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VOL. IX.

No. no.

Contents. Editorial

School Notes School Calendar End of Term Concert Boxing Finals -

O.V. News School Officers

O.V. Dinner The Architectural Tour of Worcester The Sports O.T.C. Notes Cricket Rowing The Library Salvete Valete Correspondence

Page

For once Fate has played into the editorial hands. Through natural causes, his introductory effort is readymade. The simultaneous descent upon us of the floods and of our first epidemic for many years form a subject that will, without any padding or verbiage, occupy the necessary quota of space demanded by custom. The turgid phraseology resulting from the Editor's attempts to write something about nothing will give place to the chronicling of cut-and-dried facts.

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If it is the duty of this column to suggest a title by which this singular term will be handed down to a suitably astonished posterity, we can suggest none more apt than the " cricketless term." Three weeks had passed in which the deity made familiar to us through the newspapers as " Jupiter Pluvius " frequently put an effective stop to our attempts to indulge in the national game, and we were just imagining ourselves free from the god's unwelcome attentions, when in the space of forty-eight hours the field was submerged under some 8 to 10 feet of a dark brown substance rich in natural oils, old boots and general rubbish, that might at first sight be mistaken for water. Further investigation was unnecessary to prove that the source of this was the River Severn, which had risen with unparalleled speed to an almost unparalleled height.

3So

3S2 352 352

Oxford Letter Cambridge Letter Chappel Memorial Reading Room Contemporaries -

editorial.

34i 342 343 343 343 343 344 345 346

348

PRICE is.

JULY, 1924-

352 353 354 355 356

THE VIGORNIAN.

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Naturally-—and no prizes are awarded to readers who have already guessed this—cricket was impossible. On half-holidays the delights of the neighbouring scenery were sampled by all but the rowers, who were soon able to resume their watery occupations. On foot, on bicycle, on 'bus, on train, we explored north, south, east and west. Moreover, when the flood waters themselves subsided they left on the field behind them that by which they might be remembered in the shape of inches of mud, a collection of old tins, and—a more abstract and unpleasant form of memento. The general opinion was that the old-fashioned habit of leaving behind a bunch of forget-me-nots would have proved more welcome ; but nothing could be done for our wretched greensward, so further excursions of geologi- ' cal, arcrueologiral, and entomological interest took place. At last, the fair green grass came peeping through, and after a month's forced abdication, King Willow again took up his sceptre. * * * Meanwhile, an epidemic of chicken-pox had been quietly going on its way—fortunately in School House only—but no one seemed to suffer any great pain from it, and as an agent for stopping things happening it had been forestalled by the floods. The ravages of the chicken-pox germ have not, then, caused us any great inconvenience. * * * Nor for that matter did the floods impede us from pursuing the real business for which we are here. Roaring torrents did not deluge our form rooms, nor did the waves of Severn snatch the lesson-books from our eager grasp. Nay, rather, with cricket impossible, we were left extra time in which to dally with our favourite classical authors or toy with our best loved formulae, according to our tastes. So no doubt the results of the Certificate Examinations will prove that even the waters of Severn cannot quench the lamp of learning, and that it needs some greater disaster than the trials we have undergone to shake our mettle.

Scfcool Dotes. In the Summer Term we are wont to face the mingled prospect of cricket and examinations. But while we are in the midst of the latter, cricket has been almost nonexistent. » » * Two causes have contributed to this : first, we have had no ground to play on for four weeks, owing to the flood ; secondly, the School has been polluted by an attack of chicken-pox, and cricket fixtures have had to be scratched for this reason. * * * We have at last got under weigh again, and several matches have been played, the results of which will be found chronicled elsewhere. » * * The rowers, on the other hand, have revelled in the superfluity of water, and have gazed with equanimity on the flooded fields. Rowing is, we understand, not without its

drawbacks, and we have derived some consolation for our own forced inactivity by noting the care with which the rowers sit down. * * » Preparatory to Marlowe Regatta the first IV. rowed against Hereford C.S. at Worcester. At Marlowe they put up a very good show in their heat, but were beaten into third place by S.E.S. Oxford and Monmouth. An account of their efforts will be found elsewhere. * » » The Rowing Cup has at last changed hands, but only after a very fine struggle; School House beating Castle House by | length. We congratulate the winners on their success. * * * The O.T.C. held a Field-day, as usual, on Ascension Day ; the weather was kind, as it always is on these occasions. It is indeed extraordinary how lucky we are with the weather on days arranged for operations. » » » The annual inspection was carried out on Friday, June 27, by Major Clarke, D.S.O., of Norton Barracks. This year the Section Competition was held on the same date; we congratulate Castle House on winning the Shield. » » » Operations have been begun on the new Class Rooms. Many of us have taken the opportunity to glean some knowledge of the art of bricklaying. The great principle is apparently not to go too fast. * * * Senior members of the School have again enjoyed the privilege of playing tennis on Canon Cronshaw's court; surely the School ought to be able to boast tennis courts of its own ? » • » College Green is annoyingly quiet. This change is due to the removal of Section Drills to the playground and the use of a back-door into the playground by cyclists. The inhabitants now rest in peace, we understand. * * » O.V. Day was as great a success as could be hoped in face of the weather. Rain never caused an actual stoppage of play in the Cricket Match, while the ist and 2nd IV. races took place during a brief spell of brilliant sunshine. Of the dinner—held this time in College Hall—a full account will be found elsewhere. * * The revival of a defunct Society is always gratifying, and it is pleasing to note with what success the Field Club has been resurrected. Divided into sections to suit all tastes, it has on many half-holidays filled up the gap in our existence caused by the floods. » * # We have been fortunate enough to secure as our cricketcoach Fox, the batsman who did so well for the County last year, and is now on the ground-staff. Coming from a first-class player, his precepts are abreast of all the most modern developments in the art, and he has a knack of imparting his knowledge in a way that will stick.

THE VIGORNIAN. It is with the greatest pleasure that we record the conferring of the Freedom of the City upon Mr. S. Southall (O.V.) as a token of esteem for his services to Worcester during his forty years' tenure of the office of Town Clerk. Throughout all this time and in his recent Mayoralty, his freedom from bias and the completeness of his knowledge of Law and local government won him the cordial admiration of every citizen.

School Calendar. TERM II, 1924. 5. Boarders return. 6. School opens 9.0 a.m. School Service 9-iSSun., „ u. School Celebration 8.45. Thurs., ,, 29. Ascension Day. School Celebration 7.0 a.m. O.T.C. Field Day. Old Hills. Sat., June 14. Half Term. ' ist IV. v. Hereford C.S. ist IV. Sat., „ 21. ist IV. at Marlow Regatta. Sat., July 5. O.V. Match and Reunion. Mon., ,, 14. Certificate Exams, begins. Mon., ,, 28. Exeunt Omnes. * * * NEXT TERM. Mon., Tues.,

May ,,

Boarders return—Friday, September igth, g.o p.m. School opens—Saturday, September 2oth, 9.0 a.m. Term ends—Saturday, December 2Oth.

€>d or arm Concert. Except that the number of O.V.'s present was smaller on this occasion, College Hall held as large an audience on April 3rd as for the December concert. The programme and its execution were fully worthy of such a gathering, mainly thanks to a repetition of Mr. E. F. Day's indefatigable efforts in the preparation of the choir and singers, and to our good fortune in securing in Mr. Sterndale Bennett an entertainer capable of keeping us amused throughout his repertoire. C. B. Hopkin opened the programme with a Nocturne of Borowski, to which he did full justice, playing with certainty and confidence. A quartette of unbroken voices— J. L. King, F. Jones-Williams, J. M. N. Jackson, and R. P. Bagnall—then gave us one of Edward German's twopart songs, " It was a lover and his lass." Further Shakespeare we had from H. P. E. Pereira, with Roger Quilter's " Under the Greenwood Tree," and " Hey! Ho! The wind and the rain." The School Choir then rendered Coleridge Taylor's " Hiawatha's Wedding Feast "—perhaps the favourite of all cantatas usually attempted by Choral Societies. Though this work contains well over 200 lines of Longfellow's verse, and must in cold print have appeared decidedly formidable to the waiting audience, the interest was sustained throughout, and everyone's fears of boredom must soon haye been

343

proved groundless. Mr. J. Cave's expressive rendering of the tenor solo was especially attractive. After a suitable interval the second part of the programme began. It consisted, in the entertainer's own words, of "Original Songs and Nonsense at the Piano." We are glad to be able to say with truth that Mr. Sterndale Bennett never failed to make good his claim to originality. His repertoire was singularly free from the ubiquitous " chestnut "—no mean feat considering the length of time for which he entertained us. Perhaps he was at his best, when giving us his testimonials from Dartmoor and other salubrious districts. Yet whatever his best item, he certainly deserved the cheers accorded him amongst others at the end of a highly successful end of term concert.

