St. Michael's College Magazine, HITCHIN.

VOLUME XVII. No. 2. SUMMER, 1939.

EDITOR : REV. ANDREW BECK, A.A.

EDITORIAL.

The purpose of education is not merely to provide book-learning or skilful manipulative ability. Its work is to direct the will towards what is good, and to give the intellect such equipment that it may be able to determine where this good shall be sought. Man's mind is made for Truth, and his will to adhere to Good ; and just appreciation of Truth is the highest achievement of education.

We may learn from example as much as, or more than, from precept ; and here at St. Michael's, during this term, we have had occasion to learn from the example of others where Truth and true Happiness are to be found. That there is no peace for the heart of man away from God is a Christian lesson which St. Augustine has put in pregnant phrase : Fecisti nos ad Te, et inquiectum est cor nostrum donee requiescat in Te ; and the example of those who before all else are seeking God and His Kingdom, must be a lesson for all who will stay to learn.

At the beginning of the term, we were fortunate in having with us for all too short a stay, an Old Michaelean, Father W. Walsh, just recently raised to the dignity of the Catholic Priest-hood. His work is to be alter Christus, another Christ in the modern world. Then, a little later, we were able to share in the joy and thanksgiving of Father Bonaventure, who can now look back on twenty-five years of labour in the priesthood, work that has not had much worldly renown, yet done for eternity in the cause of Christ. To both again, we offer our sincerest congratulations and good wishes.

Finally, we were privileged to witness the enclosure of the Carmelite Convent in Hitchin just after Whitsun. Here was a living lesson of seeking first the Kingdom of God, an education beyond mere books and classrooms, a constant protest to those whose aims never get beyond this world, that there is a Truth to seek, and a Good to love, which cannot be found in what is merely human ; having behind it what is missing in all human achievement and endeavour, the assurance and stability of Eternity.

CHRONICLE.

April 27th With heavy hearts and heavy suit-cases we return. Mr. Walsh, having had his first "technical hitch," returns in Hitchin's taxi.

„ 28th After the first clay we are back again in the old rut of school routine, doing the same old things in the same old way.

„ 29th It began to rain

„ 30th It continued to rain (This might be repeated at intervals throughout the term).

May 1st An anticyclone was expected to produce line weather, hut something went wrong, and it was only late in the afternoon that the rain cleared. Congratulations to Father Dunstan on the publication of his new book. The first edition went rapidly, selling at least eight copies in one English class.

2nd We had no rain today. The tennis court and cricket nets were once again in use.

„ 3rd Fr. W. Walsh, an old Michaelean, recently ordained in Lisbon, paid a visit to the College, and, after Bene-dicticus, gave his blessing.

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4th After giving us a short talk, Father Walsh celebrated the boys' Mass. He left us during the morning.

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6th Do you ever read those things called " clerihews," which Mr. Bentley has been perpetrating in Punch ? The original clerihew, according to Chesterton, was written by Bentley during a Chemistry class at school :

Sir Humphrey Davy Abominated gravy He lived in the odium Of having discovered sodium.

The lilt of them is infectious and might be employed in other ways. What about :

It is absurd To suggest that the bird Which Brother Frederick keeps in a cage Should not appear on this page.

,, 7th The first of what we hope will be many Sunday "matches" was played today on the new field.

„ 10th We went to the baths for the first time this season. Mr. Guinan had a great surprise.

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May 11th A new time table appears, giving us an extra afternoon period under the slogan of " Less Work for Growing Youths." We are told that homework will be dimin-ished, and some of us think of Mr. Gladstone's schemes to abolish income tax. Well, here's hoping

Burke turned up in a car today, with an L of which even Fr. John would be jealous.

• 15th Rain robbed us of our usual swim, and we have poor opinions of the English climate.

„ 16th Fr. Bonaventure celebrated his Silver- Jubilee today, and High Mass was celebrated in the Chapel. Fr. James -gave us a short outline of Fr. Bonaventure's career as a priest, and he based his sermon on the extract from the Psalms : " He hath made him a little lower than the Angels. He hath placed him over all His works." -McNicholas afterwards, in his speech, reminded us that a priest, far from wasting his time teaching, actually helps to form the boy's character. Fr. Bona-venture, in reply, thanked McNicholas, and continued • among bursts of cheering to remind us that Fr. James and he had been together for 16 years. After this, Duncan, as captain of the school, asked for " three cheers" for Fr. Bonaventure, which were given with tremendous enthusiasm ; and we continued to cheer till Fr. Bonaventure distributed his souvenir cards. In honour of this great day we were given a whole holi-day, and a great influx of greetings telegrams made the front door seem like a crossroads. And we take this opportunity of giving to Fr. Bonaventure our most sincere greetings on being a priest for 25 years.

„ 18th The Feast of the Ascension. Today also being a holiday, we enjoyed swimming in the morning, and a cricket match in the afternoon.

19th Duncan had his birthday today amid an avalanche of birthday cards. Besides this, Fr. Dunstan celebrated his feast day, and the fifth form presented him with

Ursa Minor." „ 20th The fourth form were duly disposed of by the fifth. ,, 21st Walsh played cricket today ; and was heard to use an

expletive which put Duncan completely off his bowling. Another event marked the day, when Mr. Bernard Lemmon visited the school.

„ 22nd Sports practice began in very damp conditions. „ 23rd Scally was official " organist" in chapel today. Fr.

Dunstan was seen to give a restrained smile, which was enjoyed by the rest of the congregation.

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May 25th The traditional Irish alliance with France received a setback today in the persons of Henry and Tourban, who were, however, not greatly 'damaged.' A Guinan_ flanking attack was repulsed with ease, and it seems that Ireland met its Waterloo.

„ 27th Playing against Ransom's C.C., Duncan had the dis-tinction of performing the hat-trick in the first over of the match. In all, he took eight wickets for six runs in a score of 40. But even so, we lost the game.

• 28th Br. Frederick took its for an extensive tour of the Carmelite Convent at Newlands, which is to he enclosed next Tuesday.

„ 29th Whit-Monday, and a whole holiday. Baths in the morning and cinema in the afternoon helped the time to pass pleasantly.

• 30th His Lordship Bishop Mathew was the guest of the community at lunch, and afterwards imposed the Enclosure in the Carmelite Convent of "Our alone Saviour and St. Mary the Virgin." We hear that the altar servers were able to enjoy something more material than his Lordship's blessing after the ceremony.

June 4th Fr. Walter, we heard, was involved in a motor-cycling accident while on his way to say Mass at Biggleswade this morning. He was brought hack to the College and put to bed, though we at e relieved to hear that his injuries are not serious.

„ 5th Father Walter's feast day. We wish him a happy feast, though we cannot deliver our wishes in person.

„ 6th Surveying the clearing of the long jump pit, a small boy was heard to remark : " Coo ! Is that for Father Walter ?"

„ 8th The Blessed Sacrament procession was held at Roxley Court today, the second bus back being crowded with confraternity boys.

9th Much work has been clone on the field during the last few days, and this afternoon eliminating heats for the Sports were held.

„ 10th Sports Day, again favoured with line, sunny weather-. An account of the day's activities will be found else_ where.

„ 11th The Sacred Heart Convent this year held a Blessed Sacrament procession. Some of the boys from the College took part.

„ 12th The traditional post-Sports holiday was enjoyed quietly by all, with a visit to the local cinema in the afternoon..

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June 14th Congratulations to Cracknell and McNicholas, who were today awarded cricket colours.

16th The senior table enjoyed today a succulent dish of mixed fruit.

19th The whole school was today photographed, Although the light was poor—or possibly because of that-our appearance seemed to give the photographer great satisfaction.

„ 22nd The Fifth Form today had their photograph developed, and autographs were in great demand.

,. 25th The Old Boys' match proved one of the most interesting and exciting for several years.

„ 26th Walsh decided to give a few lessons in the elementary rules of etiquette. The basis of the whole thing appears to consist in keeping the mouth tightly closed while speaking.

„ 29th The Feast of SS. Peter and Paul, marked by the traditional match against the Becket School, held, this year, at Hitchin. We succeeded in winning an enjoy-able game fairly comfortably.

July 1st A Garden Fete at Roxley Court was the centre of attraction for those not playing cricket. Unfortunately, rain intervened with disastrous effect. Rain-soaked cigarettes appear to have spread in all directions.

„ 2nd Father Finbarr paid the school a flying visit, and a number of other old faces were seen.

„ 5th Walsh insisted on a six-day octave, and even Parker saw that he is wrong somewhere."

„ 6th McNicholas gave an admirable display of drowning at the baths today.

„ 10th A heavy cloud settled over the school, due to the misdeeds of a few. There was no swimming in the afternoon.

„ 11th The Tennis Tournament started today with far fewer competitors than usual.

