at last conducted into the parlour of Mr. Morris, a very gentle person, with no hostile appearance." The accuracy, the information, the dogmatism, the independence of the press, if not always its morality, claim our respect and confidence at the present day. But it was far different with the first beginnings of newspapers; the prototypes of the daily press were no more exalted than those of most other great institutions. We will pass over the first mythical period of English journalism, the heroic age, in which Lord Burleigh is said to have conceived the idea of arousing the nation against the Spanish Armada by means of a published newspaper. Whether the story is true or not, we do not care to decide, but assuredly the interesting but fictitious series of English newspapers beginning with the Mercury is nothing but a transparent forgery. Newswriters were the originals of modern journalists; and it is from the newsletter of this class of men that the first real newspapers were really developed. The change was not a very serious one; these news writers were men retained in the pay of the aristocracy for the purpose of supplying them with pieces of gossip and any chance scraps of news that they could pick up in London. Living four or five months of the year in the country, noblemen were naturally desirous of keeping themselves informed of what was going on at Court, in the coffee-houses, or theatres. Oftener still a bench of country magistrates would club together and gain enlightenment from a common letter of all the chit-chat of the time. It is easy to see how they contained the germ of the society papers as well as of the daily press. One of these newswriters more popular and busy than the rest-Nathaniel Buttler by name--hit upon the plan of arranging all his news upon a single sheet and printing it; of sending it into the country on a fixed day of the week. This was the origin of the Weekly Newes; the paper proved a great success; and news-letters died out by the end of the 17th century. Still newspapers had a bad time of it; no men had a right to publish political news; and no concession was made to the low desires of the crowd to know anything of current events, or of the counsels of their rulers. Under the protectorate newspapers, such as they were, flourished, Cromwell's maxim, "I do as I like, and my people say what they like," gave full liberty to journalism, and advantage was taken of it freely. The stirring times which were so fruitful a soil for pamphlets of all kinds produced a no less luxuriant crop of newspapers. But the restoration came like a blight upon them, and in spite of Milton's eloquence the old censorship was re-established, and only one paper, the Intelligencer, weathered the storm with any success. But the Protectorate had allowed the newspapers to touch political affairs, and they gradually took upon themselves the questions which had been treated formerly by tracts and pamphlets. Still the press had many struggles to pass through; the censorship was abolished some time after the Revolution by the Whigs; but all the pains and penalties, mutilations, the pillory and stocks, and other ignominious punishments were still kept up. "Earless on high stood unabashed Defoe." From this famous writer dates the rise of political journalism as we have it now. His Review was the first attempt to deal with questions of state policy. His paper found many imitators; but their life was short. The newspaper tax was imposed; and "all Grub-street is dead and gone" wrote Swift. Even Addison's Spectator, a very different production from the ephemeral literature which we are considering, succumbed. Meanwhile the press grew bolder, and the people grew more accustomed to its tone, but it was not till Wilke's publication of the North Briton and the appearance of the letters of Junius that the question of the liberty of the British press was finally established. One thing more required to be settled; it was illegal to report speeches made in parliament. Few people are perhaps aware that to this day, when full reports of parliamentary proceedings are a mere common place, that it is against the standing orders for any paper to publish an account of what is said or done in parliament. But the right was gradually extended, not without continual struggling. At first reports were chiefly invented. from a very slender basis of fact; occasionally by men of miraculous memory, one of whom is said to have been able to sit out the longest debate and then write out, without notes of any kind, fifteen or sixteen columns of speeches. Perhaps the best idea of a newspaper of this period will be gathered from the Marlborough Journal," which doubtless some of our readers know in the Adderley Library. This paper dates from 1771 and lasted about three years, dying off quickly as most newspapers did at that time. 66 news, It consists of two sheets, filled with scraps of local gathered to satisfy the principle of curiosity" rather than for any other object; of a London letter filled with more miscellaneous information, chiefly concerned with the crowned heads of Europe and their personal appearance, some passing scandals and anecdotes, and bare accounts of occurrences in Parliament. Of political feeling we have been able to discover little, except some indignation at a certain Tory scheme "framed to destroy