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hardly to have made up their minds whether to laugh or cry or yawn. Perhaps, if it had been curtailed by excision, greater success would have attended a story which is in itself a fine piece of writing. The Choir had chosen the "Border Raid for their next piece, and thereby challenged comparison-for it will be remembered that the same chorus found a place in the last school concert. On that occasion the presence of a larger body of voice, and of string accompaniment, naturally gave the singers an advantage; but the rendering on the present occasion fell little, if at all, short of the former. When the Choir had "warmed to their work," and especially in their well-merited encore, they sang with much spirit, and the chorus, "Merry's the life of the Border Knight," went with a swing that was extremely catching. Webber and Tiarks in their Violin Duett gave their audience a treat; they both played with considerable taste and showed that they had already gained a good command over their instruments. Keeling, who appeared for the first time as a singer, was received with vociferous applause; and his singing fully justified the expectations of it which had evidently been formed by his audience. The "buzz" of his bumble-bee was most life-like, though, perhaps, it suited less the spiteful "fair ladye."

Next followed the scene from the " Rivals; Harvey showed to most advantage in this; his "Bob Acres " was capital, and he fully entered into the humour of that lively young gentleman. The by-play, however, was slightly overdone.

Preston,

as the lugubrious Faulkland, was the next best; his lover's sighs were lifelike, and his sentiments were adequately depressing. Sale looked and acted the part of the confidential valet; but his utterances were somewhat lost from not being directed towards the audience. The Absolutes, father and son, did not, in our opinion, quarrel with enough spirit. A little more paternal bluster, a little more fi ial disrespect, would have made the scene go better.

The entertainment concluded with a selection from the "Nursery Rhyme" Quadrilles which were popular some little time ago, but have since been undeservedly put aside. They were much enjoyed by the audience and would have been still more SO had they come earlier in the programme.

On the whole we may congratulate the performers, both individually and as a body, on the success of

the evening, the preparation for which must have cost them much time and pains.

We append the programme:—

1. Piano Duett

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A. Webber, H. M. Fletcher. 2. Chorus. ...."No tocaran Campanas W. Boldero, F. A. Aglen, T. G. Gilling-Lax, E. C. Dobie, H. M. Fletcher, H. G. P. Boyson, H. W. Yeates, A. E. Glennie, H. B. Young, S. B. Prest, W. J. Rowell, W. A. Eaton, M. A. Ainslie, R. G. Alexander, C. H. Watson, A. C. S. Olivier, E. H. Hickman, W. F. Cholmeley, T. G. Buchanan, J. M. Elles, P. Horton-Smith, S. H. Clark, J. E. Alston, J. M. Harvey, F. A. Ferguson-Davie, R. N. Dundas, H. Woolner, S. J. Mavrogordato, D. E. Martin.

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As usual, we were favoured with a fine day for our return match at Wellington. A much larger Marlborough contingent than usual mustered there during the day, including Buckland, Crookenden, Kingsbury, Robinson, and Mr. Lloyd. A preliminary knock-up did not inspire confidence in the future. At 12.45 the Common Room played, being represented, as in the last match at Marlborough, by Messrs. Leaf and Ford, and Messrs. Bull and Brougham respectively. Ours won four games to two by nine points in the six games, the score being— Marlborough:-15 10 15 10 15 14

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Wellington :- 11 15 11 15 7 14 Then, after a hospitable luncheon, the boys set to at about 2 o'clock. In taking notes we marked each point gained by each of our players by service, and every stroke of each which resulted either in an ace or in putting out the other side's hand. We call the latter "other strokes" in what follows.

Game 1.-At first things went badly. Our play was far too lofty, and the Wellington boys, especially Cairns, were hitting hard and low. Purcell was the first to descend, but not getting the range was now too low as he had been before too high. He made 2 by service and 8 other strokes; Meyrick Jones 3 by service and 3 other strokes. We were beaten at 7.

Game 2.-Purcell at once set to work with an excellent service, which quite mastered the Wellington players, who only scored 3 altogether. By service he got no less than 9, to which Meyrick Jones added 1. By other strokes the latter achieved 6 to Purcell's 3.

Game 3.-Purcell's score was precisely the same as in the previous game, i.e., 9 by service plus 3 other strokes. Meyrick Jones got 2 by service plus 7. The Wellington boys could only make 7.