„ 14th The Criminal Investigation Department spends a busy day trailing clues.

,, 16th We hear that Redford quite enjoyed playing cricket today for the Parish.

„ 17th The upper forms find that fleeting time has again brought the Local Examinations upon them. We begin with some trepidation under the eagle eye of Father Hugh.

The Swimming Sports began this afternoon, and will be concluded next week.

A. BEBB, Form V.

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SCHOOL NOTES. Although officially this has been the Summer Term, the

Weather Clerk has done his best to make it one of the most dismal. Rarely have we had so much poor weather at this time of the year. Cricket matches have had to be scratched or abandoned, swimming has been cancelled, the Corpus Christi open-air procession could not be held, and the Garden Party at Roxley Court, to which many of us were looking forward, was almost literally a wash-out."

The term has been interspersed with interesting episodes. We were delighted to welcome the newly-ordained Father Walsh, who arrived back at St. Michael's on May 3rd and said Mass for us on the following day. We hear that he has been appointed Curate at Southall and we renew our wishes that before him may lie many years of fruitful priesthood.

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Another priestly rejoicing was Father Bonaventure's jubilee in which we all heartily joined. Of the twenty-five years of his priesthood fourteen have been spent at Hitchin and many generations of Michaeleans owe him a big debt of gratitude.

Then, too, we had the joy of assisting of the Enclosure of the Carmelite community on May 30th. and of entertaining his Lord-ship Bishop Mathew to lunch. A fuller account of the enclosure ceremony will be found on another page.

We hear rumours that the new field is to be extended to make room for junior football pitches and that there will be room for two cricket games next summer.

The ornithological experts in the school are in great admira-tion at Brother Frederick's splendid collection of canaries, budger-what-you-may-call'ems, and other beautiful specimens. We hear that the pigeons went blue with envy, but this is not confirmed. On the other hand mice and rabbits have led a more tranquil life in the background.

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Several members of the community assisted at the blessing of the foundation stone of the new Becket School at Nottingham in June. In this connection we are happy to quote the following from the Hitchin Catholic Parish Magazine, now appearing monthly, from the pen of Father Wilfrid :

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" Some of you may remember Father Aiclan Kenny, A.A., who, after teaching for several years at St. Michael's, was sent about eight years ago to start a Secondary School at Nottingham. His temporary school soon became too small, it being a large size country house, situated on the side of the river Trent, in a charming position. It was stipulated by the Bishop that a school should be built as soon as possible. The possible seemed never to come. It's always so. To incur debt would be necessary, then the where to build and what plan to adopt gave rise to many criticisms. At long last Providence came to the rescue concerning the site. The house and garden next door were acquired. A suitable plan was adopted, and the walls of the new Catholic Secondary School were practically finished, when on June 1st, the Bishop of Nottingham assisted by the Vicar General and the Clergy, and a large concourse of people, dedicated the new building to the Glory of God and St. Thomas Becket. The sun that afternoon was in all its glory, but the Bishop seemed more radiant, for words fail to depict his happiness at seeing at last his wishes fulfilled. The Catholics of Nottingham will have at the beginning of the next school term a Catholic Secondary School worthy of their city. . . . .

" About the end of 1902 or beginning of 1903, the parish of Newhaven was taken over together with that of Seaford, also that of Rickmansworth, which had been started by the Society of St. Andrew, to whom, we in Hitchin are greatly indepted for the founding of this parish. In 1903, the parish of Charlton, Kent, was begun and developed by the Fathers. In 1906 the parish of Brockley in the South East of London was handed over with a debt of £5,000. There was no further expansion till 1925, when the Fathers took over the Hitchin parish and St. Michael's College. But in the meantime much work was clone in the various parishes, such as building a church at Rickmansworth to replace the " tin hut," and thanks to a generous benefactress a beautiful large church now stands in Bethnal Green.

" Since 1925. the school at Nottingham • took shape—also elementary schools were built at Bethnal Green and Charlton. We must mention that with the above extensions the development in vocations has happily taken place. Your parish priest, who was the first and only English Assumptionist for a long time, can count just on 45 English and Irish priests and students in the Order."

Congratulations to the following who were awarded Rolls of Honour during the term : MAY.

First Roll : L. BOFFIN, P. BURKE, J. GORDON, E. WILKINS, R. CRACKNELL, J. KENNEDY, G. MURPHY, J. REDFORD, R. SCALLY, A. HAYNES. R. RABAN, F. CURTIN, D. GLASS, A. GOOCH, P. MAC CULLOCH, F. MURPHY.

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Second Roll : J. BAILEY, H. BEBB, R. BENNETT, A. JENKS,

P. MURPHY, A. BEBB, J. MCNICHOLAS, L. PARKER, G. ALLEN,

D. ELLIS, A. HAETTENSCHWILLER, P. JONES, J. ALEGRIA, M. BROWN,

D. MACCULLOCH, P. WOOLCOTT, I. ALEGRIA, T. MAHER,

M. MANNOX.

TUNE.

First Roll : P. BURKE, E. WILKINS, G. MURPHY, J. REDFORD, R. SCALLY, A. HAYNES, D. MACCULLOCH, R. RABAN, D. GLASS, A. GOOCH, P. MACCULLOCH, F. MURPHY, L. O'TOOLE.

Second Roll : J. BAILEY, H. BEBB, R. BENNETT, S. DUNCAN, P. MURPHY, A. BEBB, L. BOFFIN, J. GORDON, J. MCNICHOLAS, G. ALLEN, P. JONES, J. KENNEDY, P. PYNE, J. ALEGRIA, M. BROWN,

M. LEAHY, P. WOOLCOTT, I. ALEGRIA, L. CURRIE, E. CURTIN,

P. EDGINGTON, T. MAHER, D. PARKER, E. TEW.

Sports Day again proved very enjoyable and the results are duly given elsewhere. Some very close races were seen, the frynish of the senior quarter-mile being especially thrilling, Jarrett just holding on to his lead to the end. Parker did well in the junior high jump while Sutton i proved a masterly balancer on the sloping poles in the obstacle race and rolled home in a sack a comfortable winner.

It is a pleasant duty to thank all those parents and friends who helped to the success of the Sports. The Judges deserve a special mention for they had to work steadily through fifty-two events. Mr. Davison forsook the Art Room for more rapid sketching of competitors' numbers, Mr. Moggridge and Mr. Mallowen from Wellbury are no longer strangers „while Mr. Sell remains the sturdy and loyal survivor of more Sports Days than one cares to contemplate. We were delighted this year to have the assistance of Mr. H. Cannon, to whom, as to the others, we offer our very heartiest thanks.

We are most grateful to the following ,who generously offered prizes for the Sports :

The Rev. Fr. Evariste, Miss A. Foley, Mr. & Mrs. Gallagher, Mr. & Mrs. Holyoake, Mr. & Mrs. Kenworthy-Browne, Mr. E. Leete, Mr. J. Lusk, Mrs. Osborne, Miss Shepheard, Mrs. Spicer.

The Educational Supply Association, Messrs. Foyles, James Galt & Co., Halsey & Son, Hayes & Finch, G. Hogben, June & Co.

Br. Frederick wishes to acknowledge with thanks gifts of flowers for the Chapel from : The Carmelite Convent, Mr. G. Allen, Mrs. Gordon, Mrs. McNicholas and Mrs. Pyne.

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As we go to press the Tennis Tournament is being held up on account of rain, and the Swimming Sports have not yet been concluded.

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The Editor acknowledges with thanks, and apologies for inadvertent omissions, receipt of the contemporaries :

Bethnal Green Parish Magazine, The Georgians The Hertfordian, Hitchin Grammar School Chronicle, The Huntingdonian, La Retraile, The Mitre, The Portcullis, The Ratcliffian, The Raven, St. Christopher Magazine, The Wonersh Magazine, The Ushaw Magazine.

Next term begins on Wednesday, September 27th. Boarders should return on the evening of Tuesday, 26th.

OLD BOYS' NOTES.

The College Sports produced quite a sprinkling of Old Boys, mostly from Hitchin and the immediate neighbourhood though we were pleased to see Bill Carr, Denis Cahill, Jeffries, Woodward, Yates and Paul Smith from further afield.

The following represented the Past in the mile relay which proved one of the most exciting events of the afternoon : T. Daly, F. A. Armstrong, D. Woodward, 0. Pyne, J. W. G. Dodge, S. S. Jefferies, E. T. Yates and L. Lewis. Congratulations to Lewis on winning the Old Boys' two-twenty and quarter.

The Past v. Present cricket match also provided an enjoyable game, and we were delighted to see F. J. Cash and D. B. MacGillivray at the wicket once again.

Of future events, there will be a match against the Town Club at Hitchin on September 9th, while the Annual General Meeting preceded by the Past v. Present Soccer Match will be held on Saturday, October 28th.

