The Fritillary, March 1915

HE FR,

MARCH, 19 5.

No. 64.

MARCH.

1915.

CONTENTS. PAGE

*.•

EDITORIAL PRIZE POEM-THE DREAM MERCHANT PRIZE REVIEW-OXFORD POETRY, 1914.

POEM-MIRTH ...

POEM-A NORTHERN ANNUNCIATION INVENTION , CRADLE SONG ...

WOMEN STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE REPORTSO.S.D.S. O.S.U.H.C.

3 4 5 6 6 9 9

IO II II

E0itorial.

THE position of the reader of the Fritillary is not that of the reader of an ordinary daily or weekly paper. This statement is not meant to over-estimate the importance of the Fritillary; it is not an epoch-making journal ; neither, on the other hand, is it the mere plaything of a paper, as which it seems to have been regarded for some time past.

The Fritillary, besides being a record of events, is the expression of the wit and humour, and above all of the thought and'opinions, of the women's colleges. To outsiders who chance to see it—and they are not a few—it represents the thought and opinion of women at Oxford.

From the careless attitude adopted for the most part towards the Fritillary, it would seem as if a great many people did not understand or appreciate the meaning of this last phrase. Its readers make the Fritillary themselves, for they are its sole contributors ; it is they who set the standard of the articles, and the general tone of them ; it is they who make it either a literary production, worthy of what it represents ; or else a mere relic of an old tradition which, in its present state, is only effete and purposeless.

There are other things, too, for which the Fritillary is supposed to stand. It is an intercollegiate magazine, and, in consequence, symbolic and affirmative of the union existing between all women students at Oxford. This union is a big thing, and a thing worth striving for ; and the Fritillary is not the least of the means to that end.

Bearing all this in mind, then, it would seem obvious that it is worth a more serious considera-

PAGE

REPORTS (continued)— 0.S.L.T.C. WAR AND PEACE SOCIETY X CLUB...

THE HUNDRED MOOT

11 I/ II 12

HALL NOTICES :LADY MARGARET HALL SOMERVILLE COLLEGE ST. HUGH'S COLLEGE ST. HILDA'S HALL OXFORD HOME STUDENTS

12 12 13 15 16

tion than has lately been bestowed upon it ; it is time that the Fritillary became part of the moral responsibility of the individual.

As such, it can hope to be worthy of what it represents ; worthy, that is, of women at Oxford.

In recognition of the

grant sent by the

Fritillary last term to the Royal Corporation Patriotic Fund, the following letter was received : DEAR MADAM,

On behalf of H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught, President, and the Executive Committee of this Corporation, I am directed to convey their thanks for this generous contribution.

Please make this known to the subscribers to your Magazine.

The purpose to which the money is being devoted is set out in the accompanying paper.

It will, perhaps, interest those who have subscribed.

I am, yours faithfully, ALFRED WELBY, Lt.-Col.,

Secretary.

The following indicates brow the money is being expended :— EUROPEAN WAR FUND.

Through the Royal Patriotic Fund Corporation, money received from the Prince of Wales' National Relief Fund is paid in grants for immediate necessities to the widows, children, or other dependents of Warrant (non-commissioned), Petty Officers, and Seamen of the Navy, and N.C.O.'s '

'

THE FRITILLARY.

2

and Privates of the Marines and Army, on the following scale :Married Men:

To each widow, deceased,

; to each child of the

Unmarried Men or Widowers :

A grant of £3. is made to— (a) Mother, if the deceased has made an allotment of his pay, or otherwise contributed regularly to her support. (b) Father, if a widower, aged and infirm, and mainly dependent upon deceased. (c) Other dependents (if mother and father are dead) to whose support deceased has principally contributed.

This Corporation is also receiving donations and subscriptions from people, who thus are forming a ' European War Private Donation Fund,' from which it is intended to relieve deserving cases which inevitably arise out of the death of soldiers and sailors on service- in war, and which for some reason or other are not eligible for relief either by the Government, or by any Public Fund.

RESULTS OF THE COMPETITIONS :-

The number of entries for the three divisions totalled forty-two—twenty-five poems, twelve prose pieces, and five reviews. After careful con' sideration on the part of the Editor and Committee, eight poems, three prose pieces, and three reviews were sent in to Miss Jebb ; all the contributions were judged both in committee and finally under their authors' pseudonyms.

The Editor and Committee wish to convey their very sincere thanks to Miss Jebb for so kindly consenting to make the final awards in the competitions. These are as follow :— Poetry.—A prize of one guinea has been awarded to Miss D. H. Rowe, Somerville College, No for a poem entitled The Dream Merchant. second prize has been awarded, the other contributions sent in to Miss Jebb being mostly of equal merit.

Prose.—No prize has been awarded in this division ; the standard was not high enough to make an award possible.

Review.—A prize of io/6 has been awarded to Miss K. W. Horner, Somerville College, for a review of Oxford Poetry, 1914. No second prize has been awarded, but next, and equal in merit to each other, were the reviews on Philip the King and other Poems, and on Sinister Street, Vol. II,

by Amarantha.'

It has been thought that a criticism, general and particular of the contributions, might be helpful in showing what sort of things are wanted by the Fritillary.

As a guide to the intending contributor, let it be

said that first and foremost, what- is wanted is good prose. The poetry, considered as a whole, reached a higher standard than usual, and its bulk, too, was satisfactory. The chief fault to be found with them is lack of original conception ; the prize poem is the one exception to this, and is the most original, both in substance and expression ; while the metre—a difficult one— is successfully handled. Next to this in merit was Night Song, by ' Sirius,' but a somewhat feeble ending debarred it from receiving a second prize.

What one felt strongly about the rest of the poetry was that it needed to get rid of a habit of giving an impression of literary reminiscence, and as an antidote we would advise our contributors to attempt some kind of poetry other than lyrical, say, perhaps, narrative. Mirth has some very good lines in it, but has also too many serious lapses to justify the award of a prize.

Many of the poems received had a way of starting well and then dwindling off into bathos or obscurity. This last, especially, was a common sin ; and to those who in criticising, look to the old demand that poetry shall be simple, sensuous, passionate,' it was a most distressing one. It is noticeable, for example, in A Question, by J. J. J. ; in The Cedar, by Bumff, and in particular verses in various other poems.

Winter would have been quite an attractive little piece if its author had not introduced the snow fairies ; and Injured Innocence would have been more successful if the didactic element had been omitted. Really wellmanaged metre was, for the most part, rather lacking ; Reconstruction, with the merit of an underlying idea, was completely spoilt by the dreadful jingle of the lines ; and Longido's Sonnet halted in the reading.

A Sea Song rioted madly amongst colour adjectives, and favoured the stanza that is minus any finite verb.

These things, however, would all have been more or less superficial if there had been, in each case, some really good idea to justify the writing of it ; this and the golden touch of imagination were unfortunately conspicuous by their absence.

The fact of no prize being awarded for the prose is perhaps sufficient comment on the general aspect of that division ; it, too, was singularly lacking in originality and •construction. Bumff's Short Story is an epigrammatic dialogue—not a short story ; Sir Itur is badly constructed, and fails to give a clear idea of the young man with the cigarette. Two hours to do it in contained a charming little sketch of peasant life, but an incident of the French Revolution is a threadbare theme by now, and its plot was weak. A Water Myth was better written than most, but Undine has already established a monopoly in that department. With a View to Matrimony was, perhaps, the most striking example of a really thin ' plot.

As a whole, the prose was lacking in plot, dramatic action, artistic unity, and imaginative treatment ; and the standard reached was con-

THE FRITILLARY. sidered too low to justify the award of any prize.

All these defects can be traced to the one primary -cause, which is, that the writers do not practise; most educated people can write tolerable verse, but it takes years of practice to learn how to write good prose ; and it is this precept which, above all others, we would urge on contributors.

Perhaps, however, it will be even more profitable to advise them to read, in a critical spirit, as many good short stories as they can, and to evolve from these a system and a method for themselves.

The masters of this extremely difficult craft have all this canon of writing ; to get first some really striking and original idea, and work it out thoroughly ; they do not merely elaborate an incident or develop an anecdote.

The reviews, as a whole, were good ; if, after saying that, we may cavil, the one thing which would have benefited them all is a little more care about the loose ends ; they wanted tucking in badly ! The prize review suffered, if anything, from an extreme niceness and polish ; the others, one felt, were somewhat untidy, and the writers failed to pursue the separate trains of thought really far enough and closely enough.

Three prizes, of the value of 5/- each, are offered for the following contributions, to be sent direct to the Editor on or before the second Monday of the Trinity Term ; the decision of the Editor and Committee to be regarded as final, and entries to be sent in under a pseudonym, with the real name of the competitor enclosed in a sealed envelope.

