St. John’s College Magazine
Digitized Version of the College Magazine
1905
Converted into Editable Format (MS Word)
By Christie. A. Pararajasingam
March towards the Bicentennial
At the beginning of the year that marked the 195th anniversary of the College, the Principal called upon all the students, staff, parents and well-wishers to join in the march towards the College’sbicentennial.
I decided to join the ‘army’ in my own little way. I thought of initiating the process of digitizing and converting all the magazines in the College library into MS Word or other Editable Formats, with the following objectives in mind:
To preserve the historic books in the College library for generations to come. To enable the Management and Editors interested to easily search what they are looking for. To enable stakeholders like Old Boys to quickly access the information that they require. To make images easy to extract and reuse. This can’t be done with a PDF, because its images are embedded. To easily edit large areas of text. To make the magazines in the library easily accessible to everyone by uploading them on the internet
The oldest magazine in the library, published in 1905 appeared to be the best place to begin work on. The task was much harder than expected, taking more than 50 hours of man hours. Though cumbersome, the walk down memory lane I took, proved to be very informative and enjoyable. I invite you too, to take this walk.
Happy reading!
Christie A Pararajasingam
St. John’s College Magazine
1905
ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE
A BRIEF SKETCH OF ITS HISTORY
St. John's College is the chief Educational Establishment of the Church Missionary Society's North Ceylon Mission. In 1831 a Boys' English School was established at Nallur by the Church Missionary Society under the superintendence of the Rev. Wm. Adley. Its object was partly to give to the students intellectual, physical and moral training; but more especially it was intended to be a Missionary institution promoting in various ways the spread of the Christian religion upon the principles and doctrines of the Church of England.
For nearly ten years the school was carried on at Nallur with very good results, but in 1841 it was transferred to Chundikuli, in order to make room for the girls' boarding school which still exists at Nallur. Under the name of the Chundikuli seminary the work was carried on in various premises hired for the purpose by the Rev. J. T. Johnstone who was then in charge. In 1846 the school was removed to its present position adjoining St. John's Church. Part of the ground was granted by the Government, and for the remainder, the seminary was indebted to the late P. A. Dyke Esqr. who was the Govt. Agent of the provincefor forty years and took a deep interest in all church work. The materials of the old Dutch Church were used by Mr. Pargiter for the construction of the school building. For many years the work went on steadily under various principals and head masters whose names are recorded below.
In 1876 the Rev. D. Wood bought an additional piece of land on which in 1888, a boarding house was erected by the Rev. G. T. Fleming with funds collected from old boys to perpetuate the memory of Mr, J. Everts who had been our head master for twenty years. Unfortunately the land was not very suitable for building and required much stronger foundations than those laid with the result that fourteen years later the building had to be taken down and reconstructed on a firmer basis. In 1890, at the request of the acting principal, the seminary was made a centre for the Calcutta University examinations and the first examination was held in February 1891 when six candidates presented themselves. Our jubilee was celebrated in that year and tomark the occasion it was given its new name "St. John's College.’’ In 1893 it was affiliated to the Calcutta University as a second grade college.
On the 12th October 1899, the roof of the main building collapsed. Had this occurred half an hour later when the whole school would have been assembled the accident would have been very serious. As it was, no one was hurt. For nearly a year the teaching was carried on in the narrow dormitories of the boarding house, the vestry of the church and even under the shade of a large tree. In February 1901 Dr.Copleston, then Bishop of Colombo, formally opened our new hall with its four class rooms. In May of that year, our primary school was completed, and in October three of the four wings of our boarding house were completed.
In 1903, a well-ventilated kitchen was built and also a row of large and neat classrooms replaced the thatched shed known as the Lower School. In 1904 the final wing of the Boarding House was built as well as an additional kitchen for vegetarian cooking. The college is greatly indebted to the Rev. Jacob Thompson for all these improvements in the buildings. These are some of the memorials of the hard and noble work he has done during the last four years.
At present the institution consists of a school and college department. In the school boys are prepared for the annual examination conducted by the Government Inspector. In the college department the course of instruction is adapted to the Junior and Senior Cambridge Local examinations.
The total area of the College grounds together with those at present occupied by the Girls High school is eight acres so that there is abundant open space. We have a football ground, which, though not of full size, is sufficient for school games. For cricket our boys have to walk to the Esplanade.
This is a brief record of the past for which we thank God and take courage.
PRINCIPALS
Rev. J. T. Johnstone 1841-1846 Rev. R. Pargiter 1846-1866 Rev. D. Wood 1874-1878 Rev. E. Blackmore 1878-1879 Rev. G. T. Fleming 1880-1889 Rev. C. C. Handy, B. A. (Acting) 1889-1892 Rev. J. W. Fall, M. A. 1892-1895 Rev. J. Carter, M.A. 1895-1899 Rev. R. W. Ryde, M.A. 1899-1900 Rev. Jacob Thompson 1900-1902 Rev. C. C. Handy, B. A. (Acting) 1902- Rev. Jacob Thompson, M.A. 1902-1904
HEADMASTERS
W. Santiagoe 1811-1848 John Philips 1848-1853 Robert. Williams 1853-1866 S. Williams 1866-1867 J. Evarts 1867-1887 Rev C. C. Handy, B. A. 1889-
ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE
Principal Rev. Jacob Thompson, M. A. Cantab. (on furlough) Acting Principal Rev. W, J. Hanan, B A. Dublin Head Master Rev. C. C. Handy, B. A. Calcutta Mathematics Mr. S. Somasundaram, B. A. Cal.[certificate. Classics Mr. E. A. Niles, F. A. 2nd class Teachers' Mr. L. S. Ponniah, B. A. Cal. [certificate.
English Mr. G, Philipiah F. A. 2nd class Teachers' Tamil Mr. M.Luther Other Assistants Mr. S. K. Ponniah B. A. Cal. Mr. S. V. Chinniah F. A. 2nd class Teachers' [certificate Mr.S. M. Thampiaiyah F.A. 2nd class [Teachers' certificate. Mr.A. Murukasoe Cal. Ent. 2nd class Mr. H. Schwatsz [certificate Tamil. Pupil Teachers A. G. Charles 3rd year D. C. Richard 3rd year G. T. Henry 3rd year L. Jansen 2nd year R. Saba Nadasar 2nd year E. J. RajaRatnam 1st year D. C. Chinniah 1st year Bursar Mr. G. Philipiah Organist C. Toussaint Clerk & Roll-keeper S. Solomon
GENERAL RULES
1.Boys are admitted into the School after an examination. No boy can be admitted into the lowest standard above the age of twelve. In the case of boys coming from other schools a certificate of good character and payment of fees is required.
2 Fees must be paid in advance. A discount of ten per cent is allowed if fees are paid before the first of every month. Fees will be charged for the whole term till notice of withdrawal is given.
FEES Senior Local class 3.00 per mensem Junior Local class 2.50 per mensem VII. Standard 2.00 per mensem VI. Standard 1.75 per mensem V. Standard o 1.50 per mensem IV. Standard 1.25 per mensem Ill.Standard 1.00 per mensem Il. Standard .50 per mensem I. Standard .25 per mensem
3 The school hours are from 9 A.M. to 12. 15. P.M. and from 1. 30. P.M. to 4. P.M. During hours of divine services and when work is carried on in the school, boys are not allowed to play in the compound. Boys entering the Chapel, Hall, or Classrooms are required to be seated in their places.
4 There are three terms in the year:— Lent Term. January to April. Trinity Term. May to September. Christmas Term. October to December.
Vacations about 3 weeks at Christmas about 5 weeks at Easter about 1 week in July about 3 weeks at Michaelmas.
5 An examination in the term's work is held at the end of each term. A terminal report of each boy's conduct, progress and attendance is sent to his parent or guardian. Monthly examinations are also held. A weekly report of each boy's attendance and work is also given. Parents are requested to aid the Masters in enforcing the due preparation of home lessons, upon which a boy’s progress greatly depends.
6 Boys who are absent from school without leave must bring a letter of excuse from parent or guardian on their return to school. Sickness is regarded as the only valid excuse. Boys returning after recovery from any infectious disease must produce amedical certificate.
7 Smoking is strictly prohibited within the premises.
8 English must be the medium of communication during school hours.
9 Boys who wish for certificates when leaving school must produce their terminal reports. No certificate will be given until all arrears of fees are paid. Boys whose names are struck off the register for any irregularity are not qualified to receive a certificate. No boy is entitled to a certificate who has not spent one full year at school.
SENIOR LOCAL CLASS 1905
Class Master. Mr. S. Somasundaram, B.A. Calcutta.
Programme for the year
1. RELIGIOUS KNOWLEDGE. (a) Selected Texts in the Calendar. (b) II. Kings Cambridge Bible (c) St. Mark's Gospel.Cambridge Bible.
2. ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE. a) English Composition b) English Grammar (West) (c) Shakespeare. Twelfth Night (Verity or Deighton)
3. History. a. History of England. 1714-1867. [Ransome] b. The Elements of Logic. [Jevons]
4. LATIN. Virgil Aneid Book II. Livy Book V. 1-40 The Revised Latin Grammar Arnold’s Latin composition [Bradley]
5. MATHEMATICS. a. Arithmetic (Pendlebury) b. Algebra (Hall & Knight) c. Geometry (Godfrey & Siddons) d. Plane Trigonometry (Lock) e. Conic Sections (Taylor)
NAMES OF STUDENTS
Arampamoorty A Kandasamy N Arudpiragasam C.C Kulanthivelu T Chellappah A Murugasoe P Chelvaratnam L Navaratnam S Chupiraminiam M Richard D.C Henry G.T. Thambiah C.R. Kanapathippillai R -- SENIOR LOCAL CLASS 1906
Class Master. Mr. EA.Niles. F.A. Cal. 2nd class Teachers' Certificate
Programme for the year
1. RELIGIOUS KNOWLEDGE a. Selected Texts in the Calendar b. … … c. St. Luke's Gospel. Camb-Bible
2. ENGLISH LANGUAGE & LITERATURE. a. English Composition b. English Grammar [West] c. Shakespeare
3. HISTORY. a. History. British Empire [Woodward] b. The Elements of Logic [Jevons]
4. LATIN. Virgil The Revised Latin Grammar Arnold's Prose Composition (Bradley.)
5. MATHEMATICS. a. Arithmetic [Pendlehury] b. Algebra [Hall &Knight.] c. Geometry [Godfrey & Siddons] d. Plane Trigonometry[Lock] e. Conic Sections [Taylor]
6. BOOK KEEPING [Thornton] b. Short Hand [Pitman]
NAMES OF STUDENTS
Ananthanayakam. J Markander V. Chinnathurai A Muttiah R Chinnaturai N. Nagalingam R. Chuppiah V. Namasivayam E Jansen L. Navaretnam K. Jansen W. L. Rajaratnam E. J. Kanagaretnam C. S. Saba Nadaser R Kandiah K. Sebastian G. M. Kumarasuriar S. M. Sivaguru V. Kumaravelupillai C. Williams A.S. Kumariah N.
JUNIOR LOCAL A. (VIII.)
Class Master Mr. L. S. Ponniah, B.A. Cal.
Programme for the year.
1. RELIGIOUS KNOWLEDGE. a. Selected Texts in the calendar. b. S. Mark. c. The Acts of the Apostles I—XVII.
2. ENGLISH LANGUAGE & LITERATURE. a. English Grammar (West) b. Shakespeare. The Twelfth Night (Verity) or(Deighton) c. Dictation (Meikle John's Spelling Book) d. Composition (McMordie)
3. HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY a. English History 1603 to 1832 (Ransome) b. Geography (Meikle John) The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and Africa.
4. LATIN. a. Caesar Book I. b. The Revised Latin Grammar c. Via Latina
5. MATHEMATICS. a. Arithmetic (Pendlebury) b. Algebra [Hall and Knight] c. Geometry [Baker and Bourne]
6. a. Book-keeping [Thornton] b. Short Hand [Pittman]
7. DRAWING NAMES OF STUDENTS
Ampalavanar V. Martinesz H. W. Arumanayagam E. Muttukumaru T. Arumugam S Ponniah A. Bartlette V. Ponniah K. Chelliah S. Rasiah S. Chelliah V. Rutnam J. A. Chellappah A. Sabaratnam S. Chellappah T. Sapapathy R. Chellaturai M. Sinnatamby K. Chellaturai V. Sivapragasam M. Chelvanaygam S. Sornalingam K. Chinniah N. Thambiah S. Chuppiah K. Thambimuttu M. DeNeise H. Thambimuttu S. Kandiah R. Thambippillai K. Kandiah S. Thilliampalam N. Kandiah V. Toussaint C. Kasippillai A. Valuppillai K Keil C. Valupillai C. Kumarasuriar C.M. Veerasingham J. D. Leembruggen C. Visakapperunal N. Luther R Visuvalingam K.
JUNIOR LOCAL B. (V1I)
Class Master. Mr S. K. Ponniah, B. A. Calcutta.
Programme for the year.
1. RELIGIOUS KNOWLEDGE. (a) Selected texts in the Calendar (b) Genesis (repetition) Genesis xlix (c) St. Matthew (repetition) St. Matthew v (d) (Christians only) Church Catechism. The Litany, The AthanasianCreed.
2. READING Palmerston No. vi 50 lines of Poetry.
3. WRITING. DICTATION FROM ANY FIFTH BOOK.TRANSCRIPTION. Royal Crown Copy Book No. viii Meikle John's Spelling. Paris iv. v. vi and vii
4. ARITHMETIC (PENDLEBURY) Decimals.Practice.Proportion.The Unitary Method.
5. GRAMMAR (NESFIELD) The Parts of Speech.Prefixes.Suffixes.Parsing. Analysis of Complex Sentences.
6. GEOGRAPHY. Longman's Series Africa.
7. HISTORY. 1485-1688. (Warner)
8. COMPOSITION. (Mc Mordie) Translation from a Third Reader.
9. DRAWING
10. ALGEBRA. (Hall & Knight) Factors. G. C.M.. L. C. M. Fractions. Simultaneous Equations.
11 GEOMETRY. (Baker and Bourne)
12. LATIN. Elementa Datina. Gradatim pp. 1-21
13. BOOK-KEEPING.
NAMES OF STUDENTS.
Abraham J. R. Ponnambalam R. Appapillai N. Ponnambalam S. Apputurai S. Ponniah S. Arunasalam T. Ponniah V. Ayathurai A. Ragunather S. Blanchard W. Rajaretnam C. A. Buyer L. Ramalingam M. Champion J. R. Ratnam S. Chellappa M. Sampanther K. Chelliah K. Sanmugam N. Chelliah S. V. Seenivasagem R. Chelvaratnam R. Sivaguru M. Chinnappa J. G. Sivaguru S. Chinaturai N. Sivakkolunthu S. Daniel J. S. Sivasamboe S. Dudley A. T. Sundaram S. V. Jell C. C. Thampiayali S. Kanagasabai C. Thampiturai P. Kandiah S. Thamboe K. Kandiah V. Thamboe S. Kathiravelu S. Thuriappah R. S. Nagalingam P. Thuriappah T. Navaretnam P. Valauther S. Ponnambalam A. Velupillai T. Visuvalingam M.
STANDARD VI.
Class Master. Mr. S. V. Chinniah, F. A. Cal. 2nd class Teachers' [certificate
Programme for the year
1. RELIGIOUS KNOWLEDGE. (a) Selected Texts in the Calendar (b) Genesis (Repetition) Genesis xlix. (c) St. Matthew (Repetition) Matt. v. 04 (Christians only) Church Catechism.TheLitany.The Athanasian Creed.
2. READING. Palmerston's Reader. No. V. C. L. S. Reader No. V.
3. WRITING. Dictation from any Fourth Book Royal Crown Copy Book.Nos. VI.&. VII. Meikl John's Spelling.Parts I, II &III.
4. ARITHMETIC (Pendlebury) Reduction.Vulgar & Decimal Fractions. Practice.Problems.
5. GRAMMAR. New Manual of English Grammar. The Parts of Speech. Parsing.Analysis of simple sentences.
6. GEOGRAPHY. Europe. Longman's Geography Series No. 11.
7. HISTORY. Warner.1066 to 1485
8. TRANSLATION from a Second Reader.
9. DRAWING.
10. ALGEBRA. Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division, Brackets, Simple Equations. (Hall & Knight)
11. LATIN. Elementa Latina. To the end of the Active Voice of the four conjugations.
NAMES OF STUDENTS.
Alagaretnam A. S. Fry. J. R. Appiah S. Jansen O. Ayaturai V. Jansen V Chelliah N. John C Chelliah S John E. Chinnaturai S. Kanagaretnam V Chinniah D. KanagasundramK Chinniah R. A. Kanapathipillai K Chuprumaniam V. Kandiah M Kandiah S. Rajaretnam A. Kandiah V. Rajaretnam M. Karthigasu S. Ramalingam S. Kasippillai M. Ramaswamy M. Kumaraswamy P. Ratnam S. A. Kumaraswamy V. Sathasivam M. Muttiah S. Seevaretnam T. Muttukumaru P. Sinnathamby S. Mylvaganam S. Sokkalingam S. Mylvaganam T. Somasundaram N. Nadurajah S. Sundaram S. Nagalingam K. Thambimuttu V. Panchalingam C. Thiagarajah S. Ponnampalam K. Thirumany M. Ponnampalam M. Thirunasam C. H. N. Ponniah S. Vinayakamoortby V. Rajah S. Williams R.
STANDARD V.
Class Master. Mr. S. M. Thampiayah, F. A. Cal. 2nd class Teachers'. [certificate.
Programme for the year.
1. RELIGIOUS KNOWLEDGE. a. Selected texts in the Calendar. b. Genesis (repetition) Genesis iii. c. S. Matthew (repetition) S. Matthew v. d. (Christians only) Church Catechism to end of Duty to Neighbour.The Litany.The Nicene Creed.
2. READING. Explanation both in English and in Tamil. New Graphic Reader No.IV. C. L. S. Reader No.IV.
3. WRITING. Dictation from a Third Book, Transcription. Royal Crown Copy Books Nos. IV.& V. Meikl John's word building No. V.
4. ARITHMETIC (Pendlebury) Reduction, Miscellaneous Questions and Problems, G C. M., L. C. M. Simple Vulgar Fractions.
GRAMMAR.New Manual of English Grammar. C.L. S. The Parts of Speech.Parsing.Analysis of sentences. Arnold's Language Lessons No.IV.
6. GEOGRAPHY. Asia. Arnold's Geography No. VI.
7.ENGLISH HISTORY, Victorian Period. Warner
8. TRANSLATION. Simple sentences into English. First Reading.C.L.S
9. DRAWING.
10. TAMIL. Panchatantra and Nannul.
NAMES OF STUDENTS Alexander T. Kathiravalu V. Ariakutty S. Kengatherer M. Arudpragasam T. Mannikkam S. Aseerpatham S. Muttiah K. Chellappah K. Muttutamby S. Chellappah K. Navaretnam W Chelvaretnam S. Peterson B. S Chinnaturai C. Ponniah M. Chinniah P. Ponnusamy K. Chinniah S. Sabretnam S. Elyathamby A. Sivakkolunthu K. Handy G.R. Solomon T. Handy J. T. N. Somasakaram S. T. Johnhillai D Thambiretnam L. Joseph V. Tillaiampalam S. Kanagaretnam S. Thuraisamy R. Kanagosabai S. Vaitilingam V. Karthigasu P.
STANDARD IV.
Class Master. Mr. A. Murugasoe. Cal. Entrance. 2nd class Teachers' certificate. Tamil.
Programme for the year.
1. HOLY SCRIPTURE a. Selected Texts in the Calendar. b. Genesis (Repetition) Genesis iii. c. S. Matthew (Repetition) S. Matt. v. d. (Christians only) The Church Catechism to end of Duty to Neighbour.The Litany.TheNicene Creed.
2. READING Explanation & paraphrase in English and in Tamil. New Graphic Reader No.III. C. L. S. Reader No.III.
3. WRITING. Dictation from any Second Book.Transcription. Royal Crown Copy Books Nos. III.&IV. Meikl John's Word building No. IV.
ARITHMETIC.Bills of parcels in rupees and cents.Reduction.The four rules.Problems.
5. GRAMMAR. The New Manual of English Grammar. Arnold's Language Lessons No.III. The Parts of Speech.The Number, Gender & Case of Nouns. The use of Transitive and Intransitive verbs. Analysis of simple sentences.
6. TRANSLATION. Exercises in Translation C. L. S.
7. GEOGRAPHY. The four points of the Compass. Definitions.The Geography of Ceylon C. L. S.
8. DRAWING. Straight & Curved lines.
9. TAMIL. Readers V. & VI. C. L. S.
NAMES OF STUDENTS.
Appiah N. Rasiah S. Arunasalam V. Sabapathy A. Champion D. Sampanther V. Chinnaturai S. Samuel A. Changarapillai S. Saparetnam S. Chellappah H. R. Sanatha Rajah M. Chuppiah V. Sathasivam S. Claasz R Scharenguivel W. Hanibalsz L. Sinnatamby N. Hensman M. Sivagnanam C. Kanagaretnam D. Sundram K. Kanagasabai V. Swartz. T. G.H Kumariah C. Thamboe V. Kumariah S. Thampiayah S. Muttukumarasamy P. Tharmaretnam T. Nagalingam A. Thiagarajah R. Nasachudar C. P. N. Thilliampalam S. Navaretnam C. Tousaint L. Navaretnam M. Tousaint R. Ponnampalam K. Tousaint S. Ponniah M. Valuppillai S. Ponnuthurai M. Watson A. S. Rasiah G. E
STANDARD III
Class Master—Mr. A. G. Charles.
Programme for the year.
1. HOLY SCRIPTURE. a. Selected Texts in the Calendar. b. The Creation, the Fall,Cain and Abel, Seth, Enoch.Noah,the Flood, the Tower of Babel. (Repetition) Gen. iii. 14-21 c. Our Lord perfect God & perfect Man. His Birth, His Childhood, His Death, Resurrection and His Ascension.Parables in Matt. 13.with simple explanation. Miracles in Matt. and Mark 5. St. Matt 5 (Repetition) d. (Christians only) The Lord's Prayer, the Apostles' Creed, The ten commandments and 6 Hymns.
2. READING, Explanation in Tamil New Graphic Reader No.II. C. L. S. No.II.
3. WRITING. Dictation from any first book.Transcription. Royal Crown Copy Books Nos. II & III Meikl John's word building No. III
4. ARTITHMETIC. Notation.Tho four simple rules with miscellaneous questions and Problems.
5. GRAMMAR. Mason's First Notions.Nouns, Verbs, Adjectives, Personal Pronouns.Subject and Predicate of a Simple Sentence.
6. TRANSLATION. To give the English of Tamil words qualified by simple words or phrases.
7. DRAWING. Straight lines.
8. TAMIL. Vth Reader C. L. S.
NAMES OF STUDENTS.
Alagaretnam W Ponniah T. Arianayakam K. Ponnnturai P. Arulampalam K. Rajah S. Benjamin C. T. Rajah V. Chellaturai P. Sathasivam C. Chellaturai S. Sankaranamachivayam S. Chinniah V. Scharenguival C. DeNeise W. C. Schoorman V. H. S. Handy J. C. Selvanayagam. N. Kandiah P. Sinnatamby K. Kandiah T. Sivakkolunthu C. Kumarasamy S. Sundaragnanam K. Martinesz H.L Thampiah K. Martinesz H.R Thampipillai N. Moore R.