Game 4.-Purcell only got 6 by service, but was now playing with great confidence and coolness in the rallies, in which he made 9 strokes, Meyrick Jones helping with 2 by service and 6 other strokes.

Game 5.-The Wellingtonians worked harder and with more success, making the score 9 all, and reaching 11 before they succumbed. Purcell's service fell off a bit, and he and his partner scored exactly the same totals, viz., 4 each by service, and 8 each otherwise. The scores were

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It will be seen from the above that Purcell got 30 points, i.e., two whole games and nearly half the total of aces by service alone, while of "other strokes" he scored 31 to his partner's 30, the latter making 12 by service. But Meyrick Jones did not serve badly. If he did not give his opponents many very hard ones he gave a good many which they had to bustle about to take, and he played with unPurcell flagging energy all through the match. also made six more misses than he did, hammering the line at one time in an alarming fashion. But after the first game his play was quite up to his best form, and apart from his service, which speaks for itself, far more killing than in the match at Marlborough. The Wellington players were more level than here, Cairns being better at first than afterwards, and Williamson surpassing his efforts in our court. A stroll through the beautiful grounds of the College, where cricket, we may observe, was

in full swing, occupied the hour before our train. Any fears we might have felt lest our representatives might be suffering from exhaustion were dispelled before we reached Swindon, and they arrived in time to exhibit themselves with all their blushing honours thick upon them, at the Penny Reading.

Marlborough has now won seven, and the Marlborough Common Room six out of the eight matches which have been played.

If we do nothing more this year it will still be a creditable one. As to our prospects in London, we are not likely to win. But if our players attend to their service and are at their best, they will make a fair show and possibly do something more. With everything to win and nothing to lose in the way of prestige, they are not likely to be nervous, and will probably, win or lose, enjoy their games as much as they did the Wellington matches.

Martyn and Meyrick Jones have agreed to play one match here, another in London, and to play off the rubber there if each wins one, in order to settle who shall play with Purcell at Prince's. As outsiders may not know why Meyrick Jones, after playing against Wellington, does not represent the School without further contest, it may be as well to state exactly how matters stand. At the end of last term they played a match to settle who should play against Buckland's pair, and Martyn won. This term it had been intended that they should play a rubber of three before the Wellington match to settle who should represent the School for good; but Martyn fell ill, and as time pressed they played one match to settle who should play against Wellington- and only against Wellington. time Meyrick Jones won. Whether Martyn had quite recovered his strength is not quite certain. Both he and Meyrick Jones were left in the ties The latter against Purcell for the School Racquet.

This

beat Meyrick Jones 3 games to 1 in a match of 5, Meyrick Jones winning the first game. He then had to play Martyn, and beat him 4 games to 3 by 11 points in seven games, the points being exactly level in the first six, viz., 88 all. The scores were:Purcell :- 15 15 13 13 13 10 15.

Martyn: 9 12 13 13 13 15 4.

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Each of course has a right to challenge the other for the second place, and each is honourably anxious

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PROMOTED INTO SCHOOL HOCKEY XI.

F. Lazenby.

H. A. F. Davie.

E. M. Harvey.

The Rifle Corps.

MARTINSELL MANEUVRES.

On Friday, the 21st March, the Rifle Corps had another field day, and being favoured with beautiful weather, they and the numerous spectators of the manœuvres spent a most enjoyable afternoon at Martinsell.

The general idea, on which the operations of the day were based, was somewhat as follows. A Western Force holding Bath sends out a flying column to march up the Pewsey Vale (the railway being destroyed), and to seize and destroy the Savernake station, thus breaking the communication by rail between Swindon and Andover, which places are held by strong detachments of an Eastern Force with head quarters at Reading. In pursuance

of this object the advanced guard of the Western Force leaves Devizes on the morning of the 21st., and by 3 p.m. are at Wootton Rivers, while a flanking party are marching along the downs on their left or northern flank and have occupied the top of Martinsell. The Commander of the Eastern Force being fully informed of all their movements determines to await their front attack near Burbage, and to attack them in flank with a party sent out from Marlborough by the road passing to the east of Martinsell, and so down to Wootton Rivers. The collision of the advanced guard of this party, and the detached party of the western army holding the summit of Martinsell, was the basis of Friday's operations. The special idea for the Western Force was to hold their ground, and to protect the flank of their friends in the valley by preventing the enemy getting possession of the Wootton Rivers road. The special idea for the Eastern force was to drive back the Western party from the road, towards Hewish Hill, so as to leave the Wootton Rivers road clear for the flank attack.

