No. 21. MARCH, 1916. VOL. VI.

FIAT LUX.

    The next Number of the "Pharos" will appear about July 12th. Contributions should be handed in NOT LATER THAN JUNE 24th.
    Copies of the current issue of the "Pharos" or of back Numbers which are in stock may be obtained from the Editor—price 6d.; post free, 7d.
    The Editor would be glad to receive names and addresses of any Old Boys in the Services or elsewhere who would like to receive Copies.

HEADMASTER'S NOTES.

The Summer Term will extend from May 4th to July 26th inclusive. Railway passes should be taken up for this period.

It is expected that the new School will be opened in September next. Parents of boys who are hoping to obtain admission at this time, who have not yet sent in their forms of application are advised to obtain and return these forms as soon as possible.

Many boys now attending the School are eligible to compete for twenty Junior Exhibitions offered by the Kent Education Committee. These Exhibitions are of the value of half the School fees. Competitors must be over ten, but under twelve years of age on August 1st, 1916. Forms of application must be returned to the Secretary of the Kent Education Committee on or before May 20th. The examination will take place on June 3rd.

EDITORIAL.

The outstanding feature of our School life since the publication of the last "Pharos" has been the annual "Prize Distribution." We all regretted that our Borough Member had to be invalided home from the Dardanelles, but his illness had, for us, a happy sequel in his appearance with Lady Duncannon on the Town Hall platform on this occasion. This is not the place for a formal account of the proceedings, but we may note that the unusual hour of starting, the absence of book prizes and the first public appearance of the School Cadet Corps combined to make the occasion notable, if not historic, in our School annals.

The Cadet Corps and its officers deserve much credit for the smartness and efficiency acquired in so short a time. Considering our situation, we may still congratulate ourselves on our comparative freedom from war's alarms, though the occasion this Term on which the call of the siren drove us all from our lessons to seek safety in the lowest part of the School premises will, doubtless, dwell long in our memories. May the danger never come nearer to us than on that occasion!

Referring now more particularly to the affairs of the Magazine itself, we should like to impress on our contributors the desirability of greater punctuality in submitting their "copy" to the Editor. There is a very real difficulty in getting the Magazine through the printers' hands, and this difficulty is likely to increase rather than to diminish.

It would be a great help if all concerned would note the dates announced on our Front Page and send in their contributions in good time.

GLEAMS AND FLASHES.

The winners of the prizes for the best articles written for the "Pharos" during the School Session will be announced in next term's Magazine. There is particularly keen competition amongst the Juniors. It is good to see so many of the younger boys taking an active interest in the Magazine, and with such good results. To the credit of the Seniors also, let it be said that they are not far behind.
Finally, the prizes are not yet won; next term may reveal genius in some unsuspected quarter.

—0—

There have been two collections recently in School for purposes connected with the War. The first contributed £4/15/- to the Red Cross funds; the second resulted in about 850 books and magazines being sent off in response to the Postmaster-General's appeal for reading matter for the Troops.

—0—

We missed the Chairman of our Governors, Mr. Hugh Leney, at the Prize-giving, and were sorry to hear that his absence was due to indisposition. We wish him a speedy and complete recovery.

—0—

The Headmaster has received a letter from Mr. Ernest Jones who left us at the end of last term to join the R.A.M.C. Mr. Jones is training at Aldershot, but is still interested in the affairs of the School, and sends good wishes to all the Staff and boys.

—0—

We understand that the building of the gymnasium at the new School will be postponed until after the War. This decision has been come to by the Trustees of the Building Fund (Sir Mark Collet and the Headmaster), owing to the present high prices of labour and materials. In the meantime physical exercises will be carried on in the School Hall.

—0—

The late Mr. White-Thomson has been succeeded by Dr. R. P. Scott, as District Inspector. Many of the boys in Forms IV. and V. will remember Dr. Scott's name, as he is one of the Editors of "The Call of the Homeland."

—0—

The missing machinery from our workshop has been taken to Erith for the use of munition workers there. Those of a mechanical turn of mind will be interested to know that the County Committee have promised that the loss to Dover shall not be a permanent one.

—0—

This year's Kent Inter-County School Sports have been abandoned. Our own sports will, however, take place, much on the lines of last year's, and probably on the first Wednesday in June. Owing to the departure of many of our prominent athletes, the events have a very open appearance, and fresh names will have to be inscribed on all the championship cups.

