THE F TILs.ARY.
MARCH,
)Editor Miss CAMERON, Somerville College.
treasurer : MISS BRIGHT, St. Hilda's Hall.
Committee Miss KNIGHT, Lady Margaret Hall,. Miss LEYS, Somerville College. Miss PYM, S. Hugh's_College; Miss GURNER, S. ,Hilda's Hall. Miss MURRAY-HowE, Oxford Home Students.
lie Aritalary. MARCH.
No. 58.
1913.
CONTENTS. PAGE
PAGE
DAUGHTERS OF FRIGG
65
OXFORD STUDENTS' UNITED HOCKEY CLUB
74
UNIVERSITY LIFE IN HOLLAND
67
OXFORD STUDENTS' LACROSSE CLUB
74
ACHILLE-MAKER OF NEWS
68
X CLUB
74
0. U. D. S.
70
HALL NOTICES :-
70
LADY MARGARET HALL
74
71
SOMERVILLE COLLEGE S. HUGH'S COLLEGE
75 76
PUBLIC LECTURES OF THE TERM
71 72
S. HILDA'S HALL
78
0. S. D. S.
72
OXFORD HOME STUDENTS
79
REVIEWS. FOUR STAGES OF GREEK RELIGION DANTE AND THE MYSTICS CHARACTER SKETCH
IDaugbters of
jragg.
IN the midst of discussions of the position and influence of women, it is interesting to turn back to the records and ideals which have come down to us from our Viking ancestors. We are proud to ascribe some part of our national character to these old Northmen : it flatters us to remember our kinship when we think of their courage, their love of freedom their mastery of the sea : we have learned to regard them as pioneers in overseas discovery ; but we are slow to recognise in their myths and sagas the foreshadowing of our own ideals. In the sagas we have clear and detailed pictures of the home life of the race from which sprang the early colonists of Iceland and the invaders of our own country. Fragments of old laws give weight to these accounts ; but the mythic conceptions of ,the Edda give us glimpses of an earlier ideal. It arose from the acknowledged position of women among the tribes, took shape in myths of the Asynjar or Norse goddesses, and in its turn influenced the thought and conduct of later generations. Definite rules of chivalry were observed in the earliest times : not only in relation to women, of high birth, as in other European countries of a later age, but to women of the humblest order. From childhood, every woman was treated with respect : the wife was her husband's most trusted counsellor. The dread of a softening influence in this hardy race ordained in most cases that she should send her children to the house of a friend or kinsman to be educated, but her influence was felt the more by the children of others.
Her counsels had weight both in the details of home management and in affairs of importance to the community. The laws relating to inheritance gave her a large measure of justice. And the Northmen are ready to admit that women need a wide field for their activities. The greater number, then as now, found their chief interest in the home, but a woman was generally free to follow her individual bent. Of Sva fa the daughter of Bjartmar, we are told : When she grew up she was fair : she loved shooting with arrows and the handling of sword and shield better than sewing and embroidery.' The militant spirit, however, was attended by the usual dangers : it is recorded, alas ! that she did evil oftener than good ! ' Many of the Sagas relate acts of heroism in war performed by women : such deeds are idealised in the myths of the Valkyries. By the ancient Frostathing's Law it is ordained that if kinsmen neglect the right guardianship of women, and if women can earn a living for themselves, then they shall rule themselves according to their
will.' Field work was often done by women, and during the absence of their husbands on Viking cruises they undertook the management of the farm. Pictures of queens engaged in household work, brewing ale and bleaching linen, mark the origin of the stories in a primitive community. All through the Sagas we find women of high rank directing farm work and managing their own estates. They are skilled in the crafts of weaving and embroidery : in the Volsung Saga there is a
THE FRITILLARY.
66
Homeric description of Gudrun's work during her stay with Thora She made embroidery, and worked thereon many great deeds and games of skill which were practised at that age. Swords and coats of mail, and all the apparel of a king and the ships of Sigmund gliding along the shore.' The stories are full of picture-phrases the household is described with most minute detail we note the colour and texture of the housewife's dress the kyrtle or flowing gown with long sleeves the girdle with its hanging keys the fald or headdress which stands out.' We meet maidens fair to look on,' dressed in red kirtles, and wearing a band around the forehead.' Their hair is generally fine and very fair, hanging loose after the manner of maids.' We follow Gisli to his secret place, southward, below the cliffs with him go his wife and fosterchild and their kirtles leave a track in the dewy grass.' One of the Eddic poems, Voluspa, gives a picone ture of daily life in the household of a jarl to whom Odin had given many qualities.' In its clearness and detail it suggests an old Dutch painting. The husband and wife sit beside their hearth he bends the elm, shafts arrows, twists strings she in her blue sack,' smoothes the linen, folds the sleeves her brow brighter, her breast lighter, her neck whiter than snow.' Then she places white loaves of wheat on a broidered cloth,'sets forth full trenchers silvercovered on the table.' They sup and talk. Outside the light fades from the sky. The poem goes on to describe the birth and upbringing of their son how the mother wrapped him in silk, sprinkled him with water, called him Jarl how his hair was fair, his cheeks bright, s.' his eyes keen as a young snake' And this boy grew up there in the house shafted the arrows, threw the javelin, rode horses, set on the hounds, brandished the sword, practised swimming.' In this case the mother's influence is not mentioned, but the Norse belief in the wisdom of women suggests that she had no small part in his education. It was not enough that a young jarl should become skilled in manly exercises he must know runes,—everlasting runes and life runes how to save men's lives, to calm the sea, to soothe minds, to allay sorrows.' The appearance of the N8rnir, the three Norse Fates, at the birth of a child, expresses the attitude of the Northmen towards the mystery of life. The myth is closely connected with their belief in the guiding and prophetic powers of women. And beyond this it embodies their philosophy the gods themselves cannot alter the decrees of the N6rnir they dwell at the very roots of the World Tree they spin the threads of fate at the birth of every child measure the boundaries of his doings, and the days of his life.' :
:
:
:
:
:
:
'
'
;
'
:
:
'
:
:
:
'
'
:
'
:
'
'
;
:
:
:
:
:
:
Let us see how they are named, these Fates who appear when it becomes night in the house,' and for the hero shape his life who unravel the golden threads and fasten them under the middle of the moon's hall.' They are Urd, the symbol of the past history of the race ; Vedrandi, the Present, charged with opportunity and Skuld, the Future, with its unbounded possibilities. Skuld is the youngest she rides with the Valkyries to decide the issue of battle and to choose the slain. The idea of futurity, of reaching forward, is here and the progress of the race is connected in the minds of the Northmen with these maids of victory.' The myths of the Valkyries are, indeed, among the finest and most characteristic of old Norse beliefs. Mounted and armed like warriors they ride through the air and over the sea. Their name, storm-raisers,' gives us a clue to an original nature myth, into which records of actual heroines have been woven a suggestion of clouds driven by the wind across the sky. When the horses of the Valkyries shake their manes, dew drops into the valleys, and hail falls from their nostrils into the woods. In the Volsung Saga, the nature myth has given place to an entirely human character. In her strength and power, as in her passion, Brynhild is the very spirit of her race. Like the Greeks, the Northmen saw in the rhythm of the waves the movement of maidens dancing but the nine daughters of Aegir, unlike the myriad Oceanides, represent the sea in its varying moods. Each has her own individuality. The Dove,' The Beloved,' The Cooling One,' these are symbols of a quiet sea. Heavenglittering '—the light of sun or moon upon the waves. She of the bloodstained locks suggests the glow of sunset on the water. The rest are children of the storm the Hurling,' Raging,' Billowing,' and the wave that bears against the rocks. They are Aegir's daughters,' says King Heidrek, in the saga they go ever three together, and the waves awaken them.' It is significant that Frigg, the highest of the Asynjar,' is connected with the sea. For her dwelling is Fensalir, the Watery Hall,' and the coast dwellers believe that she can control the waves. To the Northmen the .stars of Orion's Belt form the spinning-wheel of Frigg, w hereon she spins threads of silk, a reward for skilful wives. She knows the fates of men she is consulted by Odin himself her sons turn to her for advice and help. Frigg stands for all that is highest and most enduring in the Norse mythology she is the guardian of the homes of men. Who are the Asynjar? asks Gangleri in the '
'
:
'
;
:
:
'
:
;
'
'
'
:
'
'
:
'
:
:
:
'
'
THE FRITILLARY. Edda. Har answers The highest is Frigg.' Freyja, he says, is next in rank to Frigg. She rules the Vanir, gods of earth and air. Her husband, Od, went far off, and left Freyja weeping : and her tears are red gold.' Freyja is nearer to the nature myth : this may be the old theme of the earth's grief at the departure of summer ; but Freyja often shares the powers of Frigg. The second in order is Saga, of whom we are only told that she dwells in a large place ' : doubtless a goddess of substance, if not of power. The third is Eir : she is the most skilled healer.' How prophetic were the souls of our forefathers ! Already we have the warrior maid, the woman of property, the physician. ' The fourth is Gefjon, a maiden : and those who die as maidens wait upon her.' The fifth is Fulla : she is a maiden, too : her hair is loose : she wears a golden band round her head. She bears Frigg's ashen box, takes care of her shoe-clothes, and shares her secret counsels.' It is Sjofn who turns men's minds to love.' Lofn is mild : it is good to pray to her, for she begs Odin to allow marriages, even when they have been forbidden. Var combines the offices of legal adviser and judge : she hears the oaths and agreements of men, and punishes those who break them. In our own time Vor's qualities suggest the barrister : she is wise and asks many questions : so that men can hide nothing from her. Syn guards the door of Valhalla, lest those enter who are not allowed.' Hlin is the protector of Frigg's chosen men. Snotra, a true type of gentlewoman, is wise and of good manners.' Even the diplomatic service is open to the Asynjar : for Gna is sent forth into other worlds as Frigg's ambassadress. Her steed runs on air and water. His name is Hoof turner.' Can it be Skuld who suggests that the ambassadress of the future will call hers hydroplane ' F. V. B.
