EDITORIAL.

Ir happened that a day or two ago the Editor was talking to one of those worthy persons who are afflicted with aspirations, who take everything au grand sérieux, whose ideas are in short somewhat "high-falutin." The conversation turned upon the Marlburian, and the Editor described with simple eloquence the placid and unambitious course of that publication. His companion listened with such evident scorn, that the Editor grew warm and fidgety, and finally pulled up. Then the other burst out "And I suppose you do a great work in improving the literary taste and power of the School?"

Well, it had'nt struck us so before, and we honestly said so. Indeed we are in doubt whether we can conscientiously say we have done a great work in that line. It may be so; far be it from us to burke such a pleasing dream; but the heap of contributions before us in some degree mar, if they do not utterly destroy, the rose-coloured vision. Let us say a few words in detail about the contributions sent in this term to the Marlburian.

We do not complain much of the quantity. The amount indeed is not enormous, but it is above the

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average. The quality is not above the average. Only two articles have been sent in, written with any care, or knowledge, or style. Both of these have been accepted. And why, oh why, does everyone think he is a humourist? We do not mean to say that we are free from the delusion ourselves; but we try to recognise our deficiency. Not so our contributors. We have before us one or two most melancholy monuments of mis-directed energy. One is a "Newe and Divertinge Historie of a travaile from Englande to Irelande." No, it is not diverting; we will hope it is new; we should be sorry to think there was or ever had been another person capable of producing anything like it. The humour consists in adding e or ne to every English word, and in such jokes as It was called handsome because it was not so." We cannot speak of this composition without getting heated and savage, so let us pass from it.

The next article is a satirical summary of the speeches at one of the meetings of the Debating Society; the writer accuses the society of great degeneracy. Let him come himself and employ his magnificent powers of sarcasm in raising the level of the speeches. We dare not trust our readers with such "sharp arrows, even bitter words." Mischief would follow.

The next prose composition we shall notice is a paper on the advantages of Marlborough College over Mr. Squeer's establishment at Dotheboys Hall. The moral is excellent-we are to be content with all we get (or don't get), and do our duty cheerfully. "Ve veel try, sare, ve veel try," as the Frenchman said when asked if he thought he could catch a fox. The article is, however, correctly and neatly expressed.

Finally, there is a parody of a Book for Boys by W. H. G. K-ngst-on. It is above the level of the two attempts described above, but is not up to the standard of insertion. It is not epigrammatic enough for 66 a Condensed Novel," but is well expressed and shews promise. This then ends the prose essays— surely not a very encouraging array. Let us turn to the poetry, which is fairly copious. The amount, however, fit for insertion has been small, as may be seen by a glance at the last few numbers. Our Poets' Corner has been but poorly filled lately. None of the Editorial staff are poets, so we have to throw ourselves more unreservedly on external support in this department.

We have received a large number of contributions from "C.L.," of which we have inserted one or two. The majority are however too amatory, not to say maudlin, in character to suit a school paper. Some of the verses are pretty, if not very striking or original. A tone of world-weariness runs through them, a sorrow for the vanished joys of youth, that made us yearn to comfort "C.L." and cheer him up a little. The following is a favourable specimen of this constantly recurring thought

"When fair is the garden of pleasure
And the stream of life runs clear,

And thoughts of death are absent

And thoughts of life are dear,

When there's joy in the voices around us,
Forgotten the voices gone,

Then the paean of our life's spring tide
Is ever a joyous one."

The writer has some power of versification, and with more originality and a more manly tone of thought, might do well.

"The Flower Girl," by "Blazers," is simply written and not incorrectly, but the subject is very hackneyed and is not treated with much originality.

There are two or three more poems of the feelings" which shew no particular genius for the vocation of a bard. Our contributors seem not to understand that a number of lines rhyming with one

another, and scanning with more or less exactness, do not of themselves constitute poetry.

The

Then we come to a sarcastic poem, entitled "Preparations for Prize Day," and directed against the harmless personal adornments which Marlborough dandies indulge in at such festive seasons. motto of the poem is "Facit Indignatio Versum." But is not the writer's indignation rather wasted on such a subject? The verses themselves are easy, fluent, and often pointed. The most bitter sneer is contained in these lines.

