St. Michael's College Magazine Hitchin

Volume XXVII. Number 2. Summer, 1954

EDITORIAL

Youth tends to smile at age and assume its own superiority. Hard-won achievements are taken for granted, success expected where generations have already failed. This attitude can be a trifle ludicrous and reveals the unreason­ableness and immunity of youth. Shorn of imperfections, how­ever, there is yet a courage and willingness to grasp at oppor­tunity and prove a worthiness never looked for in the young.

The imagination of East and West has been stirred by possibilities latent in youth. Refinement of every art of life and living are being sought to produce a perfect generation. Greece, with its rare culture of mind and body must be sur­passed-for knowledge has gone a long way in our day. This is to be the re-birth of the Nations. Only the spectacular and efficient will find a place in what is to be. What purposed to 'be the century of the Common Man has been replaced with the dismal prospect of the age of the Uncommon Man.

Youth pinnacled and supreme, but with no great depth of sympathy or experience, can be shaped to the measure of any enthusiasm or course. Youth gives. generously and makes light of caution and reflexion. But the peril is great, the dangers real. The very attentions and interest which surround youth circumscribe its soul, and, it may well be one of the

"ironies of History that the age which did most for the young, did most also for their ' destruction.

All this is now with us for Europe has forgotten that the roots of its strength lie in an older Faith, a finer tradition. Present fears are the measure of that forgetfulness, and their resolution will be discoverable only in the discipline of religious faith . In St. Michael's we share the Faith which has been the making of Europe and know that from it we can derive the making of ourselves. To those who later recall that it has been their good fortune to receive, may take pleasure in the recollection that it has been our great privilege to give.

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SCHOOL NOTES

The annual Retreat took place as usual at the beginnmg of Lent, preached very competently by two Benedictine Fathers of Ampleton: Fr. Jerome Lambert and Father Kevin Mason. A new arrangement of the time-table allowed the Senior!'! two days retreat, while the Middle and Junior Forms each had one day. It is hoped that this can be maintained in future to give each boy a better chance of meeting the Retreat Fathers.

* * On Sunday, May 30th, five boys made their First Com­

munion: Plinio Galfetti, George and Thomas Law, Georges Seloret and John Torrance. We hope that this will be the be­ginning of a long life of senice to our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.

The Mass " X " Ray of Staff and boys provided an excel ­lent occasion to prove the efficiency of our routine. The Radio­graphy unit would normally' handle 200 people in an hour; 250 Michaelans went through in 55 minutes. The general result of the "X" Ray and of the subsequent skin tests showed an excellent standard of health throughout the College. Surely the boisterous spirits of the boys would prove this fact, if in deed any proof were necessary. ,

Another type of fjlm unit is in the care of Father Sebastian. This is the Cine Club. Under Father Sebastian's guidance, a black and white film of College life, and a colour film of sports events has been prepared. A camera may be concealed at any corner.

In December we heard the news 01 the ordmatlOn to the priesthood in Rome of an old boy of the College, Fr. Aquinos Furlong, A.A., who has since taken his degree in Theology. Fr. Aquinos will be celebrating Mass solemnly for the whole school towards the end of term. Another old boy, Fr. Paul McNicholas, A.A., has gained a degree in Classics at Cam­bridge. Hearty congratulations to both. It is not only Michaeleans who learn by degrees!

Another pleasant occasion was the Silver Jubilee of Fr. Bede's ordinatipn to the Priesthood celebrated at Brockley on June 9th. Fr. Bede is well known to many generations of boys for his profound knowledge both of History and Sport. Rumour still recounts with awe his past exploits as a fast

2

bowler. We offer our best wishes to Fr. Bede for many more years of happy Priesthood.

* At the outset of the Summer Term we were sorry to learn

that Mr. C. McConigly, B.A., had left us after more than nine years of loyal and devoted service. He is replaced by Mr. H. Hickey, B.A., who takes English and History in the Lower School. We also noted the arrival of Miss J. Smith to teach in the Second Class of the Prep. School.

R. Robertson, who was School Captain for almost two years, left us on 24th June. He is replaced by C. Harkins, with H. Kitchin as Vice-Captain.

We offer our congratulations to T. Needham on his being chosen to represent Hertfordshire for the High Jump in the all­England School Championships at Ashington, Northumberland, on 16th July. This invitation was given after his success in winning the North Herts. Championships at Stevenage. In that Chmpionship we gained three notable successes: M. Mc­Cartney in the Mile, A. Bain in the 220 Yards, and T. Needham in the High Jump. Our congratulations also go to P. Reilly, who 'won the 55 yards Freestyle and the Diving events in the Herts. Association of Boys' Clubs' Swimming Sports.

'We are also glad to announce that R. Robertson has been accepted for Cranwell College; R. Kitchin has passed his en­trance exam. to Sandhurst, while H. Eberhard has won a London County Council Major Award for London University, and that an Historical Tripos, Class I, Part 1, 1954, has been awarded to R. J. Gavin. .

We would like to record our great regret when we heard this term of the deaths of Mr. Reilly in a railway accident, and of Mr. McAllister after a short illness. We offer both Peter and Jock our most sincere condolences in th~ir tragic loss .

• - *

In September, the College celebrates the Golden Jubilee of its establishment in Hitchin. As this will be a big moment in the history of the college, consideration is at the moment being given to determine the shape these celebrations will take.

The trench continues to grow deeper about the college buildi ng, concrete mixers, sand, bricks and gravel have ap-

peared at the top of the drive. Fr. Ian wishes to deny the rumour that his obj ect is to build a moat around the College, but that the trench will give the lower part of the building greater access to air and light, and to this purpose new, deep window frames have been introduced. When finished, the whole effect of these alterations will add to the efficient run ning of the college and be most pleasing in appearance.

March : Tues. 2nd:

Wed. 3rd:

Thurs. 4th: Fri . 5th:

SCHOOL CHRONICLE

Boarders return from half-term- but where are the pancakes? Retreat for Seniors and Middle School preached by Frs. Jerome Lambert and Kevin Mason from Ampleforth. Charlie's temperature is normal. Gorman is ill. Charlie's temperature is 104.8. He will get into hot water.

Sat 6th: Charlie is normal. We lose to St Christopher's 1·3. .

Sun. 7th: Fr. Rogers is downcast:

Mon. 8th: Tues. 9th: Wed. 10th:

Thurs. 11 th:

Fri. 12th

Sat 13th:

Sun. 14th: Mon. 15th: Tues. 16th:

Wed . 17th:

Thurs. 18th

The 1st XI have lost at last. Harkins goes to bed. Must history cease? McCartney goes to bed. Yes! We have the mass X-ray. Nurses ar~ seen everywhere. They're still here-" You too can have a body like mine." Is this a plague? Eberhard goes to bed, but Joseph is still going strong. Fisher play More in the Cup and win 7-1. ll's between Stone and Fisher now. Joseph still won't lie down. A part of the Vlth Lit. returns to school. History is taken up again as another part returns. The Juniors are losing their hard won liberty. St. Patrick's feast day. Shamrock and mortar are for sale near the " moat" The 1st XI beat the Police I 5-1. Wonder is that they didn't run Kitchin in, but he gets a penalty

Fri. 19th: Fr. Roger's feastday., We have Mass in the morning, followed by the Headmaster's Presen­tation. To induce a habit of study, our gift is books. Zwetsloot says it with flowers, and the Prep brings fruit in baskets. We get a holiday and the boarders have films in the afternoon, followed by Benediction in the evening.

