St Hugh's College, Oxford - The Imp, Dec 1925

Editor: N. B. WOODCOCK.

Committee :

Third Year Representative—D. NEAL. Second Year Representative—E. CV SIIAUGHNESSY.

Treasurer: N. SYME S.

THE IMP No. 20.

Michaelmas Term.

1925.

EDITORIAL.

T

HE singular lack of enthusiasm with which all appeals for contributions to the Imp have been met this term has not been more marked than usual. It has always been a characteristic peculiar to this magazine.

We feel that there would be an outcry if the Imp, who is by now a familiar member of College, were to cease to be. Yet such is the fate that threatened him this term, and it was only by valiant efforts on the part of certain of his friends at the eleventh hour that the poor wasted body was restored to comparative health and vigour.

Not only would he be missed by 'members of College, but surely the saintly Hugh, in his nightly pacing of the garden, would lament the absence of the familiar little black figure to whom he had grown so accustomed in his own cathedral, and who had impudently crept in under cover of the worthy prelate's gown at the founding of the College to become a popular member thereof.

We trust that the Imp will not cause his friends any anxiety next term by another decline into a precarious state of health.

The results of the general competition this term—which we flattered ourself was a pleasant one—were disappointing, and there were not sufficient entries to merit a prize. There were no entries for either competition from the first year, but we hope that once they have become acquainted with the Imp a close and lasting friendship will be established between them.

With hearty good wishes for a merry Christmas and a happy New Year, the Imp takes his leave.

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POEM. CALLED FORTH BY THE USUAL LACK OF CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE IMP.' WITH APOLOGIES TO LONGFELLOW.

Beside the ungathered weeds he lay, A pencil in his hand, Upon the terrace where he fell, Too weak to move or stand ; And in the mist of shadow and sleep He saw his native land.

Wide through the landscape of his dream, Where inspiration flowed, Mid rows of able pens, once more A valiant Imp he strode, And songs and sonnets poured into The room where he abode.

The College with its myriad tongues Shouted of things to be : Of dances, picnics, theatres, plays, And a life of revelry.

He turned in his sleep and sadly said ' They do not think of me.'

He did not feel the poet's quill, Too late th' inspired ray, For death hath illumined the land of sleep And the dwindled body lay A worn-out cover that his friends Had spurned and thrown, away.

THE IMP. CONTRIBUTING TO THE IMP.'

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THE IMP. THE SECOND YEAR PLAYS. ST. HUGH'S DAY, 1925.

I. ' The Poetasters of Ispahan.'

The choice of this play made it very difficult for the caste to do itself justice.

In the first place, the characters were all men, with the exception of the part of Silverrnoon, which was charmingly, though hardly orientally, played by J. Machin.

With an eye to possible ' men' for College plays, we looked in vain for a convincingly masculine gesture and listened anxiously for any masculine voices. The well-known tones of the performers, and the familiarity of some of the properties, combined to produce an illusion among the audience that they were assisting at a distinguished second year cocoa party ; nor was the illusion in any way dispelled, but rather heightened, by the explosive interruptions of Suliman, with his torrent of words that would not be kept back—that, too, seemed familiar. V. Mercer was good in this obviously congenial part, and showed us a very fair piece of acting in the dictating of her Quatrain.' We liked the Baker immensely ; he had such nice legs.

Alladin made an effective first entry and showed decided promise ; but it was a pity the East was not more apparent in his gestures, which would have been excellent in a Court gallant of the eighteenth century.

R. Haynes, as the poet Hallaj, was good in facial expression, but did not carry conviction in her voice. She made her audience feel she could do better things, and she should not confine herself to one gesture.

We owe some pleasant moments to the efficiency of the stagemanagement, as, for instance, in the episode of the lamp-lighting —` SO ! ' The colouring of the scenery and the dresses was really satisfying, and, apart from a slight hesitancy and hanging on cues, the actors made the most of a play that was ' thin as the verses of the poetasters.'

Double Demon' gave scope for decided talent in comedy ; the character of each juror was well brought out, even by those who had only a sentence or two in which to convey it.

