THE LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY.

The meetings of the Society have been very successful this term, and an interesting and varied programme has been carried out. At the first meeting, Roberts and Beer respectively gave papers on "The Age of Wits and Periwigs" and "Different Types of Motor Cycles." Both papers showed the interest taken in their preparation.

A parliamentary debate was held at the second meeting, when Denton, "The School M.P." introduced his "Total Prohibition Bill." We wonder whether he was sincere! After a close discussion, an amendment which made the Bill futile was passed by 26 against 14 votes. The readiness of members to speak at this debate was very pleasing.

At the third meeting, the Society was addressed by Grinsted and Stokes. The former gave a pleasant and instructive talk on Postage Stamps, while the latter inspired many, as the Chairman (Mr. Pearce) suggested, with a desire to see the Outer Hebrides, by his picturesque account of a holiday at Stornoway.

A Mock Trial, quite unrehearsed, although Mr. Langley previously gave us advice on legal practice, was presented at the fourth meeting. Judge Gormley presided sternly over the trial of Lamidey for the alleged "forgery of a cap-order." The defence was undertaken by H. H. Tomlin, K.C., while the prosecution was in the hands of L. R. Phillips, K.C. The jury, through their foreman, Denton, returned a verdict of "Not Guilty," which was received with acclamation. Thereupon, the court was cleared. It is hoped that the procedure gave a good idea of a public trial.

At our last meeting, which will be too late for a report in the Pharos, we are looking forward to a Lantern Lecture on Architecture by Mr. Francis.

It is to be hoped that when the Society recommences its activities in the autumn, many members will come forward in readiness to give papers, and as this is probably the last occasion on which I shall write these notes, I should like to thank all those who have so willingly helped in the work of the Society during my secretaryship.

L. R. PHILLIPS.

THE DRAMATIC SOCIETY.

Activities this term have been directed towards finding new talent in Forms IV. and V. Much promise is shown by many boys.

The School is to be represented at an entertainment in aid of the "Waifs and Strays Fund," to be held in May, by a short scene from "Nicholas Nickleby," showing life at Dotheboy's Hall. Rehearsals will be held as often as possible.

CHESS CLUB.

The Chess Club has had a successful season, the attendance having been well maintained. The tournament has added much interest to the games, and has led to distinct improvement in quality of play.

S.T.N.

MERIT LIST.

Form Vr.—Roe.
Form Va.—Gray (3), Newing (3), Webb (2), Otto

Form IVa.—Leader (3), Green (3), Donald (3), Garland (2), Terdrey (2).
Form IVb.—Overs (3), Collins (3), Frow (2), Binfield (2), McConnell (2), Muttett (2).
Form IVc.—Phillips (3), Way (3), Grilli (3), Kelly (3), Pinkney (3), Haigh (2), Laws (2), Hookham.

Form IIIa.—Shenton (3), Jarrett (3), Morris (3), Fry (3), Rolfe (2), Jeffery (2), Goodburn (2), Marsh (2), Robertson, Barnard, Trott.
Form IIIb.—Trist (3), Sparham (3), Turner (3), Donald (2), Walter, Nurse.
Form IIIc.—Collins (2), Powell, Pinkerton.
Form IIa.—Horn (3), Stanway (3), Dilnot (2), Smith, Cooke, Hopkins, Donald, Overs.
Form IIb.—Baxter (3), Nurse (3), S. J. Walter (3), Packer (3), Grist (3), Scott (2), B. W. Taylor (2), M. R. Harris (2), Harling, Slarks, Newell.
Form IIc.—Mills (2).

Junior School.

Form I.—Belsey (3), Kennett (3), Buckley (3), Holland (3), Castle (3), Mayne (2), Brooke, W. H. Smith, Turnill, Trend, Hopgood.

Trans.—Crofts (3), Dewar (3), Dunn (3), Moseling (3), Peters (3), Rowe (3), Farr (2), Pott (2), Binks (2), Mercer, R. Smith, Waterman, Whittingstall.
U. Prep.—Thompson (3), H. Newman (3), Bide, Lewis, Hover.
L. Prep.—Pudney (3), G. Foad (3), Kingsmill, Peck.

HOUSE NOTES.
Town House.