Sal. 20th The 1st XI go to Cambridge to play Foxton. However, luck was against us and they lose a very hard match 3-4. We said drink goes to the head?

Sun. 21st The Vlth Form find a sudden urge to study Anthony and Cleopatra, so does Needham.

Mon . 22nd: A second former clings to the belief that the Latin verb " to love" is " ammo "- Fire that man.

Tues. 23rd: Wed. 24th:

Thurs. 25th:

Fri .' 26th: Sal 27th :

Sun. 28th: Mon . 29th:

Tues. 30th Wed. 31st

April Thurs. 1st:

Fri . 2nd :

Sat 3rd :

Mr. Murphy is better to-day. We find out that the Conference of Catholic Colleges' Examination is Monday next. The Vth and Vlth agree to begin work. Feast of the Annunciation. There is High Mass in the morning and pictures in the afternoon. Nobody knows who won the football match. Nowt done! We play Luton G.S. and draw 1-1. We shall be able to enter the old crocks' race. Sandeman bumps into someon'e and severely strains his ankle. That's what he says. X. D. Exam. The fruits of learning will appear. A holiday in the afternoon for the participants. Adrian is not a barrel but he imitates its gait. What are the prefects up to now? "A deed without a name."

Where has the hearse got to? Heard in conver­sation: " Ahe you laughing at me?'" "No, but I soon will be." He just missed it. The plot is revealed. Robert ­son leaves- to take an exam. Fisher beat Stone 8-0. Unfortunately the latter had Sandeman and Reilly absent, so their for -ward line was considerably weakened .

Sun. Mon.

Tues. Wed.

Thurs. Fri. Sat.

Sun. Mon. Tues.

Wed.

May: Tues: Wed.

Thurs. Fri. Sat.

Sun.

Mon. Tues. Wed.

Thurs.

Fri . Sat. Sun.

4th: 5th:

6th: 7th:

8th: 9th:

10th:

11 th: 12th: 13th:

14th:

4th: 5th:

6th: 7th: 8th:

9th:

10th: 11th: 12th:

13th:

14th: 15th: 16th :

Why this excitement? Is the 2.53 a .m. train on time? Does the 4.20 stop at Hitchin? Poore has all the answers. New members are required for the" Dragger's Union. No subscription fee, and special privileges. Fill in form and return to Hon. Sec. Mr. Devlin: "V os billets s 'il vous plaIt?" Moloney trains to-day for to-morrow. :::::ross-Country. McCartney wins and Hide com­plains. Bourke wins the Junior race with Sturges second. Recuperation necessary after yesterday. Oh, to be in Paris now! The day we've been waiting for since 13th Jan. Kitchin and Harkins do not offer to stay and clear up. Their mothers are waiting and back home they go.

SUMMER TERM

The backbone of the school return. De daibouys r bak. We learn with regret that Mr. McConigly has left us. Mass for all includ­ing the middle dormitory. Mass for the middle dormitory. The middle dormitory again! Only one middle dormitory boy up for Mass. Why? Cricket starts: 1st and 2nd XIs' Jose to Letchworth. Mass in the Parish Church,walk in the afternoon, study in the evening-back to the old routine. To-day's a real scorcher- but no swimming. We see Julius Caesar. ., Oh, I say, be a good chap and lend me six­pence?" Everybody off to the baths for a first swim. We are very grieved to hear of Mr. P. Reilly's death and send our sincerest sympathies to the family. Monty delivers the goods and loses his job We have waited five days for to-da y . Fourth Sunday after Easter.

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Mon. 17th:

Tues. 18th:

Wed. 19th: fhurs 20th: Fri. 21st:

Sal. 22nd: Sun. 23rd:

Mon. 24th: Tues. 25th:

Wed. 26th: Thurs. 27th:

Fri . 28 th :

Sal. 29th: Sun. 30th: Mon. 31st:

June: Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri . Sat.

Sun.

Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs: Fri. Sat.

1st: 2nd: 3rd: 4th: 5th:

6th:

7th: 8th: 9th:

10th: 11 th: 12th:

To-day Fr. Bonaventure is forty years a pnesL Congratulations! 11.30 a.m. To the jeers, cheers and boos of the orlit forms the VIth make their way to the swim­ming baths. 12.20 a.m. Survivors begin to re­turn. Fr. Richard adds to his water pistol collection. Beware of Dead Shot Dick. Stone half-holiday. The Staff are glad that the boys have a holiday to-morrow. The I st XI draw against Hitchin G .S. Back to " Botany Bay. " We now have an American base ball. A new week begins. Elimination heats- we are reminded how short the term is. Oh, your sweet little 1eggie jeggins! Ascension Day. The Becket School return to Nottingham without the Cup. We have beaten them four times. " No, it's not going to be a moat, but a sandpit for the Prep." We lose to Alleyne's. Films: F.A. Cup Final and Tumbleweed. Tom busts a window. Tom is a prefect. FT. Roger has found it necessary to take a group of boys to the Zoo.

To-day .is the first of Tune. Taking a rise out of Holcombe. We beat the Police-St. Michael's beware. Now, what happened to-day? Sports' Day preparations have begun. Thanks are due to McCartney and his helpers. Visitors from the American Hospital at Wimpole Park come to give us a lesson in basebalL We are most gratefuL Sports' Day- a most enjoyable day. There is a tavern in the town. The Advance level Exams. are approaching. ::::asey's gets trade. Why didn't we swot before? Among other things-a day of reckoning. We play Sherradswood at cricket. Sporting Sam gets tough, but we stay to tea.

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Sun.

Mon.

Tues. Wed.

13th.

14th:

15th: 16th:

Thurs. 17th:

Fri . 18th:

Sat. 19th:

Sun. 20th:

Mon. 21st:

Tues. 22nd: Wed. 23rd: Thurs. 24th:

Fri. 25th:

Sat. 26th:

Sun. 27th:

Mon. 28th:

The mormng ailer! .. Whether ' tlS nobler III the mind to take pens against a week of exams. and by opposing pass them?" They've arrived. For the first time in years there is silence in Form lI. The reason- study periods. The VI Form Lit. have a motto: .. Scientia es t celare scientiam." Corpus Christi. We have a holiday. Pictures in the afternoon. Some go to Roxley Court for the procession. Anniversary of the battle of Waterloo. Po ore gets down to it. We lose to Luton Grammer SchooL Where 's Scruton? Where's Horwood? Where's Poore? Where's everybody? A group go to St. Francis,' Letchworth, for a pro­cession of the Blessed Sacrament. Poore gets his cricket cap. Well done, John Graham Rickardo B Is Hide jealous? A month to go. Bob's all by himself . Robertson leaves amid tears and lamentations. Some people have all the luck! Tony and Charles find out they are devoted citizens. We lose by 5 runs to Welwyn G.S. At Barnet Ned wins the County High Jump. We beat the Strollers. Procession in the even­ing to the Sacret Heart Convent. The Americans provide a guard of honour for the Blessed Sacra­ment which was carried in procession by Fr. Roger. Fr. Sebastian preaches. Fr. Richard wants to know where the prefects are.

Tues. 29th: St. Peter and PauL Holiday. Mass in the morning, swimming and pictures in the after­noon.

