THE
PN;TI:RITE. VoL .
XII .
APRIL, 1891 .
No .
91.
MISSIONARY NEWS. METLAKATLA, BRITISH COLUMBIA,
October 25th, 1890. MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,
There is not one of you who would not have been delighted to have been my companion in travel during part of the autumn. In the early spring my voyages were on the sea . In the summer I change from salt to fresh water, but do not go far from the coast until the autumn . Last Saturday I returned from my longest trip of the year . It took me, however, only three weeks, as I met with no hindrances, excepting an occasional tempest or outburst, beyond the common sort of equinoctial gale. To see pine trees four or five feet in diameter, with the whole of their branched tops twisted and pinched off as if they were as many straws, leaves little to be wondered at, unless it is the reason why they were not torn out of the rocky soil . " Let go the sheet !" shouted my Indian Captain George . " Down with the sprit ! Gather in the sail!" Almost before the words left his lips the river was churned into foam. The squall rushed down the steep mountain side, and sped the whole length of the reach ahead, as in a moment . The bowman of my canoe, George Herbert, an ex-student of mine, skilfully furled the sail as it flapped and cracked more loudly than pistol shots . The bare pole sent us along rapidly, as the short waves whisked over the gunwale . This
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happened last Friday, a few miles above tidal water, on the Skeena River . As we swept along before the angry wind we passed several canoes outward bound, forced in-shore and grounded to keep them from drifting . That had been our position if we had been on our voyage up the river. Some of you, now seniors, perhaps, remember the sort of canoe mine is . It is not of birch bark . There is no such craft this side of the Rockies that I know of . They would be too frail for our use . Mine is a cedar dugout 37 feet, by 5 feet, by 2 feet 3 inch bottom, coppered, and ribbed inside with iron . Indians were, at first, prejudiced against such an unyielding craft. She is as rigid as a boat . But of late years they have imitated me, only they use tough yew ribs . Eight times my staunch little craft, has gone to the head of the largest of our navigable rivers, the Skeena . She is the fastest canoe I have met with, but a little crank unless she is carefully trimmed . I sit amidships . In my front is George Herbert . Close behind me two of my senior students, Joseph O'Reilly and Robert Sampare . In the stern, which is nearly as sharp as the bow, sits Captain George . All are Indians, and excepting the latter, English speaking, and the best educated youths to be found among the Indians . The older men warned me against trusting myself to so youthful a crew, and one of the clergy predicted distress for us. But they were all mistaken . My boys were bricks . Each wore thigh boots of India-rubber so that, as often happens, they can jump over the side in shallow water and wade ashore with the sixty fathom tow line . When towing they throw a kind of scarf over their head and arm, and with a curious sort of button grip the rope at any part . At times they have to go among the boulders on all fours, straining at the rope as the canoe slowly, and with a kind of tremor, gains on the downsweeping current. It is often tedious work stemming the rapids, that a stranger would think impossible and frightfully dangerous . My Captain is one of fame as a river navigator, and under his direction my boys soon became expert. As soon as I reposed confidence in them I attended to reading, and when possible, to writing with a lead pencil . Sometimes the scenery was so grand, and the autumnal tints on the trees so charming that I could not take my eyes from the grandeur and loveliness . Then it was that I longed to convey to others part, at least, of my delight. This
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was chiefly in the early morning . Here I have before me some scarcely legible notes made in pencil, at the time I felt almost ravished with what now reads like extravagant enjoyment, inspired by Nature as it woke up and dressed itself in robes of splendour . For many days rain pelted us, and then who could see pleasure anywhere ! But this only enhanced the glory when the clouds were left behind and we entered the fair weather . My tent, 8 feet by 6 feet, was pitched dripping. Because it stood well back from the open river bank, and among the great forest trees, we could not be inconvenienced by the storm that waved and bent their tops . But the great drops falling from the trees on the tent, caused a mist under the canvas that made me draw my blankets over my head to keep my face dry . Under foot, the ground was sodden . But the piled up camp fire soon raises one ' s spirits, and we flatter ourselves that we are on the top of Fortune's wheel . The comfort of the tent invites the field-mice, fat and sleek . One took a fancy to my ear and tried to enter in, but he was too corpulent. Another awoke me by nestling in my beard, which he, as well as I, found a comforter . Others nibble at my breakfast laid ready overnight, and here is a little plague actually under my overcoat, which is my pillow . They are pests to a light sleeper, and it is absurd to think of frightening little beasts accustomed to the roar of tempests on the river and forest. I have a horror of rats, but persuade myself that these little