No. 6. SUMMER, 1910. VOL. II.

FIAT LUX.

NOTICES.

    The next number of The Pharos will appear shortly before the Christmas Holiday.
    All contributions intended for that number should reach the Editor before December 7th, 1910.
    Out of Term The Pharos can be obtained from the Editor, County School, Dover; or of Grigg and Son, “St. George’s Press,” Worthington Street and High Street.
    School Re-Opens September 15th, 1910.

EDITORIAL.

    IT becomes increasingly difficult for one half of this School to know where the other half is. Last Pharos, we thought we could say with confidence where every part of the School was going to be the following term, but the Junior School, driven out by drains, beholds Priory Hill only afar off. The Girls’ School, from the travellers’ tales which reach us, would appear to be a delectable place. There are, we are credibly informed, windows which open and then—stay open as long as required. There are rooms which do not face north, and a playground which does not rise into the air when trodden upon. Ours does, and can be seen so doing any interval from Monday to Saturday inclusive.
    Little notable has happened this term in the small world of School, but the great and stirring events of the outside world will make these months ever memorable to us all.
    To all leaving School to-morrow, we wish a very prosperous career.
    To Miss Turner we tender our very sincere good wishes for her happiness in her new life.
    We are losing also one who is, apart from staff, our oldest inhabitant. Miss Jackman begins in October, a year’s course of study at University College, London, in preparation for the B.Sc. Degree. We wish her every success, and congratulate her on the excellent and disinterested work she has done for the School.
    We are able to announce that the separation of the Girls’ and Boys’ Schools will not affect The Pharos in any way during the coming School year.

GLEAMS AND FLASHES.

    Appointment and election of Prefects for next year:—

    The voting was:—Fisher 75, Coombs 26, Reeder 55, Took 33, Smith 15, Lamidey 30.

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    Broadbridge senior has been appointed to the National and Provincial Bank in London.

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    Broadbridge junior sails from London, July 31st, on one of the Austerland Steamship line to West Australia, returning to Antwerp.

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    Percy Morrison has passed the qualifying examination for admittance as an Army Pupil Teacher.

—:—

Preliminary Certificate Passes.

GIRLS.

—:—

    There are many changes to record on the Art portion of our staff. At the end of the Easter Term Miss Gertrude Chapman left us for West Bromwich; this term Miss Goulden and Mr. Simpson also leave.

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    We are sure that all members of the School will be sorry to hear that Besant is ill; we wish him a speedy recovery.

—:—

    A. Hall leaves us this term, probably for Canada. We hope to hear good news of him there, but please Hall don’t tell us we are “back numbers” or “effete,” and don’t urge us to “hustle.” At the same time, if they hustle more in Canada than our friend has hustled between St. Margaret’s and Dover, via Castle Hill, they must be a very rapid race.

—:—

    May 7th, 1910, will he an ever memorable day in our School annals. On our way to School we were stunned by the placarded announcement of King Edward’s death. School assembled for prayers, and was then dismissed after a few words from the Head to impress on us the solemnity of the occasion. The girls dismissed similarly after first lesson.

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    May 8th we added our shouts to those of the crowd assembled before the Town Hall, to hear the proclamation of His Majesty King George the Vth. Long may he reign!

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    Among those honoured on the King’s Birthday was Sir Augustus Montague Bradley, formerly one of our School Governors. We offer him our respectful and hearty congratulations.

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    July 6th saw School closed as usual for the Dover Trades’ Holiday. It was not a very nice day, but people managed to enjoy themselves. It was remarkable next day to notice how subdued and sleepy were some of the brightest spirits. Gone were the merry jests which were wont to set the class in a roar. All they wanted was plenty of room to yawn.

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    On Tuesday, June 14th, a very successful “At Home” was held by the Staff of the Girls’ School, who received the Boys’ Staff and friends. Tennis was enjoyed on the School courts, and general conversation.

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    Another staff change to be recorded is the departure of Miss Mary Lowdon, who took Miss Chapman’s place at the time of her accident, and has this term taken the place of Miss Ellis and Miss Jackman. Miss M. Lowdon takes with her the best wishes of all with whom she has came in contact.

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    The New Hatband is now on sale at Mr. Wood’s.

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    Our Presiding Examiner for Oxford Locals this year is the Rev. A. Hope, M.A. (Queen’s College, Oxon.) Curate of St. Bartholomew’s. We offer him a hearty welcome.

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    Miss May Nash and Walsh have been distinguishing themselves, and throwing back a little distinction on to their old School by gaining the Education Prizes at their respective Colleges. Both, too, have been chosen—from among many applicants—for appointments under the L.C.C.

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    Pritchard is the first of this year from the School to be appointed. He has begun work at the Kent County Council School at Sevenoaks.

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    Dorothy Green was placed 30th on the list at the recent Post Office examination, failing to secure appointment by six places. We hope she will attain well merited success at her next attempt.

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    Miss Jackman, who leaves this term, came in September, 1901, from St. Mary’s School with the Crundall Scholarship. In 1905 she was our first Matriculant, and two years later passed the Inter-Science, London.

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    Doris Clout, Vera Costelloe and Walter Costelloe have obtained Junior Scholarships (K.E.C.)

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    School Dinners at the Girls’ School were begun on Thursday, June 2nd.

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    We hope in our next issue to give an account of the Old Students’ Picnic, which takes place Wednesday afternoon, July 27th. Also an account of the Old Boys’ Cricket Match will probably have to be reserved for that number.

—:—

    Miss Ferguson, formerly of the P.T.’s Centre, writes from the Christian’s Mission, Ningpo, China, and asks for news of the School and a copy of the Magazine if any exist. We expect this number will reach her and hope to hear further from her.

