Vol. XXIV. No. 1.

THE

SHIRBURNIAN.SECOND SERIES .

.. A trivial Grammar School text, but yet worthy a wise

man's consideration "-Bacoll's Essay 011 Boldlless.

MARCH, 1907.

Sberborne:PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY F. BENNETT.

THE PARADE.

SHERBORNE SCHOOL XV. 1906-7.

J. U. SMITH.

S. C. BENNETT.W. J. DOW.

H. G. MAY. W. G. WALTER.

R. J. MORRISON. H. F. PLANT. J. E. TERRY.D. G. SMITH. W. R. BULL.

E. C. CRICHTON. W. E. SHAW. C. O'D. CAREY (capt.)A. L. SYMES. C. T. SANCTUARY.

J

THE

SHIRBURNIAN.

No. CCXLIV. MARCH, 1907.

EDITORIAL.

VOL. XXIV.

itHE present year has started sadly for Sherborne,'1}J through the loss of Mr. Blanch. We do not intend,

however, in this place to do more than express thedeep sympathy which the School feels for Mrs. Blanch.Nor is this the only bereavement which Sherborne hassuffered since the New Year. Yet another famous OldShirburnian has passed to his rest in the person of Col.Stewart, C.M.G., the well-known King's Messenger.

Since the above was written we learn with deep regretof the death of Rear-Admiral Raby, v.c. We believe we arecorrect in saying that the late Admiral was the first to bedecorated with the highest honour which bravery can earn.Admiral Raby was at Sherborne with the present Vicar ofSherborne when Dr. Lyon was Headmaster. Up to the lastthe Admiral took a great interest in the School; alwayscarefully reading the O.SS. report. It is the third .sudden

2 The Shirburniall. [MARCH,

blow which has fallen on 8herbo1'11e recently; and onlythose who saw how well Admiral Raby was at Christmascan say how sudden it is.

In the death of Mr. J. Hoddinott the School loses avery old and tried friend. Mr. Hoddinott was very closelyconnected with the School and only resigned his seat on theGove.1'11ing Board last year.

To pass to more cheerful themes we must sincerelycongratulate this year's XV., who can boast an unbeatenrecord. To quote the Headmaster,' the team owes itssuccess, not to possessing two or three brilliant individualplayers, but to being a good "all-rounel" team.' It is agreat feat for a small school like Sherborne to possess­if not THE strongest-at any rate one of the strongestpublic school teams of the year. We all owe a deep debtof gratitude to Mr. G. M. Carey for so carefully coach­ing the team, and to the Captain, C. O'D. Carey, for thebrilliant manner in which he led his side to victory.

It is not in Games alone, however, that the Schoolhas been diRtinguishing itself. We have the greatestpleasure in offering our warmest congratulations toJ~ R. Wallers, on gaining a scholarship at Sidney SussexCollege, Cambridge, and O. King on his scholarship atChrist Church, Oxford.

And before these there lies a trial even more severe inattaining that mathematical efficiency required by theirrespective Universities. J\h. D. C. Jones-whom we mostwarmly welcome-is, we hear, doing wonders in this line,and weird symbols-never before known to the Classical

190 7·J The Shirburnian 3

VI.-are appearing in all their horror to our astonished gaze.Instead of quietly wrestling with the early part of Hall andKnight, known almost by heart to 'the young student,'those, who were lately revelling in the beauties of Plato andSophocles, have to struggle with strange theories ofBaker and Bourne. We hope that out of this evil good maycome in a large number of ' certificates' next term.

Thanks to the energy of Mr. Archdall Ffooks who wasappointed a Governor last summer in the place of 1\11'.Thomas Ffooks, an 'enlarged and improved' edition of the'Roll Book' has recently been published by 1\11'. F. Bennett.This small manual ought to be of great interest to allpresent and past members of the School; containing, asit does, notes on all School Institutions.

FOOTBALL.

SCHOOL v. CASTLE CARY.

On Saturday, the 8th of December, we journeyed to CastleCary amidst pouring rain; however, it cleared up before thecommencement of the game. The home side kicked off againsta strong wind, and the School at once began to press; after afew loose scrummages Plant scored a good try between theposts, which Dow converted. Shortly after this a pass ofDow's was intercepted, and the home forwards looked likescoring, but Smith sprinted back and relieved with a good kick.Open play, in which Bennett and May were conspicuous,ensued, and Dow opening up the game enabled Carey and Smithto score t,vo tries in quick succession. Half-time-Sherborne 5,Castle Cary nil. After the interval the School began to press,and Smith scored near the posts; Dow added the major points.A moment later Carey feinted through, and outpacing the back

4 The Shirburllian. [MARCH,

scored a fine try between the posts. The kick was successful.For some moments play settled in the School' twenty-five,' butthe School forwards, headed by Bennett, brought the bal1 backto the half-way line; and here play of a fierce nature ensued.A few minutes before time Dow scored twice in quicksuccession; thus we were left victorious by five goals and twotries to nil.

Team :-C. G'D. Carey, VV. E. Shaw, H. G. May, \V. G.\Valter, \V. J. Dow, J. E. Terry, S. C. Bennett, J. U. Smith,C. T. Sanctuary, H. F. Plant, \V. G. Smith, A. L. Symes,W. R. Bull, K. Hopkins.

--:0:--

SCHOOL v. 0.55.

Played on the Upper on Saturday, December 15th. TheSchool was without Morrison, Hopkins playing in his place.R. Adamson kicked off for the O.SS. towards the NationalSchools, Sanctuary finding touch about half-way. The O.SS.immediately set up a strong attack by forward rushes, theirscrum being much heavier than the School pack. Five minutesfrom the start Pinckney, picked up near the touch line, droppeda splendid goal (0-4). Terry kicked off, and from Venning'sreturn Dow made a mark and kicked high across. R. Adamsonwas prominent in some loose forward play, but the Schoolforwards quickly got together and rushed the ball into the O.S.territory. A score seemed imminent, but \V. Adamson pickedup and found touch. From loose play in mid-field J. U. Smithbroke away, and some short passing among the Schoolforwardsand backs resulted in D. Smith scoring a good try after beatingCarrington and Venning (3-4). Dow failed to convert with thegreasy ball. A series of scrums followed the drop-out, andPinckney gained ground with a long low kick. Carey andDow initiated a fine bout of passing, and Hopkins made a goodrun, but was collared by Venning. A free kick was awardedto the School, but Dow failed to add any points. The Schoolset up a strong attack, the short passing of the forwards lookingvery dangerous. Play settled near the O.SS. line, and froma scrum the ball shot out along the School outsides, a scoreonly failing to result because Sanctuary hung on too long.Carey was next prominent, after the O.SS. had worked backto mid-field, and then Plant made a good run and kicked over

1907·J The Shirburnian.

Venning's head. Hopkins followed up fast and touched down(6-4-). Dow again failed to convert. A series of punts followedthe drop-out, Bull finally reaching touch. From the line-outthe O.SS. made a great rush led by Lang, but Dow picked upmarvellously and relieved with a beautiful kick to touch.O.SS. continued to press, A. Crichton leading a good rush, butBull again found touch. May was next conspicuous with abeautiful dribble through a host of opponents, and from looseplay Plant found touch. The O.SS. attacked, but Dowreturned the attack with a high punt. Terry followed up, andVenning had no chance, a try resulting, which Dow convertedwell (!I-4)' The O.SS. pressed hard after this reverse, goodpassing and a fine run by Greathead bringing the ball close tothe School line. From a scrum Adamson broke away, but thepassing broke down and immediately afterwards Dow knockedon in attempting to intercept, a scrum being carried by theO.SS. in mid-field, but little ground was gained owing to thesplendid defence of the School outsides. Carey then brokeaway and D. Smith scored after a good run. Dow converted(16-4). The O.SS. again replied with a vigorous rush, andSanctuary touched down. The O.SS. continued to attack forthe rest of the time, but the School's defence held out well.

In the second half the Old Boys were much better together,and a good rush headed by Adamson and Crichton broughtplay into the School territory. Carey tried frequently to breakthrough, but found Adamson far too sure. The School attackedby means of short rushes, \iValter being conspicuous. Furthergood dribbling by May and Symes carried the ball right on tothe O.SS. lines, but the ball was touched down. Sanctuaryreturned the drop-out well, but the O.SS. were irresistible justnow and a magnificent burst rushed the ball on to the Schoolline where \iV. Adamson picked up and scored near the lowerflag. Venning converted with an excellent kick (16-9)' Hopkinsinitiated an attack with a good kick, but PincImey relieved thepressure. Attack was met with counter-attack in splendid style,Hohlfray being conspicuous in the rushes. From a loose scrumDow picked up and reached the O.SS. '25' with a beautifulkick to touch. \Valter headed a rush to the O.SS. goal-line,but the Old Boys carried the scrum and rushed to mid-field.Carrington got clear away and passed to Greathead, but thelatter's pass back went astray, and the School taking advantagecarried play to the O.SS. ' 25,' from a grovel on the O.SS. linea score seemed certain, but Hopkins knocked on, the School

6 The Shirbztrlziall. [MARCH,

wheeled the scrum grandly, and Hay after a beautiful shortdribble picked up and scored, no goal resulting- (19-9). Playsettled in mid-field till Dow broke through the O.SS. defenceand was collared ten yards from the line. Crichton headed anO.SS. rush, but Bull picked up and kicked high, finallycollaring Venning in possession. O.SS. made another spiritedrush to mid-field but Dow again put the School on the attackwith a good kick. At this point Carey was hurt and had to fallbehind the threequarter line. Greathead made a good lUn tothe School '25,' then \Vinch made a clever opening andCarrington scored, no goal resulting (19-12). This was theend of the scoring, so the School deservedly won an excellentgame. Personal criticism is impossible. Many members ofthe School team were on the verge of, or recovering from,influenza, and the conditions of weather and ground made fineform impossible. In winning, the School successfully broughtto a close a splendid season, having won every match. Hadthey been able to show their true form there is no knowing whatscore they might not have run up against the strong O.SS. XV.To Mr. G. M. Carey, to C. O'D. Carey and to every member ofthis splendid side, hearty congratulations! O.s.