STANDARD II Class Master— Mr. H. Swartz.
Programme for the year.
1. RELIGIOUS KNOW LEDGE. (a) Selected Texts in the Calendar (b) The Creation, the Fall, Cain and Abel, Seth, Enoch, Noah the Flood, the Tower of Babel. (Repetition) Gen. iii. 14 21 (c) Our Lord Perfect God and Man. His Birth, His Childhood, His Death, Resurrection and His Ascension. Parables in St. Matt. 13 with simple explanation.Miracles in Matt. ix.and St. Mark v. St. Matt. v. (repetition.) (d) (Christians only) The Lord's Prayer, the Apostles' Creed. Commandments and 6 Hymns.
2. READING. New Graphic Reader No. I. C. L. S. Reader No. I.
3. WRITING. Dictation.Transcription. Meikl John's word building No. II. Royal Crown Copy book No.II.
4. ARITHMETIC. Notation up to 999.999. Simple addition and Subtraction The Multiplication table up to 12 times 12 Multiplication by multiples not exceeding 12
5. TAMIL Readers iii and iv. C. L. S.
NAMES OF STUDENTS.
Alagaretnam R Sampasivam K. Arasanayagam N. Sathasivam A. Ariakuddy C. Sathasivam M. Arulampalam N. Selvanayagam V. Chellappah H. G. Sivanaser S. Chellappah H. T. Sundaranather K Claasz F. Thamboe K. Martinez T. Thampiah S. Mylvaganam.S. Thampiayah K. Nadarajah K. Thampiayah S. Namasivayam N. Thampiayah S. Rajah. S. Thampiayah N. Bamalingam P. Vairamuttn K. Ramupillai S.
Class Master. Mr. E. G. Gynathicam.
Programme for the year.
1. RELIGIOUS KNOW LEDGE. (a) Selected Texts in the Calendar (b) The Creation, the Fall, Cain and Abel, Seth, Enoch, Noah the Flood, the Tower of Babel. (c) Our Lord Perfect God and Man. His Birth, His Childhood, His Death, Resurrection and His Ascension.Names of Festivals relating to Him. (d) (Christians only) The Lord's Prayer, the Apostles' Creed and 6 Hymns.
2. READING. Palmerston’s Infant Readers Nos, I & II C. L. S. Reader No. I. Object Lessons. Corresponding words in Tamil
3. WRITING. Dictation. Meikl John's word building No. II. Royal Crown Copy book No.I & II.
4. ARITHMETIC. Notation to 999 Addition St Subtraction of numbers containing not more than three digits
5. TAMIL Readers I & II.. C. L. S.
NAMES OF STUDENTS
Aharnparam V. Kandiah V. Ananthar M Muttiah N. Appapillai N. Muttukrishna K. Apputhurai S. Nadarajah C. Arasaretnam S. Nagalingam S. Changarapillai K Ponnampalam C. Chellappah C.V.S Ponnnthurai K. Chellapah T. Schoorman W. B. S. Daniel C. Sivagnanam S. Fry T. Solomon J. Handy A. M Sundram E. Joseph S. V. Sundaram K. Kailasapillai T. Thambiayah S. Kanagaretnam V. Thambipillai K. Kanagasabai S. Tharmalingam K. Kanagasapapathy Williams Kanapathipillai S
Boarding House.
An efficient and economical Boarding House is attached to the College and is directly under the control and management of the Principal.
Boarding House Master. Mr. G. Philipiah Assistant. Mr. S. V. Chinniah Monitor. D. C. Richard Medical Attendant. Dr. R.Benjamin
Scale of Fees.
Rs. Cts First class 12 50 per mensem Second class (Vegetarians) 6 50 per mensem Third class 6 00 per mensem Room 1 00 per mensem
Medical Attendance free Charges for Dhoby and Barber extra.
All fees must be paid in advance. A discount of five per cent is allowed, if fees are paid before the first of every month.
Rules for Boarders.
2. The following is the routine of an ordinary school day.
5-30 A.M. Bell for rising 6-30 A.M. Roll call and Study 8 A.M. Early Breakfast 9 A.M. Morning Prayers 9-12-15 P.M. Morning School 12-30 P.M. Breakfast 1-30-4 P.M. Afternoon School 4 P.M. Tea. First class 4-30 P.M. Cricket, foot-ball and other games 6-15 P.M. Study 8-15 P.M. Prayers 8-30 P.M. Dinner 9 P.M. Private prayers 9-15 P.M. Bell for retiring
3. On Sunday every boy must attend the Tamil Service at 9.30 A.M, the English Service at 5 P.M. in St. John's Church and the Sunday School at 3. 30 P. M. Boys must keep in their rooms unless leave is given to be elsewhere. After Evening Service boys may go out for a walk with one of the Masters. Boys who wish to attend other Services must obtain special permission.
4. All Boarders must attend Study, School and Prayers at the above hours. Anyone wishing to absent himself from Study, school or Prayers on the ground of illness, must obtain leave from the Boarding House Master who will immediately report the same to the Principal. Such leave must be renewed every day.
5. All boys must play cricket or take part in some other game between 4.30 and 6 P.M., weather permitting.
6. Boys whose work and conduct are satisfactory are allowed to go out once a fortnight on Fridays after 4 P.M., with the permission of the Principal, if their parents wish it. They must return on Monday before 9 A.M.
7. No boy is allowed to go outside the College grounds except by leave of the Principal. No leave is given for boys to go out alone or to be absent for a night except under very special circumstances. No boy may enter any house without leave from the Principal. Such leave will be granted only when application is made by Parent or Guardian.
8. Boarders must provide themselves with bedding, towels, plates, cup and saucers, comb, etc.
9. Saturday is a holiday except for study hours.
St. John's College Literary Association (Established September 1890.)
President The Principal (ex-officio) Vice-President The Head Master (ex-officio) Chairman Mr. L. S. Ponniah, B. A. Treasurer Mr. Murukasoe Secretary Mr. M. Subramaniam . Meetings are held on Wednesdays at 4 P. M. and are presided by one of the Senior Masters in the absence of the President or Vice-President. Students of the college classes and higher standards are expected to attend the meetings. Debates, essays, recitations and extempore speeches form part of the programme. The Treasurer and the Secretary are elected annually by the members. The Chairman is appointed by the President.
St. John's College Library
Masters and Students have access to a small Library,
RULES
1. Books lost or damaged shall be replaced by the borrower. 2. Every borrower must enter the name of the book borrowed with his name and date of borrowing. 3. No one shall have more than one book in his possession at one time. 4. All books must be returned at the end of each Term.
Librarian Mr. S. K. Ponniah
St. John's College Athletic Club.
President The Principal (ex-officio) Vice-President The Head Master (ex-officio) Treasurer Mr. S. Somasundaram B.A. Secretary Mr. D. de Niece
Cricket
Captain G. M. Sebastian Sub-Captain W. Jansen
Football
Captain D. de Niece Sub-captain R. Nagalingam
Tennis
Committee. The office bearers, The Captains and Sub-captains of the various teams, The Boarding House Master and Mr. F. B. Mailvaganam. Fee. 25 cents per Term
St. John's College Y. M. C. A.
President The Principal (ex-officio) Vice-Presidents The Head Master (ex-officio) Mr. S. Somasundaram B.A. Secretary Mr. D. C. Richard
Devotional Meetings and Bible Classes are held on Fridays at 1 p.m. Christians are Active members, Non-Christians are Associate members.
Bible Class
A Bible Class specially intended for Boarders is held on Saturdays at 6-30 p.m. to which others are also invited. Leader. Mr. R A. Williams.
Scholarships.
1.C. M. S. SCHOLARSHIPS Free tuition is given to deserving sons of C. M. S. Agents. When these scholars fail to pass the annual Government Examination or when their conduct is not satisfactory, these scholars forfeit their Scholarships.
2. THE CHOIR SCHOLARSHIPS. A few boys are given free tuition for their services in the Choir.
3. TILE SOUTHPORT SCHOLARSHIPS. Two boys are given board and tuition either entirely or partially, by funds provided by the Rev. Canon Denton Thompson. M.A.
4. THE COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS. Boys of the sixth, seventh and eighth standards, who pass the Government Examination in all standard subjects and any three of the following:- Algebra, Geometry, Latin, Tamil and Drawing are given free tuition for one year. Boys of the Fifth standard who pass the Government Examination in Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Geography, Grammar, Composition and either History or Tamil are granted half tuition fees in the Sixth standard.
5. The third brother is given free tuition.
Annual Prizes
The Principal offers the College Divinity Prize. The Headmaster offers Prizes for the three best boys who obtain more than 75 per cent in an examination of selected Scripture Texts in the College Calendar. Isaac Tambyah Esqr. offers a Prize for the English Section in the Senior Cambridge Local Examination. Wm. Wadsworth Esqr.B.A.offers a Prize for the English Section in the Junior Cambridge Local Examination. Thomas Olagasekaram Esqr. offers a Prize for Proficiency in Arithmetic. Dr. J. M. Handy offers a Prize for proficiency in Physiology. Dr. R. Benjamin offers a Prize for proficiency in Hygiene. C. S. Kandiah Esqr. offers a Prize for the best English Essay. V. Casipilly Esqr. offers a Prize for proficiency in Shorthand. M. Asaipilly Esqr. offers a Prize for proficiency in Mathematics. S. Kathirasoe Esqr. offers a Prize for proficiency in Book-keeping. Mr. G. Philipiah offers a Prize for proficiency in Logic. Cumarasooryar Esqr. offers a Prize for proficiency in Tamil. A. Saravanamuttu Esqr. offers a Prize for proficiency in Latin. The Rev. A. Mathias offers a Prize for proficiency in the Prayer Book. The Rev. C. T. Williams offers a Prize to be given at the discretion of the Principal and Headmaster. The Rev. S. Richards offers a Prize to be given at the discretion of the Principal and Headmaster. The Rev. A. R. Veerasinghe offers a Prize to be given at the discretion of the Principal and Headmaster. M. Richards Esqr. offers a Prize to be given at the discretion of the Headmaster. The Backus Prize offered by the sons of the Rev. J. Backus to be given at the discretion of the Rev. J. Backus. The Handy Prize offered by J. A. Muthuvaloe Esqr. to be given at the discretion of the Headmaster. The Daniel Prize offered by the sons of the Rev. G. Daniel to be given at the discretion of the Rev. G. Daniel. The Muthuvaloe Prize offered by the sons of S. Muthuvaloe Esqr. to be given at the discretion of S. Muthuvaloe Esqr. The Parson Prize offered by S. Somasundram Esqr. B.A. for proficiency in Mathematics. The Hensman Prize offered by the sons of the late Rev. J. Hensman to be given at the discretion of C.T.Hensman Esqr, B.A.
ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE OLD BOYS' ASSOCIATION PATRON
The Right Reverend The Lord Bishop of Colombo. President.The Principal of St John's College. (ex-officio) The Head Master of St. John’s College (ex-officio) Vice Presidents Mr. J. M. Hensman, B.A. M r. Isaac Tambyah Hon. Secretary & Treasurer. Mr. Edgar A. Niles
COMMITTEE
Mr. C. Arumugam Mr. T. P. Olegasakarampillai. Dr. R. Benjamin. Mr. George Philipiah. Mr. V. Casipillai. Mr. S. Ratnathicam Mr. C. T. Hensman, B.A. Mr. A. Saravanamuttu Mr. Daniel Joseph. Mr. V. Saravanamuttu M.D. Mr. N. S. Lawrence. Dr. C. N. Vathavanam L.M.S. Mr. Martin Luther. Mr. T. N. Velupillai. Revd. A. Matthias. Mr. W. Wadsworth, BA. Mr. J. T. Muttiah Revd. C. T. Williams Mr. S. Olegasekaram. Mr. Louis Williams. B.A.
CORRESPONDING SECRETARIES.
Colombo Mr. W. Wadsworth Mr. J. A. Muthuvaloe Kandy Mr. E. T. Hoole. Planting Districts Mr. V. Sinnatamby. Batticaloa Mr. R. A. Hoole. Madras Presidency Mr. Louis Williams. Selangor Rev. R. V. Vethavanam. Singapore Dr. J. M.Handy. L.C.M.C Point Pedro Mr. A. Aseervatham Perak Mr. M. V. Chelliah MuIlaitivo Mr. A. Ariakutty Mannar Mr. S. Vytilingam.
The Colombo Branch of the O.B.A
President Rev. R. W. Ryde, M.A. Vice-Presidents Mr. Wm. Wadsworth B.A. Mudr. C. Kailasa Pillai. Secretary Mr. J. A. Muthuvaloe Treasurer Mr. C. Arulpragasam
RULES OF THE ASSOCIATION
1. The Members of the Association shall be Old Boys, past and present Masters of St. John's College, and Honorary Members,not exceeding ten, dulyelected at a General meeting.
2. The objects of the Association shall be: (a) To increase the sense of fellowship in Old Boys both with one another and with the College. (b) To promote good work among them; and (c) To afford guideline and encouragement to the younger generation.
3. Members shall pay an annual subscription of one Rupee, or a single payment of 15 Rupees which shall constitute them Life Members. The subscription for the year shall be due on the first day of March.
4. The Annual Meeting shall be held in April.
5. The Principal of St. John's College shall be ex-officio President and the Head Master one of the Vice-Presidents ex-officio of the Association.
6. There shall be an executive committee consisting of the President and officers and twenty other members to be elected by the Association at its annual meeting, three to form a quorum.
7. The committee shall be empowered to fill any vacancies that may occur among them or the officers pending the next general meeting.
8. The committee shall arrange other General Meetings, receive donations and deal with the funds of the Association and arrange for any religious service in connection with the Association.
9. A Secretary and a Treasurer shall be elected annually at a General Meeting.
10. The Rules of the Association shall not be altered except at a General Meeting and after at least one month's notice of the proposed alteration sent in writing to the Secretary.
LIFE MEMBERS. Handy C. C. B.A. Rev. St. John's College, Jaffna. Thompson Jacob, M.A. Rev. 34. Fern Grove, Liverpool. Wadsworth W. B.A. Advocate, Colombo.
MEMBERS.
Allagaratnam, Teacher, ChundicuIly, Jaffna. Appacutty V. S. E. Office, Taping, Perak. AriaRatnam L. S. Post Office, Jaffna. Arudpragasam M. A. Station Master, Chavakacheri Arudpragasam J. W.,Bishop's College, Calcutta. Arulnayagam M. T.,B. A., Procter, Marawila. Arumugam C. Retired Sub-collector, Colombogam Arumugam V., C.G.R Jaffna. Backus A. K. Head Clerk, State Surgeon's Office, Taping, Perak. Benjamin R. Medical Practitioner, Chundikully. Casipillay V. Supreme Court Proctor, Jaffna. Cathiravelu A. Proctor, Jaffna. Chellappa S. Walker & co., Kandy. Chelliah C. Clerk Kachcherri, Jaffna,. Chelliah M. V. Secretariat, Taiping, Perak. Chelliah S. Registrar's office, Kandy. Chinnappa A. Clerk, Kacheherri, Jaffna. Chuntharampilly V. Signaller, P.O., Gampola. Daniel C. T. Head Clerk, Baetugajah, Perak. Daniel E. C. D. E. Office, Taping, Perak. Daniel J. P. Police Office,Taping, Perak. Elankiar N. R. Auditor's Office, Taping, Perak. Gnanamuttoo C. P. Post Office, Jaffna. Gynapragasam .J. A., A. C. School, Singapore. Gunaratnam N. St. John's College, Jaffna. Handy J. M., L. C. M. C., St. Mary's Dispensary, Singapore Handy S. R. Catechist C. M. S., Kokuvil, Hensman J. M., B.A. Sandelippai, Jaffna. Hitchcock C.M. Clerk, Brinkmann& co., Singapore. Hitchcock W. Surveyor, Singapore. Hoole E. T. Veterinary Surgeon, Kandy. Jell J. P. Government Central School, Singapore. Kumarakulasinghe R. R. B. Manigar, Tellipally Lawrence N. S. Head Clerk P. R. C. Jaffna. Lovell S. Forest Ranger, Jaffna. Luther M. St John's College, Jaffna. Luther S. Post Office, Kandy. Mather E., S.S.Coy, Jaffna. Mathias A. Rev. Kopay, Jaffna. Muttiah D. S. District Engineer, Avisawelle Muttiah M. Post Office Kaduganava. Muttiah N. Deputy Post Master, Jaffna. Nagalingam S. Registrar's Office, Kandy 0legasegaram S. Retired Head ClerkP.R.C. Jaffna. Ondatjie V. Clerk, P. R. C., Jaffna. Philipiah G. St. John's College, Jaffna. Ponniah L. S.,B A. St. John's College, Jaffna. Ponniah Spencer. Interpreter, Seramban Straits. Ramalingam T. S. Kachcheri, Jaffna. Ramupillay R. A. Interpreter, Tapas, Perak. Richards A. M. Veterinary Surgeon, Trichinapoly. Sadasivam C. Post Master, Jaffna. Kachcherri. Sadasivam T. Kacheherri. Jaffna. Sadasivam S. Kacheherri, Jaffna. Sadasivam T. M. Kacheherri, Jaffna. Samuel S. S., S. Es Office, Taiping, Perak. Saravanamuttoo A. Kachcherri, Jaffna, Saravatiamuttoo V., M.D., Colombo. Saravanapavanam S. T. Kachcherri, Jaffna. Senathi Rajah J. W. P., J. P. Crown Proctor, Putlam Schoorman W. F. Telegraph Department, Colombo Selvadurai M. Surveyor, Jaffna. Somasundram S.,B. A. St. John's College, Jaffna. Somasundram S., P. W. D. Kalmuny. Supramaniam A.,R.B.A. Colombo. Supramaniam M. Pawn Broker, Jaffna. Tambyah Isaac. Advocate, Jaffna. Tambyayah S. M. St. Johns College, Jaffna. Tambypilly V. Deputy Fiscal, Jaffna. Tamby Raja S. Planter, Matale. Thuriappah S. Station Master, Singapore. Vathavanam P. A. Bishop's College, Calcutta. Vathavanan C. N., L.M.S. Surgeon, Cuddulore. Veerasingham S. Shroff, Kandy. Vaitilingam S. Clerk, Mannar. Velupilly T. N. Proctor, Jaffna. Williams C. T. Rev. Anuradhapura.
Names of Students who have passed Public Examinations. (This list is incomplete)
CAMBRIDGE JUNIOR LOCAL
1885. Aseervatham C S. 1886. Niles E. A Suprumaniam K. 1889. Chelliah S. B.A. Tambyah Isaac. 1890. Wadsworth D. Scudder M. Wardsworth W. B.A. 1886. Canagasaby M. Sangarapilly V. M.A. Handy J.M 1895. Mailvaganam E. C. B. 1903 Godlieb E. S. A. Muttuvaloe J. A. Kandiah C. Vathanayagani J. R. Ramanathan N. 1899. Vairakiam S. A.
MATRICULATION EXAMINATION. MADRAS.
1883. Senathirajah J. W. P. 1887. Muttiah D.S. Velupilly S. N. Scudder M. 1887. Kandiah C. S.
ENTRANCE EXAMINATION. CALCUTTA.
1891 Kapruhamy D 1898 Kumarasamy Nagamuttno T. Mailvaganam F B Philipiah G. Samnugalingam V. 1892. Wadsworth W. Satrukalsinghe A. B, 1893. Ariyansyrigam V. S. Thambiah S. Sampanther K. 1899. Elankiar N.R Wadsworth D Satrukalsinghe E. B. Vathavanam C. N. 1900. Chelliah M. V. 1894. Sinnacuttv A. Chinappa J. C. Suprumaniam V. 1901 Somasundaram S. Waniasakara M. 1902 Arulpragasam J. W. 1895. Ratnathicam J. S. Lee G. C. (Teacher) Saravanamattoo A. Mutukumaru S. 1896. Gynapragasam J. A. Vathavanam A. J. Mutuvaloe .J A. 1903. Coomarasamy A. J. Scenicutty S.J. deNiese G. Underwood W. M. Hensman A. Vathanayagam .J.R Murugasoe A. 1897. Adams W. M. S. Rajanayagam T. Nagalingarn S. Somasundaram K Thambiayah S. M. 1904. deNiese D. Vathavanam J T Sinnaturai A. Ambalavanar S. Thevathasan J. C.
FIRST IN ARTS
1893. Philipiah G. 1196. Saravanamuttoo A. 1894. Nagamuttoo T. Solomon J.R Wadsworth W 1904. Tambyayah S. M. B.A 1897. Wadsworth W.
BRANCH SCHOOL AT KOPAY HEAD MASTER, MR. J. V. TAMPYMUTTOO F.A. 2nd ClassTeachers’ Cert AND FIVE OTHER ASSISTANT MASTERS.
ST. JOHN’S COLLEGE, MAGAZINE
Issued Quarterly April, 1995.Vol. i. No. 4.
The Study of Poetry.
To one like me who comes to live in Ceylon after a long residence in India, nothing is so striking in the character of the Ceylonese as the absence among them of the higher life. Plain living and high thinking are yet, I believe, to be found here and there in Ceylon wherever the old civilization still lingers, but they are in great danger of being completely extinguished at no distant date.
What is the remedy? I answer; Give the young men of Ceylon the highest and the most liberal education that is attainable here. In matters intellectual and spiritual, Ceylon is quite a quarter of a century behind unprogressive, conservative India. How far then behind Europe and America!
I wish to confine my remarks in this article to one part of education,—the study of poetry as a means of withdrawing the mind, for brief intervals at least, from pursuits that degrade the soul, and make it of the earth, earthy. Poets invoke the Muse. They call her "Heavenly Maid." Milton identifies her with the Holy Spirit and addressing her as Urania, tells her
Thou with eternal Wisdom didst converse, Wisdom thy sister.
No wonder if, in the hands of the poets rightly entitled to the name, the poetic, Muse is the inspirer of heavenly longings and aspirations, and reveals to the human gaze the far-off goal towards which all humanity must travel if they are at last to reach the likeness of godhead, which is the aim and purpose of our existence. There is what is called the religion of humanity which teaches the worship of all that is great and good in humanity. But which ofall the good and great men that ever lived except the Man Jesus of Nazareth and his true disciples of every age and clime,—not those false disciples who
for the bellies' sake Creep and intrude and climb into the fold, whose hungry sheep look up and are not fedwhere were ever the great men, I say, whose renovating and elevating influence on mankind equalled that of the poets? The words that Wordsworth applies to that mighty poet who "passed the flaming bounds of space and time," namely, "Thy soul was like a star and dwelt apart," are true in a, greater or less degree of all the great poets. They dwell apart, though they "travel on life's common way" and "lay on themselves the lowliest duties." They commune with Nature and Nature's God; they all feel the pulsations of humanity though not all of them enter into the secrets of the human heart with the profound insight of that poet of all mankind and all time, Shakespeare. How deep is their sympathy with the groans and the anguish of men! with their foolish endeavours, their privations, their disappointments! How they pity their folly, their ignorance and their helplessness! The poets have clear vision of the surpassing loveliness of virtue, of the futility of human ambition, of the madness of crime, of the wonderful beauty and beneficence of Nature, and of the ecstatic bliss of innocence. Their voice has rung through the ages, and has gladdened, consoled and instructed millions of men and women. It is undying, everlasting, speaking to successive generations of men through all the centuries, like Keats' nightingale:
The voice I hear this pausing night was heard In ancient days by emperor and clown Perhaps the self-same song that found a path Through the sad heart of Ruth, when, sick for home, She stood in tears amid the alien corn; The same that oft-timeshath Charmed magic casements, opening on the foam Of perilous seas, in fairy lands forlorn.
