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PEREUNT ET IMPUTANTUR.

1878.

THE motto at the head of this page is as true of the years in the history of a School as in the life of an individual; and it is true in a school, we are persuaded, of games and work alike. At the beginning of another School year, therefore, it is well to glance backwards and estimate, if we can, the progress we have been making, while passing in review before us the most prominent events. Nor should the bare enumeration of them be uninteresting; for while we look with justifiable pride on improvements and successes, we should determine each one of us to do our best and work with a will to prevent failures from occurring again in 1879.

But to come to our record of events Last year we had to chronicle the erection of four new Fives' Courts and a Porter's Lodge: now we have to congratulate ourselves and express our thanks to the Council for a change of which we shall one and all

reap the benefits next term. Under great difficulties and with laudable perseverance, the alterations in the Bathing Place were finished in June: we all felt the luxury last Summer of bathing in clear water: this summer we may hope that the water will be in even better condition, since the concrete will have thoroughly settled down; and our eyes will be delighted by the restored verdure of the banks, which have been returfed and ornamented with shrubs.

In Chapel the series of pictures has been completed-one only being temporarily absent: these with the new Organ and the pulpit, for which we are indebted to the liberality of our late Master, leave little to be desired in the decorations.

Hockey has, we hope, after the experience of another season, taken firm root as one of the school games of the Easter term: and though we cannot expect and should not wish ever to see it occupy so prominent a place as our two great games, yet it provides a very enjoyable way of filling up a gap which has been, and is still, felt at most schools

during this term. With a little more thorough organization, both Hockey and Paper Chases might be made even more useful and available for this purpose.

The Races again as in 1877 were run under great difficulties, this time owing to the weather. The path was in wretched condition-the snow having only thawed the same morning on which the "finals" were run however the high jump, long jump, and some of the short distance races were well up to the mark.

Our luck of last year did not attend us again at Prince's but our representatives beat Charterhouse easily in the first ties; and we have the satisfaction of knowing that it was by Eton, the winners of the Cup, that we were defeated in the second ties.

At Wimbledon the Eight did well at the 200yds. range, but fell off sadly at 500yds., and consequently did not come particularly well to the front in the end.

To pass on to the Cricket season. We cannot boast of a third victory over Rugby, who beat us, we are bound to confess, on their merits. We are by no means inclined to under-rate our Eleven of 1878. There was plenty of energy shewn, especially in working up the fielding of the team; and with a list of four matches won, one drawn, and four lost, and our plucky win against Cheltenham, who were distinctly better than they have been for three years past, we have no reason to be discouraged or ashamed, though we may have hoped for a more satisfactory result to our great match. One noteworthy point in the cricket of the year was that our late captain seemed to have let fall a portion, at any rate, of his mantle on the shoulders of a successor,-we mean in the matter of bowling: we will only express a hope that this may have again been passed on to some-one else, who will astonish us by his performances in the coming season.

Taking the year in order we come next to Prizeday. The Prize-day of 1878 certainly marks an epoch. By fixing it for Monday and the breaking up for the next day, among other advantages, the unseemly bustle at the public luncheon, which was anything but courteous to our visitors, was avoided ; and the day, which might otherwise have seemed some-what long, was enlivened by such varied attractions as an organ recital, a flower show, an entertainment in the evening, in addition, of course, to the usual delights of unlimited Bathing. We have every reason to be satisfied with the list of honours for the year, which if they were not so numerous as in some previous years, were certainly not inferior in calibre: the list contained 7 open scholarships, including one at Trinity College, Cambridge, 4 nominations to Woolwich and 3 to the Indian Civil Service.

The Football season was again a successful one: but no further remarks are needed here-a full review appearing in another column.

A change in the character of the Concert calls for notice, the absence, we mean, of orchestral music. However much opinions may differ-and we know they do differ-as to the advisability of the change from the old plan, there can be, we think, but one opinion as to the success of the Concert of 1878 taken by itself. Those who have had considerable experience of school concerts elsewhere are inclined to think that they should be, and on the whole are, given with greater effect and pleasure to the audience, if they are made to depend as much as possible on school talent. This is the very point after all which gives them their unique character.

FOOTBALL SEASON, 1878.

Our Football Season is once more over and the chronicler takes up his pen to analyse the doings of

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of a School XV instead of our old friend the XX has been accomplished. The last two or three places in the team produced keen competition, and finally two extra men had their caps given them. Our foreign matches have been played according to Rugby Union Rules, and all other games were contested under last season's code, which forbids forwards picking up the ball.

Our foreign matches have been four as usual. The first was the Old Fellows, played on Nov. 1st. J. E. Square brought down a fairly strong team, but the School won by a goal and a try, to a try. The next fixture was against the Cirencester Agricultural College. We scored a victory, after a hardly contested game. Our opponents were handicapped by losing the services of their captain, shortly after the commencement of the match, but they played up pluckily, and towards the end of play were getting dangerous, and more than holding their own. The Nomads now visited us on Nov. 30th, and beat us by a goal and four tries to a goal. The play was very fast, but the old boys proved more than a match for us, in spite of the fine runs of Duncan and Hamilton.

Our last match was against Clifton, and here victory awaited us, though by a try only.