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Two smart companies of about 20 file each besides officers and band turned out, and after early dinner in Hall were soon emerging along the Pewsey Road arrived at Teval's Farm a halt called, and ammunition distributed and then the Western force under the command of Capt. Rundall, with Lieut. Manton and Sergt. Instructor Forman, marched off to take up their position. Some 20 minutes grace was allowed them to make their dispositions and then the attackers or Eastern force' who were considerably more numerous, and who were under the orders of Capt. Preston and Lieut. De Chair assisted by Capt. Bourdillon (O.M.), followed in search of them-preceeded by an advance guard and with all precautions. On reaching Clench Common half the force was extended, and advanced cautiously through the furze, the remainder following in support: nothing was seen of the enemy till the attacking line was within 800 yards of his position, when it was observed that he was strongly posted within the old British entrenchments with his right protected by a wood. A brief reconnaissance of his position showed that it was unassailable in front as the ground slipped gently down for 400 yards without a particle of cover: accordingly, while Captain Preston determined to make a feint in front, and to endeavour, if possible, to work round to the enemy's right, where the proximity of a wood to his line of defence offered a good chance of a rush, Lieut. DeChair was sent round to the enemy's left with orders to attack him on his vulnerable flank, and roll him up towards Captain Preston's party.

The defence, however, gauged correctly the motive of the first feint attack, and, neglecting it, turned the greater part of their fire on Lieut. DeChair's party, who suffered heavily, while somewhat incautiously crossing a ploughed field, and were finally brought to a standstill behind a hedge and bank. Meanwhile Captain Preston's party fighting their way through the fir wood, and advancing by rushes of alternate sections, had driven back the enemy, who were here much outnumbered, and indeed Sergt. Bull and a few daring spirits had worked round to their rear-expelled from the wood, they lined the old earthwork behind it, from which nothing but the bayonet could have turned them.

By this time, however, most of the ammunition was exhausted, and the order to "Cease fire"

became a necessity. The battle was virtually drawn. On their right the western force were driven back, and were pushed away from the road, but on their left they were securely posted, and had inflicted heavy loss on the attacking force, who could hardly have held their position had the enemy come down the hill with the bayonet. The drill was much better than on the previous Field Days, the sections were better led, and the men better in hand; while the number of combatants in the field was much larger all these points are most encouraging to the many friends of the corps, and if equal energy is displayed next term, which we hope there is no reason to doubt, the M.C.R.V.C. may look forward with confidence to & successful summer, to the plaudits of inspecting officers at Bowood, and Swindon, and, may we not add, to the Ashburton Shield in the Adderley Library once more.

:

The Bayonet Exercise Competition was held on Friday, April the 4th, at 12.30 in Court. The four squads had been drilled with the greatest care and regularity by their Commanders, Capt. Preston, Lieuts. DeChair and Manton, and Col.-Sergt. Bull; and the effect of their work was seen in a most creditable display. The Squads were formed in column facing C House; and successively went through the Bayonet Exercise (1) by word of command, (2) in quick time without word of command, (3) with alternate files about. To spectators it seemed a very hard matter to decide, but the general opinion agreed with the verdict of Capt. Coddington, 3rd Battalion Wiltshire Regt., who kindly undertook the difficult post of judge. All the squads were distinctly good; but the prize was won for Sergt. Bull by the greater vigour and directness of his men in making the points. The three flank men on the right were particularly good; veritably they seemed inflamed with the spirit of the exasperated infantry at El Teb and Tamasi; and more than one spectator congratulated himself that he was not lying helpless at the feet of Sergts. Thynne and Stiffe, Lance-Corps. Hussey and Jones, and Privts. Lane and Clarke. Lieut. Manton's squad was second. By Capt. Coddington's request the squads wheeled into line, and went through the Review Exercise together in a very correct and effective manner. Owing to some hitch, we are afraid the winners will have to wait till next term for the reward of their exertions.

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