W. Murrell's cockney moralizing was received with shouts of mirth, and E. Lingard conveyed an excellent impression of practical British Womanhood,' and showed a command of the intricacies of by-play. The audience enjoyed the scene between John (M. Hall) and the First Juror (I. Evans), who is always delightful. John emphasised well the contrast between the mas-

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culine and feminine in his attitude to the question in debate, and his ease of manner and obstinate unconcern were extraordinarily well done. The by-play of the other jurors during the dialogues was noticeably good. We could not blame John for his change of front after the shattering interview with the fascinating Second Juror.

The play showed signs of under-rehearsal, but there would have been little or nothing to find fault with had its ' swing' been as good as its characterisation.

III. Thirty Minutes in a Street ' gave us several delightful personalities, notably U. Dacombe as a Char.' whom one would love to see scrubbing one's doorstep for the joy of her conversation and her garments. Hers was a most finished performance, and deserves enthusiastic praise. M. Fookes was excellent in the impression she conveyed of fluttered ineptitude.

C. Goodenough distributed tracts extraordinarily well at such short notice. We thought D. Clark, as the Hostess, made the most of her part and formed an admirable contrast to I. Evans, whose facial expression was delightful in this part.

As a general warning to all future performers before College footlights, we must add that these are not so strong as to require quite such exaggerated ' make-up.'

J. Machin and H. Humphreys are to be congratulated on the dresses, which were most successful in all three plays ; and the properties, even such as were thrown on from the wings, were efficiently managed by J. Hackshaw. The scenery of the ' Street' was cleverly thought out.

The general standard of acting in the second year was difficult to judge from so many small parts, nor is it possible to mention every one individually, but many showed distinct promise.

Altogether, the second year gave us a thoroughly enjoyable evening. TH.N.

NURSERY RHYME. FOR WET WEATHER.' Pitter-patter, little raindrops, Peep into my window, but don't come in ; For if you do, I'll be wet to the skin.

Pitter-patter, little raindrops, Dance upon the window-pane, dance upon the trees ; But don't wet me, little raindrops, pleeese.

A.C.

THE IMP. MUSIC NEVER DIES. Music never dies ; it lingers On among the silent spaces Of the hills and woody places When the living notes are dead.

There's an echo of old tunes Sweetest piping, sweetest singing Of Sicilian shepherds, bringing Back the ancient melodies Through the noise of centuries.

Songs of Greece Apollo sang, Or of syren voices gloating In the twilight, softly floating Over the lEgean Sea. All the music that the waves Ever treasured in their caves, Slow old chants of galley-slaves, Songs from Viking ships that roam Southwards through the icy foam Beneath a frozen moon.

Music thus can never die ; 'Tis cradled in Eternity, Lurking in the winds that creep Among the quiet trees, asleep Beneath the quiet stars.

M.L. C.

PEPYS PILLORIED. During the recent cleansing operations in the Camera a remarkable manuscript was brought to light窶馬amely, two pages from the private diary of Mr. Samuel Pepys. It is presumed that during a short visit to Oxford Mr. Pepys continued his famous memoranda in a loose-leaf note-book, and when hastening to catch the London coach at the Mitre he inadvertently let fall a few sheets. Two of these were fortunately rescued by the nightwatchman at Carfax and conveyed to the library of Johannes Radcliffe, where they have lain in obscurity for nearly three hundred years. The manuscript is here published for the first time, carefully edited and annotated by one of our research students.

I down to walk, by the river, it being- a November 14th. mighty warm and pleasant day even to amazement for this time of the year. Many boats abroad in which were ladies disporting pleasantly enough, though thought them not mighty proficient.

Observed two pairs of oars or sculler 1that turned about giddily, for there was one in her that thrust her oar deeply into the water

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and leaned heavily upon it, that the boat was nigh upset ; and she having charge did make much discourse of it, _her apprehensions being mighty great. Saw some to wear coloured garments, very gay, but the like of which I had not seen ; petticoats of lindsey-woolsey,2 striped and checquered ; the upper garments silken and extraordinary bright ; one or two to wear hats, but it seemed not done. Saw yet another ship approaching the bankside all too speedily methought, for the prow stuck hard and fast in the filth ; and she directing called them I know not what ; and for all they heaved mightily with their oars they could not budge her. To their aid with a good grace, but soiled my new bombazine breeches, which vexed me mightily, and was in as dirty a pickle as I never saw man in my life ; and so to the ferry, and ferried over to the other side, and walked with great pleasure ; the river mighty high by Marston Ferry : and so to my lodgings at the Mitre. Anon supper ; and the young gentlemen to flinging of cushions and other mad sports till towards twelve at night, and then being sleepy I to bed, and slept not very well because of noise.

