St Hugh's College, Oxford - The Imp, Dec 1924

EDITORS. E.FAWCETT. P.O'FARRELL.

COMMITTEE.

Third Year Representative—K.ALLSOP. Second Year Representative—N.MoRsE.

TREASURER. W. DINGWALL.

THE IMP No. 17.

MICHAELMAS TERM.

1924.

EDITORIAL. E—the editorial we is more significant than usual this year —have no need to introduce the imp to his friends, among whom he is already a familiar figure ; but we should like him to become better acquainted with the First Year, who do not, it seems, realise how friendly he is, and how interested in all their doings, for they have scarcely addressed a word to him in this number.

We wish to thank our poster-printer for her valuable assistance in advertising, and are sorry that only so passive an interest was aroused in the college at large. In fact there were so few entries for the competition that the Committee has decided to give the prize-money, a not-to-be-despised ten shillings, to the fund for the Russian Students' relief. We should like to see more entries for the competition next term ; and therefore any suggestions for a subject which would be likely to meet with a more enthusiastic reception, and stimulate more latent genius, would be very welcome.

We hope that the contents of this number will not deter the writers of verse and prose other than humorous from contributing to the pages of future Imps ; but those we have received this term have sometimes verged on the sentimental, and been ambitious and unfortunate. May we, however, draw special attention to the ' Song in September,' with its admirable command of rhyme and metre.

Several of the humorous pieces had to be omitted because the jokes are too particular to amuse a wide circle ; and others, we regret to say, because the manuscripts were illegible. But the Imp has talked long enough already ; so he makes his bow to his readers, wishing them all a pleasant vac., and a Merry Christmas.

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A MIDNIGHT FANTASY.

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THE SECOND YEAR PLAYS.

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The Second Year are to be congratulated on the success of their performance on Wednesday, November i9th.

In the Greek plays, they achieved that combination of amusement and instruction which we had hitherto held impossible, and we felt it a great privilege to be allowed a glimpse into the domestic life of those heroes with whom so far we have only a Pass-modding acquaintance.

We appreciated Iphigenias' temperament, Dido's wiles, and above all Aeneas' face, and the entrance of the Grecian ' general ' in the first play was a master-stroke. If we did not realise the insurmountable difficulty of playing a ' heroic' role, we should be inclined to say as a general criticism that the members of the cast did not sufficiently lose themselves in their parts.

In their performance of ' The Countess Cathleen' the Second Year destroyed the foolish illusion that any play ' put on' College stage is of necessity an object for ribaldry.

The highest praise is due to F. Nugent for her natural, restrained and sincere rendering of the part of the Countess herself.

It is always a pleasure to listen to her voice, and she made the most of it ; but that grace which characterised the manner of Cathleen was too often absent from her movements.

M. Matthews is to be congratulated on the way she threw herself so completely into her conception of Aleel, but we feel that with a little less of the declamatory manner and a little more light than shade she would have given at least as convincing a rendering of the part.

MacNeil in the difficult part of Mary created at once the atmosphere which the play required. The mingled fear and obstinacy which she showed in her dealings with the merchants was an admirable piece of acting.

We all liked, or rather disliked, the merchants, who in spite of their very oriental appearance were obviously real demons, and the diabolic laughter of the first made one's blood run cold.

Shenins slouched well and was convincing when sullen or jeering, but too often bore a likeness to Learoyd. Cowell Smith gave a natural rendering of the part of Teig, and really made us think that there might be ' two grey horned owls ' perched in the wings.

Greenhill failed to make Oona quite homely or old enough, but came out well in her scenes with the poet and in the last Act. The grouping and by-play of the peasants was extraordinarily good, and Morse and Neal conveyed a very real impression of famine. We liked the Porter (Fagan) and the Steward (Allen).

Neville Rolfe was inclined to overdo her part.

THE IMP. We congratulate the artist who staged the.,Oratory and the Storm, and the dressers for evolving such gorgeous raiment for the merchants and for arraying the angel in grey instead of the conventional white sheeting. The grouping, the effective use of pauses in the scenes, and the lack of pauses between the scenes spoke well for the `efficiency' of the Stage Management.

The Manager and the Committee deserve all praise for what was not only a very pleasing, but a very well-run, production.