Boxing Finals. The Finals were beyond doubt of a higher standard than those of either of the two preceding years. Captain Hamilton Cox was good enough to referee what proved to be some very interesting bouts. In the lighter weights Hornblower gave an excellent display of quick-footed, scientific boxing, and always had the upper hand of his much bigger opponent. Perhaps the best fight of the day was in the welter-weight. Wallace i proved himself the possessor of any amount of stamina and a wicked punch, but, against an opponent who was game to the last, through his lack of defence, probably got more punches than he gave from a merely numerical point of view. In awarding the bout to Wallace, the judge congratulated Crowder on his plucky display. He congratulated another game loser in the cruiserweight, in which Graves-Morris, by cleverly blocking his opponent's swings, and countering heavily and frequently with straight lefts, soon established a superiority over Robinson ; through the latter's gameness, however, the bout went the full distance. The Day Boys, chiefly on the lighter weights, won the Cup easily from School House, with Castle House a close third.

O.V. Reu>s. Ernest E. Bird, who for some years has been a director of the Legal and General Assurance Society, Ltd., has recently been elected a member of the Council of the Incorporated Law Society. * * * A. J. Dash is a District Magistrate, stationed at Comilla, Bengal, and also political agent of the adjoining State of Trepeira. Though the state of affairs has improved, he writes, the Indians yet resent the presence of Europeans. * » * R. E. Hulse was one of the successful candidates in the examination for membership of the Institution of Municipal and County Engineers, recently held in London.

THE VIGORNIAN.

344

E. C. Evans Fox is at present in Toronto engineering, and holds a commission as a Lieutenant in the Canadian Engineers Militia: he is also Scoutmaster of a troop of Scouts. * * * G. F. Whistler is farming some 500 acres at Wellingborough, and is a Captain in the Regular Army Reserve of Officers, having retired from the regular army. * * * Rev. O. G. O. Larr was inducted to the living of Holy Trinity, Preston, last year. * * * R. G. Porter was successful in his Law Final Examination last April, and is now with Messrs. Howard, Ellison, and Morton, of Colchester, as Managing Clerk. * * * H. J. H. Dangerfield is in a branch of the National and Provincial Bank at Chipping Sodbury. » * * BIRTH. LARR.—On February i6th, to Grace, wife of the Rev. O.G.O. Larr, a son (Frederic Haighton). * * * DEATH . WILLIS.—On July 3rd, at Nayland, Captain Richard Dunn Willis, younger son of Mr. and Mrs. C. Dunn Willis, Worcester, aged 33. » » * FIVES COURTS. Any member of the O.V. Club may use the Fives Courts at any time during all the between-term holidays. Application to be made to the Headmaster through his Secretary, Mr. H. E. Nicholls, 9, College Green, Worcester. * * * WANTED—The Addresses of the following Life Members of the O.V. Club (H. E. Nicholls, Secretary, 9, College Green, Worcester) :— C. K. Adams, Esq. A. F. Humphries, Esq. F. J. Branthwaite, Esq. P. H. Ludlow, Esq. F. G. Brodribb, Esq. W. R. F. Lunt, Esq. H. M. Conacher, Esq. S. E. V. Quin, Esq. J. B. Caswell, Esq. W. I. V. Quin, Esq. H. D. Day, Esq. R. Salisbury, Esq. O. P. Giles, Esq.

School Officers. Head of the School .Captain of Cricket Secretary of Cricket Captain of Boats Secretary of Boats Captain of Shooting

- A. G. Bain. - A. G. Bain. - R. E. B. Robinson. - W. B. Evans. - B. H. Carter. - P. H. Graves-Morris.

School Monitors—A. G. Bain, W. B. Evans, M. R. Craze, R. E. B. Robinson, B. H. Carter, H. A. Ainsworth, L. E. H. Goddard., Editors of the " Vigornian "—A. G. Bain, M. R. Craze, H. A. Ainsworth. Librarians—H. A. Ainsworth, H. P. E. Pereira, K. N. Ross, C. J. C. Molony, C. E. Coverdale.

[At the Annual General Meeting held in the Vlth Form Room on July 5, it was resolved to print the following Rules in the " Vigornian."] O.V. CLUB RULES. RULE i. The Club shall be called the " Old Vigornians' Club." RULE 2. There shall be a President of the Club, and a Committee of the Club consisting of 9 members, together with the Headmaster and Hon. Secretary, to be elected*by a General Meeting. RULE 3. All Old Boys and Old Masters of the Worcester Cathedral King's School shall be eligible for membership, subject to the approval of the Committee. RULE 4. Three members of the Committee shall retire in rotation each year, but shall be eligible for re-election. RULE 5. An Old Boy may become a member of the Club on payment of £1 is. od., which will give membership for Five years. He may then continue to pay £i is. od. for every Five years, or become a Life Member on payment of £3 35. od.—or, he may become a Life Member at the time of joining on payment of £q 43. od. RULE 6. The Club Colours (Chocolate, Blue and White) may be worn only by present members of the Club. RULE 7. The Committee shall have power to elect any present Master of the School an Honorary Member of the Club. RULE 8. The Committee may call upon any member of the Club to resign if circumstances arise which in their opinion justify that course. Failing his doing so they shall have power to remove his name. RULE 9. That no further Notices or " Vigornians " be sent to any member more than One Year in arrears with his Subscriptions. Any member more than Two Years in arrears ceases to be a member of the Club, subject to the decision of the Committee. RULE 10. The Financial Accounts shall be balanced by the Secretary at the end of each year, audited, passed by the Committee, and presented at the Annual General Meeting.

THE VIGORNIAN.

O.V. Dinner. [Re-printed from the " Worcester Daily Times."] MR. J. B. MATTHEWS AND OLD TIMES. SOME AMUSING REMINISCENCES. The 27th Old Vigornians' annual dinner was held at the College Hall on Saturday evening, July 5. Mr. J. B. Matthews, K.C., presided. Also present : Messrs. J. B. Cavenagh (Vice-Chairman), the Headmaster, Rev. R. J. Whitaker, Dr. T. Bates, Dr. M. Bates, Dr. W. G. Bennett, Messrs. S. Southall, G. A. T. Littlebury, H. Coombs, W. H. Graves-Morris (sen.), W. McCGraves-Morris (jun.), F. Graves-Morris, F. Maurice Webb, H. D. Hubble, J. A. J. Caves, C. E. Gedge, G. K. Tattersall, C. W. Standfast, R. J. Castley, F. G. Jones, F. W. Webb, J. E. B. Littlebury, A. P. Bolland, T. E. Rammell, J. E. B. Evans, R. Carless, R. G. Smith, J. L. Longland, E. L. Fisher, D. Webb, G. H. Wilford, L. Rees, H. H. Blanchard, C. I. Record, M. E. Webb, S. D. Strong, J. D. S. Thomas, H. S. Thomas, N. Macdonald, S. Nash, G. H. Evans, R. A. K. Davey, R. Daniel, H. C. Fillmore, V. C. Powell, I. F. W. Schofield, S. W. Whitehouse, B. Holloway, C. Dimoline, H. B. Downes. After the loyal toast had been honoured, the Vice-Chairman (Mr. J. B. Cavenagh) proposed " Prosperity to the Worcester Cathedral King's School." He spoke of Old Boys' former dinners held in Worcester hotels, and said that he thought that the choice this year of the College Hall as a site for their gathering was " nothing but a stroke of extraordinary genius." (Hear, hear.) Their thanks were due to the Headmaster for having allowed this to take place. He hoped that the precedent set that evening would be followed in the future. Surely there was no better place in the whole world for a family gathering of Old Boys than their College Hall. It embodied one of the School's greatest assets; its unbroken chain of history linking us in the present with the dim past. It required no great stretch of imagination to picture their founders and predecessors sitting their in silence doing full justice to their victuals ! Another great asset of the School was its limited size, whereby they were able to get more personal influence and closer contact between masters and boys. STEADY DEVELOPMENT. The Headmaster responded. He said that he felt proud of the very great and increasing success which every year attended the summer gathering of Old Vigornians which he originated a few years ago. A larger number had sat down to dinner that evening than ever before, and he hoped that the number would be still greater next year. Another thing he was proud of was the idea of holding the annual dinner in the School Hall, which also originated with him, and was warmly taken up by the Committee. He was glad to feel that they all thought it was a very much better place in which to dine than some hotel in Worcester. He admitted there was a little difficulty about the securing of

