the MP.
DECEMBER, 1920.
EDITOR. M. M. DA LSTON.
YEAR REPRESENTATIVES ON COMMITTEE. M. SAVORY
M. E. PRICHARD
Third Year Representative. Second Year Representative. TREASURER. H. BURNETT.
THE IMP. No. 6.
DECEMBER.
1920.
CONTENTS. EDITORIAL
1
-
COMPETITION ENTRY
2
-
IMPRESSIONS OF A LECTURE
3
To A NAME
-
4
THE BIOGRAPHY OF A BICYCLE
5
THOUGHTS OF HOME
7
IMP-RESSIONS
7
HYDE PARK AT NIGHT
9
COLLEGE REPORTS A LAMENT
9
-
12
-
EDITORIAL.
Does St. Hugh's College wish for a magazine of its own, or does it not ? Judging by the appalling paucity of voluntary contributions to this and previous numbers, and the difficulty experienced in securing involuntary ones, we gather that the answer is in the negative. We hope we are mistaken. To the uninitiate the position of representatives on the " Imp's " committee may appear a sinecure. The contrary is the case. In the first stage of the operation of extracting contributions, these officials have to be positively wheedling (not to say fulsome), which is bad ; in the second, they have to be importunate as Neapolitan beggars, which is worse, while in the third and last physical strength is desirable, and the determination of a Pelmanist essential ! This may strike you as a feeble attempt at humour. It may be feeble, but we are not trying to be funny. We do not like making
THE IMP such a confession as this, neither do we like to think that a College of over one hundred members has insufficient literary talent to produce a paper of the necessarily diminutiVe size of the " Imp " three times a year, 'and while we fully sympathize with those who find term time too much of a rush as it is, we would venture to insinuate that there are occasional vacations. Strangely enough, in spite of this lamentable state of affairs, nearly everyone is quite pleased when the " Imps " arrive. Dees this pleasure arise merely from indulgence in that national pastiine of commenting on the speed with which something—in this case the unhappy " Imp "—is " going to the dogs " ? We try to make the " Imp " a vehicle for original literary efforts (which need not be facetious), College notes, competitions and a correspondence column (at present, for obvious reasons, conspicuous by its absence). Suggestions for alteration and improvement, within the limits imposed on us by printer's' bills, are always more than welcome. The " Imp " i8 not a thing apart from ordinary interests, imposed on a long-suffering public by a small body of tyrants, upon whom the duty of producing it temporarily devOlves. It is intended to be run by the College for the College. Personally, we are convinced that a right-thinking community of this size should have a paper of its own, and should make that paper a sign and expression of its acknowledged vigour and progress. We know that it can do so if it will. But unless our readers show their agreement with these sentiments by more practical signs of interest in the next issue, we see no point in the continued expenditure of College money on the publication of a confession of weakness.
COMPETITION ENTRY.
SHADOWS. How is it, Shadows, that I knew you not All that long time ago ? Ye that have danced Fantastic measures round my very cot And beckoned. with weird hands where'er I glanced. Why did I seek you not, still in the glow Of youth—and find you soft, and warm, and tender ?
THE IMP
3
Ah me ! the shadows on December's snow Are steely blue, and do but fears engender. Surely the darkness that the June suns threw Was not so hard ! Had I in those past days Of youth but sought and found and turned to you, Your cool repose had calmed my feverish gaze. But now with winter's chilling blasts ye come Creeping, unwelcomed, round a heart all numb. UMBRA (W. A. Odell). COMPETITIONS FOR NEXT TERM. 1. A Parody. 2. Two Suggestions for Competitions.
IMPRESSIONS OF A LECTURE. By Agricola ( H. K. Hudson).
