that the falling off in numbers] is made up by the large additions in the summer term.

The Gymnasium, though all that could be desired, does not seem to be much patronised.

The debate upon the Government was continued on Saturday, Feb. 16th.

As usual Lord Beaconsfield comes in for his full share of personal abuse.

His style is spoken of as "a florid fustian style, modified by a bantering cynicism: " while he himself is referred to as "the minister who with one foot in the grave is ruining the country and doing his best to lead us into a bloody and sinful war.”

On Saturday, Feb. 9th, a lecture was delivered on the Telephone and a large model exhibited.

A correspondent proposes that some more amusing race should be substituted for the half-mile hurdle race, which falls almost as a matter of course to the winner of the half-mile flat race. Another correspondent writes very strongly to urge that the number of Stewards for the ensuing races be augmented, if not doubled. "Let not more than two," he writes, 66 indulge in recreation away from the scene of their duties at the same time, and for goodness sake let them keep an eye on the stop-watch."

The Debating Society seems to consist almost entirely of members of the VI; and at present is not in a very flourishing condition; accordingly a correspondent proposes an infusion of fresh blood from forms below the VI.

HOW RICHARD GRENVIL DIED.

A FRAGMENT.

O have ye not heard of Sir Richard Grenvil,
And how in his last sea-fight

He fought as an English mastiff will
Rather than turn to flight?

It was when our fleet from fair Florès
Had turned them to the sea;

Sir Richard's Revenge the hindmost was,
That wont was first to be.

There were some four-score of our mariners yet
Were lying sick ashore,

And never a sail would Sir Richard set,
Ere, aboard one and all we bore.

He scarce had gotten a league away,
A league away from the land,
When he was 'ware how the Spaniards lay
To take him close at hand.

"Put back, Sir Richard," the master cried,
"Else dead men all are we!"-
"Was ever a Grenvil turned aside
"For any odds ?" quoth he.
"Sound all my trumpets out amain,

"And spread my ancients free,
"And we will teach these dons of Spain
"What manner of men we be."

They sailed him round and round about,
There were fifty sail and more,
And he had but his little Revenge,
And men and boys five score.
Then out there spake the Admiral,
And a wrathful man was he,
"What English churls be these, let fall
"Nor top nor mast to me ?"—
"Some twice or thrice it well may be

"Your Spain has had to tell
"Of Richard Grenvil a tale that she,
"Troth, liked not over well!".
"Give o'er, give o'er, Sir Richard Grenvil,
"Your little Revenge to me,

"Ye have wrought our lord the King much ill, "And you he fain would see."

Sir Richard he took his sword in hand,
And a full great oath he sware

That the oak which grew in merry England
No Spanish flag should bear,

So full he drave on their battle's heart,
As he was wont to do,

On either side they brake apart
To let Sir Richard thro'.

And well I wot by one and all

He had ta'en his way full free,

Had not a shot from their Admiral

Beat down his top-mast tree.

A loud laugh laughed Sir Richard Grenvil, "Troth, I was loth, I wis,

"To think these Dons had gotten their fill "Of English cheer ere this!"

So they fought on and manfully on,
Thro' all the noon of day,
And ever the while a great galleon
On either side of him lay.

And ever he let his great guns go,
Till they were gotten so hot
That even up to the deck-beams
They leapt at ever shot.

So, twain by twain, he fought them on
From noon to set of sun,

And board who would, was never a Don
Our good ship's decks had won.
And ever he shot so fiercely out

They might not come him nigh,
Yet still they sailed him round about
The while the night went by.

Out spake Sir Richard boldly then,
And O, his blood ran free!
"The last sea-fight is this, my men,

"Wherein that I shall be"

"And I would have my heart's desire,
"If die this day we must,
"To set the powder-room afire,

"And to God's mercy trust!"
And some said yea, and others nay,
And these were fairly more,
Yet with a heavy heart that day
We gave our good ship o'er.

MARLBOROUGH NOMADS FOOTBALL CLUB.

