April 1899

THE

PETERITE. VoL . XV .

APRIL, 1899 .

No . 138.

SCHOOL LETTER. HE predictions of our last Editorial have, strange to say, not been verified . The boat, which bade fair to be a very strong one, containing as it did three of last year's crew, has been immeasurably weakened by the loss of R . Teasdale, the captain . His place has been filled by Otley, while Roy, a candidate, last year also for "bow," has given place to C . Nelson, who although somewhat of a novice, has been rowing very well . We hear that the Old Boys ' boat will not be so strong this year as those of former years, so that perhaps this year is destined to see the turning of the tide of defeat with us, as in the more famous instance . We will, at any rate, undaunted by the former ill success of our prophecy, commit ourselves so far as to predict, that if the School win the toss and take the side (granted a strong wind down stream and a big current), the race will be won . Some people may say that this prediction savours somewhat of the Delphic Oracle . We answer with the still more profound remark, " we shall see . " To turn to the alternative amusement of this term—the hockey— matches have been arranged with scratch teams, and we hope before next year to see something like a list of fixtures . The great want at present is of proper goal posts, the football posts requiring

676

CAMBRIDGE LETTER.

rather more than a little bit off the top, and the sides to make them of the proper size . This should be seen to, in time next year.

Mr . Wilkes is most regular in his attendance at the hockey field, giving the players the benefit both of his experience and advice, and of a fine exposition of defensive play.

We are very glad to notice that the day-boys are taking up hockey with some degree of enthusiasm, and this brings us to the question of the falling off in the attendance of day-boys at the School games . It is a patriotic duty which they owe to the School . that they should do their best to attend the School games as well as the School work . There is only one in the House incapable of joining in the games . It is a reproach to the day-boys that only a hare half of them should join in the games.

No one can believe that, if they really wished to play, their parents would be an unsurmountable obstacle . Captains and secretaries of football and cricket are only too glad to see them appearing on the field . We will not repeat the " chestnut " which comes so readily to our pen, but it is a mere matter of commonsense that a boy has a clearer head, and is in every way better in mind and body when in good condition ; which good condition will not be obtained by merely walking to School and back, and loafing about at home every half-holiday afternoon . We appeal to the patriotism of the day-boys to do their best to join in the School games so that the reproach may be taken away from them, and so that the day-boy who does not play in one or other of the games, may become a curiosity.

CAMBRIDGE LETTER. Semper ego auditor ?

So wrote the satirist of Rome, when he apologised for writing at all .

Semper ego seriptor ?

That is our complaint . But what Peterite, and especially a former editor, could heartlessly refuse a request for a Cambridge Letter ?

He must know that the Editor is at his last gasp . The criticism

CAMBRIDGE LETTER .

6 77

of the Theatricals is, it may be, too short! there have been but few football matches ! or no births, deaths, and marriages!

Winter is past, or will be when this appears in print, and alas ! no " icicles have hung by the wall," but the " ways have been foul " and a rich fog has been exuding from the Cam . Influenza has been the result, and Mr . Leaf at Norwich says he is dewwe vovw KaTEXo evoc .

By the way, we note in the Cambridge Review, the following : " In Mr . Leaf both Peterhouse and the University lose one of the most energetic and brilliant of our younger scholars, so that it is hard to know whether congratulation or condolence is more in place ." Doubtless you will remember that Mr . Leaf is now one of Her Majesty' s Inspectors of Schools.

Eastwood went down also last term, and is now a Schoolmaster in Devonshire . His place at full back in the Yorkshire Schools team up here is usually filled by G . Crowther . Sullivan is Secretary of the Yorkshire Schools Club, and Veld, Russell, Fausset, and Tomlinson have played for the team at various times in addition to those already mentioned.

Sullivan played for the University against Kensington this term, and we must congratulate Yeld too on playing against Lennox— his first, but we are sure not his last appearance . Sullivan played for Blackheath against the 'Varsity, and Yeld plays at times for Croydon, but to chronicle their doings would he too long a task--such is the demand for O .P . ' s in the football world.

We expected also to see F . M . Bingham playing for Blackheath against the University here, but, though chosen, he was unable to get away.

We cull from the Clare correspondence in the Cambridge Review the following : "On Friday our boat captain distinguished himself by being blown, with his bicycle, into the river . He chose the neighbourhood of the Red Grind for the performance ."

