To the Editor of the Marlburian. DEAR SIR,-I would like to say a word in your columns, concerning Public School gymnasiums. Everybody knows that gymnastics are healthy, and exercise of all kinds should be encouraged; but amongst growing boys at school much gymnasium does more harm than good, the muscles of the legs and arms become by constant exercises prematurely developed and prevent growth. I have known more than one instance in which doctors have cautioned boys against gymnasium for this reason. As far as I can ascertain more encouragement is given to this exercise at Marlborough than other public schools, and it has been a remarkable fact that Marlborough boys always look a small lot when compared in the cricket field against other schools, notably Rugby, where gymnasium exercises find very little favor. If the sole aim of gymnastics is to straighten and strengthen the body, drilling, boxing, fencing, would be excellent substitutes; as the matter stands I think that the school doctor's leave should be obtained once a year by boys wishing to continue gymnastics. Trusting the above arguments may be duly considered by the authorities, I remain, Dear Sir, EXPERIENCIA DOCET. MARLBOROUGH COLLEGE MISSION FUND. To the Editor of the Marlburian. SIR, I send you the statement of the offertory accounts for 1882, prepared by the late Treasurer, the Rev. W. M. Furneaux. The receipts from the offertories and the box, the ordinary sources of revenue, amounted to £190 78. 104d. The fixed charges including the Curate's stipend, and the subscriptions to the S.P.G., the Savernake Forest Hospital, and the local Churches, amount to £194 2s. Od.; but in 1882 the amount voted to the S.P.G. was, it is hoped exceptionally, reduced from £15 15s. Od. to £10 10s. Od., making the normal expenditure £188 17s. Od. Sundry donations and the balance carried forward from 1881 enabled the Committee to meet some exceptional charges, as e.g., “Jones and Willis for Church Furniture,” and sundry outstanding accounts, and to carry forward a balance of £8 7s. 34d. It will be seen, therefore, that there is every necessity for the present amount of the offertories to be kept up, and if possible increased. The Rev. W. M. Furneaux having resigned the office of Secretary and Treasurer, Mr. H. W. Simpkinson was appointed in his place; Mr. Simpkinson having, however, subsequently resigned his mastership it became necessary to appoint a new Secretary, and I have undertaken the office, and shall be glad to receive any communications on the subject of the Mission. M. H. GOULD, Hon. Sec. and Treasurer. MARLBOROUGH NOMADS. THE NORTHERN TOUR. When mention was made at the Nomads' Dinner in December of a proposed Northern Tour-that is to say of a proposal to play matches against two or three of the leading Northern Clubs during the Xmas holidays-there was a general feeling that the idea was an excellent one, but like many other excellent ideas, not likely to become anything more than an idea. Old players shook their heads wisely and feared that it would be impossible to induce players to give either the necessary time or money; some declared three consecutive days' football to be sheer madness, while others cynically remarked that a club which so often failed to muster full numbers in London, was hardly likely to succeed in putting a representative team in the field a couple of hundred miles away. However, although the proposal was a surprise to most members of the club, the whole matter had been carefully considered by the three enterprising spirits who had conceived the idea—viz., our Captain, our Secretary and F. Thursby;-they had sounded some of our best players, (including Vassall and Tatham at Oxford and one or two of the School XV.) and they had good reason to believe that with a little trouble the scheme might be succesfully carried out. Matches were accordingly closed with Huddersfield for Monday, Jan. 1st, with the Yorkshire Wanderers (the Leeds Club) for the following day, and with Manchester for the Wednesday. Eventually, a week before Christmas, our energetic secretary was able to announce a very formidable team who were ready to do battle in the North. Then came that inevitable sequel of diappointments -sudden changes of plan, sudden accidents-which is one of the many trials of a Secretary's life, five or six of the original team, (including Hawkins, Gunner and Vassall) finding themselves unable to keep their engagement; and it was not till the very day before that on which we were due in the North, that their places were filled. However, it will be seen from the following list of names, that there was no reason to complain that the XV who eventually went North were not fairly representative of the strength of the club. C. M. Wilkins (Capt.), F. Duncan, F. G. Padwick, three-quarter back; F. H. Fox, A. K. Butterworth, half-back; W. B. Kingsbury, back; W. M. Tatham, F. Thursby, F. Stanton, J. D. Vans