M. W. S. VR..4

1,61•1“

THE LECTURER SPEAKS. This is a simple ballad, of great antiquity, dealing with the traditional theme of a father taking his boy for a ride.'

Gin I may ride on your bike say true O Father, my dearest dear Diddle, Gin I may ride on your bike say true I'll love ye for seven long year Diddle.' ' Then leap up behind me, my bonnie young son And leap on the hub of my bike Diddle, And sicca a couple in Oxenford toon There never shall seen be the like Diddle.'

Then farewell to thee, my Mother sae dear' And up he lepped light, Diddle, ' Then farewell to thee my bonnie sweet son And haud to thy ain Daddy tight,' Diddle.

Then rode they swift into the toon To the street ycleped High, Diddle.

Then rest ye here, my Rowland dear, mickle have to buy.'

Piddle,

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He lepped has from off his bike And leant it gin a brier, Diddle, But the boy has taken his wee pen-knife And punctured has thhe tyre, Diddle.

Then what is, this that thou hast done When tha' Daddy wasna nigh?'

Diddle. ' I cut it wi' ma wee pen-knife, Never ask me' why.'

Diddle.

Then gie to me tha' wee pen-knife, And punished must tha' be.'

Diddle.

And a' that night he sat till dawn Wi' his lad across his knee.

Diddle.

ANON, /ANNA p.n.*

THINGS WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW. Whether it is true that a certain honoured member of the College once said Boo I to a lion, and what the lion said.

Whether the globe edition of a great poet has been returned to the College Library, and whether the flower in question was a rose or a daisy.

Whether the poet has been able to sell his soul.

Whether the fire captain has invested considerable sums in an insurance policy.

Whether it is a rape of the lock that is disguised by a certain lady's green bandage.

Whether the stratagems of a certain beau will bring about a reform on the Shakespearean stage.

Whether red hair is a substitute for the academical cap in the Banbury Road. .2AmA. By what trick a certain 14gh official balances buns on the top of her head.

Whether the present Lawn are conversant with the University motto.

A FRESHER'S EXPERIENCES.

1. Arriving at her first cocoa party.

3. The faux pas.'

2. Late for dinner for the first time. 4. At the end of the first week.

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FROM DIE STUDENTIN.' I

NOVEMBER, 1924.

The German Students' Union, and the Warsaw Conference of the Confederation Internationale des Etudiants.'

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In connection with the question raised in our last number of the adhesion of German women graduates to the International Federation of University Women, it might be of interest to cast a glance at the discussions between the C.I.E. and the organized body of German Students in Warsaw.

It should be understood that the C.I.E. was founded in 1924 (sic)* in Strasburg under French influence. Its provisos included the stipulation that a Union of Students of the Central Powers might be recognized as soon as these Powers were admitted to the League of Nations.' From the first the admission of German Students was a controversial point which threw debates into the melting-pot, or, if open discussion on it were intentionally avoided, drove individual Unions to make a stand and carry a division ; for some Unions of the neutral countries had made their adhesion depend on deleting the paragraph, while France and her satellites again and again tried to sabotage ' the vote. Nevertheless, by the pressure of the neutrals, supported by England, it was deleted three years ago in Prague.

The German Union now made it clear that they were ready to meet an express invitation of the C.I.E., if a ' federation of all German Students inside and outside the frontiers' were recognised, if the German language were acknowledged as well as English and French for the transaction of business, and if the German Union were assured representation on the Executive Committee of the C.I.E. These conditions appeared to the French section in the C.I.E. monstrous, and the neutrals had little expectation of seeing how to solve the conflict, but they did not give up hope. A neutral Commission was appointed to go into the difficulties of the admission of Germany and to persuade either France or Germany to give way.

Twice, at the Conference of Students from abroad in Budapest, shortly before the Warsaw Congress of the C.I.E. in September of this year, their endeavours were fruitless. The German Union stood by its demands, as the irreducible basis for sharing in the work of a confederation innately hostile. France thereupon held stubbornly to the wording of the Constitution, which only per* This is probably a printer's error. The C I.E. was founded in 1919.