brownies mean no harm, and may be trusted . Yet I could well spare them. During the night I awoke, feeling very cold . The weather had changed . There was silence broken only by the sound of the current and the near rapid that kept up its growl, hardly a roar . Before daybreak I lighted my lantern, dressed, and packed my' blankets in their waterproof canvas bag . By that time my porridge was warm and the coffee ready . The tent was as stiff as a board . The S .N . wind had veered round to the N ., and a sharp frost had transformed the scene. Before sunrise we are in our canoe . Before we push from the bank we uncover our heads, and I offer prayer to the God who had kept us safe, and to whom we commended ourselves for the day before us . A thick mist rises from the river, and on the trees it is turned into hoar frost, decking them with the fairest ornament . It obscures the mountains that must have otherwise blushed as the sun rose to triumph over the B
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elements of disorder,—the dark clouds lately flooding the land, and the storms that bred and lived in them. Slowly the mist melts away . Dimly at first the mountains are revealed. It is grander than any vision . They were north-eastward of us, so that they appeared in shadow, but the nebulus light transmitted by the mist, softened the shadows among the snowy peaks, and tinctured them with a blueness that blended with the cloudless heights overhead . Very soon the sun obtained complete mastery, so that the glistening whiteness of the snow-clad pinnacles rivalled in majesty the immensity of the blue they harmonized with. The sun had not risen above the foot-hills behind me, when I looked back and for a moment imagined I saw a wreath of mist swept far away up into the blue . It was the path of faint light that partially outlined another mountain mass that might easily have escaped observation, so nearly identical in hue was the part in shadow with the sky. The Alps, from the Lombard Plains or the Himalayan heights, seen from the Valley of the Indus, scarcely inspired one with greater admiration, than did these mountains of the West when first lighted by the rising sun. We are indebted for much of this to the remarkably clear atmosphere of this region . This quality also, is the secret of the strikingly beautiful pictures displayed in the autumnal foliage . An unbroken forest of pines is monotonous ; they cover the whole coast. Here, away from the sea, the cottonwood, birch and maple prevail over the other trees . One mournful note was struck the morning after the first frost . I had not noticed the fall of a single leaf until the sun thawed the little crystals of ice covering trees, bushes, and mosses to the water ' s edge . As long as they were frost-bound the leaves held fast, though the crystals had wedged them apart from their living hold on the branches . As the sun's rays dissolved their cold embrace, they fell off, and descended in showers at the faintest breeze . Calm in decay and death, their duty done, they gently sink into their graves,—surely a parable with priceless lessons to us ni rtal men. The mists are gone, the rime on the banks and the foliage gone. The pale blue above deepens every minute . What a magnificent picture stretching away mile upon mile over the foot-hills and mountain slopes . The dark green of the pines mottle or vein the vast areas of
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bright tints . The light they seem to shimmer in, thaws out one's energies, and despite the careless rolling of the canoe being poled along in-shore, and the splash, splash, splash of cold drops from the poles as they are dashed swiftly into the water, I scribble away, but the transformations are swifter than my pencil . Spellbound, I forget my duty to you, and revel in the transparent blue hung over this beautiful world, and the crystal whiteness crowning its pillars, and the brilliance of God's gardening spread over mountains and hill and dale ! The man who will imitate Him and display artfully what nature in her best moods teaches of harmony, will learn from the best book, and succeed in gratifying the purest tastes . I see no order or disorder, but beauty breathing and living and vocal with praise in my heart to the Divine Artist . This is true communion with God showing how nature is a sacrament. I wish you could share my pleasure . My fancy might have been in bondage if I had had companionship . It is now much fettered as I try, amid the hum of voices, to make you see with my eyes . In the Holy Scriptures, among colours, I think blue is an emblem of Divinity . That I missed in the mosaic dropped from heaven upon the eternal hills. That colour was exchanged, I imagined, for the verdure, the tender green of the young cotton-woods, a stage in decay that wore the same appearance as in the spring before the leaves matured . Next day I was sailing along close to the shore under the outstretched branches of the same kind of tree . I looked up. There was the blue ; the upward glance discovered the sapphire throne . The foliage of the young tree is not unlike that of the silver birch, the lady of the woods . The leaves like yellow gold, only more transparent than burnished gold, quivered in the gentle breeze and found out their purpose, as shining gems, to form spangled patterns on the blue, and bring heaven nearer to earth. " That is beautiful," said Herbert, looking at the glacier nearly filling the valley that lay before us . It was not very large, not more than two miles in length . From beneath its broad bosom flowed its off-spring torrent, that bounded with such energy into the turbid river, as to cleave a curved path for its green stream quite out into the deep water. In the winter these blustering tributaries are bound by the frost. Then the silence is solemn . Last night the ice king gave nature a little grip, but the sun has not yet abdicated his throne . Now in the afternoon the heat is almost oppressive to one thickly clad . The rock