NEWS OF EVERYONE.

F. J. CASH is getting on splendidly as receptionist at the Piccadilly Hotel, playing a good deal of cricket in his spare time. While in Somerset a few years ago he took 100 wickets in a season for Lanport Town 1st XI. His brother Arthur is working in Bristol as an Assistant Manager at Woolworth's.

Various Old Michaeleans are taking a practical interest in flying, either in the service or as Civilians. P/O PAT LISTER is still at Kenley, and Ft/Sergt. TUCKER at Tangmere. F. A. ARMSTRONG is training as an observer, R. PALMER is waiting to enlist, as is J. DENNIS. The last has already had considerable flying experience

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at Luton Flying School. Jos. MILLARD has, we hear, been confined to ground service for a time for some (technical ?) infraction. We were sorry to hear that he has been in hospital for an appendix operation which has fortunately proved quite satisfactory. P. C. CAHILL is in the Civil Air Guard, flying at Fairlop.

Congratulations to E. T. YATES on the announcement of his engagement to Miss Eileen Kent.

A. BODEN and D. HALLAS were visitors to the College during the term. The former is still in the Hove Police Force, while the latter seems to have a roving occupation, testing cables for the Post Offryce.

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Congratulations to Father HUGH HOWITT on the completion of his great task of translating Fr. Cayré's Precis de Pair°logic into English. A Manual of Patrology is published in two volumes by Desclée & Co. at about 6s. 6d. a volume, and "Cayré-Howitt" will doubtless become widely known in our seminaries and scholasticates.

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We hear that the Assumptionist students in Rome are to spend their summer holidays in France this year, and that, for the present, BR. SEBASTIAN REDMOND is in Paris.

D. B. MACGILLIVRAY is still in Andover, and keen as ever on Hockey and Water Polo. We hear that A. D. WOODWARD

Woody i") is a frequent visitor.

P. FALLOWFIELD and DENIS SCOTT are among the " first 30,000" Militiamen and we suppose there must be others of whom we have not heard.

D. C. THOMPSON writes from St. Edmund's College ,where he is now studying for the priesthood. His home address is 245, Stanley Road, Kirkdale, Liverpool 5.

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Congratulations to local O.M.'s who have given active support to the Catholic Cricket Club in Hitchin during the season. L. FALLOWFIELD, 0. PYNE and T. DALY have figured prominently. We hear that the last two hope to play football for Hitchin next season.

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LE SKI. I must confess that our winter sports holiday this year had an

element of careless escape. We decided to go a fortnight before. Where we did not know : somewhere in France, we thought, because it was cheaper than all other countries, save Great Germany alone (whose name forbade us).

Although we had Chamonix—Mont Blanc in mind, Bill and I booked our tickets merely to Paris. This caused a little excite-ment in my companion's household, for his newly-wed wife, who was staying at home, had a homely English idea of that historic city. We argued the folly of being tied clown to a fixed but wholly unknown destination. On our journey could we not read the qualifications of the various resorts, weigh the matter carefully and make our choice with some discrimination ? I think that sounded like an Irish bull to her, and she might even have withdrawn her permission had I not solemnly pledged my word to take Bill through gay Paris without delay.

As a matter of fact, I had hoped to pick up some personal recommendation before we got to Paris, but as our chief social contact was with a Breton onion seller, I was disappointed in that. It was interesting, however, to meet on friendly terms, one of those dark men who travel the London suburbs with strings of onions about their shoulders. But, alas ! the poignant vegetable had for some hours been drowned in a ferment of grapes, and our pious efforts to improve in French conversation too frequently were met by questions so embarrassing as to render even English an insufficient vehicle for an entirely satisfactory answer.

We had decided on Chamonix before we reached Paris. We read that it was the largest French Alpine centre, with facilities for both novice and expert on the skis. It lies not far south of Lake Geneva, just at the foot of Alt. Blanc (15780ft.) but some twelve thousand feet further from Heaven. We arrived there and found a good hotel by simply getting into a hotel bus. We soon went to bed and slept, careless of the great snows all around the little town.

High Savoy has a ring in the words, as though the noble mountains had spoken and named themselves so. I woke and went out to look on their winter.

Since my school days, travelling rough with little time and less money, I had trodden the high ranges of Western Europe when-ever I could—but never in winter. The white was everywhere. It was not the first time I had seen high snow, for I had climbed where it lies perennial. But this was different : complete in the sight and in the mind. It was like the face of beauty asleep, and, forgetting for a moment my purpose there, I wished I could wake the sleeper like the prince in the fairy tale.

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Chamonix itself is a pleasant little town which has grown with the modern love of mountain sports. It is not old, although I suppose its geographical position must have always justified a hutment or two, there in the valley of an easy pass into Italy. Chamonix, says the guidebook, was the centre of the first Winter

Sports Olympiad in 1924 and of the first World Ski Championships in 1937 and its neighbourhood is provided with facilities for every form of winter sports.

I personally was only interested in " le ski" and proceeded early that Monday morning to the purchase of the boots. In this I was considerably assisted by a Frenchman, whose debt of gratitude to the inhabitants of our islands began when a Londoner went out of his way to show Alphonse the Monument. (Reflect then on how good grows, for I bought the boots at about half the price I should have paid at home !) I hired skis at the hotel—bad ones they were—and went with one of the schools to the nursery slopes

I was not a good pupil. During the fortnight some of the instructors blamed my skis, some my ignorance of their technical French ; some even blamed me, though I preferred the one who said I was too strong to the the one who called me too stiff. I think it was a little of all. I could not master the turns but on the straight descent, which I enjoyed most, I managed to beat a second year man, who recklessly challenged me. The great race was fixed for the morning of our departure and though I fell twice in manoeuvring at the starting post, it only served to make my victory the sweeter. My opponent was amazed, for he had watched me on the nursery slopes. There I certainly looked even worse than he, but then again I was trying to learn something new. (He was very bad as you can imagine).

One afternoon after a morning lesson with a class more advanced than my own, I accompanied them on an excursion with some trepidation, for I had joined them on false pretences. (I did not even know how to snow-plough, a braking action in which one opens wide the legs and turns the toes in). The piste, alas t wound its way viciously through the woods. Well, I thought, I can at least fall at every corner. This I proceeded to do. The instructor frantically yelled at me to snow-plough—and jumped aside when he saw 1 could not.

Some of the speeds I reached on the frozen snow might have done credit to an expert in control of them, but made my generous heart fear for my fellow pupils and the friendly trees of the forest around. And how I fell ! And how often ! With laughter and yells as though I was enjoying myself, I flew out of the forest on to a clear, straight descent. I kept my feet and began to have time to think how grand this skiing was ; rising over the bumps at speed into the air, landing precariously, but still going on.

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Then I hit a rut and dealt the ground such a blow that I remember it painfully every time I put my shoulder to a rugger scrum. Then, as I watched with contempt the slow descent of my companions, I secretly resolved to learn the snow-plough during my few remaining days.

The most thrilling form of the sport to watch is the ski-jumping. They had a competition at Les Boissons Which We saw.

The course is artificially constructed : a steep run down to a platform from which the jumper lifts himself into the air with a swing of the arms and lands on a sharp incline at terrific speed. Jumpers who failed to land correctly had a rough passage, such as one might have if one were flung from an express train. It was amazing how they escaped serious injury after a jump of anything up to 180 feet. It may not be as tough as it looks, but it certainly does seem as dangerous as any sport I have seen.

Description of a Winter Sports Holiday would not be complete without mention of the evening's amusements. The Casino offered a little gambling and an occasional film and very many Gala Balls. If there were no Ball at the Casino, then there would be a Gala night at one of the other places : Le Chamois, L'Outa or Le Caveau. They danced all the time, from tea dances in ski-boots to breakfast dances at the Night Club. And some of them, I fear, never put on skis at all.

P. C. CAHILL.

HITCHIN AND THE CARMELITES. We are indebted to the Editor and Proprietors of THE TABLET

for Permission to reproduce the following article, originally Published on May 27th, 1939, a few days before the Hitchin Carmel was canonically enclosed by Bishop Mathew,

To many people, Hitchin's chief title to fame is that it was

the home of the historian and antiquary Frederic Seebohm, author of The Oxford Reformers and The English- Village Community. The latter book is largely taken up with the story of medieval Hitchin, and Seebohm's map, with its virgates and messuages, has passed into atlases and textbooks to wider fame as a "typical English open-field village." But in Mr. Reginald Hine's History of Hitchin there is a chapter devoted to the Carmelite Priory, for the Priory was at one time the glory of Hitchin and the surrounding country-side. Some slight sketch of its history may perhaps bear retelling here, in view of the fact that next Tuesday, almost four hundred years after its surrender, another Carmelite community, but of Sisters this time, is to be canonically enclosed by Bishop Mathew, almost within sight of the grounds of the old Priory.