Agnew, F. Vans Agnew, E. H. Lawrie, H. T. Ravenhill, C. S. Rashdall, A. Ll. Davies, forwards. B. B. Middleton played at Huddersfield instead of Davies, and H. Hastings instead of Rashdall at Manchester. Our match on December 30th was against the "Middlesex Wanderers," and the experiment was then tried of instituting a more systematic method of passing than that which we have usually succeeded in adopting. The experiment was found to answer admirably; Fox set us all an excellent example, he and Duncan playing into each other's hands beautifully, and the match ended in a victory by 2 goals and 3 tries to nothing. It was owing undoubtedly in great measure to the adoption of these tactics that we were enabled to score as freely as we did in our first two matches in the North.-2.30 p.m. on New Year's day found us on the Huddersfield ground awaiting the kick off of their Captain. The rain which had been falling off and on for the last two or three days had temporarily cleared off, but the ground reminded us painfully of the state of "Big Game" after a week's hard rain in November, and was desperately heavy.Within a very few minutes of kick off, Fox ran in for us after some pretty passing between him and Duncan, and before half time was called, Butterworth and Wilkins also had succeeded in getting tries, the former after some capital passing, in which Fox as usual was conspicuous, and the latter after a grand run. The place was each time successfully kicked by J. D. Vans Agnew who tried all our place kicks throughout the tour, and considering the heavy state of the ground, his kicking was first rate. The score when "half-time " was called, was therefore 3 goals to 0, and up to that time our territory had only once been dangerously invaded. On that occasion the ball was within a yard of our goal line, but was splendidly worked away by some combined dribbling on the part of our forwards. Immediately after the ball had been kicked off by Wilkins, the Northerns touched down in self-defence, but during the rest of the match, the game was fairly even, our forwards apparently taking matters somewhat easily at times. The first event was a try gained by Bottomley, to whom the ball was passed by another of the Huddersfield forwards who got clean away with it from a throw in from touch-Wilson placed a goal.Wilkins then got twice over our opponents' goal line; the first time he passed most unselfishly to Tatham who scored a try, and the other time he kept the try for himself and Vans Agnew kicked a goal from it. A few minutes before the end of the game, Holmes secured a try from which Wilson kicked a second goal, and the game thus ended in a victory for us by 4 goals and 1 try to 2 goals. It is only fair to mention that two of the Huddersfield players had to retire hurt during the game, so that at the end they were only playing 13 men. In the evening we were hospitably entertained by our opponents, and the musical capacities of our team were severely tested by the necessity for supplying an equal quantity of songs to those sung by our hosts, the number of which was indeed "Legion,"-however, we proved equal to the occasion and spent a very pleasant evening. The Huddersfield team was as follows:-H. B. Wilson, J. Hirst (backs), P. T. Wrigley, J. Sykes (backs), P. F. Holmes, H. E. Calvert, (backs); G. W. Bottomley, A. C. Sharp, B. Schofield, G. Harrop, F. W. Lewis, I. Clifford, F. Renshaw, E. W. H. Anderson, F. W. Walker (forwards). (To be continued) § Illustrated by Magic Lantern Slides. At the preliminary meeting on Thursday, January 25th, it was decided to renew the Entomological and Botanical sections on a smaller, and it is hoped, more useful basis. R. W. Rickards also exhibited a collection of no less than 60 plants in flower, which he had made during the Christmas holidays near Cardiff. The fabric of the new Museum is now virtually completed, and the room presents a very handsome appearance. Pending the arrival of the cases and other fittings, the contents of the old building are stored in the gallery in C house. The Report may be looked for in about a fortnight. Hockey. As Hockey is now at its height we are requested to republish the rules of the game for the benefit of those who do not know them. 1. The maximum length of the ground shall be 150 yards, and the minimum length shall be 100 yds. The maximum breadth of the ground shall be 80 yards, and the minimum breadth shall be 50 yards; the length and breadth shall be marked off with flags and the goals shall be upright posts 6 yards apart with a tape across them 7 feet from the ground. The 2. The sticks used shall be curved wooden ones approved by the Committee of the Association. The ball shall be an ordinary sized cricket-ball. rule that a stick shall not weigh more than 1lb. 4oz. per yard has lately been