ness is rather to give some account of the concert of 1877, which was not unworthy of its predecessors.

The arduous task of the stewards was wellnigh completed when the outburst of enthusiastic cheers announced the entrance of the Master and Mrs. Farrar, (whom we were very glad to welcome once again among us), followed by the Bursar and Mrs. Bell. As soon as those sounds died away, the orchestra began the overture to the "Men of Prometheus " by Beethoven. Mr. Bambridge is to be congratulated no less on the choice of this exquisite composition than on the orchestra which he had got together for its performance; for a more competent body of instrumentalists has never been heard at any of our concerts. Though there seemed to be a slight want of simultaneity at first, yet they soon settled down to their work. The slow movement with which the overture opens was smoothly executed and in the ensuing vivace the dash of the violins, led by Herr Kornfeld, was most effective. Where the whole was excellent, it may be enough to mention that the brass-which in a scratch orchestra is often blatant, was well subdued, and that H. O. Yeatman in this, as in both the other orchestral pieces, proved himself invaluable as a flautist.

The time honoured "Welcome" is only deserving of special notice, because it afforded an exact estimate of the choir as a whole. The quality of the voices was not up to the usual mark; but we have never seen them better under their conductor's control; and consequently they excelled in sharpness of attack and in well-graduated expression. Mr. Barnby's graceful part song "Tell me, Roses" was prettily sung, but not in perfect tune; and the same remarks apply to the five singers who rendered Pearsall's "Her eyes the glow-worm lend thee" sufficiently well to gain an encore.

Between these two pieces, came two instrumental quartettes played by Herr Kornfeld and Messrs. Webb, Gunniss, and Aylward. Both were charmingly executed. The first, a "Serenade" by Haydn, displayed all the simple sweetness and delicacy which are so characteristic of this Master's style, but seemed a little too long drawn out for the taste of the audience. The second, a "Canzonetta" by Mendelssohn, was most tastefully given and was much appreciated by many. After this, M. Rogers, who led the trebles most pluckily and carefully all

through the vocal part of the concert, showed that he had improved as a soloist considerably during the past year. Pinsuti's song "What shall I sing to thee?" was well suited to his powers; and shaking off his nervousness as he went on, he deservedly won an enthusiastic encore. After Hatton's "Red Red Rose" had been delightfully sung by the choir and unsympathetically received by the audience, E. Peake sang a song by R. Manners Williams, an old Marlburian-who has set to music Byron's words "The kiss, dear maid, thy lip has left." The melody is graceful, the song is essentially "singable," and the accompaniment easy, yet carefully written. It suited the singer well, whose resonant high notes were heard to the best advantage, and who sang with more taste than he has previously shewn. It is a long time since there has been among us a tenor singer of such capabilities, and we hope that he will turn out a worthy successor of the Platers and Humes of bygone days. A delightful part song by Hatton, "The Ballad of the Weaver," followed; at first it seemed a little too hard for the choir, but the second and third verses were really beautiful specimens of part singing. Next some twenty Old Marlburians gave Mendelssohn's "Hunter's Farewell." The voices were better balanced than usual, and considering how little practice is possible, the performance was decidedly good and deservedly encored. Without drawing invidious comparisons between the individual members of a body of singers whom we are so glad to welcome, we may be allowed to ask one questionWhat would the O. M. choruses of late years have been without F. G. Hume?

The second part of the concert opened with Boieldieu's overture to "La Dame Blanche." Good as the orchestra showed itself before, its performance now was even better, especially in its vigour and unity of attack. Indeed, the clear and vivacious music of the French composer seemed more suited to them than the more subtle effects of the greater master. Still more exhilarating was the ensuing performance of a comic part song with solos and chorus, "The mice in council," by Filby. This was sung with great spirit, and fairly brought down the house. Renewed applause next greeted the Rev. F. G. Hume as he came forward to sing-not for the first time at these concerts-Smart's very graceful ballad of the

"Rhine Maiden." With how much feeling and delicacy the song was sung, how warmly it was received, how in answer to the calls of the audience the singer sang once again-but not once too often— the immortal "Tom Bowling," we need not waste words in telling: is it not written in previous Marlburians?