I. 5/- is offered for a Fable in Verse.

IL 5/- is offered for a Short Story (serious; but not tragic).

III. 5/- is offered for a Humorous Article (not funny) on Minor Poets,' or on ' Oxford Cakes and Oxford Cafés.'

N.B.—The Editor and Committee reserve the right to withdraw any of the above prizes if the contributions do not reach a sufficiently high standard.

It is to be hoped; that next term we shall receive more contributions from Lady Margaret Hall. It is very discouraging only to receive one contribution from one of the larger colleges, and only two last term. At the same time we would like to call attention to the keenness of St. Hugh's. and St. Hilda's ; both these colleges have sent in a really large number of contributions, this term and last.

The Fritillary will henceforward publish the results of the following examinations :—Pass Moderations, Honour Moderations, Law Pre-

liminary, History Previous, all Science Preliminaries, Groups and Final Honour Schools.

Miss Grantham, St. Hilda's Hall, has been elected Editor of the Fritillary for the year beginning October, 1915. She will act as Sub-Editor during next term.

'Prise 'Poem.

THE DREAM-MERCHANT. The merchantmen went out of town below the evening star, Steering for the sunset and the isles of their intent ; Their prows were stiff with scrolls of gold, their keels were wet with tar, Twenty goodly galleons, full of silver to be spent— We watched them growing far, and all so stately as they went.

And just about the hour that the air grows grey and deadly, A little boat ran into port and moored beside the rails ; Its hold was crammed with merchandise, heaped up in gorgeous medley, Gleaming like the glimpses of an old sea-serpent's scales, And the water rippled redly from its rose-red sails.

His robe was strewn with wizardry and legends of star-gazing, Mystic as the glitter of that magic pedlary ; Out he leaped upon the stair with attitudes amazing, Squandering magnificence in riot on the quay— The summer light was hazing, and no one there but me.

Splendours lay within his hands, the spoils of midnight thieving Out of secret opium-dens and desolate bazaars— Shreds of crimson tapestry and webs of wondrous weaving, Dragon-painted porcelain and curving scimitars, Fishes past believing, and Genii in jars.

And ' Oh,' he cried, Come buy, come buy !

Here's many a toy and faring, Warranted as Magic of the rarest quality ; The price is but a bagatelle, the bargain past comparing, A little scorn of dreams too low, an ache for hopes too high, A little heart's despairing,—Will nobody come buy?

THE FRITILLARY.

4

Boxes carved of sandalwood, of cedar and acacia, Stuffed with poisoned sweetmeats such as diplomats require, Looted from the palace of the Empress Anastasia The night we sacked her citadel, and set the world on fire From Babylon to Asia and the Isles of Lost Desire ! '

In considering Oxford Poetry, it may therefore be as well at the outset to forestall by a provisional apology, the possible indignation of twentyfirst century critics who may triumphantly discover seeds of genius in the volume ; at the same time, we plead that they will then have before them the evidence of the full-blown flower.

Perhaps genius is too strait, too momentous a term our imperious standards needs must be abated. Nevertheless, it is fair to assume that if a poet claims our attention he must allow our criticism, ignore it or not as he will.

We do not go to the poetry of youth for wise saws and modern instances. At most it can but be the registering of sensations and impressions, and this, with a few exceptions, is what Oxford poetry seems to be.

That which these poets feel, is, for the most part, simple enough—' Love, and the life of man under the open sky.' They share in that naïve delight and sense of wonder, which seems to be the peculiar heritage of modern art. Some of them learn their lessons from the masters of their own day—' Lugete Veneres and the Song of the Moor suggest the Georgian Book.

There are three poplars at his head And he is lying very still Under the meadows on the hill.'

Certainly, there is a charm in this baldness and clarity of outline—we have only to think of the Shropshire Lad to realise its possibilities of vivid intensity—and if we miss the magic of word or phrase, the charm of the suggestive half-tint, we must not compare silhouettes with water-colours.

Moreover, the dangers of the second-best in this penny-plain style are neither so manifold nor so great as those in the twopence-coloured. The poem, To ,' will furnish us with illustrations.

Here is indeed a feeling for beautiful images, but no sensitiveness of selection to mould them to a feature of loveliness, nothing of what Stevenson called The apt choice and contrast of words.' The ideal of the mot juste is imperative, if our words are to be kept pregnant. But when an epithet like dim,' dangerous from its very suppleness, is applied indiscriminately to light, mist, hair, trees, and wings, it ceases to convey any definite impression save that of a general fog and surely phrases such as mist-enchanted seas,' or, from another poem, a tune of delicate white rain,' can only be appreciated from Gilbert's standpoint—' It is pretty, but I don't know what it means.'

The poem, Asleep,' and the translation from De Banville stand out in grateful contrast by their finish and delicacy. The first achieves a skilful effect of metre, while the felicity of the translation charms us throughout. Golden levity ' for belle folie ' is delightful. ' Realism has her share in Oxford poetry. '

;

All my wealth I showed him, all my treasurehoard of earning,— His eyes grew green with avarice enkindled by the sight,— Lastly, as we bartered by the lantern's fitful burning, I paid him with my peace of mind for each undreamed delight ; The tide was scarcely turning when he vanished through the night.

When did he bewitch me, with what spell was I enchanted So to be beguiled of faith, so cheated of my trust?

For when the first swift spear of light through leagues of morning slanted, The painted silks began to fade, the jewelled knives to rust, Crumbled to a haunted shade, a heap of elfin dust !

Day by day the citizens, with hearts athirst for plunder, Count their gold with eyes of greed, hot hands and mumbling lips, Bandy tales of sea-faring, above the wave and under, Hag-brewed storms and cries at night, the deathfire and Eclipse, • Watching for the wonder of the homewardsteering ships.

And still alone at evening, when air grows grey and deadly, Beggared and despised I stand beside the weedhung rails, Waiting for a little boat, heaped up in curious medley, Glimmering with the lustre of an old sea-serpent's scales, And the water running redly from its rose-red sails.

D. H.

ROWE,

Somerville College.

ii)ri3e 'Review. ' OXFORD POETRY, 1914.'

Those who review the early work of young poets must always be haunted by Keats and the fate that overtook Lockhart and Croker, whose insolent Back to the shop, Mr. John,' has brought down on them the undying censure of posterity.

'

'

:

'

THE FRITILLARY. East End Dirge has an admirable refrain, 0 walk you pitifully down the street, for there my love lies dead,' and Prophecy ' is ugly enough and stark enough to please its most determined Mary and Reasonableness are disciple. well carried out, though the latter, like the epigrams of another poet, is bitter in the mouth.

A final word on realism. To address a poem to the middle class shows a singular lack of humour, and it is sad to see the dews of Castaly clouded with twentieth century mud.

Perhaps the most satisfying of all the poems is ' Anthony Heywood.' It is a vivid, unflagging narrative, instinct with Elizabethan fire and vitality, and is written, moreover, in a metre that one can scan.

As a great stylist has pointed out, workmanship is within the reach of all ; here the poet and critic meet on fair ground. Most of the Oxford poets, it must be admitted, would be improved by a thorough musical training.

Great wits Unfortumay gloriously offend,' says Pope. nately, the final impression left, far from being glorious and successful offence, is offence, pure and simple. Here are a few from slovenly examples that abound.

From Boyhood and Youth.'—A clumsy inversion Passions that so wild and wayward are.'

Dissonance—' once wast.'

From A Song for To-morrow.'—The mutilation of the word ' anemones,' rhyming it with stones.' For a line of six iambs :By stark elm roots in a knot.'

Finally, one is tempted to look askance on amateur Walt Whitmans, for the conviction always lingers that the irregularity of the lines is too often dictated by the exigencies of the poet's invention rather than those of the rhythm.

But the shades of Lockhart and Croker are already rising, and a ghostly voice warns us of the dictum of Shelley—' Reviewers are, with some rare exceptions, a cowardly and malignant race.'

K. W. HORNER, Somerville College. '

'

'

'

Poem.

MIRTH. The wind is out a-riding, the wind is out to-day, With twenty knights in russet brown, and squires in hodden grey ; The wind goes a-jousting across the open downs, He scatters golden largess as he rumbles through the towns ; The wind goes a-jousting, he beats the world about, Lusty, gusty, Bluff, bold, trusty,

5

His arms are never rusty and his spear is always stout ; Shout He scatters golden largess as he passes with his rout. !

Slender little bachelors, delicate and rare, That smirk in shady corners, curling up fantastic hair, Piping pretty madrigals,—they mock so rude a warrior, But when it comes to jousting—hey ! he bangs them to the barrier.