The Annual General Meeting and Dinner of the Club were held at the Holborn Restaurant on Tuesday, the 12th inst., F. J. Currie, the President of the Club, being in the chair. The toasts of "The School," "The Club," and "The Committee," were responded to by R. Alford, H. R. Armstrong (Captain), and R. F. Isaacson (Hon. Sec). The list of the past season's matches shows a result of won 5. Drawn 4. Lost 10. The following Committee was elected for the ensuing season: A. K. Butterworth (Captain), R. F. Isaacson (Secretary), H. R. Armstrong, R. F. Brown, J. M. Chapman, J. Ll. Dove' F. C. Kimber, J. F. Laver, F. H. Lee, and C. M. Wilkins.

It is now some time since any report of the above Club has appeared in the pages of the Marlburian, and it might almost be thought that the playing members of the club had all been swallowed up in the sea of mud wherein they floundered on that disastrous afternoon in November, when they had hoped to avenge the signal defeat of the Old Fellows. It may be indeed that that one afternoon's soaking left behind effects on all who took part in it, from which they suffered for the rest of the season; at any rate it was many weeks before the Club was able to revive sufficiently to secure a victory. In vain was the report of the matches for the Marlburian held over in the hope that there might be a win to chronicle as a set-off against so many defeats. Week after week passed by without the wished-for success, and when at last the tide of fortune turned, it was so late in the season that then it seemed better to wait until the end.

The first match after the visit to Marlborough, was the return with the Gipsies. Owing to several fellows being prevented from playing by colds caught the previous week, we were far from strong. Our opponents, on the other hand, were very well represented, and penned us all the time. Thanks to the resolute defence of Butterworth and Wilkins, however, they could not score until just at the end of the game, when one of their half-backs got in and a goal was kicked from the try.

The return with the Clapham Rovers on the following Saturday was an improvement. A very fast and spirited game resulted in a draw.

On December 15th, the match was at Woolwich, against the Royal Military Academy. Eighteen Nomads turned up, and it was agreed to play 17 a side. A very good game resulted, ending in favour of the Academy, who scored two tries. Laver got in for us, but the try was disallowed on the ground of off side.

After a break of three weeks, the Nomads journeyed to Richmond, where they found an exceptionally strong team opposed to them. Fortunately they were stronger than usual behind, where they had the able assistance of C. H. Hunt and R. M. Yetts, and the match proved very interesting; although Richmond won by a goal and a try to nothing.

The following Saturday there was no match, the return with the Royal Military Academy having been necessarily given up owing to a change in their

terms.

On January the 19th, we for the first time played the latest addition to the School Clubs in London, the Old Cliftonians. On the whole we had the best of it, but did not win, as the Old Cliftonians kicked a goal from the only try they got, while we got two tries, but did not kick a goal from either.

On January 26th, the match was the return with Wimbledon, and this resulted in a draw, after a fast and exciting game. Wimbledon were very strong forward, but behind we had the advantage, E. L. Lucas being in very good form.

After another unsuccessful attempt to play the School, the Nomads, on February 9th, played West Kent. This match, as the former one had done, resulted in a victory for them; Wilkins, by a splendid run nearly the whole length of the ground, getting a try right behind, from which Armstrong kicked a goal.

On February 16th, the Nomads suffered a second defeat from Richmond, chiefly owing to our weakness behind; forward we held our own, and indeed got the best of most of the scrimmages, but their players behind always recovered lost ground. In the end Richmond scored five tries, but no goal, their placekicking being decidedly poor.

In the second encounter with the Old Cliftonians, on February 23rd, the Nomads were consoled for their previous defeat, scoring a goal (placed by Armstrong, from a try by Laver), and tries by Armstrong and Blackett to nothing.

On March 2nd, the return with the Old Cheltonians was played. Owing to there only being one train to the place where the ground was situated, and that at a very inconvenient time, three of the team did not appear. Fortunately the Old Cheltonians were also one short, and the Nomads made a very good fight. They were only beaten by the great pace of J. H. Cowan, who three times ran right round all the backs and gained three tries, from two of which goals resulted. For us Stearns dropped a good goal.