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mitted the membership of Unions formed according to regulation, and declared repeatedly that the spirit of the German Union was opposed to the ideals of the C.I.E. By dint of the collective efforts of England and the neutral countries, it was resolved to have the General Meeting of the C.I.E. in Warsaw, and to send an invitation to the Germans. In the telegram of invitation expression was given to the wish to settle the differences of the German Union and the C.I.E. by free and open discussion.'

The German Union felt little hope of being able to carry their view in any way. But the neutral countries sent Herr Hogbom, leader of the Swedish Delegation, to Berlin by aeroplane, and he was able to convince the German Union that an acceptance of the invitation was to their interest, and took back Herr Walter Zimmermann, leader of the 'Union of German Students abroad,' with their Delegation.

The battles of the previous years were fought out in an intense form during the session, but the decisive meeting was on September 2oth. The German delegate was greeted on his entrance with prolonged applause ; he held the assembly, and explained in concise and clear language the principle and construction of his Union and asserted its demands. He said that it had been established on the principle of inherent national right, and was justified on the basis of national self-determination. It considered its principles fairer than that of the C.I.E., which was based on political status. This distinction in the organization of the two bodies might certainly be an obstacle-in-chief to the entry of the German Unon, for neither had power to change their regulations ; but the C.I.E. had repeatedly admitted exceptions.

Space forbids to deal with individual phases of the debate. Let it only be said that the grasp of purpose and determination of the German delegate, thanks to the open efforts of England and the ' neutral countries to find a solution, was crowned with results.

He actually achieved more than could have been expected in the existing circumstances. How difficult his position was is shown by the fact that on the proposal of the motion that German as well as French should be recognised side by side with English as an official language, the French Delegation left the chamber in a body and threatened the resignation of France, so that the assembly really feared a break-up of the C.I.E., and implored them to yield ; they did not, and the resolution was passed by default in their absence. An agreement was made by which the German Union in its entirety was not recognised as a branch but as a standing co-operator with the C.I.E. on all questions. The resolution, which was passed unanimously, runs :— That as the basis of the C.I.E. is determined by political status, and that of the German Union by race, the entry of the German Union into the C.I.E. is not possible. This fact, ,

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however, should be no bar to practical co-operation, which is desired on both sides. The C.I.E. invites the German Union to co-operate thus ; and to render it as practical as possible, the Executive Committee of the C.I.E. invites to all of its meetings a delegate of the German Union.

Through this agreement an accepted basis should have been found for the common work of the C.I.E. and the German Union.

A hope may be expressed that academic youth united in the C.I.E. will in the future be instrumental in bringing back normal friendly relationships between peoples, founded on mutual respect and national worth. This is the aim and object of the German Union.

11.ftet 144.

SONG IN SEPTEMBER. Gone for aye, for aye, An Oxford May, Song-welcomed from the height of Magdalen Tower When hawthorns, shower.

Their snows, And pale in Christchurch Meadow blows The fragile cuckoo-flower, While darkly cool the gleaming river flows And the soft wind, silver-shod, through the shy willows goes.

Gone so soon, so soon The sun of June From Sussex down and weald ; Now memories alone Are thyme-scent blown, And brown hay shown In rays 'cross the green field.

Gone, so fleet, so fleet, A July sweet Rain-chastened, sun-bewildered, loving change Of colour range Among the hills Where quiet water music spills 'Mid mosses strange Awhile—then dies ; though the brown Wharfe The vale with his loud voice that no calm stills.

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THE IMP. Gone so swift, so swift, With scents adrift Of fir and meadowsweet, August's enchantment dear From Rydal mere Where foxgloves peer ; Farewell—their trumpets droop defeat.

Here again ! again !

September fain To flush the apples on the low crooked bough In orchards now.

With gold The rising moon, the corn, the sunflower bold, She doth endow.

She brings faint mists her mornings to unfold And quiet nouns to sunny Fresingwold.

Come apace ! apace !

October's chase Of red leaves dancing o'er the fields of southern shires ; When a grey lane's dusk hedgerow Shall have hawthorns smould'ring low And brambles jewelled so That poplar gold shall brighten and the beech renew her fires.

