Correspondence. A SCORING BOX FOR THE PLAYGROUND. To the Editors of the Cheltonian. Gentlemen,-In one of the early numbers of the Cheltonian, I remember observing a suggestion that, among other things, a scoring box should be provided in the playground, as the inconvenience to which scorers are subjected from the heat and glare of the sun, and not unfrequently from showers of rain, are very great, as I can testify from experience. But as far as I know, no steps have been taken to effect this desirable object. A hint, it is true, was thrown out, that the Council, "with its usual liberality," should provide one; but I should imagine that they are not aware of the need of such a thing, or, no doubt, they would have provided one directly the subject came under their notice. Hoping that this incompleteness in our cricketing arrangements may soon be remedied, I remain, Gentlemen, Yours truly, TWENTY-TWO. NEW SUBJECTS FOR THE CHELTONIAN. To the Editors of the Cheltonian. Gentlemen,-Will you allow me to suggest a few subjects which might, I think, be introduced with advantage in future numbers of the Cheltonian. Your readers must have felt disappointed at the scanty notices given in your last issue of cricket, boating, racquet, and other school appointments for the months of May and June. No mention was made of the breaking-up, and the programme for that week-an omission which is much to be regretted, as old friends at a distance, who might wish to be present, will now have very short notice, and barely time to make their arrangements. If the Cheltonian is to live, and I sincerely hope it may, the work of the Editors must be rendered as light as possible. It is with a view to lighten this work-to suggest "padding" where papers are short or scarce-that I venture to offer these few remarks: Might not the best English Essay of the month be published, or the best copy of Latin Verse or Iambics? Could not some of your contributors start a chess column with problems? If a few meteorological instruments were put up, it would be an easy task to give the rainfall, temperature at stated times in each day, and barometric pressure, together with the direction of the wind, and state of the weather. Such a record is much needed in Cheltenham, and would be of permanent value. Perhaps some of the gentlemen who walked so pluckily the other day, might be induced to give short hints for walks in the neighbourhood, with notes on objects of interest. There are numbers of geologists and collectors of natural objects who would be glad, I should think, to ask questions, if a page were devoted to them. Lastly, I would add, that if some one would take the trouble to hunt up from time to time the occupation and whereabouts of old Collegians, who have made their reputation in the school, and are now manfully doing duty in all quarters of the world, he would confer a very great boon on those of your readers who wish now and then to exchange a line with an old chum. The Army, Navy, and Clergy Lists would be good fields for such explorations. I am, Gentlemen, W. ་་ A CREST FOR THE COLLEGE. To the Editors of the Cheltonian. Gentlemen,-A letter appeared in one of your former numbers, which, I think, has not as yet met with the attention it deserves. Under the name of “ Κορυθαίολος Εκτωρ,” the writer urges the advantage of having a "Coat of Arms" or Crest for the College. Almost everyone is ready to agree that the deficiency is one which ought to be remedied, and has been too long deferred; but no one has made a decided move. When is anything to be done in the right direction ? Who is the proper person to take the initiative in the matter? Of course it is not in the power of the pupils to do anything, but represent the case to the authorities. But I am sure if this were done, we should meet with the attention and help of Dr. Barry and the Council. Hoping that the case may no longer be left in the air, I remain, Gentlemen, Yours &c., OSLIM CHELTONIENSIS. OUR "ATHLETIC SPORTS." To the Editors of the Cheltonian. Gentlemen,-Allow me to correct an error in your account of Our "Athletic Sports," as given in the last number of the Cheltonian. I was 4th in the competition for the Ladies' Prize last year, and not 2nd. May I, at the same time, venture to ask why it is that no account of the Races has appeared in any of the Sporting Papers. It seems a pity that this omission should have been made, as the time for most of the Races was much better this year than on any previous occasion. Yours obediently, A. H. HAMILTON. The Cheltonian. SEPTEMBER, 1867. A Editorial Address. PUBLIC School Magazine, like the present, can, of course, only expect as its supporters, those who take some interest in the affairs of the School. But this class of persons, we should imagine, ought, in the case of a School like Cheltenham, to be large enough to support such a magazine. We believe that in the majority of cases, these friends are prevented from becoming subscribers by ignorance rather than by disinclination. We should accordingly, be very much obliged to our present subscribers if they would recommend "The Cheltonian,”—provided such recommendation did not go against their conscience—to the notice of such of their acquaintances as they imagine take an interest in Cheltenham and its doings. If they feel kindly towards the magazine, we should suggest this to them as the best way of helping it, for without a larger circle of supporters its longer continuance becomes problematical. We think also that among the members of the College the interest shown is hardly sufficient to persuade us they appreciate the magazine—and as they are the principal party for whose edification it was started-it is important that their interest in it should not flag, and if it does not flag, they ought to show that such is the case, by inducing their friends and acquaintances immediately to become subscribers. TH HIS picturesque hill, with its yellow quarries, topped by graceful pines, forms a prominent object on one's first arrival at Cheltenham, forcing all to long for a closer acquaintance. On it my first half-holiday was spent, and though often afterwards visited, yet it never ceased to show fresh charms. On each occasion something would occur, new in itself, or else calling up pleasant memories of former walks, till every spot was fraught with interest. In August of the year 1859, an event occurred unnoticed by the general public. I refer to the arrival at Cheltenham for the first time, of the author who was thither sent, to prepare himself for life's battle, by studying the inexhaustible stores of Messrs. Homer, Cicero, and Co. Nobody was better pleased than I at the approach of the first half-holiday, and to enjoy it the more I determined on a walk, and joined a party of two others, both "new boys" like myself, who, on the principle of " common dangers make common friends," had the kindness to permit my accompanying them. "There is an end to all things," saith the proverb, more especially, we may add, to a Boarding-house dinner, with a half-holiday to assist the digestion of its luxuries. But going out for a walk in those days was by no means so simple an operation as it now is. It required more than the possession of a pair of legs, and no invitation to "Jupiter's Feast." The latter part of the programme was not then invented, all "impots" being done in the boardinghouses. In those by-gone ages, so great and lengthy were the preparations, that I will attempt a description of what occurred on this occasion. First, the "walk-book" was to be obtained, and it being the first half-holiday, this important item was not for some time forthcoming. It had been put too carefully away to be got at again. On its discovery the assistant-masters took down the names and destinations of all would-be tramps. Even then the ceremony was incomplete, for the Boarding-house master had to sanction each individual's selection. It was the duty of anybody to take this list into his august presence for ratification, and, as we all know "everybody's duty is nobody's duty;" but, at last, somebody endowed with true bull-dog pluck, seized it in desperation, and ventured on his arduous task. While the book is undergoing this revision, let me say a few words about those much-abused individuals, the Assistant-Masters. When I first came to the College it was one of their duties to take us to and from the playground in a long "two-and-two" line. This was a nuisance to them, to us, and to everybody else, and has very advisedly been done away, though it has left some traces behind. In due time the book and its valiant carrier returned, and then a ticket was delivered to each eager party, bearing the names and destination, with other particulars, to serve some mysterious object. |