This year the House holds third instead of fourth position in football. This is largely due to improvement in the 2nd XI. In spite of many lost games the spirit among the players has been very loyal, and it is only necessary to remind a few that the good of the House comes before their own pleasure. It is the House spirit, and not the points, which matters.

The 1st XI. has played hard, though only once successfully. The 2nd XI. has been more fortunate, having won seven of a possible twelve points. It is hard to praise any individual members of the 2nd XI., since all have worked so well together. If some members of the House take a course of stretching exercises, and add a foot or so to their heights, there will be a good 1st and 2nd XI. next year!

It is to be hoped that all who can, will take advantage of the cricket practices on the School Ground during the holidays, so that our cricket standard may be maintained.

L.R.P.

—:—

Country House.

Although the football this year has not yielded so many points as in previous seasons, yet the pleasure derived from it has increased. There have been some particularly interesting and keen games for both teams, the 2nd XI. experiencing their first defeats since the beginning of their existence. Buckland have made great strides and doubtless by the time of the publication of these notes, there will have been a hard struggle for first place in the Football Championship.

The rivalry for the Shield will consequently be all the more keen, and so I would urge all members of the House to take advantage of the new facilities for cricket. No opportunity must be lost if we arc to establish a record.

H.H.T.

—:—

Buckland House.

This term's football has greatly improved from the weak start made last term. Of the three senior matches since played we have won two; and the team accomplished a very creditable performance in beating Maxton House. But they have yet far to go in the matter of combination, and a better understanding is required among the forwards, who should shoot at every opportunity; while the defence is liable to break down under sudden strain. However, there is plenty of promise.

The 2nd XI. has the good record of five victories in six games, and is to be congratulated on lowering the Country colours.

At the time of writing, there are yet two matches to be played, and it lies between the Country House and ourselves who shall head the table.

The loss of Lewis at mid-term has left places hard to fill in both cricket and football elevens. He has the best wishes of the House for future success.

As is known, facilities will be offered for cricket practice during the holidays, of which all are expected to avail themselves.

C.H.G.

—:—

Maxton House.

In our first match against the Country House the first team had not played together before, so that they did not work together well. However, in the next match against the Light Blues the defence played well up to standard, not only keeping the enemy out but supporting the forwards well. The team again played well the second time against the Town House, although the full team did not turn out. We were very lucky to have only two goals scored against us, as the Blues had two free kicks from within the goal area.

We were evenly matched against the Dark Blues, and were unlucky not to have won.

Peyton has done well this season as left wing.

The 2nd XI. suffered from lack of practice and do not play together. The individual players are quite good and will do better when they playas a team.

It is disappointing to see so few "Reds" representing the School at the Inter-County Sports. But to make up for this the "Reds" must practise well for our own School Sports. The sports ground will be available all next term, and I hope it will be well used.

During the coming holidays there will be House cricket practice, and as many as possible should make use of this opportunity.

Now we know the result I must mention the last match against the Greens. We had a full team and every member played for all he was worth so that we well deserved our win.

It is interesting to note that there are five "Reds" in this year's School XI., and that the half-backs are all of our House.

W.E.M.

VALETE.

E. T. LEWIS.—School 2nd XI. F.; Buckland H. 1st XI. F. and C.

E. S. COLE.—School 1st XI. F. and C. (Cols.); Lce.-CpI. Cadet Corps.
A. R. LAWS.—Maxton H. 1st XI. F.; Cpl. Cadet Corps.
G. S. PEYTON.—Maxton H. 1st XI. F.
W. F. PINKERTON.—Country H. 1st XI. F.
S. A. J. RUSSELL.—Town H. 2nd XI. F.
J. R. KEILTHY,

D. GRINSTED,

W. B. SPICER,

W. R. WATERS,

J. C. HAIGH,

R. P. PINKERTON,

W. J. DALTON.

THE INTER COUNTY SCHOOL SPORTS.

On 17th March the School sent a team, backed up by about seventy vociferous supporters, including many of the Staff, to the annual Inter County School Sports, which were this year held at Ramsgate.