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It was in 1317 that the Priory came into official existence with a grant by one Adam Redhead to the King, Edward II, of "a house in Hitchin for the Carmelites to convert into a Priory Church," and the community was established and dedicated to " Our alone Saviour and the Blessed Virgin Marv," a title which has, most happily, been revived by the new foundation. For over two hundred years the Priory went quietly on its way, noticed occasionally in the wider world of men. Thomas Netter de Walden, the Doctor Anthenticus of the Order, was chosen as his confessor by • King Henry V. Hugh of St. Neots and Walter Cannon were well-known writers of their day, but perhaps the best remembered is Brother Peter Stokes, a doughty controversialist in the cause of orthodoxy, who caused no small stir at Oxford in the days when that seat of learning was a stronghold of Lollardy_ Mr. Hine quotes from J. S. Brewer's Monumenta Franciscana a contemporary rhyme made in his dishonour " :-

Rufus naturaliter et veste dealbatus Omnibus impatiens et nimiis elatus.

This has been neatly, if somewhat loosely, turned into English :- In temper he was red, though in raiment he was white ; Everybody else was wrong, and only he was right.

By the end of the fourteenth century, however, the community had dwindled, and was in sore financial straits. As with other Carmelite foundations in England, its story gives the lie to the legend of wealthy friars living in indolent ease. There was poverty of faith, too, however, and when the crisis came, the stand made by the Hitchin Carmelites was not noble. On May 5th, 1534, the Prior, John Butler, signed the Oath of Supremacy, having received secret instructions from John Bird, the last Provincial in England, " to seek no crown of martyrdom but to be obedient to the King." The end of the Priory cannot be described better than in Mr. Hine's words :-

" On October 16th, 1539. Sir William Coffyn and Henry Crouch, two more of Cromwell's minions, entered the Priory, summoned a Chapter of the Brothers, now reduced to five, and showed them the commission of their master. There it was, fresh from the Palace of Westminster the day before, signed by Thomas Crumbwell [sic], and sealed with the Privy Seal. After reciting that 'the house of the White Friars within our town of Hytchyng remayneth at this present in such state that it is neyther used to the honour of God or the benehte of our common wealth' the document naively announced that the King mynded for the conversion of it to another purpose, to take it into our hands,' and then gave the usual directions as to the form of the surrender. At the request of the Prior, a day's grace was allowed ; and that

15

evening the last Chapter was held, the Prior's last blessing given, and the last prayers said in the cemetery for the souls of the departed. It would need a reverent and tender pen to tell the hours of that night. By the morning the prior had with his own hand written out the deed of surrender as we see it to this day, in sentences very different from Cromwell's brutal style, and even wishing to the most excellent King Henry and to all the faithful. in Christ salvation in the Everlasting Lord.' At the foot and beneath their Prior's hand four of the brethren signed ; hut the fifth, Alexander, after writing his name, repented of the deed, and struck the pen firmly through—the act of a brave man, for it must have cost him his livelihood at least. Then the Priory seal was affixed for the last time, and the piety . and humble endeavour of two hundred and twenty-two years brought utterly to an end."

The deed of surrender, written in Latin, in Prior Butler's scrawling Tudor hand, is still extant, and is preserved among the Priory papers by the present owner. The sight of the half-finished signature of the unknown Brother Alexander, struck out with his own pen, conjures up the vision of the youngest member of this dying community of six, struggling with his conscience, and achieving victory at the last extremity : a figure thrown up to the surface of history for a moment, and sinking out of sight, unknown.

In that same year, 1539, the recently professed Carmelite nun, Sister Teresa of Jesus, then twenty-five years of age, was lying desperately ill in the convent of Avila, with her great spiritual experiences and her life-work of reform still before her. It was not until 1562 that she made her first foundation, and her compan-ion, the Venerable Anne of Jesus, helped her to make her last at Granada, on the eve of her death, twenty years later. It was Anne of Jesus who founded the Belgian Cannel, from which the first foundation for English ladies was made at Antwerp in 1619. Lierre in 1648, Hoogstraeten in 1678, Lanherne, Wells, Darlington and Chichester followed, and in recent rears the Carmelite revival has been strong in England. The Priory of Our Alone Saviour and the Blessed Virgin Mary is not strictly a new foundation, having been transferred from Hatfield last year, when the noise of a nearby aerodrome and the threat of war rendered that neighbour-hood an unsuitable place for a community of contemplative nuns.

Perhaps it was more than mere chance that the Sisters should have come to establish a permanent home in Hitchin, to take up again, on the fourth centenary, the Carmelite life which was crushed out in 1539: and perhaps there is an added significance in the deed delivered by Prior Butler to Cromwell's commissioners, which through the courageous action of the unknown Brother Alexander, is left as evidence to the world that the Carmelite surrender of Hitchin was never really complete.

I 6

JEAN AND LOUIS.

The light was growing poor, and shots began to lose their clear precision. There was no doubt, however, of the way the game was going, for Louis, in spite of his greater height and more athletic appearance, lacked Jean's judgment, and played less with his mind. And so once again the set ended with victory for Jean, and Louis, as he picked up the balls scattered in his end of the court, could not suppress a sigh and help a slight pouting of the lips, for after all, a young and brilliant brother, although he may add to the family renown, is at times, a trial and a source of discouragement to his elder by but two years.

Moodily Louis stripped and changed for dinner and listened, as he fixed his tie, to the carefree whistling of his brother, bent on the same task in the room next door. Here was Jean evidently embarked on an exceptional career, already with a brilliant record in his medical examinations ; already even famous men spoke of him with praise and set store by his unusual promise ; yes, they had called him a born surgeon, patient, yet deft to a degree, daring too, when only a stroke of genius could put the odds on the patient's side. Yes, without a doubt, at 28, Jean had started to make his name.

Louis, his dressing finished. stepped on to the balcony and looked out across the gardens to the beach and sea beyond. The sea was calm, the air heavy and charged with a strange stillness. What peace one might have here, yet always this strange stirring in one's self, urging one towards some achievement. He had not Jean's brains, nor ready wit and ease of manner, although he was more striking in appearance, with his broad shoulders and thin nervous body, with his chiselled profile and air at once austere yet strangely wistful, a dreamer maybe, a man of promise, perhaps. The future only could decide.

Those pleasant days at Easter had gone all too rapidly, Jean had returned to hospital, Louis to his studio and study, where through the summer months he sought inspiration in vain.

It was July, and Paris was filled with uneasiness and conjec-ture ; people talked of peace and war. During those last days of that stupendous month the news vendors of Paris and London outlined its history in their shrill staccato cries. August came, and before it was many days old, Europe became once more the scene of a titanic struggle. Lourys and Jean, with thousands of their fellow countrymen found themselves flung out of their daily routine ; Louis to take up tasks so different from the creative work

17

conceived and brought forth in his studio, Jean to slave as he had never slaved before, in Military hospitals, where lie sought to save, if possible, the limbs, but, if not, at least the lives of those whom the war mowed down in its first months. Here was scope for all that this brilliant young surgeon had learnt ; here his practised hands learnt greater skill. God, how he worked during those months, frantically, almost hopelessly, as so many men before whom their lives should have stretched out, full of promise, left his hands, handicapped for ever.

1918 saw the brothers still at their tasks, both, so far, having escaped actual injury. both matured by these grim years. But in the spring of that year, Jean's turn came. Working heroically in a first aid post, he was involved, together with his patient and those who assisted him, in a heavy and sudden offensive. Dug out hours later, he was Carried to the little Military hospital behind the lines, where so much of his work had been clone, and there he remained until sufficiently recovered in body to be moved to a larger centre. He was partially recovered, but his mind had not yet adjusted itself to overcome the shock it had sustained. The doctors who had been his colleagues and his teachers, gave their service and their skill to the last degree, realising at length that those hands, now whole and strong, would never be directed by the same clear brain. They were at length forced to admit that this man of brilliant promise was but a child in intellect, his past life and knowledge completely gone.

One tragedy in a family rarely comes alone : Louis received the final verdict on his brother, together with the news of the death of his father and mother in one of the fiercest of the raids that north-east France saw that year. While, in the same attack, his father's home and factories were completely wiped out.

Thus, for the future, as far as that source was concerned, he and his brother were penniless.

The autumn dragged on, and finally November, the month of deliverance dawned, the Armistice and peace came to a world worn out and weary with war.

In 1919, Louis, having handed in his papers, set himself to see if something of the family's business could not be revived. He, the artist, set himself grimly to become the business man. but with no avail, every effort was frustrated. He returned to Paris to try to take up the threads of his old life, for living in le quartier L atin' was as cheap as anywhere in those days. For some months he worked, but to a brain still reeling under tragedy, inspiration

18

is lacking. His visits to his brother left him sick in soul, rebellious. against God and man. What was the use of war if victory meant the cutting off from all service to their fellow men of those whom. formerly fate seemed so to have blessed ? And this, the case of his brother, was one among many.