CHARACTERS OF THE XV,1906-7.

C. O'D. CAREY (1904-5-6-7). A very energetic and pains­taking Captain, who is much to be congratulated on the completesuccess of the season. Played fly-half with great advantage tothe side and himself. Very strong and daShing, with a goodswerve, is hard to stop. Passes cleanly and is a safe tackler,but is weak in kicking. IQ st. II lbs.

\V. E. SHAW (1904-5-6-7). A strong and heavy forward.Very useful in tight scrimmages and has improved enormouslyin the open. If he learns to be quicker and neater with hishands, he will be a first-class forward. 12 st. I lb.

H. G. MAY (1905.6'7). Has unfortunately not added muchto his weight this year, but he has very little to learn in cleverness

190 7·J The Slzirburnian. 7

with either hands or feet. A fine leader of forwards, inspiringboth by words and example. Very conspicuous in the line-out.10 st. 4lbs.

E. C. CRICHTON (1905-6-7). Has been quite invaluable tothe pack, and a large factor in its success, through his honestand sturdy play. Not prominent in the open, except at theline-out, but invariably plays himself out. I I s1. 5lbs.

VV. G. VVALTER (1905-6-7). A large and heavy forward,has improved much and been most useful, especially out oftouch. He still needs to grow more angular, and to showmore fire and fierceness. 12 st. 8lbs.

vV'. J. Dow (1906-7). Has played scrum half with greatsuccess, combining splendidly with his Captain. Strong, cooland tricky, he has only a certain slowness to overcome to be areally fine player. A magnificent punt, and very fair place kick.I I st. 3lbs.

J. E. TERRY (1906-7). A sound and good all-round forward,who was especially conspicuous for his tackling, and keen follow­ing up. Has considerable stamina, and lasts well through thehardest of games. I I st. 4 lbs.

S. C. BENNETT (1906-7). A very vigorous and determinedforward, who always plays for all he is worth. Useful in tightscrums, and sometimes shows up prominently in the loose.10 st, 4lbs. .

J. U. SMITH (1906-7). A strong and well-built forward, whoonly just failed to be brilliant through diffidence and not using hisundoubtedly great pace. I I st. olbs.

C. T. SANCTUARY (1906-7). Has excelled this season ratherin defence-in which he is quite fearless-than in attack. But hehas great capabilities also as an offensive player. Greatly im­proved in kicking. 9 st. la Ibs.

H. F. PLANT (1906). A sterling defensive player, collars welland improved much in kicking into touch. Rather weak in attackowing to not having good hands. 10 st. 6 in.

D. G. SMITH (1906-7). A young player, who has all themakings of a really good wing three-quarter. Cross kicks welland with judgment and tackles safely. Must learn to hand-off.10 st. 7lbs.

8 The Shiyburllian [MARCH,

A. L. SVMES (1906-7). A very keen and dashing forward:always on the ball, and a good dribbler, he lasts well throughouta game. 9 st. IQ lbs.

W. R. BULL (1906-7), Though handicapped by slowness,improved much at full-back. Fields neatly and collars well.A powerful kick, but should use the touch line more. 12 st.

R. J. M. MORRISON (1906). Played wing three-quarterwithout great success, tried too often to force his ,vay throughthe scrum. A very fair kick and tackler. 9 st. 10 Ibs.

XXX GAME

After the kick-off a series of scrummages ensued, butBramall, picking up and by a' good run, brought the play intoStripes '25.' Master did some good defensive work, butTerry ii. receiving the ball from a scrummage broke throughthe defence and scored a good try, but the kick failed, makingthe score 3 points to nil. After a little' scrappy' play on bothsides, a free kick was awarded to Whites, King being offside.After the kick Bramall obtained the ball and made a good runwith a fine feint, but unfortunately spoilt the chance of scoringby passing forward. However vVhites were not long to get onthe move again, and Plant ii. with a fine tricky run scored agood try, closely attended by three of his opponents, the try wasunconverted, 6 points to nil. The backs then on both sidesindulged in a series of reciprocal kicks, till Futcher settled theplay by finding touch with an excellent kick. After the usualline out and the scrum that ensued Birch had the ball neatlyout, and Limbery ma., after a good bout of passing, receivedthe ball and by running well brought the play back into Stripes'25.' After a series of scrummages, Barnes ma. scrambled overthe line and scored another unconverted try, 9 points to nil.Half time.

On resuming, the Stripes forwards pulled themselvestogether and with some good foot work began to press theiropponents. A free kick was then awarded the Stripes, one ofWhites' forwards being offside. Play was then brought up intoWhites '25' and after some good scrum work Brown ma.

The ShirbltY1liall. 9

scored, kick failed, 9 points to 3. Plant mi. again made a finerun, but resulted in a touch down. Another good run was madeby Read, well partnered by Foley, but were well stopped byFutcher. Foley made up for this later and scored a fine try forStripes. A good series of passing then ensued between Whites'backs, but ended in a scrum in Stripes' 25,' resulting eventuallyin vVhites' scoring through Smith quint, kick failed, 12 pointsto 6. Stripes then made another effort, and Cooper by kickingacross made an opening for Master, who made good use of it bybreaking through Whites' defence and scoring a try, again thekick failed, 12 points to 9. Time was called after a wellcontested game without any further addition to the score.May acted as referee and came through this difficult task verycreditably.

FIRST ROUND THIRDS.

BELL'S v. KING'S.

This match was played on February 9th. Bell's won thetoss, and King's kicking off were soon pressing. After about tenminutes' play, a bout of passing on the part of the King'sthreequarters ended in Norsworthy scoring, Carey ii. failing toconvert. Bell's forwards now had the best of matters and keptthe ball in neutral territory, half-time being called with thescore-King's 3 points, Bell's nil.

On resuming Bell's were soon on the attack, and King'swere forced to touch down, but a rush by King's forwardsbrought play back to midfield. Soon after this Norsworthyagain crossed the line but knocked on, a drop out resulting.King's were now pressing and just before time was called,scored again through a fine individual effort by Lott, the finalscore reading-King's 6 points, Bell's nil. Conspicuous werefor the winners-Carey ii., Hampton ii., Penny, Parry-Jones;for the losers-vVynne, Krause, Gullick, de Steiger.

TEADls:King's-vVylie (back); Simey ii., Norsworthy, Carey ii.

(captain), Lott (threequarters); Hampton ii., Penny (halves);Openshaw, Mansfield, Parry-] ones, Homfray, Robertson, Stark,Rose, Gurney (forwards).

10 The Shirburlliall. [MARCH,

Bell's-Studd (back); Buck, Wynne, de Steiger (three.quarters); Gullick, Macartney (halves); Krause, Sharland,Shilson, Benton, Ramsay, Jenkinson, Brown, Slade (forwards).

--:0:--

WILDMAN'S v. DUNKIN'S.

This match was played on the' Fourth' on February gth,and resulted in a victory for Wildman's by 41 points to nil.Dunkin's kicked off with sun and wind in their favour.Wildman's at once carried the ball into their opponent's' 25,'where from a scrum in front of goal, the ball was passed out toHenley, who opened the scoring with a good try between theposts. Sawyer added the extra points. A series of scrumsfollowed near Dunkin's line and from a good heel by Wild man'sScott dodged through and gained the second try. The kickfailed. vVildman's kept up a steady pressure and scoringbp-came quick. A free kick to Dunkin's gave the ball to Gibsonwho passed out to Henley, enabling the latter to nm in andscore between the posts. Sawyer failed to convert. Some looseplay followed on the' 25' line, until Henley picking up in theopen dashed through and added another try. Shortly after froma grovel in front of the posts, Symes ii. scored again for\Vildman's. Both kicks failed. Half-time followed.

On resuming play vVildman's completely outplayed theiropponents and confined them almost entirely to their '25.' Inspite of the one-sided nature of the game, DUllkin's playedpluckily throughout. vVildman's superiority lay chiefly in theiroutsides, Henley in particular proving too good for the opposingthreequarter line. Tries were added in quick succession bySymes il. (I) and Henley (7). Since none of these wereconverted, Wildman's left the field victorious by I goal, 12 triesto nil. For Dunkin's, Bartleet, Tuke, and Burt were mostconspicuous. For 'vVildman's, Sawyer, Henley, Beckton, Gibson,and Scott played best.

