THE YEAR. year FEBRUARY 4TH, 1884. WITH the opening of a new year it falls to our lot to review another twelve months of Marlborough History. History we say advisedly, for while of some years it may be said that they have none, 1884 is an exception. To compare it with an unparalleled year of success like 1883 would be unfair. There could be no second extra week or whole holiday. Yet it must be ranked with that and the preceding one as forming a marked epoch in our School buildings. The old chapel, that was to be half destroyed for improvement, was annihilated for the erection of a larger and, we hope, securer edifice. Chapel service in Upper School, the Upper School forms seceding to an iron room, not without a struggle as our readers will remember: these are two prominent distinguishing features of the year 1884. The brilliance of 1883 was not to be expected again; but who could have foreseen the sudden and terrible loss that deprived the world of a noble Prince and the School of a devoted friend, welcomed here one year and mourned the next. This, the most crushing disappointment of 1884, was not the only blow that death dealt among us, and we had to regret the loss PRICE 6d. of many, both among present and old Marlburians. But to turn from these sad events and to review the principal annual events of Marlborough life. The races were successful, as far as weather went. There were no brilliant feats, except the high jump, but the wind blew strong throughout. It was an. nounced that the time of the 120 yards Hurdle race was a record, but stop watches have queer freaks and probably we must look on the time 16 secs. as one of these. We regretted that the Bishop of Salisbury could not hold the confirmation in person. Marlborough cricket last year was unusually unlucky. Our record of only one win speaks against the worth of our XI. But we must remember that the one win was after all the great affair and that it was an exceptionally brilliant victory. It was not nerve or dash that were wanting: rather a slow bowler and a wicket keeper. We hope the precedent of last year will not be followed in this respect. Football was a failure some will say; rather, a disappointment. The captain and several leading members were disabled in nearly all the matches, and the most likely candidates for distinction put out of practice if not hors-de-combat. Let us again remind our readers of the success of our Gymnasium, and we leave the athletic side of last year, with a hope for |