345

the necessary licence for those premises, without which he understood the pleasure of some would have been a little lessened. (Laughter.) He had been able to point out to the superior ecclesiastical authorities who shared with him the control of the College Hall, that that would not be the first occasion on which alcoholic liquor had been partaken of in that building. Their predecessors also partook of alcoholic liquors there, although they did not have to apply for a licence. The past year, he said, had been a period of steady growth and development, which showed that the School was still alive. There was nothing very startling to report, but there was going on in the School a slow and gradual change in character, which was what he anticipated when he came there. The tendency was, and he thought would be, increasingly, for boys to come to the School at a later age than they used to. In the old days, boys came when they were quite young and stayed for a long period of time. At present, the tendency was for boys to come to the School, as to the other public schools, direct from preparatory schools at the ordinary public school ages of 13 or 14. He thought that that was all to the good. It was very difficult to run in the same establishment a satisfactory preparatory and public school. Though there was a very great need in Worcester of a good preparatory school (and he would very much like to see one definitely in connection with their School) he did not think it was desirable to try to run, in one establishment, a preparatory and a public school. He thought they might look forward to the School becoming not a very large School, but a School of between 200—250 boys, pretty well all of whom would be of the recognised public school ages of from 13 to 19. He thought that when the School had grown to that point, they would have reached the limit of their useful expansion. CONNECTION WITH PREPARATORY SCHOOLS. The School was gradually building up a connection with preparatory schools, and it was very gratifying to him to note that when preparatory school headmasters had sent one boy, in every case they had found that theirs was a good School and had sent others afterwards. There were many signs that this was a developing connection and he thought it would be a very great asset to the School in the future. The most notable developments going on at the moment were the new buildings now rising at the back of the old class-rooms. They had already in course of construction four new class-rooms, which were very badly needed, and the Chappel Memorial Reading Room he hoped to see shortly rising from the ground. As soon as revised plans had been got out for this, building would be commenced. The introduction of Rugby football into the School games had proved a great success, and, considering they had only just begun, they had an extraordinarily good fifteen last year. Of late, he thought the most appropriate game for the School would have been water polo. (Laughter.) It was really wonderful the way the School had overcome the handicap of the flood. They had kept themselves happy and healthy by walks and bicycle rides in the country. He concluded with a reference to the forthcom-

THE VIGORNIAN. ing bestowal of the Freedom of the City on their President, Mr. S. Southall. They could not let pass such an occasion without congratulating Mr. Southall, and showing that they, too, felt themselves honoured. CHAFFING THE CHAIRMAN. Mr. J. E. Littlebury toasted " The Chairman," and pulled his leg over their school days together. He said that he remembered Mr. Matthews as a very popular boy, and one who could drive a good bargain. Whether he was exchanging a dozen marbles or a knife for a few postage stamps he usually had the best of it. He fancied the Chairman must have done rather well in postage stamps, and he remembered once offering him the half back page of a wonderful school magazine he (Mr. Littlebury) was producing in order to advertise them. Unfortunately, the Headmaster asked the speaker what he meant by seeking advertisements for a magazine which was not approved, and stopped publication. Fortunately, he said, he had by then, sold out the entire issue. He spoke of one occasion when the Chairman jumped into the River Severn and saved a man from drowning. For this, he said, the Chairman received the bronze medal of the Royal Society. Mr. Littlebury traced Mr. Matthews' legal career from the time when he conducted a solicitor's business in Worcester up to the present when, he said, Mr. Matthews was one of the most successful K.C.'s practising in the Courts. They hoped one day he would go on to the Bench as a judge, for which his attainments so well qualified him. (Applause.) The toast was accorded musical honours. MR. MATTHEWS' REMINISCENCES. In his response, Mr. Matthews was reminiscent of the days 50 years ago when he was at the School. He demonstrated to a delighted audience the arts of making darts with broken pen nibs and pieces of paper and lamented the passing of one hundred darts in the roof of the hall, which he said, were there when he left. (Laughter.) " One must make the best of it," he said, " and the best of it is that the hall with its new roof is enormously improved." He said that in his day there was more of the ruins standing than there was to-day. One used to push gunpowder into their crevices, touch it off and run round the corner and wait for the noise ! He pointed, too, to the headless condition of certain railings in the School. He said that that little adventure took place in his days. (Laughter.) A boy whom he would not give away knocked off all the cast iron heads to iig railings before one could say knife. " It was a joy to all of us," he added, " and we finished off the few he missed. There was an awful row, but we were never found out." He was never more surprised in his life than to hear Mr. Littlebury's reference to stamps^ His impression was that his early attempts at commerce were to do with birds' eggs. He remembered there was a firm of three who used to go round the hedgerows together and form a partnership in eggs. They could always find eggs after two or three lots of other boys had been over the same spot. " You fellows nowadays," he added, " seem to find other uses for class rooms. The onlv

use I had for them was to write impositions in. I had not been in the place many moments before I got 1,000 lines, and that continued." (Laughter.) The only retrospect of the 50 years he would attempt would be that of locomotion. Fifty years ago, the only means of locomotion, apart from walking or horse driving or riding, was the old " boneshaker." He started with that. To get it uphill was impossible, and to run along the level difficult. Accordingly, one used to push up hills and coast down the other side, and at the bottom one usually came to grief. The first high bicycle had a brake on the back wheel, with which " the more one wanted it, the less one got it." (Laughter.) This was superseded by a machine braked on the front wheel. One put on the brake and went over the handle-bars. He well remembered the joy of the invention of the pneumatic tyre, and his trying it on the Bath Road. " Now, you fellows," he added, "have fine bicycles, if not motor-cars and aeroplanes." He said that he remembered the flood of 1886. It was a bigger flood than this year's, but not so disastrous, there being no agricultural show to be ruined. When he was in Worcester the other day, he took the trouble to examine some marks he made in 1886, and he found that the present flood had risen to within 14 inches below them. He recalled the incident of his saving a man from the river. He said that it was in January and the Severn had been frozen over. Tugs coming up the river had broken up the ice on the one side, and looking over the bridge, he saw by Wilesmith's, what he thought was a retriever dog in the water. Then he discovered it was a man. Without thinking, he dived in, and swam to the man and " collared " him. It was icy cold and he lost all power of movement, being just able to snatch at the rope which a sergeant of police threw him with one hand and hold on to the drowning man with the other. They were pulled ashore and dried in the sergeant's cottage near by. An extraordinary coincidence was that his uncle had formerly saved a girl from drowning at that very spot. " My heart," he concluded, " is here in Worcester, and I hope some day to come back. In the meantime, there is life in the old dog yet." (Laughter and applause.) The health of Mr. Strong, the Secretary, was drunk, and he briefly replied.

