Sir Frank Swettenham was one of the principal benefactors of British Malaya, who will be remembered as a real lover of the Malay countries, an expert in the language and customs of the people, and one of a band of writers who introduced Malaya to the world outside. His great vision and foresight, his keen and critical judgment, his sharp sense of humour, and his business acumen were a few of the attributes which made him such a great administrator. By those who worked under him he was always loved for his ready advice and encouragement and recognition of their services. He was a loyal friend, a brilliant conversationalist, and a charming companion. His death will be mourned by all those who knew him."
ST. PETER'S EIGHTY YEARS AGO
(The following is an extract, reprinted by permission of Messrs. Hutchinson, Ltd., from Sir Frank Swettenham's autobiography, " Footprints in Malaya.") . . . Well, I was transferred to St. Peter's School, York, under the headmastership of that highly gifted man, Mr. Richard Elwyn, formerly of Charterhouse. What a change for me ! From home, to board with about thirty boys in a master's house. From the hills, the moors and the glittering streams of Scotland, to the flat land and the deep, wide and muddy Ouse ; from a small straggling village to an ancient county town ; and from a plain stark Presbyterian church to a school chapel and a magnificent cathedral ! There were other novelties as well : groups of scarlet-coated men and more soberly garbed women riding to meets of hounds and, occasionally, strings of thoroughbreds on their way to exercise on Knavesmire. But what attracted me most were the Minster and the river ; the former for its splendour and its services, and the latter, not for its looks but as a training and racing course for rowing. Inspired by Elwyn, the school had then attained a high reputation, and, in the time I was there, hardly a week passed during which we were not given a half-holiday to celebrate the gain of some distinction at Oxford or Cambridge by a member, or former member, of the School. I went into the fourth form under Tommy Richardson and, after a year there, passed into the fifth form under Mr. Scarlett, and for divinity under the Headmaster, for all of whom I learned a great admiration, reverence and affection. I was keen about all school games, but the boats drew me to the river, and, when Robert Lesley— who later stroked the Oxford eight for three years in succession—came from Radley to board in the same house, I learned to row and to scull under his eye and coaching. Not without result, for it was a proud day for me when, as stroke of our second boat, we beat in a trial our own house's first boat, and they beat the rest of the school. My greatest joy was sculling in a covered outrigger, and, when I could do it, that was how Q spent any leisure I could get from study and classes. 5