University 9ILife in lbollanb. To get a good idea of Dutch University life for girls, the best plan, I think, is for you to imagine yourself a fresher ' for a short time. The life is practically the same in the five Dutch University towns, Amsterdam, Leiden, Utrecht, Delft and Gronigen. As I am a fifth year Gronigen student I feel it safer to conduct you to that beautiful town in the north of pur country. It is a long way out—as far as anything can be called a long way out in such a small country, and to its. isolated position it owes a great part of its charm.
67
The first train from Hilland,' as we GrOnigen people say, has brought us to the town where we shall have to spend some consecutive years of our life. The shortest time we can be there is three or four years. In that case we have our first examination after one year, and the second after two or three. If we do language we have our first part after three years and our second after another three years. Medicine, Science and. Pharmacy take seven, Theology five or six years. When we made up our minds to go and study in Gronigen we wrote to the Women Students' Club, which is the only association that exists. We were told that if we wanted to belong to that Club we were to come up a fortnight before term began so as to be able to join in the walks, bicycle rides, boating parties, &c., organised especially on our account. They sent us a list of rooms which were to let. This does not mean that the rooms are approved by any Society. We may live wherever we like, no one being responsible for us. But simply for convenience' sake five or six girls go over all rooms before the summer vacation and make notes so as to be able to give the freshers ' their opinion. If we like, one of them goes with us, but we are quite free as to our choice. Parents often send their daughters into a family for the first year, which is not a bad plan, as the change from home life to living in rooms is somewhat great for a girl of 17 or 18. Wherever we are, we always have two rooms. The fresher's ' novitiaatstyd,' as it is called, starts with a tea-party in the Common Room. We have two very nice rooms in the town. One is a reading-room, which serves also for a diningroom, as some of the students regularly lunch and dine there. The other has a piano. A Common Room without a piano cannot be imagined with us. At the 'freshers' tea they are received by the board,' usually consisting of third and fourth year students, and by .the committee who organise the entertainments. Every girl has to go up and introduce herself. It is the general custom all over Holland for all girl students to call each other by their Christian names at once. The next day trips begin, and students already in Gronigen join if they like. The freshers ' call on fifth and sixth year girls, and so they gradually get to know most of the Gronigen students. At the end of the fortnight they are 'inaugurated.' The Principal. who is one of the five girls on the Board, addresses the freshers,' they act a little play, after which there is a supper, and they make a present to the Common Room. Then they are like the other students. We can go to the Common Room every day and have tea there. Once a fortnight there is a lecture by one of the third year girls, who have to give it unless they have an examination within six months. We get to know each other very well indeed. The first year especially is a grand time for cocoa parties and long talks at night. Gronigen is
68
THE FRITILLARY.
very safe, and nobody minds walking alone at 12 or i o'clock at night. After the first fortnight lectures begin. We have the sensible arrangement that on payment of for the year we can go to any lecture we like. Tickets for lectures are unknown. Of course, we can go to lectures besides those necessary for our examinations. Nearly, everyone studies philosophy. Professor Heyman, honoured by all of us, gives most delightful lectures on psychology, the cause of many grand talks with our girl and boy friends. At the first lecture the men as a rule come up to us and introduce themselves, as is the custom in Holland. We have the best seats at lectures, and the men sit at the back. They all of them live in rooms. No sports are connected with University life, but we have our own tennis clubs, and some of us have clubs with the undergraduates. The Women's Club and the non-undergraduates have a splendid boathouse and about 35 boats. Our rowing is very much more systematic than it is here. Of course, it has to be so, since our canels, full of steamers and boats, are a little more dangerous than the quiet Cher.' The men coach us as well as the girls, and the examinations first-class ' and second-class ' are very stiff. As to work. Tutors and coaches are unknown. We attend lectures or do not attend them as we like ; though, of course, we know that we have to work if we wish to pass our examinations. We do not go to a University unless we mean to work and love it. When one has to go in for an examination one asks one's friends to a dinner party afterwards. It is all arranged by two friends. All the people invited order a four-inhand and carriages to await the candidate. The horses wear plumes in the case of the men, bows in the case of the girls, the colour indicating what her study is, viz. red, medicine ; white, law ; blue, theology ; yellow, science ; purple, language. In the vier ' sit the best friends of the candidate. The latter receives a bouquet in her colour, and all the other girls carry nosegays of the same colour. We drive through the principal streets and are cheered by all we know, men often lifting their hats even if they do not know us. Of course, it is tremendously sad to see an empty ' vier,' which means that one has failed, and it must be rather unpleasant to hear the horses when one is being examined, though it is a sign that the end is near. Anyone reading this and realising the spirit of Gronigen University life will understand how strange it seems to a girl of 23 in her fifth year to hear, when she comes to Oxford, that she cannot live in rooms and do what she likes. Still, though little things may not please her, she is perfectly sure that in her last year in Gronigen she will often look back on dear old Oxford and consider her year up there, as a fine thing in,her life.
Elcbtlle: /Maker of Views
.