—:—

    Girls who have obtained Merit this Term:—

    Boys who have obtained Merit since last issue of Pharos:—

IMPROMPTU.

CRICKET NOTES.

    The past season has not been very successful as far as the School is concerned but most of the games have proved highly enjoyable. For the first time, I think, in the history of Dover County School Cricket, we have had no matches with Folkestone Harvey Grammar School, but in their place the Duke of York School Monitors gave us two games. Both of these matches were very enjoyable—perhaps because they were the only two won. Our first game with them ended rather abruptly. The late Hon. C. S. Rolls had come out on his flying-machine and as he was attracting rather more attention than the cricket we left our bats and proceeded to his shed just in time to join in the cheers of the excited crowd as he landed successfully. We have been very unfortunate in missing both games with St. Augustine’s College, Ramsgate, more especially because they always prove the best of the season. The weather was responsible for the first disappointment—it began to “drizzle” just as we arrived at Ramsgate Town Station—and the return had to be scratched owing to the death of one of the St. Augustine’s boys.
    At the time of writing there are still two matches to be played; the Old Boys’ match and the return with Ramsgate County School. With the past season one or two of us end our connection with the School Sports and some of the younger generation will have become regular members by the time we appear for the first time as Old Boys in an Old Boys’ match. I should like to take this opportunity of thanking the Chairman, Committee and players for the way they have given their services to the School Sports during the time I have had the privilege of acting as captain.
    That the coming season may be as enjoyable as and more successful than the past is the sincere wish of your past captain,

ERNEST H. GANN, 1909-1910.

FORM IV.

    At the beginning of the Term a meeting was held to elect the officers for the ensuing cricket season with the following result:—

    Although the number of matches played was very small the results were fairly satisfactory, winning three out of four. These were all Inter-Form matches; the only outside match, that against the P.S.A. (St. Martin’s) had to be abandoned on account of the inclement weather. Our defeat was owing to the fact that we played a very poor batting side. This can be proved by the fact that seven men only made twelve between them. The following are the results of the matches:—

FORM IV. v. FORM III.

    Form IV. won by an innings and 50 runs.
    Scores:— Form IV., 83 for 4 wkts. (declared); Form III., 17, 16.

FORM IV. v. FORM V.

Form IV. won by 42 runs.
Scores:— Form IV., 36, 73; Form V., 17, 50

FORM IV. v. JUNIOR SCHOOL.

Form IV. won by 73 runs.
Scores:— Form IV., 100; Junior School, 27.

FORM IV. v. FORM III.

Form IV. lost by 21 runs.
Scores :—Form IV., 49; Form III., 70.

A. A. B.

—:—

FORM IIb.

    Form IIb. have not had much cricket this Term; we have only had one match. We arranged a match with IIa, on July 13th; in the morning they told us they could not play. That is the sort of luck IIb. have had this Term. It is near the end of the Term, so it looks as though we shan’t get another match. We have arranged to play Form I. about six times, but in the morning when we are going to play them they say they can’t get a team. The only match we have played was with IIa., they beat us by ten runs. Egan is the best cricketer in our Form. He plays for the League; he is best at bowling. He gives himself a start with his left foot, then when you look for the ball you can’t see it, but when you turn round you will most likely see one of your wickets down.

D. STRANKS.

TENNIS NOTES.

    The Tennis Season is now nearly finished, and on the whole it has been a very successful one. It is a great advantage to have the two courts at School, for the girls can now play as often as they like, and the expense of hiring the Park Courts is saved. Of course the initial expenditure was considerable, because new posts, etc., had to be bought. On the whole the School has made a very good attendance, especially the juniors, who are very enthusiastic, and some of whom seem to be developing into very good players.
    At the beginning of the season Lily Vass was elected captain, but finding herself unable to attend to the duties, she resigned, and to fill the vacancy another girl was elected. Miss Chapman, and the mistresses have kindly offered two shields for the best players in the seniors and juniors.
    The competition for the Senior Shield will take place on Friday and Saturday, July 22nd and 23rd. The Junior Competition began on Wednesday, July 13th. The winning couples were:— May White and M. Back; D. Dale and M. Friend; N. McNeille and E. Elvey; H. Baker and K. Greenwood.
    On Friday, July 8th, a match was played against Folkestone County School. The Folkestone girls were victorious, but the School hopes to beat them when they play the return match at Folkestone on Saturday, July 23rd.

H. AINSLIE, Captain.

FOOTBALL.

    The General Meeting for the ensuing Football season was held on Wednesday, the 13th July. The excitement of the younger boys was intense (although “Yip-I-addy-I-ay” was so subdued) but “silence reigned supreme” as the Secretary read out the Minutes of the last General Meeting. As is customary these were passed unanimously (nem. con. as one was heard to say) and then we proceeded to proposing v. seconding. The most important part of a meeting—the voting—took the shortest time and a competition must have been held among some of the boys to see who could roll his “ballot” paper up the smallest.
    The following officers were elected:—

ELECTION RESULTS.
(FOOTBALL OFFICERS).

SCOUTING NOTES.

