Narrowing the focus still further (and at last getting to the real point of the article) what are the aims of our own magazine The Victorian, who is likely to read it, or at least look at it, and what could it, or should it, contain ?
We'll try and answer these questions in reverse order. Because the range and proportion of types of contribution must surely be related to the potential and intended readership, which is largely predetermined. And if the contents possibilities and the readership categories can be agreed, then perhaps, some measure of general understanding and acceptance of the aims of our Magazine may also be achieved, which is desirable since (as it must be candidly admitted) these are also determined.
Nevertheless it is believed that within the limitations of these premises there is plenty of space and liberty for constructive criticism, originality of concept and, one so hopes, scope for real and varied achievement in contribution. The encouragement of such is, indeed, the underlying purpose of the article.
Well, let's see what we can have. To dispose of the factual record side first. We need this, for historical reasons and for those people (not inconsiderable in number) who want to know what's happened. Need such accounts always be dull and repetitive? Even for those who already know what has happened or participated in the event or activity a personalised account from an informed reporter with a definite viewpoint and some facility of expression, not afraid to praise or comment with candour (civility, too, please) can be of interest. Otherwise, why do people who have seen a film or TV programme still like to read a newspaper criticism of it, and why do so many public men subscribe to press cutting agencies?
Next, literary contributions, whether they be fictional, poetical or the expression of feeling or experience in human affairs. Even the effort in producing these is justification enough. But, if decently done, there will be those, in all the categories of readership, who will get some pleasure in reading some of such contributions for their own merit. But can we, sometimes, hope to get away from staring eyeballs, rotting corpses and the absolute certainty of nuclear extinction or racial war occurring next week or next year or before we are 21 ? These are valid subjects for literary reference and not to be sneered at or ignored, but there have been brave tales and fine poetry too written on other subjects in past days, in which the elements of gaiety, humour, fantasy, beauty and (dare one write the words in 1968) romance and adventure have not been entirely absent. There is no guilt in happiness when one is young however sensitive one may be to the sorrows and follies of mankind.
To say that if a magazine does not consist entirely

 of literary contributions, therefore any such contribution is in some way inhibited, is plain nonsense. Any author worth his ink would rather have a story published in the Trade Journal of the Pig Breeders and Pork Butchers Society than not be published at all.
Personal opinion on matters of public interest. Fine. The multi-racial society, religion and birth control, Rhodesia, heart transplants, student power, Vietnam, et cetera ad infinitum if, and please only if, you have something to say on them which (to bring in my third and last Latin tag) has not already been said or written ad nauseam in the papers, on the Radio, on TV.
Individual grouses of a localized nature. No. And not because we wish to censor or repress you but for three sensible reasons. First, what is of possibly intense current domestic concern to the individual boy, or group of boys, is probably extremely uninteresting to anyone outside the School. Second, by the time the grouse appears it isn't even contemporary but at least a month stale and can't be answered in the same way for another half year. And thirdly, it's the worst possible way of getting a grouse attended to. There are other quicker more efficient alternatives which do not imply boring other people.
The "Reader's Letter" in the Puddletown Gazette which causes such a local stir is seldom republished in the Times. Nor, incidentally, is The Victorian the most appropriate means for advising the School authorities on how to run the School. Lastly, news of "Old Boys" especially those who are not very old. We don't get half enough of this. People like to know how former friends or at least schoolmates are getting on and what they are doing.
Those seem to be the main possibilities, but if you think of others, tell us. Photographs and drawings too, of course. Jokes, competitions, book reviews, anything original. So who is it all for? This is where parochial egotism is apt to find expression. It isn't just for you (whoever you may be) that the Victorian is produced.
The boys themselves. An important section, and the hardest to please. And yet, it is up to you. If you don't like what you find, write something better. We'll probably find a place for it, though not necessarily to the exclusion of all else. You may be surprised, later on in life, to find you rather wish you'd kept your Victorians. The Staff. Well, we won't worry too much about them. If you have done well, they are pleased. Parents. Very important. Some may be quite uninterested in the School magazine in this, or in any other form. But many probably most, are interested. And what do they most like to read ? In this order: Anything by their son ; Anything about their son in which he is mentioned by name; Any activity in which he was engaged, even if not men-