E. C. •14 11.0o.S

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A MEMORY. It was Keats who said ' A thing of beauty is a joy for ever' ; and if so, then I feel it is rather sad that the beautiful tales which meant so much to me in my childhood should be neglected and forgotten by the children of to-day. In the hope that it may bring to other youthful readers some of the beauty and joy it brought to me as a child, I venture to transcribe, as well as I can from memory and at this distance of years, my favourite tale.

It was bitterly cold, and Fishey blew on his hands to warm them. He must go home soon ; he had promised his Mother he would not be long, and she might want him if Father was very drunk. Fishey wondered why Father got drunk; he never wanted to throw things about when he had had a drink from the fountain in the square. The poor child did not know it was alcohol that made the difference. He did not care for his father when he

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was drunk ; he would stay five more minutes pressing his nose against the window of the brightly-lit toy-shop and trying to decide whether he would buy the trumpet or the wooden horse if he were rich. At the end of five minutes he began to run until he stopped. At the door of a tumbled-down dwelling he listened. All was still ; then Father had not come home. He crept down the stairs into the cellar that was his home and switched on the light.

No; Father was not there, but Mother was lying in a pool of blood in the far corner, with her brains spattered about the floor. Sobbing quietly, Fishey picked them up and put them in the oven.

Then he pulled the table over Mother and began to eat the tea she had prepared for him.

Suddenly he heard a noise on the stairs ; the door was burst open, and in rushed Father with a club• in his hand. Father, Mother is under the table ; but I didn't do it, indeed I didn't,' Fishey blurted out. No, I did it myself, damn yer bloody eyes, same as I'll do you in, you blasted snivelling whelp.' And Fishey knew no more.

When he awoke he found himself in hospital. The pain in his head was piercing, but Fishey's first thought was for his father.

The nurse, seeing him move, came towards the bed. Where is Father? ' he asked her. My poor child,' she said gently, your father was hanged at dawn'—then seeing the tears come into Fishey's eyes—' but lie still and do not worry ; you must get quite strong and well again before I tell you any more.'

0 Father, Father,' sobbed Fishey pitifully, ' you were always so kind to me and so good to Mother, and I wasn't even there to see you hanged.' A blood-vessel burst, and the child, a sweet smile on his wan face, fell back into eternal peace on the bed.

•••■ • v•sta.4

THE DEBATING SOCIETY. President—J. SARGEAUNT. Secretary—D. T. MCNEILL. Treasurer—I. SHRIGLEY. The Society has met fairly frequently during the term, and is looking forward to a joint debate with the Home Students' Club on Friday, November 25th. There has been some slight improvement in the speeches of late, but there is yet room for much more.

Quality rather than quantity is a feature of the first year debaters ; but among the second year several lights have appeared, which had before been hidden. We all need to strive after a more lively and arresting delivery ; often in debating the style is the man.

It is better to speak from notes than to read a speech, as it is really difficult to read well.

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ILLUSTRATED GUIDE TO THE LANGUAGE SCHOOLS.

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• A day in the Life of an Indo-German.

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EXTRACTS. [These extracts from a recent anthology, entitled ' Food for Thought,' have been published on account of their intrinsic merit, although the conditions which they illustrate have long since passed away.—En.] SONNET. When o'er my half-awakened sense there flows A gathering mist of dim-foreshadowed pain That broods, broad-winged and deep, within the brain, And tells of Life and how it comes and goesAh then, I muse on Death, and all its woes ; Gehenna, Hades, and the vast inane, And try to fear for my poor ghost—in vain, For I have known a deeper Hell than those. .

Have I not eaten cabbage-stalks, and known My noonday plate with gold ovarions lined ; And chewed a sago-pudding till I've grown Faint, yet pursuing, and wandered far to find Some wanton plum-skins bathing in a bowl0, can more horrible await the soul?

LINES 1667?

By senile Herbage drab unterrify'd, Unterrified by flesh cet ulian we, By solitary Plums ; nor yet dismay'd By piscatorial Meagreness, like those Doom'd day by day to leave the cheerless board, Unsatisfi'd, unnourish'd, unassuag'd.

Far otherwise our Creature Needs supplied With plentiful yet unambitious food ; From Labours matinal at length return'd We seek the Solace of our calm abode To feed on verdant Lettuce, newly cull'd, Pedestrian Gorgonzola, tranquil Tea And pure cucumberous Joys ; on us refresh'd Post-prandial Slumbers genial descend.