The unfortunate boat captain in question was B . Hudson, who was coaching the Clare Lent Boat at the time . H . B . Greeves has stroked the Peterhouse eight, and also their clinker four to victory ;

678

OXFORD LETTER.

the latter has suffered somewhat from the aforementioned influenza, but other Peterites, avoiding the delights of rowing, have been happily freed from it.

Fausset and Russell have taken to hockey, the former captains the Peterhouse team, the latter plays half-back for Emmanuel.

About mid-term the ubiquitous Shepherd appeared in Cambridge, and played next day for the Yorkshire Schools against Scotch Schools, the latter represented by half the University team among the rest . The Yorkshire Schools none the less won, and Shepherd returned north smiling.

We apologise for the absence of those flowers of rhetoric which should distinguish a letter intended for publication, but the Editor was in a hurry and gave us short shrift by which to hang ourselves.

Besides, the Lent races call us to the river, where the great sight is the Trinity Rugger VIII . This boat is manned among other football lights by Pilkington, Campbell, and Bell . The average weight per man is nearly twelve and a half stone . They have gone up five places, though they voted paddling "rot," while rowing is "such awfully good exercise for the arms " N .13 .—We leave remarks on the result of the University Boat Race to your Oxford correspondent.

OXFORD LP:TTER. '• Sir," as I)r . Johnson says " Judge no man by his letters, " therefore, if we appear in the light of small discretion, pray let our sluggard humour down gently, and say with Shakespeare, " Sir, your wit ambles well, it runs easily ." Ah ! but it may run away with us altogether if we do not guide it into the arena of hard facts—to wit, the football field . That we lost both Inter 'Varsity matches is stale news now ; to offer excuses would be both futile and ungenerous, and we will content ourselves with hoping that the best team won . So far this term our Rugby team has beaten Coventry, Croydon, East Sheen, and the London Scottish, while

OXFORD LETTER .

679

we lost to a very strong Blackheath team, including Skrimshire and Fookes, by six points to nine . We should like to congratulate Walton on playing for the 'Varsity against Fast Sheen.

The University Dramatic Societe " has strutted gaily for a space and gone ." The play acted was " A Midsummer's Dream," and was in every way a success . Mr . H . M . M . Woodward, as " Puck," was undoubtedly the best, while Mr . Talbot ' s " Bottom " was delightful, his acting in many ways reminded us of Bailey's . The scenic arrangements were excellent, though the faries rather taxed one's imaginative powers . Of the ladies, Miss Una Cockerell, in her portrayal of " Titania, " was most delectable . Taking it altogether, the play was a decided advance on last year's production.

This week the "toggers" are in full swing, more so than the crews perhaps . We are told on good authority that they are rather below the average this year, owing to the fact that no Peterites are rowing, and also in some degree to the difficulty of getting adequate coaching by reason of the floods, which have been indeed dreadful.

For the first four days the towing path was under water to a depth of eighteen inches, and enthusiastic Peterites might be seen trailing exhausted limbs in the wake of Ruskin Hall Second or the agitated Toshers . The sight of victor and vanquished rowing on to the Brasenose cricket ground to get out of the course caused amusement to many . Of the boats, Balliol will remain head, while Brasenose, Merton, Pembroke, and Worcester will materially improve their position . The 'Varsity boat is going well, though the inability of Warren to row has proved a serious loss . Tinne, however, is proving himself an efficient substitute, and his success is the more pleasing as he was ninth man last year . Of the athletic club no authentic news has come to hand, but with Vassal, Thomas, Danson, Parkes, and Cornish still in residence our expectations are rosy . Of the Peterites up at present, may we not say with Virgil ? Non multa sed tiara el venerabilia nomina.

H . H . Williams is at Hertford, and plays with formal logic and metaphysics . R . Whincup is at Grindle ' s Hall and goes for pleasant drives . E . J . Walton plays rugger for Queen's, and when he has time, for Yorkshire County . T . F . Williams is not playing

68o

FOOTBALL RESULTS.

football for Queen ' s, nor has he been approached by Broughton Rangers along with the brothers James . C . I3 . Cotterell has been learning to ride a horse on Shotover and falling off : he has the satisfaction of not hurting himself behind if he falls in front . Of the rest we know nothing . lob r alai we may mention the fact that there are three hundred candidates in for honour moderations, including women and children : that the Vice-Chancellor has been guilty of the atrocity of Nos el hi Prot-tares Judie ahunt ; and that there is no submarine boat in the " torpedo races " of 1899, owing, it is supposed, to the Tzar's " eirenekon, " or a telegram from the German Emperor.