On March 9th, the season was brought to a rather unexpectedly brilliant close by a victory over Ravenscourt Park, by a goal placed by Armstrong, from a try by Square; tries by Armstrong and Square respectively, and a disputed try by Hogg, to nothing.

The total results of the season do not sound very satisfactory. Matches played, 19; won, five; lost, ten; drawn, four. Yet in spite of this, we can safely say that the position of the Club is more satisfactory than it has been for a long time. So far from there being a difficulty in getting up teams, the difficulty is now rather the other way; we have generally had two or three fellows come down on the chance of getting a place, and these have generally been disappointed. Our forward play has vastly improved, and seemed to grow better every match, and, with a slight addition to our present players behind, there is good reason to hope that next season will shew far more satisfactory results.

There be some that prate of Harrow,
And some of Rugby too;
Some ask what good the Volunteers
Can ever hope to do:

But of all the gallant force, my boys,

There are none that can compare, For thorough lazy shirking, with

The M-rlb-r--gh Volunteer. These pretty little children,

Ne'er saw a cannon-ball; Nor ever owned a bayonet,

To stay their foes withal: For all the foes they know, my boys, Are scornful A House jeers; A gallant set of babies are

The M-rlb-r--gh Volunteers.

Whene'er they are commanded,

About the court to drill;

"When duty whispers low 'thou must,''

How few reply they will.

For all the idling A house boys,

Around the court that stand, Outnumber at least by two to one The gallant little band.

Then let us fill a bumper,

And drink a health to those

Who charge without their bayonets,
And wear untidy clothes.

Who muster when they're lucky,

At least some twenty strong;
They've lasted out so far as yet,
And may they do so long.
We crave your condescension
For this our little joke;
If any we've offended

We're sorry that we spoke;
We hear that they're improving,
And may they do so still,

And may they come in brighter years
To see a decent drill.

Occasional Notes.

BASIL.

The following O.M.'s rowed in their College Torpids at Oxford:-C. E. Blackett-Ord (Corpus), E. Bryans (Merton), A. F. W. Ingram (Cox), H. C. Glyn, G. J. Tatham (2nd Keble).

In the University Handicap Mile at Cambridge, S. P. Nash was second with 135 yards start, C. J. Johnstone third with 40 yards.

The trial heats of the Races are fixed for Monday and Tuesday, the 25th and 26th, the final for Friday and Saturday in the same week.

The Hockey Match v. O.M.'s will be played on Saturday, April 6th.

The improvements in the Bathing-place are being vigorously carried forward. The "Duck-pond" has been considerably deepened, and a pumping-machine working by centrifugal force, has been established at the other end. Great extra trouble is caused by the chalky nature of the ground, especially in the duck-pond; the concrete which has been prepared cannot be laid upon it directly, but an intermediate layer of hurdles is necessary. However, the work

is progressing favourably, and our heartiest thanks are due to the College authorities for the energy with which their most welcome improvement is being prosecuted.

House Competition at Gymnasium has commenced. Sankey's are at present facile princeps with a grand total of 1001.

The

It will be remembered that towards the end of last term we had the pleasure of announcing that T. C. Owen, O.M., had won the 2nd prize offered by the Ceylon Planters' Association for the best essay on "The first year's work in the opening of a Coffee Estate." We now make the following extract from the Ceylon Observer:-"The subject selected for this year's essay was "Buildings in connection with Coffee cultivation." Four essays have been received. Your committee feel sure the members will agree with them that two of these essays are most valuable additions to the pamphlets already collected on subjects interesting to the planting community. time and trouble bestowed on the present works deserve a special vote of thanks by the Association to the contributors, and your Committee ask you to further testify your appreciation of the essays by voting pieces of plate to both the gentlemen who have given such valuable information. To Mr. T. C. Owen of Kelebokka, your Committee award the second prize, and suggest that R. 200 be expended also on a piece of plate." We have therefore to congratulate Mr. Owen on having for two years running won the second prize offered by this Association for essays on practical subjects. Both times his essay has been most highly spoken of in other papers besides that from which we make our extract.