The south of France. where there was sunshine, at length brought him some solace and peace. His paintings made so little. money, and so, being careless now of his status in life and his achievement, he became a hatcher,' hiring his boat to those visitors, who, as the war years receded, came in greater numbers. to visit the sunny coast of France. English and American, they were in greater numbers, families, young boys and girls in their teens, or as the years rolled by, their early twentryes, who had but faint recollection of those years of hell. Louis learnt to interest himself in them, to recognise the various types, to have an affec-tionate regard for this new generation, and to wish them goodwill, which meant, when he said it, may you never know as we did.

Later, when every type of treatment, every new psychological. methodand therapy had failed to restore to Jean's brain a glimmer of its former clarity, and as he 'was merely childish, harmless and without guile, he came to share his brother's healthy outdoor life. He passed among the good natured friends of ' le patron ' as tin pen toqué, mais brave gar quandmême ' ; while he drew from visitors sometimes a look of adversion, sometimes a sweet smile of sympathy, and, for even tragedy must be practical, a few extra five-francs to ' le pourboire.' His brother's clear-cut face, on which sorrow had left its indelible marks, rarely failed to provoke confi-dence among those who patronised his boat ; and these in later conversation would comment thus, remarkably nice fellow, charming manners, wonder who the other one was, a hit soft in the head I would say, his brother perhaps, probably like it since birth !' And so the world passed judgment and went its way, ignorant of the drama of these two lives. Sometimes fate staged a strange coincidence, for at times the man whose knowledge and skill had saved the lives of many of his countrymen and their allies,. came, unknown to himself, unknown to his former patients, except by that faint impression of having seen him before, to lend a hand in a boat which took them round one of the most famous of the French harbours, where great men-of-war lay at anchor, manned by thousands of crew, so many of them of the pre-war generation,. in these years when once again Europe totters between peace and war.

F.S.B.

19

THE MUSES' COMPLAINT.

[On the neglect of Poetry and music among present day Michaeleans.]

Two Muses brooded in the gloom, Bemoaning bitterly their doom. Ye Shades of old Michaeleans, Hearken to their doleful paeans.

Sighed Euterpe to Thalia, Weeping lucent tears : Wailed Thalia to Euterpe, " How changed from former years !"

" The call of our immortal arts Finds no response in youthful hearts. Dead to the beauty of the pregnant line, Deaf to the melody that thrills like wine :

" They feed their souls On fiction's dross,

That clogs and kills Like clinging moss.

The raucous din, The crazy shout,

The humdrum rhythm Of the dancing rout.

The soulless noises of a tasteless age Are all their music, all their rage.

" We have no votaries ; the quill Lies mouldering ; the harp is still. The measured line, the vocal wave, The vibrant chord on double stave, The couplet marked with tinkling rime, The stanza set to swinging time, No more are heard. The broken wings Of Fancy droop ; no poet sings."

Sad Muses, your reproach is just. Your arts are sullied with the dust

Of dire neglect. Inspire anew our deadened sense Of what is beautiful ; and hence

These arts abject

20

SPORTS DAY.

As the years speed by, one Sports Day comes to seem very like another, with the same feverish preparation, the same climax, the same ambitions realised, or hopes disappointed, the same anti-climax as the visitors depart, and quietness settles again over the grounds. There are, of course, details which Change. The out-standing athletes. the broken records, the thrilling finishes vary from year to year, but against a background in which so much remains the same. At St. Michael's, we have even conryc to take good weather for granted, and in the fickle summer of 1939 we were not disappointed.

The general standard of athletics was satisfactory, but it was noticeable that a smaller percentage of the school than usual took an active part in the Sports. A special word of praise must be given to the Fifth Form, who, in moving up the school, have, in three successive years, succeeded in winning the Inter-Form Cup. This has been achieved less by individual brilliance than by the concerted effort of the whole form, and is an example worthy of emulation.

The following report was published in the Herefordshire Express :

The prizes at Hitchin St. Michael's College Annual Athletic Sports, held in the grounds of the College on Saturday, were presented by Fr. Evariste Buytaers, former headmaster of the school, and now Catholic Rector of Rickmansworth.

Fr. Evariste, before leaving the college in August of last year for Rickmansworth, was for about thirteen years attached to the Roman Catholic community at Hitchin, and for six years was Headmaster of the College. He was succeeded by Fr. James Whitworth.

Saturday's events were held in brilliant sunshine, which was pleasing for parents, friends and old boys, who watched keenly contested races from the shade of the trees on the College side of the grounds. Pupils from the Sacred Heart Convent, Hitchin, and St. Francis College, Letchworth, were also present.

Members of Hitchin Town Band, Conducted by Mr. J. W. Shrive, who played selections throughout the afternoon, were like the competitors in that they found the hot sun somewhat trying.

Several races aroused great enthusiasm, particularly the relay race between past scholars and the present, which the School won after wresting from the old boys a good lead which they had estab-lished early in the race. The old boys levelled matters when it came to the tug-of-war, which they won by two pulls to nil.

2 1

INDIVIDUAL CHALLENGE. CUP.

1. Wighton, who ran and jumped particularly well, won the junior challenge cup with 23 points, and P. Beadsworth and L. Parker tied for second place with 10 points each. S. Duncan, who scored 16 points, won the senior challenge cup, and P. Burke was runner-up with 10 points.

Form V, with 43 points, won the Form Cup, Form II were second with 40 points, and Form IV were third with 36 points.

PRESENTATION OF PRIZES.

Introducing Fr. Evariste, Fr. James said that when choosing someone to present the awards, he thought it right that the former headmaster should be recalled to perform the task, especially because, during the six years he was in charge of the school, he was never privileged to distribute the prizes on sports day.

Fr. James also referred to Fr. Evariste's great activity while he was in charge of the School, and said that during that period, new buildings had been erected, several changes inside the house had been effected, and now, in his new parish at Rickmansworth,. he had acquired land for the building of an extra church, which he had found to be necessary.

Fr. Evariste said it was a great joy for him to be back at the School once again. and he was glad to see so many old boys present. It was only after they had left school that they realised what affection they had for the school. While congratulating the winners of cups and prizes, he did not forget those who also ran, and he urged the boys to remember that whatever they had clone in connexion with the sports that day, had not been a waste of time. Sports assisted in the shaping of their moral character, and taught them how to control their feelings as well as their muscles.

" Those who have no ambition, no right spirit of adventure, and those who did not know how to hitch their waggon to a star, do not have any place in social life, in the country, or in the Church," said Fr. Evariste.

" We look upon you as men of the future, and that is why it is necessary to make efforts, whatever the immediate outcome may be. There will be a time of final recognition for all those who have tried and who have run," added Fr. Evariste.

Fr. James thanked Fr. Evariste, the parents who contributed towards the sports fund, Fr. Andrew Beck, and other members of the College staff who organised the sports, and the boys who. took part.

2 ,1

Fr. Evariste asked for the school to be given a holiday on Monday, and this was granted amid loud applause.

S. Duncan, head boy, called for cheers for Fr. Evariste, Fr. James, Fr. Andrew and the staff, and these were lustily given.

THE RESULTS. The complete results were : Hurdles, junior : 1, I. Wighton

(15 secs.) ; 2, L. Parker ; 3, J. Alegria. Senior : 1, S. Duncan (14 secs.) ; 2, J. Kennedy ; 3, J. Redford.

100 Yards. Under 10 : 1, M. Robbins (15 3-5th secs.) ; 2, M. Under 11 : 1, E. 'few (14 secs.) ; 2, D. Divine ; 3, B.

Ashton. Under 12 : 1, A. Sutton (13 secs.) : 2, I. Alegria ; 3, J. Thacker. Under 13 : 1, P. MacCulloch (12 4-5th secs.) ; 2, F. Murphy : 3, L. O'Toole. Under 14 : 1, P. Beadsworth (12 secs.): 2, P. Bloomfield ; 3, D. Glass. Under 15 : 1, I. Wighton (11 2-5th secs.) ; 2, W. Daly : 3, C. Sutton. Over 15 : 1, E. J. P. Wilkins (11 2-5th secs.) : 2, A. Haynes ; 3, E. Jarrett. Over 16 : 1, S. Duncan and P. Burke tied (11 secs.) ; 3, J. McNicholas.

