Editorial.
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Table of Contents
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MIMICRY.
In the spring the wanton Lapwing gets himself another crest.
HE principle of mimicry in the animal kingdom is now
regarded as an ascertained truth of science. Stated
shortly and in unscientific language, as befits a layman,
the facts seem to be as follows :-
Many animals which prove attractive to others stronger than
themselves, or have small powers of defence against their natural
foes, or are in some way at a disadvantage in the battle of life,
are endowed with properties and faculties that enable them either
to conceal themselves among surrounding objects, or to assume
the appearance of other animals which are not to the taste of the
enemies they are seeking to escape. Thus A has an instinct
which prompts him to eat B, but to avoid C, because he has
found by experience that C has a sting, or gives him indigestion,
or is for some other equally good reason undesirable. According
to this principle B tries so to adjust his manners and appearance
that he may lead A to mistake him for C.
It has not apparently occurred to the authors of this theory
that mimicry is not confined to the lower animals. Traces of it
undoubtedly are to be found in human society.
There is no doubt a very strong feeling in the world against
Originality, it is the one thing we all agree not to tolerate,
There are at present great searchings of heart in what are.
perhaps ironically called in male circles “the dovecotes.”
Meetings are held and leagues are formed to protest against the
introduction of the—shall we say—insidious crinoline into English
society. To the onlooker the situation is not without its humour.
The devices resorted to are those by which in all ages the weak have
sought to protect themselves against the strong. The inhabitants
of Saturn might have supposed that here was a case in which the
motto “Live and let live” could fairly have been acted upon.
Nothing of the sort. The writer once made the innocent and not
very profound suggestion that the obvious course for those who
did not like the crinoline was not to wear it. The reception he
met with was not sympathetic. Only those “ who rush in where
angels fear to tread” will tackle without due initiation such a
widely ramifying subject as ladies’ dress. ‘They must serve a
novitiate, they can begin at the beginning upon the comparatively
simple and entirely unimportant subject of male dress. Here
the neophite may exercise his powers and stretch his wings.
Here, too, there is room for speculation. The hat of civilization
has never yet been properly accounted for. Viewed in the
abstract, there is nothing upon which men have more boundless
ideas and more limited practice. Viewed in the casual, the
majority of hats in vogue in this country combine the maximum
of ugliness with the minimum of comfort. Our solitary ground
for self-congratulation is that foreigners’ hats are infinitely worse
—as all who have travelled on the Continent can testify.
It is, however, universally admitted that the hat stamps the
man ; no deviation from the strict line laid down by fashion as to
the curve of the brim or the height of the brim can be permitted
for a single instant. These things even are not eternally fixed. The
hat that would cover its wearer with obloquy in one season, may
be the cherished decoration of the Bond Street Adonis in the
next. Here the boldest must keep upon the beaten track. We
remember in University days an undergraduate who tried to live
up to his ideas and embody the archetypal hat. He did so;
the thing was not beautiful, still it was his own. He was how-
ever a marked man. The hat was the external sign of a tortuous
and abnormal mind. Dark stories spread afar; he wears it in
the privacy of his rooms; it is the last thing that he takes off at
night, if he ever does take it off; indeed a nocturnal visitor in
search of milk for his unseasonable cocoa is startled by a statu-
esque figure—guem tegula sola tuetur. We have not followed
his career, but no doubt he came to a bad end, or developed into
a genius, which is much the same thing. The British hat, never-
theless, remains one of the mysteries of an unintelligible world.
It casts its dark shadow even over its purveyor. There is probably
nothing to be said against hatters, as a class, but in the present
state of the language the word cannot be used in any serious
connexion. ‘Tennyson could not have introduced a hatter into the
Princess or the Lotus Eaters; it would have killed the poem.
Carlyle said that the best proof of the stunted condition in which
fine science languishes among us English was that even the
recognition that we had no philosophy of clothes was published
for the first time in the language in Sartus Resartus. Must these
things remain unsolved for want of the sacred bard or the votary
of science? Will no one trace the curve that brings us in their
cycles, the crinoline and the rejuvenescent bowler as inevitable
as the influenza and the sea-serpent? Conformity to fashion,
however, is nowhere so conspicuous or so oppressive as among
the rising youth of the country. “'The soaring human boy,”
who laughs at his sister dares not for the life of him strike out a
new line. If it be the custom to keep his keys in his left
breeches pocket, nothing will induce him to put them in the
right. If it be the custom to eat no pudding for the first fort-
night of term, he will suffer agonies rather than shew he would
like to do so. It is of course treason to hint anything against
our public school system. It is English, and therefore needs no
further recommendation. It does not, however, tend to the
assertion of individuality. We have sometimes thought that
constant association produced similiarity of face and feature; we
used to sit at the end of a long table and fancy we saw, as the
term went on, a gradual tendency in the rows of faces to conform
to a dominant type. The same nose seemed repeated in long
perspective, until it haunted us like a passion. This may have
been imagination, but after all, if the face be an index of
character, and characters run in grooves in which the stronger
assimilates the weaker, it may not have been entirely absurd. If,
however, your tastes are not such as can be comprehended in the
trivial round and common task, you will probably lead a hunted
life. Of all the methods of expressing difference of opinion,
those in use at school are most likely to produce conformity in
the long run. At the university it is much the same, the differ-
ence in favour of gentler manners being mainly superficial. The
smug was a person we all knew and shunned. Probably not one
of us could tell wherein his smuggishness consisted; but we
recognised him by an unerring instinct, although we could no
more define what made him repulsive that we could have told
why we disliked the smell of H.2 S.