Wed. 30th: The eclipse of the sun. Kitchin wins.

July: Thurs. 1st: The" boy" gets into training under his coach.

A. M. HIDE and C . P. HARKINS.

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HOUSE NOTES

STONE

For the second half of the year M. McCartney was again House Captain, and when he left school this term after his exams, P. Sandeman replaced him with R. Eberhard as Vice­Captain

Both football trophies eluded our grasp, for although our three elevens usually played well and enthusiastically, we seemed to be at our worst for vital matches. In the Cup, too, we won our first match with a certain ease, but in the deciding match against Fisher, having reshuffled our team and having suffered injuries to our key men, were well beaten.

These disappointments were partially relieved by a team success in the Senior Cross-Country in which M. McCartney and J. de Louvois took first and second places. In the Junior Event, although M. Sturges came second, as a team we finished third.

For no less than the seventh year in succession, Stone won the Inter-House Trophy on Sports day- our" stars" being M. McCartney, A. Bain, A. Scruton and T. Sandeman. But this success was only won by a very narrow margin.

In gaining House Points we have done much better this year and hope to win the McCarthy trophy for the first time.

Although there is no Inter-House Cricket Competitions, we provide nearly half the members d the 1st XI: P. Sandeman, P. Reily, A Scruton, A. Horwood and P. Ronchetti are regular members, wh;le R Robertson played occasionally.

R. EBERHARD, Vice-Captain.

MORE

Since our last House Notes appeared, we have been un­fortunate in that W. Rickard, who had been Captain of the House and pillar of our football team, left the school. We send him and others who have recently completed their courses our best wishes. R. F. Kitchin took Rickard's place as House Cap­tain, and remains the only prefect in the House ever since.

Numerically, the House has gone down considerably. Per­haps, this may explain our lack of success in the Sports and

House Point System this year. We have come last in every Inter-House relay event, except the Inter-House relay race, in which we came second. Still we have not been without effort.

In football Danny Maloney and R. F. Kitchin played for the I st XI. Danny was their top scorer for the second season in succession. The cricket season finds Moloney with a place in the 1st XI, and P. Cosgrave and A. King also appearing occasionaly for the team. Congratulations to J. Po ore, who received his cap--in recognition of his bowling. J. Smyth, P. Shambrook and R. Robson play for the 2nd XI- also, on oc­casion, R. Cuddihy.

R Cuddihy and J Keenan both came fifth In their respec­tive sections of the Cross-Country. Falconer did very well on Sports Day. He won, jointly with Holcombe, the Junior Chal­lenge Cup.

Although far from success at the moment, we hope to take the lead in the future, remembering that we once took the Foot­ball Cup, the League and McCarthy. Trophies.

R. F. KITCHIN .

FISHER

At the end of this term, E. Harkins became School Cap tain, and A. Hide, House Captain. The latter, on leaving was replaced by T. Needham.

We were most successful in football, winning both the League and Cup Championsnips. In the former we lost only two matches, and in the latter scored IS goals with one against. Our thanks, in this respect, are due to the efforts of A. Hide and T. Needham.

On Sports Day we came second. Needham b,roke his Liwn record of 5 ft. 3 inches in the High Jump by clearing 5 ft. 5 inches. Elsewhere his other achievements have been noted.

The summer arrived, cricket takes pride of place. Hide was elected Captain of the I st XI, and Stocks Captain of the 2nd XI. Also in the 1st XI are Needham, Wilding and Harkins; whilst in the 2nd XI are Hart, Mitchell, Holcombe and Archer.

In the House Points we only made second place last term, losing by 20 points. However, we have been able to count on Form II for their constant support.

In the Senior Cross-Country at the end of last term, Hide

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THE FOURTH FORM

FR. PHILIP IN THE PREP. SCHOOL

IJ.

came third, aed in the runior, Bourke, J. was first. The House Team came second just behind Stone, and the Juniors easily won their race. The day was very warm and the swamps near Oughton Head did not prove as difficult an obstacle as in iormer years.

The Swimming Sports and the Inter-House Cricket matches will be decided later, and though we have little hope in the swimming, expect to do well in cricket.

C. HARKINS

SPORTS DAY, 1954

This year, as for years in the past, Sports Day has been held on Whit-Monday. The weather, after a morning of no promise, brightened, the sun shone through, and though a strong wind remained as a hindrance to competitors, the day was set for success.

Some of the best achievements w·ere in the field events. T. Needham, without what seemed an effort, raised his own high­jump record by two inches to reach a final score of 5 feet, 5 inches. P. Sandeman shattered the former Discus record by almost ID feet with a throw of 104 feet, 8 inches. Considering a .head wind, his throw of 90 yards in the Cricket Ball, though not so outstanding as last year, was also very good.

M. McCartney again secured a treble victory in the Mile, Half-Mile and Quar~er-Mile, together with the Challenge Cup.

T. Sandeman surprised us by beating R. Robertson, both in the 100 Yards and the 220 Yards; in the former with the ex­cellent time of 10.5 seconds. A Scruton, winner of the Inter­mediate Challenge Cup, gained the special prize of a wrist­watch which was donated annonymously for the one who ob­tained the most points.

For the seventh year in succession, Stone House won the Inter-House Trophy, though very closely trailed by Fisher until the final events. Though outclassed by the Fifth Form, who carried off the Inter-Form Cup, the Sixth had put up a credit­able performance.

We were glad to welcome so many Old Boys at Sports Day this year, and hope that even more will attend in future years . The Present won the Relay event quite comfortably, but the Past overwhelmed the Present in the Tug-of- War and w on by two straight pulls.

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The distribution of prizes was made by the Headmaster, the Rev. Roger Killeen, A. A. , at the end of a most satisfactory sports meeting.

We should like to thank all the Officials who made the complicated task of running Sports Day seem easy; also a word of appreciation to members of the Sixth Form, especially M. McCartney, R. Robertson and P. Sandeman for preparing the field and for much of the work of organisation; and to those who worked to supply the large gathering of parents and boys with refreshments we are also most grateful.

R. EBERHARD, VI Form Lil.

SPORTS DAY RESULTS, 1954 Time or Length

lOO Yds. Under 12 J. Torrance, 1. Gavin, P. Bourke. 13.8 Under 13 J Falconer, B. Smith, G. Franklin. 12.9 Under 14: W. Thomas, S. Atkinson, C. Paardekooper. Under 15: D. Hart, J Bollrke, J Howitt. Under 16: A. Bain, F. Leeder, E. Gorman. Over 16: T. Sandeman, R. Robertson, A. Horwood 10.5

T. NEEDHAM AT THE HIGH JUMP

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220 Yds. Under 12: 1. Gavin, P. Torrance, P. Bourke. 34.1 Under 13: B. Smith, J. Falconer, D. Hassett. 33.0 Under 14: W. Thomas, S. Atkinson, J. McCaffrey. 30.8 Under 15: D. Hart, J. Bourke, M. Scott. 29.2 Under 16: A. Bain, F. Leeder, K. Lukaszewicz. 26.6 Over 16: T. Sandeman, R. Robertson, R. Kitchin. 26.7 Old Boys: J. Rose, M. Rose, E. Gavin. 28.2

440 Yds. Junior: S. Atkinson, R. Gladwin, M. Sturgess. 73.2 Inter: F. Le~der, D. Hart, A. Scruton. 65.8 Senior: M. McCartney, A. Bain, T. Sandeman. 62.3

880 Yds. Inter: A. Scruton, A. Anderson, J. Bourke. 2.38.9 Senior: M. McCartney, A. Hide, J. de Louvois. 2.24

Mile: Senior: M. McCartney, J. de Louvois, A. Hide. 5.7.7 High Jump Junior: M. Lynagh, C. Holcombe, J. Keenan. 4' 3"

Inter: A. Scruton, A. Anderson, D. Wilson. 4' 3" Senior: T. Needham, M. McCartney, G. McAllister. 5' 5"

Long Jump Junior: J. Falconer, J. Keenan, A. Sandeman. 13' 9" Inter: A. Scruton, D. Hart, D. Wilson. 16' 3" Senior: J. Linares, T. $andeman, A. Bain. 17' 8"

Cricket Ball Junior: C. Holcombe, A. Sandeman, P. Bourke. 79 yds. 11 ins.