the news of the world was to be ascertained at the Bureau de Poste, and that evening there was much for the hearing. Those who found in such hearing their business, spat with more than usual vigour on the dusty road and greeted newcomers with mighty gesticulations. Women talked on their doorsteps or hastened from prayer in the dim church to gossip in the street. Beneath the garret walls of the convent school the nuns arrested their slow walk and paused in the telling of their beads to gaze past the statue of the good virgin to the groups in the road. Even the cows felt the influence of some great event, for the children let them wander and stood on the red bridge over the little river, pointing to th' grey stone building set on the high bank of the further shore. The building was peaceful enough. From behind their red shutters its windows gave no sign. The evening sun rested on the roof and touched the marigolds before the doorway. With dusk the lowing of cattle and the murmur of distant voices died away ; only the continual music of the little river broke the stillness. No breeze ruffled its surface ; trees, the red bridge, the house along the bank, the quivering elongated lights were seen in its depths. At the point where it added its waters to those of the mighty St. Lawrence the white church with slender spire kept watch and ward on land and in the stream. That the village had made some of the news of the world was due to M. de Cure, the priest of the church. He it was who had accomplished the conviction of Achille Dufour and his consequent confinement in the grey stone building which had had no other occupant save the gaoler these thirty years. M. le Cure considered the crime very great, but all did not think with him. When the autumn fogs descended, the English nailed boards across the doors and windows of their houses by the great river and departed. On their departure it was legitimate to pasture cattle in their gardens, for no less a person than Ulysse, the policeman, set the example ; children took possession of any flowers that still bloomed, and horses had even been ridden round their broad verandahs. Achille had gone but a step further in removing a board from the windows and some jam from a pantry within. Yet the English complained, and all the summer M. le Cure endeavoured to find the culprit. Nov, in the autumn, Achille had confessed, and that day it had been decreed with all the majesty of the law that he should pass two months in gaol. Achille himself sat in a small stone room at the back of the grey building where he heard neither the voices nor the river. He could see little, for the barred window was high and in any case. ALL
THE FRITILLARY. looked out only into a grass-grown yard surrounded by a wall. He stared at his uncouth dress and hated it. He thought of those others who had aided him in his enterprise and who had not confessed. Now the window was but a dim square of light. Night had come, and Achille had never slept alone before. He crouched in a corner and pictured the little cottage almost opposite the gaol and the room where he lay with his brothers. There the murmur of the river over the rapids had lulled him to sleep ; here there was silence and great darkness. He lay down and covered his head. Surely there was something with him in the room. He called on his mother, on the gaoler, on the good Saint Anne ; he filled the room with sound which brought no answer. Something was behind him on which he dare not look, from which he must escape. Leaping to his feet, Achille ran round and round the cell, screaming for help and mercy ; nor was he rid of fear until the dawn. All the next day he worked in the grass-grown yard, dull and spiritless, and did not speak until with the setting of the sun the gaoler stood against the darkness of the doorway and bade him enter. Then Achille knelt and prayed that he might spend the night where he was, for though the yard was terrible to him, it was not so full of horror as his cell. But once more he was consigned to that place ; the key was turned, the gaoler's steps echoed in the distance. Again the screams of Achille broke the silence of the night and the gaoler's rest. The gaoler was a kindly man who had known Achille from babyhood. With all respect for the opinion of M. le Cure, he considered that the taking of jam from the houses of the English but a minor sin. After all, the English were blessings sent by le bon Dieu, which blessings it behoved one to use to the full. He himself had done so in the little matter of a boat which he had employed for twelve years' fishing in the bay and then painted and sold as new to one of them at double its value. The punishment of Achille without doubt exceeded the sin. Thus the gaoler, robbed of sleep, spent the night in thought. At the end of another day he stood once more against the darkness and summoned his prisoner from the grass-grown yard. Achille crouched in a corner, fearful of the unseen ; but out of the darkness came his mother, who embraced him and wept. After much talk the gaoler declared that he might spend the night at home, under promise to return with dawn to work in the grass-grown yard. ' So you will labour the better,' he said, ' and, as for me, I shall get my accustomed sleep.' But because M. le Cure and the law required the presence of Achille in the gaol both night and day, it was imperative to conduct the affair with the utmost secrecy. Thus it came to pass that Achille returned to his cell only to remove the hated dress and hear the clang of the door with joy as he
69
stepped into the dusk. He looked on the hills and river, the bridges and the white church. In the open water beyond a schooner lay upon the sand waiting for the tide to turn. He crossed the road to the little cottage and slept lulled by the river. Day brought return to the grass-grown yard, the hateful dress and irksome labour. With the evening the figure of the gaoler against the darkness was pleasant to behold. Achille stepped forth and looked with joy on the quiet greyness of the road. That night, in spite of the murmur of the river, he could not sleep. The thought of the long days in the yard and of the road stretching through the dusk came to him. To• follow that road to a village far away and there find work would not be difficult. When all was for gotten he might return a rich man, confess, and make reparation by a gift to the church and a special mass. At length he rose and stepped softly out into the night. The road lay before him. He followed its grey line along the river bank until another gray line parted from it leading to the hills. H ere he turned aside. He would lie in the woods by day and continue his journey by night. The stars were very bright. As he trudged on the moon rose. It made a silver pathway on the great river. Behind him, but far below, lay the village and the gaol, divided by a silver thread flowing through the valley. A bend of the road, and the woods closed in on either hand. Save for the murmur of a stream among the bushes there was no sound beside his footsteps. How dark it seemed ! Achille looked over his shoulder and walked faster. At the top of the first long hill he came to open country which was preferable for walking. Yet how black were the shadows in the moonlight, his own the blackest of all ! Another turn brought him to some cottages high on the hill. Though he passed softly a dog barked: He halted until the echo died away. Now the road dropped into a hollow and a cloud covered the moon, but not before Achille saw something large and black in the depths before him. Once more he stood with beating heart ; the moon shone forth again, he saw a great kettle for boiling soap by the roadside such as he had beheld hundreds of times before. Now the grey line of the road was lost in the forest. Achille peered into the darkness before he ventured beneath the trees. There was no cause for fear, yet he glanced furtively over his shoulder. His footsteps fell silently on the soft ground ; the place was truly very still. Strange white figures seemed to stand among the trees. He looked at them fearfully ; then Que je suis fou,' he said, for he saw only the moonlight on the birch stems. Something rustled among the bracken which grew on either hand. Again, Achille stopped to listen ; again he heard rtt)
THE FRITILLARY. sound. He looked behind him ; there were only the trees in the moonlight. The branches met over his head, making heavy tracery against the sky. He ran down a little hill and up the further side. When once started it was difficult to stop, for some unseen power urged him on. The woods changed and became more terrible. Fir trees stood dark and straight in the moonlight, their gaunt arms heavy with grey moss. Achille remembered how his father had spoken of driving through these very woods, pursued by evil powers from whom nothing save running water and a good conscience could save the unfortunate. He ran faster nor paused until he was once more among the birches. Now the boughs overhead seemed to suffocate him. Through the trees he saw an open glade, bright with moonlight, and turned from the road towards it. He scrambled in the bushes, terrified by the noise of his own advance. A twig snapped in his hand with a report like a cannon. But the open glade lay at his feet and the clear sky above. The evil powers would not venture in so bright a place. He made one step into the moonlight, when behold, with a whirr and a cry, a blackwinged form rose in his very face. ` Le diable, le diable,' he screamed, and the words echoed mockingly behind him as he fled. The evil powers were close yet silent now. Achille dashed on, nor dared to look behind until his flight brought him to open fields. Far below lay the village and the gaol ; towards them he sped. The gaping doorway of a barn filled him with more fear. At last he crossed a stream and breathed more freely. Yet his conscience was not clear. He glanced behind and sped on down the stony hillside through more birches, gleaming and ghostlike under the moon. After much running, the broad highway lay before him, the road to prison and to safety. A new fear seized on Achille. Should he fail to present himself at dawn before the gaol, the gaoler would doubtless make him spend all the nights to come in the darkness of the cell to ensure future punctuality. Yet the terrors of flight exceeded those of imprisonment. He hastened down the last hill as the dawn grew grey. There was still time. The gaoler stood against the darkness and bade him enter. He looked on the boots of Achille and on his heated face. There is much dust,' he said. Perchance thou findest the walk across the road somewhat wearisome? ' M. W.
Ube Sboemaher's lboltbar. This year the ever-welcome Ouds Has drawn enthusiastic crowds To an Elizabethan play (Dekker's ' Shoemaker's Holiday '). Such plays are often apt to prove intractable,
Elizabethan humour's oft unactable, And we confess we rather had expected To find the action somewhat disconnected. In this, alas, we were not disappointed— The early scenes were certainly disjointed. But let that pass ! We soon found compenstaion The workshop scenes claimed hearty admiration, The buoyant humour of the sprightly Frisk, The surly Hodge, the action free and brisk, The charming dames—but how long will we rhyme on ere We speak supremest praise of Simon Eyre? Dresses and staging made a perfect show. Was there a thing to cavil at? No, no ! The charming music and the Morris dancers— What debts we owe to those delightful prancers ! For these and all such kindred matters We offer our sincere congratters,' And may each year see a success Like this for the O. U. D. S. ! MEDEREL. .