FOOTBALL RESULTS (Delayed).

FIRST XV.

Date .

Versus .

Ground . Result . Scorefor . Scoreagst.

Tues . Oct .

Thurs . „

. . home lost i g . I t . 4 g . +t.

4 . Old Boys 13 .

St . John's College home won 3g .(2dr .)4t . nil.

Sat . „ 22 . Leeds G .S . . . home won 3 g . 9 t . nil.

Sat . ,, 29 . Durham School home lost i goal 3 g . .} t.

Thurs . Nov . 3 . Yorkshire College home lost I g . (dr.) 3 g . 5 t.

Sat . „ 12 . Headingley F .C . home lost nil I g . 5 t.

Sat . „ 19 . Giggleswick School away lost 2 tries. nil Sat . „ 26 . Durham School away lost nil 3g .(IdrIp)5t.

Tues . „ 29 . E . J . Joicey' s XV. home lost I try 3 tries.

Sat. Dec . 3 . Spen Valley Casuals F .C . . home won zg .(i dr .)4t . nil.

Tues . „ 6 . Richmond School away won 13 g . 8 t . I try Sat . „ to . Yarnbury F .C . home won i try nil.

Tues . „ 2o . Old Boys home lost 2 tries r g . 5 t.

Sat .

Feb . I i . Wakefield St . John's home won 4 g . (I from a mark) nil.

Thurs . „ 18 . St . John's College home won g. 5 t.

I try Total points for, 245 ; against, 17^, .

CONFIRMATION .

6R f

SECOND XV.

Date.

Sat .

Oct .

Thurs . „ Sat . , Thurs . Feb .

Versus .

Ground . Result . Scorefor . Scoreagst.

22 .

Leeds G .S . znd away won 1 g . 15 t . nil.

27 .

St . John's Coll . : home lost nil . 3g .(zdr .)}t.

29 .

Durham G .S . znd away lost nil .

2 g . 6 t.

2.

St . John's Coll . A home lost nil .

3 tries .

Total for, 5o points ; against, 62 points.

RULES t]F FORM CHALLENGE SHIELD FOR GYMNASTICS. I .—Competition to take place in the following : (a) Horizontal bar, parallel bars, vaulting horse, bridge ladder, rings, rope climbing (two set exercises and one voluntary in each). (b) High jumping. (c) Free Gymnastics (dumb-bells, sceptres, &c .)

II .—Each form may send five representatives, the total number of marks scored Iw the form to count. (a) A prize will be given to the boy scoring the highest individual marks in the competition. (b) The form winning the shield to retain it till the next competition.

III .—For the purposes of this competition there are four forms, Sixth, Fifth, Fourth, Junior School.

N .B .—The set exercises in each event will be posted in the Gymnasium at once, that competitors may practice them.

In free gymnastics, boys representing any one form will perform simultaneously.

The competition will take place on a date to be fixed, probably early in April .

CONFIRMATION. On the 6th April, the Bishop of Hull held a Confirmation in the School Chapel . The whole School was present, with a number of the parents and friends of the candidates.

In his first address, the Bishop, pointing out the exceptional nature of a Confirmation held in a School Chapel owing to the

662

CONFIRMATION.

unity and harmony of feeling dependent on the common worship and common teaching, characterised it as a ceremony at once interesting and solemn . He then pointed out that there Nvere in a Confirmation Service—as indeed in all religious ceremonies— two parts ; first, the reception of God ' s blessing, which is the gift of the Holy Spirit, and secondly, the dedication to God of the candidate's heart and life . Touching lightly--because he deemed the subject inappropriate here—on the sin of coming to Confirmation as an idle form, and by subsequent behaviour bringing contempt on the Church and God's ordinances, the Bishop impressed on the candidates that if Confirmation did not make them better, it would make them worse, it would harden their hearts and start them on a course of hypocrisy . At Confirmation there was an especial need to bear in mind St . Bernard's words, " Respice, aspice, prospice, " —" look back, look around, look forward . " They were now to look back upon their years of childhood and school life up to the present, to recognise their faults, and feel and express contrition for them, and to fulfil the first vow of their baptism, to renounce the world, the flesh, and the devil . Further, to look around upon the present, revealed it an occasion full of blessing . Most of them would have fathers— fathers who loved them, prayed for them, prayed with them.

Such a love was but the shadow of the Heavenly Father ' s blessing.