Inter: A. Scruton, M. Browne, P. Mortimer. 73 yds. 2 ft.. 10 ins.

Senior: P. Sandeman, T. Needham, J. Poore. 90 yds. 1 in.

Discus, Inter: C . Holcombe, M. Beard, P. Mortimer. 101' 6" Senior: P. Sandeman, A. Hide, P. Cosgrave. 104' 8"

House Relay: Stone, More, Fisher. Obstacle, Junior: J. Torrance, M. O'Leary, 1. Gavin.

Senior: A. Scruton, P. Zwetsloot, K. Lukaszewicz. Consolation. Junior: P. Bourke, D. Hassett, A. Felix.

Senior: P. Cosgrave, A. Horwood, G. Jeavons. School Relay: Present. 2.53 .7 Tug-of-War: Past. Inter-House Trophy: Stone 82 pts., Fisher 65 pts., More 39 p ts. Inter-Form Cup: Form V, 35 pts.; Form VI, 27 pts.; Form I and

IV, 25 pts. Senior Challenge Cup: M. McCartney 11 pts.; A. Bain and T.

Sandeman 9 pts.; Leeder 7 pts. ' Inter Challenge Cup: A. Scruton 13 pts.; D. Hart 10 pts.; J.

Bourke 5 pts. Juni or Challenge Cup: J. Falconer and C. Holcombe 8 pts.; S.

S. Atkinson 7 pts.; W. Thomas 6 pts.

R. EBERHARD, VI Form Lit .

1-1

FOOTBALL REPORTS

Away: 5-2. 23rd Jan. vs. St. Christopher's. The team, though out of practice, because of the recent holidays, were leading by half-time 3-1. Rickard scored a further goal in this, his final game, and the game ended 5-2.

Home: 3-2. 30th Jan. vs. Foxton Hall. The ground was very hard and the ball, because of it, very difficult to control. We were two down by the end of the first half but managed to win 3-2.

Home: 11-0. 6th Feb. vs. Sherradswood. Although many of our best players were absent, we easily won 11-0. For most of the game the ball was in the opponents' half.

, Away: 0-3. 20th Feb. vs. Welwyn G. City G.S. The game opened with play in our favour and much of our best efforts were thwarted by the splendid efforts of their goalkeeper­even a penalty failed to beat him. However, i,l quick break­aways, they snatched three goals in the space of 20 minutes. Despite renewed efforts we were defeated.

Home: 3-2. 27th Feb. vs. Luton G.S. With two members of the 1st absent, we won this game. The game was played in a fast and constructive manner. Early in the game Bain and McCartney scored from their respective wings-this set our hopes high. But two rather lucky goals b eat Sherwood: one as the result of a goalmouth tussle, and the other which hit tne bar and rebounded into the net. After half-time we scored again and kept our lead to ' the end.

Home: 1-3. 6th Mar. vs. St. Christopher 's. We had little teamwork on our side during this game. Three of our for ­wards were absent, and as might have been expected, we lost

and that for the second time.

Away: 5-1. 13th. vs. Sharradswood. This game was nol very eventful and we played with a weakened team.

Home: IS-I. 18th March, vs. Police. This game was a difficult one for our opponents, who did not have their regular goalkeeper with them. Victory was easy.

IS

Away: 3-4. 20th March, vs. F'oxton Hall. Weather con ditions were bad for this game. Foxton led by 3-0, but our forwards soon drew lev.el. Before haif-time they scored again. Somehow we never managed an equaliser and the game ended in their favour .

Away: I-I. 27th March, vs. Luton G.S. Play was rather heavy in this game. Sandeman was injured in the early part of the game. Luton took the lead and scored; later Hide scored for us and there were no further goals on either side unitl the end of the match.

The Season's Games: Of the 19 we played, 14 were won, 3 lost, and 2 were drawn.

House Matches: In both the Cup and League, Fisher led, and Stone was second in both. ,These games have a very keen following and Michaeleans support their houses in a wide variey of ways. In the Cup More were beaten 6-0 by Stone, and 7-1 by Fisher. In the final match, Stone unfortunately had Reilly . and Sandeman absent, and so lost 8-0.

CRICKET REPORT

8/ 15/ 54: vs. Letchworth G. S. Our heldmg was rathel poor, which was readily taken advantage of by the Grammar School; the outfield was poor and we missed many catches .. Though much of our bowling was very good, our batting failed to reach any notable heights. Result: 58 to 75.

22/ 5/ 54: vs. Hitchin G . S. We were fOTtunate that Hide and Reilly by their staunch batting enabled us to make a stand. Ronchetti's score of 34 helped us amass a total of 98 runs. Although left with 1 hour, 20 minutes in hand, the Gram­mar School did not press for victory and the game was drawn 98 to 54-I.

27/ 5/ 54 vs. Becket School. We batted well on this occasion and speedily scored 71 runs. Hide obtained 19 of these and Sandeman 15. Hide took seven wickets for eleven runs.

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29/ tJ/ tJ4 : vs. AlIeyne's G. S. ThIs game was played on u wet wicket. Our hopes were raised when Sandeman took 6 wickets for 8. In an attempt to improve our situation Hide altered from speed bowling to spin and was, all the while, ably supported by Pore. However, the pitch proved too great an obstacle, and though there were some belated efforts made to score off a swinging ball, we were all out for 24, losing by 10 runs.

3/ 6/ 54: vs. Hitchin Police. We considered that this was easy victory, for Hide took 6 wickets for six runs. The Police chose to bat first and were dismissed for 35. Our batting was moderate. Needham scored 24 of our total of 84.

12/ 6/ 54 vs. Sherradswood. In this match we took two wickets for nil. However, rain which had been falling through­out the afternoon, finally brought play to an end. Sandeman eventually took, with his medium pace spin, 7 wickets for 11 runs.

19/ 6/ 54: vs. Luton G. S. Po ore bowled very well and Lulon was soon out for 56, 31 of which were scored by two of their players. Our fielding and batting was poor, but Poore and Horwood saved our faces with a score of 36. There were 6 ducks. Poore, because of his performance in this game, was given his cap- congrats!

26/ 5/ 54: vs. Welwyn G. City G. S. Welwyn speedily scored 68, their opening bat scoring 22 of them. Hide bowled well and took 6 wickets for 19. Our batting was satisfactory and Horwood must be congratulated for a determined stand in an innings in which he scored 25. Horwood 's score brought us to 63, 5 runs short of Welwyn.