property and safety (!), and to bring iu the abdicated family;" but the writer has a great predilection for "big gooseberries" and "monstrous calves," and, above all, murders. O.M.'s. MARRIAGES. April 15th, at St. Nicholas Parish Church, Barton-le-cley, Beds., by the Bishop of Colchester, assisted by the Rev. J. C. Blomfield, B.D., rector of Launton, Oxon, William H. Macdonald, Assistant Master, Marlborough College, to Clara, third daughter of the Rev. Arthur Blomfield, B.D., rector of Barton-le-cley. April 15th, at Christ Church, Albany Street, the Rev. G. H. Perry, M.A., Vicar of St. Matthew's, City Road, to Ann Edith, younger daughter of E. J. Bevin, R.C., Bencher of Lincoln's Inn. April 15th, at St. Catharine's, Gloucester, Geoffrey J. B. Buckley, eldest son of the late Rev. J. Buckley, Rector of Tormarton, Gloucestershire, to Isabel Margaret, third daughter of Philip Cooke, Esq., of Gloucester. April 19th, at Meal Brace, Shrewsbury, the Rev. C. J. S. Churchill, Assistant Master in Shrewsbury School, to Sara Elizabeth, younger daughter of Mrs. Moss, Minster Yard, Lincoln, and sister of the Rev. H. M. Moss, Head Master of Shrewsbury school. April 23rd, at Trentham, Capt. Eustace Gresley Edwards, R.A., youngest son of the Rev. E. J. Edwards, Vicar of Trentham, to Frances, younger daughter of the late Miles Manning Beale Cooper, of Bengeworth, Evesham. April 24th, at the parish church of St. Peter's-in-the-Wood, Guernsey, by the Very Rev. the Dean of Guernsey, the Rev. Robert Edward Baynes, M.A., Vicar of Wormleighton, Leamington, to Amy Frances, second daughter of the Very Rev. Carey Brock, Dean of Guernsey. April 29th, at All Saints, Hoole, Chester, the Rev. William Frederick Pym, eldest son of the late Frederick Whiteford Pym, Esq., to Agnes, third daughter of the late Edward Parry, Esq. DEATHS. April 29th, at Wootton Rectory, near Woodstock, Oxon, the Rev. Arthur Edward Robinson, M.A., Rector and late Fellow of New College, Oxford, aged 48 years. ARMY. 5th Lancers-Lieut.-Col. C. H. Chichester, from half-pay, to be Lieutenant-Colonel. Royal Engineers-Major and Brevet Lieut.-Col. George Lane Cockburn Merewether, to be Lieutenant-Colonel. The Royal Warwickshire Regt.-Lieut. N. F. A. Maunsell, to be Captain. The Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry-Lieuts. C. E. Heath and John H. Verschoyle, to be Captains. The Oxfordshire Light Infantry-Supernumerary Lieut. Eustace Gambier Mansel, to be Lieutenant. 3rd Battalion, the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry-Capt. Roanden Albert Henry Bickford-Smith, resigns his commission. PASSED FOR COMMISSIONS IN THE LINE. FOR CAVALRY. Lieut. L. J. Richardson, 3rd Battalion Connaught Rangers. FOR INFANTRY. Lieut. S. A. Pearse, Royal Anglesey Engineers. CALL TO THE BAR. William Shallcross Goddard, (Lincoln's Inn Scholarship in Equity, 1883), B.A. Cambridge PASSED A SATISFACTORY EXAMINATION IN Frederick Edward Cole, Middle Temple. ECCLESIASTICAL PREFERMENT. Rev. Arthur Wigston Howard, M.A.; Vicar of Pickhill, Thirsk. Mr. Robert Hawthorn Collins, C.B., was introduced to the Queen's presence on Tuesday, April 15th, and was invested by Her Majesty with the second class of the civil division of the order of the Bath, and received the honour of knighthood. Mr. Collins was appointed by the late Duke of Albany one of the Executors of his will. F. W. D. Quinton represents Woolwich in the Double Racquets against Sandhurst. Occasional Notes. THE whole school returned on Friday, May the 2nd, the present term lasting until Tuesday, July the 29th. All of our readers will be glad to hear that Mr. Corney Grain has arranged to give one of his delightful entertainments in Upper School on Prize Day. WE regret to record various heavy losses that have been sustained by the Common Room this term: Mr. Leaf and Mr. Giles have both retired, and their places have been supplied by L. R. Furneaux, Esq., O.M., of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, and A. F. Davidson, Esq., O.M., of Keble College, Oxford. Another serious loss to the staff of Masters is that of Mr. Beesly who has given up his form; we are glad to say however that he has not entirely severed his connection with the College, and that he still retains his house. Mr. Hart-Smith, as was announced last term, has succeeded to Mr. Leaf's house. CRICKET is being played with all due ardour; House Matches as usual began as early as possible in the term, and have already occupied three afternoons. In the first ties that were drawn the following houses paired together: Ford's (Maltese Cross) v. Cotton House. Way's (Crescent) a bye. Two out of the four games have already been played off and won easily. Ford's defeated Cotton House by a total of 96 runs, and Preshute succumbed to Hart-Smith's, beaten by an innings and 37 runs. THE prospects of the Cricket Eleven look bright at starting; six of the old members of last year's eleven, including two bowlers, remain: F. G. Padwick, H. T. Keeling, L. O. Meyrick, J. P. Cheales, T. R. Sale, E. C. C. Firth. The first match of the season has been fixed for May the 24th, against Reading. Several novel fixtures have been arranged, amongst which may be mentioned the match v. M.C.C. THE Old Marlburian match has been arranged for Friday and Saturday, July the 4th and 5th. We are requested to ask all Old Marlburians who wish to play