The first Speech Day in the new School was celebrated in a fitting manner on March 12th, 1851. Three prize Odes were composed on the subject of re-building and were read by their respective authors. F. Howson recited some rapt verses, extolling Queen Victoria and telling her that the New School should stand as her memorial. O Fairest star, with radiance divine Gilding the honours of thy royal line! Too pure thy beauty realms of earth to cheer A brighter orbit gained in a far brighter sphere. But unextinguishable still Thy parting glow! As from Sol's latest smile of light Steep Alpine summits of eternal snow A purpling lustre cast o'er the deep vales below. So beams thy virtue, after life has fled, In deeds reflected, which their blessings shed Still o'er thy people, and will ever be Illustrious tokens of thy piety. This spot an endless monument Of thee shall stand, And still perpetuate thy praise: For here from age to age a youthful band Shall learn the fear of God, the love of Fatherland. J. Brackenridge gave a short description of the extent of his Classical Studies:-- See this the third! theme of mine ode, Adorned by sculptur'd art; Make it, O Learning, thy abode, Thy gems through it impart. There may the bards of tragic name Forever flourish, Graecia's fame-- With Homer's deathless lay! Here Maro with heroic glow, And Naso's elegiac flow Outlive their mould'ring clay. Jackson Mason was the best of the three, though strongly suggestive of Gray. He describes the tale of a maiden "vanished down the gulph profound" and now The ruffled water of the well Mov'd by bosom's fall and swell Alternate ebbs and flows. The tale is o'er; the old man gone. With tottering steps and slow He pauses ever and anon, To view the vale below: And, leaning on his staff the while, Gazes with pleasure on the pile, Which crowns that landscape fair: Then as the grateful tear-drop falls, For blessings on those goodly walls Breathes forth this fervent prayer. Such was the poetical achievement of three boys in 1851. The School might reasonably be expected to go forward quickly, with new buildings, a new Headmaster and strenuous Governors, and in 1850 they received a just recognition of the quality of the teaching. The Provost and Fellows of Queen's College, Oxford, had a very large sum of money at their disposal, which was devised to them by Lady Elizabeth Hastings. She had intended the money to be divided annually among boys from schools in the North of England. The privilege of being one of the schools able to send boys in for the Exhibitions--which were very valuable--was offered to Giggleswick and gratefully accepted. The Exhibitions have frequently been won.