27/ 6/54: vs. Hitchin Strollers. By agreement it was de­cided that each side would bat for 1 t hours. The Strollers by steady bating scored 50 runs in 72 minutes. Hide bowled ex­tremely well and out of the 7 wickets that fell, took 5 for 10. We had already scored 42 of the 52 runs required when Ron­chetti came in to bat. His score was 47.

l7

CROSS-COUNTRY

The Cross-Country this year took place on a sunny day at the end of a long period of dry weather. The usual course was run-some three and a half miles for the Seniors, and about two and three quarters for the Juniors. Fr. Roger started the race at 10.30 a.m.

Among the Seniors, ~. McCartney and C. Harkins took the lead for the first half mile, but gradually forged ahead and held the advantage over their nearest rivals, r. de Louvois and A. Hide. At the finish they had led by nearly two minutes.

Comparable in his performance among the Juniors, J. Bourke quickly took the lead, and drawing away from chal­lengers, M. Sturges and C . Holcombe, won by some 150 yards.

From the moment of the arrival of those first home, com­petitors arrived thick and fast at the New Field; some appeared looking fresh enough to repeat their performance, others seemed surprised that they had reached the end of the race­we were a little surprised ourseLves! However, runners arrived in numbers, closely grouped together, and our attempts to classify their positions were a failure, so that we relied on detailed interrogation afterwards before certainty could be arrived at.

Finally our thanks are due to the officials whose efforts helped so much to make the Cross-Country a success.

R. EBERHARD, Form VI Lit.

CROSS-COUNTRY RESULTS Seniors: 1st. M. McCartney (S)

2nd. J. de Louvois (S) 3rd. A. Hide (F) 4th. D. Hart (F) 5th. C. Cuddihy (M) 6th. J. Linares (F)

Team: 1st, Stone, 72 pts.; 2nd, Fisher, 79 pts.; 3rd, More, 84 pts.

Iuniors: 1st. J. Bourke (F) 2nd. M. Sturges (S) 3rd. C. Holcombe (F) 4th. D. Duff (F) 5th. J. Keenan (M) 6th. r. Howitt (M)

Team: 1st, Fisher, 65 pts.; 2nd, More, 76 pts.; 3rd, Stone, 80 pis.

113

THE CYCLING CLUB

Cycling was carried on again this term and there were quite a number who brought their bicycles back this term . Since the beginning of the term, Fr. Philip has taken us for most enjoyable rides around the Hertfordshire Countryside.

As we had good weather for the first week of the term, we went first of all to St. Ippolyts' woods and ,to Deacon Hill near Hexton one Sunday morning, where we found a stiff hill to climb. McCartney took us to see Arlesly pits: the weather was hot and we found the water most attractive.

Unfortunately, for some time then the weather changed, and so our rides became few and far between. With June, the weather improved and we had further rides to Preston woods, Pirton chalk pits, and many other interesting places.

On Corpus Christi nine boys were chosen to serve at a procession of the Blessed Sacrament. We cycled there; the procession, was very solemn and the Sisters gave us a lovely tea.

As there is still part of the term left, it may be that we shall still have some further cycle rides.

R. GREATHEAD, Form Ill.

THE MUSIC CLUB

This term the Music Club was back at the stage where it had returned after a temporary absence when its meetings had been held in Fr. Philip's room. More than ever interest had been taken in classical music so that Fr. Philip was hard put to keep us abreast of the many details of musical appreciation. Clementi's Symphony in D was so universally enjoyed that we had it played repeatedly. Members were very grateful to Mr. Fallowfield, who lent the Club some fine recordings, among which were Tchaikovsky's Concerto No. I in B flat Minor, Bach's Brandenbourg ·Concertos and Liszt's Concerto No. I in E flat Major.

For those who have a preference for Swing and Jazz, it will be of interest to know that the Club 's favourite orchestra was Bobby Sherwood, whose own composition, " Sherwood's Forest" was most popular. Here we would like to say how

tU

grateluJ we are to ]im Wildmg, who let us borrow such splendid Long Playing record as "Battle of the Bands," · " Artistry in Rythm " by Stan Kenton, and" The Modern Idiom" - which brought us " To-morrow's music to-day.'"

The film, " The Glenn Miller Story," popularised for us Miller's distictive method of playing, and his records were en­Joyed even by those whose main interest had been in classical themes.

Finally we are most appreciative of Fr. Philip's help with the work of the Club, and for his patience in listening to the choice of music of some of our Club members '

1. A. NEEDHAM, Form VI.

CHOIR BOYS AT CAMBRIDGE

The mormng of our outing to Cambridge was wet and cloudy, but by the time the coach was on its way the clouds cleared and we had the promise of a' fine day. This year more attended, for most of the Sixth and Fifth, though not in the Choir were also there .

When we reached Cambridge-a little after ten o'clock the sun made the day very warm and we were able to

leave our raincoats in the coach. Fr. Philip superintended all arrangements and when we all dispersed in small groups, with strict orders to meet the coach at 7.30 p.m., he took most of the smaller boys on the river in the morning. Seniors and r uniors eventually found their way to one or other foundations of the University, where one impressed youngster enquired of an undergraduate how he should go about entering the University. '

The morning passed swiftly enough and lunch-time arrived. This was taken in many of the most out-of-the-way places- not least of which were cinemas and museums- two of the party even took their lunch, listening to swing in a gramophone record store.

Lunch over, the majority of us went to the pictures. Quite a dozen or so ~aw " His Majesty O'Keefe "- which proved a most enj oyable farce; afterwards we all took tea.

After tea the Seniors took to the river, where a canoe paddled by some of them along the river between the colleges,

20

lllet wlth aIld ~urpnsed another party of Michaeleans tn charCJe of a punt. This, for no particular reason, took the shape of a challenge and battle ensued to the cheers of undergraduates on the banks. As the struggle proceeded, Moloney became marooned, but fortunately no-one was drowned, and with no more than a wetting we were glad to make a truce, swing canoe away from punt, continue along the river enjoying the brilliant weather which had lasted all day.

Finally at 7.15 p.m. we returned to the coach. The return journey was filled in with pop, fruit and sing-songs, and we were all tired out when we arrived once more at Hitchin. We now record our gratitude to Fr. Philip for making such a pleasant day possible.

C. R. CUDDIHY, Form VI.

THE REASON FOR KON TIK!

The voyage of the Kon Tib has by this time become a well known adventure, in lact an adventure hailed as one of the greatest in this modern era. But the primary object, how­ever, of this voyage was not to prove that this age still has something of the conquering spirit of the past, but to throw light on a fascinating problem which has troubled enthnolo­gists for some years.

The Kon Tiki raft had· for its destination one of the islands of Polynesia. Polynesia is a large, widely-strewn island area of the Pacific Ocean, and many of these islands are lonely and isolated. Because of the whiteness of their skin and the European cast of their features, since the earliest days of their being discovered, have baffled enthnologists as to the country of their origin.