November 15th. Up, drank my morning draught at the George 3 walked a good while through the fields ; lighted upon an unsightly but commodious building set on the bank-side. To a door and looked within, but ventured not further, fearing to soil my finning stockings and wide canons newly bought ; the floor littered with many ships, whose business I understand not and so can give no good account ; so home.

November 16th. Up betimes to work and then after dinner to the river by Port Meadow. Saw a vessel that did swim and go finely, for the crew bent them merrily to the oars : btit with the help of my left eye through my tube I discerned that they were ladies ; but Lord ! their dress did confound me mightily. For I do verily believe that they had no gowns, but breeches and hosen, having legs mighty long, and I know not what else ; and she with the ropes cried out to them extraordinary raucous ; but I understood not the drift. Spied an angler and did ask the meaning thereof ; but he, with much uncouth language, for the fish were mightily put off what with the splashing of the oars, told me they were ladies of a College near by : but Lord ! I have never heard of women doing the like in the world. So to the Trout, it being a mighty cold, foul day, where they did give the meanest supper—clucks' eggs and unrinded bacon 4 to the basest degree.

Hence I with much ado got the coach from Wolvercote, and with twenty stops which he made I got him to carry me right through, and paid him dear for it : and so home.

November 17th. Foul, wet day. Not wishing to walk, I to the Lamb and Flag . . . ;

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At this point the manuscript unfortunately terminates. Taking into consideration the abruptness of the conclusion, the illegibility of the last few lines, and the unaccountable presence of certain brown stains on the parchment, it is not far to seek for the explanation of Mr. Pepys' hurried departure from Oxford on the following morning.

1Two Pairs of Oars or Sculler—an ancient type of barge—very rare. St. Hugh's College, Oxford, is fortunate in possessing two original specimens in an excellent state of preservation, and also a recent model constructed on similar lines.

Lindsey-Woolsey.—The Lindsey-Woolsey of the described designs is not known to exist, but investigation is being made into the archives of Messrs.

Elliston and Cavell.

3The

George.—A well-known hostelrie of ill-repute.

4 Un-Rinded bacon.--In a similar passage, Dr. Johnson was puzzled by this phrase, but present-day conditions render further explanation unnecessary.

S.J.B.

MEETING. In thought I talked with you, Nor was aware How the drenched willows Misted the air.

Old jokes we laughed at.

I had garnered new, That could have no telling But to you.

The waters wept alway, Yet swift our mirth, Although the dust I loved Had gone to earth.

In thought I talked with you— We had no share In mist's solemnity Or rain's despair.

THE IMP. CELEBRITIES OF THE ENGLISH SCHOOL.

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SPELL-BOUND. I ha' lost my cap and bells, And my clothes are torn, I know, By the prickly briars that grow In the forest where she dwells.

And weaves her spells. . . .

'Twas the day the king rode 'forth, hawk in hand, Wi' the ladies o' his court and lordings grand, And me, the fool. I met her there, A witch, wi' black eyes and black hair And red mouth. . .

Then,all :I .knew, Court and'king andi kngdotno -to, Grew like figures flatand cold -On an arras dim and old Wi' no more red nor blue nor gold.

All I saw was her black eyes Witched wi' love, and sorrow-wise, That said `Thou shalt not scape such spell as this But by a kiss.'

They came, and took her from me the next day And burned her for a witch, some little way'lFrom the palace, gates, while the stern priesi stood by Now here I lie: -How long I have been thus I cannot tell ; Spell-bound, and all unbreakable the spell.

K.A.

THINGS WE WANT TO KNOW., (t) Which member of the S.C.R. suspected a certain second year of beinea thief on St. Hugh's Day. (2) Whether certain members of the first year consider it becoming to wear their caps at an angle of forty-five degrees.

(3) Who remarked that James I's Parliament, rejoicing at an ensured succession, failed to realise that a royal family would be more expensive than a virgin queen.

