Mr. William T. Underwood

I propose to relate three short stories of the Old Boys, which will show, I think, their Ready Wit, Forethought, and Strict Obedience.

READY WIT, OR JACK AS GOOD AS HIS MASTER.

H.M.I. had arrived, and proposed to ask Standard II. questions in Geography. After several questions, the following was put to one of the boys :-

"Now, my boy. Supposing your grandmother were to start to walk round the earth at the Equator, how far would she have walked on getting back to the same place?'

The Famous Coade Boy

STRICT OBEDIENCE.

One day Mr. Hernaman and myself walked into the Upper School during dinner time, On entering, the cry was raised-

"I smell tobacco smoke. It is your beastly foul pipe, Underwood, I believe," said my chief . But no, alas for some one.

The Press-room door was opened, and there, comfortably seated, were Masters D. and S., the former doing his cigarette. 

"Got you," said Mr. Hernaman. " Now then, as you have broken the unwritten law of the Lambeth Academy, you shall finish that cigarette in my presence. Eat it at once, and the sooner done the better for you."

The culprit gave one glance up, popped the half in his mouth, and bolted it, but, alas, not for long, it was back again in less than ten minutes and Master D. about as bad as he could be.

Mr. Henry Sims

My period of service extended from January. 1881, to Christmas, 1888. During the first month at the School there occurred the great snowstorm, which commenced on the Tuesday morning and caused the school to be closed for the rest of the week.

I succeeded Mr Davey. on his appointment as Head Master of St. John's School, Waterloo Road.

The other Assistant-Masters at the time were W. T. Underwood, Charles Alexander (who went to Australia and died there), Paul Bird (sometimes called the 11 Apostle " by our late friend, John Hernaman), and Edward Stevens (who afterwards was appointed Head Teacher of the Latimer School, Bucks.

Mr David Greville, Mr William Underwood, Mr Henry Sims, Mr Russell, The Laste John Hernamam, Esq., A.K.C., Mr Mark Franklin

 Mr. David Greville

We are possessors of a noble heritage in that we have had the opportunity and the privilege of passing our early days at Lambeth Schools, for there we were brought into contact daily with men whose opinions, matured by study and mellowed by experience, were sought and respected by people of all ranks, from Cabinet Ministers downwards.

Most of those who had the pleasure of attending the last meeting of the Old Lambethans had been brought into close contact with the late Mr. John Hernaman. with what depth of feeling did several Old Boys recount to me the affectionate greetings they received from him on their return from Iong voyages, and how sacredly did they treasure the advice he had given them before starting! Without a doubt, his noble example of self-control and dignity of bearing, combined with his genuine, heartfelt sympathy with those in distress, not only caused him to be loved and respected, but caused the fire of a nobler and more self-reliant spirit to kindle in those around him.

David Greville, Esq.

Having such thorough, earnest, and noble examples before us, let us, with brotherly love, unite in practising those virtues which were so diligently instilled into our minds, that we may honour our beloved old School, advance the cause of Truth and make the world in general a little happier.

Mr. Mark Franklin

Distinctly I remember a Saturday, late in March, in the year 1882. Mr. Hernaman had written to me to say I was to spend it and the following day with him, prior to commencing work on Monday.

Arriving about tea time, the first thing was to write home to an anxious mother, Mr, Hernaman being very particular that the stamp was squarely affixed. Then to post and back to tea, brought up by "Tammy."

Soon after I was at liberty to do as I chose, on condition that I was back punctually for supper. So I strolled to Knightsbridge, hunted up relatives, and returned nearly wet through. Then upstairs for a partial change. I had supper that evening in slippers, coat and vest a few sizes too large for one of slender build. Soon after off to bed, which had been engaged for me about a couple of hundred yards off.

Mark Franklin, Esq.

On Sunday I breakfasted with Mr. Herman, and later accompanied him to church. A short stroll and dinner followed, after which I was sent, in charge of Mr. Isaacs, to Hyde Park. We had late tea at a restaurant, and early that evening I retired to my temporary "diggings."

Certainly, this was a happy start at Lambeth.

On Monday I was to suit myself for "digs," but found they had practically been taken for me. I stayed in there about five years, and very comfortable they proved. Monday morning arrived. Infelt shy in a big school, whilst the drill and discipline simply astonished me. But I soon got used to it, and the more I got used to it the better I liked the precision and punctuality with which things were done.

The only time punctuality troubled me was in the morning. It always meant a hunted breakfast, generally followed by a run down Hercules Buildings, almost as often as not to arrive just in time to be late. " Tommy " was sharp with that time book, he certainly did his duty.

