EDITORIAL NOTE.
THE Editors wish to thank all the boys, old boys, and parents who have so kindly aided us in our efforts to have a Magazine. Several parents have written to us, and we feel very encouraged to do our best in publishing our second issue. VJe hope that any who have not received a Magazine, and who desire to have a copy. will let us know. Friends who wish to be Vice-Presidents of the C.S.N.H. Society are eligible on payment of a Subscription of 5s, and we are sure they would receive a hearty welcome.

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We wish to thank most heartily the anonymous donor of two guineas. We also hope that he will receive a copy of this Magazine.

A RAINDROP.
By W. PERCIVAL WESTELL, F.L.S.
(Written on Norton Common after the storm of April 20th, 1918).

I saw a raindrop shimmer
All radiant in the sun;
I saw its heart a-quiver,
For, lo! the Spring had come!
I watched its gold and silver,
Then emerald-green, and white,
Its lightning transformation
Through beaming rays of light.
'Twas anchored to a leaf-bud
Upon the Hawthorn spray,
A liquid jewel that presaged
The coronet of May.

And then the sun all-powerful,
And April's fitful eye,
Kissed and caressed the raindrop
Up, up, t'wards the sky.

That raindrop now has risen
T'wards the blue dome above;
A mere, but mighty, atom
Of Light, and Life, and Love.

SCHOOL NOTES.

We wish to thank all the contributors to the last Magazine. and those who have sent money to assist in the publication of a second number.

H. S. Hargreaves has gained his Interpreter's Badge, and has now got his King's Scout Badge. He is the second King's Scout this year.

We are sorry to hear that Mr. Abbiss has received his calling-up paper, but we hope he will have exemption on the grounds that he is teaching gymnastics and swimming to so many schools.
MODERN NOTE - 2008: Is this him? Link to the Commonwealth War Graves Website. Notice that he was from Hitchin.

Several boys have gone on to the land on most games' days and have subscribed about £3 for the Red Cross as a result of wages paid to them. They have been paid full wages for their work.

S. Brown, our professional cricketer, has been able to come up and coach the team in between his work at a munition ractory. Under his supervision the team has improved immensely.

We are sorry to announce that owing to mumps at the Ley's School we have not been able to play the "Leys Minimi."

We congratulate Barber on wilming a Scholarship at The Leys of over £60 per annum, and Thompson on securing an Exhibition. Barber's scholarship is the largest ever won by a Caldicott boy, no one before having received morc than £40.

We must also congratulate Scott on his success in the Royal Drawing Society's Examination. Scott, some Terms ago. won his Artist's Badge in the Scouts, and we shall all look fonvard to seeing him win higher distinctions in the future.

Mr. Kingscote Greenland came down and gave a splendid sermon in the School Chapel on Tuesday, May 14th, on the Y.M.C.A. A collection was then made among the boys and over £3 was obtained.

The War Savings Association is still going strong: so far, we have saved £10 4s. this term.

The Editors have received the following letter:

Within the Danger Zone.

To THE EDITORS OF "CALDICOTT SCHOOL MAGAZINE."

The writer having read your initial Magazine published last term, feels it is worthy of no little upport, and encloses a small donation towards the publishing expenses. Long may it nourish is the wish of

ANON.

C.S.N.H.S. LIBRARIAN'S REPORT.

I beg to report, since the publication of the last Magazine, the following books: By Atkinson, First Studies of Plant Life, presented by T. M. Ingram. By W. P. Wcstell, The New Doomsday, presented by Author and President. By W. P. Westell, The Early Life of the Young Cuckoo, presented by Author and President. By Phoebe Allen, Garden Pests, presented by H. S. Hargreaves. By R. Kearton. Our Bird Friends, presented by H. S. Hargreaves. By the Rev. Prof.
G. Henslow, Wild Flowers, presented by H. S. Hargreaves. By A. Kappel and E. Kirby, British a,td E11ropean Butterflies and Moths, presented by J. A. Vick. By W. P. Westell, The Young Observer's Handbook and My Life as a Naturalist, bought by the Society. By W. H. Hudson, Adventures Among Birds, presented by Leslie Lewis. By W. P. Westell, Nature's Wonderland, presented by Author and President.

H. S. HARGREAVES.

LETTER FROM AN OLD MASTER.

H.M. W/T Station, Elly Bay,
Belmullet, co. Mayo.
June 26th 1918.