Half-mile. Junior : 1, I. Wighton (2 mins. 33 secs.) ; 2, C. Sutton ; 3, J. Alegria. Senior : 1, E. Jarrett (2 mins. 16 secs.) ; 2, P. Burke ; 3, J. Bailey,

220 Yards. Under II : 1, T. Jones (36 secs.) ; 2. M. Robbins ; 3, M. Glass. Under 12 ; 1, A. Sutton (33 2-5th secs.) : 2, I. Alegria ; 3, R. Maher. Under 13 : 1, J. Wickens (34 2-5th secs.) ; 2, P. MacCulloch ; 3, L. O'Toole. Under 14 : 1, P. Beadsworth '(32 2-5th secs.) ; 2, I). Glass ; 3, P. Woolcott. Under 15 : 1, I. Wighton (30 secs.) ; 2, W. Daly ; 3, L. Parker. Over 15 : 1, E. J. P. Wilkins (28 secs.) ; 2, A. Haynes ; 3, I. Williams. Over 16 : 1, J. McNicholas (28 sec.) ; 2, P. Purke ; 3, G. Murphy. Old Boys : 1. L. Lewis (26 secs.) ; 2, T. Daly ; 3. F. Armstrong ; 4, O. Pyne.

High Jump. Junior : 1, L. Parker (4ft. 7ins.) ; 2, I. Wighton ; 3, C. Sutton. Senior : 1, G. Allen (4ft. 10ins.) ; 2. R. J. Scally 3, S. Duncan.

Quarter Mile Handicap. Junior: 1, I. Wighton (1 min. 4 secs.) ; 2, W. Daly ; 3, P. Beadsworth. Senior ; 1, E. Jarrett (59 3-5th secs.) ; 2, J. McNicholas ; 3, E. J. P. Wilkins . Old Boys : 1, L, Lewis ; 2, T. Daly ; 3, F. Armstrong ; 4, 0. Pyne.

Throwing the Cricket Ball. Junior : 1, Wighton (74yds. 2ft.); 2, L. Parker ; 3, J. Alegria. Senior : 1, S. Duncan (79yds. -bins.) ; 2. J. Bailey ; 3, I. Williams.

23

Relay Race, Past v. Present. 1, Present : P. Burke, G. A. Allen, I. Wighton, J. Kennedy, J. Bailey, E. J. P. Wilkins, J. McNicholas and S. Duncan ; 2, Past ; T. Daly, F. A. Arm-strong, D. Woodward, O. Pyne, G. W. J. Dodge. S. S. Jefferies, E. T. Yates and L. Lewis.

Long Jump. Junior : 1. I. Wighton (115ft. 8½ins): 2, L. Parker ; 3, P. Beadsworth. Senior : 1, S. Duncan (17ft.

7½ins; 2, J. Bailey and G. Allen (tied).

Mile Handicap. Junior : 1, L. Parker (6 mins. 2-5th secs.) ; 2, C. Pivnicka. Senior : 1, P. Burke (5 mins. 15 45th secs.) ; 2, A. Haynes ; 3, J. Kennedy.

Obstacle Race. Junior : 1, C. Sutton ; 2, P. Beadsworth ; 3, M. Leahy. Senior : 1, S. Duncan ; 2, E. J. P. Wilkins ; 3, J. Redford.

Bicycle Race. 1. L. Birney ; 2. J. Thacker ; 3, P. Merrick.

Consolation Race. Junior : 1. T. Nicholas ; 2, J. W. Hyde ; 3, M. Glass.

Tug-of-War. Past v. Present : Past won by two pulls to nil.

THE OFFICIALS.

The officials were : General Organiser, Fr. Andrew Beck ; Judges : Mr. H. Sell, Mr. C. F. Mallowan, Mr. J. A. Davison, Fr. John Scott and Mr. H. Cannon ; Time-keeper, Mr. J. Moggridge ; Starter, Fr. Andrew Beck ; Recorder, Fr. D. Caselaw ; Scorer, Mr. D. Malone.

24

THE TUCK-SHOP KEEPER'S COMPLAINT.

A time there was when money was spent, But now ! What is the matter ?

The tuck-shop flap is rarely moved, Yet " Buster" Brown gets fatter !

too, proceed to put on weight For I am the tuck-shop keeper,

But "Buster" Brown leaves me behind For lie is the tuck-shop sweeper.

No one buys tuck, the craze has changed, They waste their cash on budgies ;

On rabbits and mice, the smelly things, Instead of my chocs and fudges.

They save cig.-cards and gather stamps, And hoard up ants in vases.

And former tuckers merely sniff, When I show them my marses.

The end of the term is drawing nigh, And money's getting rarer ;

And from day to day the tuCk-shop till Is ever getting barer.

M. BROWN and J. L. ALEGRIA, Form Ill.

LONELINESS.

Loneliness, you old tramp, just hasten away, you thin, spare old man in sombre suit, bowed beneath a heavy load ; strange how you crop up along the way. In the middle of the High Street, over the moor, suddenly, and with scant warning, you are upon us, causing carefree laughter to be stilled, and animated conversation to lag. No one has a good word to say for you, let me tell you, although some, scarce know-ing you by sight, confuse you with Solitude, who bears you no kinship whatever. She, fair maiden, is a glad companion across fells and lakes, or by the winter hearth, but you, old tramp, tap us on the arm in the heart of gay cities, in crowded rooms, at banquets or at balls. Always, your touch leaves behind a

?s

certain chill, while lights seem to burn dimmer, while the strong rays of the afternoon sun lose something of their clear strength in your passing.

Move on, then, old acquaintance—we cannot call you friend —pass on with those that throng about you, for, lonely though you be, you are never unattended, but round your ragged coat tails cling your ugly brood, Selfreproach, Remorse and Bitter Memories, no fit companions for man.

F.S.B.

THE ENCLOSURE OF THE CARMELITES.

On May the 30th, a historic ceremony took place at Newlands, on the London Road at the outskirts of Hitchin.

It was the canonical enclosure of the Carmelite Convent of "Our Alone Saviour and St. Mary the Virgin," conducted by His Lordship the Bishop of Aeliae. The weather was glorious for the occasion. The ceremony opened when His Lordship, in his pontifical robes, escorted by the clergy and servers, went to the main entrance of the Monastery, where he was met by Prioress and Sisters.

The procession, led by the nuns, went into the house, which the Bishop blessed. The procession then went into the spacious grounds behind the Convent, where a marquee had been erected, and where the visitors had assembled for Benediction. It was a picturesque scene as the procession slowly filed up the aisle, the Sisters in their sombre brown habits, which contrasted strongly with the white surplices and the colours of the habits of the priestsand religious. The Bishop then officiated at Benediction, and a sermon was preached by Father Dukes, S.J.,on the life of a Carmelite Nun. At the conclusion of Benediction, the procession re-formed again, and returned to the house, where it broke up, at the main entrance, where the Bishop gave his blessing to all those

- who, for the last time, were passing through.

As it was the only exit, and such a big crowd, it was quite a time before the door could be shut. Before the door finally closed, the Bishop recited prayers which, although terrifying, are not without interest. Any person who breaks the enclosure will he cursed in his eating, cursed in his sleeping, and in all his actions and works. Then, the prayers having been finished, the door was closed from within on the throng without, and we turned away and pondered on the things which we had seen and heard.

T. WALSH, Form IV.

26

CRICKET NOTES.

In spite of the fact that during the term rain interfered with-several matches, we have managed to get through a fairly full fixture list with a reasonable measure of success. The 1st XI has,. unfortunately, never been a team, and has had to depend for success on the work of three or four individuals. If these failed,. the result was disaster. Apart from a bad afternoon against Alleyne's Grammar School the fielding has been creditable, though always liable to lapses and certainly never aggressive. Duncan,, Cracknell and Bailey have done most of the howling with Redford and Parker as occasional changes. It is Duncan however who has been the mainstay of the attaCk and without his steady and accurate bowling the side would have been in a bad way, the evidence of figures-81. wickets in 16 innings--showing this conclusively.

The batting of the side has improved during the season, but the score still depends far too much on the success of a few early batsmen and on several occasions the tail has failed miserably. Duncan has shown the most polish, McNicholas has had several good scores to his credit while Cracknell, Scally, Redford and Kennedy all show promise. The following were awarded colours, during the season : Duncan, Kennedy, Scally, Redford, McNicholas. and CraCknell.

The following is the list of fixtures and results :

1sT XI.

May 13th RANSOM'S C.C. ... ... Home Lost 20th . HITCHIN CATHOLIC CHURCH C.C. Home Won

„ 24th MR. H. F. BRYANT'S XI. ... Home Won

27th RANSOM'S C.C. ... ... Home Lost

June 3rd HERTFORD GRAMMAR SCHOOL 2ND XI. ... Away Won

7th MR. H. F. BRYANT'S XI. ... Home Won

14th ALLEYNE'S GRAMMAR SCHOOL ... Home Lost

„ 21st HITCHIN WEDNESDAY C.C. ... Home Lost

,. 24th HUNTINGDON GRAMMAR SCHOOL Home Scratched

25th OLD MICHAELEANS ... Home Drawn

„ 28th LUTON MODERN SCHOOL, ... Away Lost

27

June

29th

BECKET SCHOOL, NOTTINGHAM ...