The fact however remains, that originality is not viewed
with favour. The tendencies of the age are against it. Lord
Sherbrooke likened democracy to an arid and level plain, where
every mole-hill was a mountain, and every thistle a forest tree.
Our age is of course nothing if not democratic. In the
millenium of universal suffrages, when everybody will have
rights, and nobody will have duties, we shall all probably be
known by our numbers. Anything else would savour of class
and privilege and other abuses, which an enlightened people is
getting rid of as fast as it can. In the meantime let us not lose
sight of our subject in the contemplation of that Pisgah-view.
Imitation is probably protective, as among the lower animals.
It protects the individual from the penalties of being too
conspicuous. After all, as Horace sang, “the lightning strikes
the highest towers and the mountain tops,” kicks too are just as
unpleasant in their way. It also protects society, for people with
ideas of their own are not always disposed to take things as they
find them.
As this is the best of possible worlds, or soon will be,
we shall be the last to suggest that anything in it might be
improved.
Cigarette Card Collecting.
It has been said that the introduction of the cigarette card
into this country was contemporary with the introduction of the
cigarette. This, however, is incorrect.
The first cigarette manufacturer to set up his trade in Eng-
land was a Greek, named Theodorides. He started in a small
way in Leicester Square, and the cigarettes he sold were made
on the premises by two or three Russian girls imported from
Odessa for the purpose. This was in 1861, and for four years
he reigned supreme.
In 1865, another Greek, who rejoiced in the cognomen of
Avramachi, started a high class tobacconist’s shop in Regent
Street, where for the first time “the Chappie” of the period was
able to buy a really good cigarette, put up in an attractive form.
Avramachi christened his brand the “Cambridge,” and
the price was one shilling for twelve.
They were fitted with cardboard mouth-pieces, a fashion
borrowed from the Russians, and were put into pictured boxes.
Competitors entered the field, and these boxes reached by de-
grees quite a high pitch of perfection, the lids being decorated
with richly embossed coloured pictures of popular actresses,
mounted in some instances on velvet, in others on glass.
The young men of the day who were “actress mad” used
to remove these pictures from the lids and carefully collect
them; and, noticing this, someone in the business hit upon
the happy idea of leaving the top of the box plain and putting
the portrait inside. Hence the birth of the cigarette card.
The craze for them lasted for some years, and then died
down, partly owing to the fact that many actresses objected to
having their photographs produced wholesale in this manner.
Some even took proceedings and gained heavy damages. ‘This
made manufacturers shy of embarking upon further reproduc-
tions, and by degrees the pictures were almost entirely discon-
tinued. Their revival at a much later date came about through
the introduction of the cheap packet cigarette.
Retailed at the beginning at a uniform price of threepence
for ten, in paper wrappers, these cigarettes soon achieved an
enormous popularity, the only drawback being the flimsy nature
of the inclosing envelope, which allowed the contents to be
bruised or broken very easily.
To remedy this the “stiffener” was introduced. This was
at first merely a plain piece of cardboard, the same size as the
packet.
After a time, however, an American firm, trading in this
country, started to print photographs—not necessarily actresses
—on them, hit upon the idea of inducing people to collect them
by offering prizes to all those who sent in complete sets.
The sets consisted in some instances of one hundred or
more separate cards, each bearing a distinctive number, hence
the process of collecting them became something of a lottery, as
no one knew what number he was likely to get with any given
packet of cigarettes. ?
Other cigarette manufacturers were not slow to see the
advantage that the scheme gave this particular firm over its
rivals. Smokers bought the same brand week after week, and
none other. These cards insured continuity of sale during a
period of at least several weeks or possibly months.
As a result all sorts of similar schemes were put into opera-
tion. One well-known weekly periodical arranged that any
smoker who collected enough cards from packets of a certain
brand of cigarettes should become a preference shareholder in
the paper. This was in 1899. The paper is still being pub-
lished, but the scheme is no longer in the land of the living.
All kinds of other prizes, however, continued to be offered
by certain manufacturers, ranging from cigarette holders up to
six hundred guinea motor cars.
Other manufacturers disdaining these methods, improved
their cigarette cards, and this brought into being the adult col-
lection.