TEAMS:

vVildman's-Guppy (back); Henley, Sawyer, Ledesma ii.,Bean (threequarters); Scott, Symes ii. (halves); Gibson,Beckton, Ledesma i., Hooper, Druitt, Millar, Beaumont,Adams (forwards).

Dunkin's-Gibbs (back); Adams i., Butlin (threequarters) ;Tuke, Burt (halves); Bartleet, Brown, Emson, Brooke,Hudson, Sorey, Pinney (forwards).

The ShirburJlialt.

SECOND ROUND THIRDS.

II

WILDMAN'S v. KING'S.

This match was played on February 11th. From the kick­off King's were soon pressing, and it was not long beforeSimey ii. picking up well scored far out, no goal resulting.King's still continued to press, thanks to some good kicking byN orslVorthy; and Carey ii. feillting through the defence scoredwell, the same player failing at goal. At this point temporaryrelief was given by Beckton, who gained ground by a useful run.There was no further score before half-time. King's 6 points,vVildman's nil.

On resuming King's again looked dangerous, and Lottfeinting past several opponents added another try, which wasnot converted. From the drop out l\'1ansfield had a clear run in,but was held up when already over the line. vVildman's scrumnow had the ball out and Henley, obtaining the ball, ended afine run from his own' 25' with a try, which was not converted;this player again looked dangerous, but was well collared byCarey ii. King's now added another try through Penny,coming round the blind side of the scrum, no goal resultingand before time was called Carey ii. sent Lott over the line witha final try, the score reading-King's 15 points, \Vildman's3 points. Conspicuous were for the winners-Carey ii., Lott,Hampton ii., Penny, Parry-Jones; for the losers-Sawyer,Henley, Beckton, Gibson.

TEAl\ls:

King's-\Vylie (back); Simey ii., Norsworthy, Carey ii.(captain), Lott (threequarters) ; Hampton ii., Penny (halves);Openshaw, lVIansfield, Parry-Jones, Homfray, Robertson, Stark,Rose, Gurney (forwards).

\Vildman's-Guppy (back); Henley, Sawyer (captain),Ledesma ii" Bean (threequarters); Scott, Symes ii. (halves);Gibson, Beckton, Ledesma i., Hooper, Druitt, lVIilIar,Beaumont, Adams, (forwards).

--:0:---

THE FINAL.

KING'S & WILD~L\N'S v. THE SCHOOL HOUSE.

The final was played on the 'Lower' on February 16th infine weather. The School House won the toss and decided to

12 The ShirbzlYIziaTz. [MARCH,

play towards the National Schools with the strong west wind attheir backs. From the kick-off play settled down near half-wayuntil the House forwards broke away with a fine rush andbrought the ball into their opponents' '25' where, a fewmoments later, the School were penalised for off-side. Sweetkicked across and from a subsequent grovel McClellan gotpossession and scored a good try which was not converted.After the re-start the School began to get together more andplay was brought down to half-way; McClellan helped his sidewith a kick into touch and a good run by Woods gained furtherground for the House. The School were kept on the defensivefor some minutes but the House were unable to cross the lineand play was gradually worked back to half-way. However afine dribble by Trueman brought play again into the School'sterritory and after a long punt by Carey had been well returnedby Forrest, Sweet made a fine run and nearly scored, beingbrought down when almost on the line. A useful kick byvVylie brought some relief to the School and after a rush by theforwards the ball reached Henley who gained ground with agood run but was well collared by Forrest. Half·time wascalled with play in mid-field.

After changing ends, in spite of the fact that they wereplaying against the wind the House continued to have by farthe most of the game. After the kick-off the School were atonce set on the defensive by some good work among the Houseforwards, after a grovel near the' 25 ' line, the ball was broughtto Gosling who made a good run but failed to outpace hisopposing wing threequarter. The House continued to press andtheir efforts were at last rewarded with a good try by Trueman.The same player converted with an excellent kick (8-0). Afterthe drop-out Trueman very nearly scored again after a finedribble but Lott saved well. The House continued to pressowing to the admirable work of their forwards until Pennybrought relief to the School with a kick into touch. The Schoolwere given a free kick when near half-way but a mark byPalmer i. cancelled this help. A determined rush on the partof the House forwards once again brought play into the School's, 25' and after an excellent run vVoods scored an unconvertedtry. Immediately after the drop-out the same player again ranover and scored (14-0). The School were unable to break awayand Trueman scored again after a good dribble (17-0). TheSchool now appeared to lose heart and proved quite incapableof coping with the spirit and dash shewn by their opponents.

The Slzirburnimt, 13

Continuing their vigorous attack the House gained two moretries before time was called, the first through Shaw and thesecond through \Voods, both the result of good runs. TheSchool House thus won by I goal and 6 tries to nil.

The School House fully deserved their success and wereincomparably the better side. Their forwards played admirablyfrom first to last and completely outclassed their somewhatweightier opponents: in the open Trueman, Palmer i., andElliot were especially conspicuous. The halves and three­quarters combined well and all did excellent work. Forrestwhen called upon saved very well. The School on the wholegave a disappointing display, there were one or two goodindividual efforts but the side did not seem to work together wellas a ,,,hole, and lacked the dash of their opponents.

The teams were as follows:-

House-Forrest i.; Sweet, Palmer ii., \Voods, Gosling;McClellan, Shaw; Palmer i., Trueman, Hooper ii., Elliot i.,Burgess ill Capel-Cure, Bradford, \Vilson ii.

School-Wylie; Norsworthy, Carey ii., Lott, Henley;Hampton ii., Penny; Openshaw, Mansfield, Gibson i., Homfray,Parry-Jones, Robertson, Millar, Stark.

SCHOOL NOTES.

F. E. Kidner has been made a School Prefect.

H. F. Plant arranged a very successful Penny Readinglast term.

1'111. Ffooks is responsible for a small manual, containing aroll list and general information about the School. This bookis bound in an attractive binding and can be purchased fromF. Bennett, The Parade (price Id.). It is hoped that membersof the School will buy copies and send them to their friends.

•

The S1lil'burnian. [MARCH,

There has been some skating this term for the first time forseveral years.

The following left at the end of last term :--H. F. Plant,1st XV., R. J. M. Morrison, 1St XV., and S. P. Barrow, 2nd XV.

LECTURE.

On November 14th in the Big Schoolroom the Rev. W. H.Abbot lectured on 'Pearls and Pearl-Diving.' There was alarge attendance and keen interest was shown throughout in thesubject. As at his previous lecture some terms ago, severalsmaller members of the School assisted, and on this occasionone was dressed in a diver's costume to help illustrate severalpoints in the lecture.

Mr. Abbot began by telling us where Thursday Island-hishome during the time he was a missionary-was_ It lay, he said,off the extreme northern point of Australia, a little way southof British New Guinea. The island was in the neighbourhoodof the Barrier Reef, an obstacle that was frequently a source oftrouble when attempting to get to land. Having shewn severalslides illustrating what he had just told us, he proceeded to tellus about the pearl and pearl-diving. He mentioned that therewere two completely different shells found, the one in the neigh­bourhood of the Persian Gulf and the other north of Australia.\Vith regard to the diving also, there were two methods em­ployed, the one being to dive naked and the other to use a divingdress, which of course was the better for reasons too obviousto mention. However in Australia, in water too shallow torequire a diver, the natives always employed their feet in gettingthe shells, taking care never to wet their head. But to deal withthose who dive naked there were several points to notice namelythat no one could stay under water more than two minutesusually, although the record of two minutes fifteen seconds hadbeen performed, and that the reason why in England and on theContinent people had been able to stay under for so long asthree and a quarter minutes was that they were rarely in more

The Shirburnian.

than ten or twel ve feet of water, whereas, in Australia and theother regions where pearls were found, divers nearly alwayswent down fifty or sixty feet, and consequently the pressure wasfar greater than in lesser depths. Goggles also were worn toprevent the eyes from becoming sore, which they were wont todo otherwise.

As to the dangers attendant on divers, whether in dress ornot, of course the animals and fish encountered were by far theworst. But for naked divers water more than sixty feet deepwas never safe. The temptation to stay down longer than wasknown to be safe to the diver frequently proved fatal, and theresult of this folly was a number of deaths yearly. Nothinghowever was a greater source of fear and danger alike than theshark. These beasts abound in great numbers, and severaltimes during each season a strike occurs amongst the divers,who refuse to go down owing to many of their comrades havingmet an untimely end by these animals. As to the sharks, hesaid it was to be noted that although they were very blind, yetthe absence of their sight was fully compensated by the keen­ness of their scent.