in the game to communicate at their earliest convenience with J. A. Bourdillon, Esq., Manton Grange, Marlborough. THE Cheltenham Match, which is this year played at Cheltenham, comes off on Friday and Saturday, July the 11th and 12th; the Rugby Match is fixed for July 30th and 31st. We hear that Colonel Byron, O.M., has generously promised to repeat his gift of a silver pencil case to that member of the Eleven who in the matches against foreign elevens has won the proud position of being the cricketer of the year." "best We publish an account of a very successful concert given by Old Marlburians last holidays at Reform Row, Tottenham. The Rev. E. F. Noel-Smith, the Curate in charge of the Marlborough Mission, informs us that the total of Easter communicants exceeded by forty-six that of the number in the preced ing year. He also wishes us to publish the fact that the boys at Cothill House School, Abingdon, have remitted him the sum of £7 4s. 10d. per W. R. Carles, Esq., O.M., being a first collection in aid of the Building Fund of the Mission. WE are requested to announce that the annual Ball of the Marlborough Nomads, which was unavoidably postponed from April the 24th last, will be held at the Kensington Town Hall on the evening of June 31st (being the first day of the Oxford and Cambridge Cricket Match). Any Marlburians who wish to attend should apply for tickets before June the 20th to any of the following: London-C. M. Wilkins, 76, Belgrade Road, S.W. Oxford-W. M. Tatham, Vincent's Club, Oxford. Cambridge-H. M. Leaf, Trinity College, Cam bridge. Marlborough-J. A. Bourdillon, Manton Grange, Marlborough. Prouts' Band will be in attendance. Single Tickets price 10s. 6d. each, or sets of six, £2 10s. WITH the object of not interfering unnecessarily with the progress of the building works, the ordinary time of morning chapel has been altered. It now succeeds first school, which lasts from 7 to 7.55 a.m. WE beg to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of the following contemporaries :-Fettesian, Elizabethan (Westminster), Haileyburian, Barrovian, Melburnian, Sydneian, Carliol, Leys Fortnightly, Radleian, Shirburnian, Wellingtonian, Eastbourne Cliftonian, Blue, Tonbridgian, Glenalmond Chronicle, Malvernian, Blundellian, Uppingham School Magazine. MARLBOROUGH MISSION. On April 16th, the Reform Row schoolroom was crowded to hear a concert given by O.M's in aid of the funds of the Sunday School. One drawback alone existed, and that was the piano, which owing to the heat of the room, was out of tune, and consequently affected the major part of the programme, and particularly the glees. Apart from this, to judge by the reception of each item, the concert could not have been more successful. Extraneous help was given by Mrs. Oram, whose two songs were a treat to hear, especially "My heart is like a singing-bird" (encored), and Miss Lawford, whose piano solo was played as well as the instrument would permit, and who, with Mrs. Blandford, ably discharged the arduous task of accompanying. Of the glees, the "Song to Pan" went fairly well. Of the O.M's G.M. Lawford recited three pieces in a masterly way, the breathless silence during the "Bridgekeeper's Story" and the continuous laughter at the new edifice that John erected expressing the feelings of the audience. W. F. Blandford, R. T. Hughes, and W. J. Hemsley all sang their songs well and effectively, the pick of the bunch undoubtedly being the first's "Where'er you Walk," and it says much for the culture of the audience that they demanded it again. The duet in canon "Friendship," by Blandford and Hemsley, and "The Bugler" by Hughes were also noticeable. The humorous element was represented by H. B. Lawford, whose song "The Parrot and the Cat" was amusingly delivered and enthusiastically encored. But the gem of the evening was found in "The Little Farm well till'd," the wrangling of the three disputants and the mocking ridicule of the fourth being so well done as to cause it to be called for again and again. As a concluding piece, the Marlborough Upper School Song was sung in unison by five O.M's, and we may be sure that the rafters certainly did quiver, and that everyone present unanimously echoed the sentiment," Here's Marlborough for ever." Correspondence. To the Editor of the Marlburian. DEAR SIR,-I wish to draw attention to the dilatory way in which cricket is begun on half-holiday afternoons. I have observed this season the times at which some games have commenced, and on referring to my notes, I find one commenced at 2.53, another at 2.49, and others even so late as 2.56. There is obviously much time wasted by this state of things. Anyone of slight mathematical ability can see that several hours' cricket are lost in a term: and surely it is much nicer to play for 2 hours than for 24. I should not grudge the time if it were impossible for outboarders to be punctual. But the fault lies in this that both in-boarders and out-boarders dawdle up and dawdle in the field; frittering away 10 minutes of time, during which they had far better be playing in a settled manner, by an unsatisfactory and restrained sort of diminutive practice. For those who can get into the field before 2.30 this is all very well. But I would strongly recommend that the time for beginning games should be 2.40 at the latest, and that defaulters should be