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debris feels it . Down the slope of an adjacent cliff, less in height, but like the Palisades on the Hudson River, has just now swept down an avalanche of stones, making a long and loud clatter, and producing a current of air so strong, that we could feel its breath as well as hear its voice. I wonder what happened to the marmots and the mountain goats that tenant the crags . I hope some instinctive uneasiness warned them in time to escape. None of my crew wore a watch, but Captain George could tell by the signs on God's clock when it was noon . " Look out for fuel " he calls out when dinner is to be prepared . So we pull into the bank whenever we see any drift wood, and at once a couple of axes are swinging. George is an expert, and generally has by him a few splinters of resinous wood by which to kindle the newly chopped pieces . Kettles are set on the burning pile, and almost before I can spread my crockery on the top of my kitchen box, the water boils, the tea is made, the rice is drained, and the potatoes boil with a will . We stand with wooden pokers in our hands to quickly save a toppling kettle . Within forty minutes the cooking, eating and dish-washing is over, and the canoe again pressing on against the unwearied current. Pefore, however, we can get away, a couple of canoes we had passed before our halt, now reached us, and stopped to cook at our fire . They pour out their cargo of dogs as well as Indian folk of all ages. A man comes straight to me to describe his infant's illness, and I physic it forthwith . Another, almost beside himself with delight, tells me how many winters ago it was when we last met . "Bishop, bishop, bishop, " he keeps saying as if to please himself. He was a rare picture. Dirt first and last, excepting his feet, which are clean because he has no boots, and has been wading in the river at the end of the tow rope. The palms of his hands were clean, but the backs would have won against Dr . Johnson ' s. I saw no button on him . Rags of various colours, scarlet predominating, were tied to him with bits of twine or strips of his rags . I would rather sketch than either dress or undress him . His face beamed with a kind of grinning satisfaction when he forgot to patronize me and vow he would go anywhere to hear me preach and nowhere else . Well, we shall see ! Our halt was at a sandy beach, and while the crew were packing
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away the traps after luncheon, I meant to have a good stretch along the bank before embarking, intent on gathering some bright leaves in various stages of loveliness . A white man, surely ! He evidently did not wish to be noticed, but I could not allow it . He was, I found, working his passage and harnessed to two very dirty and ugly old Indian women, forming the team for towing their large canoe . His story is soon told . Last year he left a Scotch city with a little money, Soo, with which he hoped to buy, rather than work for, a fortune in the gold mines . He had been high in his own esteem, and persuaded himself he was sharper than the rest . But now every dollar is gone, and to prosecute those he thinks have wronged him, must first borrow the means. Who will lend him ? He thinks no one ought to deny him ; he has more to learn than he was taught at home . He is a man of fair education and more refinement than generally met with . A man who had shrank from manual labour might be excused for wishing to escape observation, when tugging at a rope with a couple of what white men rudely call squaws. Pointing to the procession of Indians and dogs, he asks me whether I will make a sketch of it for the London illustrated papers. These Indian dogs are daring thieves and great pests in camp . For this reason I never camp, if I can avoid it, near a party having many dogs . Nothing is safe when they are hungry . My kitchen box, though well fastened, they were biting through the wood when disturbed and driven off. They howl, but never bark, and are more like small wolves than dogs in general, but they are useful as beasts of burden in the winter . They carry little saddle bags or draw sledges, and are very hardy brutes as well as knowing . They are sometimes lost in the forest and then starve or become wild . We saw two yellow curs, not pure bred Indian dogs, sitting on the bank, the young one piteously howling . As we drew near he wagged his tail in response to what was said to him. He would have come near to take the piece of dry salmon offered to him, but the old one was too cautious to permit such a risk . We flung back the piece of salmon, and when we had proceeded further they enjoyed the eating of it, for they were hungry . Next day we saw a man hurrying down on the bank of the river, and he diligently enquired if we had seen two yellow dogs . Off he went in greater hope than when we met him . He valued his lost dogs and spared no pains to find them .