Work for pay, and subsistence, but along with it during every available interval of time some work of heart or hand or brain, not paid for, but done for pure love, love of God or love of one's kindor love of Truth and Beauty is for this our life on earth surely the most excellent way. But how shall we keep in touch with the Great and the Beautiful, how learn love and altruism, except we hold the Bible in our hands, or constantly seek the companionship of the poets?
The world is too much with us; late and soon, Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers;
We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon.
Than this sordidness of life, even a relapse into paganism were better,
So might I, standing on this pleasant lea, Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn; Have sight of Proteus rising from the sea; Or hear old Triton blow his wreathed horn.
To beautify our lives, we require the help of the imagination. It will enable us to get glimpses of the thoughts of God. It will obscure the ugliness of the workaday world by peopling it with creations of the mind. It will give us insight, it will give us power. And imagination is the handmaid of poetry. To read and enjoy poetry, therefore, is to cultivate the imagination. To an imaginative man, life is not all £. s. d.; nor is it a constant battle between fools and sharpers, nor merely made up of a series of acts, taking and eating, seizing and appropriating. He knows and practises self-sacrifice, at least of a kind. To him life is something of a romance and capable of surprising possibilities. Life therefore is full of interest, other than of "getting and spending." How intensely interesting, then, would life be if the imaginative man can take in all mankind and think of the glorious possibilities of the human race, if he looks with concern at the slow march of progress in Russia and India, if he rejoices at the thorough- going patriotism of the Japanese, if he grieves at the enormous sums of money squandered in drink, if he speculates what the United States and India are going to be a hundred years hence. He would relegate self to a back place, and like the angry lover in Tennyson's Locksley Hall think of "all the wonder that would be.’’
Till the war-drum throbbed no longer, and the battle-flags were furl:d In the Parliament of man, the Federation of the world.
It may be he is merely a, dreamer of dreams, but he is not us joker of jokes," nor does he pass, the rubbish-heap of life through a sieve for stray half-pence and farthings. Were it merely to love what is beautiful in art, to admire exquisite verse, musical harmony of sound and sweet images, were it merely to allow one-self to be wrought upon at will by the witchery of phrase and figure of such poets as Shakespeare, Milton, Wordsworth, Shelley, Keats, Tennyson and Browning,—wrought upon by merely sensuous images, even were it merely this, it would be a thousand times better to give one's days and nights to those great poets than ever to be seeking for gold and prostituting this great gift of Reason to uses that destroy.
J. M. Hensman.
Twelfth Night or What you Will.
Twelfth Night, one of the most delightful examples of a combination of comedy and romance in the English Literature, is the last, or about the last, of the plays of Shakespeare's "Second period." It was immediately preceded by As You Like It. also a combination or comedy and romance, and it is grouped with The Merchant of Venice, Much Ado About Nothing, both of which are not without their tragic element. The plays which closely follow Twelfth, Night in the third period, Measure for Measure, All’s Well that Ends Well and 'Troilus’ grow darker and more tragic in tone, leading up to the mighty tragedies of Hamlet; 'Macbeth and Othello. Twelfth Night, then, is one of the last perfect expressions of the sunny side of Shakespeare's genius. It is one of the last of his delicate comedies which deal with love and love alone,
Modern critics assign the date of production of Twelfth Night to the year 1601. Judging from the title, it follows that the play was either produced at a Twelfth-Night entertainment, or was designed for production at that festive season which was during the Elizabethan period kept with numerous ceremonies and festivities, the performance of plays being a common feature. The alternate title "What You Will" seems to refer to the character of the play and implies that the former title has no very special meaning or fitness. Shakespeare evidently anticipated the objection that 'Twelfth Night' belonged to no particular type of drama and was hard to describe, by saying—'call it comedy or romance, What You Will.'
The plot of the play, drawn in outline from Barnabe Rich's Histories of Apolonius and Silla, is very simple. Duke Orsino woos the haughty Olivia who rejects his offers of love. Viola, a' young girl of noble birth, shipwrecked in his country and disguised as a man enters Orsino's service as a page under the name of Cesario. The Duke employs him to press his suit with the obdurate Olivia. By a freak of fortune Olivia falls suddenly and completely in love with Cesario, whom she believes, of course, to be a young man. Viola herself becomes enamoured of the Duke. Finally, Sebastian, Viola's twin-brother, supposed to be drowned appears on the scene and by reason of his close resemblance to his sister, wins Olivia. Orsino, then, transfers his rejected suit to Viola, his quondam page and the confusions arising through the notion of mistaken identity end merrily.
A comic underplot is supplied by Malvolio a self-conceited fool, who is persuaded that his mistress is in love with him. This is managed by Maria, a very witty and fascinating lady's maid, and two burlesque drunken creatures, Sir Toby Belch and Sir Andrew Aguecheek.
The charm of Twelfth Night lies in the union of humour with romance. The comedy is all light, mirth and movement. It is replete with the never-failing poetry of love. In it, as the poet puts into the lips of Duke Orsino, "love thoughts lie rich."
Characterisation is the great feature of Shakespeare's plays and that of Twelfth Night is no exception. The character best, worth study in it, the one most carefully and skilfully drawn and shaded is the heroine Viola—the main spring of the plot. The entire play centres about her strange position and the reader's sympathies are mainlycentred upon her. Unlike other maidens in Shakespearewho assume the disguise of a man's attire, Viola is a graceful imaginative girl who has scarce strength of head or heart to steer her course through the hazardous places to which her plan brings her. No doubt much care has also been bestowed upon Malvolio the character is well drawn, and the whole underplot, which depends upon his vanity, is eminently successful.
The play includes some excellent songs, put into the lips of Olivia’s clown:-
O mistress mine, where are you roaming O, stay and hear; your true love's coming, That can sing both high and low: and that exquisite death song:-
Come away, come away, death, And in sad cypress let me be laid: Fly away, fly away breath; I am slain by a fair cruel maid. My shroud of white, stuck all with yew O, prepare it! My part of death, no one so true Did share it.
Ales Jovis
A letter from an Old Boy
Bishop's College, Calcutta.
It is not unusual for a man, who is conscious of his own weakness, to be oppressed with a sense of uneasiness, when he has to expose himself to public notice. Such being my position, I need not tell my readers, how nervous I felt, when I first made an attempt to write a few lines to this magazine. Several attempts were made and all in vain. This my last, let me hope, will not be altogether failure; and I need not ask, because 1 feel sure, that my readers be a little lenient in their criticisms on my humble communication. Having thus partced up the introductory part, there comes the difficult question as to the subject on which I should write. Discussions on religion or politics may please a few but the majority prefer to read about some nice and interesting subject. The Rev Mr. Johnsonin his article on "Manhood" has provided me with a due, and I have no better way of showing my appreciation of his article than by trying to describe the exploits of a gentleman whose name he mentions.
"Sandow's name is becoming a household word" he says; if so, I have no hesitation in thinking that nothing will be more interesting than a description of his exploits. It must be all the more interesting to have it from one who claims a place among you as a child of the same Alma Mater as yours and who has had the good-luck of seeing him and his exploits. Mr. Sandow spent three weeks in Calcutta last month, and performed his feats in the "Theatre Royal.'
A special matinee was held for ladies and children, to which the students of Bishops College were allowed to go. There was a rush at the entrance, and with much difficulty we got into the hall. Unlike places used in Ceylon for a similar purpose, the "Theatre Royal' is a magnificent building with marble engravings, and furnished with electric lights and fans. The hall was full and the performance began shortly after 4 P. M. The whole performance may for the sake of convenience be divided into three parts. The first part consisted of comic songs by the actors of the ‘'Theatre Royal," and the second of jugglery. Though these two parts are in no way less interesting yet owing to the smallness of the space allowed me in the magazine, I shall content myself with describing only the third part. When the curtain was lifted, I saw a figure standing on an iron pedestal. It was that of a person who had no dress about him except only a, "Jangya" (A Bengali word corresponding to our ‘’Challadam) made of leopard skin. The figure with hands folded stood motionless, while the pedestal turned round and round. The mode of dress and the motionless posture of the figure reproduced in my mind a picture of Greek heroes. By the process of mind which psychologists call "assimilation," I was in danger of believing that the figure on the pedestal was the image of a Greek hero. The other students also had the same opinion, and while we were in this state of doubt, the figure moved, or rather changed its posture, and to our astonishment we found it to be Mr. Sandow. After showing the development of the different muscles which projected from allparts of his body like miniature hillocks, he went to his drawing room and coming back in a cloak delivered a short lecture on the "Importance of physical culture." With the help of one of his pupils who was inferior to none except Mr. Sandow he illustrated these parts of his lecture which required illustration. He also impressed on the minds of the ladies the necessity of physical culture. The next item was the display of his extraordinary strength. The first was that of the finger. On a table placed before him were several packs of cards, and he tore without the slightest show of difficulty, first 18, then 54 and lastly 162 cards. Then as he lay on the floor, two dumbbells, each not less than 500 lbs. in weight were placed near his head. He took the one and placed it on his knee, and held the other in his hands, while a person stood on one of his legs which was raised from the ground. When this was finished, he stood up and lifted two heavy cannonballs each of which required two men to carry, and connectingthem with a chain, made several performances, which roused the curiosity of the audience very much. There was then brought a horse, and Mr, Sandow was soon on its back. The two dumbbells were placed near the hind-legs of the animal. Mr. Sandow bending back took hold of both the dumb-bells, and after raisingaloft, placed them back again; and also he lifted a man with one hand, as easily as a cat would carry a rat, and after seating him on the animal's back, placed him back on the ground. It is worthwhile to notice here, that the horse was not able to sustain the combined weight of Mr. Sandow and the dumb-bells and every time he bent down to lift the dumbbells, the horse was staggering, and it was with the greatest difficulty that the animal was kept back in its place. The last and the most wonderful of all was the "tomb of, Hercules." Here Mr. Sandow had to place himself in a very peculiar position. He neither stood, nor lay flat on the ground, but raising his posteriors about a foot from the ground, with his face upward, he supported himself by means of his hands and legs. Then a heavy board which covered the whole body except the face was placed over him and on it were placed several heavy articles beside the two dumb-bells, and also a, heavy beam about 12 feet long. Ten persons were seated on the beam, 5 on each side and 4 others stood on his chest. On the whole supporting a weight of 3000 lbs, he was in this position for a short time, and everything having been removed quickly he stood up showing no fatigue whatever.The matinee thus came to an end, and having managed to escape the rush made by the crowd, we hastened to the college anxious to have our dinner, each one determining in his mind to become a Sandow. J. A. Vathavanam,
CHOICE SAYINGS
Censure and criticism never hurt anybody. If false, they cannot harm you unless you be wanting in character; and if true, they show a man his weak points, and forewarn him against failure and trouble. Gladstone.
Like a man, and you will judge him with more or less fairness; dislike him, fairly or unfairly, and you cannot fail to judge him unjustly. George Macdonald.
Life is made up, not of great sacrifices and duties, but of little things in which smiles and kindness, and little services cheerfully rendered, are what win and preserve the heart and secure comfort. Sir Humphry Davy.
The men whom I have seen succeed best in life have always been cheerful and hopeful men, who went about their business with a smile on their faces, and took the changes and chances of this mortal life like men, facing rough and smooth alike as it came, and so found the truth of the old proverb, that "good times and bad times and all times pass over." Charles Kingsley.
There is a greatness in unknown names, there is an immortality of quiet duties. To live well in the quiet routine of life, to fill a little space because God wills it, to go on cheerfully with a petty round of little duties, little associations, to smile for the joys of others when the heart is aching—who does this, his works will follow him. He may not be a hero to the world, but he is one of God's heroes. Than Farrar.
If you want knowledge, you must toil for it; if food, you must toil for it; and if pleasure, you must toil for it. Toil is the law.Pleasures comes through toil, and not by self-indulgence and indolence. When one gets to love work, his life is a happy one. Ruskin
To fall in love with a good book is one of the greatest events that can befall us. No one can become the friend even of one good book without being made wiser and better. Professor Drummond
SOME LIES OF SOCIETY
BY THE EDITOR
Society is in one aspect of it a bundle of conventionalities. Fictions prevail of necessity in the making of the conventionalities. What plain-speaking would not hesitate to call lies has to be known as propriety in many instances. It may be that customary untruths are necessary to facilitate business, and may even be excused by the precedents of fictions in Law and fictions even in Mathematics, but there is no denying the fact they are there and they are lies.
(1)
Mr. C has been allowed almost unlimited credit with the firm of Messrs. A. B. & Co. (it is not said this stands for 'Alexander Brothers & Co, Jaffna) and their longsuffering has been abundantly tested, even to breaking point, by their numerous bills being treated like so many blank cartridges. The firm is human. There are strong human feelings in the bosom of the senior partner. He is angry, the junior is angry, the clerks are angry at least to order and mercantile explosives and all the denunciatory adjectives permitted to irate commercial gentlemen are hurled, in the privacy of the office, on the offending debtor. In short, sentiments of manslaughter are in the air. What happens next? Does the senior partner walk up to Mr Cs house and punch his head for him? No. Does the firm march there bodily, followedat a distance by the office boy grinning from ear to ear, and give Mr. C (and his wife and children to boot) a taste of adjectives? No, no. Only the following letter is posted to Mr. C. written faultlessly on a sheet of the firm's best office note-paper exhibiting in the foreground, among other things, in conspicuous red a dishonoured proclamation, 'No credit is allowed":—
………….Esqr,
Dear Sir,
We beg to invite attention to the enclosed account and solicit the favour of an early settlement. We are extremely sorry to inform you that in the event of your not paying the amount (Rs. 14.44) before theend of the month, it will be our painful necessity to recover the same through our lawyers.
We are. Dear Sir, Your obedient servants A.B. &. Co.
What an enormous lie, how very decently clad Take its honest paraphrase—what the firm's feelings meant to convey but did not—and say if the paraphrase is not consistent with the human nature of a much-wronged creditor:—
You fellow most unlovable and least endurable from a creditor's point of view.
How long and often have weasked for this money, Pay upnow. If you don't nothing will delight us so much as to put you in court; have your name called out openly as the defaulting defendant, putyou to shame, and get our money and the costs of our trouble to get it. It will be a lesson to all respectable frauds. You know who we are. We are not to be fooled and thwarted, and made to wait your tardy pleasure. We are the masters, your creditors
A. B. & Co.
Dear Sir—we beg—we solicit the favour—we are sorry—it will be our painful necessity!! Study each word and phrase and say, guileless reader, O victim of custom, if all this is not rank hypocrisy. No creditor, not even a Chinaman, outside a lunatic asylum, writes to the defaulting debtor,
Dear debtor, beloved defaulter, it is not your duty to pay me what you owe, but I beseech you on bonded knee to send me the amount named, for my sake. I have shed tears at the thought of having to remember that there is such an institution as a law court and as such a personage as a proctor and such a contrivance as a letter of demand. My wife and I have gone into full mourning, and all my servants wear black at the bare idea of telling you that an action at law is conceivable to recover debts, but when I think of you as the object of such possibility, my whole body aches, my mind is disquieted,soul is in agony, and I suffer excruciating pain. I cannot describe on paper—come and see me as to my condition. You have only to say what you mean to do—bid me and I do your behests—order me and I'll obey. I creep from my office with this daring letter and humbly present it to you for your gracious acceptance. Pardon me.
In a world when there are (on no less an authority than Shakespeare) daggers in men's smiles—probably woman's too--how much of insincerity, unexpressed emotion, suppressed wrath and murder lie in well-dressed fashionable words whose past history—or present in other places—shames them for their degeneration. How true it is that
Words like nature half reveal and half conceal the soul within. (to be continued)
A. VOYAGE TO ENGLAND.
BY DR. E.T. MCINTYRE.
With the usual good-byes and sincerest wishes of friends and relations I left Colombo on the 28th April 1904 on my voyage to England. At 9 p. m. the Orient Steamer "Orizaba" left the Colombo breakwater and we were fast receding from the .Colombo lights which were soon lost to view. The weather was favourable, though during that night there was a heavy shower of rain accompanied by lightning and thunder. Nothing altered the monotony of this voyage till the island of Socotra was sighted six days later. In the early hours of the next day we passed Aden and entered the Red Sea. This sea receives its name not because of its colour but of that of the coral reef found in it. The African coast commencing from Cape Guardifau is all along visible, but the Arabian coast cannot now be seen. In this sea there are jutting out from its depth, twelve rocks known as the Apostle rocks, a matter of concern to navigators. After a two-day run in this sea the Arabian coast is visible.Further up, the mountains of Horeb and the peak of Sinai arevisible as distinct outlines in the horizon. Suez is reached, a nice neat town inhabited by Arabs and situated at the head of the Suez Canal, one of the greatest triumphs of engineering performed by Ferdinand de Lesseps. After a short stay, when we were pested by Arab hawkers who tried to palm off their goods at fancy prices, we moved into the canal. This presents a picturesque sight, the two banks of the canal being sandy in most places, with oases at intervals, caravans moving along sluggishly under the evening heat, and Arabboys running along the banks calling out for "Buckseesh" (money).
Within twelve hours we were at Port Said. This is an important town for steamers who call to take in coal and passengers from Egypt. Being a sea-port town it is of considerable interest and passengers are allowed to land and feel the terra firma under their feet after a ten-day confinement on board the steamer. We visited the places of interest such as the Greek Church, with its rich paintings and marble sculptures, and the mosque a beautiful and imposing building. There are several English and French firms and hotels.The women have peculiar dresses unknown to the east. Their head is covered by a hood, only the eyes being visible and a bamboo stick fixed above to the forehead and below to the nose being the sign that they are married. After a stay of six hours we were once more on board the steamer and passed into the blue Mediterranean. Several steamers were passed and on the 13th day the volcanic Etna on Sicily Island was sighted. A thin cloud of smoke was rising from its crate. As we entered the straits of Messina, on either side of the boat, could be seen the beautiful vineyards and Orange groves. I was fortunate in passing this place during the spring time as the trees were putting forth their fresh leaves and were looking their best. As we moved along Stromvoli another volcano was visible while in action. On the 14th day I landed at Naples, an important port in Italy and once the capital of the Neopolitan kingdom. The grand marble statue of King Humbert faces the landing place. I only visited the palace of the King as the time was limited and within 10 hours was moving towards Marseilles. We passed the straits of Bonifacio between Corsica and Sardinia. The former was closer and it reminded one of the Great Napoleon whose birth place it was. On the morning of the 17th day Marseilles was reached and I landed there as I had arranged to reach England by overland route. Marseilles an important sea-port is in the southcoast of France. I landed here on a Sunday. It was very busy not withstanding that it was a Sabbath and I found more people in Cafes, and Hotels than in churches. I visited the church of Notre Dame, a magnificent building and the two flags one of the Bourbons theFleur-de-lis and the tricolour of the Republic were found arranged in the nave. The hotels are large and magnificently equipped with the mealsserved in the French mode struck me that I was in the midst of the highest European civilization. The roads were all paved with asphalt, in some places with blocks of wood. The traffic was heavy and every convenience to businessmen in the shape of conveyance was possible. Electric cars, tramways, and omnibuses were moving on and pedestrians crowded the pavement. Not even in the great, gala day in Colombo had I seen such a moving procession of human beings.
I took train from there to Paris and without staying there I moved north to Calais and took the boat to Dover. The breeze was quite chilly and I had to find refuge during the short passage across the channel near the engine room. After an hour's journey I reached Dover and got into the train for London. The third class accommodation in the train wasgrand and much better than the second class ones in Ceylon Railways. The journey to London took three hours and the scene was quite interesting. The beautiful grass lawns, fine cottages, church spires and fat cattle grazing in the meadows were sights one will never forget. It brought home to my memory,—not that we are blessed with the fat cattle and lovely meadows but the cottages were similar to the Jaffna houses without the verandahs. Victoria Station was reached at 6-30. I was met here by Mr, A. Tampoe, son of the retired magistrate of Jaffna, and who is at present an Indian Civil servant. I was soon ensconced in a clean English homestead. Next day I visited the Westminster Abbey and the vergertook me through the British History with the description of its important events and I felt I was at the stage of preparing for the 8th standard Examination in Ceylon. From Edward the Confessor’s tomb I was taken to all the tombs of the Sovereigns of England, the Poets’ and the tombs of important men and truly I felt my nothingness and it was withawe and solemnity I paced the abbey. I visited the Houses of Parliament magnificent edifices, the tower of London where political offenders were imprisoned and some executed.
In Beauchamp's tower the name "Jane Grey" was scratched on its wall and it brought to my mind that unfortunate lady who was led to the block for the only reason that her presence on earth might endanger the throne of Mary. I visited the several theatres, music halls, and I saw the acting of Sir Henry Irving and also of Berbohm Tree in Shakespeare's Tempest personating Caliban. One cannot readily understand the immense traffic in London, the vehicles, the railways, underground and the "Tupenny tube" electric trains without a sight of them. London is a city of cities. The city of Westminster is a part of the city of London. From whatever part of this city at a little elevation St. Paul's of London is easily visible. The Londoner prides himself in being a cockney and looks down upon the other Londoner as an alien. Any one born within the hearing of the Bow Bells is known as cockney. The East end of London is inhabited mostly by the poorest classes and the West by the wealthiest. The Bank of England, the Royal Exchange, the Post office, and the British Museum are specimens of architectural work and are imposing buildings. There are several streets and lanes and it is no wonder that one is lost in London. Here that walking encyclopaedia that store of information personified in the burly London Policeman is able to guide you to your home. "If you want to know anything ask a p’leceman’’ is well proved. The management of the traffic is entirely left in their hands and without a mishap or accident as far as it lies within their scope for prevention, it is wonderfully carried. These men are well paid and trusted whereas their colleagues in Ceylon, India and Straits are simply a blot in the fair fame of the British Police. I went to the new Scotland Yard buildings where what struck me most was the immense number of umbrellas and walking sticks found in cabs, trams, trains &c. left by the absent-minded owners, brought honestly to this place by cabmen, conductors &c and kept there for a certain time till claimed by the owners, failing to be sold. It is a wonderful city, well managed and every minute detail carefully attended to with a population of about five millions, much more than the population of this island.
I cannot give you in detail all about London, which would take days to finish it. After a stay of 10days I reached Edinburgh there to prosecute my studies. The country was lovely in spring. The scenery in Cumberland was magnificent.
Edinburgh is a beautiful city founded by Edwin. The Castle is of unknown date and commands an important position. Thrice the English took it from the Scot and was retaken. Wallace first, Randolph again and lastly Douglas took it. The View from this place is supposed to be the finest in Europe. Princes Street, its gardens, Scot's monument, Wellington statue, adorn this place and an evening walk in this place is lovely and interesting.
I made a tour throughout Great Britain of which I shall write in my next.
THE SCHOOL MASTER AND HIS WORK
Cogitoergo sum. (1 think, therefore I am). If one is asked, what part of himself thinks, he says it is his mind. And through what part of his body does it act? He answers, through the nervous system, the cerebro-spinal and the sympathetic system constitute the apparatus through which the mind manifests itself in feeling, thinking and willing. The mind acts upon the external world through the nervous system and the external world acts upon the mind through the nervous system. The nervous system is not simply the network of telegraph wires that conduct the currents of nerve force, but there is such an intimate connection between it and the mind as will lead us to conclude that it is more than a mere subservient conduit agency. When we see how the mind reacts upon the body and the body reacts upon the mind as is expressed in the maxim ‘’Menssanain corpore sano" we feel that there is an interdependence between body and mind which is far beyond human comprehension. The mystery is as great as the inexplicable fact how a state of consciousness arises as the result of irritating nerve tissue.