—0—

The list of boys leaving this term is headed by Chase, who is now at the end of a long and varied school career. Chase has indeed "in his time played many parts," for Scout Troop, Cadet Corps, Football and Cricket Clubs have all in turn come within the scope of his activities. As he is at present Senior Prefect, House Captain and Football Secretary, his place will be hard to fill. He is entering the mercantile marine as apprentice, and will carry with him our best wishes for his success.

—0—

The "Pharos" is losing a faithful and valued contributor in Brown ("Polmarc"); while Hichens, though his stay with us has been comparatively brief, will leave behind a reputation as a sound goal-keeper and a promising cricketer.

—0—

We welcome this term Miss F. L. Gauntlett, B.A. (Lond.), who has joined the Staff as a War duty, to take the position left vacant by Mr. Ernest Jones' joining the Army in December. Miss Gauntlett was educated at the Masonic School for Girls, Clapham, at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, and at the Maria Gray Training College, Brondesbury. She holds the London University Teachers' Diploma in Pedagogy, and comes to us from the County High School for Girls, Brentwood, where she was Acting Head Mistress.

—0—

Form IIIa. have lately been busy making periscopes for use in the trenches. We publish fuller particulars on the subject elsewhere.

—0—

A weekly school collection has been started in aid of the Dover Prisoners of War Fund. We hope to send a parcel weekly to at least four prisoners of war while the war lasts.

THE CADET CORPS.

Since the last issue of the "Pharos," the numbers of the Corps have gradually increased, until, at present, we are nearly a full Engineer Company, viz., 75 cadets and four officers. By the time these notes appear in print, the whole Company will be equipped with uniforms, and when the bugle band is in full working order, we shall have quite a smart turn-out.

We are very much indebted to four local gentlemen—Sir William Crundall, Dr. Howden, Messrs. Leney and Morford—who have generously provided us with a number of instruments, viz., eight bugles, four side-drums, and a big bass drum. The band has been selected, and Atkins and Watts, both very well qualified in bugle and drum matters respectively, have undertaken the tuition, for which we are very thankful to them. Anyone passing the Junior School on Wednesdays ",ill probably hear weird noises proceeding from the building at present; but we hope to have the band playing at the head of the Company before many weeks have gone.

The Company, being an Engineer Corps, has the 1911 formation when on parade, i.e., four sections, two sections to each half-Company. A Sergeant has been appointed to command each Section, and, each Section being divided into two squads, eight Corporals have been appointed as Squad-Commanders. Then, again, Sections I. and II. make up the right half-Company; and Sections III. and IV., the left half-Company, each under a Commissioned Officer.

RIGHT HALF-COMPANY.
(Commander: Lieutenant J. Slater.)

Squad I.—Commander: Corporal Lloyd.
Squad II.—Commander: Corporal Friend.

LEFT HALF-COMPANY.

(Commander: Lieutenant W. E. Pearce.)

Squad V.—Commander: Corporal Brown.
Squad VI.—Commander: Corpl. Licence (F. L.).

Sergeant-Major: Mr. PascalI.
Officer Commanding Company: Captain Whitehouse.
Officer Second in Command: Captain Owen Jones.

The work of the Company this term has consisted of Company. parades, lectures to the N.C.O.' s, signalling practices (semaphore and Morse code) in the evenings, and an enjoyable route march along the Deal Road on a lovely Saturday afternoon near the beginning of the term. The Half-Company Commanders are to be congratulated on the energy they have shown in signalling tuition in the evenings after School and the fruit of their labour and that of the N.C.O.'s and signallers is easily seen on parade days on the College Field, when messages are sent and received with great ease and certainty.

We have also been presented with a beautiful silver cup, through the good efforts of Mr. Pascall, for competition between the Sections.

The names of the boys who have joined the Corps since last term are:—

and the band is composed of the following:—

Side-drums-Cadets Licence (J), Sibley i., Romney, Wood (R.).

Bass-drum—Cadet Worster.

Buglers—Cadets Austin, Ayling, Burke, Dixon, Parker ii., Sibley ii., Sutton, Taylor.

For the remainder of the term, we shall continue parades, lectures and signalling practice, and have, at least, one other route march.

The Officers of the parent Corps, the Cinque Ports Royal Engineers, have shown the greatest interest in our work, and are willing to give us' every assistance in their power, such as lectures, and the use of apparatus.

FOOTBALL.

Most of us, on reading this heading, will smile sadly and ironically. Neiges d'antan or football, to us each has the same melancholy appeal. Let us boldly confront the truth—Football is a thing of the past, another offering to the Weather god, though to call him Moloch were a paradox.

