and to get one's name mentioned in the Marlburian used to be a great incentive to take the trouble to play up well in old times.

That you may not imagine this to come from me alone, I could quote you the various answers I received from asking what the Marlburian was like, before I got it. Yet I will spare you, as not one of these answers was, to say the least, complimentary.

I apologize if I have written at too great a length, but my complaint is a grievous one to those who still like to keep up recollections of their Alma Mater.

Yours truly,

SEX. ROSCIUS, O.M. [In answer to the "grievous complaint" of Sex. Roscius we wish to make some remarks. We do not wish to criticise too severely his wild inaccuracy and wilder inconsistency, but-to take one of many strange mistakes-how did the Marlburian of 1875 contain accounts of friendly house-matches at hockey, if last year was the first in which they were sent ap? The charges which Sex. Roscius brings against the Marlburian are, as far as we can detect, two in number. First that the Marlburian of 1875 was twice as large as the usual number of 1883; and secondly that the Marlburian fails in its duty of chronicling school news, with especial reference to hockey accounts. With regard to the first statement our correspondent labours under a complete delusion; the normal number of the Marlburian consists, and has always consisted as long as we can remember, of 12 pages, as a very brief examination would have proved. As for the second charge we may remark that it is the duty of the Marlburian to chronicle, and not invent, school news. Even to satisfy the cravings of the most enthusiastic O.M's we cannot create news out of nothing. We also fail to see how the editors can be made responsible for the absence of hockey accounts; if captains of houses do not think it worth while to send any in, that is not our fault. We may also inform our correspondent that a notice has been regularly put up requesting such contributions. That they fail to appear is quite sufficient proof that the school at least care absolutely nothing for dry summaries of forgotten games. When therefore we have fathomed this indignation, we find it to be a complaint that the captains of houses are slack in sending in accounts. Does this justify this wrath, this "spirit of O.M. Oxon, when he wrote that violent tirade"? It is melancholy to consider how very trifling a circumstance has sufficed to ruffle the temper of Sex. Roscius O.M., but O.M's are so easily ruffled. We can only advise him to be more equanimous in future.-ED. M.]

To the Editor of the Marlburian.

SIR, It was with great pleasure that I read those excellent letters in your last issue, advocating.-1. A hockey cup.-2. A cup for the house that gains the most marks in the sport. Yes! the more cups the merrier! Let me make one suggestion. As there will be soon (if these suggestions are adopted) such a lot of "pots" going, why not have a con.

solation cup for the house that is disappointed all round? If the Race Committee are so flush of cash, why not even have two such cups, so as to ensure the happiness of every house? Hoping the suggestion will be appreciated,

I remain, Sir, etc., THIN MAN.

THE RACQUET MATCHES v. WELLINGTON.

THE first of this year's home and home matches between Wellington and ourselves took place here on March 3rd, on a bright cloudless morning, the light of which would have been perfect if we had foreseen that it would in March have made us crave for blinds in the New Court windows. The Common Room played first, Wellington being represented by Messrs. Bull and Brougham, and Marlborough by Messrs. Beesly and Leaf.

The scores were-Wellington, 5, 15, 15, 6, 9, 10, Marlborough, 15, 9, 12, 15, 15, 15, so that we won by four games to two and by 21 points. Then the boys stepped into the arena. Wellington unfortunately had lost Browning, one of their pair the year before last, a loss to be regretted on every account, and consequently each School had one veteran and one novice to represent it, Newbury being seconded by Cairns, and Buckland by Quinton. Buckland, who was recovering from a cold, was not at all at home the first game, which we lost in spite of his partner's good sevice, but in the second he warmed to his work, and for the rest of the match his mistakes were few and far between, and his judgment admirable. Quinton supported him by capital service and all-round play beyond our expectation. We were too absorbed to commit details to memory. The Wellington pair were however, as the score shews, quite over-matched in the rallies by Buckland and by Quinton's service, and we won four games to one and by 27 points. Wellington, 15, 7, 8, 3, 8.

Marlborough, 8, 15, 15, 15, 15.

On the following Saturday we visited Wellington on an equally fine morning, and after seeing people skating at Reading, found the School field hurdled for athletic sports. We were by no means sanguine of winning the double event on their court, so much slower than our own, and it was a most agrecable surprise to do so still more decisively than at Marlborough. The Common Room played first and we won four games to one by 18 points.

The Arst

We came in late for the boys' match. sound that smote our ears was "Twelve, One," the first sight that made our eyes smart was this "Twelve" on the Wellington column of the marker's score. Then our pair set to work and, chiefly by Buckland's service, merrily rattled up 10, and we had no longer any misgivings, though Wellington won the first game. The rest of the match was in fact a walk over. Buckland, playing at least as well as at Marlborough in the rallies, developed a far more deadly service on the Wellington court, and Quinton backed him up in both. departments quite as ably as at home; Newbury was certainly not up to his proper form, and Cairns, though he made some pretty strokes, is too weak at present to be formidable. The scores were

Wellington, 15, 3, 3, 8, 9.