The powers of the choir were next rather severely taxed by Macirone's Sleep of the Flowers': though there was scarcely enough repose about the rendering as a whole, and though the intonation was occasionally faulty, yet in some parts the performance was admirable and worthy of very high praise. As to the next item on the programme, no one who knows Beethoven's Sonata Op. 10., and who also knows the pianoforte playing of Mr. Bambridge, need be told what sprightliness the player threw into the Allegretto, and with what vigour and clearness he brought out the points in the magnificent fugued Finale. As we listened, we half regretted that the composer did not make more frequent use of the grand strict form which he could handle, when he wished, in so masterly a manner. The acclamations of the audience compelled Mr. Bambridge to play as an encore his own variations on "Auld Lang Syne," which were performed with the usual brilliancy. The choir attacked the next piece allotted to them with a confidence inspired by long familiarity: and "The Three Soldier's "-a German Volkslied arranged by W.S.B.-went very well. After this the chorus of Old Marlburians gave Mendelssohn's "Vintage Song" from 'Loreley,' with even greater success than they had achieved in the "Hunter's Farewell." After this charming piece had been repeated in obedience to an encore, the "The War March of the orchestra performed Priests," from Mendelssohn's 'Athalie.' Though the brass seemed to get a little out of tune towards the end, the stirring strains delighted the audience, who would undoubtedly have demanded its repetition if it had stood earlier on the programme. Finally we cannot pass over the performance of the Carmen and the National Anthem without congratulating the conductor on the orchestral accompaniments, which gave a fullness and steadiness which has occasionally been wanting.

It will thus be gathered that, in spite of gloomy forecasts, the Concert of 1877 was not unworthy of the long series of successful entertainments, which

have delighted so many audiences in the Upper School; but we cannot help sometimes feeling a little regret, that such excellent singing, involving so much care and labour on the part of the taught and so much skill and enthusiasm on the part of the teacher, should be thrown away on pieces of so ephemeral a character. There is doubtless a great deal to be said for doing light music and doing it thoroughly well; but a boy who has sung for three or four years at concerts at Uppingham, Sherborne, or Radley, will have gained such a familiarity with a large portion of classical music, as to form a fair foundation for his musical education; and if the average Marlborough singer could attain such a result, he might consent to sacrifice just a little polish and be satisfied with enormously widening and deepening his musical sympathies.

THE SEA-KING'S VISION.

The night her thick veil o'er the ocean had thrown,
And Regnar the Viking was walking alone,
As his fleet off the shore of East Anglia lay,
To fight with the Saxon at dawning of day.
And a marvellous vision, as story has told,
Appeared in the night to king Regnar the bold,
For Odin's pale daughters, controllers of doom
Appeared on the ocean all buried in gloom.
The daughters of Odin, by all men revered,
By the brave are beloved, by the coward are feared,
For 'tis their's to appoint, on the morn of the fray
What blood shall be spilt ere the closing of day.
So Regnar the Viking, the fearless and brave,
Undisturbed heard the summons sound over the wave,
As their weird, phantom voices called loud from the main
On him who that night was to bleed with the slain.
"O Regnar, bold Regnar, the battle is nigh,
The Norseman shall conquer, the Saxon shall fly,
The blood of the foeman shall redden the sea,
But the halls of Valhalla are waiting for thee.
Ere night shall again spread her wing o'er the foam,
The Saxon shall weep for his children and home,
But loudly to-night shall the Norseman complain,
For the best of the Vikings shall rest with the slain.
Rush boldly to battle, and meet thy sure doom,
For every brave chieftain Valhalla hath room,
Though they bury thy bones on the enemy's shore,
Thy soul with the heroes shall feast evermore."