X4) Whether a certain Second Year will have sufficient funds to meet the bursar's charges for waked light.

(5) Whether' it is necessary to extend an appreciation--of poetry to one's bodily attitude.

(6) Whether a certain distinguished athlete ha's been drawing up her gown with her fire.

(7) What the Editor would say if she found her pigeon-hole crowded out with articles for the Imp.

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(8) Whether the latest subterfuge for evading Stat. Titula xv ยง5 (re alcoholic liquor) is to take part in a collision.

(9) Whether one travels to Switzerland and Ireland via Basingstoke. (io) What a dear old lady thought when, on the day of the Second Year dress rehearsal, she was called a freak.

(I i) And what a male visitor in riding kit thought on being told how fine he looked by a student whom he had never seen before.

(12) How many weeds remain on the terrace after the united efforts of the College. (is) What the Principal would have said on St. Hugh's Day if she had not been forestalled.

ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL. There was once a student who wanted a book at the Rad.' So she said to her bicycle : ' Bike, bike, take me to the Rad., or I shan't get down to-night.'

But the bicycle said it couldn't without a lamp. So the student went to the lamp and said : ' Lamp, lamp, go to bike ; bike won't take me to the Rad., and I shan't get down to-night.' But the lamp wouldn't function without its owner.

So the student went to the owner and said : ' Friend, friend, fetch lamp ; lamp won't go to bike, bike won't take me to the Rad., and I shan't get down to-night.'

But the friend was having a tutorial. So the student went to the tutor and said : ' Tutor, tutor, release my friend ; friend won't fetch lamp, lamp won't go to bike, bike won't take me to the Rad., and I shan't get down to-night.'

But the tutor wouldn't. So the student went to the Major and said : Major, major, ride out with tutor ; tutor won't release friend, friend won't fetch lamp, lamp won't go to bike, bike won't take me to the Rad., and I shan't get down to-night.'

But the Major said he wouldn't, without a horse for the tutor.

So the student went to a horse and said : ' Horse, horse, go with major ; major won't ride out with tutor, tutor won't release friend, friend won't fetch lamp, lamp won't go to bike, bike won't take me to the Rad., and I shan't get down to-night.'

But the horse said it wasn't high-spirited enough. So the student went to a gadfly and said : ' Fly, fly, sting horse ; horse won't go with major, major won't ride out with tutor, tutor won't release friend, friend won't fetch lamp, lamp won't go to bike, bike won't take me to the Rad., and I shan't get down to-night.'

But the gadfly wouldn't. So the student went to ' Keating' and said : Keating, Keating, kill gadfly ; gadfly won't sting

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horse, horse won't go with major, major won't ride out with tutor, tutor won't release friend, friend won't fetch lamp, lamp won't go to bike, bike won't take me to the Rad., and I shan't get down to-night.'

But Keating said he was giving a lecture. So the student said to him : ' The beautiful Miss — is not here to-day ! ' Then Keating' was so angry that he began to kill the gadfly ; then the gadfly began to sting the horse, the horse began to go with the major, the major began to ride out with the tutor, the tutor began to release the friend, the friend began to fetch the lamp, the lamp began to go to the bike, the bike began to take the student to the Rad., and so she got down that night. . . .

GAMES REPORTS. S. H. C. H. C. Captain—M. COWuLL-SMITH. Vice-Captain—V. RUSSELL.

Secretary—M. FOOKES. No criticism of the 1st and znd XI's will be attempted here, but I shall confine any remarks to the game in general. We have had sufficient experience already, I think, to find out our individual strength and weakness (especially the latter), and I will leave it at that. However, any suggestions as to the improvement of practice games would be warmly welcomed. Putting aside all consideration of the hockey officials' digestions (and that is a point I believe all past games' captains have felt as fully as we do), practice games always suffer from shortage of people.

The cause is simply lack of enthusiasm. I can except most members of the isf and 2nd XI's, but I should like other people who play hockey to remember that their slackness, especially in not ticking or crossing early, is very hard upon those who are really keen, but who are not enough to make up two sides by themselves. So if anyone has any bright ideas as to the drawing up ry pleased to hear them. of hockey lists, I shall be very We hope M Miss Armfield may be able to come down early next term to coach the ist and 2nd XI's. It will be a very good opportunity for everyone to get hints upon improving their play before the Cuppers.

