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In Memoriam.

H.R.H. THE DUKE OF ALBANY. DIED MARCH 28TH, 1884.

APRIL 7TH, 1884.

Ir is but fitting that the present number of the Marlburian should testify to the sincere and heartfelt regret on the part of the School which has been inspired by the lamented death of His Royal Highness the Duke of Albany. It is natural that the general sorrow which has been universally expressed throughout the length and breadth of the country should have been echoed in the School, with which his Royal Highness had so lately formed a connection. The kindness which the Prince displayed on the occasion of his recent visit to the College at the end of last year's Midsummer term will be fresh in the minds of all present Marlburians; and they will not fail to recollect the enthusiastic reception with which he was welcomed by all alike.

At the time of his visit the Duke of Albany manifested the deep interest which he had begun to take in all that affected the prosperity and welfare of the School; and he consented to become a member of the Council of the College. In that

PRICE 6d.

capacity he showed the signs of the real interest which he felt by his attendance at one of the Council meetings that intervened between the time of his visit to the College and his lamented death. His connection with Marlborough had been formed but a short time ago, and there had not yet been much opportunity for him to display on our behalf the varied gifts and talents which had justly earned for him his prominent position in the affections of the whole country; but nevertheless sufficient time had already elapsed to show how heartfelt was his sympathy with everything connected with the School; and to make us feel the magnitude of the loss, which Marlborough, no less than the rest of the country, has sustained in his untimely death. All of our readers will be glad to hear one of the wreaths, which were laid upon his coffin, was sent up to Windsor "As a token of the respectful and affectionate regret of the Masters and boys of Marlborough College." Bishop Tufnell in the course of his address last Wednesday, during the confirmation which was held in the College Chapel, paid a warm tribute to the many virtues of the deceased prince, and delivered a mournful eulogium on his widespread sympathies and generous character.

THE ATHLETIC SPORTS, 1884.

WE were not fortunate enough to gain the first requisite for a successful race-week, warm weather. Monday looked promising, but was followed by a degeneracy; the traditional east winds set in with Marlburian severity, and made onlookers feel that loitering about the field for some two hours each day was anything but a pleasure. However, there was nothing abnormal; the snow which some prophets of evil anticipated kept very kindly away. Otherwise the Races were on the whole successful; the entries in the chief events were not too numerous, owing to the fact that the two best athletes of last year were still in the School and scared off more modest competitors. The contest for the champion cup lay, as every one knew, between Padwick and Keeling, who had so close a struggle for it last year. But few expected that the former would gain a victory as easy as it turned out. Padwick, as a matter of fact, gained 45 marks to his opponent's 36; last year it will be remembered the numbers were respectively 43 and 40. Not many of the times were remarkable, with the exception of the 200 yards, 19 sec., and the Three-Quarter Mile Under 15, the time of which, 3 min. 55 sec, was distinctly above the average. The best performance was the High Jump, in which Padwick cleared 5 ft. 4 in., this being the best on record here. The distance of Throwing the Hammer was also a good deal above the usual average. the other hand the time of the Mile, 5 min. 20 sec., was poor, all the more so because the course had been improved by the removal of some of the ancient angles; however, the wind and the grass-course must naturally be taken into consideration.

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The energy of the Race Committee had suggested various alterations in this year's programme. Old Marlburian Race, which had never been a success since its foundation, was dropped; the Three-Legged Race also disappeared; and in their place the Dribbling Race and the Tug of War were substituted, the latter of which at all events seems likely to be permanently popular; it produced a great deal of interest, although there did not appear to have been very much practice beforehand. The only other alteration we have to notice is the change of scene for the Fast Bicycle Race; this was run for the first time round the Eleven.

TRIAL HEATS.

Although the entries were even less numerous this time than in former years, in one respect there was a marked improvement; nearly everyone who had put down his name ran, so that there were very fair fields for many of the events. No heats were required for the 100 Yards and 200 Yards Flat, the hurdle races of 120 Yards and 200 Yards, and the School Quarter-Mile; however, to compensate for these, there were the numerous heats of the Dribbling Race, and the first three ties of the Tug of War between Houses.

The first day of the Trial Heats was Monday, March 24th, when the weather was as much as could be expected; a warm sun, a slight wind, and the ground in very good order.

The first event on the card was the FLAT RACE OF ONE MILE, which was perhaps hardly so interesting to watch as usual, the runners not exerting themselves excessively, as is indicated by the times. In the first heat, after a false start, H. T. Keeling led the way at a fierce pace until the end of the first lap, when he retired. The pace then became very slow, C. S. Preston taking the lead, which he retained to the end; C. P. Radley second, H. Woolner a leisurely third. Time, 5 min. 32 sec.