In the last few years there has been a marked improvement
in cigarette pictures. Beautiful sepia reproductions of celebrat-
ed old masters have been reproduced on art paper. For lovers
of gardening there is a series of roses, garden flowers, garden life
and Alpine flowers. In naval matters we have naval dress and
badges, world’s Dreadnoughts, celebrated ships and signalling.
In matters pertaining to the Army, innumerable regimental col-
ours and uniform, badges of ranks, and British battlefields,
Victoria Cross heroes. Of sets of a purely general knowledge
character there are famous inventors, famous explorers, first aid,
mining, products of the world, records of the world, physical
culture, wonders of the world, and many others. In sport there
are famous cricketers, celebrated golfers, famous footballers,
football clubs, racing owners and jockeys, famous dogs, Derby
winners, and famous racehorses. Of series issued since the war,
perhaps the most interesting is the set of Raemaeker’s cartoons,
the set comprises 140 subjects. There is also the great war
series of 200 subjects of matters connected with the war, mili-
tary motors, modern war weapons (since been suppressed), Allied
leaders, Russian architecture, and so we might go on. As a
medium of general knowledge there is no hobby to beat this one.
The sets mentioned are but a few taken at random from the
writer’s collection, there are hundreds of others equally interest-
ing.
In cigarette collecting, rarity counts for much. The great
cigarette manufacturing firms are constantly introducing new
designs, and superseding older ones, and it is, of course, those
that are discarded that tend to become valuable as time rolls
on. So much is this the case, that complete sets of some of
the very earliest cards have recently changed hands for sums
ranging between £15 and £20, and even more in a few
instances.
Such sums sound insignificant as compared with amounts
paid by philatelists for really rare stamps. The cigarette card
craze, however, is, as yet, only in its infancy. When it has
developed, prices for rare sets or single specimens will assuredly
rise. In a few years a priced catalogue will take its place side
by side with stamps and coins.
“MY LADY NICOTINE.”
Verse.
THE ELEVEN SIXTY-NINE.
You want a railway story, sir,
While you wait for the midnight train ;
Well, it’s a story I’ve often told, sir,
So I'll tell it once again.
I was only a brake’s man then, sir,
On the York and Buffalo line ;
And mate of the conductor, sir,
Of the eleven sixty-nine.
The train was on the rails, sir,
And the rails along the ground ;
The engine was full of steam, sir,
And the wheels were going round.
What made the wheels go round, sir,
Is more than I can say ;
The signal was dead against us, sir,
So we went the other way.
Then all of a sudden there came, sir,
The sound of a mighty crash ;
I heard the shrieks and groans, sir,
And I thought of the ready cash.
So after I’d finished my pipe, sir,
I strolled out on to the line;
And gazed on the awful wreckage, sir,
Of the eleven sixty-nine.
The coaches were all in a heap, sir,
Though why, I cannot tell ;
The passengers lying about, sir,
Were none of them looking well.
I heard the hiss of the engine, sir,
And the moans of the living souls ;
I thought of the wife at home, sir,
And collared some of the coals.
I stumbled across the fireman, sir,
And thought that he was dead ;
His body and legs were missing, sir,
And he was minus a head.
I found a sweet young thing, sir,
In a mashed-potato state ;
“ Doctor,” she murmured meekly, sir,
“Ts my hat on straight ? ”
Then two of us lifted the engine, sir,
And placed it upon the line ;
But here’s the up train down, sir,
The eleven sixty-nine.
L. F. BIDEN.
The Price List.
A REVISED VERSION.
One Knight I went for a short stroll and met the Clark of the
Parish. He was saying that fetching the Coles made his hands
dirty, but that he had to fetch only one Moreton. “ Well,” said
I “ How can you expect to have Lilleywhite hands if you Maul
Cole about?” “Your Kirk has a fine Flint tower” I added.