DEAR JONES,
1 thank you for your letter received yesterday. There was not any necessity for you to thank me again for the small donation] sent your Magazine Fund, as I had already received an acknowledgment from the Headmaster. At the same time I appreciate very much indeed not only your letter of thanks but also the honour you have conferred upon me in placing my name among those of your Vice-Presidents. This has come as a great surprise, and I am so pleased to realize that you know the keen interest I take in your Natural History Society and in the School :\Iagazinc. I know something abont the running of such periodicals, but am sure that all those who help with it will realize the benefits derived from its production.

I am delighted to hear of another prospective King's Scout, and that the Patrols are "sticking to it" and still going strong. As long as you have the valuable help of the Headmaster, Mr. Westell, and the other assistants on the Committee, I know that the success of the Society and Magazine is assured.

Best wishes. Your sincere friend,

F. GORDON WOOD

C.S.N.H.S. NOTES.

THE Society has experienced a useful and interesting term's work: the Seniors having had a weekly outdoor excursion on Wednesday afternoons, and the Junior School a fortnightly indoor meeting in the Reading Room. The Seniors have undertaken a census of birds and wild flowers, as well as a census of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants in and around the School grounds. The total number of species on this last occasion was 136! Two visits were paid to Cadwell Pond, where several interesting water creatures were discovered, and in another part of this term's Magazine it is hoped to give details of an exciting regional survey which was made of the village of lckleford.
A visit was also paid to St. Mary's Church, Hitchin, where Mr. Walter Millard very kindly read a most interesting Paper on this historic edifice.

The Senior boys have shown tremendous enthusiasm. They have proved most observant and keen, and it will be a great wrench to me personally to say" good-bye" to several who have been so loyal, and carried out such praiseworthy work. I should specially like to honourably mention Field i and ii, Hargreaves, Sutherland, Scott i, Bazeley i, Jones and Pearman.

At the Junior School meetings, Rushbrooke gave a capital little Paper on the all important subject of " Sugar"; Stead followed later with a ripping Paper on the inhabitants of the sea, and I have contributed several talks as a sort of " stopgap," one of which was devoted to the birth of a Coral Island. At another meeting I recited some original Nature poems, which appeared to be appreciated, as each member present assured me beforehand that he was fond of poetry! The observations and exhibits at each meeting have proved most intetesting to all concerned.
The term's work concluded with a meeting' of the whole School, at which I felt it my duty to pay tribute to the loyalty of the founders of the Society, and wished them" God speed" in their new sphere of work. We are never likely to forget them. Some of their names I have already mentioned, but I should like to add those of Thompson i and Barber, and if I have overlooked anyone I must ask forgiveness. The School Natural History Society is now well established, and, when we get to work next term, we shall all look forward to many pleasant and profitable meetings of the whole School on Saturday evenings. The Treasurer reports a balance-in-hand of £3.

W. PERCIVAL WESTELL, F.LS.,
Chairman and co-President.

NOTES ON THE TERM'S CRICKET.

I UNDERSTAND that the School captain is writing for this issue of the Magazine the characters of the 1918 XI, so that only a few general notes are necessary from my pen. I have been pleased to observe an all-round improvement in the batting, bowling, and fielding, though the latter still leaves much to be desired. With the exception of Thompson i, Field i and ii, and one or two others, there is hardly a sure catch in the Senior game, but the ground fielding has improved a good deal. The throwing-in and backing-up is still sadly at fault. The ball is far too often thrown the wrong end, and there is too much shouting. The batting of Field i, Thompson i, and Sutherland has been very consistent, and the bowling of the two former with that of Scott iii, Field ii, Terry, Hargreaves, and Bazeley i has been quite good. As wicket-keepers, Scott i. Barber, and Sutherland have all done good work, and although so few matches have been played, the School games have been very keenly contested. Brown has provided some excellent wickets and given great attention to the ground under difficult conditions. The result of his coaching at the nets has been apparent on several occasions during the games. A word must be added concerning the Junior games which I have had an opportunity of watching. The most hopeful juniors are, perhaps, Jenkins i, Bazeley ii, Baron, Green, Todd ii, Dempsey, and Gurteen ii. These boys - and,:indeed, all the Juniors - are very keen, and are gaining an excellent idea of the rules of the game, a qualification which will mean a great deal next ummer term.

W.P.W.