In the second heat F. G. Padwick led for a considerable time, the others keeping together well in the rear, until the end of the third lap, when F. E. Bull drew to the front and Padwick gave up. Bull had a good spurt and came in an easy first, E. K. Chambers and J. J. Guest being second and third respectively. The time was 5 min. 34 sec., though to the spectators the race certainly seemed faster than the preceding heat.

The next event was the THREE-QUARTER MILE, UNDER 15, which produced some good racing, nine or ten starting in each of the three heats. In the first, E. C. Pern led all the way, running very well and pluckily, and finished in the creditable time of 4 min. 11 secs. There was a fair race for second place between W. Yeames and R. G. Alexander, who reached the post in the order named.

In the second heat A. Benwell led for the first round but was unable to last; the others kept pretty well together, and the race was a close one, R. E. H. Maxse coming in first, B. W. Stone second, and C. G. Spencer third. Time, 4 min. 23 secs.

The third heat resulted in an easy victory for G. E. Streatfeild, who ran very creditably. H. A. Harington just beat H. M. Giveen for second place. Time, 4 min. 14 secs.

Then came the SLOW BICYCLE RACE of 100 yards, in the first heat of which W. H. Voss was easily last, E. B. Sheppard last but one. In the second, F. G. Padwick brought up the rear, a considerable interval separating him from F. J. Boulton; J. Alexandroff, however, might have proved a formidable rival, had he not been unlucky at the start. The respective times were 2 min. 10 secs., and 2 min. 33 secs.

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FLAT RACE OF 150 YARDS, UNDER 13. Both heats produced a number of competitors and some close racing. The first was won by D. H. Gwyther, E. C. Pern and C. G. Stansfeld being second and third; the time given (23 secs.) was, we fear, more than dubious. In the second heat L. G. A. Collins was first, A. E. Bennett second, and A. S. Cooper third; the stop-watch had by this time been again brought into working order, and indicated 20 secs.

The last event of the day was the DRIBBLING RACE, the object of which was to dribble a football for a distance of about a hundred yards through gaps in successive rows of hurdles and to strike a post at the far end. The competitors, of whom there were a large number, raced in pairs and not in heats of three as was originally intended. The uncertainty of hitting the post was provocative of some amusement; the fickleness of fortune was especially experienced by one dribbler, all of whose efforts to strike the mark proved futile, although he had easily distanced his rival. The results of the various heats were as follows:-S. B. Prest beat A. S. Preston, H. S. Preston beat D. E. Martin, A. H. D. Purcell beat H. F. Hayhurst, G. E. Cooper beat F. E. Bull, J. M. Harvey beat A. M. White, R. H. J. de Montmorency beat G. S. Curtis, A. B. W. Willson beat H. T. Keeling, J. P. Cheales beat H. J. Cooper, R. H. Isacke beat F. G. Padwick.

TUESDAY, MARCH 20TH.

The day was a good deal colder than the preceding Monday, and the east wind, which put in its appearance according to custom, made it unpleasant work for the spectators.

The first event in the programme was the HURDLE RACE OF TWO HUNDRED YARDS, UNDER 16. The race

was arranged in four heats on the card, but the large number of absentees reduced this number to three. The first heat ended in an easy victory for H. M. Cairnes, who was some yards before E. P. Kaye. Time, 29 secs. The rest of those who started did not reach the winning post. The second heat followed after a dispiriting pause. T. C. Bett was first, S. A. P. Kitcat second, out of a field of five. The time was not remarkably good, 31 secs.-C. P. Radley in the third heat came in winner by a yard or two; R. O. B. Lane gained the second place after a close struggle. Time, 291 secs.

The HALF-MILE followed in two heats. Neither gave any very great excitement to the onlookers, as in both cases out of those who started only three persisted to the end. In the first heat H. T. Keeling started off at a great pace, but gave up after the first lap or so. F. E. Bull and H. B. Winterbotham had a close race at the finish, the former coming in first by about two yards; J. J. Guest, who was third, trotted in placidly some 50 yards to the rear. The time was good, 2 min. 17 secs.-The second heat was a repetition of the first in most respects. F. G. Padwick took Keeling's part in making the running; of the four others who started, H. Woolner and E. K. Chambers gave up, and H. C. Bett and C. S. Preston were left to race for first place, the former winning by some yards. Time, 2 min. 16 secs.