"I've got a stick at Turner's
To walk with in the train,
For fellows always have them then
And bring them back again."

We think however that these attacks on harm. less, if curious, habits are somewhat unprofitable. This closes our poetical department.

The only correspondence of any interest is a letter, we believe about the new motto of this paper. We do not wish to state anything positively about this letter, as it is wrapt in impenetrable obscurity. We have read it through three times and confess ourselves beaten. The writer appears to be exercised at the new pronunciation of Latin, and contrasts the "Cicero" of his youth with the "Kee-kay-roo" of the present day. Knowledge of this subject is apparently not his strong point; it is hard to misrepresent the pronunciation of every syllable of the great orator's name, but our correspondent has accomplished the feat. The shape of the U in our new heading appears to try him very much. It seems to act as a gadfly on many a sensitive Io among the Old Marlburians. But in this world, lamentable as the fact is, changes and improvements will come some time, and are very seldom popular when they first come. So we hope our correspondent will live to tolerate the new pronunciation, "and the half fledged Y" he is so bitter about.

In conclusion we must say we think the school have scarcely supported us as they ought this term. Of course it will be said it is the Editors' business to write the paper. But how then are we to satisfy the gentleman we spoke of just now, and improve the literary taste of the school? The fact seems to be that the school care for nothing but school news, and would be glad to see the literary part of the Marlburian abolished. But this is unworthy of us. Let the school awake! There rises before us a picture of six

hundred English homes, inhabited by six hundred Marlburians. It is the Easter holidays, but all the gallant six hundred sit pen in hand, writing hard. Some are writing prose articles, grave or gay, some are writing poems, pathetic or sarcastic, but all are writing something for the Marlburian! It is a noble, a heart-touching dream! But seriously, bearing in mind the fact that "The Necessities "will scatter the present Editorial Staff in the summer, is it not desirable that some fellows should begin to practise composition, so as to be fit to aspire to the great position of presiding over the destinies of this paper? We have said our say. If we have been severe on any one, let them put it down to the east wind, and not to natural acerbity. If we cannot acknowledge any great literary support from the School, we can at least thank them for the warm interest they take in the Marlburian, manifested in the eagerness with which its publication is hailed, and the sharp criticism it undergoes when published, a criticism no doubt only more useful and just because it is expressed with the pleasing candour of youth and the grand forcibleness of the Marlborough vernacular.

AFTER HORACE.

Jam satis terris.

At last we know the hail and snow

The Father sent are o'er:

His red right hand throughout the land
Hurls down the bolts no more,
That, on his own House falling, made
Our city tremble, sore afraid :

Made all the nations shake with fear,
Lest that old time come back

When Pyrrha saw strange monsters draw
From out the waters black
Their loathsome limbs, at Proteus' hest
To scale the topmost mountain crest.
Where once the brooding dove had made
The elm tree boughs her home,
The fish that day all tangled lay
Beneath the rushing foam,
And o'er them drifted down the doe
With 'wildered eyes and sobbing low.

For we have seen the yellow waves
Of Tiber, on an heap
From out the sea tumultuously
Driven backward, overleap

The tomb that bears our Numa's name,
The Virgin's pure eternal Flame.
With Ilia's moanings in his ears,

He calls for blood, for blood:
For his love's sake revenge to take,

Upsprings the angry flood,
And, laughing Jove to scorn, afar
He rages past his utmost bar.

Our sons shall tell how Romans fell
Beneath the sword of Rome,
That better o'er the Persian shore
Had served us, than at home :
And they shall curse their Fathers' sin
That leaves their ranks so weak and thin.

Alas! on whom shall Rome rely

To turn her rain now?
When Vesta's ear is deaf to hear,
When dark is Vesta's brow,
Can any cry her Virgins raise
Avail us in these troublous days?
Who comes, commissioned from above,
Our guilt to do away?

It may be Thou art breaking now,
Thon Glory of the Day,

Thy gleaming shoulders wrapt about
With clouds thro' which they shimmer out?

Or see we Her of Sicily ?—

With laughter ringing clear, She bends above the baby love,

And pleasure poises near.

Or thou-if yet thy slighted sons
May claim the love thou gavest once-

O weary with thy years of sport,
Thou lover of the shout

When helmets ring and arrows sing,

And steel is flashing out,
And fiery Moors, the battle.glow
Upon their faces, meet the foe?