    Bad weather and the temporary loss of any headquarters have been the cause of much disappointment this term. Some six parades only have been held, amongst which have been a game with Charlton one camp, and two route marches.
    In spite however of little opportunity for practice and instruction ingloriously No, 7 Troop has managed to come out, not altogether from the recent Proficiency Badge Tests held by the local Committee, and has gained the distinction of winning the first King’s Scout Badge and first four “All Round Cords” granted in Dover.
    To King’s Scout Reeder our heartiest congratulations. He qualified for this badge—instituted by the late King Edward VII.—by passing the tests in pathfinding (compulsory), ambulance, signalling, and as a cyclist. By also gaining the badges of interpreter, pioneer, and starman he won his “All Round Cords” as well.
    The other “All Round” men are Mills, Igglesden and Finnis.
    Scout Mills is also to be complimented upon being selected by the Deputy-Commissioner (Lieutenant-Colonel Smythe) to be put on probation for official recognition as Assistant Scoutmaster, although under age. Special permission had to be obtained from Headquarters for this. May Mills satisfy all requirements and may this not be the only selection from our Troop for early promotion.
    Immediately next term commences the Mayor’s contest will be on us. Are we going to repeat last year’s performance?
    In this connection it must be noted that morse signalling by flags has been substituted for the relay race, and life saving from drowning for the tug-of-war. Will all strive their utmost during the holidays to perfect themselves in these?
    Below will be found a table shewing the proficiency and other badges gained this term, and our balance sheet for the period of our existence.

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COUNTY SCHOOL SCOUTS.
(DOVER No. 7 TROOP.)
BALANCE SHEET, JANUARY 1909—JULY 1910.

(a) Includes Haversacks, Staves, Patrol Colours, Cord, &c.
(b) Includes Patrol Flags, Ambulance Kit, Ordnance Maps, Signalling
Flags, Tracking Irons, &c.

    Cyclist Badges have been gained by Reeder and Malley, and Second Class badges by A. Morrison, Eastes and Gasson.

SWIMMING.

    Swimming on the Sea Front before 7 o’clock in the morning is fine fun. Getting out of bed for an early morning swim is a very hard job. But once out of bed, the beach is soon reached where the undressing operation begins. Once undressed and after a series of hops and crouches the edge of the water is reached. First of all you go up to your knees, then you shout out, “Oh! it’s cold!” Then you see somebody go in and duck his head and sometimes a large man goes bustling in like a boat.
    Then not wanting to be beaten, you go in yourself. After about five minutes in the water you get out again. Sometimes after your swim it is a hard job to get back to your clothes, as the beach is very shingly. You quickly dress yourself as you begin to feel cold.
    After a good swim in the morning you can always eat a good breakfast. I think nearly every boy should go in for swimming for his health, and use, in a town like Dover.

CHARLES EGAN.

FORM IIa.—Boys.

    The summer Term of 1910 finds us working like Trojans for promotion to Form III. Occasionally there is a lull between our labours. For instance, the other day a boy was asked what the French town of Lyons was famous for. Amid laughter, he answered, “Tea.” The boy afterwards admitted that it was a slip.
    During this Term several of us, with a feeling of discipline, stayed in our Class Room all the dinner hour, the reason being that no master had come to dismiss us. One of our number, with great generosity bought two 1/2d. buns and divided them between nine of us.
    During Friday, July 15th, we had to write an essay on “Aviation.” Two boys had very curious ideas of that science, one of them putting that there was a difference between the monoplane and aeroplane, the other putting that by the word “Aviation” we mean a flying machine. (Of course they couldn’t help it). Our Class Room is now the “Refrigerator.” We do feel lonely “up above the world so high,” and the sooner we get to our “old home,” amidst its lovely surroundings on Priory Hill the better.

V. A. DOUBLEDAY.

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FORM III.

    The Third Formers entertained the rest of the School one afternoon at the end of the Term with our play, the trial scene in “The Merchant of Venice.” It was really a treat to see Shylock scowl, and dart venomous glances at the luckless Antonio; the Duke was just as he ought to be, so also were Portia and Nerissa, all having paid great attention to the learning of their parts, Antonio was also very good, but the blustering Gratiano made our sides ache.
    The rest of the Form supplied wigs, gowns, beards and moustaches, and a bond. (All on show in Form III. room). We hope it was a success, and there is little doubt that it was, considering that we studied our parts nearly all the Term.

“BASSANIO.”

OUR FORM.

    We are now the contented residents of the old High School premises. Although it is a great improvement on Saint Hilda’s, we were almost heart-broken on leaving the site of so many joys, sorrows, honours, and disgraces.
    Although we have parted company with the dear little blue-tits that were so fond of us (especially in the winter, when there was food, the rogues!) we have most amiable companions in the rooks, several of whose young were found on the lawn in the spring. In learning to fly they had fallen, poor dears, and some of them had the misfortune to break their bones. Our special delight is the hall, or “gym.” where wonders in the way of gymnastics are daily performed. There we incessantly practice “The Merchant of Venice,” the first of Shakespeare’s plays that we have taken, consequently a source of great joy to us—the honoured Third.
    In spite of our happiness, a cloud has been hanging over our heads, namely, the approach of our loved Miss Turner’s leaving. From this sorrow, however, a joy arose, even as refreshing showers are the result of dark clouds, for we had a farewell picnic, which, needless to say, we enjoyed immensely. We are looking forward—some with joy, some with dread—to the ever-nearing examinations, and, as far as I can tell, nearly bothering the poor teachers’ lives out with questions, such as these, “Do you think we shall have a question on the reign of James?” “How far shall we revise our geometry?” “ Shall we do a map of Australia?” etc., etc. This Term seems to have fled like lightning; why, it was only yesterday when we received our last term’s reports. Alas! the year is nearly over, and from all it implores the passing tribute of a sigh. We willingly give you the sigh old year, if it will help us to remember all your happy frolics and pastimes; may we have many such others.

R. V.

THE ADVENTURES OF FORM IIb.

