1C.C.F. Notes

And we see it in its most ludicrous form at Mrs. Todger's wonderful, convivial party : "Mr. Pecksniff straightened himself up by a surprising effort, as everyone turned hastily towards him; and standing on his feet, regarded the assembly with a look of ineffable wisdom. Gradually it gave place to a smile; a feeble, helpless, melancholy smile; bland almost to sickliness. 'Do not repine, my friends,' said Mr.

Pecksniff tenderly. 'Do not weep for me; it is chronic.' And with these words, after making a futile attempt to pull off his shoes, he fell into the fireplace."

Each of these two characters is a florescence of comic activity. Each fantasy that they indulge in is not added to the others as another detail in a portrait, but as a fresh spurt of a fountain. Pecksniff's "humour", in short, is simply a way of imposing upon the world, and the uncomfortable feeling with all these shark characters is that they are not liable to punishment, having always an escape into fantasy : they seem to be unassailable because they can never be convinced of their guilt. Thus Mrs. Gamp and the imaginary Mrs. Harris form a single portentous monster, as impervious to understanding as the public conscience which she should arouse. Hence both these creations leave us with a sense of uneasiness rather than indignation; but even so, they do not escape without an implied moral judgment, for Dickens invariably puts beside the particular case of vicious behaviour a telling human event. Mr. Pecksniff is directly responsible for his daughter's disastrous marriage and Mrs. Gamp's neglect of her patient speaks for itself. The human fact at least cannot be masqueraded away.

If it be argued that such characters are not "life-like", the answer is that they are "like life" in a peculiar way; for the vital point is that Dickens exaggerates a real truth about ourselves and thereby isolates it for inspection and judgment. In the manner of Ben Jonson, he seizes upon a specific trait, say hypocrisy, calls it Pecksniff, and proceeds to blow him up until he bursts. It is as if he could only get at the most solemn emotions by the most grotesque means. T. S. Eliot's remarks on Jonson's characters are equally applicable here, for Dickens' fantastic characters certainly have a logic of their own and he certainly intended this logic to illuminate the actual world by giving us a new point of view from which to inspect it. B.H.H.

C.C.F. NOTES 4

Although quite a number of promotions were made at Camp, the full list for the new school year was not published until just before the first parade. S.S.M. Netherwood was appointed the senior N.C.O. and so we have a C.S.M. in khaki once more. The new promotions and appointments necessitated considerable changes in the Sections with a pool of potential N.C.O.s being left in the Cadre 40

The Cadre has, as usual, proved most useful in giving its members the opportunity to instruct, and organise demonstrations for the other Sections.

A new batch of Recruits was received by Flight Sgt. Welch, and the postponed examination for the others was held.

Trafalgar Day was marked by a special ceremony at the beginning of parade on the first Tuesday following 21st October. The hoisting of a special signal by members of the R.N. Section was an impressive sight.

Owing to the reduced numbers in the R.N. Section this term, the two Divisions have been temporarily merged into one. In view of the special training in Naval drill received at H.M.S. St. Vincent, it was decided to allow the R.N. Section to continue this permanently, so long as the timing of rifle and other company drill remained unaltered.

There have been several improvements in the organisation. P.O. Jose, who is now in charge of the R.N. Section, has introduced the R.N. Standing Orders which indicate the various duties to be carried out in the R.N. Section. The Stores Rating is now aided by two assistants, one responsible for clothing, the other for naval stores, and the R.N. Writer has an assistant for checking the issue of seamanship manuals. Lg./Sea. Franklin, Badham, Burden, and A.B.s Mitchell, Clark, Wheeler, Jenkinson, and Brewin are to be complimented on the enthusiasm they have shown in carrying out their sometimes tedious duties.

The term has been mainly spent in routine training for the Exams., and the results so far this term have shown a satisfactory percentage of passes. Lg./Sea. Hall has done some good work with the N.R. Basic Squad, and A.B.s Gregory and Ridley have been enthusiastic instructors with the recruits.

The Army Training Platoon, which is larger than usual, has been active with normal training, sand table exercises, T.E.W.T.s, etc. S.S.M. Sparham and Sgt. Morris have been supervising the instruction. Sgt. Peverley has taken over the Shooting instruction and is doing an excellent job with it. Armourer Sgt. Cook and L/Cpl. Baxter have been very busy in their respective posts.

The Signallers, after their very successful work at Camp, have been busy with classification and the Instructor examinations. The Senior N.C.O., S/S.S.M. Clough, has taken over the stores and rules the Platoon most efficiently.

The R.A. Detachment has been suspended for the time being whilst discussions continue about the possible reorganisation of training. Its members have been most helpful in the Cadre.

Flight Sgt. Sedman has taken charge of the R.A.F. Section this term, with Sgt. Stubbs organising instruction. The work of the term 41