What was a surprise to me was that the Assistants were allowed to give " handers " with a 12-inch cane, Oh, how often that foot grew to half-a-yard: and how often Mr. Hernaman would quietly ask for the loan of a knife and reduce it to regulation size. One troublesome little lad I shall never forge - J.C. He received more than "handers " on several occasions.

Only a few years ago a tall, strapping fellow came up to me and said how thankful be was I had " cured " his temper, that he remembered those tannings, and that they had made a man of him. It was J.C. grown out of recognition.

Such little incidents as this -though painful at the time-are pleasant, and serve to make one think he has done some good in his time.

One evening I was sent out in charge of one of Mr. Hernaman's old assistants up from the country for the day. We were to be back for a late supper, and then I was to see him off at midnight. Imagine me in charge of one as old as myself and considerably taller. What could I have done had he proved troublesome? Mr. Hernaman and myself long remembered that supper. My charge would talk, there was no stopping him, it was useless to try, neither Mr. Hernaman nor myself could get a word in edgewise. Mr. Hernaman often afterwards asked about "Blamey Castle."

On several occasions I spent enjoyable outings in the country - principally in and around Oxford.

Mr. Hernaman once spent a month in Jesus College. During that time he made a large circle of friends. Many of them still mention him.

Three of my present colleagues were old assistants of Mr. Hernaman's - two at Bishopgate and one at Lambeth. The two former occasionally mention their old Master. Evidently they had happy times then.

For myself, the six years (1882-1888) spent at Lambeth were particularly happy.

One wish haunts me still-to visit the last resting-place of one of the truest and best of friends one could possibly have, the late John Hernaman.

W. T. Underwood, Esq. (an old master)

The boy, who had a weak eye, shut it, and looking up at the Inspector with the other, replied, "Please, sir, I ain't got one!"

Needless to say, the boy passed.

FORETHOUGHT.

A certain boy had taken what Mr. Hernaman would say, What wasn't his'n," which he had concealed in his boot. This being a serious offence, the boy was told to tell his parents that he would be punished before the whole School in the afternoon. At 3.30 the School was assembled in the large room. After a few words from Mr. Hernaman, the boy was invited to mount the platform, and was then placed in the usual position to receive punishment on "Nature 's specially provided spot. "Down came the cane on what sounded very much like a board. Result, no impression. Again and again, without the slightest acknowledgement from the recipient. I suggested that he should be pinched. This was attempted, but without success.

The A.K.C., however, was not to be done. The cane was laid aside. buttons undone, garments loosened, and amidst roars of laughter, thick pieces of cloth were drawn out, one after the other, till nature was laid bare. Nothing now being in the way, the punishment was duly administered.

I might say, for the benefit of the boys who came after the event, that the thick pieces of cloth which adorned one of the shields in the large-room for so many years were kept as a memento of the event.

Henry Sims, Esq. (an old master)

Other Masters who came afterwards were Messrs. M. Franklin, Greville, Russell, and, for a sholt time, S. T. Elgie.

My work was principally with Standard IV. in the old upper railway arch, a place very unsuitable for a school. Nevertheless, some good work was done there until the main building was reconstructed and enlarged, and then the old arch ceased to be used as a class room. The boys who passed through the classes it would not be possible to mention, even were it advisable. The vast majority have passed out of knowledge, a few it is my privilege to meet, even now. Perhaps I may be allowed to recall two incidents in connection with boys in my class: one dealing with the so-called religious difficulty (a thing, by-the-bye, which does not exist in schools managed by such men as John Hernaman), and the other showing how it is possible to induce a boy to adopt habits of cleanliness.

In the first instance a mother (Mrs. N.) of one of the boys came and said she objected to her son receiving religious instruction.

Mr. Hernaman replied, 'Very well, he can go into the Board room and do some other work each morning."

"Oh," said the mother, "I thought I should be able to keep him at home till ten if he did not have religious instruction, if he still has to come at nine you can teach him what you like."

In the second instance a boy, named B., would persist in coming to school dirty. One day Mr. Hernaman asked two of the upper boys to take him to the lavatory and wash him. They were delighted to do so. B. was cured with one dose. He came to school clean after that.

with the Christmas of 1888 my connection with the Lambeth Green School as a Master ceased, although I still enjoyed the friendship of the respected Head Master until his lamented death in March, 1899. About the end of last year (1905), I was asked by the Rector and Mr. Willie Jones if I would take up the posts of Correspondent and Acting Treasurer.

Having still a kindly regard for the School and its associations, I consented to do so, although I felt that the Trustees ought to have had some one more efficient. 

I am still holding these offices, and sometimes I wonder if I shall continue to do so until the present Education Bill or its successor practically closes Church Schools. Any how, I shall try.