    This Term has been a muddle indeed. We first go up to the Girls’ School, where we get plastered with mud, and very nearly break our necks coming down the stairs. Then we had to toddle down to the big School to see if we could get diggings. We managed to, but we had to lodge with Form I. for a fortnight, which was very nasty, as we got mixed up with their baby-talk. But they soon left us to ourselves. We had been getting on all right, when it was suggested that we should keep our books in a cupboard. It went all right for about five minutes, when everybody found everybody else’s books in his locker. We were, at last, turned out of the lockers, and had to put our books on boards. Since then, I am glad to say, we have had a heavenly time.

E. S.

SCHOOL IN THE ELEMENTARY ROOM.

    When we first came down from the Junior School we had lessons in the elementary room. Right in the middle of the room is a group of models which a young lady is drawing. In the middle of a lesson a drawing master will come in, then a drawing mistress. We are moved about from one part of the room to another. The windows are covered with dark curtains. If the window monitor opens the windows, they are all shut by the drawing master. We have no place to keep our books. We are very excited because the terminal exams. are drawing near. When we first came we had no waste paper basket and we used to put it into a wheelbarrow but one of the masters turned it out. We do have a lively time, I can tell you.

J. E. (aged 10 years).

IMPRESSIONS OF THE NEW SCHOOL.

    The New School. Ah, when shall we cease to name it thus; what a mockery those words were a few months ago. We talked about it by day and dreamt impossible dreams by night.
    It has now ceased to be a mockery and has really happened. We are actually going to the New School. The reader can imagine what excitement prevailed throughout the whole School. The younger children raced about, packing up books, and trying to help in their own way. Everyone went home, morning and afternoon, buried behind enormous piles of books. The whole school was turned upside down. The desks were moved, and there was nowhere to sit.
    Friday afternoon came and on the following day we were to go to our new abode. Everyone, of course, was very punctual, all eager to get a glimpse of the inside of the building. The doors opened and oh! the astonishment, and the eyes of the girls, wide open, gazing into every nook and corner they could see. The cloakroom was the first place into which we entered. Everyone had a numbered peg and a shoe locker. Whilst we were removing our hats and setting down our many bundles a voice at one end of the room called out “Don’t sit on the shoe lockers or there you will stick.” The order maintained at first was dreadful. Each form was despatched to its own room, in spite of the desires to explore the entire school.
    Lessons were commenced, but nobody thought of attending. Everyone’s eyes were busy exploring the contents of the classroom, admiring the spic-and-span paint. How ill we felt at the end of the morning, after having sat in our desks and gazed at the green paint and inhaled the varnish on the walls.
    The rooms are very nice. Each room has a raised platform on which there is a desk. This is for the mistress, and is a great improvement, because she can see the whole class and not one girl gets a chance of playing.
    For the first week or two we had no blackboards, but when they did arrive how delighted we were. They were not black, but green, encased in a wooden frame. These were nailed upon the wall, and every girl took a pride in washing and polishing them.
    We have here a gymnasium, where we drill on wet days, and two tennis courts, one is asphalt and the other grass.
    Now I have said so much about the new school that it has quite outshone the old school. We are all quite happy here, but perhaps we regret leaving the other after four enjoyable years spent there.

E. P.

THE SCHOOL DINNER.

    At last the long-looked for School Dinner has been arranged. For two or three terms back it has been promised to us, but now the plan has been realised. The dinner-girls are divided into two parties, those who take their own provisions, and merely have & seat at table, and those who have the School dinner.
    Now School dinners sound rather awful. I believe one immediately thinks of heavy suet puddings, dry meat, watery stews, immense pieces of bread, and various other discomforts. This is not the case with our dinners. After school we amuse ourselves in our classrooms, some of the very hungry ones wait outside the dining room door, then the bell rings. We troop into the dining room.
    After Grace we sit down to our often well-earned (?) meal. Not hard meat without gravy, and vegetables plus caterpillars, but nice meat with gravy and nicely cooked vegetables. Yes, and one need not have vegetables unless one likes, although it is one’s duty to have them.
    I remember the first dinner. After my first plateful, I was asked the most unheard of thing “would I have some more?” Then came the crisis. TWO immense wobbly jellies were introduced with some gooseberries. We did not have this every day. One day we had an immense roly-poly jam pudding. Well, this is one of my weak points. The pudding was not weak, it was strong and heavy—with jam. Then one day we had strawberries. They were delicious. We wished we had put some cream somewhere. Then the excellent jokes and repartee that go on during dinner. We are generally enlivened by two of our mistresses. They once discussed one of Punch’s latest cartoons. It did us good to hear the several opinions. Then we argue whether carrots are good for the brain, or whether they are not, or whether Sanatogen or Allenbury’s is the best health restorer. Altogether our school dinners are quite a success as far as the girls are concerned, and I am sure we wish the people upon whom the worst part lies (I mean paying bills, etc.) every success.

F. H.

NOTES.

    The Girls’ County School Literary and Debating Society was formed last Term. At a preliminary meeting held on March 28th, officers and committee were elected, and it was decided that the Society should be open to girls in the IVth, Vth, and VIth Forms only.
    The first meeting of the Society was held on April 8th, it took the form of an “impromptu” debate. The subjects under discussion were (i) Compulsory Sports in Schools; (ii) Cat Licences. The motion that “cats ought to be taxed” was carried by 23 votes to 2, and caused much merriment.
    The next meeting, held at the commencement of the present Term, was a debate on that “much-debated question, “Women’s Suffrage.” The result was an overwhelming majority in favour of the motion.
    The third meeting of the Society took the form of an evening walk over Ewell Minnis, which has been more fully described elsewhere.

“V.,” President.

DETENTION AT SCHOOL.

ODE.
(WRITTEN ON LEAVING THE COUNTY SCHOOL, 1910.)

A WALK OVER THE MINNIS.