Right and left he buffets them, flings them to and fro, Pale knights, frail knights, Rose-and-nightingale knights0 they are sick and stale knights when he breaks them with a blow, Ho! When it comes to jousting, good Sir Wind can lay them low.

The wind goes a-fighting, and his mirth is like a flail, And the rattle of his hoof-beats clatters quick and thick as hail; His voice is like a trumpet, his eyes are bold and free, They twinkle 'twixt the helmet bars like sunlight an the sea ; He is clad in goodly armour, plate of proof from cap to shoe, Back and belly For the mellyAnd they tremble like a jelly0 they shake and quake, I tell ye, as they see him crashing through— Whew Bright eyes gleaming from the helmet, all a-flash with green and blue. !

The wind is out a-riding, the wind is on the way, With all his knights in russet brown, his squires in hodden grey ; He whirls along the highway—he sweeps across the downs— His tread rocks the steeples of the dull, dead towns.

The wind is gone a-jousting, he beats the world about, Lusty, gusty, Bluff, bold, trusty, His arms are never rusty and his spear is always stout— Shout !

The wind is out a-riding—the jolly wind is out

!

D. L. SAYERS, Somerville College.

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THE FRITILLARY.

IDoem.

A NORTHERN ANNUNCIATION. Angelico, with sunshine in his heart, Painted our Lady with untroubled eyes ; But had I skill, I'd paint her otherwise, With darker spirit and more restless art.

In some dim wilderness of moors apart I see her kneeling under northern skies, In peace yet trembling with a vague surmise That she in all our griefs must bear her part.

I see the angel, armed with sword and mail, Holding the lily ; but its leaves are dyed With vine-juice from the vessel at his side, At once the cup of fury and the grail, Which first her Son must drink ere he prevail, And after, those that follow him as guide.

M. LEIGH, Somerville College.

3nrention.

[This was not sent in for the competition.—ED.]

I. My mother sat in the Headmaster's study, and I stood by the table, cap in hand : it was my first school cap, and I was immensely proud of it.

I looked out of the window across the playground. Beyond the row of limes by the wall I could see our house : it looked quite a little house from this side of the wall. Joan would soon be watching me from the nursery window, as I had watched other boys in the playground : perhaps with greater envy, for she would go on having lessons at home.

To us in the nursery the big school was a kind of enchanted castle, and the Headmaster, seldom seen, a wizard possessed of all knowledge and authority.

I was a little shaken at the first sound of his voice : it sounded so much like the voice of an ordinary man ; but his appearance was reassuring : he reminded me of a woodcut of Friar Bacon, in an old book at home. I felt sure that he must be a magician. Perhaps he would teach me magic : perhaps.

At this point a turn in the conversation brought it again within reach of my attention.

Mr. Egerton, I understand, is an inventor? ' said the magician in pleasant, but quite ordinary tones.

Yes,' said my mother.

That is very interesting,' said he, and looked at me rather thoughtfully.

I understand very little about these things,' said my mother as if he had asked a question.

I believe that his work is mathematical.'

Oh, really ? ' said the magician in the same pleasant voice. He looked at me again and I at him.

But you must not set John down as a mathematician,' said my mother ; he is like my people : my father was a sailor, Mr. Ward. I don't know what you will make of John.'

The Headmaster smiled.

It is hardly safe to hazard an opinion yet, Mrs. Egerton.' ' I think,' said I—for I was afraid he might make up his mind—' that I should like,extremely,—to be a pirate ! ' For a wizard I thought he had a very hearty way of laughing.

When my mother rose, he said ' You would like to see the boys' schoolroom, I am sure,' and led the way along a corridor and up a flight of much-worn stairs.

This,' he said, stopping at an arched doorway, is the First Form room.'

I had never seen so many pairs of eyes—or at any rate, never had them fixed on me. They seemed to bore holes in me as I passed.

Then I heard the Headmaster introducing someone to my mother. I looked up, and saw a very tall man.

Mr. Gaunt will teach him Latin,' the Headmaster said.

Now Latin, to my mind, came near to magic, and I was just the least bit disappointed that this master had no beard. His gown made some amends, it is true, and his face was grave enough, but his eyes were incurably like a boy's.

He looked down at me as if he wondered how I got there, and seemed amused when I gave him my hand.

The Headmaster led my mother to another part of the room. Mr. Egerton would be interested in some of our apparatus,' I heard him say.

The word apparatus ' struck coldly on my ear. It called up a picture of my father's table, covered with models and instruments, which Joan and I were never allowed to touch.

Mr. Gaunt was still looking at me, and had not let go my hand : I may have been mistaken, but I thought he said : Extraordinarily like a tadpole ! ' •

II. My first year was a severe buffeting with experience. There was a kind of rainbow magic in the nursery window, and things were apt to look different in clear daylight. I suffered a good deal in the contact with reality, but fell easily enough into boys' ways.

Joan made me promise to tell her everything that went on at school, but I was soon tempted to hide its disconcerting simplicity in the weavings of imagination. Long after the spell was broken, I talked to Joan of the superhuman powers of the masters : of my initiation into mysteries, and growing acquaintance with arts that • I could not be expected to share with her. But the books in my satchel betrayed me : Joan soon discovered that the aim of the magicians was not to teach

THE FRITILLARY. magic, but to show clearly that there was no such thing : and I had to confess that I should find the lessons more interesting if Mr. Wyatt, my form master, did not explain so much.

I once heard the Headmaster telling a boy's mother that Mr. Wyatt's method was quite extraordinary ' : he certainly prepared the way so thoroughly that we had little excuse for curiosity and not much need for effort : this gave US an ample reserve of both for use out of school hours.

Mr. Gaunt, I think, was no methodist : he stuck to the old pronunciation, and toed to say that the vagaries of Latin grammar were things that you couldn't explain ; but he alone exacted something of the old hero-worship. I was always at the bottom of the class, but I adored his lessons.

At the end of the year I found myself again in the Headmaster's room.

I am sorry to see, Egerton,' said he, glancing at my report, that you have not taken a better place in your form : I am -afraid this will be a serious disappointment to your people : to- your father particularly.'

I looked up in surprise.

Oh, no ! I don't think he will mind at all,' said I. Indeed ? ' said the Headmaster, drily. He looked at me, and seemed satisfied that I had no idea beyond a statement of the truth.

And you? Are you not sorry to make such a bad beginning? ' I hung my head. He did not wait for an answer, but went on : Mr. Wyatt says that you are idle and take no interest in your work.'

Mr. Leather,'—he glanced at the report,` Mr. Leather remarks that your arithmetic is extemely inaccurate : Mr. Gaunt seems to be the only master who is satisfied.'

Is he pleased? I am very glad,' said I. So am I : so am I, Egerton,' he agreed : Mr. Gaunt is not usually an easy man to please.

I am glad that you are doing well in Latin, at any rate : er—let me hear you decline " jus." ' ' Jus, jus, jam,' said I, roused to invention by his praise—and then, more doubtfully, jo,—jo.'

That will do,' said the Headmaster in a queer voice, ask Mr. Gaunt to come and speak to me.'

III. Once out of the First Form, your satchel weighs heavier. You are past the time when you bear it proudly, like a knapsack, or as one bringing treasures from the East. Time was when I carried mine half-full of chestnuts, or other spoil from the woods : and had little regard to the books that were in it. But now Joan and my mother talked in whispers or were silent when I piled up my tattered volumes under the lamp.

After tea, my mother worked with us in the

7

She had always made beautiful lace, nursery. and in these days it seemed to me that her hands were never still. In intervals of harassed preparation I watched her fingers move unwearied, and wondered at times what she did with the dainty stuff, for she never wore more than a touch of it at her throat and wrists.

There was a portrait of my grandfather which hung near her chair, and the likeness between them was extraordinary. They had the same eyes, of so dark a grey that in the shadow they looked black : the same mouth, with a smile just lost in down-curving lines.

We were never tired of hearing how my grandfather had run away to sea, of his adventures, and how he discovered an island that had since been named after him. My mother had kept his logs, but never read them to us, because she could always remember the stories as he told them, and in thrilling moments I have seen the spirit Of the old sailor looking out of her eyes.

Saturday night was our great story time : we were quiet enough, and our voices sank at a movement in the study below : I think it was then that I got my habit of noiseless laughing, for the tales, even when they were tragic, had a touch of my grandfather's humour.

In summer we sat by the open window, where the air was sweet with jasmine : in winter around the fire, and then the tale was tuned to an insistent beat of rain upon the window, or the noise of the wind, that now and again fell silent, like an eavesdropper.

I remember a night in January, when the story was left untold. ' Well, children,' said my mother, where did we stop ? ' Where they sailed on and on,' said we, piecing it together between us, till they came out of the strait into a great open place : and it was clear of ice, but the ice was all round it like a wall And in the midst of it,'—my mother took up the thread,—' they saw the ghost of an old ship.