Even among people who are at a primitive state of civilization, we find an attempt to locate the workings of the mind. Some locate it in the stomach and some in the heart. Its intimate connection with the brain is only the result of careful experiments of psychologists who have made a special study of Anatomy and Physiology. Careful research has established beyond doubt that the brain is the chief organ of the mind. The school-master whose object is to cultivate the mind and who has at every period of the child's development to note carefully the unfolding of the various functions of the mind, can never hope to do his work without understanding the connection between physical activity and mental activity. Hence a knowledge of the nervous system controlling all our activities is indispensable to the schoolmaster. It is a matter of common knowledge how health and freshness of body, how purity of blood and unimpaired nerves contribute largely to mental acquisition. It is this knowledge which has greatly helped the school-master to pay attention to physical sports and games on the one side and to graduate the number of hours of study according to the age of the child on the other. The old system of grinding away the whole day from morning till late in the afternoon—a common thing in Jaffna and India a quarter of a century ago and still to be seen in certain pial schools---is fast passing away. The rushing of children through a course with which their physical and mental vigour is unable to cope has made many an intelligent child a dull boy just as much as the constraining of the spontaneous activity of the child in the early years of development has dulled the powers of observation. What incalculable harm has been done to the cause of sound education through ignorance of the laws of mind and through the utter ignorance of the relation of the mind to the nervous system. A knowledge of the nervous system is most essential to the schoolmaster, as the functions of the mind are conditioned by the vigour of the brain.
The subject of the nervous system in relationship to mind is so vast that it is not possible here to give more than a cursory view of it. It is also difficult to give a clear idea of it without diagrams which will give the positions of the various organs, their minute structure and their interconnection. The reader is requested to see the drawing in Huxley's Elementary Physiology, a book with which every school master should be acquainted. The book by Foster and Shore is also a valuable compendium on the subject. The whole Nervous System is divided into (1) the CerebroSpinal System (2) the Sympathetic system. The Cerebro-Spinal System consists of:—
(a) The Central organs, which consist of (1) the Cerebrum, (2) the Cerebellum, (3) Pons Varolii, (4) th--- Spinal Cord.
(b) The End organs, situated in the sense organs—such as the eye, the ear, the nose, the tongue and the skin, and the muscles.
(c) The connecting organs, which join the end organs with the central organs. The connection is of two kinds. The end organs are adapted to receive impressions from the external world, each one being fitted to receive impulses of a certain kind. The impressions are taken to the sensory organs in the form of vibrations and these the respective organs communicate to the afferent nerves appropriated to each end organ. The afferent nerves transmit the stimuli to the brain, which recognizes the particular kind of vibrations and sends vibrations along the efferent nerve to the sensory organ, this resulting in what we call a sensation. It is thus seen that certain nerve fibres transmit information from the sensory organs to the central organ. These are called afferent nerves. The central organ when it has received the impressions of the outside world, makes itself cognisant by sending vibrations along the efferent nerve fibres. An illustration will make this clear. A person is asleep; a fly sits on the tip of his nose. The end organ connected with the sense of touch transmits the stimuli through the afferent nerve of touch to the brain. The brain interprets the impressions and sends back vibrations through the efferent nerve. The sensation of a fly on the tip of the nose is felt and the muscles of the nose and of the arm are put in motion to drive away the fly. When a nerve is examined it is found that certain fibres in it carry afferent stimuli and certain efferent stimuli. The afferent nerve is attached to the sensory organs and the efferent nerve to the motor organ.
The Sympathetic system is not directly connected with our mental life. It controls the heart and the stomach and has more to do with bodily health and activity. A state of mental agitation no doubt affects the heart but since it is under the control of the sympathetic system it is not possible for a person to will to stop the action of the heart.
The Brain which is the chief organ of the mind is enclosed in the skull. It consists of the cerebrum, the cerebellum, the pons varolii and the medulla oblongata. The cerebrum is in the upper and front part of the skull and consists of two parts very like each other, one on the right and the other on the left separated by a fissure.
The brain matter is full of convolutions on the surface and mental power has been found to vary not only with the weight of the brain, but also with the number of convolutions in it, The brain weight of men of great mental capacity has been taken and it is found that in the case of Sir Isaac Newton, the naturalist Cuvier and others, the brain weight is over 60 ounces. The brain-weight of women is comparatively less than that of men and the brain-weight of European races reaches a higher average than that of Asiatic races. In the case of negroes the brain-weight falls very low and in the case of idiots it is as low as 10 and 15 ounces. If the brain-weight of an average European man is taken at 48 oz., that of the European woman does not fall far below 40 oz. But in the case of the Asiatic races we find that the average Asiatic man has 40 oz. brain-weight and the woman about 30 oz., thus showing that there is less cultivation of the mind among Asiatic women. But we have also to take into consideration the quality of the brain and its convolutions. The historian Grote had a brain which weighed only 38oz, but considering his intelligence and mental vigour, we have to conclude that the decrease in weight was more than counterbalanced by the quality of the brain.
The Cerebrum consists of grey matter and white matter. The white matter is internal and the grey matter is external. The cerebrum is the seat of our sensations, emotions, intellect and volition and these powers are supposed to reside in the grey matter as it has been found that disease or injury of the grey matter of the cerebrum seriously affects the powers of the mind. Lunacy, temporary or permanent may in many cases be traced to the injury or disease of the grey matter. In early childhood we should be very careful that children receive no injury in the head, by falling from cots, cradles and high pials and that they are not rocked in cradles.
(To be continued.) A Schoolmaster.
NEWS AND NOTES
The College broke up on March 24th. Next term begins on May 1st.
The Rev. J. I. Pickford, our .Acting. Principal left on March 28th, to Kodaikanal where he will probably stay till the 15th Inst. He is expected to preside, at the Annual Meeting of the Old Boys' Association to be held on April 24th at 5.30 p.m. in the College hall.
On March 23rd Dr. E. T. Mc Intyre kindly delivered a lecture on "A voyage to England," which is reproduced elsewhere in the Magazine. We are greatly indebted to him for the lecture.
The following are the results of the Cambridge Local Examination held in December 1904:— Senior: V. Supramaniam. Junior: N Cumariah, J.R Eliatamby, V. Markandu, R. Sabanadaser, V. Suppiah and A. S. Williams.
Notifications defining the territorial limits of Calcutta, Madras, Bombay, Allahabad and Punjab Universities appeared in a recent issue of the Gazette. It is notified that the Governor- General of India has under the Indian Universities Act sanctioned the affiliation of Ceylon to the Madras University and also that those Colleges in Ceylon affiliated to the Calcutta University "may continue to exercise the rights conferred upon them by such affiliation until 31st December 1906."
The Ceylon Scholarship test from 1907 will be the London Intermediate in Art or Science, but the Senior Cambridge under certain conditions is to be regarded as equivalent to the London Matriculation. The holder of a Senior certificate is entitled to exemption from the Matriculation if the candidate has at one and the same examination passed (I) in English language and Literature including English Composition; or History together with English Composition: or Geography with English Composition; (2) in Arithmetic, Geometry and Algebra and (3) in three of the following subjects or combinations of subjects not counted under (I) above—Latin, Greek, French, German, Spanish, Greek or Roman History, English History or History of the British Empire; Physical Geography; Logic; two subjects in Mathematics other than those mentioned above, Chemistry, Mechanics, Heat together with Sound and Light, Electricity and Magnetism, Botany, provided that either Latin or Mechanics or Heat Sound and Light, or Chemistry or Botany is included and provided further that one Language is included.
Rev. Jacob Thompson our Principal writes to say that ever since his arrival in England he has been on the Deputation Staff and in consequence has been very busy. He is generally at home only two days in each week. The C. M. S. Committee had an interview with him, who referred to the work which he had carried on in Jaffna during the past four years.
The Rev. Canon Denton Thompson, who provides the Southport Scholarship in this Collegehas been appointed Rector of St. Martin's, Birmingham, vacated by Archdeacon Diggle, who has accepted the Bishopric of Carlisle.
Bishop E. A. Copleston of Colombo (the Patron of St John's College Old Boys' Association) has received the honorary degree of D.D. from Oxford University. The Bishop and Mrs. Copleston expect to leave Marseilles on May 19th and will, therefore, arrive at Colombo on or about June 5th.
Mrs Clarissa Williams widow of the late Mr. Robert Williams one time Head Master of Chundikully Seminary died at Vaddukoddai on March 21st at the age of 71. Three of her sons are alive. The eldest is Mr. L. C. Williams. Inspectorof schools, Southern India, the second Mr.
Chelvadurai Williams, Superintendent of Tanks, Kurnegalle, and the youngest Mr E.T. Williams, preacher at Sangani.
Mr. Robert Williams was a very famous taecher in his day. Though he was a very rigid disciplinarian, he was so lovable as a man that the great majority of his old pupils hold his
memory in affectionate regard. Mrs. Williams was very simple unaffected in her ways, and belonged to the very last to the class of women—now fast dying out-who have no ambition beyond the fulfilling of their household duties.
It is with deep regret we have to record the death at Kwala Lumpur, Straits, on the 28th of March of the Rev. R V. Vathavanam, Priest of the S. P. G. Tamil church at that Station. He evinced the liveliest interest in the prosperity of St. John's College as witness the large sum of money he collected in the Straits in aid of the rebuilding fund. He was our Corresponding Secretary for
Kwala Lumpur and four of his sons were educated here. As recently as the 26th Ultimo, a letter was received from him by the Secretary of the O, B. A. furnishing certain information required by the latter in furtherance of the object of the Association. Who could have imagined that the hand, the voice and the brain that were never slack in the service of the Master would so soon be stilled in death!
As Headmaster of our branch school at Copay for about 7 years and of the Nellore Girls' Boarding School for about 16 years, which of those who wore his colleagues and pupils could forget the thoroughness and the conscientiousness which he brought to bear upon everything that fell to him in the way of duty? Many felt when he had to sever his connection with the Boarding School that it was a. loss to Jaffna and Kwala Lumpur gained what Jaffna lost.
He was an exemplary Christian in every relation of life—as son and brother, as husband, father and friend, as teacher and pastor, in every capacity he was one who deservedly won and kept to the last the unstinted admiration and respect of all who knew him. He is now gone to his reward. Shall we not then rejoice and follow his example even as he tried to follow his Master?
Our Old Boys
(The Editor will be thankful for news for this column)
We are glad to find the names of Messrs. E. S. A. Godlieb and C. Kandiah in the list of those who have passed the examination held by the London College of Preceptors in December last. The former has satisfied the requirements of the General Medical Council for enrolment as a medical student and passed the examination with honours. Godlieb and Candiah have also been successful in the Senior Cambridge.
The following have passed the examinations of the Ceylon Medical college held in March: Medical Preliminary Examination: C. Kandiah and E. S. A. Godlieb.
Apothecaries' Preliminary Examination: C. Muthuvaloe. First Apothecaries' Examination:J.R. Eliezer. Vanderstrattten Medal for Hygiene was won by Mr. S A. Vairakiam one of the successful candidates in the Medical examinations.
Dr. E. T. McIntyre who returned from Scotland and left to the Straits recently was successful in passing his L. R. C. P. &S .Edinburgh), L. F. P. & S. (Glasgow) and F. C. S. (London). Very special congratulations are due to him on his success.
Mr. S S. Backus, second son of Mr. J. A. Backus has come out successful in the last Clerical Examination held in the Straits Settlements. He stands second among those who appeared in the State of Perak.
Mr. S. Supramaniam of Point Pedro, Proctor and Notary has been admitted as a Proctor of the Supreme Court and took his oath of office before the Chief Justice on the 31st January.
Mr.S.Renathicam, first Assistant Master of the Copay English School has been appointed a teacher in the Chundikully Girls' High School in place of the late Mr. E. J. Ratnasingham.
The leading residents of Avisawella presented a purse to Mr. A. Aseervatham, Postmaster, when he was transferred from that station to Lunugalla.
Mr. N. Muttiah. Deputy Postmaster, Jaffna, left on February 7th as Postmaster for Marachchikaddai in connection with the Pearl Fishery. Mr. S. Sammanthanathar has been acting as Deputy Post Master during Mr. Muttiah's absence.
Since the departure of the Rev. J. W. Balding to England on February 26th, the Rev. R.W.Ryde has taken charge of the Cotta work and also continues in charge of his Colombo work.
Mr..E. C. B. Mailvaganam, Government Surveyor has gone on promotion to Madawachi from Mullaitive.
Mr. M. Asaipillai has obtained the transfer of his Proctor's license from Jaffna to Kandy. He is practising his profession in the mountain capital from the 15th of Mareh.
On the 11th of March the principal residents of Chempianpattu assembled at the Dispensary to bid good-bye to Mr. N. J. Lawrence, the Apothecary of the place. He is now Health Officer at Valvettiturai.
Mr. A. N. Morse, second son of the Rev. S. Morse has gone on promotion from Gampola to the C. P. R. C. office, Kandy.
Good work in being done by Mr. Edward Mather as the Secretary of the Jaffna Total Abstinence Society.
Mr. L. C. Williams B.A., Inspector of Schools, Northern Circle, South India is on a visit to Jaffna on six months' leave.
We regret to announce the death on the 6th April from sunstroke of Mr. F. W. Aseervatham, a son of Mr. John Aseervatham, retired master of Chundikully Seminary.
PRIZE COMPETITION RESULTS
There were eighteen competitors, one not sending a coupon and therefore disqualified. The prize is awarded to G.M. Sebastian of St. John's College. The following is the order of merit:
Name Total No. Correct 1 G. M. Sebastian, St. John's College 630 291 2 V. Sivaguru, St. John's College 877 281 3 V. Markandar, Nallore 928 250 4 S. Arumugam, Nallore 763 240 5 V. Supramaniam, St. John's College 578 236 6 V. SanmugaliNgam, Newra Eliya 749 228 7 G. Hensman, Sandilipay 400 227 8 L. A. Hanibalsz, Jaffna 283 219 9 Pauline Hook, Batticaloe 237 219 10 C. L. Selvaratnam, St. John's College 1224 218 11 M.Chellappa, Batticaloe 233 218 12 Claude Lembruggen, Jaffna 340 208 13 Hannah Virasingam, Chilaw 415 198 14 L. A. N. Tambipulle, Wellawatta 175* 173 15 S. A. Vairakiam, Medical College, Colombo. 265 170 16 C. Arumugam, Point Pedro 250 148 17 .J. W. Arulpragasam, Calcutta 120 102 18 C. P. Gnanamuttu, Jaffna 7 4
• No coupon
It took nearly a full week to go through the papers. They have been gone through more than thrice over. I have excluded proper names of all kinds and have been much amused at attempts to smuggle in bogus words. Some papers were very troublesome, especially Nos. 7 and 10 by reason of words being repeated often. I was reminded of old P. W. D. tricks whereby a dozen coolies figured in the check rolls as 247. Many competitors used the letters as often as they chose, for instance, c, t, p, a, were made to appear in two places at the same time. Hence a word like batty is struck off mercilessly. The letters ‘l’and ‘I’ were found surreptitiously introduced here and there, but were promptly found out and ejected in company with the unoffending others. Plurals also were excluded. There were some amusing mistakes. Among "noted fictitious persons and places" I came across the following familiar realities, Bath, Tom, Hat, Moon, Mason, Cotton, John, Boot, and Satan!! It is cheerful to think of Satan as a fiction. Many children will object to Papa being relegated to a group of lifeless geographical names. One competitor draws a distinction,—a subtle one, very,— between "English words" and "Proper Names." Some competitors were daring word-makers. They boldly presented such combinations as pjam, tha, onrnjo and similar manufactures of a desperate sort.
The neatest papers were presented by (in order of neatness) Nos-1, 15, 11, 8, 9, 13, 14. The classification of words by No. 15 was the best—being according to number of letters—and analytical, as was to be expected of a future doctor. The prize-winner's paper besides having the greatest number of correct words, was remarkable for its freedom from subterfuges.
Two competitors were agreed in making an odd request, "I hope you will make me win the prize," and I am sorry that I have not been able to oblige either. Better luck next time
ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE MAGAZINE
Issued Quarterly JULY, 1905.Vol. ii. No. 1
Tennyson's TheLady of Shalott.
In reading the Life of Lord Tennyson by his son, I came across the following passage: "Well I remember this poem, [it is Fitzgerald the poet who writes] read to me, before I knew the author, at Cambridge one night in May 1832 or 3, and its images passing across my head, as across the magic mirror, while half asleep on the mail coach to London in the creeping dawn that followed." Every great artist holds a magic mirror wherein we see living pictures, and Tennyson is no exception to the rule. Among Tennyson's poems that particularly answer to this description are The Palace of Art, The Dream of Fair Women and the Lotos-Eaters. I was curious to see, from Fitzgerald's description, if The Lady of Shalott was one of this class of poems. After reading it, I have no hesitation in placing it very high in the list, for this reason among others, that the pictures are painted in the fewest words possible. They are so condensed, and yet so life-like. My only object in writing these lines is to lead the reader if I can to the poem itself in its entirety. A work of art, to do it justice, must be viewed as a whole. The biographer of Tennyson calls it "a tale of magic symbolism;" in which certain facts relating to human nature are set forth symbolically or allegorically. The Lady of Shalott is a noble maiden living in seclusion in her castle in the island of Shalott. The island lies in the river that flows on to Camelot the seat of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. Their wonderful feats of arms, the jousts and tournaments in which they distinguished themselves, the beauty and splendour of the ladies of Arthur's court,—all these have rungthroughout Britain, and have no doubt reached the ears of the Lady of Shalott. We may well suppose that her interest is strongly excited about all the things she has heard, and particularly of the valour and princely courtesy of Sir Lancelot, the most beloved and,trusted of Arthur and the chiefest of his knights. But
She has heard a whisper say, A curse is on her if she stay To look down to Camelot. She knows not what the curse may be, And so she weaveth steadily, And little other care hath she, The Lady of Shalott.
She therefore does not venture to look out through her casement along the road that runs to Camelot. But what does she weave? ‘She weaves a wonderful web in which as she goes on are figured by her skill the various sights that she sees in a mirror that hangs before her in her chamber. Whatever goes on in the fields on either side or on the road that runs along by the side of the river is reflected in the mirror. She casts her eyes on the mirror as she weaves, and sees the shadows of the things that take place outside.
There the river eddy whirls, And there the surly village—churls. And the red cloaks of market—girls, Pass onward from Shalott.
Sometimes a troop of damsels glad, An abbot on an ambling pad, Sometimes a curly shepherd-lad, Or long haired page in crimson clad, Goes by to towered Camelot; And sometimes through the mirror blue The knights come riding two and two: She hath no loyal knight and true, The Lady of Shalott.
The penultimate line "She hath no loyal knight and true" furnishes the key to the present character and mood of the Lady of Shalom. The knights of Arthur were sworn to vows
Of utter hardihood, utter gentleness, And, loving, utter faithfulness in love.
And each true knight, if he loved, chose one and only one as the object of his worship, and if he was great in arms and faithful in love, the lady of his choice was proud of the deed of prowess ofthe knight whose motive in all his deeds was to glorify her. She became the cynosure of all eyes and the theme of every bard, not more by her beauty, graciousness and stateliness, than by the valiant deeds of her knight. However noble and generous-souled, she is yet by the fact of her accepting the devotion of her knight, worldly and, in a sense, selfish. Such, however, is not the character of the Lady of Shalott. She sees in her mirror—which if taken symbolically, might mean her fancy or imagination—some of the movements of the outside world, and is enchanted with them, but only as an artist. She looks at them merely with the artist's eye. She lives and moves and has her being in a world of dreams, but yet for all that she is an artist and delights in her art.
But in her web she still delights To weave the mirror's magic sights, For often thro' the silent nights A funeral, with plumes and lights And music, went to Camelot: Or when the moon was overhead, Came two young lovers lately wed ‘I am half sick of shadows,' said The Lady of Shalott.
Canon Ainger in his Tennyson for the Young quotes the following interpretation given him by Tennyson: "The new-born love for something, for someone in the wide world from which she has been so long secluded, takes her out of the region of shadows into that of realities."
She sees in her mirror reflected "two young lovers lately wed," and then evidently for the first time she feels something wanting in her life, a vacancy in her heart which needs to be filled up. She has lived so far
In maiden meditation, fancy (Love. as frequently in Shakespeare) free, and has pursued her art in her own way, wholeheartedly, but without that sympathy which can only arise from experience, and can alone give life and colour and reality to the creations of her art.
An artist has to be of the world, and at the same time outside the world. Of the world as he has to gather the experience essential to true art by living in the world and partaking of its joys and sorrows; outside the world since he must need love art passionately, not caring for wealth or pleasure or worldly greatness. The Lady of Shalott has till now lived apart from the world, rightly or wrongly allowing herself to be dominated by the dread of a curse—'She has heard a whisper say' it—that
A curse is on her if she stay To look down to Camelot.
But she lacks experience and knowledge, and without them her art is worth nothing.
When does a man or woman begin to know life as it really is? When there is felt "the new- born love for something." Before this takes place, artists, both men and women, look at the world from outside, merely as uninterested spectators. After it, they look from within the pale, as actors themselves, participating or hating participated in what they see. To be true artists, they must, in the words of Ulysses, be able to say
I am a part of all that I have met.
For the Lady of Shalott, too, the time comes to get in touch with realities, when in her mirror she sees reflected one day the form of the famous knight Sir Lancelot riding by.
His broad clear brow in sunlight glowed; On burnished hooves his war-horse trode; From underneath his helmet flowed His coal-black curls as on he rode, As he rode down to Camelot. From the bank and from the river He flashed into the crystal mirror, 'Tirra lirra,' by the river Sang Sir Lancelot.
All her indifference and aloofness fly to the winds, her heart is irresistibly stirred at last, the longing to look at the famous knight must be obeyed.
She left the web, she left the loom She made three paces through the room,
She saw the helmet and the plume, and this is what happened:
Out flew the web and floated wide; The mirror cracked from side to side; The curse is come upon me,' cried The Lady of Shalott.
Shadows have fled, and reality breaks in upon her. "The work of her life is destroyed by the coming of the curse?*The curse is the awakening of love, and the consequent blight of her young life. For, unfortunately for her, the object of her love is far above her in station, rank, name and fame. What chance has she of ever winning his notice, much less his love? The thing is hopeless from the very inception of her passion. One may as well "love a bright particular star." She knows it and feels it to the very inmost core of her heart. Well, then, if to meet him and to be noticed by him is impossible in life, she will at least draw a tear from his eye, were it for a moment, in death. She cannot, she knows, outlive even for a day this overwhelming sense of despair. So at the closing of the day she goes to the margin of the river, gets her boat ready, round about the prow of which she has written the words 'The Lady of Shalott, looks despairingly towards Camelot, and
Lying, robed in snowy white That looselyflew to left and right— The leaves upon her falling light— Thro' the noises of the night She floated down to Camelot.
Lying down in her boat she chants her last song in mournful tunes, now high, now low,
Till her blood was frozen slowly And her eyes were darkened wholly Turned to tower’d Camelot.