    It was July really, but, had it not been for the trees in full leaf, one might have mistaken it for April. All day long the rain and the sunshine had been playing “hide and seek” in the clouds, but in the evening the rain went away and the sunshine wandered among the clouds alone. Then we started for a walk up the Minnis, going by way of that lane which is overarched to the very top by trees, and then suddenly opens out into a wide expanse of bushes, bracken and grass. It was glorious there that evening! A silvery grey light was in the sky, and a bank of soft purple clouds lay across it. The wind dropped, not a sound was to be heard but the sweet singing of a thrush in the distant woods. All nature seemed to hold her breath awhile, then the rain came pattering down, but we did not heed it, for there away to the east stretching right across the sky in a perfect semicircle was the rainbow; the beautiful daughter of the rain and the sun who so rarely shows her whole self to the eyes of wondering mortals. The sunshine gilded the curly tops of the young bracken, and every blade of grass with his slanting beams then went to sleep behind a curtain of misty grey and gold. We watched the rainbow fade, and the lights and shadows creep softly up the wooded valley. Then we turned our steps homeward, laden with honeysuckle and wild roses. We were rather wet and very muddy by the time we reached home, but very happy withal. How could we be otherwise?

C. M. BRADLEY.

THE SAD DEATH OF THE HON. C. S. ROLLS.

    We are all, especially Dover people, very grieved to hear of the sad death of the Hon. C. S. Rolls. Most of us saw his splendid cross-Channel flight and admired his pluck and perseverance in attempting such a great enterprise. His tragic death in the cause of Science and the English nation will live long in the hearts of British subjects. We, as Form III., are gratified to have known him personally and to have seen his splendid flights.

S. B.

—:—

    We were all very sad when the sad piece of information reached us of the tragic death of the Hon. C. S. Rolls. We all thought that he was the pluckiest aviator of the present day. As he had his shed on the heights we were very eager to see him, and more especially his aeroplane. As the wind was not as peaceful as it might have been we were sorry that he could not ascend.
    On July 2nd we heard that he was going to fly. He stepped into the aeroplane without having on a lifebelt, so we thought he was only having a trial flight, but he gained a higher altitude than usual, and away he went. We were soon informed that he had done the double journey. So now we unanimously agree that the pluckiest of aviators has been taken from us.

W. COSTELLOE.

EXTRACTS FROM A DOVER PAPER.

June 23rd, 1910.

    “It is now a recognised fact that the girls of the County School have started a menagerie. After school hours, and sometimes at recess, monkeys may be seen, which swing themselves with great agility along ladders in the hall.
    “They are also good climbers, and, with a little encouragement, will scramble up ropes to the ceilings. These ropes are used, in addition, for swinging. Form III. are now the chief patronisers of the menagerie, having supplanted the respected Vth.”

R. VALLENCE.

A HOLIDAY AT RONDA (SPAIN).

    When we went to Ronda, we went about the town to find a hotel; we found one at last, and when we went to dinner flies kept on settling on our heads, and we had great trouble to drive them off. After dinner we went out into a park where there were a few fountains playing, and several pretty butterflies; while we were in there some Spanish boys came up, and we threw them some money to scramble for; when they had picked it all up they kept on following us until we had to fetch a soldier to drive them away. One day we went on a bridge over a precipice; the bridge was an old one and blocked up the valley below, and the bridge had Saxon-shaped places like windows all the way down, we stayed on the top while father and mother went down a side road, and while they were going down, mother fell off and broke the tip off her sunshade. When they got down the bottom of the valley they looked so small. There is a big market there which sells generally crockery, fruit, and some meat.

N. HOPE.

AN IRISHMAN’S HOME.

    Leaving Hollymount Station, Co. Mayo, Ireland, one gets a fine view of a peasant’s home. His dwelling place is a cabin with a thatched roof and whitewashed walls. The walls of the cabin are built of stones and mud; the floor is bare stone throughout. There are generally two rooms; one is the living room, where the pigs and fowls take their meals with the farmer and his family, the other is the bedroom, but in some parts where they cannot afford to have two rooms the cow, donkey and pigs, along with the fowls, sleep in the same room as the peasants do.
    Instead of hedges, as in England, the fields are surrounded by stone walls, while close to the cabin is the potato patch and cabbage garden. The failure of the potato crop means famine, because it forms, along with buttermilk, the food of the people. The cabbages are reserved for the pig, who is known as “the gentleman that pays the rent.”
    The peasants go barefooted and have beautiful white pearly teeth and hair such as any lady would envy. The women wear large shawls and homespun dresses, the old ladies having in addition white bonnets.
    The people take their time and all agree that what you cannot do to-day do to-morrow.

A STIRRING EPISODE.

    Ah me ! even now I look back on that event and feel some of the qualms that I experienced then. It was a lovely summer day, the grass was green, and everything was gay. It seemed so sad when I remembered what would happen in a short space of time. Without were my enemies, thirsting for my blood, within, my friends were urging me to do or die, to do for preference. At last, I screwed my courage up, and with a trusty comrade, stepped forth. My knees trembled, my hands shook, my face blanched, indeed, I displayed every symptom of fear. Eluding my enemies, I made for my station. I, a forlorn hope, was to endure the onslaught of the enemy first. I had sorry weapons, a club for aggression, and also for defence, a very sword, shield, and buckler in one. I determined to defend my trust with my last drop of blood. But lo ! now the attack commences. I see my enemies with covert sneers, creep in on me, smiling, in their strength, at my weakness. I hear a rush of feet, see a confused medley of arms and legs, as an assailant bears down on me. He hurls a projectile with all his force at my defenceless body, and follows up his attack. A mist swam before my eyes, I set my teeth, and struck wildly. I felt the impact on my club, and as I stood dazed, I heard a roar of “Well hit ! sir.” I had scored a boundary off the first ball of the season.