Her masts were broken and hung with ice : her sides crusted, her decks white and dry as the bones of a dead man.'

At this point the door suddenly opened, and my father appeared. If he had been a ghost, we could not have been more dismayed, for we were all in the story ' by that time, and had heard no step upon the stairs.

Are you deaf, Esther ? ' His voice sounded harsh and strange. I have shouted myself hoarse. That wretched woman has been meddling again. My last set of drawings : I can't find them anywhere.'

My mother pushed back her chair.

I am sorry, Eustace,—I don't think Betty has touched them : I will come and see.'

She crossed the room quickly and went downstairs with him.

For some time we waited, in hopes that my

8

THE FRITILLARY.

mother would come back, till at last Joan said perhaps we had better go to bed.

She made me go with her, right up to her door, and the stairs creaked most horribly as I came down again.

IV. Three of us often shared detention on halfholidays : Anthony Twigg, Richard Playf air and I. This, like many another partnership in distress, was the beginning of friendship.

In my own case, detention meant a bitter struggle with unmeaning symbols, for it was generally at the suit of Mr. Leather, for Mathematics. We had various means of consolation at such times : we planned adventures, sent wireless messages to one another across a void of desks, and exchanged portraits of the master on duty.

I have by me a collection of these, of which Playfair's are easily the best. There is Leather, the recluse, his narrow face set square upon a problem : Francis Howe, B. Sc. , measuring shadows and tying up the wind : Gaunt, as Jason, with a crew of Third Form Argonauts.

They would be invaluable to these gentlemen's biographers.

Sometimes it happened that my fellow prisoners were released and I left solitary.

There was nothing for it then but to watch the clouds scudding along the unfrosted panes of the windows, and making a play of shadows on the wall.

I remember a day when Tony, the last to go, left a code message on my desk. It might have consoled me, had I not known that my case was hopeless, for it ran Buck and run : we are going to dam up the river at Otter's Pool.'

I sighed.

Hullo ! ' said Mr. Gaunt, can't you get on? ' It's Maths., sir,' said I, I shall never be any good at Maths.' ' Well,' he said, there are other things.'

Yes, sir, but you see I am pretty rotten at most of them. I haven't even got my colours.'

Does it matter? ' He looked at me critically. ' You're a fair runner, a decent swimmer, and I've a notion you can use your fists? ' I grinned, and he added : Your translation is quite good.'

I never thought Gaunt could do ' Maths.,' but I suppose, at my stage, it was child's play to him.

At any rate, he soon set me on my feet : by four o'clock I was through with it, and had decided not to run away to sea for a year or two.

It was too late to go to Otter's Pool. I slung my satchel over my shoulder and sauntered to the door.

Oh, Egerton,' said Mr. Gaunt, just put these back in the shelves before you go.'

He gave me three books, one of which I opened as I went along. It was Drake's Voyages, an old edition with quaint cuts, and when I came to the Library I put back the others, and went on reading it.

I cannot tell how long I stayed there, but I was brought back from the high seas by the sound of voices.

The door between the library and the Headmaster's room was ajar, and I could hear Mr. Gaunt talking to the Hea d.

I decided to stay where I was, rather than be caught going home so late, and tried to get back to Drake,. but the spell was broken, and I was presently roused to full attention by the sound of my own name. The Headmaster had said quite distinctly, An extraordinary letter from this man Egerton.' He went on, I wrote and asked him to come and see me about the boy. I told him you were doubtful about a scholarship : said I should like to talk things over with him, and so on. He writes back—extraordinary thing ! Not a word about my letter or the boy. Sends his compliments, and would take it as a favour if I could keep the boys quiet in the playground : the noise disturbs his calculations ! ' I felt my ears flaming, and longed to run away ; but this was out of the question now.

Mr: Gaunt's laugh was reassuring : he evidently took it as a joke.

Have you spoken to Mrs. Egerton? ' he asked.

Not lately : I don't care to worry her—she looks so ill. The thing seems inexplicable, unless he's mad.'

I will go and see him,' said Gaunt.

If he won't see me it can't be helped, but the boy's worth a little trouble.'

They continued to talk about other things, and at last went out together, still talking.

By that time it was past five, and I nearly ran into the arms of the porter, going his rounds.

Joan was sitting alone in the nursery when I got home. Where's mother? ' I asked, for I remembered, with a kind of fear, the Headmaster's tone when he said She looks so ill.'

In her room,—writing letters, I think,' answered Joan.

She's coming up soon.'

Betty was too busy to pour out my tea. Joan loved to do it, but to-day she seemed little inclined for talk, and watched me with serious eyes.

I could not bring myself to tell her what I had overheard, and felt some misgiving, for she was quick to discover anything I wished to hide.

Juin,' she said suddenly, do you,—do you think we are frightfully poor?'

I don't know,—I don't think so,' said I, taken aback by the question, for I had never thought about it. Besides, there's the Invention, you know,—when that's finished, I should think Joan did not seem to be listening—she was staring at an empty space under the shelves. '

THE FRITILLARY. Why, what's happened to the playbox? I cried. It was an old chest, quaintly carved, that had always held our toys.

The man came for it to-day it is sold,' said Joan.

She came over and sat on the arm of my chair. `Do you know, Jum,' she said presently, when I am quite grown up and have a house of my own, all the rooms shall be nurseries, and I .shall have playboxes in all of them, and the children shall make as much noise as ever they like ! ' Well, but your husband will want a study to himself,' I objected.

I shan't have a husband,' answered Joan.

F. V. B. [Part II will be published next term.—ED.] '

'

;

'

'

'

[This is not one of the entries for the competition.—ED.]

Cradle %orig.

(To M.C.C.) Loo-la-loo, the lamb's in the fold, Brownie birds are snug in the nest.

Loo-la-loo, 'tis time for the old Drowsy sun to be gone to rest.

Little soul must wander away Through some elfin land of her own, She'll not tumble down by the way, She's not wandering all alone.

Mother's voice will go with her there, Rocking music, strength of her hand ; Little soul, with never a fear, Chases dreams in the wonderland.

Loo-la-loo, all sleepy and still, Shepherd-man is weary for bed ; Loo-la-loo, he's over the hill, Doggie follows with drooping head.

M. K. T.

Stubents at the University of Melbourne.

HAVE you really a picture gallery in Melbourne ? ' said the Roumanian lady who was sitting next to me in our pension in Paris. She could not understand how such a civilised thing as a picture had managed to stray 13,000 miles from the Louvre ! I tried to protest, but the subject was too vast.

It is so difficult to explain the resemblances.

So much easier—and more interesting—to dwell on the differences between countries, that an Australian in England—an Australian at home ' —feels often for all his care that he is creating a

9

wrong impression by dwelling on the little outward ways of life instead of the same underlying spirit. So here in Oxford one is inclined to be silent and keep comparisons to oneself, just feeling rather happy to know that one's own University of Melbourne is no unworthy daughter of the A per se of Universities, that she learns the same lessons, follows the same standards, dreams the same dreams.

There is, of course, the one point of divergence that inevitably strikes a woman,—the position of the woman student in Oxford,—and even there the difference is perhaps theoretical rather than practical, except as far as degrees are concerned.

In Melbourne, the University was thrown open to women about 188o, and we were placed on an absolute equality with men in lectures, examinations and degrees. The only thing closed to us was the Senate, the governing body of the University, and in 1913 this anachronism was removed.

As graduates, we can and do hold positions on the teaching staffs of the University and its affiliated colleges ; as undergraduates, we share the sports and social life of the men, brothers and sisters in the same house of learning.

The results are only good, and they have been built up by many academic generations of women with high ideals. The first handful of pioneers constituted itself a society,—the Princess Ida Club,—which until a year or two ago held the affairs of the women students entirely in its hands.

Every student was a member, and it was governed by a committee consisting of graduates and undergraduates. It was our pride that we had never had a chaperone ; there were certain unwritten rules of behaviour enforced by a vigilant public opinion, and no more was needed.

The P.I.C.—it was known affectionately by its initials—worked excellently while its numbers were small, but when the University's rapid expansion made changes of organisation inevitable, the Club had to change too. First came the Sports Union and absorbed our Tennis and Hockey Clubs, and then the Melbourne University Union absorbed the rest. The Union was given one of the University buildings for its Club House, and one end was set apart for the women students. There they have a large Common Room, a reading room with their library, a dining room with a buffet run by the Club House Restaurant for those who do not care for the hot lunch served downstairs, and, of course, cloak rooms, dressing rooms, and baths.

