, starting at a quick and lively stroke, drew away from their opponents hand-over-hand ; they were soon clear, and won as they liked . It is probably to the difference of strokes that this hollow victory is chiefly to be attributed . The School House stroke was smart and lively, while the others affected a long, dragging style, and had, moreover, the bad fault of " hanging ." Wilkinson was unable to row in the race on account of a bad thumb, and his place was taken by F M . Bingham. JUNIOR FOURS. SCHOOL HOUSE
R. Martin (how) 2. T. S. Spence 3 . F. A7 Bingham A . H. Sutton (str .) 7. Shepherd (cox)
beat
DAY BOYS.
B . St . G . j. Scargill (bow)
2. A . IV Peel 3. H. Alcech R. Garwood (sir.) E . C. Cadman (cox)
560
BOAT RACES.
This was an excellent race as far as the railway bridge . Both crews started at a fast stroke, and down to the Corner there was nothing to choose between them . Here the House, who had the far side, showed in front, and through Scarborough Bridge increased their lead. Opposite Marygate there was half a length of daylight between the boats, and the leading crew, rowing well together, won by two and a half lengths . The losers rowed hard, but were spoilt by their jerky style . THIRD FOURS. SCHOOL HOUSE
beat
TV. H. Al. Hancock (bow) 2. G . j. Scott 3. E . IV Clarke H. B. Whitby (sir.) .j. Shepherd (cox)
DAY BOYS.
A . Rose (bow) 2 . H. H. Williams 3 . R. C. Trite C. j. N. Carter (str .) E . C. Cadman (cox)
The Day Boys won the toss and took the far side . An even start was effected and the School House soon took a slight lead, and at the Corner slightly increased it . As far as Marygate the positions of the boats were unchanged ; then the School House again began to gain, and won by two lengths . The winning boat was well together, and showed evidence of careful coaching : the Day Boys were pluckily stroked, but there was considerable diversity of style in the middle of the boat.
SCHOOL FOURS. As the Civil and Military Department is now no more, a crew was chosen from the Modern Side instead. SCHOOL beat C . J. IV. Carter (bow) 2. S. O . Bingham 3. F. AL Bingham H. G . Metcalfe (str.) H. B. TVhitby (cox)
MODERN SIDE.
TV M . Carter (bow) 2. R . C . T. Laybourne 3. j. O. Garland A . H. Sutton (sir.) P. Alortimer (cox)
For some distance after the start the boats were even ; then the Modern, the heavier crew, began to forge ahead, and round the Scope corner, where they had the inside berth, gained considerably . At the
561
BOAT RACES .
boat house they were about three-quarters of a length ahead . Here, however, Metcalfe quickened slightly, and the School began to creep up . They continued to gain slowly past the White Railing, and as the Modern were now rowing a very dead stroke, the School were level at the Corner . The Modern were unable to reap any advantage from the side through Scarborough Bridge, and their opponents rowing hard to the end won by two lengths. SIXTH. SCHOOL beat C . j. N. Carter (bow) F . IV. Clarke (bow) 2 . S. O . Bingham 2. A . IV. Peel 3 F. dl. Bingham 3. F. Mitchell J. A . Fasten (sir.) H. G . Metcalfe (sir.) F . C. Cadman (cox) H. Scar ill (cox) The Sixth won the toss and chose the Ings station . The Sixth got off well, and having the advantage round the first corner, gained considerably . Then at Ings ditch, owing to some bad steering, the School came up, and by the Scope had gained a substantial lead . The Sixth rowed hard, but could not regain their position, and after the boat house the School were not seriously threatened.
THE OLD BOYS' RACE. This race was rowed on the afternoon of Wednesday, April 16th, over the long course from the Waterworks to Lendal Bridge . The crews were as follows : THE SCHOOL .
R. C. T. Laybourne (bow) 2. S . O . Bingham 3. F. Mitchell . G . Metcalfe (str.) H H. B. Whitby (cox)
THE OLD BOYS.