ClK architectural Cour or Worcester. There is no doubt that Mr. Spackman's tour of Worcester was quite the most interesting and enjoyable expedition that has been arranged for the Architectural Section of the Field Club during this term. After seeing the thirteenth century vaulting in No. 7 High Street, Mr. Spackman took us down Lich Street, which he told us was once the chief entrance into the city from London. Further on we were shown the remains of some of the old city wall, and then passed down Friar Street to the Tudor House. This house contains some very interesting relics of/feygone days, besides some notable architectural features such as " wattle and daub " panels

THE VIGORNIAN. and a beautiful moulded ceiling. One relic attracted a great deal of attention : this was a " smoke jack," which is an ingenious device to make the smoke of the fire turn your joint, while the fire itself is roasting it. We then passed on to King Charles's House, which seems to be wrongly so called, while Mr. Spackman pointed out to us on our way some of the beautiful old houses that towered above the streets on each side. We were very courteously received into King Charles's House and shown the old withering floor and bottle-shaped cellar. Then, after seeing Queen Elizabeth's House, from which she is said to have addressed her faithful citizens, we went up the Shambles to the Guildhall. Its arresting frontage is the work of Thomas White, a pupil of Sir Christopher Wren, and was built in 1721. Inside, Mr. Southall had very kindly laid out for our inspection the Royal Charters of the City, some of which were beautifully illuminated. After inspecting the portraits we went into the Guildhall banqueting room for a sumptuous tea. Both Mr. Spackman and Mr. Southall are to be heartily congratulated and thanked for the wonderful way in which they combined to give us such a pleasant afternoon. In reply to a remark made by the Headmaster after tea, our hosts intimated that they would like to make the function an annual one. Needless to say such a generous offer was heartily applauded. H.A.A.

ClK Sports* The contest for the Shield was unusually close, and was in doubt until the last race. The question of whether Day Boys or School House should prove victorious turned mainly upon the duel between W. B. Evans and T. A. Davey, in which the former's victory ensured that of his House as well. The performances in the track events were good, but the jumps were poor. 100 YARDS (Open).—i Evans, 2 Davey, 3 Carter. Time i i 1-5 sees. Won by inches, Davey getting very close after a poor start. QUARTER-MILE (Open).—i Evans, 2 Davey, 3 Carter. Time 58 1-5 sees. The best race of the whole Sports. Carter led at the pavilion, with Evans and Davey some eight yards behind, the latter, unfortunately for him, on the outside. Carter proved unable to resist their challenge, the three passing the post with only a few feet separating them, after a ding-dong struggle down the straight. HALF-MILE (Open).—i Davey, 2 Evans, 3 Davies. Time 2 mins. 15 3-5 sees. Davey went ahead at the start and kept the lead fairly easily. MILE (Open).—i Davey, 2 Evans, 3 Goddard. 5 mins. 12 2-5 sees. A repetition of the " half."

Time

CRICKET BALL (Open).—i Hooper i, 2 Sherwood. tance, 80 yards.

Dis-

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LONG JUMP (Open).—i Sherwood, 2 Pereira, 3 Evans. Distance, isft. Sin. HIGH JUMP (Open).—i Croft, 2 Sherwood, 3 Carter and Graves-Morris equal. Height 4ft. Sin. BICYCLE RACE.—i Hooper, 2 Sherwood. The outstanding performer in the Under 15 events was R. E. Thomas, who won the Junior Victor with ease. His best performances were in the half-mile, which he won in 2 mins. 27 3-5 sees., and in the High Jump, in which he cleared 4ft. 7in. In the Relays, School House were victorious in the senior event, keeping the lead from the start, while the Day Boys won the junior. In the Tug-of-war, Day Boys beat School House in the final by two pulls to none, but lost to the O.V.'s by the same margin. An indisposition unfortunately kept Mrs. Lacey from presenting the prizes, but by great good fortune Miss Creighton happened to be in Worcester, and was good enough to step into the breach.

O.C.C. Rote). PROMOTIONS. 8.5.24. Cpl. Carter to be Sergeant. L-Cpl. Brown to be Corporal. 12.5.24. Cdts. R. K. Hooper and J. C. Flay to be LanceCorporals. * * * ANNUAL INSPECTION. This was carried out by Major B. C. S. Clarke, D.S.O., Worcestershire Regiment, on June 27. The Cricket Field had barely recovered from the serious floods, but we were just able to use it. The Section Competition was held at the same time, and as a result of very keen competition the shield was won by Sergt. Carter's Section (No. 5, Castle House). Several sections would have been better than they were if they had not attempted too quick a step. The complete order and points awarded were as follows : Possible—60. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No.

5. 7. i. 8. 2. 6. 3. 4. 9.

(C.H.) (Mixed) (S.H.) (N.) (S.H.) (H.) (D.B.) (D.B.) (Junior) * *

46 45 43 41 40 39 3« 36 33

CAMP. The Contingent this year goes into Camp at Tidworth Pennings, and as at present constituted (July 9) the Camp Detachment is the largest we have ever sent. There have been much fewer withdrawals due to avoidable causes than

348

THE VIGORNIAN.

in the last two years, and if the whole of the Camp duties and training are carried out with the same keen spirit, the only thing we require to make it a complete success is fine weather. We have had experience of Tidworth Pennings both in fine weather and wet, and most of those who were there in 1919—now scattered all over the world —would^ have been only too glad if Camp had lasted twice as long, in spite of its being the hardest-worked Camp on record since the War. 1922 was a different story, but we have surely paid in advance for our weather this year. FIELD OPERATIONS. On Ascension Day, Field Operations took place on the Old Hills. This year, instead of marching to the battlefield from Worcester, we chartered a steamer to take the whole contingent to Pixham Ferry. This novelty was apparently popular, and as we were favoured by fine weather we spent a very enjoyable as well as instructive day. The scheme was intended to illustrate the kind of thing that might happen at the beginning of a campaign, when two small detachments of the contending armies, each with imperfect information of the other's movements and dispositions, might come into contact in unexpected places and directions. The confusion consequent on such a state of things was very clearly brought out, and each force had to change direction through almost a right angle. What appeared a deadlock ensued, but a Section of the Eastern Force, in delivering a very rash and quite unnecessary attack, got wiped out, thus creating a " soft spot," through which the Western Force could push on to their objective. We then had tea, which we wanted, and came home by steamer. » * * On June 21, by the kindness of the Headmaster, we had Field Operations at Tutnall. The scheme was that Worcester was a besieged city, and Tutnall was in between the opposing outpost lines. A force of the enemy had been located there with an infernal machine capable of destroying the whole of Worcester, if it could be got to work in time. So a party of the besieged attacked the Tutnall grounds in order to wipe out or capture the enemy, the machine, and the High Personage who had come to see it work. This object was carried out, and both forces were afterwards entertained to tea by the Headmaster. On the way back, we met the best imitation of a tropical shower that one could well imagine. We were all of us wet through in less than 100 yards, but being used to rain by this time we took no notice, and reached home soaked and dripping, but cheerful and musical. Training this term has been very difficult to carry out, both on account of the flooding of the Cricket Field, and our being prevented from using College Green, the latter being far the more serious hindrance.

Cricket THE SCHOOL v. NORTON BARRACKS. June 23rd. After the field had recovered sufficiently to enable us to get in just a day or two's practice, a special match was arranged with the Barracks, who kindly offered us fixtures, as we were still in quarantine. An even draw resulted. The Barracks scored at a merry pace, knocking up exactly 200. We replied with 173 for the loss of 7 wickets. Wallace hit well, but had some luck, while Ford gave a more stylish display. Scores :— NORTON BARRACKS. Mr. Cooper b Porter ii ... ... ... C.Q.M.S. Cooper c Sherwood b Robinson L/C Cronin b Porter ii ... ... ... Sgt. James c Goddard b Robinson ... Mr. Rose Ibw b Craze ... ... ... Pte. Shearer b Craze Pte. Fox c and b Sherwood ... Sgt. Henfield b Craze L/C Hitchcock not out Pte. Stokes b Sherwood Pte. Smith b Sherwood Extras

... ... ... ... ...

