SUMMER 2012 ISSUE No. 150 - Shrewsbury School

Michael Curig Roberts (R 1952-56)
Welsh Odyssey: in the footsteps of
Gerald of Wales
Gwasg Carreg Gwalch, 2011
ISBN 1845273540, 9781845273545
The latest book by Michael Curig
Roberts tells the story of the
intriguing Gerald of Wales, who in
1198 travelled around the
Principality with the Archbishop of
Canterbury trying to persuade
Welshmen to join the Third
Crusade.
The author, using Sir Richard Colt Hoare’s 1806 translation of
Gerald’s account, examines some of Gerald’s comments about the
landscape, culture and personalities of Wales at that time and also
travels to see what remains of some of the places Gerald visited.
The book includes many stories and myths that the author picked
up during his journey. It even includes a little on Shrewsbury, as
Gerald visited there on his travels.
M ENS AGITAT MOLEM
Michael Ingrams (I 1940-45) recently wrote to the Old Salopian Office and offered an excellent
recommendation for anyone who feels that the nimbleness of mind they acquired during their
schooldays may be beginning to creak somewhat:
“We are advised to keep our minds active to avoid the dreaded Alzheimer’s! I read through “A
Classical Anthology – A Selection from the Greek and Roman Literatures” by LA Wilding and RWL
Wilding (father and son) published by Faber. One half is Greek opposite English translation; the
other half is Latin opposite English translation. Second-hand copies are available on line from ABC
Books and Amazon at various prices.”
By happy coincidence, we have also recently been sent a brief article about Eric Arthur Barber
(WDH 1906), who was awarded the Sidney Medal “for brilliancy in Greek and Latin Prose and
Verse composition”. He went on to become a distinguished Classicist at Exeter College Oxford,
where he was a Fellow from 1913 to 1943 and then Rector until 1956.
He once commented that even at the age of thirteen, “he had been composing Latin verses for
some time...and never lost his inclination to this pursuit”. His compositions were usually versions
from English, in the manner that would have been demanded in his schooldays. An article by his
son, Giles Barber, ‘Latin and Greek Versions & Tributes by Eric Arthur Barber’ (Humanistica
Lovaniensia, Lyr, 2007, Lerven University Press) prints all the extant verses, alongside their originals
where they are recorded.
Here is one of the shorter pieces, drawn from a well-known English poet. The Editors of The
Salopian would be delighted to award a small prize to the first person who is able to identify the
English original.
Sed mihi da calicem plenum, semel oscula iunge:
Nos quoque mors, coniunx o mea cata, manet.
Parte aliqua claudet rerum natura, sed olim
Expediet causas, quae lafuere, deus.
Non nihil in vita mortalibus adfluit; isdem
Plura datis penitus demere fata solent.
Tu memor assidue, coniunx dilecta, precare,
Nos simul exstinctos auferat una dies.
61
Old salopian News
Memories sought by OS author for book about Liverpool
Ramblers
Jonathan Russell (O 1959-64) is asking for any Old Salopian with
memories of playing against Liverpool Ramblers at school or for the
Club to get in touch with him. Any photos would be a bonus. He is
writing a book on the history of the Liverpool Ramblers, probably
the world’s oldest amateur football club in existence that has never
played in a league.
Most Salopians who have played in a School football team will
probably recall playing against the dark blue and gold halved shirts
of the Ramblers. Since 1945 the membership has been dominated
by Old Salopians who have heavily contributed to the Club’s
colourful history both on and off the pitch. Please contact Jonathan
Russell at jhrussell@umbria.eclipse.co.uk
The book will be published during the autumn.
BOOK DONATION
We are very grateful to Edmund T. F. Palmer (R 1955-60), who has
generously donated to the Ancient Library a rare copy of the first
English translation of Nostradamus: The true phrophecies or
prognostications of Michael Nostradamus (London, 1672).
Eric Arthur’s Sidney Medal,
now in the Ashmolean Museum,
University of Oxford