H. IV . Rhodes (bow) G. V. Birks 3 . j. F. Leaf G . II. Eyre (str.) A . I. Hopkins (cox) 2.
The School had the benefit of three of last year's crew, and it was generally expected that with their longer training, they would prove too strong for the Old Boys, who had been compelled to make changes in their crew only a few days before the race . An excellent start was
562
CAMBRIDGE LEITER.
effected, and the School, rowing a quick and lively stroke, soon gained a lead ; this they increased round the first corner, and before the Scope they were clear . Rowing beautifully together the School kept a substantial lead all the way down, and though the Old Boys made determined efforts to overhaul them, they were unsuccessful, and were beaten easily by 9 or ] o lengths . The losers had not that uniformity of style which was so conspicuous in the School Boat, and were of course hampered by a want of condition. This concluded the boat races, which were perhaps not far from being the most successful the School has ever had . If it is allowable to point out a possible improvement, one might suggest that next boatraces the heats should, as much as possible, be rowed off regularly, and that first and second rounds should not be mixed in that inextricable confusion which was seen this year.
CAMBRIDGE LETTER, INCE a Cambridge Letter last appeared in the Peterite, two important annual Inter-tiniversity fixtures have been decided, namely, the Sports and the Boat Race, both of which as they are things of the remote past, can be dismissed with brief notice . The sports need little comment, the victory of Cambridge being decisive . With regard to the boat race, the prevailing opinion seems to be that the best boat won—want of uniformity being the rock on which the Cambridge crew struck . The River and Cricket are at present the most engrossing topics. To deal with the former, Muttlebury has resigned the post of President after a three years' tenure, and has been succeeded by Elin, who rowed bow in this year's crew . The May Boats of the various colleges are by this time nearly all made up, and are practising vigorously . Third Trinity with Elin, Francklyn, and Muttlebury, at stroke, seven, and six, respectively, to say nothing of three Trial Eight men elsewhere in the boat, should have no difficulty in maintaining their position as head of the river . St . Peter 's is represented by Hutchings, who is coaching Selwyn, and Leaf, who is rowing in the Peterhouse boat . The Cricket prospects are encouraging,
S
EMIGRATION OF AN INDUSTRIAL BOY .
563
as with six of last year's team left, and a promising reserve to fall back on, we ought to make a by no means disgraceful exhibition . The weak point will be bowling, for which, however, we possess S . M . J . Woods, Jephson, the Surrey amateur, and Streatfield, from Charterhouse. Several important matches will be played here in the course of the term, among them being matches against England, M .C .C ., and the Australians. Tripos fever is now at its height . The over-worked undergraduate, with haggard face and in a state of deshabille proportionate to the magnitude of his task, spends his leisure intervals in speculating on the certainty of failure, and the comforting reflection that his more fortunate brothers will soon be labouring under the affliction that now besets him . A numerous sprinkling of Peterites take their Triposes this term ; R . Crosthwaite and Hutchings the Mathematical, and T . P . Clarke and Whaley the Classical, while Allan and Hood are in for an M .B . May they all meet with the success they so surely deserve. Peterites were pleased to see the Headmaster and Mrs. Handford up here a few days ago, and our best thanks are due to the Rev . F . H . Chase, Principal of the Clergy School, and Mrs . Chase for giving many of us an opportunity of meeting them which we should otherwise not have had . P .L.
EMIGRATION OF AN INDUSTRIAL BOY. N the last day of last term the School assembled in the chapel to bid God-speed to a boy from the Industrial School who was about to emigrate . The Headmaster, after reading a lesson taken from the sixth chapter of the Epistle to the Galatians, addressed the School and a contingent from the Industrial School who were present. He pointed out that the occasion on which they were gathered together was possibly unique, and said that members of the school had received from God many blessings which had been denied to others, and, he hoped, were trying to obey the command contained in the lesson by doing, on their part, some practical good to those near them . Part of the alms of the school had been devoted to helping one of the Industrial School boys to emigrate to Canada and by God's
O
564
PRESENTATION TO THE REV. C, R . GILBERT.
help to fill a useful position there. He hoped in conclusion that he might ask the boy to promise to do what he could to help any Peterites who might be in that part of the world. The boy was then presented with a bible . Archdeacon Barber next addressed the school, taking for his text "bear ye one another's burdens " and " every man shall bear his own burdens ." He showed that the two sayings were not contradictory, and explained how every one could help his fellows by kindness, sympathy and forbearance. He referred to the time when he was himself at St . Peter's, and said that public schools existed not merely to supply boys with knowledge, but were the training-school of soul, mind and body . Such a ceremony as the present one would, he said, widen their sympathies and help them to bear one another's burdens.