1Reviews. Four Stages of Greek Religion, by Gilbert Murray. New York : Columbia University Press, 1912. Since the publication of Robertson Smith's Religion of the Semites,' the general interest in the study of early religions has grown with every year that has passed. From an interest primarily in the strict ancestry of the Christian religion there grew the perception that the history, customs and literature of any people could not be properly understood without reference to their religion. Professor Murray traces his own first awakening to the importance of primitive Greek religion to the writings of Mr. Andrew Lang, and his latest book represents, the preface tells us, the way of regarding certain large issues of Greek religion ' which has come to him during many years spent in the study of Greek literature. These large issues are presented to us in four essays dealing with four stages of Greek religion. The first two essays treat of the primitive Greek religion and with the religion of the Olympian gods, and they give a most interesting description of the religious feelings at the back of the crude early rites and the worship of sacred animals and fertility spirits, and of the development from this somewhat incoherent and brutal religion to the ordered Olympian theogony of classical Greece. So far Professor Murray follows more or less closely the lines familiar to readers of Miss Harrison's Prolegomena to the Study of Greek Religion.' Miss Harrison, however, uses Olympian ' almost as a term of reproach, and here Professor Murray parts company with her and shows the ideals at which the Olympian religion was aiming and all that it stood for, even in its admitted failure. The third essay is perhaps the most interesting
THE FRITILLARY. of all, as it deals with that curious period in ancient thought which followed after Plato and the collapse of the Olympian gods and lasted up to the beginnings of the Christian epoch. It was a time of confusion and of many gropings after truth, often wide of the mark, but often most illuminating, and I am sorry that Professor Murray should call this stage the ' Failure of Nerve.' It is consoling to find that the phrase is not his, but Professor Bury's, and Professor Murray's essay gives rather his original view of the movement as a rise of asceticism or mysticism or religious passion ' than Professor Bury's unsympathetic criticism of it. The final stage, the protest of the Emperor Julian against Christianity, is scarcely a stage in the historical sense, but a revival without any real vitality, yet full of a pathetic sincerity which gives it a strong claim to our interest. The book does not profess to be in any way a complete history of Greek Religion. Professor Murray is not so much describing the great religious epochs as giving us his view of the hidden tendencies and movements of thought which led to these epochs. It is therefore a delightfully personal work, and in the course of it many interesting criticisms of religion and of its various forms of expression escape the author. His criticisms are, I think, rather weakened by what he calls, not his definition, but his description ' of religion. Religion, he says, essentially deals with the uncharted region of human experience. It does not touch the domain of positive knowledge. Such a description seems to me to come dangerously near confounding religion with superstition, and certainly presupposes at the outset that there is no hope whatever of attaining objective truth in religion, a presupposition that everyone will not be ready to take for granted. G. B.
Dante and the Mystics.
By E. G. Gardner, M.A.
J. M Dent and Sons, Ltd. Although books on Dante abound, this most valuable work fills a hitherto empty niche in Dante studies. It is, perhaps, strange that the nuptial aspect of the Divina Commedia has not received more attention from scholars in the past. We have seen Dante in many capacities, as a theologian, a political idealist, a moral teacher ; and the fact that it is indeed possible to find yet another role for him brings his wonderful universality before us. At the beginning of the book the author defines a mystic as ' one who thus conceives of religion— as an experience of eternity.' Place beside this the definition of eternity given by Boethius as the complete and perfect simultaneous possession of unlimited life,' and there rises before you the wonderful experience of the Beatific Vision, so dear to the medieval mystic, which it was
71
Dante's aim to interpret. The main purpose of the book before us is, we are told, to lay stress on the mystical aspect of the Divina Commedia, and to trace the influence upon Dante of the earlier mystics.' Readers of Mr. Gardner's study of the Paradise will know that no one is better qualified to undertake this task than he is, and their expectations will be fully realised. The amateur as well as the expert will be attracted by so illuminating a work. The author traces Dante's mysticism to its mediaeval sources, and especially interesting are the chapters on St. Augustine and the Franciscans. The idea which dominates the Purgatorio especially, of the necessity for the due regulation of love, finds expression in St. Francis' poem, beginning Ordina guest ! amore, 0 to the in ami,' and in Augustine's De Civitate Dei ' and De Doctrine Christiane.' Perhaps the most original portion of Mr. Gardner's work is the chapter in which he attempts to identify the ' Matilda ' of Dante's Earthly Paradise with either or both of the German mystics, Mechthild of Haekebom and Mechthild of Magdeburg. The similarity of the words of Matilde with those of the German Mechthilds will make supporters of the great Countess waver. The study of the mediaval mystics is at all times fascinating, but it is doubly so when we trace, as in this book, their direct influence on perhaps the greatest of them all. In conclusion, it may be added that Botticelli's beautiful illustrations to the Divine Comedy are a most fitting supplement to this attractive book.
Cbaracter %hetcb. A POST OFFICE CLERK. He has a pale, shiny face, and thin rustylooking hair that would feel gritty to touch, and dingy fingers, with a signet ring of some pale yellow metal gleaming on one of them. His shirt is grimy, and his tie looks as though it had never been untied, but had fossilised ino that loose draggled knot that shows the collar stud. He talks very fast, and does not look at the person he is talking to—which makes him absolutely impersonal in his official capacity. He volunteers endless information abobt Old Age Pensions, Insurance stamps and Savings Bank accounts, in much the same way that a machine at a railway station produces little strips of metal with anything you ask for stamped in raised letters on it, if you only turn the handle the right way. In the same mechanical way he can do mental arithmetic at an incredible pace, and will give you change for 7s. 91d. out of as quickly as if the exact amount were lying in a pile just insid' the counter drawer. His face is always hot from the stifling atmosphere of the big post office, and his feet always cold from the draughts which come tearing along the stone floor from under
72
THE FRITILLARY.
the doors. The post office always smells, too, of smoke and clothes, and human beings, but he doesn't notice that now—probably he never did. He keeps his perceptions for the time when he goes dancing or to a melodrama, or (if he is a family man) to his little semi-detached villa, with dingy lace curtains in the window, and pink glass ornaments and an empty grate in the ' front room.' In work hours he does not reckon to be anything but a machine for mental arithmetic and various information on post office questions. A. T. M.
Public Lectures of the zr e rii . THE public lectures this term have been upon five of the most important men of Continental Renaissance literature. The most interesting were those on Boccaccio, Rabelais and Ptrarch, the first two of which were most effective because not read in even tones directly from the paper. The central point round which the first lecturer worked was the question why Boccaccio, this writer of light tales,' was an Immortal. He showed that it was because Boccaccio's interest in life itself was so strong that his tales in the Decameron, even when taken from the conventional fabliaux, are so truthful to the emotions and incidents of life that the passion roused is that experienced in the events of everyday life— the elemental one of curiosity. The criticism of life ' contained here is that of one who was subject to all the effects of the world, not that of a trained bore,' and, further, of one who always had within him the spirit of sunshine and joy. He is a true artist, not merely a storehouse of tales. His friendship with Petrarch turned his attention from life to classical lore, the study of which was the chief interest of the latter. Petrarch's object was to gain an open-eyed and unbiassed knowledge of the classics, which had been turned aside for their own narrow uses by the medi eval scholars, who thought that the ' Springs of Helicon were polluted unless they could be perverted into tributaries of the river Jordan.' His affectionate criticism of and enthusiasm for these breathing corpses,' as he called the ancients, made classical learning an international thing. In spite of his contempt for the vernacular, he polished with the utmost care his sonnets to Laura, and gave to Europe that convention by which he is best known. At the lecture on Erasmus we were supplied with a printed paper of the facts of his life and works, and the lecturer confined his attention mainly to a discussion of ' The Adagia ' and the translation of the New Testament. Both works made a great impression on Europe, and the latter made it no longer possible for theological students to be content with the Vulgate version,
but sent them to the Greek originals. Perhaps Erasmus is the most typical figure of the Renaissance movement, and his greatness was recognised by contemporaries, as is shown by the admiration he inspired—admiration which called forth such language as Erasmus cannot be measured by a ten-foot rule. He has surpassed human attainment.' The name of Erasmus will never die.' The lecture on Rabelais was of an entirely different" type. The lecturer first showed us him as the high-water mark of the Renaissance ; he stands just at the moment for repose, before the ebb-tide, when it was possible to answer the question of man's destiny, in the gospel of exuberance, ' Eat, drink and be merry.' This vitality is intensified by the fact that he was a child of the heart of Gaul,' the valley of the Loire, the place in which more than any other civilization had developed in unbroken continuity. Rabelais' work is an embodiment of the spirit of this country. His lust of life has no reaction, he was not sobered by time, he has what the lecturer called a positive continual current.' His styles represent this. He shows lucidity and creative power at the same time. Like Shakespeare's, his abundant vocabulary proceeds from fullness of mind. The lecturer gave as examples his list of fools and of oaths. The lecturer on Montaigne regarded him as an artist in confession,' and showed us his character from his essays. He was a supreme egoist and a sceptic, but one who kept his mind open on both sides and doubted scepticism itself. Nature and death were the only two things beyond the range of scepticism. Montaigne was not a man of letters. He never forgot he was a country gentleman, and looked on literature with a kindly contempt, but he had a great regard for Homer, Plutarch and Seneca, and was himself a conscious artist. The whole series has helped to give us a clearer idea of the mental and moral attitude to life which the Renaissance tended to produce in some of its greatest men.