" An awful board ; the worst I ever used," said Professor Meek-and-Mild, as he scrubbed the inadequate black-board with a lemon-coloured rag. He had said it before, many times ; in fact, the sceptical student in the front row had come to look upon the remark as a necessary preliminary to the lecture. She picked up her notebook and proceeded to wait for the pearls of wisdom, so soon to fall from his lips. " I will deal with the back vowels," said the Professor in a. stern voice. " They may be back-high-tense-round-trilled, or back-low-slack-unrounded, or back-mid-slack-over-rounded-nasal, Or
" Heavens," gasped the conscientious First-Year, clutching her fevered brow and struggling wildly to inscribe in her tablets this wonderful information ; " I shall never get it down in time." " The sound ha' is developed from the sound hay' by a process of sound-shifting," continued the remorseless voice. " It is perfectly easy to demonstrate," and he hissed oat fiercely : " hay-hay-hay—h ee-hee-liee—haw-h aw-haw —ha-ha-ha." The sceptical student thought of her childhood days, and of that
THE IMP great epic, Jack the Giant Killer. Could the stern Professor be a lineal descendant of the famous utterer of " Fee-fi-fo-fam " ? Had he, in dim aeons past, smelt the blood of an Englishman ? Certainly at the present moment he did not suggest to the mind the milk of human kindness. " The same process may be shown in reverse order," went on the sound-shifter ; " ha-ha-ha—haw-haw-haw—hee-hee-bee —" " It 's not coming," said the sceptical student to herself. " He'll just wangle it until he does." And he did The sceptical student (and many others) gradually fell into a dream into which fierce hisses of " ho-ho-ho—hu-hu-hu " penetrated at times, without any serious disturbance, until she heard a well-known jovial voice : " I shall discuss Shakespear's humour to-day, and next time, the sounds of Elizabethan English, but (this with a merry twinkle in the eye) not sound-shiftings." And amid a burst of hearty laughter, the student prepared for her second lecture.
TO A NAME.
Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, Golden woman in the sun, Had he never seen thy beauty— What had tall young Caesar done ? Rather than the world-long highways, Where the eagled legions tread, Hath he chosen pathless desert And the snake about thy head. Hide thee in those moonlit mountains Whence the fruitful waters run ; Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, That vast golden in the sun ! HELEN BURNETT. ,
THE IMP
5
THE BIOGRAPHY OF A BICYCLE.
One cannot help feeling attached to a bicycle which one has owned for over ten years. It struck me that I might celebrate the tenth anniversary of partnership by a slight sketch of the career of my trusty bike. I have still a clear recollection of the day of purchase, the consummation of many days of feverish struggles to learn on an ancient fixed-wheeler. An adamant brother, bent on a similar errand, accompanied me to the village ironmonger's, where I fell an easy victim to the charms of the first bicycle brought to my notice, although of obscure make and doubtful pedigree. Then followed the ride home, moments, in my case, of mixed agony and bliss. I was yet by no means a proficient cyclist, so was confronted with a choice between two ghastly alternatives. I must either suffer the ignominy of pushing the bicycle all the way, or court disaster by attempting to ride it. Added to this there was the bitter vexation caused by my exasperating brother, who insisted on taking the longest route home, in order to put his mount through its " paces." I must now pass over a large interval of time bare of incident. Suffice it to say, that their novelty soon wore off; we ceased to spend hours negotiating the intricacies of the garden paths or exhibiting our prowess on the lawn. We ceased, also, to clean and polish them every day, in spite of good resolutions. This latter neglect was no doubt partly due to the loss of some of their pristine beauty—the result of one or two small accidents. The front mudguard of my mount was buckled up in a fearsome game played on the lines of ".French and English," but on bicycles. Each player was armed with a long stick with which to spear and carry off the flags (consisting of pieces of newspaper) from the enemy's country. By inadvertently sticking this weapon through the spokes of the front wheel when in full career, this minor catastrophe was occasioned. Then I feel I should account for the fact that the pedals do not match. This was an indirect result of an impromptu attempt to commit suicide by losing control down a steep hill and charging the side of a house. Luckily it was on my brother's bicycle, and as the impact reduced his front wheel to the consistency of tissue paper, he very magnanimously transferred his two-speed back wheel into my bicycle, thus providing himself with an adequate excuse to invest in a motor cycle. Hence the discrepancy. The years rolled by, each marked by the further accumulation