Briefly, the weather has washed away all hopes of a football season. For confirmation, ask any Harveian, "to whom we are neighbours and near bred"; on six separate and distinct occasions have we arranged our return match, and as often, after a telephone call to Crabble, have we been forced to wire or 'phone a further postponement. Many and various have been the suggestions to alleviate our sufferings. Some of the more ingenious are seeking to air their grievances in these pages, but in these days of Censors, Press Bureaux, and Blue Pencils, you never can tell.

To come to a more definite statement. We are about a dozen House Matches behind our programme, and Sixes have yet to begin. We are hoping for more favourable treatment from the Weather Clerk—he has been asked to seek the Chiltern Hundreds (and many another fearsome place, incidentally) by a strong working majority, and it is believed the protest is receiving considerate attention. Should the regime produce no better results, we are going to the Mill in the evenings—we are bent on circumventing circumstances.

Meantime, it is hoped that all these disturbing elements will tend merely to mould us into a School of Mark Tapleys. Our attitude now is that of "Patience on a monument, Smiling at grief."

*    *    *    *    *    *

We must not close these remarks without deploring the loss (be is said without prejudice to the understudies) of the "flower" of our First Eleven:—Street (captain), Dewell (vice-captain), Lawes and Morford. We hope to carryon as well as ever, and are trying to get two wings as good as the D., M., L. combination of last term.

FOOTBALL MATCHES.

The First and Second XI. matches versus Harvey Grammar School, after repeated postponements, were finally abandoned.

—0—

Only one match has been played, and this resulted in a win (2-1) for our opponents, the Dover Fortress Royal Engineers. Atkins, who resumed his old place in the forward line, celebrated the event by netting in brilliant style.

Owing to the departure of Street (captain), Dewell (vice-captain) and Lawes, the team included certain of the masters, and lined out as follows:—Hichens; Lloyd, Lovely; Watts, Mr. Baxter, Chase; Dearling, Mr. Tunnell, Mr. Slater, Atkins, Perry.

HOUSE NOTES.

The House Football Competition made a good start in January, and some keen and interesting matches were played.

Then, unfortunately, the weather changed, and the state of the ground at Crabble forbade any further progress. It now seems doubtful whether the full round of matches can be completed this term. At the time of writing Chase's House has a good lead in the table with the full number of points for three matches played. Street's come second; their First XI. has a powerful defence, and will be hard to beat. Results of Matches:—

FIRST XI.'s.
Street's beat Costelloe's (2-1).
Chase's beat Bromley's (5-3).

SECOND XL's.

Costelloe's beat Bromley's (4-1).
Chase's beat Street's (3-0).
Street's drew with Bromley's (1-1).
Chase's beat Costelloe's (2-1).

STAMPS OF THE PRESENT WAR.

There are many interesting stamps of the present War that stamp collectors will be very eager to get. Russian stamps that were used by the Russians when they invaded Prussia will have Prussian post-marks on them, and these will be much sought after. Then there are Gold Coast stamps surcharged "Togo Anglo-French Occupation." Some more of Germany's vanishing colonies will be shown on other stamps. There are Australian stamps with "N. W. Pacific Islands" surcharged on them. There are the German Marshall Islands stamps with "G. R. I.," and the value of the postage underneath on them also. Many Red Cross stamps have been issued during me War. Austria has issued stamps that were sold for three times their face value. England, France, Belgium and Russia have also issued Red Cross stamps. Many Egyptian stamps have "O.H.H.S." on them which means "On His Highness' Service." These stamps will be issued during the War. Many new patterns have been issued since the beginning of the War, but collectors need not be too eager to obtain them, as they will be procurable after the War.

THE PERISCOPE.

There is no doubt that most readers of this article know the shape and appearance of a periscope.

The chief parts of these objects are, of course, the mirrors. These are arranged at an angle of 45 degrees from the horizontal. They face in opposite directions, and are parallel, with the reflecting surfaces facing each other. The reflecting surface of the upper mirror faces outward through an opening of suitable shape.

The periscopes made in Form IIIa. were made in the following manner:—The timber was first cut into sizes a little larger than the actual size needed. It was then planed and ct to the right size. Next came the piece of work which needed the most care, namely, that of making the grooves which were to hold the mirrors. These were one-eighth of an inch wide, and the same depth. Their length was equal to the length of a line running across the wood at an angle of 45 degrees from one edge.

The wood was painted black on the side which was to go inside the box. The glass was fitted and put in after the box had been nailed together.

The periscopes were made in two parts, with one glass in each, for one to slide into the other, so as to make the instrument easier to carry about. To keep the two parts in position, some pegs were turned on the lathe, and put into the periscope to hold the two parts open.

