[To THE EDITOR OF THE "Sraornoa."J
Sit,—The correspondence in your columns concerning Mag- dalene College seems likely to illustrate the old saying, "Save me from my friends." One writer lays stress on the excellence of the late Master as a parish priest, which, together with his extreme attachment to Heydon, are points having no bearing on his qualities as Master of a College. Another draws atten- tion to the extreme meagreness of the resources of the College, whereas the Master and Fellows have consistently shown a brave front to the outside world, and have turned out useful and good men to the best of their power during my knowledge of Cambridge. For my own part, I wish to draw
attention to the extraordinarily plucky character of this small but enterprising community.
I have known Cambridge intimately since 1879, and although I am not able to be precise as to dates—writing, as I purposely do, without the knowledge of any member of Magdalene—I can yet give a sufficiently accurate sketch of events. I put aside the question of scholarly attainments, as having been already dealt with in your columns,, only stating that the late Master twice expressed his pride in Mr. Peskett's membership of Magdalene when conversing with me. Between 1879 and 1887 the Magdalene boat was both persevering and successful, holding, during part of that time, the highest position on the river of any small College, and going up no less than thirteen places during tho last captaincy before new rules were passed by the C.1J.B.C. As these forebade men to row in consecutive May and Lent races, sheer inability to keep two crews of an effective nature going lost Magdalene the honourable place she had won. The boat was always the object of great personal interest on the part of the late Lord Braybrooke and Mr. Pattrick ; but, as is well known, the class of man described by the writer of your article does not row, or at all events will not train, so is practically useless for
the College boat or organised athletics. It would seem, therefore, that in the late "seventies" and early " eighties " there was already at Magdalene the desirable mixture of classes advocated by your writer, with Mr. Peskett as representing high University honours.
At the present time Magdalene undoubtedly suffers from the effects of the war. When the Cambridge Review published a list of University members serving their country, Magdalene not only easily headed the list as regarded proportionate numbers, but her actual contribution of her sons was beyond all but a very few Colleges. In the Crimean War the same spirit was shown, and Magdalene then fell to her lowest ebb.
Since the Transvaal War it has been noticeable that the man who seizes any chance of a commission, or of posts implying an out- door life, has not yet found his way back to the University to any great extent, and Magdalene has probably suffered more than most Colleges in this respect. But her quality of pluck shows up more than ever, and she maintains Rugby and Association fobt- ball teams, boats for both Lent and May races, under difficulties which might well daunt any College of weaker fibre, and, in addition, cricket and hockey elevens. In scarcely any of these pursuits need Magdalene mind comparison with Colleges of twice her size.
It is difficult to say why the character of a fast College should cling to this foundation. It has certainly ceased to deserve it for many years past. The man who works well and the man who plays well have always appeared to me to be the aim of the late Tutor, Mr. Pattrick, and the present Tutor, Mr. Peakett ; while the late Master's figure, both on the towpath and at matches or sports, was a familiar sight. And I must lay stress on the un- doubted fact that the class of man your writer alleges to have prevailed at Magdalen 5 in times long past cannot possibly have done so for nearly thirty years ; and, further, that if he wishes to add to the difficulties which the College already so pluckily weathers, he has gone the right way to work.
—I am, Sir, &c., JUSTICE.
[In printing the above letter, which must close the correspondence, we gladly recognise the chivalrous champion- ship which Magdalene has received both from those who are and those who are not connected with the College. And in the case of " Justice's " communication, we have pleasure in giving publicity to the successes of the College on the river at the period referred to, as well as to its numerous contributions to the service of the country in the field. At the same time, we must conclude by saying that our view as to the system of nomination to the Mastership—which, after all, was the real matter in issue--remains unchanged, and that, in the general line of argument by which we have supported that view, it is our conviction that much of the best academic opinion is with us.—ED. Spectator.]
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