added. Goals 3. The game shall be commenced and renewed by a Bully in the centre of the ground. shall be changed at half-time only. 4. When the ball is hit behind the goal line by the attacking side, it shall be brought out straight 15 yards and started again by a Bully but, if it be hit behind by anyone of the side whose goal-line it is, a player of the opposite side shall hit it out from within one yard of the nearest corner flag-post and no player shall be allowed within 20 yards of the Ball, until hit out. 5. When the ball is in touch, a player of the opposite side to that which hit it out shall roll it out from the point on the boundary line where it left the ground, in a direction at right angles with the boundary line at least 10 yards, and it shall not be in play until it has touched the ground and the player rolling it shall not play it until it has been played by another player, every player being then behind the ball. 6. When a player hits the ball, any one of the same side who at such a moment of hitting is nearer the opponent's goal line is out of play, and may not touch the ball himself, nor in any way whatsoever prevent any other player from doing so until the ball has been played unless there are at least 3 of his opponents nearer their own goal-line, but no player is out of play when the ball is hit from the goal-line. 7.-The ball may be stopped, but not carried or knocked on by any part of the body. No player shall raise his stick above his shoulder. The ball shall be played from right to left and no left or backhanded play, charging, tripping, or shinning shall be allowed. 8. To obtain a goal a player must hit the ball between the posts and under the tape. 9. No goal shall be allowed if the ball be hit from a distance of more than 15 yards from the nearest goal posts. 10. In all cases of a Bully, every player shall be behind the ball. 11.-On infringement of any of the above rules the ball shall be brought back and a bully shall take place. 12. The ordinary number of players shall be 11 a side. Robert Francis Cholmoley, 1st Class Classical Anthony Hope Elections to Major Scholarships of £100 each at Undergraduates of the third year. Undergraduates of the first year. Francis Erskine Rowe, Exhibition at Trinity College, Leonard Trelawny Hobhouse, Scholarship at Corpus Christi College, Oxford. Edward Norman Gardiner, Exhibition at Corpus Christi College, Oxford. William Morris, M A., Hon. Fellowship at Exeter Walter Coote Hedley, 3rd Place Open Nominations to Woolwich. Printed by C. PERKINS AND SON, at their General Printing Office, Waterloo House, Marlborough. THE YEAR 1882. THE chronicler of the past year has a period of marked success and prosperity to look back upon : he at least is unable to complain, like so many of his predecessors, that there are no particular incidents to take hold of and bring prominently into notice. Our loyalty has been stimulated by the proposed visit of Prince Leopold, and the consequent hope of an extra week. There is no need to allude to our melancholy disappointment. The destruction and construction of the buildings in Court have been making progress throughout the year. Brilliant successes among old and present Marlburians have contributed to the general prosperity. Mr. Furneaux' recent departure is a loss to the Common Room, which, after his long connection with the College, will be hard to make up. All this has made the past year an eventful one, and the flourishing condition of the various societies and the success of the games, although in some quarters there are signs of want of energy, confirm the general appearance of almost universal prosperity. To turn to details. The institutions of the school are all more or less prosperous. The Natural History Society, under Mr. Richardson's energetic guidance, seems to have reached a condition of assured success. The sections are very well supported; and the lectures of Dr. Hudson and Rev. J. G. Wood have helped to keep up the interest of the school. The Society will shortly be able to exult in the new Museum, now approaching completion, which will, we suppose, be the scene of the lectures now given in the Bradleian. The Art Society, somewhat unsupported in the earlier part of the year, has recovered its position at its close; one or two excellent lectures have been given in the Bradleian, which were rendered more attractive by the use of a magic lantern, the property of the Natural History Society. The history of the Debating Society has been more discouraging. From some unexplained cause, attendance at debates has gradually decreased, and the number of speakers is below the average. Correspondence continues to flow in upon the Marlburian, suggesting all possible and impossible remedies; and we trust the patriotism and energy of the school will answer the appeals of the president, and restore the Society to its