“Vou should see the ancient Teek door, and the Redstone in
the interior is in the Pink of perfection” he replied. The
Church is famous for its two Eyles one of which is much longer
than the other. The organist too is a Budden musician, but
there is only one Bell. You can get the Key over there.” “No
time now,” said I, and went on. I soon met some Boys Houlden
a conversation, and being a Chatty person I joined i in. ‘ Where
is the best place to buy bulbs?” they asked. “ Holland,” I said,
“To get a good result you must put them in Green Bone and in
a good Pyle of Mould. For drainage a Brickwood do. This
will Cure any disease and keep the Frost away.” “Evans,”
they replied, “We can find plenty in the Woods and on the
Heath near the Moore.” “I should avoid the lane if I were you
as there is a horrid Barker of a Sheppard dog. Did’nt Martelli
to be careful?” “ By ’Olding hands we shall be all right.” The
cooing of a Dove and the chirp of a Starling keep us company,
and sometimes a Martin flies out of the pit and we have to
Pearce the gloom to see what it is.” “If you had a Whitaker
with you you would see when the moon was full, of course if a
storm comes on the Lightning will shew the way. The Dimmer it
is the worse it will be.” I walked on across a Marsh, then along
a Grove until I met a Baker who was scouting "Howis bread
going?” I asked. “Flower is dear” he replied, “but as long
as we can get the crust Browning, and the inside fairly white,
people do not grumble. I think that these high Prices are a
Dunn job, but what shall be, Willbe.” I next met a fisherman
playing with a trout, “ Hooker Taylor it will Russell off,” I
shouted. “I saw Bartlett Bennett one the the same way last
week. I threw him a crooked stick, but unfortunately some
Cox Croad and the Misselbrook.” That’s what comes of being
a Rotter, I thought. On I went and met a Carpenter wending
his way over the Meadows whistling ‘Wont you come home
Bill Bailey,” and “Tommy Atkins.” “Looks stormy ” he said,
“Yes” I answered, “I think we shall have a Gale to-night, I
must hurry as I have an interview with Father Jones at
Mortimer’s Cross to settle the time of my wedding. Dean
Cooper is to perform the ceremony assisted by other Parsons.
He wants me to Marriott two o’clock. After it is over we go up
to Town where we hope to see Bourchier at Drury Lane in ‘ Why
Smith left home.’ A few days later I may be made a Freeman
of Weymouth.” I left him and just then a Bulstrode across the
path nearly upsetting a Weenie Bunny with its Nanny. It had
escaped from Sanger’s Circus, and as he was quiet I lead him to
the Butcher and then went home to bed. I had a queer dream ;
I was on the Lee shore of a desert island, and round me I
noticed Jack Horner, Jack Johnson, Alexander the Great, Tom
Jones, Robinson Crusoe and Gregory the Great. They seemed
to be poring over some books, two of which appeared to be
old editions of Birks and Crockford. I myself was eating
A Damson tart and was just going to quench my thirst with a
mixture of Biden’s stout and Ross’ ginger ale when I awoke.
SIR PRIZE PACKET.
Speech Day.
The tenth “Speech Day” took place on Friday, July 27th.
The Vicar of Fareham, the Rev. J. E. Tarbat, M.A., presided
over a large attendance.
The proceedings opened with the singing of J. H. Farmer’s
Unison song, “ Forty Years On,” and then the Chairman deliv-
ered a short address, in the course of which he said that in
spite of many trials and difficulties the work of the school had
progressed very successfully, which was eminently satisfactory,
for the question of education was of paramount importance,
seeing that upon the boys of to-day would depend very largely
the welfare of the country in the future. Therefore, it would be
perfectly disastrous, if because of the war, the national education
was interfered with or weakened. Fortunately that had not
been the case in regard to that school; on the other hand there
were certain signs that the improvement during the past year
had been greater and more vigorous than in any previous year.
Having emphasised the importance of the number of boys,
who left school before reaching the age of 16, being reduced as
much as possibly, the Chairman said he was glad to say that
there were at present attending the school several boys who
were over 16, and that fact went to prove not only the popularity
of the school, but it helped to give strength, stability and vigour
to it.
In concluding, the Chairman said the question of and the
necessity for the enlargement of the school were quite recognised
by the Governors, and that the enlargement had not already
taken place was entirely due to the war. The fact that such an
extension was necessary testified to the popularity and growing
success of the school. It was a highly satisfactory testimonial to
the work of the headmaster and his staff, and that the school was
being carried on on perfectly sound lines and in a most success-
ful manner. He could assure all present that the work of the
school was very near and dear to the Governors, who experienced
very great pleasure as they realised how splendidly the work was
being carried on, and that certain difficulties which seemed to
threaten the continued progress of the school had been in the
main satisfactorily overcome. The Governors felt under a
tremendous debt of gratitude to the headmaster, Mrs. Bradly,
and to the staff for the successful work they had accomplished.
The Headmaster then dealt with various aspects of the work
of the school, and stated that he had been assisted most loyally
by the members of his staff, who in these times of stress had
done their very best to make things go smoothly. The outside
activities of the school had been kept going, and this was rather
important, for “all work and no play made Jack an exceedingly
dull boy.” A form of national service had been instituted with
success, and the boys had done the work as a labour of love.
After referring to the educational successes obtained by the
boys during the year, he said he desired to urge upon parents
the great importance of boys not missing school, except for most
important reasons. This summer he had had one or two rather
bad cases which made it exceedingly difficult to carry on the
work of the school. Irregularity not only affected the boy who
stayed away, but the others had to suffer as well. Mr. Bradly
proceeded to speak of the necessity for boys attending the
school being given a sound grounding in education. It wasa
great mistake to specialise there—that should be done when the
boy went elsewhere. He concluded by thanking all present for
their attendance at that function.