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This was more humane than some lost men were treated. We had come to quite a fleet of canoes and tents pitched ashore . The story was that three hunters of their party had gone up among the mountains many days ago to shoot some game, and they had not returned . They were given up as lost. Great was the grief, apparently, but no search had been instituted. The same day, towards evening, as we were poling along in a smooth reach of the river, we heard some incoherent sound of human voices— next we heard the rustling of the bushes near the river bank, where it was very steep . As is commonly the case near the water, the underwood was thick and tangled . There were the men struggling along in the wrong direction . They had missed their camp . Food they had, for each had a mountain sheep slung across his back . We set them right . Instead of pushing any longer by the water's edge they climbed up the mountain ' s side, where the ground is less overgrown, and walking easier . Indians never express thanks, but doubtless they were much relieved—and I was thankful to be able to direct the lost ones. With how much greater gladness would I have directed them to the City of God, if they had enquired the way ! One afternoon we heard two rifle shots in quick succession, and then saw the crews of several canoes not far off, run together . We dropped down to the same place to see two cariboo or reindeer dragged to the water's edge . They had been seen swimming across the river, and were both of them shot by the same man, who happened to be uncle to Bob, one of my crew . To my surprise, there, I also met one of mY clergy . He, having on thigh boots, came out to my canoe where I sat, and there we had, for nearly an hour, all the conversation it was important we should hold . He sat on the gunwale of my canoe, while all the Indians, my crew included, skinned and cut up the two fine deer . I bought a hind-quarter, the head, on which were fine antlers, and a foot . The latter I wanted as a specimen . It is most interesting to observe how perfectly it is fitted to spread out on snow, to prevent it from going so deep as an ox or horse ' s hoof would . The flesh tastes nearly the same as good beef. On Saturday evening we reached a village, deserted, excepting in the season for gathering potatoes . It was quite dark when we landed, and the two households there were not imagining that strangers were at
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their doors . What was my delight, when I found the whole of the two large households had gathered together for evening prayers, and were, as we drew near, singing an English hymn . Then one prayed, and the party broke up . I stayed there through the Sunday, and found it encouraging to find our people, when away from homes on the coast, scrupulously keeping up the accustomed services, even so far as to the ringing of a bell, which was quite unnecessary . Precious was the rest, and the services with these simple Christian people . We slept in a house belonging to my Captain . He called us up to the attic to see the sight . " Look at the wisdom and the fore-thought of the ` Ishak,' " he said . There, on a bedstead, covering its whole area, was a quantity of rather small potatoes . The bushy tailed rats had dug them from the ground, and brought them one by one in their mouths, to store them for winter or spring use . Each potato had marks of the teeth, and some had a piece bitten out . " Alas, alas, " said George, "their labour is lost, I shall sack these potatoes . " That night he set a lever trap and caught one of the rats . It is larger than the common rat, of a bluish grey colour, and a tail bushy towards the end . I never pitied a rat before . Two nights later I wished them all dead, for they tormented me all the night through, so that I could not sleep . They have their use in creation, doubtless, but they have no respect for a tired and sleepy bishop. During the summer months the Indians from the upper Skeena come to the coast to work at the salmon fisheries . In the autumn they purchase provisions and clothing with their earnings, and then return. So it is that we overtake large numbers of deeply laden canoes . They are nautical gypsies, as separate and interesting as the true Tigeuner. We overtook one party, from whom death had that day called away one of their number . The coffin, made from planks split from a cedar, was having its cover nailed on . Then it would be placed in the canoe and a piece of black cloth hoisted as a mourning flag . Later on we met another such party . In this case the person had died on the coast during the summer, had been placed in a coffin lined with sheets of tin soldered together . It had been kept in their temporary dwelling place during the fishing season . I remember I saw it looking like a sideboard, with all their ornaments orderly arranged on it, and a lamp burning night and day . It is nearly impossible to ascertain the true
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inwardness of the Indian mind with regard to the condition of the dead. I thought some years ago I had discovered it, and perhaps I then knew as much as those authors who tell us all about it . But the Indian, as a study, is not soon comprehended. This theme reminds me of a dead Japanese . Three were hunting on the river, and one was accidentally shot by the discharge of a rifle lying on the thwarts of their boat. They brought the wounded man here for treatment . Our doctor, trained nurse, and the Indians generally, were most kind, but the man died and was buried . They were Buddhists . The Indians, with great delicacy, stood aside after they had made the coffin, and watched the strangers with their dead. They were given the choice of places in the cemetery . Their boat I see is still at anchor, so I suppose they have returned . About two months ago a Japanese called, and asked to see me ; he came again, but I was not to be found, so he confided to my wife, in broken English, that he loved our God, and was one of us . Then he said he had only a little money and gave 2, equal to 8s . 4d ., for the Church work . He was a Christian ; had been baptized in Japan by one of the Missionaries, and here, r3,000 miles from home, remained faithful and strong . He, and others, came across the Pacific ocean for the same reason emigrants come from Europe . He offered his little sacrifice--not little to him or to God—and went his way ; I don't know where . Last summer, some Chinamen I baptized, subscribed IZO, voluntarily, for a new harmonium . Not long after it was damaged, and was shipped on board a steamer that was lost on her voyage to Victoria . We lost our harmonium . I wish some Yorkshire friends would give us another . The father of one of the Peterites might give us Z25 to replace the lost gift of the Christian Chinamen . This sum seems large, but it must be remembered what it costs to deliver an instrument at the end of the earth. I went up the Skeena to visit our Missions . I never travel a league for travel's sake ; I am getting too old for that . I found good work in progress . I held a confirmation of whites and Indians, and many other services in church and out . One incident particularly pleased me . A building to be used for church and school stood at a distance of some miles from their settlement . They—mostly heathen—took it down, rafted it on the river, and erected in their village, so that it might be in frequent use .