R. Stave is to be congratulated upon winning her Ist XI colours.

Although the result of matches is not very promising, it is partly accounted for by the fact that college matches have usually been on the same clay as United matches. These have taken away

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from the college games V. Russell, L. Stave, W. Murrell, and M. Cowell-Smith. Results of matches for Michaelmas term :1st XI v. St. Mary's, Wantage, lost 5-3. v. St. Hilda's (practice match), lost 8-6. v. Somerville (practice match), won 3-2.

V. Malvern, lost 7—o. v. Etceteras, lost 3-2.

2nd XI v. Morris Motors, won 9—o. v. Somerville znd (practice match), won 3-2 S.H.C'. L.C. Captain—H. M. OSBORNE.

Vice-Captain—R. H. LEAROYD. Secretary—E. LESLIE-JONES. The club contains promising material and has improved during the term. The chief faults are slowness and bad stick-work. This is partly due to lack of practice and partly to lack of confidence.

If everyone were to start with the idea that she really is capable of being first out to the ball, or of reaching a pass, however wide, she would be amazed at the results. Secondly, players should practice often, and in the right way. i. Catching. Never practise standing still. Use two hands.

Let your crosses give, and never let yourself get careless.

2. Passing must be low, swift and hard ; lobs are easy to intercept and make the game slow. Practise passing into the space where the person is going to be and not to where she is.

3. Running. No one should be in one place for more than two seconds at a time whether they have the ball or not. When you have the ball, do not think about it ; keep your head up, and use your eyes and legs as hard as you can.

The tactics of the ist XII have improved during the term ; the defence has grasped the principles of interchanging, and the attacks are getting the feel of their places and combining better, but at present everything is ruined by inaccurate stick-work, slowness in running, and slowness in thought. *BROOK (goal). Saves very well at times and clears with accuracy, but lacks judgment in running out. *DINGWALL (point). A valuable member of the team. Plays with energy and intercepts well. Still a little slow in clearing. *LEARovp (cover-point). Has energy and push and uses her head, but her determination is sometimes apt to make her lose her place. Has held the .defence well together throughout the term and has improved the interchanging and combination. A very reliable member of the team,

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(3rd man). Steady and dependable. Intercepts well and plays with her head. Must improve her pace and mark still more closely.

HOBHOUSE, (left defence). Has improved, and is interchanging and combining better, but lacks dash and is too slow both in running and in making up her mind. *NEviLLE,-RoLFE, (right defence). An untiring player with plenty of dash. At present she is anticipating the movements of cover and 3rd man, and is coming in too soon. She must confine herself strictly to her own work and improve her tackling. t PHELIPS (centre). Has proved an efficient and hard-working centre. Passing accurate, but not sufficiently low and hard.

Intercepting excellent. *LESLIE-JONES (right attack). Has dash, and has been combining well. Still shoots from too far away, and is apt to be drawn into the centre and to muddle the homes. Must use her pace to get back and cover the opposing attack.

HIGNETT (3rd home). Has improved very much this term. Presses well and has a good shot.

HORN (2nd home). Is getting the feel of her place and playing with determination. Must make certain of her catching and passing.

HELPS (I st home). Has played in most of the matches instead of Cowell-Smith. Has determination and energy and a grasp of tactics, but spoils everything by defective stick-work.

HUXLEY

* Old Colours. t Colours gained this term.

The 2nd XII is promising. The defence plays well together.

Morton has proved a most efficient captain ; Hackshaw has played steadily in goal, and has been well supported by Morgan and Robertson at point and cover. Smith intercepts well and has the makings of a good player, but she must gain more dash and push.

The attack is less good. Everyone must pass sooner and run harder. Ogilvie has played consistently well ; she has shot quickly and is getting the feel of her place. znd XII :—Hackshaw (goal), Morgan (point), Robertson (cover point), Smith (3rd man), Van Boeschoeten (left defence), tMorton (captain, right defence), t Helps (centre), Osborn (left attack), Anderson (right attack), Deacon (3rd home), Ogilvie (2nd home), t Lace (1st home). (t znd XII Colours.)