42 38 10 58 13 12 o 13 6 i o 7

Total

Wallace Sherwood Robinson Shorting Porter ii Craze

BOWLING ANALYSIS. Runs. Wickets. ... 23 o ••• 39 3 60 13 36 21

Balls. 18 42 78 12 30 3°

THE SCHOOL. T. Redmond b Rose E. S. Sherwood b Rose ... L. W. Shorting c Cronin b Cooper L. S. K. Ford b Cooper ... B. H. Wallace b Cooper T. A. Davey not out C. E. Porter ii c C.Q.M.S. Cooper b Henfield R. E. B. Robinson st Shearer be Fox L. E. H. Goddard not out M. R. Craze -i )id not bat J. L. R. Croft ) D'd Extras Total *

* *

Maidens, o i o o i o

o i

5 45 84 6 2

6 12

'73

THE VIGORNIAN. THE SCHOOL v. WORCESTER CITY. June 28th. The City made a disastrous beginning, losing their first wicket the second ball of the match. After that they never seemed particularly at home on a wicket that of necessity made scoring slow. The School did badly till Ford and Shorting came together ; their fine partnership appeared to have ensured victory when a collapse followed, and in an exciting finish we were defeated by the narrow margin of 4 runs. Scores :— WORCESTER CITY. R. Pearson c and b Sherwood ... W. H. K. Davey run out W. C. Roberts b Robinson C. G. D. Smith b Craze W. Price st Goddard b Craze E. H. Davis c Shorting b Sherwood C. Rea st Goddard b Robinson ... D. V. Bunting Ibw b Robinson ... A. O. Jones b Sherwood ... P. Osbourne not out

...

4 22 14 2

Sherwood Robinson Wallace Craze Porter ii

-5

...

51 i 53 o 2

S 35

5 14 2

7 17

Total BOWLING ANALYSIS.

116

Balls. 46 48 48 60 18

A. G. Bain b Price ... ... T. Redmond b Price L. S. K. Ford run out ... ... B. M. Wallace c Pearson b Roberts L. W. Shorting b Price ............... E. S. Sherwood b Price ............... C. E. Porter b Price ............... R. E. B. Robinson c Price b Jones ... ... T. A. Davey not out ... ... ... ... L. E. H. Goddard Ibw b Price ............ M. R. Craze Ibw b Price ............... Extras ... ... ... ...

NORTON BARRACKS. Mr. Cooper c Bain b Robinson ... ... C.Q.M.S. Cooper Ibw b Robinson Lieut. Pepper b Sherwood Sgt. James b Sherwood Mr. Parker b Sherwood ... L/C Cronin c Ford b Sherwood Mr. Rose c Goddard b Sherwood L/C Shearer c Redmond b Sherwood ... Pte. Fox c Redmond b Robinson Pte. Hitchcock b Robinson Sgt. Henfield not out Extras

Maidens.

Robinson Sherwood Wallace Craze Porter ii

•••

Runs. 93 5' J3 13 25

Wickets.

Balls. 102

Maidens, o

30 12

THE SCHOOL.

Total

was in turn redeemed by a profitable last wicket stand. The School did poorly till Robinson and Porter came to the rescue and put on 40 for the eighth wicket. Our last wicket fell just on time, giving the soldiers a well-deserved victory. The pace of the outfield must have surprised the School, for there were several lapses in ground fielding. Scores:—•

Total BOWLING ANALYSIS. Runs. Wickets. 16 37

o 14 17 39

349

... ...

...

.........

o 8 36 10 32 6 i 2 3 o 4 10

A. G. Bain c Fox b Parker L. S. K. Ford c Fox b Pepper ... T. Redmond run out B. H. Wallace c Parker b Rose L.W. Shorting b Rose T. A. Davey Ibw b Rose ... R. E. B. Robinson b Rose E. S. Sherwood c Pepper b Rose C. E. Porter ii b Rose ... ... ... ... L. E. H. Goddard c C.Q.M.S. Cooper b Rose M. R. Craze not out ... ... ... ... Extras ... ... ... ...

5 7 o 4 9 2

23 I

... ... ... ...

27 o o 7

Total

112 THE SCHOOL v. THE O.V.'S.

* »

THE SCHOOL v. NORTON BARRACKS. July 2nd. The Barracks' first wicket fell early, but a fine partnership between Mr. Cooper and Lieut. Pepper followed. On a hard wicket, with a fast outfield ideal for rapid scoring, The School could not keep the runs down. After Mr. Cooper's dismissal, however, a collapse followed, which

July 5th. The School got themselves out very quickly against indifferent bowling, Davey alone refraining from doing something silly with it. On the O.V.'s going in, the issue appeared in doubt at first, but after a time the bowling appeared to lose its terrors, and, thanks mainly to Arthure, our total was passed with the loss of only 4 wickets. Scores:—

THE VIGORNIAN.

35°

Rowing.

KING'S SCHOOL. A. G. Bain Ibw b H. C. Fillmore B. H. Wallace c and b W. H. K. Davey L. S. K. Ford b A. P. Bolland L. W. Shorting b H. C. Fillmore T. M. L. Redmond c S. Nash b A. P. Bolland ... C. E. Porter c B. A. Arthure b S. Nash R. E. B. Robinson c F. Matthews b J. D. S. Thomas T. A. Davey not out ... ... ... ... ... E. S. Sherwood c A. P. Bolland b H. S. Thomas ... L. E. H. Goddard c W. H. K. Davey b J. D. S. Thomas ... ... ... ... M. R. Craze Ibw b M. E. Webb Extras ... ... ... ... ...

2 4 5 o 12 7 9 25 4

Total

i 3 13

BOWLING ANALYSIS. Runs. W. H. K. Davey H. C. Fillmore A. P. Bolland S. Nash H. S. Thomas J. D. S. Thomas ... M. E. Webb ...

Wickets. Maidens, i

8 13 17 2

Total

......

Wickets. Maidens. 3 i i o

Rowed on Saturday, June I4th, at Worcester. This resulted in a comfortable win by three lengths for Hereford, who were in a distinctly more advanced state of training and had greater experience than our own crew. We had been badly handicapped by illness and river floods, and, in consequence, were not up to racing form. Hereford got a very fine start, and at the end of the first minute had obtained a good lead of over two lengths, which they maintained during the race. The School crew, in spite of their handicap, rowed pluckily, and gained some most valuable experience, which they required before appearing at Marlow in the Public Schools Cup.

Rowed on Saturday, June 2ist. The School was drawn against Monmouth and St. Edward's School Oxford, in the first heat.

6 46 12 I 13

... ...

35 o

... ... ...

3 21 3

...

4 144

BOWLING ANALYSIS. Runs. R. E. B. Robinson 48 E. S. Sherwood ... 20 B. H. Wallace ... 15 M. R. Craze ... 26 C. E. Porter ... -51

CATHEDRAL

Mr. J. B. Cavenagh, O.V., Leander Club, very kindly acted as starter and umpire. * * * PUBLIC SCHOOLS CUP, MARLOW REGATTA.

Balls. 48 30 24 24 36 3°

O.V.'S.

W. H. K. Davey b R. E. B. Robinson B. A. Arthure b C. E. Porter A. P. Bolland st Goddard b R. E. B. Robinson F. Matthews c Bain b B. H. Wallace J- D. S. Thomas b M. R. Craze ... ... ... ... H. S. Thomas run out C. I. Record c and b C. E. Porter ... ... M. E. Webb did not bat S. Nash c Ford b R. E. B. Robinson ... ... H. C. Fillmore not out ... ... ... ... D. Webb c Bain b E. S. Sherwood ... ... H. H. Blanchard did not bat Extras ... ... ... ...