As the Club House came under the management of the Union Committee, it was found impossible to continue the organisation of the P.I.C., and it lapsed last year,—to be a very dear memory to many of us. Its place is taken on the business side by women representatives on the various committees, and on the social side by a committee of undergraduates, graduates, and professors' wives, which holds a reception every Monday

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afternoon in term, in the large dining room of the women's rooms, for all the women of the University and their friends. This makes it possible to invite distinguished women who happen to be in Melbourne to meet, and possibly address, a representative gathering, and if a larger function is necessary, and we wish to invite men as well, we go downstairs into the Hall of the Club House, and entertain University folk there.

Of course, the conditions in Melbourne are different. The University is the main thing, and the three residential colleges for men and one for women are complementary merely. The great majority of women students—they number near three hundred now—live in their own homes, and this in itself makes one of the greatest differences between the life of Oxford and of Melbourne.

E. D.

IRCPOrtS. O.S.D.S. HILARY TERM, 1915.

President—O. GRAHAM (S. C. ).

Secretary—C. INGRAM (S. H. C. ).

Junior Treas.—W. BATTER SBY-HARFORD (0. H. S. ).

AT the first meeting of this term, the motion before the House was : That this House deplores the use of Indian troops in this War.' During Private Business it was proposed that the House should adjourn, as the motion for discussion in Public Business involved a criticism of the Government's conduct of the present war. There was a large majority in favour of this course, and the House adjourned without proceeding to Public Business. A motion will be discussed in Private Business at the last meeting of this term, suggesting that three days' notice is given before' the adjournment of the House is moved with reference to the motion before the House in Public Business.

At the second meeting the motion was : That in the opinion of this House, English poetry of the twentieth century is inspired by no great ideas.'

The Mover, Miss Marshall (L.M.H.), had evidently made an extensive study of modern poetry, and courageously tried to prove her case by referring to the works of the most distinguished and original poets, though she might have emphasized with more effect the general character of the poetry of the age. She amused the House with one or two quotations from Masefield and an allusion to the frequency of mud ' and ' lampposts ' as subjects for poetical effusions. Miss Marshall's discourse was an able essay on the subject, but in no sense a speech.

The Opposer, Miss Barton (S.C.), confined herself to one or two poems of Mase field, and her speech did nothing to convince anyone that he was inspired by great ideas. She lacks confidence

and has not a good manner, so that there was nothing to relieve a speech which was singularly free from important points.

The Third Speaker, Miss Clarke (S.H.C.), succeeded in getting a great deal into the five minutes allowed to a third speaker. She had several good points, but paid no regard whatever to the speeches which had already been made.

She would have made more impression on the House if she had spoken more slowly and limited her matter. As it was, members felt somewhat breathless, and not very clear as to what was being said. She is to be congratulated on having made progress in the art of speaking since she first addressed the House.

The Fourth Speaker, Miss Jennings (S.H.H.), made by far the best speech of the evening. She took up various points raised by previous speakers, and understands how to speak in a debate, so that it is pleasant to listen to her.

The public discussion was brisk, and some new points were raised. At the division the motion was lost by seventeen votes.

At the third meeting the motion before the House was : That the capitalist is necessary to the conduct of the national industry.' The subject aroused great interest, and there was a large House, in spite of the inclement weather. Mr. Cole, of Magdalen College, the President of the Oxford University Fabian Society, had very kindly consented to come and oppose the motion, and it was a great privilege to hear him.

The Mover, Miss Battersby-Harford, Junior Treasurer (O.H.S.), emphasized the fact that the individual capitalist has every incentive to be enterprising and to initiate new ventures, and contended that the State ownership of capital would not engender originality and progress in industry. She attempted to defend the existing state of affairs, and said that the Socialist state would only be possible if all men were angels.

She has a good manner, and kept the attention of the House.

The Opposer, Mr. Cole, dwelt with great force on the enormities of the present system. He described the condition of the working man as a condition of slavery, and pointed out that there was no opportunity whatever of becoming an angel under this regime. He advocated a class war •and a revolution in order to alter existing conditions. He wished to see a State in which the capital was controlled by the State, and industry organised by salaried manager's.

The Third Speaker, Miss Winters (S.C.), is to be congratulated on catching the fancy of the House, and making a speech, probably far more effective than the one she had prepared, by a series of clever replies to points in the speech of the Hon. Opposer. Her quiet manner was good, and she should develop into an excellent debater.

The Fourth Speaker, Miss Perham (S.H.C.), did her cause little good by quoting statistics,

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it

and using them, as was pointed out in debate, without the necessary common-sense. She speaks easily and without the usual sheaf of notes, an example which many members would do well to follow, but she needs to prepare her matter with much greater care, and to respond quickly to the temper of the House.

There were several good speeches made in public discussion, and the House was glad to hear Mr. Cole expand his schemes for the State control of capital.

At the division the motion was lost by seventeen votes.

Club, in which we lost 4-6. The team is not yet finally settled, and no new colours have been given. The defences should especially learn to play in with one another.

The second twelve, have played one match, against the High School, in which they won by eight goals to three, and showed considerable promise and grasp of the game, especially in the second half.

The match against Cambridge is to be played at Richmond on March 17th.

E. STACEY.

OXFORD UNITED HOCKEY CLUB. Captain—E. L. MA LLE SON (L. M. H.).

Secretary—D. BRYAN (S. C. ).

THE formation of the team is not at present decided in all its details, and therefore cannot be recorded in the current number of the Fritillary.

On February 4th the O.U.H.T. played Miss Morton's Team,' which very largely consisted of the Gloucester county team of last season. The match was played on the Lady Margaret Hall ground, and resulted in a victory for Miss Morton's team by nine goals to three. As that is the only match which has been played this season, owing to financial reasons, the result was not surprising, considering the strength of the opposing team.

During the next week we had the benefit of being coached by Miss Cox, of the Kentish, Southern and English teams. We are hoping to play a match on the Monday before the Cambridge match, and on March 4th we have a fixture with London United Colleges.

O. S. L. T. C. A selection meeting was held on Friday, February 5th. The following were admitted :Members.—Miss Fry (L.M.H.), Miss Campbell (S.C.), Miss Brittain (S.C.).

Associates.—Miss Moberley (L.M.H.), Miss.

Pearce (L.M.H.), Miss Wadham (S.C.), Miss Atkins (O.H.S.).

E. T. GLENDAY, Hon. Sec.

OXFORD STUDENT'S LACROSSE CLUB. HILARY TERM, 1915.

Captain—E. STACEY (L. M. H.).

Secretary—F. G. LurToN (S.C.).

Treasurer—J. FLEMMING (L. M. H. ).

THERE has not been very much Lacrosse this term, owing to the bad weather, and the fact that only two practices a week are now possible.

Mr. Raalfe came up to coach us at the beginning of term, and was extremely useful in emphasising the chief points in which our play is deficient. He said that we should aim at (r) Pace, and quick passing with judgment ; (2) For the wing attacks—great speed and skilful passing to the homes ; (3) For the homes—practice of hard, quick shooting constantly ; (4) For the defences— to work out from goal more ; to mark more closely ;, and if they lose their own man, temporarily to mark any other player near to them who is free.

Only one first twelve match has been played this term, viz., O.S.L.C. v. Oxford Ladies' Lacrosse

WAR AND PEACE SOCIETY. the men's branch of this Society is here now non-existent, ours continues in a flourishing condition. There are at present over sixty members, and the Society consists of students from Somerville College and Lady Margaret Hall, but it is hoped that students from the other colleges will presently join it. On February 5th, Mr. Charles Trevelyan, M.P., ex-Under-Secretary of the Board of Education, gave us an extremely interesting lecture upon ' The Road to Permanent Peace.' He discussed the intolerable condition of foreign affairs, the submission of the people to the constant risk of the great calamity of war witliout adequate information, often without expression of opinion or exertion of control, and pointed out the advantages of public diplomacy and democratic control of foreign affairs. The establishment of a Concert of Powers, the setting up of an International Council should, he maintained, supersede the dangerous system of the balance of power. The way in the future must lie through internationalism rather than nationalism.

Rather an opposite point of view will be taken

by Mr. A. L. Smith at a meeting in the last week of term.

ALTHOUGH

X CLUB. President—Miss HORNE (S.H.C.).

Secretary—Miss SPICER (S.H.C.).

Treasurer—Miss CAVE (L.M.H.).

One meeting of the X Club has been held sc• far this term. This was held in Somerville on February 12th. Instead of a single paper, several

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12

shorter ones were read.

Miss Arning read a paper on Atoms.'

Miss Collier read one on ' Why the Heart Beats,' and Miss Buckley, The Relation between Piotozoa and Mitozoa.' Miss Moss showed diagrams illustrating the Pollination of Flowers.