Or Thou, sweet Maia's winged son,
If for a season here

We see thee wear a mortal's air,
And in our midst appear,
And for thine office deign to claim
The avenging of our Cæsar's shame ?
Whiche'er thou art, for many a year
May Heaven thy presence miss,
So glad a home within thy Rome
Shall fold thee in its bliss!—

O turn not from us, as thou wilt,
If thou too sternly eye our guilt!
But rather deign to tarry here,
Thy people's Prince and sire,

would have been 36 and 34 respectively.

In spite of the predictions of pessimists, who relied on the fatally perverse habits of Marlborough weather about the time of the races, we may congratulate ourselves on a lucky week as a whole. The weather was bright, dry, cloudless, and anticyclonic, and consequently rather cold and very persistent, and but for the increasing violence of the wind was all that could be desired. And we may congratulate the Starter, Stewards, Deputy Stewards, and others on the general good management exhibited, as compared with some former years. The conduct of the Time-keeper in particular was most exemplary, staid, and accurate. If we cannot boast of such times as 20 seconds for the 200 yards, 16 for the 120 hurdles, or 2 min. 5 secs. for the half mile, it is because that functionary considered such sensational times merely as an ornamental sham. Of the several competitions, putting the weight, 29ft. 9in. ; throwing the cricket ball, 106yds. 1ft. 4in.; the quarter mile, 55 sec.; throwing the hammer, 76ft. 8in.; the high jump under 15, 4ft. 8in.; and the long jump 19ft. 11in.; were most distinctly above the

average.

Most of the other races were particularly exciting, but it is hard to judge of them by the times, as the idiosyncrasies of individual timekeepers are shewn so strongly in that department. We certainly possessed two very fine runners this year in Hawkins and Maclean: Hawkins in particular proved that he not only possessed a splendid pace in the short races, but great endurance for the longer ones, in which but for the wind his efforts must have been attended with

greater success. He lost his chance of the Champion Cup last year by the unlucky arrangement of the races; and this year, but for his heavy penalties, he would almost have equalled Maclean, who gained so much by his jumping powers in the long jump, the hurdles, and the high jump. The marks for the Cup, were Maclean, 46; Hawkins, 24. Had Hawkins won the 100yds. and the quarter, they

We publish a letter, whose opinions we most heartily endorse, on the unsatisfactory and disappointing result of penalties, to which we refer our readers for a fuller consideration of the subject. TRIAL HEATS.

The entries for the races were even less numerous than they have been in former years, and a considerable number even of those, who did enter themselves, were too coy to appear at the starting point, or had never intended to do so. No heats at all were required for the 100yds. flat, the 200yds. flat, and half-mile flat, and besides these the heats of many other races such as the School quarter-mile, the hurdle race of 200yds. under 16, and the hurdle race of 120yds. resulted merely in an unexciting walk over. Consequently the interest in the Trial Heats was not of an all absorbing nature; many even said they were disgusted with the slackness that was shewn, and did not intend to patronize the Trial Heats again. It was suggested last year that some fines should be instituted with a view to obviating these annoying disappointments; there must have been some difficulty in the way for the Race Committee has adhered to the old system. Let us console ourselves with the reflection, that with one or two marked exceptions, everyone who had the ghost of a chance of winning anything put down his name for it, and ran his best.

The first day of the Trial Heats was Monday, March 28th. The weather was all that could be desired; the "slight easterly breeze was cold and excessively dry," but its disadvantages were compensated by a perfectly cloudless sky and a warm sun. The ground had been considerably dried, and was if anything a little too rigid for our down hill course. Thore was a fair sprinkling of spectators in waiting at 2.30, but we noticed that a good many left suddenly and sadly after the quarter-mile trot. The usual hour off' was not given owing to the weather, and the small entries.

The first race on the programme was the SCHOOL QUARTER MILE. Though the first heat might have been a walk-over, Tanqueray and Hawkins made a race of it to gratify the spectators; Callendar third. Time, 1 min. 24 seos.

After a somewhat long delay the second heat came in sight, "running over." One of them was wise

enough to bring his coat with him, thereby saving a long journey back. Maclean, Pulling, and Keeling were equal first. Time 2 min. 47 secs.

