12 15 32 59 26 15 17 58 +Priv. Dickson 28 21 SOWERBY'S. 12 11 NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. MEETING HELD MAY 28TH.-There were no exhi tions, in order that more time might be allowed "Statio the paper which was read by F. Giles, on Electricity." The paper was illustrated by expe ments. There were 80 persons present: 1 honorary membe 23 members, and 56 visitors. MEETING HELD JUNE 11TH.-The following donati were announced and thanks ordered to be giver the donors: some coins by Fellowes; key of old Marlborough Castle, by Mr. Woolridge; a typic series of bird's heads, twelve in number, among whi were that of the Snipe, Water-rail, &c., by G.I Manisty. A special vote of thanks to the Rev. Soames, was proposed by the President, and car unanimously. The heads of sections gave 址。 reports for the half. The paper was read by R. Rocke, on the "Plus! of Worlds." For nearly the first time during present half, a discussion arose out of the paper was conducted with great animation for more a quarter of an hour. (The only previous discuss of this nature was after the paper by S. B. DE: Esq.) The President made a few general remarks on state of the Society. There were 77 persons pres 1 honorary member, 27 members, and 49 visitors E. F. Vicars was elected a member. THE RUGBY MATCH. AUGUST 25th, 1869. The Rugby match this year was looked forward to with an almost unusual amount of interest. It is true that Marlborough had all to fear, and little to hope, for our previous defeats, and the extraordinary reputed strength of the Rugby team, greatly increased as it was on the eve of the match by their hollow victory over the old Rugbeians, gave us only too great grounds for apprehension. On the other hand we had defeated Cheltenham in one innings, and undoubtedly in one all important feature of the same -in bowling-we had greatly improved since last year. One fact told against us-last year the match was played on the Rugby ground-this year the return match instead of being played on our ground, was decided on neutral ground at Lord's. This arose from the difficulty of arranging the visit of the Rugby team to Marlborough. As the Oxford and Cambridge match was concluded in the two days, we were enabled to begin our match early on Wednesday morning. A very goodly sprinkling of past and present Marlburians were present at the time of the wickets being pitched. The weather was beautifully fine, and Rugby in winning the toss wisely decided on going in. They accordingly sent in Benham and Pearson to PRICE 3d. the bowling of W. E. Leach (lobs), and W. A. Dawson, the latter from the Pavilion end. To the first ball of the match a wicket fell, and so puzzling, or destructive was the bowling that no less than 7 wickets fell for 23 runs. However when Gwyer and Walker got in together a different aspect was soon given to the game. The former made a steady 18 before he was finely caught by Robinson off Inchbald, who had come on in place of Dawson. The latter continued to rattle away till the end of the innings, being well supported by the last men, Gray and Tubb. We cannot but fancy that the lobs ought to have been taken off when Gwyer and Walker made their stand, for although most useful at first, at this point they seemed to lose their efficacy, and became only a fruitful source of runs. It certainly was disappointing after seeing the seven best wickets fall for so small a score, for the last few men to put on so large a number of runs. rapidly and vigorously obtained. the whole, was very fair, and Dawson bowled really well and pluckily. Walker's 52 was Our fielding, on It wanted some little time till luncheon, so Marlborough, after the usual interval, began their innings. W. E. Leach and Woollcombe went in first to the wickets, Tubb from the Pavilion end, and Francis being the bowlers. The innings calls for little description, as the two Leaches alone made any stand against the splendid bowling of Francis, who was ably supported by Tubb. W. E. Leach was unfortunately caught at long leg (as has frequently been his luck this year), by an exceedingly low and fine catch by Moberly, when beginning to score nicely, but R. Leach carried out his bat for a most spirited and masterly 25, which would doubtless have been considerably increased could any one have been found to stay in with him. Francis took three wickets with three successive balls, and throughout the innings bowled in most splendid form. The Rugby fielding was uniformly good throughout the innings, which conIcluded at about 4 o'clock. Soon afterwards Rugby began their second innings. Benham was quickly bowled by Dawson, but Pearson and Westfeldt made a determined stand, which was well kept up by their successors, Gardner and Moberly. The bowling was changed repeatedly, but at last on Copleston's being put on he quickly bowled both Moberly and Westfeldt. The latter had been in upwards of an hour, and had made a very spirited 52, though he (Westfeldt) was missed twice. The The remaining wickets were quickly disposed of, two catches at the wicket by R. Leach accounting for two of them. Our bowling in this innings was very fair throughout as the bowling analysis will show. Copleston's, during the short period he was on, was very good, and Inchbald, though he failed to get a wicket yet bowled very steadily. innings closed at about half-past six o'clock, but according to the usual rule at Lord's the match had to be continued till the "drawing time "-7 o'clock. Marlborough accordingly sent in Woollcombe and Inchbald to the wickets, but so deadly was the bowling of Francis, that both the former and his immediate successor Kempe lost their wickets in the brief remaining space without a single run being scored. The light at this period was very bad. Next morning it was agreed not to begin the match till late, so it was nearly half-past 12 before Inchbald and W. E. Leach appeared at the wickets to continue our innings. Leach quickly obtained a three and a brace of twos and then fell to the Rugby Captain, as did his brother, who immediately succeeded him the first ball he received. These disastrous results intimidated the rest of the eleven, and Carlyou was the only man who succeeded in making anything like a decent score, thoug Robinson played pluckily and but just missed E double figures. Inchbald too and Kingsford, thou they have not many runs to show, showed some v steady play. Francis obtained every wicket, clean bowling them. No less than seven men failed to score. Thus Rugby won the match by 197 runs. I result is rather to be attributed to the splendid bo= ing of their Captain, than to their batting, whi can hardly be said to have come up to their repu tion. The commencement of another half-year