Cricket Characters :

N. H. B. THOMPSON (captain). A good bat, reliable bowler, and very rarely misses a catch; fielding excellent.
T. E. FIELD i (vice-captain). Has batted and bowled very well all the season, and is a sure catch and fields splendidly. ,
R. G. FIELD ii. Useful change bowler, and has played fairly well throughout the season.
C. S. SUTHERLAND. A steady bat, but an indifferent catch.
J. SCOTT iii. A left-handed change bowler who has bowled well and proved very useful. His batting leaves room for improvement.
H. S. HARGREAVES. Has not done as well as was expected, but on occasions has been good.
G. O. BARBER. A good bat and keeps wicket well.
C. H. SCOTT i.. An excellent wicket-keeper. \V
W. E. T. LOCK. Good fielder and moderate bat.
J. R. BAZELEY i. A spare bowler, and, apart from his catching, his fielding is good.
W. G. SUTCLIFFE. A plucky fielder, and for his first season shows promise.

N. H. B. Thompson, T. E. FIELD

CALDICOTT SCHOOL SPORTS.

THE Caldicott School Fifteenth Annual Sports took place on Saturday, May 25th. The weather was fine and, luckily, not too hot. The Rev. S. P. Woodfield, W. P. Westell, Esq., and W. Abbiss, Esq., were judges.

Owing to too many boys wishing to enter for the 100 yards and 220 yards senior, two heats were run off on Friday evening, so as to leave only the semi-final and final. The 100 yards was won by C. H. Scott, who ran very well. J. R.. Bazeley was second. The junior 100 yards was won by G. Bazeley, who did well in all his events. In the 100 yards under 10 W. Gurteen was first. The Senior long jump was easily won by W. E. T. Lock, who did 14 ft. and was 7 in. ahead of the second boy (N. H. B. Thompson). N. H. B. Thompson won the Senior high jump with 4 ft. G. Baron, who won the Junior Challenge Cup in 1917, was second. G. Bazeley did 13 ft. 5 in. in the Junior long jump, and he won easily. Throwing the cricket ball was won by N. H. B. Thompson. but this was a poor event. The Consolation Race was. won by J. Stead, who thus got the one point which was necessary to make No.5 equal to No.9 in points. The two dormitories are holding the cup one month each, alternately. There was an inter-patrol race in scout uniform, which was won by the Lions.

Mrs. Barber kindly presented the cups to the winners. The Senior Cup was won by N. H. B. Thompson and the Junior by G. Bazeley. G. BazeJey and N. H. B.Thompson went up together for the dormitory cup. Three cheers were then given for Mrs. Barber, Mr. Jenkins, the Judges, and the visitors.

Miss B. Jenkins had a Red Cross Stall in the Gymnasium, which realized the handsome sum of £22.

ICKLEFORD REGIONAL SURVEY.

The Senior Section of the S.N.H. Society carried out a regional survey of the village of Ickleford on June 12th. It was a happy party that wended its way to lckleford on a voyage of discovery, and much information was gathered together as the result of one hour's visit. The boys were mostly deputed to work in twos and a pleasant feature was the loyalty observed. The result of the survey was as follows:

Houses.- (Bazeley i and Scott iv). A row of ten brick houses built byJ.C.P. 1971. These have slate roofs. Opposite these there is a pretty thatched cottage. The Green Man public house dates from 1700, but the Old George near by is said to datc from 1210. Dick Turpin, when on his famous ride to York, is stated to have hidden up the chimney, and there is a hand-carved oak table in the same room on which George III is said to have dined. Opposite the Old George there is a cottage with a very irregular roof. A public house on the village green has a sign consisting of three Ostrich Feathers and " Ich Dien " underneath. Bazeley reports about fifty houses altogether in the village, with three public houses. Also an old house now occupied by Mrs Jennings with the date 1599 over north window at rear. Place is called Welchman's Croft.