So the boat floated along 'by tower and balcony, garden-wall and gallery.'
A gleaming shape she floated by, Dead-pale between the houses high, Silent into Camelot.
Then one after another people came to see, and saw her name "The Lady of Shalott."
Who is this? and what is here? And in the lighted palace near Died the sound of royal cheer; And they crossed themselves for fear, All the knights at Camelot.
*London Times, quoted in the Ceylon Observer of the 19th June 1905
But Lancelot mused a little space; He said, 'She has a lovely face; God in his mercy lend her grace, The Lady of Shalott'
She has had her wish at last. The great Lancelot has lookedat her with saddened and doubtless tear-dimmed eyes, commends her beauty, and prays to the Father of all for mercy to her departed spirit.
J.M.Hensman
St. John's College Old Boys' Association First Annual Meeting
MONDAYT the 24th of April will be hereafter a memorable day to many of the "Old Boys" and many too of the present generation, when they shall have become "Old Boys" in their turn, will come to regard it as a "red-letter day" in the past records of the College. It will be remembered as the day when the alumni of St. John's College, Jaffna, held their FIRST ANNUAL MEETING which was a great success. The Rev. J. I. Pickford, the Acting Principal of the College presided. There was a large and respectable gathering of friends and Old Boys of the College. Songs and recitations formed part of the interesting programme. The Secretary read the following report:
FIRST ANNUAL REPORT 1904-5
In attempting to survey the work of St. John's College Old Boys' Association for the year, the Committee feel thankful that they have to speak of steady progress. It was formed with the object of increasing the sense of fellowship in Old Boys both with one another and with the College, to promote good work among them, and to afford guidance and encouragement to the younger generation. The formation of such a society has supplied A LONG-FELT WANT and has formed a link between the past and the present members of the College. If other Schools and Colleges in this island can boast of having turned out men who have proved worthy of their alma matersurely St. John's College can boast of as many, if not more, and those men banding themselves together for good purposes cannot but exercise a wide influence for good.
The Association at present (April 24th) consists of its Patron, President and three Vice- Presidents elected at the last General Meeting, four Life members and 117 members who have enrolled them-selves during the year. The Colombo Branch was started on the 4th of June 1905 and was duly recognised by this Committee. The success of this branch, so far, is due chiefly to the exertions of the office-bearers, but in stating this we do not forget others who have helped them to this result.
Your Committee met for the transaction of business on four different occasions besides today and at the first meeting inter alia appointed Mr. Isaac Tambyah, Editor of St. John's College Magazine. At a subsequent meeting, Corresponding Secretaries were elected for Pt. Pedro, Mannar, Mullaitive and the state of Perak in addition to those elected at the General Meeting. The work in connection with the Association could not have been carried on as it has been but for THE HEARTY CO-OPERATION of a large number of men specially of the Corresponding Secretaries. The Committee desire to place on record their high appreciation of their services and to express their thanks to all who have helped throughout the year.
ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE MAGAZINE is the organ of the Old Boys' Association. The purpose of the magazine is to keep the alumni in touch with their alma mater. The cordial sympathy with which this journalistic venture has been received by the Press, the Old Boys and other friends is a source of great encouragement. The Committee beg to offer their sincere thanks to the Public and the Press for their generous sympathy and support. To Mr. Isaac Tambyah who has helped in editing the Magazine, sometimes even at great inconvenience to himself, they feel they owe a great debt of gratitude. St. John's College Calendar for the year 1905 which was published in January with the help of the Head Master, the Rev. C. C. Handy, is as comprehensive as it is useful and gives every information there is to be got concerning the College.
In conclusion, the Committee feel that they can look back on a year of success and with the support of Old Boys and friends of the College they hope the Association still to go forward and the Magazine to live long. The Committee now retire from office in favour of those to be elected today.
ELECTION OF OFFICE-BEARERS
The following office bearers were elected:
Patron. The Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Colombo, President. The Principal of St. John's College. The Head Master of St. John's College Mr. V. Casipillai Mr. Daniel- Joseph, J. P. Vice Presidents Mr. J. M. Hensman, B.A. Dr. A. Rajasingham, M.B & C.M Mr. Isaac Tambyah. Mr. L. C. Williams, B.A. Hon. Secretary & Treasurer. Mr. Edgar A. Niles.
COMMITTEE. (The officers and)
Mr. C. Arumugam. Mr. S. Olegasekaram. Dr. R. Benjamin. Mr. T. P. Olegasagrampillai. Mr. A. Cadiravaloe. Mr. G. Philipiah. Mr. A. Charavanamuttu Mr. S. Ratnathicam Mr. C. T. Hensman, B.A. Dr. V. Saravanamuttu, MD. Mr. D. M. Kanakaratnampillai, B.A. Mr. S.Somasundaram B.A. Mr. N. S. Lawrence. Dr. C. N. Vethavanam,L.M.S. Mr. M. Luther. Mr. T. N. Velupillai. Rev. A. Matthias. Mr. W. Wadsworth, B.A. Mr. J. T. Muttiah, Mudr. Rev. C. T. Williams
CORRESPONDING SECRETARIES
Colombo Mr. W. Wadsworth Mr. J. A. Muthuvaloe Kandy Mr. E. T. Hoole. Planting Districts Mr. V. Sinnathamby. Matale Mr. Daniel Joseph. Mannar Mr. S. Vaitilingam Mullaitive Mr. A. Ariacutty Mudr Pt. Pedro Mr. P. Aseervatham Batticaloa Mr. R. A. Hoole Madras Presidency Mr. L. C. Williams Kwala Lumpur Mr. P. B. T. Richards Singapore Dr. J. M. Handy Perak Mr. M. V. Chelliah
SUMMARY OF SPEECHES
Mr. Proctor Casipillai said that it was a pleasure to him to be connected with the Old Boys' Association of St. John's College. He spoke with affection and regard of Messrs. Robert Williams and Jeremiah Everts and the tutorial staff of Chundicully Seminary during his time as a student. He remembered with pride the work done in the past and referred to the distinguished Old Boys turned out by the College.
Mr. J. M. Hensman, B. A. retired Principal of Cumbakonam College said that he had forty years’ experience in India and that Ceylon was at least 25,years behind that country in intellectual life. While education in India was progressive, Ceylon made little advance in teaching, especially that of science. He illustrated by examples the defective method of teaching adopted in Ceylon schools. He was surprised to see that most schools and Colleges in Ceylon had no libraries worthy of the name, journals of education, apparatus, gymnasiums &c. to aid in the culture of the mind and body.
Mr. L. C. Williams, B.A. Inspector of Schools in South India and son of the revered Head Master of Chundikully Seminary, the late Mr. Robert Williams, spoke with great feeling, and after giving some of his reminiscences as a student of the Seminary dwelt on the noble calling of a teacher, his qualifications and his influence. He referred to his father as a strict disciplinarian. He thought that the Jaffna boy was superior to his Indian brother in intellect, physique, originality and resourcefulness. He compared Calcutta University with Madras and spoke in terms of praise of the latter.
Mr. N. Selvadurai, B.A. Principal of the Hindu College, who represented the sister Colleges in Ceylon, spoke of St. John's as an elder sister. He referred to the excellent work done by the indefatigable Principal the Rev, Jacob Thompson and with a touch of humour dwelt on the necessity of rectifying the defects in themethod of teaching and inspection adopted in Ceylon schools. He thought that St. John's College implicitly believed the Director of Public Instruction in adopting the Cambridge Locals and recommended affiliation with the Madras University for the chief reason that it was the only one where encouragement was given to the teaching of Tamil. He wound up his speech by saying that there should be only two first grade Colleges in Jaffna, a union Christian College and a Hindu College and that the rest must be only High Schools.
The Chairman referred to his connection with the Jaffna Mission for the last 25 years, during which time he was Principal for short periods more than once. After offering a few remarks in which he stated the probable object of the Director in encouraging the Cambridge Locals, he thanked the speakers and the meeting was brought to a close with the singing of the national Anthem.
St. John's College Old Boys' Association, Colombo Branch. First Annual Celebration
SATURDAY the 17th of June 1905 was a galaday in Colombo with the members of the Colombo branch of St. John's College Old Boys' Association. It was their first annual celebration and the C.M.S. School-room, Galle Face, was chosen as the place of meeting. Members began to arrive from 3 p. m. and till 4.30 a very enjoyable social hour was spent. Light refreshments were served round on a lavish scale. The leading feature of the social hour was the fine music so excellently rendered by a party of Indian musicians for which the Association is indebted to one of the enthusiastic Old Boys.
The general meeting began at 4.30 and there were present, the Rev. R. W. Ryde, M.A. who presided, Mr. Advocate W. Wadsworth, Mudlr. C. Kailasapillai, Messrs J. B. Ariyanayagam, M. A., Arulanandan, B.A., C. Arulpragasam, Chas. Arulpragasam, C. C. P. Arulpragasam, R. Arulpragasam, S. Candiah, L. S. A. Evarts, J. Hannibalsz, B.A., J. R. Henderson,, E. S. Henderson, G. R. Hensman, J.Joseph, G. C. Joshua, Advocate S. Kanagasabai, C. S. Kandiah, M. Moses, Chas. Muthuvaloe, R. Papiah, S. Parinbanayagam, T. Rajaratnam, S. Rodrigo and V. Sathasivampillai, Dr. V. M. Saravanamuttu, M. D. Messrs T. Sellaturai, G. V. Sinnatambi, Chas. Stickney.C. Sunderam, V. J. Tambypillai, M.C.B.R.A.S, Vaithianadan, A. B. Vannitamby, F. C. Vannitamby, J. M. Valoopillai, S. Vallipuram, M.C. Wannigasekera, J.Breckenridge and J. A. Muthuvaloe.
The chairman opened the proceedings with prayer. The Secretary read the notice convening the meeting. Minutes of the last General Meeting and the annual Report and the Treasurer's statement of receipts and expenditure followed.
FIRST ANNUAL REPORT.1904-1905.
Your committee have great pleasure in presenting the first annual Report.
At the request of several Old Boys, St. John's College Old Boys' association was formed at Jaffna on the 18th of April 1904, with a strong committee of Old Boys resident in Jaffna, Colombo, Kandy, Madras, Straits Settlements and other places.
There are several Old Boys of the College in South Ceylon, and a happy idea presented itself to the minds of some of the Old Boys in Colombo to have a Branch Association in Colombo, in order to strengthen the sense of fellowship in Old Boys one with another and withthe College. Several Old Boys who had been spoken to, expressed their entire satisfaction with the movement and taking advantage of the presence of the Rev. C. C. Handy B.A., the respected Head Master of the college, a. meeting of the Old Boys was called for by Messrs W.Wadsworth and J. A. Muthuvaloe on 4th June 1904 and in the presence of a fairly large and representative gathering it was unanimously resolved to form a Branch Association in Colombo. The rules of the parent Association with slight modification wore adopted.
There are at present about 100 members in the Colombo branch. The list is not complete as the Honorary Secretary has not been able to get the names of all. The committee desire that all Old Boys who have not yet notified their names for enrolment will now do so to the, Honorary Secretary. Several have paid up their subscriptions but some have unwittingly gone into arrears and the Committee express the hope that they have only to be reminded of the fact for the debt to be quickly wiped off.
The College Magazine has been a source of great help in furthering the objects of this Association. At the instance of the Committee70 members have had the College Magazine issued to them regularly. The Committee desire to express their pleasure at the awakening of the sense of fellowship which hitherto was dormant in the numerous Old Boys resident in this city and at the strengthening of the tie binding them to their Alma Mater.
They venture to express that this revival will be of an enduring character both for their own benefit and for the future advancement of the College which has made them what they are. The following office bearers and committee were then elected.
President. Rev. R. W. Ryde, M.A. Vice-Presidents. Mr. W. Wadsworth, B.A. and Mudlr. C. Kailasapillai Secretary. Mr. J. A. Muthuvaloe. Treasurer. Mr. C. Arulpragasam.
COMMITTEE. The Officers with
Mr. L. S. A. Everts Mr. S. Sunderam Mr. G. R. Hensman Mr. A. B. Vannitamby Mr. W Sangarapillai. Mr. M. C. Wannigasekaram and Dr. V. M. Saravanamuttu, M.D.
Letters of excuse from absent members and a congratulatory telegram from the Parent Association were read. The Rev. A.E. Dibben, M.A. was unanimously elected as anHonorary member of the Association.
Mr. V. J. Tambypillai was elected Honorary Auditor for the ensuing year.
A sum of Rs. 35/- was voted for the Parent Association.
A motion to reduce the annual subscription from Rs. L.50 to Re.1 was withdrawn.
Herecame a brief, but interesting address from the Chair, wherein Mr. Ryde expressed his satisfaction in having had the opportunity of presiding and of being associated with St. John's College.
The last item of the agenda was a motion by Mr. Wadsworth: "That it is desirable that students of St. John's College, Jaffna be prepared for the examinations of the English Universities and not for those of Madras."
The motion was hotly debated for two hours and decided at length in favour of the English Universities. With a vote of thanks to the Chair the meeting terminatedat a little past 7 PM.
Examinations and how to Passthem.
THESE are days in which, unfortunately, examinations play an unduly important part in the education of the youth of this country. A young man may be ever so great a genius. He may be a man of sound knowledge and real culture. But, if he has not passed some examination or other of a university or a recognised examining body, his attainments are not properly valued. The great use of examinations in testing a student's knowledge and measuring his acquirements, in serving as common standards wherewith to compare the intellectuality and knowledge of various candidates and the quality and quantity of work done by them in a time fixed and in studies prescribed by educationists of learning and experience is not for a moment lost sight of; but the calamity is that the means destined to help students to effectually attain the end has taken the place of the end itself, and the one great, ruling passion of the student in this country, and, we believe, in other similar countries, is to pass the examinations by hook or by crook regardless of the methods employed or the consequences involved.
What, then, must be the true aim of the student? The true aim of the student must be to acquire sound knowledge, to become well informed on subjects which should form the basis of all future learning, to get his mind enlarged and well-disciplined and fitted to perform the great life work before it. And examinations must be deemed useful only in so far as they help the student to fulfil, his noble aim, and must be taken and passed as a matter of course in his educational advancement. How sad a thing, then, it is to see students working like mere drudges, utterly unmindful of the aim which must ever be set before them! What infinite harm do teachers who merely help their students to pass examinations inflict on those whom they profess to teach! Schools and Colleges where the great purpose is to push students through examinations without paying special attention to the true and healthy development of their heads and hearts are utterly unworthy of their name. They are not educational institutions, but mere passmills where a certain number of passes is ground every year simply for the glory of the thing. One potent reason for the inability of many intelligent students to shine in the various walks of life they choose is to be found in the bad training they receive at school and college. Books and examinations, from the manner in which they are used exert a pernicious influenceon the students, and make their intellects deformed for life. Examinations, like many other useful means, are good servants but bad masters. In order to be properly benefited by them, they must, be properly used. They must be made to subserve the grand object ofeducation without being allowed to dominate it.
Success in an examination depends in the case of all students on two things, mind and method. By mind is meant the natural intelligence of students, and by method, the manner in which they prepare for examinations. It will be readily allowed that to get through the ordeal of an examination a student must possess a mind of at least very ordinary intelligence, that is to say, addle-brained students and idiots can never pass an examination which may be called such in the right sense of the term. Just as it is impossible even by using the most approved methods and implements of agriculture to gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles, so also is it beyond the boundset possibility to make a born fool pass an examination. That there is such an unfortunate class of students as idiots,- luckily their number is very limited- and that however great the pains taken by them or for them may be, the relentless examiners will be under the dire necessity of plucking them, are facts well known to experienced teachers and examiners.
Let us now dwell on the method of preparing for examinations. The very first requisite for an efficient preparation is that the candidate should take a serious view of the examination for which he intends to qualify himself. If the examination is regarded as quite an easy one to pass, if it be considered as little more than a chance bit at which it is better "to have a try" rather than let the golden opportunity slip, if the success in it of students of very mean ability in past years makes the student under-rate the requirements of it, if too much confidence in the natural intelligence of the candidate prevents him from studying carefully, the preparation cannot be satisfactory, all efforts on the part of the teacher are likely to be checkmated, and the result will be a disgraceful failure. No examination, however low the percentage of marks required for a passin it may be, can be treated lightly. The best efforts should be put forth to achieve success in it, and the result cannot but surpass the expectation. A great deal depends on the quality of the success aimed at. He who aims at the star may hit at least the top of the tallest tree; he who is determined to strike the top of the tree may hit at leastthe housetop; but he who is satisfied with aiming at the housetop has a fair chance of hitting the ground. A student whose aim is no higher than a pass in the third division runs the risk of failing in the examination. Let every student be governed by a desire to do his very best and excel all the other students, and he may rest assured that his efforts will be crowned with a success of the best kind. Nothing is difficult for the enthusing.
Year after year hundreds of students in India and Ceylon fail in the university examinations. After making ample allowance for the whims and caprices of the examiners, the occasional hardness of some of the question papers, and other unfavourable circumstances which sometimes arise unexpectedly, it may be said that this annual massacre of the innocents is due in the main to the fact that the candidates do not work systematically and faithfully for success. It cannot be properly called an annual massacre of the innocents. It is in fact and reality anannual suicide of the ignorant and unprepared. An indifferent preparation which shows energy only by fits and starts and an indiscreet cramming of the lessons prescribed are responsible for the failures to a great extent. But the case would be quite different, if the candidates follow their course of studies with uniform and unabated interest from start to finish, and study their lessons with greater and more sensible exercise of the understanding faculty and with less taxing of the memory. We have no words to condemn the despicable ambition of unfit candidates to figure in examinations as if they were a grand system of lottery where good luck might secure success, or as if failing in an examination has some measure of credit in it. Such a thing as an unfit candidate coming out successful in an examination is a very rare thing, and to play with examinations hoping to pass them without sufficient and satisfactory preparation is to fool the examining body and bring discredit on the school or college which has the misfortune to count the erring candidate among its students. As to there being any credit in failing in an examination, even the greatest dolt in creation can do it most easily, and to call oneself "a failed P.A.," or "a failed B.A.," is to confess that the possessor of the undesirable distinction is either a dunce or, if endowed with superior intellectual faculties a careless, lazy student who has not turned to good account his talents and opportunities. No student who has any self-respect will like to appear at an examination for which he is not well qualified. Principals of Colleges and Head Masters and Inspectors of schools in whomis vested the power of testifying to the fitness of candidates for appearing at examinations sometimes abuse the power given to them by showing a grandmotherly sympathy and allowing unprepared candidates to take examinations. It is a great pity that, by a strange irony, the very men who are appointed to safeguard interests of education and prevent it from being vitiated, shouldindirectly contribute to its deterioration. Every student who, weighed - in the balance of test examinations, has been found wanting, should be carefully kept out. Doing so will be rendering a, real service to the cause of education.
In the matter of preparing for an examination three things are most important for every student to bear in mind. The first is a steady, systematic, and sensible application to the studies as an everyday duty according to a well-kept time-table, paying equal attention to all the subjects. Dividing the subjects into essentials and non-essentials and studying the essentials neglecting the non-essentials, is a most silly way of simplifying matters. Examinations are not at all intended for idle, easy-going students who, hating work, take a happy-go-lucky view of student life. Nothing short of absolutely genuine and thoughtful work done with the same care throughout the prescribed time will ensure any high degree of success. Our students must be made to understand that what they really need is a mastery of the text books prescribed for use, which when carefully studied with the assistance and guidance of really capable and painstaking teachers and the elucidation derived from notes written by men of acknowledged educational standing and experience will secure brilliant success. More evil than good will result from gratifying the voracious and depraved appetite which many of our students show for all sorts of "keys," "made easies" and other wonder- making contrivances of the kind, which are daringly substituted for the text books. We lay special stress on the point that before even the best written helps are used the text books should be thoroughly mastered.
The second important thing is the great and imperative necessity there is for well regulated reviews of the old lessons- reviews daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and annual. A student should not be satisfied with one or two reviews. He must go on reviewing and reviewing and reviewing, each review impressing on his mind with increasing clearness and force the truths he has studied, until at last they have become so much ingrained in the intellect as to form an integral part of it.
The third thing the student should keep in mind is the need of frequent and ample practice in answering examination papers. A student who possesses a clear and comprehensive knowledge of a subject may yet come to grief when he is necessitated to put down on paper the knowledge he has really acquired. Whatever, therefore, may be the amount of pains taken by the student as well as those who train him, however large may be the quantity of knowledge he has actually gained, there can be no doubt that his success in the examination will depend on the kind of papers he sends up to the examiners. The proof of the pudding is in the eating. The test of student's success in an examination is in his writing the answers. The examiners, from the difficult and tedious nature of the work entrusted to them, are often fastidious and irritable, and can never be pleased by such stupid entreaties as "This is my last chance, have mercy on me," "God will bless you if you be lenient," "I was ill for a long time, and could not study well. Therefore, I beg you will excuse the imperfections in my answers," "I am a very poor man. My only hope is in passing this examination," and others of the kind, which can only have an effect diametrically opposite to that expected by their foolish authors. The quite-out-of-place entreaties made by some examinees are well matched by the concluding couplet of the amusing "An Undergraduate's Dirge" by "Abe-nobarbus," which appeared in an old number of St. Thomas' College Magazine:—
"O mercy, ye men that examine us, Please, pass us, there's plenty of cram in us."
The only way to please the examiners is by writing sensible and clear answers in good English and to the point. All vagaries, all indefiniteness, all imperfections should be carefully avoided, and the answer papers should be a true reflection of the student's mind and method. In order to produce such answer papers frequent practice in answering is absolutely necessary.
A word must be said on the health of students preparing for examinations. Students there undoubtedly are who, as if under an intellectual stupor, idle away their time till near the examination. They then awake to a sense of their scholastic duties and begin to work. And such dreadful work they often do that they not infrequently even do for their lives. Nothing can be more dangerous. They take no physical exercise; they indulge in no recreation of any kind.They can hardly find time even to take their meals. They cram, cram, cram to such an extent that sometimes they are incapacitated from appearing at the examinations. And more than that, there are instances in which such students actually fell victims to hard study. Regular physical exercise is as essential for passing an examination as regular study, and should be counted as one of the most important elements which enter into the question of successfully preparing for an examination; for a healthy mind needs body, and a healthy body is the exclusive property of those who take regular physical exercise. Students, therefore, should not neglect physical exercise when they prepare for examinations. Examinations if viewed in the proper light and prepared for in the manner we have briefly dwelt upon will no longer be the menacing means of massacre they often turn out to be, but will prove a most pleasing and profitable adjunct in the system of modern, progressive education.
S.H.T.TAYLOR.
Sir Henry Blake on Education in Ceylon. GOOD ADVICE GIVEN.
His Excellency the Governor of Ceylon gave some good advice to the boys of the Battticaloa Wesleyan Central School which is well worth perusal.
"I have once before stated that in my opinion the mere fact of a few passes in the Cambridge Local Examinations is not a real criterion of the utility of any school. What we have to look to is the average success of the school. As far as I see from this report, the average results have been very good indeed. The question is what is the
REAL PURPOSE OF ALL THIS TEACHING?
