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“...THE ORGAN OF THE CHEFOO SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION.
.-■ < ■
TORONTO, ©«AftiO; ■ MSN 2C6 .. '
totalis Wg!...”
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“...20
CHEFOO.
although the C.S.A. has been in existence some three years, yet we, as an Association, have done nothing to benefit our old School.
The Old Girls have for years subscribed towards the Good Conduct Prize in the Girls’ School, but the Old Boys have done nothing. Now, we think one of the principal objects of the C.S.A. should be the encouragement of the future Old Boys and Girls who are the scholars of to-day. In addition to this, we ought to do what we can to help the Schools as an institution.
Those with a genuine interest in the Schools, which goes deeper than mere words, will not allow this state of things to last much longer. By paying their subscriptions regularly and promptly, members will help towards this end, and the Committee hope that they will soon have sufficient funds in hand to set aside a sum, not necessarily a large amount, which would add two or three good prizes to the list and show our continued interest and desire for the welfare of the School.
Now, dear reader...”
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“...CHEFOO.
21
THE NEWINGTON GREEN REUNION. JANUARY 4th. 1911.
A
GAIN with the return of January has come our Annual Reunion at the C.I.M., Newington Green.
The first arrivals came about half-past six, and then the steady stream of guests continued until a quarter-past seven, an animated conversation being maintained all
the time. Supper was announced about seven and enjoyed with the regular Chefoo appetite. After this important function the programme was opened with that favourite hymn, “ Fight the good fight,” followed by short addresses from Messrs. Sloan and Sharp, giving us a hearty welcome, to which Mr. Mudditt replied.
The musical portion of the programme was then opened by the “ Chefoo Song,” in which all took part, Miss Helen Orr-Ewing following with a piano solo, Mrs. Challice a song, “ Babylon,” and then a recitation from Mr. McLaren. It was at first feared that Mr. McLaren would be unable to come on account of business engagements, but the keen disappointment evident on all sides...”
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“...22
CHEFOO.
A COMPARISON.
COMPARISONS, as Dogberry informs us, “are odorous,” but they are also often amusing, and sometimes most instructive. I attribute any success I may have achieved as a school-marm—and in my opinion such success consists largely in a Mikado-like capacity “ to make the punishment fit the crime ”—to a vivid recollection of my own schooldays. Confronted by an unruly class I hasten to apply remedies suggested by the past, and frequently astonish my pupils by my intimate acquaintance with school-girl crime in all its branches. Girls are very much the same all the world over, and I find it pays to guide Redlandites by the methods of Chefoo. When comparing, as I often do, the two schools I know best, the advantage I find is often with the latter, and particularly, I think, in the sensible and non-sentimental relations that existed and, I hope, still exist between girl and girl and between mistress and pupil. Most normal school children pass through a period—brief in some...”
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“...CHEFOO.
23
of our relations with our mistresses. From the time of her arrival Mrs. Beer stood for my “ set,” as we blossomed from, I fear, rather “ cheeky ” Fourths into comparatively staid (Margie Bailer called us supercilious) Sixths, as a model of excellence—a kind of compendium of all the talents. We admired her, imitated her handwriting, copied her turns of speech, and would have modelled our clothes upon hers had mothers and wardrobe-mistresses proved more complaisant, but our affection was of the wholesomest: there was no suggestion of Schwarmerei. We respected, admired and loved her, but I think respect came first, and that is probably the secret of our successful intercourse. Such relationships go to determine the “ tone ” of a school, and I feel sure it was largely because we girls could meet our mistresses—such women as Miss Burton, Mrs. Murray and Mrs. Beer—■ on such affectionate yet wholly unsentimental terms, that I for one am able to look back with so warm a pride to my old...”
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“...24
CHEFOO.
at 7.30 p.m. Besides this there is watch-keeping, day and night, and boat-running—making a fairly full day.
When at sea, sights have to be taken. Then in the dog watches, from 4.0-8.0 p.m., there is usually hockey on the quarter deck, or roller skating. Snores may generally be heard from the “ ’ammick ” soon after 10.30 p.m.