Besides the shark, the sword fish ranked as one of thegreatest foes to divers, and next to it came the octopus, whosefeelers, often some thirty feet in length, rendered it by no meansthe least formidable animal met with. Mr. Abbot recalledseveral dramatic incidents about the latter, and especially oneillustrating how presence of mind had saved a diver. \Vithregard to the fleets of boats carrying the divers, he said thatthey usually were away from port for four or five months at atime, and were always accompanied by a schooner, with pro­visions on board, and also a pump and necessary apparatus fordivers who wore a dress. The divers themseh'es, he informedus, as a whole enjoyed their work, the chief source of troublebemg to get boys to go down for the first time; however, thiswas remedied by two of the older men seizing hold of them bythe wrists and pulling them do\vn. The cause of their reluct­ance was a fearful pain felt in the ear when diving for the firsttime owing to the pressure on a certain muscle; but when oncethis muscle was broken, which occllrred after the diver had beendown about the first twenty feet, all was well again. The chiefdanger of this muscle being broken was that when a man roseto the surface too quickly he was liable to get paralysis, thusbeing rendered a cripple for the remainder of his life. This was

16 The SlzirbllY1!iall. [MARCH,

brought about by the sudden loss of pressure owing to the risebeing too quick. A diver in dress always wore a night cap tokeep the intense draught from giving him a cold.

Mr. Abbot then told us several very interesting andamusing episodes about his life in New Guinea and ThursdayIsland, dwelling at short length also on some points in hiscareer as missionary in those parts. He finally gave us a fewdetails about the pearl itself, and how in Japan and elsewheremany successful imitations of it were produced.

A member of the School was then made to walk round theroom in full diver's dress except for the boots; air was pumpedto him and messages and directions communicated, whilst hedistributed photos and pictures kindly given by the lecturer,who concluded by apologizing for exceeding the appointed time.

Three cheers were called, and we must say that we haveneither heard a more interesting lecture for some time past,nor seen one illustrated by better slides.

LECTURES ON SHAKESPEARE.

On the 24th of November Mr. Powys gave his fifth Shakes­pearian lecture. Macbeth was the play he had chosen for thatevening, but before beginning to discuss the play he said hemust congratulate the School on their victory over Tonbridge.After the applause, which this remark produced, had subsided,the lecturer remarked that football and Shakespeare were veryfar apart, so that we had better turn to Shakespeare at once.

He wished to inform us that there was a certain GermanProfessor, by name Bleibtreus, who had just brought forwardthe theory that the Plays were not written by Shakespeare orBacon, but by Roger, Earl of Rutland. \Vhat did it matter ifthe immortal genius was known on earth as Roger, Bacon orShakespeare? \Vhen we speak of Shakespeare we mean themind that wrote such undying words. But, putting aside thequestion of authorship, let us consider the Play Macbeth.

In this tragedy Shakespeare attempts a very difficult task.He feeds the natural craving for horror. However much people

The Shirb1lrnian. 17

may say that that taste should be suppressed, and that literaturewhich contains it is not true literature, he thought that thecraving had a right to be appeased. Certainly Macbeth is aPlay that teems with awful incidents: not only do we see theworst and most terrible side of the human mind, but even themalignity of nature, and finally the supernatural are introduced,to increase the horror. There is also another point to be notedabout the masterly handling of the Play. Shakespeare knewthat the whole effect is more ghastly if trivial, and even comicincidents are placed next to the most revolting scenes. It is forthis cause that the porter scene was written. Some critics hadstated that it was impossible for Shakespeare to have composedit, so coarse was its composition and so utterly out of keepingwith the rest; but it was by the contrast that Shakespeare wasable to produce an even more terrible effect.

There was another obvious mistake made when they statedthat Macbeth would have done the murder without any instiga­tion by his wife or the witches. No one who ever read the Playcould think that the witches and Lady Macbeth had no influenceon this man. 'What was the use of bringing Lady Macbeth andthe three weird sisters into the play if they were not to persuadeMacbeth? This man was a great Highland hero, strong, fiercein battle, splendid in form, and very superstitious. So super­stitious that he who could fight a battle without turning a hairbreaks down utterly when he has murdered Duncan. It is inthat scene that Lady Macbeth shows what kind of woman sheis. She was, in his opinion, six feet high, with flowing blackhair, dark face and flashing eyes. No, she is a small fair delicatewoman. Does she not speak of her little hand? She has allthe feelings of an ordinary woman, together with their strengthof will and tenacity of purpose; for instance, she speaks of themother's love towards her child, but she says she would dashthe babe to the ground rather than relinquish her cause. Again,she has to appeal to the fiends to unsex her, so conscious is sheof her womanliness.

This Play, perhaps of all written by Shakespeare, dependsmost of all on the stage directions and on the actors themselves.Great care must also be paid to the punctuation; Mr. Powysquoted the sentence where Macbeth says, ' \Vhat if we fail,' andLady Macbeth replies, 'Vie faiL' This might be expressed inmany ways, each of which would entirely change the meaningof her answer.

18 The Slzirbltrnia1Z. [MAHCH,

In conclusion, Mr. Powys described very graphically somescenes, almost acting some parts of them. At the end he said:, Look at Macbeth; at the close of the Play we must pity him,when he has been forsaken by the evil powers that urged himon to all his wickedness, his wife dead, deserted and hated byall: he turns then, one man against an army, once more he iscourageous, once more the great chieftain, when he cries, ' Layon, Macduff, and damned be he who first cries, hold, enough.'

On Saturday, December 8th, Mr. Powys gave his sixth andlast lecture on Shakespeare. This time he took as his subject'Julius Caesar.' He had many misgivings, he confessed, inchoosing this play: every school boy knew the play, if not byheart, at any rate very well, and was full of theories concerningit. But any misdoubts he may have had before reading theplay for this lecture were quickly dispelled when he had readthe play. He was so struck with its originality. He thought itwas a remarkable play in many ways: and perhaps in no otherplay which Shakespeare ever wrote did he so drop his manner­isms of style and technique. It was in' Julius Caesar' thatShakespeare seemed to catch the real Roman spirit, theirincisiveness in speech, briskness of manner and dislike forperiphrasis. Perhaps the most striking peculiarity is theabsence of a villain, and consequently the large number ofheroes or semi-heroes. Mr. Powys said that the weaknesswhich is ascribed to Caesar, as Cassius mentions slightingly toBrutus, was introduced not to detract from the glory of theimmortal Caesar, but because, if he had shewn Caesar as heknew him to be, great, generous, noble-hearted and majestic,none of his audiences could have borne the sight of his cowardlymurder. As it was, it was difficult to watch calmly and un­moved the acting of perhaps the second most tragic scene theworld has ever witnessed. On the other hand, Brutus was anentirely different man. Yet no one could call him a villain.He is one of that large class whose feelings of right cripple theirpowers of action. Hamlet on the other hand represents theman who is ruined by indecision. He, the lecturer, could seemany Hamlets, many Brutus', before him. Cassius was a man,an old republican, one who could not bear to see anothercitizen, even though he was his friend, more highly honouredthan himself. He disagreed with the many commentators, whoregarded Antony as a fool. He was a type of the athletic man.

The Shirburnian. 19

Vain he was; but he was also a genius-perhaps the only geniusin the play. His devotion to Caesar was great. And it wasnot till his friend's guardian hand was removed that he blindly,even madly, threw away his chance of being supreme-lord overthe known world for the sake of the most fascinating, perhapsalso the most wicked, woman ever known to man. Shakespearemakes him generous throughout. He can forgive the murderof his friend, and pronounce over the dead body of Brutus thenoble lines

, This was the noblest Roman of them all.All the conspirators save only heDid that they did in envy of Great Caesar.He only in a genuine honest thoughtAnd common good to all, made one of them.His life was gentle, and the elementsSo mix'd in him that nature might stand upAnd say to all the world, "This was a man! " ,

THE SOPHISTS.

A meeting of the Committee was held on Wednesday,January 30th, when the programme for the term was made out.

PROGRAMME(subject to alteration).

Saturday, February 9 } Reading: G. Bernard Shaw's

" "16 ' You never can tell '

"March 2 Debate: 'Channel Tunnel'

" " 23 } Reading: R. B. Sheridan's

" " 30 ' The Rivals'

"April 6 Debate: 'Ghosts'

On Saturday, February 9th, the Sophists read two Acts ofBernard Shaw's 'You never can tell,' and finished the Play onthe following Saturday. \Ve may safely say that the readingwas the best we can ever remember: there was not a dullmoment. Great care had been taken by all the readers and the

20 The Shirburnian. [MARCH,

parts were all very well rendered, though the humour of thepiece interfered with the reading of some members. It is thegeneral opinion that a play of Bernard Shaw's would be a verygood fixture on every term's card.

Vve would like to congratulate Bull and Benison on theirexcellent rendering of their several parts. \Ve can imagine nobetter representation of Bohun, K.C., than that the Rev. \V. J.Bensly gave us.

Stage Directio1ls H. P. Thompson, Esq.F. Cra11lpto1t TozerBoh1t1t, K.C. Rev. \V. J. BenslyPhilip Clando1t WaitersWaiter ... BenisonValentine BullParlour Maid CottamFinch McComas SweetMrs. Clandon BramallDolly Clandon RaeGloria Clandon Heard

THREE DANCERS(with apologies to Charles Kingsley).

Three dancers were driving out into the \Vest,A good time after the sun went down;

Each thought of the damsel that flirted the best,And the children stood watching them out of the town.