Ogfor0 Stubents' Vebating %ocietv. President—Miss SANDYS (S. H. H. ). Secretary—Miss PYM (S. H. C. ). Junior Treasurer—Miss GOODEVE (0. H. S.). Jan. 2 I S t.—Motion : ' That the realism of
Modern Drama is detrimental to Morals and to Art.' The Hon. Mover, Miss ROGERS (S.H.C.), being unable to be present, her speech was read by Miss IBBERSON. In a very able denunciation of the _realistic tendencies of the modern drama, Miss Rogers pointed out the danger of preaching in problem plays without providing any solution
N.A
THE FRITILLARY. of the problem, and showed how the modern dramatist falsifies the relationship between the big and little things of life—presenting one aspect of life as though it were the whole. The Hon. Opposer, Miss MOORE (L.M.H.), objected that realism, being incompatible with artificiality, cannot be detrimental to true art, whose essence is to be candid. She further insisted that it is the part of authors to present problems in a glaring manner if they so please— not to solve them. Miss Moore was evidently well acquainted with her subject, but she should cultivate a more decisive manner. In the absence of the 3rd Speaker, Miss BROWNE, owing to quarantine, the 4th Speaker, MISS HOPE (O.H.S.) led public discussion. She insisted on redefining the terms of the motion, and pointed out with much gravity that the world is wicked and cruel and unhappy, and we should not shut our eyes to it. Public Discussion was unusually good. There spoke : Miss LEVETT (ex-Pres., L.M.H. and S. H. H. ), MISS STANIFORTH (S. H. H. ), MISS KNIGHT (L.M.H.), MISS GURNER (S. H. H.), MISS BRIGHT (S. H. H.), MISS CORKE (S. H. H.), Miss BALAN (O.H.S.), Miss DREYFUS (O.H.S.), MME. LEPTOY (0.11.S.), Miss WAYTE (ex-President, O.H.S.), and Miss GILES (S.H.C.). Feb. 6th. Motions : (I) That a dead level is better than a submerged tenth.' The Hon. Mover, MISS SCOTT (S.H.H.), inveighed against the horrors endured by the ' Submerged Tenth,' and argued that any condition would be better than the present one. Her manner was bright and convincing, but she had not a wide enough grasp of her subject. The Hon. Opposer, Miss MURRAY (S. H. C. ), fully acknowledged the wretchedness of the submerged ' members of our population, but far from finding therein a cause for lamentation, rather rejoiced in the existence of such a field for charitable enterprise. Miss Murray addressed the House instead of her chair, a merit which deserves recognition, owing to its rarity. Public discussion was supplied entirely by the supporters of the motion, and that, despite the fact that the motion was lost by a large majority. There spoke : MISS LENANTON (S. H. H. )2 Miss IBBERSON (S. H.C.),_ Miss RATALLACK (S. H.H.) and Miss SAYERS (S.C.). (2) That Impartialiy is neither possible nor profitable.' The Hon. Mover, MISS JARRETT (L. M. H. ), showed how necessary to progress is the fanatic, and how impartiality, being generally the result of lack of interest, hinders real development. She made a very effective and convincing speech, though taking for granted that impartiality is always possible. The Hon. Opposer, Miss SAYERS (S.C.), —
brought forward many illustrations to show that impartiality by no means necessitates lack of interest ; rather, it is a necessary accompaniment of any sense of justice. Miss Sayers has an arresting manner of speaking, and was evidently fully convinced of the rightness of her cause. Public Discussion was heated and continuous. There spoke : MISS Copp (S.H.H.), Miss WILKINSON (S. H.H.), MISS BOWDEN (L.M.H.), Miss HIGMAN (S. H. C. ), MISS IBBERSON (S. H. C., exSec.), and Miss CALEY (L.M.H.). Feb. 18th.--Motion : ' That the system of Government by Cabinet should be abolished.' The Hon. Mover, Miss WRONG (S.C.), gave a well thought out speech, short, terse, and to the point. Her manner is excellent. The Hon. Opposer, Miss WAYTE (ex-Pres., O.H.S. ), spoke fluently and well in the short time allotted to her. The 3rd Speaker,MR. GEORGE LANSBURY, speaking with the authority of an eye-witness, gave the House a lurid picture of the political corruption which, to him, seemed inseparable from the Party System in general and the Cabinet in particular. To the victors the spoils,' is the motto of our political life at the present time. He denounced the evils of the whole system, as tending to set up a sort of ascending scale whereby people can sell their abilities to the highest bidder, and maintained that free voting is impossible so long as men are allowed to be in Parliament who may benefit by any contract which the Government has to give. In place of the Cabinet system, whose abolition he so strongly urged, he advocated the use of the Referendum and the extension of the Committee system. He would set up•Commissions for all Governmental Departments—Army, Navy, Foreign Affairs, &c.—and abolish utterly the a year men. If, with this Committee system, there were a fixed term of Parliaments, there would be no reason to accept legislation merely to keep the present Government in—which is the most flagrant abuse in the present system. The 4th Speaker, MISS RATALLACK (S.H.H.), proceeded to prove the historical and ' natural ' necessity of the Cabinet. Parliament, being a crowd, needs some specific body to supply the brain and the backbone, and these are the functions which the Cabinet performs. Miss Ratallack spoke with ease and enthusiasm, but at rather too great length. Public Discussion was rather damped by the fact that Mr. Lansbury had to leave immediately after his own speech, and could not therefore answer the almost unanswerable criticisms levelled, at his theories by Miss Hayes-Robinson (S.C. and S.H.H.). There also spoke : Miss CROOK (O.H.S.), Miss MERIVALE (L.M.H.), Miss WAYTE (0.FL g.) and Miss LEYS (S.C.).
'tHE FRITILLARY.
74
Ogforb Ztubents' tiniteb lbochcp Club. MATCHES.
Nov. 13th.—Gloucestershire (drawn, 7-7). Nov. 3oth.—Dartford Physical Training College (lost, 2-3).
Dec. 9th.--`A' Team v. Cheltenham Ladies' College (lost, o-3). Feb. 13th.—London University (won, 5-1). Feb. 28.—Northern Universities (won), Mar. toth.—Cambridge (not yet played). Oxford United.—Goal, Misses Esdaile (L.M.H.) and Evans (S.C.); backs, Misses Newboltt and Mallisont (L.M.H.); halves, Misses Horner,t Skipwortht (L.M.H.), Southwellf (S.H.C.); forwards, Misses Sprake (S.H.H.), Tree,f Kirk t (S.C.), de Putront (S.H.C.), Matson f (S.H.H.)) t Colours.
Ogforb Stubents' lisacrosse Club. Captain—E. THOMSON (L. M. H.). Hon. Secretary—O. M. POTTS (S.H.C.).