SCHOOL IST IV. v. HEREFORD SCHOOL IST IV.

Balls. 60 33 36 18 30

A word of thanks is due to Mr. Rammell, Mr. Whitaker and others who have helped us to make the best of a wretched term. The groundsman, too, has done yeoman service in making playable the sodden ground as soon as possible. A.G.B.

This resulted in a very excellent race, especially between Monmouth and St. Edward's. The School got a good start, and all three crews went very hard for the first minute. At the end of two minutes, about half-way, all three crews were practically level, and there seemed to be nothing between them. The School crew, who were the lightest of the three, then began to drop behind gradually, and when the time for a spurt came, were about i^ lengths behind the other two boats. All three crews, however, made an excellent spurt, and no change appeared to take place, St. Edward's winning the heat from Monmouth by the close margin of four feet. THE SCHOOL IST iv. (Bow) P. H. GRAVES-MORRIS (gst i2lbs.). Is occasionally slow with his recovery, which tends to make him unsteady over the stretcher. Quite a promising oar. Does his fair share of work, and knows how to row himself out. (2) R. K. HoorEK (lost 4lbs.). Is inclined to rush his swing forward, especially in a race. Has a long body and therefore plenty of reach, and has shown great promise of making a good oar. (3) W. B. EVANS (lost i2lbs.) Has rather an awkward stvle. In spite of several minor faults, he has good staying power, and can be depended on to row out every ounce. Has been a keen and efficient Captain of Boats. (Stroke) B. H. CARTKR (qst 61bs.) Is handicapped by a short body and therefore lacks the length he ought to get as a stroke. But he can get a good pace of stroking, and keeps his head in a race.

THE VIGORNIAN. (Cox) D. W. A. MOLONY (6st albs.) Has picked up the " tricks of the trade " very well indeed. In general, it can almost certainly be said that a crewcould hardly have had worse luck than the one of this year has had to contend with. Practically all novices at the commencement of the season, no sooner had the final selections been made than all went down alternately with illness. All having recovered again, and just beginning to get together, the river floods resulted in the loss of another week of training at a very critical time. In fact, at more than one time, prospects of getting them up to anything like racing form, seemed almost hopeless. It is only due, in fact, to their determination to face " all odds " that they were able to appear at Marlow in the Public Schools Cup, and furthermore, to put up a very sporting effort in their race there, which they most certainly did. S. D. S. * * SCHOOL IST AND 2ND CREWS v. OLD VIGORNIANS. The two School crews managed to repeat their success of last year in gaining victories over the old Vigornians, the ist crew winning fairly easily, the 2nd by 2j lengths. We should like to congratulate the O.V.'s, however, on their sportsmanship in turning out two crews and making themselves uncomfortable in more ways than one for the rest of the day. We understand that possibly we are not to be allowed to repeat our victories next year, as rumour has it that they intend coming down one or two days beforehand next time in order to practise and get together. O.V. CRF.WS. (Bow) (2) (3) (Str.) (Cox)

L. Rees. W. Graves-Morris. F. H. Burden. E. L. Fisher. R. Daniel.

(Bow) H. S. Thomas. (2) J. D. S. Thomas. (3) J. Downes. (Str.) M. E. Webb. (Cox) N. Macdonald.

No change was made in the School crews, except that in the' 2nd IV. J. A. D. Joseph rowed " bow " in place of R. W. Porter, who was ill.

2ND IV. v. MONMOUTH 2ND IV. June i8th. Owing to the strong wind the race was rowed up stream from the railway bridge to the Dog and Duck Ferry. Both crews got well off the mark and a really excellent race followed. Each crew took the lead in turn, but never more than a few feet separated them. Molony kept his length well and refused to be flurried. Consequently he was able to call for a spurt when required, his last one, well timed, carrying him past the winning post less than a quarter of a length ahead. * * *

351

2ND IV. v. ST. EDWARD'S SCHOOL OXFORD 2ND IV. June 25th. In this race the School hardly did themselves justice, and though St. Edward's were undoubtedly the better crew, the amount by which they won—three lengths—is not indicative of the respective merits of the crews. St. Edward's won the toss and chose the inside station. They had an excellent start and got well ahead in the first minute. They then steadied and rowed well for the rest of the course. The School did not get well off the mark, and though afterwards they settled down, they never seemed comfortable. They stuck to it, however, and had made up some distance when St. Edward's passed the winning post. * * # HOUSE RACES. Only two House IV.'s competed for the cup in the senior house races this year, but the race proved most excellent and interesting. School House won the toss and chose the stream, giving Castle House the town side of the river. Castle House got a good start and pulled a little ahead, but the other boat caught up during the course and led by a quarter of a length at the finish, after one of the most exciting House races that has been rowed for some years. We congratulate both crews on an excellent race and School House on winning the cup. Canoe races provided much excitement during the rest of the afternoon, especially in cases where, racing three abreast, the competitors found difficulty in the manipulation of their frail crafts. * * * JUNIOR ROWING. It has been a pleasure to note the progress made by most of the junior rowers this term. Not only have the numbers increased, but the keenness and style of the individuals themselves have improved. The tendency to advance the senior IV.'s at the expense of the juniors has been obliterated and the alteration has met with the appreciation it deserved. It is to be hoped that junior rowing will continue on the " upward grade " and that in future juniors will regard rowing not only as a healthy exercise but also as a serious sport. We wish to express our heartiest thanks to the Headmaster for the interest he has taken in Rowing this term, also to Dr. Cavenagh, O.V., and Mr. Strong for the time and energy which they have given again this year in coaching the ist IV. We are indebted to Mr. Bentley, who has trained the 2nd IV. so creditably, and whose efforts are fully appreciated. Mr. Brown kindly lent us an VIII.'s boat and invited us to row in their regatta on July 26th. We tender him our sincere thanks. We are grateful to al! those who have taken an interest in Rowing this term. W. B. EVANS, Captain of Rowing. B. H. CARTER, Secretary.

THE VIGORNIAN.

352

Cbe Cibrarp. An up-to-date catalogue of the books in the School Library, which has so long been needed, has at last been compiled. The old catalogue seems to have been arranged, as far as it was, under a system of classes ; but it has been found better to substitute for this the simple scheme of arranging the books in lists according to the first letter of their author's names. Amongst its other uses the new catalogue has already revealed the fact that many well-known books, such as " Tom Brown's School-days " and " King Solomon's Mines " are not in the Library. It is now also possible to make sure that books are not duplicated. It may also be added that shelves have been rearranged under the same system. * » » Of the several books suggested the following have been accepted and added. The library now consists of approximately thirteen hundred books. Reynard the Fox Masefield Right Royal „ Peregrine's Progress Farnol Charles O'Malley Lever Tales of the Ring and the Camp Doyle The Return of Sherlock Holmes „ Tales of Twilight and Unseen ,, The Border Legion Zane Grey Captain Blood Sabatini The Sea Hawk ,, Trampling of the Lilies „ The Council of Justice Wallace Jim Maitland "Sapper" The Third Round ,, Memoirs of a Physician Dumas ,, Chicot the Jester Marguerite de Valois , Nada the Lily Ryder Haggard Hen Hen, the Monster ,, King Solomon's Mines ,, Greenmantle John Buchan The Romany Rye Borrow The Bible in Spain ,, Tom Brown's School-days Hughes A Safety Match Ian Hay The Lighter Side of School Life ,, The Willing Horse ,, Treasure of Kings Major Gilson Wizard King ,, David of Kings E. F. Benson Rugby Football W. J. A. Davies The Bishop Out of Residence Whitchurch The Return of Clubfoot Williams Some Experiences of an Irish R.M....Sommerville & Ross Dick Turpin Harrison Ainsworth Gerald Cranston's Lady Gilbert Frankau O'Henry Sixes and Sevens Quo Vadis Scheniswick

Tom Cringle's Log Tales of Mystery and Imagination My Chess Career Corporal Cameron My Man Jeeves Railways for All *

Scott Poe Capablanca Connor P. G. Wodehouse Gairns

D. A. B. Hopkin was elected to represent the Middle School on the Committee.

Saloeu.