The second meeting this term is to be held at St. Hugh's College on February 26th. Miss Buchanan has kindly promised to read a paper on Pulse Rate,' and to show lantern slides.

THE HUNDRED MOOT. Last term the lecture to the Hundred Moot was given by Mr. Coulton on Literary Life in the Middle Ages,' from the point of view of social history. He dealt with the subject by distinguishing the different groups of mediaeval writers, and giving graphic details of the lives of some of the most typical representatives of each group. The lecture, now open to all women students, was well attended.

EXAMINATION RESULTS. MICHAELMAS TERM, 1914.

Law Preliminary.—Miss Bruce (S.H.H.).

History Previous.—Miss Prescott (L.M.H.), Miss Draper (S.H.C.).

French Group.—Miss Bowler (S.H.H.).

German Group.—Miss Henkel (S.H.H.), Miss Campbell (S.C.).

Botany Group.—Miss Peacey (S.H.C.).

Biology Preliminary (Science). — Miss Webb (L. M. H.).

German Group B 5.—Miss Ramage (L.M.H.).

notices.

LADY MARGARET HALL. For all items of general interest I would refer readers to the notices sent in by the Captains and Secretaries of the various societies.

During the first three weeks of this term Miss Jamison was unable to be in Oxford for more than two days a week : her place as Librarian was taken by Miss Barstow.

It seems unnecessary to mention that the roof is now on the new wing, but it is a constant source of satisfaction to ourselves.

The floods are at the moment completely covering the meadow ; we shall be glad when we are once more able to reach the boathouse on foot.

C. SHELDON. BOAT CLUB (Secretary, R. LEwis).—During the -;reater part of the term boating has been imposible. This is particularly unfortunate, as many -

of the first year are very promising, and should have qualified by now.

Sculling Captain—J. Flemming.

HOCKEY CLUB, HILARY TERM, 1915.

First XL—Forwards : *1. Flemming, *S. Bryan-Brown, *J. Fry, *M. Pearse, *K. Thomas.

Halves : V. Hills, *E. Stacey, *G. Milvain.

Backs : *E. Malleson, E. Cole-Baker. Goal : *P. K. Bowes.

Second XL—Forwards : D. Ramage, E. Bradshaw, E. Williams, M. Huckett, E. Whitehead.

Halves : M. Upjohn, M. Marshall, N. Cave.

Backs : G. Webb, .W. Brandt. Goal : M. Rudd.

The above is the formation of the teams to date (February 23rd); it is still subject to alteration.

Results of Matches.

January 23rd.—First XI v. Etceteras. 8-5.

February 15th.—v. St. Hugh's. 5—I. HALL DEBATE (President, MISS BRYAN-BROWN ; Secretary, MISS PARSONS ; Whips, MISS MCCALL

and Miss McCom.).

The first meeting of the term was a ` Sharp Practice,' at which the following motions were discussed with much heat That a Blue is preferable to a First,' and That the art of letterwriting is extinct and should be revived.'

Two other debates have been held. The first motion, That the examination system is harmful to the aims of education,' resulted in an equal division of the House ; the President gave her casting vote in favour of the motion. The speakers, Miss Webb and Miss Rudd, showed promise : their speeches were clear and delivered from remarkably few notes.

The House was glad to welcome Miss Levett (S.H.H.) and Miss Hadow at the next meeting.

Miss Levett, in proposing the motion, ' That the recent habit of publishing letters and diaries is fatal to the art of biography,' made a delightfully humorous speech which vehemently attacked modern biography. Miss Hadow fully equalled her in wit, but was not able to convince the House, and the motion was lost by ten votes.

The last debate of term will take the form of a Trial.

•

EssAv CLUB (President, D. K. HORNE).—The first meeting was held on January loth, when Miss Jebb (S.C.) read a paper on Turg-eniev.'

On February i7th, Miss Buckler gave an account of Excavations in Sardis, 1910-1914,' illustrated by lantern slides.

At the remaining meeting, Miss Jourdain (S.H.C.) will read a paper on Angellier.'

SOMERVILLE COLLEGE. It is with great regret that we parted from Miss Miss Kempson at the end of last term.

13

THE FRITILLARY.

Kempson came up as a student in 1894, and returned as a member of the Senior Common Room in 1904. Our library owes a great deal to Miss Kempson's energy and devotion, but it is not only as Librarian that we miss her. We shall long remember her ready sympathy with us in our moments of depression, and still more her constant contributions to the College stock of cheerfulness.

We are happy to welcome Miss M. C. Giles, whom the Council has appointed to the post vacated by Miss Kempson. Miss Giles took a First Class in Literae Humaniores in 1913.

We have just received from the University Press a pleasant reminder of Miss M. Czaplicha, who is at present holding the Mary Ewart Travelling Scholarship in the wilds of Siberia. ' Aboriginal Siberia : a study in social anthropology ' is the outcome of her work in Oxford, and it is pleasant to read in the preface her acknowledgment of the help afforded by Somerville College.

The Second Year acted two plays, ' The Benefactress ' and Birthright,' by T. C. Murray, at the end of the Michaelmas Term. Though on a simpler scale than usual, this entertainment was extremely successful, and greatly appreciated by the rest of College. We congratulate the stage manager on a complete justification of the choice of these plays.

BOAT CLUB (President, C. W. S. ADAMS ; Sec-

retary, D. PHILLIPS ; Treasurer, 0. GRAHAM).

The Club ought to have flourished this term, as nearly all the First Year members were out of the Urmila, and ready to be turned into half-captains.

Unfortunately the river has been so flooded that sculling has been practically impossible, and for the last few days even the boathouse has been out of reach.

HOCKEY CLUB (Captain, I. D. BRYAN ; ViceCaptain, D. PHILLIPS ; Secretary, G. Flux; Treasurer, M. A. CHUBB).

The play on the whole has been better this term, though we have had so little practice. Miss Cox has again been to coach us, and noticed a good deal of improvement.

Results of Matches.

First XI v. High School ; won, 6-1. v. Bedford P. T. C. ; lost, 5-2. v. Chelsea P. T. C. ; scratched. v. St. Hilda's ; won, 4-2.

First XL—*Jones, *Campbell, *White, *Young, *Hill, Philp, *Chubb, *Bryan, Priestman, Lupton, Whitwell. * Colours.

WOMEN'S UNIVERSITY SETTLEMENT (SOMERVILLE BRANCH ; Secretary, H. Fox).—A party was given

at Christmas, as usual, to a hundred children from one of the elementary schools in Southwark.

Somerville had responded very generously to the appeal for donations, and the Committee was able to provide a pair of warm stockings and a toy for each child. It is difficult to say what was most appreciated—the doll who opened and shut her eyes, the deafening drum, the squashy bun, or the cracker, not to mention Father Christmas.

Judging from their faces as they went away, the children seemed to have had a happy time.

THE TUB-THUMPERS' CLUB (President, CHUBB; Secretary, B. M. RosE).

M. A.

The Tub-Thumpers have had three meetings this term. The first debate, on National Service,' was opened by Miss Chubb ; the second, on ' The Future of Alsace Lorraine,' by Miss Roberts. Both subjects roused very keen discussion. The third meeting, on ' The Results of the Employment of Indian Troops in the War,' was a public one, and was opened by Miss Holman.

There was a large attendance, and the ensuing debate was very interesting, creating, as it did, much discussion of the past and future of the British Empire. With the handing round of coffee and biscuits, the discussion became wholly informal, and continued in an animated way for some time.

ARCH/EOLOGICAL SOCIETY (Secretary, D. SCOTTSTOKES).-At the end of last term a large party

visited the tower and chapel and other ruins of Oxford Castle. They are now in the hands of the prison authorities, and going through the doublegated entrance gave one a distinctly unpleasant feeling. Two expeditions have been planned for this term, one to Yarnton Church and Manor House, the other to Christ Church under the guidance of Dr. Ottley.

ST. HUGH'S COLLEGE. It was with deep regret that we heard from Miss Moberley, when we met in January, that she had decided to resign her office as Principal of St. Hugh's at the end of this term.

She has done so much for our College, and for us, that we feel that the loss will be a very real one. We are, however, very glad to think that her work is to be carried on by Miss Jourdain, who has done so much for St. Hugh's as VicePrincipal during the last twelve years.

It is especially cheering for all of us who are going down in June, to think that when we come back as visitors to St. Hugh's, we shall not have to make a new friend in the Principal, although we shall have much to learn in finding our way about the new College, which is now making rapid progress towards completion.

On Shrove Tuesday we were entertained by the members of the Hostel, whose performance of •

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14

The Rose and the Ring ' was greatly enjoyed by the rest of the College. Their energy in arranging such a delightful •entertainment in a very short space of time, and the skill with which they interpreted the various parts, was much appreciated by the audience. To add to the success of the evening, a sum of nearly two pounds was collected in aid of the Hospital being arranged by the Scottish Federation of the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies.

