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road and order your cavalry scouts to crown the Hackpen range."

So ran the cipher despatch from Head-quarters to the brigadier commanding the weak advanced guard of the Eastern Army. A strong out-post-all that could be spared-was at once marched along the western road to the point where it is met by the track from the Devil's Den; the cavalry galloped out to form line of vedettes on the distant ridge, facing west; and the general thought that at any rate he could hold his own for another 24 hours; but cujusvis hominis &c. The C.O. had forgotten his A rules learnt long ago at Marlborough, and quite neglected the chance that his enemy might be enterprising enough to detach a flying column to attack him anywhere but full in front! The Kriegspiel and other German stuff hadn't come in when he was a sub., praise the pigs! "Let 'em come along the straight road and my guns 'll give it 'em straight in the face." Dixerat. But his breakfast that Saturday morning was spoilt by the informal entry of an excited aidede-camp.

"A young farmer, Sir, has just come in with news that a force, to all appearance very strong, is full on the march from the north-west, along the Wootton Bassett road." It was a false report, but well answered the purpose of its contriver. Ham and eggs lost all interest for the gallant brigadier. The instant telegram to Hd.-qrs. only got for answer that no help could arrive till evening. So he had no resource but to further weaken his attenuated brigade in the town, and send out every available boy as far as Rockley to check this move of his inconsiderate adversary. It was just what the latter shrewd soldier had reckoned on. He waited till, from his exact and scientific calculations, he gathered that the column would be well beyond Rockley. Then unhesitatingly he made a dash for Marlborough with his proper advance guard. But mark again the unkindness of science. "Everybody knows if he makes any advance on that line, it will be by the Bath road," said again our straightforward brigadier. That's where the error came in. The western general headed straight across the Downs from Avebury, never touching the road. The Commander of the out-post on the road saw several vedettes come galloping in; the foe was on the top of the Hackpen ridge; the only chance was to hurry up the valley of rocks, and desperately clinging to his flank to delay

him till some troops could cover the town. The fate of Marlborough would depend upon the tenacity of

this handful.

With this scheme thoroughly mastered, the M.C.R.V.C. issued out on the Saturday afternoon. A hot march was made along the road to the turning up to the valley of rocks, then over the springy turf, till it became necessary to divide the forces. Capt. Rundall's handful represented the enemy. Operations began at the point when the Western assailant is supposed to have descended into the upper part of the valley, and to halt a few moments to learn what report his scouts on the right flank have to make. The suspense is short. The scouts one by one come running in. The Marlborough outpost, under Capt. Preston and Lieut. DeChair, is hurrying up the valley; the dropping shots tell that they are close at hand. The rush over the downs is checked till this interruption is settled. But it is soon evident that the forlorn hope will not readily be beaten off. Well handled, and also covering themselves behind every bush and boulder they come steadily on, pouring in a fire so well directed and sustained that the few companies first thrown back to check them have to be continually reinforced, till almost the whole of the advancing force is obliged to change front, in the endeavour to shake off these clinging foes. And here a complication arises. The Western commander wishing to draw his opponent higher up the valley and enclose him in Zulu fashion between the two horns of his force, finds this crafty manoeuvre defeated by-two gamekeepers. "There be 500 tame partridges all up ere; thee must keep awaay." Did the game laws ever spoil a fight before? The pretty scheme had to be altered in a moment; and the would-be invader of Marlborough found himself in danger of having his right flank turned. He retreated to the crest of a hill, with this much to be said in his favour that at any rate he had put himself between the town and its defenders; for he was well astride the grass track that runs past the training stables direct to Marlborough. But his enemy's skilful attack had forced him completely to reverse his front; and in all probability the delay had been fatal to his chance of securing the place by a rush. The force decoyed to Rockley must have long ere this discovered its mistake, and come in hot haste across the downs at the sound of the hot firing, With its arrival the game was lost, and the outer

brigadier could thank his brave men and his luck that he was not driven in confusion back along the Newbury Road.

The attack in its early stages at least was well delivered. Cover was skilfully taken, but too recklessly abandoned when the blood fever set in. The sections were kept in hand and advanced in orthodox fashion by alternate rushes. The defenders held their ground stubbornly, especially on the left. But the close proximity of the opposing lines when the " cease fire' sounded, or rather would have sounded, but for an absent bugler-showed once more that a mounted umpire is wanted even in our mimic fights.

Line was reformed; a few volleys fired; the commissariat tea served out; and with advanced guard thrown out the column turned its head homewards. Some useful skirmishing drill enlivened the march. It occurred to more than one that if ever a pitched battle was again to be fought in England, here on the rolling downs was the finest field for cavalry and horse-artillery. Absit omen.'

