On Saturday, 5th, through an unfortunate coincidence of Battalion Drill with the second day of the Cheltenham Match, the patriotism of the Corps was put to a severe test; however, at 1 p.m. fifty-six answered their names, and a start was made punctually, the Company arriving at Bowood shortly before 4. The attendance was good, twelve strong companies being present, and the weather all that could be desired, while Lord Lansdowne's park was a pleasant contrast to the drill ground at Chippenham. Our drill was fair and would have been better, but for the presence of some half-dozen files of rustics tacked on to our left flank, who seemed to have had but little initiation into the mysteries of drilling. Sixty recruits next term would obviate this in future. -A march back to Calne prepared us for dinner, by no means the least important part of the day's proceedings, songs followed and the health of Capt. Harding was most cordially received: we take this opportunity of recording our sincere regret at losing him next term and our thanks to him for the interest he has taken in the Corps during the past 4 years. A quick journey back, enlivened by the more musical members of the Corps, closed a very pleasant day.

On Friday, 12th, we had skirmishing drill in the field, every fellow having 30 rounds of blank ammunition. A considerable portion of the school seemed to enjoy the noise, the commencement of next term will be a grand opportunity for them to become actors instead of mere on-lookers: will they avail themselves of it?

It may interest some to know that our work this term has comprised two Battalion Drills, four Inspections, and six Company drills, the attendance being about the same at each.

SIMULTANEOUS MATCH WITH

GLENALMOND.

This is the first year in which we have shot a match with this College, and owing to the great distance which separates us nothing more than a simultaneous match, which is unsatisfactory under any circumstances, was possible. It resulted in a victory for Marlborough by 19 points, on neither

NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.

MEETING JUNE 19th.-Donations-Cheque for £4 from Mrs. Booth; "The Art of Distillation; 99 Natural History Periodicals and Reports.

N. Masterman, Esq., exhibited a bottle-full of fine green leaches, an assortment of snails collected in the neighbourhood, and read the Ornithological notices.

H. M. Elder read an exhaustive and interesting paper on the "Japanese Mirror," exhibiting specimens thereof, and illustrating with the limelight, and with diagrams on the black board.

The "Japanese Mirror" is a common piece of furniture in a Japanese house, and is considered very sacred, being closely connected with the national religion.

It has been well known in Europe and Asia from the earliest times. Aulus Yellius had seen one; and the "Magician's Mirror" in the middle ages scems to have been Japanese. Ou-tsen-hing a Chinese writer in the 13th century was the first to attempt to explain the curious phenomena exhibited by these Mirrors; i.e.: shewing up in bright lines in the reflected image, on a wall or screen, the raised The real explanation of Ayrton last year. He

pattern on their backs. this was given by Prof. showed that it is caused by a slight difference in level in the bright convex surface of the Mirror, and

that the thicker parts, where the raised pattern on the back is, are less curved, or perhaps even curved in the opposite direction to the rest of the Mirror.

:

This is caused by the process used in polishing, i.e. rubbing the surface with a rounded iron rod, called a megebo in such a manner that, when the pressure is removed, the thin bronze buckles back, but the thicker parts remain flat or even concave.

N. Manders, Esq., read a paper on "The Entomology of Marlborough," which showed much careful and original research, and a thorough knowledge of the great Entomological resources of the neighbourhood: a lively discussion arose afterwards between the President and the Hon. Sec. on

certain points in the paper. The President kindly promised to have repaired a patent self-acting American Moth-trap which he possessed, and to allow anyone to use it. Mr. Manders also exhibited his own valuable collection of Butterflies, comprising most British species.

FIELD-DAY, JUNE 28th.-About twenty of the Society assembled before the Master's gate at one o'clock, and drove to Stype Wood, in the neighbourhood of Bedwyn, a locality excellent for naturalists of all sorts. The weather was surprisingly good: the entomological results were decidedly creditable: especially in the branch of Coleoptera (or beetles). Botany was also largely patronised, and the fruits of the day's work considerable. Ornithology was

unrepresented. By an untoward accident dinner had been omitted to be provided for the expedition, but they contrived to get an excellent scratch lunch of Australian meat, tea, and jam, on a barn-floor, which sloped about 30°; and they then returned to a substantial meat tea in the Hall, kindly provided by the Bursar. The day was in every way most successful, and the scenery driven through lovely. It is to be hoped that next season even more members of the school will be induced to take up in earnest an Occupation which affords so much enjoyment.

MEETING JULY 12th.-The President notified that a prize would be given in future for the best paper in the year, contributed by a member of the Society below the VIth, in order to encourage the younger members to write and read short papers on any subject, not to be compelled to rely so much on the kindness of Masters.

H. Richardson, Esq., gave a lecture to a full house on some of his experiences in the East, and was

listened to with great attention and amusement throughout. There were 75 persons present, including some half-dozen ladies.

Art Society.