IVu. P. C. W. Monahan ii—School House. R. S. Pope—Hostel. III. L. V. Farrington—Day Boy. I. F. D. Fitzmaurice—Day Boy.

Vakte.

LVA. F. A. Allcott (entered School Jan. 1921).

Cadet O.T.C.

Day Boy.

LVB. J. S. Allen (Jan. 1923). Cadet O.T.C. Hostel. J. C. Harcombe (Sept. 1917). Day Boy. REMOVE. J. A. Partridge (Jan. 1919). Day Boy. IVA.

H. R. Dorrell (May 1919). Castle House. R. H. Gregory ii (Jan. 4924). Natland. L. A. Lane (May 1923). 2nd XV. 1923-4, Cadet O.T.C. School House. M. D. Powell ii (Jan. 1924).

Day Boy.

Correspondence. To the Editors of the " Vigornian." Dear Sirs, May we put in a plea on behalf of the straw-hat which seems to be falling into disuse, many people prefering to wear caps in fine weather? Caps do not look well in the Summer Term, whereas the straw-hat is the recognised wear for Schools. Yours, hoping to see more next year, CHAPEAUX DE FAILLE. P.S.—We are in no way connected with Downes & Willes.

THE VIGORNIAN. To the Editors of the " Vigornian." Dear Sirs, As one of the students who had the pleasure of visiting the Electricity Works on June I5th, may I, through your columns, express our appreciation of the kindness of the City Electrical Engineer, who explained to us most clearly the 'wonderful mechanism, in spite of the roar of the gigantic turbines. Yours truly, SCIENTIST.

353

Not " would be vastly intrigued by a long list of acknowledgements for the receipt of the " Vigornian " and apologies for overdue subscriptions ; for such is their usual nature. Nevertheless, we appreciate your criticism, " What Not," and we will try to find some tit-bit of information from an O.V. to delight you next December.—EDS. "VlG."]

Oxford Cttrer. To the Editors of the " Vigornian."

To the Editors of the " Vigornian." Dear Sirs, May 1 express through your columns the regret that is felt by many members of the O.T.C. at being suddenly deprived of the privilege of holding parades in the College Green ? To my certain knowledge the Corps has had this privilege for the last five years, and, I should judge, ever since it was founded in 1910. Why is a state of affairs that has been accepted for the last fifteen years suddenly considered a nuisance? This action, aggravated as it has been during this term, by the state of the field and the building operations in the playground, has caused great inconvenience to the training of the Corps. Might I ask that this decision be reconsidered? With all due apologies, Yours truly, H.

Dear Sirs, The receipt of your peremptory request for news caused us at first such an unwonted shock that we thought of replying in the classic terms of the Earl of Orford who, when requested to become patron of a Bible Society, answered that the request caused him both surprise and annoyance—surprise at his being thought a fit person for the post and annoyance at being compelled to enter into anv communication whatsoever with the secretary. However, we resolutely put such thoughts from us and glanced retrospectively over what had happened during the term. We were as usual surprised to find how little had occurred which might fitly be printed for your delectation. Our chief recollection of course is of the unending rain— as is yours also, we believe—which caused many people to regret the capital sunk in a punt.

AlNSWORTH.

To the Editors of the " Vigornian." Dear Sirs, In your last number the following passage occurred in the O.V. News : " C. B. Lewis . . . writes us an interesting letter of his doings." May I suggest that the letter would have interested others besides the Editors themselves? More than one reader of the " Vigornian " has remarked to me " I would rather have read that than ' —— * or ' .' " I should like a column or so devoted to O.V. letters to be a regular feature of the " Vigornian." Yours sincerely, " WHAT NOT." [We refute " What Not's " suggestion that the Editors use the O.V.'s letters as private correspondence. He may remember in the December issue an article by G. N. T. Widdrington on " The Log Mill," and another some time back entitled " Swatow." In the case he mentions, the letter was not thought to be of such general interest as to merit insertion, despite the high opinions held of it by " What Not's" fellow readers who have never set eyes on it. As for the suggestion that a column should regularly be set apart for O.V.'s letters, we hardly think "What

No doubt if you read the Daily Tail (which we hope you don't) you will have seen some reference to a projected visit by the King during Eights' Week, which did not come off. The Prime Minister, despite his leonine appearance and lamb-like character, was a poor substitute. Eights' Week itself was very depressing until the last day or two, when the sun made a gallant effort to reveal himself. The chief amusement between the races was watching punters, expert and inexpert alike, being whirled about on the bosom of Isis—a deity implacable at that time. The Cricket season, too, has been under a cloud. The 'Varsity bowlers have rarely shown winning form. The Tennis we won, on courts thoroughly soaked. We also won the Bayonet-fighting, which was the only survivor of the usual Military Tournament. Owing to the lack of appreciation of that display shown last year " in another place " and the consequent financial loss, it could not be held in its entirety. Now, before proceeding to give some meagre details of the members of the colony, we wish all those going down this term all the best of luck for the future and hope that many others will come to take their place. M. E. WEBB (Hertford) has been labouring under the shadow of Greats and playing cricket very successfully.

THE VIGORN1AN.

354

S. NASH (Hertford) has been very little seen since he won the College Derby Sweep. We did hear that he had passed his School, and congratulate him. T. H. HORSFIKI.D (St. Edmund Hall) is still working earnestly, having forsaken the delights of the river and all other pleasant places—in fact he has gone to live as far away as possible, to discourage visitors. I. F. W. SCHOFIELD (Hertford) has not been seen riding a horse this term. It may be the " Vigornian " is a powerful remedier of abuses. C. B. GILI. (Exeter) may, on occasions, be heard lifting up his voice in song between 11.30 p.m. and 12 midnight and, on occasion, be found in bed between 11.30 a.m. and 12 noon. Concerning his other activities we fear he rather plays the "Hypocrite." C. V. HOULT (Keble) continues to burgeon unseen in the wilds of North Oxford. We always get lost in Keble. Of others who have now deserted this city of learning and other things, we have seen E. B. BRIDGER (Keble) and G. A. SIIARPE (St. Edmund Hall), whom we congratulate on successfully negotiating the last hurdle in their pursuit of the elusive degree. J. G. S. THOMAS (Hertford) has also been up and faced the examiners, with what result we know not. With all best wishes to the School, We remain, OXON.

Cambridge Ceikr. To the Editors of the " Vigornian." Dear Sir, Bear with me in this valiant, if belated, effort to recall certain of the least trivial happenings of last term—for we can already speak of it as gone (and I fear me, in complete defiance of the customary epitaph, " all but forgotten "). Indeed, sir, one needs the inspiring stimulus of the quiet Courts which Coleridge in his more delirious moments seems to have imagined to be " the haunt of sweet-tongued nightingales " (unless, of course, he was thinking of my " bedder," the almost unopposed winner of the College Singing Prize this five-and-thirty year)—this stimulus, as 1 seem to remember having mentioned some time before, is needed for the composition of a letter at all worthy of mentioning our conscientious efforts—need I say in the direction of work? For it has been borne in upon me that several previous epistles from this seat of learning, which may have masked their writer's real seriousness beneath the guise of well-meant flippancy, have misled our parents—nay even our one-time preceptors—into the delusion that " lofty endeavour " is not the summit of our aims at Cambridge. To efface this error, I intend