THE IMP of rust on the enamel and Ahe gradual disappearance Of all silverplating. Its vitals also, hitherto unimpaired, began to show signs of senile decay. I call to mind one ride especially which brought this home to me. The first contretempts was caused by a sudden determination on the part of the chain to leave its proper track and get mixed up with the spokes. This insubordination was easily remedied, however, but the next mishap was of a more serious nature : one of the pedals, after obstinately refusing to follow the custom of all right-minded pedals and allow the foot to remain in contact with it during the whole revolution, abruptly and basely detached itself completely and lay dovin on the road. With the help of the remaining strands of what had once been a dress guard, I managed to secure it temporarily, but its vengeance soon overtook me. Taking a mean advantage of the now unprotected back wheel, my skirt began to wind itself skilfully round the spokes. Fortunately I detected the manoeuvre in time, before I was hurled to perdition. Various other experiences of this kind, although they endeared my bike to me by appealing to my softer nature, a companion for the weak and aged, nevertheless persuaded me to consult a specialist. Accordingly I paid a visit with the invalid to a skilled practitioner. He cast (metaphorically) a critical eye over the machine. I hung upon his lips (also metaphorically) for the verdict. Imagine my joy and relief when he reassured me with the following words :--• "'E's not a had little bike, 'e 'aint. 'E'11 do you some time yet, Miss ; 'e's quite a strong little bike, 'e is." Cherishing these words, I cheerfully paid his little" bill and once more braced myself to face the world in company with my faithful bike. M. E. PRICHARD.
!,1
7
THE IMP THOUGHTS OF HOME.
Out at the Cape the grapes grow ripe and swell Upon the. vines ; Great dusky purple grapes, and grapes pale green, And some with lovely names, that make sweet .wines— Crystal and hanepoot and muscatel. The scented loquat-blossoms all are shed By each dark leaf. The yellow loquats hang, like slow dropt tears That, Midas-touched to gold, still melt in grief, Because a goddess shed them, and is dead.
•
Ah, there the misty mountains, dimly blue, Are faint with heat. And o'er the shining sea the dinkies wheel And swoop all sudden down, and rise, and beat With long slow stroke of wings the heavens through. ,
But here, the quiet rain falls without sound, In English lanes. The autumn leaves lie close and deeply piled, And the pale English moon waxes and wanes Behind grey mists ; and all is English ground. E. BALMFORT LT.
IMP-RESSIONS.
Imp-ressions this term have been diverse and entertaining. Exceeding great in number, too, like the freshers, who—despite the fear current in Oxford and vividly portrayed in a contemporary periodical, that this University will soon be nothing more than barracks for the monstrous " regiment of women "—have this year exceeded all previous records, and total no less than forty-five. The " chaste precints of St. Hugh's " have therefore been supplemented by The Lawn, Banbury Road, over which the Bursar presides. We forbear to add to the category of remarks on the granting to women of University privileges in Oxford. As for the black
8
THE IMP
folds which now constitute our academic uniform—well, the Imp has long ceased to eye them with interest or to observe that you may wear your cap, as Ophelia did her rue, with a difference. St. Hugh's Literary Society reminded us this term of its existence in an agreeable and interesting manner, when Mr. L. A. G. Strong, of Wadham, read a paper on " Criticism." We would protest that his insistence on the fact that a critic should make a prime virtue of sympathy with his victim has in no way suggested our expressions of appreciation. The Debating Society pursues a course of unwonted activity. Its first effort this term took the form of a sharp practice (preceded by entertaining private business), when the subject " Thaftbsence makes the heart grow fonder," was, we confess, chosen in preference to the motion " That the Classics form the best basis of Education." Later on came a joint debate here with Balliol, at which, though the official subject was " The effect of the War," we were interested to learn that a hypocritical regard for the welfare of others was a sign of progress ; that the Labour Club had several rare qualities, and that Socrates and Darwin thought—but what these thought was rendered obscure to our dull ears by ultra-polysyllabic phraseology. May we congratulate the President on the title she bestowed upon our next guests, the Diagnostic Society of Wadham ? Their visit to us gave rise to a very enjoyable evening. We are also looking forward with pleasure to a joint debate with Ruskin College later on. An animated discussion took place at the beginning of theterm between the French Club and the St. Hugh's French Society on the well-worn subject of " Women's admission to University privileges. Fortunately, anything can be gracefully expressed in French ! The First Year's search for wealth in this college during Finance Week resulted in the discovery of over £11, which sum was duly presented to the Fund for the Starving Children of Europe. We would like to extend our congratulations to the Sociable Secretaries who arranged so efficiently the first small dance of this term. A second has now been arranged, to which we are all looking forward. Another event which also approaches is the Second Year Play, of which the title, hitherto guarded in secrecy, will be divulged on Saturday, November 20th, the date of its production, underthe management of Miss Burnett.