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The shooting for this cup was much closer this year than it has been for some time past; the first five scores being within ten points of each other. The last stage was shot at Roundway, on a very hard day, to which may be attributed the bad scores at 500 and 600 yards. Corporal De Jersey was first with the aggregate score of 208, L.-Corp. Hulbert, Sergt. Thynne, and Lieut. Manton each succeeded in reaching 200, while Priv. Brown was very close with 198. It will be seen that Privates Stack and Prescott both want a good deal of practice at the long distances, especially

are the full scores.

600

1st STAGE.

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3rd STAGE.

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CLIFTON MATCH.

This match resulted in an easy victory for Clifton by 51 points. There is some excuse to be made for us on the ground of its being a strange range, and also of there being a very strong and rather uncertain left wind blowing at the long range. This wind seemed utterly to disconcert our team, our opponents finding the spot at once. However at the short range where no wind was blowing our total was only 4 points behind theirs.

For the victors--Luce shot best for his 60, though all the scores were good. For us only three scores are worth mentioning, Lieut. Manton's 61, Sergt. Thynne's 53, and L.-Corpl. Hulbert's 52. Lieut. Manton's score is very creditable, the more so as the rest of the team with so few exceptions failed. The full score is appended.

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It is our pleasant duty to record the very great success of our representatives, J. J. Guest and P. E. Bucknall, this year in the competition between the Public Schools at Aldershot. The competition was better than that of last year, nine schools competing as against six in 1883. Both the first and second men of last year, Parker of Wellington and Archibald of Harrow, were competitors again. Parker repeated his success of last year and carried off the cup given to the first; Guest realised, while Bucknall surpassed expectation in being respectively second and third, so that the honours of the day rest with Marlborough. It is most gratifying to know that the labours our pair have expended on practising have met with so great a reward. We hope that the rising generation of gymnasts will be stimulated to imitate the example of 1884. To say that the judging was in the hands of Col. Gilden is to say it was highly satisfactory.

THE DUMMY COMPETITION.

The first and second competitions for the Royal Humane Society's Medal took place on July 7th. One of the Great Twin Brethren put in an appearance

a week before and so many attentions were paid to him that he quite lost his head. The author of his being however restored his self-respect and not only so but provided a brand-new vessel for his sole accommodation commanded by a celebrated stroke of the Oxford Eight. So that July '84 will be memorable not only for the great Tin Castle set up, besieged, and delivered, in the Court, but for the launching of a pleasure yacht on the bathing place. If Hyatt wants a testimonial as ship's carpenter he knows where to apply.

Seven entered and DeMontmorency was first in the first trial. Thynne would probably have been first but on his seizing the Dummy by the hair with his teeth a handful came off in his mouth, and while he was engaged in swallowing some and spitting out the rest, his victim glided away with an injured air, and time was lost in the recaptare. Next year such a mode of seizure will perhaps be made illegal. The time was five seconds slower than in '83 when it was 443. Kingsbury oddly enough took 1 minute 63 seconds in both years. In the second trial DeMontmorency was first and H. T. Cooper second with the good time of 9 and 10 seconds respectively, Thynne being third.

The third trial was on July 14th. Ferguson-Davie and G. E. Cooper scratched and Thynne failed to find the Dummy. Kingsbury found it at once and also displayed most humanity in bringing it ashore But he failed to make up for his failure in the first trial, and as DeMontmorency did well in this trial also he came out first in the total of marks, Cooper being a good second. A large concourse of spectators viewed the proceedings with great interest and we hope by some alterations next year to attract a larger number of competitors. A word must be said in recognition of the pluck and perseverance of Kingsbury, who has competed three years running in spite of great disadvantages, and we only wish his success had been equal to his merit.

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Natural History Society.

The Society visited Alton on Saturday, July 5th, to the number of 35. The morning was showery, but the evening turned out very fine. The district had never before been worked, and fairly satisfactory results were obtained by the botanists. A new plant, the Hornwort, was found by Procter in the canal, and the blue Rampion, a local plant, was discovered by J. A. Hay in some abundance on Rybury Camp. Cinirana Campestris was abundant on the same spot, but in seed, and the Bastard Toad-flax (Thesium) was also seen on the downs. Altogether 203 plants were observed in flower. The day was unfortunate for the entomologists - about 20 species were taken, amongst which were two of the Burnets and the small Blue. A party visited both the small churches