The performances of the team were, on the whole, disappointing, and we were unfortunate in being unable to enter Frow, who happened to be over age, for the junior events. His place was very creditably filled, however, by Rogers. Our hopes were vainly raised by Kirton in the High Jump, and the Tug-of-War team, after a hard-gained pull against Harvey Grammar School, were finally defeated by them. Considering the high standard of the running, Brown is to be commended for winning us four points, one for a third place in the 100 Yards, and three for a second in the Junior Quarter-mile. As regards Dover, the best event was the Junior Relay, in which Rogers, Belsey, Terdrey and Brown showed fine speed and staying power and won us second place.

The Ramsgate team are to be congratulated for their splendid successes, and for winning both Senior and Junior Challenge Cups, and Adams of Beckenham and Lloyd of Rochester, for personal prowess.

At the close of the Sports, the trophies were presented by the Hon. E. C. Harmsworth, M.P., himself an old Chatham House boy. A vote of thanks, proposed by the Headmaster of the winning school, Ramsgate, and seconded by the Mayor was passed with great acclamation.

Before returning to Dover, our supporters reminded Ramsgate town that the Dover County School for Boys was in very lively existence, by parading the streets under the inspired leadership of Blackford and the benign guardianship of our beribboned mascot, and teaching the population that D-O-V-E-R spelt, spells, and always will spell, DOVER!

School Team:—Gormley (capt.), Denton, Gunn, Kirton, Lamidey, Nowers, Stokes, Thacker, Tomlin, Belsey, Brown, Pinkney, Rogers, Terdrey.

L.R.P.

YE CHRONICLES.

Bifel thatte whan ye knyghtes and squyères were called togedre after theyre longe plesaunce in ye happye summer dayes, they founde thatte ye greet and puissant overlorde hadde e'en communed with hymselfe and sworne to ende theyre strife. Thus were they gadred withyn ye same portalles and unioun perforce regned amonge them.

After ye jolye feaste of Noël thys same overlorde, of kynde and cheery intente didde summone all his vassailles to a greet and joyfulle merrie-makynge. Theyre were alle the greet and smalle, and with them manye a fayre ladye, so thatte ye eyen of ye olde were cheered by suche a goodlye compaignye and theyre heartes were lyghte, so thatte theye did de daunce and synge.

Now also through alle these dayes hadde King Xam been plottynge with his henchman Joyntbored to overthrowe ye goodlye yeomen of oure realme. Thus yfel-minded he made his onslaughte. Butte ye noble yeomen girded theyre loynes and smote hym righte heartilye so thatte he was uttrely discomfited and greet was the slaughtere theyreof. For theyre guerdon manye of these worthye folke wille be een raysed to ye ranke of squyere and wille joyne the nombre of ye seleete.

Manye and divers have ye deeds of ye tyme been, and I myghte lyngere on ye doynges of ye wizarde, and ye showère of pictures both slowe and eek ten tymes as swyfte, but as for these actes and all ye reste of ye actes of ye realme, lo! are they not writtenne in ye boke of ye "Pharos."

"UMLAUT YE SCRYBE."

THE HISTORY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF DOVER HARBOUR (continued).(Start)

With the advent of the Stuarts, Dover Harbour enters upon a new phase in its history—a phase which may aptly be termed "modern," since at this period a definite step is taken to separate the Town from the Port, and place the latter in the hands of a governing body, which until sixty years ago had sole charge of the Harbour affairs.

James 1. in 1606, considering the great expenses which his predecessors had incurred in subsidising harbour schemes at Dover, and realising that the Corporation was reaping the benefit of this expenditure and not the King, transferred that body's powers and privileges by Royal Charter to a committee of "eleven discreet men," the three chief members of which were the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, the Lieutenant of the Castle and the Mayor of Dover.

This new arrangement, unfortunately, did not prove at all satisfactory; the Lord Warden and the eight "Kentish gentlemen," who were the bulk of the Commission, were not interested in Dover's affairs, and kept aloof from the town, with the result that the Lieutenant of the Castle and the Mayor had matters all their own way. The former superintended the workings of the Port, while the latter seized the opportunity of enriching himself with the proceeds. Moreover, grants of land bordering the Harbour were made to certain people who promptly erected warehouses and residences thereon, and, needless to say, appropriated the revenue from these quays. Thus, instead of being used for the repair and upkeep of the Harbour, the various tolls and dues went to private individuals.