A. H.

LIFE IN A BELGIAN SCHOOL.

    The life in a Belgian School differs somewhat from that in an English one. The school hours range from 8 o’clock in the morning till midday and from two to four in the afternoon. Prayers are never said in the morning or at the conclusion of the day. The daily teaching includes French, English, German and Flemish. The boys have the Thursday afternoon off instead of our English Wednesday and Saturday afternoon.
    The summer holidays begin on the 31st July, ending 7½ weeks later. The Christmas holidays generally last two weeks and the Easter holidays three weeks. The boys do not take any heed of sport, although it is gradually rising. Football comes first, then rowing. Cricket is unknown in the Belgian Schools. There is a terminal exam., and the boys look forward to it with eagerness. Marks are given each week.
    A well fitted gymnasium is provided and every morning the boys are taken for half-an-hour’s drill. Prizes of books are given every year for every branch of learning. This distribution of prizes generally takes place on the breaking-up day. There are no school sports and scouting is unknown. The boys nearly all take up stamp collecting and several other hobbies. Some even have science laboratories of their own.
    On the whole, the school life on the continent is very dull. It is one of the most difficult things in the world to make one of the masters believe you, and it is harder still to believe the boys.

R. L. OXLEY.

EXTRACT FROM LETTER OF MISS AGNES OGG,
formerly at the Pupil Teachers’ Centre, and now of Cape Colony.

    “Though many folk were sea-sick getting into Table Bay, I was, too excited to think of it, as I was watching Table Mountain. And such a view! Cape Town without Table Mountain would look nothing. After getting through the docks and Customs we drove to the station in Adderley Street, the principal thoroughfare of Cape Town. Salt River is nine minutes by rail from Cape Town, and is one of the principal suburbs. It would take pages to describe the lovely surroundings. The suburbs are well populated, and extend about ten miles round Cape Town. The train service is splendid, and Salt River is the junction for the suburbs.
    “I am in the largest School in Cape Colony, the roll numbering 920. All the children are of European descent. Among them we get British, Dutch, Jewish, Russian, French and Spanish. Many of these races inter-marry, so you will see it is difficult to teach Colonial children, especially as they lack concentration of thought.
    “The children are very affectionate, often bringing me fine plants. They are fond of anything English, and attend eagerly to anything I tell them of home.
    “Owing to the death of our beloved King, the celebrations connected with Union Day, May 31st, were cancelled. Lord and Lady Gladstone were well received. The new Ministry has been formed, with General Botha as Premier. There are hopes and fears among the British people, but if all get equal rights the country will prosper. The depression is past; the shipping is better; the money market is brisk; and we expect a good trade boom in a short time.”

THE TRIALS OF A WOULD-BE POETESS.

    Ah me ! this life is full of trouble ! I am fully convinced that I am a poetess, and none will acknowledge it or even let me read a poem to them. Last week, for example, I was composing a poem for The Pharos, and the trials through which I went must surely win the heart of the sympathetic reader.
    The soul-racking anxieties, the daily hardships and the scorn of heartless passers-by were jars to my sensitive spirit. In school, the playground, at home, and in the street I was continually searching my brain for suitable words in which to express myself, but could not for the life of me think of a word to rhyme with “took,” except “book,” and that would alter the sense.
    At dinner mother asked me if I would have some more pudding. “Yes, please,” I said absently (I was puzzling out which metre I should use, and how many lines to a verse). Mother placed a plate of pudding before me, at which I stared in blank amazement. “I
did not ask for any more,” I expostulated. “Yes, you did,” she replied, and then I remembered. Of course I was laughed at for that, and I made up my mind to try the country and see if that would suit my humour. Accordingly I started out and was soon seated on a stile, enjoying the beauties of nature, which can only be sufficiently admired by poets.
    I was in the midst of a delicious reverie, and made up some lovely sonnets, odes, elegies and the like. How gloriously the birds sang! How everything rejoiced in the summer sun! How far was I from the hateful town where my genius was not admired! I was working myself up to a fine pitch of sentimentality, when—“ 'Say Bill, give us a leg up!” broke on my ear, scattering my thoughts to the winds. Alas ! alack ! even here I was disturbed. I sorrowfully gathered up my belongings and departed. My feelings were too deep for words. And it is always so. I cannot say, as Bassanio said of Portia—
            “Nor is the wide world ignorant of her worth.”
    When it is too late, perhaps my fellow-creatures will realise my value, and beg me to display to them my wonderful works, but beg as they may, I shall be stern and immovable as a rock. Now is your time, take your chance!

“ROSALIND.”

VIVIEN.