Church.- (\Vright and Jenkins i). Notice-board and picture of Archbishop of Canterbury, also Roll of Honour, in porch. Opposite door, bronze plate in memory of Queen Victoria. Some beautiful marble memorial tablets under which is written " These tablets are added in loving memory of the sons and daughters of the Hon. Fredk. Dudley Ryder and Marion his wife." Pews finely carved. A baptism took place during the survey! The pulpit is of plaster. Screen dividing chancel from nave is plain, painted with gold. Gates of screen very beautiful. Church lighted by oil lamps, some from roof, which is supported by oak beams, others on stands. Round arches on right side of nave. Behind the altar, on which stands a cross, there are some pictures mounted in beautiful gilt frames. Near pulpit there is a small piscina, in which the chalice and paten were washed after holy communion. There is also a piscina near altar. There are five bells. Belfry is reached by a spiral staircase. Bells are attached to wheels. Church was restored in 1859. Fifteenth century roof. Roof of tower is supported by oak beams very much worm-eaten. Church dates from twelfth century. Latest addition is a window in north wall of chancel. Jenkins supplements these interesting notes of Wright's by adding: Ryder's coat of arms and motto, " Senata cineri." Two large diamond~shaped coats of arms on either side of bell ropes. At side of pulpit a brass plate gives particulars of heating apparatus installed in 1911, by David Simpson, Lord of the Manor. Interior of tower is formed of large stone slabs. Banner with St. Katherine and a wheel on it denoting the wheel on which she was tortured.

Churchyard. - (Collins and Scott iii). Youngest child indicated on gravestone, 5 years 11 months. Oldest people, Mary and James Hibbitt, aged 72 and 87 respectively. Oldest decipherable gravestone, 1558. Favourite text: .. Thy will be done." On gravestone of George Jeeves, who was killed by accident on the G.N.R., "accidentally" is spelt .. accidently," and" employees," "employes." Commonest names, Day and Olney. Curious christian name, Abigail.

Village School. - -(Sutheriand and Wainwright). Received by Headmistress (no Headmaster) and another Mistress. Number present during visit, 69, absent 5, sick 3; total on register, 77. There are eight scholarships awarded to boys wishing to enter the Navy. Lesson at time of visit, dictation. School lightcd by oil lamps, no gas. School has a bell. Six teachers (all females), three in each department. Two entrances, one for teachers, the other for scholars. School founded in 1848 by Hon. Fredk. Dudley Ryder. Lot of flint used in building outer wall. School fronts on village green. It is a Church school.

Industries. - (Pearman, Hargreaves, and Field i). There was only time to visit lckleford Flour Mill. Following information obtained : Situate near bridge on main road, where River Oughton crosses the Hitchin-Ickleford road. Former owner's name Priest, present owner James Bowman. Established 1893. Store-room of wheat is oldest part of mill. The wheat sifter is the most modern part of the mill. Wheat goes through sixteen rollers before it is anything like fine enough. Saw maize being ground, after that it is mixed with wheat to make Government Flour! Saw pre-War flour before maize was put into it. Saw a machine with a cog-wheel. Every time it slipped one cog 5 per cent. of maize went into flour. Fifty horse-power engine driven by steam works electric dynamo as well as mill.

Trees of the Village. - (Gurteen and Corderoy'). Elms on roadside from Ickleford to Hitchin, also elm hedge in places. Mountain ash and box on river side. Fairly old copper beech and firs on road by river. Seedling sycamores in hedges. Nineteen young pines on left-hand side of road opposite The Hermitage (1846). Two cedar avenues in churchyard, from both lych gates up to church doors. Ten horse chestnuts, two limes, one sycamore, five elms, and one acacia on village green. Pollarded limes in garden adjoining Mr. Roberts's falrm. Hawthorn hedges on roadside from village green to railway bridge. Seven Lombardy poplars in ground of lckleford Art Industries. Most common tree, elm. Next commonest, lime. Trees on whole vary in kind. None very old. Ivy growing on north side of houses and walls, none observed on other sides. Ten large yew trees in churchyard.

Crops, Allotments, and Gardens. - (Field ii, Terry. and Lowry). Well-kept allotments ncar bridge. Front gardens devoted to vegetables. Small cottage gardens badly kept, larger gardens better kept. Large number of fruit trees in larger gardens. School garden chiefly vegetables. Hedges badly kept in nearly all cases. On right·hand side of road a nice garden spoilt by hens!

General Notes. - (Lockwood and Jones). These two surveyors were told off [sic] to visit the Village Post Office to obtain information, but same was closed on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. Ickleford new bridge on road to Hitchin has boundary post of Hitchin Urban District on south side and Herts C.C. on north side. Old resident reported many residents over 70. Ickleford War Savings Association: members at commencement (September 30th, 1917), 57; amount subscribed, £108. Present membership, 118; amount subscribed, £381 16s. Bryder and Burrows still living, both over 80 years of age. Also Tarrier. Name obtained from Ford on the Icknield Way, Ickleford. Village cannot be entered without crossing water (? when entering from the west). Cottages near Ickleford Old Mill said to be over 300 years old. Carrier: Dew, of Arlesey, passes through every Market Day (Tuesday).