has brought with it another number of the Natural History Society's Report, which we once more undertake the task of reviewing. One very palpable point of difference between this and the preceding numbers is, that this is far bulkier. On opening it we find that this increase in size, which we cannot but consider an improvement, is due in a great measure to the long and thrilling paper on three Arctic expeditions. In those to whom the subject was before a closed book, this paper must awaken the highest enthusiasm and admiration for our brave explorers, an admiration which may perhaps at some future time lead some of our number to rival the deeds of such heroes as Kane, Barendz, and De Haven. Though this paper does not come first, we have first commented on it owing to the great space which it occupies in the Report. We cannot make many remarks on each individual paper, as our limits do not admit of it, and we have not the confidence to attempt it. Some we might unjustly censure, others we might extravagantly praise. We shall therefore leave the majority of the papers to commend themselves to their readers, as they no doubt will do. Two other papers call for a few remarks by the unusual nature of their contents. One is that by S. B. Dixon, Esq., which is a very distinct and clear explanation of Darwin's much disputed and little known theory of the Origin of Species. This paper comes first in the Report. The other is the one read by Dr. Walker, on the Nervous system of man, a subject which, though quite out of the power of any member of this school to deal with, has been so admirably treated by Dr. Walker that any one might understand it. He has done that which so many only profess to do, that is, he has avoided unintelligible technical terms, and thus made his subject as plain and simple as possible. The list is completed by the following papers: 'A visit to Esgair,' by G. E. Manisty; 'Collecting Insects,' by H. M. Hilton; and "The Antiquities of Marlborough," by W. D. Fenning; and lastly, the 'Plurality of worlds,' by R. Rocke. The same care as usual has been displayed in the long lists of Entomological, Botanical, and other notices. If anything is wanting, it is perhaps more signs of life and activity among the formerly energetic Geologists. This seems, in fact, to be the only 'blot on the scutcheon,' and doubtless it will soon disappear. TRANSLATION FROM THE PROLOGUE OF FAUST. RAPHAEL. As of old, the Sun makes glorious music, While in song his brother-spheres compete ; And fulfils his vast fore-written circle, Pacing on with thunder-winged feet. Angels by his countenance are strengthened, Though his glory foileth deepest thought. All the works whose splendour passeth credence Have not faded since the world was wrought. GABRIEL. Swifter, swifter far than thought may picture, Down the rushing spheres' eternal path. Backward buffeted from land to ocean, The competition for the Ashburton Shield was not as exciting this year as it was last, nor can the account of it be made very interesting. The friends of the Marlborough eleven had had their hopes raised by the match which was held at Cirencester against Cheltenham at the beginning of June: but they were quite aware that the following period of six weeks had not produced the desired improvement, in spite of diligent attendance at drill, and perseverance in practising at the target. In fact the day at Cirencester produced a better score by nine marks than the Wimbledon day, though we have no hesitation in saying that the former was the more difficult day of the two. The nine extra marks would have given Marlborough the third place at Wimbledon, and ten marks would have made it equal with Eton for the second place. It is well to dwell on this fact, in order to impress upon the remaining members of the squad and the candidates for vacancies in it, that one single mark is of the utmost importance in squad matches, and that to throw away a single shot by any want of care or patience is an act of treason against the whole body. The contest itself was so hollow that it may be briefly described. At the 200 yrds. range the Harrow squad led by two marks, Marlborough coming second with 139. This was a fair score; but it might reasonably have been expected to be higher by at least 8 marks; for the register showed 4 misses; now at Cirencester there were no misses at all at this range. At the 500 yards range Marlborough fell off sadly, and had to confess to twenty misses out of fifty-f shots, in spite of the assiduous care employed friends with telescope and diagram. The total this range was only 91. Still it is fair, and only fi to say that so far as attentive and impartial obser tion could ascertain, the squad did its work coolly quietly, without showing any signs of nervouSTE or demoralization caused by the terrors of shooting a strange range in an important contest before ma spectators. It is fair, and not more than f to remember that Marlborough had the second b score of all at 200 yds., and on the aggregate score. was at the head of all the schools which had brok up. The disadvantage entailed on five of the eig competing squads by the comparatively early beg. ning of their school holidays is very great. The sh has never been won by a school which had broke except in the first year of the school matches, wi it was won by Rugby. In looking forward to the future it seems natur to offer one or two practical suggestions for the e sideration of those who look forward to shooting another season. Might not something more bed by looking up young shots who show some proz in the autumn half-year, so as to have a batch of c dates for vacancies in the eleven under regular t ing for the whole of the spring and summer? A in order to remedy the disadvantage of shooting the sheltered range at Marlborough, is it not wis practise on all still and moderately windy days at tar which are smaller than the regulation requires? E would it be if competitors for Mr. Hunter's cup, or of the other valuable prizes, were required to sho a target of two slabs at the kneeling ranges up to yds. ? Some feeling of discouragement would bably arise at first, but would certainly pass aws perseverance brought confidence and success. conclusion, the Marlburian begs to be allowe thank many old friends who were on the grow. tempering with discretion their warm interest squad, to congratulate Harrow on the splendid of its representatives, to express hearty pleas" seeing Ensign Sim, of Cheltenham College, wi Spencer cup with admirable skill and judgment; if it may be allowed to introduce itself to gallant antagonists whom it has not formerly ene tered, it ventures to express a hope that the appearance of Derby in the field will not be the |