A Lacrosse Club was started in the Michaelmas Term, and there are now over thirty members. A match was played against Oxford Ladies on February 12th, and was won 7-3. On February 19th the Club amalgamated with the Oxford Ladies and played the Southern Ladies. This match was won 7-5. The match against Cambridge has been arranged for Tuesday, March IIth, at Lord's. The challenge cup has been presented by Lady Margaret Hall. Miss Southwell, as left-attack, has played an excellent game throughout the season, and shoots well. Miss Potts and Miss Roechling, as 3rd man and cover-point respectively, combine well and are reliable defences, being specially good at intercepting passes. In spite of the fact that this is her first season's play, Miss Calvert plays a good game at right-defence. Of the ' homes,' Miss Stacey and Miss Fox are the best ; both play good individual games, but more combination is needed. The whole XII. and most members of the Club have improved considerably since the beginning of the season. The following have already gained Blues ' : Misses Thomson, Southwell, Potts, Roechling, Stacey and Fox.
` Waves,' which she illustrated by several experiments, among others one showing the principles of wireless telegraphy as dependent on electric waves in the ether. At the second meeting Miss MacMunn gave an account of geographical research she had herself carried out in a portion of the Cotswolds. - Miss Bartholomew's paper on ' The Evolution of the Skeleton ' will be read at the third meeting of the Club, which has not yet taken place.
flotices• LADY MARGARET. HALL. HOCKEY CLUB (Captain, M. NEWBOLT ; Secretary, L. ESDAILE). 1St XI.—Forwards, E. Stacey', D. Ward*, S.
Bryan-Brown* E. Calvert*, D. Harvey*; halves, D. Austin*, M. ' Skipworth*, 0. Horner*; backs, M. Newbolt*, E. Malleson*; goal, L. Esdaile*. * Colours.
Matches. v. St. Hugh's 1st (lost 5—I).
v. Somerville 1st (drew, 2-2). v. Old Students (won, 8-2). `A' TEAM.
Oxford High School (lost 7-3). The first eleven has not been definitely settled throughout the season. Soon after the beginning Miss Bowes was unable to play, and her place was temporarily taken by Miss Lewis. For the Cup match, however, Miss Thomson resumed her old place in the XI. Subsequently Miss Malleson, having received her Blue as right back, also took that place in the L.M.H. XI., and Miss Harvey filled the deficiency in the forward line. The team should have proved a strong one this year, but, owing perhaps to lack of matches, has failed to get rid of its old fault—good individual play but lack of combination, especially at the beginning of a game. Among the forwards the left-inside is certainly the most reliable and seldom fails to shoot from a good pass, and the centre-forward, by her energy in following up shots, is largely responsible for the season's score. The centrehalf has been invaluable throughout the year. 2nd XI.—Forwards, F. M'Currich*, A. Hake*, D. Bowden*, P. Bishop*, G. Wodehouse ; halves, D. Harvey*, G. Milvain*, A. Clarke ; backs, M. Lewis*, E. Eyre Matcham*; goal, I. Martin*. v.
* Colours.
Club. President—E. ROECHLING (S.H.C.). Secretary—B. DENNISTON (L. M. H.). Treasurer—V. C. HoRNE (S.H.C.).
There have so far been two meetings of the X Club this term. At the first Miss Jones (S,H.C.) read a most interesting paper on
Matches. v. v. v. v. v. v. v.
Oxford High School 2nd (lost, 4—I). Etceteras znd (won, 4-2). Baker Street High School (won, 5-4)• Queen's College (won, to—I). Oxford Home Students (not yet played). St. Hugh's 2nd (not yet played). Somerville 2nd (not yet played).
THE FRITILLARY. The play of the 2nd XI. has greatly improved this year. The team is composed largely of first years,' and to their energy and regularity in attending practice this improyement is largely due. Of the forwards, inside-right, who was only included in the XI. this term, has contributed largely to the score. The outside-left has greatly improved. The left and centre-halves play a good game, and the goal-keeper uses her feet well, but finds considerable difficulty in acquiring a good hit. Miss Irons has been unable to play this term, and Miss Sheldon has played as her substitute. Miss Bowden acted as captain. The team, as a whole, is reliable, and though it boasts of no one of striking promise, provides valuable substitutes for the 1st.
HALL DEBATE. — (President, MISS BOWDEN ; Unionist Whip, MISS EYRE-MATCHAM ; Liberal Whip, Miss MooRE).
Under the new Constitution drawn up in the Michaelmas Term, Hall Debate is now held once a fortnight. The first debate of term was a Sharp Practice, at which the following motions were discussed : It is natural to believe in ghosts ' ; It is more profitable to study History than Literature.' Discussion was eager and marked by no long pauses, as so often happens. It seems a pity that hon. members cannot give the house at political debates the benefit of the eloquence which is forthcoming at Sharp Practice. At the first political debate the motion discussed was : "That this House would welcome a closer political and commercial union between England and her Colonies,' which was carried by five votes. On Monday, February 3rd, a debate was held with the Twenty Club, New College, on their invitation. It took place in our Hall, and Mr. A. L. Smith kindly consented to take the chair. The motion was : That Democratic Government can only be carried on by means of the Referendum.' Mr. Harvey Moore, President of the Twenty Club, opened the debate by defining democracy as government by, of, and for the people,' and warned the House not to confuse it with progress, which he said was a striving after something better which often turns out to be something worse.' He then showed that the Referendum was no new thing, and how it could be used in the case of a deadlock between the two houses of Parliament. He ended with an appeal to trust the people and reform the present system of representative government by means of the Referendum. The Opposer, Miss Horne, made an excellent speech, and defined democracy as a government in which all the people are to have a share,' not necessarily to govern directly, and she pointed out the weakness of the Referendum system in
75
Switzerland. She urged that the Referendum would put an end to representative government, and turn Parliament into a mere consulting body ; that the less the Legislature is trusted the worse it becomes. She showed that the Referendum was an appeal from knowledge to ignorance, and would have a reactionary effect, retarding progress. The third speaker, Miss Buckler, described the working of the Referendum in Switzerland and in the United States. The fourth speaker Mr. Strauss, announced that he did- not propose to take any jolly little trips into Switzerland, but was going to rub in some points already put forward by the Opposer. He admitted that with a perfect body of citizens the Referendum would be possible, but not under present conditions, and he further pointed out the impossibility of giving a direct answer of Yes or No to such a Bill as the Budget. There was not much time left for Public Discussion, in which Miss Jamieson spoke in favour of the motion, Miss Bowden and Mr. Urwick against it. When the hon. mover had summed up the House divided, and the motion was finally carried by 49 to 29 votes. We are looking forward to the visit on February 22nd of Miss Gladys Pott (Secretary of the National League for Opposing Woman Suffrage), who has consented to propose the motion : ' That the granting of the Parliamentary Franchise to women would be contrary to their own interests and to that of the British Empire.' Although the standard of debate is slowly improving, yet the continued lack of general interest and energy is greatly to be regretted. Among the first years ' Miss Home and Miss Buckler have taken a prominent part in debates this term.