And that love and help and blessing they were now to receive from the Father Himself ; the laying on of hands was but the sign of the giving . The Bishop then put the question and the candidates answered one by one ; and the laying on of hands and the hymn " ° Fight the good fight with all thy might, " followed.

In his second address, after the laying on of hands, the Bishop took up the lesson of the word " Prospice," look forward to the future . And yet, as to the traveller at the mountain's top, what lay in front was hidden, hidden in mist, as it were, hidden in the unknown future . Peril there might be, or ease, success or failure, or perhaps a life, the one which is the most common, like an English day, of varied aspect or neutral tint ; but the traveller knew that above him and beyond the mist was the light of the sun .

FORM GYMNASTIC COMPETITION .

683

The Christian knew that beyond and above the changes and chances of this mortal life there was, guarding and controlling his life, the Father ' s love.

The Bishop concluded with a few practical counsels to the candidates . To recollect the day on which they were confirmed.

To bear in mind the difference between Esau and Jacob . Esau is called in the Epistle to the Hebrews a profane person, with no hopes or thoughts outside this present life . Jacob, with all his many and great faults, still with a strong sense of the unseen, the spiritual, and able to live for what is beyond . Finally, the Bishop exhorted them to take as a motto the words of God to Jacob at Bethel, " I am with thee and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, for I will not leave thee until I have clone that which I have spoken to thee of."

The following were Confirmed :—P . H . Yeld, A . Neilson, 11 . Leonard, J . Denby, R . Harrison, A . H . Turner, J . II . Robinson, R . Key, H . C . Scott, T . J . Black, R . Dunning.

FORM GYMNASTIC COMPETITION. On Thursday, April 6th, before a goodly company of spectators, Colonel Fox (Chief Inspector of Gymnasia for the Army) had kindly consented to judge, and he was assisted by Capt . AVitherby.

The contest between the Forms was for an exceedingly handsome shield of oak, containing in its centre a bas-relief of frosted silver representing Hercules . This centre-piece was set in brass and surrounded by a number of small silver shields, destined to bear the names of the annual winners of the Shield . A prize was also given for the best all-round gymnast in the School.

The original arrangement was that there should be two set exercises on each apparatus and one voluntary ; but, owing to the objection of the Judge on the ground of the difficulty of judging, the voluntary was struck off from the programme, which deprived it of much of its interest . The Competition began with the Horizontal Bar, P . St . G . Kirke and E . St . G . Kirke distinguishing

684

FORM GYMNASTIC COMPETITION.

themselves for the Sixth Form, R . Harrison and M . Richards for the Fourth Form and Lower School respectively . The Sixth Form gained

21

points, the Fourth Form I7 points, the Lower

School 13i points . The next apparatus to be used was the Parallel Bars, in which P . St . G . Kirke, Harrison, Otley and Richards excelled, for their respective Forms, the Fourth Form winning this event by 3 points . Next followed exercises on the Vaulting-horse . Kirke I . and I L, Otley, Richards and 131ack were noticeable ; the Fourth Form were again victorious by 2 points.

The Bridge-ladder now came into use, and this the Fourth Form won by half a point . In climbing the rope the two Kirkes were very good . This again the Fourth Form won by half a mark.

The " Rings " followed and was also won by the Fourth Form.

The total for the Fourth Form was 143> points, for the Sixth Form 1342 points, and for the Lower School 103 points . In the other portion, competition comprising dumb-bells and freegymnastics, the Fourth Form again won by 61 points . The Fourth Form finally won by 15 points.

The reason of the victory of the Fourth Form is to be sought more in the fact that they had a full team than in their individual merit, although no one will deny that they worked very well, and great credit is due to them for raising the maximum number of representatives . The prize for the best gymnast was gained by P . St . G . Kirke, who not only gained the highest number of marks altogether, but also the highest number in each separate exercise.

His total was 704 points ; E . St . G . Kirke came second with 594 points, and M . Richards third with 54 points . Colonel Fox described the drill as poor, but the exercises on the apparatus, though not difficult, were well done.

It is our very pleasant duty to again thank Mr . Lawrance for presenting the magnificent shield and for getting up the competition .

BOAT RACES .

685

MARKS .

Sixth Form.

P . St . G . Kirke E . St . G . Kirke C . P. Scott

Horizontal ParaTTel Bars.

Bars.

8 71 SL

91 7 51

VauTting Bridge Horse . Ladder.