former position. Lastly, the Rifle Corps, though not without frequent clamourings for recruits, and alarming statements of its own decadence, has experienced tolerable success. The numbers have slightly fallen off, and drills have not been always so well attended as they might be. But several successful field-days have been sufficient to show that the Rifle Corps has met with a fair amount of prosperity. Our shooting was on the whole successful, though hopes, seemingly well-grounded, were disappointed at Wimbledon, and we failed to secure the shield. We hear that the prospects for next year are not encouraging; there are only two of last year's VIII. remaining; and energy and practice are required to produce good results. The two bands. are as vigorous and invigorating as ever. The Drum and Fife Band has continued its lively airs, whenever the Corps turns out, and the Brass Band has performed with great éclat at the Penny Readings and entertainments. On the whole therefore we can claim that the Societies have been fairly well supported during the year. If we turn to other matters we find on all sides improvement and success. The Marlborough Mission progresses favourably. It has suffered a great loss in the departure of Mr. Furneaux, the Hon. Secretary, whose place is now filled by Mr. Gould. The collections in chapel have been up to the required amount. The Rev. E. Bailey Churchill's place was taken early in the year by the Rev. E. F. N. Smith, O.M., whose energy speedily made the prospects of the Mission all that could be desired. Meetings have been held at Oxford and London at various times, in order to get Old Marlburians to help in various ways in the work. Musically, there is little to notice. The Choir, the Penny Readings, and the Concert were all equally successful. The various Competitions were keenly contested; and the Oratorio practices on Sunday afternoons are still as vigorous as ever. We have already alluded to the disappointments of Prize Day. All the familiar arrangements were broken through; visitors appeared in very scanty numbers; a more simple ceremony took the place of the usual stately prize giving. Notwithstanding the Master and the Bursar proved equal to emergencies and effectually prevented the day from becoming a hopeless collapse. The list of Honours was decidedly more brilliant than usual; both in quality and quantity it was a great success. As the scholastic year properly ends at Midsummer we shall not notice the successes gained since that time. Meanwhile the external appearance of the College has undergone a vast improvement The building operations which began in the early part of the year, have progressed continuously, until now one block of buildings has been completed, and the other begun. In spite of the general litter, the appearance of Court has even now vastly altered for the better, the buildings substituted for the old Modern School being greatly in advance of the old ones in architectural beauty. The buildings at present completed contain four classrooms, occupied temporarily by the Sixth, Upper Fifth, and other forms, two masters' rooms and the Museum. upper part is not yet ready, and the belongings of the Natural History Society have not yet reached their final resting-place. These operations have engrossed the attention of the authorities during the year; and the only other improvement to notice is the adornment of the walls of Hall by various busts of modern men of note, an excellent change from the ancient bare appearance of the walls. The To turn to the history of Athletics. In racquets our pair was somewhat disappointing at Prince's in spite of careful training and frequent practice. In the first ties, after winning the first three games in succession, they collapsed mysteriously and were beaten. Their opponents, however, were undoubtedly among the best in the competition. The races, which were run in fairly fine weather, were not exceedingly remarkable. There was a keen competition for the Champion Cup, as no one individual was markedly superior both in the long and short races. Gymnastics are in a very flourishing condition here. The competition was of a better standard than the year before, and shows signs of steady progress. Good results were produced both in the Gymnasium eight and for the House Cup. We have reason to feel particularly satisfied with the success of the cricket season. We have never, since A.G. Steel left, succeeded in winning both the school matches. The victory at Lord's was all the more welcome from the long record of disastrous defeats, which, whether from nervousness or staleness or both combined, seemed always to be our lot against Rugby. The hitting powers of the eleven, which we are so often told have left us for ever, suddenly revived; the bowling, both fast and slow, was good and there were plenty of changes; and the fielding |