SOMERVILLE COLLEGE. BoAr CLUB (President, A. HORSMAN ; Secretary, M. GILES ; Treasurer, R. M. HUGHES). At the test held at the end of the Michaelmas Term, E. Chester and D. R. Smith were made Captains. In spite of the floods and swift current that have prevailed this term, the boats have been out every week, allowing scope for good coxing. The members of the club have shown even an increase in energy. For the last fortnight the club has enjoyed practise in a four, which should prove valuable in adding vigour to the sculling style of the club. HOCKEY.—The
following matches have been
played :— st Xl. (December). v. Bedford Physical Training College (lost,
THE FRITILLARY. Royal Holloway College (won, 3-4 (Hilary Term). v. Chelsea Physical Training College (drawn, 3-3). v. Bedford Physical Training College (lost, 0-5). CUP MATCHES. ✓. St. Hilda's (won, 5-4). v. St. Hugh's (won, 2—I ). ✓. Lady Margaret Hall (drawn, 2-2). 'A' Team. v. North Oxford (lost i 2). 2nd XI. v. North Oxford (won, 6-3). v. Dons and Graduates (not yet played). v. Lady Margaret Hall II. (not yet played). 3rd XI. v. St. Hugh's (won, 8-6). Owing to the Principal's kindness we again had Miss Johnson to coach us at the beginning of the term. PARLIAMENT.—A joint Parliament of Somerville College and the Arnold Society •of Balliol College was held on February 7th at Somerville. Mr. Mills (S.C.), the Prime Minister, moved the resolution ' That this House is in favour of the establishment of some Imperial body representative of the United Kingdom and the Dominions, which shall have power to control foreign affairs, Imperial taxation, and the dependencies of the Empire.' He pointed out the uses of the Colonies, the chief of which seemed to be that they formed a dumping ground for our surplus population, and he showed the necessity for a closer bond of union with the Mother Country. Lord Spencer Compton (Balliol), in opposing the resolution, pointed out all the practical difficulties which beset the scheme, and reviled the Prime Minister for not having touched upon these. He also took exception to the idea of the Dominions being the durhping ground for our surplus population. In moving tones he begged us to remember that this surplus population was our heart's blood. He then spoke at some length against Tariff Reform. Mr. Wedderburn (Balliol) supported the resolution. He argued that the Empire cannot go on much longer under existing conditions, that there must be some more tangible link than there is at present. He explained to the last speaker that the debate was not on the second reading of a Bill, and that the detail he had demanded front the Prime Minister would be out of place in moving a resolution. Mr. Cameron (S.C.) spoke at great length on general principles. His speech was too long and involved to be easily followed. Mr. Scott (S.C.), in a short and witty speech, supported the resolution. He felt a little diffident in choosing a word for the British Possessions,
as Colonies, Dependencies and Dominions had all been criticised. He therefore preferred to call them ` the receptacle of our hearts' blood.' Mr. Scott gave life to a debate which had become rather dull. There also spoke : Mr. Wrong (S.C.), Mr. Massey (Balliol), Mr. Wrong (Balliol), who was in the difficult position of being a Nationalist, an Imperialist, and an Imperial Federationist, Mr. Smith (S.C.), and Mr. Angus (Balliol), a Canadian Nationalist, who was loud in his denunciation of the resolution, and declared that he was betrayed by every party. The debating was better than it has been lately, but we have still to learn to make good fighting speeches. LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.—A meeting of the above Society was held on February 14th, when Dr. de Selincourt read a paper on ' The Brontes.' The second meeting has been fixed for February 21st, on which date we hope to welcome Professor Ker, who has chosen for his subject Antony Trollope.' SOCIAL STUDY CIRCLE.—The Social Study Circle formed last term in Somerville College has been continued this term, and has been greatly encouraged by two addresses from experts. Last term the subject of discussion was Housing Conditions and Remedies. This has been carried on and continued into Health Problems. On the 28th of January Mr. R. H. Tawney addressed a meeting in the West Common Room on the subject of a Minimum Wage. He pointed out in an extremely interesting speech that the fact that underlies nearly all social evils is that the average working man does not get a sufficient wage. The audience were keenly interested, and great appreciation of Mr. Tawney's combination of real illumination with delightful exposition was generally expressed. On the 17th of February Miss J. C. Macmillan addressed a meeting in Miss Leys' room on Health Problems with special reference to local conditions. Miss Macmillan's practical knowledge and wide experience made her speech of very real value to those present, and it was generally felt that our ideas of Oxford had received a new and wider development from hearing of that town life which we who are concerned primarily with the University are rather apt to ignore. Next term the weekly meetings will not be held, but we hope to have one or two public meetings, to which any persons interested will be very welcome.
ST. HUGH'S COLLEGE. SHARP PRACTICE SOCIETY (President, SHAW ; Secretary, MISS IBBERSON).—The
Miss
meet-
THE FRITILLARY.
77
The ground was in perfect condition and conduced to a fast game. S.H.C. attacked vigorously from the start and scored all their goals before half-time. The forwards combined well and made good openings for each other ; the inside-right was especially quick to seize her opportunities for shooting. Miss Spink, as centre-half, was quite the mainstay of the XI., and was equally good in attack as defence. The right back, Miss Potts, also played a very steady game. The L.M.H. defence was superior to their BROWNING SOCIETY (President, Miss PYm).— attack, and after the first twenty minutes played This term we are reading ' Men and Women,' a sound game especially the left-back (Miss Newand have had some very enjoyable meetings, in bolt) and centre-half (Miss Skipworth). The spite of the small number of members. centre-forward (Miss Bryan Brown) broke through the S.H.C. defence once or twice and scored one excellent goal, but she was little supSHAKESPEARE SOCIETY (President, MISS HIGported by the other forwards. Miss Malleson MAN).—This Society has been well supported this (right wing) worked hard, but her play Was too term. We chose the play of Cymbeline,' which individual to be really effective. During the we all found delightful. Some of the reading has second half of the game the play was very level. been most promising, and it is hoped that preThe S.H.C. forwards failed to add to their score, sent members will continue to attend the meet- while the defence experienced some difficulty in ings. keeping their opponents out of the circle. Unlike most Cup matches, there was, on the whole, very little fouling on either side • the S.H.C. halves HOCKEY CLUB (Captain, E. de PUTRON ; Viceand backs were not altogether immune from this Captain, E. ROECHLING ; Secretary, A. SPINK). fault towards the end of the game, but the Results of Matches. L.M.H. XI. from start to finish played good hockey. Final result : S.H.C. won 5—I. 1st XI. S. H. C. v. S. C. (Feb. loth).—The game v. Etceteras (dra7wn, 2 goals all). throughout was fast and even and watched with v. Reading University (scratched). considerable interest. As indicated by the low v. Lillington Ladies (lost, i-6). scoring, the defence was stronger than the attack v. Lady Margaret Hall (won, s—r). on both sides. The S.H.C. backs and halves v. Somerville (lost, I-3). played better than usual, but the forwards were v. Laurels, Rugby (not yet played). poor, and continually passed at the wrong time 'A' Team. and to the wrong forward. The S.C. backs and v. Darley Dale (drawn, 2-2). halves marked very carefully, and especially deznd XI. voted their attention to the opposing centre-forv. 2nd Etceteras (won, 3-2). ward and inside-right. Undoubtedly S.H.C. made v 3rd Somerville (lost, 6--8). a big mistake in not attempting to pull the dev. High School (not yet played). fence out of shape by passing more to their V. 2nd Lady Margaret Hall (not yet played). inside-left and left-wing, who were generally free The team is, on the whole, stronger than last and unmarked. The S.C. half-back line played year, but unfortunately has never been at its full strenuously and effectively, but almost entirely on strength, and has played at least two substitutes the defensive, and this prevented them from makin every match. The half-back line has played ing many openings for their forwards. The consistently well throughout the season, and has centre-forward, Miss Kirk, broke through the proved invaluable to the attack as well as to the S.H.C. backs once and scored an excellent goal. defence. The forwards are much too uncertain The inside-right might well have been dangerous in their play. They combined well in the match to the defence had she occasionally passed to her against L.M.H., but against S.C. and the Lilother forwards instead of spoiling some good lington Ladies their passing was poor and ineffecruns by putting the ball into the opposing back. tive. Miss Potts has retired from the half-back On both sides this lack of combination in the forline to back, much to the advantage of the deward line was greatly responsible for the few fence. Miss Giles (goal-keeper) has received goals scored. Final result : S.C. won 2-1, and Colours. therefore hold the Cup for 1913-194. CUP MATCHES. First XI.—Goal, Miss Giles ; backs, Misses S.H.C. v. Lady Margaret Hall (Feb. 4th.— Potts and Roechling ; halves, Misses Glenday, This match was the first of the inter-Collegiate Spink, Southwell ; forwards, Misses Chappel, Cup matches, and was most keenly contested. Muscott, de Putron, Lewis and Horne. Miss
ings this term have been well attended on the whole. We have discussed the usefulness of slang, independent thinking as the antithesis of progress, and the effect of self-control on character. Public discussion has shown a tendency to become irrelevant and discursive. But it is hoped that more regular meetings and a debate with set speeches once a term will do much to raise the standard.