On Wednesday, July 16th, the third meeting of this Society was held in the Bradleian, the chief event of the evening being a paper read by W. H. M. D'Urban on the subject of armour. Though but a short paper, it was full of very interesting and instructive matter on the subject of the different periods of armour, their relative merits, and other details; and all was very much improved by sketches of different pieces of armour, the technicalities of which would otherwise have somewhat puzzled a considerable portion of the audience. After the lecturo, Mr. Hume, Mr. Baker, and Mr. Masterman made some further remarks on the subject, those of Mr. Masterman being especially interesting. The only other business of the evening consisted in adjudging the prize offered by H. L. Hooper, O.M. for the best original drawing by a member of the School on any subject from Shakespeare. The best drawing was that of H. Wright, a very carefully executed and well conceived pen and ink sketch of the forest scene in "As You Like it." The winner showed considerable mastery over the difficulties of landscape drawing, and thoroughly deserved the reward.

The meeting was very well attended, as besides a large number of the School, some ladies and a good many members of the Common Room were present.

The Committee have lately received some suggestions as to a new scheme for lectures, illustrating subjects, and other points which they hope to publish in the next Marlburian.

EDITORIAL.

PARTINGS are always sorrowful, and it is with unfeigned regret that the Editor performs his last sad duty to his readers, that of criticising their contributions. It is said that the way to a certain placewhich shall be nameless-is paved with good intentions; so is the way to the Marlburian box, and with very little else. Here and there is some heavy paving-stone, an essay or learned treatise on some abstruse and scientific subject, a rock from the Alps in the shape of a walking tour, a pebble stolen from the Hill of the Muses-these are a few of the stones that pave the great broad way leading to the Editor's box, which few, we are ashamed to say, frequent: if it was not for the good intentions the road would be impassable. Facta non verba says the proverb, which translated is, "write for the Marlburian, don't intend to." We can only tender our hearty thanks to those fellow workmen who have helped to ease the burden from our shoulders; we wish they were more to make it still lighter for our successors.

But the Show-man has forgotten his task; it remains for him briefly to bring before you the subjects submitted to him, briefly to point out the merits and

defects with the show-wand, and then to make his last congé to the audience with the hope that they are not altogether displeased with his performance.

Attention! Gentlemen, the show opens with a farce entitled Capital Punishment, a serious subject treated in a comic vein. Hear the author tell his own tale in his own words, and with his own punctuation and spelling:-"There are several capital punishments. For instance.-Hanging, beheading, and Guilatine-ing etc. etc. No doubt the former is superior in two ways (1) For dispension of time (2) dispension of pain (3) dispension of life. Though as a matter of fact the two latter are the speadiest, but some people seem to like the profession of hanging. Marwood, manager of the Crown Office, Horncastle, Lincoln, would with a little pursuasion show anyone miniature gallows on which he hangs his neighbours cats and Dogs etc. What capital sport!!! Is it possible for a man to enjoy such a life as this, this man is as rich as a Jew, he gets for every man he hangs from £3 to £12 his clothes and (if he has one) his watch and chain. Calcraft was a very respectable man, he was a murderer and had the choice of being hung or made hang's-man, but in these days, we are so much improved that we can get a hangs man, who is by no means a murderer only a

bootmaker. When a hangs man commits his duty he nead not see much unpleasant sight, he only has in the long run to murder the poor fellow by pulling the bolt, and look the other way, so that he nead not see him fall.

I know little about beheading as it was before my time. But the French to this day use the Guilatine, it is a machine for decapitating their heads. In the olden times they used to be much cleverer, they used to try anyone they disliked for being a witch, their plan was to throw the person into a pond, and if they swam they were witches for which they were burnt. And if they did not swim; why then they were drowned. But they used to burn the people. How awful!! For instance. Imagine yourself turning slowly on a meat-Jack in front of a roaring fire, not too hot though or else you would soon burn, though of course it was the more agonizing the smaller the fire. But remember that all the saints we here commemorate were blessed fellows, who did a deal of good, and were shamefully treated."

Next comes.

"A tedious brief scene of a sailor lad,

And his love Emma (?); very tragical mirth." The history is briefly this :-"A youthful merchant in want of tin, ventures on speculation, embarks his merchandise in the Jane, and sails for a tradingstation. Alas for the vanity of human wishes; they reach Chesapeake Bay, the wished-for land is in sight, their hearts' desire is nearly gained, when suddenly a barbarous Barbary schooner sacks them." Horrible fate! the men are immediately sacked, and reposing in those floury receptacles are thrown into the sea, scarcely a bed of roses in spite of the flour! But the hero of course

"Being thin and a handsome man,

Fell in love with a pirate's daughter;
And thus by a matrimonial ban

Escaped from a direful slaughter."

Who can say that the Age of Chivalry is gone? Let the bold advocate of that heretical doctrine study the following noble lament on the fall of the Stuarts, in two editions, with additions and comments by the author. Space forbids our quoting the whole, as we would wish, so following the old proverb in medio tutissimus, we extract some few lines from the middle, which illustrate most clearly the author's lively and picturesque imagination :

A few months back a Royal home, a palace bright and fair, With a Queen and children round him, his happiness to share,

A few days back was charging with the noblest of the land, Thousands to shed their life blood at a motion from his hand.