THE PRIZE LIST
The Chairman afterwards presented the prizes as follows :—
The Governors’ Form Prizes.—Form Va, G. Chignell (Easter),
J. M. Lee (Midsummer); Form Vb, V. Cox, *W. C. Baker ; Form
IV., W. Crocker, *N. Frost; Form IIIa, H. Evens, E. Cooper;
Form IIIb,—A. C. Wooldridge; Form II., C. R. Queisser, R.
Rotter; Form I., B. P. Grinstead, B. Ross. No boy is eligible
for the same prize twice in succession. It is only passed down
if the next boy has shown considerable merit. An asterisk
denotes a passed down prize.
Special prizes :—The Vicar’s prizes for Divinity.—J. M. Lee,
C. E. Lillywhite. Mrs T. H. Harvey’s prizes for Mathematics
and Science.—A. J. Harvey, G. Chignell, W. C. Baker, W.
Crocker, H. Evans, R. Reeves, and G. Mogridge. Mr, H. F.
Rawstorne’s, prizes for French (G. Chignell).—*J. M. Lee, V.
Cox, E. G. Dimmer, C. Dunn, R. Rotter. Mrs. T. H. Harvey’s
prizes for Latin (G. Chignell).—*]J. M. Lee, E. H. Dean Cooper,
E. Cooper, and R. Clark. The Headmaster’s prizes for Reading
(J. M. Lee)—*G. Chignell, T. J. Tappenden, L. Pearce. E.
Cooper. Mr. Lusby’s prizes for Reading (C. Holford).—*].
Sinclair, R. Sinclair, R. Haysman. Mr. P. P. Meadows’ prize
for History and Literature—J.M. Lee. Mr. Parsons prizes for
Spelling, open.—G. Chignell; under 14, C. Dunn, L. Olding.
Mrs. Bradly’s prizes for Drawing (R. H. Scott)—D. Kirk, H.
Browning. The “Colonel Atchison” prizes.—D. P. Dodridge,
D. Teek, N. F. Eyles. The “Ramsay” Exhibition.—A. J.
Harvey. The * Ramsay” prize.—S.S. Smith. Colonel Stubing-
ton’s bat for highest average.—J. M. Lee (171) 14 innings.
Bowling average.—W. C. Baker (4°4) 66 wickets. Mr. Lee’s
prize for fielding —D.Kirk. Commander Chad’s prize for shoot-
ing.—R. H. Scott.
The Chairman announced that Mrs. Ramsay had hoped to
attend to distribute the prizes, but had been prevented by indis-
position.
The musical programme included the singing of the unison
songs “Tune of the open country,” “St. Valentine,” ‘ The
Crown of the Year” and “Fairings” (Easthope Martin), the
boys singing vigorously and well under the conductorship of
Mrs. Bradly. Mrs. Jannings-Harvey was the pianist, and Mrs.
Sinclair recited with charm and ability, Alfred Noyes’ "Song of
England” and “Children in Kensington Gardens.” She was
enthusiastically encored.
A vote of thanks was accorded the Chairman on the motion
Mr. Chignell, seconded by Mr. Donnithorne, and led by J. M.
Lee, the boys gave three rousing cheers for the Chairman and
governors, afterwards paying the donors of prizes a similar
compliment.
There was subsequently a parade of the Cadet Corps in the
field under Sergt. J. M. Lee, with Corporals A. J. Harvey, G.
Chignell, T. J. Tappenden and R. H. Scott. Squad and company
drills were carried out with smartness and precision, and under
the supervision of Sergeant Instructor Brace the boys of the
junior forms gave a capital display of Swedish drill.
Cricket.
PRICE’S SCHOOL IST XI, v. GOSPORT.
This match was played at Fareham, on July 7th, and resulted
in an easy win for the School by 42 runs. Scores and analysis :—
« scores & analysis omitted »
SCHOOL IST XI. v. PORTSMOUTH GRAMMAR SCHOOL 2ND XI.
This match was played at Hilsea, on July 14th, and ended
in a draw. Scores and analysis :—
« scores & analysis omitted »
HOUSE MATCHES.
SCHOOL HOUSE v. CAMS HOUSE,
Cams House won by 6 wickets and 44 runs. Scores :—
« scores & analysis omitted »
SCHOOL HOUSE v. WESTBURY HOUSE.
Westbury House won by 2 wickets and 126 runs. Scores:—
« scores & analysis omitted »
FINAL HOUSE MATCH.
CAMS HOUSE v. WESTBURY HOUSE.
This match resulted in a somewhat lucky win for Westbury
by 16 runs. Westbury took first innings and, thanks to Baker,
scored 91. Baker made 68. He was missed at 10 and twice
afterwards. The rest of the side did nothing. For Cams Lee
and Misselbrook are to be congratulated on their fine stand for
the first wicket. They played excellent cricket. It was a unique
experience for Baker and Kirk to have 50 runs scored off them
without taking a wicket. The rest of the side failed miserably,
and presented Westbury with the cup, which would have been
theirs had they but shewn only a very elementary knowledge
of cricket. Scores :—
« scores & analysis omitted »
THE CRICKET SEASON.