The above is a typical day—of course they vary. One day you may be doing evolutions, “ out torpedo nets,” “ away all boats, pull round the Fleet,” or “ general quarters,” etc. Then there are battle practices, torpedo and battle practice, gunlayers’ tests, and such like things to be gone through, with occasionally a review.
Arthur Polhill.
home, quite the
Every
JACK:
THE TALE OF A JACKDAW.
ACK came into my possession when quite a young bird, and he emerged from the cardboard box in which he had been imprisoned, hot and wrathful and somewhat scared. He soon made himself at
however, and—in his own estimation—was most important member of the family, morning...”
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“...CHEFOO.
25
The writing-table furnished an unending source of amusement: so many pens, pencils and similar articles could be flung over the edge on to the floor, and so many letters and papers torn up and scattered. Then
there was the inkpot—rather a puzzle at first; but he soon found the way in, and one day had a good drink, which brought on a bad attack of mal de mer or rather mal d’encre.
His bath was always a great treat and he would persist in getting in over and over again, until most of the water was on the wrong side of the bowl and everything for yards round well soaked.
Whenever his earthenware jar
was refilled with fresh water he would have a long drink and then promptly tip it all over the clean sand and paddle with much enjoyment in the mess he had made.
Perched on the back of a chair at breakfast-time, he would pretend to be half asleep ; but let the attention of those at the table be drawn to the
window or door for a second, and instantly his beak would be deep in the sugar...”
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“...from this, the greatest of privileges. As I write I have a Boys’ School group (taken in 1907) before me, and out of the staff of eleven there are but three whose nicknames I cannot recall.
Since leaving Chefoo I have been told I have become a “ Higher Critic ” of the worst kind. At first one is inclined to have hurt feelings, but he gets much more than compensation when he hears, “ Well, at anyrate you have succeeded in making me a heartfelt sympathizer with the poor Chefoo School teachers.”
Who can forbear to tell to admiring (?) audiences, and crowds, tales of Chefoo exploits, and to repeat and act out such scenes and sermons as, “ Will you fight ? ” “ Sherlock Holmes—the Eagle man,” “-----in the pulpit,” etc. etc.
I am never so happy as when my friends say, “ We must have a ‘ Chefoo ’ night this evening,” for then one’s imagination has vent, and even if the slipperings, and broken pointers, do become a wee bit exaggerated, they by no means fail to be always interesting.
“ The scenes...”
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“...CHEFOO.
27
May I liken Chefuscians to “ Bad ” pennies ? they turn up everywhere. Even in Szechwan we shall, by the New Year, have no less a number than six. While we are unable to have all the enjoyable blessings of Chefoo, we are able to adapt ourselves to our circumstances. For instance, a pool of muddy water, 10 feet by 15 feet and 5 feet deep (being rice field drainage), has been converted into a good second-hand Gulf of Pechili. Seeing that at present there is no Chefuscian to accompany me for a dip in the “ Briny,” I have succeeded in enticing a friend to join me occasionally. A few days ago another friend presented me with the following lines :—
Jack and Soo went down the hill To find a pool of water,
And having found, they digg’d around,
And fixed it up with plaster.
Jack and Soo went down to bathe In this fine pool of water ;
Jack dived down, to wet his crown,
And Soo came tumbling after.
But Jack and Soo, all breakfast through,
Did meet with many a censure ;
While far and wide...”
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“...CHEFOO.
Such views, however, agree could never With undeveloped taste ;
And stringent measures were decreed At a council called in haste.
Expressively it was resolved That “ rotten ” is the name
For crickets, frogs, or cats, or dogs That vocal talent claim.
One tender youth with vim declared That croaking could not be compared
With a nursery’s harmony,
And all averred that they preferred
An oil-less axle’s melody.
Then up rose Prefect Robinson, Exclaiming “ Listen boys ;
Though fate forbids to drown the frogs, At least we’ll drown the noise !
“‘Pit’ is the finest instrument For effective opposition :
It is a game whose very name Suggests a ‘ coalition ’ ;
But we shall have far more success Than England’s politican.”