To put a finishing touch to them, the outsides were painted khaki.

There is no need for them to be made in two parts, but in many cases it is more convenient .for carrying them about to have them made so that they are able to shut up smaller.

Their use is generally known. They are used for seeing on a higher level than the eye of the watcher. The rays of light strike the upper mirror and are reflected to the bottom mirror, where the object in front may be seen.

At the Front, in the trenches, they are used by the soldiers for seeing the opposing position without exposing themselves to the enemy's fire. Another important use is that to which they are put on submarines. Here they are of a slightly different type from those used in the trenches, and are used to show the officer what is round about him above water.

We know that the periscope has saved the lives of many soldiers, by enab1ing them to see above the trench parapet without exposing themselves, and those of sailors by avoiding collisions with ships which could not be seen from the underwater craft, without the periscope.

On the whole, periscopes are interesting to make and useful when finished, although perhaps a few of those made in our School workshop may soon be smashed by German shells.

"ORA MARITIMA."

THE LASTE CHRONICLE.

Now when the feast of Noel was nigh at hand the Knights of Ye Welle withdrew once again from the valley of the castle, seeking in pleasure to drown the woes which threatened to overcome them. For Treason, servant of Fear, was ripe in the land, and not one, but many, of the Knights did flee from the press of battle, leaving their comrades to the tender mercy of the Oppressors. And of the number these are the names:—D'Orf did seek entrance into the service of the Over-Lord, and swiftly at his heels did follow La Rue, a mighty man of valour, dreaded on many a muddied field; and he that was called the Lawgiver, and he also that bore the name of Ye Welle did gird themselves unto flight, and were followed by Wot, the Questioner, who, however, was overtaken by Shame and turned again unto the battle whereto he approacheth twice in every Weeke; for at other times he is bewitched and is bond slave unto a great and powerful wizard yclept Teache.

Nevertheless, despite the losses wrought by Treason, the Knights of Ye Welle did break out of the bondage into which they had been cast, and, taking unto themselves weapons, did attack their Oppressors sorely, insomuch that the mighty scourge Latine was shivered into fragments; and both Maths and Alchemy did suffer in like manner. But the Oppressors were in no small measure cunning, and, having first sent Treason into the ranks of Ye Welle, did send after him their old ally, Exam, after which they did retire from the field.

Wherefore it came to pass that, as the Knights did bewail their losses and the grievous plight into which they had fallen, the Enemy took counsel one with another, saying, "Let us now destroy for ever these Knights of Ye Welle, that they may no longer be a stumbling block unto our feet and a danger unto our servants Latine and Maths and Alchemy." Then they did build up a plan grievous in spirit and in effect, which they prepared against the return of the Knights.

When, therefore, the knights did return to the valley of the castle they did find the ruins of their stronghold filled with a host of pygmies, shrieking in a loud and unknown tongue, of a noise and turbulency not to be suffered. So they did gather themselves together to retake the ruins, but One, high in authority, came unto them and cried, "Forbear! for it is written that ye may no longer dwell in this castle, neither may ye assault it." And as the Knights stood debating these words among themselves, the Oppressors sprang upon them from out of places of concealment, and, taking them at a disadvantage, drove them with divers Pains and Penalties into the plain near by. And it happened that by a great Enchantment the weapons and the valour of the Knights were turned one against the other, for some cried that they were older in the defence of Ye Welle than certain others, and that, therefore, the greater honour was due unto them. And in the midst of the dissension the Oppressors came and did cast the Knights into the nethermost dungeon of Despair, wherein they languish still-hopeless, weaponless, and beset with burdens grievous to be borne.

THE DOWNS.

Slowly through the maze of shipping the great liner makes her way, tossing scornfully aside the waves which, leaping impotently against her, pass on to hurl themselves across the bows of a pitching, tossing spluttering little brigantine, flying a Norwegian flag. There is something almost awe-inspiring in the impassive motion of the greater vessel as she surges forward disdainful, apparently, of the company with which she is compelled to mix.