With religious and other national questions occupying everyone's attention during the 17th century, this state of things continued for some time, but it must have been gross neglect on the officials' part which allowed the Paradise Pent to lapse into a state of uselessness, owing to the incursion of mud and beach. This may be partly explained by the fact that a certain John Skivington was appointed to keep the Harbour in repair, and received a State grant in return, irrespective of the amount of repair work done, which was consequently reduced to a minimum.

The eternal question of the shingle in the Harbour mouth was still unsolved when, in 1660, Charles II. arrived at Dover on the occasion of his restoration. The shallowness of the Harbour compelled the Royal vessel to remain in the offing while the King landed in an open boat. Charles at once realised the necessity of remedying this state of things, one of his first acts being to renew the Passing Tolls, which had been sanctioned in James I.'s reign to raise funds for the Port authorities.

During Charles II.'s reign, Paradise Harbour, which had had many interesting associations with the early Tudors, rapidly developed into a quagmire. No effort was made to redeem it; on the contrary, it seems as though the Commissioners fostered the idea of its becoming land so that they could turn it into building sites and thus increase their somewhat meagre revenue. At all events the little haven was in no hurry to acquiesce in the whims of Harbour Commissioners—well over a hundred years were to elapse before any building could take place. In the meantime the region was made a garbage pit for the neighbourhood and doubtless returned the favour by emitting odours which would not have a very salutary effect in that part of the town. It is not unlikely, too, that more than one tavern brawl by the quayside ended with a luckless individual being cast into its depths; even little children at play may have fallen victims to this horrible death-trap. Yet in spite of all these dangers no attempt was made to eliminate the evil.

It would perhaps be interesting at this stage to trace the site of this old swamp.

The former harbour comprised the land now lying between Limekiln Street, Bulwark Street, Elizabeth Street and the railway, and was separated from the Great Pent (the present Docks) by a tongue of land which is clearly indicated on the diagram in last July's issue of The Pharos, to the left of the letter B. This strip of land appears to be that which old local documents tell us shelved down to the sea on the east, and was known as the "Strond" or "Strand." Along this little peninsula was subsequently built Strond Street.

Dover, during the latter years of the 17th century. was indeed in a very precarious condition—a natural consequence of the decay of the Port. Financial help was not forthcoming as it had been during the prosperous days of the Tudors; Charles II. was busy in other directions, notably with Louis XIV. of France, and put this forward as an excuse for not attending seriously to the perplexing Harbour question. Proof of his attitude is revealed by his refusing to send aid after hearing the report of a responsible person whom he sent to investigate local affairs. This official stated in 1682: "I told his Majesty that the port was become entirely useless being filled and choked up with sand and mud, and that there was a bank of beach at the mouth of the Harbour of many thousand tons, which barred up the entrance. The town was become poor, desolate and dispeopled." Charles replied that it was "a noble project," but "too big for his present purse." He was at the time receiving £250,000 a year from Louis XIV.!

William III., almost as soon as he became King, was petitioned by the people of Dover for aid to re-establish the former prosperity of the Port. A concession was granted by the renewal of the Passing Tolls Act, and repair work was begun on the Crosswall immediately.

It would be convenient at this stage to diverge for a moment from the chronological sequence of events in order to settle the question of the Crosswall. This is somewhat confusing since there were two walls built across the Harbour at different times, which claim this name. As will be seen from a modern plan of the Docks there is a substantial wall stretching from the vicinity of the present Esplanade Hotel to the shore. This is the "cross-wall" which was built during Elizabeth's reign and described in last term's Pharos. It enclosed a volume of water, now known as the Wellington Dock, which was let out through a sluice-gate in the wall at low tide to wash away the shingle from the Harbour mouth, i.e., between the North and South Piers. It was found, however, that this mass of water was too far removed from the actual scene of the obstruction to be of any real service. Accordingly in 1661 a second "cross-wall" was erected from the first one to the end of the tongue of land on which Strond Street is built. This contained sluicing gates which were more effective than those in Elizabeth's wall and is the wall now known as the Crosswall. Thus incidentally was the Granville Dock formed, for with the idea of merely retaining a head of water at low tide the plan developed of using the pool as an anchorage for vessels.