Swallow, my sister, 0 sister swallow, [Regret impossible.—ED.]

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THE IMP. ASPIRATIONS. Oh, that this too too solid flesh would melt.

Thaw—

[Sorry, this is not in our line; all complaints about food should be made to the Bursar through the Students' Committee.—ED.1 ■ •••■■ ••

THE ANNIVERSARY. Scene : An old rock-garden forming a semi-circle; the stones are grass-grown, and the ferns dank and disorderly. In the centre a small fountain, which has evidently been dead for years. It is raining quietly and persistently.

Time : November Seventeenth, 1924, somewhere between and 12 o'clock at night.

(Enter Ghost of Bishop clad in robes and mitre, and carrying croon, accompanied by swan, also ghost, singing softly.)

G.

OF

B. : This is the place; grows mouldier every year. She re about. Tut, tut, Cignis, I wish should be somewe you would stop that nasty noise ! I think it's too bad that a swan should be able to sing on every anniversary of its death. Once was enough.

(A window is banged in the adjacent building, where many lights are showing, and there is aloud shout of laughter.)

G. oF. B.: Tut, tut, tut.

(There emerges from the fountain the ghost of a Nun, who kneels inprayer.)

: Good evening, madame; you see I have come again.

G. OF G. OF N. (rising quickly): Oh ! good evening, my lord ; many happy returns of the day. I had almost forgotten to expect you. Dear, dear, how the years roll on ! (Her voice breaks.)

G.

OF

B. : You seem depressed. Is there anything wrong in there?

G.

OF

N. : Oh, no, no ! They seem quite happy. It's only me— (Another there is no peace anywhere now-a-days.

(Jerking, his thumb in the direction of the building.)

window bangs, and there is another burst of laughter.)

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All night it is like this—lights burning all the time, so that I dare not walk on the terrace. And then in the grey, grey early-dawn light, the hour I love best of all, when the little birds are turning over on their sides and taking forty winks more--(wistfully)—even then there is no peace.

G. OF B. : Madame, I am so sorry. Why? G. OF N. (shivering) : They rush out then—lots of them—with not many clothes on, and run shouting round my garden and across my lawn ; sometimes they even throw a ball about with sticks ! Then all the little birds are woken up and begin looking for their breakfast, so I go and hide in the old fountain.

G. OF B. (kindly) : Dear hearty children—you mustn't blame them, madame; after all, it is their garden as well as yours now. And I am glad you think they are happy.

G. OF N. : Oh, yes, I think they are happy enough—but I sometimes hear them talking in the day-time, when they pass near me with their arms wantonly wound round each other's waists. They are always complaining about something.

G. OF B. : Complaining?

G. OF N. : Yes—it's either ' She said this and 'this, and got in a terrible rage—and what was I to do? ' Or else it's ' What do you think? It's too perfectly dreadful ! ' Or ' Did you smell the fish this morning? ' Or something like that—it makes me very tired.

B. OF B. (laughing heartily) : That's just their way—dear things.

I'm glad to hear it ; the English are never happier than when they are grumbling. I found that out years ago.

Mon brave Coeur de Lion always used to say . .

(The clock of St. Philip and St. James begins to strike twelve.)

G.

OF

G. OF

B. : Mitres and croziers ! Midnight already ! I must get back to Lincoln. Come Cignis ! Au revoir, madame ; and do try and look on the bright side of things.

N. (tearfully) : Adieu, my lord.

(Exeunt. Rain continues.)

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(Lines addressed to a one-time friend on her becoming Editor of the IMP.) Once I could think aloud before your fire, When friendship's warmth and its did both inspire ; So cogitate on Shakespeare or the Ballad, On Celtic humour, lectures or fruit-salad.

But now, ah now ! Just write that down,' you say, ' And let me have it for the Imp, I pray.'

Once influenced by your angelic smile, I could sit down, and murmur verse awhile, And ardently court the poetic Muse, Warbling of Lawns, of Squirrels and St. Hugh's.

But now, ah now ! Just write that down,' you say, And let me have it for the Imp, I pray.'

Once I could sigh the world's and mine own woes (Arrayed sometimes in verse, sometimes in prose), Into your ear ; woefully deprecate A tutor's malice, or a rotten state.