Marlborough, 10, 15, 15, 15, 15,

so that we won four games to one and by no less then 32 points. After the match we saw some of the races and then came home, a merry party, viâ Swindon (where the waiting time was not wasted), after a day which the writer, who has now played his last match, will always remember as the pleasantest possible wind-up of pleasant times.

Familiarity with Wellington hospitality has not bred contempt of it, and we tender our heartiest thanks to Masters and boys for the pains they took to make us comfortable. We condole with them on their ill luck this year, honestly looking on Browning's absence as a misfortune for ourselves as well as for them, though had he been to the fore we might possibly have had to gather fewer laurels.

A word as to our prospects in London : the school may begin to think our chances better than they are. But Harrow and Eton, we believe, have the same representatives as last year, and most of the schools have an immense pull over us in breaking up before Easter. Still we have no reason to despair. If our pair play up hard for the rest of the term, are prudent at the end and in London, and play in the spirit which they showed in the Wellington matches, it will take a good pair to beat them, and, win or lose, they will certainly do credit to the school.

Marlborough has now won five and the Marlborough Common Room four out of the six double matches which have been played.

MARLBOROUGH COLLEGE MISSION.

On Saturday, March 11, after a year's interval, the School was visited by the Rev. E. F. N. Smith. the curate in charge of the Marlborough Mission a Tottenham. A numerously attended meeting was held in the Bradleian under the presidency of the Master

The Master, in introducing Mr. Smith, congratu lated him on his recovery from his recent severe illness, incurred in the discharge of his office, and on the success of his mission work, to which he could testify from personal observation.

Mr. Smith then delivered an interesting address richly stored with humorous anecdotes of his past year's work. It was not without difficulty, he said, that he had succeeded in establishing his present familiar relations with his parishioners, and much diplomacy was required of him at the beginning of his house to house visiting. Gradually these

difficulties had been to a considerable extent overcome, and now out of his population of over 5000 he had an average congregation of 250 at the morning. and 400 at the evening service. He was at the time engaged in preparing some 70 candidates for confirmation. Mr. Smith then gave an account c the formation of his choir, and the code of rule drawn up by his choir boys for the regulation of their cricket club. Among the most marked of the civilising effects of the Mission had been the reformation in manners and mode of dress he ha succeeded in introducing among the factory girls The Mission was not solely dependent on aid from the College. Among many other striking instances of generosity might be quoted one of a member of his congregation who, although he denied himse the luxury of a servant, gave away ten guineas annually in charity. He had received generous assistance from the principal employers of labour is the district, who had not only let him a room at a reduced rent, but had also given an annual subscription of ten guineas. He was looking forward to the building of the Mission Church. Old Marlburians had already subscribed one thousand pounds, and he trusted that it might be possible for them to ad another. He should look to other sources for raising the remaining portion of the fund. During the past year he had happily succeeded in securing for the future the services of a colleague, the Rev. Patrick Watson, late curate of St. Peter's, Eaton Squar

Mr. Watson had at first, during his illness, offered to assist him without stipend for a year, but now fortunately an arrangement had been made for securing his permanent assistance.

Mr. Gould, as secretary, proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Smith; and the Master brought the meeting to a conclusion by calling attention to the claims of the building fund and other needs of the Marlborough Mission.

Mr. Smith preached in the Chapel on the Sunday following with special reference to the work and objects of the Mission.

The treasurer begs to acknowledge the receipt of £2 2s. Od. from the Rev. E. Silver for the building fund, and £1 1s. Od. from Walter C. Stunt, O.M., for the Mission fund.

Hockey.

PROMOTIONS.

Into the XI, March 10th.

F. E. Bull

H. H. Orr

E. C. C. Firth.

M.C.H.C. v. E. BROOK'S XI.

As no notes were taken of this match, this account will necessarily be but a brief summary. The match was played on the XI on Tuesday, March 6th, a cold and wintry day. The visitors elected to play from the town end, and at once commenced offensive operations, in which Mr. Leaf, Windeler, and F. Vans Agnew were most noticeable, and three goals were quickly scored. But now the School got together better, and Templer dribbled the ball up the side, and passed it to the middle where Rowe just put it through. About this period of the game Quinton received a nasty blow in the eye from the ball which bounded off through the visitor's goal, but could not be counted as a goal. Quinton had to retire, and the School had to do their best with ten With the wind behind them they took the ball down to the opposite goal, but in spite of several shots, no goal resulted till at last Firth following up hard anticipated Womersley's hit, and put the ball through the posts. Nothing further resulted till call of time, partly due to the somewhat wild hitting of

men.

the backs, who sent the ball half way down the Tóλo instead of passing it on to the forwards. Thus the School were defeated by three goals to two after a pleasant and interesting game.