For these are the Downs .in war-time, and here every vessel, Dutch liner or English barge, has to wait awhile until a fussy little tug, flaunting rakishly a tattered white ensign, finds time to come alongside and allow its officers to examine both papers and cargo. To north and south stretches a long line of shipping wherein is represented almost every maritime nation from Japan to the United States. Close in shore are anchored a number of barges—boats with an immense expanse of copper-coloured sail and a correspondingly small amount of freeboard. Near them and around the pier-head is a group of steam trawlers, now engaged on the hazardous duty of mine-sweeping, each with its scrap of sail in the stern and its diminutive gun in the bows. These are "small fry"; further out are the coasting vessels, with cargoes of anything from live stock to mechanical toys; the big, ocean-going "tramps"; cattle-ships from Canada or the Argentine; Scandinavian sailing vessels piled high with pine or deal, or carrying a cargo of ice; Dutch steamers bearing spice, rubber or any other tropical produce which they have managed to "pick up "; mutton-, hide-, or wool-laden "tramps" from Australia or New Zealand; and, still further out, a fringe of liners and mail-boats bound without exception to and from London.

Nowhere, perhaps, is there a finer tribute to the commercial supremacy of Britain than in this densely packed stretch of water betwixt Deal and the Goodwin Sands; and the sight of a wicked looking destroyer racing along at top speed and threading its way in and out of the shipping brings with it a thought of the wonderful fleet which has made possible such a gathering.

For not even here can one completely forget the War. An occasional hospital ship; the ever-hurrying tug and destroyers; the mine-sweepers and the battered hulls of one or two mined ships; the very fleet of shipping itself gathered together for the purpose of being examined for contraband forms a grim reminder of that conflict, the thunder of which may occasionally be heard, sullenly threatening, from the distant horizon.

Meanwhile, near at hand, the gleam of the setting sun on the hulls of the steamers and a distant sail, and the battered, mine-torn hulls of the wrecked vessels, strikes the eternal contrast between life and death, between peace and war.

ABSTRACT OF A PAPER.
READ BEFORE THE SOCIETY FOR THE FURTHERANCE OF SPORTS IN SCHOOLS.

Since it is the aim of this Society to provide more games in our Schools, I submit for your criticism a scheme for enabling the County School for Boys to hold more frequent football matches. In case any of the members present are not acquainted with the ground, I may say it is elliptical in shape, and about six acres in area. Briefly, my suggestion is to enclose the whole in a glass case, which will protect the turf from the effects of the weather in a manner which, though cheap, should be quite effective.

The first fifteen feet above the ground would be a solid wall of brick, the construction of which might give the School Corps good practice. To screen the hideousness of the walls, Form IVa. might plant round it the flowers from their room when they begin to show the effects of the heat there. [Interruption of: "Would not the bricks be better?"] Then, above this, will stand the dome itself. The students could construct this within eighteen months, for I propose the material should be glass bottles, which lower members of the School could weld together with blowpipes. The main part of the dome would be of clear glass, but the top would consist of coloured glass, with the arms of the Borough or the School as a design.

The construction finished, it will be necessary, in order to ensure the dryness of the interior, to replace the air it then contains by dry air. This would take a score of boys with bicycle pumps but a short time.

At this point some present here may suggest that it would be inexpedient to construct this, as it would entail the cancelling of the two matches which would be played in the two seasons during which it was being built. To that I would reply that I have been informed by present members of the School that their absence would scarcely be noticed.

The provisions I have so far stated would be sufficient to prevent the weather from influencing the condition of the ground, but I now suggest two quite minor alterations to the game itself which might be adopted with advantage. First, I suggest the abolition of the present studded boots in favour of felt-soled slippers; and, secondly, the ball should consist of a thin rubber bladder filled with a mixture of coal-gas and air, the density being so adjusted that the ball, while keeping off the ground, will yet remain within the reach of the players. This should prevent tearing the turf by mis-kicks.

Should this building be constructed, I have been assured that the School Corps will be responsible for defending it against the stones of marauders, and I have every confidence that the students will appreciate the increased number of games which will be the result of its erection.

HERALDIC PUNS.

How very few people know anything about heraldry. Yet there is hardly a science that appeals so generally to the world at large. The records of the past—the Crusades, the tournaments, and Court ceremonials—abound in heraldry.

Heraldry appears, too, in our every day life-on our money, on the motor cars which crowd our streets, and even over the pawnbrokers' shops, the three golden balls being only "the three gilded pills," the device of the Dukes of Medici, who at one time were the greatest bankers and money-lenders.

There is a variety of points that are of interest to the reader. Mottoes may be termed one of these.

Some of these mottoes, doubtless, had their origin in the battle cries of their original possessors, as the "A Home! A Home!" of the Earl of Home.