PRESENTATION TO THE REV . C . R . GILBERT. HE School afterwards assembled in the hall at half-past eleven, the masters being present also . The captain of the school, J . A. Easten, after expressing in suitable terms the loss which they all felt they were sustaining in the Rev . C . R . Gilbert's departure to his new work at Coventry, presented him with a purse of gold, in token of the esteem which all the boys, from the youngest to the oldest, entertained towards him. Mr . Gilbert in replying said that no words of his were sufficient to shew the pleasure he felt at receiving so handsome a present from the school . It was not its intrinsic value that pleased him, but rather the fact that all of them, great and small alike, had contributed to it . He said also that he wished to thank them in the name of Mrs . Gilbert, whose absence on such an occasion he so much regretted . In conclusion he invited all Peterites, past or present, who might be near his new school to come and share his hospitality, for St . Peter's had always had, and would always continue to have, a very warm place in
T
his heart. The proceedings terminated with cheers for Mr . and Mrs. Gilbert .
565
CRICKET PROSPECTS. O1V that the beginning of the summer term is near at hand, our thoughts naturally turn to the subject of cricket . The question which most of us at St . Peter's have already asked ourselves, " what kind of an XI shall we have this year, " will soon receive a definite answer. Let us see what prospect there is of the answer being a satisfactory one. To form the nucleus of this year's XI we have six "old colours "—Mitchell, Metcalfe r, Naylor, Bingham 2, Garland, and Whitby. There are thus five places to be filled, a matter of no small difficulty.
N
We are glad to see that something is to be done this season to make the matter easier in future ; the division of our cricketers into three sets, ought to prove beneficial in all respects . Judging from last year's form, we should say that the vacant places will have to be filled up by a selection from the following :—Bingham r, Scott r, Peel r, Carter r, Martin, and Sutton . We hope, however, that the vacancies will in no case be filled in too great a hurry, or without due judgment . In competition with our last year's players, we have those who have joined us since last summer, and much young blood, which may develop unexpected talent. Turning to the old members of the XI, we find batting power predominates, whilst bowling talent is scarce . With a first-rate bat like Mitchell, ably backed up by Bingham 2, Naylor and Whitby, our batsmen ought to give a very satisfactory account of themselves against any bowling they are likely to have to face . Metcalfe is pretty certain to treat us to some clean hitting now and again, but we look to him for support in the bowling department ; with a little more head work we fancy he would be very destructive . Naylor and Mitchell are likely to be very useful as bowlers . We hope to see Mitchell return to his slow high deliveries, in preference to the low deliveries, quick but very erratic, which he adopted last season. A few words about those who will probably complete the XI. We believe they all have some reputation as bowlers, so we ought to have no difficulty in raising an attacking force . We expect to see Bingham r, and Scott r, turn out useful all round, and with care and
566
LIST OF CRICKET MATCHES.
attention to make very good bats. Just a word of advice to our bowlers—see to the pitch of the ball, and do not waste all your energy on pace . A good length ball excels all others. We hope at the end of the term to be able to chronicle a successful season, and with ordinary luck we may fairly look for an advance on last year's achievements.
LIST OF CRICKET MATCHES. May 20 . 24 . 3r. June 5 . in. 18 . 21 . 26 . 28 . July r . 2. 5. 8. to . 15.
rg .
FIRST ELEVEN. North Riding Asylum Ripon School Durham Scnool Yorkshire Gentlemen Sand Hutton Ampleforth College . . : Bradford School Leeds School York Revellers Castle Howard Old Boys Ripon School Durham School Ampleforth College Yorkshire Gentlemen North Riding Asylum Sand Hutton
Away Home Away Away Home Away Home
Away Home Away Home Away Home Home Away Away Away.
SECOND ELEVEN. May 17 . Archbishop Holgate's School. 28 . St . Olave's School. June 5 . St . Martin's School. 12 . Heworth Revellers. 14. Doncaster School. rg . Archbishop Holgate's School. 28. Pocklington School. July 3. Heworth Revellers. lo . St. Martin's School. in . Leeds School (Second Eleven). 15 . St. Olave's School.
PETERITE POETRY. It will be remembered that last term several prizes were kindly offered by the Head Master for the best copies of verses on given subjects . These have been now looked over and the results are given below : Some very fair pieces have been received by the Editors, in response to this offer for English verse, from H . H . Williams, G . E . Raine, and C . J . W. Grindrod in the senior competition, and from John Elliott Metcalfe and A . W . Peel in the junior . The exigencies of rhyme have been found troublesome by some, e .g : "The French returned the charge With guns as mischievous if not as large ."