A boy goes to school for a certain number of years, he receives certain lesson which he has to learn and at the end of the time he is supposed to leave the school equipped for the battle of life. How is he equipped? Is he merely crammed with a certain amount of facts and formula that may render him a very agreeable companion but will not ensure success in the struggle for existence which all men will have in the world. Many of the boys must remember that if they are to be in the future successful men they must know one thing well. If I want to choose a man for any purpose I may find a great number of agreeable men who may appreciate what is told them by one who knows better than themselves; but I want the man who is able to give that better advice. Therefore I would say to you, boysbe thorough in something. The object of your education, apart from the mere instructionis to instil into your minds those great principles without which there can be no real human progress or happiness or satisfaction individually or collectively. As your muscles are strengthened by games at cricket or football so you are trained here, that you may leave this school with your mind disciplined and imbued with the great fundamental quail of love of truth and honour and chivalry. You will all,every one of you boys, fill into one of the 3 or 4 divisions of
DREAMERS, OR THINKERS, OR DOERS OR TALKERS after you have left the school and I leave it to you to decide which is the best. Dreaming is delightful sometimes, but it will not put you much further. Talking is to some people eminently satisfactory, but I do not know that it does much. Thinking and doing must be in you that you may come to the front. I see that you go up for the Cambridge Locals. The question is whether it would be well to consider if some boys would be able to go up for examinations of the
MADRAS UNIVERSITY, which I have heard will be more useful to Ceylon boys since they lay greater stress upon the teaching of science. Having regard to the situation in this Island, I am inclined to think that a thorough education in science, with that education in the capacity of close observation that scientific study produces, may be more in consonance with the exigencies of this Island than a literary examination embracing Latin and Greek. I do not say that Latin and Greek are not useful and will not be useful to the men who are going into the learned professions: but I do say that there are many boys to whom a grounding in science may be more useful in the future. You have mentioned a very valuable institution - the Old Boys' Association which was formed last year. I think itis
AN ADMIRABLE THING for any school to be able to meet together in days to come and for the boys at present undergoing instruction, to be at those annual reunions of the Old Boys to see those who have been successful and to be able to look at them and say good "Old Boys." Ceylon Observer
How to Discover One's Age.
Let your friend whose age is to be discovered do the figuring. Suppose he is a young man whose age is twenty two and who was born in the month of April,
Let him put down the number of the month in which he was born and proceed as follow.
Number of month 4 Multiply by 2 8 Add 5 13 Multiply by 50 650 Then add his age 672 Then subtract 365 leaving 307 Then add 115 422
He then announces the result 422 whereupon he may be informed that his age is twenty two and April or the fourth month is the month of his birth.
The two figures to the right will always indicate the age and the remaining figure or figures, the month the birthday comes in.
ALES JOVIS
News and Notes
RETURN OF THE REV.JACOB THOMPSON
The students past and present of St. John’s College, Jaffna, will be interested to learn that the Rev. Jacob Thompson has arranged with the C. M. S. Committee to return to his work for a further period of 2 ½ years. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson hope to leave England, by the Orient R.M.S "Ophir" on September 8th and to arrive in Colombo on October 2nd. The children have almost persuaded their parents to bring them to Jaffna and we shall probably have two new boys at St. John's College when Mr. Thompson arrives.
Rev. W. J. HANAN
The Rev. W. J, Hanan, Superintending Missionary stationed at Nellore who was acting as Principal of St.John's College for about four months leaves Colombo for England by the "City of Calcutta" on August 7th for a year's furlough. The Rev. J. I. Pickford will take charge of Mr. Hanan's work and continue to act as Principal of St.John's till Mr. Thompson's arrival.
DR. E. A. COPLESTON.
His Lordship Dr. E. A. Copleston, Bishop of Colombo and Mrs.Copleston returned to the Island on June 5th after an absence of about eight months and we extend them a hearty welcome. His Lordship had a very pleasant holiday. He did a certain amount of preaching and took part in an ordination held by the Bishop of Rochester.
BUILDING FOR THE PRINCIPAL
We are glad to be able to report that the Parent Committee have sanctioned the building of a new house for our Principal. But in consequence of a large deficit in the Society's funds the Committee havewritten out to say that the building of the bungalow must be put, off for the present.
EMPIRE DAY
The College did right loyally and with much éclat observe the day which, in accordance with a circular issued by the D. P. I. was a holiday with us. There was a gramophone entertainment in the Hall for which we are indebted to Mr. D. M. Kanagaratnampillai, first grade Pleader in South India.
ANNUAL SPORTS.
The Annual Athletic Sports took place on Empire Day and passed off successfully. There were altogether 16 items on the programme, 6 for the Seniors, 6 for the Middlemen, and 4 for the Juniors. The prize for the champion athlete was carried by G. M. Sebastian. The Principal, Rev. J. I. Pickford distributed the prizes which were given by the friends of the College to whom we offer our sincere thanks.
CRICKET.MR. GEDDES’ XI vs. COMBINED COLLEGE
This interesting match came off on Saturday, the 29th April in the Jaffna esplanade. Our College was represented by G. M. Sebastian, who captained the team, D. de Niese, R. Nagalingam and Wilfred Jansen. Mr. Geddes' team scored only 99 and 43 runs in the 1stand 2nd innings respectively, while the Colleges made 107 in the 1st and 44 for 3 wickets in the 2nd and won by 9 runs and 8 wickets.
In the 1st. innings those of Mr. Geddes' team that came out with double figures were Rev. W. M. P. Wilkes, Mr. G. N. H. Tampoe and C. Candiah contributing 36, 28 and 17 respectively, while G.M.Sebastian and R.C.Thambiah contributed largely towards the success of the combined colleges by scoring 58 and 24. In the 2nd only L. R. Alexander and G. M. Sebastian entered double figures scoring 22 and 13 respectively and both were not out.
THE COLLEGE Y.M.C.A
The devotional meetings in connection with our Y. M. C. A. are held on Fridays at 3.30 p.m. and not at 1 p.m. as before. The meetings are very well attended. Addresses were given by the Rev. J. I. Pickford and Mr. N.Gunaratnam. The Rev. C. C. Handy and Mr. H. Swartz were taking part in the meetings which were held for small children in the Infant School-room.
EXAMINATIONS
The Government grand-in-aid examination of the school will be held aboutthe latter part of September. The annual prize examination is being held as we go to press.
DRAWING MASTER Mr.George de Niese who obtained third Grade Drawing Certificate last year has been appointed to teach Drawing in the College.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We acknowledge with thanks copies of the Central, Jaffna College Miscellany and St. Thomas’ College magazine.
English vs. Indian Universities. (Subject of discussion at the first annual meeting of the Colombo Branch.)
MR. WADSWORTH brought forward the motion standing in his name, viz: "That it is desirable that students of St. John's College, Jaffna, be prepared for the examinations of the English Universities and not for those of Madras.'’
He said. "I bring this motion forward, Sir, not only in the interests of the College to which we are proud to belong, but also in the interests of all the Colleges in Jaffna and the rest of Ceylon. Lately a Commission sat in India and decided that Colleges in Ceylon should not be affiliated to the Calcutta University, but to that of Madras, The Viceroy in Council has ordered this. I think therefore, the time is opportune to bring before the public the state in which we are and see what can be done and should be done, Our College as we know was founded in 1841, and till 1891, there was no regular course of studies for a University Examination. Students were prepared at times for the Madras Matriculation and at times for the Cambridge Local examinations. For the first time in the annals of Jaffna, students were presented from St John's for the Calcutta Entrance Examination in 1891. In 1893 the College was affiliated to the University as a Second grade College. I, for my part, can speak with confidence, having had ten years' experience both as a student and teacher at St. John's College, and after eight years' experience in Colombo (having bad some close connection with educational affairs here.) There was a time when passing the Madras Matriculation or the CambridgeLocal was considered a great achievement. Those days have passed away. Education has advanced by far.
The first reason why I choose the English University Examinations is, that it is necessary 'that there should be uniformity of studies in the different Colleges in Ceylon. Jaffna is part and parcel of Ceylon. The chief reason why Calcutta examinations were taken away from Ceylon was because Ceylon didnot geographically or rather territorially belong to Calcutta and therefore it was thought good to join Ceylon to Madras: But Jaffnacan never form part of India unless there is some earthquake, somewhere. (Laughter.) Territorially, geographically, politically and in every other way Jaffna belongs to the rest of Ceylon. Colombo Colleges have all taken the English University course, and why should far off Jaffna seek to remain benighted (?) for ever. There, would soon be railway connection between Jaffna and Colombo and St. John's would be nearer to Colombo than ever before.
Another reason why I wish that Jaffna should take the English University studies is because the Government of Ceylon recognises two systems of Examinations and in fact as I see from the revised Code, takes those as the standard of higher education in Ceylon. I mean the London University Examinations and the Cambridge Local Examinations. Now our College should conform to this standard. A third reason I urge is that all prizes, awards and Scholarships are given on the results of the English University Examinations, and not one awarded on the results of the Madras University Examinations. Why should not St. John's College avail itself of the opportunities and inducements instead of lagging behind? We know what Jaffna boys could do if they were given facilities. The first Ceylon boy who became an Indian Civil Servant is a Jaffnese (applause). Train Jaffna boys from their early days up to the English University course of studies and you can rest assured the results will show that you took a step in the right direction. (Hear, Hear.)
Mr. A. B. Vannitamby had great pleasure in seconding the motion. Dr. V. Saravanamuttu who was received with great applause said:—
"Gentlemen: I quite agree with every word that fell from Mr. Wadsworth. It is absolutely necessary that Jaffna should be brought into touch with the English University Examinations. The English University Examinations are the examinations for Jaffna.
It will givethe Jaffna boys a chance of obtaining the Government University Scholarship. Now they think that it is too much for them and that it is beyond their reach, and therefore they do not work for it. When they realize the facilities which will be given to them by the opening of the railway to Jaffna and when they are brought more in touch with Colombo, then they will see that it is possible for them to compete with the Colombo boys and carry away the awards and Scholarships now offered by Government. I have great pleasure in supporting the motion.’’(Applause).
Mr. C. Arulpragasam also supported the motion.
Mr. M. C. WANNIASEKERA opposed the motion. He said: I can well understand the autocrat of the Department of Public Instruction or a newly imported European, regarding everything Indian with feelings of contempt, making a motion like this. But I am surprised to find one of the sons of Jaffna - one of the alumni of an Indian University rising up in this gathering with all solemnity and making these astounding remarks about the Madras University. Asa general rule it may be stated that English University examinations are unsuited to the Jaffna students. I dare say there are exceptions, but such exceptions may, if they choose, either geta genuine English University training by going to England or get a counterfeit by attending the Colombo Colleges. But, as I said, to the generality of students, the English University examinations are unsuited, for this reason---the English University examination presupposes a fair knowledge of the English language just as much as the Indian University presupposes a fair knowledge of the vernaculars. One has only to look into the London Matriculation examination papers to satisfy himself of the truth of what I say. The London Matriculation papers teem with questions relating to the historical developments of rare English Words, the study of which is only expected in an Indian University from those taking the B. A. degree in honours, or from those taking up the Master of Arts examination. Our first and primary object must be to secure a familiarity with the English language, for which ample opportunities are presented by the Indian University by numerous text books, whereas the London matriculation examination without prescribing any English text books, lays special stress on the historical aspect of the English language. Another feature of the London University Examination which makes it unfit to the Jaffna students in particular and Ceylon students in general isthat it gives undue prominence to the classical dead languages. The beauties of these languages have won for them the admiration of the world. But even in Europe the different nations have begun todiscard them. They have found in the field of Latin literature that there are no more nuggets of gold to be unearthedand they have turned their attention to the hidden treasures lying embedded in the rich mines of the dead and living Oriental languages hitherto unexplored. America has practically thrown overboard the dead languages except in thecase of those wishing to specialize in those subjects. Better Oriental scholars, versed in Sanskrit and other Asiatic languages are to be found in America and Germany than in India itself. What have these English University men done in this country? What has even the talented President of the Cambridge Union, who occupied the chair which Macaulay once occupied - what has he done? Echo answers what? (Laughter) Almost all men who have done anything for this country, who have distinguished themselves and whose names are green in our memories, are men locally-trained and trained before the English examinations were introduced here—men like Sir Richard Morgan, Sir Muttu Coomaraswamy, Sir Harry Dias and, Lorenz and others. We, the Tamils of Jaffna, have something in common with the Tamils in Madras. What Dr. Miller said of the Tamils in Madras is quite applicable to the Jaffnese and that is that examinations on the lines of the English Universities are not suited to Indian students. (Applause.)
MR. S. KANAGASABAI spoke in supportof Mr. WADSWORTH’S motion.
MR. M. A. ARULANANDAN opposed, in a vigorous and well-thought out speech. He said:-
‘Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen. The desire for a real University education is spreading throughout the Island. This desire must need be fostered, to develop and grow. Is our alma mater doing anything to foster this desire among the Jaffnese? The Junior and Senior Locals are not regular entrances to any University. This is the greatest drawback, in an otherwise admirable examination. If a real University education is desirable and if the Junior and Senior Locals do not answer the purpose, the question is which University shall we follow. We have to choose between London and Madras. Both these are grand institutions, and have a reputation for efficiency. Both have a galaxy of able men to direct their destinies, But the question before us is which is suited to the local needs of the Jaffnese.Some of us are inclined to look upon education as cosmopolitan and that local conditions don't come into the question at all. This may perhaps be true, when we reach the higher planes of educational life. But local conditions play a great part when we are at the very door of knowledge and have not even so much as stepped in. Every one of you will readily admit that we are an offshoot of that great Dravidian race which inhabits South India. Historically and ethnologically we are one people.
Some of the greatest educationalists of the world have come to India from Europe and America, lived and moved with the people, and after studying all the local needs have bodied forth the University of Madras. Therefore, it must certainly suit us. We must try to benefit the greatest number of students, by whatever course we may adopt. There is nothing like going to the very fountain head of education to be perfect. How many of you gentlemen here present can afford to send your children to London to finish their course? We are essentially a poor people. But how easy it is to go to Madras and how cheap living is there. Besides, according to Dr. Miller, one of the greatest authorities on Indian Education, we can get the best education in the world in any branch of human studies in Madras. Mr. Wadsworth has been holding out to you the possibility of one solitary student going out to England-I can't say, once in how many years—after winning the University Scholarship from St. John's College, if we adopt the London course. Put against this, the possibility of sending five students each year to the B.A. course; five to the M.B. and C.M. course; and five to the B.L. course. The proper course is therefore obvious. Mr.Wadsworth makes much of this little Island of Ceylon. According to him, we must follow the rest of Ceylon in Educational matters, because we belong to Ceylon. Mr. Wadsworth is rather inclined to be insular in his views. Why should we not go and work among our cousins across the Palk Straits, among whom we are much more welcome than we are among the Sinhalese in Colombo? In Medicine, Law and the teaching profession, there are vast fields open for usefulness in India. Two of our distinguished old boys have set a noble example, which some of us younger men may try to follow. I refer to the eminent success of Messrs. Louis Williams and James Hensman in the educational world of India. The names of Chellappapilly, the late C. J. of Travancore, of Adv. Muttukistna, Nevins B.A., B.L., are even to the present day breathed with respect by the people of South India.
It has always been my misfortune to quarrel with the educational methods of the Ceylon Government. Men without, any special training in educational matters, men who have been good revenue officers and have dealt with hard cash; when to such men, the subtle work of moulding the brains of men is entrusted, is it any wonder gentlemen, that we are in the awful predicament of the blind leading the blind. Gentlemen, I have done; and whichever way you approach the question, there can be but one conclusion. If you love your own native Language and Literature, if you want a wide field for , the energies of your countrymen, and lastly if you wish the majority of Jaffnese to be benefited, you must perforce follow the University' of Madras.’(Applause.)
MR. JOHN JOSEPH was the next speaker.
MR. L. S. EVARTS asked the meeting to remember that the question before them was not, which was intrinsically the best University in the world, but which was the University for the pupils of St. John's College, with whom Tamil was the mother tongue and was the spoken language, both at home, and out of it. Their circumstances resembled those of the Tamils and others of South Indiatowards whom they stood numerically in the proportion of 1 to 40.If, for the last half a century, the Madras curriculum prescribed by the ablest men of all South India as most suited to the natives of that place, has answered its purpose, he could not see why it should not suit the Tamils of the North. The greatest difficulty with the natives of Ceylon was the study of English and that was exactly what the English boy acquired without any exertion worthy the name. While in his London course from the Matric.to the B. A. a candidate took only one easy paper in English, the Madras candidate had to obtain 40 percent of marks in each of 12 papers. The Jaffna Tamil was likely to find the pass of the London examinations pretty easy, owing to the absence of a suitable English test. But in doing so, he passed a noose which he said would tighten round his neck when he had secured the coveted Degree. No knowledge of Latin and Greek and Hebrew, without a knowledge of English, can, be said be of any use to a Tamil Student who had not lived and moved in English society. The difficulty as regards, the Cambridge Course, was even worse, as the Cambridge syllabus, was one which
ENCOURAGED CAPRICIOUSNESS AND DESULTORINESS.
It would seem that the framers of this syllabus were not aware there were different faculties of the mind which had to be equally exercised with appropriate subjects and that the undue development of one tothe abnormal neglect of another would interfere with the maintenance of the mind in a state of health and vigour. He did not undervalue what was popularly known as classical education, but the question was which of several subjects demanded our attention most; That ocean of science was ever widening and ever deepening its spacious bounds, and should a man expend on the acquisition of foreign languages, the little time and energy that were his portion, there would be none left for more useful things. In this present century the world was full of other and easier methods for acquiring all the advantages which one could obtain by a classical education. What generally made one dislike the Madras University were the queer accents and pronunciation of Madras Graduates. Many an Indian Graduate, competent to write perfect English, stumbled inthe talking of it. This fault was not due to the University, but the society in which he had moved. Jaffna Tamils had got on far better in South India than they had, either in Ceylon, or elsewhere. For once you hold a Madras degree, I assure you there is not a coveted spot in all that paradise beyond your reach, provided you have mental and physical powers of energy and endurance to reach up to the goal. After such a view, take a prospective one and realise how much the affairs of this very Island may not be transformed when that narrow passage of water, known as the Paumban Channel is spanned by a railway bridge and this Island becomes one with India with one common harbour, and one common administrator in additionto one common University.
MR. WADSWORTH replied, and the motion was put to the meeting and carried by a large majority.
ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE OLD BOYS' ASSOCIATION.
THE proceedings of the annual general meeting of St. John's College Old Boys' Association were of an interesting nature. We are not disposed on the present occasion to consider the propriety of the resolution passed with references to the Indian University, nor are we prepared to discuss the merits of the Cambridge University, although as much, perhaps more, may he said on the latter as the former. Our object today is to offer a few words of advice and encouragement to the gentlemen who are guiding the destinies of this Association. St. John’s College, Jaffna, we may say without the slightest hesitation, has done a great deal for the people of the North; the positions held by some of the old boys may be taken as an index to the work of the institution. The formation of an Old Boys' Association, whether in Jaffna, or in Colombo where so many of the old bays are at present, must be attended with good results. Such an Association tends to bringold friends together and revive past memories and on the whole, become a factor for good among its members. The association is yetonly a year old, and it is not reasonable to expect a bright record of good work but there is a great future before it, and it is not too much to expect that a great deal of good may be accomplished through its medium, first for the membersthemselves, and secondly for the institution which they are so proud tohail from. We wish the College and its Old Boys' Association all success and prosperity. Ceylon Standard
THE MERITS OF INDIAN UNIVERSITIES EX.AMINED
Elsewhere we publish the proceedings of a meeting of St.John’s College Old Boys' Association (Colombo Branch) held on the 17th June. Mr. L.S. Evarts’ reasons for preferring the Indian University examinations to those of English Universities are most cogent. The question is not, as Mr. Evarts well put it, which is intrinsically the best University in the world, but which is the best University for the people of Ceylon. We think there can be no doubt whatever that the Madras University is the most suited for the people of Ceylon, at any rate, for the Tamils. The meeting, however, decided the matter in favour of Mr. Wadsworth. Thu members seem to have gone prepared to support the introduction of the English University examinations as St. John's College had already adopted them. As to Mr. Wadsworth's objection that the scholarships awarded in Ceylon are not within the reach of boys preparing for the Indian examinations we have to say that it is quite possible for an intelligent boy in Jaffna preparing for the Madras examinations to compete for the scholarships with success. Even those colleges in Jaffna which have been presenting boys for the English University examinations, have, so far, failed to carry off the scholarships from which we infer that it is the quality of education that is to answer for the failure rather than the system of studies adopted. —Hindu Organ
Our Old Boys
[The Editor will be thankful for news for this column.]
We congratulate Mr. Ratnam Bartlett on success in the Calcutta Entrance Examination and Messrs N.Ramalingam and A Tisseveerasingham in the F. A. Mr. Ramalingarn has proceeded to Madras to read for his degree and Mr. Tisseveerasingham to qualify himself for the medical profession.
Mr. Dunstan de Niese is a volunteer Draughtsman in the Surveyor-General's office, Colombo.
At an ordinary meeting of the Council of the Royal College of Surgeons, England, held on June 1st, Mr. H. B. Mvlvaganam, L.R.C.P., London, was admitted a Fellow of the College.
Mr. T. Sangarapillai has passed his Notaries' Final.
Mr. Tambyayah Mylvaganam took the oaths as Proctor and has begun to practise in Jaffna.
Messrs J. A Gnanapragasam and John Lee have obtained government scholarships which entitle them to read medicine for five years in the Singapore Medical College.
Dr. A.Rajasingham, M. B. and C. M., DeputyAssistant, Colonial Surgeon, Balangoda, left for Europe on June 11th on a year’s leave. He intends to qualify himself for the M. D. degree and to visit the hospitals in Great Britain and the Continent.
Mr- J.S.Ariyanayakam who passed the Calcutta Entrance Examination in 1893 and was teaching in our branch school at Copay has joined the teaching staff of St. John's College.
Mr C. Appacutty who was for some years in the Nellore Boarding school has succeeded Mr. Ariyanayakam in the Copay English School.
Mr W. C. Underwood, Head Overseer, P. W. D. Dambatanne Road, has proceeded on a transfer to the new road at Brookside, Kandapola.
Mr. V. Sanmugalingam, Licensed Surveyor and Leveller, and a graduate of the Ceylon Technical College has established himself as a Surveyor at N'Eliya.
Mr. V. Ponniah. Signaller at the Pt. Pedro Telegraph office has been tranferred to Colombo.
Mr. N. Muttiah, Deputy Post Master is acting for Mudr. Samarasinghe, Postmaster, Jaffna, who has gone to Colombo on six weeks' leave.
The Report of the Director of Public Instruction, Madras, contains a well-deserved tribute of praise to Mr J M Hensman B A. who retired after a successful career of many years from the Indian educational service.
Mr L C Williams. B.A. has been appointed Inspector of Schools in the Southern Circle.
Mr K.A.Kapuruhamy has been appointed Sinhalese Interpreter and Land Clerk, Mullaitive Kachcherri.
Mr M. Modr Cuttytamby has received an appointment as Native Writer, Mullaitive Kachcherri.
Mr Charles Champion has joined the teaching staff of the Jaffna Central College.
Mr R A Rama Pillai M.R.A.S., has been elected a member of the Royal Botanic Society of London.
Mr V Appacutty, Clerk, Sanitary Board, Tapah, Perak, has passed the Junior Clerical Examination held in Perak.
Mr J W P Senathirajah, Crown Proctor, Puttalam, was acting as Additional Police Magistrate of that station from June 16th during the absence of Mudr. Arthur de Silva.
Mr E S Hensman. B A, Chief Superintendent of the Accountant General's Office, Madras, has been offered a seat in the Madras Corresponding Committee of the C. M. S.