Previous theories have been based on the supposition that these people originated on the Ma1ayan and Chinese coasts of the Pacific. Those who argue that they may have come from South America, find unanswerable the problem of the great dis­tance separating the farthest outpost of the Polynesian group, Easter Island, and the South American Continent: a return is therefore made to earlier arguments. However, these theories were not difficult to refute, as Thor Heyerdahl was quick to perceive. The complete lack of relationship with their neigh-

2J

bours in MelanesIa and MicraneslQ, which people they must have had contact with en-route to their present home- ruled out the Malayan and Chinese coast as places of origin. Heyerdahl realized he must look further afield for a solution of his problem.

He perceived the outstanding similarities which existed between these islanders and the inhabitants of the north west coast of South America. These Indians had the same features and were similar in custom and culture. Also, they were great seamen and many references have been found relating to their ability to navigate over great areas in their dug-out canoes. Originally, they were a fusion of a race which had crossed the Behring Straits and the oldest inhabitants of America. Their great ability as seamen being well known and the fact that the Hawaiian group were supposed to have been the first colonized by these wandering strangers-a a voyage taken by these from the shores of North America­granted a favourable tide- did not seem to be beyond the bounds of possibility. Besides that, in the legends of many of the peoples of northern South America references are made to a mysterious white race which came and then disappeared from its western coasts. Indeed, similarities have been found

between them and the Mayas of Mexico, or even the Indians of Peru; and Polynesian folklore is rich in allusion to a father ­land which may well have been South America.

Both these theories seem to overcome many of the am­biguities which hitherto existed; but complete certainty, is, of course, not possible. The fact that the last of these human migrations took place in about 1400 A.D.-a matter of com­paratively recent history, may mean that sounder evidence may yet be forthcoming.

E. GORMAN, Form VI.

LOVEUNESS

How lovely is the sound of streams That wind through lily-stems And, green-swaying, mark a journey to the Thames.

How lovely is the sound of larks That higher than the waterways And lovelier, sing their music in sweet ,roundelays

How lovely is the movement of the fish That hover restless in the streams And fleeter, signalize their passage in swift gleams.

FISH

Broad of head With body slim,

G. FORSYTH, Form TV

Subtle of movement, deliberate, still; Contrived magnificent in every hue Purposeless, dispassionate, serene­The apotheosis of a dream.

A. KING, Form IV .

LE SOIR

L'ete est arrive maintenant; Dans les arbres les oiseaux chantent, La brise fraiche frole les arbres verts, La grande riviere semble etre inerte, Mais le ruisseau bouillonne bruyamment Comme il glisse entre les pierres et sous le pont, Oil un vieux pens if qui contemple l'eau Regarde un berger avec son troupeau. Le soleil se couche au-dessous des collines, La nuit vient autour de la ferme et des maisons voisines .

J. LEEDER, Form IV.

13

DISILLUSIONMENT

I first met Mr. Brown when I was faced with the un­pleasant task of making or breaking a lunch engagement with my medical partner for the second time in one week. My hand remained paused over the fashionable pink telephone, for I was about to give him a ring and inform him of my decision, but to my satisfaction was prevented by an inter­ruption from giving the matter further consideration. A wave ot perfume-for long the means of identifying my secretary­reached me. Without glancing in her direction, I said" Yes.'" My secretary, a woman of few but precise words, now sur­prised me with the uncertainty and incoherency of her address: " There's a . .. a ... very queer, no very shy; Oh, well, there' s a man outside who wants to see you," she managed finally . I nodded, " All right send him in." .

The most striking characteristic of Mr. Brown was a special talent for wearing colourful clothes. A bright blue suit, a fawn waistcoat and tie to match; the latter helped me form the opinion that this man be of cockney stock. We shook hands . "Good afternoon, Doctor, my name is Brown," he 'said. As he took the chair I offered him I continued to size him up. Height added to the unusualness of his appearance, and though he looked younger he was probably about thirty. His lack of confidence in me was only very lightly disguised when he spoke.

" The recent war," he said in a slightly cockney accent, " had radically altered my way of life, for I was by profession a regular soldier. The tempo of army life had been greatly increased by the hurried preparations for war. Ten battalions from my division were to have been paratrooped into France and I was to have been among them. The shock of suddenly finding myself on the point of being precipitated into a theatre of war and my life being endangered had withheld complete understanding from my mind, but the knowledge that I should soon have come to grips with the enemy set my mind free to take stock of the situation. Hatred, yes, that was the only word I could lay hold of to describe fully my detestation of their whole Nazi ideology, their way of life and the brutalities inflicted by them on less powerful neighbours." In thi s manner Mr. Brown had begun his narrative.

But for the ' present everything was peaceful. His para­chute. swung like a pendulum in the light breeze, bombers droned softly in the distance as they turned towards home.

Hard by to his left he could just make out another parachute, a vague bundle swinging from it. Everything was very peaceful, war seemed distant and unreal. Freeing himself from the grip of these thoughts he realised that he must manipulate his parachute quickly if he was to miss a pond now lying beneath him. Slowly the parachute veered over a little and the earth came up to meet him in the moonlight. He felt- or imagined- that somewhere down there in the darkness his arrival had been awaited. The last eighteen feet of the drop made his heart throb violently and as he touched ground he did an awkward roll which sent him sprawling on one side. With hands that shook he pulled the quick release and stuffed the billowing parachute under­neath a hedge.

The area was full of tense excited men whose officers were quickly forming them into their units. Within minutes this small army was marching eastwards in the direction of a certain town called Gardeline which was to be our first point of attack. The moon had slowly disappeared from sight leaving the men to find their way through thickets in the darkness. Men swore as branches, swinging back from men in front, cut the hands and faces of those who followed. Brown, with blood running from a cut in his face, felt dis­couraged. He felt the enemy were fully aware of our move­ments and were choosing their own moment to attack.

Without warning about a score of machine guns were loosed upon us. Somehow we had been surprised. Brown started forward and as he did something smashed his ankle. He sank to his knees cursing freely every aspect of Nazidom . Quickly consciousness left him.

" Well doctor, when I came to a few days later, I was told a steel peg had been inserted into my ankle, once the shattered bone joint had been removed. This operation had been carried out near the front line and then I had been re­moved to a base hospital without ever being aware of who had operated on me. Now, I feel grateful to the ' medic,' without whose care my foot must surely have been ampu­tated I thought, doctor, that a further operation could re ­place the rather unsatisfactory steel peg with the more up­to-date aluminium type of peg, and, at the same time, by giving me access to the steel peg, enable me to throw some light on the former doctor."

I paused, then said, " I should be able to do this opera-tion, Mr. Brown, so here is a form "

As I walked slowly from the operating theatre, I looked at the small steel peg in my fingers. I found Mr. Brown in the convalescent ward. He looked well. He smiled and enquired, "Well?" I showed him the steel peg and then pointed to the inscription cut into the metal: " Made in Germany"

D WILSON, form IV

MUSIC NOTES

1l!is year has not Qeen so full of the usual musical occasions which Fr. Philip and. his pupils have so often given in the past, but, then, this year has been very full in many other respects . Passing the entrance to the hall after dinner, we have for some time now been listening to piano music issuing from the stage piano, played on by an earnest young player from the Prep. Dept. After tea and supper, the piano pupils get to grips with their respective pianos, and the boys enjoying recreation in the field, have willy-nilly, listened to their concerted efforts. T orrance is one of the most promis­ing of the pianists. He practices hard and his progress has been such, that he has been chosen to play the organ during Benediction. There is another who requires very little en­couragement to give a spirited rendering of Strauss's "Blue Danube."