'
THE FRITILLARY,
78
Whitfeild (twice), Miss Hall (three times) and Miss Lawson Lewis and Miss May (once) have played as substitutes in 1st XI. matches this term. Misses de Putron, Southwell, Spink, Muscott, Potts, Roechling and Glenday have played regularly in United practices. Second XI. — Goal, Miss Higman ; backs, Misses Farrow and Brooke ; halves, Misses Ingram, Whitfeild and Marshall ; forwards, Misses May, Webb, Phillips (captain), Lawson Lewis and Hall. Miss Howard played as substitute in the match v. Somerville 3rd XI.
which Mr. Hodgkin presided. Miss Thompson moved ' That in the opinion of this House, Imperialism is an obsolete ideal.' Mr. Harvey was the opposer, the third and fourth speakers being Mr. McCance and Miss Sandys. After a vigorous discussion the motion was lost by 24 votes.
ST. HILDA'S HALL.
THE LITERARY SOCIETY.—The special study of this Society has lately been ' Modern Drama,' and this term ' The Madras House ' and Caesar and Cleopatra ' have been read. On Friday February 7th, an Open Meeting was held in the Drawing-room of the Hall, at which Mr. Brett-Smith read a paper on ' Modern Realistic Drama.' He touched lightly on the unfavourable conditions which had, till recently, prevailed in stage matters, and showed the three disadvantages which nowadays beset the producer of a good play. These are the audience, which does not want to think at the theatre, the long-run system, and the star method. Nevertheless, he urged that the drama was now in a healthy condition, the proof being the way in which modern dramatists published their works. He went on to speak individually of the three most noticeable playwrights of the day Bernard Shaw, Galsworthy and Granville Barker. He considered that the first had too much brain and too little heart, and that though his wit was marvellous, he had very little humour, while his lack of poetry and romance would prevent his ever becoming a really great dramatist. He did not think Galsworthy's tragedies really good, because they were always hopeless. His problems lasted on unsolved, so that there was no artistic entirety. In speaking of Granville. Barker, Mr. Brett-Smith quoted a remark of the playwright's own: ' Just as good plays can be written about opinions as about passions,.' but he claimed that this was not so, because opinions are temporal, passions eternal.' A short discussion followed, and the meeting broke up with a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Brett-Smith for his interesting paper.
HOCKEY CLUB (Captain, MISS MATSON; ViceCaptain, Miss CORKE ; Secretary, Miss Hot.LoWAY).—We have been more fortunate this term in being able to have regular practices. Our weekly one with St. Hugh's has enabled us to get a full game, which has hitherto been difficult for us. The play has improved considerably this term, but the whole XI. fails to get ogether in matches at the very beginning, with the result that no one plays their best until the last half or even the last five minutes. This is largely due to the looseness of the forward line, and numbers of chances are lost in the goal circle. The inside-right gets in some beautifully clean shots, but is too slow on the ball. The right-wing often spoils the game by failing to stop her passes, but she does a considerable amount of work. The play of the defence varies very much, but has been steadier of late, and our right-back has proved a source of strength. Team : Goal, Miss Warren ; backs, Misses Clark and Walker • half-backs, Misses Wilshere, Henkel and Holloway ; forwards, Misses Matson, Corke, Sprake, Parry and Retallack. Matches Played.
Oxford Etceteras, 3-5. Oxford High School, 1-5. Somerville (Cup Match), 4-5. Scarlet Runners, 3-3. New College Choir Boys, 6-8. Still to be Played. Oxford Etceteras (return). New College Choir Boys (return).
DEBATING SOCIETY (President, Miss SANDYs; Vice-President, Miss BRIGHT; Secretary; Miss AINSLIE ; Hall-membe,r, Miss PAsx).—A Sharp Practice was held during the first week of term, at which considerable interest was aroused, though the speeches did not reach a high level. The chief event of the term was a joint debate held with Queen's College in St. Hilda's Hall, at
BOAT CLUB (President, Miss TODD; Captain, MISS AINSLIE ; Vice-Captain, Miss JONES).—The river is at last resuming normal proportions, and sculling is now possible. Owing to the floods during the first part of the term, there are no qualifications to record.
RIFLE CLUB (Captain, MISS PARRY).—It was with great regret that all members bade farewell: to our President, Miss Tomlinson. We were specially pleased that her victory in the Spoon Competition, held on February i ith (by a score of 208—handicap 6— total 202 out of a possible 21o), has given her a last reminder of the Club for 1,1,14ch she has done so much.
THE FRITILLARY. Attendance at the range has been, on the whole, regular, and a medal for the highest average score will be awarded at the end of term. Miss Parry has been elected Captain. ART CLUB (President, Miss BRIGHT ; Secretary, Miss GuaNEa).—The Art Club has been revived this term with fresh energy, and a large number of new members have joined. An open meeting was held on Saturday, February 1st, when Professor Fanniere gave a lecture on Debussy, illustrated by Dr. Walker. Miss Jourdain was in the chair. Debussy and his music form a fascinating subject to all lovers of descriptive music, and Professor Fanniere made an appeal to all present which was almost irresistable. Touching but lightly on the technical side of the question, M. Fanniere brought forward the great influence of character in all Debussy's work. His love of nature and its effects ' is strongly brought out in such pieces as La Cathedrale Englontie ' and his ' Snow' piece, while his fondness for children may be traced in his Children's Corner.' The pictures suggested by Debussy were most realistic when Dr. Walker was at the piano, and Jimbo's Lullaby ' and the Golliwog's CakeWalk ' were greeted with loud applause. As Professor Fanniere pointed out, Debussy excels in translating imaginative pictures and moods, but while to the novice he is somewhat difficult to follow, yet he is a composer who, far from tiring the auditor, leads him on. Students of Debussy learn to love his work the more they study it, and surely that is a proof of his master mind. At the same time we feel sure that even those who listened for the first time to Debussy that Saturday evening were so impressed with Dr. Walker's interpretation that, together with Debussy enthusiasts, they will not be satisfied till they have heard more.
sketches, while, besides these home-grown products, some beautiful pieces of old lace were exhibited by Miss Burrows, and a highly interesting and heterogeneous selection of lost-property waifs and strays by Miss Tomlinsn. Most of the exhibits were either sold during the course of the evening or knocked down to the highest bidder at the impromptu auction sale which closed the ceremony. The total proceeds amounted to 4 5s• Hearty congratulations to Miss O'Laughlin on her ' first ' in History. Though late, they are none the less sincere.
OXFORD HOME STUDENTS. BOAT CLUB.—Members showed great improvement in style at the end of the Michaelmas Term, and it is felt that the coachings given by Salters' boatman were largely answerable for this. Miss Moran obtained her captaincy. During this term there has been very little boating owing to the floods and general unpleasantness of the weather. —PHYLLIS BARTHOLOMEW, Hon. Secretary.
HOCKEY CLUB.—Owing to the weakness of the team, the Cup match had to be scratched.
DRAMATIC SOCIETY (President, MISS MATHESON; Vice-President, Miss Fox; Secretary, MISS BUCHANAN).—Our meetings have been held as
usual. Last term, on December gth, we read ' The Master Builder,' by Ibsen, On January 23rd four scenes from Miss Austin ' were read and acted as far as was possible without learning the parts. On February 13th we read ' The Younger Generation,' by Stanley Houghton. Three new members have been elected : Miss Buchanan, Miss Dreyfus and Miss Douie.
THE CHILD EMIGRATION SOCIETY (Secretary, RATALLACK ; Treasurer, Miss THOMPSON).
NEW STUDENTS.
MISS
—The funds of the Society flourish, thanks to two socials held this term. On Saturday, January 25th, Miss Holloway and Miss Scott admitted members of the Hall to a variety entertainment in the drawing-room for the modest sum of threepence, thereby realising eight shillings for the Society. The fruits of unwonted diligence in the vacation made the Arts and Crafts Exhibition held on February 1st a great success. A small fee was charged for each entry, and there was a great variety of exhibits, edibles solid and airy, needlework plain and fancy, photographs. poems and
JAMES PARKER AND
79
Elizabeth Mabel Birchenough, Belstead House School, Aldeburgh. Ebba Margaretha Kennedy, home tuition, Sweden. Mme. Gizella Liptay, Teacher, Vienna. Mary Angela Lofting, St. Bernard's Convent, Slough. Mary Stablewska, English Convent, Bruges. Signe Elin Sofia Widegren, Teacher, Girls' High School, Stockholm. STUDENTS LEAVING.
Anna Maria Balan, Mme. Liptay, Lucie Richard.
CO.,
OXFORD.,