But now, ah now ! Just write that down,' you say, And with that word, the Muse has fled away.

[We have taken the obvious revenge.—ED.]

LACROSSE REPORT. In spite of the fact that there are forty people who profess to play Lacrosse in the College, it has been almost impossible to get a full college practice during the whole of this term. I do not know if people who scratch at the last minute for no very important reason realise that they are often spoiling the game for the really keen people who are not in any team, and whose only chance of playing is in College practices. At present the Lacrosse Club is hampered by a number of players who figure on the Lacrosse lists, but are never seen on the field.

There are two or three promising players among the Freshers ; E. Leslie-Jones and A. Jeans have got into the 1st XII, and there are six Freshers in the znd XII. Although there has been some improvement in the play of the College as a whole this term, the

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game is still far too slow. Many opportunities are lost in the field by late passes, and nearly everybody is slow in getting rid of the ball. Lack of combination among attacks as well as defences is the weakest point in the College game at present. This can only be remedied by regular practices.

1st XII badges for specially good play in matches will be re-instituted next term. It has been decided to institute znd XII Lacrosse colours ; the ties, which will be ready next term, are green with a narrow silver stripe. Miss Ogilvie and Miss Morton have been recommended for znd XII colours.

The 1st XII consists of the following :Goal, E. Brook.—Has improved, must make surer of her catching. Clearing much better. *Point, W. Dingwall.—Good. Her game is often spoilt by indecision in a scrum.

Cover-Point, J. Laurie.—Plays a steady, energetic game. Inclined to muddle in front of goal. *3rd Man, R. Learoyd.—Plays very well on occasions, but is erratic. Must be quicker in getting on to the ball. *3rd Home, G. Barker.—Very good style. Lacks confidence. Her pace is extremely useful in the field.

2nd Home, M. Horn.—Improving. Does not shoot hard enough.

Should dodge more. ist Home, A. Jeans.—Dodges well, does not pass often enough.

Shoots well sometimes but lacks accuracy.

Right Attack, E. Leslie-Jones.—Does not use the other attacks enough and shoots from too far away from goal. Technique good. *Left. Attack, N. Osborne.—Style and general play excellent.

Shooting effective.

Right Defence, N. Neville-Rolfe.—Valuable in an uphill game.

Tackles well. Must improve her stick work. *Left Defence, S. Budenberg.—Good. Should play with more confidence. Is very dependable and sticks well. *1st XII Colour's.

Miss Bonner has been unable to play games this term owing to ill-health. We miss her in the defence line in the 1st XII. Miss Laurie is 'playing in her stead and has proved efficient, though her tackling is a little weak. Several 1st XII matches were arranged for this term, but have nearly all had to be scratched on account of weather, and in one case of infectious illness. The match against Maltman's Green resulted in a win for St. Hugh's, 12-6. We are playing Reading University and Downe House School next week. We have won all our Ist XII Inter-Collegiate practice matches with the exception of the last,

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when Somerville beat us io-9. There is every reason to hope that our combination will improve with extra practice next term.

The 2nd XII have played one match, v. St. Michael's Convent, which St. Hugh's won. The attacks show promise ; the defences must learn to combine better.

The Lacrosse Club is fortunate in having an extremely efficient Vice-Captain and Secretary. The latter is indefatigable.

11.11.5 *.11.1.4

S. H. C. H. C. Captain—E. V. FOWLER. Secretary—M. CowELL-SMITH. Keenness is certainly not lacking among the members of the Hockey Club, but the standard of play is not as high as one could wish, and slowness and poor stick work are the general faults both of the defence and the attack. The forwards have improved a lot in the circle, but in mid-field they are still much too slow in getting away with the ball and make little attempt to outpace the opposing defence. They should practise the pushpass, to use when closely marked. The halves are rather inclined to wander, and thus leave the backs too much to do. The backs of both elevens have played well on occasions, but there is a general unsteadiness among them all, which could be remedied by individual practice in hitting, stopping and dodging. ist XI—V. Russell ; M. Fookes, H. Moss ; H. Fiedler, V. Fowler, Machin.; M. Steel, M. Cowell-Smith, M. Slaney, W. Murrell, H. Gent. znd XL—Lingard ; Clark, Wilson ; P. Martin, Taylor, Woods. or A. Ogilvie, R. Learoyd, Thelwell, R. Gerenhill, J. Cartwright, E. Fulford.