    I must first introduce this wee man to my readers. He is not an airman trying to scale the clouds but a very small boy in the Babies’ class at school, who has just attained the enormous age of four, and thinks himself quite a hero in his little world. Imagine a chubby boy with red hair, large blue mischievous eyes and dimples in his cheeks, and you see Vivien.
    He was brought to school one day and while his mother was talking to the Head Teacher he stood gazing at the babies for some minutes, when suddenly he started at one end of the line, and much to the horror of the little people, tickled them all under the chin in turn and then proceeded to play ball on the school room floor.
    As is the case with most children he did not show much sorrow at parting with mother and all was quiet for a few seconds when he rushed from his place seized the bell and rang it violently, singing a hymn at the same time. When the bell had no further charm for him he continued to sing various hymns in a very loud voice.
    Vivien never thinks of walking quietly into school, but armed with at least 50 old matches runs in and in a whisper says “Dood arternoon gummiss.” When told to speak louder, he shrieks out the same phrase and then goes to his place distributing his matches over floor and tables. A stern voice demands the play-things, which are gathered up swiftly and hidden with great efforts in a minute trouser pocket. Again the voice (viz, that of the S. T.) asks “What are you playing with Vivien?” No reply. The question is put again. At last the pitiful reply comes “Oney maches.”
    At playtime the children stand and march out in order. This is slow work to Vivien, and he thinks that it is very degrading to be seen with the other children. So he rushes on ahead, beating an imaginary drum and singing at the same time “A life on the ocean wave.” He thus commands, with the air of a colonel at least, his tiny followers, who also enjoy the fun.
    While the children are playing, H.M.I. of Student Teachers arrives and, a S.T. being on the Staff, asks her to give three lessons, two of which are to be given to the babies’ class. The poor S.T. shivers for a minute when she thinks of Vivien. At last the time arrives. Vivien is tolerably good with his teacher until H.M.I. asks if he may talk to the children for a little while.
    During the interval of changing teachers the children get fidgety. H.M.I. then says “Hush.” Silence for a few seconds, when a small boy with raised finger also commands silence in a very loud voice “Sh!” After severe chastisement he becomes subdued, and turning to the class H.M.I. says “Fold arms children.” Silence prevails again, when suddenly overflowing with mirth the small boy, standing erect in front of the class also in a very manly voice says “Fold armsh shildrens” and turning scrambles over the easel well satisfied with the impression he has made. These are some of the many incidents which mark Vivien’s school life.
    At a quarter to four he, still martial, still untired, bids us Dood-bye Ladish.

M. M. H.

R.M.S. “EMPRESS OF BRITAIN”

    Monday.— We have had an awful time since Saturday, as we have both been horribly sick, and this is the first time we have been up on deck. The stewards are very attentive, and fetch anything we want.
    We are now in mid-ocean and there is a heavy swell on and it is very foggy. We expect to reach Quebec on Thursday evening. The ship travels 420 miles a day and if we are not detained by fog it will be a record passage. There is a mail leaves the ship to-morrow. It is now frightfully foggy, and just behind me is a fair one playing most lovely tunes on an old accordion. It is awful. There are a lot of Birmingham, Lancashire and Yorkshire people on board, and their talk is amusing. There is to be a grand concert on board to-night, and the “accordionites” will make night hideous. I shall be glad when we land. We made the passage round the north of Ireland.
    Tuesday.— Very cold and miserable with thick fog; we are near Newfoundland. The sailors are always swilling the decks with a “squeegee” as they call it. The wretched accordions are screeching away all day. There is such a funny old Jack Tar on board, he is swilling, squeegeeing, rubbing and walking round with a brush all day. The performers are practising for to-night, two are singing the everlasting “Larboard Watch.” There is an old thumper of an accompanist, and he is just now struggling through several of the songs, “Oh, my ! won’t it be loverly !” The Scandinavians spend their whole time dancing or playing such funny games. Their dances are very graceful and interesting to watch.
    Wednesday.— Up on deck at 5.15. Land in view. It looks quite blue in the distance. We are just beginning to enjoy ourselves, and to wish we had several more days of it. The sea is beautiful and calm, and the sun is just coining out, and in the water are beautiful bunches of seaweed. In the distance is an iceberg looking a lovely blue-green. It was a tremendous thing, going up to a point, and we sailed quite close to it. We were then sailing down the coast of Labrador. (Afternoon). We had a fine dinner, and have passed through the St. of Belle Isle, and saw Labrador and Newfoundland distinctly. The Scotch girls on board are just as full of life and movement as the Scandinavians; they either skip or play ring games the whole day long.
    Thursday.— On deck at 6. Sighted several ships. Altogether we have only seen about a dozen since we got out of sight of Ireland. We are both enjoying everything now. We are now in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, near one shore. You can just make out the other shore. The country here is quite mountainous and extremely picturesque. Outside a town we stop for a tender to land the mail bags. The sailors have to work hard to land the mail. We take a pilot on board here. Now we are 170 miles from Quebec. The scenery up the river is grand, very like descriptions I have read of Scotch or Norwegian coast scenery. It is very mountainous on both sides, but the painfully modern look of all the houses detracts from the views. You must forgive me if these accounts are rambling, but there is so much to see. The ship is constantly receiving Marconigrams, and every day the news is printed and posted up.
    Friday, 4 o’clock.— We can see Quebec now. It looks very nice surrounded by hills, on the slopes of which the houses are built. It does not resemble any town I have seen in England. At seven o’clock we land, and are now going off to see after our luggage.
    It has been a very pleasant trip, especially the latter part, when we had overcome the demon of sea-sickness.

K. M. H.

MY EXPERIENCES AMONGST BIRDS.
THE BLUE TIT.

    This little bird is known by all for its audacity, and the same can be gathered from the following experience:— It was this year that I found a nest of this little bird which contained young. The nest was placed in a room of a house at Whitfield, and was sheltered by the roof. The hole of admittance was an inch in diameter, and could only admit two of my fingers. After I had cut away some of the wood I had difficulty in putting my hand in the hole. I at once saw that the female was on the nest, and sitting hard by her young. The little bird was spitting at me like a demon, and she would not come from the nest by any means, and not until I had gone away did she stop spitting.

THE STARLING.

    The starling, as we all know, is a common bird, but its eggs are not so common, simply because they are hard to get at. The bird will continue laying even if you take the eggs. This year I have taken at least twelve eggs from a starling’s nest, but she continued laying, and well for me, for I had at last came upon one egg worth having, it is worth a few pounds. It was a white starling’s egg, which is laid by the ordinary starling, but instead of being blue it is white. So, thus after taking the eggs I had something worth having.

THE ROBIN.