punished with the same rigour as those who cut cricket, unless they can show valid excuses. Believe me, yours truly, DAULIAS. To the Editor of the Marlburian. DEAR SIR,-I see that on the day after the Rugby Match Marlborough College is to play a cricket match v. Surbiton. I wish to enter a protest against such fixtures being arranged in future. In the past such matches as this have been failures and for obvious reasons they are likely to continue such. Of the Surbiton C.C. I know nothing; but quite apart from the fact that it has no greater claims on Marlborough College than any other suburban or village club in Europe, it seems to me both indiscreet and undignified for the school to play any match whatever after meeting Rugby at Lord'swith two possible exceptions, viz., M.C.C. and the Marlborough Blues. All matches played previous to the Rugby match are played in the presence of the school-a highly critical and interested body of spectators-and these matches are valuable as a means of training and selecting those who are to represent us in the final contest. In matches played after that the interested spectators are wanting, the discipline is lax and the play inferior. This Surbiton match is played solely for the enjoyment of the individuals composing the XI-not for Marlborough College. see. What is there to gain by victory? Nothing; as far as I And defeat is a needless disgrace to the school. Again supposing that some of the XI have to go off home immediately after the Rugby match, who are to play as substitutes, and what right have these substitutes to play as Marlborough College, not being members of the College XI? If the College were merely a cricket club instead of a great public school, the case would be different. By all means let the members of the College XI play Surbiton or any other club after the end of term, if they wish, but let them call themselves by some other name than Marlborough College. The reason why I have made exception in favor of M.C.C. and the Marlborough Blues is that the former are a great representative Club, and that the latter are Old Marlburians, and in neither case would defeat be any disgrace to the School. I am supported in the views which I have expressed by many Old Marlburians with whom I have spoken on the subject, and who have the honour and the interests of the school at heart. I am, dear sir, yours faithfully, A FORMER MEMBER OF THE XI. London, 6th May 1884. Cricket. LIST OF MATCHES FOR 1884. May 24th, v. Reading June 2nd and 3rd, v. Liverpool HOUSE MATCH. HART-SMITH'S (MITRE) V. PREShure. This game was played on Thursday and Saturday, the 8th and 10th. The contest was not regarded with intense interest as the result was almost a foregone conclusion. It was perhaps fortunate that no one was watching the play of Hart-Smith's very closely, as it by no means realized the expectations generally formed of it. Preshute won the toss and elected to bat. The wicket was treacherous, and by the instrumentality of the two Sales, the extremely small total of 23 resulted. Lubbock played carefully for his runs, and Sheppard had bad luck in being given out, but the feature of the innings was the bowling of W. W. Sale, who took 5 wickets for 7 runs. On the whole we are inclined to believe that with more confidence a good deal more might have been made off some of his balls, but others were distinctly good. T. R. Sale's analysis read 4 for 16. Hart-Smith's began their innings with Meyrick and Poynton, and gave promise of making a large total as the first wicket fell for 46. Meyrick made his runs 66 more suo," and let very little past him. Rumour says that he should have been given out legbefore, but a counteracting testimony questions the correctness of the decision, upon which he finally had to retire. Poynton played with great dash, despite a chance, and showed confidence and power of placing. After this several batsmen just realized double figures. Martyn showed best form, and then perhaps E. M. Harvey. The innings proved a failure, only resulting in 109. Sheppard bowled best for Preshute, taking 5 wickets for 46 runs. With 87 runs to save a single innings defeat, Preshute were expected to show better form, and on this day the wicket was much improved. Lubbock's attempt to pull W. W. Sale was the beginning of disasters; others followed. Sheppard played neatly, but had some luck. Meantime T. R. Sale got rid of the weaker brethren, who except Martin showed very poor form, and Preshute was left beaten by an FORD'S (MALTESE CROSS) v. COTTON HOUSE. THURSDAY, MAY 8TH.-This match was played on Way's ground, and resulted in a victory for Ford's by 96 runs. Having won the toss, Ford's sent in Ashfield and Rowell, who both batted very carefully till 43 runs were made, when the former was caught by Keeling. Rowell shewed great promise, compiling 25 without giving a chance, but the rest of the wickets did not take long to fall, the chief contributors to the total of 118 being Little (23) and Purcell (11). We must not forget a splendid catch made by Boulton at long-leg. Cotton House then sent in Ord and Batley, who batted carefully till stumps were drawn. SATURDAY, MAY 10TH.-Cotton House continued their innings and Batley was soon bowled by Nockolds. Keeling (14) did not stay long, and the other batsmen offered little resistance, Ord (14) being the only other |