For men must skip and women must leap,Though pumps may be painful and collars are deep,

While the band goes drearily droning.

Three wall-flowers sat out in a dismal rowAnd waited for partners who didn't appear.

(The partners were cheerfully smoking belowAnd enjoyed the dance better secluded there).

For m'en must skip and women must leap,Though the gloves are a nuisance, and split if they're cheap,

While the band goes drearily droning.

The Shirbztmiall.

Three coachmen layout on the tap-room floorRefreshed with a ' drop' from the cup that cheers.

The gentlemen called them in vain, and swore;And the ladies collapsed into floods of tears.

For men must skip and women must leap,And the sooner it's over the sooner to sleep,

\Vhile the band goes drearily droning.

21

TERPSICHORE.

a.s. NEWS.

LITERARY.

'Hinemoa, a Maori Legend,' by Rathmell Wilsoll. (1/6).John Murray has recently published a new revised and

enlarged edition of ' Don]uan,' with illustrations. Edited byEmest Hartley Coltridge, ~l.A., HON. F.R.S.L. (6/-).

'The Nation in Arms, a treatise on Modern MilitarySystems and the Conduct of vVar,' by Baron Colmar VOlt der Goltz,translated by Philip A. Ashworth. New edition, revised inaccordance with the Fifth German edition. Hugh Rees (Ltd.)

The Rev. F. W. Galpill contrihutes an article on 'Collectionsof Musical Instruments,' and C. F. Abdy Willia1lls an article on, Notation,' in the third volume of l\Ir. Fuller Maitland's editionof Grove's' Dictionary of Music and Musicians."

CLERICAL.

The Rev. C. E. Bickmore, M.A., Curate-in-charge ofShottery, Stratford-on-Avon, to be Vicar of Twickenham,Bristol, patron, the Bishop of \Vorcester.

The Rev. H. Addams-\Villiams, ~1.A., Rector of Llangibby,Newport, Mon., has been appointed Surrogate in the Dioceseof Llandaff.

UNIVERSITY.

W. A. Wordsworth, Pembroke College, Cambridge, hastaken his M.A. degree.

22 The Shirbumian. [MARCH,

Ll. Powys, Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, andA. N. Hodges, Queen's College, Cambridge, have taken theirB.A. degree.

MILITARY.

Col. C. C. Monro, Commandant Hythe School of Musketry,has been approved for appointment as Brigadier General tocommand 13th Infantry Brigade at Dublin, from 12th May.

Dorsetshire Regiment, A. W. P. Little to be 2nd Lieutenant.S. E. L. Baddeley passed the Qualifying Examination in

December, 1906, for Commissions in Indian Army.J. E. M. Boyd, St. Mary's Hospital, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., has

passed for a Commission in the Royal Army Medical Corps.

MISCELLANEOUS.

The Rev. Dr. C. C. Tancock has resigned the Headmastershipof Tonbridge School owing to ill health.

Major Arthllr Le Grand Jacob, D.S.O., Indian Army, latelyCommandant, Southern Waziristan Militia, has been appointedCompanion of the Order of the Indian Empire.

MARRIAGES.

Provost-Burrow. On the 6th instant at St. Mary Abbot's,Kensington, Sir Charles Thomas Keble Provost, Bart. to MissBeatnce Mary Burrow, only daughter of the Rev. J. A. Burrowof Tunstall, Kirkby Lonsdale.

Wakefield-Andre. January 7th at St. James, Spanish Place,Manchester Square, \V., by the Very Rev. Canon Gildea, D.D.,Edward Marcl1s Attwood of Swinsty Hall, Otley, Yorks, eldestson of the late C. M. \Vakefield, J.P., of Uxbridge, Middlesex,to Edith Miriam, fifth daughter of the late J. S. Andre, F.S.A.,of Sarcelles, Horsham, Sussex.

Alers Hankey-Goodden. On 8th January at Over ComptonChurch, Dorset, by Canon Goodden, assisted by the Rev. CyrilKindersley and the Rev. Stafford Crawley, Basil Howard AlersHankey, second son of Ernest Alers Hankey of N oUon, Lacock,Wilts, to Maud Wyndham Goodden, only daughter of JohnR. P. Goodden of Compton House, Dorset.

The SltirbzlYlzian

@bitllat'l].

JOHN BLANCH,

Born 1842; died, at Sherborne, January 8th, 1907.

In the person of Mr. Blanch the School has lostone of its best friends; a friend when at the heightof its prosperity as at the time of its great depression.No words can express the greatness of the losswhich his removal causes.

Mr. Blanch's life was quiet and uneventful. Afterhis great success at Cambridge he lived for the Schoolalone. He was educated at Monmol1th School, andgoing to St. john's College, Cambridge, was ninthwrangler and subsequently Fellow of his college. Hewas first an Assistant Master at Lancing College,but came to Sherborne in 1869, where he met anold friend and a fellow wrangler of the same College,the Rev. A. \\Tood, who preceded him at Sherborneby two years. In 1871 he was ordained by theBishop of Salisbury and next year was admitted tothe office of the priesthood. From the time that hecame to Sherborne all his interests and energies werecentred in the place. In 1873 he became a HouseMaster, a position which he occupied for more thantwenty years, making (as House Masters do) manyfirm friends. In 1892, when the present HeadMaster came, the inner finances of the place were inconsiderable disorder, but (very largely thanks toMr. Blanch's care and skill) the deficit was wipedoff and a balance re-established between income andexpenditure. His capacity for affairs was constantlyat the service not only of the School but of theTown. In many public movements Mr. Blanchtook a prominent part, and held office, at one timeor another, in many public bodies.

23

The Shirbttrniall. [MARCH,

To Sherborne people in general our late friend alwaysseemed the very embodiment of physical activity and vigour,but latterly his health had been giving way (to a degreealtogether unsuspected) owing to insomnia, the effect of influenza.At the end of the Christmas Term he was visibly muchexhausted, but his friends all cherished the hope that a restwould soon restore him to many years of useful service in thecapacity of Bursar (for his Mastership he proposed to resign atthe end of the coming term). However it was not to be.Christmas Day found him indisposed and although he wasshortly able to leave his bed, his mind became a prey to strangedelusions. On Monday week he professed himself feeling better;though on the evening before the Doctor had been called in onaccount of his condition. Tuesday morning he left his home,observing that he must' have some fre3h air.' He wandered offby himself to the woods to the south of the Town. No alarmwas felt at this (for the suicidal tendency was wholly unsus­pected). But when he failed to return as the dark drew on, itwas feared that by some misadventure he might have lost hisway through failure of memory, through faintness, or the like.A search was instituted, which was kept up all the following dayby many zealous helpers, the town being deeply stirred by hisdisappearance. It was not till Thursday morning that the bodywas found (in a wood some way from Sherborne) in an attitudeand condition plainly pointing to self destruction. Late thatevening it was reverently placed in one of the School classrooms(the room just under that in which the deceased had taught somany years) and next day the necessary enquiry was held byHis Majesty's coroner in an adjoining room. The evidence ofdisordered brain was plain beyond dispute and an unhesitatingverdict was returned in that sense. Late that night the bodywas moved into the School Chapel, where next day at threeo'clock the first part of the Funeral Service was duly held. ThePsalm was read by the Vicar of Sherborne (Canon Lyon), twohymns were sung by the Abbey Choir (who had most kindlyvolunteered their services) and the lesson and opening sentenceswere read by the Head Master. The little chapel was nearlyfilled by a representative congregation of Sherborne people,including the V.D.C., who attended in large numbers, thoughunofficially. The service at the graveside was read by theHead Master and the Rev. E. 1. A. Phillips, Assistant Masterin the School. On every hand the deepest sorrow and thekeenest sympathy were manifested. The little town has neverbeen, for many years at least, so painfully affected.

The Shirbumian

Though bluff in outward manner, John Blanch is known toSherborne boys of many generations for the kindness of hisheart. Naturally most reticent he did not often reveal to othersthe depth of his own feeling, but sometimes it was shown inunmistakeable form. There are many who will gratefully recallthe loyalty of his friendship-none more than he who pens thisunworthy tribute. There is a depth of pathos in the thoughtthat the man who seemed to the outward eye to have less ofsorrow to bear perhaps than others, should have really had tosustain, 12.ncomplainingly and silently, a burden that proved tooheavy for a mind even robust as his.

At the funeral on that Saturday afternoon there was a senseof gracious peace abroad that made one thank God for the restwhich had come that ~;ad sad way and feel full of confidencethat the life of our old friend and loyal colleague was acceptedof Our Father in His Son.

F.B.W.

REAR-ADMIRAL H. J. RABY, V.C., c.B.,Born September 21st, 1827; died February 13th, 1907.

[Reprint from The Times of February 14th.]

Rear-Admiral Henry James Raby, v.c., C.B. (retired), diedyesterday morning at his residence, 8 Clarence Parade, Southsea.Admiral Raby had resided in Southsea since his retirementfrom the Navy. He took a great interest in the' Royal Seamenand Marines' Orphanage,' the' Royal Sailors' Home,' and invarious other philanthropic Institutions in the town.