Three heats of the 200 YARDS UNDER 15 followed. There were plenty of competitors, and all the races were close, the winner being never more than a yard away from second and third. The first heat was won by G. S. Rivington, who was closely followed by L. H. Savile and P. T. Monckton. The time was 26 secs. The second heat was perhaps the closest race of the three. It appeared as if a dead heat would have resulted from it. However, L. G. A. Collins managed just to draw away from A. E. Krüger, who was second; A. S. Cooper third. Time 27 secs. -Those who got places in the third heat were H. M. Bucknall, D. H. Gwyther, and H. M. Drake, all of whom were close upon each other.

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At this point we regret to say that the internal mechanism of the stop-watch went astray, and in consequence most of the times during the rest of the day are somewhat untrustworthy. We are unable to adequately express our admiration of the way in which the time-keeper met the crisis by a judicious use of his inventive faculties.

The FLAT RACE OF 200 YARDS UNDER 15 was the next event. The first heat was won by G. A. Mead, who ran in very good form, and was far ahead of the rest of the field. M. C. Bolton was second, G. E. Streatfeild third.-The next two heats were compressed into one, and a large field was the result. H. D. Houseman was the winner, B. W. Stone and C. E. Harrison being second and third. In both cases the times were given as 24 secs.

These somewhat monotonous events were followed by the excitement of the Half-Mile Handicap, in which the entries were fully as numerous as usual. The large field, together with the eccentric running of some competitors, and the vigorous spurting of the scratch men, made the race as amusing as usual; and we noticed that the racers as they passed the pavilion were freely exhorted by names not to be found in the blue book. In the first heat the seven who came in were E. F. Benson (70 yards), H. E. Coles (130 yards), H. M. Giveen (90 yards), R. H. Isacke (80 yards), P. C. Phillips (150 yards), A. E. Rogers (65 yards), and W. Yeames (90 yards). -The second heat was also a good race; C. T. Sidgwick, with 120 yards start, in the end was easily the winner. He was followed by F. H. Bishop (105 yards), W. F. Brown (60 yards), J. E. Dixon (130 yards), A. B. Jackson (125 yards), A. C. S. Olivier (60 yards), and G. E. Streatfeild (80 yards). The third was won by C. E. Cooper (90 yards), the other six being H. L. Bell (110 yards), J. M. Elles (60 yards), E. P. Kaye (50 yards), H. E. Pennethorne (125 yards), E. C. Pern (115 yards), E. Eardley-Wilmot (70 yards).

The TUG OF WAR came next. This was a new event, and aroused much interest. Eight members from each House competed. Only the first ties were pulled off on this day, the remainder being decided on Wednesday and Thursday. Not much science was shown throughout, some of the sides having the vaguest notions of the best way to pull. Leaf's (Mitre) beat Baker's (Fleur de Lys) without much trouble. Cotton House had a hard fight with Way's (Crescent), who appeared to have the best of the weight, but pulled without steadiness, and were beaten in the end. Gould's (Star) pulled Horner's (Cross Arrows) over the line without the least exertion; and Littlefield won the last pull after a good struggle with Preshute, who pulled manfully against superior force.

THE FAST BICYCLE RACE OF ONE MILE was the last event, run for the first time round the Eleven, to the great convenience of spectators, although the grass course made matters worse for the bicyclists; this and the strong wind made the times remarkably slow. There were three heats; in the first five started, S. G. Blasson coming in winner some twenty yards away from W. H. Voss. Time, 4 min. 35 secs. The second heat was won by F. Lazenby, who appeared to have got a very good machine, F. N. Ellis being second. Time, 4 min. 5 secs. F. G. Padwick in the third heat rode strongly

throughout and easily beat W. L. Beynon, who was some distance from F. Meyrick Jones. Time 3 min. 59 secs. The handicapping was perhaps a little too heavy.

Wednesday, March 26th.-In order to shorten the programme on the two preceding days, and also in consideration of the very onerous nature of the Tug of War, the second ties of that and of the Dribbling Race were postponed to Wednesday. In the former Littlefield drew Cotton House, and as the teams were very evenly matched, the result hung in the balance for about two minutes; at last superior powers of endurance gained the day, and amid great enthusiasm, which not even the biting wind could check, Littlefield began to draw their opponents over, at first very slowly, and then with a rush. The struggle between Leaf's and Ford's was a repetition of that between Gould's and Horner's on the previous day, Ford's being dragged over the line almost immediately.

The second ties of the Dribbling Race were then run off with the following result:- S. B. Prest beat H. S. Preston, A. B. W. Willson beat A. H. D. Purcell, J. M. Harvey beat G. E. Cooper, R. H. Isacke beat R. H. J. de Montmorency, J. P. Cheales the bye.