Marriages. Mr A M Richards, Veterinary Surgeon, Trichinopoly was married to Miss G. Charles on April 25th; Mr C K Arumugam, Shroff of Pt. Pedro Customs to a grand-daughter of the Jaffna Maniagar on June 8th; Mr .J R Vathanayakam to Miss Ponnama Sittampalam on June 7th; Mr Pounusamv Scott to Miss Jane Champion on June 19th; Mr J P Daniel to Miss E. G. Velupillai on June 21st; Mr. Charles Champion to Miss Ratnam Chellappa on June 29th: Mudr R C Kailasapillai to Miss Siva Bhagya Bhagavathe Thambiah onJuly 8th; Mr. Henry Joseph to Miss Alice Gnanapragasam on July 13th; Mr S Dudley to Miss Jane Anketell on the same; Mr E Kandiah of Kwala Lumpur to Miss Sivasithamparam of Colombagam; and Mr.C.Sunderam of H.M. Customs, Colombo, to a grandniece of the late Arumuga Navalar. We wish them all long life and happiness.
Mr C S Kandiah Cashier Telegraph Department, Colombo, has been appointed Shroff Mudalyar of the Matale Kacheherri.
Mr. M C Wannigasekera, resigned his post at the General Treasury and is now a Broker working under Messrs Schrager Bros, Colombo.
We note with pleasure the promotion given to Mr. A Nagamuttu as Irrigation Engineer, Batticaloa.
The following changes take place among our "Old Boys" in connection with the opening of the Northern Line:—
Mr V Arumugam— Relief Clerk for the Northern Line. Mr K Subramaniam Booking Clerk, Jaffna. Mr V Sathasivampillai District Superintendent's Clerk.
As we go to Press we hear the results of the Proctors' Examination held this year:— Intermediate: Mr J T Bartlett, Mr V A Harichandra.
Acknowledgements
The Honorary Treasurer of St. John’s College Old Boys' Association begs to acknowledge with thanks the following subscriptions;
1904-5: The Colombo Branch, Rs 22-50; Messrs. C. Kandiah, S. Gnanapragasam, D. M. Kanakaratnampillai, M.Sangarapillai, T. Elankainayakam, K.A.Kapuruhami, G. V. Sinnathamby, N.Tilliampalam, V.M. Saravanamuttu, T. Ponnambalam, S. Sinnappa, N. Muttukumaru, E. Chelliah, L.C.Williams, J. A.Arudpragasam, M. Canagasaby, A. Aseervatham, S. E. Sinniah, M.A.Vasagan, M.A.Arulanandan, J. A. Parinpanayakam, E. S. Hensman, Daniel Joseph, William Black, Vraaspillai Adigar and Edgar Niles, each Re 1: Mr. A. B. Vannitamby Rs 1. 50.
1905-6: per Mr. M.V.Cheiliah Rs. 5. 40; Mssrs. S. Ratnathicam, S.S. Somasundaram, and William Black:, each Re 1.
1905-9: Mr. Daniel Joseph Re 4.
The following subscriptions for the Magazines are acknowledged with thanks:— Miss. R. Mosscrop, Miss. Beeching, and Miss Case, each 50 cts; Mr. C.E. Christian David Re 1; Messrs. V. Sanmugarn, S. Veerasamy, V. Ponnambalam, V. Casipillai, and S. Arulambalam, each 50 cts.
St. John's College O.B.A. Balance Sheet for 1904-5.
Printing Magazines& Life Membership 50 00 c 202 00 Subscriptions 182 90 Books& stationery 5 99 Sale of 'Magazines 82 38 Postage 22 58 Advertisements 40 00 Manager (Magazine) 40 00 Audited Commission of 5% 11 65 and found correct Annual Meeting 10 36 (Signed) College Calendar 22 20 V. Casipillai Travelling - 62 S. Somasudaram Bill Collector 3 30 Balance in hand 36 58 355 28 355 28
St. John's College Magazine
Issued Quarterly October 1905 Vol. ii. No. 2.
The Ethics of Holidays. (BY TIIE EDITOR)
‘Hackneyed in business, wearied at the oar, - Which thousands, once fast chained to, quit no more, The statesman, lawyer, merchant, man of trade, Pant for the refuge of some rural shade— For regions where, in spite of sin and woe, Traces of Eden are still seen below; When mountain, river, forest, field and grove, Remind him of his Maker's power and love. To them the deep recess of dusky groves, Or forest where the deer securely roves, The fall of water, and the song of birds, And hills that echo to the distant herds, Are luxuries excelling all the glare The world can boast, and her chief favourites share.’
"So sang William Cowper, a most delightful poet for a thoughtful holiday. And John Milton supports him with his stately prose:—
"In those vernal seasons of the year, when the year is calm and pleasant it were an injury and a sullenness against Nature not to go out and see her riches, and partake of her rejoicing with heaven and earth."
At the same time, while a season of retreat and relaxation is indispensable for the worker, and especially for the brain worker, a wholesome and a happy holiday cannot be spent without its own proper occupation. As William Cowper again sings:—
" ‘Tis easy to resign a toilsome place, But not to manage leisure with a grace. Absence of occupation is not rest; A mind quite vacant is a mind distressed."
And Pascal throwing all his power and passion into this subject, says:—"Nothing is so insupportable to man as to be completely idle.’’ Holidays are seasons when we can drop our ordinary tasks for a time. These are given that in them we may gather new strength for duty. These quiet resting times are necessary. Our bodies would break down and our minds would become insane, if we had to go on forever with life's grind and toil. We take rest that we may live better, more energetically, more powerfully and mote intensely. We take holidays not merely to have a good time, but to renew our stock of vitality. God has provided for many holidays along our days, when we shall lay down our tasks and unlade our burdens and cease our work.
We sleep after a hard day's work that we may be fresh and strong the next morning. We lie down in sleep and in a strange mysterious way our exhausted life fountains are replenished. One who spends the night in revels or even in proper pleasures coming to the morning weary and unfit for duty, has failed to gather in his resting time, what God meant him to gather.
The Sabbath is another of these quiet resting times which God has provided for us. He wants us to drop all our week day toil and care and spend the day in such a way that when Monday morning comes we shall be strong for its work. We spend our Sabbaths in such rest from toil and such spiritual exercises as shall make us ready for another week of service. Apart from the Divine religious sanctions and blessings of the Day, a greater truth was never spoken than that one day's rest in seven is essential to the preservation of health and vigour. It is a grand hygienic law that the experience and advancement of thousands of years has been unable to refute or gainsay, that the wearied limbs, the tired fingers and the overtaxed brains,inseparable from the great strain in which we live, should have rest. Life's main object is not rest but work. We do not live to rest but rest to live. To a well occupied life the delightful sensation, which the peaceful calm and hallowed silence of the Rest Day Morn brings can scarcely be expressed. The most successful workers, the clearest thinkers and the wisest toilers are those who rest on Sunday and who rise on Monday morning free from the headache and weariness which the previous day gives to so many pleasure seekers.
Our holiday seasons are as indispensable as is the repose of the night after the hard worked day and as is the rest of the Lord's Day after the hard worked week. Holidays are designed for those who deserve them. One of the best preparations for a happy holiday is to carry into it a good conscience for good work well done. Experienced holiday makers work their very hardest and do their very best just before their holiday time. We must honestly earn our happy holiday before we begin to spend it honestly.
Some people spend their holidays in excessive pleasure seeking—in such exercises as wear them out and exhaust their life forces. They then come back to their duties less ready for them than when they went away.
We need conscience in spending our holiday time. Mere rest is a sinful wasting of time for every moment of which we must give account. "He that gathereth in summer is a wise son." Nothing is so intolerable as pure idleness and emptiness of mind during holidays.
Good books are as necessary for the healthy mind on a holiday as good food is necessary for the healthy body. And what an intense delight are good books, new and old, on our holiday! New books that we have not had time to read during work time, and old books that we want to read over again and again, the best poem, the best biography, the best book of travels or science or philosophy or of learned or experienced religion; and old books—Shakespeare and Bacon and Hooker and Milton, and Bunyan and Buller. What memorable mornings and evenings can be spent in the society of such old and long tried friends as these!
Besides those that the book-sellers supply, there are other books for a holiday time. "Exempt from public haunts, we find tongues in the trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones and good in everything." How our eyes open on the world around us! How we learn to look with new wonder at the most familiar things around our holiday home with such books as those of Geikie and Huxley. And with Ball and Herschell and Proctor, how we stand and worship under a bright clear moon light night.
Perhaps the very happiest of all holiday-makers is the man who has some favourite hobby, for his hobby has this happy power about it, that it makes him forget for the time the whole world of things outside of itself. Be it gardening or agriculture, or cycling or inspecting places of interest - if only it is the man’s hobby, how happy he is, and how his hobby absorbs him!
A holiday is also a providential opportunity for restoring and reviving old friendships. "Keep your friendships in repair" was a great saying of old Dr. Johnson.
When our holidays are over and we have returned home, besides a rested and a recruited body, we may be quite sure, we bring home better mind than we took away. All through our holidays, let us not avoid and forget God. This is very important.
A Message to St. John's College Jaffna, Past and Present.
A request renewed to-day by my old friends, Mr. Handy and Mr. Niles, to send a message to St. John's College must not lightly be disregarded. The message must be just a few stray thoughts that come rushing hurriedly into one's mind when memory finds the clock of life as it were put back five years.
In July 1900 the College grievously stricken was arising once more, just recovering from the blow and determined with fresh vigour to pace the future boldly. Now the eagle that dreads not the scorching sunlight sits ensconced over the porch of the restored school hall. New or enlarged classrooms are in all directions, the boarding house no longer dim and shadowy, but bright and airy, waits to welcome the larger band that will forget the temporary check to its growth and avail themselves of its advantages.
The numbers are nearer the mark of 400 than 200 as five years ago; the senior local class of 1900 first of its family can boast of younger brothers year by year: for all these signs of growth we can thank God and take courage.
How could one write anything but a message of hope and faith when the railway newly opened to your town allured me to travel beyond the venerable city of Anuradhapura! For there on August 26th in the faith of Jesus Christ, which is the victory that over cometh the world, was laid the foundation stone of St. Andrew's Church to be a witness to the present power of the living Son of God in that city sacred to a dead philosophy.
To look back over the past five years will make it plain that God has been mindful of the College, and will give us assurance of His blessing in the future.
May all who have been students of the College, all who are now students within its walls, gain the prize that awaits us at the end of life, remembering as we are taught in Hebrews XII 1 and 2.
(i) To keep our eye upon the goal (ii) To lay aside every weight (iii) To run with patience, For (i) it is He, the Lord, who waits to welcome as, (ii) it is He, the Saviour, who removes the weight of sin and all else that hinders, and (iii) it is He, the Son of Man and Son of God who endured to the end and sitting on His Father's throne, waits to share His throne with those who overcome.
Nellore R. W. R August 30th1905. How to Teach English Composition
It is much to be regretted that the word 'composition' is limited in popular parlance to written composition. This notion has tended to obscure the close connection between oral composition and written composition. Children who speak well invariably write well, though it does not always follow that children who write well speak well. The reason is not far to seek. Writing affords greater opportunities than speech for thought and meditation and for the choice of such words and phrases as will best convey the writer's meaning to his readers.
Children should be taught to speak accurately before they are expected to write accurately. To speak accurately the child requires (a) clearness of thought (b) a good stock of words and phrases (c ) familiarity with the structure and idiom of the language.
What we know well we can, as a rule, convey to others clearly but when there is confusion at home we cannot but come out in confusion. Confusion in language is almost invariably the consequence of our efforts to express imperfect knowledge or ill-digested thoughts. Where there is accuracy of knowledge and clearness of thought, there is both accuracy and clearness of speech.
Children should never be allowed to speak in fragmentary sentences. Questions addressed to them should always be answered in complete and well-constructed sentences; and the teacher should never be satisfied until they have in their own language fully and completely expressed what they wished to say. Fear of betraying supposed ignorance, or timidity, or bashfulness, or the thought that their answers will raise a laughter in the class and be made the subject of criticism, very frequently induces the children to utter fragmentary answers that seem to indicate they know the answer to the question, and the teacher is tempted to pass on or perhaps to shape the answer for them into coherent language. This is a habit to be discouraged. If not nipped in the bud, it will acquire strength with the lapse of time and the children will be content with ill-digested and ill-expressed knowledge. Both for the sake of the subject taught and for the cultivation of the power of expression, it is worth the while of the teacher to get the children to answer the questions addressed to them in clear, complete, and coherent language.
In the eyes of the children, the teacher is the embodiment of learning. To them he is a perfect model for everything. This belief exercises such a paramount influence upon them that it is not surprising to observe how children unconsciously imitate the accent, tone, voice, handwriting &c., of the teacher. If the teacher is careless about accuracy of expression, if verbosity and tediousness characterize his composition, it will be no wonder if his disciples reproduce these characteristics. Accuracy and clearness of language are to a large extent the results of following good models, and it is incumbent on every teacher to place before his students models worthy of imitation, to express himself in clear, complete and coherent language bearing in mind that everything he says, whatever be the subject he is teaching, will affect the composition, oral as well as written, of his class. Hence he cannot be too careful in clearly mastering his subject, in orderly arranging his thoughts, in thoroughly explaining one topic before he proceeds to another, in choosing his words and phrases and in finishing off his sentences.
Faults in composition arc as often the fruit of negligence as of bad taste. There are certain faults of style to which we are naturally prone. Our language is both highly coloured and exaggerated and our English composition invariably catches a taint from it. Besides, our literature is for the most part poetic and abounds in figurative and highly coloured expressions. There is an absence of the sober, direct, forcible and compact style which is the characteristic of Standard English.
To remedy this evil the young student should improve his taste by the study of good English authors. He must cultivate simplicity first and then aim at compactness. All temptation to express his thoughts in an ornate style should be jealously guarded against, remembering that simple words and phrases do not show want of learning.
The study of the Christian Scriptures will greatly help the student towards the attainment of this end. Says Professor G. G. Ramsay, "Apart altogether from its sacred character, the Bible is the grandest book that the world has ever produced for feeding the intelligence, the conscience, the taste, the imagination of the young…..It is a. model of style, or rather of many styles; it speaks in a language at once pure, rich and strong, at once popular and classical, and presents for the formation of our vocabulary an inexhaustible well of English undefiled." Says Henry Rogers, "Its literary excellencies in general have insensibly extorted the homage and tinged the style of the greatest masters of eloquence and poetry." And even from Professor Huxley we have the following:-"it is written in the noblest and purest English, and abounds in exquisite beauties of a merely literary form." As to the diction of the Bible, Morell in his "English Composition" says, "The finest and truest and sweetest English rhythms are to be found in our translation of the Bible."
The teacher should avail himself of every opportunity of increasing the vocabulary of the children. The moment the child can grasp an idea he should be given the word to express it, and this word should be demanded whenever the occasion wants it. Every new word he introduces should be explained and its different uses illustrated.
The best means of increasing the vocabulary is by cultivating among children the habit of reading. Children acquire words and phrases not so much by hearing them explained as by meeting them in their reading. The committing of poetry to memory, apart fromits many other uses, will greatly add to one's stock of words. It will greatly familiarise the mind with the secondary meanings of words on which the wealth and beauty of a language mainly depend. The student of English Poetry cannot but admire the beauty of thought and the rhythmical flow of the language. The ear gradually grows accustomed to the rhythm and proportion of well-constructed periods and the mind to the various artifices employed by the poets to secure clearness and variety of construction.
It is to be greatly deplored that outside the narrow compass of a few text books our students do little or no reading. Though want of time is given by way of excuse, the defect lies in the teacher of the language who fails to inspire a thirst for reading among his students. At a very early stage of their education, children should be encouraged to express their thoughts in written composition. When they have overcome the mechanical difficulties of writing and can spell with tolerable accuracy, they should he asked to write out an abstract of a reading lesson or of some story related to them. Care should be taken not to set young children to write on abstract subjects as they have to encounter two classes of difficulties simultaneously; they have to find ideas and language to express them. Locke sternly condemns the practice of setting children to write on subjects beyondthe range of their powers. He says: "Here the poor lad who wants knowledge of those things he is to speak of, which from time and observation, must set his invention on the rack to say something when he knows nothing, which is a sort of Egyptian tyranny, to bid them make brick who have not yet any of the materials."
Home exercises will afford ample opportunities for giving exercises in composition. Children should be required to reproduce on paper the substance of a lesson given in the class room; or to answer questions from any sources they may have access to.
Letter writing is another valuable exercise in written composition and should be frequently practised. Any important incident in a child's life, such as a holiday, a cricket or football match, a concert, a prize giving, an excursion into the country must be made the subject of a letter. By varying the imaginary correspondent, the teacher will find opportunities for teaching the formalities which are usually observed in commencing, concluding and addressing letters
ALES JOVIS
Reminiscences of the Rev. Robert Pargiter: THE NONAGENARIAN CLERIC (SECOND PRINCIPAL OF ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE) I – BY A VETERAN CEYLONESE. Kegalla, Sept. 18th. DEAR SIR,
To the best of my recollections, I was sent by my parents, about the 11thof August, 1847, to St. John's Preparatory English School, at Chundicully, Jaffna.At that date, the Rev. James Talbot Johnstone was the Missionary in charge of the station. The Ceylon climate did not suit his wife; she was always laid up—consequently heleft the island for good. His successor was the Rev. Robert Scott Pargiter. He was a capital Principal and spent much of his time in teaching the form to which I belonged, the Evidences of Christianity and lectured on most of the Epistles of the New Testament. If my information is correct, Mr. Pargiter was sent by the Conference of the Wesleyan Missionary Society for work in Ceylon, but for some reason or other he left that connection, took Orders under Bishop Chapman and served the Church Missionary Society till he left the island. Mr. Pargiter, was twice married; he had a son and two daughters, I believe. The then Rajah of the North - by one stroke of his pen- got his son appointed a Writer in the Civil Service, and in the course of a few years he became the Assistant Agent at Negombo, but unfortunately died rather prematurely. One of his daughters was married to one Mr. Pate, of the Civil Service, who was the Office Assistant to the Government Agent at Batticaloa, I believe. He left the island for good. Mr. Pargiter's second wife was one Miss Palm. At the time I left school, in 1854, he had three sons. At the time the Rev. Mr. Pargiter took charge of the Seminary, at Chundicully, the mission received an annual grant of Rs. 1,500 from Government for educational purposes and the Rev. Brooke Bailey was the Inspector of Schools and annually visited Jaffna for examination. Sometime after, a rider was affixed to the grant—that religious education was to be restricted in schools. The mission refused the grant under that condition. Mr. Pargiter fought like a Trojan. Boarding Schools were enlarged, additional teachers were employed—all paid from the mission fund. Mr. John Philips was the head teacher. Mr. Robert Williams, under whom the Veteran Chaplain of Trinity Church,Colombo, Rev. C. A. Koch, took lessons in Latin (qualifying himself for admission to Bishop's College, Calcutta), was taken on to the staff of teachers. The Chundicully Seminary at thatdate had established so high a reputation as an educational establishment in the province, that a large number of boys found admittance as day scholars amongst whom were the following: -
Sir Samuel Greiner, Edmund Speldewinde, Charles Margenout, Sam Wittebron, Henry Wittebron, Moses Palavenderam, M. Sanmugam and Henry De Hoedt, and others whose names I cannot recollect. Most of these students had the benefit of receiving instructions from the veteran Pastor who I hope will be long spared to enjoy the evening of his life in rest and solitude in the land of his birth.
II - By THE REV. C. A. KOCH. Colombo, Sept. 19th.
Sir, - The name of Pargiter has appeared several times in last week's papers. I remember him very well, although but a septuagenarian. He came out as a Wesleyan Missionary, but for some cause or other he had to sever his connection with that Society and seek ordination in the Church of England. He was ordained Deacon and Priest in 1846 and 1847 respectively, and laboured as a C. M. S. Agent at St. John's, Jaffna, from 1846-1864. In 1865.76, and again from 1878-86 he held the office (in England) of Assoc: Secretary for the C. M. S.; and in 1885 he got the Vicarage of Towersey, Diocese of Oxford, which is a living worth £85 net, with a house.
He was twice married in Ceylon: first, to a Miss Jones, in 1844, and again to Miss Palm (sister or daughter of the Minister of Wolfendahl Church) in 1851. Both the marriages were solemnised at Holy Trinity Church, Colombo, Revs. Horsford and Pettitt being the officiating ministers respectively. Both the marriages were attested by Revs. J D Gogerly and J D Palm: the former was also married at Holy Trinity Church, Colombo.
Mr. Pargiter had a son and daughter in Ceylon: the former belonged to the C.C.S. and the daughter was married to another member of the service, Mr. Reginald Pole. The son died, I believe, atNegombo, and he married the eldest daughter of Mr Roosemalecocq, District Judge of Jaffna: the second daughter married Mr. Dawson, once G. A., Western Province.
At the time of Mr. Pargiter's ordination, the Rev. John TalbotJohnstone had charge of St. John's, Jaffna, whose immediate predecessor was the "Patriarch of the Church in Ceylon"— the Rev. Christian David. Mr. Johnstone's contemporaries, at Nellore were the Revs. William Adley and Francis William Taylor. I remember them very well from the 'thirties. The old St. John's Church, where Revs. Johnstone and Pargiter officiated, had to be taken down in order to make the main street run straight; and the present fabric, was raised by Mr. Folkard. I remember the old Church, and often officiatedin the present Church for Revs. Mac Arthur and Good.
I have alluded to the "Patriarch," Christian David. The account of the reproof which was administered to him by the venerable and Apostolic Schwartz is told thus: - Christian David's father was a convert of Schwartz, and he had himself waited, when a boy, on the Apostolic Missionary. They had been travelling all day; and, arriving at a small village at sunset, the good man sat down under a tree, and conversed with the natives who came round him whilst his horsekeeper was cooking their evening meal. When their rice and curry were spread on the plantain leaf, Schwartz stood up to ask a blessing on the food they were going to share, and to thank God for watching over them through the dangers of the day, and providing so richly for their repose and comfort. His heart was full of gratitude, and expressed itself in the natural eloquence of prayer and praise. The poor boy for some time suppressed his impatience; but his hunger at last overpowered his respect for his master, and he ventured to expostulate, and to remind him that the curry would be cold. He describes very touchingly the earnestness and solemnity of the reproof he received. "What," said he, "shall our Gracious God watch over us through the heat and burden of the day, and shall we devour the food which He provides for us at night, with hands which we have never raised in prayer, and lips which have never praised Him."
Pargiter has attained a good old age-90 years. He began as a Wesleyan and ends his ministration in the Church of England; while Wesley began in the Church and at the close of life entered a pulpit which did not belong to the Church. Ceylon Observer.
Early Training. (BY A SENIOR STUDENT)
THE first impressions," says an English proverb, "last longest.' This is a truism. The bull that was not properly trained when a calf will not answer the purpose for which nature intended it. It is the early training that adapts it to the cart or to theplough. Metals in their plastic state can be moulded into any form; when they grow hard, the blacksmith's hammer seldom succeeds in altering their shape. So it is with the human mind. In its infancy, it is plastic. As the man grows older, the mind grows harder till at last, with the lapse of years, it acquires the consistency of rock or iron. It will be difficult to alter, the habit of an old man. Solomon the wisest of men says "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it." Childhood is the season for training. "Youth," says Carlyle "is the seed time of life." It is the season when the mind is receptive and impressions gain a firm footing. It is the period when we should plant the seeds of good habits, which will yield the rich harvest of a useful and honourable life in future.