Rear·Admiral Raby was a son of :Mr. Arthur Turnour Rabyof Llanelly, Carmarthen, and was educated at Sherborne. Hewas born in September, 1827, and entered the Navy as afirst-class Volunteer on board' The Monarch' in 1842. In 1848he was rated mate, and two years later received his commissionas lieutenant, in this grade he served for some time in the"Hasp' on the \Vest Coast of Africa, and on the outbreak ofwar with Russia in 1854 was sent to the Black Sea. There hewas landed with the Naval Brigade and served in the trenchesfrom October 23rd, 1854, until September 16th, 1855. Assecond-in-command of a ladder party at the attack of the Redan,he performed the act of gallantry for which he received the

26 The SltirbllY1liall. [MARCH,

Victoria Cross and which was thus described in the Gazette:­'On June 18th, 1855, immediately after the assault onSevastopol, a soldier of the 57th regiment, who had been shotthrough both legs, was observed sitting up and calling forassistance. Climbing over the breastwork of the advanced sap,Lieutenant Raby and two seamen proceeded upwards of 70 yardsacross the open space towards the salient angle of the Redan,and in spite of the heavy fire which was still continuing,succeeded in carrying the wounded soldier to a place of safetyat the imminent risk of their own lives. Lieutenant Raby wasthe sole survivor to reap the reward and wear the Cross.' Forhis services in the trenches he was in September, 1855, promotedto commander and received the Crimean, Sardinian, andTurkish Medals, with Clasps for Sevastopol and Inkerman, the5th class of the lVIedjidie, and the ribbon of the Legion of Honour.His next appointment was to the command of the 'Allecto' onthe West Coast of Africa from 1859 to 1862, during whichperiod he commanded the boats of the squadron at the captureof Porto Novo in April, 1861, when he was wounded, and forthis and other services in the oppression of the slave trade wasrepeatedly mentioned in despatches. He received his promotionto the rank of Captain in November, 1862, for his services onthe West Coast, and subsequently commanded the' Adventure'in China from 1868 to 1871. In 1877 he retired from the activelist, and his subsequent step was gained in retirement. He hadin 1875 been made a Companion of the Bath, and in 1895 wasgranted a good service pension, which is by the Admiral's deathplaced at the disposal of the AdmirOllty. Admiral Raby marriedin 1863, Judith, daughter of the late Colonel Watkin Forster ofHolt Manor, Trowbridge. .

H.]. R. entered Mr. James' House in 1841, he left thesame year.

LIEUT.-COLONEL H. K. STEWART, C.M.G.,Late a King's Messenger,

Died on Saturday, January 5th, after a prolonged illness.

[Reprinted from Daily Telegraph of January 7th, 19°7].

Mr. Bennet Burleigh (\Var Correspondent to DailyTelegraph) writes:

TIlt Shirbllrniall. 27

'What, 'Bimbash ' gone over to the majority? That wasan unkind and too previous stroke of the grim over-lord of life., Bimbash ' (an Egyptian military title for major) was relativelyyoung, upon the safe side of fifty, and might reasonably haveexpected many years more this side of the grave. But who canever wisely reckon on the ways and the subtlety of old Death?Of Scotch-Canadian stock, Lieut-Colonel Harry King Stewartwas born in 1862. Tall, sinewy, with a fine presence, and astrong face, from out of which shone handsome eyes, he gavethe impression at times of an absurdly close resemblance to thebest likenesses of Charles n. Stewart, with the instinct andtraits of his race, joined the Army, securing a commission in the92nd Highlanders, most fitly the 'Gay Gordons,' wearing theparental claymore. In many respects he was a born soldier,regarding life none too seriously, and in his span he saw muchand learned more of men and manners. He was a rare goodall-round sportsman, and it would be easier to tell who did not,than those who knew him in society. For a time after theEgyptian and Soudan campaigns he served as a Queen's andsubsequently King's Messenger, but that calling hardly suitedeither his enterprising tastes or his undoubted talents.

It was in Egypt the writer first met young Lieut. Stewart.Buoyant and brilliant, he set out with high hopes to carve hisway through glory to fame and fortune. In the Army, as it thenwas-it is by no means so now-success for the most part wenteasily to the 'stayers,' who were possessed with guardedtongues, but dash and genius for war were handicapped in therunning for advancement. The camp, that reverse side of thesoldier's career, probably hurt him more than most men, for hewas full of generous impulses, sociable, most hospitable, ofcheerful temperament, and a keen lover of sport. When thegreater attractions of active service failed, there came naturallyin succession the distractions of society. He was the soul ofmany a gathering, bore all turns of fortune with an equallycheerful smile, and never winced unless when very sadly hippedby sickness. I was with him at Tel-el-Kebir, Tamai, andduring the heroic campaign for the relief of Gordon. In thesquare at Abul Klea, and a few days later at Metemneh, we allhad the constant strain of mag-nificent fighting, and Stewartwith the rest. Decry that sort of a thing as many moralists may,I humbly confess that the terrible experiences do more mengood than harm, and Stewart, like myself, I fancy, was one ofthe many. After his Egyptian service, Stewart rejoined his old

Tlte Slzirburmall. [MARCH,

regiment in India for a few months, but finding that he could notstand the climate, resigned his commission, and was appointeda Queen's Messenger by Lord Salisbury, then Secretary ofState for Foreign Affairs. This post he held until two yearsago, and it was only by special leave from Lord Salisbury thathe was permitted to join Sir Redvers Builer in Natal, at thecommencement of the Boer \Var. He went out very early toSouth Africa, and took up a commission in the South AfricanLight Horse. There he got lots of work, and a fairly free hand,so he soon came to be mentioned more than once in despatches,and to receive promotion. From Natal and the relief ofLadysmith he came on with the troops into the Transvaal. Imet him in both fields. His knowledge of country was superb,he was a splendid leader, with a quick eye for the points of theterrain, and a cool head in action. Lord Kitchener discoveredthe merits of Stewart, and when the' Bimbash,' as he waseverywhere called, became Colonel of the Johannesburg MountedRifles, the' Chief' gave him a practically independent column.It was made up of Colonials, 'Tame Boers,' Yeomanry, and attimes was reinforced by Regulars, both cavalry and infantry.Away down between Standerton, the Natal frontier, Zululand,and Swaziland, over to Helibron, it operated towards the closingyear of the war. Always judiciously led, his men soon acquiredthe utmost confidence in their leader. There was no task toodesperate, no undertaking too toilsome for him. With readyalacrity he took on every duty entrusted to him, doing his workwith zeal and conspicious ability. He managed to withdrawhis men and guns from the disaster near Vryheid, and conductedsuccessfully through menacing Boers miles of Army transportwagons. This is what some of the keenest soldiers have saidof ' Bimbash ' :-' May he always lead us! There never wasan abler officer.' I have seen him away out with the patrols,scanning the enemy through his telescope and noting theirnumbers and disposition, and when pressed using his sportingrifle with the men to check the enemy. He was a rare good shot,as became a deerstalker; a sure strategist and fighter, and theBoers latterly came to know and to fight shy of his truculentcolumn. Many of his 'rides' were deserving of the highestpraIse, and It may be said of him that he was almost uniformlysuccessful in his operations. I remember writing much in thissame strain after a sharp engagement, and I have been in manya fight with him in the Transvaal, whereat, as I saw, Stewartbehaved with great gallantry, and displayed a genius for war.A military friend who knew us both wrote to me, saying that I

The SltirburtZian.

had permitted my feelings to outweigh my judgment, uponwhich he set much store. But it was one of the misfortunes ofStewart to have his really high military capabilities obscured inthe eyes of others, and probably because of his curiouspersonality. The view I took was that adopted by distinguishedsoldiers who were also in the vicinity on the occasion, and theirmost laudatory reports of Colonel Stewart's operations I tookcare to send to our mutual friend. Protracted campaigns, andtinned provisions, even pates de foie gras, are a weariness tothe flesh and ruination to the health, and Colonel Stewartbrought away from the Soudan and South Africa bodily ailmentsthat spoiled many of his days. Only retirement, quiet, and themost rigid rules of life could have secured him return tovigorous health. But he is gone, and it may truly be said theworld and his many friends could have better spared a biggerman.

H. K. S. entered the School House in 1876.

LIEUT.-COLONEL CHICHESTER

Lieut.-Colonel G. Chichester. late 2nd Batt. Prince of\Vales's (North Staffordshire Regt.), died on Saturday atTamworth at the age of forty-seven. He was a son of the lateSir A. Chichester, eight Baronet, and entered the Army as asecond lieutenant in the 98th Foot (the North StaffordshireRegt.) in 1879. He served in the Zhob Valley Expedition in1884, and was adjutant of his regiment from March, 1885, tillMarch, 1890. He retired in 1896, and was afterwards majorand honorary lieutenant-colonel of the 4th Eatt. North Stafford­shire Regt.

G. C. entered Summer Term, 1874 (Hetherington's); left1877.

]AMES HODDINOTT,On the 10th instant, aged 94 years.