The same two events were advanced a further stage on Thursday afternoon, March 27th, when in the Dribbling Race S. B. Prest easily beat A. B. W. Willson, and J. P. Cheales R. H. Isacke, J. M. Harvey drawing the bye. An exciting Tug was expected between Littlefield and Gould's, who had drawn the bye in the previous ties, but such expecta tions were falsified by the ignominious defeat of the latter house in about half-a-minute. The victors were undoubtedly the superior team, but their opponents' strength was not so well disposed as it

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might have been, and they seemed to be on the less favourable side of the rope.

FINAL HEATS.

FIRST DAY, MARCH 28th-The first day of the final heats was fine but cold. Naturally therefore such events as Putting the Weight were rather chilly, but the brilliant success achieved in the High Jump greatly inspirited the spectators. To plunge in medias res.

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The first event was the 200 YARDS HURDLES, for which no trial heats had been required. Four started, and F. G. Padwick led, followed at a safe distance by H. T. Keeling. When the tape was reached Padwick won by a yard or so; Keeling a good second and G. J. Young not far behind. Time, 251 The UNDER 16 HURDLES were next run on the Five or six ran. H. M. Cairnes led easily, followed by C. P. Radley and E. P. Kaye, the others guarding the rear. Cairnes kept his lead, taking his hurdles well, and Radley seemed about to gain the second prize, when some baneful deity tripped him and he fell to earth; before he could recover himself, Kaye secured the second place.

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The time, 28 secs., does not challenge comparison with Padwick's, and was not so good as usual.

Then the WEIGHT was put; only 5 competed, which was as well perhaps, as the east wind made the event trying to watch. Padwick won it last year and this year also. The distance was not remarkable, and after the winner Woolner alone could beat 28ft. and that by an extra "put." Distance 29ft. 9in.

Before the distance was announced, the school adjourned to the XI to see the 100 YARDS, an event watched with keen excitement. The race was run from the Sun lane end, and when the pistol was fired H. J. Davis got off first, with Keeling and Padwick just a little behind. The two last drew up and within 10 yards of the goal, Davis looking back lost a good lead and Padwick breasted the tape a few inches before Keeling, thus reversing last year's result. Time, 10 sec.

When the paraphernalia of this course were cleared away and the Eleven was free for the THROWING OF THE CRICKET BALL, or rather before this was quite completed, G. K. Papillon threw the farthest throw,

which by good luck and nothing more was measured. None of those who followed attained to this, T. R. Sale being the next best, and H. M. Barnes easily last. Papillon's other throws, though far better than those of the others, were not better than his first, and he was left victor with a throw of 92 yards; Sale being second with 85 yards and a fraction.

THE SCHOOL QUARTER-MILE came as a grateful relief. Keeling and Padwick led off past the Pavilion, but it soon became Keeling's race, and he walked away from the rest until the end, when H. J. Davis drew up a little closer, but there was a good ten yards between him and Keeling at the finish. C. L. Nicholson was a bad third. The time, considering the wind, was fairly creditable. Time, 57 secs. THREE-QUARTER MILE UNDER 15 followed immediately. E. C. Pern and G. E. Streatfeild were the favourites and won. Many others started. R. E. Maxse took a prominent place at first, and C. G. Spencer courted a safe rear throughout, but eventually Pern and Streatfeild were the only two in it. The latter led pretty well as he liked, thanks partly to his size. Pern, running as before very pluckily, could not pass him and so had to be content with a second place. Time, 3 min. 55 secs.

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THE HIGH JUMP was the feature of the day. one touched Padwick, but only one failed at 4 ft. 6 in. The others gradually dropped off, and at 4 ft. 11 in. G. J. Young, who jumped very neatly, also broke down. Padwick, amid applause, cleared 5 ft. 4 in., the best jump (we are told) ever made here, and the one signal success of the programme. Height, 5 ft. 4 in.

The next event was the 150 YARDS UNDER 13, in which a very close race between A. E. Bennett and L. G. A. Collins, was given in the former's favour. Time, 21 secs.

The spectators returned to the Eleven to witness the HALF MILE.-H. B. Winterbotham led off and the others trailed after him, J. J. Guest being hindmost throughout. At the finish, after a neck and neck race, F. E. Bull drew away from C. S. Preston, and after a keen race between the latter and Winterbotham, Bull won in splendid form and Preston took the second place, a foot ahead of Winterbotham. Time, 2 min. 17 sec.

There was a temporary hitch in the College Servants' race, so the bicyclists had their turn first.

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