The programme this year did not include matches with
Southampton School, but as a set-off to this, the Gosport team
was decidedly stronger than in former years, owing to the
inclusion of several Old Boys of the school. Other sides
played were of much the same strength as usual. The School
XI. included only three members of last year’s team and it
suffered from various causes. First by contrast with the 1916
side: we cannot expect to win all our School matches every
year; still the record of seven matches won against two lost is
not at all a bad one.
The faults in batting were those inherent in any new
inexperienced side: want of confidence in meeting the ball,
playing too soon, insufficient movement of the left foot, and
above all, indecision in calling and running. Some of the
catching and ground fielding was very poor. For this, some
members of last year’s 2nd XI. were largely responsible, as was
to be expected from their spiritless performances in 1916; they
might with profit have watched the fielding of the School team
of that year.
Another cause of the comparatively low scoring this year
was the state of the ground, the lack of Easter-term rolling and
the amount of foreign matter which mysteriously appeared,
making it difficult to prepare a good wicket :—
Half-bricks do not a greensward make,
Nor bits of iron a pitch.
More than one batsmen, including the captain, suffered
from this cause, and anyone addicted to gardening could clear
off pieces of this unusual top-dressing up to the end of the
season.
The Captain in batting, and Baker in bowling did immense’
service for the side, but Kirk, Misselbrook and Martelli all
played well at times, Kirk especially showing much improved
form in batting this year. The team played with great keenness
in the first Portsmouth match and in that against Midhurst, and
although the play in the second St. Jolin’s match was decidedly
weak, they recovered their form in their last match, winning
decisively against a club from Portsmouth.
Provided there not too many leaves during the year, the
team ought to do fairly well next season, through the experience
gained last term.
CRITICISMS OF THE ELEVEN.
J. M. LEE.—An excellent Captain. He has had a much more
difficult task than last year as the team depended so greatly
on him for a good score. The record of seven matches
won shows that he has been very successful. Of the two
matches lost he played in only one; if he had not been
absent from the other, the result would probably have been
reversed. He has also been very successful with lob bowling
and would have taken even more wickets with better backing
in the field.
W. C. BAKER.—He has improved very much in batting and
scored much more freely than last year. Would do better
if he moved the left foot closer to the ball. His bowling
has been excellent throughout and he thoroughtly deserves
the large number of wickets he has taken.
D. R. KIRK.—A much improved batsman as his figures compar-
ed with last year’s, show. His chief fault is in playing too
soon at a slow ball, through not watching the bowler care-
fully. Has done some useful bowling but does not always
keep a good length. <A good outfield.
A. E. MISSELBROOK.—Has a good style and played one or two
useful innings. He does not play forward hard enough or
confidently enough yet, but he ought to improve in this with
more experience, as this was his first season. A good catch.
C. R. MARTELLI.—Has been a very useful member of the team,
both as a batsman and in the field. He still plays out too
soon at the ball and consequently sends up catches. Will
doubtless improve in his second season.
W. C. A. EYLES.—Can hit very hard, but must try to use his
head more in choosing the right ball to hit. He does not
stand still at the wicket and so is often on the wrong foot
when the ball comes.
D. EDMUNDS.—Has a good style, but tries to reach out too far
and so spoons up the ball. With more patience he ought
to become a useful bat another year. Has saved many runs
by smart ground-fielding.
J. BRIDGER.—Played in all the later matches and was improving
very much in batting. A good field.
R. H. SCOTT.—Disappointing player. He does not put enough
life into his batting or fielding. . A fair catch.
D, E. GREGORY.—Was put into the team mainly for his fielding,
which has been quite good.
T. HOAD.—Has done fairly well as a wicket-keeper, and though
he has not reached the standard set last year, behind the
wickets, he has always done his best in a difficult position
BATTING AVERAGES,
« scores & analysis omitted »
MATCHES—Played, 10; Won, 7; Lost, 2; Drawn, 1.
Football.
SCHOOL 1ST XI. v. PORTSMOUTH GRAMMAR SCHOOL 2ND XI.
This match, the first of our season, was played at Hilsea on
Saturday, October 20th, and a very fast and exciting game resulted.
The Portsmouth team were far heavier than the School side but
what we lacked in weight we made up for in dash. The first
half was very even, Martelli scoring for the School and the visiting
inside-left equalizing. Lee was kept very busy and had several
difficult shots to save. The only fault with the School play was
the starving of the left wing. Half-time :—School 1, Portsmouth
Grammar School 1.