Snchwcndrous-wordsof eloquence Dispelled the settling gloom ;
The tide was turned, we all adjourned To the Prefects’ sitting-room.
Part II.
A box-like hole, eight feet by six,
Cannot contain us all ;
In spite of energetic kicks
Against the door, and hammering sticks, The big...”
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“...CHEFOO.
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Part III.
Drawn from his den across the “ quad ”
And from his evening “ chow,”
A table-boy, with slippers shod,
Investigates the row.
All he observes, upon return,
Suffers manipulation ;
Two swift informers—willing pair I—
Exaggerated versions bear To the distant congregation.
With rising ire the worthy “ head ”
Receives the base canard—
Indignant that our faithless crowd,
With civil conflict fierce and loud,
His trust should disregard.
He hastens back without delay,
Intending stern surprise,
And as a factor in the fray The fighters to chastise.
Paul Goforth.
[To be concluded.'}
OFFICERS.
1bon. Secretarp ^European ,1i3ranch: Arnold B. Randle, 41, Derwent Grove, East Dulwich, S.E. Cbtlta JBraitCb: George H. Rendall, 59, Avenue Road, Shanghai. Canadian and American SJrancb: C. Hamilton Fishe, C/o Dominion Bank, Montreal, Canada.
JSdttOr: Horace W. Hunt, 10, Church Street, Aylesbury.
L
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Names of those present at the “ Newington Green Reunion.”
H. H. Bagnall ; Alf. and Grace...”
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“...30
CHEFOO.
CORRESPONDENCE.
Cambridge,
Lent Term.
To the Editor of Chefoo.
Dear Sir,
It is quite a long time since I made my first promise to write you a Cambridge letter. There must be something in our atmosphere that seems to hinder letter-writing, or perhaps we overwork too often. At any-rate, I have plenty more excuses, but, like all good things, they can wait, and with two more arrivals last term I must let you know how the world is treating us.
Algie Smith came up to Trinity College in October, 1908. He is reading medicine and passed his second M.B. last June. In the games line he was “ crocked ” the greater part of last summer. But he has ably captained the Trinity “ Hornets ” Hockey Club this season, and was also playing for Trinity 1st XI. Hockey all last term. He is vice-president of the Cambridge Inter-Collegiate Christian Union for this year.
Charlie Polhill (Chefoo, 1898-1900) came up at the same time (October, 1908) to Trinity College. He took up reading in classics, but after...”
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“...CHEFOO.
31
ITEMS OF INTEREST.
Mr. and Mrs. Howard Stooke expect to be home in the early spring.
* * * *
George Hunter is in business for the Burmah Oil Co., in Rangoon, Burmah.
i|c *
John Cranston won a scholarship in a science course at Glasgow University. * * * *
Dr. and Mrs. Dansey Smith have taken up work in Chefoo. Mrs. Smith is best known to us all as Miss M. Bailer.
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Dr. George King left England on 22nd of November and was due to arrive in Shanghai during the first week in January.
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Harold Coulthard arrived in England on the 9th December, straight from Chefoo, and has now gone to a school in Glasgow.
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George Andrew and Fanny Riley are to be married this month in Chentu, in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ritchie (nee Ella Reid).
* * * *
We hear that Muriel Southey has won the gold medal given to the nurse who does the best work in the three years’ course of training.
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Nellie Hunt left for India on January 5th. She expects to be married early in the Spring, and...”
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“...32
CHEFOO.
{The jsEbitov’e Corner.
Members arriving in England, China, America, or Canada, are particularly requested to notify the Secretary of the respective branch immediately.
We issue with this number the complete list of names and addresses brought up to date and corrected as far as possible with the information we have at hand. If each member made it his or her duty to keep the Secretary posted with the right address, then half the trouble and worry connected with this list would vanish, and it would be of far more value to all, since its accuracy would be established.
Our frontispiece will recall to many the winter holiday, especially to those who through force of circumstance were obliged to remain at the Schools instead of returning to their own homes. We remember one occasion when out on the road behind the Girls’ School, with our
sledge harnessed to a pair of donkeys we met an exceptionally fat mandarin, or some such official, mounted on a mule, which took fright at our strange...”
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