PETERITE PJETRY.
567
One does not quite understand why the English at Trafalgar should be described as "Our brave men with scanty naval arts, " or how spears can slash clown the enemy. On the whole, though there is nothing very brilliant, the compositions may certainly be described as promising. S . MARY'S ABBEY. The grey lawn shivers shadow-swept around These clank and mouldering columns ivy-crowned, And through the trees the March wind whistles keen, Whirling yon few brown leaves across the green. That broken column and that shattered arch Has borne how many a blast of windy March ; On summer clays perchance beneath these trees, With Ouse's murmurings borne upon the breeze, Paced the stern Monks, whilst one with book in hand Reads words of wisdom to the assembled band ; Till o'er the sward the shadows lengthening fall, And from the tower the bells to vesper call ; Then to the sombre chapel they repair, And humbly kneeling raise their hearts in prayer; Anon some pealing anthem swells and falls, And softly echoes through the lofty halls, Till fainter, ever fainter, grows the light, And the sun sinks, and all is hushed in night. 1I . H . WILLIAMS.
TIIERMOI'YLiE.
Argument.—Scouts have just announced that a Persian force has crossed the mountain and is marching to attack the Spartans in the rear . A Council is called and many advocate flight . Ultimately, however, the Peloponnesian force make a desperate onslaught on the Persians in which the former (with the exception of the Thebans) are cut down to a man.
" To arms ! to arms ! the foe march on our rear, Arise ! the Persians even now are here ." They heard the words,—turned pale—and gasped for breath ; Some cried—" flee ! flee ! to stay is certain death. Panic and tumult Sparta' s warriors fill'd, Till brave Leonidas the tempest still'd. " Dream ye of flight ? "—he cried—do Spartans flee ?
568
PETERITE POETRY. Nay ! noble warriors—stay and stand by me. Sparta requires her sons to win or die, Ye cannot conquer,—will ye life deny? A noble death wins man undying fame ; To live, by flight—a traitor's deathless shame. By Gods and Heroes ! shrink not from the fray, But spring upon the foe without delay. They grasped their spears—they formed their lines—they bore Down on the Persians with a deafening roar ; They hurl'd themselves upon them—bore them down, And fell—the heroes ! won they not renown ? Their tombs an Altar—still their praises ring Who bled and died for country and for king. G . E . RAINE.
TIIERMOPYLIE.
'Twixt mighty Oeta and the sounding sea, Lay unforgotten, dread Thermopyke ; 'There, dashed in dust, great-hearted heroes lie ; There are the tombs of those that cannot die. Though past their glories, in the length of days, The moon of memory lends her distant rays, And, mocking ages, struggles to restore The light of days and deathless deeds of yore. There, Sparta's noblest sons, a dauntless Land, 'Gainst Persia's hostile millions took their stand. Once, twice, and thrice their foemen press'd them round, And ghastly slaughter stalked upon the ground ; Yet they unmoved, like Alpine granite, stood, Till cruel Mars was glutted with their blood. What hearts of adamant—what mighty dead, Let virtue's torch illume their gory bed ; What souls of fire—what passion can we trace ; In them no love of life could find a place. Done is their day, but yet we mourn them not ; Thu it doom was glorious, and beautiful their lot ." A . W. PEEL .
THE O .P . DINNER-CORRESPONDENCE .
569
THE O .P. DINNER. By permission of the Dinner Committee of the O .P. Club we are able to announce that the dates fixed for the next meetings are as follows : The O.P . Dinner (York District) will be held in York in December, 1890. The O.P . Dinner (London District) will be held in London in or about June, 1891. Invitations or notices of the dinner will be circulated as usual.
CORRESPONDENCE. DEAR SIRS,
Much has been both spoken and written of late on the subject of "slopers," and their contemptible habits have been made the butt of the most violent condemnation from the hands of persons who themselves are the soul of loyalty. But, I ask you, has not this matter reached such a climax as to call for action instead of words ? Have not these " slopers " turned a deaf ear to the voice of reason too long to admit of their passing for rational beings ? And, under these circumstances, would not the authorities, I ask, be justified in assuming that these "monsters of iniquity" are without mind, and in addressing their arguments in a persuasive manner to their
persons ? An appeal to their hulking, ungainly carcases would not, I am assured, be wholly unrewarded. When the School House Junior rowed the Day-boys, I do not believe there were a dozen Day-boys on the bank to encourage their champions or to show that they took an ordinary amount of interest in the event. A member of the defeated (but by no means disgraced) crew spoke to me of the discouragement which chilled him when the voices of the Day-boys were entirely drowned in the deafening shout of" well rowed House ."