Home

Won

July

1st

ST. CHRISTOPHER SCHOOL

... Away Abandoned

„

5th

LUTON MODERN SCHOOL

...

Home

Won

„

8th

HITCHIN CATHOLIC CHURCH C.C.

...

Away

Won

„

9th

HITCHIN CATHOLIC CHURCH C.C.

...

Home

Lost

„

12th

HITCHIN WEDNESDAY C.C.

...

Away

Won

JUNIOR XI's.

May

24th

SHERRARDSWOOD SCHOOL (under 15)

Away

Won

June

14th

ALLEYNE'S GRAM. SCHOOL (under 14½)

Away

Lost

„

17th

SHERRARDSWOOD SCHOOL ...

Home

Won „

24th

HUNTINGDON GR. SCHOOL (under 14½)

Away

Scr.

July

19th

LUTON MODERN SCHOOL (under 14½)

Away

Lost

Following are some of the detailed scores :

MAY 20TH. 1st XI v. HITCHIN

HITCHIN C.C.C.C. 1ST XI.

T. Daly run out ... ... 16 Fr. A. Beck b Baker ... 16 L. Fallowfield b Duncan ... 0 J. Kennedy c Armstrong b O. Pyne b Duncan ... 13 Fallowfield

G. Baker not out ... R. J. Scally lbw b Robinson '0 B. Robinson b Duncan ... 0 S. Duncan b Archer ... 36 H. Archer b Duncan J. Redford run out... T. O'Neill b Duncan J. McNicholas b Armstrong 12 F. Armstrong c McNicholas R. Cracknell not out ... 2

b Fr. Beck ... 7 J. Bailey C Daly b Archer 7 A. Mitcham lbw b Duncan 2 L. Parker not out ... J. Llewellyn b Fr. Beck ... 0 P. Burke & E. J. P. Wilkins G. Dodge b Duncan did not bat

Extras ... 11 Extras ... 12

• Total ... 57 Total for 8 wkts. ...104

Bowling : Duncan 7 for 21 ; Fr. Beck 2 for 15.

28

JUNE 7TH. 1sT XI. V. MR. H. F. BRYANT'S XI. HOME.

MR. BRYANT'S XI. 1ST XI A. Scaley h Fr. Scott ... 11 Fr. J. Scott st Whitbread E. Hasse c Redford b Fr. b Scaley 46

Scott ... 0 J. Kennedy run out 15 F. March run out ... 0 R. J. Scally b Hasse ... 1 H. F. Bryant not out ... 48 S. Duncan b SCaley ... 17 K. Laurence c Cracknell b J. Redford stp Whitbread

Duncan ... ... 6 b March ... 37 W. Laurence b Redford 18 J. McNicholas c Crossley b

A. J. Purfield b Duncan ... 1 March ... 8 W. Irlam b Cracknell ... 9 R. Cracknell b March ... 2 S. Crossley b Cracknell 0 G. Allen c K. Laurence b

W. Godfrey b Cracknell ... 2 Crossley ... 10

P. Whitbread b Duncan ... 4 E. J. P. Wilkins run out ... Extras ... ... 10 L. Parker b March 11

P. Burke not out ... 0 Extras ... 6

Total ...109 Total ...157

Bowline : Duncan 3 for 42 ; Fr. Scott 2 for 17 ; Redford 1 for 16; Cracknell 3 for 2.

JUNE 14TH. 1st XI. v. ALLEYNE'S GRAMMAR SCHOOL. HOME.

A.G.S. 1st XI. E. Stratford c Scally b

J. Kennedy lbw b Little ... 3 Duncan ... 4 R. J. Scally b Perrin 3

H. Barnes b Cracknell 1 J. McNicholas b Little ... 24 E. Wareham b Cracknell... 1 S. Duncan b Little A. Little lbw b Cracknell... 22 J. Redford b Little J. H. Dines b Cracknell ... 8 R. Cracknell b Little ... 18 A. Lamb b Cracknell ... 12 E. J. P. Wilkins lbw b Little 0 P. Gow c & b Redford ... 0 G. Allen b Musgrove ... - 1 F. Musgrove b Duncan 12 P. Burke run out ... 0 T. Hawkins b DunCan ... 0 G. Murphy not out R. Perrin b Duncan ... 6 I. Wighton b Little

P. Whittingham not out ... 3 Extras ... 2 Extras ... 8

Total Total

l3owling : Duncan 4 for 36 ; Cracknell 5 for 23 ; Redford 1 for 10.

29

JUNE 21sT. 1sT XL v. HITCHIN WEDNESDAY C.C. HOME.

HITCHIN. 1ST XI. 0. Briars b Stanley ... 12 Fr. A. Beck c Smith b Bond 20 A. Bond b Stanley ... 14 J. Kennedy c Briars b Jarvis 8 Rev. R. May b Stanley ... 0 S. Duncan b Bond F. -Whaley lbw b Stanley... 0 W. V. Stanley not out ... 22 J. Harkness c Stanley b Fr. J. Scott c Brolia b Jarvis 0

Duncan ... J. McNicholas b Jarvis ... 0 J. Thomas not out... ... 22 L. Fallowfield lbw b Bond 0 R. Jarvis b Cracknell 0. O. PPyne b Jarvis ... F. Cox b Fr. Beck R. J. Scally b Jarvis G. Smith c Cracknell b Fr. J. Redford c Briars b Jarvis 1

Beck ... R. Cracknell b Jarvis ... 0 0. Brolia b Duncan Extras F. Turner lbw b Cracknell 2

Extras

Total ... 62 Total ... 61

: Stanley 4 for 19 ; Duncan 2 for 22 ; Fr. Beck 2 for 5 ; Cracknell 2 for 11.

JUNE 25TH. PAST v. PRESENT. PAST. PRESENT.

C. F. Cahill b Duncan ... 5 Fr. A. Beck b D. J. Cahill . 37 F. J. Cash c Fr. Beck b J. Kennedy b Fallowfield... 0

Duncan J. McNicholas b Fallowfield 1 T. D. Ward b Cracknell ... 21 S. Duncan c Daly b T. D. F. T. Ward lbw b Duncan 0 Ward ... ... 26 T. Daly c Cracknell b Parker 56 Fr. J. Scott not out ... 24 0. Pyne b Redford ... 27 R. 1. Scally b I). J. Cahill... 0 J. B. Heath c Redford b Fr. J. Redford b T. D. Ward... 1

Beck ... R. Cracknell b D. J. Cahill 4 D. J. Cahill b Duncan ... 3 L. Parker b D. J. Cahill ... 0 G. Wortham b Duncan ... 0 E. J. P. Wilkins not out ... 0 D. B. MacGillivray not out 18 P. Burke did not bat L. Fallowfield b DunCan ... 18 Extras ... 10

Extras ... 11

Total ...166 Total (for 8 wkts) ...103

Bowling : Duncan 6 for 50 ; Fr. Bowling : F. T. Ward 0 for 11 ; Beck 1 for 37 ; Cracknell 1 for L. Fallowfield 2 for 22 ; D. J. 51 ; Redford 1 for 12 ; Parker Cahill 4 for 32 ; T. D. Ward 1 for 5. 2 for 28.

30

JUNE 28TH. 1sT XI. v. LUTON MODERN SCHOOL. AWAY.

LUTON. 1ST XI. R. Fountain b Duncan ... 19 J. Kennedy c Robertshaw b D. Heley c Kennedy b Chote ... 11

Duncan ... R. J. Scally hit wkt b Dixon 0 D. Dixon b Duncan J. MCNicholas b Heley ... 21 N. Cave b Bailey ... ... 30 S. Duncan b Dixon ... 14 G. Grover c McNicholas b J. Redford b Chote

Cracknell R. Cracknell b Dixon ... 0 M. Chote b Duncan 3 L. Parker hit wkt b Dixon 0 L. Matthews h Duncan ... 15 E. J. P. Wilkins b Dixon ... 2 E. Whittaker b Bailey ... 0 J. Bailey c Fountain b Chote 2 F. Robertshaw lbw b Bailey 1 G. Allen b Heley P. Martin c Kennedy b P. Burke not out ...

Bailey ... Extras D. Richardson not out ... 9

Extras ... 15

Total ...110 Total ... 66

Bowling : Duncan 5 for 43 ; Cracknell 1 for 20 ; Bailey 4 for 14.

JUNE 29TH. 1sT XI. v. THE BECKET SCHOOL. HOME.