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Since I returned, our Indians here, knowing I have long wished to repair the serious damage done to our church by foreign Indians who tried to destroy it, came and offered to give their labour . At this moment, about twenty men are dining in my students' dining room—my students are among the volunteers . They dine in the kitchen so as to make room for the men . Each morning at 7-30 the big bell is rung—for prayer first, and then work . Christian Indians, in many respects, are better Christians than we are . I write this deliberately . Yet they know less of books, and have less of the world's goods . I really do not know a village in England where the morality, general behaviour and attention to the church services are so good . All through the winter we shall have no less, I am sure, than an average of fifty at our daily evening service, after the day's work is done . Is there a church in York so well attended ! Last Saturday they got up a tea party, charging for tickets of admission . They cleared ,42 ? , , or about nine pounds. They did this to buy more lamps for the evening services . They are now working for a sale of work to be held at Christmas . This is to raise money for the new Girls' Home, which I opened last week . We have now our Indian Girton ! We have a really capital brass band—a fire brigade, and sundry amusements from time to time . Heathenism provides much excitement, and Indians like it . We must not forget that they are human as well as Christian . So we have band and choir practices—drilling and marchings, as well as teaching and preaching, and praying, which is best of all, as well as first and last. This long letter will prove that I remember you . Will you often remember and pray for me ? I am, sincerely yours, W. CALEDONIA .
r%
698
THEATRICAL ACCOUNTS — DEBATING SOCIETY.
THEATRICAL ACCOUNTS, 1890. •
S . ll.
Balance from 1889 .. 7 13 School Subscriptions 35 4 6 Head Master's Subscription 5 q 0 Masters' Subscriptions 4 q 0 Public Subscriptions 13 o 6 O .P. Subscriptions 7 to 6
May .. Clarkson Holtby Sampson . Leak & Thorp . . Ilartley .. Police James . Gas Fittings Gray & Sons Wall Taylor & Sons Bollands Band .. Lamb .. Carriage .. Workmen .. Stationery, &c. Properties . . .. Plants and Moss .. Cloak Room . Hunter & Smallpage Postal Orders .. Mrs . IIandtord Shrubs ..
20 0
•
1144 1 8
.. . . . .
. .
.. . .
• • . . .. • ▪
Balance for 1890 . . Z71 16 9
s.
▪
2 9 O IO 3 0 0 19 0 15 0 12 I 5 I 12
113 0 9 4 0 o 8 r 0 o to 0 7 0 3 0 7 o Io I 2 OO 0 12 0 15
61 l0 4i 10 6 41
,471 16 9
DEBATING SOCIETY. HE first debate was held in the School Hall on January 7th, the subject being : "That Mental Training is preferable to Athletic Exercise . " Mr . Padel, in proposing, apologised for the vagueness of a motion which was none of his choosing . He endeavoured to show how science was developed by the mind, how important its discoveries were. States, again, were not ruled by athletes, or laws laid down, or victories won, or great edifices designed by any but the great in mind. Morally, was man the better for learning or for training of the limbs ? Did sportsmen show more temperance than book-men? Who were more large-hearted, more feeling, more refined? Could sport compete with art? The answer was plain to all .
T
DEBATING SOCIETY .
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Mr . Naylor, seconding, supported the view that skill is superior to strength, and pointed out how the body must die, but the mind could virtually live for ever. Mr . Clarke headed the opposition, confining his remarks principally to school life, and endeavouring altogether to separate athletics from study, ridiculed the latter with wit and eloquence . He had a terse seconder in Mr . Whitby. Mr . Garwood, supported the mover . He tried to point out the opposer's errors, in endeavouring to separate two inseparable things, and maintained that no one could or should despise development of the intellect. Opposition speeches were made by Messrs . Carter and Binghams (i) and (ii). In a final reply, Mr . Padel dwelt upon the narrow view taken by the opposition, and tried to show that in a cold-blooded comparison of the two, though separated they could not be, the mind must triumph. A sportive house voted, 12 for the motion, 20 against ; athletes thus shewing a majority of 8. On February 14th, the second subject of debate, that " Professionalism should never have been admitted within the sphere of games," was brought forward by Mr . H . H . Williams . Giving his opinion that various games were no longer a simple recreation, but were being spoilt by an element of professionalism, the proposer dwelt at some length upon the evils of the latter, affirming that whatever benefit might accrue to the game itself therefrom, was by no means counter-balanced by the harm caused . Professionals played for money . It was making a business of a recreation . Mr. Williams strongly denounced this throughout his speech. Mr . Miller, in a powerful oration, supported . His definition of true sport, was that it was meant to form ' a relaxation and recreation for leisure hours, ' and he challenged anyone to put forward a better. Local clubs, he said, no longer represented their districts when including men who came from other parts to play for pay . Professionals were driving amateurs out of the field . Did such a system serve to unite the upper and lower classes ? Professionals at any rate were the cause of many of the evils in sport ; they played to win, a poor spirit
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DEBATING SOCIETY.
