"THE FOURTH"

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 24, 27 July 1929, Page 17

"THE FOURTH"

ETON CELEBRATIONS

CRICKET AND BOATING

BRILLIANT SCENES

Eton, one. of tho most famous of British public schools, celebrated 4th June this year with all the accustomed ceremonial. This is Eton's priucipal annual celebration, and is the anniversary of the birthday of King George 111., who had a great kindness for the school. This year the weather was not quite ideal, for, »althougli there were spells of brilliant sunshine, there were also ominous .clouds and some sharp showers. - As the women found cloaks a necessity, the dress parade in the Playing Fields was less attractive than usual, but the shining "toppers," immaculate coats, and fancy waistcoats of the boys made a well-groomed relief to feminine gaiety of dress. Members of "Pop" were conspicuous by the blobs of sealing-wax o.f different colours on their toppers, a distinction reserved for the Eton Society. "FLOREAT ETONA.1' Etonians who could not be present sent their "Floreat Etbua" greetings, states the London "Daily Telegraph." Telegrams were received by the Head Master (Dr. Cyril Alington) from all parts of. the world, mostly written in Latin, but all couched in endearing terms. They were displayed on the notice-board outside School Office. Others came from Colombo, Jerusalem., Bermuda, and many other places. What struck .visitors making their first appearance at Eton wa, the calling of "Absence," which look place m Weston's Yard both in the morning and evening. The same roll-call takes place every clay, but usually in School Yard. _ "Speeches" were the first item of importance on the day's programme, and these were delivered in the historic Upper School, where the names'of so many great Etonians are carved on the oak panelling. Of course, only a small percentage of the visitors could obtain admission, but those who went were rewarded by some splendid examples of oratory. It was a long programme, but it was well varied, and the high standard was well maintained. No school programme wo 'd be complete without its Shakespearean play, and Act 3, Sc. 2, from "King. Henry IV." was excellently presented. There was also ;i selection from "The Birds" (Aristophanes), but the most original was Exercises, 124, and 103 from 1 1reOllendorff's "German Grammar." The programme also included French, Spanish, and Italian speeches, so that languages were a distinct feature in a very finished performance. Very appropriate was the "Speech on Burke," by tho late Earl of Rosebcry, one of Eton's greatest softs and for so many years a member of the Governing Body. After the speeches the .Provost (Dr. M. R. James) entertained a number of guests at luncheon in the ancient Collego Hall, reminiscent of many historic gatherings at Eton. When the health of tho King was'drunk, tho Provost made' a brief reference to His Majesty's health. "In pium nwinoriiiih" was received in silence, and "Floreat Etona" with groat enthusiasm. IN THE PLAYING FIELDS. During the luncheon interval a heavy thunderstorm broko over tho district, but it was not of long duration, and in tho afternoon visitors flocked to the Playing Fields to see the cricket. On Agar's Plough the School had a good game with Eton Ramblers. But it w.-cs to Upper Club that most people were attracted, this being the real show ground. There are few more beautiful cricket grounds than' Upper Club, which is.set in the midst of giant chestnut trees and stately elms. Hero tho crowd thronged and listenod to tho music played by the King's Royal Rifle

Corps, and witnessed the cricket botween the School and Ramblers 2nd It was here that the veteran Lord Harris (now in his 7Sth year), who captained the Ramblers, defied the Eton | bowlers for over half an hour, and was not out when the innings was declared at 24S for seven wickets. Lord Harris played very steadily fur his 17 not out, and treated all four bowlers tried with equal confidence. He hit ten singles and then finished up with two big hits for a 3 and a boundary, for which he was loudly cheered. Mr. Pilkingtou ran between the wickets for the veteran, who received an ovation on retiring. The Hon. P. F. Remnant contributed a fine innings of lIS. PROCESSION OF BOATS. Despite the threatening elements, thousands of people assembled on the i-iyer banks at Eton and Windsor to witness the Procession of Boats, which is undoubtedly tho most picturesque scene in "The Fourth" programme. There could be no more glorious setting for a river carnival. Windsor Castle was bathed in brilliant sunshine, and silhouetted against black clouds, whilst a rainbow stretched over the magnificent pile of buildings completing the picture. To the strains of music from a launch on the river and the joyous peal from tho bells of the Curfew Tower, the crews took their seats in their craft. The coxswains of the Upper boats wore admirals'l uniforms, and those of the Lower boats midshipmen's, uniforms, and each one carried a bouquet of flowers of the colour of his boat. There were ten boats in the procession, three Upper and seven Lower, in the following order: Monarch, Victory, Prince of Wales, Britannia, Dreadnought, Thetis, Hibcmia, St. George, Alexandra., and Defiance. Very gracefully the boats glided up the stream, to the accompaniment of rousing cheers. By the courtesy of the captains of the boats, the procession passed the Etonian Country Club, where Major Millo and Colonel Vcrnon Mellor had made special arrangements for over 1000 Etonians and their friends to witness the proceedings from the club lawns. The procession went as far as Clewer Point, where the crews divested themselves of their jackets and rowed back in their coloured shirts. Passing under Windsor Bridge and through Romney Loch, the boats halted in the Datehet Reach, where the crews landed and partook of supper in a marquee in the grounds adjoining Windsor Castle. The day's proceedings terminated with a display of fireworks on Romney Island, and while this was in progress the boats passed up the Weir stream in front of tho Provost's garden. As thej did so the crews stood with uplifted oars and sang the Eton Boating Song, the crowds on the bank joining in the chorus. '