    The robin is, I suppose, the most familiar bird in Britain, for it is seen everywhere. These birds are very tame, and the fact can be drawn from the following:— This year I found a nest of the robin containing six eggs, at Lydden. I saw that the bird was sitting on the eggs, so I put my hand near, expecting to see the bird fly, but no, she allowed me to pick her off and gently lay her down upon the eggs again, and then she did not fly. The young were hatched safely this month, and all flew.

THE TREE CREEPER.

    Very few people know this bird, and I have been lucky enough to have seen it and its nest, but I am sorry to say the young were killed, by what I don’t know. The nest I found myself at Alkham, and it had six young. The bird I watched every day, and it was very interesting to see. It is a small bird and dark brown, and for these reasons it is rather hard to discern against tree trunks. The nest I found was placed in a hole in a tree trunk, and quite impossible to get at. The bird is able by its hind claws to climb a tree at a rapid pace in search of its food, which consists entirely of insects.

THE WRYNECK.

    This is another bird which few people are acquainted with, but I again have been successful in seeing it. Not only did I see it, but found its nest containing ten eggs, pure white. The nest was placed in the gate post of Mr. Clark’s Nursery, at the top of the road leading to the Nursery. I was in hope of seeing the bird again this year, but unfortunately, the posts have been replaced by new ones. The bird, like all of the woodpecker family, is shy, and not very often seen.

THE LONG-TAILED TIT.

    Although this bird is fairly common, its nest is not so familiar with all. I found a nest of this bird on Ewell Minnis this year, and a pretty sight it is to see. It is an oval structure, and impossible to describe exactly. It is composed of moss and lichen, and interwoven by spider’s web. The bird is just able to enter the hole, which is very small. The bird has a long tail, and it has always been a discussion between naturalists as to where the bird puts its tail when sitting.

G.E.T.

THE PROGRESS OF OPPIE.  (start)
2.— A QUESTION OF CLOTHES.

    Next afternoon Oppie remembered his promise to bowl at the nets, and half an hour before the appointed time he was quietly making his way round by the back of the small plot of ground enclosing the hut he called “home.” Then the sound he had been dreading pulled him up. “Here you, Theophilus!” called his mother. Oppie stopped to examine attentively the ripening crop of a mango tree. “Theophilus Victor” called the voice again. Oppie returned slowly, dreading the expected addition of the “Adolphus,” and yielded without protest to the maternal commands. The result was that a perspiring Oppie arrived at the cricket pitch, rather late, very sulky, unusually clean, wearing his very best clothes, including a broad starched collar, and a pair of boots—new, tight, and altogether most abominable boots.
    Dick was batting, Bob and a young islander bowling to him. The twins looked doubtfully at their new friend’s immaculate appearance, but Bob threw him the ball with an invitation to “send up a few.” Perhaps the result may be imagined. The first ball was an obvious wide, then came a half-volley to leg, a certain four for the batsman, and these were a fair specimen of what followed, but of Oppie’s vaunted pace, length and spin, not a sign ! The boys looked worried, Oppie’s disgust and disappointment were obvious, though he pegged away manfully, hoping against hope that the boots would stop pinching and the new, slippery soles stop slipping on the bare, hard earth at the bowling end.
    At last Dick could stand it no longer, so he had a whispered consultation with his brother, and then beckoned the black boy away. The two disappeared into the house.
    When they came back the Resident was batting and was dealing easily with the best balls that anyone could send him. Oppie was now transformed. An old flannel shirt of Bob’s, and a pair of rubber-soled canvas shoes which he now wore had made the difference, and as somebody threw him the ball there appeared the first flashing smile since he heard the fatal “Theophilus” of an hour earlier.
    His first ball was a shooter, but the batsman just blocked it; from the next there was an obvious, easy catch for first slip. The third ball was one of those. which became widely known afterwards as “Oppie’s Specials”—spinning in hard from the off, after pitching a good length, it crashed between the off and middle stump and the bowler turned a somersault in his joy. As he seldom yielded to his feelings, he felt and looked very sheepish on assuming the perpendicular, but his antics went almost unnoticed in the general jubilation, amidst which the upper part of a dusky female countenance appeared in silence above the fence.
    Not long in silence, however, for shrill and piercing came the question “You Theophilus Victor, where’s yo’ Sunday boots?” followed, after a dead silence on all sides, by “You Theophilus Victor Dolphus, I say where’d ye’ git dem clo’es, ain’t you ‘shamed to be ‘mong de gentry in sich rags?”
    Theophilus, etc., disappeared, but peace was soon made and to his surprise he found himself free to spend other afternoons bowling and batting on the fascinating strip of brown matting.
    Let us conclude by saying that, by special favour of the powers that were, Oppie played in the big match and surprised the swell batsman from the Capital to such an extent that in the first innings they made but sixty-three between them, only twenty-two of those came from Oppie’s bowling and the Island won their most famous victory on record.

LATE NEWS.

    We have all this morning (Saturday, July 23rd) been gratified by the visit of Lieutenant-Colonel Smythe. A full account of the distribution of the Scout badges, &c., will appear in the next Pharos, but we should like to put on record now our keen appreciation of Colonel Smythe’s address and of the excellent effect such an address must have on the School.

    Contributions are acknowledged, with thanks, from:— M., Rene, M.B., C., J.B., O.S., P.M., L.M.I., W.A.A., J.H., C.R., E.M., O.M.S., L.B., R.C., V.B., W.H., F.C., P.G.
    Those by Rene, O.M.S., E.M., C., J.H. and P.M. will be printed when space admits.

OLD BOYS’ CRICKET MATCH.

    RESULT:— School won by 92 runs to 60. Hall made 30, Bond 23. Reeder took 5 wickets for 15.