Vicar. - Rev. Tilt, who met the party and was most interested in the survey, and showed our two surveyors round the church.
Scott i executed sketches of the Old George, Lych Gate, Blacksmith's Forge, 1599 window, and George III table.
The Class expressed a unanimous wish to pay a return visit.

June 18th, 1918. W. P. W.

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We had arranged for three tennis matches this term, but we only had one match owing to the prevalence of influenza. It was between three of our boys and a team Miss Seager brought against us. There was a double and a single. Adding the games, we won 29-15.

MR. WESTELL'S NEW BOOKS.

Two new books were published on Primrose Day, April 19th, from the pen of Mr. Westell, and a copy of each has been acquired for the C.S.N.H.S. Library. My Life as a Naturalist is the title of one, and The Young Observer's Handbook is the other. We understand that these are the fifty-fourth and fifty-fifth volumes that Mr. Westell has written, and are quite sure we voice the feelings of all members of the School N.H.S. in wishing them every success. The books have been in constant demand since they were added to the School Library, and those Caldicottians who are under Mr Westell's charge fully realize his great love and enthusiasm for his subject, and the first-hand knowledge he so arrestingly imparts to us.

CALDICOTT SCHOOL NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.

RULES.

1. That this Society be called" Caldicott School Natural History Society," and that the objects be the study of Natural Science, the encouragement of a love and interest in country life and pursuits, the preservation of all forms of useful or harmless animals, the formation of a School Museum, and Scientific Library, and the publication of a Magazine to be called THE CALDICOTT SCHOOL MAGAZINE.
2. That the subscription for membership be 9d. per term, such subscription being due on election, and to include a copy of Magazine.
3. That the Society be managed by the co-Presidents, Committee, Hon. Treasurer, and Hon. Secretary.
4. That any member wishing to withdraw from the Society shall send written notice to the Hon. Secretary.
5. That an Annual Meeting be held in the last fortnight of the Summer Tenn, at which the accounts for the past year shall be presented, and officers and a committee of six members elected for the ensuing year - any vacancy occurring during the interim being filled by the Committee; also to discuss any other business which may arise. Any member may nominate any other member for election.
6. That any lady or gentleman subscribing not less than 5s. per annum be elected as Vice-President.
7. That any Caldicott boy in residence, or any old boy, be eligible for election as a member.
8. That the subscription for any Caldicott boy wishing to become a life member of the Society, be £2 25.
9. That a Special General Meeting may be called on the requisition of not less than ten members, of which seven days' notice must be given to the Secretary, and no business shall be transacted other than that upon the Notice Paper.
10. That no member be entitled to vote at any meeting whose subscription is in arrear.
11. That fortnightly meetings be held from October 1st to March 31st on Saturday evenings, at 6 o'clock, at which papers or lectures may be given which have been previously sanctioned by the Committee, and that rambles be arranged from April to the end of September on Wednesdays. At the fortnightly meetings, the minutes of the last meeting, and any other urgent business. such as the election of new members, shall immediately precede the lecture.
12. That Recorders be appointed for each of the following branches of Natural Science: (1) Mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, and kindred subjects; (2) ornithology; (3) entomology in sections; (4) botany; (5) land and fresh water mollusca; (6) geology; (i) astronomy; (8) microscopy; (9) meteorology; (10) archaeology; (u) nature study in school;
(12) nature photography; (13) a nature calendar.
13. That members pledge themselves to report to the various Recorders to prepare a Report to be read as a Paper at a Regular Meeting.
14. That, subject to the precedjng rules, the Committee may make bye-laws for the conduct of the Society.
15. That any boy in residence wilfully violating any of the above Rules shall be liable to expulsion as a member of the Society on the recommendation of the Committee.
Salvete.-V. Goode, E. Hinton, D. Thompson.
Valete.-G. Barber, ]. R. Bazeley, T. E. Field, H. S. Hargreaves, C. H. Scott, C. S. Sutherland, N. H. B. Thompson.

SCHOOL CALENDAR.

July 24th. - Exeunt omnes.
September 18th. - Redeunt omnes.

GARDEN CITY PRESS LTD., LETCHWORTH, ENGLAND