Others form puns on the names of the family possessing them. Thus the Neville family have "Ne Vile velis" ("Desire nothing vile" or "Desire Neville"). The Earl of Westmoreland has "Ne vile fano" ("Bring nothing base to the temple"). Fane is the surname, and Keville is a frequently used Christian name in the family. Lord Battersea; whose family name is Flower, has for his motto, "Flores curat Deus" ("God takes care of the flowers"). The "Sumus" ("We are") of the Weare family, and the "Benefactum" ("Well done") of the Weldon family are very neat. The Onslow family takes "Festina lente" ("On slow"), and Holden, "Teneo et Teneor" ("I hold and am holden").

Other mottoes allude to some particular circumstance in connection with the family of the holders, for instance, the "Free for a blast" of the baronets Clerk, who hold their property on condition that the proprietor must sit on a piece of rock called "The Buckstone," and wind three blasts of a horn when the sovereign shall come to hunt on the Borough Muir, near Edinburgh; hence the family crest, a demi-huntsman sounding a horn.

In this way our ancestors used to have their little jokes, for it must be remembered that they had no printed "Punch" in those days, though they would probably not have appreciated it if they had.

GEMS FROM THE CLASS-ROOMS.

The following translations are evidence of the originality of treatment and freshness of view with which some boys approach the study of the French language:—

"Malgré ses rides et ses cheveux blancs"—" tired of riding on his white horses."

"Kneeling down"—"génuflexion duvet"

"Les mains join tes dans une attitude de prière"—"His main joints (i.e., knees) in an attitude of prayer (i.e., Kneeling)."

THE PRIZE-GIVING.

One writes the above title somewhat from force of habit—as a matter of fact, the outstanding feature of this year's function was the absence of prizes, their place being taken by well printed and illuminated Certificates, embellished with the Town Arms, and recording the fact that these were awarded instead of the usual books, in consequence of the great European War. They will be, therefore, a constant reminder to the recipients, in the happier times which we must hope are before us, of this personal sacrifice which we are sure they were all willing to make in these terrible times.

There was, as usual, a very large attendance of parents and friends, the unusually early hour making, apparently, no difference in this respect, though, doubtless, some must have found it impossible to attend. Two at least of our old boys who are now in the Army—John Farrell and Edward Fry—were able to revive old associations by being present.

Miss Chapman, Headmistress of the Girls' County School, read her report of the year's work. The account was, as usual, a brief record of what has evidently been a very full and successful year's work, judging from the examination successes and the many needlework certificates awarded by the London Institute of Plain Needlework. In addition to this, much work for the comfort of the Troops has been done, which cannot be chronicled fully here for lack of space.

Mr. Whitehouse, in presenting his report of the work in the Boys' School for the past session, referred to the kindness of Lord Duncannon in coming for the second time to speak at a Prize-giving, in spite of a recent loss in his family.

After congratulations to Miss Chapman, not only on the Girls' successes, but also on her recovered health, reference was made to the increasing numbers in the School, so that the new School (at last something more tangible than a mirage) is not likely to be too large for our requirements. That a benefactor in Dover had provided us with a gymnasium (reference to the "Gleams and Flashes" in this issue will inform us that it will not be built during the War), and that the Cadet Corps had now received Official recognition and was gaining in numbers and efficiency, were two points especially referred to in connection with School activities, though, unfortunately, our Cricket and Football had been much curtailed by the difficulties involved by not having our own playing-fields. Street, Took and Dewell in football, and Costelloe, Street and Lawes in cricket, had specially distinguished themselves, though all had done well.

In the Examination results, the VIth Form established a record, all eight passing the Senior Oxford with honours, De Coster, Green and Atkins doing especially well; Brown and Hadlow in the Junior being distinguished respectively in History and Science.

The Parents' Association had resulted already in useful suggestions, helping towards the realisation of joint responsibility for the boys' welfare.

After the Certificates had been presented by Lady Duncannon, Lord Duncannon, who was very heartily received and who had been invalided home from Gallipoli, referred to the great importance of cricket and football in the life of a school, and sympathised with the boys for whom these activities were so greatly curtailed. He had seen the landing of two Kentish regiments, the East and West Kent Yeomanry, at the Gallipoli Peninsula. Our thoughts, so near to Christmas, went out naturally to those who were serving far from home, and he was glad that such comforts as the Girls' School had been preparing could now be sent more easily to the Mediterranean. He congratulated the girls and boys on the year's work, and also the Staff of each School, the Cadet Corps and Mr. Owen Jones, concluding with Christmas wishes for peace, unhappily, not realised.

After the usual votes of thanks, the singing of "Forty Years On" and the Nationa1 Anthem brought the proceedings to a close.

BOYS' PRIZE LIST.