Martelli soon put the School ahead but the visiting centre-
forward equalized. Misselbrook again put the School in front,
and the lead was maintained until ten minutes from time when
Kirk was injured. ‘This caused a disorganisation of the team
and Portsmouth put on two more goals despite good defensive
work by Lee Eyles and Etheridge. The final was :—Portsmouth
2nd XI. 4, School Ist XI. 3. ‘Team :—
School 1st XI.—J. M. Lee (capt.), goal; W. C. A. Eyles,
G. D. Etheridge, backs; D. E. Gregory, D. R. Kirk, D. Edmunds,
halves; A. E. Misselbrook, W. C. Baker, C. R. Martelli, B. R.
Scott, V. A. Cox, forwards.
NOTES ON THE GAME.
The School team were slightly superior throughout and were
very unlucky to lose. ‘The forwards played well together but
their shooting was poor. Martelli was the pick of the forwards
though Scott and Cox got few opportunities of showing their
form. The halves tackled well. Kirk was in good form until
hurt and Edmunds worked very hard. Gregory also played a
useful game but all three halves must learn to give their forwards
better passes. Toe kicking is useless. Eyles and Etheridge were
reliable at back, both clearing strongly. Lee had a very busy
afternoon in goal and saved many hot shots. He had no chance
with any of the shots that beat him.
SCHOOL v. WALKER’S COLLEGE.
This match was played on Saturday, November 3rd, and a
fast and vigorous, though unscientific, game resulted.
Walker’s started off with a rush and their outside-left scored
with a high shot. Lee soon equalized with a low shot from a
free kick. The School forwards now played with much dash,
and Baker and Lee added further goals. Walker’s retaliated and
drew level before half-time which came with the score :—School
3, Walker’s College 3.
In the second half the School team played well together and
scored two more goals, Lee being the scorer on both occasions.
The final thus resulted :—School 5, Walker’s College 3. Team :—
School XI.—C. R. Martelli, goal; G. D. Etheridge, V. A.
Cox, backs; V. J. Cox, L. Flint, E. Hawkins, halves; A. E.
Misselbrook, W. C. Baker, J. M. Lee (capt.), B. R. Scott, R. H.
Scott, forwards.
NOTES ON THE GAME.
The forwards played with dash, the combination being
excellent. Lee made a successful début as centre-forward, and
kept his wings well moving with accurate long passes. Baker
and Misselbrook made a good right wing, both shooting and
centreing well. ‘The Scott combination on the left did much
good work though both should shoot harder and more often.
The halves worked well, Cox i. especially doing good work against
Walker’s best forward. ‘The backs Etheridge and Cox ii. both
defended well and Martelli proved himself a smart deputy gaol-
keeper though he is too risky to be a safe custodian.
Corps Notes.
2nd. C.B. Hants, Rect. “H” Coy.
PROMOTIONS.
October 9th, 1917. Sergt. J. M. Lee to be Sergt.-Major.
Cpl. T. J. Tappenden to be Sergt.
Cpl. R. H. Scott to be Sergt.
Fourteen recruits have joined the Corps this term. The
total strength is now 70,a record. The recruits are :—Maule-
Cole, Eyles ii., Mogride, Wooldridge Bell ii., Tatford, Littlejohn,
Cheesewright, Dunn, Clark ii., Sinclair i, Silvester, Brickwood,
Sanger.
The following have left the corps :—Cpl. A. J. Harvey, Lce.-
Cpl. J. Bridger, Lce.-Cpl. S. S. Smith, Cadet D. Pink, Cadet
Davis.
INSPECTION BY COLONEL G. E. KENT, V.D.
The annual inspection of the School contingent took place
on Friday, July 6th. The inspecting officer was accompanied by
Major Constantine (adjutant). The corps paraded 61 strong
under Captain S. R. N. Bradly. Lieut. Gale was in command of
No 1 Platoon, and Segt. Lee had charge of No 2 Platoon. The
ranks were closely inspected, and the Company drill under Lieut.
Gale was followed by squad drill under the various section com-
manders. The final movement was an attack in artillery formation
directed by Sergt. Lee. Colonel Kent then addressed the Cadets.
He congratulated them on their exceedingly smart appearance
and remarked on the the wonderful improvement in the corps
since he last inspected them. The Colonel said that he had been
much struck by the work of Sergt. Lee and the four corporals.
The inspection closed with three hearty cheers for Colonel Kent
and Major Consantine given by the company, lead by Sergt. Lee.
The Colonel was obviously pleased and said that it was a splendid
"send off.”
SECTION COMPETITION.
This competition was held in the latter part of the summer
term. The competition consisted of various drills (including
physical drill) wall scaling, rope climbing, tug of war, and cross
country race. The winning section was No. IV. whom we heartily
congratulate on their fine performance. Scores :—
1st. Section IV. 316.4 points.
2nd. Section I. 293.2
3rd. Section III. 283.8
4th. Section II. 283.4
Winning Platoon Commander, Sergt.-Major Lee.
Winning Section Commander, Sergt. Scott.
In addition five prizes were presented to the members of
the winning section.
Shooting Notes.
SECTION SHOOTING.