in a game when carried to extremes . Those sports that excluded professionals were best, and the career of the hired sportsman was degrading, and ended in low position, if not in poverty. Mr. Naylor rose for the opposition : he warmly supported the abused pro ' s ; why had they not as much right to exist as professional schoolmasters (violent applause), if both earned their living honestly? He appealed forcibly to the verdict of the preceding week . Consistency demanded that the House should support him ; since sports were better than learning, the teacher of the former must be better than the teacher of the latter. He went into the matter at some length, and concluded by opposing the opinion that one should not play to win, affirming that because a professional aimed at this he was a better sportsman than an amateur. Mr . Stephenson briefly seconded. Mr. Spence and Messrs . Bingham (i) and (ii) also expressed their several opinions on the motion, some warmth of contention arising, no doubt through excessive fervour and feeling on the part of the orators. A short reply from Mr . Williams concluded the debate ; the House declaring against professionalism by 28 votes to 5 ; possibly oblivious of their opinion of but seven days ago. The third and the last meeting of the society was held on February 27th to discuss the motion forwarded by Mr. D . Carter (O .P.), who very kindly consented to support a cause which no one else seemed willing to champion : namely that " The life of a day boy is preferable to that of a hoarder . " After some prefatory remarks the proposer expressed his opinion that a day boy had more freedom in pursuit of study than a boarder, and his chances of athletics were no less . He advocated mixing in society, a benefit of which borders were in great measure deprived . He admitted that much experience was necessary for a speech on so difficult a subject : yet surely a day boy's career fitted him more for after life than did that of his more tied down schoolfellow . Lastly he earnestly solicited unprejudiced voting . The mover's sentiments were echoed in a speech by Mr . C . J . N . Carter as seconder. Mr . S . O . Bingham rose to oppose . His line of argument seemed mainly that of denying the proposer's assertions, and replacing them
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by others of his own which tended in a diametrically opposite direction, thus vigorously fulfilling the duty of an opposer . He referred to great names among the boarders, he showed how house life promoted patriotism, he reminded the day boys that their liberty might be abused ; and resumed his seat after a speech which certainly lacked no definite statements of his opinions on the matter under discussion. Mr. Naylor, in seconding, followed the lead, and with excessive zeal : speaking from personal experience, as having been in both positions, and strongly did he support a boarder's life . Mr . F . M. Bingham, Mr . Garwood, Mr . Stephenson, and Mr . Raine (O .P .) also spoke, warmly combating the statements of those who thought differently to themselves, and (in spite of a timely warning from the chair) verging close on the border of personalities. The mover rising to reply reviewed his statements, summing up his points and again entreating an impartial verdict, which actually (as a matter of course) represented the number of those present of either class . For the motion, 9 ; against, 16. This concluded the debates of this year.
FOOTBALL. v . MR . JOY'S Y .V. This match was played on the school ground on February 4th . Our opponents brought, as usual, a very strong team under the captaincy of Potter, in the absence of A. O . Joy, Esq. The match proved much more even and exciting than on the first occasion, as up to half-time neither side scored . After the kick off, our opponents held us in our 25 for some time, and tried hard to score, but the good play of the school backs was instrumental in saving our lines, and our forwards showing better combination and dash, succeeded in taking the ball well out of danger . The game at this point was very fast, and the school team rushing the ball into our opponents ' quarters, improved matters considerably . Blake was especially conspicuous for his good kicking. The school forwards then were unable to stand against the superior weight of their opponents, and, but for the good play of S . O . Bingham and the halves, must have scored ; but when half-time was called
702
FOOTBALL.