THE IMP
9
HYDE PARK AT NIGHT.
Black trees stand huddled, massing 'gainst the dusk, Seeming with feathery tops to brush the low-hung sky. The milk-white skin of day gleams through the misty veil That night throws round her, sleeping still and pale, And clouds, like curled plumes, sweep ghost-like by. Beneath the trees move eerie, shadowy things, Twisting and twining, melting in the air. Beyond the tree-trunks gleams a string of light— The lamps along the roadway gleaming white— And overhead the dim stars blink and stare. V. R BOATING. President : Miss EVANS. Captain : J. WHYTLAW. Secretary : M.ISHARPE.
The weather has been excellent this term for boating, and the queue for the boat-list on Sundays seems to increase weekly. The First Years seem to be keen, and the Second Years have several good scullers and canoeists among them. Canoeing style as a whole is good. Sculling style still shows a lamentable lack of smartness : there is no decided start or finish to the stroke. People scull with their beads hanging down and their whole body relaxed, instead of sitting straight, rowing with their back and legs, and keeping all their muscles tense, ready at the end of the stroke to gain a rapid recovery, and at the beginning to get on to the stroke with their shoulders and legs at once. Coxing is, proportionately, much better than sculling. It would be preferable if captains would demand from would-be half-captains smarter sculling style even at the expense of coxing. Mr. Lusk is quite pleased with both " fours," and considering that we have so little practice, thinks that we have improved marvellously. The time, however, is still very ragged, chiefly because the various people who row bow, 2 and 3 have developed a private time-swing of their own, and row to it regardless of stroke. They must try to get out of their own time-rut and follow stroke implicitely. The raggedness of time, slowness in shooting out the hands at the recovery, and getting in the legdrive before the shoulder-pull at the beginning of the stroke instead of vice-versa, are the chief faults at present.
•
10
THE IMP
The following qualifications were made during the latter half of the summer term and,this term Canoeing Captains : A. Windham, M. R. Layng. Punting Captains : Dalston, Glenday, Hemstock, Layng, Nasmyth. Punting half-Captains : Cartwright, Chilton, Baker, Hutton,. Negus, Pickford, Sharpe, Whytlaw, Windham, Wright. Sculling Captains : Crump, Miskin, Newnham, Sharpe, Wright. HOCKEY REPORT. In spite of the fact that all the hockey-players this year arevery keen, the standard of play is low. There are eight or nine players who are really fit for the First Eleven, but then there comes a drop, and everyone else is on much the same level—and that is not a very high one. Still, there is nothing like practice, and if people carry on as well as they hale begun there is no telling what we may have accomplished by the end of the season. The team, as a whole, are inclined to fumble with the ball instead of hitting out cleanly, and they must beware of turning on the ball. They are also apt, when tackled, to give up struggling half-way, instead of following the ball through, and finishing off what they have begun. The combination, too, is weak. The Forwards, of course, have been unsettled, and have not really had a fair chance of combining, but the defence do not play together as well as they did last year. The Forwards need to practice stick-work and dribbling ; when they dribble fast they leave the ball behind or get it on their left, side, and so lose it. They might also rely more on combination in order to get round the opposing defence. R. WING.—Takes the ball up and centres well, bat is rather slow. Shooting sometimes very good. R. INNEL-r-Shooting weak, and does not play with enough force. Is much better at tricking the defence, and she and theWing are learning to combine much better. C. FORWARD.—Is good, and has speed and dash, but needs tohold the line together rather more. Must be careful not to lose control of the ball by sending it too far in. front._ Is a good shot. L. INNER.—
ti
THE IMP
11