in the diagnosis of the prevalent symptoms of our patients up here to, give, in each case, a concise summary of the earnest tendency (I nearly said atmosphere!) of labour, designed to reassure both families and masters. On last term's "Vigornian," I feel, sir, that I must offer my most sincere congratulations, but there was one item in its contents, over which I sat towel-wrapped—till cockcrow, and was almost reduced to the same conclusion as the worthy merchant who tried to construe " Sordello " —that my brain had given way at the very outset of my career: need I say that I refer to the Oxford Letter. Never did such a miracle of abstruse verbiage swim before my eyes, and it was only the assurance of my friends that they, too, were totally unable to obtain a word of sense from this article (only they put it rather more strongly) that prevented me from ringing up the Examining Doctor of the well-known Institution at Powick. As regards some of Oxford's other efforts, it seems that the best way to ensure their defeat in any contest is to make them favourites—to think that one could be offered " four to one against " on the Boat Race, and odds only slightly lesser at the more recent function at Lords ! We are much distressed by the rumour that B. St. J. Ho wells redivivus and A. H. Adams are to be received up out of our midst, and can only hope that we are reallygoing to be able to induct at least two new visitants next term into that most exclusive honour " The Freedom of the Cambridge O.V." To fulfil an earlier promise :— B. ST. J. Ho WELLS (sometime of Queen's College, Cant.). A painstaking toiler, who gladdened our eyes by appearing unexpectedly again, after all our elaborate mourning ceremonies at the end of the Lent term. His College Authorities were unable to induce him again to take up the oar, as he pleaded that the pen, in the eyes of Examiners, was a mightier weapon. If he is really going down this time we offer our sincere regrets, with the rider that should he appear again, he must consider that they have never passed our lips—or in this case our fountainpen. A. H. ADAMS (Emmanuel). A hard worker; occasionally snatches a moment to enliven the College tennis courts with the twanging of his aluminium racquet. Is thinking of writing a monumental work " Film-stars I have sat and suffered with." Again we express the hope that the supplication of the Master and Fellows of Emma., in solemn appeal upon bended knees, may induce him not to take the light of his countenance away from us. V. C. POWELL (John's). A well-meaning hustler: he possesses, whether de ivre or de facto is not quite clear, one of the original pair of gramophones introduced by Noah into the A r k ; by dint of continuously winding the handle throughout the record, it produces a noise which might possibly be mistaken for " The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers." He appeared for the College 2nd XI. on a memorable occasion—with what success he seems chary of telling us.

THE VIGORNIAN. £

G. H. EVANS (Christ's). An earnest slogger (in this case the statement is unconditionally guaranteed). His rooms resemble a wizard's den (I believe " den " is a wizard's solution of the Housing Problem), strewn on all sides with skulls, thigh-bones, and sundry skeleton hands ; he attests to his general studiousness and gruesome tale about his adventures with a certain sheep's-head in the " Meaters." Joined in his College's joy at the success of their May Boats with his usual enthusiasm. E. L. FISHER (Sidney). An accurate scholar : his singlehanded effort to secure his " Getting-on Boat " a place on the river deserved greater success—perhaps a sculling-boat might be more practical next year. Still persists in riddling various inoffensive objects on the 'Varsity Shooting Range. Greets you with Hebrew salutations at the corners of the streets. J. L. LONGI.AND (Jesus). A steady plodder! Was seen in flashes on the towpath, running at high speed with empurpled face, and hoarsely whispering " You're going up " to the ist May Boat : however, his efforts resulted in two bumps. Compiled a batting average of infinitesimal proportions in his loyal devotion to the " greatest of summer games." He has a very bitter opinion of Cambridge Examiners in the " humaner letters." R. WYNNE-WOOLLEY (Christ's). Has at last decided that the extra expenditure involved in buying " shag " is outweighed by the disastrous results of his former brand on his acquaintances. He inav at times be seen discussing the Higher Modern Music with B. St. J. H.—at least we hope it's that. Has been called to a higher vocation than that which he at first intended to pursue. With the usual apologies, We remain, Yours sincerely, CANTAB.

CDapjKl memorial Reading Room. The following subscriptions, promised or received since the last list was published in the " Vigornian " of December, 1923, are gratefully acknowledged :— Acknowledged in December 1923 " Vigornian Geo. Austin, jun., Esq., O.V. B. A. J. Arthure, Esq., O.V His Honour Judge Amphlett Mr. and Mrs. Arbuckle J. B. P. Angwin, Esq., O.V G. W. Bishop, Esq Miss Binyon ... H. L. Burgis, Esq., O.V. Mrs. Bromley Miss Bates Mrs. M. E. Blandford L. G. Birkmyre, Esq.

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W. D. Battershill, Esq., O.V Misses Barry and Richards J. B. Cavenagh, Esq., O.V Earl of Coventry J. A. J. Caves, Esq., O.V Lieut.-Commander C. J. Chaytor, R.N., O.V. Mrs. Coverdale H. C. Carter, Esq. R. E. Coomber, Esq., O.V Mrs. E. Clayton R. Daniel, Esq., O.V A. R. Davies, Esq., O.V. G. H. Dickinson, Esq., O.V. Miss A. Done Miss E. S. Davis (2nd donation) Rev. J. D. Day, O.V H. S. Denton, Esq., O.V Mrs. A. E. Forrest (2nd instalment) ... R. R. Finch, Esq., O.V Graves-Morris, O.V. C. E. Gedge, Esq., O.V. Mrs. Graham ;.. C. T. Hopkirk, Esq., O.V Miss M. Hyde H. H. Holmes, Esq., O.V Mrs. Hartwright Mrs. Holyoake W. J. Hemming, Esq., O.V Mrs. J. Hutton (E. A. Ricu) D. C. Harcombe, Esq., O.V J. C. Harcombe, Esq., O.V E. C. Hogben, Esq., O.V F. Halton, Esq. E. H. Ingram-Halford, Esq., O.V J. A. Jackson, Esq. (2nd instalment) Do. (3rd do. ) Frank H. Jenkins, Esq., O.V W. S. King, Esq Rev. J. H. Kirkby, O.V A. M. Lumsdaine, Esq., O.V. Canon Lacey ... Capt. C. B. Lewis, O.V F. Larr, Esq. ... .^ Rev. F. Lewis Mrs. Loach (2nd donation) M. A. Le Huray, Esq., O.V A. T. Marshall, Esq., O.V F. Matthews, Esq., O.V B. C. McKenzie, Esq., O.V A. K. Matthews, Esq., O.V Capt. K. D. Marsland, O.V J. B. Matthews, Esq., K.C., O.V Miss F. Norbury Miss W. Norbury S. Nash, Esq., O.V Mrs. Ogilvy H. E. Oram, Esq., O.V Mrs. Manly Power ...

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356 Canon A. H. Phelips E. J. Rees, Esq., O.V L Rces Esq O V E. Rice-Jones, Esq., O.V G. Rice-Jones, Esq., O.V.

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Mrs Rushton Rev. P. N. W. Strong, O.V Rev G H Sharpe O V U. G. S. Stuart-Shepherd, O.V R. Owen Smith, Esq., O.V W. L. Shorting, Esq., O.V. Col Stallard J. E. Seabright, Esq., O.V G. W. Seabright, Esq., O.V

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J. G. S. Thomas, Esq., O.V J. D. S. Thomas, Esq., O.V H. S. Thomas, Esq., O.V

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F. I. G. Tweedie, Esq., O.V W. F. C. Underwood, Esq., O.V. J. Lionel Wood, Esq., O.V G M Watts Esq O V Mrs. Wilmot Rev. A. L. E. Williams, O.V G. A. West, Esq., O.V Mrs. Arnold Webb Mrs. Whitaker (and donation) R. A. B. Wilding, Esq. (2nd donation) ... Interest on Deposit A/c for 1923

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Contemporaries* It has been pleasing to become familiar with some of the features of trans-Atlantic school-life through the medium of the " Browning Buzzer," which the Browning School of New York has now been sending us regularly for over if not revolutionary to us, yet it is extremely interesting to learn— for example—how differently the holidays of the American schools are arranged and that what to us is known as a Public School is to them a Prep. School, while their " Public Schools " correspond to our Elementary and Board Schools. Apart from this the magazine is very attractively arranged, and we should feel duly grateful to those who have enabled us to establish this connection with our American cousins. Other contcm oraries which we 'ratefull • acknowledce

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