J. H. was at Sherborne from 1823 to 1830, and on theGoverning Body from 1856 to 1906, resigning only last summer.

30 The SlzirbztrlzialZ.

J. M. BASTARD,On the 8th instant, aged 39 years.

[MARCH,

Private BlackburnePrivate BarnesPrivate Crichton

Corporal DowCorporal WalterCorporal Duke (since left).

Entered lVIichaelmas Term, r875 (Curteis); left r882.

ANDREW RUTHERFURD,On the 7th instant, in his 72nd year.

Entered r850; left r852 (F). Sheriff Principal of theLothians, r896.

CORPS NOTES

The following promotions are announced to date fromDecember r2th, 1906.

To be Colour-Sergeants:-Sergeant Wildman, i.Sergeant Plant, i. (since left).

To be Sergeants:­Corporal KingCorporal WaltersCorporal Shaw, i.

To be Corporals :-Lance-Corporal Smith, i.Lance-Corporal Smith, ii.Lance-Corporal Bennett, i.Private He.mpson

To be Lance-Corporals:­Private Plant, ii.Private HolmesPrivate SymesPrivate Villar

The Shirbllmian.

SHERBORNE SCHOOLCADET CORPS DRILL AND MUSKETRY COMPETITION

31

:Marks l\lax.Order of 1\Terit-lst No. IV Squad IOS lIO

2nd No. I Squad go lIO3rd No. III Squad 83 lIO4th No. 1I Squad 70 lIO

The drill was carried out extremely well, the winning Squadbeing particularly smart and soldier-like. In two squads theboys were inclined to look to their squad commanders when theygave a word of command which lost them marks for steadiness.The turn out was very good.

The Squad Commanders of No. I and IV would do creditto the smartest of Regular Battalions.

With the exception of the winning Squad the positions inthe firing exercises were not quite what they should be, thoughin a measure this was due to the smallness of the boys.

The Challenge Cup for Drill and that for Musketry I awardto No. IV Section.

C. C. HANNAY (Capt.),Adjutant 3rd Dorset Regt.

Sherborne-December 11th, 1906.

OXFORD LETTER.

Hilary Term.Dear Mr. Editor.

A city of great learning, of intense respectability, of won­drous beauty, of incomparable stateliness, such is Oxford still ;albeit at times, at most inconvenient times, a hideous flaw, ablot on her fair complexion, rises to mar her loveliness-acreature of grim visage in cap and gown, followed by weird, butlusty, 'comites' in sombre garb and bowler hats, a creature witha mania for demanding of the innocent undergraduate," Your

32 The Sltirburlliall. [MARCH,

name and College, please," and one than whom no publican atthe receipt of custom ever performed his duties more success­fully. But away with the hideous nightmare of' Prog andBullers' ! For the time of year, indeed, Oxford has beenunusually bright and cheery. Frost and sunshine, the hum ofskates on good smooth ice, the shrill cry of budding Palinurusas he cries to his men' Come forward-paddle: nunc, nuncinsurgite remis '-the grinding of oar against rowlock, as crewafter crew in training for the Toggers ploughs the cold waters ofIsis-those lazy, but edifying, teas after footer, which are anirresistibly seductive part of 'Varsity life-the loud and scream­some cry, or the rollicking chorus, which wakes up Dons' Quadat dead of night, and the penitent visit to the Dean next morning-the tradesmen's bills for which one ha~ lost the receipt-Yes,sir, all have helped to counteract the baneful influence of morninglectures and early rolls, and to pass this term in the good oldway. Carpe diem! but to each one his own frolics and fanciesand friends. This term is the term of all terms for work, andmany of us are faced with' schools' in a few weeks' time. YetI have heard it whispered, only whispered, that in a Collegewhere many Shirburnians are gathered, there lately appeared amost fearsome phantom with parchment face and tangled hoarybeard, and bloodshot eyes. 'Conticuere omnes, intentique oratenebant '-then bands of undergraduates with staffs and staves,under-scouts with blanched faces and hair on end, went a spookhunting all night long. Yes, Rumour hath it, and' cresciteundo,' that a late member of the School might explain thegrim phantom's advent.

Let us turn from the sublime to the ridiculous, and fromspeculation to fact. Two Shirburnians this term are rowing intheir College' Togger,' J. Knox for B.N.C., and P. Rebbeck forMerton, while J. D. Richards, I am told, is spare' man' forWadham. But the hour of his triumph is not when he rusheswildly along the tow-path, but when with the grace of a swallowhe performs dizzy evolutions upon the ice, while lady-studentsstand round in rippling circles of gigglous admiration. AtExeter G. C. Lunt is happily recovering from his illness, but isstill unable to take a part in active pursuits. E. Somerset at thesame College takes a fatherly interest in all men to the detri­ment of his studies. At the House F. V. Merriman is makingready for a First in Mods next year, and C. A. Brown hasdeservedly got his College XV Colours, albeit for him too lifeis a nightmare wherein the dread fiend is one called Mods.

190 7.] The Shirbur1tialt 33

O.S.

Carrington at University is studying law. R. M. White inTrinity, and Wyld in Keble, are likewise afflicted with theprospect of ' Schools' in the near future, and are therefore littleseen or heard save in their hurried rushes from one lecture toanother. O. Parry-Jones has got his Football Colours atMagdalen, and is in great demand at College' Smokers.' M. C.Child has appeared once more, this being one of the terms inwhich he does not' go down to work.' r M. Fletcher, whopassed into the Indian Civil Service lately, is reading Orientallanguages prior to leaving England next November. In Mertonthere is a strong contingent of Old Shirburnians. W. T. Rossgot his College XV Colours last term, and hopes to get hisdegree in June; P. Rebbeck, besides rowing in his College'Togger,' adds much to the charm of life, but little to theataraxia of his pastors and masters; W. Pryke, I fear, is toomuch overcome by the near prospect of' Schools' to take anactive part in the lighter side of life, but he too at times lendsenchantment to the view; E. F. Bond also got his College Caplast term, and, if he passes his exam. next term, will havefinished all his troubles in two years, an extraordinary feat-orstroke of luck. A. H. Ross is still off the active list, and sayshe intends to become a 'law-abiding bookworm,' in proofwhereof he is even now writing a treatise on the ExogamousTotemkin. I have it on good authority that R. W. Jesson hasdone splendidly at half-back since he first took Merton bystorm-but is it true that too strenuous play has more thanonce landed him in difficulties? He is one of the best half­backs playing in ordinary College football. Are there anywhom I have omitted to immortalize? I think not, but I mustmention one who will soon be one of us. Congratulations to C.King on his Scholarship; and also to those gifted but mistakenscholars who intend to grace Tabland next October.

Sir, I have done. To all of you we send greetings and allgood wishes for a prosperous year.

THE PAGEANT AT OXFORD

We reproduce from a London newspaper the followingdetails of the great pageant to be held at Oxford this year.

34 The Shirburniall. [MARCH,

'The pageant, to be heid next Commemoration week,commencing on June 4th, will treat dramatically and by tableaux,the great episodes in the city and the University. The Consul­tative Committee, including the greatest Oxford authorities onhistory, archaeology and iiterature, have already decided thelines upon which the pageant is to be conducted.

From 1.500 to 2,000 persons will be required for therepresentation, and we are authorised to state that the episodesto be treated dramatically include:

The story of St. Frideswide, commencing with the pursuitby water of Frideswide by the legendary king AIgarus

The story of Fair Rosamund and EleanorSt. Scholastica's Day, 1354; the great' town and gown'

riotA mediaeval masque, introducing the different faculties

and artsThe reception of Charles I. by Archbishop LaudCharles n. Parliament at Oxford; the presentation to the

city of a mace.

The Pageant will include:

The presentation to the town of a charter by King JohnThe arrival of Theobaldus Stampensis and his students (the

beginning of the University)The migration from ParisScenes from the Old JewryThe trial of CranmerThe funeral procession of Amy RobsartThe visits of Queen Elizabeth and King JamesThe play at Christ Church College before Queen ElizabethThe Jacobite riotsThe meeting of the allied Sovereigns in 1814.

All the famous men in the history of the University will beintroduced in a manner yet to be decided on. The literarywork connected with .dramatic episodes will be entrusted to thegreatest authorities in each instance.'

The Shirbur1Iian.

CONCERT.

35

The concert began with the old familiar strains of theSolemn Carol, familiar indeed but none the less welcome! TheChristmas Carol is one of the oldest, but, in our opinion, one ofthe best of our School Songs, and can handsomely bear annualrepetition. The performance of it was noticeable for twofeatures, first the excellent tone of Bull's short solo, secondly theabsence of tone altogether on the part of the organ! Now-a-day'Silence is Golden' with that unlucky instrument; in ·fact, itcan only play itself! There were two other School Songs onthe programme: the Football Song, which gave the audience anopportunity of seeing, hearing (and they were well worthhearing) and cheering this season's undefeated XV; and a newsong also dealing about football entitled' The Three Cock.' Thelatter, together with its author and composer, was most warmlyreceived, and deservedly so. The sentiment of the song wasundeniably good and happily expressed, and the music simple,inspiriting and convenient, as the music of School Songs oughtto be.