When the mind is plastic, the labour of training it is light. Habits of truthfulness, honesty and obedience are easily implanted in the young mind. Once acquired and rendered habitual by repetition, they serve through life and any deviation from the wonted course, becomes hard and difficult. Even happiness can be made habitual, if our will can be so trained to direct our attention always to the bright side of things.
It is an admitted fact that bad associations and surrounding affect the character of a person a great deal. In this respect, men resemble certain insects which always assume the colour of the leaves they feed on. Says a Latin proverb, "Noscitur a sociis." The influence of associates especially during the period of youth in the formation of character is not a negligible quantity. The power they exercise for good or ill, is enormous and many are known to have wrecked their prospects in life on the shoals and quicksands which bad associates placed in their way. While not a few attribute their success to the noble associations which they formed early in life. Our own poetess, Avai, has taught us in one of her aphorisms that the very sight of wicked persons is injurious. Sir Peter Lily made it a rulenever to look at a bad picture, if he could help it; believing that whenever he did so, his pencil caught a taint from it. Such being the influence of bad associations on character, it is incumbent on parents, guardians and teachers to exercise great vigilance on those entrusted to them during the period of youth.
No agent plays so important a part in the training of a child as its mother. Napoleon Bonaparte was of opinion that the future good or bad conduct of a child, depended entirely on the mother. In the course of his conversation with Madam Campan, the Corsican soldier inquired what was wanting for the better education of the children in France. "Mothers," answered Madam Campan. The soldier exclaimed, "Yes, there is a system in a word." "Mothers properly trained to educate their children." That the mother is the most important factor in the education of a child, can be easily understood, when it is known, that in the morning of life when instruction is silently going on, the child is entirely in the hands of the mother. Whom can the child imitate but the mother? "The mother," says Ritcher, "educates humanity."
Man is a triune being. In him are found the intellectual, the physical and moral sides and the training that isgiven to him, must be such as to promote the growth and development of all the three. The training that aims at the cultivation of one or the other at the expense of the rest, the one that bestows all attention to the one, and leaves the others uncared for is defective and incomplete.
Says Hamilton, "In the world there is nothing great but man and in man there is nothing great but mind." The mind is the noblest possession of man. It is undoubtedly the noblest production of the Divine Architect. It is his mental, powers and faculties that place him above the brutes and render him the lord of creation. It is the duty of every parent to educate his children and a father who fails to educate his children, does them an injury similar to blindness. Nor is mental training an easy task. It is one that requires great care, attention and skill on the part of the teacher. As is the case with other professions, the schoolmaster has to submit himself to a systematic course of professional training before he begins to practise his profession. He must make a special study of the human mind, its various faculties and powers, its sources of enjoyment, and the effects that are produced by particular situations. For how could it be expected that any individual, ignorant of thelaws and principles of our constitution, can profess to be a teacher? How could he apply himself with confidence to watch over and facilitate the development of those principles, if he be ignorant of them? How will he suit his instruction to particular tempers, talents and characters? Is it then too much to assert that a knowledge of mental science should be a sine qua non of the teacher's qualifications?
Considering the time and machinery that are employed to train the minds of the youths of our country, the amount of attention that is bestowed on the training of the body is very little. The provisions made for the training of the body in Jaffna schools are verymeagre and it is a pity that very little science is brought to bear upon physical education. The body is the physical basis of the mind. That there is a most intimate connection between the mind and the body cannot for a moment be seriously doubted. Modern science has enabled us to define the mode of this connection with something like precision. We are now able to link on the psychical processes with the functional activities of a special group of organs, viz; the nervous system and more particularly of certain central portions of them known as the brain. The dependence of mental development on cerebral changes, being now well known, the value of physical training not only for its own sake, but also for the successful training of the mind, can be easily understood. "Mens sana in corpore sano.'
The moral side of early training needs special attention; for without moral excellence, even the fullest development of physical and intellectual powers must be considered dangerously defective. Good habits should be early formed in the young. They should be carefully taught to distinguish between right and wrong, to practise self-sacrifice, devotion to duty, purity in thought, word and deed, and absolute and genuine love to God and man and for all that is noble, true and righteous. They should be made to bear constantly in mind that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." The loose morals and bad manners of many young persons in this country, may be attributed to the careless training they received in their early days.
If the intellectual, physical and moral training of the children of this country receive due attention, we can predict a bright and glorious future for Jaffna. Then will her sons
‘’Freedom's ladder scaling fast Find their own selves excelling all the past". M Subramaniam
Welcome to the Rev. Jacob and Mrs. Thompson.
On the night of Thursday, the 12th October, the students and masters of St. John's College, Jaffna, received at the station the Rev.J and Mrs. Thompson at about 11.30 and took them in procession with music and torchlight to the College Hall which was tastefully decorated for the occasion, chiefly through the exertions of the smior students, one of whom read the following address of welcome:
To the Rev. Jacob Thompson, M.A. Principal, St. John's College, Jaffna
REV. AND DEAR SIR,
We, the students of St. John's College beg to approach you on the occasion of your arrival in our midst from your homeland and to accord you a most hearty and joyous welcome. We sincerely believe that in the history of this institution, there could not have been a more happy and auspicious moment for teachers and students.
Our hearts are full of devout thankfulness to God for the great mercy He has shown to us in bringing you and Mrs. Thompson back, safe and sound to us, in renewed health and strength to continue the noble work which you were carrying on among us for our material and spiritual welfare and which has been bleed with such signal success. As a Principal, missionary and friend, you so completely won our confidence, esteem and love that it was impossible for us to forget you during your absence on furlough.
The great and beneficent changes you effected in the buildings, organisation and staff of the College, the powerful moral influence you exerted on our character. the uniform affection, courtesy and consideration which you showed to all and each of us as a missionary father and the warm sunshine of your ever-genial and kind heart have constantly made us yearn for your happy reunion with us after your well-merited furlough, and our hearts naturally over-flow with joy and thanks at the sweet realisation of our earnest wish.
We need hardly tell you, sir, that ever since your departure, after laying us under a debt of lifelong obligation to you for the great good you have done to us as a disinterested Christian Missionary benefactor, seldom has there passed a day in which we were not forcibly reminded of all that you have been to us and all that youhave done to us. We thank you for having thought of us and the institution so dear to your heart and made up your mind to come back to us and help us and cheer us by your gracious presence and kind guidance.
We assure you, sir, that in your noble work among us we will continue to co-operate with you most heartily and to be loyal and obedient to you.
In conclusion, we wish you and Mrs. Thompson many long years of blessed service in connection with this institution and pray that the Giver of all good may crown you with the richest and choicest blessings of this life.
We beg to remain, etc The Students of St. John's College Jaffna.
A Letter from the Rev. Jacob Thompson
MYDEAR FRIENDS,
I can scarcely believe that a week has passed since our arrival in Jaffna. During this week I have been the recipient of so much kindness and so continued has been the succession of notes of welcome that I have not had leisure to acknowledge them. I hope however that our College Magazine may once more form the means of communication between us and that you will accept this as though addressed to each one.
I thoroughly enjoyed the 12 months spent in England. They werevery busy months. When nine of them had passed, I had only spent two Sundays (New Year'sDay& Easterday) with my family and eleven had gone before I saw my brother in Leicester. I received several lettersfrom our Bishop and also from old Mr. Pargiter but though I wished to see them I had no opportunity. My time was spent chiefly in going to various towns in the North of England and lecturing on Ceylon with special reference to Missionary work. Each Saturday morning I would leave Liverpool by train for some other town where I would remain until the following Wednesday staying generally at the house of some clergyman or prominent philanthropist who had invited me. In this way I had a succession of interviews with men and women who go to form the cream of English Church life. Each host had his own idiosyncrasy but all were filled with enthusiasm for the spread of the knowledge of God through Jesus Christ.
While I was away I heard news from time to time of my friends in Jaffna but after all I don't think any paper was so welcomed by my wife and myself as the St. John's College Magazine. We were deeply interested in the doings of the O.B A. both at its headquarters and also in Colombo.
Some of you can sympathise with us in the satisfaction we felt on discovering that it was possible for us to bring two of our sons with us. It lessened the pain of leaving England considerably and added considerably to our life on board ship.
We had a grand passage out. The Atlantic swell was felt by some of our fellow passengers but not until we got into the Gulf of Lyons was it at all rough. At Marseilles we heard of the possibledelay of a fortnight at Port Said. You may imagine our relief when on arriving there we found that we could go straight on. If we had been an hour later we should have been kept at one of the most disagreeable ports for over a week.
At Colombo it was a great pleasure to meet several old boys, one of whom generously placed his carriage at our disposal for the day.
Then the journey up to the North--how different from the old days! On my last trip I was one of 6 passengers in the bullock cart which we called the Royal Mail Coach. I sat at the end of the cart and I remember strapping my arms to either side at night so that I might sleep comfortably!! “Nous avons change tout cela" as the Frenchmen say.
When we reached Chavakachcheri Station, a small deputation of old boys warned us of what was awaiting us at Jaffna.
I think it was half past eleven when we reached Jaffna and I shall never forget nor will my sons the reception we there met. So far as we could see it was a genuine expression of feeling and was indeed gratifying to us not so much as a temporary outburst but as a demonstration of that love which we believe has continued even during our absence.
I am glad to tell you that our College will be free from debt as soon as our old boys make good their promises of help. I am afraid some are waiting for me to write personally to them. This is only natural; but just at present when our year's work has begun immediately on our arrival it means time taken from that due to the College. To all those who have so generously helped us I beg to convey our very sincere thanks, and to remain,
20th Oct. 1905. Your very sincere friend - JacobThompson
Some Reminiscences of the Chundikully Seminary during the Sixties.
PEOPLE often delight to hear echoes from the past, and readers of St. John's College Magazine are, I hope, no exception to the rule. Every man, I believe, as he nears the sere and yellow leaf of life becomes a laudator temporis acti, and I am no exception to that rule. I write these lines therefore in the assurance that my pleasure and my readers' will for the timebeing coincide.
1 entered as a pupil in the Chundikully Seminary somewhere in the middle of the year 1859, when the main part of the old school house was still standing. The old church had been partly demolished before I joined, and during my early days in the Seminary the demolition went on apace. The school building was a continuation of the church, or I may say that the two were set against each other back to back along their lengths, with a common wall between. Their site now forms the road, not exactly opposite the present church, but a little further to the east. The road then ran from the Town straight to the church porch, from that point turning south and then east exactly as in the Nellore church today. Government, which in those days in .Jaffna meant of course Mr. Dyke, desired to rectify this awkward bend in the road, and as the church and school house stood in the way, resolved to remove the obstructive buildings and erect a new church instead. This was no doubt the apparent sequence of events. But I suspect that a real inwardness of the matter was that Mr. Dyke found the old church -built of course by the Dutch - ugly and heavy in look and in fact - for the walls were about five feet thick, the doors and windows were as deep and massive as castle-gates almost, and an infinite number of coats of white-wash were peeling off the walls, - and probably made up his mind to see in its place adaintier, airier structure, with everything in it light, tapering and graceful, so that the whole edifice might be an embodiment of lightness and gracefulness, the very opposite of the clumsy old building in all respects, and that he seized upon the curve in the road as a convenient excuse for carrying out his design. This of course is only a surmise of mine and may be altogether wide of the mark. Whatever it may be, we see the result to-day in that beautiful edifice called St. John's Church, Chundikully. It has always been a puzzle to me how it was that Percival Acland Dyke who was undoubtedly a cadet of one of the oldest houses in England, and who as such must have been nurtured in respect for whatever was old in history, became as it were an iconoclast and a desecrator of the sanctities of the dead. For there were inside the church a good many past Dutch administrators, their wives and children lying buried.Their crumbling bones were taken up, it is true, with all care, and re-interred in the present St. John's Church burial ground. But it was desecration for all that. There was, so I was told, the remains of a lady which was found in face and figure almost as fresh as life but it crumbled to dust in a few minutes after exposure. The dustwas gathered together by rude hands for transference to a new grave. Of none of these, in one sense at least, can it be said that
After life's fitful fever be sleeps well.
I do not know what the school house was originally intended by the Dutch builders for. There was, besides a number of rooms large and small, one large Hall with a gallery, next the chancel of the Church, with one common wall between. The gallery had seven or eight long parallel seats, one rising above the other, and all of them, the seats and corresponding desks were fixed in the masonry steps over which they stood. Declamations, lectures, prize-givings and examinations, all took place in that Hall,—the boys being crowded together in that galleryand enjoying themselves in boyish fashion by aiming paper and other pellets at obnoxious, teachers or fellow-students, with scrapings of feet, rapping of knuckles, and so on. Boys stepping down for declamations or for receiving prizes occasionally stumbled and fell, and caused sometimes merriment, sometimes a general uproar. In that dense crowd so closely packed together, it was impossible to detectthe originator of any disturbance, and so the resulting sense of security bred an endless series of pranks. Not a few boys copied during examinations with .ease as thehigher seat overlooked the next lower. I had of course only occasional glimpses of these things at the time, as I was then in the Lower School which was housed in a cadjan shed at some distance, and only echoes of the doings of the bigger boys would reach us of the Lower School in various ways. For instance, on moonlight nights, after dinner, the boarders would assemble on the huge mounds of sand (brought in for the new church then building), and often scenes from school would be re-enacted for the delectation of the noisy merry company there assembled. Of those who formed that merry band, most are gone to that
Undiscovered country, from whose bourne No traveller ever returns.
A few are here. The rest are scattered far and wide, and mirth and they have been strangers for many a year.
The late Mr. Robert Williams was then Headmaster. Mr. Cleveland, a simple, gentle old man, but a fairly good English scholar, was the Headmaster of the Lower School. When I first entered the school, I had the good fortune to fall into the hands of a teacherin the Lower School whose name was I believe Kanagasabhai. He taught English Grammar orally, speaking to us almost altogether is Tamil. He was not one of those duffers that compelled little boys to get rules, definitionand examples by heart, and with the book open in their hands, and their eyes fixed, now on the page, now on the boy, heard him drone out the rules and examples exactly as in the book. Mr. Kanagasabhai told us in familiar Tamil what the thing was. He knew it clearly himself. He was not much of an English scholar, and so very likely he took his examples from the textbook, but he would talk to us in Tamil and make us thoroughly and clearly to understand what the matter was. Myself and any class-fellows had only about four or five months of him, but there was no word in any sentence of which we generally understood the drift that most of us could not parse correctly and readily. But now after forty-five years, I find there are scores of teachers in Jaffna whose teaching of English Grammar is mainly made up of hearing little fellows repeat by rote rules and definitions in English! And these schools are getting Government grants in hundreds of rupees year after year!!
But this is by the way. I think it was in 1860 the last traces of the church and school house disappeared. Then for about a year the classes were held in a temporary cadjan shed, large enough to seat all the classes, but they were too close to each other. The noise was tremendous. I have very indistinct memories of that year in the shed. Possibly because I could not hear what the teacher said. Or perhaps the teacher himself gave up in despair! It is curious for me to see after so many years that nearly all the schools in Jaffna are huge pandals or barns, though they are substantial structures. Each school, in fact, provides one large space, in which the different classes are placed in close proximity to each other, with no partition walls to provide a room for each class, and, in the alternative, with no sufficiency of vacant spaces between the classes. And all these schools are driving a roaring trade with Government. But to go back to my school year 1860. There it still another alternative reason for the shadowiness of my recollections of that year: the teacher was probably the traditional duffer. I do not even recollect who the teacher was. I only remember, - and this is my only distinct recollection - that for many a weary month I wondered what a vulgar fraction like 13/16 or 27/28 was.These mystical symbols and others appeared in different companiesat different times. It was 13/16 of a £ sterling, or 13/16 of a lb. avoirdupois, or 13/16 of a lb. Troy, and a lot of other things besides. I wondered what the addition, subtraction and so on of such fractions meant; and why in the name of all that is sensible 13/16 and27/28 could not be added together by adding 13 and 27 together, and then 16 and 28 together, and placing the first sum over the second with a line between. What was 13/16 of a pound? The pound which, Proteus-like, was sometimes 20 shillings, sometimes 16 ounces and next 12 ounces! And the addition of two or more unintelligible things by an unintelligible process and similar hieroglyphical operations were, it may well bebelieved, not likely to have advanced my education very much. I may mention that, when I reached the highest class in due course and came under the hands of Mr. Robert Williams who had no inkling of the general fogginess of my arithmetical ideas, and when I discovered that life under him would he one continued misery if I remained any longer in ignorance, I had perforce to, and did, discover for myself at last from that excellent textbook, Barnard Smith's Arithmetic, the meaning of all thoseelusive symbols and all those mysterious operations.
I find I am unconsciously slipping into a bit of autobiography; but I suppose one cannot altogether keep one's self out of one's reminiscences.
I have a good many other things to say in the way of old memories, connected particularly with the revered names of the Revd. Mr.Pargiter and Mr. Williams, the former of whom, I rejoice to have read in St. John’s College Magazine and in the Observer, is still alive, a venerable old man. These I purpose to give, if the Editor permits, in a future issue. J. M. HENSMAN
Notice
Such of the "Old Boys" of St. John's College as have not sent in their subscriptions yet are kindly requested to do so as early as possible. Funds are badly needed and there are many in the lists to whom the Magazine was sent who have not fulfilled their obligations to the Old Boys' Association - some for more than a year. The Treasurer will be glad to receive contributions sent to him.
Our Old Boys
Mr. S. A. Vairakiam passed the third Professional Examination(part i) of the Ceylon Medical College held in July last and Mr. C. Hannibalsz the Advocates' Intermediate Mr. S. K. Ponniah, B.A is one of the successful candidates in the Examination of Teachers for Certificates held by theVen: the Archdeacon of Colombo, in 1904. He is placed first in the list of first year candidates. Mr. S. Canagasabai. Advocate, who was practising in Colombo is practising with greater success in the Jaffna Courts. We are glad to find that Mr. Muttiah Asaipillai who is practising his profession at Mullaitive was appointed to act as Additional Police Magistrate on October 3rd and 4th. He is gazetted again to be additional P.M on November 6th and 7th. An exchange of duties was effected from the 16th September between Mr. J T. Muttiah Mudr, Interpreter, P. C. Kayts, and Mr. K. C. Kadirgamer; 1st Tamil Interpreter of the S. C Mr. S. N. Velupillai, Clerk, P. C. Pt. Pedro, has been appointed Chief Clerk. Dr. H B. Mylvaganam will succeed Dr. S. C. Paul as Lecturer in Anatomy at the Ceylon Medical College from 1st January 1906. Rev. S. A. Richards who was Incumbent of St. Clement's church, Puttalam, has assumed dutiesas Assistant Chaplain of St Mary's Church, Kuala Lumpor. Mr C Chelliah has been appointed salt writer in the Jaffna Kachecherri. Mr S Chelliah of the Land Registry, Kandy, has been transferred to Jaffna. Among the Station Masters who have received promotion is Mr. K. Subramaniam from class iv to class iii Mr. C.Candiah has been transferred from Hatton as Station Master to Mankulam. Mr K Kanthapillai has passed theTechnical College Examination which qualifies him for work in the Railway. Mr. D S Paul has bean transferred from Colombo to the Jaffna Railway Station as Checker. Mr L R. Kanapathipillai has been made an Overseer in the P. W.D, Langdale, Nanu Oya Mr B S. Rajaratnam of the P. W. D. Perak, was married on the 30th of August to Miss Elizabeth Joseph; Mr. Gunaratnam Nathaniel of St. John’s College on September 27th to Miss Emily Hensman; and Mr. C. T Bartlett, Post Master at Namanakula on October 20th to Miss Adams.
We regret to record the death of Mr. J.M.Knight on October 7th. He was a member of the District Church Council and took interest in church matters.
College News
H.E. the Governor visited St. John's College twice in an informal way. On his first visit he called at a time when the boys were not at work. He came again on the following day and went round the various classes, making inquiries from the masters and evidently taking much interest in what he saw. He also visited the church.
H. E. the Governor, Lady Blake and suite attended a special service in the Fort Church on Sunday, August 20th. Our Acting Principal was the Preacher on the occasion and the Head Master read Prayers.
The Rev. J. and Mrs. Thompson with their two sons Horace and Denton received a cordial welcome on their arrival here on October 12th, an account of which appears elsewhere. They are looking all the better for their stay of a twelve month in England. Mr. Thompson has resumed duties as Principal since the beginning & of this Term. The Rev. J. I. Pickford who was his locum tenens during his furlough is now residing at Nellore and superintends the C. M. S. Tamil work is the Northern Province.
Eight students have sent in their applications for the Cambridge Senior and thirteen for the Junior Local Examination to he held during December next.
The annual Grant-in-Aid Examination was held on September 18thand following days. Our branch school at Kopay was examined by the inspector Mr. VanCuylenburg on Sept. 25th and following days.
Mr. J. G. C. Mendis, M. A. (Cantab.) Principal of the Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa, and Hon. Secretary of the Ceylon Educational Association visited us on August 23rd and spoke to the boys during Morning Prayers. He was accompanied by Mrs. Mendis who is a daughter of Lady de Soysa.
Tuesday the 14th of September, was the date fixed for holding the last meeting of St. John's College Literary Association for Trinity Term. The chair was occupied by Mr. A. M. Chittambalam. A lecture was delivered by Mr. T. N. Valupillai, Proctor, an alumnus of the College, on the 'Power of Influence."
On October 31st, the friends and well-wishers of Dr. H. B. Mylvaganam F.R.C.S. (Lond.) assembled in St. John's College Hall to do honour to one of the distinguished sons of thesoil and an "Old Boy’’ of the College. Songs specially composed for the occasion wore sung and speeches were made to which Dr. Mylvaganam replied in suitable terms.
The Director of Public Instruction, Mr. J. Harward, M.A, was recently in Jaffna inspecting Grant-in-Aid schools. He paid a visit to St. John's College on Oct. 24th and presided at the Hindu College Prize-giving on the 28th.
Acknowledgments BUILDING FUND MR. A. M. CHITTAMBALAM Rs.30.00.
We are also glad to acknowledge the receipt by Mr. Wadsworth one of our representatives in Colombo of the subscriptions kindly promised by Messrs. Ratnasapapathy and Tiagarajah.
Mr.J. A. Muthuveloe has received the subscriptions of the following :-Messrs. G.R.Hensman, Parinbanayagam and S. Swaminadar.
We earnestly ask all gentlemen in Colombo to pay up the subscriptions before the 31st of December. These may be paid either to Mr. W. Wadsworth, Advocate, Colombo, Mr. J. A. Muthuveloe, Audit Office, or to the a/c of Rev. Jacob Thompson at the Mercantile Bank
The Honorary Treasurer of St. John's College Old Boys' Association begs to acknowledge with thanks the following subscriptions:-
1904-5: Messrs. S. K. Ponniah, S. W. Coonanayakampillai, E.C.B.Mylvaganam, R. A. Winslow, J. R. Vethanayakam and T. Appadurai, each Re 1. 1905-6: Messrs. S. W. Coonanayakampillai, M. Selvadurai and A. Sinnatamby, each Re 1. 1904-6: From Straits Settlements (remitter's name not known) Rs. 2. The following subscriptions for the Magazine are acknowledged with thanks: Messrs. V. Murugasapjllai and S. K. Kandiah, each 50 cts.