THE season is over, and the Chronicler has to sum

up the football of the year. There have been important changes again in the rules, and very much finer games have resulted compared with those of last season. The alterations in the code were made long before football began, and the two important rules adopted were, 1:-that players behind the scrimmage may pick up the ball as in Rugby Union, and 2-that forwards may never pick up the ball, but this does not exclude their catching it full and passing on. A suggestion that half-backs should stand about five yards from the scrimmage, and drop as often as possible seemed good in theory, but it was found impracticable and abandoned. Rule the first gave back to half-backs their darling avocation, and rule two has resulted in some hard backing-up by the forwards, and dribbling has thereby been improved. The games have been faster, and teams have had to be superior both forward and back to be certain of victory.

Another radical alteration has also been made. The XX is virtually no more, and next season will see a School XV. This change became absolutely necessary, as for purposes of the game, fifteen a-side is a far better number than twenty. The arguments pro and con have been discussed in these columns, and the chronicler congratulates the school on the sensible decision arrived at.

Now for our foreign matches.

In the first place

it may be stated that, owing to the observance of the second rule above mentioned, our opponents, forwards were obviously at a disadvantage as they invariably neglected the art of close dribbling, and kicked the ball straight to our back players. We, on the other hand, could much more easily adapt ourselves, for foreign matches to the Rugby Union rules, as it is indisputable that the more the forwards dribble close, the better. Nothing

disconcerts the half-backs more than a loose squash coming surely closer to him, and the ball never so near that he can safely dash in. The chronicler believes that as time goes on, the present Rugby players will gradually adopt some dribbling rules for forwards, but until that desirable consummation is reached, we shall have the advantage on our side on the score of rules in foreign matches.

There are only four to chronicle.

November 1st saw the Old Marlburians defeated by 5 goals and a try. Yetts placed marvellously on the day.

November 17th, we beat Cirencester Agricultural College by a goal and a try. This was rather hard

on the visitors, as the excellence of their play was not in any instance rewarded by Dame Fortune. A week after, the Nomads came and played in thorough Marlborough weather, viz., quagmire, and although they were decidedly the better team, the elements prevented their scoring.

On December 8th, Clifton visited us, and were beaten by 2 goals and a try. So our out-matches have been altogether successful, as no defeat has to be reported.

House matches have had their customary interest, and Baker's deservedly bore off the Challenge Cup, winning all their ties under the allotted time, and without having even a try scored against them. The placing and dropping competitions were unusually good, Yetts and Jacson excelling in them. House ground matches were very keenly contested, and the winning team is to be congratulated on its organization and consequent success. Big Games have been few in number owing to unfavourable weather, but the VIth were beaten by the School though the victory was four days in the making.

Of serious accidents we have nothing to say: there were none. Vassall proved himself an able Captain in every particular, and we wish him as good a XV next year as his excellent leadership deserves..

XX.-1877-8.

The following characters will be inserted in C. W. Alcock's Annual for this year ;

H. VASSALL (Captain), (13.3).-Combines great weight and strength with a good pace, has consider

able dribbling powers, and is a thoroughly good allround player. As a captain has been most energetic and influential. Captain for 1878.

A. D. BURNETT (12.2).-A powerful heavy forward, invaluable in the scrummage, being ever on the ball and using his weight well. Has left.

R. M. YETTS (11.2).-A strong forward and good collar, follows up well. Can also play back. Perfectly safe place-kick. Winner of Bright Belt for 1877. Has left.

J. J. CAIRNES (10.8).—One of the best half-backs the College has ever possessed. Very fast. Shoves off well, and a sure collar. Should learn to drop.

D. WOMERSLEY (103).-A safe back or threequarter, drops equally well with either foot and is a good collar. A fair place-kick. Has left.

H. E. STANTON (11.10). A strong forward, promises well for future years if he leaves off playing behind, which is spoiling his forward play.

C. R. FOWLER (144).-Somewhat inclined to be sleepy, but when he chooses is the best forward in the team, since he knows how to use his colossal weight to the best advantage.