10

101

9 6

9 8

Rope .

Rings.

10 9 51

51 5 4

Form Total

E.

Fourth Form.

J . Otley R . Harrison H . Robinson G. Armstrong W . Wilson

s1 61 41 41 4

71

21 2

6 6 5 51

6 61 5 5 51

4±

61 9 5 61 41

31 41 3 21 14

Form Total

Lower School.

J . B . Mossop M . Richards T . J .Black C . Croft

Sixth Form.

P . St . G . Kirke E . St . G . Kirke C . P . Scott

3 8 -2 z1 o

5 7 41

31

21

11

Free Gymnastics .

151 1211 9a

2 41

7 8 i

61

5a

4 i

19 131

10

12 11 7 101 8

M . Richards T . J . Black C . Croft

7

Ili c 72

401

I1 IO1 8 91 iy Total

Lower School.

J . B. Mossop

t

1 71 1 31

Ioa Total

101 10 9 9 7

8_ 7

53i 46

1

341 1 341 30 .

40 26 1 261 201 1 431 26 40 1 3 01 6

Form Total 103 halt TotaT .

Grand Total.

Dumb-belTs .

Fourth Form, E . J . OtTey R . Harrison H . Robinson G . Armstrong W. Wilson

s1

TotaT.

47

8

74

1 41

1 31

121

101

9

8-1r Total 39

0i 591 441 7

1 75 411 501 341 36 28 1901

331 54 41 1 41 142;

BOAT RACES. SENIOR SCULLS . — H . LEONARD T . E . CREASER. Wednesday, April 5th .-A dull, windy afternoon . Leonard led from the start, and was about a length and a quarter ahead at the White Rose boathouse ; and before Scarborough Bridge he increased his lead to two and a half lengths . Creaser gained again through the bridge, and Leonard finally won by a length.

686

NOTES AND ITEMS. NOTES AND ITEMS.

H. H . Williams has been elected Fellow of Hertford College, Oxford.

V . A . Mosley has passed Part I . of the Final M .B . Degree of Victoria University.

F . L . Pelly has passed the First Professional Examination for Medicine, of Aberdeen University, in Chemistry and Physics, with First Class Honours in Chemistry.

We notice with pleasure that the chief illustrations in Professor Bonney ' s Book on Volcanoes in the Progressive Science Series are from photographs by Dr . Tempest Anderson, whose Lecture on Glaciers, in the School [Tall, is still fresh in the minds of many of us.

F . Mitchell has written the part of the New Football Badminton which deals with Rugby football . He has illustrated it with photographs of some members of the School Fifteen.

W . C . B . Williams was ordained Deacon at the Lent Ordination in the Diocese of Ripon.

H . B . Greeves rowed "stroke " in the Peterhouse Lent Boat, which went up a place ; he also " stroked " the Peterhouse "clinker " four which was victorious.

B . Hudson was in the winning " pair" at Clare College, Cambridge.

A Games' Committee has been constituted as follows :—B . G. Lawrance, Esq . (Chairman), A . Wilkes, Esq . (Treasurer), P . S . Burrell, Esq ., D . W. Roy (Secretary), R . G . Bingham, R . Teasdale.

G. C . Otley and C . Nelson have been elected Captain and Secretary of Football respectively for next season.

March 4th, at Christ Church, West Hartlepool, by the Rev . W . F. Cosgrave, Robert W . Baird, son of J . W . Baird, to Jennie, daughter of Captain Rowe, both of West Hartlepool.

The Valley of Light (Macmillan's) is an interesting account of a journey of discovery recently made by W . B . Worsfold in the Vaudois Valley of Piedmont .—( Times, 11th Feb ., 18 99) .

"The House of Strange Secrets, " by A . E . Bayly, O .P., published at 3/6 . z/- for Peterites and Old Peterites . Ready in May. BIRTH .—5th April, 1899, the wife of F . E . Robinson, of a son.

OBITUARY.

March z 1 st—THOMAS WILLIAM EASrWOOD, aged 36, Solicitor, Stoney Royd, Todmorden.

March 31st—JOHN SNOWDEN, aged 26, Solicitor, of Somerset House, at High field, Wandsworth.

CONTEMPORARIES .

~

We beg to acknowledge with thanks the following Contemporaries :—St. Edward's School Chronicle, Sutton Valence, Dunelmian (z), Portcullis, Mason/an, Lily, Wycombe Abbey Gazette, Leodensian, Hurst Johnian .