The expedient of lengthening the South Pier in order to counteract the shingle drift was rejected time after time by the Harbour Commissioners. Engineers, therefore, focussed their attention on the perfecting of the sluicing method. As a first step the Round Tower which had been erected by Sir John Clark in 1500 was demolished, the stonework being used to strengthen the Crosswall of 1661, which had only been made of chalk. Then Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovel, who was subsequently associated with Sir George Rooke in the capture of Gibraltar in 1704, was sent to inspect the Harbour. The following extract from his report is significant since it could very well be applied to the present state of affairs here: "Finding by enquiry that this Port has been a place of good resort in former times for merchant ships and of convenience to the smaller ships of war to fit and dean, for the advantage of the Navy and for trade in general, it ought to be preserved from decay and improved for the advantage of the Nation." Some idea is gained of the size of warships in those days when we are told in the same report that this new dock (i.e., the Granville Dock), "will make a basin for ten or twelve ships from forty guns downwards."

The 18th century was not marked by any very bold Harbour schemes. The most prominent name was that of John Smeaton, an engineer who achieved fame by rebuilding the Eddystone Lighthouse. His plans, however, were not adopted, chiefly because he advocated the extension of the South Pier 90 feet out to sea—a policy which the Commissioners would not brook under any circumstances. They maintained, with some apparent justification, that this method, as shown by the failure of Henry VIII's great mole, would not prevent the accumulation of shingle in the Harbour mouth. Even the construction of the Admiralty Pier—the realised ideal of Smeaton and scores of other engineers has not eliminated the nuisance.

Throughout this period, Paradise Harbour had remained an evil-smelling, reed-covered swamp, but towards the end of the century it became firm enough for building on. The Harbour Commissioners thereupon sold the building rights for £3,522, and whole rows of dwellings began to appear forthwith. Had the Commissioners devoted this sum, or even a portion of it, to raising the level of the former harbour to the level of the surrounding land, the people now residing in that part of the town would not have had the alarming experience which was related in the local Press some while ago, when, during an exceptionally high tide, the sea percolated through the beach near the Town Station and the gravel which underlies the whole region and forced its way through the ground floors of the houses in order to find its own level. Not many people perhaps realise that, since the Pier District is almost entirely below sea level, the beach for a short distance to the west of the Admiralty Pier acts as a dyke in preventing the sea from overflowing the land.

Every aspect of the very difficult "Pier Problem" which has figured so prominently in municipal politics during the past thirty years, must be viewed in the light of this unsatisfactory foundation which the mud and gravel of the former Paradise Harbour afford to any building erected on the site.

The pronounced apathy of the "discreet men" who comprised the Harbour authorities has already been alluded to. It would only be fair, therefore, to mention the one or two brilliant exceptions to this rule.

Oxenden Street, now a mere fragment of its former self, owing to the exigencies of the Viaduct, commemorates the name of Sir Henry Oxenden, a man of untiring energy who occupied the position of Harbour Commissioner from 1784-1838. During that period he lived at Broome Park, near Barham, whence he frequently visited Dover. He rebuilt the North Pier as it is today, was the first engineer to construct a swing bridge over the Crosswall sluice gates, and instituted culverts—pipes which conducted a mass of water on to the shingle bar. It is interesting to note that he had the bridge built in his own workshop at Broome Park and carried to Dover in sections on his farm wagons. The bridge lasted for fifty years.

Mr. James Moon, a contemporary of Sir Henry Oxenden, improved still further on the sluicing arrangements by constructing a reservoir in the South Pier. This reservoir was filled with water from the Granville Dock, and from another small dock, the site of which is now occupied by the Continental Goods Yard, and which was formed by building a wall across the western comer of the Tidal Harbour. At low tide this water was released with deadly effect on the "bar," but in a comparatively short time Nature began to re-assert her powers, with the result that the Harbour mouth became choked up once again.

The net result of the combined skill and perseverance of so many engineers in their struggle with the forces of Nature was therefore, to all intents and purposes, nil, but it must be borne in mind that the Admiralty Pier did not exist in those days—the North and South Piers projected into the open sea, and were thus at the mercy of the S.W. gales. The failure of Mr. Moon's sluices caused a radical change in the organisation of the Harbour affairs and led to the evolution of the National Harbour.