570
CORRESPONDENCE.
Gentlemen, I characterize this state of affairs as monstrous, and I maintain that unless a sweeping reform is very speedily introduced sloperism will extend its boundaries, and St . Peter's School will be dragged down from the proud position to which she attained by favour of the unflagging energy of our fathers . Now the remedy which I prescribe is this . Let an Anti-Sloperian Committee be formed ; let it be invested with full and sufficient powers to visit all disloyalty with summary vengeance . Let the members be appointed by a meeting of the Upper School, and let them unflinchingly, unbudgingly, and with an iron hand exact retribution to the bitter end . " INDIGNATION ."
DEAR SIRS,
I should like to say a word, if I may be allowed, on behalf of that section of the School which has been so much abused of late,—I mean the Day Boys . We are told that they are destitute of patriotism and esprit de corps because they do not all pay subscriptions, and because so few of them turn up to watch matches and so on . Now as to the first matter, the Day Boys have greatly improved . I believe that those who do not subscribe to the School games might now almost be counted on one' s fingers, and this in a School of over 130 boys is a not unsatisfactory state of things. In the matter of attending games and matches, the Day Boys are certainly inert and sluggish, but it seems to me, we must admit that for many of them there is some excuse . I fancy not a few censorious boarders would find their patriotism put to a severe test if they were forced to come back to School a distance of a mile or more immediately after dinner in all weathers . Every one of course should make a point of seeing the important matches, but when the XI play 15 or 20 matches during the season, it becomes a different matter . Is it the duty of every boy, no matter what his tastes, to spend one or more afternoons a week in standing on the field doing—well, nothing? It is a severe requirement, as we may see by watching the juniors on a match-clay . Custom compels them to Le there, but after
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the first half-hour very few of them take any interest in the game. Nobody could be farther than I from wishing to countenance carelessness or indifference towards the School, but I do think that one should pause before giving utterance to these tremendous invectives and try to put one's self in the Day Boys' place . PIG.
NOTES AND ITEMS. St . Peter's day this year falling on a Sunda'', Commemoration Day will be observed on Tuesday, July 1st. The senior mathematical and house mastership left vacant by the election of the Rev . C . R . Gilbert to the Head-Mastership of Coventry School has been accepted by the Rev . A . E . Burton, M .A ., late Scholar of Worcester College, Oxford . Mr . Burton was educated at Berkhampstead School . In 1879 he won the exhibition offered by Worcester College to the best candidate in Mathematics in the Oxford (Senior) Local Examinations, and in 188o an open Mathematical Scholarship at the same College . Mr . Burton graduated in the first-class of the final examination for mathematical honours in 1884, and has been successively chief mathematical master at Dedham and Birkenhead Schools. On April zznd, at the Church of the Holy Trinity, Killiney, co. Dublin, a marriage was solemnized by the Rev . R . T . E . Fausset, assisted by the Rev . Canon Stavely, between the Rev . W . Y. Fausset, _ILA ., Assistant Master of Fettes College, Edinburgh, and Kitty, second daughter of Henry Parkinson, Esq ., of Dalkey, co . Dublin. Charles Haigh, Esq , barrister-at-law, has been appointed Recorder of the Borough of Scarborough .
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NOTES ANT) ITEMS.
G. C . Murray, at the recent Regatta held at Manila, in the beginning of February, won two cups—the Single Sculling and the Pair . Oar. Old Boys wishing to take part in the Old Boys ' match on Commemoration Day must send their names without delay to P . E. Lord, Esq, Heversham School, near Milnthorpe. Major L . Marshall, of the Royal Lancashire Fusiliers, has been gazetted to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. Lieutenant J . P . Montgomery, R .N ., has been appointed to the Magicienne. B . G . M . Baskett, M .A ., has obtained a Scholarship and Gold Medal at the Bristol Hospital. We regret that owing to the dilatoriness of our correspondent we are unable to publish an Oxford Letter in this number. At the preliminary examination for the degree of Mus . Bac . at Cambridge, C . L . Naylor, with his brother, were the only ones who obtained a first class. James Parker is now completing his twenty-fifth year as porter of this school .