The In-Matches have been carried on as usual, and the VIth are to be congratulated on beating the school. At the end of the third day's play the scores were equal, three goals and a try each, but on the fourth day the VIth completed the last goal necessary and won. House Matches have been successful, and the Captain of the School XV led his House gallantly to victory.

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In conclusion we must call notice to the excellent kicking of Cholmondeley who won the "Bright Belt" for the place-kick, with the capital score of 103 points out of a possible 120.

The following characters will be inserted in Alcock's Annual for the Season, 1878-9.

H. VASSALL (Captain, and cap 1875), 13st 12 lb. -H Vassall has for two years fulfilled his duties as captain admirably. His knowledge of the game combined with great pace and strength, makes his services as a forward invaluable; lately however he has lost a great deal of dash forward, which is due to his frequently playing back. In the latter place his play is most effective; he collars and dribbles exceedingly well and runs in particularly good form. (Has left.)

H. E. STANTON (cap 1877). 11st 911b.-A powerful heavy forward, invaluable in the scrummage, being ever on the ball and using his weight well. A good tackler and safe place kick. Has left.

W. H. E. WORSHIP (cap 1877), 11st lb.-His perseverance and unflagging energy make him the mainstay of his side. Has left.

F. W. HODGSON (cap 1877), 11st 10lb.-An excellent forward, one of the best dribblers in the team. The general style of his play shows great promise for future seasons. Captain for 1879.

P. HARDY (cap 1877), 11st 4lb.-Unable to play the whole season, was very much missed at halfback. Has left.

E. PEAKE (cap 1877), 11st 71b.-On his day a brilliant three-quarters back, is fast and a long drop with either foot, but occasionally makes lamentable mistakes. A good place-kick.

J. W. STANTON (11st 111b).-Deservedly the first promotion of the season. His vigorous play infuses life into the dullest game. Is always on the ball in the scrummage and follows up well. Has left.

M. J. DAVIES (11st 11 lb).-Has an unfortunate tendency to get hurt, but when he does play is a safe back never letting a man pass him and being the longest drop in the team with his left foot and good with his right. His pace would enable him to

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J. H. LAW (10st 5lb).-A three-quarters back. Is fast and dodges very well but cannot last through a hard game. Has left.

G. G. HAWKINS (11st 31b).-A hardworking, useful forward but somewhat clumsy. Has left.

G. H. WINDELER (11st 71b). A quick forward with plenty of dash.

T. S. EWART (10st 4lb).—A plodding half-back, his strength makes up for what he lacks in speed. Is a hard man to pass.

A. BOWDEN SMITH.(10st 71b).—A small but active forward. Is quick on the ball when it comes out of the scrummage and dribbles well. Has left.

F. DUNCAN (9st 21b).-The smallest but most Dodges promising half-back we have ever had. excellently, tackles pluckily, and has been known to drop goals, but should perfect that art by practice.

E. CHARLEY (11st 71b).-When he chooses a good forward with plenty of dash. Has left.

1ST SUB: J. D. HAMILTON (9st 21b). A very good half-back for his size. Makes ground by a 'wriggle of his own. Has left.

2ND SUB: W. M. TRACY (9st 911b).-Has improved rapidly and promises well as a back or halfback. The best drop in the school. A safe tackler with fair pace.

BICYCLING.

WE publish in another column a letter from a correspondent, advocating a Bicycle Race at the coming Athletic sports. Often before this, letters have appeared in the "Marlburian," suggesting a Bicycle Club or a Bicycle Race; they have been read, commented on, approved by some, thought impracticable by others, and there the matter has dropped.

We have no doubt that this will be the fate of our correspondent's appeal, unless he and those who like him take an interest in Bicycling, make a push them

selves. There is not the slightest use in leaving the matter in the hands of those vague persons-the Authorities,-who in this case are, we suppose, the Race Committee; for, as far as we know, there is not a member of that illustrious body who cares two straws about Bicycling. We ourselves see no reason why a Bicycle Club should not be established, or a Bicycle Race instituted, especially as we hear that some members of the Common Room take up the sport but what we would impress upon our correspondent and all those who share his wishes, is, that they must stir themselves, and not be content to leave the matter in the hands of those who will be only too glad to let it drop. They must confer with the Race Committee personally, urging their claims and showing ways and means. Thus and thus only are lovers of Bicycling ever likely to have their wishes realized at Marlborough.

THE GARDEN OF EDEN.

Two broad quict rivers meeting-the intermediate land low and covered with date groves-a muddy bank-on the top of it a mud wall-at one end of the wall a smart building, with an upper storeyat the other end some compartments also of mud with holes knocked in them, by courtesy called a house-half-way along the wall, and built into it, a handsome tree-and rain;-such was the appearance of the garden of Eden and the Tree of Knowledge at sunrise early in January, on the very morning that the lessons for the day were once more telling the story of the Fall of Man.

Here at any rate, at the junction of the Tigris and Euphrates, 270 miles below Bagdad, and 110 from the head of the Persian Gulf, tradition has fixed the site of the Garden. How far historical research supports the tradition, I have no means of judging, but there can be little doubt that this part of the world has undergone in the past, and is undergoing now, important changes. The soil brought down by the Shat-el-Arab, as the combined rivers are

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