L. WING.—Needs to be a little quicker in centreing, and to practice turning her stick round. Is good at coming in to shoot when there is an opportunity. It. HALF.—A very neat and safe player. Her stick work is good and she plays with great energy. L. HALF.—Marks very well and works hard, but should try to draw the opposing side more, and mike openings for her forwards. Must be careful about turning. R. BACK.—A clean, steady player. Backs up well, bat should remember not to pass back to the same place. L. BACK.—IS indefatigable. Neat and quick in her play, and is always there to back up. She never leaves the ball until she has placed it in a position of greater advantage. :GoAL.—Very good indeed, but must be quicker about making up her mind when to run out. The Second Eleven is not yet decided. The First Eleven is as follows :-R.-W., Prichard; PrichardR.-I., Blacow ; C.-F., Brown ; L.-I., ; R.-H., Rogers ( Sec.) ; L.-W. (Vice-Capt.) ; R.-B., Glenday (Capt.) ; L.-H., Wright ; L.-B., Paterson ; G., Clark.
REPORT OF LACROSSE CLUB. Captain : M. CHILTOIsd. Secretary : A. BROUGH.
The standard of the team is higher than that of last year, but it is a great pity that more members of the. First Year have not joined the Club. Last Year there were several sporting people who started lacrosse for, the first time. This lack of members means that it is very difficult to get a full game on Mondays ; consequently, when people cross off they spoil the game for the rest. Both attacks and defences are beginning to learn to combine ; but everyone should remember to help out their own side when they are being attacked. Few people think of coming up close for short passes. This is one of the points of a well-combined team. The defence has improved very much since last year. They play a more determined game and pass better, The wing
12
THE IMP
defences have not yet learnt to body check, but they work very hard and are most helpful in clearing out the ball. Third Man is an uncertain player ; at times she plays excellently, but at others she does not exert herself enough. Cover is a very sturdy player_ Pointworks hard and checks well, but she is not quick enough in clearing out. The attacks are learning to combine, but are still to slow in passing. Nothing baffles the defence more than a series of swift passes. Centre is the best player in the Eleven. Third Home is a useful player and understands how to combine. Second Home plays a strong and dependable game and shoots well. First Home is a very keen member of the team, her catching is rather uncertain, but she shoots well. The wing attacks are fast and reliable ; left wing does not shoot straight yet, and right wing should pass still more quickly. LACROSSE XI. Centre : Paterson. Goal: Chilton. 3rd Home : Emtage. Point : Clark. 2nd Home : Godley. Cover : Marshall. 1st Home : Peters. 3rd Man : Sinclair. R. Attack : Monk. R. Defence: Nickalls. L. Attack : Brough. L. Defence : Leys. ,
A LAMENT,
Upon the chilly steps I sit And moan, Since half-past one I've sat Alone. And now at half-past four The queue Has not begun to form, is not In view. At half-past four I'm still alive, Though cold. At half-past one I thought me brave And bold To wait six long and chilly hours To hear The fiddles tune and see Pooh-Bah H. C. Appear. D. OLIVER, PRINTER, GEORGE STEEET. OXFORD.
CONSTITUTION OF THE COLLEGE MAGAZINE.
I.—That the name of the magazine shall be called " THE IMP." IL—That the officers of the magazine shall be an Editor and a Treasurer, elected by the J.C.R., and a representative from each year, elected by their own years. III.—Contributions shall be -accepted or refused by the decision of the majority of the committee, the Editor reserving the the right of the casting vote. IV.—The Committee shall not be held responsible for any opinions expressed in the magazine. V.—Nothing of intrinsic merit shall be excluded on account of views expressed therein. VI.—The anonymous character of contributions shall be respected when required. VIL—Contributions from the Senior and Junior Common Rooms, past and present, shall be accepted. VIII.—The Committee shall be empowered to invite contributions from anyone not a member of the College at their discretion.