MAYOR'S PRIZE:
Hubert F. Chase.
 

BOROUGH MEMBER'S PRIZE (for Mathematics):
Hubert F. Chase.
 

CHAIRMAN'S PRIZE (for Science):
Wilfred B. Green.

HEADMASTER'S PRIZE (for English):
Edward W. Brown.

FORM PRIZES:

MERIT LIST.

Form Va.—Lovely (2), Standring (3), Knight (2), Brown (2), Hadlow (2).
Form Vb.—Gibbons, Dearling, Perry, Roberts (2), Rolfe (2), Lloyd, Cocks, Ripp.
Form IVa.—Graves, Cooke, Licence, Baumer.
Form IVb.—Holloway.
Form IIIa.—Pudney (3), Olby (2), Brand (2), Pelham, C. (3), Kirby (3).
Form IIIb.—Loyns (3), Gray (1).
Form IIa.—Gosby (3), Pelham, R. (3), Lawes (3), Tomlin, H. (3), Twyman (3), Day, C. (2), Francis, Mills.
Form IIb.—Tomlin, R. (3), Phillips (3), Wilson (3), Motley (3), Davis, D. H. (2), Deverson, Waite (2), Flinn.
Form Ia.—Mumford (3), Day, R. (3), Glogg (3), Law (2), Priest (3), Musson (3), Bourdeaux, L. (3), Costelloe, T., McConnell.
Form Ib.—Greenstreet (3).

GAMES' FUND.

BALANCE SHEET-September to December, 1915.

IN THE LABORATORY.
II.—CATHODE RAYS: THEIR DEVELOPMENT.

One hardly realises that, had X-rays not been discovered, many more men would have died through shell splinters than actually do die with the present appliances.

When a sufficiently high potential difference is obtained between two separated terminals, an electrical discharge occurs, in the shape of a spark, between the terminals. If the discharge takes place in a vessel from which the air may be expelled, it is found that as the pressure is decreased the difference in potential required to produce a spark is considerably lessened.

At the same time, the character of the discharge completely changes. When the pressure is very low a thin layer of luminosity is observed covering the negative terminal, separated from a faint "negative glow" by a non-luminous well defined space; this is "Crookes' dark place." The negative glow is succeeded by a less sharply defined "Faraday dark place." Lastly, a bright glow, the positive column, extends right up to the anode.

As the exhaustion is continued, the appearance of a blue beam is noticeable; this consists of particles proceeding from the cathode with high velocity. These particles bombard anything which may be in their path, and whatever they strike immediately becomes warm and phosphorescent. Röntgen, in 1795, discovered that a special kind of ray could be produced by allowing the sudden stoppage of cathode rays during their transit. If produced in a highly exhausted vacuum tube they are known as hard rays, and will pass through several feet of air without appreciably decreasing in intensity.

These rays are specially used for surgical purposes, in the following manner, because of their high penetrating powers. In the modern X-ray bulb the rays are allowed to impinge upon a piece of platinum foil placed in the centre of the bulb at an angle of 45 degrees to the axis; hence the rays only leave the bulb at that part which is facing the polished platinum. The bulb is usually excited by means of an induction coil, and generally an attachment is made by which the pressure may be altered. The rays produce phosphorescence when they strike a suitable object, and, passing out from the bulb, they strike a screen covered with yellow crystals of platine-cyanide of barium. Now, most opaque objects except metals, placed between the source of the rays and the screen, become quite transparent to these rays. This unique property is important in surgery, because if any part of the body is interposed, a metal object embedded in the flesh or a broken bone is at once located.

Röntgen accidentally discovered these rays whilst experimenting with a vacuum tube. It was revealed that a box, containing a photographic plate, exposed to the rays, was seemingly transparent, whilst the plate reflected metal and other objects. This fact is used to-day in the photographing of such objects by replacing the barium screen by a photographic plate.

Even now the real nature of these rays is not known, although it is generally supposed that they consist of electromagnetic beats in the ether. That they are in some way magnetic is proved by bringing close to the glowing area of the glass bulb a strong magnet; the ray will be deflected either by attraction or repulsion by the magnet. If now a charged ebonite or glass rod is placed near it, the same phenomenon occurs, showing that it must be composed of rays exhibiting electro-magnetic properties.

EDINBURGH CASTLE.

Edinburgh Castle is situated on a very high, and rather bare, rocky hill. It is built in such a way that from it can be seen the whole of the new and old towns of Edinburgh, part of the Forth, and some of the Forth Bridge.