R.A.P.

MY TRIP ACROSS THE "POND."

It was on 20th July that I sailed from England for Canada on the Cunard liner s.s. Antonia, a boat of rather more than 20,000 tons. We left Southampton Docks at three o'clock on Thursday afternoon and we were soon passing the Needles under our own steam.

That night at ten o'clock we stopped at Cherbourg, and took aboard about thirty passengers, mostly tourists from the States and Canada. We left Cherbourg precisely at eleven. Then suddenly the thought struck me that this was the last piece of European land I was likely to see for a number of years.

I went to bed at one o'clock Friday morning, and after I had been peacefully sleeping for perhaps half an hour my stateroom companion came in, woke me, and he said to me quite innocently, "In bed already!"

That morning at about eight o'clock I was awakened by a rather weird bugle call. It was a mixture of "Come to the cookhouse door" and "Last post," so I concluded that the breakfast must be rather a killing one. However, I found it just suited me A1. After I had stowed away about nine courses in my hold, I managed to crawl to the upper deck and sit down upon a chair. I had not been in this position for more than five minutes before I was spoken to by one of the young ladies who came aboard at Cherbourg. She asked me to play a set of deck-tennis. I felt the weight of my breakfast no longer, but immediately gave her a positive reply. Then came another small nine-course snack, and after it quite a nice game of shuffle-board.

That night a dance was held in the lounge. Now most of the passengers, in fact seventy-five per cent. of them, were ladies. So, needless to say, I was sick that night and unable to attend the dance.

Most of the trip was like this, except the following Thursday when deck sports were held. On this day also we saw our first iceberg. This was one sign that Newfoundland was near. Next day we sighted at least twenty-four icebergs, and later on in the day land appeared. The following day was the best of the trip. The sea was as calm as a pond, and everywhere around us we could see fishing boats. On our right hand side was open sea, but on the left was a beautiful green shore studded with cabins. Our first stop was at a small village on the southern side of the St. Lawrence. Here we took on and put off the mail. There also came aboard inspectors who were to inspect those people who were disembarking at Quebec. No doubt you have heard of Quebec bridge. Well, as we were nearing this there was quite a big disturbance on board. So I climbed to the top deck, where most of the people seemed to have collected. When I arrived at this commanding position we were about two hundred yards from the bridge, and it seemed as if the boat would strike the bridge about twelve feet below where I was standing. I really thought my last hour had arrived. When we were within twenty feet of the bridge the boat seemed suddenly to become lower and the bridge to ascend, and we passed underneath.

At eight o'clock on Sunday night we arrived at Montreal, and after passing the customs I went to the railway station and boarded the midnight train to Toronto, where I met my aunt and together we travelled to Lambton, which is about three miles west of Toronto.

Now I am working as hard as possible and threatening to make my fortune before I am twenty-one.

R. A. HICKS.

AN AFTERNOON'S SURVEYING.

On Wednesday afternoon, the fourteenth of March, by the kindness of Mr. Blackford, one of the Old Boys of the School, about a dozen boys from the upper forms, mainly members of the Cadet Coy., were able to learn the way to make a map. Having crossed the hills leading to the top of the cliff overlooking Shakespeare Colliery, we met Mr. Blackford, who was employed in making a map of the ground between Abbot's Cliff and Shakespeare Cliff. He first showed us the principle of map-making, and how the important points were plotted off from one line called the "base-line." He explained how, when one point was fixed, its accuracy was tested by taking observations from that point back to the starting place. We then went down to the Colliery, where observations were being made with a theodolite, which he said was commonly called "the instrument."

The principle of the theodolite was explained to us, and how it was used to measure angles both horizontally and vertically. So finely can this instrument be used, that it will read to a hundredth part of a degree. This degree of accuracy is obtained by plumb bobs, verniers, cross wires in the telescope, spirit levels, and, as Mr. Blackford. told us, much patience. We saw how necessary it is that the legs of the instrument should not he touched after they have been set.

A strong wind having started to blow, we decided to get in some sheltered spot, and while waiting for the wind to abate we were asked into the power stations of the Colliery, where everyone was interested. After this we went out again and Mr. Blackford made a small map for our benefit, showing us how the points were fixed on the paper. We were told that all the minor details, such as dimensions of windows, doors and steps, had then to be measured and set out on the paper.