The Editor of the Marlborough College Register would be glad to receive from Old Marlburians any information about themselves or their contemporaries which might be serviceable for the forthcoming edition of the Register. Those who have left the School recently are invited to communicate with him no less than O.M.'s of an earlier date. The Editor hopes that the new edition may be in the printer's hands next year.

The following is a specimen of the sort of information about O.M.'s which would be acceptable to the Editor:

A.B.-Ex. Coll., Oxford; Vicar of Holy Trinity, London.

C.D.-Late Capt. Bengal Artillery, killed at Delhi, in 1857.

E.F.-Solicitor, London.

G.H.-Business in Liverpool.

K.L.-Trinity College, Cambridge, died Feb. 8th,

1865.

M.N.-Capt. R.N., served in the Baltic during the Russian war.

Died.

March 15th, at Mercara, Coorg, India, Frederick Dorville Jackson, of brain fever; youngest son of the Rev. Charles Jackson, of Bentley, Hants.

DEAR SIR.-Allow me to lay before the consideration of the authorities a suggestion which I hope to see acted upon. At present our supply of gas in dormitory is decidedly limited, as there is none lighted after 9.10 in the evening, while it is uselessly left alight during chapel time.

Might not the gas be turned off after stroke and relighted at 10.15 after the closing of House Classrooms? This might be done by a boy in each Dormitory or one in each house, and turned off by the prefect when he comes round. Inconvenience in getting books from dormitory after Chapel, would be obviated by placing them at class-room door.

Yours,

A REFORMER.

Correspondence.

To the Editor of the Marlburian.

DEAR SIR,-I am not in the general, i.e. political sense of the word, a Conservative, but I do not like to hear institutions associated in my mind with the best memories of school days called by strange names, unless a satisfactory reason is given for the change. Is any such satisfactory reason forthcoming to justify the substitution of the title "Choristers," for the time-honoured one of "Choir," noticeable in the last Marlburian ?

The title of "Choir" is on the score of euphony and every other consideration, quite good enough. It is short, which is a great thing. It is familiar, which is a greater. Choristers to my mind suggest a lot of pasty-faced boys in limp night-shirts, and not the occupants of those handsome choir seats in the M.C. Chapel.

I trust it was only a "lapsus calami."

To the Editor of the Marlburian.

SIB,-As the races are now coming on, I should like to make a few remarks about the order in which they are to be run. Last year the 200 yards flat, the high jump, and the 120 hurdles followed each other almost consecutively; and, as I was in for all of these events, I found myself rather done before I got to the end of them. This sort of thing could easily be remedied, and I hope the Race Committee will take more trouble about it this time. I should also like to make a suggestion about the 120 hurdles. As Gilmore's ground bas been lengthened, I should think this event could be run there,

To the Editor of the Marlburian.

SIR,-What a victim I am! I believe I have bewailed my hard lot to the sympathizing audience of your readers in these words, at no very remote period; yet the remark is so con. stantly receiving confirmation in the daily trials and hard. ships which fall to my lot, that I cannot think it superfluous to repeat it.

What is my new grievance ? It is, Sir, that I have been basely defrauded of the privileges and immunities which belong to those who have suceeded, to use the vulgar phrase, in "getting their Chapel Half-holiday."

I have been at Marlborough College, Sir, for more than five years, and during that time, I have only twice known what it is to accomplish the above success; and these two occasions are so long past, that in the whirl and excitement of school life, the remembrance of the pleasurable sensations, which I have no doubt I then experienced, has been utterly erased from the anything but brazen tablets of my mind; accordingly I returned to Marlborough this term, with the full intention of renewing my acquaintance with the joys of Chapel Half-holiday, with a view to the re-engraving of them upon the above-mentioned tablets.

How, Sir, did I succeed in this laudable object? For seven long and dreary weeks I faithfully attended Morning Prayers; for one long and dreary week I faithfully attended Morning Chapel ; every morning of this last hard week, I rose from my balmy couch at twelve minutes to seven, and, occupying fourteen minutes in completing my toilet and traversing the Court, passed safely through the Chapel gate at two minutes past seven, at which time, in accordance with usage immemorial, the stroke pealed forth on the scented zephyrs of each morning throughout the week.