BECKET SCHOOL. 1sT XI. P. Griffin b Duncan 1 J. Kennedy c & b McCarthy 6 W. Taylder b Duncan ... 3 S. Duncan b Gorman ... 28 A. Gorman c & b Bailey ... 4 J. McNicholas c Greenwood C. Sturgiss b Duncan ... 0 b McCarthy ... ... 12 P. Kelly b Duncan R. J. Scally b Griffin K. McCarthy b Duncan ... 0 J. Redford b Greenwood ... 4 J. Rigby b Bailey ... .. 0 R. Cracknell c Kelly b S. Dryden b Bailey Gorman ... ... 15 K. Williamson c Cracknell L. Parker b Gorman

b Duncan E. J. P. Wilkins c McCarthy T. Jones not out b Taylder J. Greenwood c Kennedy J. Bailey c & b McCarthy 4

b Bailey ... P. Burke b Taylder

Extras G. Allen not out ... Extras ... 11

Total ... 24 Total ...102

Bowling : Duncan 6 for 7 ; Bailey 4 for 14.

31

JULY 5TH. 1sT XI. v. LUTON MODERN SCHOOL. HOME.

LUTON. 1ST XI. R. Fountain lbw b Duncan 5 J. Kennedy c Whittaker b D. Heley b Bailey... Heley ...... ... 9 I). Dixon lbw 1) Duncan ... 5 S. Duncan b Grover ... 13 N. Cave b Duncan J. McNicholas`) Dixon ... 37 G. Grover b Duncan R. J. Scally b Heley M. Chote c Burke b Duncan 0 J. Redford c Chote b Grover 0 L. Matthews b Duncan ... 16 R. Cracknell b Grover ... 9 R. Thompson c Parker b E. J. P. Wilkins c & h Dixon 5

Duncan ... ... 13 L. Parker c & b Grover ... 11 E. Whittaker c Duncan b J. Bailey b Dixon ...

Parker ... P. Burke not out ... D. Bryan c Kennedy b G. Allen b Dixon ...

Parker ... Extras D. Richardson not out ... 0

Extras ... 10

55 Total ... 95

Bowling : Duncan 7 for 27 ; Bailey 1 for 16 ; Parker 2 for 2.

JULY 8TH. lsr XI. v. HITCHIN C.C.C.C. AWAY.

1ST XI. HITCHIN C.C.C.C. Fr. A. Beck b Sworder ... 32 T. Daly c Beadsworth J. Kennedy C P. Fallowfield b Duncan

h L. Fallowfield P. Fallowfield b Duncan 0 S. Duncan b Sworder ... 1 0. Pyne b Duncan ... 30 J. McNicholas run out ... 0 L. Fallowfield b Bailey ... 2 R. J. Scally b Sv‘ order ... 13 A. CamfieId c Bailey J. Redford c Camfield b b Duncan ...

Fallowfield H. Archer b Duncan R. Cracknell run out J. Sworder b Cracknell ... 23 E. J. P. Wilkins b Sworder 15 R. Palmer b Cracknell 0 L. Parker b Palmer ... 19 G. Dodge b Duncan J. Bailey not out ... J. Keane c Beadsworth P. Beadsworth b Sworder 0 b Cracknell ... 0

Extras E. Cotter not out ... Extras ... 2

Total 101 Total 60

Bowling: Duncan 6 for 19 ; Bailey 1 for 14 ; Cracknell 3 for 0.

'

JULY 9TH. 1ST XI. v. HITCHIN C.C.C.C. HOME.

HITCHIN C.C.C.C. 1ST XI. T. Daly c Scally b Duncan 0 J. Kennedy c Fallowfield H. Archer run out ... 62 b Sworder ... 11 C. Baker lbw b Bailey ... 0 S. Duncan b Sworder 41 L. Fallowfield b Duncan ... 38 Fr. J. Scott c Baker 1> 0. Pyne c and b Parker ... 0 Sworder ... 22 J. Sworder b Duncan J. 1\10Nicholas run out ... 5 J. Fallowfield b Duncan ... 7 R. J. Scally not out R. Palmer I) Duncan J. Redford run out J. Baker c Cracknell b Red- R. Cracknell c Smeeton b

ford Baker ... G. Dodge c Beadsworth b L. Parker c Fallowfield b

Redford ... Baker ... B. Smeeton not out J. Bailey c Fallowheld b

Extras Sworder Br. Symphorien b Baker ... 1 P. Beadsworth c Sworder

b Baker ... Extras

Total 125 Total 101

Bowling: Duncan 5 for 30 ; Bailey 1 for 31 ; Parker 1 for 18 ; Redford 2 for 4.

JULY 12TH. 1ST XI. v. HITCHIN WEDNESDAY C.C. AWAY. HITCHIN. ITs XI.

G. Briars b Stanley Fr. A. Beck b Jarvis ... 35 J. Thomas b Duncan J. Kennedy c Brolia b R. Pritchard lbw b Fr. Slater ...... 6

Beck ... ... 46 S. Duncan b Slater C. Slater lbw b Duncan ... 6 W. V. Stanley not out ... 56 F. Whaley b Duncan ... 5 Fr. J. Scott c and b Smith 19 G. Smith b Stanley ... 13 R. Cracknell not out C. Rainbow c Duncan b Fr. J. McNicholas

Beck ... ... 13 R. J. Scally A. Bond lbw b Fr. Beck ... 8 0. Pyne did not bat R. Jarvis C Stanley b Fr. J. Redford

Beck ... L. Parker G. Brolia b Fr. Beck Extras ... 19 P. Allingham not out

Extras ... 17

Total 126 Total (for 4 wkts.) 140

Bowling : Duncan 3 for 32 ; Stanley 2 for 56 ; Fr. Beck 5 for 21.

33

THE FIRST ELEVEN.

S. DUNCAN. Colours ; Captain. Easily the most consistent bowler the school has produced in recent years. Bats confidently once he is set, but is inclined to be impetuous early in his innings. His captaining has not been distinguished by initiative or imagination.

J. MCNICHOLAS. Vice-Captain ; Colours. With his long reach, should make a splendid attacking batsman, and has made some good scores. Must learn to be quicker on his feet, especially when playing back.

J. KENNEDY. Colours. Watches the ball right on to the middle of the bat, but will only make runs when he abandons his cramped and unsightly stance. A very reliable field.

R. J. SCALLY. Colours. Has not developed into the batsman he seemed to promise early in the season. A splendid fielder in the deep with a lovely throw.

J. REDFORD. Colours. A hitter who must learn defensive strokes. Useful as a change bowler, though a little erratic. Reliable field.

R. CRACKNELL. Colours. Shows promise of becoming a really

good batsman, with excellent forward strokes. Bowls a good off-break, but tends to lose length. Has fielded very well in spite of a somewhat listless air.

J. BAILEY. Improved as a bowler towards the end of the term,

taking valuable wickets. Makes no claim to batsmanship,

P. BURKE. His wicket-keeping has improved, but he still snatches at the ball. Weak batsman.

E. J. P. WILKINS. Swings the bat hard against the ball, and has-

played one or two good innings. A slow starter in the field.

G. ALLEN. Keen field, throws well, but seems to lack confidence when batting. Should improve.

L. PARKER. A strong player, especially of shorter length bowling An untidy, but often effective changebowler.

The following have also played : G. MURPHY, P. BEADSWORTH, I. WIGHTON.

34

JU NIOR CRICKET.

The experiment of running a junior team this year has been highly successful, and has proved that there is plenty of talent and enthusiasm among the boys of the Lower School.

Of course, every side has a thoroughly bad day from time to time, and young boys are especially prone to break down without any evident reason, so this may account for the comparatively low score in the game against Luton (40). Otherwise, the team has been fairly consistent, considering that none had had any previous experience.

The accuracy, both in length and direction, of the bowling has been good, especially that of Parker i and Alegria, but the placing of the field for these bowlers has not always been very intelligent. However, this is quite excusable for beginners. As change bowlers, Harris, Raban and Sutton ii have been very useful, but should remember that length is more important than speed.

The batting at times has been a little rustic and unorthodox, with Brown producing some of the quaintest strokes imaginable, which have caused, at times, a good deal of merriment to the onlookers. As for style and hard hitting, Parker and Mannox have excelled, although the former has been out, or should have been out, several times in trying the hook. He very seldom goes far enough across to the off and outside the line of the ball, and when he does, he often fails to keep the ball down. Both have played some splendid straight drives, and were not afraid to loft the ball into the empty deep field.

Harris, Raban and Alegria i would have made many more runs if they would only learn to lift the bat and hit the ball instead of just allowing the ball to hit the bat—or the wicket. Sutton ii, Leahy and Daly have shown promise on occasions, but on others have been disappointing—probably clue to nervousness. Beads-worth, as wicketkeeper, has been outstanding, and deserves special praise for the way he has kept Mr. Extras completely subdued.