neither side had any advantage . On resuming, the school team mysteriously fell to pieces, and the visitors ' three-quarters ran in three times at their own sweet will ; then pulling together, the school team made a better show and the rest of the game was very even, the play of our halves and three-quarters being most conspicuous, whilst the forwards did their best to hold their own against their heavy opponents . At call of time the score was—Mr. Joy ' s team r goal, 4 tries, to St . Peter' s i minor. The following was the school team : Back—C . J . N . Carter . Three-quarters—S . O . Bingham, F . Blake, H . S . Stephenson . Halves—F . Williams, T . S . Spence. Forwards—F . M . Bingham, C . F . C . Padcl, E. W . Clarke, B . J. Scargill, R. Martin, N . T. Crumbie, W. H . Hancock, H . McTurk, H . Burdett . v . RIPON GRAMMAR SCHOOL. On Saturday, February 14th, St. Peter's, who were narrowly beaten on the last occasion, in the final for the cup, completely turned the tables upon their opponents. The game was well contested and Ripon played up hard to the end, but St . Peter ' s over-matched them from the beginning . Early in the game some good play by Tute, who played a first-rate game throughout, resulted in a try which was not converted . Soon after, S . O. Bingham taking a good pass at full speed, ran in ; this try was not improved upon . A rush on the part of the Ripon forwards forced the ball over the St . Peter' s line, but it was kicked away by S . O . Bingham, who had followed up hard. When ends were changed St . Peter' s still continued to press, and Bingham gained another try, but the kick again failed . Presently, Spence, who had run in previously, but had been ruled back, gained a pretty try, and Tute landed a beautiful goal . The forwards were evenly matched, but the winners were far superior behind . The final result was i goal, 3 tries for St . Peter's to r minor. v . BRADFORD GRAMMAR SCHOOL. This match was played at York, on Saturday, February 2rst, St . Peter's kicked off and Bradford soon after transferred the ball to the York
CRICKET .
703
25 . Here even play ensued and continued during most of the first half, the score being Bradford r minor to York nil . After the kick off St. Peter' s rushed the ball down the field and after a good run Blake scored, and S . O . Bingham kicked a good goal. Soon afterwards Hancock by a plucky run, got in near the touch line, the place failing . Bradford fell off rather, and York kept the ball in the Bradford 25, whence Tute gained a good try behind the posts, S . O . Bingham converting. After a poor kick off St . Peter's rushed the ball down, and after a good dribble by Blake, Spence secured the ball and gained a neat try behind the posts, Tute kicking the goal . Soon after Williams got a try near the touch line ; the kick, however, failed. Score :—St . Peter's 3 goals, 2 tries, r minor to Bradford Grammar School 2 minors .
CRICKET. HE cricket authorities have again, as last year, forwarded us the
T lists of those who are to belong to the several divisions.
We are requested to state that these lists are in a great part merely experimental, and are intendetI to stave off the confusion which would inevitably ensue, but for some such arrangement in the earlier part of the season . Old Peterites who take an interest in the cricket of the school will, no doubt, be pleased to hear that the club has obtained the services of E . Wainwright, the well-known Yorkshire County bowler. It is, we suppose, an open secret that the finances of the cricket club are not in as satisfactory a condition as they might be, though there is good ground for expecting that with masters as treasurers, the balance will soon be on the right side . Under these circumstances therefore, we take the liberty of appealing, on behalf of the club, to those Old Boys who are anxious to see the school occupy as prominent a place in cricket, as it has already gained for itself in the football world . It is satisfactory to observe that the club is supplying the necessary materials for all the divisions, and thus every member of the school obtains a direct return for his subscription .
CRICKET.
704
DIVISION I. H . D . Naylor (Capt). F . M . Bingham. H . B . Whitby. S. O. Bingham. W . H . M . Hancock. C . J . Carter. R . Martin. T. S . Spence. C . F . Padel. R . C . Tute. A . W . Peel. F . Blake. C . H . Conning .
B. Owtram. F . Williams. B Scargill. E . W . Clarke. C. Whincup. H . Proctor. H . Burdett. H . Stephenson. Atkinson (I). R . Russall. Cotterill. B . Garwood. Williams (I). Bingham (III).
DIVISION II. A . W . Eastwood (Capt). A . Sargeaunt. J . Shepherd. Whincup (I). H . R . Partington. A. Rose. T . Leonard. H . McTurk. C . O . Grindrod. Addis (I). Blake (II). C . D . I'anson. E . C . Cadman .
Peel (II .) N . T . Crumbie. E . C . Gray. G. Burton. H. Bennington. Johnson (I). Johnson (II). Hood. Bailey (I). Williams (III). Atkinson (II). Hudson .
CORRESPONDENCE .
705
DIVISON III.
Roy (I) (Capt). Roy (II). Cass. Bailey (II). Carter (II). Sargeaunt (II). Sargeaunt (III). Spence (II .) Hopkins. Tute (II). Hall. Clarke (II).
Greaves. Crowther. Addis (II). Metcalfe. Bird. Moiser. Hatfield. Hey (I). Hey (II). Walters. Clarke (III). Clarke (IV) .
CORRESPONDENCE.