Singing this year has been very far from neglected. Dur­ing school hours " Little Brown Jug," "Rule Britannia," " Men of Ha'rlech, " and many other rollicking melodies can be heard echoing frc~n the stage. At St. Michael's we sing with warmth and enthusiasm. Fr. Philip is kept very busy train­ing the junior boy's voices and the outcome of which may be heard, for better or worse---and we think for better- when the Choir sings.

The Choir sings in the Parish Church every Sunday and Fr. Philip sets them a high standard. Fortunately, or other­wis~, they have never been told whether or not they have reached that standard. Although many new Masses have been introduced to the Choir, Adolf's Kaim's, Hasler's and Kitson's Mass in D are still favourites among the boys, and, perhaps also among the congregation.

Among us we have a small group of Recorder players who practice steadily every week under fr. Philip's guidance.

As a body, theIr work IS executed with a precislOn whIch does credit to their efforts. Worthy of note is Barry, whose solo work is clear and strong. They have not, however, the num ­bers to give that richness and tonal perfection to work which, otherwise, is most satisfactory.

Last year the school heard O'Dell's clarinet and Barry's euphonium. Although we have not heard them this year news has reached us that O'Dell's playing has won for him part-time work with a small dance band, and that Barry's skill with the euphonium has obtained for him a place with the Dunstable Town's Brass Band.

Since individuals have already been singled out for praise, Lynagh deserves mention for leading the trebles in the Choir-and at times when they, like sheep, might well have gone astray. Finally Lukasewicz is a hearty bass who has the capacity for learning parts quickly a n d will be a most useful member of the Choir in the future .

T. NEEDHAM, Form VI.

OH. NOT AGAIN COLONEL!

Uvel the ornate marble fireplace of a large V ictonan mansion in a silver-mounted glass case is a heavy revolver of the pattern used in World War 1. The house is the property of a retired soldier, balding, florid of complexion-typical in many respects of a generation and callin g which had served its country faithfully in days of crisis, but which, now as a class, had lingered on in impaired circumstances a n d had become so frequently the butt of music-hall w it.

Colonel Grantham, more fortunately circumstanced than many contemporaries, had lived alone in the house with a servant or two for many years, and had entertained on a small scale to break the monotony of retirement. After din­ner when his guests had withdrawn to the library, he had taken down the revolver from its case and related his tale of personal heroism in which this weapon had played a part. The revolver was always handed round the company as a ceremonious introduction to the narrative.

Once the revolver had found its way back to the Colon el before he began. The occasion of his story had b ee n Ypres, or w hen the mood took him, Mons. "A machin e gun em-'

27

placernenl- or was 1l a small urlillery plece Well, uuyway , it didn't very much matter- had temporarily halted the ad­vance of a small section of the forward line. He had been ordered- no, that wasn't it--acting on his own initiative, he had led a small body of men to destroy the enemy strong point. As I leapt from the trench followed by my men, we were at once made the centre of the enemy's concentrated lire." .

Recollection held the Colonel from continuing, for it had been an inspiring moment. His audience, however, who had followed him on more than one occasion through the jaws of death moved uneasily a nd someone coughed. The Colonel now returned from his reverie, could not remember feeling afraid- but perhaps, he generously conceded there was not time enough. Warmed now to his task he continued with many a mark of graphic description, and not a little irrele­vancy. "By the time I reached the enemy position, all my men had been killed and I had been wounded in the shoul­der . . or was it my thigh? No, quite definitely not my thigh - that had been on a subsequent occasion." The Colonel finished his account by telling how he had destroyed the out­post single-handed, and had taken the only survivor prisoner back to his own lines. The V.c. had then been awarded to him by a grateful country.

The Colonel was not easily drawn from his story, though the present company had remembered, how a major of his own company, had once contested the accuracy of the tale. A very embarrassing scene had followed, and all had felt that the interruption had been impertinent and unnecessary. However, a long-suffering audience remembered with a secret joy that the story was now shorn of much of its excess detail and boredom.

T. F. STOCKS, Form IV.

COMMITTEE FOR CAUTION

Sl. Michael's has played a prominent part in all the activities of the Junior Accident Prevention Council. The Council's representatives at Hitchin's Road Safety Com­mittee have often been boys from St. Michael's . The Hitchin team in the North Hertfordshire Road Safety Quiz was almost entirely composed of our boys. For well over a year now St. Michael's boys have been in the Council's chair, and now the deputy's as well. In fact Sergeant Geary, who is largely responsible for the LA.P.C., has been most appreciative of our co-operation.

The College sends three representatives to the Council which meets monthly at the Police Station. For most of the year R F. Robertson, A. M. Hide, and R F. Kitchin were our representatives, but after Easter A. Scruton replaced Robert ­son.

The first effort of the J.A.P.C. in this school year was to organise an inter-school quiz in Hitchin. In the Senior sec­tion, which we won the previous year, this year we came second. Our Juniors best was a fifth place. Following this a team was put in the North Hertfordshire Quiz which they won. Five of the team members were . from St. Michael's.

Fr. Roger came along to the General Council meeting last April, which was held in the Town Council Chambers at the Town Hall. Fr. Roger addressed the Meeting. It was at this meeting, following R Robertson's resignation, that R F. Kitchin was elected Chairman, and Scruton, Deputy Chair­man.

Our main effort this Summer has been connected with a Show which was to take place in Hitchin. In the morning the J.A.P.C. organised a procession around the town, depict ­ing gruesome results of road accidents. M. Sturgess and M. Brown took part in this. The afternoon was spent man­ning a stall on the show ground distributing literature. This Road Safety propaganda greatly appealed to some of our youngsters.

R F. KITCHIN.

28

TOURING IN THE NORTH COUNTRY

There IS probably a greater variety of scenery offered to tourists and holiday-makers in North-West England than in any other similar small area of the country. The counties of Lancashire, Westmorland and Cumberland all have a sea­coast, and inland are the lakes and mountains of the Lake District.

In Lancashire the main attractions are the seaside resorts of Blackpool and Morecambe which attract many visitors in the Summer season. The Lake District also extends into North Lancashire, and, while all the surface of Lake Winder­mere is in Westmorland, the shore of, at least, half the lake is in North Lancashire.

Lake Windermere is one of the main attractions of the area. The lake is eleven miles long and one mile wide­the largest lake in England. Steamers, motor-boats and yachts may be seen on the lake, which is set in beautiful scenery with mountains towering above it. The River Leven !lows from the Lake into the sea.

To the North of Windermere are two falls, Skelwith Force, only fifteen feet high, but powerful, and Stock Ghyll Force, a drop of some seventy-five feet.

Ullswater, smaller but more beautiful than Windermere, may be reached over Kirkstone Pass, an old pass from Amble­side to Patterdale. The lake is not straight, but has three reaches, all of which are visible from Helvellyn (3118 feet) . For those who can walk a long distance and enjoy it, there is a long walk along Helvellyn to Paterdale, but this includes Striding Edge, a path on the top of a narrow ridge. Ullswater, too, has a waterfall, Aira Force, seventy feet in height.

The highest mountain in England is west of Ullswater, Scafell Pike, 3201 feet. West of the Pike three lakes are strung out in succession, Buttermere, Crumnock and Lowes­water. Here are picturesque falls, including Scale Force, a sheer drop of one hundred and twenty feet.