C. H. HUNT (9-10).—A splendid three-quarter back. Possesses great pace and pluck, a sure collar and drop. Very firm on his legs, even on a wet day. Has left.

W. H. E. WORSHIP (10.8).-A forward endowed with never-flagging energy. Does all his work in the squash, and follows up quickly.

F. W. HODGSON (10-12).-A very promising forward, has improved immensely during the season. Uses his strength, and is a very good dribbler.

B. BAGGALLAY (12).-A fair back. Clumsy at starting, but hard to stop when once off. Possesses marvellous dropping powers, which he does not use as much as he should. A good collar. Has left.

P. HARDY (11.1).-Has been most useful throughout the season as half-back. May always be relied on for steady play. Strong in his arms, but needs a little more pace. Knows how and when to dribble.

E. T. L. WILLIAMS (10.0).-Improved rapidly into an excellent fast forward with plenty of dash. Uses his head well. Has left.

E. PEAKE (10-10).-Unable to play for the greater part of the season. Passes on excellently, drops well with either foot, and has great pace, which he does not use nearly enough.

H. S. PRITCHARD (10·10).-His combined pluck, perseverance, and dash, made him a first-rate forward, but he requires more judgment. Has left.

F. L. WANKLYN (11.0).—When he chooses, a useful forward, with plenty of dash. Has left.

C. S. RASHDALL (10-2).—In time will make a very good forward, is always to the fore.

T. G. BALFOUR (11.1).-Unable to play during the latter part of the season, but had time to give abundant proof of being a good and plucky forward. Has left.

W. G. BUSH (10-11).—A somewhat weak forward, but by his energetic hard work, thoroughly earned a place in the team. Has left.

A. CHANDLER (9-8).—A painstaking forward, with wonderful staying powers. Has left.

HOCKEY, No 1.

Hockey is in full swing again. Seven out of ten houses have already begun-Big games are to commence this week and foreign matches will be arranged, viz., Clifton Club, Surrey Club, Old Marlburians. Players are reminded that hooking sticks is decidedly bad form. The rules are added for the benefit of those who have forgotten them:

THE LAWS OF THE GAME.

1.-The maximum length of the ground shall be 150 yards, and the minimum length shall be 100 yards; 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. 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.

3.-The game shall be commenced and renewed by a Bully in the centre of the ground. Goals 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 hit behind by any one 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 in shall not play it until it has been played by another Player, every Player being then behind the ball.

any one of the same side nearer to the Opponent's

6. When a player hits the ball, who at such moment of hitting is goal-line is out of play, and may not touch the ball himself, nor in any way whatever 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 back-handed play, charging, tripping, collaring, kicking 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 the 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.

A DREAM.

At Marlborough, when the sun was high,
And my poor whistle was quite dry,
I thought, "to wet it I will try,"
And so I went forth rapidly.

But lor! I saw a gruesome sight,
Which put me in an awful fright,
And all my courage, all my might

Thawed on each trembling artery.

For lo! in blinkers fast arrayed,
With two long ears I saw a shade,
Four legg'd, and furiously it brayed

With most hysteric devilry!

Then shook my form with trembling riven ! Then rushed my legs, by panic driven ! Whilst louder than the bolts of heaven

That shade he brayed incessantly!

The Wellingtonian (December 18, 1877), apologizes for the great amount of school news inserted instead of literary matter; the editor was unwilling to allow the news of one term to run on into the next. For the same reason, want of space, the usual editorial is omitted. Several lawn tennis nets have been set up; and a photographic album has been placed in the library. The debating society carried a motion of confidence in the Government by a large majority. Football accounts take up a large space; form matches have been more in vogue than ever before and have penetrated into higher parts of the school. A correspondence is on foot about disuniting the new dormitories. Some spirited gymnasium competitions took place in December.

The Haileyburian (December 1,) is full of football news, including the match between Old Marlburians and old Haileyburians at Cambridge, which The average proved such close struggle. weight of the fifteen was 9st. 13 lbs.

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