The next race was the FLAT RACE of 150 yards, under 13.-Out of seven entries, four started; three appearing at the finish; the remaining one having seen how futile were his hopes of success early in the race. The three made a good race of it, resulting in favour of Briscoe, first; Knight, a good second; Freeland third. All who wished ran again in the Finals.

Then came the THREE-QUARTER MILE, under 15. -Only three, who were all to run in the finals, started in the first heat. The race was close to

begin with. Finally Bull gradually drew ahead, and kept the lead till the finish. Robertson second; Hughes third.

A marked feature in the next heat was the good running of Guest, whose powers before the race were misjudged. He led off soon, and kept up his lead, winning easily in good form. He would have won more easily still if he had not kept looking over his shoulders to see how the rest were getting on. Rolleston second; Hayward third. Rolleston ran pluckily throughout: and Hayward had a good spurt at the end.

The next event on the programme was the UNDer 16 HURDLE RACE. Out of 17 entries, only three appeared; as Nowell fell over his first hurdle, Padwick was an easy first; Winterbotham and Templer had a good race for second place, the former eventually securing it. Time, 34 seconds.

We now come to the 200 YARD3 HURDLES.-Three started in the first heat. Maclean, who owed six yards, was first, closely pressed by Dickinson. Time, 31 seconds. In the next heat Mahon was a good first; Turner second. Time, 32 seconds.

Owing to various reasons the Mile which was to have come off next, was postponed till Tuesday.

The second day of the Trial Heats was Tuesday, March 29th. The weather was equally propitious except that the wind was a trifle less cutting.

The first event was the MILF, which had been postponed from Monday owing to the shortness of the time, and the consequent inability of a large number of fellows to run. It turned out far the most interesting of the Trial Heats, as more than three ran in each of the three heats.

Heat 1.-Leaf led for a short way, and Hawkins unostentatiously strode along in the rear; Freeman then took the lead till the last lap, when Hawkins past him with tremendous leaps; Orlebar came a good third; the time 5 min. 35 secs., was not good, as all had tacitly agreed to take it easy for the first few rounds; the same applies to the other heats.

Heat 2.-There were four runners who kept well together till the last lap and a half, when Turner led first, but soon gave place to Cunningham, who in his turn was passed by the tremendous spurt of Tanqueray; Fox beat Turner for the third place. Time, 5 min. 30 secs.

Heat 3.-Martyn led for the first round at too great a pace to last, the others took it easy for the first three rounds; finally Maclean came in first, beating Laidlay who began his spurt rather too soon; Williams 3rd. Time, 5 min. 30 secs.

LOWER SCHOOL CHAMPIONSHIP was run by mistake for a distance of only 150 yards, instead of 200. The time-keeper, not noticing this, was seduced by a lurking mistrust of his stop-watch, which indicated 18 secs., and by the base suggestions of a member of the Race Committee, to give out 23 secs. as the time of the first heat, which resulted as follows :—

Heat 1.-Bucknall 1st, Freeland 2nd, Gregory 3rd. Time, 23 (?) secs.

Heat 2.-Webb-Ware 1st, Drake 2nd, Waddilove, 3rd. Time, 19 secs.

Heat 3.-Ogbourne 1st, Rendle 2nd, Briscoe 3rd. Time 18 secs.

FLAT RACE, 200 YDS, UNDER 15.-The majority of the competitors ran. Heat 1. Bull, 1st; Guest, 2nd; Webbware, 3rd, time, 24 secs. Heat 2. Stayner, 1st; Hayward, 2nd; Rendle 3rd. Time, 24 secs.

Stayner and Bull ran in very good form, and won easily in their respective heats.

HURDLE RACE OF 120 YDS. (10 FLIGHTS).-The first heat produced a good race between Mahon and Dickinson; Mahon winning by a little over a foot; time 20 secs. Heat 2. Maclean and Lewis walked over in the brilliant time of 23 secs.

FLAT RACE OF HALF MILE (HANDICAP).-Was productive of as much interest and amusement as usual. The favourites cheered in each heat appeared not to be mentioned by name in the Race Card; in particular we noticed vociferous cheering for one M.P.,