HINTS TO HOCKEY PLAYERS. Failure to improve is undoubtedly due to one or more of the folloWing reasons :— (I) Indifference.

(2) Lack of training and practice.

(3) A had stick.

Let us immediately pass over reason No. x with befitting scorn, but let us ponder earnestly over Nos. 2 and 3. Ask yourself : Do you find yourself breathless, panting, and unable to run after ten minutes on the hockey field? Then put new life and vigour into your play by five minutes' daily sharp sprinting, with or without a hockey ball and stick. Again, do you find yourself

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unable to hit the ball, or to use that subtle push-stroke that looks so easy and is so difficult of acquirement? Then look to your hockey stick, and if you find it marked a good 24 ozs., chipped and worn away, with the ragged binding of years upon it, do not blame the bad ground or insufficient practice for your failure in the hockey world, but hurry away to Turners' and buy a new stick (weight not to exceed 20 ozs. for a forward, and 21 ozs. if preferred for a back).

S.H.C.N.C. Captain—V. RUSSELL. Vice-Captain—W. E. BROOKE. Secreta'y—H. M. OSBORNE. The re-laying of the netball ground has made play much more possible this term. The 1st VII is the same as it was last season, except for I. Shrigley, who has been unable to play so. far. The team is playing well together, but the passing is always inclined to be too long and inaccurate. The shooters seem to find great difficulty in getting free, and the ball is often kept too long on the edge of the circle. Dormor's shooting has been consistently brilliant. The combination in the centre is excellent, Barker's intercepting- being particularly good. Brooke plays a brilliant game, but must be careful not to let her enthusiasm lead to roughness. Fowler is a very steady player, and a valuable member of the team. The team needs most improvement in the defence.

Osborne is inclined to leave her attack, and play too much in the centre, but her catching and intercepting is good. Andrews is one of the few people who knows how to combine attack and defence.

She shows excellent judgment in her combination with the centres.

The freshers have provided the Club with very few players, and the standard of play on the whole is not promising. There is a great lack of keenness in the year. People do not seem to realise that if they belong to a club they are under a certain obligation to it. There is great slackness in marking off for games and in turning up regularly.

REVIEW.

By A. E. Waterfeild.

This is a stimulating book. In these days of flaccid sensuousness Mr. Waterfeild has given us a hope. A hope that the DREAMING SPIRES.

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THE IMP.

power of metallic thought and gritty emotion still exists among our poets. His verse is sombre with the cold purity of intellectual passion, redolent with ebullient fantasies of physiological consciousness. There are one hundred and eighty poems in all, every one of them contains notable lines. Mr. Waterfeild has grasped the fundamental verities and found them still pulsing with life.

Like so many of our young poets, he was nurtured between the Isis and the Cher. Some of his most beautiful lines commemorate those golden hours of youth. ' Oh city of fair towers and magic moments ' he cries in exultant gratitude.

Yet another little poem to thee I inscribe, Thou art the only place where I read Beaumont's And Fletcher's charming plays and did imbibe . . . ' and so on.

That he satisfied the examiners we know from the poem called The Ordeal ' and from certain verses written on a desk in the East Schools which bear the unmistakable stamp of his genius, but what he read seems uncertain, for elsewhere we find the lines : Tortured and torn with the purple pain of Plato, I sought in the swollen eyes of passers by for truth.'

There are glaring crudities in his poetry, but we shall not comment on them ; they are the faults of youth. But if he in his immaturity can show such blinding flashes of insight, surely we are justified in prophesying for him a great future.

I have reserved these most moving lines till the end : they speak for themselves : ' How oft in lush Islipian grass I wallowed Clutching the dun grey flowers of intellectual strife, While my soul wandered lonely and unfollowed Lost among abstractions, starving in its life.'

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liOLYWELL PRESS OXfORD.

EDITORS. E. FAwcETT.

P.O'FARRELL.

COMMITTEE.

Third Fear Representative—K.ALLSOP. Second Year Representative—N.MORSE.

TREASURER. W.

DINGWALL.