The record-union., 1894-05-16
RUGBY CUSTOMS.
House-Cheering, Hall and PARISH
Scrummaging.

Scrummaging.
The end of the term at Rugby School
twenty years ago was enlivened by three
functions, viz: house-cheering, hall
scrummaging and parish-scrumlnaging
the two former taking place on the last
three Saturdays and the latter on the last
night OF the term. AS soon as prayers
were concluded the boys would flock
into the ouod, on to which the large hall
opened, and cheer the names of the pop
ular masters and of those boys who had
attained renown at work or games-the
latter preferably-with unrestrained ve-
hemence, to the amazement of any
stranger stopping at the George, whittier
the sound, floating over the school gate,
must have infallibly reached. AS soon as
their lungs had been sufficiently exer-
cised, hall-scrummaging was instantly
commenced. This consisted of the mi
nority of the upper boys endeavoring to
keep the hall-door against the remainder
of the house, which aided by the lever
age obtainable from the fixed forms
placed around the middle table, and a
firm grip previously obtained on the
door-jambs, they generally successfully
accomplished. Those boys who were in
the house football twenty-in those days
the game was not, as 1t now is, played
with fifteen Side-in the cricket eleven,
athletic costumes; but the others. who
had not attained TO any of these dignities,
were obliged to 'sscrummage" in their
ordinary clothes, being allowed only to
divest themselves OF their coats and
waistcoats. When. therefore, as was of
ten the case, these latter unfortunates,
either through eagerneSs or cOmpulsion,
attained the center of the crush, they ex-
perienced, especially on a sultry July
evening, very warm time. being almost
totally deprived of air, and subjected to
numerous kicks, which, in the excite
ment, were freely and indiscriminately
bestowed on friend and foe alike. Yet,
despite certain ininconveniences. there were
few who did not look forward to the fun,
and while it lasted thoroughly enter into
its spirit.
On the night previous to the departure
for the holidays, parish-scrummagin
took place. The 'sparish' was the tin
candlestick, usually hung on nail in
each bedroom, containing the "tolly"-
our euphonious schoolname for candle
by the light of which the boys undressed,
and, on the winter mornings, dressed
hurriedly to be in time for chapel. But
on this special night it was put TO another
and final use. After every one had gone
up stairs the parishes were placed on the
ground in row along the corridor upon
which the bedrooms opened. Now the
great aim of each dormitory was to Sc
cure the greatest number of CANDLE
holders, so that, at given signal,
through each door issued an excited
throng. who, pouncing upon the nearest
prey, hastily conveyed it to their room,
and sailed forth again in search of
fresh booty. AS can we'll be imagined,
rivals often came into collision, when a
tug-of-war for the possession of the
parisb would at once take place, On these
occasions 1t was apparent how beneficial
were thick gloves, for the jagged edges of
the twisted and torn tin would some-
times inflict an unpleasant cash on hands
unprotected. After time, all the
parishes having been captured by one or
the other of the rooms, lights wer9
brought-the scrummaging having been
carried on in the darkness, the candles
having been extinguished at the first
rush-and the dormitory found in pos
session of the most plunder adjudged the
champion. Latterly all these games
have been discontinued. Why, / know
not, as in the main they were perfectly
harmless and afforded capital amusement
both to senior ana junior.
An anxious mother once took child to
a physician to have him pass Judgment
on very ugly-shaped jaw. The lower
one protruded, and they did not set we'll
together. The doctor assured her that
that, or most other blemishes. could be
treated if the patient were taken young
enough. In this case the child has grown
to be a pretty woman, with as we'll
formed a mouth as anyone could desire.
The shark is the fastest swimmer of the
fish tribe over long distances, and finds
no difficulty in keeping up with the