In spite of the fact that many among our numbers have relations and friends at the Front, and are consequently feeling very anxious about their safety, College life has gone on very much as usual.

BOAT CLUB (President, MISS ADY ; Captain, Miss LEWIS ; Secretary, Miss HOLLAND).

At a meeting of the Boat Club Committee last term, the following members were passed in sculling :—Captain, Miss Boykett ; Half-Captains, Misses Jenkins, Clarke, Beasley and DaviesColley.

Until the sixth week of term the sculling boats have been going out quite regularly, and several members of the First Year have shown great improvement.

We welcome two new members to the Boat Club—Miss J. Evans and Miss Macdonald—and are hoping that several more will be able to do their test during the vacation.

We hope to have an inter-House sculling competition next term. The Captains of the different Houses have been elected, and the crews have begun to practice already.

HOCKEY CLUB

Captain,

(Captain, E. I. GI.ENDAY ; ViceLEWIS ; Secretary, E. S.

M. G.

NICHOLAS).

It is with great regret that we have received Miss Potts' resignation of the office of ViceCaptain. Miss Lewis has been elected in her stead.

The first eleven has not been settled during the whole season, and consequently has suffered severely from lack of combination. The team has decidedly improved since last term, but is still unreliable ; the forwards have not practised enough together to combine really well. The halves are beginning to back up better, but waste a great many of their opportunities by hitting straight into their opponents, as also do the backs, who are inclined to play too far up the field for their pace.

We were defeated by Lady Margaret Hall in the first round of the Cup matches, 1-6. The game, however, was more even than the score would seem to show.

First XL—Forwards : Misses *Nicholas, *Hale, Halves : Misses *Lewis, *Holland, *Perham.

-

*Brown, *Horne, *Richards.

Backs : Misses *Truman *Glenday. Goal : *Miss Giles.

Miss Price ' has played as reserve back. Misses Horne, Nicholas and Perham have played regularly in the United practices, and Misses Truman, Holland and Hale occasionally.

Results of Matches.

FIRST XI.

January 3oth.—v. Laurels, Rugby (3-4).

February 5th.—v. Etceteras (2-6).

February i sth.—Cup match, v. L.M.H. (1-6).

A ' TEAM. January 23rd.—v. Geography School (2-4).

February loth.—Hall and House v. Hostel and Bradmore Road. Hostel and Bradmore Road (2-0).

HUNDRED MOOT.—Under the new arrangement, we have decided to have two meetings of the Hundred Moot every term, one to discuss any matters of interest which may crop up in reading, and another to discuss the lecture. At the first meeting we discussed two subjects, namely, ' How far philosophy affected the lives of the ordinary people in the Middle Ages,' and ' Why England started on the road to Democracy before France or Spain.' Almost all the History School have joined, and everybody seems quite keen about it ; in fact, we hope to be able to work it up into something really good. In any case, we all feel that it is a great improvement on the Tithing Tea system.

DEBATING SOCIETY (President, Miss G. GARDNER ; Secretary, Miss A. M. FARROW ; Up-anddown Girl, Miss M. RICHARDS).

The Sharp Practice Society has this term betaken itself to more serious work than heretofore.

Three set debates are to be held in each of the winter terms, and two in the summer term, the remainder of the meetings to be sharp practices.

Already the new regulations have brought to light several promising speakers : Miss Perham and Miss Joan Evans, in the First Year, have shown enterprise and ability in extemporary speaking.

Two set debates have been held already this term. The motion that There can be no social Utopia without private property ' was proposed

by Miss Nicholas in a well thought-out speech, and opposed by Miss Parrett, who was obviously interested in her subject. Public discussion was fast and furious ; but on a division only a small minority could be found who looked to the abolition of private property as a Utopier's hope, there voting for the motion twenty-three, against the motion seven.

On the motion that ' The cause of internationalism would be furthered by a democratic control of foreign policy,' Miss Richards ad-

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THE FRITILLARY. dressed the House in a fluent speech. She is to be congratulated on a clear and convincing delivery. Miss Ingram, who opposed the motion, was sound in argument, and has a good command of language.

The speeches for the term may be criticised for their lack of grip over the House. Few of the speakers have the power of holding their audience.

At the Sharp Practice held at the beginning of the term, the motion, That the prevalence of examinations is a sign of the failure of our educational system,' was hotly debated. Most people proved well disposed towards our present system of education, there voting for the motion twelve, and against the motion twenty.

PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.—Wednesday evening has proved unfortunate for this term, and the Society has only met once. Miss Jourdain gave us the first of her series of three lectures on The Philosophy of Art,' and we are much looking forward to the remaining two.

SHAKESPEARE SOCIETY.—The Society has been reading ' Much Ado about Nothing ' this term.

There are about fifteen members, who have showed keenness, and considering the numerous demands on their time from other sources, they have attended the meetings well.

SUFFRAGE NOTES.

Since the beginning of the war, the 0.W.S.S.W.S., like all other societies of the N.U., has been devoting its main attention to the relief of distress.

Last term gifts in kind were collected and divided between the Oxford branch of Queen Mary's Needlework Guild, and the N.U. shop at 5o Parliament Street, Whitehall.

This term we have concentrated on working for the Hospitals of the Scottish Federation, which are now being supported by the N.U. as a whole. In connection with this work, Dr. Elsie Inglis, the Secretary of the Scottish Federation, who has organised the hospitals in France and Servia, addressed a meeting at Lady Margaret Hall. The chair was taken by Miss Jex-Blake.

Dr. Inglis described, in a most interesting and graphic manner, the work being done by the French and Serbian units. In spite of enormous obstacles at the outset, a most perfectly equipped hospital has now been established at Royanmont and another at Kragnievatz in Servia. The work being done there by British women doctors and nurses is quite magnificent. Dr. Inglis laid great stress upon the value of the properlytrained British nurse in such conditions, and greatly praised the work being done by women orderlies. So fully have the French and Serbian Governments realised the value of the help the

British women are giving that they are pressing for further expansion.

At the close of her speech, Dr. Inglis begged for assistance in starting another unit. Funds up to £5o,000 are most urgently needed, as well as gifts in kind—bandages, pyjamas, shirts, and socks.

Hampers of clothing will be sent to Dr. Inglis by the 0.W.S.S.W.S., and the first will be despatched at the end of term.

All contributions will be gladly received by Miss Deneke, Lady Margaret Hall, and they should be clearly marked ' N. U. Hospitals ' on the outside.

NEW STUDENTS.

Michaelmas Term, 1914.—H. Allen, Clapham Secondary School ; J. Evans, Berkhampstead Girls' Grammar School.

Hilary Term, 1915.—D. A. Pratt, The Abbey, Malvern Wells.

ST. HILDA'S HALL. Most of the events which stand out upon the even tenour of our way this term seem to be of a more or less frivolous nature. We now look out upon a lake instead of an island, and this fact, though it enhances the beauty of the sunsets, makes it impossible to be on the river.

Unable to boat, we have taken to paper-chasing, and had a very good run on Boar's Hill on Saturday, February 6th. The ground was rather heavy, but the rain held off, and though the Hockey Captain was heard to murmur that Saturday was, strictly speaking, hockey day, the crosscountry run was almost as good training for the team as a practice. Another chase has been arranged on the last Friday of term, for such members of the Hall who have not by that time succumbed to one or other of the ailments which seem to be dogging •our footsteps this term. We can only hope to get our troubles in this direction over this term, and so avoid our annual quarantine in the summer !

Unable to go to the O. U. D. S. this year, we fell back on our own resources, and had a very jolly social on Shrove Tuesday evening. The First Year gave a variety entertainment, three items in which were dramatic presentations of ' Young Lochinvar," Lady Clare,' and ' As We Hate It,' from Punch. The masterly way in which Lochinvar's horse and Lady Clare's doe were presented gave the audience especial joy. A show of waxworks by the Second Year followed. Henry VIII and his wives were welcomed even by such of the History School who were seeking to drown the cares of work. The Kaiser delivered iron crosses with clockwork regularity, Tetrazzini's dying croak as she ran down struck a very happy note, and the individual members of the hockey team had their pet idiosyncrasies mercilessly parodied •

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THE FRITILLARY.

and tactfully explained by the showman (Miss Morgan). Dancing filled the later part of the evening.

Other branches of the last-named art have been practised with vigour during the term. A great many students attend Miss Masse's folk-dancing class, and we have had one most enjoyable evening of folk-singing in the drawing-room, and hope to have another next term. Dalerozo, also, has begun to flourish among us, thanks to Miss Verini's efforts.