Apart from the lakes and mountains, these North West Counties have plenty to draw the visitor. There is the beau­tiful rugged Cumbrian coast, from which can be seen views of the Isle of Man. These resorts are quiet, sometimes even lonely, so different from Blackpool, although Blackpool, and North Wales even, are visible from the mountains situated behind the small coastal villages. One of the largest coastal

30

towns is W orkington, where Mary Queen of Scots wrote her letter to Elizabeth.

The County town of Cumberland is Carlisle, an historic market town, with an old castle, cathedral and jail. On ac­count of its situation, Carlisle is an important railway centre. The Cathedral is mainly of Norman architecture, the tower and west door most typically so. The castle stands on a small hill and is visible from the Eden, that lovely but trea­cherous river which flows through the city, undisturbed by boats on account of its dangerous currents. When the river is low, the remains of an old Roman bridge are visible be­neath the present bridge.

This area is rich in old relics-those of the Roman and Ancient British civilisation. There is the Roman wall, built to protect the British from the Picts, and several stone circles, some of mysterious origin.

There is a bridge at Kirkby Lonsdale known as Devil's Bridge. This is said to have been built by the Devil for a traveller to cross the Lune, on condition that the Devil had the soul of the first person to cross. The legend says the traveller sent hi s dog across first!

r LEEDER, Form TV

THE STREAM

I ("{)me from h(wnts oj ('Ollt and herll.

I make a sudden sal/y. Alld sparlrle Ol/.t alllung the lern Tu hirk",. dUII'll the ."nll t"Y.

T ennyson.

Up on the moors in mid-Devon amongst a little cluster of granite or old rocks, a little stream bubbles out of the ground and makes its way along a slender channel cut ahead of it, and then, perhaps without warning, finds itself stumbling down some miniature waterfall, and so flows on haltingly as though prepared for further surprises.

As progress is made the stream increases in volume: this is most necessary if it is to negotiate successfully the rapids 01 the lower hillsides. When the stream had first begun to flow down the hillside many rocks had stood in its path, but one by one their strength had been broken and they had been worn

3J

away by the tireless persistence of the stream. After the rapids easier terrain is found through gentle sloping pasture land, where hardy sheep take their fill of the clear cold waters. The stream continues under bridges where it can be seen softly pushing itself against the supports of the bridge. Occasionally, however, it threads a slippery way through a mill-race and strikes the heavy-bladed water wheel with a slapping sound.

Finally the stream enters green fields where daisies force their way into the sunshine, where trees in full blossom bend as though in homage to the stream, and cows laze vacantly in the fields, and birds sing joyously in the treetops. Spring had surely come to the. countryside. But all interest centres at the stream which ceaselessly moving preserves life in its depths and ~inisters to living things in town and countryside.

J SMYTH, Form IV .

THE PREPARATORY SCHOOL

Once again we are glad to see some of our work appear in print, and that though our contributions are less striking than those found elsewhere in this magazine--and it would be extraordinary if it were otherwise-it is our intention, that while demonstrating some of the work of which we are capable, to indicate a keenness to avail ourselves of the privilege of seeing our work appearing with that of the College in what has now become recognised as our own section of the Magazine.

ALONE

A boat, left to the mer:cy of sea and wind-once a poor fisherman's pride and joy-now in exile from the sea, lay upon the sand, a forlorn and wasting hulk. Painted on the bows, in now faint and fading colours, but still visible to the eye, was the name, " Santa Maria." She had once been the help-mate of a hard-working Italian fisherman, Pedro Galiavano, who had looked after her, as though her father. Unhappily, she had gone to, as the Indians of North America say, " The Happy Hunting Grounds.'"

Ownerless, the" Santa Marier" had then been lefl 10 rol

and waste away on what seemed a changeless world of sand and water. It seemed almost a miracle, that after all these years the small boat had survived wild seas, storms and wind, without being carried away to further destruction.

Her colour, which was originally light brown, had turned to the dark green of seaweed. Her oars had long ago been broken or carried away. Her hull, holed in places, showed marks of the sea's rough usage. The woodwork of deck and bows had disappeared in places, especially near the deck­house and companion-way; and Nature, as though to compen­sate for what she had lost, had covered over most of her with a growth that had settled over nearly the whole boat.

But she had had proud moments, and when the sea left her to herself at times, she remembered that, when newly launched, she had belonged to Pedro's father, who in turn, handed her over to his son. How she had loved the sea in those earlier days! True there had been dangers: storms-· even typhoons; once they had sprung a dangerous leak. Yet, though the end had come, she had found contentment.

V. BRUMBY, Prep. IlL

SHEPHERDS

In fields near Bethlehem shepherds stayed Keeping their flocks from harm Close by a fire in turn they prayed While all about was still and calm. Then suddenly a silence came o'er thenl The hillside was bright around them . A Voice cried: " Good will to men ." A host of angels were singing And one of them did cry: " Fear Not "-his voice was ringing, " Go to Bethlehem-the Babe is here from on high ."

, They followed the star By fields and streams-so very far To the place where Jesus lay.

P de LOUVOJS, Prep T.

THE SEA

I love the sea with its golden sands And the rocks hard by where the children play, And the blue-green pools that sparkle and shine On a beautiful summer's day.

The sea birds scream as they circle the sky, And the little bo,ats sail to the wind's soft sigh, And the fledglings come to their mother's nest As the sun sinks in the West.

G . J ARMAN, Prep T.

RNER AUTOBIOGRAPHY

I am a river and I flow from a spring in the mountain, and in great haste make my way to the sea. Running down a mountain calls for great strength in the legs, but as I have no legs it is perhaps more true to say that my strength lies in the way I ·roll. Faster and faster I go past trees and under bridges. Suddenly I slow down for I have reached level country: I become casual, my roll has become a leisured swell. A small island cuts me in two, but soon I rejoin my other half .

Now as my strength is the onrushing waters coming from the mountainside at my back, very slowly IIlY speed increases. Slowly; then before I have time to take stock of the situation - Ouch!-I'm over a waterfall which nearly breaks my back. Nothing really deters me and so I continue on my way. Further downstream I meet my mother, father and two sisters. We join hands-now I am four times as wide.

Now that my whole family is with me, as a river I have grown very wide, and people in boats sail up and down my surface, and more and more boats appear as yet smaller streams join themselves to us. But the weather is warm and we feel in no great hurry, so we meander for a full mile until we reach the delta which divides 1.1s. The sea is now in full view and I feel I must meet many strangers, but the sea is warm and inviting and soon I am at home, yet I am surprised ond realise how insignificant I am.

R. BARRETT, Prep. !TT

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SUMMER

Summer, Summer, beautiful Summer, The sun shines bright as can be, And the willow hangs as though beaten down, And the grass is soft as if eiderdown In the meadows close to the sea.

Summer, Summer, wonderful Summer, How the birds sing so swee·tly, And the fir tree sways like a living thing, And the grass shines with dew like a crystal thing In a haven hard by the sea.

M. CREW -GEE, Prep. Ill .

A TIME FOR HAPPINESS

Summer IS a jolly time When all the flowers are out And birds are singing in the trees And butterflies about.

Summer is a jolly time Everywhere birds are flyiny Corn lies golden in the fields And breezes sighing.

M. DILLEY, Prep. 111 .

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