It was now time to go home, so Mr. Willis thanked Mr. Blackford for the interesting afternoon he had supplied, and we boys broke up into two parties. One group returned over the hills with Mr. Willis and the other came along the beach with Mr. Blackford. For all those present it proved a very interesting afternoon.

F.J.D. (Va).

DETENTION.

BERMUDA, THE LAND OF SUNSHINE AND FLOWERS.

The Bermudas lie in mid ocean about seven hundred miles to the south and east of New York. The general shape of the Islands is that of a crescent. They are of coral formation and are wonderfully protected by Nature. It is as though a complete rampart of coral rock were built round about them. Through this encircling reef, a single navigable channel leads, and upon it dreadful breakers roll continually. Inside the reef the waters are peaceable and beautiful beyond description. More salt and buoyant than the waters of the north, they are vastly more translucent. On a still day the bottom can be easily seen and exactly studied, at depths of from fifteen to thirty feet. This surpassing clarity of the water makes a trip to the reefs, to the "edge of the deep" as it is termed, a most interesting excursion.

Formerly semi-tropical fruits, lemons and oranges, were plentifully grown, but blight came upon them, and now few such trees remain. Potatoes and onions are the staple crops. Marketable as they are in April and May, they command so good a price in the markets of the North that all are shipped away.

For recreation the Bermudas are ideal. The temperature in summer rarely exceeds eighty-five degrees, and is tempered by the ocean breezes so that life out of doors is both possible and delightful. There are long stretches of sloping beaches on the south shore where the sand is beautifully white and tinged with pink. Surf-bathing in exquisite ocean-blue water can be enjoyed here at all seasons.

There are golf links, tennis grounds and cricket fields, roads made by scraping the soil from the coral rock, as hard and smooth as asphalt with many objects of interest to give a delight to drive, ride or walk. There are no railroads on the Islands; the carriages are good and the bicycle is a universal means of travel.

Fishing is good, but better in summer than in winter. Many of the Bermuda fish are of extreme beauty. The most notable is the angel fish, with its violet body and long graceful fins flashing all the time the tints, hues and shades of the rainbow. When caught its beauty quickly fades.

The Bermuda houses are built almost invariably of coral rock. This rock is very porous; if wells are sunk the sea-water, infiltrating, quickly makes them brackish. Every house, therefore, must have its own cistern or reservoir for preserving the rain water which falls on the roof. The visitor to Bermuda is far from the maddening throng; his only mail comes once in ten days; cable rates are almost prohibitive, and the newspapers three days old cease to be exciting. The rest and quiet there are perfect.

Of these beautiful Isles, Tom Moore truthfully sang:

"Could you but view the scenery fair,

You'd think that Nature lavished there."

A. H. LEADER (IVa.).

THE HILLS.

PORTSMOUTH HARBOUR.

I have passed through Portsmouth Harbour once or twice on my way to the Isle of Wight. The thing that struck me most was the old Victory. It had three masts, and its sides were honeycombed with gun ports. Out in the Solent there are two old forts, like two round cakes on the water. In one of them there is a fresh-water spring right under the sea. There is a well going down to it, and the water can be drawn up for use in the fort. There used to be a boom between the two forts, but now only parts of it remain. A gentleman lent me a pair of field glasses, and I could see the remains of it quite well through them.

We passed Southsea Castle with its great earth-works, and I could see two or three six-inch guns sticking out. I also saw three huge battleships lying in the Harbour.

We passed a funny looking ship with a flat top. I asked what it was, and was told that it was a seaplane ship, used for launching seaplanes. A submarine, half sunk in the water, patrolled round it.

K. HARMAN (IIIb.).

FAR PLACES.

THE CAVES AT EASTRY.

Eastry is situated about nine miles north of Dover, so you see it is well inland, and yet these are smugglers' caves dug out of solid chalk, which goes towards suggesting that the sea was nearer Eastry in the past. It was by special privilege that the party, which included myself, visited these caves, since the only known entrances are in a gentleman's garden. This gentleman has complete charge of the caves, and possesses a complete chart of them.