Summer Term 1917. The section shooting has shown a great
improvement. The score of the corps has been 7652 out of a
possible 12000 a percentage of 64. Last term the percentage
was 56, so it will be seen that the improvement has been most
marked. Section IV. has again won the cup, Section II. being
runners up. Appended are the details of Section Shooting :—
Section IV. (Winners). Max. 3000, Obt. 2098. 70%
Lee. Cpl. Swaffield, 213. Max. 250.
Cpl. Scott i., 209.
Cadet Scott i, 198.
Cadet Teek, 198.
Section II. Max. 3000. Obt. 2010. 67 %
Cadet Etheridge, 199. Max. 250.
Cadet Dodridge, 194. 55
Cpl. Harvey, 191.
Section I. Max. 4000. Obt. 1803. 60 %
Cpl. Chignell, 210. Max. 250.
Cadet Shatford, 170.
Cadet Green, 168.
Section III. Max. 3000 Obt. 1741 58 %
Cpl. Tappenden, 183. Max. 250.
Cadet Hoad, 177.
Cadet Edmunds, 169.
By Platoons :—No. I. 3813. No. II. 3839.
Oxford Locals, 1917.
The following passed the examination held in July :—
SENIOR DIVISION.
First-class Honours, G. Chignell. Third-class Honours,
R. H. Scott, and D. R. Kirk. Pass Division, D. Gregory.
JUNIOR DIVISION.
First-class Honours, V. A. Cox. Second-class Honours,
W. C. Baker. Third-class, H. L. Marriott. Pass Division,
W. E. C. Swales.
School News.
At the end of the Summer Term, B. R. Scott, V. A. Cox,
E. Hawkins, L. Flint, G. Etheridge were awarded 2nd XI.
Colours, and R. W. Carr-Hill, and H. L. Marriott, 3rd XI.
Colours. Second XI. Colours with a right to wear the Ist XI.
badge were awarded to W. C. A. Eyles, C. R. Martelli, and
D. Edmunds.
The following are the School Officers for the year :—
Head Prefect, J. M. Lee.
Head of Cams House, J. M. Lee.
Head of School House, R. H. Scott.
Head of Westbury House, G. Chignell.
Captain of Football, J. M. Lee.
" Hockey, B. R. Scott.
" Shooting, R. H. Scott.
" Cricket, D. R. Kirk.
Assistant Editor of the The Zion, J. M. Lee.
The following comprise the Games Committee :—
All the Prefects, with W. C. A. Eyles, D. Edmunds, Darking,
Lewry, and Ross ii.
The Bishop of Winchester visited the School on Wednesday,
October 18th.
The Term ends on Thursday, December 20th, and the
Easter Term begins on Tuesday, January 22nd, 1918.
Old Boys’ News.
If only Old Boys realized how glad we are to get news of
them and their whereabouts, I am sure that more would write, if
only a F.S. Postcard; many do so. News has been received
directly or indirectly from all mentioned below, and several of
them have been up to the School, and there is nothing that
interests them more than to hear of those who were at School
in their time.
Corporal E. Coles, now in Italy.
Private F. Swaffield, D.C.L.I.
Second-Lieutenant R. A. Hunter, R. Inniskilling Depot.
Sergeant E. Collington, recently home on leave.
Second-Lieutenant Scrivens, badly wounded.
“Dad” Pebber, N.Z. Ambulance.
Second-Lieutenant M. R. Coghlan, still on light duty.
Second-Lieutenant Higgins, R.F.C., Heliopolis.
Second-Lieutenant J. D. Thomas, R.F.C. Instructor, India.
Private H. G. Biddle, in France.
Private E. Llewellyn, now at Norwich.
Gunner N. Richards, still in France.
Sapper Debenham, recently on leave.
Cadet C. Ferguson Davie, O.T.C., Keble College, Oxford.
Second-Lieutenant E. F. Packham, Aldershot.
Lance-Corporal Heath, Lewis Gun Instructor.
Lieutenant R. H. Teek, H.M.S. Roxburgh.
Cadet N. Roake, O.T.C.
C,. and K. Eddowes, both well and in Chili.
Second-Lieutenant G. J. Scrivens came to see us early in
December. He was leading his platoon at Poelcapelle, and
they were within forty yards of their objective when a Machine
Gun got him, breaking his right arm badly a little below the
shoulder joint. He got into a shell hole for an hour with bullets
swishing over the top, one got him through the fleshy part of the
leg but did no serious damage, though our own barrage covered
him with earth. His sergeant found him and helped to tie
up his arm which was helpless, and cut off his equipment, using
a puttee as a bandage, and he managed to walk back through
the German barrage four miles, and is now down for three
months hospital treatment and going on well, luckily the wound
did not become septic.
Capt. Huggins is on leave, he was at the Battles of the Ancre
and Messines Ridge and had a lively two-and-a-half months in
Flanders but came through all right, we hope he may be able to
run down on the last day of term.
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