The piece de resistance was Sir Edward Elgar's Ballad forChorus and Orchestra, The Banner of St. George, the first twoscenes of which were particularly dramatic, melodious andpleasing; the Epilogue, if it is lawful to speak disparagingly ofthe music of so distinguished a composer, strikes the ear as asomewhat cheap and noisy production. This Cantata is a moreambitious work than is usually attempted at a ChristmasConcert, but the results were eminenLly satisfactory. Thetone of the trebles and basses, our critic reports, was excep­tionally good; the altos were rather weak; they knew theirpart, but had not sufficient self-confidence to sing out; thetenors were not lacking in this virtue and sang out bravely,perhaps too bravely, as at times the quality sounded a littleharsh and strained. The keenness of attack by the whole choirand their attention to the conductor was admirable throughout,and a pleasure to behold. The Orchestra fully maintained thesuperior pitch of excellence, which has lately characterised itsperformances: it was smaller than usual, but made up for lackof numbers by excess of energy. \Ve gather from the quiet andinterested behaviour of the audience during the Symphony, thatthe' Man in the Street,' or rather the' Boy in the Gallery' isbeing educated at Sherborne School to appreciate good music:

The Sltirbtmtian. [MARCH,

{f.R .

L.N.P.Mozart

we also gather from the rapturous shouts, which greeted theconclusion of the Wee Macgregor ~1:arch, that the education isnot yet fully completed.

Programme :-

SOLEMN CAROL FOR CHRIST~IASTIDE

OVERTURE Figaro

BALLAD FOR CHORUS} ., .AND ORCHESTRA The Banner of Samt George Sty E. Elgar

SCHOOL SONG (first time) The' Three Cock'

SYMPHONY

MARCH

SCHOOL SONG

CARMEN

The Clock ...1. Adagio e P{esto

11. Andantelll. Menuetto e Trio

The Wee MacGregor

Football Song

GOD SAVE THE KING.

Haydn

{F.B.W.A.F.T.

AmersjJ.R.(L.N.P.IE.M.Y.IL.N.P.

Instructor of the OrchestraAt the PianoConductor

PIANO RECITAL.

MR. C. REGANMR. A. F. TESTER

MR. C. H. HODGSON

Un Saturday, February 2nd, Mr. Tester gave another PianoRecital. The programme was an excellent one, and Mr. Testershowed himself quite at his best. The first movement ofBrahms' Sonata in F minor was exceedingly fine and interesting,though somewhat difficult to grasp. The Grieg was delightfulin its originality. Bull sang very well indeed, and his songs

190 7·J The Shirbztrlzian. 37

suited him admirably. Perhaps the most enjoyable item wasthe last-the Tone Poem 'Finlandia '; this. which is full ofboisterous mirth, was quite enchanting throughout. The pro-

. gramme was as follows :-

Sonata in F minor (1st movement) Brahms

Impressions, Op, 73(i) Resignation(iv) Folksong

(vii)

Grieg(ii) Scherzo (iii) A ride at night(v) Study (vi) Serenade

The Mountaineer's Song

Songs

Tone Poem...

{ab 'All through the night'

. Don juan's Serenade'W. R. Bull.

, Finlandia '

CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor of The Shil;bltrlziall.

... Old WelshTschaikowsky

Sibelius

Dear Sir,I am writing to complain about the seating accommodation in the

gallery at our Concerts. The atmosphere is stifling, and however muchone likes music enjoyment is completely spoilt. At the end of thisterm we hope to hear the' Elijah.' Could some arrangements be made tolessen the crush in tbe gallery by enfurcing, for example, a rule that allthe Lower School and either the Classical or Modern IVA. should sit in thebody of the Hall ?

Your obedient servant,'MUSIC.'

Dear Sir.May I be allowed to make a suggestion with regard to the Scbool

Concerts, in the hope that it will meet tbe eye of the Autborities ? Havingattended the Concerts for the last thirteen years, I have often wonderedthat no proper accommodation was provided for coats and cloaks of tbeguests. There is very little room outside tbe big Schoolroom, and it isexceedingly difficult and annoying to have to scramble for one's propertyas soon as tbe Concert is over. \Vhy then should not tbe classroom underthe Cbapel be used as a cloak room? Carriages could e3.sily drive up tothe entrance near it, instead of tbat by the big Schoolroom, and theconvenience of all concerned would be doubled.

Yours truly,O.S.

The ShirburnialZ. [MARCH,

Dear Sir,I should be very glad if you could find space for this short letter.

Have any of your readers, whether 0.55. or present memhers of the School,got spare copies of any of the following numbers of' The Shirburnian ' ? :-­March, 18gg, IgOO, Igol, Ig02; April, 18gg; June, IgOO, IgOI; July, IgOO,Igol ; November, 18g8, 18gg, and December, 18g8, 18gg.

I am trying to make up a set, beginning from November, 18g8, andas the above numbers are all out of print, I should be very grateful indeedif anyone could let me have, through you, any spare copy or copies 01 themissing numbers. Thanking you in anticipation,

I remain,Yours sincerely,

0.5.

Dear Sir.May I express the hope that those in authority will see their way to

place a brass in the Chapel in commemoration of the late Admiral Raby,v.c., C.B.? I trust no money difficulty will stand in the way; if there isany difficulty I am sure the 0.5. Society will be willing to help to honourthe memory of one of its most distinguished members.

Yours faithfully,

'IN MEMORIAM.'

Dear Sir,May I be allowed to ask whether it would not be possible to have

some voice in deciding what charity we are to give our pocket money, twicea year? Under the present system we devote our Voluntary Subscriptionsto an Institution which entirely fails to perform its part of the agreementuuder which we give our money. I am led to understand from a letterappearing in the November number of • The Shirburnian,' that the PortseaMission promised to send us a preacher for each terminal contributiongiven them to keep a cricket field. On only one occasion during the pastfour years do I remember them to have done so. Surely I need offer nofurther comment.

I remain,Yours very truly,

• VOLUNTARY CHARITY.'

Dear Mr. Editor,There are at present six pianos in the Music House. The one in

the right-hand front room is the only passable one, and that comes fromOetzmann, a firm which does not deal in first rate pianos. The other frontroom contains a piano with barely any loud pedal. \Vhereas on Mr.Regan's ' grand' it is perfectly impossible to play soft. On one piano(and that an old fashioned one) there is no soft pedal at all. And neitherof the other two, of which several notes don't' act,' possesses any tone.

How can members of the School be expected to love their musicif they are unable to get a decent piano? Sherborne has the reputation ofbeing thp. second best musical School in England; is it to throwaway thisreputation? We hear of musicians not turning up for their practises; mayI suggest that this is caused by their only being one piano fit for use!

Yours truly,

'INFANT PRODIGY.'

The S lzirbzWlZiall.

CONTEMPORARIES

39

The Editor gratefully acknowledges th'e receipt of thefollowing contemporaries, and apologises for any accidentalomissions :-The Batlzolliall, The Blzt1Idelliall, The BradfieldCollege Magazine, The Cantuarian, The Cartlmsiall (2), TheCliftolliall, The County Gentlemall, The Dolphin, The Eastbournian,The Felstediall, The Haileyburiall, The Lancing College Magazine,The Lorettolliall, The Malverniall, The Marlburian, The Mill HillSchool Magazine, The Pauline, St. Andrew's College Magazille,St. Michael's Chronicle, The Radleiall, The TOllbridgian, TheWellingtollian.

School House (a); Wildman's (b); Dunkin's (c) ;Bell's (d); King's (f).

NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS.

All Business Communicationswith regard to the Shirbztrlzianshould be made to the Publisher,Mr. F. Bennett, The Parade,Sherborne, to whom alone Sub-

scriptions should be sent.

CONTENTS.

SHERBORNE SCHOOL XV, 1906-7EDITORIAL ••FOOTBALL ••CHARACTERS OF THE XV, 1906-7XXX GAME ..THIRDSSCHOOL NOTESLECTURELECTURES ON SHAKESPEARETHE SOPHISTSTHREE DANCERSO.S. NEWS ••OBITUARYCORPS NOTESOXFORD LETTER .••THE PAGEANT AT OXFORDCONCERTPlANO RECITALCORRESPONDENCECONTEMPORARIES

FRONTISPIECE1

3689

131416192021

2330

31

3335363739

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

All Letters and Articles intended for publication shouldbe sent to the EDITOR, School House, Sherborne, Dorset.

The Annual Subscription is 3/6 including postage. TheShirburnian is published six times in the year, twice each term.

Subscribers changing their addresses are requested tocommunicate at once with the PUBLISHER, as otherwise theShirburnian cannot possibly be forwarded to them. This appliesespecially to subscribers entering or leaving the Universities.

No anonymous contribution will be accepted, but the fullname must be enclosed in a sealed envelope, which will not beopened if the article be rejected.

If an article is to be continued in successive numbers, thewhole is to be sent in at once.

No contribution will be inserted, which is not the bOlla fideproduction of some one who is, or has been, a Member of theSchool.

We decline to hold ourselves responsible for the opinionsof our contributors.

Contributors are requested 10 write ley/My, andonly on ()NE side of the paper.