We are very much looking forward to Wednesday, March 3rd, when Mr. Mansbridge is coming to give us an address on the W.E.A. Saturday evenings are now devoted, in response to Dr. Inglis' appeal, to the more serious activities of rolling bandages for the women's hospitals in France and Serbia. The Hall has sent off one box of necessaries and comforts to headquarters this week, and hopes to send another and larger one at the end of term.

Every student has now an addition to the ornaments of her room in the shape of a candle for use in case of an air raid, and the fire captain organised one rehearsal, when everyone descended to the basement with such valuables as could be collected. The habit of waking at night to the sound of an imaginary siren seems, however, to have passed away !

HOCKEY CLUB (Captain, MISS WALKER • ViceCaptain, Miss PARRY ; Secretary, Miss Bisuor).

—Christ Church have very kindly allowed us the use of their hockey ground this term, so that with this and the Summertown field we have been able to secure plenty of practice during the term. The Club is still handicapped by lack of members, and it is often only by means of most vigorous coercion that we can raise full sides for practices.

The team throughout the term has shown great keenness, which has been rewarded by a very marked improvement. The defence is still the backbone of the team ; the new centre-half has proved a very sound and reliable player, and the goal-keeper has improved considerably . The tackling is good, but there is need of cleaner shooting by the forwards, whilst the passing of the whole team is inclined to be rather erratic.

Team : Aslin ; *Walker, *Bishop ; *Howell, *Verini, Hay ; *Macrae, *Parry, Hughes, *Crook, *Pocock. * Colours.

Matches played : Milham Ford School (drawn, 1-1); Somerville, Cup match (lost, 2-4).

Government with regard to the wives of soldiers and sailors as an unwarrantable interference with the liberties of the individual.' Hon. Proposer : Miss Nichols. Hon. Opposer : Miss Leys. A keen debate followed, with a rather surprising result. Though most, and by far the best, of the speaking was in favour of the motion, on a division it was lost by 16 votes to 18.

The second debate was a Sharp Practice, and was held on February 12th. The first motion was : ' That in the opinion of this House, history is a bubble on the surface of philosophy, and not philosophy a bubble on the surface of history.'

Hon. Proposer : Miss Ferguson. Hon. Opposer : Miss FitzGerald. The second motion was : ' That Mona Lisa smiles from simplicity, and not from snakishness.' Hon. Proposer : Miss Verini ; Hon. Opposer : Miss Crook. The debate was decidedly better than Sharp Practices usually are.

Both motions were fluently, if not very seriously, discussed. The first was carried and the second lost.

DEBATING SOCIETY (Officers, Hilary Term /915 : MISS THOMPSON • Vice-President, MISS COATE ; Secretary, Miss CODD ; Hall Member, MISS JENNINGS).

OXFORD HOME STUDENTS. The term has been one necessarily free from incident. We believe that we, less than the Halls, have been unmoved by threats of aeroplanes and bombs (though a project was on foot at one time to fit up our excellent cellar at 16 Ship Street). Our numbers have decreased, but to no

President,

The first debate of the term was held on January 29th. The motion before the House was : ' That this House deplores the recent action of the

RIFLE CLUB (Captain, MISS PARRY ; Vice-Captain, Miss SHUFELDT).—The Rifle Club has been discontinued for this term as the miniature rifle range is needed for the troops which are now training in Oxford.

LITERARY SOCIETY (President, MISS CODD ; Secretary, Miss HAY).—This term the play to be

read at each meeting has been selected by one of the members who was chosen by lot. Bernard Shaw's ' Man and Superman was the first play read, and it aroused the interest of the members to such an extent that two extra meetings were held in which to finish it. Since then Gilbert Murray's translation of Euripides' Medea ' and Galsworthy's Silver Box have been read. '

'

'

ART CLUB (President, MISS PARRY ; MISS CRICHTON).—The first meeting

Secretary,

of the Art Club for the Hilary Term was held on Thursday, February i8th, the President being in the chair.

The subject for discussion this term is Old China, and at the last meeting the following classes of china were considered : Bow and Chelsea, Plymouth and Bristol, Swansea and Nantgarw, Old Derby and Worcester. It is hoped that a second meeting may be held on the 25th, when other important classes of china will be discussed.

THE FRITILLARY. appreciable extent, and among our members certain of our Allies are represented. Of actual news, then, we have none, except that at the end of last term Miss Battersby-Harford was elected Junior Treasurer to the 0.S.D.S. The Society is proud of the work which is being done by its old students now resident in Oxford.

Mrs. Prichard's and Miss C. V. Butler's work on the Relief Committee is too well known to need mention. Among many others, Miss Primrose Allen is working on the Belgian Committee, Miss Williams on the Cowley Relief Committee, and Miss Cicely Lewis and Miss Jenkin are busy with the Clubs for the Wives of Soldiers and Sailors.

The Common Room Committee arranged a party on February 13th at Cherwell Edge, which was kindly lent for the occasion. Miss Minora Fox danced, to an appreciative audience, Hungarian dances, and a delightful romance to part of Tchaikovsky's Symphony Pathetique.' Miss Olwen Rhys recited, and finally, Miss Jenkin and Mr. Gamlen acted an amusing dialogue.

A Social Discussion Club, started by members of the Home Students' branch of the Student Movement,' has met once a week throughout the term to discuss problems which have arisen in connection with the war. At the first meeting Miss C. V. Butler read a paper on ' The War. and Spending.' Mrs. Prichard has talked to us about the work of the Relief Committee in Oxford, and the efforts which have been made to deal with the unemployment of large numbers of women workers in the city. Hardly connected directly by the war, but of great interest and importance, was a discussion with Miss Lomax, who is working wih the newly-formed Association for the Prevention and Cure of Consumption.

E. D. Fox (Senior Student).

BOAT CLUB (President, Miss BUTLER ; Secretary, MISS COLLIER Treasurer, MISS PURGOLD).

—There has been little boating this term owing to floods, consequently no tests have been held, but some of the beginners who have been out have shown.distinct promise. ;

HOCKEY CLUB.—A revival has been attempted of the Home Student Hockey Club, which has been non-existent for the last few years. What members there are of the Club have turned up very regularly to practices this term, and show a marked improvement in their play. We played our first match on February 8th against the Etceteras 2nd XI, and lost it by four goals to six. If Miss R. Butler and Miss C. Butler had not kindly consented to play for us, we should have been rather at a loss for a team, and even as it was it included two players who are not members. It seems a great pity that, when the total number of Home Students compares quite

favourably with any of the Colleges, they cannot produce eleven hockey players. It is to be hoped that more effort will be made next year.

DOROTHY A. STOCK (Capt.).

DRAMATIC SOCIETY (President, Miss ALLEN ; Vice-President, Miss H. Fox ; Secretary, Miss DotnE).--The last meeting of the Michaelmas Term was held on November 26th, when Gringoire was read in French. So far this term there have been two meetings. At the first, on January 27th, Sheridan's The Rivals was read ; and for the second, two short plays—Yeat's Countess Cathleen and Barrie's The Twelve Pound Look— were chosen. They formed a good contrast. On March 1st the Society is going to read Masefield's Tragedy of Pompey the Great. Miss Lys and Miss Stock have been elected members.

TENNIS CLUB (Captain, MISS OAKLEY HILL ; Treasurer, Miss Fox ; Secretary, Miss ATKINS).

—This term our court has been at Norham Hall, but unfortunately, partly owing to weather, it has been unused several times. There are a few new members. and we hope for many more next term.

At the Central Tennis Test, on February 3rd, Miss Atkins was elected an associate.

EXAMINATION LIST, MICHAELMAS TERM, 1914.

Final Pass Schools.

Miss Evans, Greek and Latin (1).

Miss Davies, German (5).

Miss Hasluck, Mod. History (r).

Science, Preliminary.

Miss Gloria, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology.

Miss Collier, Physics.

French Certificate.

Miss Berthon.

German Certificate.

Miss Davies.

Certificate in General and Regional Geography.

Miss Vaughan.

Miss Allen.

Miss Connaghton.

NEW STUDENTS. Dorothy Richmond Bagley, Cherwell Hall, Oxford.

Eva F. Belohoupkova, Prague University.

Aileen Patricia Cox, Gumley House, Isleworth.

Mary Kingdon Heslop, Armstrong College, Newcastle-on-Tyne.

Anne Elizabeth Hendersen Slack, Queen Margaret's, Scarborough.

Yvonne Stoddard, A.B., Bryn Mawr College, U. S.A. Emily Rose West Unmack, St. Mary's Hall, Kemptown, Brighton.

Tatiana Varess, Private School, Petrograd.

PARKER AND CO., OXFORD.