The Eagle; A Magazine Supported by Members of St. John's College Volume 26 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1905 edition. Excerpt: ... boys have, had in Mr Rowe s example and teaching the best light to lighten their feet. But though an ever-growing number of his best pupils, conscious of the debt their minds owed to him and struck with admiration of his noble fearlessness, became his sworn friends-and supporters, they could do little to stem the current of opposition and detraction which set in at the beginning of his rule and continued to the end. To this many causes contribnted. Mr Rowe was a lover of the naked truth such as in this world of compromises is rarely seen. He gave offence by speaking out unpalatable opinions-especially in theology, where his standpoint was that of a Darwinian. He believed in reason, and to many people there is nothing more irritating. He was forced to introduce changes, some of them in the direction of curtailing or annulling old-established privileges, and thus raised new enemies. He was the pioneer of modem or scientific studies, and thus vexed the souls of the pure classics. -Tendcrly interested in the good of his boys, whether they had left the school in the VIth or in the lVth, he nevertheless wanted the hail-fellow-wellemet geniality of the man of the world. Seeing so clearly himself the distinction between the realil.y and the appearance, he under-valued, perhaps, the utility of outward ceremony. He seemed to lack the fire and quick imperiousness which so often pass for strength. He would tolerate discussion, when, even if he were wrong, Sic volo, sic jubeo, would have been more efficacious. It is needless to say more. Outside Tonbridge, and to some extent, in Tonbridge, the work he was doing, the greatness of his character were constantly disparaged-especially perhaps among the...