Among the remainder of the club there has been improvement.

Thrupp has played well in several znd XII matches, and Chorlton

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and Martin have improved. Of the beginners, Russell shows promise. Match results :— 1st XII v. O. H. S. , lost I I-7. v. Reading, won 10-4. v. Maltman's Green, lost 9-7. v. L.M.H., lost 13-8. v. Headington, won 12—o.

2nd XII v. Somerville, drawn 4-4. v. St. Michael's, won 13-3.

S.H.C. N.C. Captain—W. DINGWALL. Vice-Captain—N. MOLLER. Secretary—B. LACEY. The general standard of play is below that of last year, partly due to lack of shooters at practices. Among the freshers there is one good shooter, Fulford, and two, Douglas and Barker, who might improve with practice ; three others are in the znd VII. Of the remaining players, Houlihan, Reeves and Hensman are almost up to 2nd VII standard. The whole game suffers from a lack of enthusiasm, which I hope will not be the case next term.

We have played four matches :— v. Wychwood Won largely through superiority of strength and height. v. St. Michael's v. London University, 1st and znd. Both lost through bad passing and shooting. v. Headington School. Lost—though the team played much better than before—chiefly because Headington shot better and passed more accurately than St. Hugh's. }

ist VII.

*OSBORNE

(D.). Defends and intercepts well. Can be relied on to combine with goal and attacks, but is not always quick enough in returning to mark.

MoLLER (D.C.). A good steady player ; gets free well for the defences, but might mark her opponent more closely.

BROOK (C.). Has improved a great deal, especially in defending, but might be a quicker player.

LACEY (A.C.). A very reliable, energetic player, quick and alert. *FuLFoRD (A.). Very quick and can shoot brilliantly, but has her ' off days.'

CLARK (S.). Must get free better and be surer of her shot. * Colours.

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and VII : --Anderson (G.), Bone (D.), Butler (D.C., captain), Leonard (C.), Hall (A.C.), Douglas (A.), Lynn (S.).

All the defences have improved this term and are learning to combine. The attack is weak, largely due to lack of practice together ; the shooting is poor, and cannot hope to be improved without individual practice. Centre is a good player and uses her head ; she is also considerably faster than the rest of the team.

ALL PLAYERS must be quicker, and far more careful of their passing than they are at present. A great many people do not think ahead enough, and are unprepared for their opponents' tactics. N B --Long passes are dangerous.

BOAT CLUB REPORT. BOAT CLUB. Captain—J. BAKER. Secretary—U. DACOMBE. Although the activities of the Boat Club have on several occasions throughout the term been seriously threatened by the eccentric behaviour of the river, nothing as yet has occurred actually to prevent the boats going out daily. The scullers and canoes have been taken out regularly, and appreciable keenness has been shown by many members of the first year. Although up to the present only a few have gained their Half-Captaincies, it should not be long before several more become qualified. We also hope to see some new Captains of Sculling before the end of the term.

The four has been out regularly every week, and on some occasions we have been fortunate in having the excellent coaching of Mr. Lusk. Marked enthusiasm has prevailed among aspiring members of the crew, who have been putting in hard work in the tub pair.

The following have qualified as Half-Captains : —Canoeing : Lace, Lane, Mott, Phelips. Sculling : Mott, Le Mesurier, Vickers, Hensman, Lang-field.

awLvvigu. 'Rasa, ALritEp sTREwr, OXFORD.

CONSTITUTION OF THE COLLEGE MAGAZINE. 1.—That the Magazine shall be called ' THE IMP.' 2.—That the officers of the Magazine shall be an Editor and a

Treasurer, elected by the J.C.R., and an elected representative from each year.

3.—Contributions shall be accepted or refused by the decision of the majority of the Committee, the Editor reserving the right of the casting vote.

4.—The Committee shall not be held responsible for any opinions expressed in the Magazine.

5.—Nothing of. intrinsic merit shall be excluded on account of views expressed therein.

6.—The anonymous character of contributions shall be respected when required.

7.—Contributions are eligible from the Senior and Junior Common Rooms, past and present.

8.—The Committee shall be empowered at their discretion to invite contributions from anyone not a member of the College.