Observe, in the second line the palace is made masculine and called him, in the third it is endowed with life, and charges with the best of them, in the fourth, a hand is added, the palace waves it, and thousands shed their life blood. Sublime and beautiful picture. Further down there is another piece of careless writing :

"Then rise oh loyal Scotland, and make the Heavens ring With cries of grief and vengeance at the murder of your King;

And o'er the deep blue water, oh joyous land of France, Send forth another Stuart with conquering sword and lance."

Next comes a poem on Classical Authors, evidently by a member of the Modern School, whose eye perverted by German characters, has no appreciation of the classical masterpieces. Some of the lines struck us as being good, but it is very hard to keep this style of poetry forcible and amusing throughout, and the greater part of it was not above mediocrity. By far the best lines were:

Such horrid long hexameters
I'm sure I'd never seen,

For Virgil simply bowled me out,
And Homer stumped me clean.
Demosthenes and Aeschylus

Were simply stupid fools, And in my humble sentiments

Not fit for Public Schools.

How the author ever expected the Editors to publish such heretical doctrines, passes our comprehension. The moral of it all is, as our old friend the Duchess in Alice in Wonderland would have said "What is life without hope? What the Editors would do without it is inconceivable.

Correspondence has poured in ad nauseam, on every subject in heaven, earth, and even under the earth (to wit the drainage of the Court). The latter

being suggested no doubt by (1) the antiquity of the works mentioned; (2) the frequency of the pluvial precipitations. This put into more poetical language would be:

A great while ago the world begun,

With hey, ho, the wind and the rain.

And what more cheerful farewell can we make than :

But that's all one, our play is done,

And we'll strive to please you every day.

Occasional Notes.

WE are glad to see that Colonel Wood (O.M.) has been raised to the rank of Brigadier General, and knighted for his services.

IN the Public School Veterans' match Marlborough was fourth. They were represented by Messrs. Jeston, Philpot, Dove, Matthews, and Goddard.

IN the Inter-University shooting match at Wimbledon, J. Ll. Dove, O.M., made the highest score of the match (83) for Cambridge, and W. S. Goddard was second with 78, while T. G. Balfour and H. S. Philpot, with 76 and 73, were second and third respectively for Oxford.

Owing to the entire absence of anything approaching to summer weather this term, summer hours have not unnaturally been found impracticable.

Throughout examination, as usual, the Field has been thronged between tea and Chapel by the devotees of rounders and prisoner's base.

Various heaps of laurel and yew boughs have been warning us through the past week of the advent of Prize-day, and the accompanying decorations of the Upper School.

We beg to acknowledge with thanks the following -Cheltonian, Meteor, Rossallian, Malvernian, The Blue, Pelican, and others.

Correspondence.

To the Editor of the Marlburian.

DEAR SIR,-I should like to see next term one fault reme died as regards Racquets. During this last term, except one fellow who rightly enough has had two, not another

fellow has had more than one racquet court in the week. Now for this to happen next term would utterly spoil all chance we might have at Prince's in the Easter term. It is impossible for fellows to become anything like efficient at racquets without a great deal more practice than once a week, It is impossible with only one court, as we have got, to have so many fellows playing as there have been this last term, and therefore the sooner an alteration is made the better. I remain, yours truly,

To the Editor of the Marlburian.

O.M.

SIR,-I wish through the medium of your powerful paper to call the attention of the School to their caps. In the first place, black caps are worn by almost everyone, and give a most sombre effect. Surely nearly the whole school are not in mourning. Black caps used only to be worn by fellows in mourning, and were the exception, not the rule. I know it is objected that red caps spoil with a little rain, but I think this is rather a vulgar error, and at any rate they might be worn in summer. Secondly, why do some fellows apparently get one cap every two years? It cannot be the expense, which has been lately lowered. The awful caps some fellows wear! The button off, the ribbon all frayed, and, if red ones, with hardly a vestige of colour in the ribbon. Do let us have a few more red caps, and certain fellows, do get new caps! Yours truly,

GEORGIA. [We quite agree with our correspondent; and remind him that the charge has been reduced from 2s. 6d. to 2s.-ED. M.]

MUSEUM OF CLASSICAL ART.

To the Editor of the Marlburian.

SIR, It will be in the recollection of your readers that about a month ago, I suggested the formation of a Museum of Classical Art in a letter to the Marlburian. Since writing it I have received two casts from London, of the kind to which I alluded. These it is my intention to present to the Museum, and as they are now in my room, I should like those who are interested in the matter to see them, that if they subscribe they may know for what they are subscribing. The question now is, what to get and how to get it.

(1) I have made a list of the statues which I thought we should aim at getting first, either in the form of casts or photographs, and shall be happy to submit the list to anyone who wishes to see it. I do not publish it here because I do not wish to limit the field, nor do I know whether the statues on my list are always to be obtained. In my last letter I mentioned some, which I knew could be obtained at definite prices.

(2) There are two ways in which the Museum can be formed; by presents and by money subscriptions. Presents