The Castle is approached by means of the Grass and Lawn Markets. In front of it is a large square and a draw-bridge over the moat. From here we walk up a short slope (while the guide explains all about the walls of the Castle at such a rate that nobody can understand him). At the top we can see the cannon which was captured from the French, and the beacons which were last lighted when an invasion was expected from the French.

The oldest, building is St. Margaret's Chapel. Here we see some beautiful Norman architecture on the font and around the altar. We are next taken to Queen Mary's room. The bedroom is very small, and at the present time contains nothing but a solid oak chair. Her other apartment is much larger, and on the ceilings of both are paintings of coats-of-arms.

The next apartment is the Crown Room, which contains the Scottish Regalia, i.e., crown, sword of State, sceptre, and the Lord Treasurer's rod of office. These articles are stored in a glass case placed inside iron bars, and are most beautiful to look at. The crown is of crimson velvet, ermine, jewels, and gold; and the sceptre is of gold. Beside these are a beautiful sword and belt which were presented by Pope Julius II. to the King of Scotland. One interesting story told of the Regalia is that for many years they were shut up in a box and hidden, but they were afterwards found and the jewels restored.

The Parliament Hall is another part of the Castle. This was used chiefly for banquets and for meetings of Parliament. It is a fine hall, with beautifully carved walls and seats, and behind the latter tapestries are hanging. The windows are made of magnificently stained glass. In this Hall arc exhibited armour, helmets, swords, etc., also a large gun carriage on which Queen Victoria's corpse was carried round London.

Then, last of all, come the dungeons. They are very dark, and many lie under Parliament Hall. These were used for imprisoning soldiers. The State prisons above them are very cold and bare, and I was very glad to get out once more into the sunshine.

THE CUCKOO.

The mirthful cry of the cuckoo always announces the coming of Spring. His voice seems to come from all places at once, joyously heralding the sunshine, and calling to memory the hours of youth and pleasure. So we always give him a hearty and loving welcome.

The cuckoo has a rusty-brown coloured plumage, barred with grey, and in this respect it closely resembles the hawk.

A remarkable fact about the cuckoo is that it never builds its own nest, but, taking its newly-laid egg, and flying to an adjacent nest, it places the egg within the nest, which is a hedge-sparrow's for preference, and flies away. The sparrow does not know the difference between its own and the cuckoo's egg, so, all unsuspectingly, it hatches them all.

Then the mischief begins.

The young cuckoo grows at an alarming rate, and it soon begins to feel cramped. So, getting under a young sparrow, it ousts the bird from the nest, and appropriates its place. One by one 1he young sparrows are pushed out, and then the young cuckoo lives in comfort, until it has grown larger, when it deserts its foster-parents.

The cuckoo is a migrating bird, going to the North of Africa when cold weather approaches, and returning to England in April or May.

LE VESINET.

Le Vesinet is one of the prettiest suburbs of Paris, where I have spent many holidays. It is only twenty-five minutes' railway journey from Paris. All the houses stand in their own grounds, not in rows as you see in England, but large mansions, with woods and lakes, in their own grounds. The town runs uphill from the station, with large shops on each side, and when you get to the end of the town there is a very wide boulevard, which is called the Boulevard Carnot. The electric trams run along here from Paris right to St. Germain. St. Germain is quite I close to Le Vesinet, and it is a very high place built on terraces. You can get up to the top terraces by means of a lift, and when you get up on the terraces there you can look all over Paris. On the top terrace there is a stone table with a map of Paris on it, so that you can pick out by the map all the different places that you can see in the distance. Le Vesinet has little rivers running in all directions, and you can walk for miles on little paths along the sides. In several places the water is very shallow, and there are stepping-stones and rustic bridges to cross. It is very funny when it rains; the soil is so sandy that a few minutes after it has been raining the ground is quite dry on the top. Twice a week they have a big market, where you can buy everything. Everybody goes to these markets to shop, and all around you see little donkey-carts and barrows, some drawn by big dogs. People do their shopping and put their purchases in these little carts to take home. The best time to go to Le Vesinet is in the Spring and Autumn, as in the middle of the Summer it is too hot. There are several large lakes, but the largest is called the Grand Lake. It has large houses all round, with gardens running down to the edge of the water, and most of them have little summer-houses built at the edge of the lake, and it is so pretty because no two are built alike. In the winter they have some very fine skating. I was there one very cold Christmas, and I enjoyed seeing them skate very much. Lots of people come from Paris for the skating, and the owners lend the skaters their summer-houses in which to put their skates on I wish the War was over, so that I could go there this year.

MARCH FLOWERS.