For the School, Keeling's dribbling was very good, and Orr and Templer on the wings were very quick. Of the backs, Buckland was far the best and surest hitter.

For the visitors, besides those mentioned, the brothers Brooks were well to the fore, ably backed up by Mr. Leaf, and J. D. Vans Agnew.

The School must learn to play together more than they do at present: there was not enough passing, and no one seemed able to keep to his allotted place in the field, a very serious failing, which we hope to see much improved by the next match. We regret that we cannot give a list of our opponents. The School team was as follows.

H. T. Keeling, F. E. Rowe (wing), E. H. Buckland (half-back), F. E. Bull (half-back), H. H. Orr (wing), E. C. Firth (wing), A. J. Badcock (back), J. P. Cheales, F. G. Padwick (back), F. D. Quinton, F. N. Templer (wing).

COMMON ROOM MATCH.

On Tuesday Feb. 20th, the school played the Common room; the ground was extremely muddy from the late heavy rain, especially at the side near the road. The Common Room won the toss and commenced playing up the hill. The school at once penned them, but after a short series of scrummages about the circle, the ball was taken away by the Common Room forwards; Rowe and Orr, on the wing, by good combined play, brought it back, and the latter scored the first goal for the school. The ball being again started, several attacks were made by the school on the Common Room goal; all however being saved by Mr. Hart-Smith, whose hitting throughout was most brilliant and true; indeed wə have seldom seen better. Mr. Bambridge, getting the ball well past by Mr. Bain, made a good run up the side, but in attempting to middle was frustrated by Padwick, and the ball returned to the middle of the ground. Rowe now made a good dribble down the side and middled it well to Keeling, who hit it through. Nothing further was secured till after change. The state of affairs was somewhat reversed,

the Common Room penning the school considerably, Mr. Leaf and Mr. Bain being especially good on their respective wings and Mr. Alford in the centre. School however rose to the occasion and Keeling getting the ball made a good run up the ground and secured a goal. Common Room returned to the charge and several attempts to score were frustrated by Buckland, whose hitting was good throughout. Mr. Bambridge made a dribble and middled it to Mr. Simpkinson, who hit the ball rather high through the posts. The ball was started again and Rowe and Quinton were conspicuous for good play, both making good dribbles. Nothing further happened, and so when time was called the school remained victors by three goals to one.

Jebating Society.

The following facts will interest Old Marlburians. The Debating Society has been for some time past gradually failing. All interest in its proceedings seemed to have vanished, and a miserable percentage of members was the usual attendance. It seemed desirable to arrest, if possible, this decay before all life was gone; and with this view the Society has been remodelled on a more distinctly political basis.

It is proposed that parties shall sit on separate sides of the house, and to facilitate this arrangement debates will be held in the Bradleian for the future. It is not proposed to have any more political debates than hitherto, but during the discussion of questions. other than political the same arrangement of seats will be maintained. These changes have not been resorted to without due consideration, and until it was cruelly manifest that something must be done to stimulate the debating interest of the School. It should be added that we have been able to secure for the chair the services of a most capable Speaker, in the person of W. H. Sharp, while M. S. Pritchard has accepted the office of Clerk.

Ox Wednesday, March 7th, R. D. Jones moved that "the recent disclosures of Mr. Forster and the introduction of the Affirmation Bill, strengthen the existing case against the Government." C. W. Horsburgh opposed.

THE ATHLETIC SPORTS, 1883.

PRICE 6d.

Of

they showed in the race, and we are desired by the Race Committee to express our thanks to the ladies, for so kindly giving two cups of equal value in consideration of the dead heat. The time was 4 minutes, 57 seconds, most excellent for a grass course. the other events, Putting the Weight, 30 feet 4 inches, is the best on record here, and the Long Jump, 19 feet 9 inches was also far above the average; as also throwing the Hammer, 85 feet 6 in.; and the three-quarters under 15, 3 minutes 57 secs. We were sorry that Padwick in the High Jump could not come up to his last year's performance, but the height jumped, 5 feet, was not at all bad.

The Champion Cup was won by Padwick for the second time with 43 marks, but Keeling ran him very close with 40: in fact the competition between these two was one of the most exciting features of the Races, and at one time it seemed as though they would be exactly equal.

Before passing on to the detailed account of the competitions, we have first to thank Mr. SmithMarriott, for his very kind gift of a valuable cup for the hundred yards, and secondly to express our regret that there were not sufficient entries for the Old Marlburians Race, the Race Committee having fixed the number at four.