We descended a passage, the entrance to which was in a bank in the centre of the garden, by means of nicely carved steps. We could walk upright in most passages, but we often had to step up about two feet and go along two feet and then down to the original level. Had we not had candles and a guide, many of us might have been injured owing to these stumbling blocks of wily Mr. Smuggler.

Several times our guide drew our attention to a recess in the wall and, calling us to listen, dropped a stone. We heard it strike water, presumably many feet below. Our special attention was drawn to a small room which our guide had previously entered. In one corner we dimly saw a round object with three illuminated points in form of an inverted triangle—a skull. Closer inspection revealed a turnip carved, under which our guide had placed his light.

In a branch passage there were some time-soiled oil paintings. One point which all noticed but which none can explain was a continuous current of fresh air which the smuggler obtained by some means, as yet unknown.

These extremely interesting caves and passages, extending for many hundreds of yards, are annually used by the villagers, who hold Christmas revels in them.

H. J. SOUTHEY (IVa).

NOTE.—All authorities do not agree that these were smugglers' caves. Some think they date from early Saxon times, when they were used as dwellings. Others believe they were simply dug for the sake of the chalk excavated.—Ed.

IN A SIGNAL CABIN.

A signal box is one of the most important parts of a railway. On some large stations there are two or three cabins, and in very large cabins there are two signalmen at work at a time.

Usually three sides of the cabin are glass, and on the back is the wall. Here telephones and telegraph instruments are fixed. In the front are the levers, each having its name above it. The levers are painted according to the kind of signal or point each works. Above these are the repeaters and semaphore bells, and at the very top are boxes showing when a train passes different signals.

Signal cabins are generally built having two floors, the ground one for the works.

F. NEWMAN (IIb.).

SPRING.

A VISIT TO THE LAKE DISTRICT.

It was a glorious summer day, and I had decided to go to the Lake District. I was glad to get away from Barrow-in-Furness, called by those who know it Vickers' Town. We branched off the main line at Ulverston, and now began to enter the scenery of the most beautiful part of England.

On Lake Windermere there are fourteen islands, the most beautiful being Blakeholme Island.

The visitor can best see the beauties of the lake by taking a steamboat trip. Nobody has fully described the Lake District—it is impossible—its mountains, lakes and rivers; but to the literary person this wonderful place has special attractions.

We then travelled on to Ullswater. Here is a new interest to the visitor, mountaineering. The most beautiful ascent can be made by way of Langdale.

I was very sorry when I found it was time to return. On the route back two places must be mentioned, Dalton-in-Furness and Furness Abbey; Dalton was the old capital of Furness before Barrow grew up; Furness Abbey is the second biggest abbey in England.

G. RAMAGE (IVb.).

MY VISIT TO A PAPER MILL.

On entering a paper mill, the first thing that I noticed was the size of the machines it requires to make paper on, also the various sorts of machines the rags had to pass through before they got to the big machines.

On being taken to a building which was called the beating stage. I was shown some old rags which had been sorted, dusted and boiled in lime and caustic. These were then placed in what are called "washers;" they keep going round and round; this gives the rags a washing, then bleach is added to the water, which bleaches the rags. This is done until they are quite white, then the bleach is washed out, which takes some hours to do. The next process is the beating. These well washed rags are turned out of the washers into iron tanks which are called beaters; the circular blades beat all the rags up into a pulp, before going to the paper machine.

After having hours of beating, the pulp is let down into large chests which feed the machine I saw at first. I saw the pulp come along the wire on the machine over a big steam drum; then I saw the paper pass through a vat of size, then over the drum with fans inside, which dries the paper as it goes over, then it is wound into reels and ready to be cut off into sheets.

L. WILKINSON, Upper Prep.

THE WORLD.

WARMING THE ORCHARD.

The most wonderful fruit growing country is California, but it is unfortunate to have frosts in the night, which mean much harm to the orange groves.

Engineers and fruit-growers have been trying to find a method for warming the orchards and preventing the frost.

A heating furnace is erected in the centre, and distributing pipes run to different parts of the orchard. When the hot air leaves the pipes it drives the cold air to a height of ten feet in fifteen minutes. Experts say that the scheme is sound.

G. WHITTINGSTALL, Trans.