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FIELD DAY.-On Friday, July 11th, the first day of the Cheltenham match, the Art Society made an expedition to Cirencester. Leave had been obtained from Earl Bathurst to see the house and pictures, and Mr. Anderson, Earl Bathurst's agent, had also sent us a card of admission to the woodhouse, though rain prevented our reaching it. The indefatigable Mr. Duck took charge of the provision department. Unluckily the day turned out wet; we should have said no sketching at all was done, had we not observed one member of the Society, with unquenchable ardour, solacing himself for the discomforts of an al fresco meal amid showers of rain, by drawing Mr. Duck's pony and trap; but this, we believe, was a solitary effort. All went well at first, though the day threatened; we got to Cirencester in good time and were walking towards Oakley Park when Mr. Anderson met us and kindly offered his services as guide. He first showed us the church, which is one of the noblest specimens of early perpendicular architecture to be seen in this part of England, with a very interesting town-hall, built before the entrance as a sort of porch, and some curious wall-paintings. Among these last was clearly to be traced the great St. Christopher, still the inevitable ornament of the churches of southern Europe, upon whose figure whoso looks is safe for the day. Our way to the house led us through a sort of entrance-court completely surrounded by a marvellous circular yew hedge which must have been at least 40 feet high. Thence we were taken to the house itself and shown the pictures, among which is a remarkable equestrian portrait of the Duke of Wellington by Sir Thomas Lawrence, besides a great many family portraits by Kneller, Gainsborough, Reynolds, and others. Though by this time it was raining pretty heavily we found tolerable shelter under a vast sycamore tree in front of the house, with huge boughs burying themselves in the earth and rising again independently from the ground, like the banyan tree. While the meal was preparing we adjourned to the neighbouring museum, where were kept a quantity of remains of the old Roman town, which once occupied the site of Cirencester. Some of the Mosaic pavements are in a fine state of preservation, and although their designs are somewhat coarse as compared with the specimens preserved in Italy, the workmanship is solid and strong, and the colours still perfectly fresh. The remains of sculpture were of a very poor order, dating from such a late period. The time between luncheon and tea was spent in various ways; some walked to the monument, and sat in Pope's seat; some went to look for friends at the Agricultural College; others found boating on the lake more to their liking. By tea time we straggled back to the cricket pavilion, the rendezvous, only to find Mr. Duck fled, and a message bidding us seek him at the Coffee Tavern in the town. Thither we went, accordingly, lucky if we arrived without another drenching, and glad to while away the few remaining minutes after tea over a big bagatelle board.

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THE RUGBY MATCH.

OCTOBER 1ST, 1884.

When we reached Lord's we were in and two wickets were down. A third soon followed when the total was 13. Buchanan had deposited one gently in North's hands and Cheales was caught midoff. Bradby had begun the bowling from the Nursery end, and Highley from the Pavilion. With Padwick's appearance the cricket improved and when the wicket-keeper dismissed him the score had reached. 31. Keeling succeeded him and he and Meyrick played steadily for a time-the game being however exceedingly slow. Then the wicket-keeper caught Keeling from an intended hit to leg. On Meyrick-Jones' arrival Meyrick put one square for 4 very neatly and then treated the other bowler in a similar fashion, and at last 50 went up. Meyrick after a 2 to the off was let off at the wicket, but from a very hard chance. A succession of 2's produced 60, each batsman doing his share of the very slow run-getting, butat 79 Meyrick-Jones was out for a useful 14. Ashfield completed the 80 with a 1 to leg and Meyrick snicked a 2, but his neat hit was stopped by his partner who seemed to be indulging in a little nap. Waking up however he hit a good square 4, a lucky one to the off, and a 2 past his partner who did not stop it.

PRICE 3d.

The latter then sent a nice leg 4 to the clock. 90 went up. Ashfield was hitting freely but the fielding was good and at 97 he succumbed to a good ball after thoroughly vindicating his promotion into the XI, A draw for 1 by Sheppard, and a leg 2 by Meyrick brought up 100. Then Meyrick smacked a full pitch square for 4, and at luncheon had made 41 after being in for two hours and fifty minutes. After the interval Sheppard mowed at a straight one. 105-8-2 Sale hit an uppish 3 and was badly missed at long slip. He then pegged away merrily, cutting a 2, hitting a square 3 and a 4 to the off boundary, but was soon caught by the wicket-keeper standing back. After a fine off 3 hit by Meyrick, Bere got one square for 3 and a ditto to long on. Just as 130 appeared, Meyrick was well caught at the wicket. His batting was worthy of his achievements last year. It was invaluable to us and as opportune a return to old form as we can remember. North with a slinging and rather fast delivery had bowled best for Rugby. The fielding had been good, and the wicketkeeper, Mott, had signalised himself and been of inestimable service to his side.

The Rugby batting was reported to be exceedingly strong. Their bowling on the contrary was reputed weak, and no dark blue could have been in good

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