To THE EDITORS OF' THE " PETERITE . "
venture to write on an old, old subject, in hopes of rousing the' Authorities to some definite action . From time to time letters have appeared in your pages demanding a reform in the Boat Club, and have even been known to produce spasmodic efforts to establish the School once for all on a firm aquatic footing, by offering for one year medals, instead of cups, as prizes . But these efforts have always died away and left the club little better off than it was before. My object in writing to you then, is to endeavour to the best of my ability, to point out how the Boat Club may be really improved, not by one feverish spurt, quickly dying out, but by a steady effort, maintained in spite of apparent want of result, till the goal is reached. Rome, we know, was not built in a year, and we cannot hope to acquire boats and style in a like period . We must look forward and work for the benefit, if necessary, of our successors, content to deny ourselves that they may succeed, and not weary because we do not ourselves share in the harvest . DEAR SIRS,—I
706
CORRESPONDENCE.
What then is it that is required ? Firstly, a reduction in the value of prizes, until the day when the Club shall possess all that she requires in the way of boats . This has been often demanded, and as I say, temporarily tried . But it must be settled once for all that a fixed value will be given every year, and all surplus go to the fund for boats. Those who cannot see that the honour of winning a race is not proportional to the value of the "pot, " can retire, and show their disapproval by their absence . We will do without them, and educate our younger members to repudiate any such false notions of sport. Secondly, we must try and teach our juniors how to row . For this, there is nothing like the ' Varsity system of tubbing, and I have little doubt that one of the masters will gladly give an hour now and then for this purpose, and seniors, who have themselves received careful instructions, will be able to help . If they are really anxious to forward the interests of the Boat Club, they will surely not mind spending an hour every half-holiday in the early part of the Spring term in this work. Captains of College Boat Clubs spend every afternoon in training their new material, and I am sure the esprit de corp of the seniors will induce them to follow such an example. We may look forward then to growing funds and improving style, and with the help of the first for the improvement of the second, must next turn our attention to the question of boats . A good oar finds it difficult to row in good form in a radically bad boat, and how bad some of Hill's boats are, according to modern ideas, everyone who knows anything of rowing must see . Some new boats, then, are a necessity . At present the School possesses two fours, second-hand when first purchased, and some moderately bad oars. These, though infinitely better than Hill's tubs, are still showing signs of wear, and two new fours of perfectly equal calibre are urgently needed . From conversations with old Peterites at Christmas, I may say that I believe two new boats would be very speedily forthcoming, provided it was a certainty that some definite scheme would be adopted for the employment of funds in the purchase of boats and not of " pots ." I beg, therefore, the Boating Authorities to call a meeting speedily and come to some decision . Let a resolution be passed that until the Club is well supplied with boats the prizes shall not exceed
NOTES AND ITEMS .
70 7
some small fixed sum in value, and let a Committee be elected, of present and past Peterites and Masters to take whit steps may be necessary for raising funds . If this is done and there is a certainty that next year the action of this year is not to be nullified, I can promise with confidence, that before next season the School shall possess two new fours for senior races . The old fours, with a little strengthening and stiffening will do for junior and scratch fours . I think the Committee should see to the keeping in repair, and general welfare of the boats, especially paying attention to the cleanliness of the inside of the boathouse . Nothing rots a boat more than accumulations of dirt, and a small sum laid out in a mop and tin pan will easily remove the chance of such harm coming to our boats. I must apologise for the length of my letter, but I feel strongly that there is no reason why S . Peter's, who can beat Durham as they did last season at Football, should not beat her on the river . The Ouse is vastly superior to the Wear, and it is a shame to waste our natural advantages Resolution, unselfishness, and energy will bear fruit in a very short time . If all who set the School before themselves,—and I know that their numbers are increasing fast,—will do their best, however little it may be, to help on the Club, we shall soon see S. Peter ' s in her proper place on the river as she is on the field. Yours truly, GEORGE H . EYRE.
NOTES AND ITEMS. Rev . Ti L . Clarke, lILA , has been appointed Vicar of Dewsbury. Rev . IV. Y. Fausset, M.A ., has been elected Head Master of Ripon Grammar School. E. IV. Clayfortle, Christ Church, Oxford, has taken his M .A. G . R . Cook, Hatfield Hall, Durham, has passed an examination in Arts, and was alone in the and class (none in first) in the examination for Classical and General Literature .
708
IN MEMORIAM.
Rev . E . S. Fox, Corpus C .C ., Cambridge, and Rev . N. S. Fi'kv. 1'emb,
College, Camb ., have taken their AI A . ' s. F. Mitchell played for Sussex County Rugby Football team against
Hampshire, on February 5th last. Through the great kindness of Dr . Naylor, the School House is at present enjoying the use of an upright " Broadwood, " which he has lent us during his absence.
IN MEMORIAM. Major M . K. MATTERSON, Captain Retired, late Cheshire 22nd, who died at Drayton Court, Taunton, on February 16th . He left the School from the Upper Civil .